Well, it looks like Wizards of the Coast has announced Dark Sun as the next big campaign setting for 4th Edition Dungeons & Dragons. Though I am not currently playing 4th Edition I think this is excellent news. Read here to find out more.
Dark Sun was originally published by TSR for 2nd Edition Advanced Dungeons & Dragons, and it was unlike any other product they had ever released. It was a setting that was years ahead of its time, and sadly Dark Sun never drew in the audience it deserved back in the day. Since then it has gained a cult following, and it looks like Wizards has recognized its potential.
For the uninitiated, Dark Sun was a brutal post-apocalyptic fantasy setting where magic had ravaged the world of Athas, leaving it a desert planet; the gods were dead and steel was more precious than life itself. The setting was deadly and grim as hell, and in my opinion the closest to a true sword & planet / sword & sandal / sword & sorcery setting ever officially released for D&D. I mention all three genres because I feel Dark Sun in its own way captured all of them beautiful. Dark Sun also represented a genre of science-fantasy that can be classified as "Dying Earth", which has its roots in the writings of Clark Ashton Smith, Jack Vance, Gene Wolfe and others.
If you are tired of the same ol' same ol' in your fantasy gaming I would highly recommend Dark Sun as a setting that will offer "different" in spades. Even if 4th Edition D&D is not your cup of tea do not allow that to stop you from seeking out Dark Sun products released for earlier editions of the worlds most popular fantasy game. Scour eBay and online used gaming shops like Noble Knight Games for copies of the original release of Dark Sun. You will not be disappointed.
1 comment:
Give the 2nd edition over 4E. And the old Dark Sun totally kicked.....anywhay, it wasw really cool.
Post a Comment