I was sent a pile of .pdf files as prep for a DnD5e campaign I’m not otherwise ready for. These are my observations about them, posted here because (again) this blog has become a personal notebook.

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Core Rules

There were three variants of the “core rules” with two for 5e

Dark Sun OSR v1.pdf

This is a rules re-write for a retro-ish version of DnD. I will not need it now - but - it might be interesing later to “homebrew” a new sourcebook.

Dark Sun Player_s Handbook V2.0

This is a fan-made supplament for playing in Dark Sun. It does not seem to have any GM rules … which could be fine? It’s missing Pterrans and the Merchant class … I think. … along with Templars, but, that’s par for the course I guess …

It adds Aarakocra (and Dragonborn) which I don’t care for - but whatever. Aarakocra can fly which feels too “powerful” for obstacles, and, the Dragornborn feel “over exposed” since Skyrim.

There are a lot of equipment notes I’d like to canibalise. The classes reffer back to the PHB I think. Maybe. There are some race descriptions that I started to copy to ref-cards.

Dark Sun Rules Book v1.2

This is the best of the rulebooks from my perspective. It felt the most complete, was well put othgether, and seemed to avoid any lose ends. Pterrans and Merchants are missing - but - Templars are there.

An interesting note is that it seperates some details into “class” and “background” as well as adding “feats” for character creation. I quite like this idea, but, it’d need work to get it to a state where it’s fun and easy to use.

I would advocate for this rulebook over the others I’ve read.

Dark Sun 5E Campaign Guide - v1.9

It’s another homebrew sourcebook! It seems to have more detailed steps so (again) I should look at it more closesly.

Peter should read it

Dark Sun 5E Campaign Guide - draft version 1.5

introudctions starts with another round of “10 things about Athas”

character creation rules look … like a relief

race and class seem laid out well

defiler rules (again) seem lacking

page 39

• can print the race sheets!
• can print the classes?

“dark sun milk edition”

I couldn’t download this “as one” so I am skipping it.

Accessories

Dark Sun Standalone-background generator

This seems like it’s just a character background generator. I will likely print this out and keep it when playing for GM reference.

Food and Drink in Tyr

This is a flavour document (like the calendar) - all fluff, no crunch.

Dungeon Master Materials

Dark Sun DM Guide

I think that this is a set of reference things. I don’t get it.

I’ll look at it again when I get a chance.

5th Edition Dark Sun Creatures

A monster manual for the world of Dark Sun. I will likely draw monsters from here (if not elsewhere) when playing.

DM_s Summary Statistics for Athasian Cities

These are (presumably) fan made/updated reference sheets for the city states. I have some familiar ones from an old 2E boxed set. I’ll find mutually exclusive set of these and the other ones and print them out for daily use.

Traveller_s Guides to the Cities of Athas

These are (presumably) fan made/updated reference sheets for the city states. I have some familiar ones from an old 2E boxed set. I’ll find mutually exclusive set of these and the other ones and print them out for daily use.

Vignette - *

These are fan-made adventure modules that I’ll probably just use. Should find a way to pull “hooks” from them.