I’d be worried that the templars would have to break it to Hamanu gently. If that abomination was brought before him without warning, would he suddenly revert to genocidal? The other Champions either finished off their wars, or have spent centuries getting used to the idea. (Given some of the hatreds some Champions have displayed, I’m surprised they even let those races in their cities.)
Depends on the timeline of events, before/during/after Rise and Fall of a Dragon King. It would be interesting twist to the adventure.
A few years ago, I tried to run Vampire: The Masquerade. One of the main challenges was its more than 30 years of history, which created a steep learning curve for new game masters and players. I see a similar challenge with Dark Sun. The setting has accumulated so much history that it may be difficult for newcomers to understand, especially while the designers are also trying to meet the expectations of longtime fans.
Another problem with some of Wizards’ recent campaign-setting releases is the lack of detail about any one location. I would like to see a deeper exploration of a specific area, beginning with a sandbox-style setting centered on one city. The material could explain the city’s districts, factions, residents, and conflicts, as well as how those elements interact. It could then expand into the surrounding areas and provide game masters with enough information to build their own adventures.
Unfortunately, Wizards often provides broad descriptions without enough detail to make the setting feel complete. AI tools may now help game masters expand underdeveloped areas, provided they are given clear instructions and enough reliable background information. However, the published material still needs to establish a strong foundation.
I would consider the release a success if it stays true to the core themes of Dark Sun while giving players and game masters a clear, accessible, and detailed introduction to the setting. For the project to be commercially viable, it will need to appeal beyond the existing fan base. Creating a campaign setting that welcomes new players while giving longtime fans meaningful depth will be essential.
I’ve wondered about that too, specifically for Balic (where it seems to be most of an issue: I don’t think that there are aarakocra in Gulg or giants in New Giustenal, and only humans are free/citizens in Ur Draxa) but I think it might be a way of Andropinis rejecting Rajaat’s purpose, a giant middle finger to him.
And he can always use more bodies for the Levy. One can argue about the demographics and how burdensome/dangerous the Levy is for the city states, but Balic is the only city state (other than Tithian’s Tyr that was doing it in secret) that we’re specifically told had recent trouble with it. (And I wouldn’t be surprised at all if Balic’s Levy is really heavily weighted toward elves.)
I’d be happy if they chose prior to Kalak’s ritual (like, months), so the player’s know something is off, but not immediately dangerous; or immediately after his death, with or without the NPCs surviving to lead.
No deep backstory, because by this point it’s a bit convoluted (not “comic book hero dies… but comes back… but dies again… but was retconned to have never happened… but was rebooted to tell the same story, but with slight changes… but that was in the multiverse…” convoluted) and honestly far above starting players’ pay grade.
So, first boxed set and possibly the Freedom module. No dragons, no Rajaat, no Cleansing Wars. Just the heroes, the desert, and that one gallon of water that has to last them until the next oasis.
The players can learn about all that stuff if their DM wants it in their campaign.
Over on Facebook, in the Dark Sun group (not the Sages of Dark Sun), there are attached files that can be downloaded.
One of them is a fan made file on Andro’s history. Yadda yadda yadda and all that, but one headcanon takeaway for me is that Andro won’t allow elves to stay in Balic after nightfall (says they’re untrustworthy; hurtful, but kinda true). I’d assume that he doesn’t let them be templars, either.
Thinking on it, which of the SKs still had extant species they might have had to still deal with. Dregoth had giants, and he certainly doesn’t allow them in his New Giustenal (except perhaps as zombies; though doesn’t he have a fire giant?). Andro has to deal with elves. I forget what species Lalali-Puy, Kalid-Ma, and Sielba’s wars were against.
But Kalak (ogres), Abalach-Re (orcs), Tec (wemics; and I like the headcanon recently posted that they were mutant kirre from the Pristine Tower, though geography might have been an issue?), Nibenay (gnomes), Hamanu (trolls; don’t tell him about Troll Grave Chasm), Keltis/Oronis (lizard people; don’t tell him about the Last Sea; don’t know how the various OTHER extant lizard people got a pass), and Daskinor (goblins) don’t have to worry about that.
Hmm, yeah, there is a fire giant from another world in City by the Silt Sea. Maybe that is different enough from Athasian giants though?
Lalali-Puy was aarakocra, and there might well not be any in Gulg. Kalid-Ma was tari, Sielba was pterrans (except in RAFOADK which says sprites).
I think Keltis was specifically lizardfolk, not all reptilian humanoids. Kobolds were assigned to Sacha. In Athas.org material, I think there’s some hint somewhere that Nikaal were Blue Age, so they may not have been targeted just as kreen weren’t. Tortles didn’t exist yet … maybe some others were made by the Pristine Tower afterwards?
So I think it’s really mostly Andropinis that the question applies to.
A lot of Champions just weren’t very good at their jobs…
Why couldn’t one of them be assigned belgoi?