Returning to the Sundered Region or Anattan continent writ-large, attached below are a series of some of the best maps I have found from the community that cover at least the western half of this mysterious continent. I do this to help us understand this continent better, and to compare, contrast, and consider possibilities for what we would like to see in this vast land mass. I lead with what I think is one of the very best extant maps, one which covers most of this eastern continent, and for that matter much of the Dark Sun world:
Compared to other similar maps, it reduces that often far too enormous footprint of the Dead Lands, which too often dominates the southern portions of our maps to distasteful degree. I would want to play in Dark Sun, and not in the Dead Lands campaign. Even in this map, the Dead Lands is as large as the Tablelands. That is plenty of room to play in. We do not need it as a super-continental block of obsidian that blocks off Athas to the southern Silt Ocean.
I believe that Sysane and Darkinterloper are some of the key creative talents behind this Eastern Continent, which by our usual loose consensus I believe we are calling Anattan, after the city of Anatta which lies to the west of the so-called Burning Forest in the southern part of the continent. The few who know of this great land mass in the Tyr Region might call it that as we in the West in the real world call the eastern part of the world “Asia”, who in some ancient past originally referred only to a comparatively small portion of western Anatolia.
However, compare the map above with the solid work from the famous work of Brian Sanchez and the Athasian Cartography project. It is much starker, cleaner, and empty. Do we prefer that the Anattan continent be so sparse? Indeed, I prefer it to be more desolate than the Tablelands:
Lastly, compared Darkhelm to the newer DarkSunRising [who was behind this great project?] version of the continent. A tasteful conflation, I would say. This map provides more space for silt sea culture, and is also considerably more empty and forlorn, though surely he would say there is room for expansion and further detail. I have often favored this map in many respects.
I also include here Sysane’s work from many years ago. I believe he has stated he has taken a step back from this map, and I am cautious with it, but that said I believe it has floated for years, and has seeded our minds and imagination with many concepts. Darinterloper’s work stems I think in large part from this original map, and though I prefer to progress to a less cluttered and more forlorn vision of Anatta, I believe we should keep an ear to Sysane’s early work on the continent:
And of course we should include Darkinterloper’s work on the western portion of the continent, which includes the “Spiral Lands”, which I am to take it is a polite lift from another fantasy writer named Mike Fleming. I quite like the map in many ways, and am considering how best to incorporate his thoughtful exploration of the region.
I proffer these maps in a single post to re-launch here a discussion of some of the core themes of this continent. I admit I currently lack the skills to draft such skillfully rendered maps, especially maps in the manner of the original boxed set, which I would prefer. But even if I did, I am not yet confident enough to understand what we would prefer here or not, and as has long been our tradition here at Athas.org, I would like to try to include many of the best ideas from over the years. And obviously, to each his own version of Athas, but we have I think benefited from a strong tone of loose consensus about many of these matters. We tend to appreciate and respect the creators of Hither Athas, and this is why we have given the nod of general approval to the Athasian Cartographer Guild. But for the purposes of play, some more work is needed, I would argue, and some concepts need further maturation / development.
In an effort to help organize our lines of interest, here are some key cities/locations that in my opinion need further definition, or a strong revision from Sysane’s early brief details, which perhaps need some further development:
City of Anatta
City of Braxon
City of Calhurst
City of Elramyth
City of Haadragor
City of Khormen
City of Phoj (I think this city will not exist in my campaign)
City of Shorn
City of Stormport
Republic of Suna (not on these maps, but on the Sundra peninsula on the NE of the continent)
-note, the snippet about Suna that Grummore found discovered is inchoate and underwhelming; I propose we consider another description of the Republic of Suna that makes more sense
City of Tradelords (I have disliked the city, as much as anything as for its name)
And as far as locations, development is needed for:
Eleven Stones
The Scorched Forest
The Forest of Souls
Island of a Thousand Woes
The history and culture of the region also needs much attention. I speculate the cultural bases of Nibenay and Raam come from the southern portion of this continent in antiquity, and further speculate that some of these cities, such as Anatta and Khormen have moderated elements of this culture base. I also speculate that the Yuan-ti cult originated in the southern portion of the continent, originally a great swamp land called the Ghat, which is no more. But much else is needed to make the continent more playable. Especially challenging is the influence of Draxan culture, whether it be proto-Draxans from the Eben culture, Draxans who have somehow migrated from Ur-Draxa while it stood (and any empire they enjoyed), and refugee Draxans from the super-city’s collapse, must especially the surviving Dead Lords, such as the Lord Mariner. Also, the presence of advanced beings, and especially any other “dragon” that might exist on this continent, for Nok stated that “many” dragons existed throughout the world.
I shall offer what I develop as I go, but as always I of course request your input, your previous work, and any criticisms and ideas to help build this mysterious and fascinating part of the world.