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Dark Sun Boxed Set

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Dark Sun Boxed Set is a 265-page campaign setting boxed set for Advanced Dungeons & Dragons 2nd edition released in September 1991..

Official synopsis[]

Amid the barren wastelands of Athas lie the scattered city-states, each in the grip of its own, tyrannical sorcerer-king. Protecting their own positions with dark magic, they demand absolute obedience. The restless mobs are placated with bread and circuses --the arenas overflow with spectators seeking release from their harsh lives.

The land outside the cities belong to no one. Savage elves race across the deserts while insectoid Thri-Kreen satisfy their taste for blood. Dwarves labor at projects beyond the scope of men, and feral halflings lie in ambush.

Athas is a land of deadly magic and powerful psionics that offers promise of glory or even of survival. Those who do not have the cunning to face life on Athas will surely perish - leaving nothing but bones bleached white under the blistering rays of the DARK SUN

  • On the sands of Athas you'll face
  • Three new PC races!
  • Muls - half-dwarf, half-human; specially bred for combat!
  • Thri-Kreen - the savage mantis-warriors of the Barrens!
  • Half-giants - bred for tremendous size and strength
  • Three new PC classes!
  • Gladiators - heroes of the arenas, the ultimate warriors!
  • Templars - Wicked priests who serve the sorcerer-kings!
  • Defilers - wizards whose powers drain the life around them!
  • More powerful PC's
  • All Dark Sun game characters begin at 3rd level!
  • Ability scores that can go as high as 24!
  • All PC's have one or more psionic powers!
  • The new character tree allows players to advance many characters at once!

Content[]

Development and release[]

Development[]

The book was written by Timothy B. Brown and Troy Denning. Art was provided by Brom and Tom Baxa.

Release[]

Dark Sun Boxed Set was released by TSR in September 1991 for $[missing data] US or $[missing data] Canadian.

On May 06, 2014, it was re-released in digital format. It is currently available on DriveThruRPG and Dungeon Masters Guild for $9.99.

Reception and influence[]

Critical reception[]

As of 2023, Dark Sun Boxed Set reached the rank of Adamantine seller on DriveThruRPG.

Influence on other works[]

External links[]

References[]


Advanced Dungeons & Dragons 2nd edition
Core rules
Player's Handbook • Dungeon Master Guide
Monstrous Compendium Volume One • Monstrous Compendium Volume Two • Monstrous Manual
First Quest • Introduction to Advanced Dungeons & Dragons Game • The Complete Starter Set • Dungeons & Dragons Adventure Game
Optional core rules
Player's Option: Combat & Tactics • Player's Option: Skills & Powers • Player's Option: Spells & Magic
Dungeon Master Option: High-Level Campaigns • Campaign Option: Council of Wyrms
Supplement lines
Player's Handbook Rules Supplement • Dungeon Master's Guide Rules Supplement
Monstrous Compendium Appendix • Monstrous Compendium Annual
Encyclopedia Magica • Historical Reference • The Magic Encyclopedia • Monstrous Arcana • Priest's Spell Compendium • Wizard's Spell Compendium
Other supplements
Bastion of Faith • Book of Artifacts • Castle Sites • Chronomancer • City Sites • College of Wizardry • Country Sites • Den of Thieves • Dungeon Builder's Guidebook • Guide to Hell • Legends & Lore • Rogues' Gallery • Shaman • Tome of Magic • The Vortex of Madness and Other Planar Perils • Warriors of Heaven • World Builder's Guidebook
Adventures
The Apocalypse Stone • Axe of the Dwarvish Lords • Cleric's Challenge (II) • The Dancing Hut of Baba Yaga • Destiny of Kings • Die Vecna Die! • Dragon Mountain • Dungeons of Despair • Fighter's Challenge (II) • The Gates of Firestorm Peak • A Hero's Tale • Labyrinth of Madness • The Lost Shrine of Bundushatur • Moonlight Madness • The Murky Deep • Night Below: An Underdark Campaign • A Paladin in Hell • Return to the Tomb of Horrors • Reverse Dungeon • Road to Danger • The Rod of Seven Parts • The Shattered Circle • The Silver Key • Swamplight • Tale of the Comet • Tales of Enchantment • Temple, Tower, & Tomb • Thief's Challenge (II) • TSR Jam 1999 • Wizard's Challenge (II)
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