FOREWORD

The present is a conversion of the Dark Sun Campaign Setting to Basic D&D and
subsequent retroclones (Mainly Old School Essentials). The main objectives of this
conversion is to provide a framework from which players could enjoy the setting with
little modifications, modifying pre-existing classes in order to fit the setting better,
adding new rules for equipment, new rules for spellcasting and psionics and organize
them in a way that these are easy to understand, simple and convenient.

Source materials employed for the creation of this document were the Old School
Essentials Classic Fantasy Rules, Old School Essentials Advanced Fantasy Rules,
Planar Compass Issue #1, Dungeons and Dragons 5th Edition, Advanced Dungeons
and Dragons 2nd Edition and of course, the Dark Sun Boxed Set.
-- Lixu

Disclaimers:

● This Document is not an official supplement of any of the previously mentioned

systems. As such, it shall only be distributed freely and with the purposes of in
game use.
● This document is currently in its alpha stages, as new rules may be added or
changed depending on the reception and playtesting, and will be improved in
subsequent versions
● The format is also in its alpha stages, as illustrations from previous iterations of
the Dark Sun Setting may be added. Also the addition of an index and a table of
content will come in later versions, as such the general reference of the rules may
be inconvenient at best, annoying at worst. For now, please keep in mind that the
different sections of these conversions are ordered in the following manner:
Classes, Equipment, Psionics rules, Psionic Powers Listing and Descriptions
and Magic Spells and Descriptions.

CHANGELOG:

- 0.1: First Draft.

THE BARD
Requirements: Minimum DEX 9,
minimum INT 9
Prime requisite: CHA
Hit Dice: 1d6
Maximum level: 14
Armour: Leather, chain mail, no shields
Weapons: Missile weapons, one-handed
melee weapons
Languages: Alignment, Common
The bard is a member of a bizarre class of
entertainers and storytellers prized by the
aristocratic city dwellers. Freemen all, the
bards tour through cities in groups or
individually, then travel on, making a
living with their wits and talents. It is also
widely accepted that many bards lead
double lives as notorious blackmailers,
thieves, spies, and even assassins
ANTI CHARM
While the bard plays music and sings,
allies within 30’ are immune to song-based
magical effects and the beguiling powers
of sylvan creatures or fairies. Allies
already under the effect of such magic
may make another saving throw with a
+4 bonus.
COMBAT
Bards can use leather armor or chain mail
but do not have the training required to use
plate mail or shields. They can use all
missile weapons and all one-handed melee
weapons.
BARDIC INSPIRATION
By playing music and singing, the bard
can fascinate subjects in a 30’ radius. This
ability may be used once per day per level.
Number of subjects: Up to 2 HD of
creatures per level of the bard are affected.
The bard may choose to target a specific
individual or a group (in which case,
the affected individuals are determined
randomly).
Types of subjects: At 1st level, the bard
can fascinate persons. At 4th level, animals
may also be affected. At 7th level,
monsters may be affected.
Effect: Each subject must save versus
spells or be fascinated, and will stay so
until the performance is interrupted (e.g.
dealing damage to the bard).
>>Boost Morale. The bard may perform a
song that boosts the morale of the members
of the bard’s party, providing a +1 bonus to
morale, “to hit” rolls, and damage rolls
while the bard is performing. This same
song will also cause enemies within
hearing range to incur a –1 penalty to
morale, “to hit” rolls, and damage rolls.
>>Charm: This ability provides the bard a
chance, through his or her music, to
mesmerize all creatures within hearing
range. Undead are immune to this charm,
and this ability does not affect the bard’s
own party.
 Charming Fascinated Subjects: LANGUAGES
If the bard performs for at least one Bards learn new languages as they advance
turn and the performance ends without in level. At every even numbered level
interruption, fascinated subjects may be above 3rd (i.e. 4th, 6th, 8th, etc.), the
placed under a deeper charm. Each subject the player may choose an additional
must make another save versus spells language. Bards may learn the secret
(with a +2 bonus) or be charmed for one tongue of druids in this way.
turn per level of the bard:
>> Friendship: Charmed subjects regard
the bard as a trusted friend and ally and
will come to the bard’s defense.
>> Commands: If they share a language,
charmed subjects will obey the bard’s
commands.
>> Alignment: Commands that contradict
the charmed creature’s nature or
alignment may be ignored.
>> Suicidal commands: Charmed subjects
never obey suicidal or obviously
harmful orders

POISON MASTERY
Victims of a poisoning by a bard suffer a
–2 penalty to the saving throw. After
reaching 4th level, this penalty becomes –4.
After reaching 8th level, this penalty
becomes –7, and after reaching 12th level,
this penalty becomes –9.
LORE
From 2nd level, a bard has a 2-in-6
chance of knowing lore pertaining to
monsters, magic items, or heroes of
folktale or legend. This ability may be used
to identify the nature and powers of magic
items.

AFTER REACHING 11TH LEVEL

A bard can establish a manor. 2d6
apprentice bards of 1st level will come
to study under the character.
BARD LEVEL PROGRESSION
Saving Throws

* Modifiers from CON no longer apply. D: Death / poison; W: Wands;

P: Paralysis / petrify; B: Breath attacks;
S: Spells / rods / staves.
THE DWARF
INFRAVISION
Requirements: Minimum CON 9 Dwarves have infravision to 60’ (see
Prime requisite: STR Darkness, p106).
Hit Dice: 1d8
Maximum level: 12 LISTENING AT DOORS
Armour: Any, including shields Dwarves have a 2-in-6 chance of hearing
Weapons: Small or normal sized noises (see Dungeon Adventuring, p108).
Languages: Alignment, Common,
Dwarvish, Giant, Braxat, Gith. DWARVEN FOCUS
When taking on a minor of
The dwarves of Athas have the stature of major quest, you can choose to make this
their kindred in other worlds—short, your focus. You can’t change your focus
sturdy, and thickly muscled. Most dwarves once chosen. Until you complete that quest,
have deep tans from lives spent toiling in while performing tasks that are directly
the hot sun, with wide, callused hands and related to his focus, a dwarf receives a + 1
feet. They usually have little or no hair; the bonus to all his saving throws and a + 2
flowing beards that are the pride of male bonus to all his ability checks.
dwarves on other worlds are never seen on
the Athasian variety. AFTER REACHING 9TH LEVEL
A dwarf has the option of creating an
COMBAT underground stronghold that will attract
Dwarves can use all types of armor. Due to dwarves from far and wide. Dwarves
their short height, dwarves can only use usually live in clans, so dwarves of the
small or normal sized weapons. They character’s clan will be attracted to live
cannot use longbows or two-handed under their roof. Dwarves from other clans
swords. will generally be friendly and clans may
collaborate in times of war or disaster. A
DETECT CONSTRUCTION TRICKS dwarf ruler may only hire dwarven
As expert miners, dwarves have a 2-in- mercenaries. Specialists and retainers of
6 chance of being able to detect new any race may be hired.
construction, sliding walls, or sloping
passages when searching.

DETECT ROOM TRAPS

Due to their expertise with construction,
dwarves have a 2-in-6 chance of detecting
non-magical room traps when searching
DWARF LEVEL PROGRESSION Saving Throws
*

Modifiers from CON no longer apply. D: Death / poison; W: Wands;

P: Paralysis / petrify; B: Breath attacks;
METAL CRAFTING S: Spells / rods / staves.
Dwarves have the ability to craft metal
weapons by rolling 3-6 on a d6, should
they have the necessary materials and
tools. At 3rd level they can craft small
sized weapons, at 6th level they can craft
normal sized weapons and at 9th levels
they can craft large sized weapons.
THE DRUID
Requirements: None
Prime requisite: WIS
Hit Dice: 1d6
Maximum level: 14
Armour: Leather, wooden shields
Weapons: Club, dagger, sling, spear, staff
Languages: Alignment, Common, the
secret druidic tongue
Druids are independent priests who ally
themselves with various spirits of the land.
They share power with the spirit he
worships, nurturing and protecting the
geographical feature to which the spirit is
tied. Virtually every feature of the land on
Athas has a druid to protect it, but there is
no worldwide organization of druids—they
serve independently, living patient, solitary
lives of guardianship.
Alignment: Druids regard the ways of
the natural world as the ideal state of
things. They see the concepts of Law
andChaos as extremes that are both equally
against nature. Thus, druids must be neutral
in alignment.
COMBAT
The holy doctrine of the druids stipulates
that they may not use metal armor or
shields (wooden shields may be purchased
at the normal price). Their choice of
weapons is limited to clubs, daggers,
slings, spears, and staves.
DIVINE MAGIC
See Magic in Core Rules for full details on
divine magic.
Holy symbol: A druid must carry a holy
symbol: one herb, sprig or leaf that is
harvested from his protected land.
Deity disfavor: Druids must be faithful
to the tenets of their alignment and
religion. Druids who fall from favor with
their deity may incur penalties.
Magical research: A druid of any level
may spend time and money on magical
research. This allows them to create new
spells or other magical effects associated
with their deity. When a druid reaches 9th
level, they are also able to create magic
items.
Spell casting: A druid may pray to
receive spells from nature. The power and
number of spells available to a druid are
determined by the character’s experience
level. The list of spells available to druids
is found in Druid and Illusionist Spells.
Using magic items: As spell casters,
druids can use magic scrolls of spells on
their spell list. They can also use items that
may only be used by divine spell casters
(e.g. some staves). Druids may not use
magical books or tomes.
GUARDED LANDS
Every druid must choose one type of
geographic feature to be his guarded lands.
The geographic features that a druid might
make his guarded lands can vary widely.
When in his guarded lands, a druid has
several powerful granted powers.
 that time forward, the druid must spend
A druid can remain concealed from half of his time on his guarded lands,
others while in his guarded lands. This is watching over them and protecting them.
proof against all normal forms of detection Druids who attain 12th level or above may
(sight, hearing, etc.) but will not protect the build a shrine integrated into a natural
druid from magical detection. The druid setting, as well as take 1d6 low level druids
cannot move or cast spells in any way as disciples.
while concealed.
A druid can speak with animals in his The rest of the time a higher-level druid
guarded lands when he reaches 3rd level. must again travel the world, keeping tabs
He can speak with all animals when he on trends that might threaten nature in
reaches 7th level. general and his guarded lands in particular.
A druid can speak with plants in his
guarded lands when he reaches 5th level.
He can speak with all plants when he
reaches 9th level.
A druid can live without water or
nourishment in his guarded lands when he
reaches 10th level. At that point the druid
draws his life energy directly from his
guarded lands.

SHAPE CHANGE
At 7th level, a druid gains the power to
change into the form of An animal from his
favored land three times per day. The
animal may be of any size up to around
twice the bulk of the druid’s normal form.
If a druid has lost hit points, they regain
1d4 hit points per level upon changing into
an animal. All equipment carried by the
druid is absorbed into the animal form and
reappears when the drui changes back.

IDENTIFICATION
Druids can identify all plants and animals
and can discern pure water.

REACHING LEVEL 12 AND ABOVE

Upon reaching 12th level, the druid's time
of wandering has come to an end. From
DRUID LEVEL PROGRESSION
THE CLERIC
Elemental disfavor: Clerics must promote
Requirements: None the agenda of their respective element.
Prime requisite: WIS Clerics who fall from favor with their
Hit Dice: 1d6 patron element may incur penalties.
Maximum level: 14
Armour: Any, including shields Magical research: A cleric of any level
Weapons: Depend on the element may spend time and money on magical
Languages: Alignment, Common research. This allows them to create new
spells or other magical effects associated
In Athas, the gods do not answer prayers, with their element. When a cleric reaches
some say they may have never existed. As 9th level, they are also able to create magic
such, instead of gods, Clerics worship one items.
of the four elemental planes: Earth, air, fire,
or water. They call upon magical energies Spell casting: Once a cleric has proven
from those planes, specializing in one their faith (from 2nd level), the character
element's magical applications on the may pray to receive spells. The power and
prime material plane. number of spells available to a cleric are
determined by the character’s experience
COMBAT level.
Clerics can use all types of armor.
However, they have restrictions to which Using magic items: As spell casters,
weapons they can use depending on the clerics can use magic scrolls of spells on
element they worship: their spell list. They can also use items that
may only be used by divine spell casters
Fire Clerics can only use Blunt weapons (e.g. some magic staves).
made of obsidian.
TURNING THE UNDEAD
Air Clerics can only use daggers, spears, Clerics can invoke the power of their deity
javelins and ranged weapons. to repel undead monsters encountered. To
turn the undead, the player rolls 2d6.
Earth Clerics can only use Blunt weapons The referee then consults the table
from any material. opposite, comparing the roll against the Hit
Dice of the undead monsters targeted.
Water Clerics can only use Blunt weapons Elementals of the chosen domain are also
made from bone and wood susceptible of turning

DIVINE MAGIC Successful Turning

See Magic, p56 for full details on If the turning attempt succeeds, the player
divine magic. must roll 2d6 to determine the number of
Holy symbol: A cleric must carry a holy HD affected (turned or destroyed).
symbol (see Equipment, p42).
Turned undead: Will leave the area, if TURNING THE UNDEAD LEVEL
possible, and will not harm or make contact
with the cleric. Monster Hit Dice

Destroyed undead (result of D): Are

instantly and permanently annihilated.

Excess: Rolled Hit Dice that are not

sufficient to affect a creature are wasted.
However, at least one undead creature will
always be affected on a successful turning.

Mixed groups: If turn undead is used

against a mixed group of undead monsters
of different types, those with the
lowest HD are affected first.

TURNING TABLE RESULTS

–: The turning fails.
Number: If the 2d6 turning roll is higher
or equal, the turning attempt succeeds.
T: The turning succeeds.
D: The turning succeeds; the monsters
are destroyed, not simply caused to flee.

AFTER REACHING 9TH LEVEL

A cleric may establish or build a temple.
So long as the cleric is currently in favor
with their element, a temple must always
be built outside big settlements, as
elemental worship is forbidden by the
sorcerer kings.

Once a temple is established, the cleric

would have to attract followers by his own,
helping local tribes and other travelers to
attract to his faith.
CLERIC LEVEL PROGRESSION
THE ELF
Requirements: Minimum INT 9
Prime requisite: INT and DEX
Hit Dice: 1d6
Maximum level: 10
Armor: Leather, including shields
Weapons: Any
Languages: Alignment, Common,
Elvish, Gith, Belgoi.
The dunes and steppes of Athas are
home to thousands of tribes of nomadic
elves. While each tribe is very different
culturally, the elves within them remain
a race of long-limbed sprinters given to
theft, raiding, and warfare.
COMBAT
Elves can use all types of weapons,
leather armor and shields.
INFRAVISION
Elves have infravision to 60’.
ELVEN RUN
Elves can travel vast amounts of
distances with great resistance; their
overland movement rate is determined
by dividing their movement rate by four
instead of five. Additionally, when they
make a forced march, they may only
need to rest 12 hours
THIEVING SKILLS
Elves can use the following skills
with the chance of success shown
opposite:
▶ Hide in shadows (HS): Requires the
elf to be motionless—attacking or
moving while hiding is not possible.
▶ Move silently (MS): An elf may
attempt to sneak past enemies unnoticed.
▶ Pick pockets (PP): If the victim is
Above 5th level, the elf’s roll is
penalized by 5% for every level above
5th. A roll of more than twice the
percentage required for success means
that the attempted theft is noticed. The
referee should determine the reaction of
the victim (possibly using the reaction
table under Encounters, in Core Rules).
RETAINERS
Elves are generally looked with distrust
by other races, so they tend to socialize
better with certain races. An elf has a -1
penalty in loyalty with any race except
for elves and half-giants.
AFTER REACHING 9TH LEVEL
An Elf may create a tribe with 2d10
level 1 elves. This tribe will wander
through the desert living nomadic lives
as herders, traders, raiders or bandits.
Elves only accept other elven hirelings
as members, other races may be hired,
but only for short term periods.
ELF LEVEL PROGRESSION

* Modifiers from CON no longer apply. D: Death / poison; W: Wands;

P: Paralysis / petrify; B: Breath attacks;
ELF THIEVING SKILL TABLE S: Spells / rods / staves.

PLAYER KNOWLEDGE
The referee should roll for hide in
shadows and move silently on the
player’s behalf, as the elf always
believes the attempt to be successful.
If the roll fails, the referee knows that
the elf has been noticed and should
determine enemies’ actions
appropriately.

ROLLING SKILL CHECKS

All skills are rolled on d%, with a
result of less than or equal to the
listed percentage indicating success.
THE FIGHTER

Requirements: None STRONGHOLD

Prime requisite: STR Any time a fighter wishes (and has
Hit Dice: 1d8 sufficient money), they can build a
Maximum level: 14 castle or stronghold and control the
Armor: Any, including shields surrounding lands.
Weapons: Any
Languages: Alignment, Common AFTER REACHING 9TH LEVEL
A fighter may be granted the title of
On Athas, the fighter is a trained general, and may lead an army of his
warrior, a soldier skilled in mass own followers.
warfare. Every society on Athas .
maintains an army of fighters to
protect itself from attack or to wage
wars of plunder and annihilation
against its neighbors. Fighters are
both the commanders and soldiers in
these armies, and at higher levels are
experts in individual and formation
combat, leadership, and morale.

COMBAT
Fighters can use all types of weapons
and armor.

WEAPON DOUBLE ATTACK

Fighters may specialize on a weapon
and be able to make a second attack
with that weapon a number of times to
his level per day. Every time the
fighter’s Thac0 improves, he may
choose another weapon. (e.g: A 3rd
level fighter may be specialized with
swords and spears, and may do a
double attack three times per day).

LEADERSHIP
After reaching 5th level, fighters gain
a +1 bonus to loyalty and morale.
FIGHTER LEVEL Saving Throws
PROGRESSION

* Modifiers from CON no longer apply. D: Death / poison; W: Wands;

P: Paralysis / petrify; B: Breath attacks; S:
Spells / rods / staves.

THE GLADIATOR
Requirements: Minimum STR 9
Prime requisite: STR and DEX
Hit Dice: 1d8
Maximum level: 14
Armor: Any, including shields
Weapons: Any
Languages: Alignment, Common
Gladiators are the slave warriors of
the city states, specially trained for
brutal physical contests. Disciplined
in many diverse forms of
hand-to-hand combat and skilled in
the use of dozens of different
weapons, gladiators are the most
dangerous warriors on Athas.
COMBAT
Gladiators can use all weapons and
armor.
UNARMED COMBAT SKILL
Gladiators are masters of
hand-to-hand combat. When unarmed,
a Gladiator inflicts 1d4 damage,
modified by strength.
WEAPON MASTERY
Gladiators have a +1 bonus to all
attack rolls and damage. If using the
optional weapon proficiency rules, the
gladiator is specialized with all
weapons.
IMPROVISED WEAPONRY
During combat, a Gladiator may
spend his round looking for a weapon
on the battlefield with a 2-6 chance of
finding one. The referee decides what
kind of weapon is found, and for the
rest of the combat the gladiator has +2
damage bonus for that weapon.
ARMOR OPTIMIZATION
During a 24 hours rest, a Gladiator
may optimize his armor or shield to
gain a +2 permanent bonus to his
Armor Class. However, next time the
Gladiator receives an attack with an
unmodified attack roll of 20, the
armor will automatically break.
SLAVERY BACKGROUND
All Gladiators start as slaves, and
even if they are free men, the social
stigmas related to being a former
slaves will always haunt him. For any
service, purchase or hiring of
specialists, the Gladiator will have to
pay 10% more than normal prices.
AFTER REACHING 9TH LEVEL
A Gladiator attracts a great number of
followers with his reputation and
fame, getting the title of general and
commanding his own army.
Gladiators can also build a stronghold
or keep to use as a base of operations.
 GLADIATOR LEVEL
PROGRESSION
Saving Throws

* Modifiers from CON no longer apply. D: Death / poison; W: Wands;

P: Paralysis / petrify;
B: Breath attacks; S: Spells / rods / staves.
HALF-ELF
Requirements: Minimum CHA 9,
minimum CON 9
Prime requisite: INT and STR
Hit Dice: 1d6
Maximum level: 12
Armor: Leather armor, chain mail,
including shields
Weapons: Any
Languages: Alignment, Common,
Elvish
It is not at all unusual for children of
mixed parentage of humans and elves to
be born into the world—the half-elves.
A half-elf's life is typically hardened by
the intolerance of others. Neither fully
human nor fully elven, half-elves rarely
find acceptance with either race, so they
remain outsiders, forever wandering
from situation to situation without a
people, land, or village to call home.
COMBAT
Half-elves can use all types of weapons,
leather.
DETECT SECRET DOORS
When searching for secret doors, half-
elves have a 2-in-6 chance of success
(see Dungeon Adventuring in Core
Rules).
INFRAVISION
Half-elves have infravision to 60’ (see
Darkness under Hazards and Challenges
in Core Rules).
ANIMAL COMPANION
A half-elf can befriend one pet when he
reaches 5th level. The pet may be of any
local animal, maximum 2 HD. The
half-elf must spend one week with the
animal while it is still young. After that
time, the pet will follow the half-elf
everywhere and obey simple commands.
PSIONIC POWERS
See Psionics for full details on psionic
abilities. Powers known: The number of
psionic powers at the disposal of the
half-elf is determined by their
experience. The psionic powers chart
(opposite) shows the number of powers
known per level. Thus a 1st-level half elf
knows three psionic powers chosen by
the referee (who may allow the player to
choose).
Psionic energy: Each psionic character
has a pool of psionic energy that they
expend to use their powers.
Defense Modes: Special psionic powers
used by the Half-elf to defend
themselves. These do not count towards
the total known powers. The defense
modes table (opposite) lists the number
known per level.
* Modifiers from CON no longer apply.
D: Death / poison; W: Wands;
AFTER REACHING 9 LEVEL TH P: Paralysis / petrify; B: Breath attacks; S:
A half-elf may strive to become a leader Spells / rods / staves.
among humans and elves, constructing a
stronghold either in the name of a human
liege or founding a tribe with other
elves. If the stronghold is done with
humans, the half-elf earns becomes part
of the nobility of a city-state. Half-elves
may hire mercenaries of any race.
THE HALF-GIANT DAMAGE ADJUSTMENTS
Half-Giants deal more damage due to
Requirements: Minimum STR 9,
their natural strength. Every melee
minimum CON 9.
weapon that would inflict 1d4, 1d6, 1d8
Prime requisite: CON and STR.
and 1d10 damage, when wielded by a
Hit Dice: 1d12.
Half Giant it would inflict 1d6, 1d8,
Maximum level: 8.
1d10 and 1d12 damage respectively
Armor: any, shields.
instead.
Weapons: Normal sized and Large
sized.
LACK OF ALIGNMENT
Languages: Common.
Half-Giants don’t follow any alignment;
instead they take the alignment of those
In some lost millennium, as a bizarre
who surround them.
experiment or perhaps as some sort of
curse, giants were magically crossbred
HUGE BODY
with humans. Half-giants are now fairly
Due to their height, Half-Giants are
common, especially to human controlled
forced to live and adapt to a world not
lands at the edge of the sea of dust.
suited to their size. Half-Giants must pay
10% more for armor and commodities.
COMBAT
Additionally, Half-Giants need double
Half-Giants can only use normal and
the amount of food and water to survive.
large sized weapons, as well as using
any kind of armor, including shields.
AFTER REACHING 8TH LEVEL
After reaching 8th level, Half-Giants may
NATURAL TOUGHNESS
build a stronghold, which will form the
Half-Giants gain +2 Hit Points every
basis of a new community of Giants and
time they reach a level ( i.e: a 3rd level
other Half-Giants. Giant
Hal-Giant has 3d6+6 Hit Points).
communities—known as Clans—are
Additionally, Half Giants have an armor
typically located across the shores and
class bonus of +2.
islands of the Sea of Silt. The leader of
the clan is called the Chief.
MAGIC RESISTANCE
Half-Giants have a +2 bonus to saving
throws against Spells and Wands.
* Modifiers from CON no longer apply. D: Death / poison; W: Wands;
P: Paralysis / petrify;
B: Breath attacks; S: Spells / rods / staves.
THE HALFLING
Requirements: Minimum CON 9,
Minimum DEX 9
Prime requisite: DEX and STR
Hit Dice: 1d6
Maximum level: 8
Armor: Any appropriate to size,
including shields
Weapons: Any appropriate to size
Languages: Alignment, Common,
Halfling
Beyond the Ringing Mountains are
jungles that flourish in rains that
never reach the tablelands or the Sea
of Silt. There life is abundant, the
foliage thick and untamed. The
undisputed rulers of these jungles are
the halflings.
A wiry halfling is a very short
humanoid, standing no more than 3
1/2 feet in height, and unlike their
counterparts from other worlds,
Athasian Halflings are xenophobic
headhunters and cannibals who hunt
and kill trespassers in their mountain
forests. Though divided politically
into separate villages and
communities, halflings have great
respect for their race as a whole.
COMBAT
Halflings can use all types of armor,
but it must be tailored to their small
size. Similarly, they can use any
weapon appropriate to their stature (as
determined by the referee). They
cannot use longbows or two-handed
swords.
DEFENSIVE BONUS
Due to their small size, halflings gain
a +2 bonus to Armor Class when
attacked by large opponents (greater
than human-sized).
HIDING
Halflings have an uncanny ability to
disappear from sight:
▶ In the wilderness, a Halfling can
hide with a 90% chance of success.
▶ In dungeons, a halfling can hide in
shadows or behind other forms of
cover. The chance of success is
2-in-6. Hiding requires the halfling to
be motionless.
INITIATIVE BONUS (OPTIONAL
RULE)
If using the optional rule for
individual initiative (see Combat,
p120), halflings get a bonus of +1 to
initiative rolls.
MISSILE ATTACK BONUS
Halflings’ keen coordination grants
them a +1 bonus to attack rolls with
all missile weapons.
BACKSTAB
When attacking an unaware opponent
from behind, a Halfling receives a +4
bonus to hit and doubles any damage
dealt.
HALFLING LEVEL
PROGRESSION Saving Throws

* Modifiers from CON no longer apply.

D: Death / poison; W: Wands;
P: Paralysis / petrify;
SETTING A TRIBE B: Breath attacks; S: Spells / rods /
At any time, if the Halfling has staves.
enough support, he may create a tribe
with a minimum of 20 other
Halflings. This tribe would follow the
culture and moral codes of the
Halflings, as well as building a
stronghold or settlement on forest
lands. The Halfling may invite any
mercenary or specialist as long as
they are Halflings.
THE MUL
Requirements: Minimum STR 9,
Minimum CON 9
Prime Requisite: CON
Hit Dice: 1d8
Maximum Level: 12
Armor: All
Weapons: All
Languages: Alignment, Common
A mul is an incredibly tough crossbreed
of a human and dwarf. They retain the
height and cunning of their human
parents, plus the durability and raw
strength of their dwarven heritage. Muls
are usually the products of the slave
pits—owners recognize the muls' assets
as gladiators and laborers, and so order
the births of as many muls as can be
managed within the ranks of their slaves.
Muls are born sterile—they cannot
perpetuate their kind.
COMBAT
Mul can use all types of weapons
and armor.
NATURAL TOUGHNESS
With their natural strength and build, a
Mul can spend 48 hours without eating,
drinking water or sleeping. They only
need a 12 hours rest after doing a forced
march. They also recover 1d6 instead of
a 1d3 when doing a full rest
LISTENING AT DOORS
Dwarves have a 2-in-6 chance of hearing
noises.
MAGIC RESISTANCE
Mul have a bonus of +2 to all of their
saving throws.
LEADERSHIP
All of a Mul’s retainers and hirelings
gain a +1 bonus to loyalty and morale.
SLAVERY BACKGROUND
Every Mul start as slaves, and even if
they are free men, the social stigmas
related to being a former slaves will
always haunt him. For any service,
purchase or hiring of specialists, the Mul
will have to pay 10% more than normal
prices.
AFTER REACHING 9TH LEVEL
A Mul may create a tribe with 2d10
Hirelings from a slave background. This
group may set up a camp in the desert
and attract new members from the same
background over time. The Mul may
hire mercenaries and specialists from
any class and race.
MUL LEVEL PROGRESSION
Saving Throws

* Modifiers from CON no longer apply. D: Death / poison; W: Wands;

P: Paralysis / petrify;
B: Breath attacks; S: Spells / rods / staves.
THE MAGIC-USER
Requirements: None
Prime requisite: INT
Hit Dice: 1d4
Maximum level: 14
Armor: None
Weapons: Dagger and Staff
Languages: Alignment, Common
A Magic-user is able to capture and
master magical energies. However, on
Athas, magic and the ecosystem
are irrevocably bound—no one, not even
a wizard, can affect one without
affecting the other. All wizards must
decide at the beginning of their careers
whether they are trying to work with
nature
or without regard for it. In Dark Sun,
this means a Magic-user must be either a
defiler or a preserver.
ARCANE MAGIC
See Magic, p56 for full details on
arcane magic.
Magical research: A magic-user of any
level may spend time and money on
magical research. This allows them to
add new spells to their spell book and to
research other magical effects. When a
magic-user reaches 9th level, they are
also able to create magic items.
Spell casting: Magic-users carry spell
books containing the formulae for arcane
spells. The spell casting chart (opposite)
shows both the number of spells in the
magic-user’s spell book and the number
they may memorize, determined by the
character’s experience level. Thus, a 1st
level magic-user has one spell in their
spell book, selected by the referee (who
may allow the player to choose). The list
of spells available to magic-users is
found.
Using magic items: As spell casters,
magic-users are able to use magic scrolls
of spells on their spell list. They can also
use items that may only be used by
arcane spell casters (e.g. magic wands).
COMBAT
Magic-users can only use daggers and
are unable to use shields or wear any
kind of armour. This makes them very
vulnerable in combat.
AFTER REACHING 11TH LEVEL
A magic-user may build a stronghold,
often a great tower. 1d6 apprentices of
levels 1–3 will then arrive to study under
the magic-user.
DEFILERS AND PRESERVERS
Magic-Users have to choose which path
will they follow once they wield the
powers of magic. Preservers use the
traditional rules for Magic-Users and
follow the same progression, Defilers on
the other hand gain more powers by
killing the land around them, letting
them wield more power than normal and
progressing at a faster pace.
All Magic-Users are hunted by the
almost all of Athasian Society, with the
clearer exceptions of the sorcerer-kings,
who employ a certain amount of defiler
apprentices, and the Veiled Alliance, a
secret society that opposes the sorcerer
kings and seek to protect and train
preservers.
Preservers and defiling: All preservers
have the ability to defile if they choose
to, but once they do, every spell they
cast afterwards will defile the land. The
only way to cast magic without defiling
is spending a week without using magic
at all, mostly isolating themselves from
others and practicing heavy meditation.
If a preserver manages to get enough
experience to level up while defiling, he
would permanently become a defiler.
EFFECTS OF DEFILING
Every time a defiler casts a spell, all
vegetation in the area is consumed as the
earth around them is turned to ash. The
radius (in yards) destroyed around the
defiler is equal to the spell’s level
multiplied by the caster level (for
example a 5th level defiler casting a
sixth level spell creates a destructive
radius of 30 yards.)
Spell Recovery: While defiling, the
caster must roll 2d6, getting a different
result depending on the result.
2d6 Effect
2-8 No effect, cast as normal.
9-11 Spell is preserved.
12 Spell preserved , +1
additional spell kept.
PRESERVER LEVEL
PROGRESSION

*: Modifiers from CON no longer D: Death / poison; W: Wands;

P: Paralysis / petrify;
apply B: Breath attacks; S: Spells / rods / staves.
DEFILER LEVEL PROGRESSION

*: Modifiers from CON no longer D: Death / poison; W: Wands;

P: Paralysis / petrify;
apply.
B: Breath attacks; S: Spells / rods / staves.
THE PSION
Requirements: Minimum INT 9,
minimum CON 9
Prime requisite: INT and WIS
Hit Dice: 1d4
Maximum level: 14
Armour: Leather, shields
Weapons: Dagger, Sword, Shortbow
Languages: Alignment, Common
Psions are masters of the mind who are
able to bend their will to manifest
amazing powers. Psionic powers do not
draw upon magical energy that
surrounds all things. Rather they are
derived from within when the psionicist
has his entire essence in coordination;
his mind, body, and soul in perfect
harmony.
PSIONIC POWERS
See Psionics for full details on psionic
abilities.
Powers known: The number of psionic
powers at the disposal of the psion is
determined by their experience. The
psionic powers chart (opposite) shows
the number of powers known per level.
Thus, a 1st-level psionic knows four
psionic powers chosen by the referee
(who may allow the player to choose).
The list of powers available to a psion is
available in its section.
Psionic energy: Each psionic character
has a pool of psionic energy that they
expend to use their powers as detailed
on.
Defense Modes: Special psionic powers
used by the psion to defend themselves.
These do not count towards the total
known powers. The defense modes table
(opposite) lists the number known per
level.
COMBAT
Psions cannot use armor heavier than
leather but may use shields. They can
wear psychic helmets but normal ones
block their powers. They can use
daggers, swords, and shortbows.
AFTER REACHING 9TH LEVEL
A psion may establish a sanctuary in a
remote place. 1d6 neophyte psions of
levels 1-3 will be attracted to study
under their new master.
PSION LEVEL PROGRESSION

*: Modifiers from CON no longer D: Death / poison; W: Wands;

apply P: Paralysis / petrify;
B: Breath attacks; S: Spells / rods / staves.
THE RANGER
Requirements: Minimum CON 9,
minimum WIS 9
Prime requisite: STR
Hit Dice: 1d8
Maximum level: 14
Armour: Leather, chainmail, shields
Weapons: Any
Languages: Alignment, Common
Warriors of the wilderness, rangers
specialize in hunting the monsters that
threaten the edges of
civilization—humanoid raiders,
rampaging beasts and monstrosities,
terrible giants, and deadly drakes. They
learn to track their quarry as a predator
does, moving stealthily through the
wilds and hiding themselves in brush
and rubble.
Alignment: As protectors, rangers may
only be lawful or neutral. If a ranger
ever changes alignment to chaotic, they
lose all special class abilities and
become a fighter of the same level. The
character may be able to regain their
ranger status by performing a special
quest.
AWARENESS
Rangers are only surprised on a roll of 1.
This may mean that a ranger is able to
act in the surprise round while their
companions are surprised.
COMBAT
Rangers can use all types of weapons
and can use leather armour, chainmail,
and shields. Because of their need for
stealth, they cannot use plate mail.
DIVINE MAGIC
See Magic in Core Rules for full details
on divine magic.
Spell casting: From 8th level, due to a
deep connection with nature, a ranger
gains the ability to cast spells. The
power and number of spells available to
a ranger are determined by the
character’s experience level. The list of
spells available to rangers is found in
Druid and Illusionist Spells (rangers use
the druid spell list).
FORAGING AND HUNTING
A party with a ranger succeeds at
foraging with a 2-in-6 chance and finds
prey when hunting with a 5-in-6 chance
(see Wilderness Adventuring in Core
Rules).
LIMITED POSSESSIONS
A ranger may only keep wealth and
possessions that can be kept on their
person or mount. Excess must be
donated to worthy causes (not other
PCs!).
PURSUIT any of the followers die, they are not
When the ranger’s party pursues an replaced.
opposing group in the wilderness (see
Evasion and Pursuit, in Core Rules), the RANGER TRACKING CHANCE OF
chance of evasion is reduced by 10%. SUCCESS

SURPRISE ATTACK
In the wilderness, a ranger has a 3-in-6
chance of going unnoticed when
sneaking up on a target. If the ranger
goes unnoticed, the target may be
surprised (see Surprise under Encounters
in Core Rules).

TRACKING
Rangers can identify and follow tracks.
This skill improves as the character
gains levels (see the table to the right).
Success may be modified by the
following factors:
▶▶ Soft/hard ground: +20% to –50%.
▶▶ Size of group being tracked: +2%
per creature beyond the first.
▶▶ Passing through an area where other
tracks mingle: –50%.
▶▶ Age of tracks: –5% per 12 hours.
▶▶ Rainfall: –25% per hour.
▶▶ Efforts made to hide tracks: –25%.

AFTER REACHING 10TH LEVEL

2d12 beings will join the ranger as
followers.
The nature of these followers is up to the
referee—they may include human or
demihuman adventurers, animals,
fantastic mounts, or special monsters. If
RANGER LEVEL PROGRESSION

*:Modifiers from CON no longer D: Death / poison; W: Wands;

apply P: Paralysis / petrify;
B: Breath attacks; S: Spells / rods / staves.
THE TEMPLAR
Requirements: Minimum WIS 9,
Minimum CHA 9
Prime requisite: WIS
Hit Dice: 1d6
Maximum level: 14
Armour: Any, including shields
Weapons: Any blunt weapons
Languages: Alignment, Common
Templars are the greatly feared disciples
of the sorcerer-kings. Their organization
is steeped in ancient tradition and
treacherous politics, and the work they
perform for the sorcerer-kings is
governed by endless bureaucracy.
Alignment: A templar character may be
either neutral or lawful—there are no
chaotic templars.
KING’S OATH
The templars from one city state have no
association with those from another.
Thus, templars cannot transfer loyalty
from one sorcerer-king to another while
the first is still alive. Should a templar's
sorcerer-king fall from power or be
killed, he may petition to another
sorcerer-king for acceptance, where he
may find an open hand or the taste of
steel, at the new sorcerer king's whim.
DIVINE MAGIC
King’s symbol: A templar must carry a
holy symbol
King’s disfavour: A templar's spells are
received directly from the
sorcerer-king he worships. Spells can be
taken away by the sorcerer-king if the
templar has somehow displeased him.
Magical research: A templar of any
level may spend time and money on
magical research. This allows them to
create new spells or other magical
effects associated with their deity. When
a cleric reaches 9th level, they are also
able to create magic items.
Spell casting: Once a templar has
advanced in the hierarchy (from 2nd
level), the character may pray to receive
spells. The power and number of spells
available to a templar are determined by
the character’s experience level. The list
of spells available to clerics is found on
the magic section.
Using magic items: As spell casters,
templars can use magic scrolls of spells
on their spell list. They can also use
items that may only be used by divine
spell casters (e.g. some magic staves).
TEMPLAR LEVEL PROGRESSION

*:Modifiers from CON no longer D: Death / poison; W: Wands;

apply P: Paralysis / petrify;
B: Breath attacks; S: Spells / rods / staves..

PASSING JUDGEMENT
REQUISITION OF SOLDIERS
A templar can pass judgement on his
A Templar may request the help of 1d4
city-state at any time. In any matter
soldiers from his city-state at any time.
involving disobedience or the actions of
These soldiers can not leave their cities
a slave, a free man or a noble, a templar
without the sorcerer king’s permission.
may give judgement, sentence, or pardon
as he sees fit. Penalties can include
imprisonment, torture, or even death. At
1st level, a Templar can pass judgement
on slaves, at 6th level, on free men, and
on 12th level, on nobles.
THE THIEF
Requirements: None
Prime requisite: DEX
Hit Dice: 1d4
Maximum level: 14
Armour: Leather, no shields
Weapons: Any
Languages: Alignment, Common
Athasian thieves run the gamut of
society. They range from gutter snipes
who prey upon the merchants and
freemen of the cities to vagabonds who
steal what they can from passing
caravans or merchant
trains.
BACKSTAB
When attacking an unaware opponent
from behind, a thief receives a +4 bonus
to hit and doubles any damage dealt.
COMBAT
Because of their need for stealth and free
movement, thieves cannot wear armour
heavier than leather and cannot use
shields. They can use any weapon.
READ LANGUAGES
A thief of 4th level or higher can read
non-magical text in any language
(including dead languages and basic
codes) with 80% probability. If the roll
does not
succeed, the thief may not try to read
that particular text again until they reach
a higher level of experience.
SCROLL USE
A thief of 10th level or higher can cast
arcane spells from scrolls. There is a
10% chance of error: the spell does not
function as expected and creates an
unusual or deleterious effect.
THIEVING SKILLS
Thieves can use the following skills,
with the chance of success shown
opposite:
▶ Climb sheer surfaces (CS): A roll is
required for each 100’ to be climbed. If
the roll fails, the thief falls at the
halfway point, suffering falling damage.
▶ Find or remove treasure traps (TR): A
roll is required to find a treasure trap and
then another to remove it. This may be
attempted only once per trap.
▶ Hear noise (HN): In a quiet
environment (e.g. not in combat), a thief
may attempt to listen at a door or to hear
the sounds of something (e.g. a
wandering monster) approaching.
▶ Hide in shadows (HS): Requires the
thief to be motionless—attacking or
moving while hiding is not possible.
▶ Move silently (MS): A thief may
attempt to sneak past enemies unnoticed.
▶ Open locks (OL): Requires thieves’
tools. A thief can only try this skill once
per lock. If the roll fails, the thief may
not try the same lock again before THIEF SKILLS CHANCE OF
gaining an experience level. SUCCESS
▶ Pick pockets (PP): If the victim is
above 5th level, the thief ’s roll is
penalised by 5% for every level above
5th. There is always at least a 1% chance
of failure. A roll of more than twice the
percentage required for success means
that the attempted theft is noticed. The
referee should determine the reaction of
the victim.

AFTER REACHING 9TH LEVEL

A thief can become a trader and
establish a trading house, attract- ing 2d6
employees of 1st level. These employees
will be in charge of buying, selling and
maintaining any business that he wants.
He must, however, keep within the laws
of the city he is based in to keep
operating in the open, and should any
illegal activity or transaction be found,
the Thief will be arrested and the trading
operations will be stopped, should the
Thief be sentenced, the trading house is
banished from the city and must settle
elsewhere.
ROLLING SKILL CHECKS
All skills except hear noise are rolled on
d%, with a result of less than or equal to
the listed percentage indicating success.
Hear noise is rolled on 1d6. If the roll is
within the listed range of numbers, the
skill succeeds.
PLAYER KNOWLEDGE
The referee should roll for hide in
shadows and move silently on the
player’s behalf, as the thief always
believes the attempt to be successful. If
the roll fails, the referee knows that the
thief has been noticed and should
determine enemies' actions
appropriately.
THIEF LEVEL PROGRESSION Saving Throws

*: Modifiers from CON no longer D: Death / poison; W: Wands;

apply P: Paralysis / petrify;
B: Breath attacks; S: Spells / rods / staves.
THE THRI-KREEN
Requirements: Minimum DEX 9,
Minimum STR 9
Prime requisite: DEX and STR
Hit Dice: 1d6
Maximum level: 8
Armour: Leather, no shields
Weapons: Gythka and Chatkcha
Languages: Alignment, Thri-kreen
Hulking insect-men standing as tall as 7
feet at the shoulder, the thri-kreen are the
least "Human" of the player character
races. Their survivability in the
wilderness, combined with their cunning
and intellect, have made the mantis
warriors (as they are known to some
races) the undisputed masters across
large tracts of the Athasian wastes.
Prime requisites: A half-elf with at
least 13 DEX and STR gains a 5% bonus
to ex- perience. A Thri-kreen with a
score of 16 or higher in one prime
requisite, and a 13 or higher in the other
gains a 10% bonus.
COMBAT
Thri-Kreen can only use their racial
weapons: The Gythka and Chatkcha.
They can not use any armor, but can use
shields
MULTIPLE LIMBS
Thri-kreen have four arms, these can be
used to perform tasks such as such as
opening doors, carrying torches, using
tools. When unarmed, the Thri-kreen
may attack with every arm, and when
wielding weapons, only one arm can be
used to attack (Two if the optional rules
for dual wielding are being used). While
carrying Shields, only one gives a bonus
to the Armor Class.
NATURAL WEAPONRY
When attacking unarmed, the Thri-kreen
claws give a +2 bonus to the damage
inflicted. Additionally, a Thri-kreen can
attack with a poisonous bite, inflicting
1d4 damage, the opponent must succeed
a Paralysis saving throw or become
paralised for one turn.
EXOSKELETON
Thri-kreen have hard bodies, which
provide them with fixed Armor Class of
5(14).
TRACKING
Thri-kreen are natural hunters, so they
have great tracking abilities. This skill
improves as the character gains levels
(see the table to the right). Success may
be modified by the following factors:
▶▶ Soft/hard ground: +20% to –50%.
▶▶ Size of group being tracked: +2%
per creature beyond the first.
▶▶ Passing through an area where other
tracks mingle: –50%.
▶▶ Age of tracks: –5% per 12 hours.
▶▶ Rainfall: –25% per hour.
▶▶ Efforts made to hide tracks: –25%.
THRI-KREEN TRACKING
CHANCE OF SUCCESS
WEAPON CRAFTING
Thri-Kreen cany of take a day of rest to
craft their own racial weapons, Gytchka
and Chatkcha, using materials like
bones, stones and metal, combined with
their own saliva. These weapons have
the same properties as metal weapons
and break the same as bone weapons.
SLEEPLESS
Thri-Kreen do not have the need to
sleep, they can remain active day and
night.
HIRELING RESTRICTIONS
Due to their Alien nature, Thri-Kreen
can not hire mercenaries nor specialists
of any kind.
CREATING A PACK
A Pack is the single unit of organization
among the Thri-kreen, generally of at
least 12 individuals. A Thri-kreen is able
to create its own pack at any time by
asserting dominance over other
Thri-Kreen (e. g: role playing),
becoming Chief of the Pack and
commanding them just like with regular
hirelings.
THRI-KREEN LEVEL
PROGRESSION Saving Throws

*: Modifiers from CON no longer D: Death / poison; W: Wands;

P: Paralysis / petrify;
apply B: Breath attacks; S: Spells / rods / staves.
WEALTH AND
EQUIPMENT
Athas is a metal poor world. In game
terms, all metal items—swords, armor,
coins—are worth considerably more
than one other fantasy world.
The most commonly used coin
throughout Athas is the ceramic piece
(cp). Ceramic coins can be manufactured
from the most common clay of Athas,
tken glazed in specific colors and kilned
to discourage forgery.
Types of Hirelings
Hirelings are divided into two types:
▶ Mercenaries: Hired soldiers who will
guard, patrol, and otherwise serve in
wilderness settings, but only as part of a
larger force, not an adventuring party.
▶ Specialists: Hired individuals who
have a particular trade or who have
special knowledge. These individuals are
usually hired for a specific task.
ARMOR

COIN CONVERSION RULES

AMMUNITION

STARTING MONEY
PCs begin play with 3d6x10 Ceramic
Pieces.

HIRELING
Hirelings are NPCs hired by a character
to perform certain services.

Hirelings and Adventuring

Hirelings do not accompany characters
on adventures. (Characters may hire
NPCs to join them on adventures, but
these are treated separately.
WEAPONS

WEAPON QUALITIES
Boomerang: After throwing this
weapon as a projectile, it has a 50% of
coming back afterwards.

Defensive: Using this weapon can be

used as a Shield. If a Shield is carried,
the bonus to AC comes only from the
shield, and if carrying two defensive
weapons at the same time, only one of
them gives bonus to AC

Reach:This weapon adds 5 feet to your

reach when you Attack with it

WEAPON DESCRIPTIONS
Alhulak: This weapon consists of a
5-foot length of rope with a
four-bladed grappling hook on one
end. The other end is secured to a
2-foot-long handle, which can be
used to block attacks.
Cahulaks: A pair of four-bladed
heads tied to either end of a 12-foot
length of rope, this weapon can be
employed in melee or as a thrown
weapon.
Carrikal: By lashing a length of
mekillot bone to the jawbone of any
sharp-toothed creature, a kind of
battle axe is created. Sharp ridges of
teeth run down half the length of the
bone handle, and the hinges of the
jaw are sharpened to a keen edge.
Chatkcha: This thri-kreen throwing
weapon is common among the
steppes tribes. It’s a crystal wedge
that can be thrown up to 90 yards
and, due to its spin and effect upon
the air, returns to the thrower.
Crusher: A spiked stone (or, rarely,
metal) ball at the end of a 20- to
25-foot-long flexible pole makes up
this unique melee weapon.
Dragon’s paw: This weapon, made
popular in the arenas of Tyr and
Urik, has two blades, one attached to
either end of a 5- to 6-foot-long
wood shaft. The blades can be fash-
ioned from any suitable material. A
centrally located curved bar or basket
protects the wielder’s hand and
features a protruding blade that juts
perpendicularly to the shaft.
Gythka: This thri-kreen polearm has
wicked blades at either end. The
weapon’s thick shaft allows it to be
used like a quarterstaff against
similarly armed opponents.
Macahuatl: A macahuatl is a sword
painstakingly crafted using a core of
solid wood, with small, sharp shards of
obsidian embedded into the wood to
form an edge on two opposite sides of
the weapon.
Singing sticks: Singing sticks are
used in pairs, one wielded in each
hand. Each stick is made from a
springy, straight wood and measures
1 inch in diameter and 2½ feet long.
The ends are slightly wider than the
center.
Trikal: This small polearm is a
6-foot-long, mostly wood shaft. The
uppermost 12 inches consist of three
blades projecting from a central shaft.
Beneath the blades is a series of
spikes, generally extremely sharp. The
other end of the shaft is weighted to
increase the momentum of the
weapon.
Tortoise blade: This weapon is
basically a small shield with a
protruding blade. Though named for a
specific creature, its protective shell
can be carved from bone or chitin,
or fashioned from hardened leather. ARMOR DURABILITY
Material DUR
INFERIOR MATERIALS
AND SUNDERING Cloth 1
Leather 1
DURABILITY & SUNDERING
Equipment - gear, weapons, armor - Hide 2
have durability between 1 and 6; the
higher the sturdier. Bone 3
Chitin 4
When an item is used as part of a check
(weapon for attack, armor for defense) it Metal 5
might take sundering damage. Rolling a
critical failure or suffering from an Magical 6
enemy’s critical success reduces the
item’s durability by 1. Once at 0 ARMOR MATERIALS
durability, the item breaks. Only repairs Certain armors can be made out of
can restore durability. certain materials, which could affect
their durability and cost. Any Metal
WEAPON DURABILITY made armor costs x10 it’s listed cost.
Material DUR

Wood 1
Stone 2
Obsidian 3
Bone 4
Metal 5
Magical 6

WEAPON MATERIAL MODIFIERS


PSIONICS
To one extent or another, every human
and demihuman on Athas has psionic
powers. Most people are wild talents,
with only one power that they have
learned to use by trial and error. But
anyone can harness their psionic powers
through careful practice and study, and
every city has at least one training hall
dedicated to teaching ' 'the way of the
mind.''
USING PSIONICS
Power Scores: Each psionic power has a
power score related to a basic attribute
(INT, WIS, CON). The power score for
each power is equal to its related ability
plus or minus a modifier. As such a
psionic power with a power score of
“CON – 2” would have a power score of
2less than the character’s constitution
score.
Power Checks: When attempting to use
a psionic power a character makes a
check by rolling a d20. If the result is
less than or equal to the power score of
the psionic power, the character
succeeds. If successful, the cost of the
power is deducted from the pool of
psionic energy. If the result is higher
than the power score, the character fails
to use their psionic power and half of the
cost is deduced from the energy pool.
is listed under its description.
Psionic Energy Each psionic character
has a pool of psionic energy that they
expend to use their powers. The amount
of energy they have to expend is
determined by their experience and
ability scores as detailed below.
Starting psionic energy: There are
three steps for finding a character’s
starting psionic energy:
>>Find the base: Using the psionic
energy table opposite, find the
character’s WIS in the ability score
column and match it to the appropriate
base potential.
>>Add the INT modifier: Using the
same table find the character’s INT in
the ability score column and match it to
the appropriate modifier. Then add that
modifier to the base potential.
>>Add the CON modifier: Using the
same method as used for INT, add the
CON modifier to the base potential.
So a psion with a WIS of 16, INT of 17,
and CON of 18 would have a starting
psionic energy of 29 (24 + 2 + 3).

Maintaining Powers: Certain psionic

powers can be maintained until the
character decides to end them. The
additional cost of maintaining the power
PSIONIC ENERGY
Gaining a level: Psionic energy
increases by 10 plus the WIS modifier.
So a psion with a WIS of 16 gains 12
psionic energy on leveling (10 + 2).
RECOVERING ENERGY
Psionic energy is recovered by resting,
depending on the activity, as listed on
the table below.
PSIONIC ENERGY RECOVERY
CONTACT
Certain psionic powers list contact as
their initial cost. In such a case, contact
must be made prior to the power being
used. All psionic characters innately
have the ability to contact others. The
cost of contact is based on the hit dice or
level of the target and is listed on the
table below:
CONTACT COST
Once contact is made the cost to
maintain it is 1 energy per round. Certain
powers such as attack modes also
establish contact.
THE TARGET
Non psionic characters are automatically
contacted. Psionic characters can be
contacted if willing. Otherwise attack
modes must be used.
PSIONIC COMBAT
A battle with psionic characters follows
the same rules as normal combat (see
Combat in Old-School Essentials Core
Rules) with the addition of the following
rules.
POWERS IN COMBAT
Only one psionic power can be initiated
per round with the following exceptions:
Maintenance: Powers can be maintained
as long as the character has energy to
expend. Multiple powers can be
maintained simultaneously.
Defense modes: Can always be used
when the character is under attack
regardless of whether they have used
another power that round.
CONTESTED PSIONICS
When two characters engage in psionic
combat, the two power checks are
compared. The character with the higher
successful roll wins. If neither power
check succeed or the rolls are equal then
the defender wins.
ATTACK MODES
Five specific psionic powers are used for
attacking and establishing contact. They
are:
>Ego Whip
>Id Insinuation
>Mind Thrust
>Psionic Blast
>Psychic Crush
Attack modes are normal powers and
count towards the total powers known.
ATTACK MODE MODIFIERS
TWO ATTACKS
Unlike other powers the same attack
mode can be initiated twice per round. A
power check is required for each attack.
CONTACT FROM ATTACK
Even though contact is made through
attack modes it takes more than one
attempt. Three successful attacks results
in contact with the defender.
ATTACK MODIFIERS
The potency of an attack mode depends
on the defense mode being used against
it. The table below shows the modifier to
add or subtract to the attack mode’s
power score depending on the defense
mode being used.
DEFENSE MODES
Five specific psionic powers are used for
self defense. They are:
>Intellect Fortress
>Mental Barrier
>Mind Blank
>Thought Shield
>Tower of Iron Will
Each psionic character starts off
knowing one defense mode. Subsequent
modes are learned upon leveling, as
described in the class description.
WILD TALENTS
A wild talent is someone from any
other character class who has natural,
latent psionic potential. This potential
can be present in any character,
regardless of class, alignment, or race.
Wild talents can never approach
psionicists in skill, but they do boast at
least one psionic power-which is known
as a "wild power" among psionicists.
When you create your character, roll a
d20. If the result is equal to or under
your Intelligence score, or if your class
is Psioniscist, you are considered a wild
talent and have a wild psionic power.
Refer to the table below to determine
what your wild power is (Psionicists
may pick their power instead of rolling).
You can use your wild power a number
of times per day equal to half your
character level (rounded up).
WILD POWER DESCRIPTIONS
ALL-ROUND VISION
Range: Self
Power Score: WIS -3
Duration: 1d4 Rounds
This power gives the psionicist "eyes in
the hack of his head-and in the sides and
top, as wefl. (Of course, this is
figurative; he does not literally sprout
eyeballs.) In effect, the character can see
in all directions simultaneously.
KNOW DIRECTION
Range: Self
Power Score: INT
Duration: 1 day
The psionicist becomes his own
compass. for the duration of this power,
the psionicist knows which way is north.
CATFALL
Range: Self
Power Score: DEX -2
Duration: n/a
A character using this power can spring
like a cat in the same round, and always
land grace fully on his feet. He still
suffers damage from falling, but the
damage is halved.
CHAMELEON POWER
Range: Self
Power Score: CON -1
Duration: 1d4 Rounds
The psionicist using this power actually
changes the coloration of his skin,
clothing, and equipment to match his
background. The match is automatic; he
does not choose the appearance.
ANIMATE SHADOW CONTROL LIGHT
Range: 100’ Range: 30’
Power Score: WIS -3 Power Score: INT
Duration: 1d4 Duration: 1d4
The psionicist can animate the shadow The psionicist can manipulate existing
cast by anyone or anything and make it light with this devotion. He cannot
seem to have life of its own. create light from darkness, but he can
create darkness from light.
CONTROL SOUND
Range: 100’
Power Score: INT -5
Duration: 1d2 Rounds
This power allows the psionicist to
shape and alter existing sounds.

SIGHT LINK
Range: Unlimited
Power Score: CON -3
Duration: 1d2 Rounds
Sight Links allows the telepath to tap
into another creature’s optical system.
The telepath sees whatever his link sees.

LIFE DETECTION
Range: 100’
Power Score: INT -3
Duration: 1d4
A telepath can detect the presence of
living, thinking creatures within a
limited area.

SEND THOUGHTS
Range: Unlimited
Power Score: INT -1
Duration: 1d2
This is one-way communication,
allowing the telepath to send his own
thoughts to a creature he can see to its
mind. The telepath can send information
or simply distract the target
POWER LIST ● Mind Link
● Mind Over Body
● Astral Projection
● Mind Thrust (A)
● Aura Alteration
● Molecular Agitation
● Body Control
● Molecular Manipulation
● Body Equilibrium
● Molecular Rearrangement
● Body Weapon
● Psionic Blast (A)
● Cell Adjustment
● Psychic Crush (A)
● Clairaudience
● Precognition
● Clairvoyance
● Reduction
● Detect Evil
● Shape Alteration
● Detect Magic
● Suspend Animation
● Dimension Door
● Telekinesis
● Dimension Walking Domination
● Telempathic Projection
● Ego Whip (A)
● Teleport Thought Shield (D)
● Empathy
● Tower of Iron Will (D)
● Energy Control
● ESP
(A) Attack Modes
● Expansion
(D) Defense Modes
● Hypnosis
● Id Insinuation (A)
● Intellect Fortress (D)
● Invisibility
● Levitation
● Mass Domination
● Mental Barrier (D)
● Mind Bar
● Mind Blank (D)
POWER DESCRIPTIONS the cost is 20 psionic energy instead of
10.
ASTRAL PROJECTION
Range: n/a BODY CONTROL
Power Score: INT Range: Self
Initial Cost: 6 Power Score: CON - 4
Maintenance Cost: 2/hour Initial Cost: 7
This power separates the character’s Maintenance Cost: 5/turn
astral body from their physical one. The The psionic character is able to adapt
character can then use this astral body to their body to survive in a hostile
travel the astral plane while their environment such as fire, water, acid, or
physical body remains on the original poison.
plane. This projection has the following
conditions: BODY EQUILIBRIUM
>>Physical tether: The astral body is Range: Self
connected to its physical body by a long Power Score: CON - 3
silver cord that disappears from sight Initial Cost: 2
after 10’. This cord is virtually Maintenance Cost: 2/round
indestructible but if it is somehow Allows the psionic character to adjust
severed (perhaps from an extreme astral their weight so that they may walk on
storm) then the character dies. water, quicksand, etc.
>>Temporary Body: If the astral body
enters a plane other than its origin a BODY WEAPONRY
temporary body, identical to the original, Range: Self
appears there. If the astral body enters its Power Score: CON - 3
origin plane it can observe but not Initial Cost: 9
interact with the plane. Maintenance Cost: 4/round
One of the psionic character’s limbs
AURA ALTERATION becomes a weapon of their choosing.
Range: Touch The limb takes on the material of the
Power Score: Wis - 4 weapon (wood, steel, etc).
Initial Cost: 10
Maintenance Cost: n/a CELL ADJUSTMENT
This power can be used in two ways: Range: Touch
>>Mask alignment and level: The true Power Score: CON - 3
alignment and level of the character Initial Cost: 5
remains the same but anyone viewing Maintenance Cost: up to 20/round
the aura will be fooled. This power is used in two ways:
>>Remove geas or quest: If an attempt >>Cure disease: For the cost of 5
is being made to remove geas or a quest, psionic energy a disease can be cured in
1 round.
>>Restore hit points: 4 hit points can
be restored each round for the cost of 5
psionic energy per hit point.
CLAIRAUDIENCE
Range: Unlimited
Power Score: WIS - 3
Initial Cost: 6
Maintenance Cost: 4/round
Allows the psionic character to hear
clearly up to a certain range in a certain
direction. The range of the power affects
the power score modifier as per the table
to the right:
CLAIRVOYANCE
Range: Unlimited
Power Score: WIS - 4
Initial Cost: 6
Maintenance Cost: 4/round
Allows the psionic character to see
clearly up to a certain range in a certain
direction. The range of the power affects
the power score modifier as per the table
to the right:
Clairaudience and Clairvoyance
Range
DETECT EVIL
Range: 120’
Power Score: WIS - 1
Initial Cost: 4
Maintenance Cost: 4/turn
Objects enchanted for evil purposes or
living beings with evil intentions are
revealed by the aura.
>>Intent only: This power does not
grant the ability to read minds, but only
grants a general sense of evil intent.
>>Definition of evil: The referee must
decide what is “evil”. Some things that
are potentially harmful, like traps, are
not “evil”.
DETECT MAGIC
Range: 60’
Power Score: INT - 1
Initial Cost: 4
Maintenance Cost: 4/turn
Enchanted objects, areas, or creatures
are caused to glow. Both permanent and
temporary enchantments are revealed.
DIMENSION DOOR
Range: 10’
Power Score: CON - 4
Initial Cost: 30
Maintenance Cost: N/A
The psionic character or a single creature
is instantly transferred to another
location up to 360’ distant. The
destination may be selected in two ways:
1. Known location: A location, within
360’, known to the psionic character.
2. An unknown location: Specified by a
series of offsets (e.g. 120’ north, 160’
east, 80’ up) totaling not more than 360’.
Stipulations: The following apply:
 >>If the destination is occupied: By a
solid body, the power fails.
>>If the target is unwilling: It may
save versus spells to resist the
teleportation.
DIMENSION WALKING
Range: N/A
Power Score: CON - 2
Initial Cost: 8
Maintenance Cost: 4/turn
This power allows the psionic character
to travel long distances by passing
through a pocket dimension. They can
travel at the rate of 21 miles a turn.
DOMINATION
Range: 90’
Power Score: WIS - 4
Initial Cost: Contact
Maintenance Cost: 1
A single humanoid or creature must save
vs spells or be dominated. A dominated
creature is under the control of the
psionic wielder but may make another
save if forced to act outside of its
alignment. The initial cost to use
domination is twice that of contact (See
Contact rules).
EGO WHIP
Range: 120/240/360’
Power Score: WIS - 4
Initial Cost: 4
Maintenance Cost: N/A
This power is a mental attack that makes
contact (see Contact rules) with another
psionic character’s mind. It has the
following effects:
>>Emotional assault: The target is left
feeling insignificant.
>>Contact daze: If the target’s mind
has already been contacted, they are
dazed for 1d4 rounds during which their
attacks and saves have a -5 penalty.
There are three ranges that affect the
power score of ego whip:
>>120 feet: no effect.
>>240 feet: -2 to power score.
>>360 feet: -5 to power score.
EMPATHY
Range: Unlimited
Power Score: WIS
Initial Cost: Contact (or 1)
Maintenance Cost: 1/round
This power is used to sense the emotions
and motives of a mind. When empathy is
used against a non-psionic character
contact is not necessary and the initial
cost is only 1 energy.
ENERGY CONTROL
Range: Self
Power Score: Con - 2
Initial Cost: 10
Maintenance Cost: 2/round
Allows the psionic character to warp
energy around themselves and dissipate
it thereby protecting them from cold,
heat, electricity, and fire that would
normally harm them.
ESP
Range: Unlimited Power Score: Wis - 4
Initial Cost: Contact
Maintenance Cost: 6/round
This power grants the psionic character
the ability to perceive and understand the
thoughts of other living creatures.
>>Meaning: The psionic character
understands the meaning of all thoughts
even if they do not share the creature’s
language.
EXPANSION
Range: Self
Power Score: Con - 2
Initial Cost: 6
Maintenance Cost: 1/round
Allows the psionic character to increase
their proportions by 50% per round up to
four times their original size.
HYPNOSIS
Range: Unlimited
Power Score: Int - 3
Initial Cost: Contact
Maintenance Cost: 1/round
The psionic character is able to place
targets they have contact with into a
trance in which they are very susceptible
to suggestion. The level or hit dice of the
target affects the power score of
Hypnosis:
>>1-5: no effect.
>>6-10: -2 to power score.
>>11-14: -5 to power score.
ID INSINUATION
Range: 180/360/540’
Power Score: Wis - 4
Initial Cost: 5
Maintenance Cost: N/A
This power is a mental attack that makes
contact (see Contact rules) with another
psionic character’s mind. It has the
following effects:
>>Psychotic assault: The target is left
feeling temporarily crazy.
>>Contact daze: If the target’s mind
has already been contacted, they are
unable to do anything for 1d4 rounds.
There are three ranges that affect the
power score of id insinuation:
>>180 feet: no effect.
>>360 feet: -2 to power score.
>>540 feet: -5 to power score.
INTELLECT FORTRESS
Range: Self
Power Score: Wis - 3
Initial Cost: 4
Maintenance Cost: N/A
This defensive power creates a 9’ radius
around the psionic character that protects
the individuals within it. Those within
the radius use the psionic character’s
power score for intellect fortress to
defend against mental attacks and
contact (see Contact rules).
>>Additional power: The psionic
character is able to initiate another
psionic power on the same round as
intellect fortress.
INVISIBILITY
Range: 300’
Power Score: Int - 5
Initial Cost: Contact
Maintenance Cost: 2/round/creature
Unlike a magic user’s invisibility,
psionic invisibility involves tricking the
minds of other creatures into not seeing
the psionic character. The psionic
character must make a power check and
pay maintenance cost for each creature
that they are fooling.
LEVITATION
Range: Self
Power Score: Wis - 3
Initial Cost: 12
Maintenance Cost: 2/round
Allows the psionic character to rise
vertically at the rate of 1’ per second or
60’ per round. Weight beyond the
psionic character’s own reduces the
power score at a rate of one point per 25
pounds.
MASS DOMINATION
Range: 120’
Power Score: Wis - 6
Initial Cost: Contact
Maintenance Cost: varies
The psionic character is able to dominate
(see Contact rules) up to 5 creatures.
Each target must be dominated
separately and the maintenance cost for
each must be paid at the rate of two
times the target’s hit dice or level.
MENTAL BARRIER
Range: Self
Power Score: Wis - 2
Initial Cost: 3
Maintenance Cost: N/A
This defensive power creates a barricade
around the mind of the psionic character,
protecting them from a mental attack’s
contact (see Contact rules). Additional
power: The psionic character is able to
initiate another psionic power on the
same round as mental barrier.
MIND BAR
Range: Self
Power Score: Int - 2
Initial Cost: 6
Maintenance Cost: 4/round
Imparts the psionic character with the
following benefits: Magic Resistance:
+6 bonus to saves versus spells for
charm, confusion, fear, feeblemind, and
magic jar. Psionic Protection: Protection
from mental attacks unless defender
loses in a psychic contest.
MIND BLANK
Range: Self
Power Score: Wis - 7
Initial Cost: 0
Maintenance Cost: N/A
This defensive power masks the mind of
a psionic character from attacks and
contact (see Contact Rules). Mind blank
is always on for those who know it
unless they specifically choose it not to
be or are using a different defense mode.
>>Additional power: The psionic
character is able to initiate another
nondefense mode psionic power on the
same round as mind blank.
MIND LINK
Range: Unlimited
Power Score: Wis - 5
Initial Cost: Contact
Maintenance Cost: 8/round
This power allows the psionic character
to converse with an intelligent creature
without any words spoken. Only
thoughts that the parties wish to transmit
to the other will be understood. The two
parties are able to understand each other
regardless of language.
MIND OVER BODY MOLECULAR AGITATION
Range: Touch Range: 120’
Power Score: Wis - 3 Power Score: Wis
Initial Cost: N/A Initial Cost: 7
Maintenance Cost: 10/day Maintenance Cost: 6/round
Allows a number of people to survive This power increases the speed of an
without food, water, or sleep at the cost object's molecules, generating heat. Its
of one hour of meditation and 10 psionic effect varies depending on the length of
energy per person per day. This can be time it is maintained:
maintained up to five days or the psionic
character’s experience level in days if Molecular Agitation Effect
that is more. Characters who have
survived in this fashion experience the
following at the end of this period:
>>Complete Exhaustion: Characters
must rest for one day for every two days
surviving using Mind over Body.
>>Restored from Healing: Characters
can be fully rested from this exhaustion
with a full day of healing.

MIND THRUST
Range: 90/180/270’
MOLECULAR MANIPULATION
Power Score: Wis - 2
Range: 45’
Initial Cost: 2
Power Score: Int - 3
Maintenance Cost: N/A
Initial Cost: 6
This power is a piercing mental attack Maintenance Cost: 5/round
that makes contact (see Contact rules)
The psionic character can weaken a
with another psionic character’s mind. It
substance by moving its molecules
has the following effect:
around at the rate two square inches per
>>Power Loss: If the target’s mind has
round.
already been contacted, they lose the use
of one power chosen at random for 2d6
MOLECULAR REARRANGEMENT
days.
Range: 6’
There are three ranges that affect the
Power Score: Int - 5
power score of mind thrust:
Initial Cost: 20
>>90 feet: no effect.
Maintenance Cost: 10/hour
>>180 feet: -2 to power score.
This power can change the material of
>>270 feet: -5 to power score.
an object at the rate of one ounce an
hour.
PSIONIC BLAST
Range: 60/120/180’
Power Score: Wis - 5
Initial Cost: 10
Maintenance Cost: N/A
This power is a dreadful mental attack
that makes contact (see Contact rules)
with another psionic character’s mind. It
has the following effect:
>>Health Deception: If the target’s
mind has already been contacted, they
must save vs death or for 6 turns the
target believes they have lost 80% of
their remaining hit points. If they lose
their perceived hit points the target will
pass out. They will not die unless their
actual hit points are depleted.
There are three ranges that affect the
power score of psionic blast:
>>60 feet: no effect.
>>120 feet: -2 to power score.
>>180 feet: -5 to power score.
PSYCHIC CRUSH
Range: 150’
Power Score: Wis - 4
Initial Cost: 7
Maintenance Cost: N/A
This power is an overwhelming mental
attack that makes contact (see Contact
rules) with another psionic character’s
mind. Synapse squeeze: If the target’s
mind has already been contacted, they
must save vs paralysis or suffer 1d8
damage.
PRECOGNITION
Range: Self
Power Score: Wis - 5
Initial Cost: 24
Maintenance Cost: N/A
The psionic character is able to look into
the future and see the most likely result
of a plan or decision. Player knowledge:
The referee should make the power
check on behalf of the player in secret so
that the player does not know if they
actually succeeded.
REDUCTION
Range: Self
Power Score: Con - 2
Initial Cost: Varies
Maintenance Cost: 1/round
Allows the psionic character to shrink
their body at the cost of 1 psionic energy
per 1 foot up to 1 foot or less. Below that
they can reduce their current size by half
per psionic energy spent.
SHAPE ALTERATION
Range: Self
Power Score: Con - 6
Initial Cost: 21
Maintenance Cost: 1/round
The psionic character can transform their
body into an object or living thing as
long as it is of similar mass. This
transformation has the following effect:
>>Retained stats: The psionic
character’s health points and THAC0
remain the same.
>>New AC and attacks: The psionic
character assumes the AC of that which
they are transformed into, as well as any
non magical attacks it may have.
SUSPEND ANIMATION
Range: Touch
Power Score: Con - 3
Initial Cost: 12
Maintenance Cost: N/A
Allows the psionic character to slow
their life signs, or the life signs of
another, to the point where they appear
to be dead by most inspections. The
duration of the suspension is equal to the
result of their power check in weeks or
less. To end this slumber they choose a
time to awake and make another power
check. If the result is less than the
chosen awake time then the suspension
ends early.
TELEKINESIS
Range: 90’
Power Score: Wis - 3
Initial Cost: 3+
Maintenance Cost: 1+/round
By concentrating, the psionic character
is able to move objects or creatures by
the power of thought. Weight: For
targets above 3 pounds, the initial cost is
equal to the object’s weight and the
maintenance cost is the weight divided
by two, rounded down.
>>Movement: The target may be moved
up to 60’ per round, in whatever
direction the psionic character wishes
(including vertically).
>>Weapon: The target may be used as a
weapon using the psionic character’s
THAC0 with a penalty equal to a third
of the target’s weight, rounded down.
TELEMPATHIC PROJECTION
Range: Unlimited
Power Score: Wis - 2
Initial Cost: Contact
Maintenance Cost: 4/round
The psionic character is able to project
emotions onto contacted targets. This
cannot result in extreme changes but can
only sway emotions.
TELEPORT
Range: Infinite
Power Score: Int
Initial Cost: 20+
Maintenance Cost: N/A
The psionic character or a chosen
creature vanishes and reappears at a
location of the psionic character’s
choosing.
>>Gear: The subject is teleported with
all its gear, up to its maximum load.
>>Teleport others: The target must be
willing or unconscious. The power score
for teleport is reduced by 2 when
teleporting others.
>>Destination: May be at any distance,
but must be known to the psionic
character. The destination must be an
open space at ground level. (It is not
possible to intentionally teleport the
subject into mid-air or into solid matter.)
The cost and power score of teleport are
affected by the distance as shown on the
table below.
Teleportation Cost and Modifier

THOUGHT SHIELD
Range: Self
Power Score: Wis - 3
Initial Cost: 1
Maintenance Cost: N/A
This defensive power guards the
thoughts of the psionic character to
protect them from mental attacks and
contact (see Contact rules). Additional
power: The psionic character is able to
initiate another psionic power on the
same round as thought shield.

TOWER OF IRON WILL

Range: Self
Power Score: Wis - 2
Initial Cost: 6
Maintenance Cost: N/A
This defensive power creates a 3’ radius
of protection against mental attacks and
contact (see Contact rules). Additional
power: The psionic character is able to
initiate another psionic power on the
same round as tower of iron will.
MAGIC SPHERE OF AIR
The sources of magical energy on Athas 1. Feather Fall (1st Level)
2. Warding Wind (1st Level)
are very different from those in other
campaign worlds. Athas is a world 3. Gust of Wind (2nd Level)
4. Dust Devil (2nd Level)
without deities, where clerics worship
the elemental powers themselves. 5. Fly (3rd Level)
Despite the brutality that seems infused 6. Call Lighting(3rd Level)
in its soil, Athas is a fragile world, 7. Temperature Control (4th Level)
where the very existence of wizardry 8. Wind Wall (4th Level)
magic can disrupt and destroy the land's 9. Conjure Elemental*(5th Level)
ability to support life. 10. Control Winds (5th Level)
*: Conjure Elemental only summons Air
Elementals.
PRIESTLY MAGIC
The priests of Dark Sun worship the
SPHERE OF EARTH
beings that inhabit the elemental planes:
1. Earth Tremor (1st Level)
those of earth, air, fire, and water. In
2. Mold Earth (1st Level)
Dark Sun campaigns, priest spells fall
3. Earthbind (2nd Level)
into four spheres associated with those
4. Dust Devil (2nd Level)
four elemental planes, and a separate
5. Meld Into Stone (3rd Level)
Sphere of the Cosmos (Which is the
6. Stone Shape (3rd Level)
Cleric spell list present in the OSE
7. Wall of Sand (4th level)
Classic Fantasy Rules). This last sphere
8. Stoneskin (4th Level)
is by far the largest, though the other
9. Conjure Elemental* (5th Level)
four hold generally more powerful, more
10. Earthquake (5th Level)
specialized spells. Clerics from a certain
*: Conjure Elemental only summons
element can cast spells from their
Earth Elementals.
respective sphere and the Sphere of the
Cosmos, Druids can cast spells from the
SPHERE OF FIRE
Sphere of the Cosmos and their list from
1. Endure Heat/Cold (1st Level)
the OSE Advanced fantasy rules,
2. Produce Flame (1st Level)
granted by spirits of nature and Templars
3. Heat Metal (2nd Level)
can only cast spells from the Sphere of
4. Pyrotechnics (2nd Level)
the Cosmos.
5. Flame Walk (3rd Level)
6. Protection from Fire (3rd Level)
7. Fire Trap (4th Level)
8. Wall of Fire (4th Level)
9. Conjure Elemental* (5th Level)
10. Firestorm (5th Level)
*: Conjure Elemental only summons
Fire Elementals.
SPHERE OF WATER
1. Shape Water (1st Level)
2. Locate Water (1st Level)
3. Create Water (2nd Level)
4. Fog Cloud (2nd Level)
5. Create Food & Water (3rd Level)
6. Water Breathing (3rd Level)
7. Water Walk (4th Level)
8. Transmute Water to Dust (4th
Level)
9. Conjure Elemental* (5th Level)
10. Maelstrom (5th Level)
*: Conjure Elemental only summons
Water Elementals.
SPHERE OF THE COSMOS
Refer to the Spells present in OSE
Classic Fantasy Rules.
SPELL DESCRIPTIONS
1ST LEVEL
EARTH TREMOR
Duration: Intant
Range: 10’ around the caster
You cause a tremor in the ground within
range. Each creature other than you in
that area must make a saving throw
against breath. On a failed save, any
affected creatures are knocked prone,
dropping any weapons, shield and or
items in the process.
ENDURE HEAT/COLD
Duration: 1 Hour per Spell Level
Range: Touch
The creature receiving this spell is
protected from normal extremes of cold
or heat (depending on which application
the priest selects at the time of casting).
The creature can stand unprotected in
temperatures as low as -30 F. or as high
as 130 F. (depending on application)
with no ill effect.
FEATHER FALL
Duration: 1 Round per Spell Level
Range: 20’
When this spell is cast, the creature(s) or
object(s) affected immediately assumes
the mass of a piece of down. The rate of
falling is instantly changed to a mere 2
feet per second (120 feet per round), and
no damage is incurred upon landing
while the spell is in effect.
LOCATE WATER
Duration: Instant
Range: Self
You sense the direction to any water
source of at least 50 gallons, as long as
that water source is within 2 feet of you.
MOLD EARTH
Duration: 1 hour per Level
Range: 30’
You choose a portion of dirt or stone that
you can see within range and that fits
within a 5-foot cube. You manipulate it
in one of the following ways:
● If you target an area of loose
earth, you can instantaneously
excavate it, move it along the
ground, and deposit it up to 5 feet
away. This movement doesn't
involve enough force to cause
damage.
● You cause shapes, colors, or both
to appear on the dirt or stone,
spelling out words, creating
images, or shaping patterns. The
changes last for 1 hour per Level
If you cast this spell multiple times, you
can have no more than two of its
non-instantaneous effects active at a
time, and you can dismiss such an effect
as an action.
PRODUCE FLAME
Duration: Permanent
Range: Self
A bright flame, equal in brightness to a
torch, springs forth from the caster's
palm when he casts a produce flame
spell. The flame does not harm the
caster, but it is hot and it causes the
combustion of flammable materials
(paper, cloth, dry wood, oil, etc.).
SHAPE WATER
Duration: 1 hour
Range: 30’
You choose an area of water that you can
see within range and that fits within a
5-foot cube. You manipulate it in one of
the following ways:
● You instantaneously move or
otherwise change the flow of the
water as you direct, up to 5 feet in
any direction. This movement
doesn't have enough force to cause
damage.
● You cause the water to form into
simple shapes and animate at your
direction. This change lasts for 1
hour.
● You change the water's color or
opacity. The water must be
changed in the same way
throughout. This change lasts for
1 hour.
● You freeze the water, provided
that there are no creatures in it.
The water unfreezes in 1 hour.
If you cast this spell multiple times, you
can have no more than two of its
non-instantaneous effects active at a
time, and you can dismiss such an effect
as an action.
WARDING WIND
Duration: 1 round
Range: Self
A strong wind (20 miles per hour) blows
around you in a 10-foot radius and
moves with you, remaining centered on
you. The wind lasts for the spell's
duration.
The wind has the following effects:
● It deafens you and other creatures
in its area.
● It extinguishes unprotected flames
in its area that are torch-sized or
smaller.
● It hedges out vapor, gas, and fog
that can be dispersed by strong
wind.
2ND LEVEL
CREATE WATER
Duration: Permanent
Range: Touch
This spell causes a magical spring to
gush forth from the ground.
● Volume: The fount produces
approximately 5 gallons of water.
● Higher level casters: If the caster
uses a higher spell level, the
volume of water increases by 5
gallons per spell level.
DUST DEVIL
Duration: 2 round per spell level
Range: 30’
This spell enables a priest to conjure up
a weak sand elemental--a dust devil of
AC 4, 2 HD, MV 180 feet per round,
one attack for 1d4 points of
damage--which can be hit by normal
weapons.
EARTHBIND
Duration: Up to 2 Rounds
Range: 300’
Choose one creature you can see within
range. Yellow strips of magical energy
loop around the creature. The target
must succeed on a saving throw against
Spell, or its flying speed (if any) is
reduced to 0 feet for the spell's duration.
An airborne creature affected by this
spell safely descends at 60 feet per round
until it reaches the ground or the spell
ends.
FOG CLOUD
Duration: 4 Rounds
Range: 30’
You create a 20-foot-radius sphere of fog
centered on a point within range. The
sphere spreads around corners, and its
area is heavily obscured. It lasts for the
duration or until a wind of moderate or
greater speed (at least 10 miles per hour)
disperses it. Higher Spell Levels allow
the Cloud to increase its size by 20 feet
per Spell Level.
GUST OF WIND
Duration: 2 Rounds
Range: 60’ lie from the caster
A line of strong wind 60 feet long and
10 feet wide blasts from you in a
direction you choose for the spell's
duration. Each creature that starts its turn
in the line must succeed on a Strength
saving throw or be pushed 15 feet away
from you in a direction following the
line.
Any creature in the line must spend 2
feet of movement for every 1 foot it
moves when moving closer to you.
The gust disperses gas or vapor, and it
extinguishes candles, torches, and
similar unprotected flames in the area. It
causes protected flames, such as those of
lanterns, to dance wildly and has a 50
percent chance to extinguish them.
HEAT METAL
Duration: 1 Round
Range: 60’
Choose a manufactured metal object,
such as a metal weapon or a suit of
heavy or medium metal armor, that you
can see within range. You cause the
object to glow red-hot. Any creature in
physical contact with the object takes
1d8 fire damage when you cast the spell.
Until the spell ends, you can use a bonus
action on each of your subsequent turns
to cause this damage again.
PYROTECHNICS
Duration: Instant
Range: 120’
A pyrotechnics spell draws on an
existing fire source to produce one of
two effects, at the option of the caster.
First, it can produce a flashing and fiery
burst of glowing, colored aerial
fireworks that lasts one round. This
effect temporarily blinds those creatures
in, under, or within 120 feet of the area
and that have an unobstructed line of
sight to the burst. Creatures viewing this
are blinded for 1d4+1 rounds unless they
successfully save vs. spell.
3RD LEVEL
CALL LIGHTNING
Duration: 1 Turn per level
Range: 360’
The caster directs the violent energies of
a storm, causing lightning to strike the
ground at points of the caster’s choice.
● Storm clouds: Must be present in
the sky above the point to be
struck by lightning.
● Number of strikes: One lightning
strike may be summoned per turn
of the spell’s duration.
● Area: A lightning strike affects a
10’ radius area.
● Damage: All creatures in the area
suffer 8d6 damage (save versus
spells for half damage).
● If the storm dissipates: The spell
ends prematurely.
CREATE FOOD AND WATER
Duration: 24 Hours
Range: 10’
When this spell is cast, the priest causes
food and water to appear. The food thus
created is highly nourishing if rather
bland; each cubic foot of the material
sustains three human-sized creatures or
one horse-sized creature for a full day.
The food decays and becomes inedible
within 24 hours, although it can be
restored for another 24 hours by casting
a purify food and water spell upon it.
FLAME WALK
Duration: 1 Round per Spell Level
Range: Touch
By means of this spell, the caster
empowers one or more creatures to
withstand non magical fires of
temperatures up to 2,000 F. (enabling
them to walk upon molten lava). It also
confers a +2 bonus to saving throws
against magical fire and reduces damage
from such fires by one-half, even if the
saving throw is failed.
FLY
Duration: 1d6 turns +1 per spell level
Range: The caster or a creature touched
The subject gains the ability to fly
through the air.
● Movement rate: Up to 360’
(120’).
● Free movement: Is possible in any
direction, including the ability to
levitate and to hover in mid-air.
MELD WITH STONE
Duration: 8+1 rounds per spell level
Range: Self
This spell enables the priest to meld his
body and possessions into a single block
of stone. The stone must be large enough
to accommodate his body in all three
dimensions. When the casting is
complete, the priest and not more than
100 pounds of nonliving gear merge
with the stone. If either condition is
violated, the spell fails and is wasted.
While in the stone, the priest remains in
contact, however tenuous, with the face
of the stone through which he melded.
The priest remains aware of the passage
of time. Nothing that goes on outside the
stone can be seen or heard, however.
PROTECTION FROM FIRE
Duration: 2 +1 Round per spell level
Range: Touch
The Caster gives a willing creature
invulnerability to normal fire, gives a
bonus of +4 to saving throw die rolls vs.
fire attacks, and reduces damage
sustained from magical fires by 50%.
STONE SHAPE
Duration: Permanent
Range: Touch
By means of this spell, the caster can
form an existing piece of stone no larger
than 10-feet-radius into any shape that
suits his purposes. For example, he can
make a stone weapon, a special trapdoor,
or a crude idol.
WATER BREATHING
Duration: 4+1 round per spell level
Range: Touch
The recipient of a water breathing spell
is able to breathe under water freely for
the duration of the spell.
4TH LEVEL
FIRE TRAP
Duration: Permanent until discharged
Range: Touch
Any closeable item (book, box, bottle,
chest, coffer, coffin, door, drawer, and so
forth) can be warded by a fire trap spell.
The spell is centered on a point selected
by the spellcaster. The item so trapped
cannot have a second closure or warding
spell placed upon it. A knock spell
cannot affect a fire trap in any way--as
soon as the offending party opens the
item, the trap discharges. As with most
magical traps, a thief has only half his
normal find traps score to detect a fire
trap. Failure to remove it successfully
detonates it immediately. An
unsuccessful dispel magic spell will not
detonate the spell. When the trap is
discharged, there will be an explosion of
5-foot radius from the spell's center. All
creatures within this area must roll
saving throws vs. spell. Damage is 1d4
points plus 1 point per level of the caster,
and half that total amount for creatures
successfully saving.
STONESKIN
Duration: Up to 1 hour
Range: Touch
This spell turns the flesh of a willing
creature you touch as hard as stone.
Until the spell ends, the target has
resistance to non magical damage.
TEMPERATURE CONTROL
Duration: 1 turn per level
Range: 10’ around the caster
The caster can control the surrounding
temperature in a limited radius.
● Temperature range: The
temperature may be raised or
lowered up to the full range of
temperature variance in the
natural world. (e.g. down to arctic
cold or up to tropical heat.)
● Control: The caster can adjust the
temperature at will while the spell
lasts.
TRANSMUTE WATER TO DUST
Duration: Permanent
Range: 60’
When this spell is cast, a subject area of
20’x20’ instantly undergoes a change
from liquid to powdery dust or vice
versa. Note that if the water is already
muddy, the area of effect is doubled,
while if wet mud is present, the area of
effect is quadrupled.
WALL OF FIRE
Duration: 2 + 1 rounds per spell level
Range: 60’
The wall of fire spell brings forth an
immobile, blazing curtain of magical fire
of shimmering color--yellow-green or
amber. The spell creates an opaque sheet
of flame up to one 20-foot square per
level of the spellcaster, or a ring with a
radius of up to 10 feet + 5 per spell level.
The wall deals 4d4 Fire damage.
WALL OF SAND
Duration: 2 + 1 rounds per spell level
Range: 60’
You create a wall of swirling sand on the
ground at a point you can see within
range. You can make the wall up to 30
feet long, 10 feet high, and 10 feet thick,
and it vanishes when the spell ends. It
blocks line of sight but not movement. A
creature is blinded while in the wall's
space and must spend 3 feet of
movement for every 1 foot it moves
there.
WATER BREATHING
Duration: 1 hour per spell level
Range: Touch
The recipient of a water breathing spell
is able to breathe under water freely for
the duration of the spell--i.e., one hour
for each experience level of the caster.
The priest can divide the base duration
between multiple characters.
WIND WALL
Duration: 2 + 1 rounds per spell level
Range: 60’
A wall of strong wind rises from the
ground at a point you choose within
range. You can make the wall up to 50
feet long, 15 feet high, and 1 foot thick.
You can shape the wall in any way you
choose so long as it makes one
continuous path along the ground. The
wall lasts for the duration. The wall
deals 3d8 Wind damage.
5TH LEVEL
CONJURE ELEMENTAL
Duration: Permanent (until dismissed
or slain)
Range: 240’
A 16 Hit Dice elemental—a being
formed of pure elemental matter—is
summoned from an elemental plane of
the caster’s choice (air, earth, fire, water)
to do the caster’s bidding.
● Materials: The summons require
a large volume of the appropriate
element.
● Concentration: Is required to
command an elemental.
● Dismissing: While control over
the elemental is maintained, the
caster may dismiss it at any time,
sending it back to its plane of
origin.
● Disruption: If the caster moves
at more than half speed or their
 concentration is disturbed, the
command over the elemental ends.
It is, henceforth, a freewilled
entity and will immediately try to
kill the caster and any who get in
its way.
● Dispelling: A conjured elemental
may be dispelled by dispel magic
or dispel evil.
● Restrictions: The caster may
summon at most one elemental
from each plane in a single day.
Air Elemental
Huge vortexes of whirling air.
AC –2 [21], HD 16* (72hp), Att 1 ×
blow (3d8), THAC0 8 [+11], MV 360’
(120’) flying, SV D2 W3 P4 B3 S6 (16),
ML 10, AL Neutral, XP 2,300, NA 1 (1),
TT None
▶ Size: 32’ tall, 8’ across.
▶ Whirlwind: Creatures with less than
2HD swept aside (save versus death).
▶ Mundane damage immunity: Can
only be harmed by magical attacks.
▶ Harm flying creatures: Inflict extra
1d8 damage.
Earth Elemental
Huge, humanoid figures of earth or
stone.
AC –2 [21], HD 16* (72hp), Att 1 ×
blow (3d8), THAC0 8 [+11], MV 60’
(20’), SV D2 W3 P4 B3 S6 (16), ML 10,
AL Neutral, XP 2,300, NA 1 (1), TT
None
▶ Size: 16’ tall.
▶ Blocked by water: Cannot cross a
channel wider than own height.
▶ Mundane damage immunity: Can
only be harmed by magical attacks.
▶ Harm creatures on the ground: Inflict
extra 1d8 damage.
Fire Elemental
Whirling columns of fire
AC –2 [21], HD 16* (72hp), Att 1 ×
blow (3d8), THAC0 8 [+11], MV 120’
(40’), SV D2 W3 P4 B3 S6 (16), ML 10,
AL Neutral, XP 2,300, NA 1 (1), TT
None
▶ Size: 16’ tall, 16’ across.
▶ Blocked by water: Cannot cross a
channel wider than own diameter.
▶ Mundane damage immunity: Can
only be harmed by magical attacks.
▶ Harm cold-based creatures: Inflict
extra 1d8 damage.
Water Elemental
Huge waves of water.
AC –2 [21], HD 16* (72hp), Att 1 ×
blow (3d8), THAC0 8 [+11], MV 60’
(20’) / 180’ (60’) swimming, SV D2 W3
P4 B3 S6 (16), ML 10, AL Neutral, XP
2,300, NA 1 (1), TT None
▶ Size: 8’ tall, 32’ across.
▶ Water-bound: Must remain within 60’
of water.
▶ Mundane damage immunity: Can
only be harmed by magical attacks.
▶ Harm creatures in water: Inflict extra
1d8 damage.
CONTROL WINDS
Duration: Up to 1 hour.
Range: 300’
You take control of the air in a 100-foot
cube that you can see within range.
Choose one of the following effects
when you cast the spell. The effect lasts
for the spell's duration, unless you use
your action on a later turn to switch to a
different effect. You can also use your
action to temporarily halt the effect or to
restart one you've halted.
● Gusts: A wind picks up within the
cube, continually blowing in a
horizontal direction you designate.
You choose the intensity of the
wind: calm, moderate, or strong.
If the wind is moderate or strong,
ranged weapon attacks that pass
through it or that are made against
targets within the cube have a -2
on their attack rolls. If the wind is
strong, any creature moving
against the wind must spend 1
extra foot of movement for each
foot moved.
● Downdraft: You cause a
sustained blast of strong wind to
blow downward from the top of
the cube. Ranged weapon attacks
that pass through the cube or that
are made against targets within it
have -2 on their attack rolls. A
creature must make a saving
throw against paralysis if it flies
into the cube for the first time on a
turn or starts its turn there flying.
On a failed save, the creature is
knocked prone.
● Updraft: You cause a sustained
updraft within the cube, rising
upward from the cube's bottom
side. Creatures that end a fall
within the cube take only half
damage from the fall. When a
creature in the cube makes a
vertical jump, the creature can
jump up to 10 feet higher than
normal.
EARTHQUAKE
Duration: 1 round
Range: 120’
When this spell is cast by a priest, a
local tremor of fairly high strength rips
the ground. The shock is over in one
round. The earthquake affects all terrain,
vegetation, structures, and creatures in
its area of effect. The area of effect of
the earthquake spell is circular, with a
diameter of 50’
FIRESTORM
Duration: 1 round
Range: 120’
When a fire storm spell is cast, the
whole area is shot through with sheets of
roaring flame that equal a wall of fire
spell in effect. Creatures within the area
of fire and 10 feet or less from the edge
of the affected area receive 2d8 points of
damage plus additional damage equal to
the caster's level (2d8 +1/level).
Creatures that roll successful saving
throws vs. spell suffer only one-half
damage.
MAELSTROM
Duration: 1 round
Range: 120’
A swirling mass of 5-foot-deep water
appears in a 30-foot radius centered on a
point you can see within range. The
point must be on the ground or in a body
of water. Until the spell ends, any
creature that starts its turn there must
succeed on a paralysis saving throw or
take 6d6 water damage and be pulled 10
feet toward the center.