1

Printing percent. That will adjust it to A5 size

(on A4 paper). However, the printer's

Guidelines margins will not scale, as they are set by

the printer's hardware. Hence you may
This booklet was written in A4 format, need to set the scale factor slightly
if you want to print it in an A5 format lower, depending on your printer's
(the one used by Old School margins. There is also the issue that
Essentials™) the following guideline Word will still tell the printer to use A4
may be followed. paper, and you can't change that to A5
Disclaimer: This guide assumes you because, as you discovered, Word
are using Windows™ as your Operative paginates the document to the paper
System, so Mac™ users may have to size. For good measure, changing the
search for a specialized guide. paper size from Printer Properties at
print time will be ignored by Word - it
There may be three ways to adjust must be done from Page Setup,
printing scale: prompting re-pagination.
1. Many printer drivers have native No matter which option you choose,
support for such functionality. Here is make sure that your printer actually
HP's example: "see" A5 paper in a tray. You can verify
this in printer settings, on the printer
panel or other ways -- depending on
your printer.
For example, on many LaserJet printers
you have to:
1. Send the actual print job to
the printer (any of above
methods).
2. Wait until it signals that an
incorrect paper size (A4) is
inserted into the tray.
3. Remove the tray, place A5
paper and put it back.
2. Generate A4 size PDF from your 4. Only then you'll see a
document. Then use your favorite PDF message to confirm in-tray
reader to print the PDF on A5, by paper size permanent
selecting "fit to paper". change.
3. There's also a semi-manual way,
directly in Word, if both above
solutions fails for you:
Go to print and, from Printer
Properties, set the scale factor to 70.7

2
Introduction…………………………….4
Chapter 1: Player Characters………..6 Chapter 4: Wealth and Equipment.....70
Rolling Ability Wealth................................71
Scores……………………………9 Equipment Breakage..............72
Languages……………………..10 Adventuring Gear..................73
Character Tree (Optional Poison.................................74
Rules)..............................11
Chapter 2: Character Classes……….12 Armor & Ammunition............75
Class Groups…………………..13 Weapons..............................76
Game Modalities……………..15 Weapons Descriptions............77
Warrior Classes……………….16 Chapter 5: Mounts & Vehicles...........78
Fighter…………………17 Animals of Burden & Land
Gladiator………………19 Vehicles...............................81
Ranger…………………21
Rogue Classes…………………23 Silt Vehicles.........................84
Bard……………………24 Chapter 6: Hired Help......................85
Thief……………………26 Retainers.............................86
Priest Classes………………….28 Mercenaries.........................88
Cleric…………………..29 Specialist.............................90
Druid…………………..31 Slaves (Optional Rules)...........92
Templar……………….33 Chapter 7: Strongholds....................93
Magic-User Classes…………..35
Defiler…………………36
Preserver……………..38
Psionicist Class……………….40
Demi-Human Classes………..43
Dwarf…………………..44
Elf……………………….46
Half-Elf……………..48
Half-Giant………….50
Halfling…………….52
Mul………………….54
Thri-Kreen…………56
Chapter 3: Character Options……58
Character Races (Optional
Rules)...........................59
Dwarf……………….60
Elf……………………61
Half-Elf……………..62
Half-Giant………….63
Halfling…………….64
Human……………..65
Mul………………….66
Thri-Kreen………..67
Multiple Classes…………..68
Athasian Backgrounds (Optional
Rules).............69

3
Introduction 3. The Will and The Way
From the lowliest slave to the most
Beneath a crimson sun lie wastelands of powerful sorcerer‐king, psionics
majestic desolation and cities of cruel pervade all levels of Athasian society.
splendor, where sandal-clad heroes Virtually every individual has some
battle ancient sorcery and terrible mental ability, and every city‐state has
monsters. This is Athas, the world of some sort of psionic academy available.
the DARK SUN® campaign setting, a
dying planet of savagery and desolation. 4. A World Without Gods
Life hangs by a thread in this barren Athas is a world without true deities.
land, and now it is up to you to write Hundreds or ruin shrines and temples
your own story in blood and glory. to old gods lay on the Tablelands, but
with the exception of the cults of the
tyrannical Sorcerer-Kings, the gods of
old are either gone or may have never
1. The World Is A Desert existed at all. All divine power comes
Thousands of years of reckless from the Elemental planes and the
spellcasting and epic wars have turned spirits of the land that inhabit
Athas into a barren world, on the verge geographic features.
of an ecological collapse. From the first
moments of dawn until the last 5. The City-States
twinkling of dusk, the crimson sun The Tyr Region is the center of the
shimmers in the olive–tinged sky like a world of Athas, at least as far as the
fiery puddle of blood, creating people of the seven city‐ states are
temperatures up to 150° F (65° C) by late concerned. It’s here, along the shores of
afternoon. Water is scarce, so most the Silt Sea and in the shadows of the
Athasians need to come up with Ringing Mountains that civilization
alternative solutions for dealing with clings to a few scattered areas of fertile
the heat or perish. land and fresh water. The majority of
the population lives in the city‐states of
2. A World Without Metal Tyr, Urik, Raam, Draj, Nibenay, Gulg,
Metals are very rare on Athas. Its and Balic. The remainder lives in
scarcity has forced Athasians to rely on remote villages built around oases and
barter and different materials, such as wells, or wanders about in nomadic
ceramic, to use as currency. It also tribes searching for what they need to
hampers industrial and economic survive.
development as well, as other products
tend to be low quality. Even then
however, those with metal possess a big
advantage against those who do not.

4
6. Planar Insulation 8. The Struggle for Survival
Barriers exist between Athas and other The basic necessities of life are scarce
planes. In the case of other planes of on Athas. This means that every society
existence, the Gray impedes planar must devote itself to obtaining food and
travel, except to the Elemental Planes. safeguarding its water supply, while
The same holds true for those trying to protecting themselves from raiding
contact or reach Athas. The barrier tribes, Tyr–storms, and other
formed by the Gray impedes travel in city‐states. This essentially means that
both directions. most Athasian must devote a large deal
of their lives just to survive.
7. Tone and Attitudes
Athas puts the survival of the fittest 9. Familiar Races Aren’t The
concept to its fullest. Those who cannot Same
adapt to endure the tyrannical Athas has a long cruel history of
sorcerer‐kings, the unrelenting sun, or genocide and catastrophies, meaning
the many dangers of the wastes will that many races found in a typical
certainly perish. Illiteracy and slavery fantasy setting are either extinct or
are commonplace, while magic is feared twisted beyond recognition. Many
and hated. The term “hero” has a very newer races, however, populate and
different meaning in Athas. sometimes thrive in the Tablelands.

5
6
Character 2. Choose a Race (Optional)
If the DM allows for separate class and

Creation race, you may choose a race and write

its bonuses and skills. If not, go to the
This book will offer options for next step. More Details found in p59.
character creation supporting both
methods present in Old School 3. Choose a Class
Essentials™, meaning that there would Select one of the classes available (see
be the option of playing race-as-class, Character Classes, p12), bearing in
with demi-humans representing their mind the minimum ability score
own classes, and separate race and class requirements of some classes. If the DM
options, to be allowed according to is using the class-as-race option, the
what DMs want to allow in their games. chosen class determines your
character’s race.
Game Modalities: There will also be
modalities of game, where DMs have 4. Adjust Ability Scores
the option of including all classes
If you wish, you may raise your
present in this book, or a shortened list
character’s prime requisite(s) by
of classes for a more simplified
lowering other (non-prime requisite)
experience. More details found in p15.
ability scores. For every 2 points by
which an ability score is lowered, 1
point may be added to a prime
1. Roll Ability Scores requisite.
Roll for each of your character’s ability
scores: Strength, Intelligence, Wisdom, 5. Note Ability Score Modifiers
Dexterity, Constitution, and Charisma. Now that your character’s ability scores
Methods for ability scores generation are fixed, make a note of any associated
are found in p9. bonuses or penalties.
Sub Par Characters
If you roll a character with very poor 6. Note Attack Values
ability scores–for example an 8 or less The level progression chart for your
in every score or an extremely low character’s class lists your THAC0
rating in one ability–the DM may allow score. This indicates your chance of
you to discard the character and start hitting opponents in combat, as
again. determined by the Attack Matrix.
Ascending AC (Optional Rule)
If using the optional rule for Ascending
AC, record your attack bonus on your
character sheet, instead of the attack
matrix quick reference.

7
7. Note Saving Throws and 11. Buy Equipment
Class Abilities Your character has 3d6 × 30 (Or 3d6 x
Record any special abilities possessed 10 for level 1 start) ceramic pieces (see
by your character as a result of their DMG). Consult the equipment lists (see
class, as well as your character’s saving DMG) and decide what to purchase
throws. If your character has a spell with this initial wealth.
book, ask your referee which spells are Remember: Your chosen race and class
recorded in it. The DM may allow you may restrict your use of some
to choose. equipment (e.g. weapons and armor).
Weapon Proficiencies (Optional): If
using the optional rule for weapon 12. Note Armor Class
proficiency (see Old School Your character’s Armor Class is
Essentials™) select which weapons determined by two factors:
your character is proficient with, ● Armor: The armor worn
choosing from the list of weapons determines your character’s base
usable by the character’s class. AC. See the equipment lists
under Equipment, p.
8. Roll Hit Points ● Dexterity: See Ability Scores,
Determine your character’s hit points p9.
by rolling the die type specified for your Unarmoured AC
class. Modifiers for high or low If your character has no armor, their
Constitution apply. Characters always base AC is 9 [10].
start with at least 1 hit point, regardless
of CON modifier. 13. Note Level and XP
Re-Rolling 1s and 2s (Optional) Due to the lethality of Athas, your
If you roll a 1 or 2 (before applying any character begins play at 3rd level with
CON modifier), the referee may allow the minimum amount of experience for
you to re-roll. This is in order to that level.
increase the survivability of 1st level Level 1 Start (Optional Rule)
PCs. For a more extreme start, the DM may
allow PCs to start at 1st level with 0 XP.
9. Choose Alignment
Decide whether your character is 14. Secondary Skill (Optional)
Lawful, Neutral, or Chaotic. If using the optional rule for secondary
skills (see Old School Essentials™ ),
10. Note Known Languages determine the skill your character has.
Your character’s race determines their
native languages. Characters with high 15. Name Character
INT may also choose additional Once your character has a name, you
languages. See Languages, p10. are ready for adventure!

8
Rolling Ability The Ability
Scores Scores
Every Dark Sun character has the same The six ability scores govern a player
six ability scores used in Old School character's interaction with the world
Essentials™ : Strength, Dexterity, of Athas just as described in Old
Constitution, Intelligence, Wisdom, School Essentials™ , with one
and Charisma. The following methods exceptions:
of ability scores generation may be
chosen by the DM depending on
intended types of campaign.
Intelligence works similar to how it
Method I: Default Method does in Old School Essentials™, but
Roll 4d6, drop the lowest result and add with the difference that in Athas
the rest together. Repeat the process literacy is more rare due to restrictions
six times and then assign them to each in Athasian society concerning who
ability score freely, modify for Prime gets to read and write, therefore, the
Requisites if needed. following table showcases the bonuses
of Intelligence in Athas.
Method II: Heroic Method
Roll 2d6+6 and add them together.
Repeat the process six times and then
assign them to each ability score freely,
modify for Prime Requisites if needed.
This method is intended for heroic
fantasy games, where the PCs tend to
be way more powerful than other
individuals.

Method III: Hardcore Method

Roll 3d6 and add them together. Repeat
the process six times and then assign
them to each ability score freely, modify Literacy in Athas
for Prime Requisites if needed. This is In Athas, only people from nobility,
similar to the default method of ability templars, psionicists and magic-users,
score generation in OSE™, which due to who may be allowed to be literate,
the lethality of Athas is more regardless of their INT.
appropriate for challenging games
played by more advanced players.

9
Languages
Athas is a world where the intelligent
races come from a wide variety of
species—the humans and demihumans
are very different from the insectmen
and beastmen. Each intelligent race has
its own language, sometimes even its
own approach to language and
communication.

The Common Tongue

There is a standard language (known
simply as common or the common
tongue) that all humans, dwarves, elves,
half-elves and muls speak. It is
important to note that halflings and
thri-kreen do not speak common. It is
strongly recommended, however, that
player character halflings and
thri-kreen use one of their additional
languages to obtain the common
tongue.

Other Languages

10
Character Tree
(Optional Inactive characters are not NPCs or
followers. They aren't involved in the

Rules) adventure at any time. At no time will a

player's active and inactive characters
Dark Sun campaigns are set in a violent come into contact in the campaign
world. Powerful magics and psionics, world. When not in play, inactive
desperate hordes of raiders, and even characters are assumed to be elsewhere
the unforgiving desert wastes all on Athas, performing other tasks.
conspire against player
characters—death is not at all
uncommon on Athas, nor is it
The character tree's chief purpose is to
uncommon for player characters in
give every player a pool of adventurers
Dark Sun campaigns. Replacing a fallen
to choose from for different situations
player character of high level with a
or when one of his characters dies. The
novice low level character is never
player is familiar with these characters
satisfying for the player.
and can apply their strengths more
readily than he might be able to with
freshly created characters. However, if
care is taken, the character tree can be a
To begin a character tree, a player valuable tool to the player in an
should completely roll up four extended campaign.
characters. Once this is done, the player
selects the character that he intends to As an example, the quest might be a
run for the first adventure, making that dangerous trek across the wilderness to
one his “active” character. The other steal a magical item from an ancient
three are inactive. defiler's mansion. The player might use
his ranger character to make the
journey, but all the while might be
There are three instances when a player using his inactive character
may switch the character he wishes to advancements to make his thief more
use in play: between adventures or powerful for the final assault on the
upon an active character's death. mansion.

All Characters within the tree advance

at the same rate, even those who are
not active in the adventure.

11
12
 ● Bard: A rogue who uses songs
Class Groups and tales as his tools of trade,
The character classes are divided into hiding as well skills as assassins
six groups according to general and poison alchemists.
occupations: warrior, wizard, priest,
rogue, psionicist and demi-humans.
Within each group are several similar The priest group is composed of the
character classes that allow for easiness human classes Cleric, Druid and
of reference and good separation of Templar. They are agents of powers
archetypes. above them, using divine magic in the
name of their patrons.
● Cleric: A free-willed priest,
The warrior group is composed of the tending the needs of the local
human classes Fighter, Gladiator and people with his particular
Ranger. All are well-trained in the use talents. On Athas, clerics draw
of weapons and skilled in the martial their magical energy directly
arts. from one of the four elemental
● Fighter: A skilled warrior, planes: earth, air, fire, or water.
trained for both individual ● Druid: A priest tied to a
combat and warfare in military particular feature or aspect of
formations. Athas. Unique geographic
● Gladiator: A specialized warrior features are guarded by spirits
trained for combat in the arenas, the druids serve.
trained to fight and kill for the ● Templar: A regimented priest
enjoyment of others. devoted to a single sorcerer-king.
● Ranger: A warrior Such disciples work within the
knowledgeable in the ways of the hierarchy of that particular
wilderness, skilled in surviving sorcerer-king's clergy, advancing
the rigors of the wild oases and in power and position.
the brutal stretches of desert
between them.

The rogue group is composed of the

human classes Thief and Bard. They are
cunning, resourceful and dexterous, for
they are specialists in tricks and
problem solving.
● Thief: A rogue whose strengths
lie in stealth and pilfering.

13
 The Demi-human group is made up of
the many non-human races of Athas,
the dwarves, elves, halflings, half-elves,
mul, thri-kreen and half-giants. These
classes fall in various archetypes and
skills, each providing different
playstyles.
● Dwarves: Dwarves are tough,
squat and hairless humanoids.
They resemble fighters, but have
extra benefits on taking on a
special quest called focus.
● Elves: Tall humanoids that live
The magic-user group is composed of as tribal nomads. They are avid
the human classes Preserver and rogues, making a living as
Defiler. A magic-user is able to capture raiders and merchants.
and master magical energies. However, ● Halflings: Short humanoids
on Athas, magic and the ecosystem are that live in small isolated tribes.
irrevocably bound. As adventurers, they are known
● Preserver: They attempt to use to be carnivorous and brutal.
magic in concert with the ● Mul: Products of eugenics, mul
environment, looking to wield are half-dwarves. They are
arcane powers without extremely strong and resistant,
damaging the environment. capable of great might.
● Defiler: A wizard who activates ● Half-Elves: A half-breed of
tremendous magical energy humans and elves, half-elves live
without regard to its effect on in isolation, not being truly
the environment. accepted by either of their
progenitors. Solitude, however,
allows them to develop
The psionicist uses the forces of his themselves in psionics.
own mind to affect his environment. ● Half-Giants: Products of some
Psionic powers are not magical in ancient magic experiment, these
nature, rather they are derived from big folks are extremely strong
within when the psionicist has his and ferocious, albeit a bit
entire essence in coordination; his disingenuous.
mind, body, and soul in perfect ● Thri-kreen: Mantis people with
harmony. powerful bodies and natural
hunting abilities.

14
 Game
Modalities
However, added all together there is a
total of 18 classes to choose for the Dark
Sun setting! For some DMs this may be
a lot, which is why there is the option
using game modalities. Game
modalities are restrictions in classes
and rules available, all made with the
intent of providing guidelines for
different kinds of experiences for the
Dark Sun setting.

Default Mode
All classes and/or races are available for
players to choose from. The rules for
magic are to be followed as well, and all
optional rules are to be used under the
DMs discretion. This is the default
mode of play intended for this
conversion.

Basic Mode
Classes available for this mode are
fighter, cleric, magic-user (preserver),
thief, psionicist, mul, thri-kreen and
half-giant.
Divine Magic: Clerics can only cast
spells from the sphere of the cosmos.
Arcane Magic: Magic-Users can only
cast preserving magic.
Demi-humans: Other Demi-human
races are present in game as NPCs only.

This mode is made with the intent of a

more simplified experience of the Dark
Sun setting, retaining the uniqueness of
the setting while also making it
recognizable for old fans.

15
16
Fighter
A fighter may be granted the title of
general, and may lead an army of his
own followers.

On Athas, the fighter is a trained

warrior, a soldier skilled in mass
warfare. Fighters are both the
commanders and soldiers in these
armies, and at higher levels are experts
in individual and formation combat,
leadership, and morale.

Fighters can use all types of weapons

and armor.

Fighters may perform a second attack

in the same round a number of times
per day equal to twice their level.

After reaching 5th level, fighters gain a

+1 bonus to loyalty and morale.

Any time a fighter wishes (and has

sufficient money), he can build a fort or
stronghold and control the surrounding
lands.

17
18
Gladiator
During combat, a Gladiator may spend
his round looking for a weapon on the
battlefield with a 2-in-6 chance of
finding one. The DM decides what kind
of weapon is found, and for the rest of
the combat the gladiator has +2 damage
bonus for that weapon. Said improvised
Gladiators are the slave warriors of the weapon breaks after combat, as they
city states, specially trained for brutal tend not to be of good quality.
physical contests. Disciplined in many
diverse forms of hand-to-hand combat
and skilled in the use of dozens of During a 24 hours rest, a Gladiator may
different weapons, gladiators are the optimize his armor or shield to gain a
most dangerous warriors on Athas. +2 permanent bonus to his Armor
Class. However, next time the Gladiator
Prime requisites: A gladiator with at receives a non-magical nor psionic
least 13 in one prime requisite gains a attack with a natural 20, the armor will
5% bonus to experience. If both STR automatically break.
and DEX are 16 or higher, the gladiator
gets a +10% bonus.

All Gladiators start as slaves, and even if

Literacy: A starting Gladiator cannot
they are free men, the social stigmas
read or write, irrespective of INT score
related to being a former slaves will
always haunt him. For any service,
purchase or hiring of specialists, the
Gladiators can use all weapons and Gladiator will have to pay 20% more
armor. than normal prices.

Gladiators are masters of hand-to-hand A Gladiator attracts a number of up to

combat. When unarmed, a Gladiator 50 followers with his reputation and
inflicts 1d4 damage, modified by fame, getting the title of champion and
strength. commanding them as his own army.
Gladiators can also build a stronghold
or keep to use as a base of operations.
Gladiators have a +1 bonus to all attack
rolls and damage.

19
20
Ranger
Rangers have an uncanny ability to
disappear from sight and move
stealthily:
● In the wilderness, a ranger can
hide with a 50% chance of
success.
● In dungeons, a ranger can hide
in shadows or behind other
Warriors of the wilderness, rangers forms of cover. The chance of
specialize in hunting the monsters that success is 1-in-6.
threaten the edges of civilization, like ● When the ranger sneaks up on a
humanoid raiders, rampaging beasts target this way, the target has a
and monstrosities, terrible giants, and –2 penalty in surprise checks.
deadly drakes. They learn to track their
quarry as a predator does, moving
stealthily through the wilds and hiding
A ranger has the ability of performing
themselves in brush and rubble.
survival tasks with a 2-in-6 chance of
success, with the exception of hunting,
Alignment: As protectors, rangers may
which has a 3-in-6 chance of success.
only be neutral. If a ranger ever changes
(See Survival Rules in Guide for
alignment to lawful or chaotic, they
DMs).
lose all special class abilities and
become a fighter of the same level. The
character may be able to regain their
A ranger may only keep wealth and
ranger status by performing a special
possessions that can be kept on their
quest.
person or mount. Excess must be
donated to worthy causes (not other
PCs!).
Rangers can use all types of weapons
and can use leather armor, chainmail,
and shields. Because of their need for
When the ranger’s party pursues an
stealth, they cannot use plate mail.
opposing group in the wilderness (see
Evasion and Pursuit, in Core Rules),
the chance of evasion is reduced by
Rangers are only surprised on a roll of 1.
10%.
This may mean that a ranger is able to
act in the surprise round while their
companions are surprised.

21
Rangers can identify and follow tracks. 2d12 beings will join the ranger as
This skill improves as the character followers. They may include human or
gains levels (see the table below). demihuman adventurers, animals,
fantastic mounts, or special monsters,
as determined by the DM. If any of the
followers die, they are not replaced.

22
23
Bard
From 2nd level onwards, a bard has a
2-in-6 chance of knowing lore
pertaining to monsters, history, or
heroes of folktale or legend. This ability
may be used to hint on the nature of a
magic item, but never identify it.

By playing music and singing, the bard

The bard is a member of a bizarre class can fascinate subjects in a 30’ radius.
of entertainers and storytellers prized This ability may be used once per day
by the aristocratic city dwellers. It is per level, and lasts until the bard stops
also widely accepted that many bards or is interrupted (e.g. dealing damage
lead double lives as notorious to the bard).
blackmailers, spies, and even assassins. Number of subjects: Up to 2 HD of
creatures per level of the bard are
affected.
Types of subjects: At 1st level, the bard
Bards can use leather armor or
can fascinate persons. At 4th level,
chainmail but do not have the training
animals may also be affected. At 7th
required to use plate mail or shields.
level, monsters may be affected.
They can use all missile weapons and
all one-handed melee weapons. Effect
Enemy subjects must save versus
spells or be fascinated, and will stay so
until the performance is interrupted
Bards learn new languages as they
● Boost Morale: +2 bonus to
advance in level. At every even
morale, “to hit” rolls, and
numbered level above 3rd (i.e. 4th, 6th,
damage rolls to other allies while
8th, etc.), the player may choose an
the bard is performing.
additional language. Bards, however, do
● Lower Morale: This same song
not become literate this way.
will also cause enemies within
hearing range to incur a –2
penalty to morale, “to hit” rolls,
and damage rolls.
● Charm: This ability provides the
bard ability to charm creatures
within range with his music.

24
 16
16

Victims of poisoning by a bard suffer a

–2 penalty to the saving throw. After
reaching 4 th level, this penalty
becomes –3. After reaching 8 th level,
this penalty becomes –4, and after
reaching 12 th level, this penalty
becomes –5.

A bard can establish a manor. 2d6

apprentice bards of 1st level will come
to study under the bard’s tutelage

25
Thief
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.
Athasian thieves run the gamut of ● Find or remove treasure traps
society. They range from gutter snipes (TR): A roll is required to find a
who prey upon the merchants and treasure trap and then another to
freemen of the cities to vagabonds who remove it. This may be attempted only
steal what they can from passing once per trap.
caravans or merchant trains. ● 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
Because of their need for stealth and
wandering monster) approaching.
free movement, thieves cannot wear
● Hide in shadows (HS): Requires the
armor heavier than leather and cannot
thief to be motionless—attacking or
use shields. They can use any weapon.
moving while hiding is not possible.
● Move silently (MS): A thief may
attempt to sneak past enemies
A thief of 4th level or higher can read unnoticed.
non-magical text in any language ● Open locks (OL): Requires thieves’
(including dead languages and basic tools. A thief can only try this skill once
codes) with 80% probability. If the roll per lock. If the roll fails, the thief may
does not succeed, the thief may not try not try the same lock again before
to read that particular text again until gaining an experience level.
they reach a higher level of experience. ● Pick pockets (PP): If the victim is
above 5th level, the thief ’s roll is
penalized by 5% for every level above
A thief of 10th level or higher can cast 5th. There is always at least a 1% chance
arcane spells from scrolls. There is a of failure. A roll of more than twice the
10% chance of error: the spell does not percentage required for success means
function as expected and creates an that the attempted theft is noticed. The
unusual or deleterious effect. referee should determine the reaction
of the victim.

26
A thief can become a trader and
establish a trading house, attracting
2d6 employees of 1st level. These
employees will be in charge of buying,
selling and maintaining any business
that they want.

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.

27
28
Cleric Spell casting: Once a cleric has proven
their faith (from 2nd level), the
character may pray to receive spells
from the sphere of the cosmos and
one elemental sphere. The power and
number of spells available to a cleric are
determined by the character’s
experience level.
Using magic items: As spell casters,
clerics can use magic scrolls of spells on
In Athas, the gods do not answer
their spell list. They can also use items
prayers, some say they may have never
that may only be used by divine spell
existed. As such, instead of gods,
casters (e.g. some magic staves).
Clerics worship one of the four
elemental planes: Earth, air, fire, or
water. They call upon magical energies
from those planes, specializing in one Clerics can invoke the power of their
element's magical applications on the deity to repel undead monsters
prime material plane. encountered. To turn the undead, the
player rolls 2d6. The DM then consults
the table opposite, comparing the roll
against the Hit Dice of the undead
Clerics can use all types of armor.
monsters targeted. Elementals of the
Clerics are allowed to use all blunt
chosen domain are also susceptible to
weapons, plus additionals depending
turning.
on their element and material:
Successful Turning: If the turning
● Air: All missile weapons
attempt succeeds, the player must roll
● Earth: All stone weapons.
2d6 to determine the number of HD
● Fire: All obsidian weapons.
affected (turned or destroyed).
● Water: All bone weapons.
Turned undead: Will leave the area, if
possible, and will not harm or make
contact with the cleric.
See Magic, p87 for full details on divine Destroyed undead (result of D): Are
magic. instantly and permanently annihilated.
Holy symbol: A cleric must carry a Excess: Rolled Hit Dice that are not
holy symbol. sufficient to affect a creature are
Magical research: A cleric of any level wasted. However, at least one undead
may spend time and money on magical creature will always be affected on a
research. When a cleric reaches 9th successful turning.
level, they are also able to create magic Mixed groups: If used against a mixed
items. group of different types, those with the
lowest HD are affected first.

29
 14
14

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.

A cleric may establish or build a

temple, always outside big settlements,
as elemental worship is forbidden by
the sorcerer kings. Once a temple is
*: 2 HD monsters with a special ability
established, the cleric would have to
(i.e. with an asterisk next to their HD
attract followers on his own, helping
rating, in the monster description).
local tribes and other travelers to
†: At the referee’s option, the table may
attract his faith.
be expanded to include more powerful
types of undead monsters.

30
 Spell casting: A druid may pray to

Druid receive spells from the sphere of the

cosmos and the sphere of nature .
The power and number of spells
available to a druid are determined by
the character’s experience level.
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
Druids are independent priests who ally casters (e.g. some staves). Druids may
themselves with various spirits of the not use magical books or tomes.
land. Virtually every feature of the land
on Athas has a druid to protect it, but
they serve independently, living patient, Every druid must choose one type of
solitary lives of guardianship. geographic feature to be his guarded
Alignment: Druids regard the ways of lands. When in his guarded lands, a
the natural world as the ideal state of druid has several powerful granted
things. Thus, druids must be neutral in powers, depending on the level:
alignment. ● 1st Level: Remain concealed
from others while in his guarded
lands. This is proof against all
The holy doctrine of the druids non-magical forms of detection.
stipulates that they may not use metal The druid cannot move or cast
armor or shields (wooden shields may spells while concealed.
be purchased at the normal price). ● 3rd Level: Identify animals and
Their choice of weapons is limited to plants from his guarded lands.
clubs, daggers, slings, spears, and ● 7th Level: Speak with all
staves. animals in his guarded lands.
● 9th Level: Speak with plants in
his guarded lands.
● 10th Level: Live without water
See Magic, p87 for full details on divine
or nourishment in his guarded
magic.
lands. At that point the druid
Holy symbol: A druid must carry a
draws his life energy directly
holy symbol.
from his guarded lands.
Magical research: A druid of any level
may spend time and money on magical
research. When a druid reaches 9th
level, they are also able to create magic At 8th Level, Druids can identify all
items. plants and animals and can discern
pure water.

31
At 7th level, a druid gains the power to Upon reaching 12th level, the druid's
change into the form of An animal from time of wandering has come to an end.
his favored land three times per day. From that time forward, the druid must
The animal may be of any size up to spend half of his time on his guarded
around twice the bulk of the druid’s lands, watching over them and
normal form. protecting them. Druids who attain 12th
level or above may build a shrine
If a druid has lost hit points, they integrated into a natural setting, as well
regain 1d4 hit points per level upon as take 1d6 low level druids as disciples.
changing into an animal. All equipment
carried by the druid is absorbed into The rest of the time a higher-level
the animal form and reappears when druid must again travel the world,
the druid changes back. keeping tabs on trends that might
threaten nature in general and his
guarded lands in particular.

32
Templar
See Magic, p87 for details on magic.
King’s symbol: A templar must carry a
royal holy symbol.
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
Templars are the greatly feared are also able to create magic items.
disciples of the sorcerer-kings. Their Spell casting: Once a templar has
organization is steeped in ancient advanced in the hierarchy (from 2nd
tradition and treacherous politics, and level), the character may pray to receive
the work they perform for the spells from the Sphere of the Cosmos.
sorcerer-kings is governed by endless The power and number of spells
bureaucracy. available to a templar are determined
by the character’s experience level.
Alignment: A templar character may Using magic items: As spell casters,
only be lawful—as they operate as law templars can use magic scrolls of spells
enforcers in their cities. on their spell list. They can also use
items that may only be used by divine
spell casters (e.g. some magic staves).
Clerics can use all types of armor. They
can wield clubs, daggers, shortbow,
short swords and staves as weapons. A templar can pass judgment on his
city-state at any time. In any matter
involving felonies or suspicious actions
The templars from one city state have of a inhabitant of his city, a templar
no association with those from another. may arrest, investigate, sentence, or
Thus, templars cannot transfer loyalty pardon as he sees fit. Penalties can
from one sorcerer-king to another while include imprisonment, torture, or even
the first is still alive. death, but only if a crime is proven to
be committed.
Should a templar's sorcerer-king fall ● 1st level: A Templar can pass
from power or be killed, he may judgement on slaves,
petition to another sorcerer-king for ● 6th level: A Templar can pass
acceptance, where he may find an open judgment on free men.
hand or the taste of steel, at the new ● 12th level: A Templar can pass
sorcerer king's whim. judgment on nobles.

33
 A templar may be granted a land and
A Templar may request the help of 1d4 title such as vizier. The land under the
soldiers from his city-state at any time, templar’s control is then part of his
of any level no higher than the Templar. noble house.
These soldiers can not leave their cities
without the sorcerer king’s permission.
The Templar has to send a letter of
magical message to request this aid,
expressing specific objectives for them
(e.g: Help him complete a dungeon)
and the soldiers will arrive at the
templar’s location around the same
amount of days it took him to arrive
there. Once the mission is complete,
the soldiers will go back to the city, and
Templar may only request assistance
again when they go back. When the
soldiers are with the Templar, they act
as mercenaries.

34
35
Defiler
See Magic, p87 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
The defiler is a magic-user who a magic-user reaches 9th level, they are
activates tremendous magical energy also able to create magic items.
without regard to its effect on the Defiling Magic: Defilers always defile
environment. With the casting of each when casting spells, see Defiling
spell, a defiler destroys a portion of the Magic, p90.
world's ecosystem, rendering it dead Spell casting: Magic-users carry spell
and sterile. books containing the formulae for
In most cases, defilers are outlaws (even arcane spells. The spell casting chart
in the eyes of the corrupt (opposite) shows both the number of
sorcerer-kings), so they keep their spells in the magic-user’s spell book
magical abilities under cover. Unlike and the number they may memorize,
preservers who have a loose determined by the character’s
organization in their underground, experience level. Thus, a 1st level
outlaw defilers tend to be loners, magic-user has one spell in their spell
keeping their ambitions and powers to book, selected by the referee (who may
themselves. A sorcerer-king tolerates a allow the player to choose). The list of
select few defilers in his employ, to spells available to magic-users is found.
carry out day-to-day magical tasks that Using magic items: As spell casters,
he has no patience for. These defilers magic-users are able to use magic
are always at the beck and call of their scrolls of spells on their spell list. They
master, and the sorcerer-king himself can also use items that may only be
oversees the training of new recruits. used by arcane spell casters (e.g. magic
wands).

Defilers can only use daggers and

staves, they are also unable to use The Defiler may build a mansion to
shields or wear any kind of armor. This continue his magical research and
makes them very vulnerable in combat. chase his ambitions. Eventually, he will
attract 1d6 apprentices of levels 1–3 will
then arrive to study under his tutelage
to become defilers.

36
37
Preserver 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
The preserver is a wizard of the old,
allow the player to choose). The list of
established school of magic. In the give
spells available to magic-users is found.
and take of spell casting, preservers
Using magic items: As spell casters,
have mastered the balance. A
magic-users are able to use magic
preserver's magical spells are cast in
scrolls of spells on their spell list. They
harmony with nature. When a
can also use items that may only be
preserver casts a spell, there is no
used by arcane spell casters (e.g. magic
damage to the nearby environment.
wands).

Preservers can only use daggers and

Preservers know a hidden language
staves, they are also unable to use
known as preserver cryptolect. The
shields or wear any kind of armor. This
language is a series of non verbal signs,
makes them very vulnerable in combat.
queues and symbols used by preservers
to communicate secretly to avoid
persecution and allows the preserver to
See Magic, p90 for full details on arcane cast spells unnoticed with a 60%
magic. chance of success. This language is
Magical research: A magic-user of any universal, and may be used to get in
level may spend time and money on contact with the veiled alliance (for
magical research. This allows them to details, p91).
add new spells to their spell book and
to research other magical effects. When
a magic-user reaches 9th level, they are
The Preserver may recruit 1d6
also able to create magic items.
apprentices of levels 1–3 to train as
Defiling Magic: Preservers have the
preservers. Eventually, said apprentices
option defile when casting spells, see
may recruit their own, from which the
Defiling Magic, p90. The decision of
preserver may set up his own veiled
defiling may carry consequences, so
alliance.
they are only encouraged to defile if
doing so is the only option for survival.

38
39
40
Psionicist
Psionicists know a number of psionic
powers depending on their level, as
indicated in the table opposite. The
table also shows the number of powers
that can be activated per day. Psionic
powers are chosen by the DM, who may
allow the player to choose. See Psionics
for details about psionics, p70.
Psionic Power Rank
Psionicists are masters of mind over Psionic Powers are classified by ranks,
matter, their rigorous physical and which determine the intensity of the
mental training allows them to learn power’s effects, the table opposite
the Way, a philosophy of mental indicates which rank is available to a
discipline, to become master of the psionicist’s powers depending on their
Will, or innate mental power. level.
Prime requisites: A psionicist with at Activating Psionic Powers: Psionic
least a 13 in one prime requisite gains a Powers take effect at the end of the
5% bonus to experience. If both INT character’s round. When a psionic
and WIS are 16 or higher, the psionicist character activates a Power, he may not
gets a 10% bonus. take other actions that round, but while
said power is active, he may perform
other actions (e.g. moving, attacking,
Psionicists can wield daggers, staves, etc.) in the same round.
short swords and shortbows. They can Combat sequence: Mental powers
wear leather armor, but no shields. take effect at the end of the combat
sequence, after attacks.
One power per round: A psionicist
Psioniscist gain a +2 bonus to all saving cannot activate more than one power in
throws against mental powers, even the a single round. However, a psionicist
powers of other psionicist. can maintain multiple powers at the
same time, except for those powers
where concentration is required.

A psionicist may establish a psionic

academy where they teach their skills to
students. The psionicist will attract 1d6
apprentices, who are of level 1-4.

41
42
43
Dwarf
Dwarves have infravision to 60’ (see
darkness in Old School Essentials™).

Dwarves have a 2-in-6 chance of

hearing noises (see dungeon
adventuring in Old School
Essentials™).
The dwarves of Athas have the stature
of their kindred in other worlds—short,
sturdy, and thickly muscled. Most Because of their stubborness, dwarves
dwarves have deep tans from lives spent gain a +1 bonus to all saving throws
toiling in the hot sun, with wide, against mental powers, even the powers
callused hands and feet. They usually of psionicist.
have little or no hair; the flowing beards
that are the pride of male dwarves on
other worlds are never seen on the
When taking on a minor or major
Athasian variety.
quest, a dwarf can choose to make said
quest as his focus. The dwarf can not
change his focus once chosen until he
Dwarves can use all types of armor. Due completes said quest. While performing
to their short height, dwarves can only tasks that are directly related to his
use small or normal sized weapons. focus, the dwarf receives a + 1 bonus to
They cannot use longbows or all his saving throws and a + 2 bonus to
two-handed swords. all his ability checks.

As traditionally expert builders, A dwarf has the option of founding his

dwarves have a 2-in6 chance of being own tribe and settling a region of the
able to detect new construction, sliding tablelands or a neighborhood in a city
walls, or sloping passages when under a king's sponsorship. Dwarves
searching. from other tribes will generally be
friendly and tribes may collaborate in
times of war or disaster. A dwarf chief
Due to their expertise with may only hire dwarven mercenaries.
construction, dwarves have a 2-in-6 Specialists and retainers of any race
chance of detecting non-magical room may be hired.
traps when searching.

44
45
Elf
Elves are generally looked at 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.

Elves can use the following skills with

The dunes and steppes of Athas are the chance of success shown opposite:
home to thousands of tribes of nomadic ● Climb sheer surfaces (CS): A
elves. While each tribe is very different roll is required for each 100’ to
culturally, the elves within them remain be climbed. If the roll fails, the
a race of long-limbed sprinters given to elf falls at the halfway point,
theft, raiding, and warfare. suffering falling damage.
● Open locks (OL): Requires
thieves’ tools. An elf can only try
this skill once per lock. If the roll
Elves can use all types of weapons,
fails, the elf may not try the
leather armor and shields.
same lock again before gaining
an experience level.
● Pick pockets (PP): If the victim
Elf have infravision to 60’ (see is Above 5th level, the elf’s roll is
darkness in Old School Essentials™). penalized by 5% for every level
above 5th. A roll of more than
twice the percentage required for
Elves are known for their speed and success means that the
ability to travel great distances on foot. attempted theft is noticed. The
Their movement rate is 180’ (Encounter referee should determine the
movement rate 60’, Overland reaction of the victim (possibly
movement rate 36 miles). using the reaction table under
Running during encounters: If Elves Encounters, in OSE™ ).
do not spend their entire encounter
movement rate in a round, they can
move the remaining feet at the end of
the round.

46
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.

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.

47
Half-Elf
A half-elf can befriend one pet when he
reaches 5th level. The pet may be of
maximum 1 HD. The half-elf must
spend one week with the animal. After
that time, the pet will follow the half-elf
everywhere and obey simple orders.

Half-Elves know a number of psionic

It is not at all unusual for children of powers depending on their level, as
mixed parentage of humans and elves indicated in the table opposite. The
to be born into the world—the table also shows the number of powers
half-elves. A half-elf's life is typically that can be activated per day. See
hardened by the intolerance of others. psionics for full details, p70.
Neither fully human nor fully elven, Psionic Power Rank
half-elves rarely find acceptance with Psionic Powers are classified by ranks,
either race, so they remain outsiders, which determine the intensity of the
forever wandering from situation to power’s effects, the table opposite
situation, developing their minds and indicates which rank is available to a
skills without a people, land, or village half-elf powers depending on their
to call home. level.
Prime requisites: A half-elf with at Activating Psionic Powers: Psionic
least 13 INT and STR gains a 5% bonus Powers take effect at the end of the
to experience. A half-elf with a score of character’s round. When a psionic
16 or higher in one prime requisite, and character activates a Power, he may not
a 13 or higher in the other gains a 10% take other actions that round, but while
bonus said power is active, he may perform
other actions (e.g. moving, attacking,
etc.) in the same round.
Half-elves can use all types of weapons Combat sequence: Mental powers
and armor. take effect at the end of the combat
sequence, after attacks.
One power per round: A half-elf
cannot activate more than one power in
When searching for secret doors,
a single round. However, a half-elf can
half-elves have a 2-in-6 chance of
maintain multiple powers at the same
success (see Dungeon Adventuring in
time, except for those powers where
Old School Essentials™ ).
concentration is required.

48
A half-elf may strive to become a
leader 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.

49
Half-Giant
Half-Giants deal more damage due to
their natural strength. Every melee
weapon that would inflict 1d4, 1d6, 1d8
and 1d10 damage, when wielded by a
Half-Giant it would inflict 1d6, 1d8,
1d10 and 1d12 damage respectively
instead.

In some lost millennium, as a bizarre Due to their height, Half-Giants are

experiment or perhaps as some sort of forced to live and adapt to a world not
curse, giants were magically crossbred suited to their size. Half-Giants must
with humans. Half-giants are now fairly pay 20% more for armor, weapons and
common, especially to human commodities. Additionally, Half-Giants
controlled lands at the edge of the sea need double the amount of food and
of dust. water to survive.

Half-Giants can only use normal and After reaching 8 th level, Half-Giants
large sized weapons, as well as using may build a stronghold, which will
any kind of armor, including shields. form the basis of a new community of
Giants and other Half-Giants. Giant
communities—known as Clans—are
Half-Giants don’t follow any alignment; typically located across the shores and
instead they take the alignment of islands of the Sea of Silt. The leader of
those who surround them. the clan is called the Chief.

Half-Giants gain +2 Hit Points every

time they reach a level ( i.e: a 3 rd level
Hal-Giant has 3d10+6 Hit Points).

Half-Giants have a +2 bonus to saving

throws against Spells and Wands.

50
51
Halfling
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.
Beyond the Ringing Mountains are
jungles that flourish in rains unheard
of. The undisputed rulers of these
jungles are the halflings. A halfling is a Halflings’ keen coordination grants
very short humanoid, standing no more them a +1 bonus to attack rolls with all
than 31⁄2 feet in height. They are missile weapons.
muscled and proportioned like humans,
but they have the faces of wise and
beautiful children. Though divided When attacking an unaware opponent
politically into separate villages and from behind, a Halfling receives a +4
communities, halflings have great bonus to hit and doubles any damage
respect for their race as a whole. dealt.

Halflings can use all types of armor, but When halflings make the final blow to
it must be tailored to their small size. an enemy, they may brutalize that
Similarly, they can use any weapon victim’s corpse, in a way that
appropriate to their stature (as intimidates other creatures on the
determined by the DM). They cannot victim’s side, giving them a penalty of -1
use longbows or two-handed swords. to their morale in that encounter.

Due to their small size, halflings gain a The Halfling may create a tribe with a
+2 bonus to Armor Class when attacked minimum of 20 other Halflings. This
by large opponents (greater than tribe would follow the culture and
human-sized). moral codes of the Halflings, as well as
building a stronghold on forest lands.
The Halfling may hire any mercenary or
specialist, as long as they are Halflings.

52
53
Mul
If using encumbrance rules (see
encumbrance in Old School
Essentials™), Mul have a maximum
load of 3,200 coins they can carry (For
clarification, all effects applicable to
encumbrance apply at double the
weight for Mul).

Mul have a 2-in-6 chance of hearing

A mul is an incredibly tough crossbreed
noises.
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. Mul have a bonus of +2 to all of their
Muls are usually the products of the saving throws.
slave pits—owners recognize the muls'
assets as gladiators and laborers, and so
order the births of as many muls as can All of a Mul’s retainers and hirelings
be managed within the ranks of their gain a +1 bonus to loyalty and morale.
slaves. Muls are born sterile—they
cannot perpetuate their kind.
Every Mul start as slaves, and even if
they are free men, the social stigmas
Mul can use all types of weapons and related to being a former slaves will
armor always haunt him. For any service,
purchase or hiring of specialists, the
Mul will have to pay 10% more than
With their natural strength and build, a normal prices.
Mul can spend 48 hours without eating,
drinking water or sleeping., after which
They only need an 8 hours rest after A Mul may create a tribe with 2d10
getting fed. Mul recover 1d6 hit points Hirelings from a slave background. This
instead of 1d3 hit points when doing a group may set up a camp in the desert
full rest, and if they are recovering from and attract new members from the
starvation, they recover 1d10 CON per same background over time. The Mul
day. may hire mercenaries and specialists
from any class and race.

54
55
Thri-Kreen
Thri-kreen have four arms, these can be
used to perform tasks such as opening
doors, carrying torches, using tools.
Thri-kreen may attack with only one
arm (Two if the optional rules for dual
wielding are being used). While
carrying Shields, only one gives a bonus
to the Armor Class.
Hulking insect-men standing as tall as 7
feet at the shoulder, the thri-kreen are
the least "Human" of the player
Thri-kreen have hard bodies, which
character races. Their survivability in
provide them with fixed Armor Class of
the wilderness, combined with their
5(14).
cunning and intellect, have made the
mantis warriors (as they are known to
some races) the undisputed masters
Thri-Kreen do not have the need to
across large tracts of the Athasian
sleep, they can remain active day and
wastes.
night. Thri-kreen can still be affected
Prime requisites: A thri-kreen with at
by sleeping venoms and magic, however
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 Due to their Alien nature, Thri-Kreen
gains a 10% bonus. can not hire mercenaries nor specialists
of any kind.

Thri-Kreen can only use their racial

weapons: The Gythka and Chatkcha. A Thri-kreen is able to create its own
They can not use any armor, but can pack at any time by asserting
use shields. dominance over other Thri-Kreen (e. g:
Natural Weaponry: When attacking role playing), becoming Chief of the
unarmed, the Thri-kreen claws make Pack and commanding up to 15
1d6 damage. Additionally, a Thri-kreen thri-kreen just like with regular
can attack once per day with a hirelings.
poisonous bite, inflicting 1d4 damage,
the opponent must succeed save vs
paralysis or become paralised for one
round.

56
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.
Efforts made to hide tracks: –25%.

57
58
Character
Races (optional
Many groups and, by extension, DMs
rules) do lift class and level restrictions for
Just as it was present in Old school demi-human to allow unlimited growth
essentials advanced fantasy™, there for all races in all classes. This, of
is the option of separating race and course, makes it necessary to grant
class for more character combinations. special traits to humans, as their sole
DMs must decide if they want to use advantage– being able to be from any
this option for their games, as once class without restrictions– is taken from
allowed the use of race-as-class them. For this reason, optional racial
characters may make them feel less abilities are given to the human race.
powerful than their separate race and
class counterparts. Class and Level
restrictions do exist in Athas, and DMs should only provide the use of
would be similar to those presents in these rules only if it fits their vision of
the original Box Set. the setting and the kind of game they
Disclaimer: Because there are no rules want to run.
for ability scores higher than 18, all
ability scores modified by race will cap
at 18, even if the bonus would allow it
to be higher.

59
Dwarf
Due to their short height, dwarves can
only use small or normal sized
weapons. They cannot use longbows or
two-handed swords.
The dwarves of Athas have the stature As traditionally expert builders,
of their kindred in other worlds—short, dwarves have a 2-in6 chance of being
sturdy, and thickly muscled. Most able to detect new construction, sliding
dwarves have deep tans from lives spent walls, or sloping passages when
toiling in the hot sun, with wide, searching.
callused hands and feet. They usually
have little or no hair; the flowing beards
that are the pride of male dwarves on Dwarves have infravision to 60’ (see
other worlds are never seen on the darkness in Old School Essentials™).
Athasian variety.

Dwarves have a 2-in-6 chance of

● Cleric: 9th
hearing noises (see dungeon
● Fighter: 11th
adventuring in Old School
● Gladiator: 14th
Essentials™).
● Psionicist: 14th
● Templar: 7th
● Thief: 9th
Because of their stubborness, dwarves
gain a +2 bonus to all saving throws.

When taking on a minor or major

quest, a dwarf can choose to make said
quest as his focus. The dwarf can not
change his focus once chosen until he
completes said quest. While performing
tasks that are directly related to his
focus, the dwarf receives a + 1 bonus to
all his saving throws and a + 2 bonus to
all his ability checks.

60
Elf
Elf have infravision to 60’ (see
darkness in Old School Essentials™).

The dunes and steppes of Athas are Elves are known for their speed and
home to thousands of tribes of nomadic ability to travel great distances on foot.
elves. While each tribe is very different Their movement rate is 180’ (Encounter
culturally, the elves within them remain movement rate 60’, Overland
a race of long-limbed sprinters given to movement rate 36 miles).
theft, raiding, and warfare. Running during encounters: If Elves
do not spend their entire encounter
movement rate in a round, they can
● Cleric: 11th move the remaining feet at the end of
● Defiler: 11th the round.
● Fighter: 10th
● Gladiator: 7th
● Preserver: 11th
Elves are generally looked at with
● Psionicist: 14th
distrust by other races, so they tend to
● Ranger: 11th
socialize better with certain races. An
● Templar: 11th
elf has a -1 penalty in loyalty with any
● Thief: 14th
race except for elves and half-giants.

61
Half-Elf

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, developing their minds and
skills without a people, land, or village
to call home.

● Bard: 12th
● Cleric: 5th
● Defiler: 14th
● Druid: 10th
● Fighter: 8th
● Gladiator: 7th
● Preserver: 14th
● Psionicist: 14th
● Ranger: 8th
● Templar: 7th
● Thief: 12th A half-elf can befriend one pet when he
reaches 5th level in any class. The pet
may be of maximum 1 HD. The half-elf
must spend one week with the animal.
When searching for secret doors,
After that time, the pet will follow the
half-elves have a 2-in-6 chance of
half-elf everywhere and obey simple
success (see Dungeon Adventuring in
orders. It does not count as a familiar.
Old School Essentials™ ).

62
Half-Giant
Due to their height, Half-Giants are
forced to live and adapt to a world not
suited to their size. Half-Giants must
pay 20% more for armor, weapons and
commodities. Additionally, Half-Giants
In some lost millennium, as a bizarre need double the amount of food and
experiment or perhaps as some sort of water to survive.
curse, giants were magically crossbred
with humans. Half-giants are now fairly
common, especially to human
controlled lands at the edge of the sea
of dust.

● Cleric: 8th
● Fighter: 11th
● Gladiator: 9th
● Psionicist: 14th
● Ranger: 6th

Half-Giants can only use normal and

large sized weapons, as well as using
any kind of armor, including shields.

Half-Giants don’t follow any alignment;

instead they take the alignment of
those who surround them.

Half-Giants have a +2 bonus to saving

throws against Spells and Wands.

63
Halfling

A halfling is a very short humanoid,

standing no more than 31⁄2 feet in
height. They are muscled and
proportioned like humans, but they
have the faces of wise and beautiful
children. Though divided politically
into separate villages and communities,
halflings have great respect for their
race as a whole.

● Cleric: 5th
● Druid: 6th
● Fighter: 6th
● Gladiator: 7th
● Psionicist: 14th
● Ranger: 8th
● Thief: 9th

Halflings’ keen coordination grants

Halflings can use any weapon
them a +1 bonus to attack rolls with all
appropriate to their stature (as
missile weapons.
determined by the DM). They cannot
use longbows or two-handed swords.

When halflings make the final blow to

an enemy, they may brutalize that
Due to their small size, halflings gain a
victim’s corpse, in a way that
+2 bonus to Armor Class when attacked
intimidates other creatures on the
by large opponents (greater than
victim’s side, giving them a penalty of -1
human-sized).
to their morale in that encounter.

64
Human Leadership
All of a human’s retainers and
mercenaries gain a +1 bonus to loyalty
and morale

Humans are the predominant race of

Athas. Centuries of abusive magic have
not only scarred the landscape-they’ve
twisted the essence of human
appearance, as well. Their facial
features might be slightly bizarre; a
large chin or nose, pointed ears, no
facial hair, etc. Their coloration might
be subtly different, such as coppery,
golden brown, hues of gray, or patchy.

● All classes: Unlimited

If the optional rule for lifting

demihuman class and level restrictions
is used, it is recommended that the loss
of human characters’ main advantage
(i.e. unlimited advancement in any
class) be compensated by the following
abilities.
Ability Modifiers
+1 CHA, +1 CON.
Blessed
When rolling hit points (including at
1st level), the player of a human PC may
roll twice and take the best result.
Decisiveness
When an initiative roll is tied, humans
act first, as if they had won initiative. If
using the optional rule for individual
initiative (see Combat, p222), humans
get a bonus of +1 to initiative rolls.

65
Mul
All of a Mul’s retainers and hirelings
gain a +1 bonus to loyalty and morale.

A mul is an incredibly tough crossbreed Every Mul start as slaves, and even if
of a human and dwarf. They retain the they are free men, the social stigmas
height and cunning of their human related to being a former slaves will
parents, plus the durability and raw always haunt him. For any service,
strength of their dwarven heritage. purchase or hiring of specialists, the
Muls are usually the products of the Mul will have to pay 10% more than
slave pits—owners recognize the muls' normal prices.
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.

● Cleric: 7th
● Druid: 8th
● Fighter: 14th
● Gladiator: 14th
● Psionicist: 14th
● Thief: 8th

With their natural strength and build, a

Mul can spend 48 hours without eating,
drinking water or sleeping., after which
They only need an 8 hours rest after
getting fed.

Mul have a bonus of +1 to all of their

saving throws.

66
Thri-kreen
Thri-kreen have four arms, these can be
used to perform tasks such as opening
doors, carrying torches, using tools.
Thri-kreen may attack with only one
Hulking insect-men standing as tall as 7 arm (Two if the optional rules for dual
feet at the shoulder, the thri-kreen are wielding are being used). While
the least "Human" of the player carrying Shields, only one gives a bonus
character races. Their survivability in to the Armor Class.
the wilderness, combined with their
cunning and intellect, have made the
mantis warriors (as they are known to Thri-kreen have hard bodies, which
some races) the undisputed masters provide them with fixed Armor Class of
across large tracts of the Athasian 5(14).
wastes.

Thri-Kreen do not have the need to

● Cleric: 7th
sleep, they can remain active day and
● Druid: 10th
night. Thri-kreen can still be affected
● Fighter: 11th
by sleeping venoms and magic,
● Psionicist: 14th
however.
● Ranger: 9th

Due to their Alien nature, Thri-Kreen

Thri-Kreen can only use their racial
can not hire mercenaries nor specialists
weapons: The Gythka and Chatkcha.
of any kind.
They can not use any armor, but can
use shields.
Natural Weaponry: When attacking
unarmed, the Thri-kreen claws make
1d6 damage. Additionally, a Thri-kreen
can attack once per day with a
poisonous bite, inflicting 1d4 damage,
the opponent must succeed save vs
paralysis or become paralised for one
round.

67
 ●
Multiple ●
Warrior/Magic-User/Psionicist
Warrior/Rogue/Psionicist
●
Classes ●
Warrior/Priest /Psionicist
Priest /Magic-User/Psionicist
●
(Optional ●
Priest /Rogue/Psionicist
Magic-User/Rogue/Psionicist
Half-Giant
Rules) ● Warrior/Priest
The Rules Present in Old School ● Warrior/Psionicist
Essentials Advanced Fantasy™ still ● Priest /Psionicist
apply for Dark Sun. The following list Halfling
may provide players an idea of the ● Warrior/Rogue
amount of combinations of class groups ● Warrior/Priest
possible, based upon the race of the ● Priest /Psionicist
character and taking into account the ● Fighter/Psionicist
use of the separate race and class rules ● Priest/Rogue
(And the classes available to each race ● Rogue/Psionicist
within a certain group): ● Warrior/Rogue/Psionicist
Dwarf Human
● Priest/Psionicist All the combinations listed here.
● Warrior/Priest Mul
● Warrior/Psionicist ● Warrior/Thief
● Warrior/Rogue ● Warrior/Priest
● Rogue/Psionicist ● Warrior/Psionicist
● Warrior/Priest /Psionicist ● Priest/Psionicist
● Warrior/Rogue/Psionicist ● Priest/Rogue
Elf or Half-Elf ● Psionicist/Rogue
● Warrior/Magic-User ● Warrior/Rogue /Psionicist
● Warrior/Rogue ● Warrior/Rogue /Priest
● Warrior/Psionicist Thri-Kreen
● Warrior/Priest ● Warrior/Priest
● Priest /Magic-User ● Warrior/Psionicist
● Priest /Psionicist ● Priest /Psionicist
● Priest /Rogue ● Warrior/Priest/Psionicist
● Mage/Psionicist
● Mage/Rogue
● Rogue/Psionicist
● Warrior/Magic-User/Priest
● Warrior/Magic-User/Rogue
● Priest /Magic-User/Rogue
● Priest /Fighter/Rogue

68
Athasian
Backgrounds
(Optional
Rules)
For some groups, the idea of providing
PCs some semblance of backstory is
one that is appealing, sometimes even
crucial for players to connect with the
world. Unfortunately, the often
prevalence of character deaths could
make the creation of backstories
painful and unfulfilling (Why give a
character a backstory if he is likely
going to die in the first adventure?). For
these reasons, the following tables may
facilitate the generation of backstories,
usables either for players for their
characters and DMs for NPCs. Roll in
both tables to generate one previous
occupation and one misery (Or tragedy
that forced said character to become an
adventurer).

69
70
Wealth Hirelings
Athas is a metal poor world. In game Just like in other settings, NPCs can be
terms, all metal items—swords, armor, hired by a character to perform certain
coins—are worth considerably more services
than one other fantasy world.

Hirelings do not accompany characters

on adventures. Characters may hire
The most commonly used coin NPCs to join them on adventures, but
throughout Athas is the ceramic piece these are treated separately, called
(cp). Ceramic coins can be retainers; their rules are stated on p24.
manufactured from the most common
clay of Athas, then glazed in specific
colors and kilned to discourage forgery. Hirelings are divided into three types:
Coins made of other materials— gold ● Mercenaries: Hired soldiers
(gp), silver(sp), bronze (sp), and who will guard, patrol, and
fractured ceramic pieces or bits otherwise serve in wilderness
(bit)—are also used. The conversion settings, but only as part of a
rates of coins are shown above. larger force, not an adventuring
party. For more details, see p26.
● Specialists: Hired individuals
who have a particular trade or
Characters in Athas start with 3d6 x 10 who have special knowledge.
ceramic pieces. These individuals are usually
● 3rd Level characters starting hired for a specific task. For
wealth: When using the more details, p28.
optional rules to start characters ● Slaves (Optional Rules): Slaves
at 3rd level, those characters are individuals owned as
start with 3d6 x 20 cp. property by another individual
● Character tree starting to perform certain task as
wealth: When creating alternate specialist, no pay beyond their
characters using the character upkeep for living or freedom to
tree optional rules, those terminate working for their
inactive characters also get owner. Players are only allowed
starting wealth, and may be to buy slaves on DMs discretion.
equipped prior to first time play. For more details, see p30.

71
Equipment
Athas is a metal poor world. In game Masterwork weapons are weapons
terms, all metal items—swords, armor, whose making technique is very
coins—are worth considerably more advanced and high-quality. A
than one other fantasy world. In the masterwork weapon gives +1 to all
lack of metal, however, alternatives are attack rolls and +1 to damage and
found in the use of inferior materials costs double the amount of its
for weapons and armor. original cost. Masterwork and magical
properties can stack together.

Materials for weapons known in Athas Armor tends to be made out of animal
are those similar during Earth’s bronze hide, leather, chitin, etc; with metal
age. The material determines not only armor being rare. The table below
the cost of the weapon, but also overall explains the difference of each armor by
quality and reliability of it during and material.
after use. Table below explains the Price for armor: The table below lists
differences of each weapon materials. the type of coin in which a weapon is
Price for weapon: The table below priced based on its material.
lists the type of coin in which a weapon Breaking armor: When being hit by a
is priced based on its material. natural 20, roll a d6, the table below
Breaking weapons: On a natural 1, roll explains the chances of an armor set
a d6, the table below explains the breaking.
chances of a weapon breaking. Repairing armor: Once armor breaks,
Repairing a weapon: Once a weapon it may be repaired by paying 50% of its
breaks, it may be repaired by paying original cost, rounded up.
50% of its original cost, rounded up. Metal Armor: Using armor made out
of metal causes water needs and
consumption to double, as well as
penalties from dehydration.

72
Adventuring
Gear Incense: burned incense may be
intended as a symbolic offering to
The following are the equivalent of the various deities or spirits, or to serve as
adventuring gear present in Old School an aid in prayer. Incense in Dark Sun
Essentials™ or the base B/X game. may be used to temporarily repel
Any items not present in the original undead and other malicious ethereal
game will be described next to the table beings.
below. Idol Amulet: Figures representing
divinity that may channel power.
Sorcerer kings, elemental patrons and
nature spirits have their own amulets.
Life Sap: Extract from trees and other
plants and blessed by priests to use for
medicinal purposes. It has all for all
intent and purposes the same effects of
holy water, plus the ability of healing
1d3 hit points upon pouring it into a
wound and healing some poisons and
paralysis upon drinking it. A variant of
this is Life Tree Sap, which is way more
strong and valuable, for more details,
refer to treasures, p49.
Fire Rocks: Fire striker rocks that can
create a spark of fire. Basically a
non-metal tinderbox.
Rosemary: Herb associated with
calming properties to “clear the mind”.
It may be used to calm beasts, whether
wild or domestic.

73
Poison
Athasian bards are masters of the fine
art of creating potent poisons out of
plant extracts and creature venom. The
following are a description of some of
the Athasian poisons, usable in
conjunction with the rules present in
the Old School Essentials Advanced
Fantasy Player’s Tome™.

74
Armor
The following are the armor list of their
equivalent in Athas. The price reflects Ammunition
the minimum amount to get the armor Ammunition for weapons is the same in
set in question, regardless of the quality other worlds, although it may be
of the material. Refer to the rules for assumed that metallic projectiles are
armor materials on p11 for more details more effective and more piercing than
regarding the type of coins used for regular stone projectiles.
superior materials.

75
Weapons
The following is a list of Athas exclusive
weapons. The list of weapons available
in Old School Essentials™ or B/X
based games can also be used in
addition to these. The price reflects the
minimum amount to get the weapon in
question, regardless of the quality of
the material. Refer to the rules for
weapon materials on p11 for more
details regarding the type of coins used
for superior materials.

Reach: This weapon adds 5 feet to your

reach when you Attack with it.
Boomerang: After throwing this
weapon as a projectile, it has a 50%
chance 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

76
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 Gythka: This thri-kreen polearm has
rope, this weapon can be employed in wicked blades at either end. The
melee or as a thrown weapon. weapon’s thick shaft allows it to be used
like a quarterstaff against similarly
Carrikal: By lashing a length of armed opponents.
mekillot bone to the jawbone of any
sharp-toothed creature, a kind of battle Macahuatl: A macahuatl is a sword
axe is created. Sharp ridges of teeth run painstakingly crafted using a core of
down half the length of the bone solid wood, with small, sharp shards of
handle, and the hinges of the jaw are obsidian embedded into the wood to
sharpened to a keen edge. form an edge on two opposite sides of
the weapon.
Chatkcha: This thri-kreen throwing
weapon is common among the steppes Singing sticks: Singing sticks are used
tribes. It’s a crystal wedge that can be in pairs, one wielded in each hand.
thrown up to 90 yards and, due to its Each stick is made from a springy,
spin and effect upon the air, returns to straight wood and measures 1 inch in
the thrower. diameter and 2½ feet long. The ends
are slightly wider than the center.
Crusher: A spiked stone (or, rarely,
metal) ball at the end of a 20- to Trikal: This small polearm is a
25-foot-long flexible pole makes up this 6-foot-long, mostly wood shaft. The
unique melee weapon. uppermost 12 inches consist of three
blades projecting from a central shaft.
Dragon’s paw: This weapon has two Beneath the blades is a series of spikes,
blades, one attached to either end of a generally extremely sharp. The other
5- to 6-foot-long wood shaft. The blades end of the shaft is weighted to increase
can be fashioned from any suitable the momentum of the weapon.
material. A centrally located curved bar
or basket protects the wielder’s hand Tortoise blade: This weapon is
and features a protruding blade that basically a small shield with a
juts perpendicularly to the shaft. protruding blade. Though named for a
specific creature, its protective shell can
be carved from bone or chitin, or
fashioned from hardened leather.

77
78
Vehicles and have space for the crew—the DM may
rule that cargo hold space could be

Animals converted into additional living

quarters.
Due to lack of oceans and
predominance of desert landscapes, Siltworthiness
most transportation in Athas is made Silt Skimmers are ships designed for
with land wagons and silt skimmers, travel on the Sea of Silt, they have four
which will be described in this section. wheels that are tend to be pulled by
slaves or undead drones and large wind
sails. Some are designed for longer
journeys than others, which will be
Hull Points (hp) detailed later.
The vehicle’s structural integrity and
ability to keep moving when damaged.
Analogous to a character’s hit points. A
vehicle that reaches 0 hull points is In combat, attacks and damage may be
destroyed. directed at vehicles in addition to
characters and monsters.
Armour Class (AC)
The vehicle’s ability to resist damage Normal attacks: Unless noted in a
from attacks. vehicle’s description, attacks with
normal weapons (e.g. bows, swords,
Movement Rate etc.) do not inflict hull damage.
The speed at which the vehicle can
move. Every vehicle has a base Magical attacks: Damaging spells or
movement rate and an encounter magical attacks inflict one point of hull
movement rate (noted in parentheses). damage per five points of normal hit
The encounter movement rate is one point damage the attack does.
third of the base movement rate.
Giant monsters: Can damage
Cargo Capacity vehicles, inflicting one point of hull
The maximum load the vehicle can damage per five points of normal hit
carry, measured in coins. point damage the attack does.

Required Crew Mounted weaponry: Some vehicles

The number of people or animals (e.g. carry mounted weaponry specifically
sailors, oarsmen, etc) required for the designed for vehicle-to-vehicle combat.
vehicle’s normal operation. Such weapons inflict hull damage
directly. The rules for attacking with
Passengers or Mercenaries ship-mounted weapons are described in
Some vehicles have extra space aboard p22.
specifically intended to carry
passengers or mercenaries in addition
to the normal crew. If a vehicle’s
description does not mention this space
for passengers, it is assumed to only

79
When a vehicle loses hull points, its When the occupants of a vehicle wish
movement rate is also affected. This to board another vehicle, the two
may be due to structural damage vehicles must be brought alongside one
influencing how the vehicle moves or, another.
in the case of water vessels, due to Forceful boarding: If the occupants of
taking on silt. one vehicle wish to forcefully board the
Movement rate reduction: For every other vehicle, there is a 2-in-6 chance of
10% a vehicle is reduced from its being able to successfully maneuver the
maximum hull points, its movement vehicle into a boarding position. The
rate is reduced by an equal percentage. two vehicles may then be clamped
For example, if a vehicle loses 20% of its together with grappling hooks.
hull points, its movement rate is Mutual boarding intent: If the
reduced by 20%. occupants of both vehicles wish to
board one another, their mutual intent
Destruction makes the action succeed with no
● If a vehicle is reduced to 0 hull chance of failure.
points: It will lose its structural Boarding characters: Characters who
integrity in 1d10 rounds (e.g. a are in the act of boarding another
water vessel sinks). vehicle suffer a –2 penalty to attack rolls
● Any mounted weaponry is no and Armor Class for one round.
longer functional.

Repairs
In a workshop: Vehicle damage can be Rowing Encounter Speeds
repaired by experienced technicians Some rowed vessels may have an
working in a suitable workshop or dock. increased encounter movement rate.
In the field: A vehicle’s crew can repair This represents the great effort on the
up to half of any damage sustained. part of the pullmen that may be exerted
Remaining damage can only be repaired during combat. Such speeds cannot be
in a suitable workshop or dock. maintained for long periods, thus the
Time: It takes five crew-members one per turn and per day movement rates of
turn to repair one hull point. This task such vessels are much slower.
requires full attention, so any crew
involved in repair cannot take any other Reduced Pullmen
action during a turn repairing a vessel. Having less than the required number
of oarsmen reduces a vessel’s speed.
Movement rate reduction: For every
10% reduction in the available rowing
crew, the vessel’s rowing speed is
reduced by an equal percentage. For
example, if 10% of the pullmen are
being used to repair hull damage, the
vessel moves at 90% of its normal speed
(i.e. 10% slower than normal).

80
Animals of
Burden

Tack and Land Vehicles

Chariot: Lightly armored vehicle
Harness designed for combat. Chariots have an
AC of 9 [10] and 1d4 hull points.
Howdah: Frame with seats designed to
be mounted on the back of an animal.
Howdahs have an AC of 9 [10] and 1d4
hull points.
Wagons, open: Little more than a
wooden box on four wheels. Wagons
have an AC of 9 [10] and 2d4 hull
points.
Wagons, closed: Closed armored
wagons that provide rest and shade.
Wagons have an AC of 7 [12] and 3d4
Barding: Armor made of leather and hull points.
plates of metal. Provides the animal Wagon, caravan: Mobile fortress
with an AC of 5 [14] in leather and 3[16] pulled by mekillots, for long mercantile
in chitin and weighs 600 coins. journeys. Defended usually by escorts
and armed second only to forts in the
Saddle bags: Hold up to 300 coins in desert.
weight.
Difficult Terrain
Mekillot Barding: Mekillots have their
When traveling through difficult terrain
own style of barding due to their size.
(e.g. desert, forest, mountains, swamp),
This set of barding provides an AC of 5
these vehicles can only travel on
[14] in leather and 3[16] in chitin and
maintained roads.
weighs 1,200 coins.

81
82
Silt Vehicles

Royal Warship: Flagships of navies,

used almost exclusively by almirants or
Scout Sail: A small vessel with a single kings themselves for large battles or as
mast. They are built for high speed command centers for campaigns.
deep scouting and exploration on the Equipped with many ballistas, catapults
Sea of Silt. and a sturdy ram battery.
Merchant Skimmer: Medium sized Sail Canoe: Small vessel, usually used
ship designed to transport goods by pirates or individual travelers of the
between ports on the Sea of Silt. They sea, light and fast, but offering next to
are designed to allow large amounts of nothing to protect against the
cargo and lodgings for passengers. elements.
Army Transport: Vessels designed to
transport troops across the Sea of Silt.
Equipped for lodgings for troops,
compartments for animals and war Vessels are propelled by rowing or
machines. sailing, with some able to use either
War Galley: Vessel for patrolling the means. The necessary crew and the
Sea, as well to perform naval resulting speeds are given in the table
operations, anti-piracy and pursuit of above. The pay rates for crew are listed
enemies. These tend to be equipped in Specialists, p28.
with ballistas and/or catapults for
ship-to-ship engagement.

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The following modifications may be Fire either large rocks or flaming pitch.
made to an existing ship: Catapults cost 100 CP.
Catapult: A catapult may be added to a Weight: A catapult plus twenty rounds
scout sail, war galley, or royal warship. of shot weighs 10,000 coins (subtracted
Ram: A ram may be added to a large or from the ship’s cargo allowance).
small skimmer (as described on the Range: 150–300 yards.
table above). Attack rolls and rate of fire: Depend on
the number of crew manning the
catapult:
Can be used against ships or giant sea 2 crew (minimum): Attacks with
monsters. Small individuals cannot be THAC0 19 [0]. Fires every 10 rounds.
targeted. Rams cost 3,000 extra CP 4 crew (maximum): Attacks with
Attack rolls: Are made using a THAC0 THAC0 17 [+2]. Fires every 5 rounds.
of 19 [0] and occur at the same point in Attack modifiers: May be applied for
the combat sequence as missile fire. weather conditions, maneuverability,
Attack modifiers: May be applied for etc.
weather conditions, maneuverability, Catapult Shot
etc. Inflicts 3d6 hull damage against ships.
Royal Warship or war galley: Deals Shots cost 5 CP each.
1d6+5 × 10 hull points damage against Catapult Shot, Pitch
ships and 6d6 hit points damage Sets a 10’×10’ area of a ship on fire. The
against monsters. burning does 1d6 hull points of damage
Scout Sail or Transport: Deals 1d4+4 × per turn (for at least one turn) and will
10 hull points damage against ships and spread to other areas of the ship if not
3d8 hit points damage against extinguished. A Pitch Shot cost 25 CP.
monsters.

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Retainers
Just as explained in Old school TheDM should determine the rate of
essentials™ or the B/X base game, pay desired by potential retainers,
retainers work the same in Athas. taking the following factors into
account:
Limit per PC: Each character is limited
to a finite number of retainers, as ● Skill level: More experienced
indicated by the character’s Charisma retainers will want a higher rate
score. of pay, whereas those employed
Duties: Retainers are not mindless for unskilled tasks will have
slaves and, although they will usually lower demands.
share the party’s risks, they will not
willingly act as battle fodder. If abused ● Competition: Retainers may
in any way, retainers will typically warn accept lower rates of pay if there
others of this and the PCs will soon find are many applicants, but may
it difficult to hire other retainers. demand higher rates if there is
little competition for the job.

Standard Rate
Retainers can be of any class (including Retainers will usually want a
normal humans—effectively of level 0), guaranteed fee (per day or per
but must be of equal or lower level to adventure) and a share of treasure
the hiring PC. recovered (at very least a half share).
For example: a fee of 1 cp per day plus a
half share of treasure.

Potential retainers are adventurers, just Upkeep

like the PCs, so they may be found in The hiring PC must also pay for the
drinking establishments, or offering retainer’s daily upkeep (food and
their services at the local trading lodgings) and for any new adventuring
emporiums. gear, weapons, or mounts the retainer
Applicants are recruited through requires.
negotiation, with the referee playing
the roles of the NPCs a character
attempts to hire. The PC should explain
what the job entails and the wages paid.

86
Once an offer is made, the DM Although retainers are played by the
determines the potential retainer’s DM, they acquire experience in the
reaction by rolling 2d6 on the table same way PCs do, can advance in level,
below, modified as follows: and are affected by all of the same class
● Charisma: The roll is modified rules as PCs.
by the hiring character’s reaction XP penalty: Because retainers follow
modifier due to CHA. instructions when on an adventure,
● Generosity: The DM may apply thus not directly engaging in problem
a bonus or penalty, depending solving, XP they receive is penalized by
on the attractiveness of the deal –50%.
(+1 or +2 for generous offers, –1 Normal humans: When a normal
or –2 for poor offers). human (i.e. a retainer of level 0 with no
● Reputation: A penalty of –1 or character class) gains XP, they must
–2 may be applied, if the hiring choose an adventuring character class.
PC has a bad reputation.

Retainers have a loyalty rating,

determined by the hiring character’s
CHA. This rating may be adjusted at
the referee’s discretion:
● Bonuses: A retainer’s loyalty may
be increased if the PC has been
particularly good to the retainer
(e.g. has repeatedly given
additional treasure).
● Penalties: A retainer’s loyalty
may be reduced if the PC has
been cruel or contrary to their
Ill will: A –1 penalty applies to further
word.
hiring reaction rolls while recruiting in
the same town or area.
To make a loyalty check, the DM rolls
2d6 and, if the result is lower than or
equal to the retainer’s loyalty rating,
accounting for any adjustments, the roll
has succeeded.

● Peril: Each time the retainer is

exposed to a particularly
perilous situation. If the roll
fails, the retainer will likely flee.
● After an adventure: If the roll
fails, the retainer will not work
for the PC again.

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Mercenaries
Hired soldiers who will guard, patrol, Outside of wartime: As listed on the
and otherwise serve in wilderness next page.
settings, but only as part of a larger During wartime: All wages are
force, not an adventuring party. doubled.

Note that as mercenaries are hired by a

character to perform specific services,
The monthly rate of pay includes food
they are not treated as retainers and
and basic gear. Most mercenaries
thus do not count toward a character’s
already have weapons and armor when
maximum number of retainers.
hired, though their employer may give
them additional gear. Note that
armorers are required to repair
From all walks of life on Athas, mercenaries’ armor and weapons.
mercenaries can be found almost
everywhere, from trading emporiums to
slave tribes, as long as someone pays,
one can hire a mercenary.

88
Equipped with a shortbow, leather Equipped with an obsidian sword, hide
armor and a leather shield. chainmail and chitin shield.

Mounted on an erdlu or kank. Equipped with a random bone weapon,

Equipped with an obsidian sword, a unarmored.
bone lance and a chitin plate mail.
There is a 5% chance they have a metal
weapon. Equipped with a bone sword, leather
armor and a leather shield.

Mounted on an erdlu or kank.

Equipped with a wooden or stone lance Armed with a random stone weapon,
and leather armor. leather armor and a leather shield.

Mounted on an erdlu or kank. Equipped with a stone warhammer,

Equipped with a bone lance and a hide chitin plate mail and a chitin shield.
chainmail. There is a 5% chance they have a metal
shield

Specialists in siege warfare, they are

unarmed.

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Specialists
All types of characters that PCs may Recreating medicines or poisons:
wish to hire for non-combat and Based on a sample or recipe, an
non-adventuring purposes (i.e. not alchemist can produce a medicine or
mercenaries or retainers) are termed poison at twice the normal speed and
specialists. Note that as specialists are for half the normal cost.
hired by a character to perform specific Recreate potions: An alchemist may
services, they are not treated as also create potions, but this takes twice
retainers and thus do not count toward as long and costs twice as much as
a character’s maximum number of normal, also being highly illegal and
retainers. The most common types of requiring great trust with the customer.
specialists are described, along with
their typical monthly pay rates. This list
is not exhaustive and the referee may Trainers are not required for small
create additional types of specialists as numbers of common animals like inix,
needed. cordlus, or kanks, but more exotic
animals or larger numbers of normal
animals require a specialized trainer.
Specialists can be located in almost any
settlement on the tablelands, usually in Speciality: All animal trainers are
trading emporiums. The response will specialized in a particular kind of
depend on the availability of suitable animal. Number of animals: A trainer
specialists in the area and the offer can have up to six animals under their
made. care at a time.

Time required: The DM decides how

The monthly rate of pay includes food long an animal must be trained, based
and basic gear. on the nature of the training. It will
take a minimum of one month to teach
an animal the first new behavior or
trick. After this first month, an animal
has become accustomed to the trainer
and can be taught additional behaviors
at twice the rate (two weeks per
behavior).

Interruptions: If training is
interrupted, all time already spent on
that particular behavior is lost and the
animal becomes unable to learn further
behaviors.

90
Producing weapons and armor: Per A guide is a traveler who understands
month, an armorer can make five how to read charts, navigate based on
weapons, three shields, or one suit of instruments and the position of the
armor. stars and overall how to travel across
Maintaining mercenaries’ gear: A the tablelands and sometimes beyonds.
dedicated armorer is required per 50
troops.
Assistants: An armorer’s output (either Unskilled normal humans who man the
in terms of arms produced or troops oars of silt vessels. Not trained for
maintained) may be doubled by hiring combat.
two assistant armorers.

Sages are very rare individuals who

Apprentices who may work under an devote their lives to the study of
armorer to increase the rate of obscure knowledge. A sage may be
production. See Armorer. consulted to answer unusual questions.
Time and cost: The DM must judge
the time and cost required to research
Craftsmen trained in the art of forging the answer to a question.
metal. They are very rare to find and
very expensive.
Skilled normal humans who can handle
a ship. Sailors can fight to defend their
Engineers plan and oversee large ship, typically being equipped with a
construction projects such as building sword, shield, and leather armor.
strongholds .
Number required: One engineer is
needed per 100,000cp cost of the A captain is required for any large ship,
project. is skilled like a sailor, and has an
Speciality: Humans usually handle intimate knowledge of the particular
overground structures, while dwarves coasts they frequent.
may be hired for underground
construction.
Agents hired to gather information
about a person or group. The spy may
Musicians, poets, storytellers and/or be an outsider who tries to infiltrate or
actors who perform in front of an may be a traitor already connected with
audience. They have 25% of being the person or group to be spied upon.
bards, which could be employed as There is a 25% chance of them being
spies too. bards.
Time and chance of success:
Determined by the DM.
Unskilled worker employed as farmer Reliability: Spies may or may not be
or worker. reliable and could stab the hiring
character in the back.

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Slaves
(Optional Slave morale is always low ( ML: 4), as
Rules) even if the owner treats them kindly,
they are always concious of their
One dark element of Athasian society is condition. If a slave sees it possible,
slavery. All of the city-states have a they will try to escape their
considerable amount of their enslavement, usually escaping into the
populations as slaves, either owned by wilderness of Athas. If a slave is treated
the monarchs or by the many noble in a particularly cruel manner, however,
families, a punishment reserved for they may (and often times will) even
criminals, defeated in battle or outright seek revenge against their owner!
kidnapped and submitted by force.
Slavery is the practice upon which an
individual is owned as property by A slave may be freed by its owner at any
another to perform a task, with no time if they fit. This in turn will forbit
freedom on the owned person’s side to the original owner to force them back
break off this relationship, unless the to their previous status as slave, but
owner decides to either sell them or let would not forbid the new freed man or
them free. women to be enslaved again by third
parties (Law enforcement, bandits,
Despite slavery being a widespread kidnappers, etc).
practice and component in Athasian
civilization, PCs are asumed to be
heroes! Therefore they should not be
part-taking in this practice. The
decision of allowing them to own
slaves, whether by principle of choice or
by themes of the campaign, falls under
DM discretion! For which the
following rules may be followed.

Trading Emporiums are the most usual

place to locate slaves, usually sold in
auctions. Sometimes however,
arrangements for a deed of slaves can
be made with slaveowners to buy them.

Slaves function exclusively as

specialists, but they cost 10 times its
monthly wages as specialist. After
that, they only require the daily
expenses for their subsistence.

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Strongholds
When PCs become leaders, they may Maintaining Dominance
choose to make their own fort to To keep its domain safe, constant
manage as their domain. The following patrols by hired mercenaries must be
procedure should be used: arranged on a radius of 18 miles around
the fort (6 miles, in inhospitable terrain
1. Permission: It may be necessary to such as salt flats, mountains, or thick
secure permission to build from a jungle or the silt sea). All menaces must
monarch or trade house over the land. be kept at bay, ranging from monsters,
This may not be required if the land is marauding tribes or rival city-states.
uncharted wilderness.
Settlers
2. Clear land: If the construction site is
The PC may wish to attract settlers into
in the wilderness, first and foremost it
a cleared area. The PCs will have to find
needs to have a reliable source of water.
ways to keep the area attractive, from
Also, all monsters in a 6-mile area (i.e.
declaring non-slavery zone, hosting a
one hex on a typical small-scale
trading emporium or financing
wilderness map) must be killed or
infraestructure. Advertising may also be
driven off.
necessary. The referee will determine
the costs involved and how many
3. Design: The player creates a plan for
settlers are attracted.
the stronghold and calculates the costs
(see construction prices overleaf).
Taxation
4. Review: The referee should review If settlers move into the PC’s domain,
and approve the player’s plans. the character can expect to gain 10cp of
taxes per year from each settler.
5. Hire Sages: For every 100,000 cp cost
of the stronghold, the PC must hire one
engineer (see Specialists, p28).
For constructing forts and other
6. Construction: Once the land has structures, the rules for domain
been cleared and construction management found in Old School
materials delivered, construction may Essentials Classic Fantasy Rule Set™
commence. The time required depends or Advanced Fantasy Player Tome™
entirely on the stronghold’s total price: may be used as guidelines for
one day of game time per 500cp. PCs construction, with the change being
may employ either workers or slaves for that all prices listed in GP would be
the construction listed in CP.

7. Prepare for settlers: If the PC

wishes to found a dominion and attract
settlers, a wider area around the
stronghold should be cleared of
dangers.

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