Dark Sun - Races and Monsters

Races and Monsters

Due to the harsh conditions of the planet, all the forms of flora and fauna have evolved to be extremely hardy and powerful as compared to their counterparts on other D&D worlds. Most, if not all, races on Athas have a unique self-defense mechanism that consists of psionic ability, enhanced strength, augmented agility, increased mass, lower food/water intake, superior visual/aural capabilities and/or various physical weapons.

In the 2nd edition D&D setting, there are many differences between the similar races found in other D&D worlds as compared to that of Athas. For instance, an Athasian elf is faster, stronger and larger than any other elves from other D&D worlds. in some editions of the game, players begin the game at higher levels and may have more abilities than in other D&D settings.

This evolution and advancements are because of the following reasons:

1. Many natural resources have been depleted by Defiler Magic.
2. The harsh environs have induced a societal change to a primitive and basic government control. Athas adopts a Darwinian approach whereby the weak perish, the strong survive and the strongest rule. Therefore, the weaker of the species have long since been weeded out, leaving only the stronger ones to pass on their beneficial genes.
3. In Second edition, there are no "commoners" (i.e., non-combatant bystanders) in Athas. Every "villager" is trained to defend herself against voracious creatures of the wild. No one is spared from such training. Those who can't adapt don't survive.