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5 : Playing Templars 28 Class Acts: Warlords By Robert J. Schwalb By Robert J. Schwalb The authority of the templars keeps and common folk in line, but It takes courage to claim leadership’s mantle and strength to hold it. The templars have more than just a writ to enforce their monarch’s will. ability to lead is not something that can be learned. It is a virtue.

16 Dark Sun: The Slave Theme 33 n Win ing Races: Eladrin By By Tim Eagon The cities of the sorcerer-kings crouch upon the backs of slaves. Few dream of To eladrin, magic is Corellon’s supreme gift, but Corellon is not the only path escape, and fewer still accomplish that dream. Sample fileto magical power. The artificer and the warlock also have their places. 22 Class Acts: Bard Items 37 n Win ing Races: Gnomes By By Robert J. Schwalb Bards need to split their magic treasures between implements and weapons. Stealth and guile, wit and cunning are tools gnomes use to survive. Gnomes Items that combine the two into one are especially desirable. are known for bringing diverse and surprising talents to their roles.

24 Class Acts: Sorcerers 41 n Win ing Races: By Claudio Pozas By Arnie Franke The Shivs of Sorcery are an assortment of eclectic but single-minded The bloodthirsty social order of the drow permeates every aspect of their society, sorcerers who imbue magic into their daggers to become skirmishing including their institutions of learning. strikers. C Olumns

4 Editorial By 44 Power Play: The lucky few get to attend Gencon. We got a rock ... so let’s make rockade! By Pierre Van Rooden Although gods seem to be unconquerable beings, they do die. Even when 78 Ampersand they’re gone, they can continue having an effect on the world. By In this month’s round of articles, Bill shows off 51 Guilds & Groups: Smoke and Whispers the Essentials Slayer, the Rules Compendium, the By Daniel Jones ’s Kit, and . Some suspect that the between Bael Turath and Arkhosia never truly ended. The Circle of Smoke and Whispers knows it for a fact 88 Countdown to Essentials By and Bill Slavicsek Mike discusses the design elements and process 55 c Fi tion: Lord of the Darkways that went into the Rules Compendium, Dungeon By Master’s Kit, and Monster Vault. Manshoon is determined to become Lord of the Darkways, no matter how many lives it costs. Sample file 94 s De ign & Development: Dark Sun By Richard Baker and Rodney Thompson Rich and Rodney describe how arcane defiling, psionics, and the lack of metal impact the new Dark Sun . O n the Cover Illustration bySteve Prescott 97 Confessions of a Full-Time Wizard By Shelly Mazzanoble D&D’s “Player-in-Chief” shares her experiences at Gencon and thoughts on becoming “a gamer.”

101 D&D alumni By Bart Carroll A look back at the origins of Dark Sun and how it influences the current game and setting.

Dungeons & Dragons, D&D, , , Dungeon, Dragon, d20, d20 System, , all other Wizards of the Coast product names, and their respective logos are trademarks of Wizards of the Coast, Inc., in the U.S.A. and other countries. This material is protected under the copyright laws of the United States of America. Any reproduction or unauthorized use of the material or artwork contained herein is prohibited without the express written permission of Wizards of the Coast, Inc. This product is a work of fiction. Any similarity to actual people, organizations, places, or events is purely coincidental. Printed in the U.S.A. ©2010 Wizards of the Coast LLC. No portion of this work may be reproduced in any form without written permission. For more Dungeons & Dragons articles, adventures, and information, visit www.wizards. com/dnd edit o r ial

390 Dr ag on August 2010

Editor-in-Chief Steve Winter Off to Gencon … Senior Art Director Jon Schindehette Web Production Bart Carroll or Not. Contributing Authors Rachel Cirricione, Tim Eagon, Arnie Franke, Ed Greenwood, It’s Gencon week, the Campaign Setting, Creature Catalog, and Marauders Daniel Jones, Shelly Mazzanoble, which means that of the Dune Sea, a terrific adventure by . Mike Mearls, Claudio Pozas, Pierre for the next six days, We’re backing that up with articles on playing Athasian van Rooden, Robert J. Schwalb, the R&D Depart- templars and slaves, plus another Dark Sun adventure Matthew Sernett, Rodney ment is going to be for everyone who just can’t get enough of heat and Thompson, James Wyatt only about half full. trouble. One unofficial, seat-of-the-pants method for I’m one of the sad predicting the success of an upcoming product is count- Developers , Stephen few staying behind, ing how many friends ask for free copies. If that metric Schubert, Greg Bilsland exercising my stiff is at all reliable, then Dark Sun is going to be hot. I hope Editor upper lip and pre- I can come up with enough books to satisfy everyone. tending that I have Finally, here’s a loosely Dark Sun-related movie Cover Artist Steve Prescott so much work to do plug. I’m a sucker for adventure movies from the 1930s, that even if I’d been with their lost worlds, nefarious villains and cults, stoic Contributing Artists Alexey Aparin, , put on the travel heroes, and monumental sets. Just recently on Netflix, Chad King, Slawomir Maniak, list, I couldn’t possibly afford the time away from my I ran across the 1935 version of She, based on the clas- William O’Connor, David Rapoza desk (which is true, by the way, but I’m hardly unique sic story by H. Rider Haggard and produced by Meriam in that regard). Really, I’m looking forward to using this C. Cooper, who made the original King Kong just two Cartographers Jason A. Engle, Sean Macdonald, quiet, meeting-freeSample time to gain ground file on some of the years earlier. In She, a small team of explorers heads Mike Schley tasks that have piled up on my desk since I stepped into for the Arctic in search of a fabled ‘flame of everlast- Publishing Production Angelika Lokotz, Erin Dorries, this job, like answering email and reviewing article ing life.’ The lost culture that they discover in a secret Specialists Christopher Tardiff pitches. valley ringed by unscalable cliffs of ice isn’t much like Even without a trip to Indianapolis, August promises Athas in most ways. On the other hand, its art deco Web Development Mark A. Jindra plenty of other excitement to keep my spirits up! style is wonderfully alien and weird. The palace guards It starts off with today’s fiction, “Lord of the Dark- are daunting in their animal headdresses and leather Executive Producer, ways,” by Ed Greenwood. harnesses. The high priest is both imposing and tragic. D&D Insider Christopher Perkins We have our customary assortment of “Class Acts” And of course, Queen Hash-A-Mo-Tep, “She Who Must and “Winning Races” entries, this month covering drow, Be Obeyed,” is an early prototype of the all-powerful Director of RPG R&D Bill Slavicsek gnomes, eladrin, bards, and sorcerers. sorcerer-queen who achieves everlasting life at the cost Special Thanks Bill Slavicsek and Mike Mearls reveal more of what of a portion of her humanity and sanity. you can expect from D&D Essentials. They’ll be talk- The acting is stiff, the choreography is flimsy, and R ichard Baker, , Jennifer Clarke Wilkes, ing about this in Indianapolis, too, of course, but D&D the story is entirely familiar. Yet you should watch this Bruce R. Cordell, Peter Lee, , Cal Moore, Insiders will get information that won’t be covered movie for the amazing sets and costumes, the way it por- Stephen Schubert there. With four installments of “Ampersand” and three trays a savage, alien culture, and the sheer adventure of “Design & Development,” we can traverse a lot of of it all. ground: the fighter (slayer), Rules Compendium, DM’s Kit, and Monster Vault all get detailed treatment. But the really big news is Dark Sun, which hits the street (and the dealers’ shelves at Gencon) running with Templars of the Sorcerer-Kings

By Robert J. Schwalb Illustration by David Rapoza

Civilization rests in the bloated city-states scattered sorcerer-kings to pursue their own secret agendas across the only inhabitable lands left on Athas. In and indulge in the fruits their exalted station affords. all but one metropolis, power rests exclusively in the To the templars it falls to lead the armies, negotiate hands of the tyrants known as the sorcerer-kings, trade agreements with the merchant houses, and each an ancient being of nearly godlike power whose manage resources while also enforcing the laws and command over his or her subjects is absolute or very controlling the slaves. Much responsibility falls onto nearly so. Although some sorcerer-kings are wor- the templars’ shoulders, but much wealth, status, and shiped as gods and seem as immortal as the deities power goes to them too. long lost and forgotten, sorcerer-kings are no more The authority invested in the templars might be divine thanSample are any creature in the file world. They are enough to keep the nobles and common folk in line, subject to the same limitations, errors in judgment, but the templars have more than just a writ to enforce and whims other creatures face. They might teach the monarch’s will. Sorcerer-kings invest magical their subjects they can be in all places at once, but power into their prized subjects, lending them the the truth is these powers are neither omniscient nor tools they need to keep the city-states secure. Many omnipotent. It is in their interest to dispel any doubts templars learn just enough magic to protect their about the power they wield and to ensure those masters’ interests and perform in whatever capac- people living under their rule remain obedient and ity they are assigned, but a few possess true power, loyal subjects, because as powerful as these individu- gained through profane rituals and dark ceremonies als are, the death of King Kalak in Tyr proves they are wherein the sorcerer-king makes available the magi- neither invulnerable nor eternal. cal source from which he or she draws power. These The insurance all sorcerer-kings have comes warlocks are the most dangerous of a sorcerer-king’s from the templars who serve them. These men and retinue because they can call up their master’s might women, who are usually human, are selected from without fail and without fear of ever losing it. It is the masses to act as the tyrant’s eyes and ears and to these individuals who deserve the most scrutiny and represent his or her interests in the city-states and who are the subjects of these pages. manage the affairs of government. Templars free the

TM & © 2010 Wizards of the Coast LLC. All rights reserved. August 2010 | Dragon 390 5 Templars of the Sorcerer-Kings

In Evil’s Service Becoming a templar means standing apart and facing distrust on all sides, with your companions S orcerer-Kings Templars are the sorcerer-king’s agents, and although questioning your motives and loyalties. You might in Other Settings some sorcerer-kings might be loved, admired, have unimpeachable morals and a wholesome aspect, respected, or feared, all are evil’s agents in the world. but you are sullied through your association with the Plundering material from sourcebooks to use in The ruin and hardship gripping the lands rests sorcerer-king, who saw something in you that enabled your personal campaigns is not only expected but is encouraged. Elements from Dark Sun work solely at their feet. The abuses folk endure and the your master to set aside any doubt and reveal to you well in other worlds (such as Forgotten Realms hopelessness and despair reflected in the common the power he or she wields. You must decide how to and Eberron), but you might find the story con- reconcile the darkness fueling your power with the citizens’ eyes all find their source in the magnificent cepts sometimes challenging to divorce from powers who have carved up the world’s corpse into goals and objectives your companions might pursue. their associated mechanics. The sorcerer-king tiny, competing empires. So no matter the reason Do you hide your allegiance, working from within the pact, for example, expects that beings of godlike for the templar’s service, whether he or she came to heroes’ midst to serve your master by opposing other power run the show. Such figures probably do this occupation out of free will or through conscrip- sorcerer-kings? Do you regret your pact and seek not exist in your campaign setting. Rather than tion, they represent the most dangerous and wicked redemption through great deeds and noble efforts? Or shoehorn the sorcerer-kings into your campaign setting, these figures might be powerful arcan- powers known in the lands. does it even matter? ists from antiquity—beings not necessarily evil, As one might expect, sorcerer-kings attract those and who offer great power to those who study of dubious morals to their service. Most templars are Choosing a Sorcerer-King their lore. They could be archmages who have cruel, malicious, and ambitious, acquiring the worst As a templar, you serve or once served a sorcerer- merged their essence with the cosmos or some traits embodied by the masters they serve. Although king. The choice you make can help shape your other icons of . Although the orga- nizational details described here might not be evil runs rampant through their ranks, it would be character’s history, personality, and motivations. All relevant, the feats associated with each provide false to say they are all without virtue. Many become sorcerer-kingsSample use templars to secure file their thrones, templars for status, wealth, and excess, but others further customization for warlocks who chose but the expectations placed on them and the power this pact and might reflect the particular styles shoulder the responsibility as an obligation—a ser- they bestow vary from city-state to city-state. Some the sorcerer-king equivalents embody. vice to which they are called for the good of all—even templars have more freedoms and can adventure if their masters exhibit troubling behaviors. Some more freely, while others are expected to devote their templars are idealistic, hopeful reformers seeking to time in the city in which they were raised and are change a terminally corrupt system. A few harbor restricted in their movements. Talk with your Dun- treasonous thoughts and ingratiate themselves to geon Master to find the sorcerer-king that best fits their masters as a means to destroy them, either into the campaign and whether continued service to ending their tyranny for good or to claim their place. a particular tyrant is appropriate to the story. Since a sorcerer-king can’t strip you of your powers once given, you might very well be a fugitive from a city- state, hunted throughout the lands as a traitor.

August 2010 | Dragon 390 6 Templars of the Sorcerer-Kings

Andropinis of Balic Training: Would-be praetors are groomed for their positions from birth. Children drawn largely Te mplar Feats “As the Dictator attained his august position eons ago, so from landowning and noble families attend spe- too do our praetors follow in his steps. They assume author- cial institutions to determine and foster magical Pact feats, also included under each entry, pro- vide further methods for distinguishing your ity’s mantle by the people’s will.” or psionic talent. Those with some ability learn the warlock from others by gaining benefits tailored political system, hone their public speaking skills, to the responsibilities and cultural consider- Balican politics distinguish the remote city-state from and make contacts they can later use to secure power. all others. The city’s leaders, from the patricians who ations associated with the city-state of origin. Duties: Although the methods by which they Each city-state receives two feats. represent the noble’s interests all the way up to the gain their positions are far different from templars in The lesser pact feat grants a constant benefit, sorcerer-king, attained power and prestige through other city-states, Balican templars fulfill many of the usually a feat bonus to a particular skill check, the people’s will. According to legend, Andropinis same duties. They enforce the laws, manage the city’s and also grants an alternative benefit to the hand was called to lead the city-state as its Dictator for Life, resources, and command the city’s famous legions in of blight power for when you enhance it with and under his wise leadership, he has passed on the battle. Praetors gather in the Praetorium where they your Fell Scorn pact boon. The greater pact feat requires you to have custom of election to every office in his government. debate legal matters and address concerns pertaining the associated lesser pact feat and grants more Thus Balican templars, called praetors, attain their to the city, and where they also determine which mat- positions through popular election just as does every powerful and distinctive benefits. Each one adds ters are worth bringing to the Dictator’s attention and to your pact boon and includes a list of warlock other city official. which they can attend to themselves. powers for which you also gain a Sorcerer- Recruitment: The elections are a sham, of course, Advancement: The more terms a praetor serves, King Pact rider to broaden your power choices and only those individuals favored by sitting praetors the greater the standing and power within the Praeto- beyond those described in the Dark Sun Cam- and the sorcerer-king are allowed to win these contests. rium. Praetors who have served three or more terms paign Setting. Should an inappropriate candidate win, an accident wield the greatest authority and can shape policy in Each power associated with a pact feat is Sample file accompanied by an abbreviation to indicate its often befalls that person, forcing another round of the city-state, influence elections, and might win the source: Player’s Handbook (PH), Arcane Power voting to fill the vacancy with a more favorable can- favor of the sorcerer-king. Losing an election does not didate. Praetors are elected for ten-year terms and no (AP), Forgotten Realms Player’s Guide (FR), or always mean an end to service. The Dictator often Dragon Magazine Annual 2009 (DR). limits exist on the number of terms they can serve. takes powerful praetors into his personal retinue to You can choose only one lesser pact feat and act as his advisors and agents. one greater pact feat. The limitations reflect the Adventuring Templars: Trade is Balic’s para- connection you forged with a particular sorcerer- B alican Templars mount concern, so adventuring praetors might find king and, because they are jealous masters, the T emplars in Balic are drawn from every race, excuses to leave the city-state to negotiate trade agree- exclusivity such service demands. and though most templars are members of the ments in distant emporiums, set sail on silt skimmers warlock class, there is a military element to serv- to find islands holding new resources useful to the ing Andropinis. Consider using multiclass feats city-state, or travel south to expand the sorcerer-king’s or the hybrid rules to pick up fighter powers and class features. influence. Elected praetors might be more limited in their freedoms since they must attend to the day- to-day work of governance, but important missions might see a praetor install a proxy to act in his or her place while undertaking a mission abroad.

August 2010 | Dragon 390 7