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AD&D Dark Sun Online: Crimson Sands
Homage to the PastThe world of Dark Sun began at TSR, Inc. as a series of Advanced Dungeons and Dragons Second Edition pen and paper games, taking the Forgotten Realms races and setting them in the scorched and ruined world of Athas. Although the paper games had a cult following, after a couple of editions, for whatever reason, TSR discontinued the series, leaving fans to continue its development and growth through online work consortiums. While the Dark Sun series was still in production, the computer games were conceived and worked on by SSI Inc, which also developed the Forgotten Realms series such as Pool of Radiance and Menzoberranzan with TSR. The fruits of this development were AD&D; Dark Sun 1: Shattered Lands and Dark Sun 2: Wake of the Ravager, both DOS 6. 2 games.
Taking the Dark Sun concept a step further, Junglevision for the Total Entertainment Network (TEN), has added to the code of SSI, Inc. s code, the creation, in the Crimson Sands title, of an online world where hundreds of players can connect, interact and role-play within the realm of Athas. The game, which has been in development for several versions now, superbly incorporates the complicated world of Athas with fairly simple, easy-to-use interfaces and top-down Win95 graphics that allow almost any player on any machine (with a premium TEN account, that is) to log on and participate in online quests, turn-based combat games, player-versus-player ladders and daily events that evolve ongoing storylines. The only thing is that the game looks very dated. Copyrighted in 1996, it has graphics that look very dated by today's standards. They are very pixelated and low resolution. So, what it comes down to is whether you can get past those simplistic graphics to decide if AD&D; Dark Sun Online: Crimson Sands is for you.
Surviving the wastelandsAthas is the world of Dark Sun, a world that the free use of magic has burned and scorched after passing through many ages. It began with the Sapphire Sun, when the halflings ruled a highly advanced civilization, called the Blue Age, eventually passing into the current Decade of Heroism. During these times religions began, although no true gods exist, and the psionics became a powerful ruling class. In later ages, the sun went through several transitions, first being altered by the nature masters of the Pristine Tower and finally by Rajaat, discoverer of the principles of magic. The sun turned dark crimson and the defiling magic, consuming the resources of the world as it was performed, destroyed the once fertile earth, leaving behind sands and waste. The complicated and long history of the races means that various groups are vying for power in a struggle that affects the daily life of Athas.
As a newcomer to Athas, you must survive in the cities, where water exists. Travel is dangerous through the wastelands. Caravans can join for a price, and without guarantees. Thieves, cyclops patrols and a variety of strange desert monsters eagerly await your first mistake when entering the wastelands. To make your journey, there are 8 races available: dwarves, elves, half-elves, half-giants, halflings, humans, Muls and Thri-Kreens. However, they are not common races. I will give an example. Elves, for example, who are normally found in places like Lorien on other worlds, are in Dark Sun more sinister. Here are excerpts from the description of elves:
'Elves. While the last remnants of civilization huddle around pools of brackish water and clumps of withered vegetation, the elves of Athas run free. Elven villages are even less likely than a pool of clear water in the desert, as the elves only stop running when they fall and die. Silver Spring, of course, is a notable exception. Otherwise, elves gather in nomadic tribes that revel in robbery, raiding, and warfare. Elves are excellent traders.
Elves are generally lazy and deceitful. They strive to lead short, happy lives rather than long, sad ones. To an elf, the future is a dark and deadly place, so they strive to make every moment (every now, as elves speak) as pleasant and fulfilling as possible. When the job is done, and not a moment later, the fun begins. They indulge in long periods of frenzied feasting and raucous revelry'.
Something totally different from the Forgotten Realms. Halflings also have a sad existence. The once cheerful, happy and always ready for a party have become almost unrecognizable. Where once they were once civilized masters of an advanced society, today they are asinine creatures.
