Suggested Reading?

Started by Ravenfeather, April 06, 2013, 01:40:23 AM

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April 06, 2013, 01:40:23 AM
I have always struggled with the arm-theme and only today, (I need t shamefully admit) did I actually become aware of the D&D 'Dark Sun' world/theme.

I have a new character application submitted to staff via the request tool for consideration and since I got a flashy kindle for Christmas -

What if any 'Dark Sun' theme books/guides anyone would recommend? (I know its not 'arm' but I think it will help and give me inspiration all the same).
"Graceful? Yes. Beautiful? Absolutely. Harmless? Definitely not." --Tribal Elder.

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April 06, 2013, 01:44:15 AM #1
A few I came across this morning on Amazon:

THE OUTCAST (Dark Sun: Tribe of One, Book 1)
Marauders of the Dune Sea
The Verdant Passage (Dark Sun World: Prism Pentad, Book 1)
Dark Sun Campaign Setting, Expanded and Revised
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April 06, 2013, 01:48:41 AM #2
If you're going to read the Verdant Passage, read the whole Prism Pentad.  Troy Denning is an awesome author.
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April 06, 2013, 02:03:18 AM #3 Last Edit: April 06, 2013, 02:13:25 AM by Ravenfeather
Great :) thanks so - I am on the right track - within reason its in theme.
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April 06, 2013, 06:38:13 AM #4
It is also poignant to understand that while in the beginning, Zalanthas was heavily influenced by Dark Sun, it is definitely its own world.

Reading anything is only going to help you work on your character's thoughts, feelings, and ideas. Game of Thrones, anything by Eddings, read a Dragonlance book or two.

Come to think of it, I'd really suggest Dragonlance because magick is somewhat rare, feared, and definitely attempted to be controlled. Just don't think you're going to play Tanis Half-elven and everyone will think you're cool. You're not cool. You're a breed.
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April 06, 2013, 06:55:40 AM #5
throwing in here Malazan Book of the Fallen, start with gardens of the moon by steven erikson.
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April 06, 2013, 07:53:08 AM #6
Well, if you're going to throw in Erikson, don't leave out Glen Cook's Black Company books.
April 06, 2013, 08:22:32 AM #7
The above two- The Black Company and Malazan are really good inspirations for grunt soldiers/mercs and wildly varied magickers. I may have played a mage or two loosely based on the Taken. :)
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April 06, 2013, 09:46:16 AM #8
You might not expect science fiction to get you in the right mindset ... but I nonetheless must strongly recommend Dune (Frank Herbert).  ;)
April 06, 2013, 11:53:09 AM #9
I get my ghetto-rats inspiration from Shameless sometimes.


Edit: This is a tv show though. In the U.S. and U.K.
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April 06, 2013, 12:24:40 PM #10
As other said, The Prism Pentad, Dune, and actually some of the Dragonlance stuff. George Martin's stuff for backstabbing and political rp.
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April 06, 2013, 02:42:44 PM #11
Totally different world than Arm's, but read Abercrombie's Blade Itself. Both Logen and Glotka are two characters that would fit perfectly in Zalanthas.
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You go south and one of the other directions that isn't north.  That is seriously the limit of my geographical knowledge of Arm.
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April 06, 2013, 03:12:35 PM #12
Karen Miller: Empress

The book is pretty bad (in my opinion), but the setting is an oppressive religious city state in an unforgiving desert setting rife with slavery, murder, corruption, and betrayal, so if you do manage to wade through all 700 pages, you might be inspired to play Armageddon.  Bonus: the terrible writing will make you so crabby and itching to stab someone that your characters will feel more realistic than ever before.
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April 06, 2013, 04:03:49 PM #13
You could also just read the 4E Dark Sun D&D world guide.

Uh, I'm told the Thieves' World series is armageddon-esque in some ways.

I recommend against the Malazan Series.  It's very high-fantasy in a ton of ways armageddon is not.
April 06, 2013, 07:35:07 PM #14
I'd also suggest reading the logs in Original Submissions and such.  :)
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April 10, 2013, 02:16:15 PM #15
Read Elves of Athas, if you're interested in Dark Sun's, well, elves. You have it for free on scribd  (as well as some other Dark Sun materials). Probably not completely legal, though.


April 10, 2013, 05:31:46 PM #16
A couple of the books that I know influenced the game:

Martha Wells' wonderful novel, City of Bone
Glen Cook's Black Company series

April 10, 2013, 10:23:36 PM #17
Quote from: Malifaxis on April 06, 2013, 01:48:41 AM
If you're going to read the Verdant Passage, read the whole Prism Pentad.  Troy Denning is an awesome author.

+1
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April 11, 2013, 10:55:53 AM #18
Quote from: Riev on April 06, 2013, 06:38:13 AM
It is also poignant to understand that while in the beginning, Zalanthas was heavily influenced by Dark Sun, it is definitely its own world.

Poignantly pertinent.
The sword is sharp, the spear is long,
The arrow swift, the Gate is strong.
The heart is bold that looks on gold;
The dwarves no more shall suffer wrong.
April 11, 2013, 11:06:42 AM #19
The Thieves World anthology informed a lot of the Rinth I think.
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April 11, 2013, 01:06:17 PM #20
QuoteThe Thieves World anthology informed a lot of the Rinth I think.

Yup. I believe that was Kelvik's main influence in creating it.
April 13, 2013, 12:11:50 AM #21 Last Edit: April 13, 2013, 12:15:19 AM by IntuitiveApathy
Quote from: Sanvean on April 11, 2013, 01:06:17 PM
QuoteThe Thieves World anthology informed a lot of the Rinth I think.

Yup. I believe that was Kelvik's main influence in creating it.

Oh den great mother, when are you coming home to roost?  We miss you!

Ravenfeather, try some of the Chronicles of Athas as well - I think Lynn Abbey's Rise and Fall of a Dragon King or The Brazen Gambit will really get you into the setting.

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April 13, 2013, 10:14:31 AM #22
As Bacon said, Dune. Great for the portrayal of noble/merchant houses.
April 13, 2013, 06:17:39 PM #23
Wasn't there a reading list on the website at some point? Can't find it any more...
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April 13, 2013, 06:23:47 PM #24
Yeah, but it was very outdated.
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