Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 deviant_behavior Jun 08, 2011 17:15:20	So in Dragon #399 we saw a lot of new, more generic themes introduced for general play. This thread sought to thematically alter the Dark Sun themes to be more generic. I would like to do the reverse. It seems as though many of these themes do not fit into Dark Sun, but they are all pretty interesting, and there's nothing wrong with having more themes (There aren't very many in DSCS). Here's what I was thinking; reply if you have anything to add. Heroes of Nature and Lore: Alchemist -> This seems as though it could fit in, as long as the alchemist is affiliated with the Veiled Alliance or the Templars. I mean, someone has to be crafting all of those healing potion fruits and other such items.  I am unsure if alchemists are called something different on Athas, but a name change might be in order. Could also be re-skinned as "Poisoner" or something of the like. Animal Master -> This might work, but some of the animals used are likely extinct. If more athesian creatures were substituted, it would make sense (jackal or hyena instead of a dog, kestrel instead of a hawk, etc). Perhaps a name change is in order to "Desert talker" or something of the like. Order Adept -> This and the apprentice theme kind of baffle me. Templar and Veiled Alliance themes seem to cover the basic arcane roles for DS themes. Both of these would require an overhaul. Wizard's Apprentice -> ?, as above Heroes of Tome and Temple: Ordained Priest -> Obviously, any religious themes don't work as is. But many of the Sorcerer Kings proclaim themselves gods, or behave in such a way. So, they must have priests or priest-like individuals that oversee sacrifices, arena games, tributes to the Dragon, etc. Perhaps change the name to "False Priest",  "Disciple of [Sorcerer King]", or "Cultist". Scholar -> Seeing as literacy is very uncommon/legally dubious throughout Athas, this is a tricky one. It might work if your character is from a higher echelon in society, such as a noble or templar.  Seer -> As a psionic theme, this would fit seamlessly into DS. Heroes of Virtue: Chevalier -> Change the name to "Dune Rider", "Outrunner", or "Marauder".  Guardian ->Change the name to "Bodyguard", "Caravan Guard", or "Enforcer".  Hospitaler -> Change the name to "Preserver", "Mender", "Arena Medic", "Tribal Healer", etc. Noble -> This fits in as is. Similar to noble adept, but that theme is very specifically psionic. I imagine there are non-psionic nobles out there that this generic theme applies to. Heroes for Hire: Explorer -> This would probably fit in as is, but could be changed to "[City-state] Emissary", "Pathfinder", or "Dune Hunter". Guttersnipe-> With all the slavery, brutality, and senseless death there have got to be some orphans around, growing up on the streets of the city-states. This could also be similar to the "Escaped Slave" theme, hinting that a character with this theme grew up as a slave.  Mercenary -> This fits in as is. Outlaw -> Also fits in as is, but could be changed to "Slaver", "Smuggler", or "Thief". It could even be re-skinned as an arcane theme for those rogue defilers who aren't necessarily templars, and called "Spellweaver", "Nomadic Defiler", etc.
#2 Lord_Ventnor Jun 09, 2011 5:02:16	I'd imagine that the Wizard's Apprentice/Order Adept theme might possibly apply to lone arcanists who live outside the city-states. A lone human sorcerer who was born in a wandering tribe, keeping his skills hidden while also passing on what he knows to an apprentice, that sort of thing. After all, even if the SK's wield powerful arcane magic within the borders of their cities, they still don't control anyting beyond their walls.