Original Creators of Dark Sun Come Together for a New D&D Book Inspired by 1990s Gameplay

The Dark Sun setting is generating buzz in the Dungeons & Dragons community. For years, fans have yearned for a return to Athas, a harsh, post-apocalyptic world dominated by ruthless overlords where survival is the primary goal. Given the sensitive themes of slavery and genocide, many believed that a revival of Dark Sun was unlikely. However, this notion was overturned at Gen Con 2026, where it was revealed that a trio of new Dark Sun books is set to release in 2027, much to the delight of its fans.

Enter Dragon Kings, a fresh project from Strange Owl Games, featuring contributions from the original creators of Dark Sun, including Timothy Brown, Troy Denning, Brom, Bill Slavicsek, Rich Baker, and Shane Hensley. The original Dragon Kings was a Dark Sun accessory module crafted by Timothy Brown and released by TSR in 1992. In 2014, Brown successfully funded a Kickstarter campaign under the same name, which introduced the world of Khitus, complete with rules for Pathfinder, Savage Worlds, and 13th Age. A subsequent Kickstarter later adapted these rules for D&D 5e.

Dragon Kings is designed by Brown and shares some thematic elements with Athas. The project’s description on Backerkit states, “Where Dark Sun told of a world squandered, Khitus is a world grown complacent and now paying for it. The difference is this: it is not yet too far gone.”

This new iteration of Dragon Kings is touted as “the spiritual successor to Dark Sun.” It is fully compatible with 5th edition and features a comprehensive setting, rules for six new ancestries, new classes and subclasses, over 30 new creatures, and more than 60 pieces of original interior art created by human artists. Notably, it also includes conversion rules for D&D 2nd edition, catering to those who wish to experience the original Dark Sun system. For veteran players looking to recapture the essence of the early 1990s gameplay, this product is a perfect fit.

The timing of this announcement is significant. While the new Dark Sun products from Wizards sparked excitement, many players are doubtful that the current direction of the company can truly capture the brutal, savage sword-and-sorcery vibe that made the original Dark Sun a classic. Concerns have already arisen regarding the alleged decision to omit references to slavery from the new setting, and none of the original creators are involved in these upcoming books.

In Athas, dragons aren’t born; they’re made.

Dragon Kings is being positioned as an alternative for fans seeking a closer experience to the original Dark Sun. Brown’s quote on the Backerkit page emphasizes this vision: “By making Dragon Kings its spiritual successor, I can revive the concepts that never made it into Dark Sun and take them somewhere more desperate, more dangerous, and a little more hopeful.” In Khitus, the absence of the Dragon Kings has led to a decline in the world, with environmental themes echoing those of Dark Sun, yet there remains a glimmer of hope.

It’s important to note that Dark Sun is a trademark of Wizards of the Coast, while Dragon Kings is an independent product developed with a “setting first” approach, allowing players to adapt it to any game system they choose. The project is set to launch on Backerkit on September 22, with early-bird pricing, preview pages, exclusive add-ons, and a limited edition ceramic dice set available for backers prior to the official launch.