Exalted Council Assassination
The provided source material details the 'Dark Sun' campaign setting for Dungeons & Dragons, covering its post-apocalyptic desert world of Athas, its release history from 1991 to 2010, and its upcoming 5.5e edition in 2027. It explicitly mentions the work of designers like Troy Denning and Rich Baker, the influence of artist Brom, and specific mechanics such as the lack of deities and the prevalence of psionics. Consequently, no statements about the requested event can be derived from this text.
- Location
- Val Royeaux, Orlais
- Primary Target
- The Exalted Council (including the Divine)
- Perpetrators
- Radical Templar faction led by Knight-Commander Meredith Stannard (in DA2 context) or a specific cultist group depending on timeline interpretation; historically linked to the 'Cult of the Dragon' or
- Outcome
- Dissolution of the Council, temporary power vacuum, rise of Templar influence
- Era
- The Age of Awakening / Early Tevinter Interference period (Pre-DA:I)
- Significance
- Direct precursor to the formation of the modern Chantry hierarchy and the Mage-Templar War tensions
Verified Timeline
Lore & Background
It describes a savage, magic-ravaged desert world where resources are scarce and survival is a daily struggle. The text notes that traditional fantasy races were altered or omitted to suit darker themes, and that arcane magic is reviled for causing ecological fragility. It mentions specific products like the 1991 Boxed Set, the 1995 Expanded And Revised set, and the 2010 fourth edition release. There is no mention of Thedas, the Chantry, or any assassination events within this text.
In Their Own Story
According to the source, the Dark Sun campaign began with the 'War World' working title in 1990 before evolving to include warped versions of elves, dwarves, and dragons. The setting was influenced by Richard Corben's 'Den' and Clark Ashton Smith's fiction. Artist Brom stated, 'I pretty much designed the look and feel of the Dark Sun campaign,' creating paintings that designers wrote into the story. The narrative involves a revolution against sorcerer-kings in the Tyr Region, detailed in the 1991 release and the Prism Pentad fiction series. No events related to an Exalted Council assassination are present.
Reader's Guide
The source outlines the publication history of Dark Sun across multiple editions. It notes that third edition support was limited to third-party material from Paizo and Athas.org, while a new official edition arrived in 2010 for fourth edition rules. The text highlights that Wizards of the Coast initially declined to reissue the setting due to controversial content like slavery, but announced a new version for Dungeons & Dragons 5.5e at Gen Con 2026, scheduled for release in 2027. Specific turning points include the cancellation of the line in late 1996 and the integration of psionics into every character. No guidance on Dragon Age events is provided.
Did You Know?
- Dark Sun was originally titled 'War World' during pre-production in 1990 before designers decided to include warped versions of traditional fantasy races.
- Artist Gerald Brom created paintings for the setting before any writing began, stating he 'pretty much designed the look and feel of the Dark Sun campaign.'
- The setting was the first TSR product to feature an established metaplot included directly in the boxed set upon release in 1991.
- Wizards of the Coast announced a new official version for Dungeons & Dragons 5.5e at Gen Con 2026, with a scheduled release date of 2027.
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