The Verdant Passage - My First Experience with Dark Sun

 In June of 2024, I read the 1991 novel The Verdant Passage by Troy Denning. I have read many of his novels set in the Forgotten Realms, but this was my first time reading anything in the Dark Sun campaign setting. Over the years I have explored these other D&D settings, such as Dragonlance and Greyhawk. Dark Sun is different from these, and the Forgotten Realms, for (as the name implies) the setting is rather dark.

The Verdant Passage is book one of The Prism Pentad, of which I have the first three. As of writing this, I have also read the second book. Denning was one of the key designers of the setting, which was blessed with artwork by Brom.

Dark Sun is a low magic dying earth setting, where sorcery has drained the world dry, like a much bigger version of the Forgotten Realms' Anauroch. The setting therefore relies psionic powers and it feels more sword & sorcery than the high magic of other D&D settings. There are also things like the insectoid thri-keen and 2 moons over Athas, the planet that give it some flavor.

In a dark city in the midst of desolation, named Tyr, a being named Kalak has ruled for a thousand years. But the tyrant is about to meet his end at the hands of three unlikelies. 

The story introduces the king and a Templar named Tithian. Tithian is a great character, serving as priest to the god-king that is frail and powerful all at once. Tithian is in an interesting predicament and will play an important role in the future of the realm.

Sadira is a nubile half-elf woman that is the least interesting. She has some free love ideas but besides that she is largely dull. Though her magic is interesting.

Agis was the childhood friend of Tithian. He’s almost the opposite of him, having the drive but not the greatest cunning, rather he is romantic and has humanistic values and intelligence in ways most others don’t. Rikus and Neeva are gladiators, slaves bred to fight. They are dangerous and hope for freedom. They often fight in the arena as a pair and are meant to breed together too. 

Then there is the very alien Gaj. It is very deadly but interested in understanding the characters readers should connect with easier. There are also dwarves, halflings, and elves, but all under a crimson sun. I also thought the divine magic of D&D was unique in this setting. Overall, it still feels like D&D fantasy over sword and sorcery, but darker than most settings. 

Overall the book felt consistent, I’ve seen some say the end fizzles or the beginning is the best but I think it’s a fun short D&D novel that does fine and manages to be more entertaining along the way than some other Denning novels I’ve read.