Dawn of the Emperors: Thyatis and Alphatia is an accessory for the Dungeons & Dragons

Dungeons & Dragons

Dungeons & Dragons is a fantasy role-playing game originally designed by Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson, and first published in 1974 by Tactical Studies Rules, Inc. . The game has been published by Wizards of the Coast since 1997...

fantasy

Fantasy

Fantasy is a genre of fiction that commonly uses magic and other supernatural phenomena as a primary element of plot, theme, or setting. Many works within the genre take place in imaginary worlds where magic is common...

 role-playing game

Role-playing game

A role-playing game is a game in which players assume the roles of characters in a fictional setting. Players take responsibility for acting out these roles within a narrative, either through literal acting, or through a process of structured decision-making or character development...

.

Contents

Dawn of the Emperors is a campaign setting in the world of the GAZ series, and describes the two warring empires of Thyatis

Thyatis

The Empire of Thyatis is a powerful state in the Mystara campaign setting for the Dungeons and Dragons fantasy role-playing game. Thyatis was first mentioned in Module X1, Isle of Dread, which describes it briefly. Along with the Alphatian Empire, Thyatis was more fully detailed in the Dawn of the...

 and Alphatia

Alphatia

Alphatia is a continent and empire in TSR's fictional fantasy game setting, Mystara for the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game. The continent of Alphatia is nearly in area and has approximately 7,500,000 inhabitants...

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The 32-page "Player's Guide to Thyatis" describes an expanding, eclectic empire reminiscent of the Roman that reserves its highest regard for warriors; this book includes character creation rules for Thyatian player character

Player character

A player character or playable character is a character in a video game or role playing game who is controlled or controllable by a player, and is typically a protagonist of the story told in the course of the game. A player character is a persona of the player who controls it. Player characters...

s.

The 32-page "Player's Guide to Alphatia" describes a chaotic, bizarre, and ancient empire where magic-users

Wizard (Dungeons & Dragons)

The wizard is one of the standard character class in the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game. A wizard uses arcane magic, and is considered less effective in melee combat than other classes.-Creative origins:...

 reign over all non-magical folk; this book includes rules for Alphatian character creation, and for making magic items

Magic item (Dungeons & Dragons)

In the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, a magic item is any object that has magical powers inherent in it. These may act on their own or be the tools of the character in whose hands they fall into. Magic items have been prevalent in the game in every edition and setting, from the...

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The 128-page "The Dungeon Master's Sourcebook" includes a history and atlas for each of the two featured empires, plus details of disputed territories, campaign and adventure scenario suggestions, and rules for conversion to AD&D.

Publication history

Dawn of the Emperors - Thyatis and Alphatia was written by Aaron Allston

Aaron Allston

Aaron Allston is an American game designer and novelist of many science fiction books, notably Star Wars novels. His works as a game designer include game supplements for several role-playing games, several of which served to establish the basis for products and subsequent development of TSR's...

, with a cover by Clyde Caldwell

Clyde Caldwell

Clyde Caldwell is an American artist. Self described as a fantasy illustrator, he is best known for his portrayals of strong, sexy female characters.-Early life:...

 and interior illustrations by Stephen Fabian

Stephen Fabian

-Career:Fabian specializes in science fiction and fantasy illustration and cover art for books and magazines. Fabian also produced artwork for TSR's Dungeons & Dragons game from 1986 to 1995, particularly on the Ravenloft line. He was self-taught, two of his primary influences being Virgil Finlay...

, and was published by TSR in 1989 as a boxed set

Boxed set

A box set is a compilation of various musical recordings, films, television programs, or other collection of related items that are contained in a box.-Music box sets:...

 containing a 128-page book, two 32-page books, and two large color maps.

Reception

According to Lawrence Schick, in his 1991 book Heroic Worlds, "On the whole, it's a satisfying climax to the GAZ series."