Arcana Evolved

''Arcana Unearthed'' (properly ''Monte Cook's Arcana Unearthed'', ), first published in 2003, is a role-playing game created by Monte Cook. Described as a "variant player's handbook", the 256-page hardcover core rulebook bears many similarities to the '' Player's Handbook'' of 3rd Edition '' Dungeons & Dragons'', on which Cook worked a few years prior. ''Arcana Unearthed'' is based on the d20 system of ''Dungeons & Dragons,'' but because of the rules for character advancement, it cannot be an official d20 system product. It uses the Open Gaming License.

Development

''Arcana Unearthed'' (2003) was advertised as a "variant player's handbook" with an alternative system of d20 rules taking place in Monte Cook's setting known as "The Diamond Throne," a world controlled by giants, which was later revised as ''Arcana Evolved'' (2005).

Themes

Two of the most important themes of the game are ritual and character choices. Two examples are ''metamorphosis'', in which ''faen'' become tiny, winged '' sprytes'', and ''Chi-Julud'', in which the wise '' giants'' temporarily lose their wisdom to become stronger and more warlike. Monte Cook emphasized that players should avoid archetypes (presumably referring to the character archetypes of ''Dungeons & Dragons'') and design their characters more creatively.

Setting

The campaign setting for ''Arcana Unearthed'' is the lands of The Diamond Throne, a land ruled by giants. The setting includes many elements of a traditional fantasy setting, along with a focus on ritual and ceremony, runes, and the magical properties of crystals.

Title confusion

''Arcana Unearthed'' is not to be confused with '' Unearthed Arcana'', the title of two books published in 1985 and 2004 that provided additional material for use in the then-current version of ''Dungeons & Dragons''. The name ''Arcana Unearthed'' was chosen partially as a homage to the earlier of these two books. The announcement of the 2004 version came as an unpleasant surprise to Cook and some of his fans, who believed that they had an understanding with Wizards of the Coast that this title would not be re-used in the near future.

Reception

''Arcana Unearthed'' won the 2004 Gold ENnie Award for Best Game, and the Silver for Best Art (Cover).

The cover, by artist Mark Zug, won the Chesley Award for Best Gaming-Related Illustration in 2005.

Arcana Evolved

''Arcana Evolved'' is an updated "director's cut" of ''Arcana Unearthed'' released in 2005. ''Arcana Evolved'' is 432 pages in full color. It adds the contents of two previously separate books, ''The Diamond Throne'' and the ''Player's Companion'', to the original variant player's handbook, along with new material including a new class and race, many new feats and spells, and rules for higher level characters than were possible in the original book. On the less mechanical side, it also advances the time line of the Diamond Throne campaign setting by several years - years which feature the return of dragons to the lands of the Diamond Throne, reviving an ancient rivalry with the ruling giants.

''Arcana Evolved'' won the 2005 Gold Ennie Award for "Best Interior Art".

Additional books

Malhavoc Press have expanded the ''Arcana Unearthed'' universe with a series of books, including the rulebooks ''The Diamond Throne'', ''Legacy of Dragons'', ''Grimoire II'', and ''Mystic Secrets'', and the short story collection ''Children of the Rune''. Some other publishers, including Blue Devil Games, have also supported the ''Arcana Unearthed'' line. Since the release of ''Arcana Evolved'', Malhavoc has released a number of supporting books specific to the new edition, such as the ''Spell Treasury'', ''Transcendence'' and ''Ruins of Intrigue''.

Sue Weinlein Cook edited the 2004 short story collection ''Children of the Rune''.

References

External links

Arcana Evolved Products
at Malhavoc Press.

Review of Arcana Evolved
at Enworld.
* ''d20 Magazine Rack'' has 3 staff reviews of ''Arcana Evolved'':
*
Review by Bruce Boughner
*
Review by Chris Sims, also known as Khur
*
Review by Ian Hewitt
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D20 System publications
ENnies winners
Fantasy role-playing games
Role-playing games introduced in 2003