The ''Encyclopedia Magica'' is a four-volume series of accessories for the 2nd edition of the ''

Advanced Dungeons & Dragons Several different editions of the ''Dungeons & Dragons'' (''D&D'') fantasy role-playing game have been produced since 1974. The current publisher of ''D&D'', Wizards of the Coast, produces new materials only for the most current edition of the ga ...

fantasy Fantasy is a genre of speculative fiction involving Magic (supernatural), magical elements, typically set in a fictional universe and sometimes inspired by mythology and folklore. Its roots are in oral traditions, which then became fantasy ...

role-playing game A role-playing game (sometimes spelled roleplaying game, RPG) is a game in which players assume the roles of player character, characters in a fictional Setting (narrative), setting. Players take responsibility for acting out these roles within ...

, published in 1994–1995.

''Encyclopedia Magica'' is a four-volume set that aims to cover every

magic item 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 person or being whose hands they fall into. Magic items are commonly found in both folklore and modern fantasy. Their fictional ...

in existence in the ''AD&D'' world, from ''Abacus of Calculation'' to ''Zwieback of Zymurgy''. The series lists all of the ''AD&D'' magical items from two decades of TSR products—every boxed set, accessory, and magazine article. The books total more than 1500 pages across the four volumes, and are bound in a plastic jacket. Entries for the series were culled from the ''

Dungeon Master's Guide The ''Dungeon Master's Guide'' (''DMG'' or ''DM's Guide''; in some printings, the ''Dungeon Masters Guide'' or ''Dungeon Master Guide'') is a book of rules for the fantasy role-playing game ''Dungeons & Dragons''. The ''Dungeon Master's Guide'' co ...

'', the ''

Basic BASIC (Beginners' All-purpose Symbolic Instruction Code) is a family of general-purpose, high-level programming languages designed for ease of use. The original version was created by John G. Kemeny and Thomas E. Kurtz at Dartmouth College ...

'' and '' Expert Sets'', modules and campaign settings, and ''

Dragon A dragon is a reptilian legendary creature that appears in the folklore of many cultures worldwide. Beliefs about dragons vary considerably through regions, but dragons in western cultures since the High Middle Ages have often been depicted as ...

'' and other magazines. The fourth volume contains an index to the entire set, and a complete magic item random determination table, and includes some of the most numerous categories with entries on swords, staves, and wands. There was "no attempt to correct rule imbalances, edit entries, or even match game mechanics to one particular edition of the game".

Publication history

''Encyclopedia Magica'' was a result of compilation and development by

Dale "slade" Henson Dale "slade" Henson is a game designer who has worked primarily on role-playing games. Career When the Spelljammer line ended, slade came up with the idea of building a new setting on Jeff Grubb's first-edition ''Manual of the Planes'' (1987); a ...

, and was published by TSR. ''Encyclopedia Magica Volume One'' was released in 1994, while ''Encyclopedia Magica Volume Two'' was printed in February 1995, ''Encyclopedia Magica Volume Three'' was printed in May 1995, and ''Encyclopedia Magica Volume Four'' was printed in November 1995. Development and editing was by Doug Stewart. Interior black and white art for the series was by

Arnie Swekel Arnie Swekel is an artist whose work has appeared in role-playing games. Background Swekel was born May 2, 1964, and grew up in River Rouge, Michigan. After graduating high school he briefly attended The Center for Creative Studies (now called Coll ...

, while the four volumes featured interior color art variously by

Gerald Brom Gerald Brom (born March 9, 1965), known professionally as Brom, is an American gothic fantasy artist and illustrator, known for his work in role-playing games, novels, and comics. Early life Brom was born March 9, 1965, in Albany, Georgia. As t ...

Clyde Caldwell Clyde Caldwell (born February 20, 1948) is an American artist. Self-described as a fantasy illustrator, he is best known for his portrayals of strong, sexy female characters. With his work at TSR in the 1980s, he is considered one of the artis ...

Jeff Easley Jeff Easley (born 1954) is an oil painter who creates fantasy artwork for role-playing games, comics, and magazines, as well as non-fantasy commercial art. Early life Easley was born in Nicholasville, Kentucky in 1954. He spent time drawing as ...

Fred Fields Fred Fields is an American artist whose work has appeared largely in the ''Dungeons & Dragons'' fantasy role-playing game from TSR. Biography Fred Fields was born in northern Kentucky. He grew up in the small town of Burlington, Kentucky. Fiel ...

Tim Hildebrandt Greg and Tim Hildebrandt, known as the Brothers Hildebrandt (born January 23, 1939), are American twin brothers who worked collaboratively as fantasy and science fiction artists for many years. They produced illustrations for comic books, movie p ...

Jennell Jaquays Jennell Jaquays (born Paul Jaquays, October 14, 1956) is an American game designer, Game art design, video game artist, and illustrator of tabletop role-playing games (RPGs). Her notable works include the ''Dungeons & Dragons'' modules ''Dark Towe ...

John and Laura Lakey John and Laura Lakey are artists whose work have appeared in role-playing games. Biography John and Laura Lakey are a husband and wife team of illustrators.http://lakeystudios.com/ While each of them has produced solo artwork, they more commonly ...

Roger Loveless Roger Loveless is an American fantasy artist whose work has appeared in role-playing games. Career Loveless graduated from Utah State University, then moved to Los Angeles to begin a freelance career in illustration. He has worked for clients ...

Keith Parkinson Keith A. Parkinson (October 22, 1958 – October 26, 2005) was an American fantasy artist and illustrator known for book covers and artwork for games such as ''EverQuest'', ''Guardians'', ''Magic: The Gathering'', and '' Vanguard: Saga of Heroes ...

Roger Raupp Roger Raupp (born October 1, 1963 in Elkhorn, Wisconsin) is an artist whose work has appeared in games such as the ''Dungeons & Dragons'' fantasy role-playing game from TSR, and the collectible card game ''Magic: the Gathering'' from Wizards of ...

, and

Robh Ruppel Robh Ruppel is an American artist best known for his work on role-playing game products. Critic Joseph Szadkowski of ''The Washington Times'' has referred to him as a "horror genius". Early life Robh Ruppel grew up in Bellaire, Texas, and att ...

. "The credits acknowledge James M. Ward, 'for laughing when he heard slade had this project'".

Reception

In ''

'' magazine #218 (June 1995),

Rick Swan Rick Swan is a game designer and author who worked for TSR. His work for TSR, mostly for Advanced Dungeons & Dragons, appeared from 1989 to 1995. Swan also wrote ''The Complete Guide to Role-Playing Games'' (1990), published by St. Martin's Pre ...

stated that these reference books possess "a diligence on the part of the researchers that borders on the superhuman". He said the series "A must for Dungeon Masters who want to spruce up their campaigns, and for every TSR contributor who longs to see his masterpiece immortalized in an upscale format." Cliff Ramshaw reviewed ''Encyclopedia Magica Volume Four'' for ''Arcane'' magazine, rating it a 4 out of 10 overall. He wrote that it was Mostly for completists and that the items presented in the fourth volume were often silly. ''The Encyclopedia Magica, Volume 1'' won the

Origins Award The Origins Awards are American awards for outstanding work in the game industry. They are presented by the Academy of Adventure Gaming Arts and Design at the Origins Game Fair on an annual basis for the previous year, so (for example) the 1979 aw ...

for ''Best Roleplaying Supplement of 1994''.

Reviews

* ''Pyramid'' #15 *''Rollespilsmagasinet Fønix'' (Danish) (Issue 8 - May/June 1995)

Notes

References

{{D&D topics Dungeons & Dragons sourcebooks Origins Award winners Role-playing game supplements introduced in 1994

Contents

Publication history

Reception

Reviews

Notes

References