''Dark•Matter'' is a
science fiction
Science fiction (often shortened to sci-fi or abbreviated SF) is a genre of speculative fiction that deals with imaginative and futuristic concepts. These concepts may include information technology and robotics, biological manipulations, space ...
/
conspiracy theory
A conspiracy theory is an explanation for an event or situation that asserts the existence of a conspiracy (generally by powerful sinister groups, often political in motivation), when other explanations are more probable.Additional sources:
* ...
campaign setting set in the modern day. It was originally published in December
1999
1999 was designated as the International Year of Older Persons.
Events January
* January 1 – The euro currency is established and the European Central Bank assumes its full powers.
* January 3 – The Mars Polar Lander is launc ...
by
Wizards of the Coast as the second campaign setting for the ''
Alternity
''Alternity'' is a science fiction role-playing game (RPG) published by TSR, Inc., TSR in 1997 in games, 1997. Following the acquisition of TSR by Wizards of the Coast, the game was discontinued in 2000 as part of a broader rationalisation of T ...
'' science fiction
role-playing game
A role-playing game (sometimes spelled roleplaying game, or abbreviated as 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 ...
.
It was written by
Wolfgang Baur
Wolfgang Baur (born 1968) is an American game designer, best known for his work with ''Dragon'' magazine. He designs role-playing games and is known for his work at Wizards of the Coast. Baur is also the founder of Open Design LLC, later known ...
and
Monte Cook. It was later converted to ''
d20 Modern'' rules as a stand-alone book in
2006.
Development
Wolfgang Baur did considerable research into the occult, UFO, and government conspiracy theories in preparation for writing the ''Dark•Matter'' game.
Setting
The Hoffmann Institute investigates strange creatures and phenomena. Players take on the roles of members of this organization, and delve into the supernatural and mysterious. The premise of the game is that nearly every strange or supernatural story ever widely told is true, but a web of conspiracies and secret organizations hide this truth from the average person. The premise was not unique to ''Dark•Matter'' and had first been used as the basis for a role-playing game in ''
Bureau 13''.
Contents
The original book was hardbound with 288 pages illustrated in color. It was divided into chapters covering the background of the ''Dark•Matter'' setting to include an introduction to the Hoffmann Institute, hero creation, magic and psionics, history of the setting, the
Illuminati, and places of interest. Highlights include:
* The true and secret history of Earth.
* Detailed descriptions of 13 powerful conspiracies and secret societies pulling the strings of power, plus nearly 20 more minor organizations.
* Dozens of mysterious sites and hidden strongholds, from the ancient enigma of the Pyramids to the rotten façade of Washington, D.C.
* New skills and careers for heroes, including options for advanced characters.
* New rules for using FX (supernatural/psychi powers) in ''Alternity'' games, including 45 new Arcane Magic and Faith FX spells.
* Nearly two dozen strange creatures.
* Gamemaster tips and tricks for running paranormal- and conspiracy-based games.
* Raw Recruits, an introductory adventure.
* ''Alternity'' Fast-Play Rules.
Works related to the core book
Supplements and adventures
There were four accessories produced for the setting. Three of them were published in perfectbound paperback format and one was published as an electronic PDF file. There were also various articles published in ''
Dungeon'' magazine, ''
Amazing Stories
''Amazing Stories'' is an American science fiction magazine launched in April 1926 by Hugo Gernsback's Experimenter Publishing. It was the first magazine devoted solely to science fiction. Science fiction stories had made regular appearance ...
'', and ''
Dragon
A dragon is a Magic (supernatural), magical legendary creature that appears in the folklore of multiple cultures worldwide. Beliefs about dragons vary considerably through regions, but European dragon, dragons in Western cultures since the Hi ...
'' magazine.
* ''The Dark•Matter Arms and Equipment Guide'' provided a more detailed list of equipment appropriate to the setting.
* ''The Xenoforms Book'' provided many more supernatural and alien creatures from myth and folklore to add to a campaign.
* ''The Killing Jar'' was the first adventure published after those provided in the main rulebook.
The last supplment, provided as an electronic PDF, is ''The Final Church''. It is a combination sourcebook and adventure which provides information on the organization known as The Final Church and pits the characters against them.
Tie-in novels
In print
*''In Hollow Houses'', by
Gary A. Braunbeck
*''If Whispers Call'', by
Don Bassingthwaite
*''In Fluid Silence'', by
G. W. Tirpa
* ''Of Aged Angels'', by
Monte Cook
PDF only
* ''By Dust Consumed'', by
Don Bassingthwaite. This was available for a short period of time as a PDF file.
''d20 Modern'' system
Some of the material has since been incorporated into the ''
d20 Modern'' role-playing game and its ''
d20 Menace Manual'' supplement. ''Dark•Matter'' was first converted into a ''d20 Modern'' campaign in ''
Dungeon'' #108/''
Polyhedron
In geometry, a polyhedron (: polyhedra or polyhedrons; ) is a three-dimensional figure with flat polygonal Face (geometry), faces, straight Edge (geometry), edges and sharp corners or Vertex (geometry), vertices. The term "polyhedron" may refer ...
'' #163 as ''Dark•Matter: Shades of Grey''. In September 2006, saw the publication of ''d20 Dark•Matter''.
Reception
In 2000, ''Dark•Matter'' won the
Origins Awards for ''Best Graphic Presentation of a Roleplaying Game, Adventure, or Supplement of 1999''.
In a review in the February 2000 issue of ''
InQuest Gamer'', Dan Joyce stated that ''Dark•Matter'' is "one of the best campaign settings" ever published by
Wizards of the Coast and its subsidiary
TSR, Inc.
Reviews
*''Backstab'' #19
See also
* ''
Delta Green''
References
External links
Official ''Alternity'' website
{{DEFAULTSORT:Dark Matter
Alternity
D20 System
Origins Award winners