The team here at Monte Cook Games is excited to announce a forthcoming new edition of Numenera, the storied setting that launched MCG well over a decade ago. This new edition, along with two hardcover supplements and an array of additional products, will be crowdfunded through the Numenera: The Amber Archive campaign, launching soon on BackerKit!
For a billion years, this Earth has spun through the cold reaches of space. Eight great civilizations have each spanned countless millennia, rising from the depths of evolution to heights beyond imagining.
No creature on this planet hasn’t been touched by their reshaping; no inch of its surface hasn’t been reengineered, time and again, 100 miles deep or more.
But now they are gone. This ancient Earth is the legacy they’ve left us. We toil among the remnants of the prior worlds—some that might nest within your palm; others the scale of entire nations. What were they for? Alas, in this dark age, they are as magic—as incomprehensible as they are mysterious, and often as deadly. But these remnants offer unfathomable power. Those with the courage, wit, and ambition to master them call these works of the prior worlds the…
Numenera is a vast and fascinating science-fantasy TTRPG world set a billion years in the future. The people of the Ninth World live on a far-future Earth that has been thoroughly shaped and reformed by prior great civilizations—not just once, but time and again over thousands of millennia. The remnants of the prior worlds are ever-present in this otherwise medieval world, and are as inscrutable—and as powerful—as magic.
A Game as Storied as Its Setting
Numenera’s history is nearly as rich as the Ninth World’s. The original edition was crowdfunded in 2012 (and published in 2013). At that time, no roleplaying game—and very few tabletop games in general—had ever funded above $100,000; Numenera smashed all records when it reached $517,255. It’s been translated into eight languages and spawned two board games (Thunderstone Advance: Numenera and The Ninth World), a AAA video game (Torment: Tides of Numenera), a short film (Numenera: Strand), scores of supplements, and many printings of the corebook over two editions. This new version of Numenera draws on that entire legacy, with fully new content that builds on all that lore without relegating, rebooting, or retconning any prior content.
Three All-New Books
The new edition of Numenera is a hardcover Cypher supplement that brings the Ninth World to life at your game table. It includes extensive lore and setting information, loads of weird Ninth World creatures and encounters, cyphers and artifacts, adventures, and character generation for this unique setting. It will be a meaty book, drawing on years of Numenera gameplay and development, but fully updated and filled with new art, creatures, numenera items, and adventures. It’s the new heart of the setting, and the key title for players and GMs setting out into the Ninth World.
What strange beasts walk (slide, slither, crawl, or fly) the Ninth World? Beasts of the Amber Archive is full of new beings to haunt, stalk, confuse, and intrigue even the most experienced Ninth Worlders—with all the weirdness, mystery, excitement, and danger Numenera encounters are known for. Each creature listing will also include details such as lair maps, additional interactions and abilities, and secret knowledge, helping the GM easily conjure the unique Ninth World vibe in cool, memorable encounters.
The Catechism of Lore is a hefty campaign that takes players from their first experiences in the Ninth World through to an explosive conclusion, setting explorers on the path of High Father Calaval, the first Amber Pope and Founder of the Order of Truth. The adventures traverse much of the Ninth World and beyond—from land to sea to the far reaches of the galaxy to places that are only accessible via the clues Father Calaval left behind. Those smart, brave, and curious enough to make the entirety of the journey may unlock a parallel dimension and be called into the secret fortress of the Aeon Priests—the Citadel of the Conduit! This big hardcover adventure book is specially designed to help new players and GMs step into the Ninth World and discover its mysteries—and then experience a wondrous, fast-paced, full-length campaign.
The Numenera: The Amber Archive campaign will fund additional items, including the intriguing Calaval’s Eyes! Deck, a new custom dice set, and the Ninth World Explorer’s Pack, among others. More new products may be unlocked through stretch goals.
A Setting for Cypher
This new version of Numenera is a setting for the Cypher roleplaying game; unlike past editions, it isn’t a standalone game on its own. The new Cypher corebooks are in production now, and will be out this summer (well ahead of the new Numenera edition). Players will need the Cypher Character Rulebook (and ideally the Cypher GM’s Guide, though that’s optional) to play Numenera. Those titles will be substantially discounted for backers of the Numenera: The Amber Archive campaign, and delivered to those backers early.
Step Into the Ninth World with Us!
For over twelve years, Numenera has sparked a sense of wonder and discovery among even jaded, experienced gamers, and this new edition will be no different. Discover (or rediscover) the Ninth World and the mystery, astonishment, danger, and wonder that’s defined over a decade of Numenera play—now faster, easier, and with even more to explore. Join MCG as we unlock the secrets of the Amber Archive and launch a new campaign, or take your existing game to fascinating new places!
Backers who sign up in advance will receive a custom deluxe Numenera d20—FREE!—with their pledge.
