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Numenera

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Numenera
Original cover by Kieran Yanner 2013
DesignersMonte Cook
PublishersMonte Cook Games
Publication2013; 11 years ago (2013)
GenresScience Fantasy
SystemsCypher System
Websitenumenera.com

Numenera is a science fantasy tabletop role-playing game set in the far distant future, written by Monte Cook, published in 2013.[1][2][3]

Game

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Setting

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Numenera Logo
Numenera Logo

Numenera is set on Earth approximately one billion years in the future. The setting is called "The Ninth World" due to the fact that eight civilizations have risen and fallen prior to the current era.[4]

Character creation

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Character creation has been simplified by having players fill in the blanks to the statement:

"I am a __________ __________ who _________s."
  1. The first blank, the adjective in the sentence, is filled in by a character's "Descriptor", a way to describe the character's strongest characteristic.
  2. The second blank, the noun of the sentence, is filled in by a character's "Type", which is a "Glaive" (a warrior type), a "Nano" (a technology adept type), or a "Jack" (as in jack-of-all-trades).
  3. The third blank, the verb of the sentence, is filled in by a character's "Focus", or what the character is most known for or their special talent.[5]

Technology

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The name "Numenera" is a reference to the bits of technology left over from past civilizations. The word "numen" is a Latin root word meaning a "pervading divine presence"[6] and "era" refers to the period (1 billion years in the future) in which this universe takes place. The world is utterly filled with "nanites" (the divine presence) that some beings in this universe can tap into and control. With a nod towards Clarke's Third Law, "any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic",[7] the setting treats technology with much the same approach as magic in a fantasy setting. The native tech level is roughly medieval.[8]

Launch

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Numenera was launched via a Kickstarter campaign and set a record for "most money raised for a tabletop role-playing game" at $517,255 by 4,658 backers,[better source needed] surpassing the previous record set by the Kickstarter for Traveller 5th edition.[better source needed] Originally intended just to fund the initial core rulebook, the campaign more than doubled its funding goal within the first 24 hours.[better source needed] "Stretch goals" that were announced as the level of funding grew increased the output of products, ending up producing an entire game line.[9]

Numenera Destiny and Discovery

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This two volume replacement for the original rulebook was crowdfunded in 2017. It increased emphasis on exploration, discovery, and building. It also incorporated a few revisions from the Cypher rule system that had been released subsequent to the original Numenera release.[10] Calling itself Numenera 2, it also used a Kickstarter campaign for initial funding, obtaining $845,258 from 4,185 backers.

Numenera: Discovery is a revision of the original core rulebook. The Jack character type was substantially revised to be more distinctive compared to Nanos and Glaives. Also added are player intrusions, a mechanism allowing players to alter the environment by spending an experience point.[10]

Legacy material from the original Numenera book, not included in the new edition, were made available for free as a PDF.[11]

Numenera: Destiny is mostly new material offering three new character types: Arkus, Delve, and Wright, new descriptors and new foci. The book also emphasizes crafting along with community protection and development with these character types taking lead positions in such an endeavor. A major section on crafting mechanisms and a major section on communities are provided. The manner of running a community game can be described as treating the community as an NPC in the game with stats that the player characters enhance. New monsters, NPCs, and settings are also offered in the Destiny core rulebook.

Products

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The core rulebook of Numenera has been translated into Italian,[12] German,[13] Spanish, French and Portuguese.[14]

Numenera Core Rulebooks

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Title Authors Date Pages Formats ISBN
NumeneraMonte CookAugust 14, 2013416Print, Deluxe, PDF978-1-939979-00-1
The original core rulebook for the game. Replaced by Numenera: Discovery and Destiny.
Numenera Player's GuideMonte CookAugust 14, 201364Print, PDF978-1-939979-01-8
Book focused on the player characters; subset of content from the Corebook. Replaced by the 2018 Numenera Player's Guide.
Numenera: Discovery[15]Monte Cook, Bruce Cordell, & Sean K. ReynoldsOctober 17, 2018416PDF, Print978-1-939979-78-0
The core rulebook for the game, revised
Numenera: DestinyMonte Cook, Bruce Cordell, & Sean K. ReynoldsOctober 17, 2018416PDF, Print978-1-939979-77-3
An auxiliary rulebook for the game
Numenera Player's GuideMonte Cook, Bruce Cordell, & Sean K. ReynoldsOctober 31, 201896Print, PDF978-1-939979-76-6
Book focused on the player characters; subset of content from the Numenera: Discovery & Destiny core rulebooks.

Supplements

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Title Authors Date Pages Formats ISBN
In Strange Aeons: Lovecraftian NumeneraMonte CookOctober 201312PDF
Contains advice on incorporating Lovecraftian horror elements into Numenera campaigns and adventures. It provides two new descriptors, new creatures, and rules for sanity in the Cypher System.
Cypher Collection 1Monte Cook & Bruce CordellDecember 201310PDF
Contains 50 unique cyphers. Included in the later supplement 'Technology Compendium: Sir Arthour’s Guide to the Numenera'.
Artifacts & Oddities Collection 1Monte Cook & Bruce CordellDecember 201310PDF
Contains 30 new artifacts and 100 new oddities. Included in the later supplement 'Technology Compendium: Sir Arthour’s Guide to the Numenera'.
The Ninth World BestiaryMonte Cook & Bruce CordellFebruary 2014160Print, PDF978-1-939979-09-4
A collection of 130 creatures and characters for Numenera.
Love and Sex in the Ninth WorldShanna GermainFebruary 201413PDF
A guide to integrating elements of love and sex into any Numenera story or adventure.
Injecting the WeirdMonte CookMarch 201422PDF
A discussion of the weird, as well as hundreds of ideas for the weird aspects of ancient places, communities, NPCs, creatures, wilderness locations, and items. Also contains a new descriptor and two new foci.
Numenera Character OptionsMonte CookMay 201496Print, PDF978-1-939979-14-8
A collection of more descriptors and foci.
Technology Compendium: Sir Arthour's Guide to the NumeneraMonte CookAugust 2014160Print, PDF978-1-939979-20-9
A collection of Numenera cyphers, oddities and artifacts
When Worlds Collide: Converting Numenera and The StrangeMonte Cook & Bruce CordellAugust 201418PDF
Guide to converting material from The Strange campaign setting for Numenera.
Strange Creatures of the Ninth WorldMonte CookNovember 201415PDF
Guide to converting creatures from The Strange campaign setting for Numenera. Includes alternative, Ninth-World-specific backgrounds for about 80 creatures from The Strange Bestiary.
Maps of the Ninth WorldMonte CookDecember 201465PDF
Collection of high-resolution maps from the Numenera corebook with labelled and unlabelled versions of each.
The Ninth World GuidebookMonte Cook & Shanna GermainJanuary 2015256Print, PDF978-1-939979-24-7
A setting book about the Ninth World, its locations and denizens
Maps of the Ninth World 2Monte CookJune 201537PDF
Collection of high-resolution maps from The Ninth World Guidebook with labelled and unlabelled versions of each.
Into the NightMonte Cook & Bruce CordellSeptember 2015160Print, PDF978-1-939979-40-7
Supplement for adventures in outer space. Contains new creatures, NPCs, cyphers, and artifacts.
The NightcraftMonte CookSeptember 201510PDF
Detailed description of a space ship from the 'Into the Night' supplement.
Into the DeepMonte Cook, Bruce Cordell & Shanna GermainMay 2016160Print, PDF978-1-939979-45-2
Supplement for underwater adventures. Contains new playable races, creatures, NPCs, cyphers, and artifacts.
The Octopi of the Ninth WorldMonte CookJune 201612PDF
Detailed description of the octopi civilisation from the 'Into the Deep' supplement.
Torment: Tides of Numenera—The Explorer's GuideShanna GermainAugust 2016160Print, PDF978-1-939979-51-3
Adaptation of content from the 'Torment: Tides of Numenera' computer game.
Numenera Character Options 2Monte Cook & Bruce CordellSeptember 201696Print, PDF978-1-939979-55-1
A collection introducing two new character types as well as more descriptors and foci
Into the OutsideBruce CordellFebruary 2017160Print, PDF978-1-939979-47-6
Supplement for adventures in alternate dimensions. Contains new locations and creatures.
In Alternate DimensionsBruce CordellFebruary 201714PDF
Collection of GM intrusions and ideas for alternative dimensions.
Exploring Numenera: StrandBruce CordellFebruary 20174PDF
Adaptation of content from the short film 'Numenera: Strand'.
The Ninth World Bestiary 2Bruce CordellMay 2017192Print, PDF978-1-939979-64-3
A collection of 160 creatures for Numenera.
The Way of the Dinosaur: Converting Predation for Numenera and The StrangeBruce CordellJune 20177PDF
Guide to converting content from the Predation campaign setting for Numenera.
Jade Colossus: Ruins of the Prior WorldsBruce CordellAugust 2017144Print, PDF978-1-939979-68-1
Campaign guide for the Jade Colossus, a gigantic ruin. Includes the Numenera Ruin Mapping Engine and new character options and creatures.
Building TomorrowBruce Cordell & Sean K. ReynoldsOctober 2017192Print, PDF978-1-939979-84-1
Expansion of rules and material from Numenera Destiny including salvaging and crafting, example communities, and followers.
Numenera Priests of the AeonsSean K. Reynolds2019191Print, PDF978-1-939979-89-6
Details on the Aeon Priesthood with new character options.
The Ninth World Bestiary 3Bruce Cordell & Sean K. ReynoldsMay 2019192Print, PDF978-1-939979-92-6
A collection of 150 creatures and characters for Numenera.
Voices of the DatasphereBruce Cordell & Sean K. ReynoldsJune 2020160Print, PDF978-1-950568-08-6
Supplement for adventures in the virtual metaspace known as the datasphere. Contains 2 adventures.
Liminal ShoreBruce Cordell & Sean K. ReynoldsSeptember 2020160Print, PDF978-1-950568-12-3
A new setting for Numenera with new player races, cyphers, artifacts, and creatures. Contains 2 adventures.
Edge of the SunBruce CordellFebruary 2021160Print, PDF978-1-950568-15-4
Supplement for adventures on the surface of the sun with new cyphers, artifacts, and creatures. Contains 2 adventures.
Break the HorizonBruce CordellMarch 2022144Print, PDF978-1-950568-22-2
Supplement focused on travel. Contains 2 adventures.
The Glimmering ValleyMonte CookNovember 2023128Print, PDF978-1-950568-46-8
Campaign setting and adventure for the Glittering Valley, a smaller area designed introducing players to the Ninth World.

Adventures and Glimmers

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Glimmers are short, PDF-only publications. There are also some adventure collections that have appeared in print:

Title Authors Date Pages Formats ISBN
The Devil's SpineMonte CookOctober 201396PDF, print9781939979025
Three 32 page adventures, "The Devil's Spine", "The Mechanized Tomb", "The Other Side of the Maelstrom"
The Nightmare SwitchMonte CookAugust 14, 201332PDF
A Kickstarter exclusive adventure
VortexMonte CookSeptember 4, 201318PDF
The Numenera launch adventure at Gen Con 2013. 18-page adventure, plus 6 double-sided pre-generated characters.
Beyond All WorldsRobert J. SchwalbMay 201422PDF
Short 22-page adventure
Into the Violet ValeMonte CookSeptember 201425PDF
Numenera adventure at Gen Con 2014. 12-page adventure, plus 6 double-sided pre-generated characters.
Weird Discoveries: Ten Instant Adventures for NumeneraMonte CookApril 201596PDF, print
Ten fully developed adventures that can be run with little preparation time.
The Hideous GameMonte CookSeptember 201522PDF
Instant adventure run at Gen Con 2015. 10-page adventure, plus 6 pre-generated characters.
Skein of the Blackbone BrideShanna GermainNovember 201627PDF
Adventure run at Gen Con 2016. 14-page adventure, plus 6 double-sided pre-generated characters.
The Thief, the Clave, and the UltimatumBruce R. CordellDecember 201611PDF
Instant adventure
The Spire of Hunting SoundDennis DetwillerSeptember 201747PDF
Adventure run at 2017 Free RPG Day. 19-page adventure and 13-page quickstart rules, plus 5 double-sided pre-generated characters and a 5-page mini-bestiary. This was available in print on the Free RPG day at limited stores.
Escape from the Jade ColossusBruce R. CordellSeptember 201730PDF
Adventure run at GenCon 2017. 17-page adventure, plus 6 double-sided pre-generated characters.
ShadewalkerSean K. ReynoldsDecember 201722PDF
Short 10-page adventure, plus 6 pre-generated characters.
Ashes of the SeaSean K. ReynoldsJuly 201847PDF
Numenera 2018 Free RPG Day adventure. 15-page adventure and 13-page quickstart rules, plus 6 double-sided pre-generated characters and a 4-page mini-bestiary. This was available in print on the Free RPG day at limited stores.
Slaves of the Machine GodBruce CordellJanuary 2019144PDF, print978-1-939979-86-5
Campaign book. Two story arcs, each containing eight separate adventures.
Forgetting DoomsdayShanna GermainMay 201926PDF
Adventure run at GenCon 2018. 14-page adventure, plus 6 double-sided pregenerated characters.
Explorer's Keys: Ten Instant Adventures for NumeneraBruce R. Cordell & Sean K. ReynoldsAugust 201996PDF, Print978-1-939979-94-0
Ten fully developed adventures that can be run with little preparation time.
Where the Machines WaitBruce R. CordellMay 202196PDF, print
Adventure using OGL 5E-compatible rules. Includes new creatures, items, and a playable species. Also contains conversion notes for Numenera and the Cypher System.
VerticesSean K. ReynoldsJuly 202196PDF, print
Eight adventures in prior-world ruins. Includes a random settlement generator.
Shards of the Looking GlassCharles M. RyanFebruary 202328PDF
Adventure run at Gen Con and Gamehole Con 2022. 16-page adventure, plus 6 double-sided pregenerated characters.

Game aids

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Title Date Pages Formats
Numenera Cypher Card DeckJuly 2013120 cardsPrint, PDF
Cards representing cyphers available in game
Numenera GM ScreenAugust 2013N/APrint, PDF
Four-panel, landscape format vinyl GM's screen
Numenera Creature Card DeckJanuary 2014100 cardsPrint, PDF
Cards representing Numenera creatures
Numenera Cypher Card Deck 2September 2014120 cardsPrint, PDF
Cards representing cyphers available in game
Numenera Weird DeckAugust 2015100 cardsPrint, PDF
Cards containing ideas of weird elements to add to the game.
Numenera Intrusion DeckAugust 2015100 cardsPrint, PDF
Cards containing GM Intrusions.
Numenera Artifact DeckMay 2016100 cardsPrint, PDF
Cards representing artifacts available in game
Numenera Creature Deck 2May 201799 cardsPrint, PDF
Cards representing Numenera creatures from The Ninth World Bestiary 2, Into the Night, Into the Deep, and Into the Outside.
Numenera Cypher and Creature Deck ExpansionMay 201760 cardsPrint, PDF
30 additional creature cards, and 30 additional cypher effect cards
Ruin DeckJanuary 2019100 cardsPrint, PDF
Each card contains prompts to create a room, obstacle, location, or encounter.
Shin SetJanuary 201950 metal tokens
Metal coins to represent Numenera currency (shins).
Numenera Creature Deck 3August 201999 cardsPrint, PDF
Cards representing Numenera creatures from The Ninth World Bestiary 3.
Salvage DeckSeptember 2019100 cardsPrint, PDF
Each card contains random salvage results and suggested GM intrusions.
Numenera XP Card DeckMarch 202060 cardsPrint, PDF
Cards representing a character's XP points
Numenera PlaymatMarch 2020Fabric playmat (24″ x 32″)
Illustrated playmat containing rules reference.
Numenera Character Portfolios and Character SheetsJune 2020104 (print)Print, PDF
Blank character sheets and a character generation walkthrough.
Numenera Character and Creature StandupsSeptember 202022Print, PDF
Paper miniatures of characters and creatures.

Fiction

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Title Authors Date Pages Formats ISBN
The Amber MonolithMonte CookAugust 201218PDF
Introductory short story to the Numenera setting; included within the Corebook.
Tales from the Ninth WorldMonte CookJune 201379PDF, ePUB, MOBI
Collection of short stories set in the Numenera setting.
More Tales from the Ninth WorldMonte Cook & Shanna GermainAugust 201557PDF, ePUB, MOBI
Collection of short stories set in the Numenera setting.
Tales Beyond the Ninth WorldMonte Cook, Bruce Cordell & Shanna GermainAugust 201559PDF, ePUB, MOBI
Collection of short stories set in the Numenera setting.
The Poison EaterShanna GermainJanuary 2017320PDF, ePUB, MOBI, Print978-0-857666-35-2
The first full-length novel set in the Numenera setting.
The Night ClaveMonte Cook & Shanna GermainNovember 2017368PDF, ePUB, MOBI, Print978-0-857667-20-5
The second full-length novel set in the Numenera setting.
Discover Your DestinyMonte Cook & Shanna GermainJuly 201824PDF, ePUB, MOBI
Meta-narrative about creating characters and playing in the world of Numenera.
Tomorrow's BonesShanna GermainDecember 2019240PDF, ePUB, MOBI, Print
The third full-length novel set in the Numenera setting.
The Truth of NamesMonte CookFebruary 202251PDF, ePUB, MOBI
Novella set in the Numenera setting.
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There have been several announced tie-ins to the brand:

Reception

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In a review of Numenera in Black Gate, John ONeill said "The book is splendidly designed and a pleasure to read. It's also packed with gorgeous artwork. This is exactly the kind of gamebook that makes you ache to pick up your dice and start playing."[18]

Awards

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Numenera received the 2014 Origins Award for "Best New Roleplaying Game".[19]

References

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  1. ^ Webb, Travis. (4 May 2013). "Tylerpaper.com: Kickstarted; "Crowdfunding" continues to change face of gaming". Archived from the original on 10 November 2013. Retrieved 15 May 2013.
  2. ^ "Nerdluster: Numenera RPG Kickstarter". 14 August 2012. Archived from the original on 10 November 2013. Retrieved 15 May 2013.
  3. ^ "Tech2: Monte Cook GenCon Panel". 19 August 2013. Archived from the original on 10 November 2013. Retrieved 15 May 2013.
  4. ^ "Transmissions from the Ninth World:A Billion Years in the Future!". 5 November 2012. Retrieved 15 May 2013.
  5. ^ "Transmissions from the Ninth World:Creative Characters!". 27 November 2012. Retrieved 15 May 2013.
  6. ^ "Numen Definition & Meaning".
  7. ^ "The Sorcerer of Rhiannon", Astounding February 1942, p. 39.
  8. ^ "Transmissions from the Ninth World:Eponymous". 25 February 2013. Retrieved 15 May 2013.
  9. ^ Howard, Rich. "Numenera: A Kickstarter from Monte Cook".
  10. ^ a b "Record-breaking RPG Numenera is getting a sequel next year". Tabletop Gaming. 20 September 2017. Retrieved 1 July 2022.
  11. ^ Ryan, Charles M. "Original Corebook Legacy Content in PDF". Monte Cook Games Store. Retrieved 1 July 2022.
  12. ^ "Announcing the Numenera box set". 21 November 2014.
  13. ^ Verlag, Orkenspalter TV/Uhrwerk. "Numenera - Das Erfolgsrollenspiel auf Deutsch". startnext.com.
  14. ^ "Numenera". Catarse.
  15. ^ "A marked improvement over the original | Numenera Discovery". RPGGeek. Retrieved 1 July 2022.
  16. ^ "Thunderstone Numenera: Two Games Enter, One Game Leaves". Archived from the original on 10 November 2013. Retrieved 15 May 2013.
  17. ^ "Reaper Miniatures: Numenera". Archived from the original on 15 December 2013. Retrieved 15 December 2013.
  18. ^ "Catching up with Numenera – Black Gate". 12 May 2015.
  19. ^ "Official award list". 20 August 2014.
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