[AE/AU] Arcana Unearthed supplements...


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When you talk about "supplements" are you talking about adventure modules or rule/setting additions?

The only Au/AE published adventure I ever played was Seige at Ebonring Keep, which I did enjoy. There is an AE adventure called Plague of Dreams that I haven't seen yet.

As for AE supplements, a couple of weeks ago I picked up Ruins of Intruige which I will be using as the core location for an old AU campaign I'll be re-starting. Like a number of other Malhavok setting books, there is a good solid skelaton of info about the location, but it requires work from the GM to flesh it out. I also picked up the Spell Treasury yesterday which I haven't read yet, but from what I have seen it looks solid.

The supplement that I'm still humming & hawing about is Transcendence. I'm worried that if I allow my players to use this book I'll have an even greater challenge handling the power creep, than I do when going from D&D to AU to AE.
 

Might I humbly suggest: Akashic Nodes: The Home of Memory. The product page has links to a few reviews and a good-sized preview. The book is written in anthology style, with each chapter written by a different AE "scholar." You'll note from the reviews, though, that with our superlative editor Alex Yang we were able to give the book a cohesive feel. It's available in pdf format at RPG Now or in print through Indie Press Revolution.

Our second AEvolutions supplement is Witch Stones, which is a bargain at $1.95.

We're also releasing our third licensed AE supplement, Tell It To My Axe! next week in pdf format (to be followed up with a print version), which will include everything you wanted to know about the Knights of the Axe and more along with tons of new crunchy bits: prestige classes, feats, spells, rules for mounted combat and honor, and a full-length adventure.
 

...that are worth getting for someone who has Arcana Evolved? Are there (m)any?

All of the supplements of AU/E are worth getting, IMO. Only "The Diamond Throne" is obsolete, since its information is included in Arcana Evolved.

Legacy of the Dragons, Mystic Secrets, Transcendence, Ruins of Intrigue, the DM screen itself (the player's guide information being in AE as well). Add to this Akashic Nodes, Tell It To My Axe and for the adventures Plague of Dreams, Siege On Ebonring Keep plus the counter collection, the Battlebox, the miniatures... I mean, I have never seen an AU/E product that sucked, honestly.

I'm worried that if I allow my players to use this book I'll have an even greater challenge handling the power creep, than I do when going from D&D to AU to AE.

Not especially. That increases the customability of characters, PCs and NPCs alike, but it doesn't break the balance of the game dramatically.
 

Odhanan, if I have both AE and Transcendence, does Mystic Secrets bring anything additional to the table? I couldn't really tell, as its blurb seemed a bit general, and I thought most of it would already be included in AE.
 

"...if I have both AE and Transcendence, does Mystic Secrets bring anything additional to the table? I couldn't really tell, as its blurb seemed a bit general, and I thought most of it would already be included in AE."

Nothing from Mystic Secrets was reprinted in AE. Basically, it's a supplement that expands upon the idea that Ceremonies/Ritual and Runes are fundamental parts of the setting by giving DMs and players more fluff and crunch beyond what AE suggests. It includes:

* Rituals/Ceremonies that any character, even a 1st level commoner could perform if they had the money and the time, granting small but often long-lasting benefits.

*Bonding Ceremonies that allow you to forge mystic ties to your chosen weapon or to your friends, giving you unique powers.

* New runes for Runethanes & Runelords.

*Minor Rune Manifests which can be summoned by anyone knowing the proper ritual. Halfway between Elementals and Items, these mystic forces grant unique powers to those who summon them...for a small fee.

* 4 new variant paths for the Runechild, focusing on Magic, Stealth, and Martial Prowess, as well as feats to help build upon their powers.

* Heralds of Annihilation, the equal and opposite of Runechildren. Great ideas for Campaign Villains that grow with the PCs from level 1-20

* Magical Locales. Includes sample locations within the Diamond Throne, as well as unique location traits that the DM can use to spice up his own creation. (WotC did something similar in DMG II)

* New Spells - a couple dozen new spells, from Knot to Earth Hammer and Tidal Wave.

* New Runic Equipment- Rather than standard enhancement bonues, these runes can be applied for a flat cost to any magical item, not just weapons and armor, but wands, rings, or clothes, what-have-you, to grant unique and powerful abilities.

Basically, it's an Options and Equipment book, with a heavy emphasis on mystical advantages you can get for skills and money in the Diamond Throne. Overall, I've found that it's a great aid if you're using the core Diamond Throne setting, but that it's mileage varies greatly in homebrew settings.

Robert "Yeah, I'm not Odhanon, but I figured I'd contribute anyway" Ranting
 


There is also tons of free stuff available from www.diamondthrone.com, the official fansite. Take a look! :D

Now, for adventures, Plague takes place from levels 1-4, and the publisher worked with Mystic Eye Games to put in links to Ebonring. So if you like adventures, get both. There are also multiple free adventures available from Malhavoc Press - go to www.montecook.com and check the AE pages out.

As a DM, I like Mystic Secrets more. It's got wonderful flavor. As a player, many favor Transcendence because it has lots of options. (One or two of them - Runic Moon - are controversial. But nothing is truly game breaking.)

What's missing from this thread is mention of Spell Treasury, which went on sale today. It converts almost every single remaining SRD spell to AE. (Though be judicious. Only allow in what you want.)

In short, there's tons of product support and supplements, with more on the way. (Just ask Justin. He let something slip today at Monte's. There's also an adventure due out soon from Fiery Dragon.)
 

Robert and Varianor answered the question very well.

You have muchos additional material for your AE game with Mystic Secrets. The material is mostly outstanding for its flavor when used in the game. After a few uses by the DM, the PCs, if they pick it up and roll with it and their characters, so to speak, will truly experience a sort of flavor you find nowhere else in d20, IMO (I'm mostly thinking about the rituals of the book, which aren't ground-breaking uber-powerful magic tools but expressions of who you are, what your situation, your goals, identity, aspirations are in the Diamond Throne. If you pick up the idea and come up with new rituals, build on the concept, that's absolutely awesome).
 

Cool, thanks for the replies. I'll be looking into these things.

I'm already pretty well info'd up on all the AE stuff, so I mainly was wondering about the older supps, in terms of usage with AE.

Hm. More great stuff to check out. :cool:
 

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