Shadow World Master Atlas

Cover art by Terry Roberts, 1989

Shadow World Master Atlas is a supplement published by Iron Crown Enterprises (I.C.E.) in 1989 for the fantasy role-playing game Rolemaster.

Contents

Shadow World Master Atlas is a campaign setting detailing the world of Kulthea, the Shadow World.[1] The boxed set contains

  • 64-page book, "Master Atlas, Volume I", containing maps and details of various places
  • 64-page book, "Master Atlas, Volume II", containing details of the main races of Kulthea
  • 32-page book, "Atlas Addendum", containing information about monsters, and notes on how to convert these to other games systems
  • 36" x 48" full-color map of the western hemisphere of Kulthea[2]

Publication history

Shadow World Master Atlas was written by Terry K. Amthor, with a cover by Tony Roberts, and illustrations by Jennell Jaquays[a], and was published by Iron Crown Enterprises in 1989 as boxed set containing two 64-page books, a 32-page book, and a large color map.[1]

A number of different editions were produced, including a second edition by I.C.E. in 1992, a third edition by Eidolon Studios in 2001, and a 4th edition by I.C.E. in 2008.

Reception

In the August 1989 edition of Games International (Issue #8), Steve Jones admired the production quality of the boxed set, including the "beautiful cover art" by Terry Roberts. However Jones pointed out several errors in layout as well as illegible tables and missing information, saying, "The whole product shows signs of having been rushed into production." He also mentioned that "Various pieces have been taken from previous I.C.E. publications, which may leave those who already have them feeling cheated." Jones concluded by giving the product an average rating of 3 out of 5, and questioned the necessity of this product, saying, "It is useful for monsters, but a Rolemaster referee with [the previously published] Creatures and Treasures could just as well go straight to the [separately published] adventures packs instead."[3]

Thomas M. Kane reviewed Shadow World Atlas in White Wolf #17 (1989), rating it a 4 out of 5 and stated that "Gamers experimenting with a new fantasy campaign should consider the Shadow World. Of course, those who already have worlds may find the Master Atlas superfluous. Like certain 'generic' products, it begs the question of why customers could not just invent this material themselves. However, the presentation and ideas are fascinating."[4]

Other reviews

Notes

  1. ^ Credited as Paul Jaquays.

References

  1. ^ a b Schick, Lawrence (1991). Heroic Worlds: A History and Guide to Role-Playing Games. Prometheus Books. p. 206-207. ISBN 0-87975-653-5.
  2. ^ "Shadow World Master Atlas (Boxed Set) (1989)". RPG Geek. Retrieved 2020-08-20.
  3. ^ Jones, Steve (August 1989). "Shadow World Master Atlas". Games International. No. 8. pp. 39–40.
  4. ^ Kane, Thomas M. (1989). "Review: Shadow World Atlas". White Wolf Magazine. No. 17. p. 46-47.
  5. ^ "Pyramid: Pyramid Review: Shadow World Master Atlas, Third Edition (For Rolemaster)".
  6. ^ "Casus Belli #052". 1989.