Necromancer Games
Encyclopedia
Necromancer Games was an AmericanUnited States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
publisher of role-playing games. With offices in Seattle, Washington and Coeur d'Alene, Idaho
Coeur d'Alene, Idaho
Coeur d'Alene is the largest city and county seat of Kootenai County, Idaho, United States. It is the principal city of the Coeur d'Alene Metropolitan Statistical Area. Coeur d'Alene has the second largest metropolitan area in the state of Idaho. As of the 2010 census the population of Coeur...
, the company specialized in material for the d20 System
D20 System
The d20 System is a role-playing game system published in 2000 by Wizards of the Coast originally developed for the third edition of Dungeons & Dragons...
, with most of its products being released under the Open Game License of Wizards of the Coast
Wizards of the Coast
Wizards of the Coast is an American publisher of games, primarily based on fantasy and science fiction themes, and formerly an operator of retail stores for games...
.
The company's slogan, "Third Edition Rules, First Edition Feel," alluded to the fact that while its products use the third edition of the Dungeons & Dragons
Dungeons & Dragons
Dungeons & Dragons is a fantasy role-playing game originally designed by Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson, and first published in 1974 by Tactical Studies Rules, Inc. . The game has been published by Wizards of the Coast since 1997...
rules system, they strive to mimic the flavor and style found in game's first edition; neither edition is supported by new products from the publisher of Dungeons & Dragons, Wizards of the Coast, which publishes material only for the fourth edition of the game.
As of 2010, the company is on indefinite hiatus, the two founders having started two separate new game companies.
The Necromancer Games logo features a depiction of Orcus
Orcus (Dungeons & Dragons)
Orcus is the fictional demon prince, and lord of the undead in many campaign settings for the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game. He is named after Orcus of Roman mythology. His symbol is a mace with a human skull as the head...
.
History
Necromancer Games was founded in 2000 by Clark Peterson and Bill Webb, the same year Wizards of the Coast released the third edition of the Dungeons & Dragons roleplaying game. The company has partnered with several other gaming companies to release various products, including Judges GuildJudges Guild
Judges Guild is a small game publisher in the business of creating and selling role-playing game supplements, periodicals and related material, most notable as one of the leading publishers in the late 1970s and early 1980s of Dungeons & Dragons-related materials...
, Kenzer & Company
Kenzer & Company
Kenzer & Company is a Waukegan based publisher of comic books, role-playing games, board games, card games, and miniature games....
, Malhavoc Press, Reaper Miniatures
Reaper Miniatures
Reaper Miniatures is an American manufacturer of pewter figurines in the 25–35 mm scale, which include fantasy and science fiction figures. Reaper, based in Denton, Texas, has developed tabletop miniature game systems that may be played with their figures...
, Troll Lord Games
Troll Lord Games
Troll Lord Games is an American publisher of role-playing games , The Crusader magazine and other board/dice/card games....
, and White Wolf Publishing.
In August 2000, Necromancer Games released the first OGL
Open Gaming License
The Open Game License may be used by game developers to grant permission to modify, copy, and redistribute some of the content designed for their games, notably game mechanics.-Language of the licence:The OGL describes two forms of content:...
/d20
D20 System
The d20 System is a role-playing game system published in 2000 by Wizards of the Coast originally developed for the third edition of Dungeons & Dragons...
product of all time: The Wizard's Amulet. The adventure won an ENnie in 2001 for Best Free Product
In April 2007, it was announced that Paizo would be publishing Necromancer Games products, following the cessation of the deal with White Wolf Publishing.
As of 2010, Necromancer had yet to publish any new print products since the release of Fourth Edition Dungeons & Dragons
Dungeons & Dragons
Dungeons & Dragons is a fantasy role-playing game originally designed by Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson, and first published in 1974 by Tactical Studies Rules, Inc. . The game has been published by Wizards of the Coast since 1997...
in August 2007. According to company co-founder Clark Peterson, Necromancer Games is currently on indefinite hiatus.
Bill Webb has since cofounded Frog God Games focusing on adventures designed for both the Pathfinder Roleplaying Game and Swords & Wizardry.
Clark Peterson has since co-created Legendary Games focusing on plug-in material for Pathfinder Roleplaying Game adventure paths and sourcebooks.
About the First Edition Feel
Here is an excerpt from an interview done by Role-Play News (website now closed) in 2000 with Clark Peterson and Bill Webb about their view on what is the First Edition Feel:
Clark Peterson : "First Edition is the cover of the old DMG (Dungeon Masters Guide) with the City of BrassCity of Brass (Dungeons & Dragons)In the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, the City of Brass is the capital of the great efreeti empire on the Elemental Plane of Fire.-Publication history:...
; it is Judges GuildJudges GuildJudges Guild is a small game publisher in the business of creating and selling role-playing game supplements, periodicals and related material, most notable as one of the leading publishers in the late 1970s and early 1980s of Dungeons & Dragons-related materials...
; it is Type IV demonsNalfeshneeIn the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy roleplaying game, the nalfeshnee is one of the most powerful types of demon. In first edition Advanced Dungeons & Dragons, nalfeshnees were known as type IV demons...
not Tanaari and Baatezu; it is the Vault of the Drow not Drizzt Do'urdenDrizzt Do'UrdenDrizzt Do'Urden is a fictional character in the Forgotten Realms campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game. Drizzt was created by author R. A. Salvatore as a supporting character in the Icewind Dale Trilogy. Salvatore created him on a whim when his publisher needed to...
; it is the Tomb of HorrorsTomb of HorrorsTomb of Horrors is an adventure module written by Gary Gygax for the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game. It was originally written for and used at the 1975 Origins 1 convention...
not the Ruins of Myth DrannorPool of Radiance: Ruins of Myth DrannorPool of Radiance: Ruins of Myth Drannor is a Forgotten Realms Dungeons and Dragons role-playing video game released in 2001 by Ubisoft....
; it is orcs not ogrillons; it is mind flayersIllithidIn the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, illithids are monstrous humanoid aberrations with psionic powers. In a typical Dungeons & Dragons campaign setting, they live in the moist caverns and cities of the enormous Underdark...
not IlithidsIllithidIn the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, illithids are monstrous humanoid aberrations with psionic powers. In a typical Dungeons & Dragons campaign setting, they live in the moist caverns and cities of the enormous Underdark...
(or however they spell it); it is TolkienJ. R. R. TolkienJohn Ronald Reuel Tolkien, CBE was an English writer, poet, philologist, and university professor, best known as the author of the classic high fantasy works The Hobbit, The Lord of the Rings, and The Silmarillion.Tolkien was Rawlinson and Bosworth Professor of Anglo-Saxon at Pembroke College,...
, MoorcockMichael MoorcockMichael John Moorcock is an English writer, primarily of science fiction and fantasy, who has also published a number of literary novels....
, Howard and LeiberFritz LeiberFritz Reuter Leiber, Jr. was an American writer of fantasy, horror and science fiction. He was also a poet, actor in theatre and films, playwright, expert chess player and a champion fencer. Possibly his greatest chess accomplishment was winning clear first in the 1958 Santa Monica Open.. With...
, not EddingsDavid EddingsDavid Eddings was an American author who wrote several best-selling series of epic fantasy novels.-Biography:...
, HickmanTracy HickmanTracy Raye Hickman is a best-selling fantasy author, best known for his work on Dragonlance as a game designer and co-author with Margaret Weis, while he worked for TSR...
, JordanRobert JordanRobert Jordan was the pen name of James Oliver Rigney, Jr. , under which he was best known as the author of the bestselling The Wheel of Time fantasy series. He also wrote under the pseudonyms Reagan O'Neal and Jackson O'Reilly.-Biography:Jordan was born in Charleston, South Carolina...
and SalvatoreRobert Anthony SalvatoreRobert Anthony Salvatore , who writes under the name R. A. Salvatore, is an American author best known for The DemonWars Saga, his Forgotten Realms novels, in which he created the popular character Drizzt Do'Urden, and Vector Prime, the first novel in the Star Wars: The New Jedi Order series...
; it is definitely OrcusOrcus (Dungeons & Dragons)Orcus is the fictional demon prince, and lord of the undead in many campaign settings for the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game. He is named after Orcus of Roman mythology. His symbol is a mace with a human skull as the head...
and the demon-princes and not the Blood WarBlood WarIn the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy roleplaying game, the Blood War is an eternal conflict between the fiends of the Lower planes. The Tanar'ri are the demonic forces of the Abyss, an evil plane of chaos. Representing the equally evil but lawful realm of Baator are the Baatezu, the dominant caste of...
; it is MordenkainenMordenkainenMordenkainen is a fictional wizard from the World of Greyhawk campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons roleplaying game. He was created by Gary Gygax as a player character and is one of the oldest characters in roleplaying fiction...
's Faithful Hound not Elminster's Evasion; and it is Artifacts and Relics from the old DMG (with all the cool descriptions)."
"I always say we want to be the VW Bug of roleplaying companies, meaning that we want to have a modern style and appeal but an obvious link to the past. One of the ways we do that is how we design the modules. For example, we use full color covers (not that funky mono-color of the old modules). But our modules have the same basic format of the old modules—inset art, module number in the upper left corner, diagonal band in the upper left corner, logo placement, etc. I guarantee you, when you look at one of our modules you will flash back to the old ones—just like when you see a new VW bug. And hopefully you will say "Man, that is just like an old module except cooler."
Products
Necromancer Games has released a number of products, alone and in partnership with other companies :- Aberrations by Casey W. Christofferson
- Ancient Kingdoms: Mesopotamia by Morten Braten
- Bard's Gate by Casey W. Christofferson, Scott Greene and Shane Glodoski
- Bonegarden, The by Lance Hawvermale and Rob Mason
- Book of Taverns, The by Chris Jones
- Caverns of Thracia by James Collura,Bob Bledsaw based on material by Paul JaquaysPaul JaquaysPaul Jaquays is a game designer and artist of table-top role-playing games and video games.Some of his notable works include the Dungeons & Dragons modules "Dark Tower" and "Caverns of Thracia" for Judges Guild; development and design of conversions on games such as Pac-Man and Donkey Kong for...
- Chaos Rising by Jim Collura
- City of BrassCity of Brass (Dungeons & Dragons)In the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, the City of Brass is the capital of the great efreeti empire on the Elemental Plane of Fire.-Publication history:...
by Casey W. Christofferson, Scott Greene, and Clark Peterson - City State of the Invincible OverlordCity State of the Invincible OverlordThe City-State of the Invincible Overlord was the first published fantasy role-playing game city setting, designed for use with Dungeons & Dragons, and officially approved for use with Dungeons & Dragons from 1978 through 1983...
by Patrick Lawinger, Bob Bledsaw and Greg Geilman - Coils of Set, The by Ryan Henry
- Crucible of Freya by Clark Peterson and Bill Webb
- Crystal Skull, The by Dave Brohmann
- Dead Man's ChestDead Man's Chest (disambiguation)Dead Man's Chest may refer to:*Dead Man's Chest Island, in the British Virgin Islands*Dead Man's Chest Island, in Puerto Rico*Dead Man's Chest, a 19th century fictional sea shanty*Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest, a 2006 film...
by Patrick Lawinger - Demons and Devils by Bill Webb and Clark Peterson
- Diamond Fortress, The by Phillip Larwood
- Doom of Listonshire, The by Ari MarmellAri MarmellAri Marmell is an American novelist and freelance role-playing game writer.-Novels:His first novel, Gehenna: The Final Night, was published in 2004 by White Wolf Publishing...
- Eldritch Sorcery by Patrick Lawinger, Scott Greene, David Mannes
- Elemental Moon by Lance Hawvermale and Andy Luke Crossness
- Family Affair, A by Carla Harker
- Fane of the Witch King by Steven Montano
- Feast of the Gobbler by Casey W. Christofferson
- Glades of Death by Patrick Lawinger, Jeff Harkness, and Gary Schotter
- Grey Citadel, The by Nathan Douglas Paul
- Hall of the Rainbow Mage by Patrick Lawinger
- Lamentation of Thieves, A by Lance Hawvermale
- Lost City of Barakus, The by W.D.B. Kenower and Bill Webb
- Maze of Zayene 1 : Prisoners of the Maze by Rob KuntzRobert J. KuntzRobert J. Kuntz is a game designer and author of role-playing game publications. He is most famous for his contributions to various Dungeons & Dragons-related materials.-Works:...
- Maze of Zayene 2 : Dimensions of Flight by Rob KuntzRobert J. KuntzRobert J. Kuntz is a game designer and author of role-playing game publications. He is most famous for his contributions to various Dungeons & Dragons-related materials.-Works:...
- Maze of Zayene 3 : Tower Chaos by Rob KuntzRobert J. KuntzRobert J. Kuntz is a game designer and author of role-playing game publications. He is most famous for his contributions to various Dungeons & Dragons-related materials.-Works:...
- Morrick Mansion by Patrick Lawinger
- Mother of All Encounter Tables, The by Greg Ragland, Bill Webb, Bob Bledsaw, and Greg Geilman
- Mother of All Treasure Tables, The by TableTop Adventures
- Necropolis by Gary GygaxGary GygaxErnest Gary Gygax was an American writer and game designer best known for co-creating the pioneering role-playing game Dungeons & Dragons with Dave Arneson. Gygax is generally acknowledged as the father of role-playing games....
- Player's Guide to the Wilderlands by Bob Bledsaw, Greg Geilman, Clark Peterson, James Mishler, Rob Conley, Steve Stottrup, Steve Edwards and Patrick Lawinger
- Raise the DeadRaise the Dead-Singles:The second single is "Dropped". The video, directed by Eric Wareheim, was released in December 2008. The song was featured in the season opener of season two of Chuck -Musicians:Phantom Planet*Alex Greenwald – lead vocals, rhythm guitar...
by Casey Christofferson and Lance Hawvermale - Rappan Athuk 1 : The Dungeon of Graves by Bill Webb and Clark Peterson
- Rappan Athuk 2 : The Middle Levels by Bill Webb and Clark Peterson
- Rappan Athuk 3 : The Dungeon of Graves by Bill Webb, W.D.B. Kenower and Clark Peterson
- Rappan Athuk Reloaded by Bill Webb, Greg Ragland, W.D.B. Kenower and Clark Peterson
- Shades of Gray by Michael R. Proteau
- Siege of Durgam's Folly by Mike MearlsMike MearlsMichael Mearls is a writer and designer of fantasy role-playing games and related fiction.He worked as a freelance writer and designer for various gaming publishers for several years before being hired in June 2005 as a designer by Wizards of the Coast. He was a Lead Developer for Dungeons &...
- Set's Daughters by Jay Barnson
- Six Spheres of Zailhhessh, The by Luca Minutillo
- Tomb of Abysthor, The by Clark Peterson and Bill Webb
- Tome of Horrors by Scott Greene
- Tome of Horrors Revised by Scott Greene
- Tome of Horrors II by Scott Greene
- Tome of Horrors III by Necromancer staff
- Tower of Jhedophar, The by Casey W. Christofferson
- Trouble at Durbenford by Robert J. Schwalb
- Vault of Larin Karr by W.D.B. Kenower
- Vampires and Liches by Casey W. Christofferson and Bill Webb
- Vindication! by Bob Sarvas
- What Evil Lurks... by Lance Hawvermale
- Wilderlands of High Fantasy by Bob Bledsaw, Greg Geilman, Rob Conley, Steve Stottrup, Steve Edwards, Gabor Lux, James Mishler, Casey W. Christofferson, Clark Peterson, and Patrick Lawinger Based on Content from Judges Guild.
- Wizard's Amulet, The by Clark Peterson and Bill Webb
- Wurst of Grimtooth's Traps, The
Role Playing Games Awards
Necromancer Games was recognized several times via the popular Gen ConGen Con
Gen Con is one of the largest and most prominent annual gaming conventions in North America. It features traditional pen-and-paper, board, and card-style games, including role-playing games, miniatures wargames, board games, live action role-playing games, collectible card games, non-collectible...
award show the ENnies
ENnies
The Annual Gen Con EN World RPG Awards are annual, fan-based awards for role-playing game products and publishers hosted at Gen Con in Indianapolis, Indiana...
. The most notable award was the Gold Award in the category Best Adventure for Lost City of Barakus in 2004.
Tome of Horrors III won the Gold Award in the Category Best Adversary/ Monster Product at the 2006 Awards.
- ENnie Awards - 2001
- Best Free Product : The Wizard's Amulet (Gold)
- ENnie Awards - 2003
- Best Cartography : Necropolis by Gary Gygax (Silver)
- Best Graphic Design & Layout : The Vault of Larin Karr (Silver)
- Best Monster Supplement : Tome of Horrors (Gold)
- Best Official Website : Necromancer Games (Gold)
- ENnie Awards - 2004
- Best Adventure(d20) : Lost City of Barakus (Gold)
- ENnie Awards - 2005
- Best Cartography : City State of the Invincible Overlord (Silver)
- ENnie Awards - 2006
- Best Adversary/Monster Product : Tome of Horrors 3 (Gold)
- Special Judges' Award: Grognard Award : Necromancer Games