What is Numenera?

Numenera is a tabletop role-playing game (RPG) created by Monte Cook and published by Monte Cook Games. It is set in a far-future Earth called the Ninth World, a billion years in the future. The setting combines elements of science fiction, fantasy, and post-apocalyptic themes.

Here are some key points about Numenera:

1. Setting: The Ninth World is a unique and mysterious place, characterized by the remnants of advanced technology from previous civilizations. These remnants, known as “numenera,” are strange artifacts, cyphers (single-use devices), and ancient ruins left behind by civilizations that rose and fell over millions of years.
2. Game System: Numenera uses a streamlined rules system called the Cypher System. It emphasizes storytelling, exploration, and discovery over complex mechanics. The system revolves around the use of “cyphers” (one-time use items) and the “numenera” (the strange and powerful technology of the setting).
3. Character Creation: Players create characters known as “PCs” (player characters) who are called “adventurers” in the game. The character creation process is flexible and focuses on three main aspects: choosing a character’s descriptor, type, and focus. The combination of these choices defines the character’s abilities, skills, and background.
4. Gameplay: The game encourages exploration and discovery. Players typically engage in tasks such as exploration of the Ninth World’s mysterious locations, interacting with strange creatures and characters, and uncovering the secrets of the past. The GM (Game Master) presents the players with challenges, and the outcome of actions is determined through the use of the Cypher System’s rules and dice rolls.
5. Campaign Setting: The Ninth World offers a vast and diverse setting, with regions ranging from lush forests and ancient ruins to technological wastelands and bizarre landscapes. It is a world where ancient relics and strange creatures coexist with a mix of medieval societies and futuristic technology.
6. Supplements and Expansions: Numenera has a range of supplemental books and expansions that provide additional content, adventures, and lore. These expansions further explore various aspects of the Ninth World, such as its different regions, factions, creatures, and the mysteries of the past.

Numenera has gained popularity for its imaginative setting, unique blend of science fiction and fantasy, and the flexibility it offers both players and GMs. It has won multiple awards and has inspired a passionate community of players and creators.

You can learn more, and purchase Numenera here: Monte Cook Games

Adventures

The Shifting Monolith