THE AGE OF LEGEND

Before science, before history, an era of magic existed in our world's dim past. Magic flowed freely, touching every aspect of the lives of men and women of the Name-giver races. It was an age of heroes; an age of fantastical deeds and mythical stories. It was the Age of Legend.

As the levels of magic rose, so did the dangers in the world. The rise of magic lured the Horrors from the depths of astral space—nightmarish creatures that devoured all life in their path. For four centuries, entire nations hid underground as the Horrors devastated their lands during the dark time that came to be called the Scourge.

A century ago, the people of Barsaive emerged from their sealed kaers and citadels. Trolls, dwarfs, elves, orks, and humans live side by side with exotic races: the lizard-like t'skrang, the small, winged windlings, and the earthen obsidimen. Fantastical creatures dwell once more in the forests and jungles. Arcane energies offer power to those willing to learn the ways of magic.

In the Age of Legend, bold heroes from all across Barsaive band together ready to fight for life and freedom against the remaining Horrors and the oppressive Theran Empire, which seeks to bend the rebellious province again to their yoke. Through noble deeds and sacrifice, the heroes of the world forge Barsaive's future, arming themselves for their daunting task with powerful magical spells and treasures.

Earthdawn is a roleplaying game set in a world of high adventure, high magic, and terrible danger. The Gamemaster's Compendium is the definitive book for Earthdawn gamemasters, providing all mechanics related to poison, traps, ship battles, and gamemaster characters. This book contains everything you need for years of play, featuring revised game mechanics, updated setting material, guidelines on creating campaigns in Barsaive, and extended information on creatures, dragons, Horrors, spirits, magical treasures, airships, riverboats, and much more!

This is a core rulebook for the Earthdawn Classic game line, and compiles and updates the content from a number of Earthdawn First Edition books into a single volume. The Earthdawn Classic game line is no longer supported; it is superseded by the Earthdawn Third Edition game line from RedBrick, available from this site.