''Arcane Shadows'' is an adventure for the 2nd edition of the ''
Advanced Dungeons & Dragons''
fantasy role-playing game
A role-playing game (sometimes spelled roleplaying game, RPG) is a game in which players assume the roles of player character, characters in a fictional Setting (narrative), setting. Players take responsibility for acting out these roles within ...
, and released in 1992. The module was written by
Bill Slavicsek and published by
TSR, Inc.
Contents
The adventure's packaging is similar to "previous Dark Sun modules".
[ It provides useful reference materials for the dungeon master, to include a ]non-player character
A non-player character (NPC), or non-playable character, is any character in a game that is not controlled by a player. The term originated in traditional tabletop role-playing games where it applies to characters controlled by the gamemaster o ...
table, and extensive maps. It also contains a short work of fiction for context as well as comparatively good artwork related to earlier modules.[
The contents of the module are as follows: ]''Arcane Shadows'' places four to six 5th to 8th level characters in the City-State of Urik. In this installment, Tyr has been overthrown, and the armies of Urik have been turned back. The characters receive a summons from the Veiled Alliance, and are pursued across the desert by templars. During their flight, they receive aid from a legendary slave tribe, encounter a lost valley, and try to help the Veiled Alliance finish a ceremony that may set Athas on the path of rebirth.
Publication history
''Arcane Shadows'' was preceded by the modules ''Freedom
Freedom is understood as either having the ability to act or change without constraint or to possess the power and resources to fulfill one's purposes unhindered. Freedom is often associated with liberty and autonomy in the sense of "giving on ...
'' and ''Road to Urik
A road is a linear way for the conveyance of traffic that mostly has an improved surface for use by vehicles (motorized and non-motorized) and pedestrians. Unlike streets, the main function of roads is transportation.
There are many types of ...
'', and complements the Prism Pentad works.[
]
Reception
Berin Kinsman reviewed ''Arcane Shadows'' in the March/April 1993 issue of ''White Wolf Magazine
''White Wolf'' is a game magazine that was published by White Wolf Publishing from 1986 to 1995.
History
While still in high school, Stewart Wieck and Steve Wieck decided to self-publish their own magazine, and Steve chose the name "White Wolf" a ...
'', assessing it as an "above-par AD&D module" that "still doesn't quite justify the cost", and rating it a 3 out of 5.[ He noted that the additional $3–4 for Dark Sun modules at the time appeared to only pay for "fancy packaging" versus content.][ However, Kinsman stated that "Serious ark Sunfans might find this worth a read even if they don't intend to run it."][
]
References
Dark Sun
Role-playing game supplements introduced in 1992
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