Based on the role-playing game Arcana Unearthed, created by Monte Cook, this is a collection of stories told in the land of the Diamond Throne. The quick rundown: numerous fantastical races inhabit various parts of the land of the Diamond Throne, including the reptilian mojh, giants, humans, sprytes, and the leonine litorians. Every so often, someone will be granted amazing powers, as represented by a mysterious runic tattoo which identifies them to one another and the world. What these so-called runechildren do with their powers varies tremendously from being to being. Some are good, some bad. Some warriors, some mystics. All are unique in their own way.
The thirteen stories contained in this volume explore the many possible paths the runechildren can take, from thief to healer, con man to warrior, martyr to villain. Authors represented include role-playing game fiction mainstays Lucien Soulban, Ed Greenwood, Jeff Grubb, Richard Lee Byers, and Monte Cook himself.
It’s always hard presenting a collection of work based on a game setting: you have to walk a delicate balance between staying original, and staying true to the game, telling stories without making it feel like a game session transcribed. Too often, characters that succeed on the gaming table fail when forced to carry a real story. Furthermore, the story runs the risk of trying to convey too much of the setting information. Too much, and it’s overwhelming. Too little, and it’s generic fantasy. Luckily, Children of the Rune manages to walk the middle ground more often than not, telling some fascinating fantasy stories without succumbing to the many pitfalls available to such an endeavor. Were I more of a fantasy gamer, I’d be a lot more tempted to check out Monte Cook’s Arcana Unearthed, based on the potential tapped in Children of the Rune. As a stand-alone collection, furthermore, it holds up fairly well, even if the setting introduction feels like a lot to take in all at once. Fans of Forgotten Realms and Dragonlance might want to check this out.