wonders of the ancient world

Babylon, Olympus, Carthage, Thebes, Tenochitilan, Stonehenge, Yamato, Alexandria, Atlantis, Nalanda, Rome, Hyborea... all of these places and more make up the Ancient World, the theme for Arcanacon XX.

In 2002, the Arcanacon theme is one of ancient times and places, from prehistory through to the fall of Rome. Although this is a Western way of dividing up the ages, our theme is intended to cover the entire world up until about 500AD.

The Ancient World is not one genre or setting, but a collection of many smaller genres. From the Stone Age to the Bronze Age and to the edge of the time of Steel, the Ancient World is about the cultures that rose, grew powerful and died. It is about the legacy they left behind and the powerful images that still carry on long after the people are dust.

And it's not just the archaeology of the Ancient Worlds which makes a fascinating focus for roleplaying. The myths and legends of the Ancient World beg to be used as the backdrop for scenarios - Atlantis, the Cities of Gold, Olympus and Hyborea are all places, times and settings which are part of the time of the Ancients.

There exist squodges of games which are, or could be, Ancient World settings. Most, if not all, fantasy settings have an Ancient World component: think of Runequest, Dungeons and Dragons, Rolemaster and Harnmaster. Steve Jackson Games is now producing the caveman RPG Tribes. The popular television shows spawned the Hercules and Xena roleplaying game, set in Mythic Greece. There are timetravelling games like Time Master, and Dr Who which can easily end characters up in the past, and alternate reality publications such as GURPS: Alternate Earths which could present Ancient World cultures in the here and now.

In other published games, the Ancient World has strongly influenced the setting, even if the usual scenario is run in a different time. Call of Cthulhu is a prime example where ancient texts, cults and evils are central to many of the themes of the game. Although the only historical setting published for it is set in the Middle Ages, Vampire: the Masquerade is very easily set in any of the ancient urban centres such as Rome, or Carthage, or Athens. Nephilim, too, draws heavily on an extensive history which could easily become the focus for a game.

Akenaken XX showcases 14 Ancient Worlds roleplaying games and special events that partake of the Ancient Worlds, from pre-Incan South America to fantastic realms to Egypt to Mythic Britain to aboriginal Australia, games of mystery, of epic heroics, horror and much more - a spread of games that includes something for everyone.