Rolemaster Companion

Rolemaster Companion is a 1986 role-playing game supplement published by Iron Crown Enterprises for Rolemaster.

Contents

Rolemaster Companion is a supplement in which new content and refinements are introduced. It replaces some original mechanics with charts for stat bonuses, development points, and spell points. Eight new character professions expand player options, including Barbarians, Burglars, Druids (a variant of Animists), and semi-spell users like Delvers, Paladins, and Nightblades. Two powerful additions—the High Warrior Monk and the Archmage—offer significant capabilities. The supplement introduces Arcane Magic, a pre-divisional form of spellcasting that blends elements of Essence, Channeling, and Mentalism. The supplement also includes extensive new spell lists, ranging from level 1 to 100, with some spells capable of continent-scale destruction. Background options include split personalities and destiny sense. Additional content includes new races like dark elves and half-orcs, new monsters such as Black Reavers, and enhanced magical items with personalities and willpower that can contest control with their wielders.^[1]

Publication history

Rolemaster Companion was written by R. Mark Colburn with Coleman Charlton, with a cover by Angus McBride and illustration by Denis Loubet, and was published by Iron Crown Enterprises in 1986 as a 96-page book.^[2] The second edition was published in 1987 and includes an errata sheet.^[2]

Shannon Appelcline noted that "After publishing a second edition (1986), ICE introduced a series of yearly rule supplements, beginning with Rolemaster Companion (1986). Each of these books offered new spell lists, new classes and other new rule systems for Rolemaster. One the one hand it seemed a good direction for a rules-heavy system but on the other hand it highlighted the system's weakness by making it even more complex and convoluted with every release. Some would also complain about poor playtesting and lack of balance in the Companions."^[3]: 136

Reception

John S. Davies reviewed The Rolemaster Companion for Adventurer magazine and stated that "All in all this is a lovely additon to Rolemaster, well up to I.C.E.'s usual standard, and any serious GM should have no second thoughts about adding it to their collection.^[1]

Reviews

• Abyss #39 (Fall, 1986)^[4]
• The Guild Companion (May 2001)^[5]
• Revistas Lider Juegos de Rol & Simulacion^[6]