Empires of the Silk Road

***Historica Arcanum: Empires of the Silk Road*** is the second project published by the Metis Media team on Kickstarter. The project was fully funded within a day, exceeding its goal by more than $200,000. The book is released as a sequel to Historica Arcanum: The City of Crescent.

*Historica Arcanum: Empires of the Silk Road* takes place within an enchanted rendition of our own history. In this alternate reality, magic holds great power but remains scarce, and all mystical beings and affairs are concealed within the shadows of society. The concealment of the magic is necessary in order to create protection against the unpredictable forces of history and the capricious nature of humanity.

The sourcebook offers a wide range of additional content, including:

* City maps
* Creatures
* Quest hooks
* Weapons
* Relics.

The players are presented with new ways to travel across the land using the unique system of **Overhauled Land Travel,** as well as incorporating **the Plague System**. The sourcebook also features an expanded character and backstory builder, 12 new subclasses, a bestiary with 40+ monsters, and 6 new professions for 5th edition.

What's more, the sourcebook includes 12 new subclasses, and a bestiary with over 40 monsters. Lastly, the sourcebook introduces 6 new professions designed specifically for the 5th edition ruleset, providing additional choices and opportunities for character progression.

## **Plot**

The Silk Road, spanning over two millennia, has been a vital hub of civilization. It served as a crucial network, surpassing any in history until the advent of the internet. Not only did it facilitate the exchange of goods, but it also fostered the sharing of ideas, religions, technologies, and cultures among people worldwide. This flourishing trade route transformed merchants and philosophers into the influential figures of society, replacing warlords.

However, alongside its significance, wealth, and intellectual progress, the Silk Road was plagued by envy and animosity. Set in the 13th century, this book reveals a coveted Silk Road controlled by the ambitious and merciless Northern Khanate, expanding southward under the Banner of the Eternal Blue Sky. In the West, impoverished Western Crusader Kings sought to claim eastern territories. Caught in the midst of collapsing empires, the Sultanate desperately clings to the throne of Persia, which they had once seized by force centuries ago.

In a fragmented power structure, Hasan Sabbah and the Hashashin Order find an opportunity to rise to prominence. Forced away from the palaces and armed with arcane methods to execute their plan, Hasan Sabbah aims to manipulate the forces of the Silk Road against each other. This game of chess carries immense stakes, as the loss of a single piece could result in the loss of countless lives or, even worse, the loss of hope in the face of tyranny.

## **Kickstarter**

The project was launched on Kickstarter in September 6, 2022 with the following tagline:

>  5th Edition's Alternate History Saga returns: Two Massive Sourcebooks, Profession System, Overhauled Land Travel and Plague Mechanics!
>
>

Among the available rewards were the following tiers:

* **Single PDF** ($28) which included a PDF version of *Herald of Rain* or *Empires of the Silk Road*, and the supporter's name in the credits.
* **Digital Library** ($39) which included PDF versions of *Herald of Rain* and *Empires of the Silk Road*, digital gameplay package including a map pack, tokens, encounter decks, and the supporter's name in the credits
* **Single Hardcover Print** ($49) which included a hardcover and a PDF version of *Herald of Rain* or *Empires of the Silk Road*, and the supporter's name in the credits
* **Hardcover Bundle + Digital Library + VTT** ($89) which included hardcover and PDF versions of *Herald of Rain* and *Empires of the Silk Road*, digital gameplay package including a map pack, tokens, encounter decks, Alchemy RPG access, and the supporter's name in the credits
* **Collector's Box Set** ($219) which included hardcover and PDF versions of *Herald of Rain* and *Empires of the Silk Road*, digital and physical gameplay packages including a map pack, tokens, encounter decks, Alchemy RPG access, handmade crystal shard dice set, exclusive GM screen, and the supporter's name in the credits

The Collector's Box Set tier was also offered as an **Early Bird Offer** for $179.

The initial goal for the project was $15,000. Upon its launch; however, the project exceeded its goal, raising $218,726. Like *Historica Arcanum: The City Of Crescent*, this project was entirely crowdfunded as well. *Historica Arcanum:* *Empires of the Silk Road* was backed by 2,670 backers.

## **Contents**

There are 6 chapters in total within *Historica Arcanum: Empires of the Silk Road*.

* **Chapter I: Player Options**
	+ Subclass Options
	+ Professions
	+ Spells
	+ Feats
	+ Items

* **Chapter II: Starting The Journey**
	+ Welcome to the Silk Road
	+ Magic in Historica Arcanum
	+ Who Are You in the Silk Road

* **Chapter III: Locations and Legends**
	+ Running a Story in the Silk Road
	+ Samarkand - The Wartorn Skies
	+ Isfahan - Jewel of the Realm
	+ Merv - City of the Merchant Emirs
	+ Baghdad - House of Wisdom
	+ Wilderness
	+ Meddahs

* **Chapter IV: Gameplay Systems**
	+ Plagues & Disease Module
	+ Overhauled Land Travel

* **Chapter V: Bestiary**
	+ Bestiary of the Black Pen

* **Chapter VI: Our Eternal Gratitude**
	+ List of Backers

## **The Soundtrack Album**

Just like *Historica Arcanum: The City of Crescent*, *Empires of the Silk Road* was also released with a soundtrack album accompanying players and DMs. The soundtrack album aims to enhance immersion. This album, consisting of 16 songs and a duration of 35 minutes and 39 seconds, was released by Metis Creative in 2023. It is accessible through various streaming services.

The album includes theme songs for characters like Ibn Sina and Sabbah, as well as atmospheric music for locations such as Merv and Isfahan, which are also featured in the book. Many of the songs incorporate melodies with elements and instruments from Turkish culture.

Players are encouraged to make use of these music tracks during their gameplay in order to enhance the overall experience.

## **References**

1. ↑ https://www.metismedia.net/empires
2. ↑ https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/metismediarpg/historica-arcanum-empires-of-the-silk-road-5e