Vortex by Monte Cook is a role playing game supplement published by Monte Cook Games for use with Numenera. The supplement is an adventure aimed at first- or second-tier characters.
The supplement is available as a 30-page PDF from DriveThruRPG for $5.99, but a slightly different version was bought at a reduced price as part of a special bundle. This version has 19 pages – it looks as if the difference may be that the pre-generated characters are missing – with one page being the front cover and one an ad.
The opening paragraphs explain that the adventure can take place almost anywhere in the Ninth world and it is divided into two parts, giving an overview of each. It’s stated to be presented as a sandbox adventure, detailing all the people, places and creatures rather than a string of events.
Background explains that centuries ago a group of people found a mysterious structure and started to worship the vortex they found inside it.
Part 1: The Temple has the characters asked to gain access to the temple to rescue someone from the cult, who have recently started recruiting by force in order to keep numbers up. Several local areas are described, as is part of the temple, along with a map of the temple and the local area and the initial encounter.
Part 2: Through the Vortex has the characters asked to travel through the vortex inside the temple to the Citadel of Radiance. The inhabitants of the Citadel either need a new place to live or for the Citadel to be repaired, for it is failing and, when it does, they will die.
Vortex in Review
The PDF lacks bookmarks and given the number of sections really needed them. Navigation is poor. Apart from the first page of content, which has a single column and sidebar format, the supplement follows the standard two columns with sidebar format, with the sidebars being used for additional details, references to other supplements and stats, as well as advice. There are a number of colour illustrations, including three maps, at least some of which are custom. Presentation is very good.
The two parts to this adventure are completely different to each other. It had its roots as a convention game and this shows. There is advice on how to use the supplement in a normal campaign, which are needed as the adventure has certain elements that are uncommon in modern games; namely, save or die. There are places where, if a character fails a save, they are totally and irrevocably dead (not surprising, given what killed them). GMs are advised to make changes for campaigns, and this should be done. As a convention game, Vortex works well. Outside of that, it is interesting, albeit with parts that are substantially different to each other, and needs some tweaking. Vortex can be found by clicking here.
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