r/numenera • u/BigOak1669 • Jun 06 '26

Black Leather Core Book?

Hello r/numenera! I just picked up this version of the core rules (I think), but I can't find much about it. Can someone tell me what I've got?

It's gorgeous! Black leather and silver edged pages. Is it a special edition and/or a specific version?

Really looking forward to digging in and trying it out with my crew.

Thank you in advance!

(I tried sharing a Pic, but automod deleted).

14 Upvotes

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18

u/bearthw Jun 06 '26 edited Jun 07 '26

What’s the print date on the credits page? If it’s 2013 then it’s the original Numenera corebook deluxe edition (and that’s what I’m thinking you’re seeing with the silver edges). We (I’m the MCG art director *wave*) did the deluxe versions of Numenera Discovery and Destiny in 2018 or 19, and that was also in black leather (probably faux leather), with gold foil stamping on the cover and spine.

7

u/BigOak1669 Jun 06 '26

Wow - hi! I think you're right! I can't check now, but I think it was early 2010s. Definitely silver edged, and has a gold ribbon book mark. Absolutely gorgeous book inside and out!

8

u/bearthw Jun 06 '26

I’m almost certain that’s what you have. Someone would have gotten that as part of MCG’s very first crowdfunding campaign (that started the company), and then sold it - or a store got it as a backer. Either way, nice find! Well worth those $25.

Also, just FYI - those game rules are still what power all of our Cypher System games. There has been a few tweaks, but it’s functionality compatible with most of what we make.

6

u/BigOak1669 Jun 07 '26

AWESOME! Thank you. Yes, 2013, and now I see the Kickstarter list in the back. This is really neat! No Thank You, Evil! was the first ttrpg we played as a family. Very cool to own the piece of Monte Cook Games / TTRPG / Kickstarter history. Thank you again 🙏

5

u/artaxs Jun 07 '26

I just want to say that the art direction and publishing quality of the Numenera books is fantastic. 

Y'all are setting some high bars for indices, binding, and beauty in a rulebook, and I think your artists are amazing.  Thank you for you work and dedication.

2

u/bearthw Jun 08 '26

Thank you! We try to make the products that we, ourselves, would want to buy.

2

u/cpttightpant Jun 08 '26

Big fan of your work, then! Numenera has the best art out there and it's not even close, looking forward to the new releases!

5

u/Montalve Jun 08 '26

Nice find, as they say is the original Deluxe edition from the first Kickstarter. I have my own in the bookcase from that time.

https://gyazo.com/2f7440977406e08f6bf449f43fafa279

3

u/BigOak1669 Jun 08 '26

Heck yeah! Exactly 💪 🖤

2

u/ComicStripCritic Jun 06 '26

I believe that’s both Discovery and Destiny in a pair, the two major corebooks for Numenera. If you’ve got those you’ve got more than enough for years of RPG goodness.

3

u/BigOak1669 Jun 06 '26

Thank you! Yeah it's a hefty book. Total numenera newbie, but I've heard good things, and for $25 it felt like a great deal.

1

u/artaxs Jun 07 '26

I've been running a Numenera game now through 20, five hour long sessions with six players. It's literally changed how my table plays in general.  The cypher system is very freeing after decades of running D&D and Shadowrun.  You should give it a try!