| Arduin is a role-playing game set in the
mythical world created by the late David A. Hargrave in the mid
to late 1970s. Hargrave's ideas included aspects of high fantasy, science fiction and horror, and became so popular that Hargrave was inspired to publish his
material. Hargrave's work broke ground 30 years ago that is being touted as cutting edge today; everything from interstellar war
to cybernetic enhancements, superhero powers, horror and fantasy were all (and
still are) found in his games and game systems.
Arduin was one of the earliest challengers to TSR's
Dungeons & Dragons and through various
publishers and incarnations remains as viable today as at its inception as a self published game. Initially self-published, his
early world of Arduin works were later published by Grimoire Games. In the later years of his life, Hargrave and Grimoire Games
produced 5 more of Hargrave's Arduin titles. The Arduin Publications listed in this article are now owned and published by
Emperor’s Choice Games and Miniatures.
Arduin publications
- Arduin Grimoire (Arduin Grimoire Volume I) (c)1977. At least two different editions of this volume exist. These
editions differ via cover artwork.
- Welcome to Skull Tower (Arduin Grimoire Volume II) (c)1978.
- The Runes of Doom (Arduin Grimoire Volume III) (c)1978. The first printings of the first three books were self
published by Dave Hargrave.
- The Arduin Trilogy is a box set containing the first three Arduin Grimoires and published by Grimoire Games.
- The Arduin Adventure (c)1980. Arduin introductory boxed set, with the Arduin Adventure book (which also was available
separately), plus a few sheets of magical items, three character sheets and 2 d20.
- Revised Arduin: A Primer - by David A. Hargrave, (c)1984. It is a short (11 page) booklet that outlines the "battle
factor" system featured in Compleat Arduin.
- The Lost Grimoire (Arduin Grimoire Volume IV) (c)1984
- Dark Dreams (Arduin Grimoire Volume V) (c)1985
- The House of the Rising Sun (Arduin Grimoire Volume VI) (c)1986
- Shadow Lands (Arduin Grimoire Volume VII) (c)1987
- Winds of Chance (Arduin Grimoire Volume VIII) (c)1988
- Compleat Arduin, Book One; The Rules, (c)1992
- Compleat Arduin, Book Two; Resources, (c)1992
- End War (Arduin Grimoire Vol IX) (c)2002
NOTE: These volumes are available from Emperor's Choice Games and Miniatures.
Card stock items also published by Grimoire Games
- Monsters from Arduin (24 monster cards)
- Magic Weapons from Arduin (24 weapon cards)
- Magic Artifacts from Arduin (24 Artifact cards)
- Arduin Treasure Pack (a combination of the three items above). NOTE: This collection of cards is now available through the
new publisher, Emperor's Choice Games and Miniatures).
- Arduin Character Pak (illustrated character sheets). Also is listed as "Arduin *Character Sheets Combined Pack" elsewhere.
This is a set of 24 character sheets for different Arduin races / character classes. Each sheet has a unique illustration.
Arduin Dungeons
- Arduin Dungeon No. 1: Caliban (mid level adventure)
- Arduin Dungeon No. 2: The Howling Tower (low-level adventure)
- Arduin Dungeon No. 3: The Citadel of Thunder
- Arduin Dungeon No. 4: Death Heart (wilderness and dungeon adventures)
Recent Arduin Publications
- The Map of Arduin; A 2' x 3' four color poster-sized map of the Country of Arduin printed on parchment complete with
legend and scale.
- The World of Khaas: The Legendary Lands of Arduin; A world guide to the country of Arduin and the world and continent
upon which it rests. 865 pages of world/campaign material. Unique for size and the absence of any game mechanics.
- SWORDS AND DRAGONS Fantasy Card Game; Fantasy themed card game from the world of Arduin.
NOTE: These items are being published and are available from Emperor's Choice Games and Miniatures
Miscellaneous
A partial list of adventure areas left behind by David A.
Hargrave includes (but is not limited to):
- The Book of the Shining Land, December/January, 1980-81. Dedication and signature inside front cover. This is a
complete campaign area, designed as a generic adventure campaign suitable for insertion into any RPG, written by David for his
friend, writer Paul Mosher. It comprises 118 handwritten pages of 10 1/4 x 7 7/8 quad ruled paper in a composition style
notebook. It includes a Master Map of the area (approximately 100 miles square)and 59 "keyed" adventure area maps all
cross-referenced off of the Master Map.
- The Book of Dreams of Lost Sardath, October, 1981. Similar in size and concept to The Book of the Shining Land, this
work comprises 158 handwritten pages of 10 x 7 7/8 quad ruled paper in a composition style notebook. Includes a Master Map of an
area approximately 100 miles square. This work was written by David for his friend, writer Paul Mosher. It comprises a "lost"
island kingdom containing 136 villages/towns/cities cross referenced off the Master Map as well as 79 adventure area maps, of
which 31 are "keyed".
SPECIAL NOTE: the above two works comprise what are probably the largest unpublished works penned by David A. Hargrave either individually or collectively.
- Hive Home, May 1982. A fully functioning Phraint Hive, comprising 4 hand drawn maps of 8 1/2 x 11 architectural paper
and 22 pages of handwritten information. Written for his friend, writer Paul Mosher, this is believed to be the only example of a
Phraint Hive ever completed by their creator David A.
Hargrave.
- Lancer's Rest by David A. Hargrave, c. October 1987.
One of the last game-related items created by Hargrave before his death in 1988. "Lancer's Rest" was designed as an elaborate
dungeon/crypt in honor of his friend, writer Lance Mazmanian.
Hand-drawn on 8 1/2" x 11" architectural paper. Signed and endorsed with dedication on the back. The dungeon adventure itself was
a trap and "Hell Spiral"-filled journey to gain life-prolonging treasure whilst avoiding Mazmanian's evil wandering avatar.
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