Rifts World Book #2: Atlantis is an excellent continuation of the Rifts Role Playing
Game. Set on the fictional continent of legend, this sourcebook provides some powerful and interesting additions to the Rifts game.
In the Rifts world, Atlantis did not sink because of the hubris of the Atlantean
race. In the ancient days, the
magical energy of the Earth waned. Atlantean sorcerers attempted to adjust the magical environment, but failed with devastating consequences. The Island of Atlantis shifted dimensions, leaving most True Atlanteans stranded without a
home.
When Earth suffered its horrific cataclysm, the mystic energies coursing through the world was enough to bring Atlantis back. However, before the surviving True Atlanteans could return to their home, it was reclaimed by a monstrous entity and his horde.
This entity was Lord Splynncryth, of the race Splugorth. All Splugorth are powerful beings of god like strength and command. However, Splugoroth are very territorial, and very entrepreneurial. Splynncryth, aware that he was the first of his kind on this
Magic rich new world, carved out his own financial empire. He has established Atlantis as a premiere destination for the universe hopping traveler (who happens to be demonically evil). Minions of Splynncryth travel to the east coast of America and the west coast of Europe to hunt for slaves. Thousands of Gargoyles have pledged their support to Lord Splynncryth and have been granted their own kingdom. There is even a city of Dragons. To top it all off, there is the City of Splynn; a shopping haven for the supernatural, monstrous, and wealthy.
Another feature about this book that is quite remarkable is the character race: True Atlantean. Basically, they are a race of humankind that learned to harness magical energy (while our ancestors were inventing the wheel). Forced to abandon their home eons ago, most True Atlanteans wander the universe, fighting injustices, developing magics, and so on. One of these magics is the art of Tattoo Magic, in which a specific symbol is tattooed to the body of the magic user and instilled with a specific magical effect. To activate the effect, the tattoo user touches the symbol and expends some magical force.
Yet another feature about this book that is essential for the Rifts game is that it expands upon magic equipment. The main book features a great deal of technological gear (playing up to the post apocalyptic theme). Rifts Atlantis really brings home the fact that this game features science and sorcery. The magical gear is typical fare of the “swords and sorcery” genre, but its incorporation into this game is needed.
Finally, this book provides new players with over 20 new types of characters (aliens, tattooed warriors, stone master magicians) to choose from.