Bruce Cordell
Encyclopedia
Bruce Robert Cordell is an American
author of roleplaying games and fantasy
novels. He won the Origins Award
for Return to the Tomb of Horrors
and has won several ENnies as well. He lives in Seattle.
adventure with future fellow game designer Monte Cook
when they were in high school together. Cordell was a wrestler and a debater, and also earned a degree in Biology from the University of Colorado
.
in 1995. He authored the Sea Devils Adventure Trilogy, The Illithiad, the Shattered Circle, Bastion of Faith, the Dungeon Builder's Guidebook, and the adventures Die Vecna Die!
, Return to the Tomb of Horrors
, and Return to White Plume Mountain
for the AD&D game, as well as the Tangents sourcebook and The Killing Jar adventure for the Alternity
game. Cordell was also one of the designers working on the first new adventures for the 3rd Edition Dungeons & Dragons game, beginning with The Sunless Citadel
.
Bruce Cordell's RPG work includes many scenarios and sourcebooks; many of which are directly or indirectly concerned with monsters of a Lovecraftian bent (particularly mind flayers
and psionics).
Cordell frequently references certain characters, ideas, and organizations in his RPG works, creating a private continuity
between various supplements. For example, The Illithiad references the character of Strom Wakeman and the organization known as the Arcane Order (an organization detailed heavily in another of Cordell's works, College of Wizardry). Wakeman was quoted occasionally in Planescape
books by Cordell, such as A Guide to the Ethereal Plane, and was instrumental to the course of events in the adventure Dawn of the Overmind (books which were themselves also connected through a phenomenon called an ether gap). Meanwhile, the Arcane Order returned in Tome and Blood as a detailed organization and the basis of a prestige class.
Most of Cordell's work for Malhavoc Press has followed similar patterns, creating a sort of story arc across When the Sky Falls, If Thoughts Could Kill, and Hyperconscious, connected by the god-like Dark Plea and, to a lesser extent, the kureshim race. In an interview with Monte Cook
, Cordell himself described his style as including "subtle story threads that connect seemingly unrelated projects".
Third-Party d20 System
Sourcebooks
Bruce has written over 80 game products and artiles: a list of which can be found externally here: Amazon list of credits
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
author of roleplaying games and fantasy
Fantasy
Fantasy is a genre of fiction that commonly uses magic and other supernatural phenomena as a primary element of plot, theme, or setting. Many works within the genre take place in imaginary worlds where magic is common...
novels. He won the Origins Award
Origins Award
The Origins Awards are American awards for outstanding work in the game industry. They are presented by the Academy of Adventure Gaming Arts and Design at the Origins Game Fair on an annual basis for the previous year, so the 1979 awards were given at the 1980 Origins.The Origins Award is commonly...
for Return to the Tomb of Horrors
Return to the Tomb of Horrors
Return to the Tomb of Horrors is a boxed set adventure module for the Advanced Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game released in 1998 by TSR, Inc.. It is set in the World of Greyhawk campaign setting and is a sequel to Gary Gygax's 1978 module Tomb of Horrors...
and has won several ENnies as well. He lives in Seattle.
Early life and education
Bruce Cordell played Dungeons & Dragons as a youth, and even recalled playing the original Tomb of HorrorsTomb of Horrors
Tomb of Horrors is an adventure module written by Gary Gygax for the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game. It was originally written for and used at the 1975 Origins 1 convention...
adventure with future fellow game designer Monte Cook
Monte Cook
Monte Cook is a professional table-top role-playing game designer and writer. He is married to Sue Weinlein Cook.-Roleplaying:Cook has been a professional game designer since 1988, working primarily on role-playing games. Much of his early work was for Iron Crown Enterprises as an editor and writer...
when they were in high school together. Cordell was a wrestler and a debater, and also earned a degree in Biology from the University of Colorado
University of Colorado at Boulder
The University of Colorado Boulder is a public research university located in Boulder, Colorado...
.
Roleplaying work
Cordell worked on freelance game design while working in the scientific field, and was eventually hired as a full time game designer by TSRTSR, Inc.
Blume and Gygax, the remaining owners, incorporated a new company called TSR Hobbies, Inc., with Blume and his father, Melvin Blume, owning the larger share. The former assets of the partnership were transferred to TSR Hobbies, Inc....
in 1995. He authored the Sea Devils Adventure Trilogy, The Illithiad, the Shattered Circle, Bastion of Faith, the Dungeon Builder's Guidebook, and the adventures Die Vecna Die!
Die Vecna Die!
Die Vecna Die! is an Advanced Dungeons & Dragons module released in 2000 by Wizards of the Coast, Inc.. The module is divided into three sections, each taking part in a different campaign setting: Greyhawk, Ravenloft, and Planescape...
, Return to the Tomb of Horrors
Return to the Tomb of Horrors
Return to the Tomb of Horrors is a boxed set adventure module for the Advanced Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game released in 1998 by TSR, Inc.. It is set in the World of Greyhawk campaign setting and is a sequel to Gary Gygax's 1978 module Tomb of Horrors...
, and Return to White Plume Mountain
Return to White Plume Mountain
Return to White Plume Mountain is an adventure module for the Advanced Dungeons & Dragons roleplaying game released in 1999 by Wizards of the Coast under its then recently acquired "TSR" imprint. It is set in the World of Greyhawk campaign setting and is a sequel to Lawrence Schick's 1979 module...
for the AD&D game, as well as the Tangents sourcebook and The Killing Jar adventure for the Alternity
Alternity
Alternity is a science fiction role-playing game published by TSR in 1998...
game. Cordell was also one of the designers working on the first new adventures for the 3rd Edition Dungeons & Dragons game, beginning with The Sunless Citadel
The Sunless Citadel
The Sunless Citadel is an adventure module for the 3rd edition of the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game.-Plot summary:This 32-page book begins with a two-page introduction. According to the adventure background provided, the plot involves a fortress that became buried in the earth ages...
.
Bruce Cordell's RPG work includes many scenarios and sourcebooks; many of which are directly or indirectly concerned with monsters of a Lovecraftian bent (particularly mind flayers
Illithid
In the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, illithids are monstrous humanoid aberrations with psionic powers. In a typical Dungeons & Dragons campaign setting, they live in the moist caverns and cities of the enormous Underdark...
and psionics).
Cordell frequently references certain characters, ideas, and organizations in his RPG works, creating a private continuity
Continuity (fiction)
In fiction, continuity is consistency of the characteristics of persons, plot, objects, places and events seen by the reader or viewer over some period of time...
between various supplements. For example, The Illithiad references the character of Strom Wakeman and the organization known as the Arcane Order (an organization detailed heavily in another of Cordell's works, College of Wizardry). Wakeman was quoted occasionally in Planescape
Planescape
Planescape is a campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, originally designed by Zeb Cook. The Planescape setting was published in 1994...
books by Cordell, such as A Guide to the Ethereal Plane, and was instrumental to the course of events in the adventure Dawn of the Overmind (books which were themselves also connected through a phenomenon called an ether gap). Meanwhile, the Arcane Order returned in Tome and Blood as a detailed organization and the basis of a prestige class.
Most of Cordell's work for Malhavoc Press has followed similar patterns, creating a sort of story arc across When the Sky Falls, If Thoughts Could Kill, and Hyperconscious, connected by the god-like Dark Plea and, to a lesser extent, the kureshim race. In an interview with Monte Cook
Monte Cook
Monte Cook is a professional table-top role-playing game designer and writer. He is married to Sue Weinlein Cook.-Roleplaying:Cook has been a professional game designer since 1988, working primarily on role-playing games. Much of his early work was for Iron Crown Enterprises as an editor and writer...
, Cordell himself described his style as including "subtle story threads that connect seemingly unrelated projects".
Biographical timeline
- 1968 - born in Watertown, South DakotaWatertown, South DakotaWatertown is a city in and the county seat of Codington County, South Dakota, United States. The population was 21,482 at the 2010 census. It is also the principal city of the Watertown Micropolitan Statistical Area, which includes all of Codington and Hamlin counties...
- 1992 - received Bachelor of ScienceBachelor of ScienceA Bachelor of Science is an undergraduate academic degree awarded for completed courses that generally last three to five years .-Australia:In Australia, the BSc is a 3 year degree, offered from 1st year on...
in Environmental, Population, and Organismic BiologyBiologyBiology is a natural science concerned with the study of life and living organisms, including their structure, function, growth, origin, evolution, distribution, and taxonomy. Biology is a vast subject containing many subdivisions, topics, and disciplines...
from University of Colorado at BoulderUniversity of Colorado at BoulderThe University of Colorado Boulder is a public research university located in Boulder, Colorado...
, hired as a Research Associate by NeXstar (since bought out by Gilead) - 1995 - hired by TSR, Inc.TSR, Inc.Blume and Gygax, the remaining owners, incorporated a new company called TSR Hobbies, Inc., with Blume and his father, Melvin Blume, owning the larger share. The former assets of the partnership were transferred to TSR Hobbies, Inc....
(originally Tactical Studies Rules), the Dungeons & DragonsDungeons & DragonsDungeons & Dragons is a fantasy role-playing game originally designed by Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson, and first published in 1974 by Tactical Studies Rules, Inc. . The game has been published by Wizards of the Coast since 1997...
company, relocated to Lake Geneva, WisconsinLake Geneva, WisconsinLake Geneva is a city in Walworth County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 7,148 at the 2000 census. A resort city located on Geneva Lake, it is southwest of Milwaukee and popular with tourists from metropolitan Chicago and Milwaukee.-History:... - 1997 - hired by Wizards of the CoastWizards of the CoastWizards of the Coast is an American publisher of games, primarily based on fantasy and science fiction themes, and formerly an operator of retail stores for games...
, relocated to Seattle
Novels
- Sword of the Gods (Forgotten Realms Novel, #1 in series Sword of the Gods/Abyssal Plague tie-in novel), April 2011
- Key of Stars (Forgotten Realms Novel, #3 in series Abolethic Sovereignty), August 2010
- City of Torment (Forgotten Realms Novel, #2 in series Abolethic Sovereignty), September 2009
- Plague of Spells (Forgotten Realms Novel, #1 in series Abolethic Sovereignty), December 2008
- Stardeep (Forgotten Realms Novel, #3 in series The Dungeons), November 2007
- Darkvision (Forgotten Realms Novel, #3 in series The Wizards), 2006
- Lady of Poison (Forgotten Realms Novel, #1 in series The Priests), 2005
- Oath of Nerull (Writing as T. H. Lain), 2004
Short stories
- "Wandering Stones", Realms of the Dead, Forgotten Realms Anthology, January 2010
- "Black Arrow", Realms of War, Forgotten Realms Compilation, March 2008
- "Not all that Tempts", Dragon's Return, Malhavoc Press, 2005
- "Hollows of the Heart", Children of the Rune, Malhavoc Press, 2004
2nd Edition AD&D
- The Gates of Firestorm PeakThe Gates of Firestorm PeakThe Gates of Firestorm Peak is an adventure module for the second edition of the Advanced Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game. The book was published in 1996, and was written by Bruce Cordell, with cover art by Jeff Easley and interior art by Arnie Swekel.-Design:The Gates of Firestorm...
(1996) - Evil Tide (1997)
- Night of the Shark (1997)
- Sea of Blood (1998)
- Return to the Tomb of HorrorsReturn to the Tomb of HorrorsReturn to the Tomb of Horrors is a boxed set adventure module for the Advanced Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game released in 1998 by TSR, Inc.. It is set in the World of Greyhawk campaign setting and is a sequel to Gary Gygax's 1978 module Tomb of Horrors...
(1998) - A Darkness Gathering (1998)
- Masters of Eternal Night (1998)
- Dawn of the Overmind (1998)
- The Shattered Circle (1998)
- Return to White Plume MountainReturn to White Plume MountainReturn to White Plume Mountain is an adventure module for the Advanced Dungeons & Dragons roleplaying game released in 1999 by Wizards of the Coast under its then recently acquired "TSR" imprint. It is set in the World of Greyhawk campaign setting and is a sequel to Lawrence Schick's 1979 module...
(1999) - Die Vecna Die!Die Vecna Die!Die Vecna Die! is an Advanced Dungeons & Dragons module released in 2000 by Wizards of the Coast, Inc.. The module is divided into three sections, each taking part in a different campaign setting: Greyhawk, Ravenloft, and Planescape...
(with Steve MillerSteve Miller (game designer)Steve Miller is a game designer and editor who has worked on a number of products for the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game from Wizards of the Coast, and other role-playing games.-Early life and education:...
, 2000) - Reverse Dungeon (with John D. RateliffJohn D. RateliffJohn D. Rateliff is a published scholar of the works of J. R. R. Tolkien. He acquired his Ph.D. at Marquette University, where he researched Tolkien's works. His most recent publication is The History of The Hobbit.-Career:...
, 2000)
3rd Edition D&D
- The Sunless CitadelThe Sunless CitadelThe Sunless Citadel is an adventure module for the 3rd edition of the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game.-Plot summary:This 32-page book begins with a two-page introduction. According to the adventure background provided, the plot involves a fortress that became buried in the earth ages...
(2000) - Heart of Nightfang Spire (2001)
- Bastion of Broken Souls (2002)
- Grasp of the Emerald Claw (2005)
4th Edition D&D
- Keep on the ShadowfellKeep on the ShadowfellKeep on the Shadowfell is the first official product from the 4th edition Dungeons & Dragons line. It is part one of a three part series of adventures introducing the 4th edition Dungeons & Dragons concept of Points of Light, a loosely connected and open-ended setting designed to allow modules and...
(2008) - Assault on Nightwyrm FortressAssault on Nightwyrm FortressAssault on Nightwyrm Fortress is the third part of a three part series of adventures belonging to the 4th edition Dungeons & Dragons concept of Points of Light, a loosely connected and open-ended setting designed to allow modules and Dungeon Masters created materials to be seamlessly integrated...
(2009) - Death's Reach (2009)
- Kingdom of the Ghouls (2009)
2nd Edition AD&D
- College of Wizardry (1998)
- Dungeon Builder's Guidebook (1998)
- Bastion of Faith (1999)
- The Illithiad (1998)
3rd Edition D&D
- Enemies and AlliesEnemies and AlliesEnemies and Allies is an accessory for the 3rd edition of the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game.-Contents:Enemies and Allies contains statistics and descriptions for numerous non-player characters of various types for 3rd edition Dungeons & Dragons.-Publication history:Enemies and Allies...
(2001) - Psionics HandbookPsionics HandbookThe Expanded Psionics Handbook is a sourcebook by Bruce Cordell for the 3.5 edition of the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy roleplaying game that contains a multitude of rules and options for integrating psychic powers into the D&D game...
(2001) - Epic Level HandbookEpic Level HandbookThe Epic Level Handbook is a rulebook by Wizards of the Coast for the 3rd edition of Dungeons & Dragons.-Contents:This books contained rules for Dungeons & Dragons 3rd edition characters to attain levels above 20, the limit in the core rulebooks...
- Tome and BloodTome and BloodTome and Blood: A Guidebook to Wizards and Sorcerers is an optional rulebook for the 3rd edition of Dungeons & Dragons, and notable for its trade paperback format.-Contents:...
(2001) - UnderdarkUnderdark (supplement)The Underdark sourcebook for the Forgotten Realms campaign setting of the 3.5 edition of the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game.-Contents:...
(2003) - Expanded Psionics Handbook (2004)
- Complete Psionics (2006)
Third-Party d20 System
D20 System
The d20 System is a role-playing game system published in 2000 by Wizards of the Coast originally developed for the third edition of Dungeons & Dragons...
Sourcebooks
- If Thoughts Could Kill (Malhavoc Press, 2002)
- Hyperconscious (Malhavoc Press, 2004)
4th Edition D&D
- Forgotten Realms Campaign Guide (2008)
- Draconomicon I: Chromatic Dragons (2008)
- Open Grave: Secrets of the Undead (2009)
Bruce has written over 80 game products and artiles: a list of which can be found externally here: Amazon list of credits
Media Mentions
Bruce Cordell has appeared in the following newspaper and magazine articles, websites and podcasts.Podcasts
- RPG Countdown: Bruce appeared on these episodes: 28 January 2009 (Open Grave: Secrets of the Undead), 25 March 2009 (Assault on Nightwyrm Fortress).