Detailed Summary of "Part 1: The Ninth World | Starter Kit - Numenera" (Geek & Sundry, Starter Kit)

Podcast: Critical Role & Sagas of Sundry
Host: geekandsundry
Episode: Part 1: The Ninth World | Starter Kit - Numenera
Date: December 15, 2025
Main Theme:
This episode serves as the kickoff to a new campaign in the Numenera universe, introducing both the game (set on a far-future, post-apocalyptic Earth) and the playable characters. It is an accessible, step-by-step character creation and onboarding session for newcomers and seasoned roleplayers alike, guided by Monte Cook, creator of Numenera.

1. Episode Overview

• Purpose: This Starter Kit episode is designed to introduce players (and listeners) to the unique setting and mechanics of Numenera. Game designer Monte Cook leads five participants through the character creation process and begins to set the campaign's narrative backdrop.
• Tone: Warm, encouraging, community-focused, and playful, with frequent quips, casual banter, and a collaborative spirit.

2. Key Discussion Points & Insights

A. Introduction to Numenera & The Cypher System

• Setting Description
  • Monte Cook (03:47):
    “So after all these great civilizations have fallen in the distant, distant future, what we have is the Ninth World. And in the Ninth World, the people there have about a medieval level of technology. But because there’s all the leftovers of these prior worlds, they look at that stuff as though it’s magic. Right. So it’s like a science fiction setting that feels like a fantasy setting.”
• Cypher System Goals
  • Focus on exploration and discovery rather than just combat. (04:14)
  • Accessibility for new Game Masters—GMs focus on story, not dice-rolling; all dice-rolling is player-driven.
  • Encouragement of “the weird”—an element of mystery and wonder from past civilizations.

B. Step-by-Step Player Character Creation

Each participant walks through building their character’s “sentence” (descriptor, type, and focus) with Monte Cook:

i. Tara as Byx (05:49–12:33)

• Character: Stealthy Jack who explores dark places; a mute child orphaned by tragedy, prefers dark/cave environments for safety.
  • Notable quote (06:24):
    “Byx is a kid, and I don’t want anyone to know their gender...Bix was saved, but their entire family was killed.”
• Mechanics:
  • High speed (dexterity), specialized in hiding, skills in stealth and defense.
  • Drawback: less proficient with dramatic physical feats (e.g., climbing).
  • Carries tools (knife/hatchet) but prefers avoidance over fighting.

ii. Davilu as Devloo (12:41–18:13)

• Character: Strong glaive who fuses flesh and steel; an impulsive, cybernetic warrior who was mortally wounded and rebuilt with technology.
  • Notable quote (13:38):
    “She was injured, probably mortally, and was brought back to life by being fused with, like, metal and computer parts and all that stuff.”
• Mechanics:
  • Extremely high might and speed.
  • Unarmed combat focus; deals extra damage with metal fists.
  • Defensive abilities and armor from both cybernetics and leather clothing.

iii. Jeremy as Ajnia (22:21–29:03)

• Character: Mystical mechanical Jack who commands mental powers; inspired by the Vision from Marvel Comics, with a hidden third-eye, telepathy, and subtle cybernetic/magical gifts.
  • Notable quote (23:16):
    “Ajnia—it’s the other name for the third eye chakra… helps you to go into other dimensions when you’re meditating and things like that.”
• Mechanics:
  • High intellect, skills with Numenera, psychic/magic detection.
  • Drawback: People sense something’s "off" about them.
  • Equipped with a Buzzer weapon (shoots razor discs), “Pierce” ability for extra attack power.

iv. Erica as Shanza (29:07–35:15)

• Character: Rugged Jack who exists partially out of phase; appears ghostly due to a hereditary curse, survived exile in the wilderness.
  • Notable quote (29:58):
    “She exists partially out of phase, so she is very ghostly, transparent looking, and that has caused her a lot of strife in her life.”
• Mechanics:
  • Balanced might/speed, skilled in survival and animal handling.
  • Drawback: Difficulty interacting with people.
  • Wields a bow (nature-themed), glaive (melee), can briefly pass through objects.

v. Jason Charles Miller as Adaran (35:23–42:41)

• Character: Learned nano who rides the lightning; an eccentric, electricity-obsessed scholar with a penchant for collecting ancient knowledge.
  • Notable quote (44:18):
    “He’s a learned nano who rides the lightning. He looks rather eccentric, kind of like a cross between the professor in the Metropolis movie and Nick Nolte’s mugshot.”
• Mechanics:
  • High intellect, specialized Numenera expertise, knowledge in history/geography.
  • Offensive (Onslaught: electrical blast) and defensive (Ward: constant armor) powers.
  • Drawback: Inept at interpersonal interactions.

C. Setting Establishment and Adventure Hook

• Aldervale:
  • A remote village built around a mysterious artifact called the "Sing Song," which occasionally emits musical chimes.
• Morrow, the Prodigy:
  • Village savant deciphering the Sing Song’s chimes, convinced they're actually a coded map to coordinates somewhere in the Black Riage mountains (50:08).
  • He plans an expedition, but is physically frail. The party decides to escort him, each for their own reasons—quest for knowledge, need for adventure, seeking answers about the Numenera, and for protection.
    • Highlights from reasons given (53:07–54:16):
      • “You are knowledge. There’s no way I’m letting you go out there by yourself.” — Adaran (53:07)
      • “I believe you have answers to a lot of questions about the past worlds that I have.” — Shanza (53:19)
      • “I sense magic and I sense there’s a lot in you and around you. And I want magic to help you find the real magic of Numenera.” — Ajnia (53:47)
      • Byx offers wordless support, holding out a hand.
• Group Dynamics and Playfulness:
  • Casual conversation about each other’s character traits (e.g., Davilu’s part-machine status and need for sleep at 54:46), highlighting camaraderie and light roleplaying.

D. Episode Cliffhanger and Teaser

• End-of-episode preview:
  • The party is about to embark into dangerous mountains. Quick-cut cliffhanger teaser plays (55:16–55:33)—hinting at vertical cliffs and accidents:
    • “It’s an almost vertical cliff, and that could be dangerous.”
    • “Bix loses their grip.”
    • “Bix, I’m coming for you.”
    • “Bix actually falls.”

3. Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

| Timestamp | Speaker | Quote | |-----------|---------|-------| | 03:47 | Monty Cook | “So after all these great civilizations have fallen... what we have is the Ninth World... a science fiction setting that feels like a fantasy setting.” | | 06:24 | Tara | “Byx is a kid, and I don’t want anyone to know their gender... Bix was saved, but their entire family was killed.” | | 13:38 | Davilu | “She was injured, probably mortally, and was brought back to life by being fused with, like, metal and computer parts.” | | 23:16 | Jeremy | “Ajnia—it’s the other name for the third eye chakra… helps you to go into other dimensions when you’re meditating and things like that.” | | 29:58 | Erica | “She exists partially out of phase, so she is very ghostly, transparent looking, and that has caused her a lot of strife in her life.” | | 44:18 | Jason Charles Miller | “He’s a learned nano who rides the lightning. He looks rather eccentric, kind of like... the professor in the Metropolis movie and Nick Nolte’s mugshot. His hair is just everywhere.” | | 53:07 | Jason Charles Miller | “You are knowledge. There’s no way I’m letting you go out there by yourself.” | | 53:19 | Erica | “I believe you have answers to a lot of questions about the past worlds that I have.” | | 53:47 | Jeremy | “I sense magic and I sense there’s a lot in you and around you. And I want magic to help you find the real magic of Numenera.” | | 54:16 | Tara as Byx (nonverbal) | Byx holds out their hand to Morrow, wordlessly committing to the quest. |

4. Timestamps for Important Segments

• Introduction to Numenera & Cypher System: 03:47–05:03
• Tara builds Byx: 05:49–12:33
• Davilu builds Devloo: 12:41–18:13
• Jeremy builds Ajnia: 22:21–29:03
• Erica builds Shanza: 29:07–35:15
• Jason builds Adaran: 35:23–42:41
• Party introductions & setting description: 44:18–50:08
• Adventure hook—protecting Morrow: 50:08–54:16
• Closing cliffhanger: 55:16–55:33

5. Summary Impression

This episode is a compelling gateway for players (or listeners) new to Numenera or tabletop RPGs in general. Listeners are drawn into the process of bringing unique, personal characters to life, under the expert guidance of Monte Cook. The cast’s diversity of backgrounds—both in-character and in player experience—demonstrates how welcoming and flexible the game can be. The setting teems with possibility and “weirdness,” and even before the adventure begins, strong emotional hooks and party dynamics are established.

6. Character Roster Quick Reference

| Player | Character | Full Sentence | Notables | |------------------------|---------------|----------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------| | Jason Charles Miller | Adaran | Learned nano who rides the lightning | Obsessive, eccentric, scholarly | | Erica | Shanza | Rugged jack who exists partially out of phase| Ghostlike exile, wilderness skills| | Davilu | Devloo | Strong glaive who fuses flesh and steel | Cyborg, impulsive, hand-to-hand | | Jeremy | Ajnia | Mystical mechanical Jack who commands mental powers | Psychic, secretive, odd aura | | Tara | Byx | Stealthy jack who explores dark places | Mute, child, tragic past, stealth |

Listeners who missed the episode will get a feel for Numenera’s tone, mechanics, and the personalities already animating this campaign. Next episode promises the party’s perilous trek into the strange wilds of the Ninth World—a journey with rich collaborative storytelling ahead.