This summer Sanctuary, the grittiest city in fantasy history, returns to role-playing for the first time in 20 years when Green Ronin releases the Thieves' World Player's Manual (msrp $34.95) in July. This 192-page hardcover sourcebook for the d20 system provides a detailed overview of the city, a culture and background system to customize RPG adventures, over twenty core and prestige classes, a unique magic system and a brand new Thieves' World short story by Lynn Abbey, who co-created (with Robert Asprin) the extremely popular fantasy series (there are over 1 million Thieves' World books in print).

In addition to providing a new short story, Lynn Abbey collaborated with Gary Astleford, Patrick O'Duffy and RobertJ. Schwalb on the design of Thieves World RPG itself.

In August Green Ronin follows up the release of the Thieves' World Player's Manual with Murder at the Vulgar Unicorn by Owen K.C. Stephens, known for his work on Star Wars, Everquest and  Green Ronin's Black Company.  The Vulgar Unicorn is a rundown dive that is quite possibly the most recognizable location in Thieves World; it was the focus of the second Thieves' World collection, Tales from the Vulgar Unicorn. It provides the perfect setting for a gripping adventure involving Dyareelan cultists, Nisibisi refugees and a dangerous plague.  The 80-page, perfect-bound Murder at the Vulgar Unicorn sports a color cover by Ted Galaday and has a manufacturer's suggested retail price of $18.95.

Green Ronin plans to publish two more Thieves' World books in the fall -- stay tuned for further details.  The Thieves' World books were among the top performing fantasy volumes in direct market stores in the 1980s and 1990s -- and they were also great favorites of D&D fans.  Even retailers who don't carry a lot of role-playing volumes might want to check out this series from Green Ronin.