My first step in revising Shades of Darkness (acronym SoD), aka Scarthen World, was to look into all the RMSS/RMFRP companions (and more) for flavor and fitting extra rules. Especially but not exclusively, I was looking for stuff that fits the various religions and the magic of the setting.
I believe that the only restriction that the setting book states is about new professions, that "no other professions (from any other Rolemaster books) are appropriate." I vehemently disagree but your mileage may vary. :)
So let's go through the books, starting with Arcane Companion.
Arcane Companion (ArC): Contents
This book introduces a new magical realm, Arcane. The setting book SoD has several references to Arcane magic, namely the spell lists of the Ulpir Hunters, Chamur the Vault, dragon spell list Dragons Way and Sula'fay list True Fay. The costs to develop these lists are given in Ch. 14 and Ch. 11 of SoD.
Book discusses the origins of magic, Arcane and otherwise. I wish to write another text about this later, with regards to the history of the world. However, the mere existence of Arcane spell lists for the various magical religions speaks about its incidence on Ulmerica alone, let alone elsewhere in Scarthen World.
ArC has rules for Ley Lines and Earthnodes, featured also in SoD book. These rules are pretty much usable as is, though the ability to tap into their power is only held by few (including at least the Druids, the Charmurians, The Ulpir, and the Demon Princes). In the future, it would be interesting to create a map of Ulmerica with major Earthnodes and Ley Lines, with any associated settlements or other related locations of interest.
New professions (?)
In this regard I agree with SoD book: none of the professions here are applicable.
Arcanists might exists among the most ancient of Dragons but they make no sense as regular (player) character. Wizards and Magehunters make even less sense, as there is no established magical high-culture. Also, in my opinion Chaotics do not fit the setting, as the environment is simply too hostile for anyone like that to survive and develop their abilities.
I do have an idea about an Arcanist Dragon though, for a future NPC.
About ArC Training Packages
ArC introduces 6 new TPs. I think some of them are fitting as servants of Ulpirs or Unlife but not particularly as heroic Player Characters.
Conjuror would be a variant of Demonologist (special type of typically antagonist character in SoD), receiving one of their spell lists as TP list.
Manipulators and Warlocks seem fitting for servants of Ulpirs.
Some shamans or Demonologists (or their allies) might be Necromancers. I see no reason why Undead could not be a menace in Scarthen World, though Demons of Unlife are way more referenced. Necromancer might have learned their skills from Demon or even better, have a Demon with necromancy spell lists bound to their skin. They would have some taint as a result.
Famulus does not seem fitting to Scarthen World. There are simply no mighty wizards so there are not many apprentice positions to be filled.
I would disallow Runemasters as well. My reasoning is that there is no rune paper, because there are no alchemists, because their art is a long lost one, perhaps possessed only by the Fay folk or certain ancient Dragons who would be indifferent to sharing their skills. In fact, I would even rule that the spell list Rune Mastery from Spell Law was not available for anybody.
To bring runes to Scarthen World, first someone would need to (re-?)discover the art of Rune Paper Making and imprinting magic (runes) on paper. I think it's rather fitting that this skill is a lost art on Scarthen World. This also makes Read Runes skill obsolete.
Arcane spell lists in Scarten World
Arguably the biggest point of the book, I think it is safe to make all Arcane spell lists off limits, potentially available through Talents, and then only open and closed lists could be made available with GM's discretion as always.
Where could a character obtain such a list?
Any of the ancient religions might have elders who knew secret spell lists, and could have chosen a character to learn their secrets. Particularly Chamurians might have the means to find knowledge hidden in the open, from the stars themselves (e.g. only at certain time of year or on a particularly clear night). Dragons, Demons, and some Ulpir could conceivably know them but to teach them to a human would be another question indeed.
Any of these methods would rather easily limit the list's availability to certain level if required.
Other considerations
Arcane magic is ancient, and modern humans would have lost the knowledge even before the dreadful demonic invasion happened.
Still, its mere existence allows for interesting adventures or research.
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