Rite Publishing Presents

April 2013 no. 25

 This world is but one of untold many,
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There’s just one problem. When this project began, we projected only a 60-page book. Sixty pages to create the
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 Table of Contents
Pathways #25
Deadly Prankster Template
Presenting a creature who is a
master of Practical Jokes and deadly
puns.
7 Publisher
Steve D. Russell
By Steven D. Russell
Editor
11 Secrets of the Master Smiths Dave Paul
Learn the secrets of the Master black
smiths with this collection of items.
By Thomas Le Blanc
11 Layout Artist
Elton Robb

Camping in the Wilderness Cover Artist

In all things of nature there is

14
something of the marvelous. -- Darrenn Canton
Aristotle
By Creighton Broadhurst

Variant Abilities of the Walking

Dead
No one zombie is the same as the
others.
19
By Steven D. Russell

Departments
Editorial 5 Reviews 27
Interview 22

Compatibility with the Pathfinder Roleplaying Game requires the Pathfinder Roleplaying Game from Paizo
Publishing, LLC. See http://paizo.com/pathfinderRPG for more information on the Pathfinder Roleplaying Game.
Paizo Publishing, LLC does not guarantee compatibility, and does not endorse this product.
Pathways #25 © 2013 Steven D. Russell, Open Gaming License Copyright © 2007 Wizards of the Coast. All rights
reserved, Pathfinder is a registered trademark of Paizo Publishing, LLC, and the Pathfinder Roleplaying Game and
the Pathfinder Roleplaying Game Compatibility Logo are trademarks of Paizo Publishing, LLC, and are used under
the Pathfinder Roleplaying Game Compatibility License. See http://paizo.com/pathfinderRPG/compatibility formore
information on the compatibility license.

3
 Editorial
By Dave Paul
I
t’s nice to occasionally do something a little different.
Here at Pathways we avoid themes and gimmicks,
though, honestly, sometimes themes and gimmicks
can be fun. So, this year, at least a little bit in honor of the
April Fools’ Day tradition, we’ve been inspired to offer
you a prankster.
I’m glad for this choice. I think it highlights a feature
of both literature and people’s lived experiences. Every
culture has a trickster figure (Coyote, Loki, Br’er Rabbit,
even Bugs Bunny) and every person has had experiences
where it just feels like “life is messing with me.” As far
as I know, there are references in trickster figures in
written traditions going as far back as there is writing.
Sometimes even ancient satire pushed characters into
trickster roles (such as Socrates in Aristophanes’ comedy
The Clouds). Sometimes in my own life, I’ve had just
the weirdest circumstances happen so that they felt
contrived. Consider the recent one-two punch when an
asteroid came very close to hitting the Earth and on the
same day a comet slammed into Russia. Each event is
exceedingly rare, each event was unrelated to the other,
and yet they happen on the same day. Sometimes, it feels
like life is messing with us.
In RPGs, there’s plenty of room for this kind of
thing, whether it’s a trickster figure (such as the deadly
prankster offered as our creature of the month), a set
of weird coincidences happening to an individual, or
weird events happening at the same time so that it seems
planned, perhaps by some supernatural agent.
Once upon a time, of course, the simultaneous arrival
of an asteroid and a comet, especially a comet that
struck the Earth causing severe damage, would be seen
as having a supernatural origin. In 1504, Christopher
Columbus correctly used the event of an eclipse that he’d
predicted to intimidate locals in the “New World” into
acting beneficently rather than with malice toward his
crew. (Interestingly, and itself toying with these concepts,
it happened on the edge of February 29 and March 1 – so,
this rare event, an eclipse, was timed so that it happened
on the day of a rare event, a leap day.) Buckminster
Fuller once quipped that those who were in control of
the invisible could use that power to be in control of the
visible. Given things like Columbus’ predicted eclipse, it
certainly may have appeared that Columbus or his God
had control over the invisible. (Anyone who can make the
Sun disappear certainly must have some power!)
Tricksters and pranksters are of this ilk. On the one
hand, we may be dealing with individuals who have great
and mysterious power. On the other hand, we may be
dealing with individuals who willingly violate the norm
of social custom. This is more like the prankster. It’s not
so much that the prankster has great and mysterious
power, instead, this
individual is likely to see
the world differently than
others do. The prankster,
especially an evil one,
will have a very different
sense of what’s funny than
what normal folks would.
But, the prankster is still
operating within that
unusual, sometimes supernatural framework. Let me be
ironic for a moment: humor is a funny thing.
We know this. There’s something distinct about the
intersection of humor and intelligence. I’ve met dogs that
I’d say have a sense of humor (I can’t say the same for
cats, though I have nothing against them). But, there’s
something so much more sophisticated in a human’s
sense of humor than would ever be the case in an animal.
It does sometimes feel like this scratches at the ceiling of
the supernatural. So, in a world where there are many,
many different kinds of intelligent beings, a world where
the gamut of good and evil stretches farther and deeper
than in the world the players inhabit, we can expect more
and stranger individuals and events.
~~
However, using a prankster or trickster in an encounter,
adventure or campaign can be a challenge for both GM
and players. In my own experience, some players have
had trouble knowing how to react to an element in the
game that is such a deviation from the norm. This can be
a diversion that leads people away from the enjoyment of
the game, so use with caution. However, it can also be a
welcome relief if used correctly, so don’t give up on the
idea.
In this particular case, we have a bona fide enemy,
an adversary the PCs might not find funny at all. I can
imagine Thaururwyr being in the service of another
creature, either as a resentful servant unable to break free
from some bondage of servitude or as a co-conspirator
in terrible acts. From a certain twisted point of view,
there’s nothing quite like a BBEG who happens to have
a demented variant of a faerie dragon coiled up on his
neck or lap. If you go this route, let us know about the
antagonist. I’m curious to see what you dream up.
In any event, we hope you enjoy this prankster.
Whether you use it more as a trickster or more as a
prankster, whether you use it as a challenge for the party
to work together to overcome or as a diversion from the
norm, use it to serve the greatest end of the game we all
love: fun.
5
 A Pathfinder Roleplaying Game adventure for 4-6 characters of level 1.
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 Deadly Prankster Creature Template
By Steven D Russell, Illustrated by Darrenn Canton
P
ractical jokes are often fun and amusing, and many enjoy the high and mighty suffering a lesson in humility
via some clever and humorous jest. However, some pranks can go horribly wrong, or vicious and malevolent
beings perform them with cruel and malicious intent, resulting in injury, mutilation, or even death. Those that
find amusement in the suffering of others, whose practical jokes the fell powers of damnation notice often become what
one calls a deadly prankster creature.
Creating a Deadly Prankster Creature
“Deadly prankster” is an acquired template that can be
added to any creature with an Intelligence of 4 or higher
(referred to hereafter as the base creature).
A deadly prankster creature uses all the base creature’s
statistics and special abilities except as noted here.
CR: +3
Alignment: Changes to any Evil.
Special Abilities: A deadly prankster creature retains all
the special abilities of the base creature, plus the special
abilities as described below:
Banana Peel (Su) Once per day as an immediate action
a deadly prankster creature creates an area in a 40’ radius
that slows base movement to one-quarter normal, and
creatures moving on that area’s surface must make a Reflex
save or fall to the ground. Creatures trying to return to a
standing position as a standard or move action must make
an additional Reflex save or Acrobatics check (DC 10 + ½
the deadly prankster creature’s HD + its Cha modifier) or
fall prone again. Creatures expending a full-round action to
right themselves automatically succeed. Naturally, banana
peel only affects creatures in direct contact with it. Deadly
prankster creatures often combine this with stairs, slopped
floors, or near other traps to make this effect deadlier.
Booby Trap (Su) A deadly prankster creature can set
a special trap upon an area as a standard action so that it
comes into effect under some condition it dictates when
using this ability. The conditions needed to bring the trap
into effect must be clear, although they can be general. In all
cases, the trap trigger instantaneously when the prescribed
circumstances occur. If complicated or convoluted
conditions are prescribed, the booby trap may fail when
triggered. The trap occurs based solely on the stated
conditions, regardless of whether the deadly prankster
creature wants it to.
When the trap triggers it opens up a 10-foot-by-10-foot
extra dimensional hole in the ground or floor with a depth of
10 feet per two HD the deadly prankster creature possesses
(maximum 100 feet) and summons a 10-foot square block
of stone above the hole that falls, fitting seamlessly into the
hole. If the hole is opened directly below a creature, the
creature must make a Successful Reflex Save (DC 10 + ½
the deadly prankster creature’s HD + its Cha modifier) or be
smashed into the hole, taking 1d6 points plus 1d6 for every
3 HD the deadly prankster creature possess of bludgeoning
damage (max 6d6) from the block and 1d6 for every 10 feet it
forces the creature to fall. Creatures are buried by the stone
block at the bottom of the pit; it takes 1 minute to uncover
a creature buried at the bottom of the pit; a buried creature
can free itself with a successful Strength Check DC 19.
Upon a successful save any creature standing in the area
where the deadly prankster creature first conjured the
pit must make a Reflex saving throw to move to safely to
the nearest open space (this does not provoke an attack
of opportunity) but it still suffers the damage from being
struck by the stone block as it leaves the area. In addition,
the edges of the pit are sloped, and any creature ending its
turn on a square adjacent to the pit must make a Reflex
saving throw (same DC), with a +2 bonus, to avoid falling
into it, the pit remains in effect for 1 round per HD the
deadly prankster creature possesses. At any point during
the duration of the effect, other targets may be forced into
this pit by means such as a bull rush (or a banana peel
affecting the sloped area of the pit).Those creatures do not
receive a saving throw.
The pit’s smooth, greased, stone walls have a Climb DC of
30 and a climber must make a successful Reflex save each
round or be forced to move at half his climbing rate. Once the
effect ends, the pit and the block disappear and the creature
is deposited harmlessly on the surface. A deadly prankster
creature can only have one booby trap in existence at a time;
if a second is created, the first one (if still active) is negated.
The deadly prankster creature also has the option of
having a bucket of a non-lethal substance falling on the
subject instead of the block and pit trap. This can include
water, paint, tar, chalk powder, urine, feces, but upon a
failed Reflex save it can inflict the sickened condition for 1
round per HD of the deadly prankster creature.
Kick Me (Su): Once per day as a swift action the deadly
prankster creature can curse a subject (see bestow curse)
within 60 ft. A creature subject to this curse can make
a successful Will Save (DC 10 + ½ the deadly prankster
creature’s HD + its Cha modifier) to negate the curse when
it is first inflicted. This curse causes any creature that can
see it from behind to kick the subject (this provokes an
attack of opportunity if the kicking creature does not have
Unarmed Strike or a natural attack such as hooves, though
often the creature is caught flat-footed by allied attacks.)
This functions as a telepathic suggestion; a successful Will
7
8 Pathways Magazine
 suggestion effect.
Laxative Prank (Su): Once per day as a swift action the
deadly prankster creature can curse a subject within 60 ft.
A creature subject to this curse can make a successful Will
Save (DC 10 + ½ the deadly prankster creature’s HD + its
Cha modifier) to negate the curse when it is first inflicted.
This curse causes a living creature experience explosive and
sometimes bloody diarrhea, leading to dehydration and
occasionally death. This deals 1d6 non-lethal damage each
day and the target is fatigued and staggered until the curse
is lifted.
Pie in the Face (Su): Once per day as a swift action the
deadly prankster creature can make a ranged touch attack
against any creature within 30ft. If it hits this burning hot
pie deals 1d6 point of fire damage for every 2 HD the deadly
prankster creature possess plus the subject must make
a successful Fort save (DC 10 + ½ the deadly prankster
creature’s HD + its Cha modifier) or be permanently
blinded.
Prank Date (Su): Once per day as a swift action the
deadly prankster creature can curse a subject within 60 ft.
A creature subject to this curse can make a successful Will
Save (DC 10 + ½ the deadly prankster creature’s HD + its
Cha modifier) to negate the curse when it is first inflicted.
This causes the subject to fall madly in love with another
creature chosen by the deadly prankster creature that the
cursed subject is aware of; The cursed creature’s attitude
toward the second creature becomes helpful and a romantic
attraction is created even if one would normally not be
possible. Otherwise, the effects are similar to a philter of
love. The deadly prankster creature often uses this to create
bizarre or dangerous forms of attraction such as a fire
elemental attempting to hug its beloved.
Running into The Window (Su): If a creature attempts to
charge a deadly prankster creature, he hits an invisible wall
of force that appears just as he enters the square when he
would be able to make the attack. This arrests his forward
movement, deals 1d6 points of non-lethal damage for every
10 ft. of movement the charging creature was attempting to
make and knocks the creature prone. A successful Reflex
save (DC 10 + ½ the deadly prankster creature’s HD +
its Cha modifier) results in half damage and negates the
knocked prone effect.
Abilities: Increase from the base creature as follows: Con
+6 (+3 hp per HD, +3 to Fort saves, +3 to any of the base
creature’s Constitution-based DCs) Cha +8 (+4 to Bluff,
diplomacy, Disguise, Handle Animal, Intimidate, Perform,
and Use Magic Device; attempts to influence others, and
Channel Energy DCs, +4 to any of the base creature’s
Charisma-based DCs).
Skills: Deadly prankster creatures gain a +8 racial bonus
on Craft (traps), Disable Device, and Bluff checks, these are
always class skills for the base creature, and they can use
them untrained.
T haururwyr CR 5
XP 9,600
deadly prankster faerie dragon
CE Tiny dragon
Init +3; Senses darkvision 60 ft., low-light vision;
Perception +8
Defense
AC 18, touch 16, flat-footed 14
(+3 Dex, +1 dodge, +2 natural, +2 size)
hp 31 (3d12+12)
Fort +7, Ref +6, Will +5
Defensive Abilities running into windows; Immune
paralysis, sleep; SR 13
Offense
Speed 10 ft., fly 60 ft. (perfect), swim 30 ft.
Melee bite +4 (1d3-1)
Space 2-1/2 ft.; Reach 0 ft.
Special Attacks banana peel (Ref DC 18), booby trap (Ref
DC 18), breath weapon (5-ft. cone, euphoria, Fort DC 15
negates, usable every 1d4 rounds), laxative prank (Will DC
18), pie in the face (Fort DC 18), prank date (Ref DC 18),
Spell-Like Abilities (CL 3rd; concentration +11)
3/day greater invisibility (self only)
Spells Known (CL 3rd; concentration +11)
1st (6/day) grease (DC 18), silent image (DC 18), sleep (DC
18)
0 (at will) dancing lights, flare (DC 17), ghost sound (DC
17), mage hand, open/close
Statistics
Str 9, Dex 17, Con 19, Int 16, Wis 14, Cha 24
Base Atk +3; CMB +4; CMD 14 (18 vs. trip)
Feats Acrobatic, Dodge
Skills Acrobatics +8 (+0 when jumping), Bluff +9,
Diplomacy +9, Fly +23, Perception +8, Sense Motive +8,
Stealth +17, Swim +13, Use Magic Device +9
Languages Common, Draconic, Elven, Sylvan; telepathy
100 ft.
Special Abilities
Breath weapon (Su) 5-foot cone, euphoria for 1d6
rounds, DC 15 Fort negates. Creatures affected by euphoria
are staggered, sickened, and immune to fear effects for the
duration. A faerie dragon can use this breath weapon once
every 1d4 rounds. The save DC is Constitution-based.
Spells A faerie dragon casts spells as a 3rd-level sorcerer.
Ecology
Environment temperate or warm forests
Organization solitary or clan (2-8)
Treasure standard
9
 11 Secrets of the Master Smiths
by Thomas LeBlanc, Illustrated by Arthur Rackham
Many tales tell of weapons created by true masters
of the craft. These weapons are handed down through
generations and revered for the quality of their
construction and ease of use. While the Master Craftsman
feat allows a weaponsmith to create magical weapons,
a true master smith realizes if magic is suppressed, the
weapon loses most of its worth.
The following rules allow for variant masterwork
weapons to be created. A variant masterwork weapon may
only have one of the following qualities. In parentheses
after each variant are the requirements, alterations to the
Craft DC, and cost changes. If the crafter fails the Craft
skill check for the masterwork component, the weapon
gains the fragile quality instead of the masterwork
quality. If the weapon already has an ability that grants
a similar effect, the effects do not stack. For example, an
elven curve blade could not have the flexible quality and a
swordbreaker dagger could not have the breaking quality.
Balanced: This quality increases a one- or two-handed
thrown weapon range by 5 ft. and a light thrown weapon
range by 10 ft. This quality decreases the weight of the
thrown weapon by 20%. (Crafter must be a halfling, DC
+7)
Breaking: This quality grants the weapon a +2 bonus
on Combat Maneuver Checks to sunder weapons. (DC
+8, +150 gp)
Crushing: A weapon with this quality deals +4 damage
when sundering unattended objects. The crushing quality
can only be applied to axes and hammers. (Crafter must
be a dwarf, DC +5)
Flexible: This quality grants the weapon a +2 on CMD
whenever a foe attempts to sunder the weapon. This
quality may only be added to melee weapons that deal
piercing or slashing damage. (Crafter must be an elf, DC
+4, +100 gp)
Flight: This quality increases the range of ammunition
from a ranged weapon by 20 feet. This quality may only
be added to ammunition. (DC +3, +1 gp per single unit of
ammunition)
Folded: This quality increases the weapon’s hardness
and hit points by 20%. This quality can only be used on
weapons made from only metal or materials that can be
worked using a forge, hammer, and anvil. (DC +4, +200
gp)
Lethal: This quality grants the weapon’s wielder a +2 to
confirm a critical hit. (Crafter must have 3 ranks in Heal,
DC +6)
Penetrating: This quality grants the weapon a +2
circumstance bonus on Combat Maneuver Checks to
sunder bone and stone armor or shields. The penetrating
quality can only be applied to piercing weapons. (Crafter
must have 10 ranks in Craft (weaponsmith), DC +5, +100
gp)
11
 Reverberating: This quality grants the weapon a +2
circumstance bonus on Combat Maneuver Checks to sunder
glass and metal armor or shields. The reverberating quality
can only be applied to bludgeoning weapons. (Crafter must
have 10 ranks in Craft (weaponsmith), DC +5, +100 gp)
Serrated: This quality grants the weapon a +2
circumstance bonus on Combat Maneuver Checks to sunder
hide, leather, and wooden armor or shields. The serrated
quality can only be applied to slashing weapons. (Crafter
must have 10 ranks in Craft (weaponsmith),DC +5, +100 gp)
Wicked: This quality grants a +2 bonus on Intimidate
12 Pathways Magazine
checks while wielding the weapon in combat due to the
dangerous look of the weapon. (Crafter must have 5 ranks
in Intimidate, DC +3, +50 gp)
Master Weaponsmith
Your superior crafting skills allow you to craft weapons
with multiple masterwork variants.
Prerequisite: Craft (weaponsmith) 8 ranks.
Benefit: You can add multiple masterwork variants to the
same weapon. Each variant quality past the first increases
the Craft DC of the masterwork component by +2.
THE LONELY COAST
A Pathfinder Roleplaying Game compatible mini‐campaign setting by Creighton Broadhurst 
 
The furthest flung outpost of a mighty kingdom, turbulent waters and forbidding, trackless forests separate the folk of the Lonely Coast from the 
gaudy lights of civilisation. Pirates and slavers ply the southern storm‐tossed waters while goblins and other foul things creep through the gloom of 
the Tangled Wood that seemingly chokes the forgotten holds and sacred places of the Old People. Deep within the forest, a narrow, rock‐choked 
defile piled deep with shadow cuts through a nameless range of rugged, tree‐shrouded hills birthing dark, fearsome legends of terrifying monsters 
and glittering, doom‐laden treasures. The perils of the Lonely Coast are legion and thus there is always a need for those with stout hearts and skill 
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www.ragingswan.com 
 Camping in the W ilderness
By Creighton Broadhurst of Raging Swan Press, Illustrated by Thomas Cole
and Fredrick Edwin Church

T he Campsite
Adventurers often find themselves camping in the wilderness, but sadly the actual campsite normally gets very little
design time. (And if it does have a detailed description, the PCs know that something is going to happen that night!)

Use the table below to generate minor points of interest for a campsite, but take into account the surrounding terrain,
time of year and so on, and modify the entries as needed.

14 Pathways Magazine
15
 Around T he Campfire
Adventurers often camp in the wilderness. When they do so, they typically either have a peaceful night’s sleep or they
are attacked. The PCs rarely suffer minor events that may disturb them, but that do not result in full-blown encounter.

Use the table below to generate such minor events, modifying entries as required to take account of the surrounding
terrain, time of year and so on.

16 Pathways Magazine
ABOUT T HE DESIGNER
Creighton lives in Torquay, England where, apparently, the palm trees are plastic and the weather is warm. He shares
a ramshackle old mansion with his two children (“Genghis” and “Khan”) and his patient wife. Famed for his unending
love affair with booze and pizza he is an enduring GREYHAWK fan.

An Ennie Award winning designer (Madness At Gardmore Abbey) Creighton has worked with Expeditious Retreat
Press, Paizo and Wizards of the Coast. He believes in the Open Gaming License and is dedicated to making his games as
fun and easy to enjoy as possible for all participants. Reducing or removing entry barriers, simplifying pre-game prep
and easing the GM’s workload are the key underpinning principles of the products he now releases through Raging
Swan Press. You can read his thoughts on game design at raging-swan.livejournal.com.

17
 Variant Abilities of the Walking Dead
By Steven D. Russell, Illustrated by Storn Cook

T
hese abilities can be added to any zombie or
Excoriate (Su): This zombie can strip skin from a living
similar corporeal undead creature, adding any two
victim; if the zombie makes a successful melee attack, the
increases a zombie’s CR by 1.
victim must make a successful Fort save (DC 10 +1/2
the zombie’s HD + its Str modifier) or suffer 1 point of
Acidic Flesh (Ex): This alchemically created zombie is
Charisma and Constitution damage.
covered in a corrosive acid that dissolves only living flesh.
Any successful melee attack or constrict attack deals acid
Fast Healing (Ex) This alchemically-created zombie
damage equal to the zombie’s Str modifier.
gains the fast healing defensive ability equal to its Str
modifier.
Bloody Trail (Ex): This zombie constantly oozes
ichor from the surface of its body, leaving a sticky trail
Fell Resistance (Su) The energies within this zombie
of blood and gore wherever it goes. A flayed zombie is
are potent and it is able to not only resist the channel
easy to follow and characters pursuing one gain a + 4
attempts used against it but also to turn a portion of that
circumstance bonus to Survival checks made to track
energy against its foe. If the zombie successfully saves and
it. However, those engaged in melee combat with it in
resists the effects of channel energy, including effects that
adjacent squares must make a successful Balance check
rely on the use of channel energy (such as the Command
(DC 10 + its Str modifier) or fall prone on the slick ichor.
Undead feat) its opponent suffers negative energy
damage equal to the amount it resisted. The opponent
Cannibal Harvest (Su): This zombie must be able
gets a Will save (same DC as the channel attempt) to
to deal ability damage or drain to gain this ability.
resist that damage. If the effect is not a channel energy
Whenever this zombie deals ability damage or drain it
effect that deals damage, treat it as if it is.
gains 5 temporary hp that last for 1 hour.
Additionally, non-rules-based effects may transpire,
Channel Resistance (Su): This zombie gains channel as deemed appropriate by the GM – holy water bubbling
resistance equal to its Str modifier. or turning to blood, the cleric’s symbol catching fire and
blackening, or the earth in a graveyard churning.
Channel The Decay (Su): This zombie has a flicker of
a connection to the negative energy plane within it. Once
Frost Aura (Su): An aura of freezing chill surrounds
per day it gains the energy drain ability (1 negative level)
the zombie. All within five feet suffer cold damage equal
that it uses with its first successful melee attack upon a
to the zombie’s Str modifier at the end of every round.
living creature.
Those touching the zombie or using metal weapons to do
so suffer an additional 1d4 points of cold damage upon
Chill of the Grave (Su): This zombie’s natural attacks
contact. A successful Fortitude save (DC 10 +1/2 the
deal an additional amount of cold damage equal to its Str
zombie’s HD + its Str modifier) halves this damage.
modifier.

Cold Mantle (Su): Cold spells restore the wounds of
these zombies. Each point of cold damage restores 1 hit
point. A zombie cannot have more hit points than its
maximum hit point total.
Decaying Touch (Su): With every successful melee
attack from this zombie, a living victim must make a
Fortitude save (DC 10 +1/2 the zombie’s HD + its Str
modifier) or suffer 1 point of Strength and Dexterity
damage from the intense dark essence that surges
through its body.
Decaying Wounds (Ex): Living creatures wounded by
this zombie gain the bleed condition; the amount of hp
bleed damage is equal to the zombie’s Str modifier.
The frost aura is cumulative with other frost aura
zombies. Two frost aura zombies standing within five
feet of each other increase the damage per round and the
area of effect to ten feet. Five would multiply the damage
per round by 5 with a radius of 25 feet. Multiple zombies
increase the CR of these zombies by +1.
Grasp of the Dead (Ex): This zombie gains the grab
(slam) and constrict special attacks.
Improved Damage Reduction (Su): This zombie’s
damage reduction is increased by 5.
Instant Infection (Su): Zombies have access to a wide
variety of magical, necromantic and mundane diseases,

19
 and most are plague carriers, their bodies having
developed a number of fetid diseases (to which they are
themselves immune) through the long years of undeath.
Select any one disease affliction; creatures who are
successfully hit by this zombie’s melee attack suffer the
effects of that disease immediately, rather than waiting
the usual onset time.
Lifesense (Su) This zombie can sense living creatures
as if it had blindsight 60 ft.
Living Dead (Ex) This alchemically-created zombie
is more a plant/construct than it is undead. It loses its
undead traits, and gains the plant and construct traits.
Petrified Flesh (Ex) This zombie’s flesh has become as
hard as stone on the outside. It gains a bonus to natural
armor equal to its Str modifier.
Putrefaction (Su): This zombie can focus the forces
of decay to deliver a powerful attack as per the spell
20 Pathways Magazine
vampiric touch. Once per day this spell affects the first
living creature the zombie makes a successful melee
attack against, with a caster level equal to zombie’s HD.
Quickened Create Spawn (Su): Any creature slain by
a zombie rises up as a feral zombie within 1d6 rounds.
Any creature that takes any damage from a zombie and
then dies within seven days of receiving that wound will
automatically rise as a zombie.
Viscous Form (Ex) This alchemically-created zombie’s
damage reduction is effective against slashing weapons
as well as piercing and bludgeoning weapons.
Vitality Born of Decay (Su) This zombie, unlike other
undead, uses its Strength score in place of its Charisma
score when calculating hit points, Fortitude saves, and
any special ability that relies on Constitution or Charisma
(such as when calculating a breath weapon’s DC).
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21
 Twenty Questions with
John Reyst
By Steven D. Russell

1. Could you tell us a little about yourself?

Sure! My name is John Reyst. I’m 45 years old, married

to the amazing and beautiful Debra, and have three
incredible daughters. I also have an attitudinal cat named
“Bella” and a new shepherd/husky mix puppy we rescued
and just named “Loki”!
My oldest daughter is 18 and attending Michigan State
University pursuing a law degree, my middle daughter is
a sophomore in high school, and my youngest is about to
enter middle school.
I’ve lived my entire life in Southeastern Michigan, in
the Detroit suburbs. I started playing RPGs at some point
right around 1980 or so, playing 1st edition Dungeons
& Dragons. Since then I’ve played several other games,
including all editions of D&D and various superhero
systems. For the most part though, my group and I always
end up playing fantasy RPGs the longest, and right now,
Pathfinder is our baby.
My day job is in I.T. (information technology) for a
large regional bank and I’ve pretty much always worked
in I.T. to one degree or another, and so have a fairly broad
skill set in technology terms, which has been very helpful
in building and managing d20pfsrd.com. However, I’ve
never been “published” in any actual book, though I
like to think that one day I might enter the RPG writing
field with some stuff. Doesn’t everyone dream of writing
gaming stuff and getting published after all?
2. What is your home game like?
I’m currently in two Pathfinder campaigns. One is a
tweaked Kingmaker campaign and the other is a meat
grinder Rappan Athuk (by the always deadly Frog God
Games) campaign we run when the main group is missing
too many players. Our main game (the Kingmaker
variant) is fairly shaky so we’re playing Rappan Athuk
more often than the main campaign now. Unfortunately,
Rappan Athuk has thus far more than lived up to its name
“Dungeon of Graves” since I’m on (I think) my 4th or 5th
PC and we’re barely anywhere in the adventure!
3. What is your favorite Paizo product?
I’d say the Advanced Race Guide right now, though the
Animal Archive is pretty great too. I love the new races
and the point-based race building rules. I love so many of
the races that now I tend to get buried trying to determine
which race to choose for every new PC I make!
4. You are currently the owner/operator of
D20PFSRD.com, how did that start and how
would you characterize the company today?
Some of your readers may not know that d20pfsrd.com
has been around longer than Paizo’s PRD! The original
reason I created it was simply because I wanted a d20srd.
org but for Pathfinder. This was back during the time of
Pathfinder Beta and my personal gaming group had all
decided to switch from 4th Edition, which we had been
trying out for a few months, over to Pathfinder. I began
actively seeking out others who might already be doing
that (setting up a Pathfinder version of d20srd.org) in
order to avoid duplicating effort, and to work together.
I eventually found one and signed on as a collaborator
but quickly became frustrated at the pace of updates
so I decided to start a separate effort that I completely
managed. I tend to be very impatient so I just started up
a new one that I could completely control. Originally it
wasn’t “d20pfsrd.com” but simply an informal quasi-site
I shared with just a few people. However, it very quickly
snowballed into something much larger and people began
volunteering left and right to help get new stuff added to

22 Pathways Magazine
it. We’ve even added an estore, Shop.d20pfsrd.com to
showcase some amazing third party publishers and their
products. Since we also run d20pfsrd.com we are in the
unique position of being able to place context appropriate
“Buy Now” widgets onto the appropriate pages of the
site where they are most likely to attract people most
interested in that sort of product. Based on only being
open four months and having about 50% increase in sales
each month so far, I’d say we are doing something right!
We even just added actual Paizo books and other physical
items like dice, battlemats, dice bags, counters, etc., since
we have a great relationship with our distributor here in
Michigan who also happens to own a hobby store. But my
workload has now quadrupled.
5. What is your favorite Pathfinder Roleplaying
Game compatible product you worked on and
could you tell us a little about it?
Unfortunately I haven’t really contributed in any
meaningful way to any “published” 3pp Pathfinder
products! However, if you consider d20pfsrd.com a
“Pathfinder Roleplaying Game compatible product” then
that’s the only one I’ve really been involved in so I pick
that one.
6. What was your best moment working on that
product?
I monitor website traffic logs very closely and compare
traffic on the site to that of other very popular gaming
industry sites. While you certainly have to take traffic
analysis statistics somewhat with a grain of salt, I can
relatively comfortably say d20pfsrd.com is now among the
top tier (as in, the top 5-10) RPG sites in terms of number
of daily visitors. We’re actually much
higher than many of them in other
categories (like “Time on Page” since
people actively use the site for long
periods of time). From a business
perspective, I doubt you could come
up with one Pathfinder Roleplaying
Compatible “Product” with more
users (other than the Pathfinder
game itself!). So yes, while that’s
probably pretty egotistical, it’s still a
point of pride, seeing a nobody like
me build something that has become
so ridiculously popular.
7. What do you feel was the
most ingenious part of that
product?
From a marketing perspective,
combining context appropriate “Buy
Now” widgets to the site connecting
the site’s insane number of users to products in the
d20pfsrd store.
From a technology perspective, I’d say relying on
Google for the brunt of the workload. We use Google Sites
to host the website, a Google Group for managing users,
and various other Google Apps like Google Docs (now
Drive) for embeddable databases and other features.
Google has been 100% reliable for our needs and has had
zero downtime in going on four years.
From a gaming perspective, I’d say offering players
a single, convenient and well organized place to get the
largest concentration of Pathfinder-compatible content
anywhere. Some players and GMs don’t appreciate or
allow “3pp” content but apparently many do. By offering
3pp content on the site I think we’ve VASTLY increased
awareness and appreciation of several 3pp who might not
otherwise have much exposure.
8. What was the most challenging aspect of
working on it?
Diplomacy.
9. Did you learn anything while working on it?
See #8. I’ve had to learn how to be more diplomatic.
I’ve had a problem in the past
occasionally with personal
interactions with some in the
industry. Too often, that has been the
result of a misunderstanding and if
approached in a different way could
have resulted in a very different
final outcome. However, due to my
occasionally poorly chosen words,
or manner in conveying them, I’ve
generated some ill will with a few
individuals. I think over time that
I’ve improved somewhat, and so
most of that is behind me.
10. Other than your own work
and d20pfsrd.com products,
what is the best Pathfinder
Roleplaying Game compatible
product out there?
Well I don’t know that I could pick
23
 one overall favorite or “best” product. I’ll state right-
off that I don’t really know much personally about Rite
Publishing products but I do know they’re consistently
among the most popular pages on d20pfsrd.com so you
guys must be doing something right.
Of the products I’m more familiar with, I love
anything from Total Party Kill Games, Clockwork Gnome
Publishing, Jon Brazer Enterprises, or Purple Duck
Games/4 Winds Fantasy Gaming.
Further, Neo Productions Unlimited is making
some of the coolest suspense/horror products for
their “Shadowglade” low-magic campaign setting and
Legendary Games makes some of the most visually
stunning looking books.
I wish you asked about
products that aren’t Pathfinder
compatible, because I love me
some old school products too.
The various Swords & Wizardry
books from Frog God Games are
incredible, and Lamentations of
the Flame Princess is a beauty
to behold (even if it is a little…
disturbing!)
11. What in your opinion
makes a good Pathfinder
Roleplaying Game
compatible product?
A product that a) addresses
a need, b) stays focused, and c)
takes into consideration what
has come before. What I mean by
those:
a) Make sure that you are
not fixing something that’s not
broken, or making a product for
which there is no demand.
b) Focus on a narrow band or
rules area. Meaning, products which try to do a million
different things tend not to do any of them well and then
bury you in costs (in terms of time to create and time to
bring to market).
c) Look at what other publishers have already done!
Maybe someone else has already done what you were
thinking of doing, and unfortunately they’ve done a better
job than you could. Or, maybe you can take what they’ve
done and then expand upon it, thereby building up
interest in both your product and theirs. Take advantage
of the OGL by reviewing what’s been done before so
everyone wins.
12. Who is your favorite designer of Pathfinder
Roleplaying Game compatible products?
Creighton Broadhurst of Raging Swan Press
consistently makes either absolutely perfect products, or
as close to perfect as you can get. His editing is amazing,
the quality of the content is consistently of the highest
level. There are several others I could list but really, his
24 Pathways Magazine
work is consistently at the highest level.
13. What advice would you give to would-be-
freelancers?
Well I’m not really one who would know much about
dealing with freelancers, since I’ve only recently entered
the publishing field (under the guise of “d20pfsrd.com
Presents: Open Gaming Monthly”) but the biggest lesson
I’ve personally learned is that you have to be aggressive
and you have to be consistent.
Aggressive in that you can’t expect work to come to
you, you can’t assume people will remember who you are,
and you can’t be lazy. Opportunities are much more likely
to occur if you put yourself in the right places at the right
times and make yourself known
to as many people as possible. Be
present on all social networks,
show off your work, and don’t just
wait for opportunity to come to
you. You make your own success
so you have to go find it and grab
it.
Consistent in that you have to
have a consistent level of quality
to your work, and you have to be
consistently available. You MUST
be responsive to email and other
communications and you MUST
be flexible. You MUST be able
to adapt to the fast-changing
world and you MUST be able to
interact socially with others. If
you generate great stuff once, and
then garbage the second time, or
if you are flaky in responding to
emails or instant messages, or if
you don’t know how to interact
with people socially, you’re going
to have a short career.
14. Who is your favorite tabletop RPG
Illustrator?
I tend to prefer realism over super-fantastical art, so
anything in that style catches my eye. However, if I were
to just list specific names, regardless of their overall style,
I’d have to say Caldwell, Darlene, Dee, DiTerlizzi, Elmore,
Holloway, Otus, Parkinson, Trampier, etc. Yes, I’ve been
playing a long time.
15. What has been your most memorable fan
response to your work?
I’ve mentioned this previously and it may not count
entirely as a “fan” response, but it is by far my favorite
response. At my first Gen Con I was brave enough to
approach Erik Mona and introduce myself when I saw
him manning the Paizo booth. When I explained who I
was he responded with something along the lines of “Oh!
I love your site! I use it more than ours!” d20pfsrd.com
was up for its first ENnie that year and after getting that
response from Erik I told several friends “I don’t even
care if we win an ENie at this point. All that matters now
is that I know Erik likes the site.” We did go on to win
a Silver ENie that year (and the following year) but that
was just icing on the cake at that point!
16. Could you give us an exclusive hint or teaser
about an upcoming product you’re working on?
This hasn’t been mentioned in public previously but
I’m hopeful that we’ll be able to start offering an “offline”
version of d20pfsrd.com that is regularly updated via the
store. The thing is, the amount of work involved in getting
a complete and accurate download, and then stripping
it down to a manageable size, is extensive and rather
exhausting. That’s the main reason we haven’t really
done it regularly previously. However, if I can get a few
dollars for it in the store it might make the effort more
worthwhile so we’re looking at ways to go with that. The
theory at the moment is to do a quarterly update and you
can always get the latest version in the store (for whatever
price we can figure would be doable) and then we’ll post
the previous quarter’s version for free on d20pfsrd.com.
That way people can still get the offline version for free
and it will be “relatively” up-to-date but the purchasers
get the completely up-to-date version from the store.
We’re also talking with various 3rd party publishers
about various exclusivity arrangements where we’ll
bundle their 3pp content in with the downloadable
package and then do a revenue sharing model. However,
all of that is still up in the air and really all depends on if
I can even make the base model functional.
We’re also considering a subscriber model on d20pfsrd.
com where people can get all of the latest content as soon
as we post it, vs. after the usual “street + 2 weeks” delay
period lapses before we make content available to the
general public. Further, subscribers could help drive
WHAT we add and when. Basically tell us what they
want to see most and then we prioritize that over other
content. Again though, the precise details are up in the
air but we’re hoping to have something in place within
the next few months.
17. Do you have any goals for d20PFSRD.
com that you have yet to obtain or overcome?
Too many to list!
18. Can you talk a bit about why you believe
d20pfsrd.com is so popular?
Well the first and easiest answer might be that everyone
likes “free.” But I think the better answer is that people
appreciate the fact that we, all of the editors on the site,
truly are both fans and players of the game, and we all
are maintaining the site with a conscious effort of trying
to make Pathfinder games easier to run and play in. That
means doing little things like adding errata and FAQ
information right on the pages where it’s appropriate, or
adding additional things whipped up by the community
like grappling flowcharts! Or even adding in other helpful
tools like the various databases created and updated (very
quickly I might add) by Mike Chopswil. The databases
themselves serve as the basis for many 3pp products
currently available and are useful to just your run-of-the-
mill Pathfinder players who want to try to find “just the
right spell/feat/magic item/etc.” since you can sort by
many criteria. There are so many other little ways the site
is updated routinely that it’s too hard to list them all. Oh,
one other thing, at the bottom of all of the Class pages
on the site, the awesome Caedwyr (Stephen Horsley)
has created Class Alterations summary tables, which
list every available class archetype, what it changes/
adds/removes etc. We’re now doing the same thing for
races. These little additions are what I think shows the
community how we’ve got their backs. We’re trying to
make everyone’s game easier to run and smooth out any
rough spots.
Or it could be that people like free! Take your pick.
19. Is there anything else that folks should
know about you?
YES! I run several SRD websites! I run one for the
Swords & Wizardry game produced by Frog God Games
and I get awesome support from the Frogs! Chuck, their
ever-cranky layout guy, actually helps me get content
added to the site all the time and Rachel and Skeeter help
promote the SRD site on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+
so I really appreciate that! I also run an SRD site for the
Mutants & Masterminds 3rd Edition but mostly do that
one solo. I even have one set up for the Modern Path,
a modern spin on Pathfinder created by Game Room
Creations and they too have been exceptionally helpful
to me in getting that produced. They sent me all of their
stuff early on free of charge and said “HERE PLEASE
BUILD US AN SRD ALSO!” so I couldn’t really turn them
down! In all cases though I hope the existence of the SRD
sites helps build interest and awareness of the products
and helps build communities around them.
20. Is there anything else that folks should
know about your work?
There’s a LOT of work for one guy! Luckily on d20pfsrd.
com I’m one of many so that one’s not so bad but even so
we can always use help, either in working on d20pfsrd.
com, or on the Swords & Wizardry SRD (http://www.
d20swsrd.com) or on the Mutants & Masterminds SRD
(http://www.d20herosrd.com) so if any of the readers
have some spare time or even just have questions about
any of the sites, anyone can email me anytime at jreyst@
gmail.com. I’d love to hear comments, suggestions,
critiques, or answer any questions I can.
25
 they are an often coveted
Reviews item - and yet one that is
not that represented among
supplements. This pdf aims
to change that - framed by
Psionic Bestiary: the trademark, nice narration
we’ve come to expect from
Dredge and Mind-Numb Swarm Rite Publishing supplements,
Dream Scarred Press this pdf provides us with new
By Endzeitgeist manuals to grant permanent
5/5 stars! benefits to the readers - but
only once per manual.
This installment of the The respective manuals
Psionic Bestiary-series is 5 feature the market prices,
pages long, 1 page front cover, requirements for constructing the respective books as
1 page editorial, 1 page SRD, well as a short description how the respective book looks
leaving 2 pages of content, like. Now, beyond offering 30 manuals, we actually get 3
1 per creature. So what are variants for the respective manuals, totaling 90 manuals
these creatures exactly? - elementary, advanced and expert versions, all with
The CR 5 Dredge is a cool different results. Each manual requires a set amount of
idea - a psychokinetic ooze hours of study over the course of a limited amount of days
that may launch itself over to gain the respective book’s benefits.
quite some distances at prey It should furthermore be mentioned, that the respective
and leach power points from those it tries to consume. manuals offer sometimes multiple benefits: Take for
The CR 10 Mind-numb Swarm, spawned from idle example the rather basic “Being Comfortable in your
thoughts and lost concentration, is simply brilliant, Armor”-series of manuals: Studying the book nets you
though: Not only does it feature an illusory burn-quality, light, medium or heavy armor proficiency respectively. If,
it also emits a cacophonous, deafening aura that hampers however, you already are proficient with the respective
concentration and may actually regain hp if adversaries class of armor covered by the manual, you’ll increase your
lose concentration. Awesome concept and cool critter! max dex bonus by +1 (light armor)to +3 (heavy armor)
reduce armor check penalty by 1 to 3 to a minimum of
Conclusion: -1 as well as decrease arcane spell failure chance for the
Editing and formatting are top-notch, I didn’t notice respective class of armors by 5% per class of manual - the
any glitches. Layout adheres to a no-frills two-column one on heavy armor reduces the spell failure chance in
b/w-standard and the original b/w-artworks are nice. heavy armor by 15%.
The pdf has no bookmarks, but needs none at this length. Not all books are linear progressions of benefits,
This installment of the Psionic Bestiary-series provides though: Oracles may want to study “Answers to Universal
us with two nice, cool and unique creatures for a low Enigmas” - the book requires you to have a certain amount
price - seeing that I like both creatures in both concept of oracle-levels. The elementary version nets you 1 skill
and execution, I have nothing to complain and will thus rank in two skills of the oracle’s mystery-list, whereas the
gladly settle for a final verdict of 5 stars + seal of approval advanced version of the manual makes the oracle count
- these critters are worth their asking price. as +1 level with regards to two of his/her revelations. The
expert version of the book grants an additional revelation
Endzeitgeist out. and the option to cast 2 spells from his/her bonus spell
list 1/day.
Channeling energy, knowledge, weapon proficiencies,
bombs, favored enemies, disguising, raging, unarmed
strikes, diplomacy, acrobatics, perception, wizardly
#30 Manuals of Improvement spellcasting, improved summoning, stealth and bardic
performance, sleight of hand, movement rate, teamwork,
(PFRPG) domain powers, druidic casting & knowledge nature,
Publisher: Rite Publishing improvised weapons, sorceror bloodlines, witch hexes,
by Thilo G. sneak attack, survival and using magical devices make
4/5 Stars! up the topics for the other manuals herein, just to give
you an impression whether the topics relevant to your
This pdf is 30 pages long, 1 page front cover, 1 page interests are covered.
editorial, 1 page SRD, 2 pages of advertisement, leaving
us with 10 pages of content, so let’s take a look!
Manuals - from bonuses to attributes to unique abilities,

27

Conclusion:
Editing and formatting are very good, I didn’t notice
any significant glitches. Layout adheres to RiP’s 2-column
b/w rune-covered standard and the pdf features stock-b/
w-artwork that does its job. The pdf is fully bookmarked.
Mike Welham delivers a great, useful little supplement
and one that begs for a sequel - after all magi, gunslingers,
samurai, ninjas or renegade classes could benefit as well
from manuals like this. That being said, one minor gripe I
have with this pdf would be that here and there the writing
could be slightly more concise: Take aforementioned
example of armor-proficiency granting manuals, which
includes the sentence “If the character already has this
feat, he increases his maximum Dex bonus by 1, reduces
his armor check penalty by 1 (to a minimum of -1), and
reduces his spell failure chance by 5% when wearing light
armor.” (pg. 3) While it is clear that the maximum dex-
bonus allowed by the armor is meant, it could be misread
as granting a +1 to dex-bonuses in general. Nitpicky, yes,
but I I encountered minor ambiguities like this here and
there, which remains my only true gripe with this pdf -
content-wise and rules-wise, this supplement is solid and
thus, I will settle for a final verdict of 4.5 stars, rounded
down to 4 for the purpose of this platform.
Endzeitgeist out.
Feats of Dexterity (PFRPG)
Abandoned
Arts
By Endzeitgeist
5/5 Stars!
All right, you
know the drill -
3 pages, 1 page
front cover, 1
page editorial/
SRD, 1 page
content - this
time detailing 10
new feats of dexterity!
-Aquatic Acrobatics: Make swim-check in lieu of
acrobatics-checks to move through occupies squares or in
and out of them while submerged in water. Also upgrades
evasion to improved evasion when submerged in water.
I’m not a big fan of skill-substitution-feats and this is one
of them. Not my cup of coffee.
-Backstabber: As long as you’re flanking an opponent,
you gain a bonus to crit-confirmation-rolls equal to the
amount of sneak attack-dice you have.
-Improved Mobility: If you are the target of a failed AoO
caused by moving out or in a threatened area, increase
28 Pathways Magazine
you mobility-granted dodge-bonus by +2 until the end of
your move. Weak feat that builds on one of the weaker
feats out there. Not impressed.
-Improved Sneak Attack Sniper: When gaining the
benefits of Sneak Attack Sniper, you may roll sneak attack
damage dice and then choose to discard the appropriate
number of sneak attack dice after damage is rolled, but
before it is applied. That feat is actually rather neat!
-Improved Tricky Defense: When a creature
unsuccessfully aids an ally against your atk, that creature
loses its Dex-bonus to AC against the next attack you
make this turn.
-Leaps and Bounds: You can use walls as equivalents
of running starts for jumps, may jump as part of a run
or charge action and may successfully jump and fly over
opponents - if you succeed in doing so, you don’t incur an
AoO from said foe. A rather interesting feat!
-Reflexive Step: You may make a 5-foot step before
making a reflex save versus an incoming area-attack.
Nice one!
-Sneak Attack Sniper: Perform sneak attacks beyond
30 ft. - for every 10 ft. beyond 30 ft., reduce the sneak
attack bonus dice by 1. This feat is genius. Well worth the
price of admission.
-Tricky Defense: The DC to aid another versus you
is your CMD. When fighting defensively, this DC is
increased by +4.
-Tumbling Charge: As long as you move 5ft., you may
use acrobatics to move through squares while charging.
Conclusion:
Editing and formatting are very good, I didn’t notice
any significant glitches. Layout adheres to Abandoned
Art’s no-frills 2-column standard and the pdf has no
bookmarks, but needs none at this length.
At first, I was not that impressed by this collection
of feats - Several of the feats herein did not excite
me, whereas others make sense, but in a restricted
environment. However: Sneak Attack Sniper alone is
worth you getting this pdf. It’s actually rather weird
that this one hasn’t been done before and it was high-
time that we got such a feat - which remains balanced,
nonetheless - it’s one of the instances where Abandoned
Arts has found this nail sticking from the rules tapestry
and hits it on the head, erasing an unfortunate bump in
the mechanics. Seeing the low price, I consider this pdf
well worth the price of admission for this feat alone and
while the other feats for me didn’t live up to this feat’s
brilliance, the lack of balance-issues make sure that I can
still rate this 5 stars with a clean conscience - If you have
a ranged rogue - then get this!
 Endzeitgeist out. first being the Couatl-bloodline that nets access to minor
divine magic, a weak poison, telepathy and rainbow-hued
wings. Nice!
The second bloodline is the eidolon-bloodline (who
may not multiclass as summoners) and, let me spell
10 Oracle Magic Items this out: This is the COOLEST bloodline I’ve read so far
Rite Publishing for PFRPG. The bloodline nets you access to evolution
By Megan Robertson points - you may spend these points and maintain these
5/5 Stars! evolutions for 1/2 character + cha-mod rounds. Versatile,
smart and glorious - and well worth the low asking price
Lucky oracles! For here, for this one alone. We also get a nice list of available
presented in delightfully evolutions for convenience’s sake.
atmospheric and in-character And then we get another supremely cool bloodline
terms, are a collection of I never thought I’d see - the poets of the underworld,
magic items specifically Flail-Snail-blooded sorcerors that come with a VERY
designed - by one Suilaliun of interesting ability: Spell specifically targeted at the
Our Sovereigns in Heaven - to sorceror has a 10% + 5% chance per level to be warped.
suit their particular character Spell failures and rebounds are possible - for beneficent
and style. All delightfully and hostile magic, making the ability change the overall
illustrated in the pre- playing experience, which is interesting indeed. You may
raphaelite style too, a feast also exude sticky or slimy slime to modify terrain and
for the eye as well as for the entangle foes etc. AWESOME! What author Perry Fehr
gamer. has done with this one is GLORIOUS.
A suit of armour that bites back - or at least, casts a
curse spell at anyone who has the temerity to damage The Flumph-bloodline is also interesting, featuring a
the wearer - starts the collection. with a fantastical cape cool, interesting background to explain the origin of the
whose mere appearance alone is wonderful even before it bloodline. Ability-wise, sorcerors get access to a spray of
starts reducing the cost of using metamagic feats, a pair stench, acidic flesh and the ability to fly slow, but with
of sandals that aid the oracle’s dodging ability and several perfect maneuverability, culminating in interesting high-
other wonders following. All are soundly rooted in the level abilities to combat aberrant threats.
peculiarities of the oracle class and appropriate to their
qualities, yet they are also customisable to suit a given The Phoenix-bloodline is more conventional/what
oracle’s tutelary deity... at least, they would be if he has you’d expect - fire-touches, flame resistance, and flaming
them made. Of course, you somewhat take what you find wings. The issue the bloodline had at first has been
when rooting through treasure hoards! cleared up.
If you have any oracle characters in your game, get The Pugwampi-bloodline is also interesting: At first
this... and if you don’t, a few hints about the goodies level, they may force foes to roll twice a d20 and take
herein will have at least one player rolling an oracle up the lesser result. The ability does not work for characters
forthwith - yes, they are that good, that fun to play with. that have a luck bonus and now the bloodline has been
stripped of its ambiguities, it works rather well!
The final bloodline is the Time bloodline and its
abilities are unconventional: These sorcerors may
shunt targeted creatures into the future, taking them
Monstrous Bloodlines for Sorcerers II temporarily with touch attacks (that thankfully allow
saves) into the future and thus out of the combat for
[PFRPG] some seconds. The bloodline also gets a more powerful
Purple Duck Games mirror image that always is hit instead of the sorceror -
By Endzeitgeist powerful, yes, but also damn cool and something no other
5/5 Stars! bloodline has done. Nice! The final abilities are not that
exciting, though the option to negate damage done by a
The second installment of single foe slain by you is cool! This bastard has killed all
Monstrous Bloodlines is 9 pages of your adventuring companions? As long as you manage
long, 1 page front cover, 1 page to defeat the adversary, you may unravel him from time
ToC/editorial, 1 page (and a bit) and get them all back. Also: Can you see the narrative
SRD, leaving us with 6 pages of potential not only for this, but also for the repercussions
content, so let’s check out these of the foe being unraveled from time? NICE!
new bloodlines!
This time, the bloodlines are
WEIRD with a capital “W” - the

29

Conclusion:
EDIT: The pdf has been updated to feature excellent
editing and formatting, now lacking any obvious glitches.
Layout adheres to PDG’s no-frills two-column standard
and the cover-artwork (the only one) makes flumphs
actually look hardcore. Nice. The pdf is fully bookmarked,
a neat feature at this length.
If I didn’t know any better, I wouldn’t believe that the
same author that did the imho rather mediocre first book
also made this second Monstrous Bloodline-pdf. Perry
Fehr has REALLY found a stride in this pdf - NONE of
the bloodlines are boring, every one features at least
one, often more unique and smart signature abilities.
The Eidolon, Flail-Snail and Flumph-bloodlines are just
awesome and the Time bloodline also rocks hard. In
fact, I consider these bloodlines to rank among the best
released by ANY publisher out there. Yes. They are that
good. And now, with the glitches I complained about in
my first iteration of the review purged, thisis a glowing
5 stars + seal of approval recommendation - these
bloodlines are interesting, smart and will result in unique
playing experiences. Give them a try!
Endzeitgeist out.
101 Mystical Site Qualities
Rite Publishing
By Megan Robertson
5 of 5 Stars!
OK, so what is a ‘mystical site’
anyway? To put it simply, it is
any location that’s got something
special about it, a place where
magic may act a little differently
from normal perhaps due to
something that once happened
there or as part of the natural ebb
and flow of magical forces across
the land.
To aid you in making your
campaign world suitably and subtly different from the
everyday one you inhabit when not revelling in your
shared alternate reality, herein is presented a whole
bunch of ‘qualities’ that you can apply to appropriate
locations within it. Each comes with descriptive text that
may explain how the site has developed or what it feels
like, or something else which lets you know the flavour,
the feel of that location. Then the rule mechanics of how
that location’s otherness has an in-game effect, and finally
30 Pathways Magazine
a brief example to demonstrate that quality in action.
They can be quite powerful, quite disturbing or
startling; and should be used sparingly. Placed to best
effect, carefully chosen, they can be a potent reminder to
your players that they are not wandering round Kansas or
Cheshire, but are truly elsewhere, in that shared alternate
reality that you are creating and inhabiting around your
game table. They ought to be rare. You won’t find a
mystical site on every street corner or every hill top, but
they should reflect the grand sweep of magic through
your land, influenced by events and in turn influencing
future events.
Just reading through them may spawn ideas for
events, encounters or even whole adventures. Or you may
realise that a location already in your campaign world
is eminently suitable for this treatment. Maybe even
something your characters have done in the past may lay
the seeds for a mystical site... and their discovery of the
changes that have taken place the next time they visit that
spot will be memorable indeed.
Some are beneficial to creatures entering the area,
some malignant... and some act differently depending
on who you are and what you are trying to do. This is a
resource to study thoroughly and to think about, before
picking which qualities you want to use and where you
are going to put them. Done with care they will enhance
your world and the adventures you have there.
NeoExodus Chronicles: Usual Suspects
Louis Porter Jr. Design
By Endzeitgeist
5/5 Stars
This supplement is 51
pages long, 1 page front
cover, 1 page SRD, 2 pages
of advertisement, leaving
us with a whopping 47
pages of content, so let’s
take a look!
Now the NeoExodus
campaign setting has
been around for a while
and this book fills a niche
I think any 3pp who endeavors to create a campaign
setting should try to fill. Which one you ask? Well,
whether it’s the NPC-Codex or the general statblock
section in the Gamemastery Guide, any DM needs a
selection of statblocks to fall back on. Now the problem,
often with 3pp-settings is that there are many cool classes
and options - and no pregenerated statblocks for them.
“Usual Suspects” is a breaking away from this trend,
providing us with statblocks for the elite organizations
of NeoExodus and making copious use of the respective
PrCs introduced in both the campaign setting and the
supplemental pdfs that detailed the secret organizations
released so far. CR-wise, the statblocks herein span from
CR 2 to CR 14 and each type of character/organization
gets 3 statblocks, one at low levels, one at mid levels, and
one at the higher ranges of mid levels, though you won’t
see extremely high-level builds in here.
Additionally, each of the statblocks comes with boons,
which of course vary depending on the iteration of the
statblock - A recruit of the Caneus High Guard, the
bodyguards of the empire’s royalty may be game for
adventuring, while a CR 10 Aegis may even get the PCs an
audience with the empress.
It’s rather interesting to note that the respective
iterations of the statblocks don’t necessarily are straight
progressions - while the High Guard begins at fighter 5
and the officer is a fighter 5/ high guard 3, the Imperial
Aegis is a cavalier (honor guard 6/High Guard 5 build.
This non-linear build adds variety and versatility to
the respective organisations and is reflected in e.g. the
statblocks of the Reis Cofederacy’s Panther Warriors and
sentinels as well, offering multi-class builds of multiple
baseclasses combined with PrC-levels.
The Sanguine Covenant (Catholic Church of the
medieval ages meets bloodmagic) gets a variety of
inquisitor/paladin-based daemonslayers as well as
secret agents and the Dominion is covered as well: Both
the Khalid Asad, the elite-force serving the realm and
final checks-and-balance-institution versus potentially
disruptive khagan and the notoriously powerful
wyrdcasters are also part of the deal, making ample use
of the mobile fighter-archetype as well as of sorceror
and conuror levels, respectively. If you’re in need of an
experimental field doctor, then Imperial Apothecaries
will have you covered and for those seeking to blend
monk-training and psionics, the notoriously powerful
Janissaries might have you covered - though at least for
them, psionics remain mostly a fluff concept.
Beyond these elite forces, we also get statblocks for the
men-at-arms of the Imperial Alliance and the civilization-
shunning berserkers of the Janus Horde (who btw. get
a barbarian/oracle/rage prophet-build at higher levels)
and their more esoteric fist of the dragon barbarians that
draw strength from their draconic ancestry.
Now if the Sanguine Covenant is covered, we of course
also need to cover the Order of Kaga and its Augurs
and graft-using harbingers. Among the less openly
militaristic (but no less dangerous) individuals, we also
get phoenix guard terrorists and the men and women
that wield teh really big guns with protectorate artillerists
that use among others, machinesmiths and gunslingers
and combine their talents with the really big guns. The
Protectorate also gets new stats for their peacekeepers.
Finally, fans of Dreamscarred Press’ psionics system
should rejoice, for the secret organization of psi-special-
op called Section Omega also gets 6 new stats, making
use of the ID Hunter and psychic overseer PrC introduced
in that nifty book. And that’s it - no frills, about one
paragraph of fluff for each organization and the rest is
stats.
Conclusion:
Editing and formatting this time around are actually
very good - I didn’t notice any significant glitches and
while I didn’t do the math on all statblocks, I did it on
some and they seem to be sans flaws, so kudos there!
Layout is as beautiful as we’ve come to expect from LPJr
Design and adheres to a truly gorgeous two-column full-
color standard that is further complemented by an array
of at least one full-color mugshot of paizo-level quality of
one member of the respective class. While some of these
artworks are known from other NeoExodus-books, not all
are - kudos at this fair price point. The pdf also features
heraldry for the nations and symbols of the organizations
to complement them. The pdf comes in two versions,
with the second being backgroundless and still beautiful
in full color and about 30 MB less weighty. Both versions
come with extensive bookmarks.
The title of this product is either ironic or a misnomer
indeed - or born from the fact that there’s a Frog God
Games-book that is called UNusual suspects. Why?
For these statblocks are anything but run of the mill -
utilizing a broad variety of archetypes and classes, these
go beyond what I would have expected. Also, they provide
ready-made statblocks that utilize PrCs of NeoExodus for
the beleaguered GM and for those not using the setting/
who don’t have the books, still provide all the pieces of
information needed to run the stats from the book. I really
hope that some other campaign settings out there will
see a similar treatment, for even though these statblocks
never reach the level of complexity of e.g. the Faces of
the Tarnished Souk-series, they provide a tantalizing
glimpse at NeoExodus and provide DMs with statblocks
that have abilities distinctively set apart from what you
see in similar stat-compilations. Varied, fun, making
copious use of both the options of standard Pathfinder
and NeoExodus, this collection is all but mandatory
for DMs of the setting and useful to get a sneak-peak
for those who don’t that wish to add some uncommon
options to their NPCs. All in all, a professional offering
for a very fair price and worth 5 stars - omitting my seal
of approval only because I would have loved to see an
advanced animal companion/mount/familiar or witch in
this book.
Endzeitgeist out.
#30 Portable Rooms
Rite Publishing
By Endzeitgeist
5 of 5 Stars!
This pdf is 19 pages long,
1 page front cover, 1 page
editorial, 1 page SRD, 2 pages
of advertisement, leaving us
with 14 pages of content, so
let’s take a look!
31
 After a short narrative framework that establishes
Wyrist Spellweaver, an heir in spirit to Leomund and
originator of the rooms herein to us, we are introduced
to general properties of the rooms herein. Activation
and Deactivation is a standard action (and happens after
12 hours) - upon deactivation, creatures are expelled
harmlessly. Entrances may accommodate large creatures,
huge ones may squeeze inside and generally the rooms
block sight and sound and also gaze and breath weapons,
antimagic etc. are also covered interaction-wise. It should
be noted that these rooms are not safe zones - when
activated anybody can enter them, though they may still
be preferable to otehr surroundings the PCs may find
themselves fighting in.
The respective items that contain the rooms cover a
truly interesting breadth - take e.g. the Belt of Winding
Paths that can be made into a ramp that leads up to a
kind of domed observatory, complete with a telescope
that shows you random flashes of scenes from your life,
past and future, and while it may confuse you, there
also are bonuses to be had here. Of course, the room
also comes with a crystal ball to study the planes. Going
beyond the basics of construction, price etc., the rooms
also provide lore-section to glean information about
them. Or take a horseshoe-turned-shoescraper with ends
of broken arrows that works as a mobile stable which
allows communication with the animals or a bladed boot
that can be used to conjure up a pond (and have others
drop in) - completely with edible, calming fish! Fighters
may now have a mobile armory that not only replenishes
mundane ammunition, but also has the option of having
one or multiple sets of armor on stand-by, making it
possible for the wearer to quickly conjure them up back
to his body. Cool especially for heavily armored PCs who
don’t want to sleep in their armor or embarrass their
adventuring companions when interacting with the high
society.
Of course, mobile libraries contained in a book, a
pottery workshop in a broach, a brush that contains
mobile springs, a gym/trap-obstacle course, a mobile
distillery (Yay for all dwarves!), an idyllic grove to share
with one’s love and even a marble containing a torture
chamber can be found amongst the various items featured
in this collection - with specifically me feeling the need
to mention that not only are the rooms creative and
intriguing, their respective activating items also feature
an array of creative, interesting forms. Furthermore
it should be noted, that the lore-section and means of
activating the respective items are also covered - from
twirling thrice to throwing up in the air or touching a
picture next to a verse - it is such a creative means of
activation, this detail, that makes these rooms stand out
as something uncommon, as items that feel magical.
Conclusion:
Editing and formatting are top-notch, I didn’t notice
any glitches. Layout adheres to RiP’s old, rune-bordered
b/w-standard and the b/w stock arts are nice and fitting
32 Pathways Magazine
for the product. The pdf comes fully bookmarked.
Author Liz Smith, has created an array of intriguing,
interesting rooms, mobile workshops (that should come
as a huge blessing for many campaigns) and not only
married solid rules and interesting ideas with a sense
of wonder, but actually also avoid the trap of repeating
benefits and style of the items, instead opting for a wider,
more creative array of options. And for the better! This
collection of rooms is bigger on the inside, much like its
topic covered: All the small details and ideas that you
may not realize are there, but which show up on second
and third reading, at least for me, elevate this pdf from
being a good collection of rooms to being an excellent
collection of rooms. It is with utmost pleasure that I rate
this pdf my full 5 stars + seal of approval. Congratulations
for the significant increase in writing prowess and quality
since the last offering!
Endzeitgeist out.
#1 W ith a Bullet Point: 6 Anachronistic
Armors
Super Genius Games
By Endzeitgeist
4/5 Stars!
All right, by now you
know the drill - 1 page front
cover, 1 page SRD, 1 page
content, this time going for 6
anachronistic armors!
We kick off with two types
of ballistic vests and from
the get-go, both feel not only
different, but actually use
rules in a way that is befitting
of their anachronistic origin,
making them feel distinct from diverse enchanted
medieval means of keeping alive: Since modern armor is
made mainly to protect versus bullets, these anachronistic
pieces of equipment sport an increased AC-bonus versus
firearms and more importantly, don’t have firearm
attacks being resolved as touch attacks versus these
armors - interesting take for these armors indeed. On the
light armor side, we get two versions of ballistic vests.
Reinforced ballistic armor is also interesting as a
medium armor, since it does not hamper movement
with regards to charges and run maneuvers. The other
medium armor, the Ceramic Armor, also sports an
interesting rules-options - if the armor is damaged,
its armor-rating is reduced. I actually really like this
simulationalist approach and use it in my home-game
as a house-rule for all types of armor, but repair DCs in
an anachronistic context would have been appreciated -
can the blacksmith do the job or do you require a potter
or some other profession? Also, as a medium armor,
shouldn’t it reduce movement to 20 ft or is this superior
speed part of the armor’s rules?
On the shield side, we get riot shields and tactical
shields, with riot shields working especially well versus
improvised weapons and allowing for the dealing of non-
lethal shield bash damage sans incurring the usual -4
penalty. Unfortunately, the shield fails to specify whether
it counts as a heavy or light shield for purposes of base
shield bash damage.
Tactical shields hamper firearm attacks just like the
armors and count as heavy shields that feature lights
mounted and a viewport. Nothing to complain here!
Conclusion:
Editing and formatting are very good, apart from
the ceramic armor’s glitch. Layout adheres to SGG’s
3-column, landscape presentation and the pdf has no
bookmarks, but needs none at this length.
I really, really like how the armors herein feel distinct
in crunch and application from standard PFRPG-fantasy
armor and the overall ideas featured make them valid
options without being overpowering. Gunslingers most
definitely will hate these! ;) That being said, the lack
of information on the riot shield combined with the
ambiguity in the ceramic armor make it impossible to
rate this short pdf the full 5 stars. Instead, I will settle for
a solid 4 stars.
Endzeitgeist out.
Fantastic Maps – Iconic Island
Rite Publishing
By Megan Robertson
5/5 Stars
If you are into world
creation this is a bit of
a treat: a beautifully-
mapped island all ready
for you to decide what’s
where and what is going
on there.
The only features
provided are
topographical: rivers,
mountains, and some
indication of vegetation
- forests in the main and
something that I think is supposed to be marshy land. Oh,
and a very bare coastal area with no rivers that is probably
desert. It all looks pretty natural and realistic with the
rivers rising in appropriate places in the mountains and
winding their way down to bits of the coastland the right
shape for river mouths.
There are actually FOUR versions provided: a plain
map, one with icons, one with icons and hexes and a
greyscale version of the icons & hexes one. If you don’t
care for the pre-positioned icons they are all provided
as transparent PNG files which are a doddle to locate
where you think they ought to go. As well as assorted
township/castle type icons, there are crossed axes (site of
an historic battle, perhaps?), a shipwreck and a delightful
sea-serpent - which reminds me of the variant of my
university site plan I drew, place was built round a lake
so I put a sea-serpent much like this one in it... then I was
approached by the administration to update the ‘official’
plan...
There are other icons too: anchor, sword, skull, cave-
mouth, and flag. You can decide what they are supposed
to represent. Don’t forget to do a map legend (key) to show
what your icons mean, or to add a scale. A scale of about 6
miles to a hex is suggested, but you may have other ideas.
The one thing that’s missing is a compass rose, so that
you can indicate which way is north, but that’s a minor
quibble and a suiitable symbol is easy enough to find.
This is really nice, and I’m sure my characters’ boots
will be tramping over here ‘ere long!
ZEITGEIST #3: Digging for Lies
(Pathfinder RPG)
EN Publishing
By Endzeitgeist
5/5 Stars
The third part of En
Publishing’s steampunk-
AP is 99 pages long, 1
page front cover, 1 page
editorial, 1 page ToC, 1
page SRD, 1 page back
cover, leaving us with 94
pages of content, so let’s
check this out!
This being a review of
an investigation-heavy
adventure, this review
contains SPOILERS for
both this module and its two predecessors. Potential
players should jump to the conclusion.
All right, still here?
After the rather trademark smart and complex narrative
of Zeitgeist has been expanded and the adventure
sketched (which includes a new form of madness and a
feat to benefit slightly from insane clarities) we’ll return
to the matter at hand.
The agents of the RHC have recently achieved a
stunning victory against Macbannin, only to be stumped
by their boss’s boss, lady inspectress Margaret Saxby,
who subsequently took over the investigation. in the
rainy autumn months, though, the constablers will still
33
 have something to do. After all, the Kaybeau Arms and
Technology Expedition is going into full swing: Modeled
slightly after the World Exhibit, the PCs are commanded
to guard the peace there in a village of tents full of
experimentational weaponry -what could go wrong?
After a short briefing by Sara Lockheart, the PCs will have
opportunity to see some prototypes (and even help fine-
tune some, engage in philosophical debate with the dwarf
Kvarti Gobatiy and generally enjoy themselves - until the
incident happens - not via an exploding prototype, but via
the incursion of alien, nightmarish creatures! What could
have been a mishap of magic turns weirder yet, as the
creatures don’t just disappear. If the PCs manage to save
Simon Langfield, the unwitting arcanist who got these
creatures here by using his staff of the ancients, they’ll
have a massive mystery at their hands. Of course, first it’s
time for the constabulary to confiscate bodies and items
and Martial Scientist-PCs will also have a background-
related benefit waiting from what happens here. The
investigation of the fair should prove interesting, as a
gang of thieving street urchins and the family complicates
the investigations - yet another way for the PCs to get on
the good side of notorious Morgan Cippiano, though.
If they are smart, the PCs may well determine the
origin of the illegal magic staff that caused the mishap
and contact the responsible seller, posing as interested
buyers. Hence, they are off to the Lanternwood Subrail
Station, where they meet up with Kaja Stewart. If they
think the fence helpless, they’ll soon learn otherwise,
for the woman has not come unprepared: Multiple
walking turret constructs as well as her eidolon (she’s a
34 Pathways Magazine
summoner) as well as her refreshingly smart use of the
terrain should make this a challenging encounter indeed.
While an interrogation of her might yield results, the
conspiracy will move on to kill her - with a surprisingly
apt plan, nonetheless. Also, her death is not required
and if the PCs make the connection, she can describe a
tiefling surprisingly like Caius Bergeron in the context of
the McBannin-case. With her dead or not knowing more,
the investigation, for now, is stumped and in a dead-end,
which the module uses for a foreshadowing of module
#5, in the form of a dead body and a mangled golem,
mysteriously torn to shreds . Reactivating the golem,
who now houses the mind of a rogue Obscurati, will be a
project that spans multiple modules but eventually yield
success.
But back to the weird magical items: Seeing that
they seem old, the logical step to check for their origins
would be the Pardwright University of Natural History’s
Professor Hans Weber. The professor heard rumors
about a recently unearthed ziggurat in the High Bayou
and that Dr. Xambria Meredith led an expedition there.
Being the only survivor of the ill-fated trip, the woman
has been slightly addled by the now blurred ordeal.
The constables may make ample conversation with her,
though, and thus fill in gaps in their knowledge of the
ancient secrets. Now also rather interesting: It was Caius
Bergeron who financed the expedition of Dr. Xambria
and while, for now, they can’t really nail the elusive noble
down - for now.
With all resources exhausted in town and work slowing
to a crawl/busy-work at best, it is time for the PCs
35
 to leave Risur behind for the city of Bole via train and
from there to the village of Agate and from there to the
High Bayou’s creepy swamps. (Also nice: If the PCs are
versed in folklore and offer sacrifices to the sleeping fey
titan, they can avoid fighting the native creatures of the
bayou - great to award immersion and smart thinking.)
The ziggurat’s otherworldy aura promptly starts to erode
the sanity of the PCs and in a break from investigations,
they have a dungeon to explore at their hands - one that
makes the spirit-seers see bad omens and features fun
components like hallucinations and dead bodies! Have
I mentioned the notes of the lost expedition, the traps
galore, the actually intelligent puzzle based on planetary
correspondences and teamwork and weird aberrations?
Yeah. They’re there. Better yet, the obscurati have not
been idle and have added their own trickery to the already
formidable dungeon. If the players persist, though, they
may in a vision witness the sealing of the planet Apet
(from which the weird creatures at the fair hailed) and
the dysfunctional portal to the place that was once sealed
by the confiscated staff and the legendary axis seal. Once
the PCs have loitered enough, things get UGLY: A flood of
poison spreads throughout the Ziggurat, forcing the PCs
to make a run for it. Worse yet, EACH and every mummy
they have seen animates, making the escape a running
fight through the step-pyramid’s corridors.
Upon their escape, the Voice of Rot, the fabled fey-titan,
demands sacrifice: One thing, sentient, has escaped and
the titan wants it dead and rotting - and the PCs better
oblige. the detect Planar Energy-spell here is a great
help, in fact, it is throughout the module: A concise and
interesting list of clues helps DMs run the investigation of
this particular lead.
Upon their return to Risur, the PCs hence have a
fey titan to appease and find the suspect - but other
news also ask for their attention. Their main suspect,
Caius Bergeron, has been murdered, in a locked room.
Witnesses report a woman fitting Xambria’s description
having a lively discussion with Caius as well as a ring that
could be the first clue the PCs have for the Obscurati’s
means of identifying one another - or get into the deep
end. More pressing is a map with coordinates... And
celebrity bard Rock Rackus, who also shows traces of
Apet energy and is currently languishing in jail. The man
with the apt name is something of a rockstar who claims
to have visited the unseen court of the fey (on the moon)
and also happens to be a specialist in teleportation magic.
He also has this particular scroll he misplaced that may
lead to quite a bit of interesting treasure and information
(in module 12) - if only the PCs could get these pesky
charges dropped? Better yet, dockers are looking up to
the man, though he is just riding the wave right now and
after his own gain - if the PCs are convincing, they may
stir him to become, quite literally, a better man and thus
influence the future modules as well.
Another seal has been discovered (and can be
conjectured from Caius’ notes) and Dr. Xambria’s ship,
the dagger, is already waiting when the PC’s vessel arrives
there. While Dr. Xambria might seem like a good suspect
36 Pathways Magazine
and she indeed does show traces of massive Apet energy,
it’s not that simple and her cooperation and demeanor
hold up. When Il Dracon de Mer, a war vessel shows up,
it’s time for naval battle with a vessel crewed by loyalist’s
to the now deceased Caius. After having defeated the
opposing vessel (optionally via the simplified naval
combat rules also featured in here), the PCs will have to
get to the seal, which is defended by specialists that are
well-trained for defending the seal beneath the waves and
also have an array of animal companions at their beck
and call. Aquatic combat is thankfully quickly summed
up and while I prefer Cerulean Sea’s more complex take
on underwater combat, terrain wise there is nothing to
complain here. The sunken dig site has an inactive portal
that the leader of the specialists tries to open and a further
skyseer dream complement a battle that should prove to
be both tactical and interesting - especially when insane
water-creatures erupt from the portal and the PCs have
to work potentially with their adversaries to re-seal it,
establishing the procedure for further situations. (Btw.: I
love it when modules do this - establish a cohesive “law”
or “way how things work” and then actually stick to it -
that lends a sense of cohesion to any given setting!)
The return to Flint with their captives will prove
the mettle of your PCs, especially their paranoia: The
mastermind of the latter troubles makes its move if the
PCs don’t use their wits: A creature called Sijhen, a spy
and scout from the planet of Apet that has lain dormant
in Xambria’s consciousness - rising from the body when
needed and forcing her/modifying memory it tries to
assassinate PCs, crew, anything alive on the ships, really
and the creature also has an evil array of summoned
monsters attack. Probably , the dread creature beats the
PCs back to flint, with the golden icon of Apet, enacting
its masterplan, thankfully befitting of a creature of its
intellect. Upon their return to Flint, they’ll realize that
the strange madness from the ziggurat has spread to
Flint and by now, the PCs hopefully can connect the
items of the ancients with the madness. The Museum
of Natural History host a grand gala and the PCs may
socialize - until Xambria/Sijhen make their move and
assault with a contingent of deadly creatures from Apet
- if the PCs manage to defeat the duo, Xambria seems to
wrestle free of Sijhen’s influence and realize her mutated,
eye-sporting arm, surrendering. Xambria hopefully
can retain control long enough and thus, the PCs get
her back to HQ while she can stave off the influence of
Sijhen. Unfortunately, this is also part of Sijhen’s plan - it
contacted the Obscurati, threatening to expose them: And
indeed, Xambria reveals the existence of the conspiracy
to the PCs, connecting Mcbannin and Bergeron, adding
the information that Caius had the plan “to ride the train”
(to be featured in adventure #4). Worse, She exposes
Saxby as a member of the Obscurati before being taken
over by Sijhen again and the creature floods the RHC
headquarters with planar energy before phasing through
the ceiling.
The whole headquarter turns first translucent, then
transparent and the game is on: Members of the RHC
become mad due to the planar energy-influx and not only
is Sijhen escaping, the PCs will have to rally the maddened
RHC operatives, defeat the obscurati kill squad sent
to dispatch them (which unprofessionally mentions
notorious crimeboss Lorcan Kell) and catch Lady Saxby,
who is guarded by fellow RHC-officers unaware of her
duplicity and trying to make a run for it. Oh, and Sijhen is
opening a gate in the subterranean railway-tunnel, trying
to escape to its home planet. Worse, Sijhen is conjuring a
truly interesting unique vast creature the PCs will have to
defeat and worse, Xambria is doomed to die unless spirit
mediums intervene - alternatively, her consciousness
may end up in one of the PC’s bodies.
The first appendix includes multiple optional
encounters, like an audit with Lord Viscount Inspector
Nigel Price-Hill (husband of Saxby who does her best to
discredit them), Lorcan trying to frame a murder on the
PCs for taking down Kaja’s smuggling operation and a
radical Vekeshi plot of a less than smart being wanting
to assassinate Rock Rackus - trying to recruit a PC for the
job. The pdf also provides stats for the new creatures, new
magical items (including the experimental steam suit),
the boon of sharing Xambria’s consciousness, dramatis
personae, 3 beautiful hand-outs, 5 pages of quick naval
combat rules, and 14 pages of beautiful maps.
Conclusion:
Editing and formatting are top-notch, I didn’t notice
any glitches, which is quite a feat. Layout adheres to the
2-column standard and is full-color and beautiful. The
original artworks are GLORIOUS and supplemented with
stock-art here and there. Cartography deserves a special
mention, since the maps are beautiful indeed. It should
be noted that the pdf comes with layers that enable you
to print-it out without draining your printer as much -
though there is a problem pet-peeve for me: The maps
lack player-friendly versions (with one exception) and are
studded with numbers. While I don’t mind regarding the
RHC-headquarters, the other locales should also come
with player-friendly versions.
That remains the only gripe I have with this module,
though: While less complex than the webs of intrigue
featured in issue 2 of the AP, we still get a truly superb
module of backstabbing and conspiracy, of weirdness and
horror that is indeed a glorious addition to the stellar AP.
My final verdict for the third gutsy, intelligent module of
the Zeitgeist AP will thus clock in at 5 stars plus seal of
approval.
Endzeitgeist out.
T he Tolling of Tears
Rite Publishing
By Endzeitgiest
4 of 5 Stars!
This module is 30 pages
long, 1 page front cover, 1
page editorial, 1 page ToC,
1 page SRD, 1 page back
cover, leaving us with 25
pages of content, so let’s
take a look!
This being an
adventure-review, the
following text contains
SPOILERS. Potential
players might wish to
jump to the conclusion.
Still here? All right!
The rice-farming village of Kinogasa has seen better
times - ever since a failed rebellion versus the rather
unpleasant ruling forces of Kaidan, the village has been
haunted: A Yokinto priest leading the uprising versus the
undead ruling caste was vanquished and subsequently
has haunted the local temple. Ever since, a sohei school
has been keeping tabs on the populace, while the spirit
of the insurgent priest has continued to haunt the local
ceremonial bell, which is more than relevant for the
harvest. All went well, with corrupt priests suffering the
spirit’s wrath. Until the last priest died before having
time to pass on the means to placate the spirit. Worse,
a disgruntled onmyoji-wizard has put a curse on the bell
in order to create a problem to rehabilitate himself in
the eyes of his superiors - unaware of the spirit, which
subsequently chased the minion tasked with cursing the
bell off. With the festival approaching, it’s up to the PCs
to save the village.
The module comes with information to run this as a
convention-one-shot and when the PCs arrive to deal
with the Bell-problem, the local sohei are not particularly
glad, wishing to deal with it themselves, but off to the
briefing: The latest priest, one Maeda Takashi, provides
basic information for the PCs to start their investigation
and tells them about the sudden influx of terror and
sorrow that accompanied the ringing of the bell since
three weeks. The fully mapped (in full color) village comes
with a settlement statblock - and 10 bits of lore about the
village and its past and 8 NPC-bits and pieces the PCs
may encounter enrich the location as a valid background
and details to flesh out the investigation as desired.
In order to access the bell, the PCs will have to
contend with the dead priest’s spirit - and potentially
find the remnants of the failed onmyoji-curse. If the PCs
dispatched the spirit, the problem will actually worsen
due to the onmyoji completing the curse if the PCs
temporarily dispatch the ghost. Whether by the priestly
garments or by other means, the PCs might also research
the final resting place of the town’s last priest killed by
the ghost, buried in an honorless grave. The onmyoji has
trapped a jikininki in the cave as a means of dissuading
37
 suspicions and PCs will have to explore the place - and
find yet another origami-paper, further incriminating
the wizard. At this point, it’s up to the PCs to confront
the wizard, his shikigami-familiar and his skeletal
bodyguard, unearthing the means to reversing the curse,
which also placates the spirit.
The pdf also includes 8 pregens - enough for larger
groups, which is great.
Conclusion:
Editing and formatting are very good, I didn’t notice
any glitches that would have impeded my enjoyment
of the module. Layout adheres to the bamboo-lined
2-column full-color standard and the cartography and
original pieces of artwork by the master of creepy b/w-
drawings Mark Hyzer are glorious (though the editorial
lacks the entry for cover artist and illustration) and well-
complemented by a nice array of thematically fitting
stock-art. The pdf comes fully bookmarked.
The Tolling of Tears is a nice low-level sandboxy
investigation into a none-too-epic problem - but honestly,
when compared to the other Kaidan-modules released so
far, this one lacks the abject sense of horror, of dread, of
psychological gravitas displayed by the other modules. In
fact, this sandboxy investigation is VERY simple. While
the location is nice and detailed in its depiction, the basic
clues to pick up are simple and the resolution of the
mystery is practically handed to the PCs without much
work, showing more distinctly than e.g. “Frozen Wind”
or “Up from Darkness” that this scenario originated
from being a convention-scenario and in the end being,
at least for my tastes, slightly too simple, too obvious.
For inexperienced player that don’t usually do a lot of
investigations, this might be an appropriate challenge,
but veteran players require the DM to create quite an
array of red herrings/responses to keep this module
interesting. That being said, it is still a nice little offering
and thus my final verdict will clock in at 4 stars.
Endzeitgeist out.
Dungeon Denizens
Raging Swan Press
By Endzeitgeist
5/5 stars!
This pdf is 13 pages long,
1 page front cover, 1 page
advertisement, 2 pages
editorial, 1 page ToC/
introduction, 1 page SRD
and 1 page back cover,
leaving us with 6 pages of
content, so let’s take a look!
First: Read the
introduction. It’s essentially
38 Pathways Magazine
the product in a nutshell - what you get is a table to roll
on for random encounters, the first one with 11 entries -
all these entries feature where the creature can be found
(e.g. in which Bestiary) and generally, all creatures in
here fall in one of three categories - basic creatures you
can take straight from the respective bestiary, modified
creatures that have e.g. the young template applied and
unique creatures that are provided as statblocks on the
adjacent page -take e.g. an animated candelabra, a sample
necromancer, a wererat-rouge etc. The interesting thing
about these tables, though, is the fact that the respective
tables include massive chunks of text for each entry in
the tables: The text for aforementioned candelabras
could work as a sample read-aloud text straight from this
pdf - awesome. In the instance of intelligent adversaries,
we get instead a short write-up of the motivation of the
respective creature.
We get one table for the dungeon-environment, one
for caverns and one for wandering denizens - and yes,
these include also a paladin, a tiefling rogue or a ghost
commoner. Interesting would also be the fact that the
modified creatures also get names - fire beetles with the
advanced template are called mining beetles - adding,
just, via a name, more depth to the critters. Very nice!
Conclusion:
Editing and formatting are top-notch, I didn’t notice
any significant glitches. Layout adheres to RSP’s elegant
2-column standard and the pdf comes fully bookmarked
and in two versions - one optimized for screen-use and
one optimized to be printed out. The pdfs both come fully
bookmarked.
This is a grand opening for the new product-line -
mixing fluff with inclusive tables (amoeba swarm, baby!)
as well as some ready-made statblocks should provide
maximum usefulness and appeal for anybody checking
this out. What I’m a bit concerned about in future releases
would be that the stats necessarily get more complex
in higher ELs and mixed, so I’m hoping that the future
installments won’t suffer content/page-count-wise from
the required added complexity. For the inauguration
issue, I remain with a glowing recommendation of 5 stars
plus seal of approval.
Endzeitgeist out.
O
n
Sa
le
N
ow
!
 Open Game License 1.0a
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Based on original content from TSR.
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Publishing, LLC; Author: Jason Bulmahn, based
on material by Jonathan Tweet, Monte Cook, and
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and Chris S. Sims.
Pathways #25 Copyright 2013 Steven D.
Russell;
 A Pathfinder Roleplaying Game adventure for 4-6 characters of level 1.
Goblins have been raiding the crops and livestock of “Pig’s Trotter” for the last few weeks now. Nobody knows
where they’ve come from or what they’re doing here but local farmers are sufficiently displeased with their
activities to have offered a 200gp reward to have them stopped.
Sounds like a nice little job for a neophyte group of adventurers out for their first taste of fame and glory. “I mean
it’s just a Goblin-Bash, right? What could possibly go wrong …”

Four Dollar Dungeons are standalone adventures designed to be logical, entertaining, challenging and balanced,
and easily integrated into any campaign world.
Each adventure has enough material to last two to three playing sessions and enough experience to raise four
characters of the appropriate level up by one extra level. Treasure is commensurate with the encounter
challenges faced. Scaling information is included for adventuring parties of five or six.
Although The Firemaker begins in a small village, most of the action takes place underground.

http://paizo.com/store/downloads/fourDollarDungeons