Veiled Denizens

Monte Cook's Arcana Evolved is one of the more fascinating fantasy worlds based on the d20 system. Unlike the more generic Dungeons & Dragons 3.x system, the character classes, races, magics, creatures and even the magic items in AE are intricately tied into the world history and themes.

Monsters Evolved: Veiled Denizens continues Cook's tradition. Published by Rite Publishing, the 20 page pdf covers five unique creatures for one's AE campaign. (A print copy can be purchased at Lulu.) As you will see in the following, the supplement is also superbly presented for both traditional fantasy worlds and more exotic ones as well.

The monsters in Veiled Denizens are not your typical creatures for the PCs to slay and get its gold. Each creature -- the Kralvo, Labyvo Crvyn, Trikar-Mrak, Vlada-Mrak, and Xesnor -- exemplifies a particular theme by the author. The Labyvo Crvyn, for example, is the perils of lust gone wrong, while the Trikar-Mrak shows how to turn a PC's strengths against them.

Each entry starts off with the monster's stats and how it describes itself. Yes, you read that right. While there's an illustration of each creature, the description reveals its sef-image: its form, history, and purpose. Disquieting stuff, since none of the creatures believes itself to be evil. The Designer
's Note and the playtest casts suggestion sections then cover how to use the particular in one's campaign. Unfortunately, only a few entries had them with the red harlot's entry irritatingly being in twice in different entries.

Lore shows what information PCs can gleam by making akashi memory or the appropriate Knowledge checks.

PC, being who they are, and monsters, being what they are, will eventually come into conflict. The combat section covers what each Monsters Evolved creature will do in most melee situations.

Campaigns that use different options such as the wounds/vitality system or action points will love the Variant aside sections. Monsters Evolved is the first supplement I've ever seen provide such information and I give it kudos for realizing not everyone plays with same ruleset. A new feat and even a new material (folded steel) are found in the pdf as well.

Artwork and layout of Veiled Denizens are very good, with the front and back covers colored similar to the Arcana Evolved book. Most of the art ranges from passable (kralvoj, Xesnor) to very good (labyvo Crvyn). Only the vlada-mrak looked amateurish.

Entries are broken down into two columns and text is easily legible. Editing is decent with the exception of the red harlot's playtester casts suggestion entry being, again, in two different places. Oh, and the misspelled "compatable" and "usuable" on the back cover.

So what's my overall opinion? Veiled Denizen is a very professional work, both in the ideas presented and the presentation. DMs who like their monsters with personality and purpose will enjoy this product. I only wish more designer notes were included in each entry, and even more suggestions of using them in one's campaign.

This review is based on review copy provided by Rite Publishing.