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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Pinotage" data-source="post: 2596659" data-attributes="member: 15194">A Touch of Evil: Antagonists in your Campaign Vol 1: OrcsA Touch of Evil - Antagonists in your Campaign Vol 1: Orcs is the first pdf product from Reality Deviant Publications and the first in the 'A Touch of Evil - Antagonists in your Campaign' series. It's written by David Jarvis and Chris Swenson, and features half a dozen fully detailed and illustrated orc NPCs to add flavor to any campaign. The pdf is 16 pages long, 13 of which are used to detail the NPC orcs, as well as give a brief overview of the nature of evil in a campaign. This pdf normally retails on RPGNow.com for $2.Initial Impressions:One is never sure what to expect from new publishers, although in recent years the quality is much improved on some of the releases in the early days of third edition. This first pdf from Reality Deviant Publications is a good and solid effort, and I have to admit that they've done a good job of presentation and writing, as well as provide useful content and numerous ideas for using the listed NPCs in your game. The cover and interior art is good, although it may not fit everybody's impression of a bloodlusting orc. Layout is solid, and well done, the pdf is easy to read, and there were very few errors in the writing, including, thankfully, the stat blocks. In addition, the pdf provides both a table of contents and is fully bookmarked.The pdf starts out by describing the nature and use of villains in a campaign. While not as detailed as I would've liked to see, if does give an good and brief overview of the nature of evil and how to use villains. In some places the writing is a little disappointing, such as calling orcs 'silly' or 'our friends', something that certainly didn't fit my impression or use of orcs, or be words that I would generally describe them as. The writing didn't always seem this 'flippant' and generally provided solid, descriptive detail for the six orc NPCs described.The Details:Each of the six orc NPCs described contains a detailed background, solid stat blocks, and handy advice on how to use each orc in a campaign, with numerous ideas to build upon. The orcs are also all from a range of different classes and challenge ratings, including wizards and druids, and CRs from 4 to 12. Surprisingly, or thankfully depending on your point of view, there are no single classed barbarian orcs. I would've liked to see more expansion on the personalities of the various NPCs presented, rather than attempting to infer them from the backgrounds provided. While tactics for combat are given, the NPCs were on the weak side regarding personality, interesting habits or quirks, and other information that would make for a lasting NPC. I think that's probably an important comment on this pdf - good and useful NPCs, though perhaps not lasting in memory as orcs to remember long after they are dead.Grauk Splintershield: This orc is a ranger along with animal companion, a lone orc that preys on travellers while following rumours that would lead him to riches. A handy foe for a low-level party, with a useful background that could lead to the party following the same rumours that Grauk does.Ug'rach Bloodfist: Ur'rach is a rogue, who travels with the Ghostwalkers. His background and environment offer some good opportunities for political and diplomatic manoeuvring and as such he and the Ghostwalkers can provide a challenging encounter on a non-combat related field as well. Here it would've been nice to see some additional information on his personality, particularly if the suggestions on his use in small city politics is acted upon.Glitterdeath: An orc wizard that offers good opportunity for roleplaying. Glitterdeath runs her own 'wizard school' and such a concentration of magic in orcish society offers scope for interesting development and diplomacy along the lines or beyond those listed in the pdf. Zurl Blacktooth: Probably my favorite of the bunch, a clerical half-orc with associations to a demonic god. As the leader of his own cult devoted to this deity, he provides for fun encounters. No information, however, is really listed for the god, nor other useful information such as creed or beliefs or aims of the cult, but there's something there to develop into a greater plot if needed.Lurkuul Shogra: A bloodthirsty druid and tribal leader, who PCs may encounter in or around his territory. Lots of background information is given on Lurkuul which makes for a good read, but I felt didn't say enough about his motivations as leader of his people, nor about his interaction with foreigners walking in his territory. A challenging NPC.Molok Spine-breaker: A strong and powerful half-dragon/half-orc, Molok and his heritage, along with his power, offer some good opportunities for roleplaying and strong combat encounters.For those that are interested in a quick, useful NPC for a once off encounter, this is a very useful pdf. For those interested in more long term NPCs, I think that the information provided is useful, but lacking in certain areas, and could've expanded more on things like personality or the numerous ways in which an NPC can be used. While saying that, for example, a particular orc can be used to infiltrate with the aim of assassination, it would've been useful to have some ideas as to what the orc expects to achieve, whether he would be prepared to act diplomatically if confronted with the PCs, how he would respond, etc. Creative DMs can use these NPCs as a starting point to build upon, but as is, this is more a pdf for those DMs looking for a quick orc to use. But, having said that, there is potential here to build upon, and some interesting ideas to further develop. In addition, given that only six NPCs are listed, it would've been useful to see the NPC stats at various levels beyond those listed. At least then you'd have 12 or 18 encounters to choose from, rather than only the six listed here, which limits the usefulness of the product.Conclusions:This pdf provides detailed background and usage guidelines for a good variety of orcs in terms of classes and challenge ratings. The overall presentation is very good, including layout, art and writing. I felt more could've been done with the NPCs, such as listing personality traits or perhaps further development of some of the ideas listed, along with perhaps offering abbreviated stat blocks for the NPCs at different levels, which immediately increases the usefulness of the product. As is, it's useful to me to grab a quick NPC, although I felt that some extra work would be needed to truly create a memorable or recurring villain from these NPCs. Still, a solid effort from Reality Deviant Publishing, and based on the comments listed above, I'll grade it with three and a half stars, rounding down to three stars based mainly on overall usefulness and utility. Still, a good buy at the price listed.</blockquote>

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