[Bastion Press] Pale Designs: A Poisoner's Handbook

[Iron_Chef]

Okay, this an apology to Jim Butler for a post I made last week where I questioned the necessity of a $25 book on poisons. I never really gave it a look, thinking I didn't need it. I mean, there's plenty of poisons in the DMG, Song & Silence, Kalamar Player's Guide, etc., right? After hearing some good things about it on these board, I decided to go check it out. The book is fantastic (despite some ugly Todd Morasch art, please let him stick to art direction and not doing actual art!). The content is well-researched, thoughtful, and most importantly, fun! This book immediately conjures up all kinds of diabolical ideas in the reader right from the start, and never lets up once throughout its entire page count. For once, I won't even bitch about the price, that's how amazing I think Pale Designs is!

Everyone who likes using rogues, assassins, bards, drow, and other sneaky poison-loving types should pick this book up. It's absolutely a first rate effort, even better than Guildcraft (which I liked a lot). And it's not just about poisons at all, like I first thought. The PrCs are plentiful, nasty and very cool; there are new spells that pack a punch for assassins and all casters, even poison and murder domains. I really, really like this book and am glad I bought it. Guildcraft and Pale Designs have really turned my opinion of your company around. The level of quality content in these books is superb. Arms & Armor is still the most useful of the bunch (seeing as how everyone, DM or player regardless of class, can find it useful), but I really like the new look and caliber of writing on Guildcraft and Pale Designs.

So, what's next on your release schedule, Jim?

 

[Ghostwind]

Thanks for the vote of confidence. I am glad you enjoyed the book after taking the time to read it. You will want to download the companion to Pale Designs from the Bastion Press website (it's free). By the way, there are two easter eggs buried inside Pale Designs and e-Designs (one in each). If you know Latin, you should be able to figure it out.

The next product slated for release from Bastion is Faeries by Bryon Wischstadt, which is due in April. I've seen it and I think anyone who has a love for fey will enjoy the book...

--
Steve Creech

 

[Rifter]

The biggest problem with Bastion books, is they feel expensive, for the size of book. I have a couple of the books, and think they really are wonderful, but it is always a little painful to actually BUY them.

 

[Crothian]

Poisoners handbook is a very good indepth look at posions, I was really suprised with it when it arrived here and while I haven't read it all yet I like what I see. All I need to do is keep it out of the hands of my DM, she would be too tempted to use it against us.

 

[Nightfall]

So anyone have any comments on my E-design companion, The Dusk Society? I know I'm grateful for Steve for allowing me the opportunity to write for the book.

 

[SSS-Druid]

You know, I picked this book up this weekend at GameStorm.

I was paging through it and was pleasantly surprised to discover that a number of the poisons and drugs in that book are derived from Creature Collection and Creature Collection II: Dark Menagerie entries!

Bam! Instant use for my campaign. Thanks, Bastion - good stuff, and keep up the great work.

 

[Nightfall]

And yet you don't mention my contribution Joe. Sad... (But yes I use Pale Designs a lot in my games when it comes to poisons.)

 

[thundershot]

Faeries

Will Faeries contain scantily clad Faerie chicks?

Yes, I'm shallow... I'll buy the book regardless.

By the way, many of the Bastion Press books are available at buy.com for only 15 bucks or so with free shipping.

I got most of mine that way. Airships is on the way. Can't wait for Faeries to be orderable...


Chris