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Enchanted Trinkets Complete--a hardcover book containing over 500 magic items for your D&D games!

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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Joël of the FoS" data-source="post: 2467546" data-attributes="member: 17665">OK, where do I start ? With my ending note, I guess it will say it all: 1 on 5. Simply avoid this product. It pain me to be that hard, as I didn't say that often for any product of the Ravenloft line (the other being Forged of Darkness). The concept idea behind the book is good, but in the end, unfortunately, it has numerous important flaws… In short: overpowered and out of place villains (Sheriff VZ) and weird PRCs.Chapter One: Creating the anti-hero - Prestige classesIn general, the PRCs are strange, in the sense they are proposed as PC option, but really I do not see a PC being propagandist or mesmerist… First comment: these PRCs should be mainly for NPCs, and not at all for PCs. Did we need more PRCs is another question. Twelve new PRCs in this book is way too much and looks like filler; 4 or 5 well-made and neatly designed PRCs would have been enough.  The good: Dreamcaster (interesting kit, with good roleplay opportunities), Moon BaneThe average: Master of Curses (interesting idea, but somehow more for a NPC then a PC)The bad: Highway Rider (a rogue with a mission ? Aren't most heroes on a mission ?), Manipulator (for its very limited use in a campaign), Mesmerist, propagandist and scourge (good NPC classes, but not at all for PC IMHO), solitary outcast (usually, player are more then one, so the use of this one is very limited … Good NPC class however), Worldbreaker (way too weird, even for NPC).The ugly: Night Lord. That is very ugly. Did we need an overpowered, 'one size fits all' PRC for all darklord's main minion ? No, I don't think so …Chapter One: Creating the anti-hero - New featsThe good: Brawler, Deadly Presence, deathly Pallor, Dirge of Woe, Ethereal Touch, Piercing Gaze, Unwholesome IchorThe average: other feats not mentioned elsewhere.The bad: Tantric Ability (*lol* I don't mind the courageous topic, I just think it's useless as too short)The ugly: Energy Drain (ridiculously overpowered), Life Force Sacrifice (for the big mistake over requirement for sorcerers. The feat let you change a memorized spell for a different one (in your list). Ahem … A sorcerer can cast ANY spell from his list !)Chapter Two: Patrons The good: return of Carnival (however way too short and bland !), Freeman of Falkovnia, l’Académie des SciencesThe average (and of very limited use): Hunt Club, Sans merci, Tribe of HiskosaThe (slightly) ugly: the funny typo where Drakov's domain is said to be Darkon (p. 57, in the Ivan Rabinski text).The (very) ugly: Order of the Ebon Gargoyle. Ouch ! While innovative (and we appreciate people taking risks), the concept goes nowhere … "The primary duty of the OotEG consist of ferreting out and executing any member of the Kargat found in Barovia" (and other darklords spies as well). Where does that comes from, a Kargat menace in Barovia ? Perhaps in the time when Barovia and Darkon had a common border, but that's not since a very long time ! We know Strahd hates Azalin, but Strahd has much more to do with the Gundarakites then with Kargat !First, here's a major continuity problem with the Gazetteer 1 Barovia text, where no mention of the OotEG is ever found (and that is for good reasons).  Second, this Order is absolutely unnecessary, as I don't think Strahd could care less about the Kargat while Gundarakite are leading open rebellion against him.  Third, it is absolutely out of character for Strahd to surrender his duty to an Order of highly visible (black lacquered gargoyle plate), unsubtle thugs.  Four, the Town of Forgotten Whispers as a secret training camp where you get teleported and where food and supplies is also teleported ? No, I don't think so… This is not Forgotten Realms !My advice: put the Ebon Gargoyals in Falkovnia. Drakov would be a better choice for this gang of thugs.Chapter Three: Who’s Doomed ? The good: The return of Jander Sunstar !The average: most NPC not mentioned elsewhere. Well made but none are outstanding.The bad: Jander's stat sheet ! (CE alignment ? Missing numerous feats, from his high level and vampiric feats …). By the way, good old Azalin on the Kargatane board 'officially' declared that he should be considered Chaotic Neutral.The ugly: IMHO, Sheriff von Zarovich wins as the most 'uncanon' thing ever written for Ravenloft … (I would have voted 'no' if it would have been submitted in the USS fan netbook).  Why ? Strahd would never do such a thing. First, Strahd isn't control obsessed, like Azalin is. If his people fear him, he feels good. He doesn't care about what they think as long as they behave. The only thing that interest Strahd are his search for the blonde girl and his magical research. The rest is accessory or something that distract him from his interests.  Second, he got the vistani for spying !  Third, continuity: Barovia is a backwoods domain ruled quietly by Strahd. He had 400 years to implement a police. He didn't and left all day to day to his local burgomeister. He intervened only when these could not maintain calm. I just don't see Strahd as changing his mind now. IMHO, Strahd "has other things to do".  Four, Strahd has a history of quickly and successfully erasing any threat. Why would he now have to rely on a  Sherriff ?Chapter Four: The Campaign in Darkness The good: I tried hard to get something here…The bad: the Barovia-Darkon cold war idea - not at all in the Ravenloft setting continuity, and probably the causing idea behind the flawed Ebon Gargoyle and the Sheriff....   In conclusion, unfortunately one of the most flawed Ravenloft product ever. Consider it uncanon !  I'm sorry to the authors for being harsh, but, really, in my humble opinion, the setting continuity flaws in this book are major !</blockquote>

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