[Help Wanted] Recommend me some books

[Y.O.Morales]

I'm looking to expand my small collection with some critical books:

1. I need an excellent third-party (non-WotC) book of mundane equipment. I know that Mongoose's Ultimate Equipment Guides are out there, but I'm negatively biased towards them. Anything else is welcomed.

2. I need a book with an ancient Chinese flavor, if available. Oriental Adventures is out there too, but it's mostly ancient Japanese in flavor.

I appreciate any help on the specific topics.

 

[danbuter]

Kenzer has a really good equipment book out. It is set in Kalamar, but will work anywhere.

 

[Crothian]

For the Chinese book, I'd look toward GURPS you won't find much good d20 hiustorical stuff.

 

[Y.O.Morales]

danbuter:
What's the name of Kenzer's book?
I searched all over their website (which, by the way, has a bad navigation for searching products) and didnt find such a book.

As a side note:
Umm... years ago I saw a d20 print product on oriental culture from a company (can't remember its name) that was popular for featuring near-naked women on their covers. Anyone have a clearer memory?

 

[Crothian]

That would be Avalanche Press' Jade and Steel

and the Kenzer book is: Goods and Gear: the Ultimate Adventurer's Guide

 

[Mark Plemmons]

That would be Avalanche Press' Jade and Steel

and the Kenzer book is: Goods and Gear: the Ultimate Adventurer's Guide

It's in the Player's Advantage series, not the Kingdoms of Kalamar line, which may be what's throwing you off.

The direct link is here.

 

[tetsujin28]

For the Chinese book, I'd look toward GURPS you won't find much good d20 hiustorical stuff.

Unfortunately, GURPS China is one of the few actual stinkers in the entire line.

Believe it or not, Palladium's Mystic China is a hoot and a half, full of all sorts of fun facts and adventure seeds, if you're willing to look past the fact that it's, well, Palladium.

 

[grodog]

If you can find a copy of EHP's old Swords of the Middle Kingdom book (published in 1999), you'll have plenty of Chinese flavor. It pops up on eBay semi-regularly, but there aren't any copies on there at present.

 

[Crothian]

Unfortunately, GURPS China is one of the few actual stinkers in the entire line.

Believe it or not, Palladium's Mystic China is a hoot and a half, full of all sorts of fun facts and adventure seeds, if you're willing to look past the fact that it's, well, Palladium.

I never got GURPS China so I had no idea it wasn't good.

Mystic China I do have and it does have some cool basic ideas but gets way too mystical for my tastes at times.

 

[Stik]

TSR put out a book for Second Edition AD&D called Aurora's Whole Realms Catalog which had some interesting equipment in it.
Of course, a good modern tool and hardware catalog can be a big help for DMs...