Masterwork Characters: Out Of The Deep
[imager]http://www.rpgnow.com/products/product_5571.jpg[/imager] Masterwork Characters: Out Of The Deep
Note: I received a complimentary copy of this pdf for review purposes.
This well put together presents a wealth of options for characters that hear the calling the deep blue. Within its pages is a new race, feats, prestige classes, spells, and magic items, arms and armour that are well suited for adventures set near the coast.
Races
A race known as the Mako, descendants of sharks that came out of the water to avoid a plague is presented as a character race. They are detailed in the manner of the standard PHB races with entries on personality, physical description, relations, alignment, lands, religion and names. Their entry into the product is well thought out a beautifully put together. They can be seamlessly dropped into a campaign and ideas are given on how to do this.
Feats
13 feats are presented that can round out any character that lives in or near the oceans. Blood Rage allows a character that enter a rage the ability to inflict 3 or more points of damage in one round to ignore that round as part of the time limit against the characters rage. Born to the water allows a character to gain a swim speed equal to half their land speed and allows them to take 10 on swim checks even if distracted or endangered. Characters that have the iron lungs feat are able to hold their breath for twice as long as normal and additionally gain a +1 bonus vs. inhaled attack. Characters with the net mastery feat may choose to initiate a grapple against opponents when attacking with a net instead of entangling them. Strong swimmers can move half their speed as a move action of their full speed as a full action. Sirensong allows characters that have control of their voice to lure people towards them, taking the most direct route. If the route is fatal or presents a danger, those under the affect of it are granted a sving throw to shrug off perusing the action. Weathered characters have tougher skin due to years of exposure and enjoy a +1 to their armor bonus. That is only half the feats and how they affect the characters that take them. If you want to know the full effects of all the feats, I would suggest purchasing Out Of The Deep.
Prestige Classes
Three prestige classes allow characters to further themselves through the application of techniques that are known best by those that have experience in or around water. Coral sages are presented as divine casters that wish to delve into the mysteries of the ocean to unlock its secrets. The path of the coral sage allows them to better survive the harshness to the ocean and it dangers as well as providing insight in so much as finding what lies with in the deep blue and foresight as to what may come as well as perception to see past the veil of mystery and illusion. Coral sages are not limited to just divine spellcasters though; there are some psions that have the ability to unravel the mysteries of the ocean as well.
There are those that choose to travel atop the waves in vessels that make easy marks for the hungry terrors that lurk below. Krakenslayers are individuals that have been proven effective against large beasts and can most likely be found among the crews of those that risk certain doom against the monstrosities that would like nothing better to feast on the flesh of humanoids. Their path allows them to slip out of the grip of such monsters with almost seemingly ease. Their experience against the terrors of the sea allow them to strike at vital parts of their larger foes allowing them a bonus on their critical range. The more experienced a krakenslayer, the higher the bonus. In order to avoid being food for their opponents they are treated as being a larger size creature vs. swallow attacks. The experience the krakenslayer, the tougher it is for him to be swallowed.
There are those that would love nothing better than to delve into the mysteries of the deep, those that put their skill against monstrosities to protect the lives of others and of course there are the individuals that would like nothing better than to turn a profit. The individuals that practice the art of piracy and also dabble into the mysteries of magic become witch pirates. Witch pirates automatically are rewarded in their interest of spellcasting upon entering the prestige class, granted her Charisma is high enough to allow it. What pirate isn’t complete without monkey or parrot cohort? Well witch pirates are able to benefit from this in allowing one of the two to become her familiar. The witch pirate’s abilities allow her the use of sneak attack like rogues. As they gain levels their infamy is know throughout civilized areas and anywhere where there might be a bounty for her, she suffers a penalty to disguise checks. As she gains experience her combat prowess while upon the seas improves as well and lets he take advantage of combat opportunities as they arise. The pinnacle of her abilities is the ability to slip through magical compulsions, allowing her to make an extra saving throw against them a round later should she happen to fail the first one. Pirate witches have unique spells available to them to use whenever it might be appropriate.
Magical Items
Characters that venture into the oceans find that their metal weapons don’t fare so well for an extended period of time. A magical quality called driftwood can be applied to wooden weapons and allows the individual possessing it t have a swim movement rate of 20, but it does not confer any ability to survive in the oceans depths for an extended period of time. This quality can be added to any wooden weapon.
Crabshell armor is a special suit of armor that may be worn by anybody, but mainly is meant for druids. The armor has the wild magical trait and is unique for its ability to not interfere with the casting of spells, usage of skills and ability to inflict lethal unarmed strikes.
The freshwater flask is known for its ability to purify any liquids that go into it into fresh drinking water. This is a popular item with explorers and mariners.
Nautical Equipment
Worthy of touching on in Out Of The Deep is the need to touch upon unique mundane equipment, arms and armour. Hooks are touched upon, being stated that their use ranges from pouching holes in objects, holding onto heavy stuff and the more traditional use as a weapon. The sea holds many interesting creature that when dead can provide interesting byproducts, shell being common. Individuals that have the talent can take the shell and turn it into useful shields. Harpoons are given the once over as weapons. One interesting item of note is the Kraken Lance, aptly named for its ability to engage large sea creatures in battle. Included with these items and oddities is the sextant. It use grants a +2 bonus on Survival checks to avoid getting lost.
Conclusion
Overall Out Of The Deep is an excellent product for the value and provides enough material to add on to your games for countless hours of roleplaying goodness. This reviewer gives Out Of The Deep 4 Stars. It is well written and excellently put together but I had hopes that it would provide at least three usable races. Despite that, the rest of the product is masterfully written and presented. It is worth at least twice its value.
