Hi guys,
Time to catch up on the latest releases from Mongoose Publishing! First up, and due out this coming week, is the next title in the Encyclopaedia Arcane series - Abjuration, Shielded by Sorcery. Written by August Hahn, this is the definitive work on a school of magic that everyone seems to dabble in but few like to specialise. Let's see if this book cannot redress that balance some. . .
The 64 page book kicks off with an Overview, looking at the nature of the Abjuration school and its relationship with other forms of magic. The next chapter, Shielded by Sorcery details what it means to be an Abjurer, and the drawbacks such a mage must contend with. However, there are also plenty of benefits, and spell selection even at 1st level can ensure the mage is as well defended as the most heavily armoured fighter. This goes on to cover the defence of an entire party, protection against traps and the environment, and what to do when things go wrong. A new use of the Gather Information skill, Tactical Assessment, will also work well for Abjurers, who often take a back seat in combat engagements, casting their spells to aid their party rather than taking the front line with fireballs and lightning bolts. Specialising in the Abjuration school is unlikely to be enough for most players however, and so Abjuration prestige classes have been included to focus on one or more of the Abjurer's talents - the Prime Mage, the Siegebreaker, the Spellshield and the Warden.
Abjuration Feats supplements the school with some much needed abilities, a necessary component for an Abjurer who intends to go adventuring. New metamagic abounds with the likes of the Ablative Spell and Resilient Spell, though there are plenty of General feats to keep an Abjurer occupied too, such as Flawless Timing and Defensive Focus - though Superior Counterspelling is bound to be popular.
Abjuration Spells pads out the spellbook of an Abjurer, fleshing out his castings, using the Overview chapter as a guide as to what should be added. Here you will find the likes of Courage, Elemental Bastion, Fortify Weapon/Armour, Greater Shielding Star and many more - all designed to provide magical protection for either the mage or his allies. With these spells behind you, you will become far more popular with the rest of the party than the typical evoker who constantly misplaces his Fireball. And you will be able to take equal credit when the fighters and paladins bring down that huge demon. . .
Abjurers are no less likely to create their own Magical Items than any other mage, and the next chapter caters for them nicely. Whether they are seeking for something self-protective, such as the Armbands of Resilience or something that will benefit the party as a whole, such as the Rod of Countering, they will find it all here. Of course, the cunning Abjurer may well specialise in smaller items of personal protection, as these will likely be of great interest to those cash-laden fighters. . .
The Art of Oathwarding looks at a specific practice of Abjurers, those who can forgo the normal process of spell preparation and specialise in the channelling of magic through oaths made to the powers of magic itself. Becoming an Oathwarder will be the subject of several questing scenarios, as the knowledge is often lost in most campaign worlds but the natural benefits and pacts available to Oathwarders are usually worth the time and trouble it takes.
Access to plenty of defensive magic can render players almost immune to many of the creatures they may encounter in their travels - worry not though. The Help for Games Masters chapter provides some valuable pointers on how to react if your players become Abjuration mad.
Encyclopaedia Arcane: Abjuration - Shielded by Sorcery is priced at $14.95 and will be available at your local store from the middle of this coming week.
Time to catch up on the latest releases from Mongoose Publishing! First up, and due out this coming week, is the next title in the Encyclopaedia Arcane series - Abjuration, Shielded by Sorcery. Written by August Hahn, this is the definitive work on a school of magic that everyone seems to dabble in but few like to specialise. Let's see if this book cannot redress that balance some. . .
The 64 page book kicks off with an Overview, looking at the nature of the Abjuration school and its relationship with other forms of magic. The next chapter, Shielded by Sorcery details what it means to be an Abjurer, and the drawbacks such a mage must contend with. However, there are also plenty of benefits, and spell selection even at 1st level can ensure the mage is as well defended as the most heavily armoured fighter. This goes on to cover the defence of an entire party, protection against traps and the environment, and what to do when things go wrong. A new use of the Gather Information skill, Tactical Assessment, will also work well for Abjurers, who often take a back seat in combat engagements, casting their spells to aid their party rather than taking the front line with fireballs and lightning bolts. Specialising in the Abjuration school is unlikely to be enough for most players however, and so Abjuration prestige classes have been included to focus on one or more of the Abjurer's talents - the Prime Mage, the Siegebreaker, the Spellshield and the Warden.
Abjuration Feats supplements the school with some much needed abilities, a necessary component for an Abjurer who intends to go adventuring. New metamagic abounds with the likes of the Ablative Spell and Resilient Spell, though there are plenty of General feats to keep an Abjurer occupied too, such as Flawless Timing and Defensive Focus - though Superior Counterspelling is bound to be popular.
Abjuration Spells pads out the spellbook of an Abjurer, fleshing out his castings, using the Overview chapter as a guide as to what should be added. Here you will find the likes of Courage, Elemental Bastion, Fortify Weapon/Armour, Greater Shielding Star and many more - all designed to provide magical protection for either the mage or his allies. With these spells behind you, you will become far more popular with the rest of the party than the typical evoker who constantly misplaces his Fireball. And you will be able to take equal credit when the fighters and paladins bring down that huge demon. . .
Abjurers are no less likely to create their own Magical Items than any other mage, and the next chapter caters for them nicely. Whether they are seeking for something self-protective, such as the Armbands of Resilience or something that will benefit the party as a whole, such as the Rod of Countering, they will find it all here. Of course, the cunning Abjurer may well specialise in smaller items of personal protection, as these will likely be of great interest to those cash-laden fighters. . .
The Art of Oathwarding looks at a specific practice of Abjurers, those who can forgo the normal process of spell preparation and specialise in the channelling of magic through oaths made to the powers of magic itself. Becoming an Oathwarder will be the subject of several questing scenarios, as the knowledge is often lost in most campaign worlds but the natural benefits and pacts available to Oathwarders are usually worth the time and trouble it takes.
Access to plenty of defensive magic can render players almost immune to many of the creatures they may encounter in their travels - worry not though. The Help for Games Masters chapter provides some valuable pointers on how to react if your players become Abjuration mad.
Encyclopaedia Arcane: Abjuration - Shielded by Sorcery is priced at $14.95 and will be available at your local store from the middle of this coming week.
