Hi guys,
The much-awaited Slayer's Guide to Yuan-Ti, written by Chris Jones and Michael Babbitt, has arrived on my desk, which means it will be in local stores within a couple of weeks at the most. David Griffths provides the stunning front cover, while Chris Quilliams delights us with another one of his physiology diagrams on the inside front cover - in full colour!
This book kicks off with a look at Yuan-Ti Physiology, taking a comprehensive view of purebloods, halfbloods, abominations and ash-skinned. However, the entry in the Monster Manual has been greatly expanded, including rules for heat sense and tremor sense, making this race a deadly adversary in the right environment. Players can also take advantage of extreme climates (likely through the use of magic), though should be aware that Yuan-Ti are well aware of the tricks adventurers like to get up to. This chapter also covers the typical Yuan-Ti diet, mating habits and the shedding of their skin, a valuable commodity for many reasons if players can get hold of it intact.
Habitat takes a look at the kind of villages Yuan-Ti are apt to construct, though within their empires they can build gioant temples and cities, places of absolute horror to outsiders. This leads nicely into Yuan-Ti Society, which details the kind of Imperial structure this race is likely to follow, and is readily adaptable to either Oriental or more western settings, as befits your own campaign. However, enough information is provided here to make Yuan-Ti a real power to be reckoned with, whether they work in secret or walk openly among the civilised races. We are treated to the nature of personal advancement in Yuan-Ti society, as well as their religions and philosophy. Five ready to slot in Yuan-Ti religions are detailed, ready to power the divine might of their priests.
The Art of War chapter devotes itself to studying the way Yuan-Ti fight, developing their martial skill over long years of tradition. While warriors are held in very little regard by the rest of Yuan-Ti society, they also seek to remove themselves from the political machinations of their fellows, making them an enemy that will soon earn your players' respect. New weapons and armour are detail, as are their tactics in battle.
Quickly following this is advice on how to portray Yuan-Ti to your players in a manner they will never forget and two pages of Scenario Hooks are designed to put this advice into practice, with a series of jump-off points that Games Masters can readily use to insert a few Yuan-Ti encounters directly into their campaigns.
Po-Jian is a complete Yuan-Ti lair, situated in any port-side city, its inhabitants working to infiltrate civilised society for their own ends. This 'shadow nest;' can be dropped into any campaign, with Games Masters scaling encounters to suit their party's level.
The Slayer's Guide to Yuan-Ti winds up with a complete Reference List, giving details of soldiers, infiltrators, Imperial bodyguards, clansmen and many more.
Weighing in at 32 pages and priced at only $9.95 (that is £4.95), the Slayer's Guide to Yuan-Ti is a ready fix for any Games Master looking to bring a more potent race to his campaign that will require more than simple hacking to vanquish.
The much-awaited Slayer's Guide to Yuan-Ti, written by Chris Jones and Michael Babbitt, has arrived on my desk, which means it will be in local stores within a couple of weeks at the most. David Griffths provides the stunning front cover, while Chris Quilliams delights us with another one of his physiology diagrams on the inside front cover - in full colour!
This book kicks off with a look at Yuan-Ti Physiology, taking a comprehensive view of purebloods, halfbloods, abominations and ash-skinned. However, the entry in the Monster Manual has been greatly expanded, including rules for heat sense and tremor sense, making this race a deadly adversary in the right environment. Players can also take advantage of extreme climates (likely through the use of magic), though should be aware that Yuan-Ti are well aware of the tricks adventurers like to get up to. This chapter also covers the typical Yuan-Ti diet, mating habits and the shedding of their skin, a valuable commodity for many reasons if players can get hold of it intact.
Habitat takes a look at the kind of villages Yuan-Ti are apt to construct, though within their empires they can build gioant temples and cities, places of absolute horror to outsiders. This leads nicely into Yuan-Ti Society, which details the kind of Imperial structure this race is likely to follow, and is readily adaptable to either Oriental or more western settings, as befits your own campaign. However, enough information is provided here to make Yuan-Ti a real power to be reckoned with, whether they work in secret or walk openly among the civilised races. We are treated to the nature of personal advancement in Yuan-Ti society, as well as their religions and philosophy. Five ready to slot in Yuan-Ti religions are detailed, ready to power the divine might of their priests.
The Art of War chapter devotes itself to studying the way Yuan-Ti fight, developing their martial skill over long years of tradition. While warriors are held in very little regard by the rest of Yuan-Ti society, they also seek to remove themselves from the political machinations of their fellows, making them an enemy that will soon earn your players' respect. New weapons and armour are detail, as are their tactics in battle.
Quickly following this is advice on how to portray Yuan-Ti to your players in a manner they will never forget and two pages of Scenario Hooks are designed to put this advice into practice, with a series of jump-off points that Games Masters can readily use to insert a few Yuan-Ti encounters directly into their campaigns.
Po-Jian is a complete Yuan-Ti lair, situated in any port-side city, its inhabitants working to infiltrate civilised society for their own ends. This 'shadow nest;' can be dropped into any campaign, with Games Masters scaling encounters to suit their party's level.
The Slayer's Guide to Yuan-Ti winds up with a complete Reference List, giving details of soldiers, infiltrators, Imperial bodyguards, clansmen and many more.
Weighing in at 32 pages and priced at only $9.95 (that is £4.95), the Slayer's Guide to Yuan-Ti is a ready fix for any Games Master looking to bring a more potent race to his campaign that will require more than simple hacking to vanquish.
