Hi guys,
I love mundane equipment in our games. Magic has its place, sure, but there is nothing like finding a gubbins that no one else thought to buy, trying it out in an adventure and then having it find a permanent place with your character. I know I am not alone either - of all the past Supplementary Rulebooks, the Ultimate Equipment Guide was by far the most popular, even spawning an additional PDF to flesh out a few areas players were hungry for.
So, it must be time for another volume! We have taken a slightly different approach with Volume 2 of the Ultimate Equipment Guide. As well as 256 pages of new and unusual pieces of equipment, we have also included an entire marketplace! The beginning of each chapter, includes a small section describing the kind of shop/stall that sells the following equipment, allowing Games Masters to inject a bit of life into equipment buying, rather than just letting the players get on with it.
Each stall forms a chapter the includes a specific type of equipment:
Adroit Arms Store - arms and armour for fighting types. From the Saw Flail to the Two-Bladed Scythe (a lethal weapon if there ever was one!), a good weapon can define a fighter as much as his background. There are also various accessories to choose from, such as Exploding Bullets and the Supreme Sword Sharpener.
The Alchemist's Pestle - formulae and mixtures for adventurers. Here you can quite literally buy Bottled Lightning, Flaming Ink and Shaving Cream!
Beauty and Truth - a fine arts emporium. As well as various bits and pieces with which to liven up an adventurer's home (they do it in online games, why not pen and paper too, eh?), there is literature for adventurers to delve into which, as we all know, improves the mind and nourishes the soul. The well-penned Eloquence for the Occasion, for example, can help a character in diplomatic situations while the various race codices will aid anyone constantly facing a nemesis not of their own breed. Bards will delight in the various new strings available for their instruments.
The Beast Within - mounts, pets and related gear. Bored of your hunting dog or horse? There are far more creatures here to buy, from Eagles and elephants to Owlbears and Rocs. You might be able to purchase your own eggs and hatch a creature from young, buy a tower for your elephant or raxorshoes if you insist on staying with a horse. Those taking to the air will appreciate the wide range of bombs available (get enough flyers and start carpet-bombing the local graveyard with Holy Water. . .).
For Every Occasion - special clothing. Even the moswt uncouth barbarian need not wear a loincloth all the time and in many cases, it is best not to. Floating and Gliding Cloaks can help in a tough spot (and may even be more beneficial than the usual cloak of resistance. . .), while a variety of outfits will ensure an adventurer can always start with the right tools when attempting a new task. In the very least, he will look the part.
Faella's Fabulous Foodstuffs - cooking and meal. Bored with trail rations? My characters certainly are. From Fireseed Sauce to Kelp Cookies, there are many ways to dress up the usual meals, and you may just find that eating healthy is better for you. . .
Gulbold's Clever Contraptions - engines and machines. You cannot keep a good Gnome down, and Gulbold has the very latest in Gnome R&D for you to experiment with - no guarantees, of course. There are Flamecasters, Advanced Surgery Kits, Nightsight Goggles and many more, all able to function without the use of magic (mostly).
Hidden Home - Traps and Furnishings. It is always good to go hiome, espceciallyl after a long slog through the local mines. After all, you don't want to call a dungeon your home, right? Here you will find everything to make your home both comfortable and safe. After a long week bashing orcs, why not relax in front of your new Masterworked Home Theatre for the very latest in entertainment (I ain't kidding
)? Music Rooms can be most restful, while Blind Windows and Chestfloors can help keep your hard won gold safe.
The Pilgrim's Saintly Sundries - holy tools for the pious traveller. Holy symbols abound here (no, they are not just made out of wood and silver), whereas Holy Water Blasters, Stake Traps and Undead Repellant can all serve to defeat the traditional enemies of the Cleric, or even mitigate his absence if your party does not have one.
The Prudent Traveller - adventuring gear. Here you will find a selection of clever devices designed to make adventuring jkust a little bit easier. The Cushioning Bladder will save you from the odd fall, while a Clothing Case will ensure your fine purchases from For Every Occasion will not get ruined when you cross a river. There are also Lightning Rods, Periscopes, Wand Sheaths and much more, all designed to be used by the educated adventurer who knows to rely on more than just his own mettle and magic.
By Sail and Wain - a vehicle workshop. Most adventurers simply roam the land on the back of a horse. But do you really want to be like most adventurers? Try an Armoured Carriage, a House Wagon or a Watersleigh. There are many accessories for vehicles as well, such as the Diving Bell, Detaching Ram and various Winches.
The Siegemaster's Workshop - 'nuff said. Some big weapons and defences can be found here, from the Crumblewall to Crash Carts, Arrow Artillery and the renowned Dreadnaught. Written as if adventurers might even find a use for them in regular adventuring. . .
Treasures From Afar - exotic and foreign goods. There are times when the regular western-inspired selection of equipment just won't do. Here you will find a variety of items and materials that will beggar belief. Think of it - a substance called rubber, common overseas, but the like of which you have never seen. There are new herbs, perfuems and poisons, and some very strange weaponry. How _do_ you use a Butterfly Sword, a Labala Axe or the Nsokara?
Finally, we come to Treasures From Beyond - oddities from extraplanar travellers. Here you will find Bottled Shadow, Portable Stars, Dragon Toothpaste, Powdered Storms, Universal Sensations and a No-Sword. Don't expect these items to come cheaply though. . .
This is all backed up with a long and comprehensive index, allowing you to find your item quickly and easily.
The Ultimate Equipment Guide Vol 2 is priced at $34.95 and will be appearing in your local games stores and book shops this coming week.
I love mundane equipment in our games. Magic has its place, sure, but there is nothing like finding a gubbins that no one else thought to buy, trying it out in an adventure and then having it find a permanent place with your character. I know I am not alone either - of all the past Supplementary Rulebooks, the Ultimate Equipment Guide was by far the most popular, even spawning an additional PDF to flesh out a few areas players were hungry for.
So, it must be time for another volume! We have taken a slightly different approach with Volume 2 of the Ultimate Equipment Guide. As well as 256 pages of new and unusual pieces of equipment, we have also included an entire marketplace! The beginning of each chapter, includes a small section describing the kind of shop/stall that sells the following equipment, allowing Games Masters to inject a bit of life into equipment buying, rather than just letting the players get on with it.
Each stall forms a chapter the includes a specific type of equipment:
Adroit Arms Store - arms and armour for fighting types. From the Saw Flail to the Two-Bladed Scythe (a lethal weapon if there ever was one!), a good weapon can define a fighter as much as his background. There are also various accessories to choose from, such as Exploding Bullets and the Supreme Sword Sharpener.
The Alchemist's Pestle - formulae and mixtures for adventurers. Here you can quite literally buy Bottled Lightning, Flaming Ink and Shaving Cream!
Beauty and Truth - a fine arts emporium. As well as various bits and pieces with which to liven up an adventurer's home (they do it in online games, why not pen and paper too, eh?), there is literature for adventurers to delve into which, as we all know, improves the mind and nourishes the soul. The well-penned Eloquence for the Occasion, for example, can help a character in diplomatic situations while the various race codices will aid anyone constantly facing a nemesis not of their own breed. Bards will delight in the various new strings available for their instruments.
The Beast Within - mounts, pets and related gear. Bored of your hunting dog or horse? There are far more creatures here to buy, from Eagles and elephants to Owlbears and Rocs. You might be able to purchase your own eggs and hatch a creature from young, buy a tower for your elephant or raxorshoes if you insist on staying with a horse. Those taking to the air will appreciate the wide range of bombs available (get enough flyers and start carpet-bombing the local graveyard with Holy Water. . .).
For Every Occasion - special clothing. Even the moswt uncouth barbarian need not wear a loincloth all the time and in many cases, it is best not to. Floating and Gliding Cloaks can help in a tough spot (and may even be more beneficial than the usual cloak of resistance. . .), while a variety of outfits will ensure an adventurer can always start with the right tools when attempting a new task. In the very least, he will look the part.
Faella's Fabulous Foodstuffs - cooking and meal. Bored with trail rations? My characters certainly are. From Fireseed Sauce to Kelp Cookies, there are many ways to dress up the usual meals, and you may just find that eating healthy is better for you. . .
Gulbold's Clever Contraptions - engines and machines. You cannot keep a good Gnome down, and Gulbold has the very latest in Gnome R&D for you to experiment with - no guarantees, of course. There are Flamecasters, Advanced Surgery Kits, Nightsight Goggles and many more, all able to function without the use of magic (mostly).
Hidden Home - Traps and Furnishings. It is always good to go hiome, espceciallyl after a long slog through the local mines. After all, you don't want to call a dungeon your home, right? Here you will find everything to make your home both comfortable and safe. After a long week bashing orcs, why not relax in front of your new Masterworked Home Theatre for the very latest in entertainment (I ain't kidding
)? Music Rooms can be most restful, while Blind Windows and Chestfloors can help keep your hard won gold safe.The Pilgrim's Saintly Sundries - holy tools for the pious traveller. Holy symbols abound here (no, they are not just made out of wood and silver), whereas Holy Water Blasters, Stake Traps and Undead Repellant can all serve to defeat the traditional enemies of the Cleric, or even mitigate his absence if your party does not have one.
The Prudent Traveller - adventuring gear. Here you will find a selection of clever devices designed to make adventuring jkust a little bit easier. The Cushioning Bladder will save you from the odd fall, while a Clothing Case will ensure your fine purchases from For Every Occasion will not get ruined when you cross a river. There are also Lightning Rods, Periscopes, Wand Sheaths and much more, all designed to be used by the educated adventurer who knows to rely on more than just his own mettle and magic.
By Sail and Wain - a vehicle workshop. Most adventurers simply roam the land on the back of a horse. But do you really want to be like most adventurers? Try an Armoured Carriage, a House Wagon or a Watersleigh. There are many accessories for vehicles as well, such as the Diving Bell, Detaching Ram and various Winches.
The Siegemaster's Workshop - 'nuff said. Some big weapons and defences can be found here, from the Crumblewall to Crash Carts, Arrow Artillery and the renowned Dreadnaught. Written as if adventurers might even find a use for them in regular adventuring. . .
Treasures From Afar - exotic and foreign goods. There are times when the regular western-inspired selection of equipment just won't do. Here you will find a variety of items and materials that will beggar belief. Think of it - a substance called rubber, common overseas, but the like of which you have never seen. There are new herbs, perfuems and poisons, and some very strange weaponry. How _do_ you use a Butterfly Sword, a Labala Axe or the Nsokara?
Finally, we come to Treasures From Beyond - oddities from extraplanar travellers. Here you will find Bottled Shadow, Portable Stars, Dragon Toothpaste, Powdered Storms, Universal Sensations and a No-Sword. Don't expect these items to come cheaply though. . .
This is all backed up with a long and comprehensive index, allowing you to find your item quickly and easily.
The Ultimate Equipment Guide Vol 2 is priced at $34.95 and will be appearing in your local games stores and book shops this coming week.
