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Enchanted Trinkets Complete--a hardcover book containing over 500 magic items for your D&D games!

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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Messageboard Golem" data-source="post: 2010494" data-attributes="member: 18387">By Joe G Kushner, Staff ReviewerSizing Up the TargetWeighing in at 96 pages for $24.95, Secrets of the Scorpion is the latest in the dual stat books that covers the d20 system and the L5R 2nd edition system. Secrets of the Scorpion is published by AEG.First BloodThe book is broken up into seven sections, four on the different families and their vassals, one for the introduction, one for the Shadowed Tower, and a last one for the darker secrets of the scorpion.Critical HitsIn short, if you're looking for information on the Scorpion, it's here. Want to know about the rituals that go on in the daily life? Check out the introduction that covers the customs ranging from Birth to Funerals. Want the complete Scorpion Feat list with new feats like Bayushi's Invincible Edge? It's there along with others like Ruthless Sting and Shosuro's Technique. The timeline is a nice reference work as it covers important events from the ancient past to recent card game history. Want to know the exact years that the Scorpion were in the Burning Sands? Want to know when the Lying Darkness first got its talons into the Scorpion? All covered.The familles, Bayushi, Shosuro, Soshi, Yogo, are all covered with the same amount of detail. You get information on the provinces, minor holdings, important NPC's, Vassals, new mechanics and occasionally something else. For example, we've got the Bitter Lies Swordsman and the Bayushi Guardian Spirit Template. Game Mechanics are kept to a minimal but usually include Ancestory Feats in each section. The Shadowed Tower is detailed with background and adventure seeds, fully mapped out and stocked with NPCs to add to the game either for the Scorpion or depending on how the GM is using them, having the Scorpion interfere with the work that goes on there.For me, one of the coolest things was the introduction of the Ashalan as a player race. These individuals hail from the Burning Sands and while they're not in the public eye like they once were, they're still around but working in secret. The racial traits are provided for both d20 and L5R 2nd Edition. Critical MissesThe book doesn't include a lot of new game mechanics for those only looking for the crunch. For me, while the Shadowed Tower was cool, I'd have enjoyed more details, perhaps even a map on the Burning Sands locations. Lastly, while there are maps for the Shadowed Tower and the Scorpion lands province, there needs to be more maps of other locations.Coup de GraceSecrets of the Scorpion is another strong entry to the L5R series. It's tightly focused and provides a lot of hooks for the GM and players of the Scorpion Clan. The price is a little high due to the heavy stock used in the book but otherwise, it's a good deal.To see the graded evaluation of this product and to leave comments that the reviewer will respond to, go to The Critic's Corner at <a href="http://www.d20zines.com/html/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=index&catid=&topic=3" target="_blank">www.d20zines.com.</a></blockquote>

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