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Message: <blockquote data-quote="DM_Jeff" data-source="post: 2008653" data-attributes="member: 3687">The Slayer`s Guide to Amazons is the latest in this acclaimed series from Mongoose.Slayer`s Guide to Amazonsby Teresa Capsey and Matthew SprangeCover art by Ralph Horsley$9.95 32-page d20 sourcebook for DM`s and players alikeISBN: 1-903980-07-0Overview: In the review archive above I cover the other Slayers Guides. Each one details an often-overlooked monster or culture and presents it with refreshing commentary, new rules and very helpful DM advice on running, presenting and using the material for the players, advice that (from first-hand experience and playtesting) goes a long way to furthering the way players and their characters look at the race in the future. The Slayer`s Guides to Amazons has more rules bits than previous in the series, continuing good artwork, and breathes life into a culture that I`m sure gets very overlooked or just not taken serious enough: the women warriors of myth and legend.Review: At first I was skeptical. After all, Amazons are not like Centaurs, or Hobgoblins, or Winter Wolves (some of the previous Slayers Guides). They were a human subculture, right? Well, within the first few pages my fears were alleviated. In a sense they treat Amazons as a human race `offshoot`, split from a male dominated society and ultimately freed by their patron goddess. They are redefined with new racial stats. In the opening paragraphs we`re treated to Amazon Physiology and a glaring header that dares to read “the mind of a woman”. Now before anyone sees this as their key to getting a date, don`t worry. The minds of Amazons are quite different from those of the women of today. At least most…We`re also treated to a dark, ongoing story. Those familiar with the other Guides know that there`s little interjections of creative writing applying the subject at hand to some characters in a fantasy world. Well, the story in here goes throughout the book, a tale that sets the right ambiance of seriousness, danger, and downright horror can come from an Amazon encounter.Their habitat is covered next. In a brilliant mix of popular culture and ancient myth, the forests and jungles known as the Amazon`s homes are brought to light. Amazon society, villages, and their exacting yet simplistic social status order. Younglings are Maidens, those able to bear children are Mothers, and those past that stage are called Crones. Each has specific and expected duties and roles to fulfill in the Amazon villages. More notes let you see into their rituals, beliefs and religious convictions. How they hunt and some tactics on combating them are excellent reads.I might as well point out now that the entire book is filled with excellent artwork, all depicting scantily clad babes...err, um. Uh, I mean strong, lithe women wearing loose yet functional coverings to assist their stealth and movement. Many will also enjoy knowing this is the first d20 supplement, no doubt the first roleplaying supplement anywhere, that has a centerfold. Yes, a centerfold. It`s gorgeous. And the Gamer Girlz out there should have no problem...from legend it`s accurate, and if this begins to lead you that Amazons are nice and cuddly, forget it. Remembering the dark ongoing storyline I mentioned above? It only begins to touch on the murderous, unforgiving, intelligent huntresses. A full breakdown of their warrior way, their weapons and training, their tactics and their brutal mating ritual comes next. Toward the end we get no less than eight scenario hooks (all an excellent introduction to the Amazon culture, far beyond you meeting them and getting killed). Finally we get some crunchy bits, two new clerical Domains (Moon and Sisterhood), two new spells, and finally the Red Guard prestige class. Last there`s another staple of the series: full stat blocks to help the DM build encounters, Amazon Priestess, Sorceress, Red Guard, Scout, Warrior and Maiden. Coming in at 32 pages it was a good, solid read. That is, lots of immediately useful information to absorb and apply to you games. Use the Slayers` Guides to Centaurs and mix it with the information in here to create a whole campaign setup. I was very impressed with the content in general. Keeping with tradition, editing, layout and organization is crisp, clear and good. And as I`m fond of saying at my game table, “I got it for the rules, not the pictures!” ;-) This supplement will go a long way to developing an intriguing part of your campaign. -Jeff Ibach</blockquote>

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