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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: 2009196" data-attributes="member: 18387">This review is for Undead, a d20 sourcebook published by <a href="http://www.alderac.com/" target="_blank">Alderac Entertainmnet Group (AEG)</a>.  This 128-page book presents all manner of information about undead that a GM would want to use in his campaign.  The book retails for $19.95.     Chapter one gives an explanation of undead and some of the reasons why creatures choose to become immortal.  Some actually seek it out for a variety of personal reasons, but there are some who weren’t given the choice.  They are damned and hate every minute of it.     Chapter two goes into the game mechanics that surround an undead campaign.  A new skill, Craft (autopsy), adds an interesting flavor and can be used in any d20 setting.  Five new feats are presented to assist a character in combating the living dead.  They are well balanced and are ideal for a paladin.  Thirteen new prestige classes make up the heart of this book.  Some of these classes are designed for undead characters, while others are not.  The Champions of the Dead are the undead field commanders of a necromancer’s undead army.  Chirugeons are the Victor von Frankensteins of the d20 world.  The Exorcist is your stereotypical undead slayer that has to react rather than go on the offensive.  For the most part, the classes are put together well and with some really original special abilities.     Characters who hunt undead require special equipment.  There are five pages that go into the different items and suggestions for using them.  Personally, I’ve always preferred fire as a solution to undead problems.  Nothing like a fireball to destroy those pesky zombies.     Chapter three covers the topic of death worship.  Eight new gods are presented as is a comprehensive list of domains reprinted from the Player’s Handbook and AEG’s Evil.  There are three new domains included with this list, Rulership, Spirit, and Undead.  The remainder of the chapter outlines new spells and magical artifacts.  I tend to like the Cloak of Darkness, Soul Reaper, and Staff of Legions.     Chapter four gives undead archetypes that can be attached to an undead character much like a kit.  I like the Avenging archetype (think Eric Draven from The Crow) and the Vampire one.  Each archetype comes with a paragraph providing some good role-playing tips.     Chapter five is a good chapter for running an undead-oriented campaign.  There are several excellent ideas for adventures concerning a party of undead adventurers (your players).  Not only are there good campaign themes, but also good time period setting options.  I like the modern and ultramodern settings.     The final chapter gives an in-depth explanation of the processes of becoming a lich and a mummy.  GMs or players can use this information as they see fit.  Personally, I see using it as part of a story plot only and not for a character.     In conclusion, Undead is a decent offering for players and GMs who want more out of the undead in their world.  Fans of Laurell K. Hamilton’s Anita Blake: Vampire Hunter series will find some good tidbits for running a modern undead/horror campaign.  All in all, it’s a good book.  It just has limited application in game terms.  After all, if undead aren’t your thing, then neither will this book.To see the graded evaluation of this product, go to The Critic's Corner at <a href="http://www.d20zines.com" target="_blank">www.d20zines.com.</a></blockquote>

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