In my opinion, Mongoose is doing a great job with the Slayer's Guide series so far. This is just another rabbit being pulled out of the hat. The "Slayer's Guide" series to me is the D&D/d20 equivalent to VH1's Behind the Music. Just like VH1 can take a band or performer no one cares about and flesh them out to make them interesting, MGP's Slayer's Guides can do the same with D&D races. It's scary to think the potential they have with this series should it continue past The Slayer's Guide To Amazons (which I am pretty sure they are). Slayer's Guide To Mongrelmen anyone? Enough about the line, I'll let you know about the book itself.
The book itself is 32-pages long. Well laid-out with an illustration approximately every one and a half pages. The cover art continues the stylistic approach of previous Slayer's Guide. The interior art also does. I am especially a fan of the anatomy drawings on the inside covers. The layout is average with presentation and content balanced out so it is not cluttered nor overwritten.
The introduction gives us a good feel for the Troglodytes as a race. It also gives us the normal fare explaining the Slayer's Guides. On the opposite page, there is something that reads like an excerpt from a story that shows us how the fantasy world views troglodytes. These continue throughout the book. While I like them, they seem to pop up at odd times in the book for me but I also think they are very necessary to make the book long enough for print. I guess I can safely say I am mixed at the little story bits throughout the guide(s).
Next, it is on to Troglodyte physiology. You can probably guess at least a paragraph is devoted to their stench. I found this section of the book to be pretty informative. I especially like the section that describes their mindset. It basically explains their tribal instinct mindset. What makes it all interesting is the fact it is presented as if the author is basing his writing off the words and notes of sages leaving some things unexplained because the sages aren't completely certain.
Following physiology is a small section on habitat. It describes characteristics of the underdeep and mountain troglodytes then goes on to explain the troglodytes in relation to importance of water and food in their habitat. There is not much to speak of in this section, just didn't want to overlook it.
The next section is all about troglodyte society. The chapter goes on to describe how their society is structured mainly around their driving force, which is food. They are described in this chapter as always being hungry. There is a caste system described to examine this that shows it relies completely on the smarter and stronger (The Chieftain and in very rare cases, Chieftains) being at the top. While beneath them in descending order are: The leaders, the crafters, warriors, adolescents, females, and hatchlings. It explains in a detailed paragraph beneath each why they fall in the order they do. Other things touched on in this chapter include: a more detailed description of troglodyte crafters, troglodyte cruelty, and their deity, a horrid creature depicted as a cross between a lizard and a toad. The Lizard Toad's worship is described and contains a lot of unique material that is fitting to the troglodyte race as presented so far. The very last part of this chapter is about the troglodytes' relations, or lack thereof, with other races.
The next chapter is a short one describing troglodyte warfare. It describes their weapon preferences, which by the way are javelins. It also describes the motivation behind their aggressive attacks that refers back to their constant hunger. There is a small section that tells of troglodytes on the defense. The point is made that their lairs are well guarded with many traps and is even described as being "Attacking a troglodyte lair is never the stuff of legends. It is more the stuff of nightmares."
The next chapter is probably the most important. It is the main reason why these Slayer's Guides exist: Role-Playing With Troglodytes". It opens up trying to remind us of the troglodyte mentality. It reminds us that troglodyte PCs and the referee's presentation of the troglodytes should be very alien compared to other races or creatures. The chapter then goes on to tell of the troglodyte communities in such a way we are given the true sense of how they are.
Following role-playing with troglodytes, we are given several game scenarios. To paraphrase the author we are given ideas that go beyond just the hack and slash of troglodytes by PCs. Seven scenarios are presented ranging from common to quite original. Game scenario ideas are always best presented in low detail anyway because the best referees draw from them in more of a foundation sense, so I am glad they didn't delve too deep into these hooks by keeping it down to 2 full pages.
After that we get a single page treatment on the previously discussed Crafters. They are presented as the backbone of the tribes and described in game terms as a prestige class. It has a lot of gaming potential. I especially liked the fact that at 4th level the crafter gets direct insight from the Lizard Toad and can forge weapons and armor of magic power.
The first of the last two sections of the book is all about the Shrine of St. Darias. The Shrine of St. Darias is about a troglodyte tribe which has taken over a beautiful religious retreat by way of entering through their cellar which was linked to a natural cavern. It sets up the setting in great detail for use as a game setting. It is very well fleshed out but I have one complaint in regards to it. On page 27, there is a block of text that is not complete. The last paragraph in the box goes like this, "all creatures, except troglodytes, within these tunnels must pass a Fortitude save (DC 13) or take 1d6 points of temporary strength damage as they are overcome with nausea. This will last for the…." And it just ends. This is most likely an editorial oversight but one that really stands out. I am just pointing it out because I am sure many will notice this and be confused.
The second of the last two sections is a reference list. It shows us several NPCs such as the average Chieftain, Leader, Crafter, Priest, Warrior, adolescent, Female, Hatchlings, as well as Giant lizards. It ends with two unique troglodyte spells that aren't really necessary but seem more like filler to round out the book. And two final things, the last page is a reprint of the license (why do they keep doing that?!) and a map of the previously mentioned Shrine on the back inside cover .
Go to forum!
(Due to spamming, old forum discussions are no linked.)