“The Wise and the Wicked” is a book for the Scarred Lands campaign setting brought to the world by Sword & Sorcery Studios. This 126-page perfect-bound soft cover has 47 NPCs. Now while that alone isn’t good enough reason to buy the book, rest assured that these aren’t your ordinary run-of-the-mill NPCs that you can produce by the dozen on Jamis Buck’s NPC Generator (which is an excellent way to go – don’t get me wrong). Through these “Wise and Wicked” beings, the book also gives those who peruse its pages information on new monsters, spells, magic items, and artifacts of both the minor and major varieties. However, one should not discount the NPCs themselves. Most are not easy to design and, with the added bonus of each one having Background, Role Playing Notes, and Combat sections, one gets a perfect account of how a book of NPCs should be done. Kudos to the developers, Anthony Pryor and Stewart Wieck for their hard work.
The 47 NPCs consist of 18 “good guys” and 29 “bad guys”. To define, “good guys” are those who range from Lawful Good to True Neutral while “bad guys” consist of the rest. While the editor made a bastardly attempt at listing them in alphabetical order (which is the order they are in the book), I shall list the “good guys” first and then the “bad guys” in order of Challenge Rating, starting with the lowest first. When CRs tied, I used my best guess as to which is “weaker”, but please don’t post in the forums disagreements about this – I really couldn’t care less about who could beat who’s butt in a real fight.
Anyways, here’s what you’ll be missing until you get this book:
The “Good Guys”
P’kouro’nk (CR 4) This NPC entry is not only well written, it also gives us a new monster – Screaming Wind Slitheren – Slitheren of Gulaben. And this is not in the wrong list – this monster is a “good guy”. I really like this NPC due to these points.
Meerlah Madilehna (CR 8) This NPC is a bardic babe. Other than that, it’s just a standard NPC with nothing worth noting except the excellent piece of…art on page 75.
Kaltaag (CR 8) This Half-Orc NPC is as standard as they come. It’s something that you could make on the fly with Jamis Buck’s generator and a little imagination. I would have rather seen something else on these two pages – especially since half of a page is left blank.
Andelais (CR 9) An excellent half-elf Incarnate NPC which goes into extraordinary details to provide the Dungeon Master with much information. I especially liked the details to the past life forms and the magic tattoos as well as the five new magic items that he possesses.
Alliastra Denier (CR 10) This druidic babe NPC not only rocks, but she also has a new minor artifact, the Staff of the Bleeding Earth. Another cool note is the picture of her on page 36.
Zarra (CR 10) This Barbarian/Sorcerer babe NPC has an excellent picture showing, among other things, her awesome and brand new magical tattoo. She also has a new magic weapon, Irontusk. The editor definitely saved the best for last, given that Zarra’s in the back. Battle on, Zarra!
Sangus the Blood Alchemist (CR 11) Even the name is cool! This Blood Witch NPC has an awesome background and picture. Sangus truly brings this prestige class from “Relics & Rituals” to life.
Felby Undershovel (CR 12) Standard Halfling NPC. See Kaltaag for commentary.
Gothrin the Sea-Dragon (CR 12) Standard Fighter NPC. See Kaltaag for commentary.
Katonis Woodarbor (CR 12) Excellent Vigilant NPC with a very nice “old school” picture on page 116.
Shanti, Harrier-Rider of Uria (CR 12) This cool Elf NPC rides Dove, the Great Harrier of which is fully represented with statistics alongside its rider. While there were no Roleplaying Notes given for Dove, I feel that is a minor point.
Luficint (CR 12) This awesome entry is of a Bat Devil Rogue NPC that possesses a new minor artifact – the Key to the Fourth Gate at the Tower of Shadows. This is a perfect example of how “Creature Collection” can be used when in the right hands.
Orzu (CR 13) This great entry is a Halfling Sorcerer/Rogue NPC that has two new magic items – Land Shark Battle Gloves and The Prophet’s Vanity. The picture is well done.
Kimer the Shatterer, Protector and Bearer of Ertmodl, the Earth Sword of Scarn (CR 16) One of the “All-Name” entries, I can’t help but fall in love with this Barbarian NPC. From the huge art of him to the two new magic items to the statistics and history of his pet dog, Onyx, this NPC is a class act all the way.
Ariniel, Swan Knight of Ghelspad (CR 16) If there’s one thing I like to see, it’s exceptions to the rule. You see, in the Scarred Lands, the only deity paladins can serve is Corean. As I stipulated in my review for the most excellent “The Divine and the Defeated”, having one deity for each alignment was quite boring. Well, so is having a paladin being able to serve only one deity. Thankfully, Ariniel is the exception to the rule – being the only paladin to serve Madriel. I also like the similarities that I get to another certain female hero when I read the passage, “…a series of female champions preceded her…only a single swan knight exists at a time”. She is the slayer…of titanspawn. Heh. The picture is awesome, and the two magic items and new minor artifact make this one of the best NPCs in the book – and that’s saying a lot, given her competition.
Nerith Alia, Archmage Chancellor of the Phylacteric Vault (CR 17) This Diviner NPC not only has an excellent background, but also has four new spells and two new magic items – making this a very cool entry.
King Thain the Just (CR 17) This awesome Dwarf NPC gives us a sweet taste of what we can expect from Sword & Sorcery Studios’ upcoming sourcebook, “Burok Torn: City Under Siege”. Joining the cool picture is a new major artifact, “The Warscepter of Goran”! I can’t wait for more – but I guess I’ll have to. =(
His Lawship, Patriarch Yonis Sonyovar Hevestian (CR 20) This NPC is a 20th Level Cleric of Hedrada and is the most powerful man in the city of Hedrad. Making 20th level NPCs is tough, and so I’m glad that someone did. A very good use of two pages.
The “Bad Guys”
Oberyn Amethyst, Virduk’s Bane (CR 6) This Ranger NPC is a very cool elf that has a mutation. The entry shows how a little something extra can really make a villain unique.
Paunles Finn (CR 7) This NPC servant of Gaurak makes a nice villain that includes two new magic items – Hunger Pastries and Gaurak’s Food.
Severin (CR 8) We are lucky enough to get yet another cool Slitheren in this book. This one is of the Stalker variety that has experience as a Rogue and a Fighter. Two new magic items are in Severin’s possession – Bloodfang and Venom Lash.
Thadorius the Titanstalker (CR 8) Standard Fighter NPC. See Kaltaag for commentary.
Lord Skrikt (CR 8) Standard Orc NPC. See Kaltaag for commentary.
Leoris the Vengeful (CR 8) A very nifty Proud Fighter NPC. Good background that helps the reader gain insight into this monster from “Creature Collection”.
Mazat, the Shadow of Shelzar (CR 10) An awesome Sorcerer Skin Devil NPC that should add mystery to a Scarred Lands campaign. Two full pages make this entry a better value than most as well.
Grakis of the Web of Green (CR 10) A grand Spider-Eye Goblin NPC, although using a whole page for his illustration seems a bit too much. A quotation below it would have made the page seem less sparse.
The Hunter of Vesh (CR 10) While he’s a nice entry as a Ranger/Rogue NPC, I wish the writer would have gone a step further from background speculation of him being part-titanspawn to have actually made him that. It would have made this entry much better with a new half-titanspawn template being used. Anyway, it’s still a good entry overall, considering his new magic item, the Darkaxe.
Jerhard Landereaux (CR 12) Once again the reader is shown how much moxie the Creature Collection truly has by this ideal example of an Unhallowed False Lover Bard NPC, although I must say I prefer the picture in the CC rather than the one on page 60 of this book, although I really like Jerhard’s boots.
Hassek Ruukbrood (CR 12) We are blessed yet again with another Slitheren NPC of the Stalker variety, this one being a Ranger. A new magic item, Karbrud’s Fang, tops it off.
Menava (CR 12) We are now given a very versatile Cleric/Fighter/Unfailing NPC that can add a little boost to those who also own “Hollowfaust: City of Necromancers”, a sourcebook by Sword & Sorcery Studios. Good to see this new prestige class in use. Two new magic items are included – the Scepter of Chardun and the Bone Quill.
Loren Rizzen (CR 12) We now get to see the Belsameth Spider template from “Creature Collection II: Dark Menagerie” in use with this entry. I especially enjoy how this NPC doesn’t rely on any possessions to make itself a formidable opponent and the insight the background provides on Belsameth and her “spider creations”.
Lianca (CR 14) The only thing which spruces up this standard Assassin NPC is the new spell “Mask of Virtue” and the decent background which ties Lianca in with the upcoming book “Burok Torn: City Under Siege”.
Mistress Yvestil, Crypt Lady of Glivid-Autel (CR 14) An excellent female Crypt Lord NPC which gives the reader insight into one of the foes of Hollowfaust – the necromancers of Glivid-Autel.
Lilly Weedspawn (CR 14) This is a very well made Halfling NPC with a very cool and new magic weapon – the Seven Venom Dagger!
Solon Telos Asuras, Reeve of House Asuras (CR 15) I was disappointed by this entry. Not only is it a standard Expert NPC (see Kaltaag for commentary), but this entry took up three pages, while I saw a lot of great two-pagers which could have been even better with a third page. Most likely the worst entry in the book.
Lucian Daine, the Black Messiah (CR 15) A brilliantly written Crypt Lord with a new spell – Calling upon the Departed. A much better use of three pages.
Talina Som, Whisper of Belsameth (CR 16) A sweet Rogue/Cleric NPC with an awesome picture on page 96. If I ran into this one, I wouldn’t have known what hit me. Heh.
King Virduk the Black Dragon, Monarch of Calastia (CR 18) This was the first NPC villain I heard about and was enough of a draw for me to order the book. I am happy to say I was not disappointed. Included in this three-pager is a new Major Artifact – Chardun’s Scepter.
Credas, the Necrotic King (CR 19) A well covered four-page entry covering the current ruler of Glivid-Autel. Included is a new spell and a new magic item.
Lysear (CR 19) A short but sweet two-page entry on a High Gorgon NPC.
Duke Traviak the Steel-fisted (CR 19) While I don’t care much for the Blackguard prestige class, I have to say that the five pages used on this one were not a waste of space – detailed with an extensive background and including statistics on Toranicus, Duke Traviak’s Fiendish Heavy Warhorse as well as his Undead Skeletal Servant. A new magic item and a new minor artifact are also found here.
Anteas, Royal Grand Vizier, Master of the Calastian Battle-Mages (CR 20) This one is a goody. Nice picture coupled with a grand coverage of background, a new magic item and a new minor artifact make this one a winner.
Dar’Tan, Master of the Shadow Fortress (CR 20) One only has to look at the cover to get an idea of how cool this guy is. This Penumbral Lord NPC also comes with a new spell – Penumbral Trap.
Queen Ran (CR 20) I’m amazed that something this cool could be in the Scarred Lands setting due to its old school feel – it’s a Kraken Blood Witch NPC which includes both a new minor artifact and a major artifact. Swell use of the Kraken.
Queen Geleeda the Fair, Monarch of Calastia (CR 21) The best babe of the book! This Half-Hag NPC (most likely, an upcoming monster template - although a smart DM could come up with it on their own using this entry as a guide) will rock you – guaranteed! The Queen also has a new magic item – Rod of the Arachnid. It’s good to see so many movers and shakers such as her to deal with in Calastia within this book’s pages.
Galdor the Deathless, Leader of Lede (CR 23) An undead NPC which includes three minor artifacts, two new magic items, and statistics for Bruticus, Galdor’s Mount. Great work here.
Yugman the Sage (CR 25) This Wizard NPC is apparently the Scarred Land’s version of Elminster – complete with uber-stats declaring him 25th level. I think 20th level would have been powerful enough IMHO. In his defense, though, I am at least glad that this one is an opponent and not an ally. I also really enjoyed Yugman’s three new spells and his major artifact – Scarlet Robe of the Archmagi. The picture of him is nice, too.
Well, there you have it – a huge amount of data to boost a Scarred Lands campaign for a good price. “The Wise and the Wicked” shows the d20 industry a lot of how an “NPC book” should be done and only a little of how it shouldn’t.
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