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In the amazing glut of products published for d20 under the OGL, few have stood out as achievements. NYAMBE is one of those few. Challenging the scope and most basic assumptions of what is a fantasy RPG, NYAMBE succeeds on all levels and represents a huge success for Atlas Games, the author, and the d20 community as a whole.

Atlas games is a longtime and staunch supporter of breakthrough ideas in gaming, as the publishers of Over The Edge, and Unknown Armies. I was somewhat surprised and pleased to find that NYAMBE embraces these same pioneering spirit and marries it to the widest possible audience using the d20 System. You will also have guessed by this introduction that I am very positive, and you would be correct.

Graphically the book is both well presented and evocative of the setting. Cover Art by Mike Dutton is blended with recurring graphic elements by Art Director Scott Reeves to create a unified whole in presentation. The entire first signature is presented in full-color with the balance of the book in black and white. Interior art is professional and related to the text. Special mention should be made of the work of Steven Sanders who seems to have a special flair with the subject matter.

Editing and indexing are clear and concise. Furthermore, the editing does not burden the reader with unclear pronouns in an attempt to be politically correct.

The first three chapters of the book provide a basic description of Nyambe-Tanda, the land of the Overpower, and the history, races, and cultures that surround it. There are a ton of new ideas presented here. I felt at several points that I wanted to take notes, due to all of the new material presented to me. Many RPG source books covering non-Western cultures gloss or oversimplify the belief systems and cultural differences presented. Nyambe takes care to present these ideas with the same validity as any other, neither talking down to the reader, nor expressing overly strong opinions in any direction.

There are demihuman races in Nyambe-tanda quite different from their European counterparts. Agogwe are fierce halfling warrior nomads. Kitunusi are gnomish in descent but lack the classic racial trappings. Ngoloko are half-orc wizards descended from evil, and believed extinct Kosan orcs. Unthlatu are dragon blooded sorcerers long exiled from the rest of Nyambe-tandan society. The Utuchekulu are dwarven warriors and cannibals. Wakyambi are related to elves, but arboreal, with tails and incapable of creating half elves. Behind these races in the shadows are the remnants of the evil Kosan orcish society, and the newly arrived Yuan-ti from the East.

Chapters four through seven deal with the mechanics of the d20 core classes, prestige classes, skills, feats, combat, and equipment. None of the new prestige classes seems to stick out as too powerful or abusive to the system, though all will undoubtedly have a much more limited use outside the setting of Nyambe-tanda than prestige classes in other d20 worlds. The Dembe and the Magic Eaters are especially interesting in terms of how they would react to the "common" adventuring party. The Amazons will also be a favorite among players in Nyambe-tanda.

If there was a single criticism I would give here it would be in the Equipment section, Chapter Seven. I would have liked to see some basic equipment from the d20 system presented as a benchmark. This may have been impossible given the nature of the OGL and d20, but would have been helpful in any case.

Chapters Eight and Nine deal with Nyambe-tandan magic and spells. Nyambe-tanda has its own spellcasters as well as effects on more traditional d20 spellcasters. Magic in Nyambe-tanda is based on the veneration of Orisha. Though the Overpower is considered the creator of Nyambe-tanda (literally Land of the Overpower) the inhabitants have done something to offend or tire the Overpower. He is uninterested in the goings on in Nyambe-tanda. Orisha are spirits of ascended humans or embodiments of natural forces that act as mediators between the Overpower and the peoples of Nyambe-tanda. There are analogs of many of the common aspects in mythology. There are trickster, death, war, dance, and ocean orisha. Additionally there are elemental orisha, ancestor orisha, and natural orisha.

Spells in Nyambe-tanda work in much the same way. Magic is not considered a mysterious force. Instead magic is viewed as an extension of the spirit world, and common in Nyambe-tanda. Spellcasters commonly use mojuba bags, or mojo, to prepare a scroll much as a western magi use spellbooks. Gris-gris are similar to scrolls in that they require no preparation to use.

To the core classes in Nyambe-tanda there are a few additions, since many of them have magical or spiritual aspects we should discuss them here. Gamba are brute force warriors. Mchawi Wizards steal magic from the Overpower with the aid of fiendish Orisha, whom they bargain with for their assistance. Nanala rogues resemble their more European counterparts in their use of hiding and deception, but are just as versatile in their own way. N'Anga Clerics are priests who serve the Orisha and perform public rituals often. The Sei Sorcerers use dragon magic to cast spells without the assistance of Orisha.

Prestige classes newly presented here include Dembe monster hunters. Engolos are unarmed combat much like the Eastern monks, who shun armor and weapons. Inyanga Yensimbi are literally "Masters of Iron". The Leopard cultists operate much like a traditional Western Thieves' Guild but have been infiltrated and co-opted by were-leopards. Magic Eaters can literally devour magical spells and items. The Mask Makers use Orisha magic and craftsmanship to literally become Orisha. Mganga also called "witch doctors" fight evil magi, while Ngoma drummers are a more social magi, much like a Bard. Nibomay Amazons are fearsome female warriors. Soroka, or poison oracles, use poison to see the future and work magic. Zombi Cultists are just that, necromantic evil magi.

What is surprising to me is how much of the ideas and themes presented are familiar. Much is made in the media and academe of the Western World's dismissal of non-Western cultures. Nyambe shows that many of these ideas are more familiar than we may first think.

Now, this is a single work of only 256 pages. To attempt to cover all of Africa and the hundreds of cultures there is not possible, so Nyambe-tanda is a different place than Africa. The races and human cultures covered are in broad strokes, leaving ample room for splatbooks or additional supplements. These could cover the seven major nations, the demihuman races, or even geographic regions in more detail. Should sales of the core book support these ventures I hope to see them soon.

Nyambe is a fantastic addition to the d20 fantasy genre. Presentation is a definite five of five stars. Writing and Editing is also five out of five. To be honest this book is better than most d20 books published by Wizards of the Coast. If you don't yet have a copy, get one, and add an African flair to your next quest.

Nyambe: African Adventures for d20
Nyambe: African Adventures for d20 Capsule Review by Ross Winn on 09/10/02 Style: 5 (Excellent!) Substance: 5 (Excellent!) A new and innovative d20 product from Atlas games. Product: Nyambe: African Adventures for d20 Author: Chris Dolunt Category: RPG Company/Publisher: Atlas Games Line: d20 Cost: 37.95 Page count: Year published: 2002 ISBN: 1-58978-023-X SKU: Comp copy?: yes Capsule Review by Ross Winn on 09/10/02 Genre tags: Fantasy Other	In the amazing glut of products published for d20 under the OGL, few have stood out as achievements. NYAMBE is one of those few. Challenging the scope and most basic assumptions of what is a fantasy RPG, NYAMBE succeeds on all levels and represents a huge success for Atlas Games, the author, and the d20 community as a whole. Atlas games is a longtime and staunch supporter of breakthrough ideas in gaming, as the publishers of Over The Edge, and Unknown Armies. I was somewhat surprised and pleased to find that NYAMBE embraces these same pioneering spirit and marries it to the widest possible audience using the d20 System. You will also have guessed by this introduction that I am very positive, and you would be correct. Graphically the book is both well presented and evocative of the setting. Cover Art by Mike Dutton is blended with recurring graphic elements by Art Director Scott Reeves to create a unified whole in presentation. The entire first signature is presented in full-color with the balance of the book in black and white. Interior art is professional and related to the text. Special mention should be made of the work of Steven Sanders who seems to have a special flair with the subject matter. Editing and indexing are clear and concise. Furthermore, the editing does not burden the reader with unclear pronouns in an attempt to be politically correct. The first three chapters of the book provide a basic description of Nyambe-Tanda, the land of the Overpower, and the history, races, and cultures that surround it. There are a ton of new ideas presented here. I felt at several points that I wanted to take notes, due to all of the new material presented to me. Many RPG source books covering non-Western cultures gloss or oversimplify the belief systems and cultural differences presented. Nyambe takes care to present these ideas with the same validity as any other, neither talking down to the reader, nor expressing overly strong opinions in any direction. There are demihuman races in Nyambe-tanda quite different from their European counterparts. Agogwe are fierce halfling warrior nomads. Kitunusi are gnomish in descent but lack the classic racial trappings. Ngoloko are half-orc wizards descended from evil, and believed extinct Kosan orcs. Unthlatu are dragon blooded sorcerers long exiled from the rest of Nyambe-tandan society. The Utuchekulu are dwarven warriors and cannibals. Wakyambi are related to elves, but arboreal, with tails and incapable of creating half elves. Behind these races in the shadows are the remnants of the evil Kosan orcish society, and the newly arrived Yuan-ti from the East. Chapters four through seven deal with the mechanics of the d20 core classes, prestige classes, skills, feats, combat, and equipment. None of the new prestige classes seems to stick out as too powerful or abusive to the system, though all will undoubtedly have a much more limited use outside the setting of Nyambe-tanda than prestige classes in other d20 worlds. The Dembe and the Magic Eaters are especially interesting in terms of how they would react to the "common" adventuring party. The Amazons will also be a favorite among players in Nyambe-tanda. If there was a single criticism I would give here it would be in the Equipment section, Chapter Seven. I would have liked to see some basic equipment from the d20 system presented as a benchmark. This may have been impossible given the nature of the OGL and d20, but would have been helpful in any case. Chapters Eight and Nine deal with Nyambe-tandan magic and spells. Nyambe-tanda has its own spellcasters as well as effects on more traditional d20 spellcasters. Magic in Nyambe-tanda is based on the veneration of Orisha. Though the Overpower is considered the creator of Nyambe-tanda (literally Land of the Overpower) the inhabitants have done something to offend or tire the Overpower. He is uninterested in the goings on in Nyambe-tanda. Orisha are spirits of ascended humans or embodiments of natural forces that act as mediators between the Overpower and the peoples of Nyambe-tanda. There are analogs of many of the common aspects in mythology. There are trickster, death, war, dance, and ocean orisha. Additionally there are elemental orisha, ancestor orisha, and natural orisha. Spells in Nyambe-tanda work in much the same way. Magic is not considered a mysterious force. Instead magic is viewed as an extension of the spirit world, and common in Nyambe-tanda. Spellcasters commonly use mojuba bags, or mojo, to prepare a scroll much as a western magi use spellbooks. Gris-gris are similar to scrolls in that they require no preparation to use. To the core classes in Nyambe-tanda there are a few additions, since many of them have magical or spiritual aspects we should discuss them here. Gamba are brute force warriors. Mchawi Wizards steal magic from the Overpower with the aid of fiendish Orisha, whom they bargain with for their assistance. Nanala rogues resemble their more European counterparts in their use of hiding and deception, but are just as versatile in their own way. N'Anga Clerics are priests who serve the Orisha and perform public rituals often. The Sei Sorcerers use dragon magic to cast spells without the assistance of Orisha. Prestige classes newly presented here include Dembe monster hunters. Engolos are unarmed combat much like the Eastern monks, who shun armor and weapons. Inyanga Yensimbi are literally "Masters of Iron". The Leopard cultists operate much like a traditional Western Thieves' Guild but have been infiltrated and co-opted by were-leopards. Magic Eaters can literally devour magical spells and items. The Mask Makers use Orisha magic and craftsmanship to literally become Orisha. Mganga also called "witch doctors" fight evil magi, while Ngoma drummers are a more social magi, much like a Bard. Nibomay Amazons are fearsome female warriors. Soroka, or poison oracles, use poison to see the future and work magic. Zombi Cultists are just that, necromantic evil magi. What is surprising to me is how much of the ideas and themes presented are familiar. Much is made in the media and academe of the Western World's dismissal of non-Western cultures. Nyambe shows that many of these ideas are more familiar than we may first think. Now, this is a single work of only 256 pages. To attempt to cover all of Africa and the hundreds of cultures there is not possible, so Nyambe-tanda is a different place than Africa. The races and human cultures covered are in broad strokes, leaving ample room for splatbooks or additional supplements. These could cover the seven major nations, the demihuman races, or even geographic regions in more detail. Should sales of the core book support these ventures I hope to see them soon. Nyambe is a fantastic addition to the d20 fantasy genre. Presentation is a definite five of five stars. Writing and Editing is also five out of five. To be honest this book is better than most d20 books published by Wizards of the Coast. If you don't yet have a copy, get one, and add an African flair to your next quest.

Nyambe: African Adventures for d20