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Chapter 1: Into the Maelstrom This chapter details aquatic terrain, hazards, weather, navigation, and naval combat. Of note in the hazards section are rules on effects of water pressure, and hypothermia. Also in this chapter the Narrative Naval Combat rules provide an alternative to the rules described in the Arms & Equipment Guide.
Chapter 2: Races of the Seas Several races are detailed in this chapter. Spelljammer players will appreciate the inclusion of the Hadozee. Also two new PC races are detailed; the Aventi and Darfellan. The chapter also has subraces of the standard PC races, such as Aquatic Elves, Seacliff Dwarves, Wavecrest Gnomes, and Shoal Halflings.
This chapter offers plenty for Players who want to play something different. The Darfellan and Hadozee are interesting races that would fit in nicely with any aquatic campaign.
Chapter 3: Class and Prestige Classes This chapter describes how class features of the standard classes function underwater. Also it describes some variants of these classes. Several Deities are detailed here as well.
The Prestige Classes described in this chapter are the Knight of the Pearl, Legendary Captain, Leviathan Hunter, Scarlet Corsair, Sea Witch, Stormcaster, and Wavekeeper. I found the Knight of the Pearl and the Leviathan Hunter a bit underpowered. Both lack enough levels and abilities to make choosing them over a standard class or another prestige class beneficial.
Chapter 4: Skills and Feats Ship roles are described in the beginning part of this chapter. They then go on to detail new adaptations of skills underwater. 24 new feats are described next; among them are Landwalker, Scourge of the Seas, Storm Magic, and Windsinger.
Chapter 5: Ships and Equipment The first part of this chapter describes various types of ships, weapons for ships, and accessories. Described in this section are light bombards and heavy bombards. Depending upon what you want to include in a nautical campaign, it may be worth your time picking up d20 Past. Detailed in it on page 20 are flint-lock weapons, cannons, and different types of shot. Also on page 28 of D20 Past are types of sailing ships. The remainder of the chapter describes personal equipment, such as coral, sharkskin, and shell armor, as well as a few weapons.
Chapter 6: Spells and Magic Items A large number of new spells are described in this chapter. I found the most interesting of these new spells that specifically target a ship.
Chapter 7: Monsters New and old monsters are described here as well as the new template, amphibious. Some of the more interesting ones are Scyllans and Jellyfish Swarms. It also details a number of natural creatures you would expect to find underwater.
Chapter 8: Adventure Locales Four locales are detailed that allow a DM to incorporate into an ongoing campaign. Now while this is interesting I feel its place belongs in the pages of Dragon or Dungeon.
The last few pages of the book are encounter tables for aquatic environments.
OVERALL There are quite a few things that make Stormwrack a decent purchase. The spell section adds quite a bit to those wanting to run a naval or underwater campaign.
However I don't feel it was as well written as the previous books in the series: Frostburn & Sandstorm. Personally I would have liked to see rules detailing the use of cannons and firearms. Even if you aren't going to use them, it would have been a nice option.
