I received a comp copy of NPCyclopedia: Psionics from Silven Publishing. Silven Publishing now publishes Bulldogs! for Galileo Games and I have written a PDF supplement for Bulldogs! to be released soon.
NPCyclopedia: Psionics includes stats for 11 psionic NPCs for all twenty levels as well as some new feats, items, and one additional power. The text itself is detailed and comprehensive, perfect for inserting NPCs quickly into a campaign. In addition, each NPC has a roleplaying background set-up, which can spark ideas or simply be dropped if not needed.
The NPCs are a good mix of both classic and psionic races and classes with a few psionic prestige classes thrown in as well. Statistics are well covered and follow the style set out in the DMG 3.5. Even psicrystals receive a write up.
Finding the NPC stats can be a challenge (see suggested improvements below) but once found, the NPC information is all there. Roleplaying hooks, mannerisms, reasons for adventuring, as well as all the mechanics needed to run the NPC are all provided in an easy to read format. The backgrounds are interesting enough to read just for ideas and flavor, even if that particular NPC isn’t being used in an adventure.
I used Groven Sandstorm, a half-giant psychic warrior, as a bodyguard for a mind flayer. I used the 6th level version. As the fight began, Groven activated his expansion power to grow to Large size. The stats for Groven included the expanded, Large version. I was able to run the fight using his stats right from the NPCyclopedia.
The NPC stats are well laid out and the feats, items, and new power are also easy to use. The new rules specifically enhance the provided NPCs. Each new rule is detailed right after the level description of the NPC who takes it and all are recapped at the end for convenience.
Divine Focus, for instance, is a feat that allows a cleric use a turn or rebuke undead attempt as a swift action to regain psionic focus. Alkorn Svehold, a maenid cleric, gains this feat at 15th level, allowing him to regain his psionic focus after using Deep Impact, for instance. Because the feat uses a swift action, Alkorn can make several attacks in a row using Deep Impact. Divine Focus is a useful feat that expands both the abilities of the cleric and psionic races.
Items are introduced in the same way as feats, with stats provided with the NPC and recapped at the end. For instance, Thorn’s Rose Gloves are described for Karas Thorn, a half-orc egoist psion when she reaches 11th level. The gloves can be used to heal another person, and the wearer takes half the damage herself. The next round, some or all of that damage may heal. A magic item that fits in well with psionics and fits the NPC well, as Karas is a healer and protector.
I wanted to give the NPCyclopedia two 5s because I found it so useful and complete during playtesting. However, I found two points of possible improvement, one in workmanship and another in readability. The first point concerns grammar errors that need to be addressed and the other concerns user friendliness, which is simply my recommendation.
First, the back cover text needs to be proofread and updated. It contains two grammatical errors (Psionic Handbooks instead of Psionic Handbook and you instead of your) as well as some awkward sentence structure. I also found an error on the Credits page (working with on instead of working on). Which is all the more surprising after I saw how carefully laid out and set up the interior game information is.
Second, if the contents page would include race and class for the NPC, not just names, it would make searching the NPCyclopedia much easier. If I was looking for a 20th level psion, for instance, I simply had to scroll down through 171 pages looking for one. I didn’t have a way to quickly find a class I was looking for and a page number to go to.
I did not, however, find errors in the actual roleplaying or rule information. If the editor chose to spend more time on the interior information instead of ad copy or author bios I completely understand that choice. The errors on the back page, however, might turn away a reader and that would be unfortunate, since the information inside is so well written and put together.
For any DM who creates his own adventures, this supplement is a must. Even in a campaign without psionics, some of these NPCs could still be used as opponents with mysterious powers. The additional feats, items, and power are not just extras but useful and flavorful additions to any campaign even if not used by the provided NPCs.
Review Summary