Product Name: Kobolds of the Fallen Halls
Publisher: Raging Swan Press
Author: Creighton Broadhurst
System: Pathfinder
Setting: The Lonely Coast
Series: TRIBES
Theme: Epic Fantasy
Type: Supplement
Link: http://www.ragingswan.com/kobolds.html
Kobolds of the Fallen Halls is part of the TRIBES series of supplements for Pathfinder set within The Lonely Coast, both designed and developed by Raging Swan Press. The basic concept of the TRIBES supplements is to take a given type (or sometimes set) of creatures from the Pathfinder core books and breath life into them by adding a fully developed background history, purpose, description of characteristics (not attributes or stats but actual characteristics), and finishing that off with a set of archetypes for that given species.
Kobolds of the Fallen Halls specifically details a pair of Kobold tribes, designed to reside within the setting of The Lonely Coast. However, these tribes could easily reside within any setting with a background that allows for easy placement. The publication itself is wonderfully put together and contains a wealth of valuable information for a GM looking to add depth to their normally mundane bestiary.
INTRODUCTION
Although brief, the introduction contains valuable information on not only how to read the given stat blocks, but also a brief look at the different characters and archetypes presented throughout. As an added bonus, a brief description of 4 new adept spells is provided for quick and easy referencing.
KOBOLDS OF THE FALLEN HALLS
Kobolds of the Fallen Halls begins with an in-depth look at the background for the two Kobold tribes. This is more than a simple tribe background, this includes a look at the history of their placement within the setting and why they are there. This includes the destruction of the original Dwarven clan which held the area by a pair of dragons and their Kobold slaves, the birth of their offspring, and their eventual demise. This left the two offspring dragons which quickly became rivals and split the Kobold slaves into two separate tribes.
Once the background is understood, the content moves on to creating dimension with the Kobold tribes by describing their society, current lair, and tactics. Now that depth has been added to the tribes, the content begins introducing a number of new feats utilized by the different Kobold warriors. Each feat is properly described and includes a line of flavor text. New adept spells are then added to the mechanics along with the treasure hoards of the two separate dragons.
THE TRIBES
The Tribes section is where each tribe is fully described in detail. The first tribe is the Blackened Eye Kobolds, fierce warriors who avoid the spider pets of the Bloodied Tail Kobolds. Details are given on what a grouping of Blackened Eye Kobolds would consist of when encountered along with a look at the tribe’s chieftain. Nine Blackened Eye Kobolds and their associated beasts are presented and detailed with all applicable stats, abilities, and equipment. A look at their dragon master follows with a description of its personality, mannerisms, features, and plot-hooks along with the applicable stats and abilities.
The Bloodied Tail tribe is next, although smaller in number they draw upon their followings of the dark ways. Again, details are given on what a grouping of Bloodied Tail Kobolds would consist of when encountered along with a look at the tribe’s chieftain. Nine Bloodied Tail Kobolds and their associated beasts are presented and detailed with all applicable stats, abilities, and equipment. A look at their dragon master follows with the same details as previously noted.
Once the tribes are fully described, the content takes a look at what the Kobolds may be carrying in their pouch, listings for female and young Kobolds, a list of traps and tools for creating your own Kobolds.
OVERALL
It’s difficult to truly capitalize upon the content within Kobolds of the Fallen Halls without actually reading through it. The concepts are not only wonderfully developed and well defined, but are truly valuable as source material, plot-hooks, and adventure seeds.
RATINGS
Publication Quality: 10 out of 10
Even though there are no color illustrations, the publication for Kobolds of the Fallen Halls is immaculate. The layout is smooth and easy to read, the black-and-white illustrations are beautiful, and the content is concise and complete. Raging Swan Press definitely presents a high-quality product that is in-line with large publishers, but at a very reasonable price.
Mechanics: 10 out of 10
The new mechanics that are offered are done in a narrative way bringing a new level of description and dimension to a creature that could mostly be mundane and redundant. The tribes concept is a great way of breathing life into your bestiary while giving them purpose and a life of their own.
Value Add: 9 out of 10
With the continuing introduction of tribes and their history into the system, adventures and campaigns can become more interesting and more detailed. The creatures are standard, but their use has been expanded and more defined. Plus there are a lot of adventure and plot seeds embedded within the content that could be used to build adventures and campaigns around. The only (very small) drawback may be the well-defined use of the tribes concept and how it could present some GMs with too much information and thus be simply excluded. But for those few GMs, there is still wonderful information to be extrapolated and placed within their own adventures and/or campaigns.
Overall: 10 out of 10
I find the tribes concept to be very advantageous to taking adventures and campaigns to another level by creating more depth and reason for the bestiary that is encountered during those adventures and campaigns. These series of products are a great addition to the Pathfinder game and a very valuable source for GMs to use.
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