Faces of the Tarnished Souk: Balduros Thundrsen, the Roaring Hammer
Balduros Thundrsen, the Roaring Hammer is an epic fantasy supplement for Colisem Morpheuon and the Pathfinder Roleplaying Game written by Matt Banach and Justin Sluder and published by Rite Publishing.
By Cape Rust
Learn more about Balduros Thundrsen, the Roaring Hammer here
Purchase Balduros Thundrsen, the Roaring Hammer here
Find other Faces of the Tarnished Souk products here
He’s just a good ole’ boy never meaning much harm… A Dwarf Bard, this is the Souk, you shouldn’t be surprised, a Dwarf Bard that parties hard and drinks too much; no surprises there. His mood swings range from jubilant to destructive and he does it all with aplomb.
CONTENT
This 9 page supplement includes Balduros Thundrsen, the Roaring Hammer at levels 6 through 16. There are feats for Hammer throwing (no big surprise) and devil dancers (surprising for a Dwarf, not for a Bard). This supplement also discusses bardic masterpieces, and ways to shape magic through the use of magic and dance. The dust of sobriety is introduced as a magic item.
OVERALL
While not many think Dwarf Bard, it has been done before and it will be done again. Where the folks at Rite Publishing did this take right was making him a singer and a dancer – sure he is a drum beater, but I’m glad he wasn’t a one trick pony.
RATINGS
Publication Quality: 9 out of 10
No surprises when it comes to this supplement’s layout, print quality or formatting. The Faces of the Tarnished Souk supplements are a very established brand, and while some would ding Rite Publishing for not changing things up, I commend them. They are a small company who knows how to stretch their dollar and still put out a high quality product. I enjoyed the cover art, it let me know who Balduros Thundrsen is with one look. In past reviews I have asked Rite Publishing for additional pictures of the character the supplement is covering and they did, well they did or they used the picture of another similar looking Dwarf, but I think they went the extra mile and included a picture of Balduros Thundrsen wielding a hammer. The rest of the stock art didn’t feel cohesive, but it is stock art.
Mechanics: 10 out of 10
Balduros Thundrsen is no push over, but he felt like he would not be difficult to run as an NPC. Even at level 16 with very minor preparation, a GM could improve any game with the inclusion of Balduros Thundrsen.
Value Add: 10 out of 10
Bards tend to be a polarizing class; people love them or they hate them. If run properly, Balduros Thundrsen could be that NPC that might bring a few players to the bard side. Outside of the Souk he would be a powerful warlord, who happens to have musical talent, but in the Souk he is just right.
Overall: 10 out of 10
Even with some of the typical elements that are included in the Balduros Thundrsen, the Roaring Hammer he is still a really well executed and realized NPC. His templates are not too complicated and his backstory is interesting. Some of his motivations and reasons for his actions are diminished when he is out of the Souk, but lets face it, artsy folks tend to be eccentric so some of his normal behaviors in the Souk wouldn’t be too far off in other settings. As an NPC, Balduros Thundrsen brings the noise!
Follow Us!