An Endzeitgeist.com review

Planet:

On this card, we are introduced to the Querritix system, which features a yellow dwarf, 4 planets and an asteroid belt – the latter actually features a couple of terraformed dwarf planets with potentially dangerous atmospheres. (And yes, we get an artwork depicting the system!) The planet closest to the sun, Schyllus, is a nickel planet that combines Con-track poison with radiation. The second page is particularly devoted to life here – which is mostly found on the planet Rendari and, surprisingly, the asteroid belt. Indeed, Rendari does have unique defenses – its 16 moons plus asteroid density make it, well, not exactly easy to navigate to, but present an excellent defense versus meteorites. 4 fluff-only entries of neat sample NPCs (with suggested levels/classes and race etc. noted) are provided, and the card also comes with 3 different adventure hooks that all have an interesting angle regarding the new race featured in this system.

Interesting system; not groundbreaking, but worth checking out. 4 stars.

Endzeitgeist out.

• I love the product, really helps with on the fly stuff, The layout of each dungeon is got the crafts work it needs (and more in some cases) to feel 'lived in'. Truly astonishing.

• EDIT: Removed outdated 'complaint' about not having Hardcover book for purchase. If you're intrested in a hardcover book you can find a link in the discussion section.

This mini tome is packed with excellent mini-adventures to use in a variety of campaigns! Fantastic product, would highly recommend!

An Endzeitgeist.com review

Okay, I’m going to deviate slightly from my usual formula, due to the unique structure of this series. The Star System series by AAW Games is customer-friendly, in that you can get the whole star system, or just the component that interests you: Just want a new race? You can get just the race and ignore the rest. This is made possible by a card-like presentation akin to what we know from the company’s super-popular mini-dungeons series. You can just get one card, or the whole set.

Each star system consists of 6 different such cards, meaning you’ll get a page-count of 12 pages. In order to facilitate posting the reviews for these component pdfs without having to rewrite my review time and again and losing time to cut-copy-pasting etc., I’m going to structure this review of the complete set accordingly.

Since I will base my reviews on the collected sets, I will provide an overall conclusion etc. at the bottom

The star system components are:

Planet:

This section is penned by Michael Allen.

Here, we get planet stats with atmosphere hazards where applicable and a nice visual rendition of the star system. We also get notes for Branch 67-128TT, a station that comes with brief notes and an abstract mini-write-up of the station. 3 adventure hooks are provided, but there is a rules-language hiccup here: It’s Computers check to scan, not “Scan Check.”

Verdict: Okay, if not perfect. 3.5 stars, rounded up.

Race:

This section is penned by Justin Andrew Mason.

The race herein would be the Sideribus Volunt, Medium humanoids descendent from Aventyr’s humans. They have managed to extend their lifespans greatly and adapted to life among the stars, gaining a +2 racial bonus to Piloting checks to navigate or astrogate. They get two bonus languages, low-light vision and immunity to radiation, but reduce their speed to 25 feet in normal gravity. They get 4 HP and deviate from Starfinder race conventions in that they get +3 Int, +1 Con, -1 Str. Uneven modifiers engender minmaxing as much as in previous d20-based games. Not a fan. They get 4 hp. Weird: The write-up, per se interesting, mentions that they are tactile empaths with their own race, but fails to specify how exactly that’s supposed to work, rules-wise. We do not get a “Playing a Sideribus Volunt”-section in the write-up. They get a decent b/w-artwork that looks pretty fantasy-ish.

Verdict: Not a fan. The race has a nice idea, but fails to capitalize on it, ending up bland. Rules-wise not impressive. 2.5 stars, rounded down.

Character Options:

This section is penned by Colin Stricklin.

We get two variant themes and a new one, as well as a nice little section of prose. The first variant theme is the Black Market Med-Tech, a variant Outlaw. Theme knowledge nets Medicine as a class skill (or a +1 bonus if you already have it) and +1 to Wisdom. Checks to remember diseases, drugs or obscure medical knowledge are 5 lower. Instead of the 6th level benefit, this fellow gets the envoy’s Surgeon expertise talent, reprinted here as part of the ability. At 12th level, you get chop shop, which lets you sell augmentations second hand at 10% value, and implant augmentations at base price into your body. The second theme-variant is the sideribus volunt wanderer, a variant of the scholar, whose 6th level ability reduces the time information gathering takes to 1d2 hours. You also get a bonus equal to ½ the number of languages you speak. Instead of the 12th level ability, you get a palm-sized holographic crystal orb that records thoughts and memories of the assigned wanderer. 1/day, you may commune with it as a “full round action” (should be full action). This communion nets you a +2 competence bonus to Perception checks and Knowledge checks you’re trained in for an hour. You may also dismiss the effect when rolling for initiative for a +4 bonus. The third option here would be the primitive. These folks get to choose two terrain types froma list. DC about hazards and geographical features pertaining them is reduced by 5, Survival is the theme-knowledge skill and the character gets +1 Strength. 6th level nets the mechanic’s quick repair trick. 12th level provides another terrain, +2 to initiative in the chosen terrains, and lets you take 20 on Survival check in the terrains. 18th level, up to 2/day when acquiring items of significant value sans purchasing them, you regain 1 resolve. Okay, what’s supposed to be “significant value”? No idea.

Verdict: Okay, but not mind-boggling. 3 stars.

Equipment:

This section is penned by Colin Stricklin.

Okay, here, we have a burnt scrivener as a new technological item with an item level of 6. This duplicates holographic terrain but misses the italicization and level. If the hologram is dispelled, the facet burns out. 20 facets are provided. If all facets burn out, the item explodes. Metamorphic tissue sample would be a level 1 magic item sans bulk. The rules-text references full round action instead of full action. It’s basically grey goo that can be transformed into facsimiles of items, which can net you a bonus to social skills. The goo must be fed and doesn’t actually replicate the items. We also get the graviton capacitor, which reduces damage of extreme gravity, utilizing a special adamantine shard that can be fired in starship combat. Complaint here: Can scanners pick up this mine of sorts? We also get 3 ship styles, including a tier 15 Gargantuan carrier and a tier ¼ survey drone, as well as an unmanned prove depicted with vehicle stats.

Verdict: Solid, but not brilliant. 3 stars.

Monsters:

This section is penned by Michael Allen.

We get three monsters with two cool original artworks: Giant data leeches (CR ½) can sunder equipment and data may be recovered from them. A swarm of these critters is also included – these can temporarily short circuit items. They also cause an injury-based mental disease. The second critter is the videssian shifter (CR 4), a gooey-aberration with an amorphous body. They can form ooze bullets, 1/week boost their holographic image SP. Racial traits are included, but I wouldn’t recommend using these as a a PC race. They are lopsided and pretty damn strong.

Verdict: 3.5 Stars, rounded up.

Mini-Adventure:

The adventure is “The Fate of SKL-167H”, intended for 4 PCs. It comes with a solid map (sans scale noted) and reprints the data leech monster swarms. It's penned Michael O. Holland.

The following brief discussion contains SPOILERS. Potential players should jump to the conclusion.

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..

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Okay, just GMs around? Great! The PCs are sent as bodyguards to help scan a gravitational anomaly with their scientist in charge somewhat obsessed with the shapeshifting Videssians. The PCs find the abandoned ship, get to explore it and may save a member of the weird species. Returning him home will net the PCs a grateful, if weird ally.

Verdict: Fun little sidetrek that introduces the critters and themes of the system. 4 stars.

Conclusion:

Editing and formatting are good on a formal and rules-language level – a few PFRPGisms have crept into the supplements. Layout adheres to a 2-column full color standard and artworks range from okay, if fantasy-looking b/w-pieces to really nice full-color artworks. The pdf comes fully bookmarked for your convenience.

Colin Stricklin, Michael O. Holland, Michael Allen and Justin Andrew Mason’s first star system is a bit of a mixed bag. It’s not a bad system per se, but neither did it really capture my imagination. The two races could have yielded more interesting interactions, and there are a couple of rules-hiccups. My final verdict for the complete set is 3 stars.

Endzeitgeist out.

An Endzeitgeist.com part of the Set-review

The adventure is “The Fate of SKL-167H”, intended for 4 PCs. It comes with a solid map (sans scale noted) and reprints the data leech monster swarms. It's penned Michael O. Holland.

The following brief discussion contains SPOILERS. Potential players should jump to the conclusion.

…

..

.

Okay, just GMs around? Great! The PCs are sent as bodyguards to help scan a gravitational anomaly with their scientist in charge somewhat obsessed with the shapeshifting Videssians. The PCs find the abandoned ship, get to explore it and may save a member of the weird species. Returning him home will net the PCs a grateful, if weird ally.

Verdict: Fun little sidetrek that introduces the critters and themes of the system. 4 stars.

Endzeitgeist out.

An Endzeitgeist.com part of the Set-review

This section is penned by Michael Allen.

We get three monsters with two cool original artworks: Giant data leeches (CR ½) can sunder equipment and data may be recovered from them. A swarm of these critters is also included – these can temporarily short circuit items. They also cause an injury-based mental disease. The second critter is the videssian shifter (CR 4), a gooey-aberration with an amorphous body. They can form oouze bullets, 1/week boost their holographic image SP. Racial traits are included, but I wouldn’t recommend using these as a a PC race. They are lopsided and pretty damn strong.

Verdict: 3.5 Stars, rounded up.

Endzeitgeist out.

An Endzeitgeist.com part of the Set-review

This section is penned by Colin Stricklin.

Okay, here, we have a burnt scrivener as a new technological item with an item level of 6. This duplicates holographic terrain but misses the italicization and level. If the hologram is dispelled, the facet burns out. 20 facets are provided. If all facets burn out, the item explodes. Metamorphic tissue sample would be a level 1 magic item sans bulk. The rules-text references full round action instead of full action. It’s basically grey goo that can be transformed into facsimiles of items, which can net you a bonus to social skills. The goo must be fed and doesn’t actually replicate the items. We also get the graviton capacitor, which reduces damage of extreme gravity, utilizing a special adamantine shard that can be fired in starship combat. Complaint here: Can scanners pick up this mine of sorts? We also get 3 ship styles, including a tier 15 Gargantuan carrier and a tier ¼ survey drone, as well as an unmanned prove depicted with vehicle stats.

Verdict: Solid, but not brilliant. 3 stars.

Endzeitgeist out.

An Endzeitgeist.com review

This section is penned by Colin Stricklin.

We get two variant themes and a new one, as well as a nice little section of prose. The first variant theme is the Black Market Med-Tech, a variant Outlaw. Theme knowledge nets Medicine as a class skill (or a +1 bonus if you already have it) and +1 to Wisdom. Checks to remember diseases, drugs or obscure medical knowledge are 5 lower. Instead of the 6th level benefit, this fellow gets the envoy’s Surgeon expertise talent, reprinted here as part of the ability. At 12th level, you get chop shop, which lets you sell augmentations second hand at 10% value, and implant augmentations at base price into your body. The second theme-variant is the sideribus volunt wanderer, a variant of the scholar, whose 6th level ability reduces the time information gathering takes to 1d2 hours. You also get a bonus equal to ½ the number of languages you speak. Instead of the 12th level ability, you get a palm-sized holographic crystal orb that records thoughts and memories of the assigned wanderer. 1/day, you may commune with it as a “full round action” (should be full action). This communion nets you a +2 competence bonus to Perception checks and Knowledge checks you’re trained in for an hour. You may also dismiss the effect when rolling for initiative for a +4 bonus. The third option here would be the primitive. These folks get to choose two terrain types froma list. DC about hazards and geographical features pertaining them is reduced by 5, Survival is the theme-knowledge skill and the character gets +1 Strength. 6th level nets the mechanic’s quick repair trick. 12th level provides another terrain, +2 to initiative in the chosen terrains, and lets you take 20 on Survival check in the terrains. 18th level, up to 2/day when acquiring items of significant value sans purchasing them, you regain 1 resolve. Okay, what’s supposed to be “significant value”? No idea.

Verdict: Okay, but not mind-boggling. 3 stars.

Endzeitgeist out.

An Endzeitgeist.com part of the the Set-review

This section is penned by Justin Andrew Mason.

The race herein would be the Sideribus Volunt, Medium humanoids descendent from Aventyr’s humans. They have managed to extend their lifespans greatly and adapted to life among the stars, gaining a +2 racial bonus to Piloting checks to navigate or astrogate. They get two bonus languages, low-light vision and immunity to radiation, but reduce their speed to 25 feet in normal gravity. They get 4 HP and deviate from Starfinder race conventions in that they get +3 Int, +1 Con, -1 Str. Uneven modifiers engender minmaxing as much as in previous d20-based games. Not a fan. They get 4 hp. Weird: The write-up, per se interesting, mentions that they are tactile empaths with their own race, but fails to specify how exactly that’s supposed to work, rules-wise. We do not get a “Playing a Sideribus Volunt”-section in the write-up. They get a decent b/w-artwork that looks pretty fantasy-ish.

Verdict: Not a fan. The race has a nice idea, but fails to capitalize on it, ending up bland. Rules-wise not impressive. 2.5 stars, rounded down.

Endzeitgeist out.

An Endzeitgeist.com part of the Set-review

This section is penned by Michael Allen.

Here, we get planet stats with atmosphere hazards where applicable and a nice visual rendition of the star system. We also get notes for Branch 67-128TT, a station that comes with brief notes and an abstract mini-write-up of the station. 3 adventure hooks are provided, but there is a rules-language hiccup here: It’s Computers check to scan, not “Scan Check.”

Verdict: Okay, if not perfect. 3.5 stars, rounded up.

Endzeitgeist out.

The Secret Weapons Project is a nice little supplement for the Starfinder role-playing game. This book only has 4 pages of game content, and it offers rules for 4 unique items: The combustion lance-- a melee weapon that does explosive damage in a 5' radius, the implosion grenade--a weapon that that pulls enemies toward it and damages them in the process, the grapnel harpoon--a gun used to grapple enemies, and reactive pannels--armor upgrades that explode outward and damage enemies who attack. Though this is all you get with this book, they make for some nice additions to any Starfinder game. These items offer more than just another blaster or suit of armor. They're unique items that take a departure from what you see in the core rules. This selection serves game masters with a way to surprise their players who don't expect to make an attack against an armored opponent, only to have it literally blow up in their face, or to take damage from the melee attack that happened against the person standing next to them. On top of providing some clever options for GMs, it must be noted that the book has a very flavorful presentation, from the narrative accounts of the history of these items, to the page layout and artwork that are very befitting of Starfinder, the designers did a nice job of putting this together. I'd like to see more like this from them in the form of a longer equipment guide.

See the full review at GeeksAGogo.com

This scenario is a series of interconnected fights. There is a plot, but it doesn't really come into action. There are no motivations given and no basis for interactions other than fighting.

A useful product, which is very much as presented in the advert. You get what is shown, and you get a lot of it.

There are many, many adventures each sutiable for 1-3 hours of play depending on how your group plays adventures; my group might take 4+hours with some of these. The illustrations are good and well selected stock art. The maps are custom-made for each scenario and range from ok to inspired, all are in color and suitable for use as tabletop maps, even if some might need minor edits to hide secret doors, traps and such. From merely browsing the book, I find the adventures to be straightforward, there is only so much that can be done in this format. Do some minor research, go to a location, confront the problem there. Combat is a good option in some cases, but others require a more subtle approach. The are not all literal dungeons, but they are location-based; there is an environment to explore and the stgory develops as you go from location to location. This limits the complexities of the plot, but it is an old and proven adventure format that works. All adventures have a short background and an interesting antagonist, and this is the core of a scenario to me.

There are hints in the text of some of the scenarios that they are intended to be mini-series, but if so I could not find this explicitely listed. I would have enjoyed that.

All stat blocks are in a large appendix, and abbreviated by using symbols instead of the names of various statistics, such as ability scores and skills. While this saves a lot of space, I find it makes the stat blocks a bit harder to read. Perhaps this will become easier over time, and it allowed more content to be crammed into the book.

The Mini Dungeon Tome is definitely going to be an asset to me as a dungeon master or anytime a few of my friends and I get together for a one off. The variety of dungeons is impressive given their simplicity and with minor tweaks I could see using the same dungeons over and over with new surprises each time it is played.

If I did have a suggestion I would have like to see more cross referencing in the digital PDG. Appendixes that break down dungeons into themes such as Character level, number of players, environments (forrest, city, swamp, etc) or themes (horror, trapped, wizard) would be greatly appreciated.

Over all I think this was a worthy investment in my DM arsenal.

An Endzeitgeist.com review

This pdf clocks in at 2 pages and is a 5E-mini-dungeon. This means we get 2 pages content, including a solid map and all item/monster-stats hyperlinked and thus, absent from the pdf, with only deviations from the statblocks being noted for the GM. Oh, and the series now comes in an archive that also contains...drumroll a .jpg-version of the map, in both GM and player-friendly versions!

Since this product line's goal is providing short diversions, side-quest dungeons etc., I will not expect mind-shattering revelations, massive plots or particularly smart or detailed depictions, instead tackling the line for what it is, a helpful tool in the GM’s arsenal. Got that? Great!

This being an adventure-review, the following contains SPOILERS. Potential players may wish to jump to the conclusion.

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..

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Still here?

All right!

Okay, and now for something completely different: The complex presented here represents a planar museum of sorts, with chaotic, strange stair-sequences linking the disparate rounds in a weird sequence. The layout/presentation of the sequence in 5e is a bit clearer than in PFRPG. Beyond this maze-like quality and the dangerous inhabitants, the module has a leitmotif: “What would you give for a realm to call home? An empire from where you’ll ne’er have to roam?” This is the question posed by the complex and its master, and passing it may actually have the PCs claim a planar complex/home-base suitable for their high levels! The ToB-creatures used herein are smartly chosen. The pdf btw. also includes a fully depicted, new trap.

Conclusion:

Editing and formatting are very good, I noticed no significant glitches. Layout adheres to a beautiful 2-column full-color standard and the pdf comes sans bookmarks, but needs none at this length. Cartography is full color and nice. Huge plus: We get a GM AND a Player-version of the area in which this takes place, providing full VTT-friendly compatibility.

Stephen Yeardley knocks the ball out of the park with this one. Inspired, creative and cool, this totally rocks! The conversion-team Chris Harris and Kyle Crider did a good job translating this little gem. My final verdict is 5 stars + seal of approval, given sans hesitation.

Endzeitgeist out.