Batman: Under The Red Hood Trailer…BAT-TASTIC!
I’ve been on vacation and I know this blog post is a wimp out…but wow…cool… 🙂
Review of The Esoterror Factbook By Pelgrane Press
-== What is it? ==-
The Esoterror Factbook (EF) is a supplement written for The Esoterrorists. It is published by Pelgrane Press and written by Robin Laws. The book has additional background information, setting material (NPC and locations), optional rules, and a mini-campaign setting where the PC can play in the paramilitary arm of the Ordo Veritatis (OV) called the Special Suppression Forces (SSF).
The book has a color cover and an entirely black and white interior. The book is 8 1/2? x 11″ and is 150 pages in length. It includes a detailed table of contents, a one page glossary, and an index. I have not played a game using this supplement (i.e. I have only read the book).
-== What I Like ==-
When I read The Esoterrorists my biggest complaint was with the lack of background material on the OV. The information in the main book is very sparse. Well…here it is in the first section of EF. This information really explains the OV and how they operate in the field. There is a lot of fantastic detail here. Frankly this section should be added to the main rulebook if Pelgrane ever decides to release an updated version of the main rulebook.
Following this is a section about the SSF. It is fairly short and would appeal to those who want to play The Esoterrorists with a stronger military presence. Personally I think the key to the system and the genre is the investigation aspect so I was not super keen on this section.
After the SSF material is a section with optional combat rules. I like the way these are approached as the GM is encouraged to pick and choose from the options to select the ones they want use. I really liked several of these rules and my combat hungry players would pick up on several of them very quickly. The Critical Hits rule is simple and nicely done.
I loved the section called The Enemy. This section covers various enemy personality types and how they can be interrogated effectively. The way this section is written makes it a blast to read and really informative. I really think this section should be read by most players and GM who are playing in ANY genre where people are being interrogated. This section is frankly that good. 😀
The setting information includes data on suspected cells and their key members. I really enjoyed how Robin tied all of these together. The bits that connect the various factions really makes them feel realistic.
Locations where events have occurred in the past (aka LMSLs (Low Membrane Strength Locations)) are also covered. These LMSLs range from prefabricated houses to a meteor crater north of Siberia. These again tie back to the cells and suspected Esoterrorists in a very organic fashion. This setting material is really fantastic stuff that every GM can adapt to their campaign.
Jerome Huguenin did a great job on the cover for The Esoterror Factbook. The shadow in the background is creepy and it is tons of fun examining the cover closely to find that extra clue. I also think the pinkish coloring is different and catches your attention from across the room.
-== What I Don’t Like ==-
One of my few complaints with the book is the busy and dark interior layout. I am fine with artistic layouts but especially in a book like this with supplemental information that could be referenced often it needs to be readable.
-== Summary ==-
To put it mildly this book is a fantastic addition to The Esoterrorist product line. I honestly think that this might be one of the best supplemental books that I have read for ANY setting…it is that good. If you are going to buy The Esoterrorists save your money until you can both the main rulebook AND this one. The book sells for $29.95 which feels a bit high but not outrageously so. You can get a copy from Noble Knight Games at this URL for $24.95. You can get a copy at Amazon.com at this
I give it 9 out of 10 paws.
Past RPG Favorites Updated And Banners Added
I’ve made a couple of changes to the site.
Banners Added To Left Margin
There are now banners in the left margin for companies that I strongly support. If you use these links you can help me support this site and my passionate RPG and anime “addiction”. 🙂
Past RPG Favorites Updated
I have updated the entry for my favorite heroic level Hero campaign! Here is the new update…
Favorite Heroic Hero Campaign – Star Aria – After a lot of deliberation the ballots have been collected and we have a new winner! My Star Aria campaign has now surpassed Precinct 13 as my Favorite Heroic Hero Campaign. Star Aria is a Star Hero campaign set in my own megaverse that ran for 3 years (i.e. from 2004 through 2007). There are several things that make this campaign really stand out as a winner. First is the way that the plot unfolded. There was a strong start, several great climaxes in the center, and a wonderful conclusion. I think the end of this campaign was literally the best I have ever run. Looking back I think this is because I set out from the start to have a campaign ending. That seems like a simple thing but I had really not done it to this degree in the past. Literally the entire length of the campaign I was building to the conclusion. Another reason for the success of the campaign was of course the players and their characters. Don ran the passionate cybernetic miner Mack. Mack (aka TOLARM) might be one of my favorite PC Don has ever run in one of my campaigns and he has played in a lot of them. Steve played the bio-computer enhanced teen named Stooz. Steve also introduced the NPC Gilby Toren who turned out to be a great foil for Stooz and a really fun character for me to play. Brian ran the bounty hunter/scientist/love lost character Hannibal. I think Hannibal was one of my favorite Star Aria characters because I could so easily write stories for him. Great stuff. Jim played the all business psi Lena. Great character with a past that set the tone for psi in the entire campaign. Finally there was the pilot of their ship Captain Dave. Captain Dave took his job as Captain of The Horny Hog seriously and was always there when you needed the eye shot off a gnat. If you want to get details on the campaign head over to the Star Aria site at this URL.
