The Household Magic Catalog from Flaming Crab Games is a 39-page PDF with 29 pages of game content, 2 pages of index listing all the items and spells (I wish ALL products contained this feature), and the rest of the pages consisting of covers, OGL, and flavor to add verisimilitude to the catalog theme.
(Full Disclosure: I received a copy in exchange for presenting an honest review.)
The Household Magic Catalog is presented as an actual catalog from the Ladies’ Paradise and Company (think early 1900’s Sears and Roebuck) discovered by the author among other items left by the eponymous Flaming Crab, an interdimensional traveling ship.
Each item found within the pages is given a description that would feel right at home in a catalog from the turn of the 20th century, the author has really grasped the feel and it makes the catalog fun to read. Following each description are the actual Pathfinder game statistics for each item. There are a total of 11 alchemical items, 31 magic items, and 4 spells found within this catalog.
The items are divided into thematic sections, adding to the overall catalog feel. Up first is “For Your Bedroom,” featuring 4 items for use in one’s boudoir. The highlight of this section is the Breadboard of Instant Breakfast. Want breakfast in bed? You got it.
Next is “In Your Carriage House,” 6 items whose highlight is the Self-Sweeping Broom. Visions of the Sorcerer’s Apprentice come to mind with this item. The next section is “In Your Kitchen,” consisting of 5 items and features the very handy Deep Clean Cloths. I am personally a little irked at this item as I was considering designing something very similar for a forthcoming RPG Superstar – now I’ll have to head back to the drawing board.
“In Your Living Space” comes next with 5 items and features the very innovative and fun Throwing Pillow. Not only does it add some color to your décor, it can be used as an improvised weapon to incapacitate an intruder. After this comes “In Your Nursery” featuring 8 items aimed at caring for your offspring. The Nanny Latch immediately became my favorite from this section.
“In Your Play Space” is the next section (4 items) and its highlight is Ice That’s Hot. Your fighter sore after a long day fighting hordes of goblins? One application of this and the aches and pains will ease away. Following is “In Your Work Space” (5 items) and the best of all the items in the entire PDF, the Desk Chair of Diligence. This must-have item not only grants the user a competence bonus on Intelligence checks but also protects the user from interruptions. I wish I had one of these in my office at home!
The last section of the catalog is “In Your Whole House” with 5 items, but to my mind none of these items really stand out as outstanding, the one big miss of the entire product can be found here . . . the Room Baa. Yes, a life-like mechanical sheep on a floating disk that cleans the floor. I get the very bad pun, I just feel that among a neat variety of well-thought-out items, the author took the easy way out to create the Room Baa.
Among the items in the catalog are 4 spells (Freshen, Update Décor, Masterful Organization, and Paradise Fetch) that won’t necessarily have use in melee, but add flavor and can have some fun role-playing impact.
In the final analysis, I give the Household Magic Catalog 5 out of 5 stars. The layout of the PDF is gorgeous and the catalog motif is well-done. I didn’t see any formatting or grammar errors that would detract. I understand that this product is very tongue-in-cheek and yet succeeds in presenting some off-the-wall items in an entertaining and useful manner. I am planning on using several of these items in my own campaign. I would recommend the Household Magic Catalog to anyone who wants to incorporate some items and spells useful to a party involved in homesteading or establishing their own kingdom.
=================== Updated December 14, 2016 ==========================
I saw from the other reviews of this product I wasn't the only person who had heartburn from the Room Baa. Then I got a note through Paizo's web store that the PDF had been updated to remove the aforementioned item and replace it with the Whammy Rug. After looking it over, I can say that this update is a vast improvement on an already very good product. The Whammy Rug is brilliant and I can already envision putting it to use. (The moratorium on children abusing this item is gold!)
Not only is Flaming Crab Games very creative (I have a few of their products beyond this one) but listening to customer feedback and acting on it quickly is greatly appreciated. Do yourself a favor and take a look at this product and some of their offerings. You won't be disappointed.
