I hope this fits here.
I'm curious about the seemingly infamous Book of Fiends. Is it worth the time and effort involved in getting a copy of this out-of-print book, or not? I am a big fan of things fiendish, but I would like to know just how they handled them. It's kinda easy to just go the gore and grue route, and while that can be fun, fiends should at least at times be scary on a deeper level.
Also, I've read in several Pathfinder books about some kind of alternate cleric called a thaumaturge. Just what can you tell me about this class, and how does it differ from more mundane clerics? Are they just demon or devil-worshipping clerics, or is there something else involved?
Thanks for any help.
I hope this fits here.
I'm curious about the seemingly infamous Book of Fiends. Is it worth the time and effort involved in getting a copy of this out-of-print book, or not? I am a big fan of things fiendish, but I would like to know just how they handled them. It's kinda easy to just go the gore and grue route, and while that can be fun, fiends should at least at times be scary on a deeper level.
Also, I've read in several Pathfinder books about some kind of alternate cleric called a thaumaturge. Just what can you tell me about this class, and how does it differ from more mundane clerics? Are they just demon or devil-worshipping clerics, or is there something else involved?
Thanks for any help.
I don't know if it's precisely what you're looking for, but a Thaumaturgist is a prestige class in the DMG. It requires divine spellcasting, and it is particularly good at calling/summoning help from other planes.
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I'm curious about the seemingly infamous Book of Fiends. Is it worth the time and effort involved in getting a copy of this out-of-print book, or not? I am a big fan of things fiendish, but I would like to know just how they handled them. It's kinda easy to just go the gore and grue route, and while that can be fun, fiends should at least at times be scary on a deeper level.
Also, I've read in several Pathfinder books about some kind of alternate cleric called a thaumaturge. Just what can you tell me about this class, and how does it differ from more mundane clerics? Are they just demon or devil-worshipping clerics, or is there something else involved?
I put off getting it until one of the latest Apocalypse sales (since I'm not a huge fan of demons/devils anyway), and it turned out to be very much worth it, IMO. The fiends presented ranged from interesting to creepy, but quite often went one step further in filling specific roles (this is particularly true for the daemons). Instead of just being 'demon who spews acid,' some of these fiends had roles to play in whatever infernal heirarchy or whatever they served, which added story hooks to them, rather than just being 'yet another monster.'
The Thaumaturgist is essentially a Cleric of a Demon Lord, swapping around a few class abilities*, but otherwise playing very much the same.
*No Turning, gains a Familiar, also gains a series of 'taints' as they go up in level, some of which can add minor benefits (often a bonus to intimidate), most of which add some drawback (often social).
The price always put me off getting it, and I wasn't hugely interested in the Armies of the Abyss or Legions of Hell products alone (although I'll cop to buying pretty much every other darn Green Ronin product, in my madness), so seeing it at a low price made my 'must have them all!' reflex kick.
That the book happened to include demon lords with names like Socothbenoth and Nocticula and Shax and Abraxas and Haagenti and Flauros was just a wonderful little surprise!
The Thaumaturgist is essentially a Cleric of a Demon Lord, swapping around a few class abilities*, but otherwise playing very much the same.
*No Turning, gains a Familiar, also gains a series of 'taints' as they go up in level, some of which can add minor benefits (often a bonus to intimidate), most of which add some drawback (often social).
That sounds interesting - is it in one of the earlier Pathfinder adventure path books? If so, which issue number? (I only have the Second Darkness ones so far.)
The Thaumaturgist is essentially a Cleric of a Demon Lord, swapping around a few class abilities*, but otherwise playing very much the same.
*No Turning, gains a Familiar, also gains a series of 'taints' as they go up in level, some of which can add minor benefits (often a bonus to intimidate), most of which add some drawback (often social).
That sounds interesting - is it in one of the earlier Pathfinder adventure path books? If so, which issue number? (I only have the Second Darkness ones so far.)
They have a Thaumaturgist of Lamashtu in Rise of the Runelords #5. That's where I got the basic jist of the class; now I want to know more.
(That's how she gets you, isn't it?) ;)
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I just got my copy of The Book of Fiends thanks to a lucky break on eBay :) After an evening with the volume, all I can say that it is an amazing piece of work, and easily what The Book of not-so-Vile Darkness should have been.
The work on devils, demons and daemons is outstanding, with dozens of really thought-out monsters of varied CR-, some cool background and amazing, if black-white, artwork.
Also, the book doesn't pull back, and there are some really strong adult themes in there. It reminds me of the WFRP 1st ed. Realms of Chaos.
I think it is an indispensable resource for any DM.
so worth it,
When ever my groups decided to storm the gates of hell, I always use this book.
I was trying to make this same decision 5 days ago. I assume you've read Green Ronin's teaser already but here it is under the spoiler just in case:
A Malefic Bestiary for the d20 System
Written by Chris Pramas, Erik Mona, and Aaron Loeb
Cover Art by Michael Sutfin
224 pages, hardback
ISBN: 1-932442-09-X
Version 3.5 rules compatible.
Devils, demons, and daemons--these are the ultimate servants of evil. Learn all their foul secrets in the Book of Fiends, the definitive sourcebook on these fell creatures. This tome collects Green Ronin's critically acclaimed Legions of Hell and Armies of the Abyss sourcebooks and combines them with the long awaited treatment of daemons, Hordes of Gehenna. All the fiends have been updated to the 3.5 rules, and the material on demons and devils has been revised and expanded. Details on the plane of Gehenna, its rulers, and inhabitants are also revealed for the first time. The Book of Fiends is jam-packed with evil for your campaign, including:
Over 130 daemons, devils, demons, and other creatures of the Lower Planes, illustrated and with complete 3.5 stats.
Monsters with CRs from 1/2 to 40; there are foes for characters of all levels.
Brand new devils and demons that add to the classic fiends of Legions of Hell and Armies of the Abyss.
Two core classes, the black-hearted Thaumaturge and the dreaded Unholy Warrior, complete with Epic-level progressions.
Info on the celestial choirs and the fallen angels.
Inspired illustrations by top artists like Sam Wood, Raven Mimura, Dennis Detwiller, Toren Atkinson, and Brian Despain.
Details on the nine Lords of Hell, the seven Exarchs of Gehenna, and a plethora of Demon Princes.
4 infernal prestige classes for servants of Hell.
A handy index by Challenge Rating.
A bonus appendix by Enkwell Press detailing two cities of the Lower Planes.
Ties to other popular Green Ronin products, such as the Book of the Righteous, the Avatar's Handbook, and the Unholy Warrior's Handbook.
The Book of Fiends provides profoundly evil foes your players will never forget.
I already had Armies of the Abyss and Legions of Hell, so I held off on getting it despite the various Apocalypse sales. Which, to put it bluntly, was stupid, I should have grabbed it before it sold out. What eventuallly convinced me to try and get it? Daemons are new content, and if you look at the second listed author, he's a guy whose products have served me well for a few years now ;)
Unfortunately, not easy to find nowadays. Green Ronin has it listed as Out of Stock for a long time. I've checked eBay a couple of times with no luck, and "resellers" on Amazon wanted $70-100. Yikes. Finally found a copy at Troll and Toad at very reasonable $25. Placed my order and waiting for it now.
If you go to Green Ronin, you can download a sample and some Web Enhancements that might help you decide.
Thanks for that link, Daeglin. The book looks good.
