HEY LISTEN!
DISCLAIMER: This review is based on a free PDF provided by the author and the publisher, which in no way had an influence on the final score.
Introduction
Under Azoth Games, James Ray released the next installment in the Apocryphal Akasha line of products, this one tackling a suspiciously familiar subject via a couple of new starcaller material. But does the book make the topic justice? Read on! (which rhymes with Gan… something)
What’s inside?
3 bucks will net give you access to a LINK to download the 11 pages of content (not counting covers, legal stuff etc.), which include:
-The Eternal Triad lesser cosmology: This cosmology works better by being able to manifest all three signs (note for starcallers that have a paradigm and are able to choose almost any sign), and in fact has a special ability unlocked by marking a creature with the three signs manifestations of all three constellations by a 14th level starcaller, being able to cast a limited wish, which later becomes a full wish, although you need to give offerings worth the material components. The three signs are:
The Courageous Hero is a multi-elemental constellation, which can assume any element, including the rare void, and aether, new to this book. It has the instrument (new to this book), Sign and Weapon manifestation (but see below). The instrument is an ocarina, but HEY LISTEN, it lets you cast ally across time by using the new instrument manifestation mechanic, and you can burn essence to get better at using the spell; also, the ocarina can be tied to certain places for instant transportation… hey, where have I seen that? Anyway, the sign form increases you reflexes and gives you courage (i.e., Will bonus against fear), plus you can transform into a wolf. Also, all signs gives you a little bonus when you are marked by more signs from the cosmology. Finally, the weapon manifestation is a master, I mean, bastard sword, which deals bonus sacred damage with essence, and can shoot an elemental blast of the constellation’s chosen element.
The Powerful King is a void constellation, and has the equipment, sign and weapon manifestations. The equipment takes the shape of a Matha Patti, which is an Indian jewelry worn by brides and certain brawler bros (wink wink). It grants a profane bonus on certain social skills, and let’s you cast sow thought by burning essence. The sign makes you relentless but giving you a sacred Fort and Con checks bonus, while also letting you assume the form of a boar. Finally, the weapon manifests as a katana that, when invested with essence, lets you make bullrush and sunder maneuvers without provoking AoO and gives you a profane bonus on them.
Finally, the Wise Princess Zel.. whose name I don’t know (wink), is an aether constellation with the armor, equipment and sign forms. The armor is a silken ceremonial armor that has a powerful but difficult to use ability that lets you protect your allies, by making an opposed Wis check against an attack roll, DC or CR+15, whichever is higher, gaining essence invested as bonus; essence not only improves the ability, it also gives SR against necromancy and mind-affecting spells, or improves ours if you already have SR. The equipment is a gold diadem that that gives you a sacred bonus on choose-able Knowledge checks, and you can add your Wis bonus by burning essence. By binding essence, you get extra areas of Knowledge for the bonus, as well as increasing it. The sign gives you a sacred bonus on Will, Perception and Sense Motive checks, and by burning essence, works as Red Bull giving you wings (sorry for the pun) for a couple of rounds, and also treats you as psychic for skill unlocks
-The Aether constellation element: This element is the opposite of void, complimenting the base elements but opposing void, and other aether constellations. The bonus elemental damage is positive damage, which mostly affect undead and, as a damage type, doesn’t heal.
-The Instrument manifestation: Flavored as stellar instruments capable of channeling the music of the spheres, these instruments can manifest certain effects by making a special Performance check, with the Orbital Strains being the universal, cantrip-like effects available to all instruments, making them the “cantrips” of starcallers. There are 7 of these, each tied to one of the zodiac’s orbits. Also, each instrument has its own effects, and while right now the ocarina is the first one, there are more coming by Azoth games’ other authors (wiiinnnk).
-2 feats: Aether-Moved Constellations is the newest in a series of feats that can empower constellations (even those of the void element!). This one is also tied with the music of the spheres and can be heard even in void or by deaf people, only muffled by magic. Also, each manifestation gains a special plus. Like other similar feats, no constellations can be affected by more than one of these feats. Stellar Musician is the second feat, letting you access orbital strains regardless without an instrument manifestation, enabling them with most Perform sub-skills, and getting a nice bonus for the special Performance check; also, as an akashic feat, it gives you a point of essence.
-Hero of Eternity (Time Warden archetype): This archetype reduces the motes of time available, and replaces spells with veilweaving. They also get certain modified abilities plus a couple of new ones, like letting your clothes better protect you by making them… green (wink), giving you access to the Courageous Hero constellation and even giving you exclusive access to Epon… horse champion. All in all a great akashic hack of the base class, that is like a link to the past (wink).
-Bonus Content: The Spider’s Son alternate manifestation. This one updates one of the author’s first constellations with the newer instrument rules, letting you perform a special song that increases ally’s essence capacity for ONE receptacle, non-stackable, with the higher the check, the more intense the light produced by the song. Also, by investing essence in the instrument, the instrument let’s the performer walk (not climb) on walls! That gave me some Interview with the Vampire vibes (the original).
Of Note: The storytelling behind the design works great! Having three manifestations for constellations that work better together feels like such a triad of force (wink wink wink). Also, the fact that only the equipment form of the king gives a profane bonus is a great detail! I also liked the archetype, even if I had to read the full class since I didn’t know it existed haha.
Anything wrong?: I would have loved if there were minor artifacts that when owned gave you the Sign form abilities, empowered by the artifacts’ essence, and I would have loved them as triangle-shaped items.
What I want: More Apocryphal books! While I really enjoy the historic feel of the Akashic Tales book, I also really like the pop culture references of this other line.
What cool things did this inspire?: HEY LISTEN! This book inspired me to make a race of very annoying fairies with a special voice veil that annoys you and gradually makes you mad LMAO. Joking aside, the signs are great and will work well even in campaigns that have nothing to do with mute elves.
Do I recommend it?: For that price? Hell yeah! You get a lot of bang for your 3 bucks! Hey listen, 3 bucks for 3 constellations! I would award this book 3 stars to maintain the 3 motif, but it really is great material and really deserves bonus stars for being such a great link to a popular and dear franchise. So, 5 stars from me!