Tired of that smarmy mage next store flashing off his fancy attribute and skill boosting items, while you're stuck doing things the old fashioned way? Maybe you just can't get out to adventure as much as you'd like, and you're sick of the rogue down the lane showing off the latest trick she's learned. Bookworms everywhere can rest easy: The Encyclopedia of Skill Lore is just what you need.

The book features a simple, easy to read layout; highlighted by colorful, cartoon-like images.

The Encyclopedia itself is presented first. Made up of 23 non-magical volumes this makes the encyclopedia ideal for campaigns and settings with little to no magic, or simply handy to provide lower-level characters with a bit of a boost. Used properly, each volume provides one or more skills with a competence bonus ranging from +2 - +6.

Following the Encyclopedia, several other unique books are described. The volumes range from a tome discussing the craft of war and nature of valor, to a treatise on divine miracles. Each work provides its own set of bonuses; though in some cases certain conditions must be met for the reader to make full use of the information provided.

The final section of the book is given over to describing book and library related items. There is a mundane item in the form of false books. A mild spelling errors occurs in the description of these items; transforming false books from an overused clich? into a highly clannish clique. An alchemical compound for protecting the pages of books is described, along with three new wondrous items. The most interesting, amusing and perhaps unbalanced of these is a book whose purpose is to show you other's point of view; which has the nasty habit of causing potential alignment shifts from simply perusing it.<br><br><b>LIKED</b>: A well put together book, its contents are an interesting change of pace from the average d20 sourcebook.<br><br><b>DISLIKED</b>: The content is fairly narrowly focused, but if this sort of thing appeals to you, then there's really nothing here to dislike.<br><br><b>QUALITY</b>: Very Good<br><br><b>VALUE</b>: Satisfied<br>

With a name likely to set your group's resident munchkin to salivating, The Manipulative Player's Guide to Sympathetic Magic provides a new way for PCs to cause trouble.

This book presents rules for the use of a new form of "magic". Powered by the Sympathetic Magic feat, characters make use of the Bluff skill and the target's own willingness to believe in order to mimic spell effects. This makes a perfect addition for characters of all sorts.

A few possibilities include: A rogue who prefers to offer the townsfolk "miracles" in exchange for their gold, rather than go to all the work of cutting purses; the old woman who lives alone in a cottage, and makes soups and potions that always seem to clear up whatever ails you; a troublesome sidekick who really thinks he can perform feats of magic.

From voodoo dolls, to the mythical no-touch knockout of martial arts, the rules in this book let you manipulate your way to the top.<br><br><b>LIKED</b>: A new skill use supported by well developed rules.<br><br><b>DISLIKED</b>: There's really nothing to dislike about the content. The layout leaves a little something to be desired, and there are a few minor spelling errors; coupled with a few spots featuring tabs instead of spaces, but overall these are fairly minor issues.<br><br><b>QUALITY</b>: Acceptable<br><br><b>VALUE</b>: Very Satisfied<br>

I saw that this PDF was on sale today (July 17, 2005) for 50 cents, so I thought I'd comment.

For fifty cents, I say pick this up. It's a clever idea and d20 mechanic for using sympathetic "magic" in a campaign - non-magic users can "trick" others into thinking they have placed a curse on them or cast a spell. Great for rogues or campaigns where people believe in magic or witchcraft but they don't actually exist. It doesn't read like a rulebook either, more like a conversation with the author, which gives it a certain charm.

Definitely worth a look at this price. <br><br><b>QUALITY</b>: Acceptable<br><br><b>VALUE</b>: Very Satisfied<br>

Take about taking mind over matter to another level. A very cool idea for a supplement. I'm surprised it hasn't already been done. This is a very playable system to allow PC's to fake casting spells. Sympathetic Magic is a perfect feat for any rogue or bard. Plenty of checks and balances to insure that cheesy PC's don't try to go to far.<br><br><b>LIKED</b>: Balanced, detailed explanation of how to use the system. Very easy to implement in a game.<br><br><b>DISLIKED</b>: Would have liked to see more concrete examples.<br><br><b>QUALITY</b>: Very Good<br><br><b>VALUE</b>: Very Satisfied<br>