Disclosure: I was provided a copy of this product for free.

Brannan's Eldritch Witchery is more than I expected. What I initially expected to be an inflated 200+ page supplement on a class has turned out to be far more. Brannan's work and passion for the history and culture of witchcraft in a history sense and a respect for that in the translation to table-top gaming is obvious from the beginning.

Yes, Eldritch Witchery is, at its core a "class" book - but its also something far more. The author presents us with more than just some charts, stats, and a premise to tie it all together. Witches and Warlocks are presented here in stunning detail. This gives them a sense of gravity and presence in whatever campaign setting in which they are implemented. He gives the reader more than a new class. He provides a new culture, a new aspect, and indeed a new view on magic for use in a campaign.

The core of the book are the Witch and Warlock class - both of which are presented in descriptive detail. Each includes multipule variants on the original concept, allowing the referee of a game a kind of ala carte freedom. They can include as many or as few of these variants as is appropriate to their own campaign.

Brannan also provides a completely collection of spells for these new spellcasters, always keeping an earthy, grounded tone with his material. It feels like fantasy, but never over-the-top or silly. There's always a grounding in history that can be sensed and that prevents the options presented from being considered frivolous.

The new creatures and monsters presented continue this tie to real-world history and mythology, maintaining the sense of mystery and fear that surround the historic reactions to witchcraft. These are monsters that lay hidden in the woods, rarely glimpse upon by mortal eyes but often warded against by wary peasants.

The magic items section of the book does address traditional items, even ones that are now regarded as hokey or silly - like the witch's broomstick. Still the author establishes such a respect for the class and the historic background that it never comes off as so.

I think a key aspect to maintaining this tone in the material is the art presented in the material. A lot of it appears to be historic wood burnt art or tapestry art, all in black and white. It constantly (but subtley) reminds the reader that witches and warlocks are part of the world and have been for a very, very long time.

In the end, $5.00 for a 208 page supplement that will bring new classes, new spells, new monsters, and new magic items is already a bargain. But with the presence and power offered in Eldritch Witchery, you get more than that. The material here feels like it belongs in a fantasy role-playing game, creating a culture of spellcasters that is both believable and to be respected. I'd highly, highly, highly recommend it to anyone looking to bring a more earthy, traditional, and darker tone to their old school fantasy gaming table.