I got this in the Bundle with Unorthodox Knights and Druids.
I value this book more for the characters it creates than the classes. The classes themselves seemed more suited to NPCs than PCs, unless you are much better at coming up with ways to play them. They make great NPCs and Antagonists, I?ll go through them quick and give my impression. Note, everyone gets backstab, but some get a weaker one.
Fabricator: Trap master. This would work great as a friend to your party, can train the rogue and build interesting little things for them, as a PC though they are just one aspect of Rogues taken and specialized. Make a great enemy because their traps are wicked and could really make for some nasty fights. Especially if you had to fight one in his lair.
Layabout: The most usable by PCs in my opinion. Uses social connections a sharp wit and natural charisma to get himself in to any group and mooch off them, not useless in a fight, but not too inclined to help. Would be a good character for someone you are familiar with and who could handle an unconventional character who sometimes might have a sore knee just when the fight is about to start. Also a good contact or NPC tagalong to the party to spice things up and bleed some cash.
The Seductress: Only problem I have with this character is that they have no ambition to join a group and adventure with them for more than a short time. A good side character, a very interesting friend of the party (esp if you got some with money to spend) Has connections and could help your party, but I don?t know why they would stick around and go fight orcs. A very interesting character I will somehow find a way to use, but I don?t think she?ll ever make a good PC. Could start some fights in your party if your players would be into that.
The Shroud: A grave robber. Has the ability to get a corpse to give up it?s secrets. Could work in a party with a Necromancer, even if they supposedly compete for corpses, the shroud doesn?t really use the corpse, just gets info from it. That ability makes me want to put it into a party, kill that rogue then find out who sent it while it?s freshly dead. A decent villain, but best would be the rogue of a freaky evil-necro party.
Skulker: A great villain if you want a crazy mystery story. Can hide in plainsight by hiding in little spaces and disguising itself. Read the intro to it in the demo and you?ll see the character really well. Might not work for PC. ?It?s day four, and you are still hiding in the corner of the living room under the couch, roll to resist starvation.? I think you could use this character if you had someone willing to be different and use it well. I would make a maximum strength score for this class though, you aren?t too strong if you are that thin.
The prestige classes are alright, the Ward Boss is nasty, the Backstabber I don?t buy, it?s just too given. The Saintly Thief I actually made our Good Rogue?s mentor one of these, cause it works, and I might open the class for them. The alias rules and bonuses are a cool idea.
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<b>LIKED</b>: The back story really brought these characters to life, and gave me plenty of ideas for use as side characters.<br><br><b>DISLIKED</b>: They didn't seem the best fit for players to use, much better as NPC's.<br><br><b>QUALITY</b>: Acceptable<br><br><b>VALUE</b>: Satisfied<br>
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