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One of the dangers of creating an environment-specific sourcebook is creating a gaming supplement so narrowly-focused that the material can't be used unless certain environmental conditions are met within the game world. "Masterwork Characters: Out of the Deep" from Clockwork Golem Workshop doesn't fall into this trap. Instead, writer Adam Windsor has focused on creating a new game supplement that captures the flavor of the mysteries of the sea that can be used by nearly any character, class or race.
However, if you don't want to play any of the existing races, "Out of the Deep" presents the Mako, a race of shark-like humanoids that (especially since they have no level adjustment) would be an attractive option to players wanting to play an aquatic race, but wanting to stay away from the stereotypical aquatic elf motif. The Mako are presented as a standard player race, ready to insert into any game or campaign, and special care is given to make them stand out from other seafaring races while giving suggestions on how to integrate them into a group of adventurers.
Some of the feats are obviously sea-specific (Born to the Water or Mariner, for example), but not all of them are, so again, "Out of the Deep" keeps the aquatic feel without isolating landlubbers (the Weathered feat could be an attractive feat for nature-bound druids or rangers).
There are three prestige classes presented here, one fighter-based and two magic user-based (although, as a nice touch, a brief sidebar demonstrates how to turn one of these magic-based prestige classes into a psionic-based prestige class). Never redundant, these three prestige classes not only present interesting options to a player, but might spark an idea or two for a GM looking for interesting NPC choices as well (especially the witch pirate prestige class!).
Nine new spells help to fill out the witch pirate's spell list, but also offer a number of unique spells available to most spell caster classes (there were no offerings for clerics, but since the section describing the Mako make a point of explaining that there are very few clerics among the Mako people, this makes sense). The spells "blinding spray" (conjuring a cone of saltwater to direct against your enemies) and "flame ward" (protecting an area from fire and fire-based magic) stand out.
A section on magic and mundane items brings "Out of the Deep" to an end. Even though this section is subtitled "Artifacts of the Deep," there are no artifacts here. Instead, these are simply items or armor enchantments that can either strengthen an existing "sea-feeling" to an on-going campaign, or can be used to introduce an aquatic element to a game. The items are well thought out and incredibly balanced.
Overall, "Masterwork Characters: Out of the Deep" is a fun sourcebook that presents rules, flavor and flair that can be used in any game and, surprisingly, nearly any setting. It would be best used in a sea-going game, obviously, but don?t let that scare you off. Not only can this material be used in a land-locked adventure, it can serve to inspire players and GMs alike to bring a little of the ocean to their game table.<br><br><b>LIKED</b>: Instant portability<br><br><b>DISLIKED</b>: Very few editing and layout issues<br><br><b>QUALITY</b>: Excellent<br><br><b>VALUE</b>: Satisfied<br><BR>[THIS REVIEW WAS EDITED]<BR>
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