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Highmoon Media Productions' "Liber Sodalitas - Erzsak's Drake Riders" (written by Daniel M. Perez) begins by telling the story of Ludvel Erzsak, a young cavalry soldier who eventually becomes the leader of Erzsak's Drake Riders, a premiere mercenary group. While kept brief, the backstory alone is enough to inspire players and GMs. Actually, I would have liked more information about the history of Erzsak's group and the adventures & assignments; the character - a mercenary with a strong sense of morality - is intriguing enough to warrant more material.
This supplement, however, is intended to be used by players and GMs rather than simply read as an exciting piece of fiction. In this regard, Highmoon Media Productions delivers. This isn?t a supplement about Erzsak or his company. Instead, this is supplement devoted to showing how PCs and NPCs can be part of this company. Everything from the Drake Riders' code of law to the ranking and organizational system is presented succinctly, and a quick read is all one needs to bring this to their game table. The requirements for becoming a member of Erzsak's Drake Riders as well as pricing information for hiring the mercenaries will allow gamers to either play a member of the organization or play a character hiring them.
This is an incredibly flexible little packet of information, and even goes as far as including new feats for characters that would either want to become a member of the Drake Riders or perhaps add a unique twist to their mounted warrior character. Feats like Deathly Charge, Great Trample or Mounted Improved Trip aren't restricted to drake riding characters (although Lingering Breath does have a restriction - only a character or creature with breath attack can take this feat).
The supplement concludes with statistics and role-playing notes for the firedrake, the large, flightless dragon-like creature used by the Drake Riders. The firedrake's most outstanding feature is its Pyrophoric Blood. When exposed to air, the blood of this creature bursts into flames, which is sure to spice up a combat encounter!
Perhaps the only thing missing from this supplement is the protocol with which a character or group would use to contact and hire Erzsak's Drake Riders. I can't imagine that an organization like this can be reached through ordinary means. A "hidden valley" is mentioned a number of times as their company's base of operations, but if it's hidden, how does one find Erzsak's Drake Riders to hire them in the first place?
Maybe this question could spark a game or even campaign, and that's this supplement's best feature. Any number of games could be spun out of the material presented here. Players of paladins or cavaliers can find inspiration in the feats and character backgrounds, and GMs can find inspiration in this unique organization of mercenaries with a moral code.<br><br><b>LIKED</b>: This is an inspiring piece of work - easily read and instantly playable.<br><br><b>DISLIKED</b>: There's very little to dislike. I found one typo, but that's it.<br><br><b>QUALITY</b>: Excellent<br><br><b>VALUE</b>: Very Satisfied<br><BR>[THIS REVIEW WAS EDITED]<BR>
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