The items have a lot of variety, but they are not all magic (one of them is literally a set of wax look-alike apples, with no magic properties). The items also don't always strike me as well-designed, with some having reams of text to describe the mechanics that could have been shortened to be more concise, and others with just scraps of text. I get the impression there was an emphasis on quantity rather than quality to get to 100 items.

Another major issue is the high variability of item prices in gold pieces or "sentimental value". The "sentimental value" payment system is wishy-washy and could have used some fine-tuning.

Another minor quibble is that the text is all rather close together, which makes it slightly less legible than it could be. More spacing wouldn't hurt! That said, this will certainly be helpful to Theros GMs to inspire them to create item designs or use aspects of the items here.

I really enjoyed going through this supplement. It also made me quite excited for the theros book coming out in July (hardcover). I love how flexible the loot is in this book, really makes for a fun learning curve for players hoping to try to "trick" gary out of some sweet items. While also rewarding more clever and nice players with the added stats for overpaying.

I look forward to using not only all this loot in adventures to come, but also finding fun ways of making gary pop up around the multiverse to interact with players! Great work grady+team!

The Gray Merchant of Asphodel is filled with innovative and well designed magic items that will not only empower the characters, but promote role-playing around the table as well. The gray merchant is a figure shrouded in mystery. It wanders throughout Theros and trades its wares with those lucky enough to encounter it, and there is nothing it values more than sentimentality. A gift from a long lost loved one is worth a fortune for the masked merchant, and it will pay in kind should you wish to part with it.

If you're running a game based in Theros, you will earn even more from this book, as it contains story items that reveal hidden truths about the world, and could lead the adventurers on heroic quests. The theme of Theros is apparent with every item the Gallant Goblin designed. The book boasts a wide range of options, from simple yet evocative common items to artifacts that grant divine powers to their wielders.

I am genuinely impressed with this book, and I highly recommend it for your Theros game.

Aviad, Beyond The Screen

The Gray Merchant of Asphodel brings the beloved Gary from Magic:the Gathering into D&D 5e and has a very unique bartering system that is both flavorful and fun. Each item in this book fits perfectly into the world of Theros. If you are running a non-Theros campaign, you may need to change some of the wording/descriptions around to match your setting or exclude some items.

But overall, the resource is something unique that should greatly appeal to any Greek/Theros loving adventuring party.

The art is also gorgeous. Great overall product. If you are looking for a new way for your players to aquire magic items (and some not so magical items), then definately include the Gray Merchant of Asphodel in your games.

The Gray Merchant of Asphodel takes a wonderfully thought-out approach for a magic item compilation piece, and does so in a way that perfectly suits Theros. Starting by focusing it around one of the most popular cards from the Theros Magic The Gathering set, this title begins by developing the character of the Gray Merchant himself, through which this title becomes much more than just a catalogue of magic items.

The items themselves all perfectly fit the setting of Theros, but push their design further than just suiting the setting by tying the very rules of each item to the players' interactions with the Gray Merchant. The powers granted by almost every magic item change based upon how the characters barter with the Gray Merchant: how much they offer to pay for him, and how much they are willing to sacrifice by trading a sentimental item with him. I feel this has wonderful potential for some interesting choices once players figure this out, particularly for players who are used to haggling in their usual trading role-play.

Worth particular mention are the "story" magic items included in the Gray Merchant's wares, each of which carry plot hooks perfect to expand a Theros campaign in new directions - giving a player the power to buy a plot hook, a fantastic option for adding new stories to a campaign.

All of the above is accompanied by an appendix of tables to manage which items characters should have access to based on their level, to randomly roll items based on their rarity, and to roll items in the same way as those contained in the Dungeon Master's Guide.

What makes me love this title is that it is far more than just a compilation of well-designed Theros-appropriate magic items. Each item tells a story, both with the literal stories among the items, and with the different mechanics that the other items can have, based on the players' interactions with the titular Gray Merchant.

The Gray Merchant of Asphodel from The Gallant Goblin (@GallantGoblin)

I cannot accurately describe the excitement I felt when I discovered these Fabled Heroes were putting out a supplement based around one of my favourite Magic: The Gathering cards of all time, the lovingly monikered Gary! Not to mention my joy seeing my old friend, the Sigiled Starfish realised with such fabulous portents!

I am completely A-SH(i)OOK and my expectations were Demolished by this Peak Eruption and Godsend of a supplement of OVER 100 NEW ITEMS!

This supplement introduces the Gray Merchant of Asphodel with spectacular flavour text and statblock ready to drop into your games, their unique bartering system of sentimentality, along with more traditional pricing and unique effects depending on the balance of the trade, as well as a monumental collection of Gary’s items from their bottomless Bag of Holding with all manner of wares from terrific trinkets to Artefacts with the power of Archons. Each item is brimming with flavour and phenomenal inspiration for your games from worthy rewards to Plane-shaking campaign elements, as well as a whole new story class of item, such as an Iroan Pledge, possibly from torn from the hands of a captured hoplite or a scrap of epic poetry, which comes with ideas and tables to craft countless different tales and adventures. Plus, where applicable, direct links are provided to the cards that inspired each item!

The knowledge, understanding and love of the plane, its stories, characters and mythos, as well as the mechanics in Magic: The Gathering and the Theros blocks and sets, radiate from the pages with brightness of Heliod’s radiance reflecting off a mythic judge’s foil. There is true care and reverence in abundance, alongside a knowing joyful tongue in cheek silliness that has some fun and wordplay with the legendary Greco-Roman inspired setting, encapsulated perfectly in the Bidet of Thassa. To love is to take the Pyxis...

Feel the blessings of the Gods and wield their strength, arms and Artifacts, perform rituals with anathema, gambling high stakes on the omens the entrails speak with thematic, epic results, pool your health to become a mighty phalanx fighting in unison, wear glamorous pearls able to detect love or grief, get judged by a golden apple, drink a distilled potion of the Tortoise and Achilles paradox and wear magical headgear made of victory and lightning!

Did I mention there’s a Deer Icon that covers you in “soft downy fur” and a “bushy white tail” as well as making you more runny and jumpy? How about a Lamprey Icon that grants a huge mouthful of paralysing teeth that suck features out of creatures?! The Icon cycle is vast, varied and spectacular!

Finally, there are tables upon tables to aid randomising Gary’s offerings, with separate sections broken down by level, rarity and the letter labelled style as in the DMG, all with helpful explanations, notes and percentages!

From the breathtaking cover from Victor Tan (@VictorTanDesign) to the phenomenal writing, incredibly vast treasure trove of wonders and professional layout, this is a monumental achievement and a truly phenomenal supplement, which will inspire and give the heroes the tools needed to accomplish deeds of mythic proportions, bringing joy and magic to DMs and players alike!

Lead Writer: Grady Wang Writer & Editor: Theo Thourson Cover Artist: Victor Tan Interior Artist & Layout Designer: Grady Wang Magic: The Gathering Consultant: Cassie Rose Footer Graphic Designer: penji.co (Billie Cordova) Gallant Goblin Logo Artist: penji.co (mascot by Kenny Samson, typography by Luigi Nablo) penji.co is a subscription graphic design service that has served us well when we need a middle ground between free art resources and a commissioned artist. You can try one month with 15% off by entering our promo code 27HIIFRTA1261503 or clicking the links above. We receive a referral bonus if you sign up with our code. Special thanks to Ashley Warren for her mentorship and advice on productivity, creativity, and the wild world of writing for TTRPGs. Satine Phoenix for providing developmental consulting. You can join both on Patreon and benefit from the wisdom they share to their backers as well. Royalty-free art resources used from the following sites: pexels.com, pixabay.com, share.substance3d.com, textures.com, turbosquid.com “Watercolor Splashers” brushes from brusheezy.com licensed under Creative Commons BY-ND Party vector created by macrovector from freepik.com https://www.freepik.com/free-photos-vectors/party ABOUT THEAUTHORS GRADYWANG and THEO THOURSON are co-founders of THEGALLANTGOBLIN, which began as a YouTube review channel for TTRPG miniatures. We currently live in Bakersfield, California with our family of rescue cats and are hard at work creating content to help you make the most of your TTRPG gaming experience. We’d love to hear from you about this supplement, how you used it in your game, or anything else that comes to mind! Join us on: YouTube youtube.com/thegallantgoblin Twitter @gallantgoblin Facebook facebook.com/thegallantgoblin Instagram @thegallantgoblin Our website gallantgoblin.com