Tired of the same magical rings of protection? Then this is perhaps the suppliment you need.

30 new and improved rings, each with unique abilities to help not just the individual; but also the whole party. With a tabled list of all the rings, it provides a great resource for GM's to give unique items to their players.

From the minor Ring of Foul Flavour (makes bite attacks taste horrid) to the powerful Ring of Heroic Sacrifice (damage transfer). Also each ring can be easily adapted to make it more or less powerful; depending the GM's need. From minor to major, each infuses the item with great durations or uses per day.

All of the items have detailed descriptions of what the rings look like, abilities and special rules (like X times/day); it will add a different kind of flavour to the game.

A fantastic political storyline with a wonderful twist at the end, if your party is into combat-heavy adventures this won't be for them. With plenty of background of the city of Ubersreik and lots of context about the city - it gives a great atmosphere to put your players in! It is missing lots of the extras that would come with a full printed copy like punch cards and tokens which is a shame but not unexpected. However as a story itself it is an excellent story and really gives you a good alternative to the traditional monster mash. I wouldn't hestitate to recommend this story.

Clockwork and chivalry is based in 17th century England around the period of the English Civil War but with a massive twist to history with wind up machines causing devastation to regiments to powerful alchemists summoning water elementals to wash away the opposition. Based upon the Runequest 2 rules, they have massively changed the magic system from the RQ system and I feel it is a good change and flows nicely into the character creation. There isn't the traditional thinking behind magic as it comes from the power of alchemy so they have modified the magic system to fit that and with a lot more focus on your background and period it is based in and more importantly how your past can affect you with social classes. it does mean you have new attributes and no cults but instead factions, it will take a good read through before you can just develop your first character but there is no glaringly obvious flaws with the system and all these new parts add to how it must of been to live in such a religiously and politically charged time. It is very detailed and well described world and most certainly worth a read!

Codex Martialis, is basically a stand alone core rules system; or can be used as a suppliment to any existing 3.5 OGL system (Pathfinder, D&D, etc).

While the core rules are light, consisting mostly of the combat rules. It is adaptable to most genre's or settings a GM could want. The Combat Rules are an adaptation on the d20 system; with an emphisis on making combat more historically accurate.

Taking references from historical texts of famous fighters, the combat system doesn't add a level of complexity; that will slow down the game. Starting with a Martial Pool, players are able to draw from the Martial Pool (MP) during combat. The MP allows GM/players to make the usual attacks and defending. However it also allows players/GM's, to use the MP; to activate special (weapon) feats as well as counterattack.

How it achieves this, is to use a number of d20's; dependant on the action required (max of 4d20). To attack, it migh be 2d20; with only the highest d20 counting. So a player with only 2d20's, could use those dice for one attack; then defend, use a feat or counterattack.

It lacks a focus, for it to be a true core rules. However, it does work really well; as a suppliment to exisiting 3.5 OGL systems. Adding Codex Martialis to a campaign would be simple enough. All the existing feats and weapons in 3.5, have been included in this. Any feats that have been replaced, have been noted; as well as comprehensive details of how new feats work.

Overall a great publication, that will allow a GM to add an extra flavour to their campaign; using real fighting techniques from history.

Another excellent suppliment from Raging Swan Press, to expand the Lonely Coast setting. Focusing on the Hobgoblins of the Mailed Fist, this is a very detailed and expansive addition to the Tribes of Lonely Coast.

Starting with a background to the Mailed Fist, there is a vast amount of information to hand; which any GM could incorporate into their new or existing Pathfinder campaign. From the structure of society within the tribe, to specific personalities; there is a lot of detail included.

In several short months, Raging Swan Press have added so much detail to the Lonely Coast; all of it rich with uses to add flavour to any Pathfinder campaign. Hobgoblins of the Mailed Fist, is just another suppliment that shows off the excellent products from this company.

Dragon's - mythical flying creatures found in many cultures and in many forms. Said to cause fear and terror, used in symbology as a sign of power or strength. So why does one (Arcane Dragon), look like an over-sized Greyhound dog?

The imagery seems a little disjointed, against the awe inspiring stats that are enclosed in the file. Having played SW's, their is no doubting the lethality of these beasts. Ignore the images, just stick to the stats on this one; which will provide you with some great adversaries for your high level adventures. I really like the Smoke Dragon, playful; yet whimsicle in nature. The Sand Dragon could be a nice plot hook, sending the party off to steal some magical artifact for its collection (or be eaten!).

The Arcane Dragon, well best to not even meet that one; if you can. A possible plot hook for the Arcane Dragon, would be seeking knowledge. Can the party persuade the Arcane Dragon to help in their adventure, or will it just teleport them away.

Fairly good suppliment, but for this reviewer; lacking in the awesome imagery that dragons should inspire.

The first product from Broken Meme, is a dark atmospheric game of super human Ciphers; hunted by black ops government agents and creatures of horror.

A Cipher, is a human; who has developed super-human mental abilities like Telepathy or Telekinesis. Set in modern times, players take the roles of Rogue Ciphers; where they live out the fearful existence a Rogue lives. The history of Ciphers is murky, with many legends or rumours about where they came from. What is known, is that they aren't normal; some would say abnormal or abominations.

In the early days, the government knew nothing; but they soon learned the potential of Ciphers. Used as intelligence gatherers, spies and covert ops from the 1930's onwards; they served a purpose at a cost. The need-to-know organisation called DAEMON came about. DAEMON were tasked to research, develop and use Ciphers. Aegis, the research arm of DAEMON and Veritas; the military/enforcement branch.

If a Ciphers life isn't hard enough on the run, there are other terrors to contend with. Chimera's, mutated horrors evolved from Ciphers; hunting out Ciphers to drain them of juice. Bogeymen, Cipher dopplegangers; who can mimic talents of a Cipher. Finally there is normals, the every day joe; who has no powers at all. Do they know your a Cipher? Would they help or report you to DAEMON?

With all this going on, the rules are very simple to learn. Character generation is based on 6 attributes, from which other stats and super-human talents are derived. Combat and skill checks are simple 2D10, target number checks; makes this a quick and easy mechanic to pick up.

The thing I loved about this system, is the emphisis making the players feel the fear their charaters are experiencing. Imagine yourself hunted, no friends; no one you can turn to for help. DAEMON are closing in on you, do you run, hide or do you reveal your Cipher abilities and fight? Every choice is fraught with consequences, good or bad. It could mean the difference between living, capture or ending up dead.

Raging Swan have produced a beautiful setting for Pathfinder, that has many opportunities for adventure on the Lonely Coast.

The Lonely Coast is a far flung region, where that region is; is up to the GM. It isn't specific, which means the whole thing could be used as a source for adventures to slot into your games. It has several of these within the book, which are nicely laid out over one or two pages. In those pages, is everything a GM would need, people, places and stats of any encounters.

At 66 pages, it may not seem long; but it is full of information that could add a great deal to an adventure for your Pathfinder game. The artwork is line drawing, no colour; but that doesn't detract from the beauty of the art.

If your looking for a location for game ideas, the Lonely Coast is an excellent source to try.

Having discovered L5R through the CCG, I was immediately hooked on the whole history of Rokugan. For 15 years, AEG have been adding to this amazing story of a land torn by warring Clans, threats from the Shadowlands and more recently pestilence and disease.

3rd edition to me was very clunky, with a lot of things that made it slow and labourious. 4th edition is has been redesigned, almost from the ground up. Changes to combat, the Clan schools and tweaks here and there; have made the whole system smoother.

Whether your new to L5R or a player of the older versions, this edition should appeal. From the rich artwork to the streamlined character creations, the book is very well presented and full to the brim with information.

At 405 pages, it is a hefty read. But it is also an easy read, with each section broken into smaller Books. The Book of Air details the history of Rokugan, the culture that makes up society; as well as sections on all of the Clans. The Book of Earth is the general mechanics of the game; while The Book of Fire is the Character Creation. Book of Water has all the information on Advanced Mechanics, with the Book of Void covering all the GM aspects of the game.

Overall a great update on the system, with some tweaks that make the whole thing a lot sharper to play; both as a player and GM. If you like Japanese History or just enjoy an RPG with an oriental flavour; then Legend of the Five Rings is perfect for this.

Getting good hooks into a campaign is always tricky, a dungeon is a dungeon. A city on the other hand is a vibrant place, full of possibilities and opportunites.

So how do you get a group of players to stick around in town; longer then it takes to restock on magic items? Here is a list of 650 encounters or hooks that will keep you going for a long time. What started life as a competition, has now become a free publication that will help many a GM.

Some of them are as simple as one sentence, others are more detailed that could lead to a whol city adventure; over several sessions. There is plenty of scope to combine ideas or improvise on the ones included. A good resource to have, that could be applied to many game settings.

Having only recently come across this e-mag, I have to say that I am impressed with the quality. Artwork is crisp and clear, while the articles are interesting to read.

Edition 84 is the Traveller special, with a lot of good articles about how to make your games more exciting. There is a comprehensive list of ships for Traveller, including schematics of all of them. Staying with Traveller, but possible ideas for other systems; is introducing horror to a Traveller game.

An Earthdawn article, is very interesting; detailing the flora and fauna of Barsaive. Some are beneficial, while others could be deadly to an unwary adventurer.

Lastly, Mongoose want to tease you further; with more information about their coming release of Cthonian Stars.

The Sanctuary Ruin is a nice little mini adventure, that could well be used as part of a main campaign; or run as a one off.

Designed to be run through systems like Labyrinth Lord or ORSIC, it has that old-school feel about the whole thing. A mystery surrounds the area of Blackmarsh, with patrols going missing and rumours of goblins in the nearby woods. The stage is set for a classic adventure, with evil; dungeons and a little treasure along the way.

Its a nice little supplement, that could well be converted to newer systems; giving you a ready made side quest or plot hook for futher adventures.

Catalyst Game Labs are continuing to add such rich detail to the Battletech universe. This latest supplement for the Capellan Confederation, is set in the aftermath of Terra's liberation; during the Jihad.

It gives detailed information on not just the military side of the Confederacy, but also how the whole political and social aspects are impacted.

There is also detailed accounts of the forces at hand for the Confederacy, showing where they are based; moral and unit strengths.

While it has few pages, it is stuffed full of ideas and information that could be used with an RPG or Battletech game. It's worth looking at, for the information alone.

Since the time of the Second Exodus, the Clans have remained hidden; mysterious and unknown entity.

Golden Century, sheds light on what happened to make the Clans what they are. From the beliefs of the Clans, to the rules; or trials that govern Clan Warrior society.

Included in this are details of Clan Mongoose one of the first Clans, but one that wouldn't survive the turmoil between Clans. There is also guides for players and gm's alike; on material that could be added to a campaign.

Also included is record sheets and details of some the important and key mechs during this time. Some of the first Omni's, aerospace and vehicles are given; so players could use these in their game.

Overall a great resource for adding Clans into a game, around the time of the Golden Century.

This is the new updated version of Dust Devils, entitled Revenged. Matt Snyder, the creator of Dust Devils; has updated the rules added some interesting features and generally made the game a lot more enjoyable.

If you like Westerns, Cowboys and Indian's, this game will appeal to you a lot. With a very narrative/cinematic flavour, players get to literally write the stroy of their character as game progresses. So it will also appeal to those who enjoy descriptive roleplaying, building up a character through the collective story told.

One of the new features, is the ability to adapt the game to other settings. Included in the book, are guides to create spy/espionage (Deathwish), japanese samurai (Ronin) or a neo noir (Concrete Angels) style of settings. So now your not limited to the wild west, there are options to create a variety of settings for your players.

At $10, it is a great buy to add a little change of pace to a gaming group.