A Review of the Role Playing Game Supplement Campaign Codex #3: Villains (P1)

Campaign Codex #3: Villains (P1) by Creighton Broadhurst, Andy Lewis and Martin Tideswell is a role playing game supplement published by Raging Swan Press for use with the Pathfinder Roleplaying Game. As such, it is covered by the Open Game License and some parts are considered to be Open Game Content as a result.

The supplement is available as a 23-page PDF from DriveThruRPG for $4.45 but was purchased at a reduced price in a special bundle. Two pages are the front and rear covers, one the front matter and Contents, two are ads and one the Open Game License. The PDF comes in two versions, one optimised for print and high-end devices and the other for low end devices and mobile.

The main part of the supplement covers seven different villains. Each is named along with their alignment, sex, species, class and level. Following this is a brief description of their aims and where they are. Next is background on the NPC – not all started as villains – their personality, mannerisms, distinguishing features, adventure seeds and lore. Depending on the NPC, there are other things included as well, such as associated NPCs or other related material. Not all have these.

Cornes Solethar is a sorcerer who worships the demoness Arachne.

Digory Odgers was a gutter kid who built up a criminal organisation.

Eiluanna Maiasar was tortured by orcs and turned away from good to lead a pack of bandits.

Firhar Leudal is an adventurer who, as death grew closer, turned to death magic to stave it off.

Myghal Nankeris is a monk who went insane when all of his fellows were killed.

Perran Gongye is an assassin.

Teraim Arasten is muscle for hire.

The Codex of Villains has full stats for all the NPCs.

Campaign Codex #3: Villains (P1) in Review

The PDF is bookmarked with everything except sidebars linked. The Contents only covers the main sections and is hyperlinked. Navigation is good. The text maintains a two-column format and appeared to be free of errors. There are black and white stock illustrations for every NPC. Presentation is decent.

This is a collection of seven NPCs described in detail who can be foes of the characters. What type of foe depends on the NPCs; in some cases, the NPC could be tasked by someone else, in others the characters may get involved in their plots, or even hired by them, and finally they may be randomly encountered. Each villain has their own motivation which gives the supplement a variety of uses; it is entirely possible to use every single NPC in the same campaign, thanks to them lacking much overlap. Campaign Codex #3: Villains (P1) is a good little supplement and it can be found by clicking here.