Faces of the Tarnished Souk: Viscount Zanzig, the Crystal Seer, High Prognosticator of Sarnath (PFRPG) by Matt Banach and Justin Sluder is a role playing game supplement published by Rite Publishing 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. This is a single NPC at three different CRs for the Tarnished Souk of the Coliseum Morpheuon setting.
The supplement is available as an 11-page PDF from DriveThruRPG for $2.95 but was purchased at a reduced price as part of a special bundle. One page is the front cover, one the front matter, one the Open Game License and one is an ad.
Viscount Zanzig, the Crystal Seer, High Prognosticator of Sarnath starts with a description of the elf, a fortuneteller and answerer of questions. Zanzig is vain, egocentric and a coward. Though skilled, his flaws continually undermine him, and he fails to get the recognition he craves. He also keeps a darker secret. The effects of dreamburning are next, followed by lore and ways to use the viscount in the setting; divination is a natural one.
The three different CRs follow. The CR 6 version is a savant elf wizard (diviner) 5 whose most notable features are three new spells, one each of 0, 1 and 2nd level.
The CR 11 version is a savant elf wizard (diviner) 10 with a new 3rd level spell. Oddly, this one lacks the CR 6’s new spells.
Finally, the CR 16 version is a savant elf wizard (diviner) 15. This one has three custom magic items and new spells, one of 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th and 8th level. Again, this version doesn’t have the lower-level version’s new spells.
The Savant Creature Template is an inherited template that creates a creature that is weaker physically but more powerful mentally.
Viscount Zanzig, the Crystal Seer, High Prognosticator of Sarnath (PFRPG) in Review
The PDF is bookmarked with the major sections linked. Given the length, navigation is okay. The text maintains a two-column black and white format and appeared to be almost free of errors. There is one definite custom black and white illustration and one possible one, of a ring. Presentation is okay.
This is another NPC that looks like it could be the same being advancing in levels. Though for the higher CR versions not to have access to the new spells of the lower CR versions seems a rather odd design choice. These are all spells that would enhance the character’s divination abilities; it seems to make sense that the NPC would keep them at higher levels. The new spells and the new template are useful, and there are a decent number of hooks for using the NPC. It is a pretty standard one, though, unlike some of the others in the line; nothing truly out of the ordinary but decently executed. Viscount Zanzig, the Crystal Seer, High Prognosticator of Sarnath (PFRPG) can be found by clicking here.
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