Faces of the Tarnished Souk: Z.Z. Grimshanks, the Knave of Sharp Seconds (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.
The supplement is available as a 15-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.
Z.Z. Grimshanks, the Knave of Sharp Seconds opens as always with details on the NPC, a goblin who was a notorious gladiator (a hint they are not a pushover) before seizing command of the Court of Fell Fortunes, the thieves’ guild of the Tarnished Souk. The goblin is an unpredictable sort seeking instant gratification. Dreamburning, lore and using Z.Z. in a campaign are covered too.
The three different versions follow, arranged in the book from high to low CR.
The CR 8 version is a jaunting goblin monk (martial artist) 1/time thief 5.
The CR 14 version is a charming jaunting goblin monk (martial artist) 2/time thief 9.
The CR 21 version is a betrayer charming jaunting goblin monk (martial artist) 3/time thief 14.
Each has three variants for accelerated, stealthy and wounding creature.
The time thief class abilities are described together with a new time feat, along with new weapon enhancements and magic items.
Templates cover accelerated creature, not surprisingly, very quick, betrayer creature, can betray allegiances without true problems, charming creature, able to convince others they are the best friend, jaunting creature, able to travel between locations without travelling the distance between, stealthy creature, very stealthy and wounding creature, inflicts difficult to heal wounds.
Faces of the Tarnished Souk: Z.Z. Grimshanks, the Knave of Sharp Seconds (PFRPG) in Review
The PDF is bookmarked with major and minor sections linked. Navigation is okay. The text maintains a two-column format and appeared to eb free of errors. There are some black and white illustrations, as well as the cover. Presentation is okay.
The supplement extensively uses the time classes and rules originally developed by Super Genius Games, later Rogue Genius Games, and demonstrates how going up against a time manipulator can be unfortunate. Z.Z. is an interesting character; they can be friend, foe or neither and, given their behaviour, all of them within a short space of time. They also believe that there are eldritch horrors trying to sneak into reality through the spaces between the seconds. Disturbingly, he’s right. Faces of the Tarnished Souk: Z.Z. Grimshanks, the Knave of Sharp Seconds (PFRPG) depicts an interesting, dangerous and highly erratic NPC and can be found by clicking here.
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