Iconic Characters by Mary-ann Astle 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 27-page PDF from DriveThruRPG for $3.99 but was purchased at a reduced price as part of a special bundle. Two pages are the front and rear covers, one is an ad and three the front matter, Contents and Open Game License. The PDF comes in two versions, one intended for print and high-end devices, one intended for low-end and mobile.
Reading Stat Blocks is a standard page for the publisher explaining how to use these.
The supplement is a collection of pre-generated 1st level characters created using the 15-point purchase system, intended for situations when a new character is quickly needed. Each character is given the usual stats for them, as well as a stock illustration, and then more details over a two-page spread. There is an opening sentence followed by an opening paragraph of details. After this, the character’s background, personality, mannerisms, distinguishing features and a hook for encountering them is given. There are ten characters; an oracle, a magus, a cavalier, a witch, a cleric, a ranger, a wizard, two fighters and a rogue. The cleric has a sidebar about their god. The characters come in a variety of species, all but two are good in alignment and there are no evil characters.
Iconic Characters in Review
The PDF is bookmarked with the various sections linked. The Contents isn’t as thorough and is hyperlinked. Navigation is good. The text maintains a two-column format and appeared to be free of errors. There is a stock portrait for each character. Presentation is decent.
The utility of this supplement is variable. Yes, it contains various different pre-gens covered in quite a lot of detail, but the question is just how useful is that additional detail going to be for players? The stats are useful, but will things like personality and backstory be? Players generally want to come up with those themselves, and generic backstories, whilst they fit in many settings, are still generic. There are also a few elements missing as well as some species and classes; naturally, with the classes, as there are a lot of possible ones, but it feels like the some of the more obvious ones were missed. The supplement is useful, but perhaps not as useful as it could be. Iconic Characters can be found by clicking here.
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