A Review of the Role Playing Game Supplement Madame Mombi’s Forbidden Tomes

Madame Mombi’s Forbidden Tomes by Doug Lily is a role playing game supplement published by Fat Goblin Games 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 an eight-page PDF from DriveThruRPG for $1.99 but was purchased at a reduced price as part of a special bundle. One page is the front cover and one the Open Game License.

The supplement is intended for use with the Shadows over Vathak setting and it contains ten different spellbooks or formula books, though these books are more than just lists of spells and formulae. They contain other information and some contain preparation rituals. Some of the spells are from the Shadows over Vathak setting book.

Using Preparation Rituals explains that a caster who uses at least three spells or formulae, excluding cantrips, gains a temporary boon.

The book descriptions follow. Each has a name, author, description, history, how it is protected, if it is, how long it takes for examination, the Knowledge (Arcana) DC, Sanity Loss, value, list of spells and preparation ritual, if appropriate.

Madame Mombi’s Forbidden Tomes in Review

The PDF lacks bookmarks and, though short, has enough different books that they would have been useful. Navigation could be better. The text maintains a two-column format and appeared to be free of errors. There are no illustrations, bar the cover. Presentation is adequate.

This is an interesting collection of spellbooks and formulae collections that goes beyond just being a list of spells. Each is given a history to tie it into the setting as well as an evocative description and, in many cases, a potentially useful benefit with the preparation ritual. They could be used in other settings, though if the setting book with the spells in isn’t owned, some spells will need replacing. Using the books in other settings would require some tweaking, but it isn’t impossible to do, making this more broadly useful than it might seem. Madame Mombi’s Forbidden Tomes is an interesting collection and can be found by clicking here.