A Review of the Role Playing Game Supplement Materials of Ancient Empires

Materials of Ancient Empires is a role playing game supplement published by Skirmisher Publishing for use with games like Labyrinth Lord and Mutant Future but which can be adapted to other systems. 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 $0.99 but was purchased at a reduced price as part of a special bundle. Two pages are the front and rear covers, one the Open Game License, one an ad and one an illustration.

The opening paragraphs explain that the supplement is intended for Basic OGL games but can be converted to other systems. The materials are based on the idea that long-lost cultures may have add magically or technologically superior materials, and that the supplement contains 24 materials that can no longer be created without access to superior magic or technology.

Each material follows a similar layout. Each has a price, which is what it would cost to make it, should that be possible, which should be doubled for purchase. This is followed by a description of the material and any effects it might have. The materials cover a wide range of things, from the odd, such as 2D steel, which only has two dimensions and is dangerous to handle, to the valuable but not otherwise useful, such as eternal silver that never tarnishes, to the nasty, such as the spell sponge that absorbs magic and transmits it to golems to power them; if there isn’t a golem to charge, the sponge eventually overloads and explodes.

Materials of Ancient Empires in Review

The PDF lacks bookmarks and at this length doesn’t need them. Navigation is fine. The text maintains a two-column format and appears to be mostly free of errors; the spell sponge refers to golems suitable to use with it being covered in the same volume, which they aren’t. The sole illustration is the full page one, in colour, which appears to be public domain. Presentation is okay.

The supplement has an interesting range of new materials which will be easier to convert to some systems than to others. Some of the materials are more interesting than others, but that’s only to be expected; some are basically treasure whilst others have more use. Materials of Ancient Empires is a nice and inexpensive little supplement and it can be found by clicking here.