Orcs of the Eternal Zenith by David Posener 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 25-page primary PDF from DriveThruRPG for $4.99 but was purchased at a reduced price as part of a special bundle. Two pages are the front and rear covers, three the front matter, one the Contents, one ads and the Open Game License and one ads. The PDF comes in two versions, one optimised for print and high-end devices, the other for mobile and low end. There is also an 11-page secondary PDF that just contains the various stat blocks.
Reading Stat Blocks is a standard page for the publisher explaining how to use these.
Orcs of the Eternal Zenith starts by explaining that missionaries of the Sun God Darlen travelled to the orc tribe who would become the Orcs of the Eternal Zenith, with the best of intentions, taking relics of the faith with them. One relic, the Tome of the Eternal Zenith, dell into the hands of one of the orcs, who was overwhelmed by the suggestions built into the book, cultivated a secret cult of followers based on his decidedly wrong interpretation of the faith and claimed rulership of the tribe.
Ecology & Society explain that the orcs now live to carry out the vision of that orc, Granalak, with ranking in the tribe determined by their perceived piety. They are constructing a device called the Zenith Engine. This section also has suggested names.
Religion explains Granalak’s warped interpretation of the Sun God’s faith, and his infiltration of Darlen’s churches with disguised orcs.
Sidebars are In Your Campaign, which suggests other origins for the faith that could be used, Tribal Lore, which is what a character might know about the tribe, and Darlen, which is about the sun god.
Lairs explains that the orcs now live on the slopes of Marred Peak, as they are now fervent disciples of the sun. This section briefly describes the important locations.
Combat & Tactics explains how the orcs handle themselves in combat, which involves burning weapons.
Notable Individuals has brief descriptions of important NPCs that could be encountered.
Encountering the Eternal Zenith has an encounter table and a sidebar on terrain features and the effect they have.
Alternative Race & Class Features has alternate traits for the orcs of the tribe.
New Feats has two new feats, Ignite Weapon and Improved Ignite Weapons, which are self-explanatory.
New Spells has three new light-related spells, one causing flesh to blister, another that can cause cancerous lesions and one that allows cast spells to be recalled.
New Magic Items has two new sun-related magic items and stats for a normal item, a chakram.
The Zenith Engine has details on the minor artefact the orcs have constructed, which can amongst other things open gates to the Elemental Plane of Fire, and details on the Tome of the Eternal Zenith.
Following this are Minor Encounters and Major Encounters, which have stats for orcs to encounter, then more extensive details on three important NPCs.
Orcs of the Eternal Zenith in Review
The PDF is well bookmarked with everything except sidebars linked. The Contents is not as thorough but is hyperlinked. There are also details of other important material in the supplement. Navigation is good. The text maintains a two-column black and white format and appeared to be free of error. There are a number of black and white illustrations, which are probably stock. Presentation is decent.
All told, this is a rather unusual tribe of orcs; orcs are rarely associated with light and certainly not the sun. The leader had issues to start with that were only exacerbated by the Tome and now he is a significant problem. Characters can find an unusual ally in the tribe’s last remaining shaman, who naturally is not pleased by how things have changed. With Granalak starting to infiltrate the temples of the Sun God, he could start to develop into a significant threat, especially if he can spread his own interpretation of the religion’s teachings. Orcs of the Eternal Zenith is an interesting orc tribe and it can be found by clicking here.
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