Relic Files: From Beyond the Stars II by Andrew Marlowe is a role playing game supplement published by Rogue Genius 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 describes a single item, a technological relic.
This is a four-page PDF which is available from DriveThruRPG for $1.00 but which was purchased at a reduced price as part of a special bundle. One page of the PDF is the Open Game License and credits.
The first page of the supplement explains this uses rules from The Genius Guide to Relics of the Godlings I and II and present a new relic, an item that gains in power as the character does, with new abilities being gained at each level from 1 to 20. Relic Files: From Beyond the Stars introduces items with a science fiction element to fantasy stories; the first was Quicksilver Mail. This one has Breath of the Heavens, nanotechnology that inhabits the bearer’s lungs.
Breath of the Heavens has a short piece of fiction related to the item, then explains that, one way or another, such as a crashed spacecraft or a dimensional rift, a fantasy campaign is exposed to advanced technology.
Using the Breath of the Heavens In Your Game has various tips for the item; for finding it, attunement (different because of nanotechnology), passing on ownership (because it is inside the character) and how to use it without science fiction.
The relic itself is then described, a sparkling cloud of nanotechnology that is inhaled. Over the 20 levels, the user gains dancing lights (though one that can send messages like the spell), competence bonuses to Perception, Constitution and Intelligence, a Fortitude bonuses, improved respiration, improved sensory capabilities and an electricity breath weapon.
Relic Files: From Beyond the Stars II in Review
The PDF lacks bookmarks but is short enough that these aren’t needed. The text maintains a two-column format and appeared to be free of errors. There is a single piece of art, which may be custom. Presentation is fine.
This is an interesting item. It’s effectively in a class all of its own; there won’t be many things like this even ignoring the nanotechnology. The nanotechnology itself should be easy enough to reskin; there’s no reason why it couldn’t have been created with magic. The various enhancements all seem to make thematic sense, related to electricity and enhancement – the nanites are in the user’s lungs. Relic Files: From Beyond the Stars II is one of the better relics from the series and it can be found by clicking here.
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