Relic Files: Treasures of the Earth I – Svarduun 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 is available as a five-page PDF from DriveThruRPG for $1 but was purchased at a reduced price as part of a special bundle. One page is the credits and Open Game License.
The first page explains that this supplement uses the magic item rules from Genius Guide to Relics of the Godlings I and II, which go into relics in more detail. It explains that this relic doesn’t use human myths as a base, unlike Treasures of Camelot and Relics of the Godlings, instead being based on (presumably fictional) dwarven myths. This is said to be the first entry in Treasures of the Earth; it’s also the only entry.
The Black Hammer starts with some in-universe fiction related to the item, before moving on to details about Svarduun itself, as an item. The hammer gains powers every level from 1st to 20th, like other relics. It is a war hammer, though one which originated as a smith’s hammer, whose haft can alter its length for its wielder. It has powers related to crafting and mending, both skill bonuses and spells, gaining the flaming property as it advances.
Aspect of the Forgelord is a spell that the hammer can cast, which increases the recipient’s size and weight, making them stronger, whilst also giving them a flaming aura.
Relic Files: Treasures of the Earth I – Svarduun in Review
The PDF lacks bookmarks and at its length doesn’t need them. Navigation is fine. The text maintains a two-column format and appeared to be free of errors. There are a couple of pieces of hammer-related black and white art. Presentation is fine.
Some of the previous entries in the Relic Files series have tended towards the bland without much of a central theme. Svarduun does have a consistent theme to it. It started out as a smith’s hammer and still has many properties related to smithing, the forge and crafting, though it is also a useful weapon. Relic Files: Treasures of the Earth I – Svarduun is a nice relic and it can be found by clicking here.
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