A Review of the Role Playing Game Supplement Sidebar #33 – Vile Idols

Sidebar #33 – Vile Idols by Ismael Alvarez 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.

This is a four page PDF that is available from DriveThruRPG for $1 but was purchased at a greatly reduced price as part of a special bundle. One page is the front cover and one the Open Game License.

Vile Idols starts by saying that they exist in most cultures and they draw powers from primal influences. This supplement contains three of these, which are essentially intelligent artefacts, and they expand on the concept of idols in the role playing game. There is a link in this section to d20PFSRD which is intended to go to the relevant page of the site but only goes to the front page. The reason for the link not a book reference would appear to be because idols are from Pathfinder Campaign Setting: Occult Realms which cannot be directly referred to under the Pathfinder compatibility license.

Then there are the three idols. The Grinning Demon causes creatures to become depressed. Some it will also give bursts of joy to until they worship it, and in some case gather other victims.

The Fierce Fetish Doll kills those who take it with them whilst they sleep, before it is recovered again by its true worshippers.

Sacrificial Rooms are rooms where deeds such as torture are carried out. They can grant a type of immortality to some followers.

Sidebar #33 – Vile Idols in Review

The PDF lacks useful bookmarks but at only four pages in length with only three items, it doesn’t need them. Navigation is okay. The text maintains a two column colour format and, except for the external link pointing to the wrong place, appeared to be free of errors. There is a single colour illustration on the front cover, perhaps intended to be the Grinning Demon. Presentation is okay given the cost, but illustrations of all three idols would have been greatly appreciated.

This is an okay supplement, but there’s a feeling it could have been more. As it is, it’s essentially descriptions of three potentially dangerous artefacts. With a little more effort, some adventure hooks could have been designed for them. It’s an inexpensive supplement but it feels a little short. Sidebar #33 – Vile Idols can be found by clicking here.