Here is a fine collection of diverse NPCs drawn from throughout the world of NeoExodus, all ready to serve as bit-part players in your adventures. It dives straight in to the listings after a brief note as to what other works have been drawn upon for a few of the feats, items, psionic powers and spells - mostly other books within the NeoExodus line, with some psionics from Psionics Unleashed from Dreamscarred Press. (If you are fond of using psionics, this is well worth acquiring, by the way.)

The individual entries are grouped sensibly by organisation or role, with a range within each: so, for example, within the sample Imperial Janissaries - a bunch of wandering monastics dedicated to universal peace who'll use psionics, diplomacy or even martial arts to resolve disputes - you get several Janissaries of different levels of experience. Pick one of an appropriate level or if you prefer, a number of lower-level ones with a more senior in command. Each entry comes with a brief overview of the group from which they are drawn, and each individual NPC has a full stat block. You will still need to add the 'fluff' such as name, appearance, personality, motivations and what they are actually trying to achieve... much of the last, at least, will derive from the scenario you are running, of course. The real advantage is that the mechanical work has been taken care of for you.

The PDF is well-bookmarked, making it easy to pick out what you want, although there is no index or much in the way of introduction or overview. You get a slightly more 'printer-friendly' version as well as the full-blown version with a background similar to the cover throughout - personally I think the white background makes for a crisper look and it's the one I prefer to use on-screen as well.

This is a very handy resource, and if the opposition you plan for the characters to face involves a fair number of organisations - Caneus High Guard, Order of Kaga Augers, those Imperial Janissaries or even a few Phoenix Guard Terrrorists (and many more) - you will find the basis for serried ranks of foes within these pages.

Return to NeoExodus Chronicles: Usual Suspects page.

Reviewed: 13 November 2012