Every game needs opposition for the characters to fight against, and Qin: The Warring States is no different. This book concentrates on the mystical side, being filled with supernatural creatures, tragic ghosts, terrifying demons, corpses hungry for human flesh, animals wiser than most men, and, of course, dragons... for if you are in the slightest bit familiar with Chinese myths and legends, you'll know that these are constant companions and challenges to any hero.

Every creature is provided in a standard format for ease of use. Firstly the scene is set with a paragraph or so of fiction, there are ideas for the GM on how to use that particular creature, myths and legends revolving about it and the necessary game mechanics and statistics to use it effectively. Throughout, new spells, martial techniques, weapons and powers are introduced - you can, of course, lift these out to use elsewhere in your game. If your game is to be fantastical in nature, head for the fabulous creatures, if you are after a spot of horror, well, Chinese ghosts can be pretty terrifying. Perhaps in the legends you are creating, the boundaries are blurred and nobody's quite sure which creatures are natural and which are not...

We start off with Fabulous Creatures and Terrifying Monsters, which is subdivided into ghosts, revenants, and the living dead, demons; monsters and marvels, and celestial and fabulous beings. Throughout, the way they are presented maintains the mystical and lyrical style of ancient China making it easy to bring it out in your game.

Next are the Yao, animals which have transcended their original animal nature and become almost human... and often wiser than the average human being at least in certain areas. Sometimes they are feared or mocked, other times they are revered. Whatever, they provide for unforgettable encounters and help promote that uniquely Chinese legendary feeling. There's a lot of detail about where they are to be found, what they are likely to be doing and how they fit in to society; and then the discussion gets down to specifics with different types of yao classed by original animal. Plenty of examples and stories to get you started.

If your fancy has been taken by any individual (as opposed to the 'monsters') mentioned in the text, a delight is a collection of full details for several of them, complete with stat block, which may be used as NPCs in your game.

Then there are three scenarios to run. One involves a series of killings in a township during a festival (involving vengeful spirits), another works best if the main NPC is the first yao the party has met, and the last provides a mystery for the party to solve. All are atmospheric and entertaining, providing you and your group with a glimpse into legendary China.

Finally - and we hope your party will not be needing them - there is a section on Funeral Rites, including the ritual for an important person's death and information about tombs. Perhaps the party will be tasked with overseeing the funeral of an important patron?

This is a lot more than a mere Bestiary. It's jam-packed with flavourful material... and does not neglect game mechanics either. Any GM should be adding this to his collection.

Return to Qin Bestiary page.

Reviewed: 21 April 2016