KISMET'S REVIEWS OF 4 WINDS FANTASY PRODUCTS

Dungeon Master's Notes Index

      I love practical gaming products that help streamline DM processes and save me from extra page-flipping and hair-pulling.  I've loved them more over the years because I've simply had less time and energy to dedicate to developing my games. I no longer have entire days to do little more than read books, pour over new materials, and work out small but juicy details - but I still love to run and I want to give as rich an experience as I can. So when I find resources I can use often and repeatedly, I am one happy DM.

      Thus, I'm glad to have encountered the products of 4 Winds Fantasy Gaming, and not just because they were kind enough to hire me for some of their books.  You can buy their products individually or purchase a bundled deal, and they're easily referenceable.  They're not expensive, either.  Some of these things you could make for yourself, if you had the time and desire.  I have neither, so I am glad to have them available.

	The GM's Aid line has all kinds of orderly, printable reference materials. I like the Condition Cards because they help keep track of all the little differences between states, like fatigue and exhaustion. I love the Monster Knowledge Cards because they break down which tidbits you give away when PCs make knowledge checks. I like to maintain some mystery if I can, and figuring out which secrets to part with in the heat of the moment is a pain that these cards eliminate.
	The Player's Aid line is designed to help players keep track of the myriad details that can swarm around one character. I contributed a resource that helps reference bard songs from across a number of different books, but the line also has a treasure sheet, character sheets, and summoning cards. I can't tell you how many times the game has ground to a halt while players have gone digging to figure out what their summoned minions could actually do.
	The Player's Options line adds considerable flavor to characters through things like flaws and loving details about different kinds of planetouched races. I worked very hard on the planetouched book to explore the diversity that's always been possible with aasimar and tiefling characters, while at the same time trying to balance them for ready use. While these books might not be everyone's cup of tea, they could inject a welcome dose of spice into your game.
	The Book of Arcane Magic is a fine offering of spells, many with very practical applications.  The sorcerer bloodlines and clockwork familiars are also neat. Bubo, here I come!
	The Book of Divine Magic is another good collection of spells.  While some are reprinted from other sources (like the much maligned Book of Erotic Fantasy, which nonetheless had some very practical spells), most are ones I haven't seen before.
	Paths of Power is an integrated selection of new classes, skills, feats, and spells that support each other.  Additional gear and guilds complete the experience.  I have to admit that I'm biased where this book is concerned, since I was lucky enough to submit material to it.  =)
	Luven Lightfinger's Gear & Treasure Shop is a reference for all kinds of gear, which can get difficult to track down between books. It has armor, weapons, mundane stuff, instruments of all kinds, clothes, food, prosthetics, and a shop ready to go. While it might seem like too much detail to some, I like to have a book to go to for different types of cheese. Inserting these details at particular moments can make the world feel real.
	Strategists & Tacticians: Offering a number of options for core classes, new classes, and maneuvers.
	Inkantations is something I am glad I was able to help with, since it provides rules and specs for adding magical tattoos to your games, a concept I've always loved but haven't seen executed well before this. As a player, these kinds of options excite me; as a DM, these options amuse me.
	Tome of Monsters is nice because you can never have too many monsters, and they go out of their way to tell you the real world roots of any creatures they obtained from folklore. There's also an eye toward providing support for familiars and animal companions based on the creatures listed.