I went out and picked up the book tonight at my FLGS called Rainy Day Games here in Beaverton.  First thing I noticed of course was the cover.  While the artwork is excellent and deffinately gives you the idea of what the book was about something seemed kinda off about it.  Most of the cover is somewhat dull and stepped down in color while certain other parts that were more laminated were brighter and shinier.  This caused my attention to be drawn more towards those areas and make me forget the rest of the cover.  Come on Wizards, I know we are geeks and we like bright shiny objects but do you have to throw it in our faces like that?  And even then, at least put your heart into it.  The cover looks cheap and makes it feel like you guys just phoned it in on this one.  What does that mean for the rest of the book?

The Ink – Cover issues aside, it is just a minor personal annoyance anyway, it’s time to get down to brass tacks as they say and see what the book is all about.  My first order of business? The ink.  All over the internet and the official forums is much pitchfork waiving over the ink and printing process that Wizards is using for their new line of products.  The problem for those who aren’t aware of it is this, for some reason alot of people are having an issue where the ink on the pages of their books and manuals is smudging easily when touched.  To see how it fared I tossed the book to the local furry toothed basement dwellers to see just how cheeto stained the pages became. After trading a stack of Taft slash fiction to the basement trolls to get the book back and then having family and friends go through the pages I saw very little streaking or smudging.  My sister who for some reason can normally look at one of the D&D books and the ink runs in fear actually had to try to smudge it this time.   So this was a great sign in the right direction from the start. Now while I can’t say it was fixed with this run, I can say that it feels like they made improvements.

Artwork – I can’t really speak for anyone else on this, but myself the first thing I do before I actually get into reading over the content is flip through and take a look at the artwork of any new book I get.   I don’t know why really, I guess it just helps me get my creative juices flowing and gets me in the right mood and mindset to take all of it in and begin formulating new ideas on how I’m going to use all of it.  I have to say, the artwork on this one was spot on. I don’t know if they changed artists for this, drew from a wider talent pool this time around, or just flogged them more but the artists really stepped up this time around.  I do know that they had at least one new artist for this book.  She goes by nanya on LiveJournal and her drawings were quite good. Honestly the one multipage illustration she did would have looked great on the DM screen in my opinion.  Aside from that though I am unaware of any other artistic talent additions or changes. My one big complaint with some of the other books, especially like the player handbook is alot of the drawings really felt rushed or half hearted.  Perspective was really off in the PHB for instance and it just cheapened the experience really. This is most definately not the case this time around.  There are some really in depth diagrams throughout the book, the monster illustrations are fascinating and yet horrific in just the right balance, the maps are well drawn. Overall the artwork really does lend to the overall experience and the depth of the book quite well. The only real gripe I would have is that I felt they could have provided a few more illustrations of some of the items and artifacts. But that is small and inconsiquential.

Content – Yes, content. Much like peas in a casserole it’s what you really care about. Well let me put your mind at ease, content shall be had. If this was sexy then they would have brought it back even. On second thought I have no fucking clue what that analogy even means but it sounded much better in my head.  Anyway, back to the task at hand.  There is a bit for everyone in this supplement. Of course it is geared more towards DM‘s as most suplements are but I could easily see players getting a few things out of it.  I don’t want to give to many spoilers (or be sued >_<) so I will gloss over everything for the most part.

Right from the begining it is clear that Wizards does it’s best to try to nod it’s collective head towards popular zombie/undead lore and fiction when they can.  This is never more clear than in the very first chapter on Undead Lore. What they didn’t take from pre-established fiction on the subject they did a good job of creating themselves.  From the creation of undead to undead society it is all well thought out and detailed.

There are some great new additions that any DM would be a fool to ignore or not make use of. In addition to the obvious addition of more undead creatures than one could shake a pointed undead poking stick at, there were some great examples of skill challenges. Aside from the obvious use of the provided challenges it gives a look at how to layout and design a proper Skill Challenge which is something I have begun to find alot of people don’t really understand yet.  In addition to this some undead flavored (Yes, there is an undead flavor. Taste a black crayon, you will find said flavor) traps and encounter ideas were also provided.  Now while the traps were nothing to write home about, they were also nothing to sneeze at either. Also, dear god if I use another colloquialism in this review please shoot me. The adventure locations and places of interest, however, were really what caught my eye.

Not to try to ruin it for anyone but I have to say it, there was a corpse of a dead god adventure site in the book. I can’t way to toss my players into the midst of a rotting divine cadaver and have them fight their way out!  And on that same note, it will be a breeze to do. Wizards of the Coast really came through for us this time on maps, diagrams, drawings, and generalized information for the adventure sites that they provided.  Don’t get me wrong, I like to design my own dungeons just as much as the next meglomananiacle dungeon master, but sometimes it’s nice to already have the basics mapped out for you.  That is exactly what they did to.  They took care of the broad strokes and left the details up to you to paint in.

For those sitting there asking me to please shut up and tell them about Vecna, have no fear. I won’t. I will tell you though that they did provide some really good background on some of the more legendary undead creatures and unholy beings that exist.  Their “Undead Hall of Infamy” is quiet good and I already have plans on how to incorporate one or two into some adventures that I am planning.  Provided of course I can resist the urge to throw in a Head of Vecna. Honestly the only real problem I had with this supplement is it’s lack of index in the back.  I found this a slightly odd thing to not include, especially in a book that was introducing alot of new concepts and information.

Recap – All in all this was a good suplement and will be a most welcome addition to my library and arsenal.  There are alot of great things for almost any campaign in here, some nice new additions as far as adventure sites, items, and concepts even if you don’t want the whole undead thing running around in your campaign.  Is it worth buying? Well that is up to you.  If your like me and have to have every supplement and item ever released than you already bought it.  If you enjoy the undead and want to fill out the creatures and settings in your campaign or game world with more lore than most definately.  If your a player I would say this is more of a borrow than buy though.

Breakdown

• Title: Open Grave -  Secrets of the Undead
• Publisher: Wizards of the Coast
• Price: $29.95
• Pages: 223
• Chapters: 4
• Monster Types: 28
• Total Monster Entries: 204
• Legendary Monster: 7
• Monster Templates: 11
• Powers: 15
• Feats: 0
• Classes/Paths: 0
• Items: 8 (8 Legendary)
• Rituals: 7
• Adventure Sites: 9
• Skill Challenges: 6
• Traps/Obstacles/Hazards: 8

In the end it is quite enjoyable and if you do purchase it I hope this helped.  If nothing else I’m sure that your friendly neighborhood dungeon master wouldn’t mind receiving it as a present.  Feel free  to let me know what you thought of the book if you got it and share your feedback, complaints, praise, or pitchfork waiving!

So what can be done about something like this? Why, I give you the ones that I use myself of course.  And what better person to give you the yeti’s then the cranky bastard that is named after them.  Also I am going to be throwing down on a few monsters that you aren’t going to be using in a campaign but hopefully will still find yourself unexpectedly throwing at players when they deserve it.  But more on that in a later post.  For now lets get into what you probably came here for.

Normally docile creatures, Yeti’s are vicious opponents when threatened or if their territory is being encroached upon. Yeti’s are solitary creatures and rarely is one seen, let alone a gathering of them.

Tundra Yeti Level 7 Solo Brute
Medium Elemental Humanoid      XP 600
Initiative +6      Senses Perception +13; low-light vision
HP 280; Bloodied 140 (see also deafening roar)
AC 21; Fortitude 22, Reflex 21, Will 18
Resist 15 Cold

Saving Throws +5
Speed 6 (ice walk) see also mountain climber

Action Points 2

Claw (standard; at-will)
+10 vs AC; 2d6 + 5 damage

Double Attack (standard, at-will)
The Yeti makes two claw attacks against up to two adjacent targets, if both attacks hit the same target it is grabbed (until escape).

Deafening Roar (minor; recharges when first bloodied; encounter)
Close burst 1; +8 vs Fortitude; the target is dazed (save ends)

Vicious Bite (standard; at-will)
Grabbed target only; +8 vs Reflex; 2d8 + 5 damage

Mountain Climber

A Yeti ignores the effects of icy terrain and the difficult terrain related to snow  & mountains

Alignment: Neutral

Skills Stealth +16  Athletics +17
Str 19 (+7) Dex 16 (+6) Wis 14 (+5)
Con 13 (+4) Int 8 (+2) Cha 10 (+3)

Tactics: Tundra Yeti’s prefer to avoid conflict but if pushed into a fight they relentlessly attack the closest target, using Double Attack when available and Vicious Bite the following round. Upon entering combat and again when first being bloodied they immediately use Deafening Roar and then attempt to escape using the terrain to their advantage.

Tundra Yeti Lore:  Nature DC 15: Solitary creatures who are excellent hunters they prefer to avoid civilization. Though beast like they do have a keen intellect. They are nomadic in nature and typically settle into areas only as long as prey is bountiful.

Mountain Yeti’s are the cousins of the “normal” Tundra Yeti.  Living high up in the harsh wintery peaks of the tallest mountains they are the stuff of legends.  Many adventurers state that their lives have been saved by these reclusive creatures, while others recount horrible tales of entire parties being lost in the heights due to a marauding Yeti laying waste to them with cold wrathful fury.

Mountain Yeti Level 16 Elite Soldier
Large Elemental Humanoid      XP 2800
Initiative +15      Senses Perception +26; low-light vision
HP 725; Bloodied 362 (see also snarling howl)
AC 34; Fortitude 32, Reflex 30, Will 25
Resist 20 Cold

Saving Throws +5
Speed 7 (ice walk) see also mountain climber

Action Points 2

Claw (standard; at-will)
Reach 2;+23 vs AC; 3d8 + 7 damage

Double Attack (standard, at-will)
The Mountain Yeti makes two claw attacks against up to two adjacent targets

Hurl Boulder (standard; at-will)
Ranged 10/20; +23 vs AC; 3d10 + 7 damage

Winter Breath (standard; recharge 56) * Cold

Close blast 2; +19 vs Fortitude; 3d10 + 6 Cold damage and ongoing 5 Cold damage. The target is immobilized (save ends both)

Aftereffect: Target is slowed (save ends)

Snarling Howl (minor; recharge when first bloodied)
Close Burst 5; +19 vs Reflex; 1d10+5 Cold Damage and target is immobilized (save ends)

Mountain Climber

A Yeti ignores the effects of icy terrain and the difficult terrain related to snow & mountains

Alignment: Neutral

Skills Stealth +23  Athletics +25
Str 24 (+15) Dex 20 (+13) Wis 15 (+10)
Con 16 (+11) Int 10 (+8) Cha 8 (+7)

Mountain Yeti Tactics: If threatened they attempt to pelt the aggressors with loose boulders laying about the mountain side. If pressed into melee combat they try to use hit and run tactics, using the rocky and icy mountain terrain to their advantage (they receive no movement penalty for difficult terrain when crossing ice or mountain slopes). Upon entering melee combat and again when first bloodied they use their Snarling Howl. The Mountain Yeti will try to use his Winter Breath to fullest effect by trying to herd targets into a group before blasting them.

Mountain Yeti Lore: Nature DC 15: Yeti’s try to avoid conflict or being seen. They usually are only found alone as they are territorial and solitary creatures.  They live in caves in the hardest to reach section of the mountain ranges and do not attack unless their homes are threatened or their territory is being invaded.

Feel free to use these and give any feedback you might have.  Unfortunately I have not had a chance to test these against my group as they are just now getting to the proper level and for some reason they are avoiding entering both the mountains and the Elemental Chaos.  So feedback is most definitely appreciated.  Coming up in a later post I will be releasing some monsters like I said that you won’t find in a normal game but will still be fun to throw at your players.   To give you an glimpse as to what they might be I got the idea from Dungeon magazine sometime back in the 80′s or 90′s and it involves snack food.

So I ask all of you, is this a good or a bad thing? I myself am a fan of the critical miss. I am sure my players would say otherwise. They have come to fear and dread seeing that mystical “1″ appear on their dice. At this point they don’t even have to say it when they roll a one. The look of dread that quickly spreads around the table is more than enough for me to begin my evil mastermind laugh. (I’m sure all of you know the laugh) Though they have also learned that when dice go flying out from behind the DM screen that it means one of the bugbears they are currently facing just critically missed and shot the dragon in the face or something else quite catastrophic.