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Alchemical Archetypes; Created & Creators is a certified DM's Guild Masterpiece by the Going Last Tabletop Gaming Podcast!
The author of this book, Jeremy Forbing, makes incredible things. His player options are easily some of the best on DMs Guild, which meant that any of his books are an easy pickup for me. Even knowing I was going to immediately buy Alchemical Archetypes, this wonderful book quickly caught my attention for its thematic fixation on the dark realm of Alchemy. Some authors might think "cool, I'll just make an alchemist!" Forbing has taken a much more all-encompassing road on his path to create a definitive guide.
First, two different alchemical races are presented, the half-golem and the warforged. The tortured half-golem, product of an magical experiment, has had some portion of their humanoid body converted into a terrifying construction. The powerful warforged, living constructs built for a mysterious purpose, search for meaning in their own creation. Both are well designed, with abilities that seem truly inspired by their unique status. Plus, each has plenty of sub-races to make sure players have plenty of choices when making their construction!
Of course, it's the class archetypes that I love best from this book. The gruesome Barbarian Juggernaut takes on a twisted form as it enters a transforming rage. The Druids of the Solstice meld alchemy with their natural Wild Shaping ability to change parts of their bodies for any potential situation. Sorcerers gain two new origins, either by being infused with an Alchemical birth, or by being reborn in a Reanimated form. Warlocks gain a connection to The Eternal Engine of Modronic fame, and Wizards find new ways to tap into their own Vitalistic lifeforce. Each of these are great thematic options that add hints of the macabre arcane to any campaign! Finally, new spells and monsters make sure that alchemy won't only be limited to the heroes of any game.
Alchemical Archetypes is an excellent foundation for anyone who wants to bring a darker style of play into their D&D campaign. The archetypes themselves are fascinating, but so are the great racial and magical options that Forbing has brought to life! (Yes, that was a Frankenstein reference.)
You can hear more of my thoughts about Alchemical Archetypes on Episode 195 of Going Last!
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