Today we are pleased to present a review of Journey of the Godslayer, a compendium of The Eren Chronicles for D&D 5E. We thank the author, Nicos Ostas, who gave us the opportunity to read his excellent work. If you want to buy it, you can find it at DMsGuild for the discounted price of $16.96. Just over 14 euros for a 96-page pdf which was the most popular product on the site last May!
With the help of Angelos Kyprianos, Nikolas Totief and George Sfendourakis, Ostas gives us a little gem. Graphically, the layout is in perfect synch with the modules for D&D 5E. This means no problem in orienting for lovers of the most classic of role-playing games.
How to Slay a God
Journey of the Godslayer is a compendium that addresses exactly the subject that promises the title: deicide. The longtime players, or the most hardened ones, will remember in some previous editions of D&D killing a deity wasn’t such an unthinkable undertaking. Some might also recall a series of novels set in the Forgotten Realms that addressed the subject. Journey of the Godslayer offers an updated and consistent path to this goal. It proposes not so much the direct confrontation with the divinity, but a series of progressive objectives aimed at making it accessible. A work with a clear idea, well thought out and well done.
Journey of the Godslayer: an Impeccable Volume
Let’s start with a volume analysis. As anticipated, the layout is clean and professional, and in compliance with the design standards of the works of D&D 5th edition, making consultation practical and orderly. From this point of view, the strongest feature of Journey of the Godslayer is the illustrations. This is artwork of the highest level, that would not look out of place in an official product from Wizards of the Coast. The work of twenty-five different artists gives variety to the volume, without ever making the tables lose that sense of a common thread that even a quick glance through the pages can give. Browsing Journey of the Godslayer, in fact, made me regret I couldn’t have a physical copy at that moment.
Deicide for Dummies
But Journey of the Godslayer isn’t just a nice volume, with ho-hum content. On the contrary, it offers interesting material, full of ideas both for the creation of a long-lasting campaign from scratch, and for the inclusion of some new elements in a game already well underway. Ideas are surprising in their coherence and organization, especially considering how excessively the topic may seem to be treated.
At the base of the “dirty work of the deicide” is the destruction of the Seven Sacred Seals, which grant a deity the power that makes it essentially unbeatable. Each Seal is an abstraction of a different aspect of divine power. From the Seal of Justice, the first step of a vow that will bind the PCs, to that of the Power that erodes the basis of divine power, its cult, passing without a predefined order into the seals of Omniscience, Ascension and Secrets; which allow you to hide from the sight of the divinity, find a way to be able to hurt it and discover its weak points. Finally, the Seal of the Arcanum and that of Eternity allow you to reach it and, finally, to face it.
Journey of the Godslayer: Players’ Tools
After presenting the path to the deicide, Journey of the Godslayer presents a number of options for players. The starting point are twelve different Divine Domains. Starting from these a player develops a system of offerings and blessings on the one hand, and of sacrileges and punishments on the other. The game is thus enriched with options not directly related to the progression of the characters. These can be managed with a practical Influence Point system. On the other hand, this mechanic doesn’t necessarily need to be implemented, as it also allows for a more narrative use of the rewards for each act pleasing to the gods or scorned by them.
There are also seventeen Theurgies, 10th level spells designed to interact with the divine mono, and twelve different subclasses, as well, one for each class (including the Maker) combined with a different domain. What was most striking were the combinations. Never predictable, they offer unique and original evolutions for the characters. More conventional choices would not have disappointed at all, but this surprising little gamble was a significant added value.
Dungeon Masters’ Tools
Journey of the Godslayer also offers a variety of tools for Dungeon Masters. In addition to the Influence Point system, you can choose from a variety of divine artifacts. The Archtemples presented, alone, could hold the main strand of an entire chronicle. Finally, the small bestiary of divine avatars, which can be used for the statistics of the coveted final battle with the divinity.
Also in this case, the number 12 is recurrent. Each element presented in the manual compendium is in fact declined for twelve divine Domains.
Conclusions about the Journey of the Godslayer Review
Ultimately, I highly recommended Journey of the Godslayer. A volume full of well-designed and presented material, it is versatile, suitable both to inspire long reports and to manage more content tie-ins. Making a titanic enterprise such as deicide playable consistently was no easy feat, but Ostas has done it commendably.
So if you want to give your players a unique adventure, which rigorously redefines the concept of epic progressions, do not hesitate to give this volume that absolutely must not be missing from your digital library a chance.