If you're keen to make deals with a supernatural patron in exchange for magic, then you need to probably know about Angel, Daemons, and Beings Between, and it's second volume: Elfland Edition. If you know the quality of them, you can expect the same and more in volume 3! It's currently funding on Kickstarter and needs a little more of a push to cross the finish line. I spent a little time talking with the main writer, David Fisher. Check out the interview to find out more! I was excited to get some extra details on the adventure Terror in the Temple of Tri-God, which is also apart of the crowdfunding campaign!

What patron did you find most challenging to write, or perhaps it was the most satisfying to finally "get right"?

For me, it was definitely Pazuzu. He’s always been the most intriguing demon from AD&D Monster Manual II, in my opinion. There was something irresistible about that tiny chance he might appear if you rolled just right after calling his name over and over, Candyman style.

I didn’t want to present him merely as the demon prince of evil flying creatures; I wanted to explore his deeper origins while tipping my hat to the 1973 film The Exorcist, where Pazuzu possesses Linda Blair’s character, Regan. So, while his followers do gain summoning spells, I also included powers of possession and unnatural contortion to reflect the effects seen in the movie.

The introduction delves into Pazuzu’s mythology, including his ties to other familiar demonic entities, and establishes his reasons for taking on mortal followers as a patron. In this way, I’ve tried to capture both the game legend and the cinematic incarnation, blending them into something new yet familiar.

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I've found that patrons of Law seem to be underserved. Though the past AD&BB volumes are honestly the best resources for adding those to your campaign. What's the spread of Chaos vs Neutral vs Law in this volume?

This volume is titled Macabre Minds, so there is a slight imbalance toward darker patrons. Paul Wolfe and I have generally avoided explicitly stating alignment in this collection. Of the fifteen patrons and four demi-patrons, I would suggest that eight patrons and two demi-patrons lean toward chaos, five patrons and one demi-patron toward law, and the remaining two patrons and one demi-patron are neutral.

This reflects the consequences of removing good and evil from the alignment system. A lawful individual could still be a completely diabolical tyrant. To put that in context, it is conceivable for a healer to take the Silicates as a beneficial patron. The Silicates, a demi-patron entity, offer powerful healing abilities to their followers, but they also demand great sacrifices over time. This is the price for the possibility of immortality.

The moral dilemma is clear. Would a character sacrifice lives in order to live forever, intending to use that extended life to do good for others?

Tell us a little more about Terror in the Temple of the Tri-God! What's a favorite moment from your playtests?

I think I was subconsciously channeling the novella Who Goes There? by John W. Campbell, the story that inspired John Carpenter’s The Thing. In this adventure, the PCs find themselves trapped in a priory monastery by a giant, voracious snow beast. They are offered shelter by an order of silent judges who are unknowingly harboring a dark secret that could be unleashed upon both the party and the world.

Without giving too much away, I recall one playtest where two of the players were my daughter and her boyfriend. During the game, events took a turn that ended with my daughter’s cleric beating her boyfriend’s thief to death. In that session, he was the only casualty, and it was entirely at the hands of their party’s cleric.

My friend and editor, Bert Isla, also ran a playtest, which I had the pleasure of listening to. His players managed a series of miraculous dice rolls, leading to a stunning anti-climax that they earned through clever spellcasting.

I've got to ask about the spells. With so many patrons, that's a ton of fresh magic to craft. Care to share about a favorite spell or two?

There are over forty new spells, and each one includes everything a judge and spellcaster needs to bring it into their game. I do have a few favorites. From Paul’s patron Amarais, the patron librarian of the Eternal Library, there is a spell called The Eternal Archive. This allows the caster to begin building their own library, but not an ordinary one. This library can rise up on four legs and become a moving fort.

I have a patron based on the Mesopotamian mythological guardian Humbaba, who is a kind of nature giant and is featured on the cover. In the stories of Gilgamesh, Humbaba possesses seven powers known as the Terrors. The third level spell for those who follow Humbaba is Seven Terrors of Humbaba, which unleashes escalating auras of destruction. That one is probably my personal favourite.

Thanks for taking the time! Anything else that you'd like folks to know about?

A huge thank you to everyone who has backed us so far. Paul and I have been working on this book for quite some time, and I noticed one of my illustrations is marked 2023. There has been a great deal of love and effort put into this project. Thank you for the opportunity to talk about our Kickstarter here.

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