recommend some pdf's!!

[jeff37923]

I'll suggest this one, even though it is not within the parameters that you are looking for, because it has enhanced my own games.

Portable Hole Full of Beer is a free pdf (Hey, can't beat the price) that is DnD comedy material that was written to be integrated into a game and be useful as well as funny. You can download it from www.rpgnow.com under the free stuff section.

 

[DMH]

I forgot to add Genjitsu's Shaping the Self. It is based upon the idea of leveled templates- everything from half-fiend to racial levels for the core races.

 

[HalWhitewyrm]

For a low-magic campaign, especially one in which healing magic doesn't grow on trees, I would suggest Liber Sodalitas: The Blind Path. The organization is very generic and can be easily adapted to any setting, and the Unsighted prestige class offers a great alternative to characters who end up blind (or alternatively, an intriguing NPC or a memorable opponent).

We also just released Bardic Lore: The Fachan, introducing a new creature from Celtic myth which fits great in low-magic campaigns.

As for recommendations from other publishers, Ronin Arts "A Dozen..." series is your best bet for inexpensive bits to draw inspiration or throw a curveball at your PCs.

 

[Kaji]

I'm in agreement with those who've mentioned Malhavoc Press (Monte Cook). It's canon law around these parts.
In particular, I've gotten enormous use of of Beyond Countless Doorways. Lots of different ideas to fit whatever feel you are trying to acheive.

Also maybe not in your scope, but I have to pimp Bottled Imp Games Lords of the Night: Vampies. Great Stuff!! Great art, too. I understand Lords of the Night: Liches is coming out in PDF soon, and I can't wait to grab it.

I've also been very please with many Ronin Arts pdf's (I must have over a dozen) but a DM's Guide to Demiplanes was a VERY pleasant surprise. I would not be suprised if I end up using everything from it at some point, I hope that there is more to come.

For plants and herbs, honestly, I don't believe anyone has a seriously interesting book on it at all, or at least not one that's workable and fixes the problem with alchemy (different discussion).

I've also purchased pdf version from www.drivethrurpg.com of Tome of Horrors and Tome of Horrors II, both of which have been very useful. Both are from Necromancer Games.

And one more mention for Blue Devil Games and Poisoncraft: The Dark Art. Very cool, gives poison a, as advertised, compete treatment.

 

[woodelf]

The Book of Distinctions and Drawbacks. A wonderful flaws system for D20 System, particularly tailored for D&D3E. Also adds some more advantages that are more social/material than feats generally are, and a few other tidbits. It really is awesome, and, so far, very well balanced. And all OGC. Really, for any system as crunchy as D20 System, it needs to have a (dis)ad system, IMHO. And this one is it--i've looked at a couple of others, and i think this one is the best.

101 Mundane Treasures, 101 Arcane Spell Components, and, really, most of the Phil Reed PDFs, are really excellent. I'm just pulling these two out as particularly cool, IMHO.

I'll have to dig in my folder a bit--i know i've got some other really great ones that i'm forgetting about right now, and i'm in the transition between computers so finding stuff right now is a bit of a pain.

 

[philreed]

101 Mundane Treasures, 101 Arcane Spell Components, and, really, most of the Phil Reed PDFs, are really excellent. I'm just pulling these two out as particularly cool, IMHO.

Thank you. We're working pretty hard to keep the products coming (and to keep them interesting).

 

[Man-thing]

Short adventures/ideas/maps: Products with short adventure hooks, especially ones with cool maps and unique locations.

I'm not sure if Philip and Michael wrote one because of your post or if it was in a the works for while but Ronin Arts just released:

Adventure Locations: Ice Tomb of the Dwarf Lord
http://www.rpgnow.com/product_info.php?products_id=3758&

It seems to meet your criteria precisely.

 

[DungeonmasterCal]

Ronin Arts makes GREAT .pdf supplements. The "Dozens" supplements are the best for quick ideas.

 

[der_kluge]

Would have to add my vote for Book of Templates: Deluxe edition. There's a good reason why I gave it a 5/5 review on here (only 1 of 2 reviews I have done). It's a great product, but it's usability in a low-magic setting might be questionable. Kind of depends on whether you use fantastical monsters or not. Some of the templates are just really, really cool.

Elements of Magic: Revised. I admit I haven't read this one yet, but I like what I've read thus far. It's a point-based magic system which you can tweak. Cool stuff,

Another vote for Magical Medieval Society: Western Europe. This one is really detailed, but really fascinating. It's like Medieval England/Europe 101, or Medieval History for Dummies. But, it's written for gamers, so it talks about the serfs, and peasants, and what a burghermeister is (there are a ton of words I wasn't familiar with), but then describes what happens when magic is applied. It's great if you're looking to add some historical realism into your game.

I have the limited edition print-run of the Phil Reed .pdfs. Signed by Mr. Reed himself. I honestly don't even know which products it includes, but it's great stuff. I think a dozen spellbooks, mundane treasures, and some other stuff. Perhaps Phil can elucidate me on which products that product contains. Because I would heartily recommend any and all of them.

 

[Kaji]

Just wanted to mention that based on the comments here I picked up Complete Minions from Bastion Press and Book of Template: Deluxe Edition from Silverthorn Games. I now know why everyone recommended it, there are both great, and the color art in Minions in particular was a pleasant surprise. Also grabbed Possessors from Ronin Arts, although I've yet to go through the whole thing. First glance was encouraging, I might use them to populate one the Demiplanes from A DM's Guide to Demiplanes, wouldn't that be fun! Maybe I could throw them on the Astral Ship...?