Apocalypse Prevention Inc. has had a release pattern since
the core rules came out, alternating between Demon Codices and Regional
Sourcebooks. We have previously taken a look at Canada
and Europe…now we travel to South America !
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW: The print book is $20 in black and
white and the PDF is $10, with the book coming in around 96 pages. As with
previous API Worldwide books, this is designed to cover a region of the world…in
this case, South America .
The chapter South America Briefly details some of the
challenges the API faces when operating in South America, such as the lack of
cell reception, the vast stretches of uncivilized territory and the constant
run-ins with organized crime (namely the drug trade, though API tends to avoid
them unless the drugs are supernatural in nature). A number of sidebars are
included, such as one that details a number of herbs found in The Amazon,
complete with their mechanical effects on those using them.
History Lessons covers the past and the present of the API
in South America . For instance, the South America division takes in less savory agents due to
the limited talent pool, and a lot of problems just never get addressed due to
the lack of resources. The leader of the South America API branch is a small
woman who can “influence” those she speaks to, which helps her more than a bit.
Chaos vs Chaos details some of the threats the API must deal
with, beginning with The Council Most High, an organization of demons who are
in a bit of a cold war with API. Another threat is a rogue agent and her
organization, the Interdimensional Publicity Agency (IPA), which is trying to
expose the supernatural world in direct opposition to API. The Children of God are
a group of vampires who are breeding their own psychotic army to take out API
and rule the world. The Manchakuy are descendants of the Incans who are hunting
the Spanish in South America in revenge for
encroachments by the Spanish Conquistadors. The Shadow Trade is dealing out
weapons and information to anyone with the money, being both a resource and
detriment to API. There’s even a group of human hunters called Skinners that
have become aware of the supernatural and hunting demons in the street.
Secrets of the Amazon provides mechanical crunch, such as
the effects of heavy rain and mudslides, as well as hyperthermia. The Path of
the Mark is introduced, providing animal-based tattoo magic, like Mark of the
Monkey which can grant the user a monkey-like screech or Mark of the Serpent
which can provide a python-like grip. The Path of Wealth covers both aesthetic
bits like looking wealthy, as well as a creepy power called Dirty Money that
borders on reality warping as it can force people to remember committing crimes
that they did not! New weapons (like automatic shotguns and grenade launchers)
are included, as are new toys and cybernetics. New antagonists range from
anacondas and jaguars to the frightening Cherufe – a demon made of molten rock.
Four new demons are provided: Gyks (Geeks) are tech-demons.
Mohans look kinda like monkeys, but they can transform into serpents and
jaguars as well. Thirsts are parasitic starfish that latch onto dead human
bodies and reanimate them. Tox are a blind species with venomous skin.
Two adventures are included, the first being a clash with
the IPA and a scary demon that controls shadows, while the second ends in a
horrifying decision that can alter the world.
WHAT WORKS: This API Worldwide book does a great job
conveying the different “feel” that it has over a US-based game, doing an even
better job of illustrating that then Europe or Canada
did, and feeling more “complete” than the Europe
book. The lack of metaplot means that you don’t have to worry about your group’s
decision at the end of the second adventure being overruled by anyone.
WHAT DOESN'T WORK: None of the four new demon species really
jumped out at me the way previous Worldwide demon entries did.
CONCLUSION: If you’re not setting a game in South America,
even as a temporary detour, I’m not sure there’s going to be enough here to
make you NEED this book. That said, if you want a completely different, almost
desperate, feel to your API campaign, South America
is just what you’re wanting: The API South America branch is outgunned,
overpowered and trying to figure out how to make it all balance. Strong
recommendation if you like API and want a change of scenery. If you’re just
wanting something to boost your existing game, this probably won’t do the job
for you.
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