Pathfinder Tales: "Firesoul" [RPG]

 NO SPOILERS

Firesoul is a excellent Pathfinder Tales novel.  Set in the Mwangi Expanse, it features a young fire shaman named Jiri.  The author, Gary Kloster, shows a deep knowledge of the setting and a skill in depicting it.  Jiri is a well-written character, responding to tragedy in a believable way, while a variety of supporting characters come alive as well.  It's a strong, original tale, and a deeply satisfying one.  Definitely worth reading!  I'd also suggest that, prior to reading the novel, read the free short story that serves as a prequel, The Gem.

SPOILERS

In a sad but gripping opening, Jiri returns to her village of Thirty Trees to find it burned to the ground, and her master, Oza, dying.  It seems that a nearby sacred site named The Pyre has been opened, and something has been set free!  Jiri heads to the nearest city, Kibwe, for help, and finds herself assigned a group of northerners.  (I particularly loved Morvius--he reminds me of a bisexual Valeros.)  The cultural divide between the northerners and the tribal customs of Jiri are depicted well.  A band of treasure hunters from the Aspis Consortium are antagonists, and I particularly liked the insight into what the appeal of the rival organisation to the Pathfinder Society would be.  The hunt for the destructive creature set free from The Pyre is suitably nerve-wracking, and at no point was I bored or knew what was going to happen next.  All in all, an excellent contribution to the line, especially for anyone interested in the Mwangi Expanse.