This is a collection of small places where adventures can take place. Each location is described in one page and includes a little addition to the d20 system rules. A map of each location fills the next page. The maps can be enlarged by a certain percentage to serve as battle mats.
Here are some of the fourteen locations found in this book:
The city dungeon describes the prisons where characters may end up if they break the law.
The toll bridge is a strong place that defends a river.
At the public baths one can take a steam bath, partake in some intrigue or get a massage.
The athenaeum is a library where you can research some long forgotten lore and stumble upon secrets better left undiscovered.
The other places are a bazaar, a ship, a wharf, stables, a smithy, a temple, a caravanserai, a tavern, an alleyway and a merchant's district.
Each description is entertaining, very evocative and will inspire some role playing events. The new rules add interesting elements to the locations. We find rules on how to use seashore trash as weapons, rules detailing how to hold your own on a boat during a storm with waves crashing on the deck, a list of DCs for performance checks at the tavern when someone tries to impress the crowds, some new traps and magic items and more. The maps look very good and are well detailed.
This can be a useful tool for DMs who need to improvise something quickly or want to save some time preparing for the game and still offer her players a realistic environment. Enlarging the maps by the appropriate factor and putting them on the gaming table for miniature use is definitely going to add to the game, if one is willing to spend some time at the photocopier.
