A Review of the Role Playing Game Supplement Aigyptos: A Gazetteer for 5th Edition

Aigyptos: A Gazetteer for 5th Edition by Michael O. Varhola is a role playing game supplement published by Skirmisher Publishing for use with Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition. As such, it is covered by the Open Game License and some parts are considered to be Open Game Content as a result.

This is a 46 page PDF that is available from RPGNow for $5.99 but was purchased for only $0.01 as part of a special bundle. Two pages are the front and rear covers, one page is blank, two pages are the front matter, one page is the Contents, one page is the Open Game License and one page is an ad for other supplements.

The Introduction explains that the supplement can be used to create a backdrop for Egyptian-style adventures that lack a setting, or to create an Egyptian setting. It also explains that the supplement is compatible with the Swords of Kos Fantasy Setting (which is based at the eastern end of the Mediterranean) – although Swords of Kos is a system-neutral setting and this isn’t.

Next is an old, genuine, full page map of Egypt.

One page is entitled Aigyptos and gives some brief details on the country. The other names it is known by, its symbol, government, religion, geography, major communities and economy.

The next page gives even briefer overviews of neighbouring Nubia and Æthiopia (Ethiopia) – the latter was, at this point, one of the most powerful nations in the region.

Encounters has a d20 encounter chart, which goes from <0 to 25+. A d20 is rolled, then the roll modified up or down depending on the location and whether or not it is dark. These encounters – there are 26 – are then detailed. Some refer to standard 5E monsters whilst others to monsters included in this supplement.

Next are the New Monsters themselves. These are creatures, humans and humanoids (which includes a type of dwarf), that are associated with Egypt, 21 in total.

Appendix A: Background – Aigyptian has an Aigyptian background for 5th Edition characters.

Appendix B: Environmental Hazards has four hazards for the random encounter table. Three are described here; one is from the 5th Edition rules.

Aigyptos: A Gazetteer for 5th Edition in Review

The PDF is well bookmarked, with major and minor sections linked, although at least one of these pointed to the wrong location. The Contents is to a sometimes greater depth and is also hyperlinked. Navigation is very good.

The text maintains a two column format and appeared to be free of errors. There are a number of mostly colour illustrations, up to full page in size. These appeared to be a combination of custom and stock public domain images. These sometimes had a jarring difference in styles. Presentation is okay.

This does not truly feel like a gazetteer. There are no places covered in detail, as might be expected in a gazetteer, and the descriptions of Egypt, Nubia and Æthiopia only really take up two pages between them. Anyone who expects the supplement to detail the points of interest in Egypt is going to be disappointed.

Instead, what this really resembles is a toolkit for adding Egyptian-ness to a country, with appropriate creatures, encounters and a background. As a toolkit, it does an adequate, but not exceptional job. As a gazetteer, it pretty much fails. Aigyptos: A Gazetteer for 5th Edition is an okay supplement and it can be found by clicking here.