A Review of the Role Playing Game Supplement Dungeon Backdrop: Martryn Manor (P1)

Dungeon Backdrop: Martryn Manor (P1) by Bart Wynants is a role playing game supplement published by Raging Swan Press for use with the Pathfinder Roleplaying Game. As such, it is covered by the Open Game License and some parts are considered to be Open Game Content as a result.

The supplement is available as a 17-page PDF from DriveThruRPG for $3.75 but was purchased at a reduced price in a special bundle. Two pages are the front and rear covers, two are ads, three the front matter and Contents and one the Open Game License. The PDF comes in two versions, one optimised for print and high-end devices and the other for low end devices and mobile.

Using a Dungeon Backdrop is a standard piece explaining how to use this, that the backdrop is intended for use with the Duchy of Ashlar but can be modified to fit elsewhere, that location descriptions only cover the basics and that treasure is only minor and level appropriate treasure needs adding.

Dungeon Background gives some details on Rahvu Rantanen, the owner of Martyn Manor and a dangerous criminal who was exiled from the local thieves’ guild and now marries, then kills, wealthy widows and blackmails others.

The Adventure Begins has three different hooks for getting the characters involved.

Whispers & Rumours has six that could be gathered about the manor.

The Surrounding Locality gives details on the local area, ten pieces of dressing and ten things to find. A sidebar looks at using the manor as a place to stealthily infiltrate, not attack. There is a suspicion meter to check off as the characters draw attention to themselves.

Notable Locations at a Glance gives an overview of the important places.

Generic Manor Features covers the general appearance of it, followed by ten pieces of dressing and ten things to find. Following this is a full-page map of the manor.

The manor itself is then covered, starting with some things to generate features for less important areas, followed by the specific locations. Each page is two columns, one with the details, one with some GM notes but otherwise mostly blank that the GM could add to.

Aftermath has resolutions for each of the three possible adventure hooks and some suggestions for further adventures. A sidebar explains that this, along with Dungeon Backdrop: Aninas Family Crypt and Dungeon Backdrop: Undercity Chapel, has been designed to link together with Sacred Blood to form a mini-campaign.

Dungeon Backdrop: Martryn Manor (P1) in Review

The PDF is bookmarked with major and minor sections linked. The Contents is to a similar level of depth and is hyperlinked. The text maintains a two-column format and appears to be free of errors. As well as the map, there are some stock black and white illustrations. Presentation is okay.

As mentioned, this supplement should be easy enough to drop into other settings with some minor changes. It, like others in the line, is not exactly a location, not exactly an adventure, but a bit of both; it’s an adventure location that needs some development to use properly, rather than something that can be used straight out of the box. It is a decently detailed location, though some parts of the location will also need fleshing out more. Overall, this is something that has a variety of potential uses, depending on how the GM decides to use it. Dungeon Backdrop: Martryn Manor (P1) can be found by clicking here.