Hyen Keep by N. Robin Crossby is a role playing game supplement published by Columbia Games Inc. for use with Hârn and HârnMaster.
The supplement is available as a ten-page PDF from DriveThruRPG for $3.99 but was purchased at a reduced price thanks to a special offer. One page is an ad.
It starts by giving the location, holder of the fief, liege and population.
History explains that Hyen was originally built by the Corani Empire and went over budget due to what appears to be corruption. It eventually become part of the Rethemi royal domain and was granted, along with Menekod, Dunir and Selvos, to the Agrikan Order of the Copper Hook. Hostilities with the Kingdom of Kanday resulted in the order losing most of their land. It is primarily used in raids into Kanday, mostly against the Order of the Checkered Shield, but the Order is careful to avoid the conflict expanding and it seems that the young men on both sides are enjoying the fighting. The taxes are also given.
This is followed by a full-page labelled colour map of Hyen and the surrounding area. After this are descriptions of various points of interest, including businesses.
The castle itself is mapped across four pages, and some details are given on the different locations in it, though not in any great detail.
The Copper Hook gives some information on the Agrikan fighting order, which is sponsored by the Order of the Fuming Gate, with its knights and common-born soldiers.
Feudal Structure is how Hyen’s 13 manors are administered.
The final page of content is an unlabelled players’ map of the region.
Hyen Keep in Review
The PDF lacks bookmarks and, given the amount of content, can get away without them. Navigation is adequate. The text maintains a two-column format and appeared to be free of errors. As well as the colour maps, there are some colour and black and white illustrations. Presentation is okay.
This is one of a number of supplements that describe comparatively small locations and which could without too much difficulty be dropped into other settings. There aren’t any HârnMaster stats either, so it can easily be used with other systems. This particular supplement is not as detailed as some, but it’s still useful. Hyen Keep can be found by clicking here.
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