Keserin Mine by Jonathan Davidson is a role playing game supplement published by Columbia Games Inc. for use with Hârn and HârnMaster.
The supplement is available as an 18-page PDF from DriveThruRPG for $19.99 but was purchased at a reduced price thanks to a special offer.
The opening paragraphs explain where Keserin is located in Rethem and that it’s operated by the Order of the Red Shadows of Herpa. It gives an overview of the minerals produced, the numbers of people involved and things that might be heard by visitors. A sidebar explains that the mine is technically owned by King Chafin of Rethem but is farmed out to the Red Shadows for a monthly fee and that the Order governs it its own way.
Mines of the Order gives details on the various mines operated by the order, including their production and forces stationed at them, some from the Red Shadows, some from the Cohorts of Gashang. Keserin is mentioned here but covered in more detail in the rest of the supplement, and there’s a map of the local area showing where the mines are.
Following this is a map of the Keserin mine map complex itself, covering the important locations.
Guarding the Mine has covers the numbers stationed there and the three most important Red Shadows. A sidebar has the ranks of the Red Shadows, how they are selected for service at the mine – they are primarily less able members – how guard duty is done and the arms and armour of the forces.
Working the Mine covers how the minerals are extracted.
Metal Production covers the monthly output of the mine, the fraud that is currently being perpetrated by those running it as they came across some silver and are keeping this secret so it isn’t taxed, how the silver is smuggled and how production is managed. A sidebar covers the master miner running the mine and how he is in on the fraud.
The Miners covers the most important craftsfolk after the master miner and a sidebar covers the slaves who do the physical work.
The Settlement starts with an overview of it, the polluted local environment, law and order, reaction to strangers and restrictions on movement, thanks to the ongoing fraud. A sidebar covers the local economics. Following this is a map of the settlement and details on the various locations. Places that sell goods are services are rated for size, quality and prices.
The Mine Compound covers the various locations in this sub-area of the settlement along with its map.
Adventure Hooks has three different adventure hooks related to the mine.
Next is a page with an excerpt from Atlas Hârnica Map E6, showing the mine’s location, a map of Hârn, again with the mine’s location marked, and a list of related products.
The final page is an unmarked map of the mine area.
Keserin Mine in Review
The PDF lacks bookmarks and is long enough with enough different sections that these would have been useful. Navigation could be better. The text is either single column with sidebar or two column and appeared to be free of errors. As well as the various maps, there are some colour and black and white illustrations. Presentation is good.
Like many of these supplements, it lacks HârnMaster stats and can therefore be used with other systems. It also covers a small, fairly self-contained, area and settlement, making it comparatively easy to drop into other settings too. Some changes would need to be made, in regards to the kingdom and the Order, but it should be usable with other settings and other oppressive kingdoms and brutal orders, though at full price this is an expensive supplement. Keserin Mine can be found by clicking here.
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