A Review of the Role Playing Game Supplement Lorkin Castle

Lorkin Castle by Edwin King, Richard Porter, Brent Bailey and Rob Barnes is a role playing game supplement published by Columbia Games Inc. for use with Hârn.

The supplement is available as a 14-page PDF from DriveThruRPG for $11.99 but was purchased at a reduced price thanks to a special discount.

The opening paragraph explains is the largest settlement in the Anoth Delta in the Kingdom of Orbaal and a centre of the maritime trade. The Ivinian overlords treat the Jarin peasantry and it was the only castle to fall during the rebellion and is a likely flashpoint.

History starts with the founding of Jerian the settlement by the Jarin and later the Ivinian raiders attacked the coast, with Lorkin falling and most of the ruler’s kin perishing. A band of Jarin patriots later rebelled and took the castle, killing most of the ruling clan. The leader was a capable ruler, but the nearby keeps all remained under Ivinian control, and the mysterious death by decapitation of the leader led to the castle falling again. A sidebar has the coat of arms, location, holder, liege, population and subordinates to the ruler.

Current Situation explains that the current lord, Taarbri Geldestaar, wavers in his allegiance to the king and would not hesitate to take the throne. One of his two subordinate clans has shown unwavering support; tensions are high with the other. There are conflicts with other clans, including the former rulers, and many members of the clan have been found dead by decapitation over the years. A sidebar gives details on Taarbri Geldestaar and on the Specter of Lorkin, believed to be the Jarin ruler killing people the same way he died.

Government explains that this is heavy and oppressive.

Economics explains this is based on the maritime trade, including importation of luxury goods as well as exporting lead and fish.

Religion explains that the climate is intolerant; most Ivinians worship Sarajin and other faiths are actively discouraged. A sidebar gives details on the military forces and taxes.

Following this is a full-page colour GM’s map of the area. This is followed by descriptions of various points of interest, including businesses.

Next, Caer Lorkin covers the castle itself in detail, together with maps.

Anoth Delta gives some details on the delta, with a sidebar covering marsh diseases and a local pirate.

Next is a page with an excerpt from Atlas Hârnica Maps J2 and J3, showing Lorkin’s location, a map of Hârn, again with Lorkin’s location marked, and a list of related products.

After this is a player map, which is like the GM’s map but not labelled.

Finally, Faenghease Rock is detailed, with a map, as well as details on Eochaid of Olthair, whose death sparked the revolt, and several adventure hooks.

Lorkin Castle in Review

The PDF lacks bookmarks and, although comparatively short, has 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 also a few colour and black and white illustrations. Presentation is decent.

The supplement lacks any HârnMaster stats, and can therefore be used with other systems. This gives an overview of a settlement that could, with a few minor changes, be dropped into other settings. Even the largest places on Hârn tend to be small, and this isn’t a large place, so dropping it into a location shouldn’t be difficult. Lorkin Castle is a decent little supplement, though expensive at full price, and it can be found by clicking here.