A Review of the Role Playing Game Supplement Monstrous Lair #95: Hippogriffs’ Nest

Monstrous Lair #95: Hippogriffs’ Nest by Robert Manson is a role playing game supplement published by Raging Swan Press. The supplement is stated to be system neutral, but also compatible with any version of Dungeons & Dragons, and is therefore covered by the Open Game License with some parts considered to be Open Game Content as a result.

The supplement is available as an 8-page PDF for $1.65 from DriveThruRPG but was purchased at a reduced price thanks to a special offer. The supplement comes in two versions, a plaintext file and a PDF. Two pages of the PDF are the front and rear covers, two pages are ads, about half a page the front matter and Contents and one page the Open Game License.

Using this Monstrous Lair is a standard piece of text for the series and explains what the tables are and that the supplement makes two assumptions; the GM has a map of the lair and stats for monsters and details of any treasure.

The opening paragraph has some brief details on hippogriffs, which look like a cross between an eagle and a horse. The d10 tables follow.

1: Outside the Lair describes the general appearance around the lair.

2: What’s Going On? is primarily what any hippogriffs might be doing; one result has the lair abandoned and another dead, which kind of defeats the object of the supplement.

3: Major Lair Features has major features, most of which are where the nest might be built, and some of these can contradict table 1.

4: Minor Lair Features are the more minor features of the lair.

5: Hippogriff’s Appearance has distinctive features.

6: Treasure is valuable items, though values are not given.

7: Trinkets & Trash is just trash.

Monstrous Lair #95: Hippogriffs’ Nest in Review

The PDF is bookmarked with major and minor sections linked. The Contents are to a similar level of depth and is hyperlinked. The text maintains a two-column format and appeared to be free of errors. There is a single piece of black and white stock art. Presentation is okay.

Thematically, this is one of the more consistent entries in the series, though the mentioned issues with tables 1 and 3 do reduce its value a bit. Fortunately, not a huge amount, but noticeable. Monstrous Lair #95: Hippogriffs’ Nest can be found by clicking here.