Sacred Blood (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 PDF from DriveThruRPG for $7.45, as a softcover print on demand book for $11.45 or as both PDF and softcover for $13.40. The PDF is the version reviewed although it was purchased at a reduced price in a special bundle. It has 49 pages and two pages are the front and rear covers, two are ads, two the front matter, one the 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.
The Foreword explains that this second Storyline is set in the Ashlar setting, specifically the City of Languard. There is also some standard material on using a dungeon backdrop, which explains the GM will need to add such as treasure and monsters.
Using a Storyline explains that this is a self-contained mini-campaign tying together several products and four “A”s must be determined. There is also a synopsis.
The four “A”s are antagonist, with one from each of the three Dungeon Backdrops, agenda, three possible motivations, agents, three different kinds of possible minions, and assets, the special item, power or advantage possessed. One of three possible heirs must also be chosen and there are guidelines for running the storyline. There are four suggested encounters to be run; the first two between any two adventures and the last two after specific adventures. Finally, there are some details on wrapping things up.
The City of Languard gives an overview of Languard, including a map of the city and the setting, its stat block, lore, brief details on the different parts of the city, the inhabitants, daily life, trade and industry, law and order and festivals and traditions. There is then a brief overview of various locations of interest.
The remainder of the supplement is the three adventures in the storyline, Dungeon Backdrop: Aninas Family Crypt, Dungeon Backdrop: Undercity Chapel and Dungeon Backdrop: Martryn Manor.
Sacred Blood (P1) in Review
The PDF is bookmarked with major and minor sections linked and only sidebars missing. 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 maps, there are some stock black and white illustrations. Presentation is okay.
This is a non-linear mini-campaign but it cannot be run out of the box. It will need development for a GM to use it, which does mean it can be easily altered to work with different character levels.
There are a number of downsides. The first is that if the Dungeon Backdrops and City of Languard supplements are owned, there are only three pages of new material tying things together. Everything else will already be owned. The second is that this isn’t that easy to drop into another setting; most of the Languard material would need disposing off. Which again means that there are only three pages of new material. This supplement is worth getting on its own, but is easier to run in Languard, but if the other material is owned, it really isn’t worth it. Sacred Blood (P1) can be found by clicking here.
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