Dungeon Backdrop: Lost Cellar of the Nameless Mage (P1) by Creighton Broadhurst 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 17-page PDF from DriveThruRPG for $3.75 but was purchased at a reduced price in a special bundle. Two pages are the front and rear covers, two are ads, two the front matter and 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.
Using a Dungeon Backdrop is a fairly standard piece for the series. It explains that the backdrop is set in Dulwich in the Duchy of Ashlar but can be moved easily, that location descriptions only cover the basics and that treasure is only minor and level appropriate treasure needs adding.
Dungeon Background gives some history of a settlement that stood where Dulwich now stands, and how a wizard raised a tower doing terrible things. When he died, the tower crumbled and fell, and now an attempt to repair a cellar has led to the discovery of the tower’s cellar. It also looks at the identity of the Nameless Mage, which is irrelevant to the adventure, but gives a couple of potentials.
The Adventure Begins has three hooks to get characters involved.
Whispers & Rumours has six rumours to hear; whether any are true or false is up to the GM.
The House on Foundation Way gives a brief description of the road, along with descriptions, including personality, mannerisms, background and connections, of the owner as well as the stonemason who found the cellar. It also gives brief descriptions of the two levels of the cellar, with the lower one being the lost cellar.
Notable Locations at a Glance gives an overview of the important locations in the cellar.
Generic Dungeon Features gives a description of the general features along with ten pieces of dungeon dressing and ten things to find, followed by a map of the cellar.
The cellar itself is then described, with the locations covered in more detail. The pages have two columns, one with the descriptions and the other being in most cases nearly empty, apart from some notes and suggestions related to the locations, as well as a unique item.
Aftermath resolves the three adventure hooks.
Further Adventures gives some ideas on expanding the cellar, the stonemason’s contacts and the unique item found.
Dungeon Backdrop: Lost Cellar of the Nameless Mage (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 map, there are some stock black and white illustrations. Presentation is okay.
This may have a default town and campaign setting, but as it’s only a cellar, it’s easy enough to put anywhere. It also doesn’t need to be as ancient as stated; it could easily have been a more recent lost cellar, and perhaps the owner still exists somewhere. As is usual with this series, this is an adventure framework, and will need fleshing out before it can be used. Dungeon Backdrop: Lost Cellar of the Nameless Mage (P1) can be found by clicking here.
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