Dungeon Backdrop: Wreck of the Sea Sprite (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, one is an ad, three 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 standard piece explaining how to use this, that the backdrop is intended for use with the Duchy of Ashlar in the Gloamhold setting but can be modified to fit elsewhere, that location descriptions only cover the basics and that treasure is only minor and level appropriate treasure needs adding.
Dungeon Background explains that the Sea Sprite is a merchant ship that was lost on its return journey. A sidebar explains that changes can be made to what killed the crew, and it could be used to introduce a new monster.
The Adventure Begins has three adventure hooks for directly getting the characters involved, or they could just stumble across the wreck.
Whispers & Rumours has six rumours about the ship.
The Valerr and her Crew has brief details on two important NPCs on the ship the characters will use and on the ship and crew in general.
The Surrounding Locality has an overview of the area around the wreck, followed by ten pieces of wilderness dressing and ten things to find.
Notable Locations at a Glance gives an overview of the important places in the wreck.
Architecture & Environment gives an overview of the features of the wreck followed by ten pieces of dressing and ten things to find. After this is a map of the wreck.
The wreck is then described, with each location covered in more detail. The pages have a two-column format, one column having some GM Notes but otherwise being mostly blank.
Aftermath has ways to resolve the adventure by the different gooks and there are suggestions for further adventures.
Dungeon Backdrop: Wreck of the Sea Sprite (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.
These backdrops are not complete adventures as-is; they are intended to provide many of the fixed details but allow the GM to add such elements as monsters and appropriate treasure. They therefore don’t work out of the box, but can be altered with less work than creating something from scratch. The lack of treasure and monsters means that it is easier to adjust the backdrop for different levels. Given that this is a shipwreck, it’s also easy enough to drop into any setting; it is just located in the sea somewhere and the hooks are not really tied to the setting. Dungeon Backdrop: Wreck of the Sea Sprite (P1) is a useful supplement and it can be found by clicking here.
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