A Review of the Role Playing Game Supplement GM’s Miscellany: Dungeon Backdrops II (P1)

GM’s Miscellany: Dungeon Backdrops II (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 PDF from DriveThruRPG for $5.95, as a softcover print on demand book for $10.99 or as both PDF and print on demand for $10.99. The PDF is the version reviewed but it was purchased at a reduced price in a special bundle. It has 39 pages with two pages being the front and rear covers, two being 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.

Using a Dungeon Backdrop is a fairly standard piece explaining how to use this. It also explains that location descriptions only cover the basics and that treasure is only minor and level appropriate treasure needs adding.

Following this are the three dungeon backdrops themselves. These are Hidden Redoubt of Gilak Urser, Lost Eyrie of the Demon King and Shattered Halls of the Undying Oracles. These are copies from their original separate supplements. The first two supplements were intended for use with the Duchy of Ashlar and the last for there, the Lonely Coast or the Picaroon Peninsula. Each, however, is self-contained enough to fit into most settings.

GM’s Miscellany: Dungeon Backdrops II (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 compilation supplement, which just collects together three Dungeon Backdrops in a single book. Unlike storylines such as The Vile Star Storyline, this doesn’t integrate them at all; they are just the original backdrops now in one supplement. For anyone who owns the three original PDFs, the collection doesn’t add any real value in PDF, simply combining them all, though the print on demand supplement has more use. For those who lack the original supplements, this is a much more cost-effective way of getting them. GM’s Miscellany: Dungeon Backdrops II (P1) can be found by clicking here.