Road of the Dead 2022 (P1) by Creighton Broadhurst and 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 of it is considered to be Open Game Content. This is an adventure for 3rd level characters.
The supplement is available as a PDF from DriveThruRPG for $8.95, as a softcover print on demand book for $13.99 and as both PDF and softcover for $13.99. The PDF is the version reviewed although it was purchased at a reduced price as part of a special bundle. The PDF has 54 pages with two being the front and rear covers, two ads, three the front matter and Contents and one the Open Game License. The PDF comes in two versions, one intended for print and high-end devices, one intended for low-end and mobile.
The Foreword explains that this is the latest version of the adventure and is expanded and updated with new maps.
The first page of content has lists of the encounters, their locations, handouts and foes & traps, as well as listings of stat blocks for the encounters and using the adventure in your own campaign.
Adventure Background gives some details on the Tuath and how they were overrun by the goblins of the Tangled Wood – the adventure is set in The Lonely Coast – details on the Tangled Wood, what’s known about the Tuath and a synopsis of the adventure.
Adventure Hooks has some hooks for starting the adventure by finding the entrance barrow, which may be because they have been hired by a sage, as well as if this follows on from Retribution, which may require some side treks to get them the necessary experience.
The Lost Barrow has details on the entrance to the Road of the Dead and a goblin attack. The various locations follow a bullet point format covering important elements.
The Old Barrow has details on the barrow itself.
Into the Dark has the characters descending to the Road.
The Road of the Dead in Brief gives an overview of the road, covering the three demons, the general features of most locations and a d12 table of dungeon dressing, followed by a map. After this, the various locations on the Road are described.
Conclusion wraps things up and explains knowing the location itself has value.
Further Adventures has a couple of ways of expanding the adventure.
Appendix 1: The Lonely Coast gives an overview of the population, locations of note, features and travel times with a map, along with a history of the region. There are also descriptions of the environs around the Road of the Dead, covering flora and fauna and a couple of notable nearby locations.
Appendix 2: Foes & Traps has stats for all these in the adventure.
Appendix 3: Player Handouts has these.
Road of the Dead 2022 (P1) in Review
The PDF is well bookmarked with everything except sidebars linked. The Contents is to a similar level of depth and is hyperlinked. Navigation is good. The text maintains a two-column format and appeared to be free of errors. There are a number of black and white illustrations as well as the maps. Presentation is good.
There isn’t a huge amount of new content in this version compared to the original edition of it, but it has been tidied up, had its usability improved and had the maps improved. Those who own the original, or the Collector’s Edition, are unlikely to find much of a reason to get this at full price, but it is a better version and worth getting otherwise. Though the adventure is set in The Lonely Coast, the fact that it’s mostly underground and the above ground parts are in a wilderness area means it should be easy enough to drop it into other settings. Road of the Dead 2022 (P1) can be found by clicking here.
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