Shostim Castle by Edwin King and Richard Porter is a role playing game supplement published by Columbia Games Inc. for use with Hârn and HârnMaster.
The supplement is available as a 14-page PDF from DriveThruRPG for $6.98 but was purchased at a reduced price during a sale.
The opening paragraph explains this is the primary seat of the Rethemi kings since the kingdom’s founding and the kings traditionally spend more time there than in the Golothan residence. A sidebar has the coat of arms, location, holder, government, population, taxes and royal domain.
History covers the history from the construction of the original fortress by the Corani Empire, its fall to the Balshans, role during the Theocracy of Tekhos, conquest by Arlun the Barbarian and improvements made to it, preferences by prior kings and the expansion programme by the current king, Chafin III, who is detailed in a sidebar.
Government explains that as a royal castle and the principal seat of the king, it is governed by the king and his lieutenants, and that Rethem’s government is crude compared to most feudal stats, referring to Kingdom of Rethem for more than an overview.
Religion explains that by Shostim standard the religious climate is reasonably tolerant, with Laranians prosecuted, Peonians ignored and the legacy law about Morgath mostly ignored. The Church of Agrik is the most powerful, with lands granted to Herpa the Mace and the Octagonal Pit.
Economics explains this is the second largest settlement in Rethem, with envoys, taxes and gifts sent, along with primary trades, including traffic in slaves, and maritime trade.
Military Forces explains that the settlement is well defended, with the Shostim Guard, King’s Guard, Queen’s Guard and feudal levy. A sidebar covers Sir Erych Kasta, constable of Shostim Castle.
Following this is a full-page GM’s map of the area, and after this details on various locations in it. Places that sell goods are services are rated for size, quality and prices. The castle itself is covered in more detail, with floor plans and locations.
After this are a map with excerpts from Atlas Hârnica Maps D6 and D7, showing the settlement’s location, a map of Hârn with the location marked and a list of related products.
Following this is an unlabelled player’s map of the settlement.
Shostim Castle in Review
The PDF lacks bookmarks and is long enough with enough different sections that these would have been useful. Navigation could be better. The text is either single column with sidebar or two column and appeared to be free of errors. As well as the various maps, there are also a few colour and black and white illustrations. Presentation is decent.
Like many supplements of this type, this lacks HârnMaster stats, making it usable with other systems. This is also a sizable settlement for Hârn, but still small enough that it could easily be dropped into other settings. In the latter case, changes would need to be made for such as religion and rulership, but this is doable and makes the supplement more broadly useful. At full price, this is on the high side but still decent. Shostim Castle can be found by clicking here.
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