The Vile Star Storyline (P1) by John Bennett, 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 parts are considered to be Open Game Content as a result. The supplement is also available in versions for OSR and Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition.
The supplement is available as a PDF from DriveThruRPG for $7.45, as a softcover print on demand book for $15 or as both PDF and softcover for $15. The PDF is the version reviewed although it was purchased at a reduced price in a special bundle. It has 67 pages and two pages are the front and rear covers, two are ads, one the front matter, two 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.
The Foreword explains that this storyline tries something different, with as well as the overarching story and Dungeon Backdrops as well as an overview of Dunstone and six mini-eventures that could be used between the adventures.
The Vile Star Storyline starts with a brief paragraph on the Duchy of Ashlar and Dunstone.
Using a Storyline explains that this is a self-contained mini-campaign tying together several products and four “A”s must be determined. It explains that it’s set in Dunstone, but could be moved to most borderland towns near to wilderness, and there is also a synopsis.
The four “A”s are antagonist, with one from each of the three Dungeon Backdrops, agenda, three possible motivations, agents, three different kinds of possible minions, and assets, the special item, power or advantage possessed. One of three possible heirs must also be chosen and there are guidelines for running the storyline. The Dungeon Backdrops can be played in any order and each has an adventure hook, as well as a list of the mini-eventures that can be run in virtually any order between the backdrops. Sidebars look at using Dungeon Backdrops and mini-eventures; the mini-eventures were originally Patreon exclusive benefits. There are also three suggested encounters to develop the Storyline, with suggested encounters for after each Backdrop. It mentions extending the storyline after it’s finished and there’s a list of other supplements and adventures set around the town.
Dunstone starts with an overview and description of Dunstone, along with stats. There are details on the townsfolk, local lore, local rumours, some true, some false, notable NPCs, law and order, notable locations, notable streets and a map of the place. Dunstone’s Surrounds has a map of the local area with sites of interest marked and given brief descriptions, with a map of a village, White Moon Cove. The various locations include the three Dungeon Backdrops as well as other places detailed in other supplements.
Also included in this section are a number of mini-eventures released originally as Patreon exclusives.
Drinking at the Dwarf’s Folly, Drinking at the Gilded Swan, Praying at the Bastion of Peace, Praying at the Tower of the Sword, Shopping at the Merchant of Coin and Visiting the Rekolas. These all follow a similar format, giving some details on the location and standard goods and services if appropriate, how it might be by day and by night, the most important NPCs, other NPCs, what’s going on, adventures and complications and whispers and rumours. More specific items to buy may also be included. The places covered are two inns, two temples, a dealer in precious items and a noble family that used to teach magic which has fallen on hard times. None are mapped.
Finally, Out and About in Dunstone has two d20 lists for Dunstone, one for events during the day, one for events at night.
The remainder of the supplement is the three adventures in the storyline, Pit of Unquiet Souls, Ruin of Bleak Hill and Starfall Chantry, with player handouts for these at the end.
The Vile Star Storyline (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 non-linear mini-campaign and setting, though actually running it will require the GM to do some work, specifically with the Dungeon Backdrops, that need treasure and monsters adding. This does mean it can be adjusted for different levels.
If the three Dungeon Backdrops are already owned, that means that about half the supplement is duplicated. If Town Backdrop: Dunstone is owned, that means that the Dunstone material is already owned, and in more detail. The new material in this supplement if those aren’t owned are the mini-eventures and the details of Dunstone’s Surrounds. For a Patreon, that can mean the eventures are owned too. In such a case, this supplement has little use. However, if none of the material is owned, this is a far more useful supplement. There is enough detail on Dunstone that it could, with changes, be dropped into another setting, and the various mini-eventure location descriptions can also be used, again with some changes, in other settings. In such a case, this is a useful mini campaign setting and mini campaign, though one that requires work from the GM to use. The Vile Star Storyline (P1) can be found by clicking here.
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