paizo.com Recent Reviews of Pathfinder Chronicles: City of Strangers (PFRPG)paizo.com Recent Reviews of Pathfinder Chronicles: City of Strangers (PFRPG)2021-11-19T20:14:56Z2021-11-19T20:14:56ZPathfinder Chronicles: City of Strangers (PFRPG): Simply the Best (5 stars)Jhaemanhttps://paizo.com/products/btpy8fda?Pathfinder-Chronicles-City-of-Strangers2017-02-12T04:12:08Z<p><b>Pathfinder Chronicles: City of Strangers (PFRPG)</b></p><p>Sometimes it's good to be direct: City of Strangers is the best book I've read so far in the Pathfinder Campaign Setting line. Written by James L. Sutter, it's all about Kaer Maga, a city in Varisia inhabited by outcasts from a hundred lands somehow finding a way to live together in the crumbling remains of an ancient walled fortification. A city of outlaws and slavers with an "anything goes" mentality and no central government, there's also a strong current of individuality and freedom that makes the place far more interesting than a generic hive of cut-purses. Kaer Maga itself has a fascinating history and ethos, but what really sets this book apart is the writing: it's frankly fantastic. It's colourful, laugh-out-loud funny in some places, squirm-inducing in others. There are few RPG books that are "page-turners", but this is one of them. Indeed, the book, one of the earlier ones in the line, is almost 90% descriptive flavour with very little rules crunch, which is sometimes a turn-off for me: but here, I didn't miss it. I want a full adventure path centered around Kaer Maga just so I can use this book more.</p>
<p>Weighing in at 64 full-colour pages, the book has one of my favourite pieces of artwork to grace a Pathfinder book: the Iconic rogue Merisiel in battle against a Bloatmage. This art is reproduced as the inside-back cover, while the inside-front cover is a really good map of Kaer Maga that shows several notable locations while making the geography of the walled city quite clear. The interior of the book is divided into seven sections.</p>
<p>The first section (four pages) is the Introduction. It provides a brief history of the city, much of which will get expanded upon in later sections of the book, but the way the city is related to ancient Thassilon and the Runelords made it especially interesting for someone (like me) who is involved in the Rise of the Runelords adventure path. Next, the section has an overview of the various districts of the city. Unlike some Golarion cities, each of these districts has a very distinct "feel" and they don't seem repetitive. Last, there's the expanded settlement stat block for the city.</p>
<p>Section two, "The City", makes up the bulk of the first half of the book, weighing in at 24 pages. As you would expect, each district gets a more detailed write-up. There's Ankar-Te where undead servants openly walk the streets. The Bottoms is a district of craftsmen and day laborers firmly committed to democratic decision-making. Cavalcade is the industrial heart of the city, but one of its notable features is the Augur Temple: reclusive troll seers! The city's wealthiest residents live in Highside Stacks, and this district contains one of the most important libraries in Varisia: the Therassic Spire. Hospice is a district catering to visitors, and is full of inns, brothels, theatres, and taverns. There's a brewing antagonism between brothel owners in the district that could have surprisingly large repercussions! Oriat is something of a war-zone between clashing sects of a monastic order, but it also contains the Lyceum, a bardic college. Tarheel Promenade is the district where both divine and arcane spellcasters are likely to want to visit, as it's filled with temples, magic shops, and the like. The description makes it clear that some sort of shrine to every deity, large or small, can be found somewhere in the city. The Warren is where the city's poorest live, while Widdershins is best thought of as a "gated community" bought-up by the upper middle-class. I haven't done justice to the flavour and detail that litter these descriptions of the districts, but it will have to suffice to say that there's a lot for a GM to work with and PCs will never leave thinking Kaer Maga was "just another city." I also appreciate the little sidebars in the section, such as "City Adventure Hooks" and "Seen on a Street Corner."</p>
<p>Section three, "The People", is 18 pages long. The first couple of pages explain how each of the core classes and races fit into Kaer Maga. Photocopying these pages for players in a Kaer Maga-focused campaign wouldn't be a bad idea. Kaer Maga really is a city of outcasts, and, unlike most "civilized" cities, no one's going to bat an eye if an orc, tiefling, or ogre enters the city. Several paragraphs each cover the city's government (accurately described as "anarcho-capitalist") and foreign relations. A section on religion provides a little info on how some of the core deities are perceived. Abadar and Asmodeus are the most prevalent faiths in Kaer Maga, but some others receive their due; on the other hand, the "crusading" faiths of Sarerae and Iomedae don't receive a warm reaction. Last, twelve different factions in the city receive several paragraphs each of description. The groups that really stood out to me were the Augurs (the troll prophets I spoke about above), the Bloatmages (more on them below), the Duskwardens (urban rangers that keep the city safe from the threats that lay below), and the Iridian Fold (a positive representation of same-sex male couples, which is much appreciated in RPGs!). These factions, and their tensions, offer plenty of opportunity for drama and adventure in Kaer Maga.</p>
<p>Section four, "Beneath Kaer Maga" (11 pages) dives into the variety of threats laying under the city, which, in class gaming fashion, get more and more dangerous and mysterious the deeper down you go. What sets this chapter apart from most is how well-crafted the history and story of Kaer Maga is. Kaer Maga predates even ancient Thassilon, but during the age of the Runelords, the city served as a prison for Runelord Karzoug. What lays beneath Kaer Maga is not generic subterranean monster caverns, but things far stranger and truly unique from the prison period and before. I especially liked the map on page 52; it's useful but also looks exactly like something that could have been created in that setting. This section, of course, only gives overviews of what PCs are likely to run into beneath the city, and a GM would still need to develop actual level lay-outs and encounters. It'd be worth it though!</p>
<p>I don't know if I've ever seen a single-page section in a Campaign Setting book, but a random encounters table makes up section five. It's a good one that covers the surface and various subterranean levels and sensibly withholds the higher CR threats for the more dangerous areas.</p>
<p>Section six is a two-page write-up on the Bloatmage prestige class. These power-hungry arcane spellcasters have turned to blood-magic to fuel their abilities, and they can draw upon energies greater than traditional casters but at great cost: their bodies become more and more corpulent, and they can easily overextend themselves and collapse or fly into a homicidal rage! I never hear of players taking the Bloatmage prestige class so perhaps its drawbacks far outweigh its benefits, but I want to run one purely for the flavour.</p>
<p>The book ends with section seven, a two-page write-up on the Caulborn. The Caulborn, a race of hairless, blind humanoids that lurk under Kaer Maga, are a hive-mind whose goal is to collect the thoughts and knowledge of living creatures and transmit them to their hive's brain-sack. They're quite different than anything I've seen before, and I like it.</p>
<p>Reading this book immediately answers the question I have going into every Campaign Setting book: what's special about this place? The book is incredibly entertaining and evocative, and I had more than one "Jeez!" moment (but in a good way), like reading about a brothel with undead prostitutes ("there are some things you just can't do with a live 'un" reports regulars at The White Lady brothel, according to the book). Kaer Maga is definitely not your average fantasy city; its history and current lived reality make it a worthwhile setting for groups willing to take a turn on the darker (but not always evil) side of adventuring life. City of Strangers merits an immediate purchase.</p><p><b>Pathfinder Chronicles: City of Strangers (PFRPG)</b></p><p>Sometimes it's good to be direct: City of Strangers is the best book I've read so far in the Pathfinder Campaign Setting line. Written by James L. Sutter, it's all about Kaer Maga, a city in Varisia inhabited by outcasts from a hundred lands somehow finding a way to live together in the crumbling remains of an ancient walled fortification. A city of outlaws and slavers with an "anything goes" mentality and no central government, there's also a strong current of individuality and freedom that makes the place far more interesting than a generic hive of cut-purses. Kaer Maga itself has a fascinating history and ethos, but what really sets this book apart is the writing: it's frankly fantastic. It's colourful, laugh-out-loud funny in some places, squirm-inducing in others. There are few RPG books that are "page-turners", but this is one of them. Indeed, the book, one of the earlier ones in the line, is almost 90% descriptive flavour with very little rules crunch, which is sometimes a turn-off for me: but here, I didn't miss it. I want a full adventure path centered around Kaer Maga just so I can use this book more.</p>
<p>Weighing in at 64 full-colour pages, the book has one of my favourite pieces of artwork to grace a Pathfinder book: the Iconic rogue Merisiel in battle against a Bloatmage. This art is reproduced as the inside-back cover, while the inside-front cover is a really good map of Kaer Maga that shows several notable locations while making the geography of the walled city quite clear. The interior of the book is divided into seven sections.</p>
<p>The first section (four pages) is the Introduction. It provides a brief history of the city, much of which will get expanded upon in later sections of the book, but the way the city is related to ancient Thassilon and the Runelords made it especially interesting for someone (like me) who is involved in the Rise of the Runelords adventure path. Next, the section has an overview of the various districts of the city. Unlike some Golarion cities, each of these districts has a very distinct "feel" and they don't seem repetitive. Last, there's the expanded settlement stat block for the city.</p>
<p>Section two, "The City", makes up the bulk of the first half of the book, weighing in at 24 pages. As you would expect, each district gets a more detailed write-up. There's Ankar-Te where undead servants openly walk the streets. The Bottoms is a district of craftsmen and day laborers firmly committed to democratic decision-making. Cavalcade is the industrial heart of the city, but one of its notable features is the Augur Temple: reclusive troll seers! The city's wealthiest residents live in Highside Stacks, and this district contains one of the most important libraries in Varisia: the Therassic Spire. Hospice is a district catering to visitors, and is full of inns, brothels, theatres, and taverns. There's a brewing antagonism between brothel owners in the district that could have surprisingly large repercussions! Oriat is something of a war-zone between clashing sects of a monastic order, but it also contains the Lyceum, a bardic college. Tarheel Promenade is the district where both divine and arcane spellcasters are likely to want to visit, as it's filled with temples, magic shops, and the like. The description makes it clear that some sort of shrine to every deity, large or small, can be found somewhere in the city. The Warren is where the city's poorest live, while Widdershins is best thought of as a "gated community" bought-up by the upper middle-class. I haven't done justice to the flavour and detail that litter these descriptions of the districts, but it will have to suffice to say that there's a lot for a GM to work with and PCs will never leave thinking Kaer Maga was "just another city." I also appreciate the little sidebars in the section, such as "City Adventure Hooks" and "Seen on a Street Corner."</p>
<p>Section three, "The People", is 18 pages long. The first couple of pages explain how each of the core classes and races fit into Kaer Maga. Photocopying these pages for players in a Kaer Maga-focused campaign wouldn't be a bad idea. Kaer Maga really is a city of outcasts, and, unlike most "civilized" cities, no one's going to bat an eye if an orc, tiefling, or ogre enters the city. Several paragraphs each cover the city's government (accurately described as "anarcho-capitalist") and foreign relations. A section on religion provides a little info on how some of the core deities are perceived. Abadar and Asmodeus are the most prevalent faiths in Kaer Maga, but some others receive their due; on the other hand, the "crusading" faiths of Sarerae and Iomedae don't receive a warm reaction. Last, twelve different factions in the city receive several paragraphs each of description. The groups that really stood out to me were the Augurs (the troll prophets I spoke about above), the Bloatmages (more on them below), the Duskwardens (urban rangers that keep the city safe from the threats that lay below), and the Iridian Fold (a positive representation of same-sex male couples, which is much appreciated in RPGs!). These factions, and their tensions, offer plenty of opportunity for drama and adventure in Kaer Maga.</p>
<p>Section four, "Beneath Kaer Maga" (11 pages) dives into the variety of threats laying under the city, which, in class gaming fashion, get more and more dangerous and mysterious the deeper down you go. What sets this chapter apart from most is how well-crafted the history and story of Kaer Maga is. Kaer Maga predates even ancient Thassilon, but during the age of the Runelords, the city served as a prison for Runelord Karzoug. What lays beneath Kaer Maga is not generic subterranean monster caverns, but things far stranger and truly unique from the prison period and before. I especially liked the map on page 52; it's useful but also looks exactly like something that could have been created in that setting. This section, of course, only gives overviews of what PCs are likely to run into beneath the city, and a GM would still need to develop actual level lay-outs and encounters. It'd be worth it though!</p>
<p>I don't know if I've ever seen a single-page section in a Campaign Setting book, but a random encounters table makes up section five. It's a good one that covers the surface and various subterranean levels and sensibly withholds the higher CR threats for the more dangerous areas.</p>
<p>Section six is a two-page write-up on the Bloatmage prestige class. These power-hungry arcane spellcasters have turned to blood-magic to fuel their abilities, and they can draw upon energies greater than traditional casters but at great cost: their bodies become more and more corpulent, and they can easily overextend themselves and collapse or fly into a homicidal rage! I never hear of players taking the Bloatmage prestige class so perhaps its drawbacks far outweigh its benefits, but I want to run one purely for the flavour.</p>
<p>The book ends with section seven, a two-page write-up on the Caulborn. The Caulborn, a race of hairless, blind humanoids that lurk under Kaer Maga, are a hive-mind whose goal is to collect the thoughts and knowledge of living creatures and transmit them to their hive's brain-sack. They're quite different than anything I've seen before, and I like it.</p>
<p>Reading this book immediately answers the question I have going into every Campaign Setting book: what's special about this place? The book is incredibly entertaining and evocative, and I had more than one "Jeez!" moment (but in a good way), like reading about a brothel with undead prostitutes ("there are some things you just can't do with a live 'un" reports regulars at The White Lady brothel, according to the book). Kaer Maga is definitely not your average fantasy city; its history and current lived reality make it a worthwhile setting for groups willing to take a turn on the darker (but not always evil) side of adventuring life. City of Strangers merits an immediate purchase.</p>Jhaeman2017-02-12T04:12:08ZPathfinder Chronicles: City of Strangers (PFRPG): No GM is New to the City of Strangers - with this Book in Hand! (5 stars)Brother Fenhttps://paizo.com/products/btpy8fda?Pathfinder-Chronicles-City-of-Strangers2015-03-16T15:53:09Z<p><b>Pathfinder Chronicles: City of Strangers (PFRPG)</b></p><p>The City of Strangers campaign setting book is hands down my favorite of the Golarion setting so far! These 64 pages are filled with more info on the city of scum and villainy than I'll be able to put into practice over the course of ten campaigns.</p>
<p>This is the book you need if your PCs are going to set foot anywhere atop that dreaded city on the Storval Plateau. If you are planning to run The Godsmouth Heresy, Seven Swords of Sin, The Asylum Stone or any of the PFS scenarios set in Kaer Maga, you MUST OWN THIS BOOK! </p>
<p>It will help you fill in the details of the various sectors of Kaer Maga and the factions that populate them. Breathe life into your bloat mages, necromancers of Ankar-Te with their undead servants and the troll augurs by reading up on them first in this setting guide.</p>
<p>Kaer Maga is my favorite setting in Golarion and whole campaigns can be cut from the cloth provided in these pages. Buy it today!!!</p><p><b>Pathfinder Chronicles: City of Strangers (PFRPG)</b></p><p>The City of Strangers campaign setting book is hands down my favorite of the Golarion setting so far! These 64 pages are filled with more info on the city of scum and villainy than I'll be able to put into practice over the course of ten campaigns.</p>
<p>This is the book you need if your PCs are going to set foot anywhere atop that dreaded city on the Storval Plateau. If you are planning to run The Godsmouth Heresy, Seven Swords of Sin, The Asylum Stone or any of the PFS scenarios set in Kaer Maga, you MUST OWN THIS BOOK! </p>
<p>It will help you fill in the details of the various sectors of Kaer Maga and the factions that populate them. Breathe life into your bloat mages, necromancers of Ankar-Te with their undead servants and the troll augurs by reading up on them first in this setting guide.</p>
<p>Kaer Maga is my favorite setting in Golarion and whole campaigns can be cut from the cloth provided in these pages. Buy it today!!!</p>Brother Fen2015-03-16T15:53:09ZPathfinder Chronicles: City of Strangers (PFRPG): Favorite guide so far (5 stars)Nashanhttps://paizo.com/products/btpy8fda?Pathfinder-Chronicles-City-of-Strangers2013-12-28T20:01:37Z<p><b>Pathfinder Chronicles: City of Strangers (PFRPG)</b></p><p>I can only agree with the other comments, this supplement is brilliant and inventive. Kaer maga is stuffed with unusual characters, sometimes weird, sometimes plain brilliant, able to move even the most jaded players. Every corner hides some oddity!
<br />
I just love it and hope future supplements will hold to that standard.</p><p><b>Pathfinder Chronicles: City of Strangers (PFRPG)</b></p><p>I can only agree with the other comments, this supplement is brilliant and inventive. Kaer maga is stuffed with unusual characters, sometimes weird, sometimes plain brilliant, able to move even the most jaded players. Every corner hides some oddity!
<br />
I just love it and hope future supplements will hold to that standard.</p>Nashan2013-12-28T20:01:37ZPathfinder Chronicles: City of Strangers (PFRPG) (4 stars)amir mishalihttps://paizo.com/products/btpy8fda?Pathfinder-Chronicles-City-of-Strangers2013-03-29T11:21:26Z...amir mishali2013-03-29T11:21:26ZPathfinder Chronicles: City of Strangers (PFRPG): The Standard for City Supplements (5 stars)IronWolfhttps://paizo.com/products/btpy8fda?Pathfinder-Chronicles-City-of-Strangers2012-02-16T17:58:00Z<p><b>Pathfinder Chronicles: City of Strangers (PFRPG)</b></p><p>I finally made it around to picking this product up in preparation for a campaign that is starting up shortly. This is the bar for all city book supplements to meet. With the city of Kaer Maga brought to life this book was an excellent read with interesting districts, factions, people and geography. </p>
<p>See my full review at <a href="http://irontavern.com/2012/02/16/review-pathfinder-city-of-strangers/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">The Iron Tavern - Review: City of Strangers</a>.</p><p><b>Pathfinder Chronicles: City of Strangers (PFRPG)</b></p><p>I finally made it around to picking this product up in preparation for a campaign that is starting up shortly. This is the bar for all city book supplements to meet. With the city of Kaer Maga brought to life this book was an excellent read with interesting districts, factions, people and geography. </p>
<p>See my full review at <a href="http://irontavern.com/2012/02/16/review-pathfinder-city-of-strangers/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">The Iron Tavern - Review: City of Strangers</a>.</p>IronWolf2012-02-16T17:58:00ZPathfinder Chronicles: City of Strangers (PFRPG): My favourite PFCHR to date! (5 stars)Hylahttps://paizo.com/products/btpy8fda?Pathfinder-Chronicles-City-of-Strangers2011-12-03T14:23:04Z<p><b>Pathfinder Chronicles: City of Strangers (PFRPG)</b></p><p>Kaer Maga - City of Strangers is one of the best setting books of any game that I read in the last several years.</p>
<p>It is PACKED with great ideas, odd little facts, adventure hooks, interesting organizations ....</p>
<p>The writing is superb and the locale would merit a much more detailed treatment like one of the classic box sets from the early 90ies - owing to its format the book falls a little short on art / mapping and in many cases more detailed elaborations would have been great. Sadly, that will probably not happen. Still: Get this book!</p><p><b>Pathfinder Chronicles: City of Strangers (PFRPG)</b></p><p>Kaer Maga - City of Strangers is one of the best setting books of any game that I read in the last several years.</p>
<p>It is PACKED with great ideas, odd little facts, adventure hooks, interesting organizations ....</p>
<p>The writing is superb and the locale would merit a much more detailed treatment like one of the classic box sets from the early 90ies - owing to its format the book falls a little short on art / mapping and in many cases more detailed elaborations would have been great. Sadly, that will probably not happen. Still: Get this book!</p>Hyla2011-12-03T14:23:04ZPathfinder Chronicles: City of Strangers (PFRPG): A Worthy Product Marred by Inadequate Visual Representation (4 stars)Whimsy Chrishttps://paizo.com/products/btpy8fda?Pathfinder-Chronicles-City-of-Strangers2011-11-04T02:24:04Z<p><b>Pathfinder Chronicles: City of Strangers (PFRPG)</b></p><p>I would love to give this product the 5 stars that it would deserve based on the detail and creativity compacted into its pages. Sutter really pulls out all the punches to create a unique, but still fantasy-based, city of oddities. However, the product needs a lot more visual aids to make sense of the city's structure.</p>
<p>The city is not just surrounded by a wall, but is mostly made of a giant thick wall structure ringing a smaller core area open to the air. Within the wall's expansive breadth are enclosed city districts that typically reach up to 8 stories. At least, that is what I gather from the description. Unfortunately, the few bits of art within the piece don't seem to reflect this description and actually create more confusion for me. We have a single map of the ground floor, which is helpful in some matters, but not in the understanding of the entire city's structure.</p>
<p>I don't think we need several maps showing all 8 levels - in fact, I don't think that would help. However, adequate artistic representation - perhaps an overhead shot or some kind of cross section of part of the wall - might have solved this problem.</p>
<p>Ironically, the map of the Undercity is excellent, one of the best visual representations that I've seen of an elaborate underground structure. I wish such pains had been taken to show the actual city itself.</p>
<p>I know I've spent the majority of this 4-star review complaining, but I became increasingly frustrated by the high quality of the writing being unmatched by the visuals. I knew Kaer Maga to be a great place because of the details, but I felt like I wasn't really grasping the overall structure of the setting.</p>
<p>City of Strangers doesn't seem like one of those products that's likely to get a second printing due to the specificity of its subject. However, if one were to come about, I hope some of the art would be replaced with something with more clarity. Then I would be happy to come back and give this the 5 star review it would deserve.</p><p><b>Pathfinder Chronicles: City of Strangers (PFRPG)</b></p><p>I would love to give this product the 5 stars that it would deserve based on the detail and creativity compacted into its pages. Sutter really pulls out all the punches to create a unique, but still fantasy-based, city of oddities. However, the product needs a lot more visual aids to make sense of the city's structure.</p>
<p>The city is not just surrounded by a wall, but is mostly made of a giant thick wall structure ringing a smaller core area open to the air. Within the wall's expansive breadth are enclosed city districts that typically reach up to 8 stories. At least, that is what I gather from the description. Unfortunately, the few bits of art within the piece don't seem to reflect this description and actually create more confusion for me. We have a single map of the ground floor, which is helpful in some matters, but not in the understanding of the entire city's structure.</p>
<p>I don't think we need several maps showing all 8 levels - in fact, I don't think that would help. However, adequate artistic representation - perhaps an overhead shot or some kind of cross section of part of the wall - might have solved this problem.</p>
<p>Ironically, the map of the Undercity is excellent, one of the best visual representations that I've seen of an elaborate underground structure. I wish such pains had been taken to show the actual city itself.</p>
<p>I know I've spent the majority of this 4-star review complaining, but I became increasingly frustrated by the high quality of the writing being unmatched by the visuals. I knew Kaer Maga to be a great place because of the details, but I felt like I wasn't really grasping the overall structure of the setting.</p>
<p>City of Strangers doesn't seem like one of those products that's likely to get a second printing due to the specificity of its subject. However, if one were to come about, I hope some of the art would be replaced with something with more clarity. Then I would be happy to come back and give this the 5 star review it would deserve.</p>Whimsy Chris2011-11-04T02:24:04ZPathfinder Chronicles: City of Strangers (PFRPG): You should buy this right now, do not wait. (5 stars)zagnabbithttps://paizo.com/products/btpy8fda?Pathfinder-Chronicles-City-of-Strangers2011-10-31T09:41:09Z<p><b>Pathfinder Chronicles: City of Strangers (PFRPG)</b></p><p>Kaer Maga is something different, something almost unique, original, fresh and complex. James L. Sutter has done something here that has to read to be believed. A city based on a functional system of near anarchy, one that has survived for so long that it precedes the timelines of the campaign setting. The book only scratches the surface of what is possible in a single location. I've reread it three or four times now and feel confident that it is one of the best RPG books I've ever read. Even if you never buy another item in the campaign setting line,even if, for some reason, you dislike Golarion this book will not be money wasted. It is not without flaws; It should have a higher page count; It has a remarkably small amount of interior art; The maps are rough and not nearly representative of a city that is largely housed within it's massive multistoried walls. None of this however detracts
<br />
from what is actually here, a setting that is as remarkable as Planescape or Eberon or Darksun yet strangely not as divergent from the soul of Pathfinder.
<br />
City of Strangers shows what Paizo is truly capable of, it's strength led me to subscribe to the Campaign Setting line, for fear that something, like this, might slip under the radar and I'd miss something great.</p><p><b>Pathfinder Chronicles: City of Strangers (PFRPG)</b></p><p>Kaer Maga is something different, something almost unique, original, fresh and complex. James L. Sutter has done something here that has to read to be believed. A city based on a functional system of near anarchy, one that has survived for so long that it precedes the timelines of the campaign setting. The book only scratches the surface of what is possible in a single location. I've reread it three or four times now and feel confident that it is one of the best RPG books I've ever read. Even if you never buy another item in the campaign setting line,even if, for some reason, you dislike Golarion this book will not be money wasted. It is not without flaws; It should have a higher page count; It has a remarkably small amount of interior art; The maps are rough and not nearly representative of a city that is largely housed within it's massive multistoried walls. None of this however detracts
<br />
from what is actually here, a setting that is as remarkable as Planescape or Eberon or Darksun yet strangely not as divergent from the soul of Pathfinder.
<br />
City of Strangers shows what Paizo is truly capable of, it's strength led me to subscribe to the Campaign Setting line, for fear that something, like this, might slip under the radar and I'd miss something great.</p>zagnabbit2011-10-31T09:41:09ZPathfinder Chronicles: City of Strangers (PFRPG): Den of Theives, at best. Kaer Maga (5 stars)Talyseonhttps://paizo.com/products/btpy8fda?Pathfinder-Chronicles-City-of-Strangers2011-07-24T06:45:43Z<p><b>Pathfinder Chronicles: City of Strangers (PFRPG)</b></p><p>This is the least standard Companion; it is a complex web of tidbits and oddments and strange wonders. This makes it one of the most interesting. Check out my full review: <a href="http://bit.ly/nDQKqs" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">City of Strangers</a></p><p><b>Pathfinder Chronicles: City of Strangers (PFRPG)</b></p><p>This is the least standard Companion; it is a complex web of tidbits and oddments and strange wonders. This makes it one of the most interesting. Check out my full review: <a href="http://bit.ly/nDQKqs" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">City of Strangers</a></p>Talyseon2011-07-24T06:45:43ZPathfinder Chronicles: City of Strangers (PFRPG): Amazingly good. (5 stars)Red-Assassinhttps://paizo.com/products/btpy8fda?Pathfinder-Chronicles-City-of-Strangers2011-03-28T02:37:14Z<p><b>Pathfinder Chronicles: City of Strangers (PFRPG)</b></p><p>This book is amazing and interesting, one of the best settings I have came across in years.</p><p><b>Pathfinder Chronicles: City of Strangers (PFRPG)</b></p><p>This book is amazing and interesting, one of the best settings I have came across in years.</p>Red-Assassin2011-03-28T02:37:14ZPathfinder Chronicles: City of Strangers (PFRPG): The Best Chronicle to Date (5 stars)MisterSlankyhttps://paizo.com/products/btpy8fda?Pathfinder-Chronicles-City-of-Strangers2011-03-20T03:12:00Z<p><b>Pathfinder Chronicles: City of Strangers (PFRPG)</b></p><p>To-date I've never seen a real need to review a Pathfinder Chronicle products; that has changed with <i>The City of Strangers.</i> I just can't leave this book alone. Paizo has put out good and great products in the past, but this book represents one of my favorite settings produced by any game company to-date. Between a city that provides ample opportunity for any group, and the undercity that defines the "mega-dungeon", the opportunities for a GM to play out an entire campaign in a single city abound. There's no kidding around though, this city is grown-up. You will not find it a "traditional" fantasy setting, and the themes are certainly more adult than anything Paizo has produced to date (except maybe <i>The Hook Mountain Massacre</i>).</p>
<p>I seriously cannot say one negative thing about this product and strongly suggest everybody consider it for their gaming library, even if they enjoy making their own worlds. The material is just that good.</p><p><b>Pathfinder Chronicles: City of Strangers (PFRPG)</b></p><p>To-date I've never seen a real need to review a Pathfinder Chronicle products; that has changed with <i>The City of Strangers.</i> I just can't leave this book alone. Paizo has put out good and great products in the past, but this book represents one of my favorite settings produced by any game company to-date. Between a city that provides ample opportunity for any group, and the undercity that defines the "mega-dungeon", the opportunities for a GM to play out an entire campaign in a single city abound. There's no kidding around though, this city is grown-up. You will not find it a "traditional" fantasy setting, and the themes are certainly more adult than anything Paizo has produced to date (except maybe <i>The Hook Mountain Massacre</i>).</p>
<p>I seriously cannot say one negative thing about this product and strongly suggest everybody consider it for their gaming library, even if they enjoy making their own worlds. The material is just that good.</p>MisterSlanky2011-03-20T03:12:00ZPathfinder Chronicles: City of Strangers (PFRPG): Need more Kaer Maga! (5 stars)John Benbohttps://paizo.com/products/btpy8fda?Pathfinder-Chronicles-City-of-Strangers2011-03-17T06:47:17Z<p><b>Pathfinder Chronicles: City of Strangers (PFRPG)</b></p><p>I'm still learning about Golarion but so far, this is my favorite location/city/geographic area. Think high fantasy meets Mos Eisley. You have a very eclectic interesting city perfect for urban adventures with enough unique locales to provide numerous campaigns. Plus, underneath the city is a huge, wild and crazy megadungeon. It's a setting that lets you be wildly creative without your ideas feeling out of place. I hope Paizo continues to support Kaer Maga with a continuous line of modules and/or additional supplements.</p><p><b>Pathfinder Chronicles: City of Strangers (PFRPG)</b></p><p>I'm still learning about Golarion but so far, this is my favorite location/city/geographic area. Think high fantasy meets Mos Eisley. You have a very eclectic interesting city perfect for urban adventures with enough unique locales to provide numerous campaigns. Plus, underneath the city is a huge, wild and crazy megadungeon. It's a setting that lets you be wildly creative without your ideas feeling out of place. I hope Paizo continues to support Kaer Maga with a continuous line of modules and/or additional supplements.</p>John Benbo2011-03-17T06:47:17ZPathfinder Chronicles: City of Strangers (PFRPG): Terrific! (5 stars)Talonhttps://paizo.com/products/btpy8fda?Pathfinder-Chronicles-City-of-Strangers2010-07-27T22:54:29Z<p><b>Pathfinder Chronicles: City of Strangers (PFRPG)</b></p><p>Every page of this beautiful looking product is packed full with awesomeness. After reading about four pages I already imagined how I could lure my players to Kaer Maga while I was still sucking up word for word of the wonderfully designed and written content.</p><p><b>Pathfinder Chronicles: City of Strangers (PFRPG)</b></p><p>Every page of this beautiful looking product is packed full with awesomeness. After reading about four pages I already imagined how I could lure my players to Kaer Maga while I was still sucking up word for word of the wonderfully designed and written content.</p>Talon2010-07-27T22:54:29ZPathfinder Chronicles: City of Strangers (PFRPG): Breathtaking (5 stars)Richard Petthttps://paizo.com/products/btpy8fda?Pathfinder-Chronicles-City-of-Strangers2010-07-25T11:40:56Z<p><b>Pathfinder Chronicles: City of Strangers (PFRPG)</b></p><p>I never normally review Paizo items, simply because of bias, however, in this case I wanted to tell people on the boards just how good I think this product is.</p>
<p>I can remember reading the original Vault of the Drow as a lad, and being amazed. I wanted to run adventures in the teeming city and vault, take characters through the souks and alleys of the drow, and do so right away. It was more than just an adventure, it was inspiring, a product whose use would outweigh its price a thousand fold. My battered old vault still sits before me now, to use as inspiration when it's needed.</p>
<p>I got the same thrill from reading City of Strangers.</p>
<p>Make no bones about it, this is Pathfinder grown up. The city is no place for the young to venture into, but for those of us who like our fantasy a little darker, this could be one of the most perfect settings ever. If the vertical, teeming city itself doesn’t take your breath away, the numerous districts, all of which are written in tantalising details – begging for more exploration – will. These could each become sites for numerous adventure paths in their own right. </p>
<p>Couple this would some incredible radical thinking and invention – I for one will never think of trolls the same again – and some great crunchy rules, encounters and suggestions, and you have a product that, like Vault of the Drow, is going to useful for years to come. </p>
<p>My only regret is that I’ve just started a Hot War AP as a change of pace, and now I’m thinking about wrapping that up quickly so I can unleash Kaer Maga on my players. </p>
<p>So, if you’re a fan of dark fantasy, and like your settings a little on the Styes side, check this product out, it is inspirational.</p><p><b>Pathfinder Chronicles: City of Strangers (PFRPG)</b></p><p>I never normally review Paizo items, simply because of bias, however, in this case I wanted to tell people on the boards just how good I think this product is.</p>
<p>I can remember reading the original Vault of the Drow as a lad, and being amazed. I wanted to run adventures in the teeming city and vault, take characters through the souks and alleys of the drow, and do so right away. It was more than just an adventure, it was inspiring, a product whose use would outweigh its price a thousand fold. My battered old vault still sits before me now, to use as inspiration when it's needed.</p>
<p>I got the same thrill from reading City of Strangers.</p>
<p>Make no bones about it, this is Pathfinder grown up. The city is no place for the young to venture into, but for those of us who like our fantasy a little darker, this could be one of the most perfect settings ever. If the vertical, teeming city itself doesn’t take your breath away, the numerous districts, all of which are written in tantalising details – begging for more exploration – will. These could each become sites for numerous adventure paths in their own right. </p>
<p>Couple this would some incredible radical thinking and invention – I for one will never think of trolls the same again – and some great crunchy rules, encounters and suggestions, and you have a product that, like Vault of the Drow, is going to useful for years to come. </p>
<p>My only regret is that I’ve just started a Hot War AP as a change of pace, and now I’m thinking about wrapping that up quickly so I can unleash Kaer Maga on my players. </p>
<p>So, if you’re a fan of dark fantasy, and like your settings a little on the Styes side, check this product out, it is inspirational.</p>Richard Pett2010-07-25T11:40:56ZPathfinder Chronicles: City of Strangers (PFRPG): A great book, but missing some art, methinks (4 stars)thefishcomethhttps://paizo.com/products/btpy8fda?Pathfinder-Chronicles-City-of-Strangers2010-07-25T05:17:26Z<p><b>Pathfinder Chronicles: City of Strangers (PFRPG)</b></p><p>This is a great volume, and a perfect balance of crunch vs. fluff. The city is described in vivid detail, and it makes for a very interesting adventuring area. I'm very, very tempted to take many of the best bits, if not the entire city, and plop it into my homebrew setting.</p>
<p>My only gripe with the book is with some of the art. All of the images a are beautiful and well done, as always, but I noticed a distinct lack of pictures of Kaer Maga itself! The image at the top of Chapter 1 is highly stylized and is pretty obviously not the real city, what with the mountain being made of skulls and the skyline not matching any of James Sutter's great descriptions. Chapter 2's first image is a rather nice view of a Downmarket bazaar, but the city is only in the background.</p>
<p>I really would have liked to see a painting or two of the city either from the outside, with a view of the monolith, or of some of the honycombed buildings that are Kaer Maga's architectural hallmark.</p>
<p>Still, don't let that deter you from buying this book. The city itself is a wonderful location, and I can't wait to use the Bloatmage prestige class against my players!</p><p><b>Pathfinder Chronicles: City of Strangers (PFRPG)</b></p><p>This is a great volume, and a perfect balance of crunch vs. fluff. The city is described in vivid detail, and it makes for a very interesting adventuring area. I'm very, very tempted to take many of the best bits, if not the entire city, and plop it into my homebrew setting.</p>
<p>My only gripe with the book is with some of the art. All of the images a are beautiful and well done, as always, but I noticed a distinct lack of pictures of Kaer Maga itself! The image at the top of Chapter 1 is highly stylized and is pretty obviously not the real city, what with the mountain being made of skulls and the skyline not matching any of James Sutter's great descriptions. Chapter 2's first image is a rather nice view of a Downmarket bazaar, but the city is only in the background.</p>
<p>I really would have liked to see a painting or two of the city either from the outside, with a view of the monolith, or of some of the honycombed buildings that are Kaer Maga's architectural hallmark.</p>
<p>Still, don't let that deter you from buying this book. The city itself is a wonderful location, and I can't wait to use the Bloatmage prestige class against my players!</p>thefishcometh2010-07-25T05:17:26ZPathfinder Chronicles: City of Strangers (PFRPG) Print Edition: Strange Pleasures (5 stars)TerraNovahttps://paizo.com/products/btpy8fda?Pathfinder-Chronicles-City-of-Strangers2010-07-19T07:50:00Z<p><b>Pathfinder Chronicles: City of Strangers (PFRPG) Print Edition</b></p><p>City of Strangers offers a hodgepodge of seemingly disparate elements, servicing the cliche of the "City of Anarchy", reminding me of 7th Sea's Freiburg and Exalted's Nexus. </p>
<p>Paizo pulls it off with more panache and style than most other offerings, though. The city is kept just on the very brink of believability, and for all its oddness and quirks remains a charming vista (though by no means pleasant place to live.)</p>
<p>Secrets of the city are revealed every other line, though usually the promise made in the opening section holds true - for every curtain pulled back, you are less content with what you know, asking even more questions. The background mysteries just keep coming, but keep tight enough to not overburden the reader. </p>
<p>All in all, an excellent "location book". Not too limiting, but sparking all the right ideas.</p><p><b>Pathfinder Chronicles: City of Strangers (PFRPG) Print Edition</b></p><p>City of Strangers offers a hodgepodge of seemingly disparate elements, servicing the cliche of the "City of Anarchy", reminding me of 7th Sea's Freiburg and Exalted's Nexus. </p>
<p>Paizo pulls it off with more panache and style than most other offerings, though. The city is kept just on the very brink of believability, and for all its oddness and quirks remains a charming vista (though by no means pleasant place to live.)</p>
<p>Secrets of the city are revealed every other line, though usually the promise made in the opening section holds true - for every curtain pulled back, you are less content with what you know, asking even more questions. The background mysteries just keep coming, but keep tight enough to not overburden the reader. </p>
<p>All in all, an excellent "location book". Not too limiting, but sparking all the right ideas.</p>TerraNova2010-07-19T07:50:00ZPathfinder Chronicles: City of Strangers (PFRPG) Print Edition: An excellent source for a dark, gritty, action-packed campaign! (5 stars)Greg Volzhttps://paizo.com/products/btpy8fda?Pathfinder-Chronicles-City-of-Strangers2010-07-15T12:11:37Z<p><b>Pathfinder Chronicles: City of Strangers (PFRPG) Print Edition</b></p><p>Merisiel battling a bloat mage high over Kaer Maga - it's reminiscent of a Die Hard movie (although Merisiel is much better looking than John McClane) and the picture exudes a level of action that just makes you want to play or run in the city of Kaer Maga – a city of outcasts. A city of strangers.</p>
<p>Paizo’s layout is high quality as always and the two column standard layout is easy to read. The sections are clearly defined and the art is once again top notch throughout the book.</p>
<p>The city of Kaer Maga itself has tones of Sanctuary, New Crobuzon, and Sigil, to name a few, but comes together in a cohesive setting that allows a GM’s mind to wander while enticing players to wander the rings that make up the city itself.</p>
<p>The cast of NPC’s, organizations, monsters and magic enforce the darker side setting of the city. A resourceful GM could run adventure upon adventure with this book alone and never want for more.</p>
<p>While standard Pathfinder stats are present this book, along with most in the Chronicles line, could be used with any fantasy rpg making it an excellent buy for any GM looking for a city of magic and mayhem.</p><p><b>Pathfinder Chronicles: City of Strangers (PFRPG) Print Edition</b></p><p>Merisiel battling a bloat mage high over Kaer Maga - it's reminiscent of a Die Hard movie (although Merisiel is much better looking than John McClane) and the picture exudes a level of action that just makes you want to play or run in the city of Kaer Maga – a city of outcasts. A city of strangers.</p>
<p>Paizo’s layout is high quality as always and the two column standard layout is easy to read. The sections are clearly defined and the art is once again top notch throughout the book.</p>
<p>The city of Kaer Maga itself has tones of Sanctuary, New Crobuzon, and Sigil, to name a few, but comes together in a cohesive setting that allows a GM’s mind to wander while enticing players to wander the rings that make up the city itself.</p>
<p>The cast of NPC’s, organizations, monsters and magic enforce the darker side setting of the city. A resourceful GM could run adventure upon adventure with this book alone and never want for more.</p>
<p>While standard Pathfinder stats are present this book, along with most in the Chronicles line, could be used with any fantasy rpg making it an excellent buy for any GM looking for a city of magic and mayhem.</p>Greg Volz2010-07-15T12:11:37ZPathfinder Chronicles: City of Strangers (PFRPG) Print Edition: Great classic-style location sourcebook (5 stars)Gorbaczhttps://paizo.com/products/btpy8fda?Pathfinder-Chronicles-City-of-Strangers2010-07-14T05:02:37Z<p><b>Pathfinder Chronicles: City of Strangers (PFRPG) Print Edition</b></p><p>I would like to echo the previous reviews - this book is both full of amazing ideas and hooks and yet vague enough to leave space for DM to work his stuff in.</p>
<p>And it's a very important quality, given that Kaer Maga is the perfect sidetrek for the first three APs. In partciular, GMs running CotCT should grab this book ASAP.</p>
<p>After a long string of collaborative work in the Chronicles line, it's great to see a one-man book - it has much more focus and personal imprint. </p>
<p>My only nitpick is - why no poster map ?</p><p><b>Pathfinder Chronicles: City of Strangers (PFRPG) Print Edition</b></p><p>I would like to echo the previous reviews - this book is both full of amazing ideas and hooks and yet vague enough to leave space for DM to work his stuff in.</p>
<p>And it's a very important quality, given that Kaer Maga is the perfect sidetrek for the first three APs. In partciular, GMs running CotCT should grab this book ASAP.</p>
<p>After a long string of collaborative work in the Chronicles line, it's great to see a one-man book - it has much more focus and personal imprint. </p>
<p>My only nitpick is - why no poster map ?</p>Gorbacz2010-07-14T05:02:37ZPathfinder Chronicles: City of Strangers (PFRPG) Print Edition: Flavor Overload (5 stars)Doug Mileshttps://paizo.com/products/btpy8fda?Pathfinder-Chronicles-City-of-Strangers2010-07-13T21:28:24Z<p><b>Pathfinder Chronicles: City of Strangers (PFRPG) Print Edition</b></p><p>Mind you that I have only scratched the surface of this new Chronicle, but it has me fascinated every time I flip a page. James Sutter has really outdone himself. You know how it feels when you watch a fantasy or sci-fi film that teases you with a vivid and intriguing universe? Well City of Strangers feels like nothing is being withheld anymore, like you can take your time and peel the city like an onion on your own terms. There's a lot to absorb, more than a GM will ever be able to introduce his or her players to. Products like this is why Paizo is such a great company. I can't do City of Strangers justice with this review. You need to buy it and find out for yourself.</p><p><b>Pathfinder Chronicles: City of Strangers (PFRPG) Print Edition</b></p><p>Mind you that I have only scratched the surface of this new Chronicle, but it has me fascinated every time I flip a page. James Sutter has really outdone himself. You know how it feels when you watch a fantasy or sci-fi film that teases you with a vivid and intriguing universe? Well City of Strangers feels like nothing is being withheld anymore, like you can take your time and peel the city like an onion on your own terms. There's a lot to absorb, more than a GM will ever be able to introduce his or her players to. Products like this is why Paizo is such a great company. I can't do City of Strangers justice with this review. You need to buy it and find out for yourself.</p>Doug Miles2010-07-13T21:28:24ZPathfinder Chronicles: City of Strangers (PFRPG) Print Edition: An excellent read! (5 stars)kikai13https://paizo.com/products/btpy8fda?Pathfinder-Chronicles-City-of-Strangers2010-07-13T21:08:32Z<p><b>Pathfinder Chronicles: City of Strangers (PFRPG) Print Edition</b></p><p>I highly recommend this book as the backbone of any ongoing homebrew campaign. Kaer Maga is a fascinating city, and Mr. Sutter's description is excellent. He is able to give you just enough detail to grab your imagination, but not so much as to become burdensome. I can't wait to start running my players through a Kaer Maga campaign!</p><p><b>Pathfinder Chronicles: City of Strangers (PFRPG) Print Edition</b></p><p>I highly recommend this book as the backbone of any ongoing homebrew campaign. Kaer Maga is a fascinating city, and Mr. Sutter's description is excellent. He is able to give you just enough detail to grab your imagination, but not so much as to become burdensome. I can't wait to start running my players through a Kaer Maga campaign!</p>kikai132010-07-13T21:08:32Z