This is a small (only 16 pages) guide to the world in which Pathfinder is set- the continent of Varisia, part of the world of Golarion.

It purports to be the guide to start the players out on "Rise of the Runelords" but it's a great guide for any who adventure in that world.

Sections on races and classes of Varisia, including a great chart on the local Deities , including Portfolios, Domains and even favored weapons.

There's also a handful of local weapons and other gear, including the Starknife and War-razor.

I also like the local feats, here included for a free background feat. In power, they are moe like "traits" than feats, but still they add a little local flavor and some roleplaying ideas, but also are somewhat useful.

There's great color maps of Sandpoint and Varisia, too.

All in all, this is a fantastic value for the price.

Uma ótima primeira introdução ao cenário de Varisia, mas não prepara tão bem os personagens para a campanha quanto player guides futuros. De qualquer forma é muito bem escrito e vale a pena para qualquer jogador de Rise of the Runelords.

Perfect starting point to getting you players ready for this AP.

I've written a review on RPG Geek.

Very nice. The map could have used a key.

Consider my praises to be added to the accolades.

The only negative I found is that the font is to small for some of us aged 1st Ed players, especially when combined with a colour background and glossy paper. Perhaps if the Headers were smaller there would be room for larger text?

A brilliant product otherwise, especially at the price.

This is a great book, but i have one gripe.

the sandpoint map has numbers, but i cant find a key ANYWHERE!!

that is a major issue, but overall its a great supplement

I really didn't know what to expect when I bought this product, but at $2.00, I thought, why not?
What I didn't expect was how much information and flavor would be packed into those 16 pages. The artwork is great and this is what made me want to see more of Golarion. Anyone who wants to know about Pathfinder and Golarion only needs 2 bucks to find out if they like it. Paizo has made Golarion accessible to everyone.

I have read and re-read this like a thousand times and each time i find new "crunchy bits" . this is the reason i believe most people subscribed to Dungeon and Dragon mags. keep up the greaqt work on this series. and see if some of the talent rubs off on the gamemastery guys.

Whenever you start a new campaign, there is always a problem. If my character lives here in this place, he'll know all about it (just like I know about my town, my country and the world in general)... but I, his player, don't have that knowledge. This book is an attempt to get around this, by providing player-friendly information that empowers you to play a character who is already part of the Pathfinder world.

With sections on races, classes, the background to Varisia and localised equipment, this is an excellent introduction to the campaign's setting and well worth using to ensure that characters are really rooted in the land in which they will have their existance. Good for building that 'alternate reality' in which you feel that your character has an existance in the world in which you play. This kind of work is a growing trend, and one to be encouraged.