Initiate of Flame

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Pathfinder Adventure, Lost Omens, Maps, Rulebook Subscriber. Organized Play Member. 9 posts. 1 review. 1 list. 1 wishlist. 3 Organized Play characters.



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An important book in the Pathfinder Library

4/5

Initially, I wasn't sure what to expect from this massive, nearly 400-page book. It consolidates and repurposes information about Absalom found elsewhere in the Pathfinder modules and PFS adventures -- a long overdue task that has thankfully materialized.

For seasoned GMs and Players, this tome brings most things you know about Absalom together under one proverbial roof with a poster map of the city and enumerated inset maps with gazetteer-like descriptors of places of interest. NPCs you have come to know through adventures and modules can be found here, along with a few updates for 2nd Edition.

For the newcomer to Pathfinder, this will give you a handy (if initially expensive) reference to Absalom that you can use as you might an encyclopedia. If you keep that in mind, this tome may be worth the investment when adventuring (or GMing).

Unfortunately, the sheer magnitude of consolidated and repurposed information here is only the tip of Absalom's proverbial iceberg. Depth of coverage about the city's history, lore, politics, geography and intriguing aspects (on the whole) will be adequate for most purposes. GMs with a bit of creativity will find ways to build new hooks and adventures from this material without too much difficulty, especially if using some of the rumors, points of interest, and NPCs included in the book. GMs designing "sequels" to PFS scenarios from 1st Edition or 1st Edition adventure modules may find this book to be an adequate assistant to that end. But GMs who want a comprehensive guide to the city (is there ever such a thing in any speculative RPG?) will get close -- but will have to either wait for future adventures and supplements to flesh out the missing bits or create their own lore in the meantime.

As a GM and Player, I truly appreciate the hard work this book represents in putting the bulk of Absalom in a one-stop reference. As such, it justifies its place on my bookshelf.