This is my full review of Osirion, Land of the Pharaohs as the reviews only seem to allow 2000 characters and I have much more than that to say about it!
The Pathfinder Companion, Osirion, Land of the Pharaohs, attempts to describe the region of Osirion on the continent of Garund in 32 pages. Sadly, it is an incomplete work and my first disappointment from Paizo.
This companion product outlines many cities, towns and adventuring locations which are otherwise just places on a map. Described are the cities of An, Eto, Ipeq, Shiman-Sekh, Tumen, Torta, and Wati as well as The Footprints of Rovagug, The Glazen Sheet, The Hungry Sepulcher, The Labyrinth of Shiman-Sekh, Lamashtu's Flower, The Lost Fortress of Mekshir, the Monastery of Tar Kuata, the Pyramid of An-Hepsu XI, The River Sphinx, The Ruins of Tumen, The Seven Stelae, the Slave Trenches of Hakotep, The Sphinx Head, Valley of the Pyramids; all the above are given major headings in the work. This is an impressive list until it is compared to the locations that are not described but available on the map. Junira River, Lamasara, Ruins of Akhenaten, Ruins of el-Amara, Klarwa Fountain, Alamein Peninsula, Cliffs of Kusha-ta-Pahk, Stepped Tower of Djedefar, Coast of Graves, Hor-Aha, Xefon-Ra, Parched Dunes, Tar Kuata, Ruins of Kho, Kho-Rarme Pass, Pillars of the Sun, Mount Osiki, Pyramid of Doom, The Swells of Gozreh, Garden of Shepeska, Burning Cape, Underdunes, Mount Na-Ken, Temple of An-Alak, The Scorpion Coast, Salt Hills, The Temples of Pharaoh Ahn, Sand Haven, and Brazen Peaks are either ignored entirely or mentioned only in reference to another location. If it is important enough to put on the map then it is important enough to describe it in the text. A single short paragraph would have been sufficient to fill the need. It also bewilders the mind why there is so much artwork using so much valuable real estate that could have been used for text when the product is incomplete. The top 50% of page 2 is an illustration of pyramids; almost half of page 4 is a drawing of some guy with a clay tablet; and half of page 7 is a Lamashtu orgy scene. There are other illustrations on pages 8, 11, 13, 16, 19, 21, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30. All of them use between 25% to 50% of the available page space. The inside of the back cover is a reprint of the front cover art. This is not to say that all art should be removed, but to point out that the overuse of art does not make a complete product. If Paizo had reduced the amount of art by 50% they could have completely described all locations on the map.
On pages 16-21 is the description of the city of Sothis. I can't say anything good about it as Paizo didn't see fit to include a map of the city! There is an interesting location called The Black Dome. This is supposed to be a titanic dead scarab beetle that has somehow been turned into the largest building in the city. A map, or at least illustration, would have been appropriate for this location, but it is not supplied. Also described are Azghaad's Spire, the Council of Sun and Sky, The Crimson Canal, the Malhitu Bazaar, the Necropolis of the Faithful, The Palace of the Forthbringer, and the Temple of the Eternal Sun. All of these are interesting locations but are somewhat useless without a map of the city.
There is a prestige class called Living Monolith. I'm not a fan of prestige classes as a general rule so I am biased; however, this one has an uncanny resemblance to The Thing from the Fantastic Four!
Following along behind the Living Monolith is a section on the cults of Osirion. There are three cults (demi-gods?), Wdjet, Apep and Khepri, but there are scant details on the faiths with the exception of a short description. Three magic items are listed with one being associated with each cult.
Also included are new Osirion necromantic spells, several new feats, and a full description of Khemet III, the Ruby Prince. All of these seem to be fine additions to the Osirion Companion; however, the feats are less so than the spells and the Ruby Prince, as five out of eight of them seem to be generic in nature.
The final page is the standard Paizo “Coming Next!” previews of future products.
In the end, I think Osirion, Land of Pharaohs was rushed to the printer to meet a deadline. Eight or nine pages, give or take a few, were used on art that should have been used on text to describe the locations that were missed. Sothis is not mapped. This omission alone cost the product three stars. The Black Dome is not mapped or illustrated, leaving the reader to try to imagine how that could work. The prestige class consumed another two pages and may or may not be useful. Cosmetically, It's The Thing! The cults, spells, feats, and description of Khemet III are all useful.
There are some items missing from the product. Where's the timeline of Osirion? What exactly are Khamsin storms? What about other climate and weather? What about Osirion customs and dress? What about relationships between the classes of citizens (slave to pharaoh)?
Additionally, the entire product is printed on glossy paper. It would have been preferable to reserve glossy for the covers and use non-glossy paper for the interior pages. Paizo could have thereby increased the page count and included additional information in the product.
My suggestion is to save your money! In this economy this is ten dollars that should be better spent on some really good beer.
