Dungeons of Golarion (Pathfinder Campaign Setting) [ペーパーバック]

If you're looking for fully detailed dungeons you can run, this isn't that. What it *is*, is a book full of story ideas, seeds, and 'megadungeon' maps, very creatively laid out and with tons of little tidbits that will send most GMs minds a-spinning with ideas. It covers each of the dungeons in brief, laying out the background, setting, surroundings, and a general map of the levels, then it details *just one* level, not usually the top/first, but one that demonstrates the style and type of content (complete with map of that level, details on what is found there for encounters, treasure, connections, etc) that the particular megadungeon has. Then each other level gets a paragraph or three summing up what's there, what notable NPCs inhabit/rule it, and a section on any special traps, monsters and treasure can be found in that particular megadungeon.

All in all a great read, but not a huge contributor to my gaming nights. I'll use it for story ideas and I really enjoyed it but don't buy it thinking it's something it isn't.

Dungeons of Golarion: Review
From the start, the dungeon has been the mainstay of fantasy roleplaying, a wild and weird place with violence and mystery (and hopefully treasure) around every corner. Dungeons of Golarion is an collection of six such places in the Pathfinder home campaign setting of Golarion. The book covers some of the classic ideas of dungeons such as the haunted mine, the monster-riddled cavern system, and the mad wizard's tower, but all done with enough of a twist to keep it fresh. Each dungeon is covered in its own ten-page long chapter, complete with a map giving an overview of the dungeon's levels, plus a more detailed map of one particular level. Each level gets a brief description, hints as to the inhabitants and particular dangers, and recommended challenge rating for the encounters and hazards within. There is also a two page introduction that expounds on the idea of the megadungeon, and lists almost twenty other examples in the setting. Note too that while all of these dungeons are tied in to the Golarion setting, they can all still be used in other worlds with a little work.

The first dungeon listed is the Candlestone Caverns, a nasty place filled with vermin, kobolds, duergar, drow, and assorted horrors of the Darklands. It also lists some sample traps and treasures within, gives information on the Black Claw kobold tribe, has a sentient and cursed axe, and a detailed sample layer for low-level characters.

Secondly is Gallowspire, probably the most dangerous and high-level dungeon in the book. A classic lich's lair, Gallowspire is literally swarming with undead and evil spirits. It's a bit different from most dungeons in that the idea here is not to open the place up but to keep it shut. It also has a new undead template, the Gallowdead, as well as an artifact for treasure.

Then comes Hollow Mountain, lost fortress of the Runelord of Wrath, Alaznist. It's a bit different in that the safest chambers are at ground level, with things getting nastier and more horrifying the higher into the mountain and deeper into the earth you go. It has a new monster created by Alaznist, the savagely venomous shriezyx, and a sample new spell for those who dare the depths of Hollow Mountain.

Next is the Pyramid of Kamaria, a temple-tomb erected by a mad pharaoh that is now swarming with monsters. It has a new monster template, the Dream Eater, and describes the artifact that creates them. There are also a multitude of squabbling demon cults within looking for allies and victims who the PCs can either fight with or against.

Then comes one of my personal favorites in the book, the Red Redoubt of Karamoss. It's the classic mad wizard's tower with the twist of including super-science along with the magic and monsters. Fans of the old classic AD&D 1st edition module `Expedition to the Barrier Peaks' should feel right at home amidst the sonic swords, murderous robots, and rampaging mutants. You get a template for turning any construct into a robot, samples of weird technology, and a written-up sample level as well as plot hints that add a layer of intrigue on to everything.

Last is my other favorite dungeon in the book, the Mines of Zolurket. This dwarf mine, abandoned when a collapse lead to starving miners dying and returning as ravening ghouls, now has several different and nasty power groups living in it for the players to fight and maybe even talk with. The chapter also describes Feast-O'-Marrow, the lord of the mines, as well as several traps and hazards and a few magic items intended for use against the undead. Pity about those undiscovered flaws, though... Again, this is a dungeon filled with chances for diplomacy and scheming as well as the usual mayhem. Only the lack of a detailed level prevents it from being the very best dungeon in the book.

If you want ideas for six good dungeons, get this book. If you want ideas, monsters, templates, treasures, traps, and assorted weirdness for places of your own creation, get this book. You will not regret it.

This book is CHOCK-FULL of ideas for amazing adventures of many different types. Nearly all the dungeons can be tweaked to fit into any campaign with ease. I really hope I can find time to develop them all. If you need a little help preparing for a session or a campaign give this book a shot!