Old School Renaissance – Castles and Crusades – Bluffside City on the Edge

Publisher: Troll Lord Games

Introduction

In this post, I will review the book Castles & Crusades Bluffside City on the Edge, a sandbox adventure setting for the Castles & Crusades role-playing game. I will give a brief overview of the book’s content, features, and quality, as well as my personal opinion and rating. I hope you will find this review helpful and informative.

What is Castles & Crusades Bluffside City on the Edge?

Castles & Crusades Bluffside City on the Edge is a book that introduces Bluffside, a city built on the ruins of an ancient civilization, where adventurers can explore, fight, and uncover secrets. The book is a revised and expanded version of the original Bluffside: City on the Edge that was published in 2001 by Thunderhead Games. It includes new content by various authors and artists, as well as updated content from the original contributors. It is published by Troll Lord Games in 2013.

The book is compatible with any fantasy setting or system that uses the SEIGE engine or similar rules. It can also be adapted to other systems with some modifications. The book is suitable for any level of play, from low-level to high-level adventurers.

What does the book contain?

The book contains:

  • A detailed history of Bluffside and its surroundings, from the mysterious Sem La Vah to the present day.
  • A timeline of major events that shaped the city and its people.
  • A description of the population and power structure of Bluffside, including the Adamantine Security Council, the Wizard Council, the Vault, and various factions and guilds.
  • A guide to the eight districts of Bluffside, each with its own flavor, culture, and points of interest. The districts are: The Old City, The Docks, The Market District, The Garden District, The Cliffside District, The Undercity, Sordadon, and The Outskirts.
  • A map pack with three maps: a city map, a regional map, and a map of Sordadon, the floating port.
  • A collection of new magic items, class adaptations, races, and spells that are unique to Bluffside or inspired by its history and lore.
  • A list of adventure hooks for each district and point of interest, as well as general hooks for the city as a whole.

What are the most interesting locations

There are many interesting locations in Castles & Crusades Bluffside City on the Edge, but some of the most notable ones are:

  • The Palace of Sem La Vah: This is the ancient palace of the mysterious civilization that once ruled Bluffside. It is located in the Old City district, and it is guarded by powerful magic and traps. The palace contains secrets and treasures that could change the fate of Bluffside and the world. Only a few brave or foolish adventurers have dared to enter it, and even fewer have returned alive.
  • The Obsidian Tower of the Unknown: This is a black tower that rises from the Undercity district, where the outcasts and criminals of Bluffside live. The tower is shrouded in mystery and rumors, and no one knows who or what dwells inside it. Some say it is a portal to another dimension, others say it is a prison for an ancient evil, and others say it is a source of dark magic. The tower is feared and avoided by most people, but some seek to unlock its secrets or harness its power.
  • Sordadon: This is a floating port that hovers above the sea near Bluffside. It is a marvel of engineering and magic, created by the gnomes of Bluffside. Sordadon is a hub of trade and commerce, where merchants and travelers from all over the world come to buy and sell goods. Sordadon is also a place of adventure and danger, where pirates, smugglers, and spies operate. Sordadon has its own laws and customs, and it is often at odds with the authorities of Bluffside.

How is the book’s quality?

The book is well-written and well-edited, with clear and concise language. The layout is attractive and easy to read, with plenty of illustrations and tables. The art style is consistent and fitting for the setting, with a mix of realistic and stylized images. The maps are detailed and colorful, with labels and legends.

Castles & Crusades Bluffside City on the Edge on DrivethuRpg