Freeport: The City of Adventure
d20 campaign sourcebook (hardcover 160 pages)
Written by Chris Pramas and Matt Forbeck
Product code: GRR1007: ISBN 1-9701048-8-X
Publisher: Green Ronin Publishing, $29.95
“Freeport: City of Adventure” is a sourcebook based around the original three adventures that Green Ronin published in 2001. This book details the City of Freeport, which was once a city of pirates, but is now more of a rough city port trying to make its own way in the world.
For fans of the original Freeport modules, this sourcebook is a welcome addition that fleshes out the City of Freeport into a much fuller campaign-style setting. There is enough information presented here to help put Freeport into any campaign system you are running, or you could just use Freeport on its own, although this may be a bit limiting in the long run. Then again, I’ve been using this book and the modules for over a year, and still have plenty to go on.
The book starts out with the background and timeline for Freeport, including the original trilogy modules that lead up to this book. The only problem I found with this book is that if you use this sourcebook while running the first three Freeport modules, you have to be careful that you don’t give too much information. This is because the book is set after the first three modules, not during. Most applies, but some things going on in town do not.
After the introduction and timeline, there is a large amount of detail on the City of Freeport itself. Each section of the city is covered, from the Docks to the Temple District and everything else, including the sewers and other seedy areas. Most areas have important details listed, while leaving enough gaps for DMs to fill in stuff of their own. Of course, there are later published books already out that fill in some of these so-called gaps. You also get stats on many important NPCs, plus quite a few adventure hooks through the book.
As with most d20 books, City of Freeport includes various new feats, spells, magic items, prestige classes, and other such stuff, all based on a pirate-style theme. There is also a section on gunpowder rules, which I would be careful with in any campaign, as it can really cause problems in the long run.
This sourcebook includes many wonderful drawings and maps, all of which add to the flavor of the setting. Most of the artwork is done by some of the top artist in the gaming industry. I personally loved the maps, something which is very important to me. Good maps are just extra icing on the cake.
For those who love a swashbuckling setting, or if you are looking for something different than your usual Greyhawk-style campaign, Freeport offers a unique and interested place to run your adventure in. You’ll find Freeport has a charm all its own, with plenty of extra adventure modules to use along with this sourcebook.
(review (c) August 2004 / David Flemming)