Mongoose Publishing's
latest foray into the Hyborian Age takes us deep below the very earth upon which Conan trod with his sandaled
feet, bloody sword in hand.
Catacombs of Hyboria is no mere game expansion for wanna-be
tomb raiders. It is a bold exploration of obscure Hyborian locations and Thurian arcana.
Mongoose Publishing has greatly expanded Robert E. Howard's
timeless world through its Conan RPG products. Incorporating everything that has ever been released that pertains to the
mighty Cimmerian and his times, and salvaging whatever survived in myth, folklore, legend and history, Mongoose has built
a sturdy bridge between an age undreamed of and our own.
After a brief Introduction Catacombs of Hyboria provides a
28 page resource called What Lies Beneath. Everything you need to construct and populate your very own Hyborian catacombs
is contained therein. This chapter also serves as a random catacomb generator and enumerates several new Feats that will serve
characters well while venturing deep in the earth's bowels.
Each subsequent chapter is a stand-alone adventure
that can easily be woven into any Hyborian campaign or expanded into a continuing series of underground adventures. There
are Plot Hooks aplenty to assist you with this.
The Dragon's Graveyard takes place 800 feet below Abombi's
eastern jungles. Beware of giant lizards who would feast on your flesh!
Ankhenu is a fallen pyramid near Kheshatta. Its origins
harken back to dimly remembered times when Lemurias ruled the Thurian continent. This exciting adventure includes the cunning
machinations of the legendary Thulsa Doom.
Cianhogh, also known as the Veins of the Mountain, was
discovered in Cimmeria ten generations prior to Conan's birth. REH often introduced giant-sized animals and mutated humans
into his yarns. You will find both here.
Edau Voya lies beneath the indigo-flowered fane of the dreaded
deity Yizil in faraway and exotic Vendhya. The monkeys are much more than they seem... enough said.
The Snow Devil Hollows are in the frozen tundras of Asgard.
Giant-kin, Nordwolves and glacier shrews are some of the perils that may be encountered therein.
Between Hyrkania and Hyperborea the Sythic Caverns can be
found, every bit as treacherous as the untamed lands above them.
Tai Paun Li, a series of amber mines in central Khitai, is
a haunted and perilous place. Each tunnel tells a tale. Will you survive long enough to hear them all?
The Well of Restless Slumbers in Zamora is the home of the
goddess Fidesa. Known by various names, this gash in the Skarpash Mountains is considered by many to lead to several
unpleasant underworlds.
Yhastur Den Leona is the five-doored home provided by lion-headed
Nergal to his faithful in Shem. Within the religious myth lies a twisted mystery. Can you solve it?
Catacombs of Hyboria is an invaluable tool for those running
a Hyborian campaign. It is an excellent resource for players and a treasure trove of information for those wishing to learn
more about Conan's world. It also looks great on a bookshelf with the rest of Mongoose's excellent Conan RPG releases.
Onwards!
Musing by Thor the Barbarian
