What products (if any) bring you the best city-related experience?

[loki44]

Reiterating what others have said:

Just about any version of CSIO or Lankhmar rocks. Also like the old Thieves' World Boxed Set (Sanctuary).

But I would also add City State of the World Emperor (in case nobody mentioned it). Not as rich as CSIO but very good nonetheless.

For a different flavor try 2e Al-Qadim, City of Delights (Huzuz) Boxed Set.

Perhaps my favorites though are Marienburg and Middenheim (WFRP). They really come to life for me.

I love cities.

 

[loki44]

My personal fave is Free City of Haven, which is very rare. It was done for the Thieves' Guild folks (which is entirely seperate from Thieves' World).

Yes! You just jolted the old memory banks here. Had totally forgotten about that one. It was good. Lost track of my copy decades ago though. My be worth an ebay search.

 

[loki44]

"Cities of Harn" is an excellent resource, although I fear it may be a bit difficult to come by. It came out in 1983 and the presentation certainly feels spot on for the era. Think Judges Guild's City State but broken over seven cities and far more obsessed with the minutia and historical simulationism. But whatever. You either buy into that or you don't (I don't).

I agree. The Cities of Harn looks deceptively beautiful but just doesn't have any life to it as far as I'm concerned. The maps are great but that's about it. Very dry. Very clinical.

 

[TheAuldGrump]

Yes! You just jolted the old memory banks here. Had totally forgotten about that one. It was good. Lost track of my copy decades ago though. My be worth an ebay search.

*AHEM*

The Auld Grump, and they have an interview with Gigi! (What can I say, I am a sucker for girls in heart shaped spectacles!) Brought back memories of a a pleasant sort. Bonus points to anyone else who can remember Filthy Pier's real name!

*EDIT* The link is to a site that has Free City of Haven available.

 

[The Thayan Menace]

Of Mystic Eyes & Ravenous Sewer Ghouls

My all time favourite city resource is MEG's Urban Blight books.

I dig Foul Locales as well, especially Urban Blight.

Below the Slaughterhouse has to be my all-time favorite drop-in scenario for an urban setting.

 

[Numion]

Products that have made for great city experiences for our group aren't sourcebooks but adventures. Two of the best adventures our group has had over the years are The Power Behind the Throne for Warhammer and Banewarrens for Ptolus. Both have city info also, but it's the meat of the adventure that makes it come alive.

 

[TheAuldGrump]

City of the White Wolf for WHFRP was decent.

I forgot to mention Campaign Planner by Ronin Arts, a lot of stuff in there is very good for city adventures. (Monster of Legend - Albino Sewer Aligator...) More seriously the Secret Society sheet.

The Auld Grump

 

[Kid Charlemagne]

*AHEM*

The Auld Grump, and they have an interview with Gigi! (What can I say, I am a sucker for girls in heart shaped spectacles!) Brought back memories of a a pleasant sort. Bonus points to anyone else who can remember Filthy Pier's real name!

*EDIT* The link is to a site that has Free City of Haven available.

That's pretty cool! I had seen that the rights had been bought some time back - is that first thing listed up there an actual new product, or a repackaging of old stuff?

EDIT: Never mind, I think I figured it out - I have that, though in the original, loose leaf, three-hole punched version. Still worth getting, in my opinion.

 

[Napftor]

My all time favourite city resource is MEG's Urban Blight books. 20 or so very detailed locations that you can just drop into any setting (pretty much). I used and reused these locations time and again. Any supplement that I can buy and immedietely use about 50% of and, with a little tweaking, use another 25%, gets best rating from me.

I highly recommend these books to anyone.

I assume you're referring to the trilogy of Foul Locales books and not just "Urban Blight". Hearing this does my heart good.

 

[Odhanan]

Hey all, just a little curious. What city related products (be they campaign settings, setting supplement/city books, or utility books like Cityworks) have contributed to great city games for you.

Because, y'know, I am finding this topic in particular to be few diamonds and a lot of rough.

Me too.

For me it is Laelith, a fantasy city that you could use with RuneQuest, AD&D, D&D, RM, CoC... even science fiction games like Star Gate SG-1. It was published in the last half of the 80s by the French magazine Casus Belli. There isn't any English speaking version I know of.

This is one of the best cities ever developed. It's last incarnation:

Links here, here and there (all in French) for more information.

There was Havena, a box set for "Das Schwarze Auge", too. Awesome memories of this city of Aventuria. And Pavis too, for RuneQuest.

Soon, Ptolus will join them.