Cities of Mystery

FR8 Cities of Mystery is a 64-page Forgotten Realms sourcebook released in June 1989. It includes several pages of town building tiles which can be assembled.

Official synopsis[]

Dungeon Delving can be delightful. Wandering in the wilderness is a wonderful way to pass the time. But for the ultimate in opportunity, intrigue, and unexpected danger, try visiting the nearest village, town, or city.
A city is much more than a rest stop, a watering hole, or a placee to but equipment. Any community, from the smallest hamlet ot the most crowded medievial metropolis, offers adventuring possibilities that can't be found in any other environment. Cities of Mystery describes for the Dungeon Master how to create realistic, exciting, and vibrant communities-and gives him the tools to make his creations com alive.
Inside this folder are 12 different street layout patterns that can be combined in a multitude of ways, plus 33 buildings of various shapes and sizes that can be cut out and assembled. The components, scaled for use with 25mm miniature figures, allow you to create three-dimensional city scenes for characters to explore. Also included is a 64-page book that takes you step by step through the process of defining and designing the villages, towns, and cities of your campaign world. The book contains five adventure scenarios that make use of the street layouts and fold-up buildings-ideas designed to get you started on the way to making your cities come alive.

Content[]

Development and release[]

Development[]

The book was written by Jean Rabe. Art was provided by Larry Elmore, Dennis Kauth and Christopher T. Miller.

Release[]

Cities of Mystery was released by TSR in June 1989 for $15.00 US.

On June 20, 2017, it was re-released in digital format. It is currently available on DriveThruRPG and Dungeon Masters Guild for $4.99.

Reception and influence[]

Critical reception[]

As of 2023, Cities of Mystery reached the rank of Electrum seller on DriveThruRPG.

Influence on other works[]

External links[]

References[]

Advanced Dungeons & Dragons 2nd edition
Core rules
Player's Handbook • Dungeon Master Guide Monstrous Compendium Volume One • Monstrous Compendium Volume Two • Monstrous Manual First Quest • Introduction to Advanced Dungeons & Dragons Game • The Complete Starter Set • Dungeons & Dragons Adventure Game
Optional core rules
Player's Option: Combat & Tactics • Player's Option: Skills & Powers • Player's Option: Spells & Magic Dungeon Master Option: High-Level Campaigns • Campaign Option: Council of Wyrms
Supplement lines
Player's Handbook Rules Supplement • Dungeon Master's Guide Rules Supplement Monstrous Compendium Appendix • Monstrous Compendium Annual Encyclopedia Magica • Historical Reference • The Magic Encyclopedia • Monstrous Arcana • Priest's Spell Compendium • Wizard's Spell Compendium
Other supplements
Bastion of Faith • Book of Artifacts • Castle Sites • Chronomancer • City Sites • College of Wizardry • Country Sites • Den of Thieves • Dungeon Builder's Guidebook • Guide to Hell • Legends & Lore • Rogues' Gallery • Shaman • Tome of Magic • The Vortex of Madness and Other Planar Perils • Warriors of Heaven • World Builder's Guidebook
Adventures
The Apocalypse Stone • Axe of the Dwarvish Lords • Cleric's Challenge (II) • The Dancing Hut of Baba Yaga • Destiny of Kings • Die Vecna Die! • Dragon Mountain • Dungeons of Despair • Fighter's Challenge (II) • The Gates of Firestorm Peak • A Hero's Tale • Labyrinth of Madness • The Lost Shrine of Bundushatur • Moonlight Madness • The Murky Deep • Night Below: An Underdark Campaign • A Paladin in Hell • Return to the Tomb of Horrors • Reverse Dungeon • Road to Danger • The Rod of Seven Parts • The Shattered Circle • The Silver Key • Swamplight • Tale of the Comet • Tales of Enchantment • Temple, Tower, & Tomb • Thief's Challenge (II) • TSR Jam 1999 • Wizard's Challenge (II)