The Keep (Mayfair Games)

The Keep (Mayfair Games) was a role-playing game module published by Mayfair Games as part of their Role-Aids line. It is designed for use with any fantasy role-playing game system, offering a generic, detailed setting for adventure.

The module focuses on a fortified keep, providing comprehensive information about its layout, inhabitants (both human and monstrous), defenses, and surrounding areas. It includes floor plans, NPC descriptions with motivations, potential adventure hooks, and rumors to inspire game masters (GMs).

The Keep is presented as a ready-to-use location that can be dropped into existing campaigns or used as the basis for new ones. The emphasis is on providing enough detail to allow the GM to run the setting with minimal preparation, while also leaving room for customization to fit their specific needs.

Key elements typically included in The Keep module include:

• Detailed Maps: Accurate and comprehensive maps of the keep's interior and exterior, including individual rooms, corridors, and surrounding terrain.
• NPC Descriptions: Background information on the key characters within the keep, including their personalities, motivations, skills, and relationships.
• Adventure Hooks: Suggestions for adventures that could be staged within or around the keep, often involving conflicts between different factions, the discovery of hidden treasures, or the emergence of a new threat.
• Encounter Tables: Random encounter tables to add variety and unpredictability to the game.
• Rumors and Legends: A collection of rumors and legends that the players can hear from the NPCs, providing clues and suggesting possible courses of action.

The Role-Aids line in general was known for providing detailed and system-neutral settings and scenarios for use with various RPG systems, allowing GMs to focus on storytelling and gameplay rather than spending time creating their own environments from scratch.