Citybook IV: On the Road (1990) should probably be the one where I say “this is a bit of a stretch.” After all, it isn’t really a city sourcebook anymore now that we’re dealing with sites of interest on the way to the city — border crossings, traveling salesmen, coach services, inns and notable wilderness locations. And this book might have wobbled if anyone else was in charge, but they got Jennell Jaquays in the editor’s chair, so all is well. She delivered a pretty swell cover to boot.

So, while this book is still good, it definitely strays away from the city and becomes something of a general toolkit for on the road encounters and complications. Just about everything in here is useful, but it doesn’t feel quite so cohesive. Highlights for me include the snake oil salesman, the big grouping of wandering NPCs and the border tower with a jail cell haunted by a dream lord.

Lots of artists in this one, but no clear credit for some, unfortunately. Danforth does some nice landscape pieces. Jaquays contributes quite a few character portraits. It’s a good one!