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Masquerade Chronicle Primer
Publisher: White Wolf
by David B. [Verified Purchaser]
Date Added: 12/15/2017 09:54:19

Finally got this! Am always looking at ways of improving my Chronicle designs, so this book of course appealed to me very much!

The Good. Such a nice, straightforward format and approach, covering all kinds of bases. Lots of excellent considerations and rules of thumb, including expansion on how to design a fictional city. The random methods of giving characters secrets and relationships remind me a bit of D&D back in the day, which is fine and no doubt can be very useful. I suspect the vast majority of Storytellers and STV writers would find this very useful in all sorts of ways, with the random detail generating systems automatically creating some startling and wonderful background details.

The Not-Great I do think too little time and ink goes towards what might be called the creative aspects of storytelling, relying on formula without offering a guide about how to let secrets and stories emerge from the characters themselves. Likewise I would have like far more about how to integrate Theme and Mood, as well as a breakdown of what mortal institutions actually hold the key to power.



Rating:
[5 of 5 Stars!]
Masquerade Chronicle Primer
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Bloody but Unbowed
Publisher: White Wolf
by David B. [Verified Purchaser]
Date Added: 12/14/2017 09:40:59

This little chronicle admirably sets out to do precisely what it intends! I want to address two things especially.

(1) The Setting. Rockford comes across as a very believable location, in the general area of Chicago but with a young Prince determined to change the city's nature to match her vision, winning loyalty particularly of the Gangrel in her domain. Plenty to expand upon, but mostly just a lovely example of a "small" city in the WoD. Bravo!

(2) The Story. Essentially this comes across as an elaborate jump-start, intended as a Prelude of some kind, without trying to force the players' hands yet covering all the basics of what might happen, in general (but logical) enough terms to allow plenty of leeway. This strikes me as not only well written by very wise.



Rating:
[4 of 5 Stars!]
Bloody but Unbowed
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Creator Reply:
Thanks so very much! Writing Rockford as a World of Darkness setting was surprisingly easy, though I do intend to expand on the city in future products. I’m glad you enjoyed the campaign jumpstart elements of the story. I hope this can serve as the beginning of many a chronicle! -Travis
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Thanks so very much! Writing Rockford as a World of Darkness setting was surprisingly easy, though I do intend to expand on the city in future products. I’m glad you enjoyed the campaign jumpstart elements of the story. I hope this can serve as the beginning of many a chronicle! -Travis
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10 Animalistic Features
Publisher: White Wolf
by David B. [Verified Purchaser]
Date Added: 12/04/2017 17:29:49

Kudos for absolute, utter and total truth in advertising!

Okay, I'll admit it doesn't deal with some of the consequences of (for example) horns in a Gangrel, such as being mistaken for a Baali. And what about tentacles on ones scalp for a Medusa look? Still, just a fun little thing with a few intriguing details to set off the imagination!



Rating:
[4 of 5 Stars!]
10 Animalistic Features
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States of Bearing
Publisher: White Wolf
by David B. [Verified Purchaser]
Date Added: 12/04/2017 16:15:32

States of Bearing really is a very good idea, imho. I'm happy to include it in my library and its system should at least be available for Storytellers and Players to consider using. For one thing, it harkens back to what I always find most intriguing about this game -- the personal horror. The struggle to retain a sense of self against the internal growling of the Beast.

I do find it overly technical, though. I frankly had to re-read several passages over time to understand them, and it doesn't really go very much into the meanings of different Bearings, which I had hoped it would. Still, well worth the price and (again) plenty useful for those wanting to take these themes seriously!



Rating:
[3 of 5 Stars!]
States of Bearing
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Madison by Night
Publisher: White Wolf
by David B. [Verified Purchaser]
Date Added: 12/04/2017 11:57:27

Very well done indeed! The look is clean and intriguing, especially with precise and at times almost poetic section headings. More, the "world" of Madison feels consistent, so much so one can easily imagine how to make a character "fit in."

I did wish for more general knowledge about Madison itself, such as the population. More, a tad more background information about the NPCs (all of whom seem very cool in their own ways) would have been nice (like sires). But that is a personal taste.

Overall, an admirable job done with an impressive economy! Many thanks!



Rating:
[4 of 5 Stars!]
Madison by Night
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Rose City by Night
Publisher: White Wolf
by David B. [Verified Purchaser]
Date Added: 10/13/2017 10:00:08

Extremely impressive, not least because of expanded rules involving Feeding as well as an intricate background for the entire city. The author cleverly left room to fit in NPCs as well as of course Player Characters, while carefully not insisting on exact numbers of Cainites in Portland. That seems left up to Storytellers. Likewise she created a set of situations where Player Characters might fit right in, pretty much regardless of Clan or allegiance. Especially nice is the sense of place, of a city that "feels older than it is" with lots of wiggle room to expand on the backstory we know.

I do think the original artwork she used works better overall than that from the Art Packs offered, while for my taste I wish more attention were included to how the different NPCs interact (on the other hand the "ongoing prelude" throughout gave a very nice hint of such).

Given its sheer size, I cannot but think the author has underpriced her product! Especially since this book really functions as two--one which gives the background of Portland in the World of Darkness but also as an exploration of something that remains integral to vampires yet also under-explored in the game (at least in my experience).

Bravo!



Rating:
[5 of 5 Stars!]
Rose City by Night
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VtM- City Worksheet for Camarilla [3rd Edition]
Publisher: White Wolf
by David B. [Verified Purchaser]
Date Added: 10/03/2017 21:21:28

At its most basic, this is a simple worksheet to work out the details for a City By Night supplement. Okay, well done. It makes for a simple handout of a very few pages, essentially asking the basics of a city including Theme and Mood, Who is the Prince, Where are the Hospitals, What are the Nice (and other types of) Neighborhoods, etc. It is rather like a form to fill out, albeit with not enough room to fill in the answers I would put down. Looks as if the author intended for people to simply imput lists. In very tiny handwriting. That in effect is my only real criticism--please leave room for more complete answers to the questions asked.



Rating:
[4 of 5 Stars!]
VtM- City Worksheet for Camarilla [3rd Edition]
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Monastery of Metamorphosis: One Page Chronicle Jumpstart
Publisher: White Wolf
by David B. [Verified Purchaser]
Date Added: 09/24/2017 09:19:07

Very interesting! And potentially a really interesting flashpoint in the region, amidst different factions and groups, but also on a very personal level for both PCs and NPCs. I'm not familiar with the "Path of Metamorphisis" but then I've also not delved that far into the Sabbat.



Rating:
[4 of 5 Stars!]
Monastery of Metamorphosis: One Page Chronicle  Jumpstart
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Obelisk of Oak Island: One Page Chronicle Jumpstart
Publisher: White Wolf
by David B. [Verified Purchaser]
Date Added: 09/24/2017 09:16:08

More than any other, this Jumpstart resembles a good old fastioned Dungeon Crawl. Not a complaint or criticism, just a comment. I don't personally care for the Salubri, but that is okay. There's a lot of genuine weirdness about Oak Island, and honestly this doesn't touch on much of that at all. Which is too bad, but that misses the point of what this is! It is not a fully fledged adventure but a seed from which a Storyteller can expand. I find the aftermath of what would happen here really interesting--because having in effect a Salubri Elder wake up and find out what happened to their Clan, with the PCs as possibly their only anchor into the modern world, well that strikes me as an especially splendid idea!



Rating:
[4 of 5 Stars!]
Obelisk of Oak Island: One Page Chronicle  Jumpstart
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The Templar’s Childe: One Page Chronicle Jumpstart
Publisher: White Wolf
by David B. [Verified Purchaser]
Date Added: 09/24/2017 09:07:59

I gave The Templar's Childe one less star than the others in this series because of a pet peeve of mine. Fundamentally I don't understand this tendency to create Ventrue characters then don't tell us their taste. This seems to be a window into that vampire's mind and heart and soul. It seems much like drawing up a Malkavian without revealing their derangement(s). Also, since when does a high-ranking member of the Sabbat have Humanity?

Other than that, I like very much the balance struck here. The hint from which to design an "Albany by Night" for example, and the various openings left to develop a further story as well as more of the general background.



Rating:
[3 of 5 Stars!]
The Templar’s Childe: One Page Chronicle  Jumpstart
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Creator Reply:
As always, thank you for the feedback! The Sabbat Ventrue provided is not on Humanity, he's on the Path of Honorable Accord. The other Ventrue (Prince Smit) in the Jumpstart is a member of the Camarilla, which is why he's on Humanity. Also, I respect your pet peeve and I'll see about getting an updated version up with those details. Feeding Restrictions Smit: Faux rebels and counter-culturists (these days he tends toward old hippies and hipsters) Ronald: He must ask and receive permission from those he feeds upon without the use of any discipline.
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A Singular Darkness: One Page Chronicle Jumpstart
Publisher: White Wolf
by David B. [Verified Purchaser]
Date Added: 09/22/2017 09:47:26

As with Things Go Southly, another in this series of Jumpstarts, this one remains very open ended and adjustable. It does focus on one specific character, though, and at least suggests an overspecific immediate background. But these specifics, upon reflection, can alter pretty easily. Instead of one vampire at the bar, it could be two or three (or even more). The location of the bar could be altered. For that matter, the central Kindred character might well be a friend or ally of the PCs. Exactly what the seeming Antagonist is up to remains vague, but then that seems the point. So this might well word, and very well too. Looking back on my own Chronicles, this could have "fit in" with little trouble.



Rating:
[4 of 5 Stars!]
A Singular Darkness:  One Page  Chronicle Jumpstart
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Creator Reply:
The design for this was a tad different as this one was the first I wrote. It riffs off details on Dark Colony, but could easily be brought into a different location like you say. I also had planned for the shop to be a bookstore, but a bar works as well!
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Things Go Southy: One Page Chronicle Jumpstart
Publisher: White Wolf
by David B. [Verified Purchaser]
Date Added: 09/22/2017 09:42:19

I think the idea of this makes sense, and keeping it "open" rather than too specific actually seems essential to the basic point. So my initial frustation at lack of details, of depth are totally on me. This "jumpstart" is honestly designed well for its intention--to provide a point of beginning (or promising filler) for a Chronicle. For example, much of the "city" background here can easily be altered for another location. Even what the box contains might be changed pretty easily and the Coterie's "rivals" might well be someone else altogether.

So kudos! Absolutely and precisely what it intends to be.



Rating:
[4 of 5 Stars!]
Things Go Southy: One Page Chronicle  Jumpstart
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Creator Reply:
Hi David, Thanks for the review! The flexibility angle was one of the design goals so I'm glad that came through. Check out Monastery if you want one with a bit more detail. The details there include a lot more characters and their backgrounds.
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Clanbook: Nahema
Publisher: White Wolf
by David B. [Verified Purchaser]
Date Added: 09/12/2017 18:45:11

Honestly, I wish there were a lot more content. The basic story about the Nahema's origins and powers are cool and all. But I wish the author had delved into the factions (such as may exist) in those who wait for their Founder's return. Some more templates as well. However-- the new derangements were fascinating and certainly offer up wonderfully disturbing possibilities! Essentially the Nahema are Malkavians on steroids. Heh heh.

Also, kudos for discussing how derangements and mental illness are not "cute" but rather serious problems with specific symptomology.



Rating:
[4 of 5 Stars!]
Clanbook: Nahema
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Bloodlinebook: Deava
Publisher: White Wolf
by David B. [Verified Purchaser]
Date Added: 09/04/2017 00:03:20

A fascinating idea! A kind of Anti-Nosferatu! With an extremely specific backstory that certainly allows new Player Characters to fit in! I do have two complaints about the writing--one being the sheer number of typos. But also, I sometimes lost the thread of events described. These cost the book a single star, but still I prefer this bloodline to some of the official clans to be honest! I like the Daeva! They read like a kind of very individual vampire species one might read in an interesting series of novels.



Rating:
[4 of 5 Stars!]
Bloodlinebook: Deava
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Missoula by Night
Publisher: White Wolf
by David B. [Verified Purchaser]
Date Added: 09/02/2017 17:17:19

Very nice indeed. The sheer power, age and generation of the Elders surprised me but the background explained it quite nicely, just as the number of tourists help explain the number of Kindred (while leaving room for Player Characters). The "look" is spot on, with an excellent explanation of the city overall. I do miss having very many secrets even hinted at, much less given in what I would suppose to be used by Storytellers. But this comes across as something for Players rather. Artwork is lovely, writing style clear and evocative. I look forward to what else this Chronicle might have to offer!



Rating:
[4 of 5 Stars!]
Missoula by Night
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