The Lasombra section was fairly interesting. It describes the split in the Lasombra between Christian and Muslim, their secret society known as the Amici Noctis, and a host of new powers. The elder-only powers are a little over the top (which is the tendency in WW) but there are several powers which mix Lasombra disciplines at lower levels, which means young'uns can use them too.

The Tzimisce was fascinating. It gave a good feel of how a voivode's estate is run and provides a list of the DA ghoul families, which didn't all make it to the modern day. Finally a write-up on Koldunic sorcery! It needs more detail, though, and I was a little disappointed that Koldunic sorcery seems to be Thaumaturgy with different names. There are elder powers here, too, ranging from the twisted to the obscene. This was, to me, the most interesting part of the book.

The Ventrue section is pretty boring, but there is minor interest to be found in the sections on the factions within the Ventrue, especially the Merchant Princes.

All in all, a very worthwhile book. I recommend it to anyone who plans to run a Dark Ages game.


Sparse but entertaining   July 4, 1998
 4 out of 4 found this review helpful

I could have done with more information about the individual clans... after all, this is a compilation of the Ventrue, Lasombra and Tzimisce. Being a Tzimisce fan, I especially enjoyed the information on Koldunic sorcery and the additional information about Vozhd and Szlachta creation and the DA equivallents of the Revenants and the Lost Families. The information about how to become a Koldun and how exactly one would acquire Koldunic magic system-wise was unclear. If you are a fan of at least two of these clans, I recommend the book.


You guys are missing the point...   February 9, 2000
 3 out of 16 found this review helpful

Koldunic sorcery IS thaumaturgy for all intents and purposes. All thaumaturgy is is using the power of vampire blood to power magic. It's like magic in Mage basically, except it uses vitae instead of quintessence or tass. Koldunic sorcery is the same thing. It is using blood to power magic. Simply enough, it is just an ancient form of thaumaturgy that is not as polished as the Tremere form (they had been Magi for quite some time before they became Cainite).

I think it wouldn't make sense to call Koldunic Sorcery as thaumaturgy, mainly because the former predates the later. But, as stated previously, they are basically the same thing.


Call of Power   February 6, 2001
 2 out of 2 found this review helpful

The Part about the Lasombra is very interesting and shows the machinations of the Magisters. The Ventrue are perfect Antagonists to them, their completly different approach to power is nice written. But the the part on the Tzimisce is written from the Point of a Tremere, their deadly Enemies, giving a very morbid View to them. On the other Hand, having only your enemies speaking about you, doesn't show your beliefs and aims... ;)