Libellus Sanguinis I: Masters of the State | Libellus Sanguinis II: Keepers of the Word | |
Craig Bolin, Richard E. Dansky, and Robert Hatch | Jackie Cassada, Richard Stratton, and Cynthia Summers | |
White Wolf, 100 pages | White Wolf, 112 pages |
A review by Don Bassingthwaite
No, that's not a dirty word, although it easily might have been. The libelli sanguinium
are the supplementary clanbooks of
Vampire: The Dark Ages, bringing the idea back full circle and covering the
medieval existence of the modern clans. You want history? Here it is, and very well
done. It would have been easy to stuff these supplementary clanbooks with filler. I'm glad
White Wolf resisted the temptation. Instead of trying to give each medieval clan its own
book, three have been put into each libelli sanguini. Remember that filler light? Nary a
wink while I was reading these books.
Libellus Sanguinis I: Masters of the State came out in 1997, so it has been floating
around for a little while. It details those Cainite clans most interested in worldly
power: the Lasombra, Tzimisce, and Ventrue. The write-ups here are wonderful. Each clan
gets a nice chunk of treatment, enough that each also develops a distinct personality. Did
you ever feel that there wasn't much of a difference between the Lasombra and the Ventrue?
This book will clear that up. I'm very impressed by the way that the unique perspectives
of the clans are brought out. The presentation of what it means to be Lasombra or Tzimisce
or Ventrue is strong. The geographical and social power bases of each clan are detailed and
brought to life as well. I'm particularly impressed by the section on the Tzimisce. Disgusting,
monstrous, horrendous, and bloody damn... well, bloody, not just for the sake of being gory
but because that's the kind of inhuman creatures the Tzimisce are. Well done! In fact, I'd
even go so far as to say this is better stuff than the original Clanbook: Tzimisce.
Libellus Sanguinis II: Keepers of the Word is the newer book, released in late 1998
and detailing the learned clans of Brujah. Toreador, and Tremere. The format is basically
the same as that of Masters of the State, with each clan detailed and brought to
life. This time around though, the descriptions are a little more philosophical and a little
less concerned with raw power -- as befits clans that are less concerned with politics. The
section on the Toreador is particularly interesting, focusing on the arts of Courtly Love
that give the clan so much meaning in the medieval period. It really goes a long way toward
giving the Toreador the special place that they deserve in the Middle Ages as barons of
culture and not just reflections of the decadent contemporary clan. A similar theme appears
in the sections on the Brujah and the Tremere. The Brujah of the Middle Ages are much
closer to their lost wisdom and nobility -- in fact, they are very much in the throes of
the changes that will create the rebels of the contemporary
World of Darkness. The Tremere are likewise close to their past as mages
and Keepers of the World reinforces the sense that at this time they are still
wielders of "magick" first and vampires second.
Both of the libelli sanguinium provide a number of interesting tidbits that filter down
through the World of Darkness timeline. Various Tremere and Ventrue characters
mentioned here have appeared before in other World of Darkness products. The
roots of the Sabbat can be seen in the Dark Ages Lasombra and Tzimisce... and, surprisingly, Ventrue!
In addition to these subtler links, each clan write-up concludes with a short description
of what succeeding centuries will bring. And remember those clan secrets I looked forward
to in the original clanbooks? Well, some of them come out here. A Lithuanian branch of
Tremere practicing a form of Thaumaturgy derived from shamanism. The Lasombra involvement on
both sides of the Reconquista -- not all of the vampires of Moorish and Middle Eastern descent
have to be Assamites! The magic of Tzimisce Koldunic Sorcery (just another example of the
richness Masters of the State adds to this clan). Fascinating stuff!
If you're keeping score, Masters of the State and Keepers of the Word cover six
of the thirteen clans described in Vampire: The Dark Ages. Clanbook:
Cappadocian is also available, bringing the total covered to seven (counting
Clanbook: Baali and the forthcoming Clanbook: Salubri outside of the clan total of thirteen).
That leaves another six clans to be covered -- a perfect fit for two more libelli
sanguinium. I'm looking forward to them. If the original idea to produce clanbooks was
good, the Dark Ages supplements are great, adding a new layer of historical detail to the
World of Darkness. Even you don't play Vampire: The Dark Ages,
I'd recommend getting your hands on these books. A good history sense of history adds so much to a story!
Don Bassingthwaite is the author of Such Pain (HarperPrism), Breathe Deeply (White Wolf), and Pomegranates Full and Fine (White Wolf), tie-in novels to White Wolf's World of Darkness role-playing games. He can't remember when he started reading science fiction, but has been gaming since high school (and, boy, is his dice arm tired!). |
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