VtM - WhiteWolf: Genealogy

VtM - Review: Blood Magic: Secrets of Thaumaturgy
cliche that the Setites generally are. The entire philosophy of the magic presented makes it seem like the
Setites exist merely to spitefully break things like some petulant child. Not the sort of sophisticated belief
system I expect from subtle and powerful manipulators of vampiric affairs. The paths themselves aren't
all that bad. There are two, one dealing with addictions and the manipulation of them, and the other
dealing with breaking down and corrupting things (beauty, trust, love, hope, and authority respectively).
The former, however, inexplicably has only four levels defined. I assume an editing error. The rituals are
actually rather interesting, though some are pure cheese and more fitting for fomori (another 'eeeeevil'
bunch). Rating: 2
Now we come to Assamite Sorcery, starting with some history and a short bit on its roots, and wrapping
up with a discussion of the goals of the viziers who are searching, we are told, divinity in their drug
induced visions. The concepts are good but still didn't grab me, much like the other Assamite material. I
think it just needs some more depth and integration. It just seems detached and not well worked into the
rest of the clan (which still hasn't grown beyond its stereotype anyway). Also, I was uninspired by the
near-sentient telecommunications network which the viziers are apparently speaking to in their dreams. It
just seems more in keeping with Mage than Vampire and I wouldn't use it. Lastly, after all the talk of
spirituality and the search for divinity, the path presented is all about killing things, sneaking up on
things to kill them, and finding them so you can do the aforementioned two. The same sort of uninspired
assassination-related powers that Quietus gives us. The rituals, for the most part, follow suit. The only
sign of the previously mentioned history and roots are pretentious names and playacting of events in
Babylonian mythology in order to kill shit better. Rating: 2
The last bit is on Koldunic Sorcery and is another disappointment. Mostly because I have little actual
knowledge of the belief system behind it and the book provides almost nothing to work with. Barely a
page is devoted to the background, the rest of the section given over instead to five elemental paths
which are grossly overpowered in many respects (the Way of Fire allows you to summon forth magma)
and frustratingly vague in others (the entire Way of Spirit). Further, references to 'volcanoes found
throughout Eastern Europe' suggest to me that the author hasn't really researched the area all that much,
as I fail to find any reference to such. This would also explain the lack of any substantitive Koldunic
background or philosophy. Rating: 1
The Appendix is fairly unremarkable. The first part deals with magical creations, like gargoyles,
homonculi, blood brothers, and various sorts of zombies. Useful, but not particularly remarkable. The
second part gives a one page 'splat' to two previously untouched revenant families. The first is the
Ducheski, who defected to the Tremere during their war with the Tzimisce. The writeup is okay, but
there isn't much to distinguish them from other revenants (same hangups, same problems, same
isolation). Then we are given the Rafastio, who were touched upon briefly in the Storytellers Handbook.
Here, we are given their disciplines and weakness, but not much is added beyond what was covered in
the other book. Both of these revenant families, it should be noted, are dying off, which really makes
them more of a footnote in vampiric affairs. Rating: 3
In the end, it is a real mixed bag. Some of the material I'll really use and is a great addition to the game.
Some of it is a backwards step and should be discarded with prejudice. For Tremere fans, the good news
http://vampirerpg.free.fr/Books/2106.php3 (4 of 5) [6/1/2002 12:20:05 AM]