Product Description

The Dark Medieval is a very different time than the modern Final Nights. Cainites group in clans high and low, swear fealty to ancient vampiric monarchs and follow their roads of enlightenment in the same way mortals do religions. Ashen priests and princes face off in a violent world lit only by torches and fear. Dark Ages: Vampire is your complete guide to this time.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #824591 in Books
• Published on: 2002-07-15
• Format: Illustrated
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 315 pages

Customer Reviews

White Wolf Does It Again
Once again, White Wolf has made its previous output on the Vampire franchise obsolete! Dark Ages: Vampire is that good.

It incorporates the best changes from Vampire the Masquerade since that title was re-edited several years ago and expands upon it. The vampires in Dark Ages have much more potential than those in the Gothic Punk setting: you can choose from several viable moral systems rather than be restricted to one. Vampires are more powerful since disciplines can be brought up to six rather than five. The Dark Ages feel is much better represented here than in the previous Vampire: the Dark Ages book, and the artwork is superb.

I was a big fan of the latest edition of Vampire: the Masquerade, but I have to admit that I think that title has been topped by the Dark Ages: Vampire core book. It remains to be seen whether the supporting books to follow will be as good.

Wonderful
This book is a wonderful introduction to the revised Dark Ages line. I approach every single book less like a player and more like an afficionado of the World of Darkness product line. I like the background and "fluff" more than the mechanics and how it applies to the roleplaying. In this regard, the book is rich in information about each of the clans and how they fit into Medieval times. The art work is visually appealing, which is something I cannot say about some of the clanbooks. If you acquire this book and like it, I would recommend collecting the follow-up volumes 'Guide to the Low Clans' & 'Guide to the High Clans', each of which "flesh-out" each clan and their identity during that period of time.

If you were looking for a review on the mechanics and how this applies to roleplaying, et cetera ad infinitum ... I apologize because I only look that over for ideas I can use in an entirely different genre of game play ;)

But from what I did look over, it is well written and easy enough to understand for someone who isn't a bonafide roleplayer (let alone a diehard gamer).

Stunning new edition to WoD line up stopped just short
From the get go, White Wolf shows why they are on top of this industry with their intial revamp of the Dark Ags line. DA: Vampire hammers a home run with the artistic layouts and eye catching images found within. New and interesting spins are offered that were either barely touched on in the original incarnation or non existant to begin with. Some rules are updated and others expanded upon (like Mortis and the Road paths).

However, what keeps this book from being a 5 star knock out is it's stunning lack of future premonitions that were prevalent in the earlier edition. Leaving some of those key elements up to the previous book to cover was bad form on the writers part and it's exclusion kills much of the depth the original DA book had.

Ending summary:

The good: New information and new spins on the clans, roads, and disciplines. Compelling artwork and layouts.

The bad: The way the previous book was largely written off. Key elements from the old book would have enhanced this DA product immensely. It wouldn't have hurt to have some definative "set in stone" issues resolved like the origins of the Tremere (hinted at being servants to the Tzmisce) and the final fate of the Cappadocians. While White Wolf is known for their contradictory storylines and comments within their own books, at least previous books took a stance. The notable lack thereof in this one is fairly glaring.

All in all though, a top notch book. A definate replacement to it's predessesor. Just don't throw the old book away as the two can work well together in a main book/companion type of role.