Customer Reviews

The Ashen Knight: A Sourcebook for Vampire, The Dark Ages

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I am quite impressed with this book. In the tradition of Wolves of the Sea, White Wolf has really done their homework on this one. Not only does it contain much relevant information about historically existing knightly orders (such as the Knights Templar), it also contains information about how kindred manipulate and even become them. Most importantly, the Order of the Bitter Ashes is detailed. The Order has a duty to destroy infidels, protect the holy, redeem the wicked, and capture the holy relics of old for...posterity. The memebers, due to a unique embrace involving the Holy Grail, also have several new powers, among them being a limited ability to regenerate blood without feeding, and some resistance to fire and sunlight. Though they might be the most noble of the Kindred, there are still many moral dilemmas to play out with them. I get a real Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade feeling from this book. If you enjoy this sort of mood mixed with the gothic horror of Vampire: Dark Ages, this is a must have for you. My only complaint is that there is not a single mention of the one clan that most fits the knightly stereotype: the Salubri. Maybe I am just partial to the Salubri, but I think that they should not have been overlooked here. Still, the book is marvelous.

The first impresion i had upon this book was: "why bother with something so simple". But upon reading the five chapters and the appendix i was hooked on the idea. I also played for six years Truncheons and Flagons so the fantasy setting is no strange to me, whoever when you review the possilities to play a vampire knight the ideas arise (bad pun sorry). They explain in chapter one the whole concept of chivalry in medieval Europe, but the best chapter is the second where they explain how to do it and the fifth where players get their chances at playing one. New merits and flaws (i really liked the "woman in disguise" flaw, a lot of opportunities there). They also give you a brief history of a fictional vampiric knight order for those who like ready to play NPC. Overall a good read, on the gaming side a good sourcebook with good information for both storytellers and players.

This Dark Age Supplement for Vampire is one great read. What I liked about this book is that it gave historical view of the codes and conducts of chivalry, and the sociteies of the canite knighthoods. Whitewolf's eyecatching artwork in its shades of black white, catch the feel of the Dark Ages and creates a good atmosphere for the book. For those who play Vampire: TDA, this books holds are real treat as it details the "Grail Knights" briefly mentioned in previous books. They are something more than you typical Cainite Knight. Also featured in this book are some New Traits and Merits & Flaws for your character. This is one book I feel I will have plenty of use for in my library.

This book is just packed full of information. It is one of those books that drew me to Vampire to begin with. Great detail about the period, how vampires fit into it. How to play a vampire knight. Religion and how both vampiric knight and also mortal ones view it.

The book itself is a fun read, not just filled with rules but flavour to make the game better. Some of the concepts could be used in any game that uses knights.

Well worth the money. My only complaint is the art needed to be a bit better.

This is one great book, but you need the good players too. Think of a vampire walking under the sun and not getting aggravated damage, just lethal. A vampire with increased power and disciplines as well as being only lethally damaged by fire, not aggravated. However, it is compensated by the vampire duties and by those above them in the knighthood order. And yet, it is not only about the order of the bitter ashes, but about everything on chivalry. If you like the via equitus... this book is for you.