Customer Reviews

Earthdawn rulebook, 2nd Edition

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

 

 

This book is a definate improvement over 1st edition; sadly, finding supporting products is hard to do.

I was involved with this system for one year as a Christ follower, and this review is directed at those who are spiritually minded. I was immediately impressed with many aspects that were rich but simple; intuitive, but interesting. The book reads as much like a story as a manual, and I found that it answers questions, but leaves the game open to further exploration. However, I am not rating the system based on the technical attributes.
The pantheon of "Passions" is quite disturbing, and that is where the 1-star rating comes from. The 12 major passions are worshiped throughout the world, even if they have become "mad". They embody their attributes to a fault. Encouraging the followers to stomp over the world in pursuit of a narrow minded goal. The longer you serve, the more power they give you, but upon embarking down the road, you are expected to worship more completely, perhaps in fear, in case the passions send their deceased worshipers to kill you. Many of them have goals that are noble, like healing, justice, and freedom. However, they are black and white with no room for interpretation or gray situations. They are distractions from what is actually important in life. They are set opposite the demons known as "horrors" which lends the impression that they are good, and yet even the best of them are just as oppressive to live under as the horrors. How ironic is it that the passion that values freedom creates a cage for the follower that they themselves cannot see? This is the case for them all, and following any passion is more likely than not, idolatry.
Missing from these demigods is love, forgiveness, grace and any kind of personal relationship.
If you use this product, I strongly encourage you to have no dealings with the passions. What use is it to have fun for a night, and lose your soul in the process? I give this warning so that others may not stumble where I did.