Customer Reviews

Kindred of the East (For Vampire, the Masquerade)

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Congratulations to White Wolf on this book. It offers a good view of a new type of supernatural to add to the World of Darkness (but, carefully.) I like the openness of the players moral decisions; they're much closer to Sabbat Paths than Humanity, yet they're not evil- they just have a different world view than the Western Kindred are used to. The book does a good job describing it and setting the feel for it. Contrary to the other reviews, I find the Eastern and Western Kindred to be fairly balanced power-wise. If you're interested in extending your World of Darkness setting into the East, this book is a must.

I thought that KoE was one of the best books that I have read from White Wolf. It takes and enforces the original intention of Vampire: the Masquerade, the struggle between keeping your Humanity and succumbing to your Beast. It is designed to keep players from becoming ungodly strong power characters really quickly and simply ignoring the enlightenment part. In my opinion that alone makes it a very worthwhile game since it focuses on roleplaying more than how much power you can grab. And yes the Kuei-jin are strong, but they also have disadvantages that equal them out so they have no more of an advantage than any other group does. All in all, an extremely excellent book.

White Wolf has captured the mysticism and uniqueness of the Orient in KotE, and describe an imaginative race of vampires that in no way are a copy of western vampires. In fact, after reading KotE, I think western vampires are quite boring and without purpose. Together with the rest of WW's Asia-oriented books, like Hengeyokai, KotE is a masterpiece. The only downside is that maybe it's not very easy to play KotE compared to Vampire, and it's definitely harder to find the right Asian atmosphere. But other than that, it's perfect.

The new Kindred of the East book has proven to be a great use for me and my friends. The all new ways of Dharma and the different kuei jin disciplines prove to be a nice taste of something different than just V:tm. The option of being a kindred of the east or just the flavor it adds to the chronicle is more than enough to make me feel that purchasing this book was well worth the money.

When I first read this book, I was skepitcal: I had heard that the vamps of the east used chi instead of blood. That sort of turned me of...till I read deeper into the book. In short, the being inside are both uggly and beautiful, malignant and bengin. They have a goal some what like that of the Hengeyokai...that is, when it comes to preserving places of high chi. Their true quest is one of enlightenment and redemtion...unlike their western counterparts, who are often turned into vamps against their will, the Kuei-jin, as they call themsleves, are souls who have fallen out of sinc with the Great Wheel due to bad Karma. This book is a must have for any Vampire player.

Now here you see some serious ****. When I first met an Asian vampire, I was surprised by her obvious gentleness and passion. And then by her really intimidating beast ! Man, these guys sure ARE serious trouble. Stay out of their way if you can ! You better believe what I tell you, because, although they are powerful and influential (and hard to play), they are also some of the most unnerving and deep reaching characters in the WoD. A doubleedged sword with a sharp handle, so to say. But beware, they won't tolerate you if you are a Cainite, a Kin-jin, since you are a barbarian, and deserve to be destroyed. *OOC: If you want to play one of these guys, prepare for a complete new experience, together with a relatively rebuilt rule system, and a totally new philosophy.*

the Marquis, vmapire hunter and leech himself

Gorgeous artwork. Fantastic new world. Great reinterpretations of things. Wonderful use of mixing history with the World of Darkness. They promised to deliver a vampire alien to the kindred of Caine, and they succeeded; the setting is exotic, interesting, and definitely recommended. I especially liked their take on lycanthropes. I didn't like the lack of information on India, which would have been a great setting and prime conflict ground with British vampires. The Russia/Mongolia/China boundaries could have been interesting as well. It's impossible to play without the original Vampire book, which irks me; a completely new setting could use a reexplanation, I think. Lastly, the nature/demeanor/dharma split isn't quite clear. It's obvious that some traits are connected to and sympathetic with others, but what this sympathy does in terms of the game is never well-explained.

Definitely a fascinating entry for the WoD series, and in my mind, a candidate for its own 'line,' rather than just a supplement to V:tM's Western Kindred. Complex, yes -- but reflecting the complex patterns of history and society of the Far East and the philosophies animating these mysterious creatures. If you look at just dots and damage dice, indeed, it is easy to create formidable fighters from these creatures--but there are lots of other opportunities and paths to follow, if you're willing to open your mind to them. It's especially important to remember how crucial "setting" is to these creatures...just as a lone Ventrue stands little chance of surviving in the Middle Kingdoms, in the West, the Kuei-jin are still making inroads. On a sigular basis, the challenges the West presents should keep these powerful Kindred in check.

Well Well. This has got to be one of the best books That Ive ever read. This is ranked up there with the traditions gathered Volume 2 and the Clan Novel Series. White Wolf Produces a new breed of Vampire, and, oddly enough, a Breed who's origin is more beleiveable then the Original Vampire's. A slew of new ( and very cool ) Powers, and Dharmas. You should Pick up the Companion too, its fullof more minority Dharma's and powers.

as you'll notice on it's cover it says that is a sourcebook for the masquerade. white wolf has outdone itself on KoE and made it a game of its own. the powers of the kindred are powerful and vast they are balanced by their own inner demons and their fight against self-destruction. while it may seem unbalanced to those who play western vampires, you are just seeing one side of the coin.