Most Helpful Customer Reviews
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
More than anarchists, Carthians embrace human progress in all its forms., September 13, 2006
This review is from: Vampire Carthians (Hardcover)
Carthians presents extended information on one of the five major political factions presented in Vampire: The Requiem. A lengthy discussion of what Carthians are like, how their diverse political experiments function, and what happens when those experiments fail is presented. New game mechanics including Bloodlines, Disciplines, Devotions, and a covenant specific ability called Carthian Law are all included as well.
If you like the idea of the Carthian Movement, an idea focused around taking the best of human thought and applying it to vampiric life, but wanted more information then this is the product for you. This product provides a full description of the movement including subfactions, major beliefs, and interrelationships with the rest of the vampiric world. While many new mechanics are added to support this group the vast majority of the book is a flavorful presentation of the Carthians that creates an interesting, believable organization.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
4.0 out of 5 stars
Beats Invictus, June 26, 2010
This review is from: Vampire Carthians (Hardcover)
Let me start by saying that I'm not a huge fan of the two secular Covenants anyway. Beyond that, I found this book more interesting than the Invictus counterpart, and certainly less vague than the Crone and Sanctified offerings. It fleshes out the Carthians as something more than an anarch movement. Rather, the Carthians are agents for change and experimentation, which can be either rigid and fascistic or destabilizing and undermining to the current system of vampiric rule in a city.
The book sets a few common Carthian ideals (Tolerance within reason, collective action, individual rights, and the duty to be a complete being) and lays out a variety of methods by which Carthians might approach them. These sub-philosophies are varied and cool, and add a layer of intrigue when combined with varied political approaches (from fascism to socialism and everything between) and sub-factions. I'd consider it a three-tiered system that pretty much lets you make your city's Carthians whatever you want them to be (making it a great antagonist book, actually).
Other highlights: There are two sections on inter-Covenant relationships. There's the standard one that each of the Covenant books has, and then a second section devoted to Carthian efforts to undermine or recruit from the other covenants. The book elaborates on the otherwise vague concept of Carthian Law and its enforcement, and offers a bevy of Merits, Disciplines, and Devotions to rival any of the other Covenant books. It's the best collection of Devotions specifically that I've found yet. Finally, the Carthians' ties to mortals highlight the youth of the covenant, and this material can be used for non-Carthian games to remind players of the anachronism of long-dead vampires.
It you're collecting Covenant books, this one's as good as any other.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
2.0 out of 5 stars
Weakest covenant book, July 28, 2009
This review is from: Vampire Carthians (Hardcover)
I felt that this book was uninspired. Several of the merits presented in the book would be more suited to the Ordo Dracul, the blood-lines struck me as uninteresting or unplayable, Carthian law (a major power that can effect Carthian cities) makes play less fun rather than more so, the only seemingly interesting part of the book's crunch is it's menagerie of devotions.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
|
