Circle Of The Crone (Vampire The Requiem - World Of Darkness - WOD)
by David Chart, Ray Fawkes, Greg Stolze, Chuck Wendig
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Book Summary Information
Author: Chuck Wendig, David Chart, Greg Stolze, Ray FawkesEdition: Hardcover
Audio: English (Original Language); English (Unknown); English (Published)
Published: 2006-08-23
ISBN: 1588462633
Number of pages: 224
Publisher: White Wolf Publishing
Book Reviews of Circle Of The Crone (Vampire The Requiem - World Of Darkness - WOD)
Book Review: Hells Yes!
Summary: 5 Stars
I have to admit, when I first picked up the book I was full of anticipation. I hadn't really liked the Crones at first, because all I could get out of them was a neo-pagan femi-nazi kind of stereotype. I was hoping the book could expand upon, alter or outright kill those stereotypes and present the Acolytes as something more than what they appeared.
Boy was I right.
The book is excellent.
The introduction and intro fiction set the tone for what is to be an exploration of teh darker sides of Vampire. The 3 1/2 pages of introduction does wonders to establish a very different relationship with the Covenant that what lept at me from teh write-up in teh core book, while still being true to what must have been the original vision of the Covenant: Dark, inhuman and primal, yet also divine, pure and natural. There is something ancient to the Crones that none of the other Covenants can muster, something primeaval that hints at forbidden truths and forgotten lore.
The introductory piece of fiction is very dark and moody, and establishes the Acolytes as more than neo-hippies and feminists. Me like! biggrin.gif
Chapter one discusses the history of the Circle, or as much of it as can be told. Because the Circle is made up of individual cults with differing belief structures and myths, mapping out the history of the Covenant is difficult at best. Instead, the chapter focuses on how teh individual cults rise to power, and eventually fall from grace, only to rise once more. The focus on this aspect of the Circle was very refreshing, and helps establish the Circle as something organic and unique that teh Storyteller can play with and mold as he desires.
Chapter two discusses life (or unlife) in the Circle. The various cults views on Amaranth, Golcond, Torpor and teh Embrace, as well as other subjects, are discussed, and the chapter provides examples of the various rituals, practices and beliefs that cults can hold. Teh adition of example cult rituals and traditions is very satisfying, as St's can copy-paste them wholesale into theri chronicles, or simply take them as inspirations for his own creations. There is also a part of the chapter dedicated totitles and roles more or less common throughout the Covenant. I especially found the archetypal roles of Maiden, Fool, Scarlet Woman, Hero, Mother, Father, Crone and Hermit intriguing and exciting. I lik ethe way they can be twisted to fit nearly any belief structure, as well as the political avenues it opens within teh Circle while still staying true to teh Covenants religious bent.
However, chapter three is where teh book comes into it's own right. It debates Acolytes' role in the politics of the Kindred, and masterfully so. The views and beliefs of the Acolytes color their approach to the Danse Macabre in vary sepcial ways, and it was a joy to realise just how different and alien their mindset is to other, more politically minded Kindred. The way they place their religion above political gain is very unique among Vampires, and it is still made plausible within the world of Requiem.
The themes of Tribulation and Creation are everywhere in the book, and after a while they become a very natural part of the way I think about Acolytes.
I found that I especially enjoyed the concept of teh Crucible. Basically, the Acolytes put mortals through extreme tribulation, often in the form of staging extreme tragedy in their lives, and attempt to push them towards enlightenment. This is an act of Creation unliek any other, as it creates true enlightenment. Very cool, very inhuman. Very fitting. biggrin.gif
The Factions and Bloodlines chapter was cool, but not what I bought teh book for. I'm not a huge fan of Bloodlines.
Still, I found myself inspired by tehfactions and Bloodlines both, and before long I had incorporated atleast one of teh Bloodlines into my ongoing chronicle.
OF the Bloodlines, I especially liked the Gorgons (though I had to think hard to realise I liked them) and the Carnon.
The factions were very cool. Basically, they are cults like the ones discussed in chapters one and two. They have their own (often very unique) views on their Covenant and their Requiems, and many of them are masterfully written and fit into practically any chronicle. I particularly liked the Second Descent and the Semioticians. I HATE the Daughters of the Godess, but that has more to do with personal opinions than the quality of the faction.
The rest of the book is basically just Disciplines and Cruac rituals and Devotions, as well as some quick-NPC's/character concepts.
All in all, a superb book that redefines the Circle for those who never got them, and provides some solid material to work with for those who did!
I give it eight thumbs up!
Summary of Circle Of The Crone (Vampire The Requiem - World Of Darkness - WOD)
"We don't worship the same gods, you and I, but we're more alike than you think.Together, we are keeping something alive - something that has lived for thousands of years despite the wavering faith of mortal men.
The old gods are not dead. They live within us.
We give them life, warm blood, and they keep us from death.
That's our covenant, our promise. Everything else is fashion."
- Gwenyth the Grey, Acolyte Princess-in-Exile
This book includes:
* A look at the religion and culture of the Circle of the Crone - the vampire covenant made up of myriad pagan cults - and the Circle's worship of venerable creator goddesses
* Details about the nature of an Acolyte's Requiem, including guides to mythic roles, spirit contact and holy nights - useful whehter you play a member of the Circle or have dealings with priests of the covenant
* The secret powers of the pagan Damned, with new bloodlines and factions drawn from as far away as Ireland and Japan, new mystic Disciplines and more than 25 new blood sorcery rituals
Circle of the Crone is a supplement for Vampire: The Requiem. For use with the World of Darkness Rulebook.
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