The Inside Scoop on Gaming

Be warned! There are some hidden costs to this book if you decide to buy it. In my case, it cost me a couple of nights rest and a 'C' on a Japanese test.

Vimary was well worth it.

The Vimary Sourcebook is an exemplary work from DP9. It holds in its pages everything I have come to expect from DP9 and more.

Before I get into the list of what delighted me with the book I should mention what I was uncomfortable with. First, there are some things that are alluded to or shown on maps throughout the book that are not covered. I still have a couple of nagging questions as to what a certain landmark is or how something heppened. I just am a completeist at heart which is why I am bothered. Second, there are a couple of editing problems through the book. Things like a "<>" (part of the layout process for chapter heading) was accidentally not edited out, missing particles, or mis-references (in the text there is refence to 16-wheelers but on a map they are 18-wheelers) all caught my eye. However, none of these problems are at all detrimental in the actual enjoyment of the book nor its usefulness. In some cases I think they can actually add to the Sourcebook's usefulness. So there is the bad.

The good greatly outweighs any quibbles I have about the supplement. The thing that made me really enjoy the book is the fact that it IS a supplement. One can easily still play a game of T8 without this book since the new info are additions... not inclusions of necessary or omitted rules... but actual additons that can be used or not used as appropriate. This is a wonderful fact when compared to so many gaming lines that *require* 2 or 3 books just to flesh out the basics. Oh, and how exciting and fun this new info is! Yes, you can get by without the book, but trust me, you do not want to.

Two thirds of the book is laid out in the traditional firts-person storytelling style remiscient of the basic book. The last third is dedicated for use by the Weaver and includes a host of insights on the politics, environs, and people of Vimary.

In Vimary you get the NPCs, legends from each of the tribes (and a few outsiders like the Fallen), a couple of new creatures, location descriptions, more handy Weaver advice (like how to handle the pesky barter system), secret societies, the politics of the Fatimas, secrets revealed, questions raised, plot ideas, and more (yes, more)!

Now, as to the layout. It is quite nice actually. The complaints I and many others had about the basic book are cleaned up in the Vimary book. The headers of the chapters, which in the core book are difficult to read, are MUCH easier to see and pay attention to in the Vimary Sourcebook. Similarly, the chapters are divided nicely so one knows when they are embarking on a new section. We asked, and Dream Pod 9 listened!

The pictures throughout the book are prolific and exceptional (as usual for T8 and DP9 as a whole). I do not think one pic is a reproduction from previous works and all are excellent in setting the mood for whatever you are reading about.

Vimary also has, wonders of wonders, maps! I, for one, love maps and I know gamers as a whole appreciate them. The Vimary Sourcebook is full of them. This is a big plus on the part of the book.

Another big selling point for the supplement is the fact that over 30 NPCs are detailed. For Weavers this is a great asset. The best part is that, yes there are loads of fun and useable NPCs, but there is still a considerable amount of info on Vimary as a whole. There is not a wasted page or sidebar in this book.

I really could go on and on about the Vimary Sourcebook. Despite a few problems this book is a gem and I would HIGHLY suggest it for any T8 campaign.

Buy this.

Style: 5 (Excellent!)
Substance: 5 (Excellent!)

Vimary Sourcebook
Author: Joshua Mosqueria, Lucien Soulban Category: game Company/Publisher: Dream Pod 9 Cost: 22.95 Page count: 144 ISBN: DP9-803 Capsule Review by Chris Gunning on 11/27/98. Genre tags: Fantasy Horror Post-apocalypse	Be warned! There are some hidden costs to this book if you decide to buy it. In my case, it cost me a couple of nights rest and a 'C' on a Japanese test. Vimary was well worth it. The Vimary Sourcebook is an exemplary work from DP9. It holds in its pages everything I have come to expect from DP9 and more. Before I get into the list of what delighted me with the book I should mention what I was uncomfortable with. First, there are some things that are alluded to or shown on maps throughout the book that are not covered. I still have a couple of nagging questions as to what a certain landmark is or how something heppened. I just am a completeist at heart which is why I am bothered. Second, there are a couple of editing problems through the book. Things like a "<>" (part of the layout process for chapter heading) was accidentally not edited out, missing particles, or mis-references (in the text there is refence to 16-wheelers but on a map they are 18-wheelers) all caught my eye. However, none of these problems are at all detrimental in the actual enjoyment of the book nor its usefulness. In some cases I think they can actually add to the Sourcebook's usefulness. So there is the bad. The good greatly outweighs any quibbles I have about the supplement. The thing that made me really enjoy the book is the fact that it IS a supplement. One can easily still play a game of T8 without this book since the new info are additions... not inclusions of necessary or omitted rules... but actual additons that can be used or not used as appropriate. This is a wonderful fact when compared to so many gaming lines that require 2 or 3 books just to flesh out the basics. Oh, and how exciting and fun this new info is! Yes, you can get by without the book, but trust me, you do not want to. Two thirds of the book is laid out in the traditional firts-person storytelling style remiscient of the basic book. The last third is dedicated for use by the Weaver and includes a host of insights on the politics, environs, and people of Vimary. In Vimary you get the NPCs, legends from each of the tribes (and a few outsiders like the Fallen), a couple of new creatures, location descriptions, more handy Weaver advice (like how to handle the pesky barter system), secret societies, the politics of the Fatimas, secrets revealed, questions raised, plot ideas, and more (yes, more)! Now, as to the layout. It is quite nice actually. The complaints I and many others had about the basic book are cleaned up in the Vimary book. The headers of the chapters, which in the core book are difficult to read, are MUCH easier to see and pay attention to in the Vimary Sourcebook. Similarly, the chapters are divided nicely so one knows when they are embarking on a new section. We asked, and Dream Pod 9 listened! The pictures throughout the book are prolific and exceptional (as usual for T8 and DP9 as a whole). I do not think one pic is a reproduction from previous works and all are excellent in setting the mood for whatever you are reading about. Vimary also has, wonders of wonders, maps! I, for one, love maps and I know gamers as a whole appreciate them. The Vimary Sourcebook is full of them. This is a big plus on the part of the book. Another big selling point for the supplement is the fact that over 30 NPCs are detailed. For Weavers this is a great asset. The best part is that, yes there are loads of fun and useable NPCs, but there is still a considerable amount of info on Vimary as a whole. There is not a wasted page or sidebar in this book. I really could go on and on about the Vimary Sourcebook. Despite a few problems this book is a gem and I would HIGHLY suggest it for any T8 campaign. Buy this. Style: 5 (Excellent!) Substance: 5 (Excellent!)