The Inside Scoop on Gaming

To sum up, this book is excellent. It is obviously only for the Dark Ages, not one of the ones you can use to crossover. Cynthia Summers did a fine job writing this. Now on to the larger part of the review

Unlike my last review, I'm going to start at the Front Cover. The only part of the book I did not like. It has a vampire, holding an axe. It has a 3rd eye, which of course fits for the Salubri, and the axe could signify the warrior caste of theirs. Only problem, pale blue skin and bright red lips. Not blood red, lipstick red.

Chapter One: This is a introduction story. It's above-par for a White Wolf Product. Meaning I could read it straight through. It did a okay job conveying the Salubri, but...it didn't pull through as well as it could have.

Chapter Two: Now this is where the book starts. This is where the castes are detailed, and some history is. It is 'written' by a non-Salubri, who has piled data together from many talks with Salubri and some historical texts. This was a nice way of doing it, made it an enjoyable read. The first Caste discussed is the Warrior. The history of their caste, how they choose others for the embrace, their training, and what makes them come from a trainee to a full fledged member. It also details the Warriors and Golconda. The Warrior part was very well written, and conveyed them across.

The next was the Healer. Basically had the same things as the warrior: History, Choosing, the Embrace, Testing. It also tells about the Heretics, and the crossroads the Healers are in. Once again, well written. Conveyed across. The whole book in fact has the doom of the Salubri coming off every page.

The last part of Chapter two, details another Caste. Interesting, not much information on them though.

Chapter Three: This book talks about the origins of the Third Eye, but no conclusion given, and their relation with the other clans. The relations are interesting to read, cause instead of one point of view, you get two. Warriors and Healers. Plus some commentary by the non-Salubri 'writer'. It also speaks of their relations with Mortals, and their views on Ghouls.

Another part of this chapter details what they are going through. The Loneliness they suffer. Really really conveys the doom of this once mighty clan.

Also thrown in is their view on Feeding, on the Kiss, and on Saulot himself. Very interestint the last one. Last but not least is more on the Infernal, Baali wars, Gnostic Purges, and the Via Dolorosa.

Chapter Four: This one is the game mechanics. New Valeran uses, Merits and Flaws, all in all a short chapter. The only nit that I have here is a level 10 discipline, yet it talks as if it's one anyone can learn.

Chapter Five: The Templates. There is about 6 of them. Some are well thought out, some are average. Much better then alot of the older clanbooks.

Appendix One: This details some of the famous Salubri who may still exist. A short chapter, yet informative.

Appendix Two: The Dark Secret of the Clan. I will not reveal it here, but I will say it's well written, and something that has been needed for a while.

Afterwards there's the 4 page character sheet. The one odd thing is, there were no ads in this book. Very surprising. All in all a great book. A great read, and of great use to Dark Ages storytellers.

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

Clanbook: Salubri
Author: Cynthia Summers Category: game Company/Publisher: White Wolf Game Studio Line: Vampire: The Dark Ages Cost: $12.00 Page count: 72 ISBN: 1-56504-212-3 Capsule Review by Alan DeHaan on 06/11/99. Genre tags: Historical Horror Vampire	To sum up, this book is excellent. It is obviously only for the Dark Ages, not one of the ones you can use to crossover. Cynthia Summers did a fine job writing this. Now on to the larger part of the review Unlike my last review, I'm going to start at the Front Cover. The only part of the book I did not like. It has a vampire, holding an axe. It has a 3rd eye, which of course fits for the Salubri, and the axe could signify the warrior caste of theirs. Only problem, pale blue skin and bright red lips. Not blood red, lipstick red. Chapter One: This is a introduction story. It's above-par for a White Wolf Product. Meaning I could read it straight through. It did a okay job conveying the Salubri, but...it didn't pull through as well as it could have. Chapter Two: Now this is where the book starts. This is where the castes are detailed, and some history is. It is 'written' by a non-Salubri, who has piled data together from many talks with Salubri and some historical texts. This was a nice way of doing it, made it an enjoyable read. The first Caste discussed is the Warrior. The history of their caste, how they choose others for the embrace, their training, and what makes them come from a trainee to a full fledged member. It also details the Warriors and Golconda. The Warrior part was very well written, and conveyed them across. The next was the Healer. Basically had the same things as the warrior: History, Choosing, the Embrace, Testing. It also tells about the Heretics, and the crossroads the Healers are in. Once again, well written. Conveyed across. The whole book in fact has the doom of the Salubri coming off every page. The last part of Chapter two, details another Caste. Interesting, not much information on them though. Chapter Three: This book talks about the origins of the Third Eye, but no conclusion given, and their relation with the other clans. The relations are interesting to read, cause instead of one point of view, you get two. Warriors and Healers. Plus some commentary by the non-Salubri 'writer'. It also speaks of their relations with Mortals, and their views on Ghouls. Another part of this chapter details what they are going through. The Loneliness they suffer. Really really conveys the doom of this once mighty clan. Also thrown in is their view on Feeding, on the Kiss, and on Saulot himself. Very interestint the last one. Last but not least is more on the Infernal, Baali wars, Gnostic Purges, and the Via Dolorosa. Chapter Four: This one is the game mechanics. New Valeran uses, Merits and Flaws, all in all a short chapter. The only nit that I have here is a level 10 discipline, yet it talks as if it's one anyone can learn. Chapter Five: The Templates. There is about 6 of them. Some are well thought out, some are average. Much better then alot of the older clanbooks. Appendix One: This details some of the famous Salubri who may still exist. A short chapter, yet informative. Appendix Two: The Dark Secret of the Clan. I will not reveal it here, but I will say it's well written, and something that has been needed for a while. Afterwards there's the 4 page character sheet. The one odd thing is, there were no ads in this book. Very surprising. All in all a great book. A great read, and of great use to Dark Ages storytellers. Style: 5 (Excellent!) Substance: 5 (Excellent!)

Clanbook: Salubri