The Inside Scoop on Gaming

The book opens with several pages with pictures of other pages on them--it's kind of hard to explain. The first one is a picture of a letter written by a Society of Leopold member. The others appear to be sections of a letter written by a member of the FBI or a similar organization; a page of a religious work, with many passages underlined; and two pages of a book called "Memoirs of the North-West Frontier."

Next is a glossary. Unlike some White Wolf glossaries, the terms are eminently believable (usually possessing spiritual or similar significance), and well-chosen. Then a bibliography of books and movies on the Middle East.

Chapter One tells the history of Clan Assamite--from the Assamite perspective, naturally. Like every other clan, the Assamites make themselves out to be the best; most of the history is the same stuff found in all Clanbooks. The significant difference is in the Assamite creation myth; the Assamites claim Haqim, their founder, stole Khayyin's blood, so that he could gain the power to fight vampires, and save humanity. Essentially, the Assamites claim their Founder was the first vampire hunter, and to this day, they continue to carry out his mission.

Chapter Two tells about Assamite culture and traditions. The Assamites' complicated code of honor is detailed here. The Assamites' beliefs take the form of a Path of Enlightenment, the Path of Blood. It requires utter loyalty to the clan and devotion to Haqim's cause; however, the seeds of corrupting are clearly visible here--the Path of Blood does not place restrictions on cruelty, or on casually killing mortals if such will aid the greater good. It also has new powers, combat rules, Secondary Abilities, and equipment. It clarifies the position of the Assamite /antitribu/ of the Sabbat--they're moles, hiding the Path of Blood under the similar doctrine of the Path of Caine. Finally, it has suggestions for ways to work an Assamite character into a non-Assamite coterie without compromising the character's ideals or group intergrity. Warning--this is a difficult task, even with the suggestions given here. On the other hand, Assamites crossover perfectly, if such is your cup of tea.

Chapter Three details different factions within Clan Assamite, as well as the clan's perspectives on everyone else (Vampires are the enemy, mages are humans and thus should be protected, shapeshifters, wraiths, and changelings are X-factors, and mummies are sometime allies and/or friends.

Chapter Four: Character templates. Quite a nice job of simultaneously fitting the clan and discarding stereotypes, for the most part. I had just a couple problems. I have trouble picturing several of these on the Path of Blood. Also, since the actual ideals of the Path of Blood fit Courage more than Conscience, the characters whose philosophy as described fit the Path best had generally had all their points spent on Courage, and thus had the lowest Path ratings (the Scientist, Psycho Killer and Gamester have higher ratings than the Avenger or Holy Warrior).

The appendix details famous Assamites--the Master, the caliph (leader of warriors), the Amr (chief sorcerer), Janni, a woman who may one day be the first female caliph, Tariq of Red List fame, and Shankar, a kid who really doesn't seem to fit here. Why the vizier (chief scholar) isn't detailed here, I don't know. However, those who are detailed are both interesting and impressive.

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

Clanbook: Assamite
Author: Graeme Davis Category: game Company/Publisher: White Wolf Game Studios Line: Vampire: the Masquerade Cost: $10.00 US Page count: 72 ISBN: 1-56504-214-X SKU: 2059 Capsule Review by Kish Moore on 07/07/99. Genre tags: Modern_day Horror Vampire Gothic	The book opens with several pages with pictures of other pages on them--it's kind of hard to explain. The first one is a picture of a letter written by a Society of Leopold member. The others appear to be sections of a letter written by a member of the FBI or a similar organization; a page of a religious work, with many passages underlined; and two pages of a book called "Memoirs of the North-West Frontier." Next is a glossary. Unlike some White Wolf glossaries, the terms are eminently believable (usually possessing spiritual or similar significance), and well-chosen. Then a bibliography of books and movies on the Middle East. Chapter One tells the history of Clan Assamite--from the Assamite perspective, naturally. Like every other clan, the Assamites make themselves out to be the best; most of the history is the same stuff found in all Clanbooks. The significant difference is in the Assamite creation myth; the Assamites claim Haqim, their founder, stole Khayyin's blood, so that he could gain the power to fight vampires, and save humanity. Essentially, the Assamites claim their Founder was the first vampire hunter, and to this day, they continue to carry out his mission. Chapter Two tells about Assamite culture and traditions. The Assamites' complicated code of honor is detailed here. The Assamites' beliefs take the form of a Path of Enlightenment, the Path of Blood. It requires utter loyalty to the clan and devotion to Haqim's cause; however, the seeds of corrupting are clearly visible here--the Path of Blood does not place restrictions on cruelty, or on casually killing mortals if such will aid the greater good. It also has new powers, combat rules, Secondary Abilities, and equipment. It clarifies the position of the Assamite /antitribu/ of the Sabbat--they're moles, hiding the Path of Blood under the similar doctrine of the Path of Caine. Finally, it has suggestions for ways to work an Assamite character into a non-Assamite coterie without compromising the character's ideals or group intergrity. Warning--this is a difficult task, even with the suggestions given here. On the other hand, Assamites crossover perfectly, if such is your cup of tea. Chapter Three details different factions within Clan Assamite, as well as the clan's perspectives on everyone else (Vampires are the enemy, mages are humans and thus should be protected, shapeshifters, wraiths, and changelings are X-factors, and mummies are sometime allies and/or friends. Chapter Four: Character templates. Quite a nice job of simultaneously fitting the clan and discarding stereotypes, for the most part. I had just a couple problems. I have trouble picturing several of these on the Path of Blood. Also, since the actual ideals of the Path of Blood fit Courage more than Conscience, the characters whose philosophy as described fit the Path best had generally had all their points spent on Courage, and thus had the lowest Path ratings (the Scientist, Psycho Killer and Gamester have higher ratings than the Avenger or Holy Warrior). The appendix details famous Assamites--the Master, the caliph (leader of warriors), the Amr (chief sorcerer), Janni, a woman who may one day be the first female caliph, Tariq of Red List fame, and Shankar, a kid who really doesn't seem to fit here. Why the vizier (chief scholar) isn't detailed here, I don't know. However, those who are detailed are both interesting and impressive. Style: 5 (Excellent!) Substance: 5 (Excellent!)

Clanbook: Assamite