RPGnet
 

Beyond The Barriers: The Book of Worlds

Author: Phil Brucato and others
Category: game
Company/Publisher: White Wolf Game Studio

Reviewed by Bob Cahill on 06/20/97. Genre tags: none

What do you do if you run Mage: Ascension game and your players want to go out and visit the wonderful worlds beyond the Horizon? You buy Beyond The Barriers: The Book Of Worlds This supplement from White Wolf Game Studio helps build the Mage universe, setting up a tapestry that ties together realms, worlds and earth.

The Realms

Written, as most Storyteller books, from the point of view characters, the book takes the reader through the different realms introducing theories how the realms are intra-connected and the good places to visit in each realm.

The realms and theories presented are well done. The storyteller will find lots of ideas for places to visit, from short stops to long detailed adventures. The mixing of the different races (werewolves, changelings, and wraiths) world views allows a better mixing of the different White Wolf genres. The player will find reasons to want levels of spirit, to travel beyond the horizon.

The Beasties

New spirits and entities are added for those encounters between worlds. The creatures are standardWhite Wolf, with detailed backgrounds and motivation, but nothing new and exciting. Although the "Alien Horror" creation rules can make some interesting monsters.

The Rules

In the back of the book, under the appendix is found the short section on how to the mage rules apply. These included how to get to the worlds, and how magick works across the realms. This section should have been included within the chapters, not as an appendix.

Overall

This supplement is a must have if your Mage chronicle sends the players adventuring forth across the horizon. Mages with spirit will want to look over the book to find out where they can travel with higher levels of spirit. If your chronicle is grounded on earth, with little spirit involved, the book is not for you. Otherwise grab the book, the worlds presented make excellent starting points for adventures or interesting places to visit.

Style: 2 (Needs Work)
Substance: 4 (Meaty)

[ Read FAQ | Subscribe to RSS | Partner Sites | Contact Us | Advertise with Us ]

Copyright © 1996-2009 Skotos Tech, Inc. & individual authors, All Rights Reserved
Compilation copyright © 1996-2009 Skotos Tech, Inc.
RPGnet® is a registered trademark of Skotos Tech, Inc., all rights reserved.