Castebook: Dawn is the first splatbook for White Wolf’s
Exalted line. This book focuses upon the warrior caste of the Solar Exalted, but not in the “loads of cool, new powers” way that is usually the case. Most of this book’s 96 pages focus upon how Solars of the Dawn caste think and feel, using a handful of characters to exemplify common points of view amongst them. Only at the very end are there any new Charms, Hearthstones, etc. that one expects to see in a faction-specific supplement.
The book’s appearance is equal to the interior of the Exalted rulebook. The interior art is all in black-and-white, the cover is a colored version of the portrait of Dace (the iconic Dawn character) first seen in the rulebook and the layout is identical to what we saw in the rulebook. The two-column text layout is standard, and following what is within the book’s covers is easy because it’s easy to read. If there are significant errors, then I did not notice them.
The content itself is well done. There is an opening story, but it didn’t suck. Rather, I found it quite entertaining and exemplary of the Dawn caste is about. (For that matter, it’s exemplary of what the Exalted as a whole are about.) The introduction, in that factual manner that I’ve come to expect and enjoy, lays out the book’s intent and organization in no uncertain terms. The first five chapters address common concerns of the Solars in general, and the Dawn caste in particular. These chapters are all text and no crunchy bits, as the purpose is to show the reader how the world treats the Dawn caste and how some of the Dawn caste reacts in turn.
Chapter One introduces the reader to the viewpoint characters, all of which are Dawn caste Solars. These characters recur throughout the book, offering their perspective upon which they view whatever the issue is at that point. As one should expect, these viewpoint characters offer a diverse array of opinions that range from naïve to diabolical and others in-between. Chapter Two points out the basic obligations of the Dawn caste, and then shows the reader how the viewpoint characters handle those obligations. Some do better than others, and all of them—even the mad psycho-bitch Lyta—have very valid points to justify and motivate their actions. Chapter Three has the viewpoint characters muse about other Exalted, other supernaturals and mortals; Chapter Four is the converse, as those others muse about the Dawn caste Solars that they’ve encountered. Chapter Five is different entirely, as it’s just a series of vignettes about how some Dawn caste lived in the First Age prior to the Dragon-Blooded’s coup d’tat. I’ve failed to connect viewpoint characters to the vignettes, but only because this chapter didn’t interest me that much and as a result I didn’t try that hard. Across the board, however, I must say that I found this book to be a breeze to read. I was simultaneously entertained and informed, which is something I’ve not said ever about a White Wolf faction supplement outside of the Trinity line. I got a very good grasp on what it means to be a Solar Exalted of the Dawn caste, one that I can communicate to others with similar ease. That alone justified the purchase in my eyes. The new powers and toys are gravy.
Oh, but what delicious gravy it is! Chapter Six has the new powers and toys, and they are quite interesting indeed. As one would expect, there are a good many new Charms meant for use in combat. Archery, Brawl, Melee, Thrown and Martial Arts all receive several new Charms for use by players and GMs alike. The Martial Arts Charms are all from a single style—Tiger Style—and all of its Charms are compatible with the use of tiger claws. Xena fans will thrill at the new Thrown Charms, as they can finally duplicate her common ricochet stunts that she always used with her chakram now, and the Sun Tzu fans can make use of Presence and Performance Charms to make themselves the Ever-Victorious Generals of legend. Several new Hearthstones (and the Manse ratings that a PC would need to have them) impart powers that Dawn caste Solars would appreciate, such as getting additional free actions every turn or doubling one’s climbing speed and jumping distance. The new artifacts range from the subtle—the chain shirt’s powers like in its concealability and that it’s often made of one of the Five Magical Metals—to the truly awesome; the Flying Chariot needs no explanation, and the Map of Azure Victory is what every general dreams of possessing. It’s worthy of note that some of these powers and items are very powerful, and it is highly unlikely that a new PC will enter play with more than one such power or item. GMs should look over this chapter and be careful about allowing them into his campaign.
The book ends with a two-part NPC appendix. The first part is a detail description of the viewpoint characters. Each one gets a full portrait, a synopsis of their background and an NPC character sheet depicting the character as if he were a brand-new Solar Exalted PC. The second part describes other notable Dawn caste Solars and gives them head-and-shoulders portraits. Both parts are good for GMs who need ready-made PCs for a game, or NPCs to use against his PCs. (After the publishing of the Dragon-Blooded hardcover, the latter option is now far more viable; what’s a Wyld Hunt game without the Anathema to hunt and slay?) For players, they are better used as models and examples to emulate or stay away from (as necessary).
In conclusion, Castebook: Dawn is an excellent faction splatbook. It’s well worth the cash, especially if you’re like me and you’re playing one such character. For GMs and folks player either Solars of other castes or Exalted of another type you’re quite safe in skipping this book—it’s not at all necessary—but it’s a good choice for a non-essential purchase. As always, check it out first before laying out the money, but I recommend it if you’re going to play a Dawn caste Solar.
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