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I have to admit, when I first picked up the book I was full of anticipation. I hadn't really liked the Crones at first, because all I could get out of them was a neo-pagan femi-nazi kind of stereotype. I was hoping the book could expand upon, alter or outright kill those stereotypes and present the Acolytes as something more than what they appeared.
Boy was I right.
The book is excellent.
The introduction and intro fiction set the tone for what is to be an exploration of the darker sides of Vampire. The 3 1/2 pages of introduction does wonders to establish a very different relationship with the Covenant than what lept at me from the write-up in the V:tR core book, while still being true to what must have been the original vision of the Covenant: Dark, inhuman and primal, yet also divine, pure and natural. There is something ancient to the Crones that none of the other Covenants can muster, something primeaval that hints at dark truths and forgotten lore.
The introductory piece of fiction is very dark and moody, and establishes the Acolytes as more than neo-hippies and feminists.
Chapter one discusses the history of the Circle, or as much of it as can be told. Because the Circle is made up of individual cults with differing belief structures and myths, mapping out the history of the Covenant is difficult at best. Instead, the chapter focuses on how the individual cults rise to power and eventually fall from grace, only to rise once more. The focus on this aspect of the Circle was very refreshing, and helps establish the Circle as something organic and unique that the Storyteller can play with and mold as he desires.
Chapter two discusses life (or unlife) in the Circle. The various cults views on Amaranth, Golcond, Torpor and the Embrace, as well as other subjects, are discussed, and the chapter provides examples of the various rituals, practices and beliefs that cults can hold. The adition of example cult rituals and traditions is very satisfying, as ST's can copy-paste them wholesale into their chronicles, or simply take them as inspirations for his own creations. There is also a part of the chapter dedicated totitles and roles more or less common throughout the Covenant. I especially found the archetypal roles of Maiden, Fool, Scarlet Woman, Hero, Mother, Father, Crone and Hermit intriguing and exciting. I like the way they can be twisted to fit nearly any belief structure, as well as the political avenues it opens within the Circle while still staying true to the Covenants religious bent.
However, chapter three is where the book comes into it's own right. It debates Acolytes' role in the politics of the Kindred, and masterfully so. The views and beliefs of the Acolytes color their approach to the Danse Macabre in vary sepcial ways, and it was a joy to realise just how different and alien their mindset is to other, more politically minded Kindred. The way they place their religion above political gain is very unique among Vampires, and it is still made plausible within the world of Requiem. The themes of Tribulation and Creation are everywhere in the book, and after a while they become a very natural part of the way I think about Acolytes. I found that I especially enjoyed the concept of the Crucible. Basically, the Acolytes put mortals through extreme tribulation, often in the form of staging extreme tragedy in their lives, and attempt to push them towards enlightenment. This is an act of Creation unlike any other, as it creates true enlightenment. Very cool, very inhuman. Very fitting.
The Factions and Bloodlines chapter was cool, but not what I bought the book for. I'm not a huge fan of Bloodlines. Still, I found myself inspired by the factions and Bloodlines both, and before long I had incorporated at least one of the Bloodlines into my ongoing chronicle.
Of the Bloodlines, I especially liked the Gorgons (though I had to think hard to realise I liked them) and the Carnon. The factions were very cool. Basically, they are cults like the ones discussed in chapters one and two. They have their own (often very unique) views on their Covenant and their Requiems, and many of them are masterfully written and fit into practically any chronicle. I particularly liked the Second Descent and the Semioticians. I HATE the Daughters of the Godess, but that has more to do with personal opinions than the quality of the faction.
The rest of the book is basically just Disciplines and Cruac rituals and Devotions, as well as some quick-NPC's/character concepts.
All in all, a superb book that redefines the Circle for those who never got them, and provides some solid material to work with for those who did!
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