In any case, the game is about (and you play) insane, visionaries, and those "touched by God." Then, there are the Shadows, where ... ummm ... critters are waiting in a not-fun place that happense to be a parallel world to ours. See, it is interesting. The Hidden (ominous denizens of the Shadows/parallel world) want to become "Real" in our world and escape their prison of a world (which reminds me of descriptions of Hades from other games). Most human don't even notice these creatures--they are the Unbelievers. Believers, however, are people who are "sensitive" (all the Heritics, for sure).
Players play the Heretics--Believers who fall victum to or become the mortal enemies of the Hidden. You get to decide on an Insanity for your character to have as the first thing under character creation. I'm not sure how I feel about that. These characters are supposed to be "functional," but they have (apparently) untreated mental illnesses?
Characters also get magic-like abilities like: Hidden Sight, Alter Flesh, SkinWalking, Purifaction, and Shadow Walking. Though, most end up being street people. Hmmm.
Quirks are also not-so-minor "magic knacks" the characters can also possess. And, insanity can cause players to think their character is doing one thing while (in actuality) they are doing something else entirely. The game master can use the mental illness against the character. It may be happening, or it might be paranoia. Sigh. I don't really care for that dynamic idea there. How can you believe your own game master after such an adventure? I dunno.
Heretics can also return from the dead, depending on certain conditions. Cold iron affects them worse than it would regular people too. Apparently, that works on the Hidden too. I'm not incredibly crazy about that, but that's not a deal breaker, of course. The powers are described in full detail. And, the Hidden, apparently, possess things to leave the Shadows. The Hidden are described in great detail, from "grubs" to "man-sized" creatures. Some Hidden even stay on the other side until they can become more powerful (before they become Real). Also, fully realized character sheets for Hermetics were given. Brief scenario ideas were also given.
As I said, the work could use some pictures; but, that's proabably because it was the shareware version. I really like the ideas of the game, mostly. But, I'm not so sure I, personally, like the playing with insanity. That's kind of a strong subject with me, as I know mentally ill people. I don't know how I feel about gaming out insanity. *shrugs* There is a lot of detail in this system though. I'm glad to have printed it out, and I may end up playing it some time.
