Review of New Orleans by Night

Goto [ Index ]

There aren't many cities in the United States so famous for its unique culture as New Orleans, so it is no surprise that it became a Vampire citybook. You've got Mardi Gras, Anne Rice, Bourbon Street and the Voudon cults to play with- and that's what this book does.

The book starts with a how-to section that includes a bibliography, a briefing on the state of the city, mortal institutions of note and travel to New Orleans. (Hint: if you're coming from Milwaukee or Chicago, go by rail.)

Chapter Two is the history chapter, and it focuses on the supernatural history of the city. Founded by a Ventrue, it was suppossed to be Carthage reborn. He faced opposition from all quarters, including rivals, but persevered and built up the city. Eventually, he finds the Final Death and another Ventrue took over. This is the current prince, Marcel.

Chapter Three gives the city's geography; those familiar with Chicago By Night will recognize the similiarity of presentation. Story seeds and trivia are strewn about like bits of popcorn, giving Storytellers plenty of material to work from.

Chapter Four is the familiar roster of the city's permanent residents. As with Chicago By Night, each NPC has a Secrets rating attached and it means "City Secrets(New Orleans)." The notables include a Son of Ether seeking his recently-Embraced daughter (a Tremere), the Malkavian who was the personal priest to the Countess of Tuscany and the other Malkavian who's also Kinfolk to the Black Spiral Dancers.

Chapter Five is the usual coterie section, detailing the who-belongs-to-what routine of Kindred politics.

The rest of the book is given over to an adventure called "D'Jabbic" and it's part of the Sam Haight saga, where Sam seeks out immortality of the vampiric kind after destroying a Verbena chantry. (See "The Book of Chantries" for that adventure.) The story involves Sam peripherally, focusing the action on the folks he deals with instead. I like it, if only because it fits the setting.

I like this book. Unlike DC or Berlin By Night, this is well-done and worth getting.

Style: 3 (Average)
Substance: 4 (Meaty)