VtM - WhiteWolf: Genealogy

VtM - Review: The Ashen Knight
Perspective" sidebars that, well, give the perspective the long-lived vampires of Europe have on the
largely mortal Chivalric movement, its uses, and its pitfalls. Interesting historical sidenote bars also
abound. Chapter One contains: Origin Theories on Chivalry; A Chivalrous Gazetteer on places
throughout Europe where Chivalry and knighthood are in full flower; The Virtues of Chivalry as
recognized by mortals; knightly issues of Money and Management; Knight Errantry; notes on the
emerging field of Blazons and other heraldry; saints of particular favor to Knights; Chivalrous Women at
arms and otherwise; and Chivalry Without Christianity--since, fundamentally, Chivalry arises from a
predominantly Christian ideal.
Chapter Two: Cainite Knights deals with the rather "special" position occupied by those Cainites who
were/are knights and those Cainites who wish to become knights. This chapter starts with an In Character
letter from the same Cainite scholar who "compiled" the information contained in Clanbook: Salubri; in
it, he compiles the opinions and difficulties of the Chivalrous Childer of Caine, broken down in age from
neonate to methuselah. From there, the chapter segues into the practical information needed to play a
Cainite knight. This includes helpful notes on how to go about maintaining one's knightly reputation,
comfort, and position in society in the face of undeath and its natural restrictions. Practical storytelling
notes are appreciated, as is the breakdown on how to handle the dispersement of Resources for an estatebound
Cainite knight. Chapter Two contains: notes on Knightly Bearing and how to look pious while
avoiding daylight; The Knight at Home, dealing with the secular knight's feudal obligations to his
estates; The Knight in the World, dealing with Cainite knights at court; The Knight's Duty, which deals
with the varieties of conflicts in which a Cainite knight might find himself enmeshed; The War Against
Evil: Crusades which gives a detailed breakdown of the organization and execution of a holy crusade;
Blood and Fealty, which lays down which Clans do, and which Clans do not, consider Chivalry a viable
form of Cainite morality and social interaction; and the horror that is the Ghoul Knight.
Chapter Three: Knightly Orders covers both sacred and secular Knightly Orders, including the Militant
and Hospitaler Orders of the Catholic Church. Detailed notes are given on the origin and development of
the both the Knights Templar and the Knights Hospitaler, and their on-going rivalries. Evidence of a
great depth of research rears its head in the inclusion of the other, lesser known Military Orders and
many secular Orders otherwise unknown. Cainite Knightly Orders are covered, as well as the possibility
of fraudulent and rogue knights and debased, outlaw Orders. The historical sidebar notes are excellent, as
are the storytelling hints.
Chapter Four: The Order of the Bitter Ashes details the history of this strange Order of Cainites and
mortals dedicated to the recovery and protection of holy relics. Forget The Grails Covenant Trilogy,
since the information contained in The Ashen Knight completely supercedes it. This chapter is a
particular boon for those who have felt the World of Darkness is getting too, well, entirely dark without
any possibility of light, or even contrast. The Order of the Bitter Ashes, while depicted as a flawed set of
beings with a noble (but flawed) cause, are a definite spark of light, shining in the darkness. Included is
the history of the Order of the Bitter Ashes, its incarnation within Dark Midieval society, its Mission and
Rule, composition of its groupings, its havens, its personalities, and its destiny. Detailed storytelling
notes include the mechanics of the "Grail Embrace," and suggestions on how to run a chronicle revolving
around the Order and its mission.
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