VtM - WhiteWolf: Genealogy

VtM - Review: The Cainite Heresy
In short this book evokes mixed reactions. The title and the spoiler text on the back lead you to ask a
number of questions. Although the book may be well-written, the subject matter is incredibly senstive. In
the right hands the book can be a tool for the darkest, most challenging RPG. In the wrong hands, it has
the potential to disgust, annoy and upset. I myself am not a Christian, so the portryal of the Church and
the various heresies is not an issue for me, but I can see that many people might take it more personally.
The book itself is typipcal WW fare. Just short of 100 pages, the book is divided into various sections -
the history of the Heresy, details on the Heresy's practices, tips on role-playing with the Heresy, and
notes for the Storyteller on how various factions treat the Heresy. The artwork is mixed, from crude
pencils to detailed inks, and although the quality varies, the mood is quite consistent and appropriate. A
plethora of details are provided in the book's pages, and as with every other Dark Ages release so far, I
am suitably impressed. The authors have taken the trouble to document all the actual heresies of the
period, and have then given most of them a twist. The true Heresy is portrayed as lurking behind both the
established Church, and the many heresies that the Church seeks to stamp out. The true ringleader of the
Heresy is Narses, the Kindred lord of Venice, and through him and his Bogomil peers the religious
populace of Europe is corrupted and perverted. In fact, the level of detail is so good that the authors even
offer passages from the Bible, as mis-quoted (or not) by most notables of the Heresy.
However, although some hints towards the extant of the Heresy and it's personalities are given, you are
left feeling a little in the dark. The book bears the stamp of the 'Year of the Reckoning' line, although
there is no measure of the importance of this book within the covers. You are left not knowing quite what
WW intended by releasing the book. Dominic Guzman might go on to establish the Inquisition before
using the sect to systematically murder European Kindred, but this fact is well-known by most Vampire
players anyway. Where the contents of the book fit with the other 'Year of the Reckoning' products, it's
difficult to say.
Thus, overall the book is good, although it doesn't give much 'metaplot' or 'canon' material to work with.
It *does* give you a very good indication as to what the Heresy is all about. If you're a V:tDA Storyteller
then you should definitely read it, and even use it. Otherwise, I wouldn't worry too much. What's more
concerning is whether the wrong people *do* get hold of book, and use it to publicly attack gaming in
general...
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