I really liked the idea of a beginner friendly published Chronicle not set in a specific city but instead specifically written so you could set it in any city you wanted. That concept got me excited for this book. I haven't had a chance to read it yet but I hope it pulls that off pretty well. I'd also like to see them do similar things with hunter and werewolf as you suggested.
This is a huge boon for groups looking to get into V5. I keep saying it, but I really want a similar formula to be applied to all of their games. The biggest barrier to playing seems to be figuring out where to start, so I really hope this helps a lot of new players finally jump into the game.
Really refreshing and happy to know they've leaned into the modularity of the system. I miss the sourcebooks from previous editions, but glad they're emulating that spirit while doing their own thing
My first foray into running VtM was 5th edition, and I did a homebrew campaign set in Quebec City. My pitch was that the Sabbat had kicked out the Camarilla, but during COVID and the curfews they became reckless. Unbeknownst to them, CSIS had a unit up and was starting to take notice. A new prince had a foothold but was keeping her head down. Meanwhile a Nosferatu who was a notable neutral go-between. Things kicked off when the coterie (a mixture of anarch, Camarilla, and ex-Sabbat, with a Malkavian, a Banu Hakim, a Brujah, a Tzimisce, and a Tremere) were invited to meet the last PC and her sire (both Salubri) at the Nosferatu's haven. They arrive to find two of them dead and the PC captured. They commence with a rescue operation, and then a series of events navigating between the Camarilla, the Sabbat, the anarchs, and the second inquisition, while everyone is wanting the Salubri for their own ends.
Sounds like a great chronicle. Going with a Sabbat city with an SI threat also looming and a mixed-faction coterie is a lot to navigate for a new ST, but it seems like you nailed it. Genuinely impressed.
Nice review! I'll definitely pick this up. As a very experienced ST, it's still nice to have material and setups that you can pluck and play as needed. Great job!
Hey there, I really respect your earnestness and passion for the game; I think you're too hard on yourself. You've done the community a service and I thank you for your efforts. All the best.
I’m really glad you reviewed this… also, I’m looking for guidance on story hooks for a Vampire chronicles. What makes a good storyline and how to create a political story as opposed to a D&D go getting or go kill thing.
Vampire noobie here. Can this book be used to run a game set in London, post Fall Of London? I live in London and would like to set a Chronicle in the city that I know. However, I’m aware that FoL and London V5 lore in general make this city somewhat unique (not having read FoL, I’m only aware that big things happen in London, but not exactly what). Any advice most welcome.
I'd like to know this too, and, more generally, how North American the generic city assumptions are. I'm not 100% how well @SummonedStories could answer that, though.
I disagree with your concept that WoD doesn't lend to module books, its just WoD uses more of a free form module, where its books like this and the By Nights, where the module is about giving you a setting and a bunch of stories, plots, and characters that can be interconnected to tell the story of that city. Less a straight you're doing xyz more a here is x, y, and z and how you handle them has consequences on b, c, and d.
I really liked the idea of a beginner friendly published Chronicle not set in a specific city but instead specifically written so you could set it in any city you wanted. That concept got me excited for this book. I haven't had a chance to read it yet but I hope it pulls that off pretty well. I'd also like to see them do similar things with hunter and werewolf as you suggested.
I think it's a great idea and helped tackle some of the obstacles that would normally make a linear beginner chronicle difficult.
Great review. Book seems like it's a hit! Feel like V5 has needed something like this for a long time lol
This is a huge boon for groups looking to get into V5. I keep saying it, but I really want a similar formula to be applied to all of their games. The biggest barrier to playing seems to be figuring out where to start, so I really hope this helps a lot of new players finally jump into the game.
Really refreshing and happy to know they've leaned into the modularity of the system. I miss the sourcebooks from previous editions, but glad they're emulating that spirit while doing their own thing
Agreed. Really impressed they nailed it with the edition that feels more difficult to make a pre-made chronicle for.
@@SummonedStories it's already got my brain a buzzing about a chronicle set in Lafayette, Louisiana. Good stuff
My first foray into running VtM was 5th edition, and I did a homebrew campaign set in Quebec City. My pitch was that the Sabbat had kicked out the Camarilla, but during COVID and the curfews they became reckless. Unbeknownst to them, CSIS had a unit up and was starting to take notice.
A new prince had a foothold but was keeping her head down. Meanwhile a Nosferatu who was a notable neutral go-between.
Things kicked off when the coterie (a mixture of anarch, Camarilla, and ex-Sabbat, with a Malkavian, a Banu Hakim, a Brujah, a Tzimisce, and a Tremere) were invited to meet the last PC and her sire (both Salubri) at the Nosferatu's haven.
They arrive to find two of them dead and the PC captured. They commence with a rescue operation, and then a series of events navigating between the Camarilla, the Sabbat, the anarchs, and the second inquisition, while everyone is wanting the Salubri for their own ends.
Fantastic idea and I love that it’s in Quebec!!
Sounds like a great chronicle. Going with a Sabbat city with an SI threat also looming and a mixed-faction coterie is a lot to navigate for a new ST, but it seems like you nailed it. Genuinely impressed.
Nice review! I'll definitely pick this up. As a very experienced ST, it's still nice to have material and setups that you can pluck and play as needed. Great job!
Thank you! Let me know what you think. I'm interested to see how some aspects are worked into non-introductory chronicles.
Great review as always, Bully!
Thank you!
Hey there, I really respect your earnestness and passion for the game; I think you're too hard on yourself. You've done the community a service and I thank you for your efforts. All the best.
I’m really glad you reviewed this… also, I’m looking for guidance on story hooks for a Vampire chronicles. What makes a good storyline and how to create a political story as opposed to a D&D go getting or go kill thing.
Vampire noobie here. Can this book be used to run a game set in London, post Fall Of London? I live in London and would like to set a Chronicle in the city that I know. However, I’m aware that FoL and London V5 lore in general make this city somewhat unique (not having read FoL, I’m only aware that big things happen in London, but not exactly what). Any advice most welcome.
I'd like to know this too, and, more generally, how North American the generic city assumptions are. I'm not 100% how well @SummonedStories could answer that, though.
I disagree with your concept that WoD doesn't lend to module books, its just WoD uses more of a free form module, where its books like this and the By Nights, where the module is about giving you a setting and a bunch of stories, plots, and characters that can be interconnected to tell the story of that city. Less a straight you're doing xyz more a here is x, y, and z and how you handle them has consequences on b, c, and d.