This is definately one of the better attempts to create a playable vampire. Using the standard vampire template as a base, the author scales the vampiric abilities so that they are dished out a little at a time over 8 levels. This allows a character to play a vampire without the ECL 8, but it still doesn't resolve the issue that at 8th level you still have a vampire PC that is twice as powerful as other 8th level characters. Some of the vampire races described in the book are very interesting, though I'm not sure how I feel about the inferno vampire. It sort of smacks of creating a fire-weilding vampire just for the sake of doing it, without a real logic as to why. Perhaps if the author had provided a more detailed logic, instead of a "it was a curse, no one knows why the first one survived" answer, I would be ok with it. Otherwise, the vampire races seem to make sense and allow for some flexibility when create vampire NPCs and PCs.
I also like the backstory provided as to why vampires exist. It is one of the better explanations used, and it makes a great deal of sense when trying to intergrate a vampire-based game into a fantasy setting. Vampires serve a function in the ecosystem, and a balanced vampire population is actually important to maintaining the balance between negative and positive energy. A cool concept.
I also liked the artwork in this book. Very gothic black and white line art is simple, yet does a nice job conveying the feel of the project.<br><br>
<b>LIKED</b>: Additional flexibility and playability for vampires<br><br><b>DISLIKED</b>: doesn't completely address the game balance issue of a vampire PC. But it is workable.<br><br><b>QUALITY</b>: Very Good<br><br><b>VALUE</b>: Satisfied<br>
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