Van Richten's Guide to Vampires, a review

Title: Van Richten's Guide to Vampires

Author:

Nigel Findley

Published by:

TSR

Campaign Setting:

Ravenloft

Year Published:

1991

Edition:

AD&D 2nd Edition

Levels:

All, more of a DM's supplement

Physical Description:

This is a soft covered saddle-stitched book with 96 pages. Slightly hardier than a magazine. The cover is full color (most likely CMYK), and the interior is black and white with some monochromatic illustrations and highlights. Probably PMS or Pantone. Interior art is slightly below par, but that is to be expected for a "Van Richten's Guide". Where the interior art is lacking, the rich deep content more than makes up for it. the beginning of each chapter starts with Van Richten's ideas, hypotheses and advise, then toward the end of each chapter, shaded in gray, you will find actual rules for game play that pertain to what was discussed.

Contents and Synopsis:

As the title states, this is a basic guide to vampires in the Ravenloft campaign setting. It opens with a very well-written introduction by the fictional character Dr. Rudolph Van Richten about his initial experience with the dark powers of the Ravenloft realm. If you have any familiarity with Ravenloft, then you are most likely already aware of the doctor's plight. His introduction adds an air of authority and flavor to the treatise nonetheless. This book is broken up into thirteen distinct chapters, each of which is detailed below.

1. The Backround of Vampirism    
2. Vampiric Powers
3. Creating New Vampires
4. Vampire Weaknesses
5. Destroying a Vampire
6. Magic and Vampires
7. Life-Blood: Vampiric Feeding Habits
8. The Sleep of the Dead
9. Hibernation
10. Relationships Between Vampires
11. The Mind of the Vampire
12. The Facade
13. Retained Skills

My Opinion (for what that's worth):

This is a fun and exciting book to read whether you are campaining in Ravenloft or not. Vampires are a staple villain for any DM to fall back on, and this guide supplies lots of flavor and curveballs to throw at your PCs. This book is less about statistics and more about adding depth to a campaign. I was fortunate to find my copy on Amazon for $5.00 plus shipping. Though I've seen it anywhere from $10.00 to $35.00. Definitely worth the money if you can find it for $10-$15.

Campaign Ideas:

1. A vampire that feeds on ocular fluids has been terrorizing an orphanage
2. A vampire has decided that it wants one of the PCs as a bride/groom
3. Legends tell of a vampire that went into hibernation decades ago and the local psychic has had visions of it waking.
4. A high level evil cleric has been turned, and it's up the the PCs to destroy it. 

Sneak peak for next post: Volo's Guide to all Things Magical

Introduction

I have been playing the games and reading the novels of TSR since before Kazgoroth took his first steps on the Moonshae Isles. I have wept over the deaths of heroes like Sturm Brightblabe, and I have been outraged by the villainous acts of Count Strahd Von Zarovich. From modules, to guides, to boxed sets and even detailed maps, there are very few items published by TSR (then later WOC) that I have not studied in depth. In this blog, I will attempt to write a review then a synopsis of each game-book in my vast collection. I plan on covering material in all editions and realms. From generic handbooks, to Ravenloft, Forgotten Realms, Greyhawk, Al-Qadim, Darksun, Eberron, and even Spelljammer. If I missed anything let me know. Also, if there is a particular book or set that you would like me to write about, please feel free to make a request. Please also remember that a lot of this is my opinion. Where I may think a detailed descrption of the ecology of a were-shark is cool, others may not. My first review will be based in my favorite realm: the Demi-plane of dread... Ravenloft. Van Richten's Guide to Vampires. Hopefully ready to post in the next two days.