Vampire: The Dark Ages
| A Storytelling Game of Epic Horror | |
|---|---|
 Vampire: The Dark Ages cover (1996 edition) | |
| Designer(s) | Jennifer Hartshorn, Ethan Skemp, Mark Rein·Hagen, Kevin Hassall |
| Publisher(s) | White Wolf |
| Publication date | 1996 |
| Genre(s) | Personal Horror |
| System(s) | Storyteller System |
Vampire: The Dark Ages is a role-playing game originally published by White Wolf Game Studio in 1996. Later, in 2002, the gameline was replaced by Dark Ages: Vampire. Vampire: The Dark Ages is a spin-off from the Vampire: The Masquerade game, also published by White Wolf, the latter set in modern times.
History
White Wolf Publishing came up with a new model for game releases as historical RPGs, each based on one of the original World of Darkness games. This resulted in three new lines: Vampire: The Dark Ages (1996), Werewolf: The Wild West (1997), and Mage: The Sorcerer's Crusade (1998). By 1998 White Wolf was facing continued economic problems, and was hitting a crisis. Of their last five World of Darkness games – the three new historical games, as well as 1994's Wraith: The Oblivion and 1995's Changeling: The Dreaming – only Vampire: The Dark Ages sold well.[1]
Setting
Vampire: The Dark Ages was set in dark medieval Europe in the year 1197, while Dark Ages: Vampire updated the setting to the year 1230. The setting lives from both its differences to the historical facts and to the predecessor game Vampire: The Masquerade.
- In Dark Ages, vampires rule the night openly and some are even revered and worshiped, though the powers of the Inquisition and other mortal foes restrain their freedom.
- A large number of vampires, much as the rest of the European population, are deeply religious. The Cainite Heresy tries to infiltrate the Church.
- The major vampire sects, the Camarilla and the Sabbat, have not been formed yet. The vampire society in Europe is ruled by Princes and other fief holders, although their power rarely extends beyond their city or domain.
- The Tremere clan is in its infancy. Their clan leader has slain the founder of Salubri clan, Saulot, only few decades ago. The Tremere are at war with a number of other clans, notably with the powerful Tzimisce.
- The Blood Curse has not yet been imposed on the Assamite clan.
- The Cappadocians are one of the major 13 clans. The Giovanni are a bloodline of the Cappadocian clan.
References
- Justin Achilli, Clanbook: Cappadocian (White Wolf Game Studio, 1997, ISBN 1-56504-280-8)
- Jennifer Hartshorn, et al., Vampire: The Dark Ages (White Wolf Game Studio, 1996, ISBN 1-56504-275-1)