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<blockquote data-quote="KDLadage" data-source="post: 2010805" data-attributes="member: 88"><p>First, I have had this book for a while, and have meant (for a long time) to write a review of it. I have kept putting it off. I cannot fully explain the reasons why I have failed to review it before now, except to say that the book never really excited me -- not in a "<em>Wow! This rocks on toast! I need to review this!</em>" sort of way, nor in a "<em>Man, this thing stinks on ice! I need to review this!</em>" sort of way. <strong>The Book of Vile Darkness</strong>, despite the warning label, the sealed <strong>DRAGON MAGAZINE</strong> section hyping it and the like... is really just sort of "<em>blah</em>." But... lets get down to brass tacks, and see what we have inside:</p><p></p><p><strong><span style="color: red"><strong>WHAT'S INSIDE</strong></span></strong></p><p></p><p><strong><span style="color: green"><strong>CHAPTER 1: THE NATURE OF EVIL</strong></span></strong>: the book opens with a chapter dedicated to the definition of evil. This seems appropriate, after all, that if we are to speak of vile darkness and the evil that lurches in men's hearts, that we should first define what it is we are talking about. After a couple of pages on the definition and putting it into context, the book then looks at the various acts that are considered evil. This includes lying, cheating, theft, betrayal, murder, vengeance, worshiping evil gods (<em>which seems a bit of a circular argument</em>) and demons, animating the dead, casting evil spells (<em>circular argument</em>), damning or harming souls, consorting with fiends, creating evil creatures (<em>circular argument</em>), using others for personal gain, greed, bullying and cowing innocents, bringing despair, and tempting others. Then the books takes a strange, and awkward turn in a section entitled <strong>FETISHES AND ADDICTIONS</strong>. This section looks at the odd behaviors and tastes of those that delve too far into the darkness -- from cannibalism to self mutilation to bestiality. It is a very strange section, filled with childish immaturities. In fact, the paragraph on bestiality is so immature as to make one want to laugh.</p><p></p><p>We then are treated to a couple of pages of vile gods, followed by a couple on vile races. We then get to a section called <strong>CREATING VILLAINS</strong> which, despite the level of intellect that appears to have been responsible for the preceding pages, is fairly well written. It gives good tips and solid advice on how to create everything from the Psychopath tot eh misguided fool. It then goes into some worked examples of villains -- any of which would be well suited for your game, I am sure. The most frightening, in my mind, was Enesstrere, the Demon-possessed Dragon. Next, we are off to <strong>MALIGN SITES</strong> and the close of the chapter.</p><p></p><p><strong><span style="color: blue"><strong>Conclusions</strong></span></strong>: Chapter one is a mixed bag that, unfortunately, sets the tone for much of the rest of the book. There are some good points in here, but most of it is under a layer of cruft that consists of childish and immature thoughts on the nature of evil. But that is just my opinion...</p><p></p><p><strong><span style="color: green"><strong>CHAPTER 2: VARIANT RULES</strong></span></strong>: When I first read the chapter title, I looked at it and thought: why do I need variant rules to deal with evil? After reading it, I am still not quite sure why I need them, but that's that. We have rules for possession, sacrifices, curses, and diseases. We then get to a section called <strong>OTHER ASPECTS OF EVIL</strong>. TO be honest, after reading this section, I felt it would have been better placed in the section on evil definitions. Still... we get some thoughts on pain as power, souls as power, and so on. Of all of the ideas presented, I found only one that truly seemed interesting... unfortunately, we get but three sentences on the topic: Vile Damage (damage that can only be healed in a holy place).</p><p></p><p>Then we move onto the <strong>LINGERING EFFECTS OF EVIL</strong>. This is your places and things that give you the willies on up to palaces that you know are so evil that they exude an almost tangible aspect of it. All in all, it is some interesting ideas, but none are really fleshed out. </p><p></p><p><strong><span style="color: blue"><strong>Conclusions</strong></span></strong>: A weak chapter with very little to offer by way of meat; some ideas, some thoughts, no real way of making them seem special.</p><p></p><p><strong><span style="color: green"><strong>CHAPTER 3: EVIL EQUIPMENT</strong></span></strong>: In this chapter we get to look at torture devices, execution equipment, armor, traps, alchemical elixirs, drugs, poisons, and even evil material components. All of which is covered in such a short fashion as to make them seem unimportant. The whole chapter is only 9 pages, and most of that is charts and tables.</p><p></p><p><strong><span style="color: blue"><strong>Conclusions</strong></span></strong>: I know the what, now I want to know the reasons these are evil; after all, many of the things that are presented were used by various real world religions on those that were heretics or blasphemers -- what makes it <strong>evil</strong>, and not just plain <strong>maliciousness</strong>? Give me more... because what it here seems to fall flat.</p><p></p><p><strong><span style="color: green"><strong>CHAPTER 4: FEATS</strong></span></strong>: Yes... it seems that every single book requires two things these days: new feats (not that I mind them), and prestige classes (we'll get to those later). This book is no different. Some of them are useful and seem like they could make for an interesting character concept (Dark Speech, Willing Deformity) while others seem, well, stupid. One of the deformities, for example, is Obese. I weigh in at about 350 pounds, and so this seems to strike me in a way it may not strike you. Lichloved, on the other hand, is just, well, disgusting. What the feat is, basically, granting someone a bonus for animated-necrophilia. Oh-kay... No context, no nothing. Just a feat that grants a bonus for having sex with the undead.</p><p></p><p><strong><span style="color: blue"><strong>Conclusions</strong></span></strong>: at least the chapter was short.</p><p></p><p><strong><span style="color: green"><strong>CHAPTER 5: PRESTIGE CLASSES</strong></span></strong>: What did I tell you... <img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite2" alt=";)" title="Wink ;)" loading="lazy" data-shortname=";)" /> Over all, the classes are bland. Some seem like they had potential (the various Disciples and Thralls seemed like they could go someplace), but a Prestige class needs to be more than just a collection of kewl powerz. And most of these never get past that. The Cancer Mage is an idea with no real development, for example. The Lifedrinker is... not very interesting. The mortal hunter allows you to take an outsider and turn them into the PREDATOR from the movies (well, not really, but something close).</p><p></p><p><strong><span style="color: blue"><strong>Conclusions</strong></span></strong>: it was longer than the feats chapter...</p><p></p><p><strong><span style="color: green"><strong>CHAPTER 6: MAGIC</strong></span></strong>: The next 34 pages cover evil spells; this is followed by 12 pages of evil magic items. These are mostly good, and could have made for a much better book if the whole things had been evil spells, magic items and artifacts. If you buy this book, make it for this chapter. Unfortunately, you will have to get the rest of the book, too.</p><p></p><p><strong><span style="color: blue"><strong>Conclusions</strong></span></strong>: well written, nicely balanced and fun to read.</p><p></p><p><strong><span style="color: green"><strong>CHAPTER 7: LORDS OF EVIL</strong></span></strong>: This chapter takes us though the evil clerics, and the archfiends that they serve. It is a monster-manual of things like the Demogorgon, Juiblex (the Faceless One), Orcus, Yeenoghu (Demon Prince of Gnolls), as well as the Arch-Devils such as Bel, Dispater, Mammon, Belial, Levistus, The Hag Countess, Baalzebul, Mephistopheles, and (of course), Asmodeus.</p><p></p><p><strong><span style="color: blue"><strong>Conclusions</strong></span></strong>: This chapter is fair; but it seems that these are the true Lords of Hell -- they should be built using the rules from Deities and Demigods (or a variation on them) to indicate the sheer power they are supposed to wield. As it is, they are just Devils and Demons with a few perks...</p><p></p><p><strong><span style="color: green"><strong>CHAPTER 8: EVIL MONSTERS</strong></span></strong>: And a regular bestiary of evil creatures to follow the Lords... not much here worth writing home about.</p><p></p><p><strong><span style="color: green"><strong>APPENDIX: EVIL PLAYER CHARACTERS</strong></span></strong>: In a book that deals with evil, we finally reach a chapter (all of 3 pages) on how to deal with evil PCs... dreadfully lacking.</p><p></p><p><strong><span style="color: red"><strong>FINAL THOUGHTS</strong></span></strong></p><p></p><p>Should you get it? If you like and need some really good evil spells and magic items, then it is worth it; if you have Deities and Demigods, and would like to make the lords of evil shine, then the Lords section can be fleshed out further into something worthy of that title... otherwise, leave it be.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="KDLadage, post: 2010805, member: 88"] First, I have had this book for a while, and have meant (for a long time) to write a review of it. I have kept putting it off. I cannot fully explain the reasons why I have failed to review it before now, except to say that the book never really excited me -- not in a "[i]Wow! This rocks on toast! I need to review this![/i]" sort of way, nor in a "[i]Man, this thing stinks on ice! I need to review this![/i]" sort of way. [b]The Book of Vile Darkness[/b], despite the warning label, the sealed [b]DRAGON MAGAZINE[/b] section hyping it and the like... is really just sort of "[i]blah[/i]." But... lets get down to brass tacks, and see what we have inside: [b][color=red][b]WHAT'S INSIDE[/b][/color][/b] [b][color=green][b]CHAPTER 1: THE NATURE OF EVIL[/b][/color][/b]: the book opens with a chapter dedicated to the definition of evil. This seems appropriate, after all, that if we are to speak of vile darkness and the evil that lurches in men's hearts, that we should first define what it is we are talking about. After a couple of pages on the definition and putting it into context, the book then looks at the various acts that are considered evil. This includes lying, cheating, theft, betrayal, murder, vengeance, worshiping evil gods ([i]which seems a bit of a circular argument[/i]) and demons, animating the dead, casting evil spells ([i]circular argument[/i]), damning or harming souls, consorting with fiends, creating evil creatures ([i]circular argument[/i]), using others for personal gain, greed, bullying and cowing innocents, bringing despair, and tempting others. Then the books takes a strange, and awkward turn in a section entitled [b]FETISHES AND ADDICTIONS[/b]. This section looks at the odd behaviors and tastes of those that delve too far into the darkness -- from cannibalism to self mutilation to bestiality. It is a very strange section, filled with childish immaturities. In fact, the paragraph on bestiality is so immature as to make one want to laugh. We then are treated to a couple of pages of vile gods, followed by a couple on vile races. We then get to a section called [b]CREATING VILLAINS[/b] which, despite the level of intellect that appears to have been responsible for the preceding pages, is fairly well written. It gives good tips and solid advice on how to create everything from the Psychopath tot eh misguided fool. It then goes into some worked examples of villains -- any of which would be well suited for your game, I am sure. The most frightening, in my mind, was Enesstrere, the Demon-possessed Dragon. Next, we are off to [b]MALIGN SITES[/b] and the close of the chapter. [b][color=blue][b]Conclusions[/b][/color][/b]: Chapter one is a mixed bag that, unfortunately, sets the tone for much of the rest of the book. There are some good points in here, but most of it is under a layer of cruft that consists of childish and immature thoughts on the nature of evil. But that is just my opinion... [b][color=green][b]CHAPTER 2: VARIANT RULES[/b][/color][/b]: When I first read the chapter title, I looked at it and thought: why do I need variant rules to deal with evil? After reading it, I am still not quite sure why I need them, but that's that. We have rules for possession, sacrifices, curses, and diseases. We then get to a section called [b]OTHER ASPECTS OF EVIL[/b]. TO be honest, after reading this section, I felt it would have been better placed in the section on evil definitions. Still... we get some thoughts on pain as power, souls as power, and so on. Of all of the ideas presented, I found only one that truly seemed interesting... unfortunately, we get but three sentences on the topic: Vile Damage (damage that can only be healed in a holy place). Then we move onto the [b]LINGERING EFFECTS OF EVIL[/b]. This is your places and things that give you the willies on up to palaces that you know are so evil that they exude an almost tangible aspect of it. All in all, it is some interesting ideas, but none are really fleshed out. [b][color=blue][b]Conclusions[/b][/color][/b]: A weak chapter with very little to offer by way of meat; some ideas, some thoughts, no real way of making them seem special. [b][color=green][b]CHAPTER 3: EVIL EQUIPMENT[/b][/color][/b]: In this chapter we get to look at torture devices, execution equipment, armor, traps, alchemical elixirs, drugs, poisons, and even evil material components. All of which is covered in such a short fashion as to make them seem unimportant. The whole chapter is only 9 pages, and most of that is charts and tables. [b][color=blue][b]Conclusions[/b][/color][/b]: I know the what, now I want to know the reasons these are evil; after all, many of the things that are presented were used by various real world religions on those that were heretics or blasphemers -- what makes it [b]evil[/b], and not just plain [b]maliciousness[/b]? Give me more... because what it here seems to fall flat. [b][color=green][b]CHAPTER 4: FEATS[/b][/color][/b]: Yes... it seems that every single book requires two things these days: new feats (not that I mind them), and prestige classes (we'll get to those later). This book is no different. Some of them are useful and seem like they could make for an interesting character concept (Dark Speech, Willing Deformity) while others seem, well, stupid. One of the deformities, for example, is Obese. I weigh in at about 350 pounds, and so this seems to strike me in a way it may not strike you. Lichloved, on the other hand, is just, well, disgusting. What the feat is, basically, granting someone a bonus for animated-necrophilia. Oh-kay... No context, no nothing. Just a feat that grants a bonus for having sex with the undead. [b][color=blue][b]Conclusions[/b][/color][/b]: at least the chapter was short. [b][color=green][b]CHAPTER 5: PRESTIGE CLASSES[/b][/color][/b]: What did I tell you... ;) Over all, the classes are bland. Some seem like they had potential (the various Disciples and Thralls seemed like they could go someplace), but a Prestige class needs to be more than just a collection of kewl powerz. And most of these never get past that. The Cancer Mage is an idea with no real development, for example. The Lifedrinker is... not very interesting. The mortal hunter allows you to take an outsider and turn them into the PREDATOR from the movies (well, not really, but something close). [b][color=blue][b]Conclusions[/b][/color][/b]: it was longer than the feats chapter... [b][color=green][b]CHAPTER 6: MAGIC[/b][/color][/b]: The next 34 pages cover evil spells; this is followed by 12 pages of evil magic items. These are mostly good, and could have made for a much better book if the whole things had been evil spells, magic items and artifacts. If you buy this book, make it for this chapter. Unfortunately, you will have to get the rest of the book, too. [b][color=blue][b]Conclusions[/b][/color][/b]: well written, nicely balanced and fun to read. [b][color=green][b]CHAPTER 7: LORDS OF EVIL[/b][/color][/b]: This chapter takes us though the evil clerics, and the archfiends that they serve. It is a monster-manual of things like the Demogorgon, Juiblex (the Faceless One), Orcus, Yeenoghu (Demon Prince of Gnolls), as well as the Arch-Devils such as Bel, Dispater, Mammon, Belial, Levistus, The Hag Countess, Baalzebul, Mephistopheles, and (of course), Asmodeus. [b][color=blue][b]Conclusions[/b][/color][/b]: This chapter is fair; but it seems that these are the true Lords of Hell -- they should be built using the rules from Deities and Demigods (or a variation on them) to indicate the sheer power they are supposed to wield. As it is, they are just Devils and Demons with a few perks... [b][color=green][b]CHAPTER 8: EVIL MONSTERS[/b][/color][/b]: And a regular bestiary of evil creatures to follow the Lords... not much here worth writing home about. [b][color=green][b]APPENDIX: EVIL PLAYER CHARACTERS[/b][/color][/b]: In a book that deals with evil, we finally reach a chapter (all of 3 pages) on how to deal with evil PCs... dreadfully lacking. [b][color=red][b]FINAL THOUGHTS[/b][/color][/b] Should you get it? If you like and need some really good evil spells and magic items, then it is worth it; if you have Deities and Demigods, and would like to make the lords of evil shine, then the Lords section can be fleshed out further into something worthy of that title... otherwise, leave it be. [/QUOTE]
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