Customer Reviews (9)

Great theme and mood. Poor Magick rules.
Something I like of this game, as in Mage: The Ascension, is the fact that mages are not just the "spell-casters"of other games. Magick is not a list of enchantments or powers, but a consequence of enlightenment and willpower. This game is great for that: it focuses on the difficult way to enlightenment and perfection, the pitfalls and failures to achieve so; the morals and responsibilities of the Mage, and the dangers of his/her inherent arrogance and hubris. The theme and mood in the game are greatly developed, as well as the choice of a historical period (the Renaissance) that became a turning point for the conflict between mystickal magick, science and religion.
I do not know up to which point the historical events transpiring in the game are really coherent with the early source books of Mage: The Ascension, although in general it fits quite well. What I dislike the most is the magick system: my favorite has always been the one of Mage: The Ascension 1st edition. The one of The Sorcerers' Crusade tries to be simpler, and it manages to be so, but it becomes inconsistent and not so easy to understand for someone who does not already know the system from one of the editions of Mage: The Ascension. I do not like the way it describes the Faith Numina either.

A time of wonder and reason
The Sorcerers Crusade is a fine book, which contains everything you need to get a Renaissance game going. The Traditions and the Order of Reason are both given equal treatment. It is interesting to see the Order of Reason before they got reorganized into the Technocratic Union. This was a time when their paradigm was not as accepted as miracles and traditional D&D-style spell craft.

This book is more thorough than the second edition of Mage the Ascension. Not only does it provide a lot of examples and explanations for spells, and rituals, it also cleared up a lot of the limitations and potentials for the various spheres.

Even though there are already party lines, the rules make it possible to have both Traditional and Technocratic magi working together. It is a time of reorganization and both parties are trying to find their destinies. In fact, the reader will follow the experiences of a Celestial Chorus member and a member of the Hippocratic Circle throughout the book. The idea of same goals through different methods was stressed.

The time period seemed to be the ideal setting for Mage. Not only are their so many possibilities in terms of new ideas and beliefs, the age of exploration in the high seas, the skies, the unknown continents, as well as the Void are all available for curious magi and their associates.

This book is a must for anyone who is interested in Mage. It is a very complete work and has vital information for storytellers and players who want to use the Renaissance setting. Whether you have an interest in high artisans, explorers, knights, shamans, witches, alchemists, there is something here for you.

Well, it's White-Wolf...
So as you might expect this book includes extensive research as far as magi and cabala's are concerned. The artwork is amazing, the setting is perfect and the ascension war has begun. I you want my opinion, buy it, it is surely useful in completing your storyteller skills and knowledges and will prove your wisdom to your players. Really, this book is worth it.

A great game in it's perfect setting
Mage: The Ascension is, without a doubt, my favorite RPG. It's concept about Awakened beings who *know* they can change reality because they are convinced in their paradigms is the best concept I've ever seen.

In the Mage timeline, though, there was a crucial event which splitted history in two: Renaissance. It was then that the whole world started believing in science and it's apparent limitless capacities. It was then when people started removing some attributes which made the world turn from God, and it was then when the church started the most brutal prosecution against "pagans": Inquisition.

This is a book about the clash between 3 forces: Faith, Science and Magick. And as the Mage storyline goes, it's the perfect moment to play a Mage.

What if magic worked the way it was supposed to?
The Sorcerers' Crusade is a good setting for Mage. A lot of the modern game focuses on how magic doesn't really work the way it's supposed to because people's belief in science is too firmly entrenched in the world's paradigm. In the SC setting, science is a bit less accepted, and magic works a little better. Paradox, which in the modern game is always bad, is called Scourge in this setting, and can occasionally help a Mage. The Technocracy is on more equal footing with the Tradition mages here, as both are struggling to put their paradigm forward as dominant.

There's quite a bit of history and world setting information in this book. Possibly too much, depending on your needs. Relatively little of the book is taken up with game system mechanics. What system rules there are cannot be found all in one place. The organization of the rules is somewhat loose. Like the modern game, the magic system is open-ended, with ability defined in areas of control rather than specific spells. But like most other Mage books, spells (rotes) can be found if one looks hard enough.

If you've played Mage: The Ascension, it will be easier to understand this book. If not, some of the game rules might be confusing. If you like the Mage magic system, but don't care for the dark-goth game world White Wolf sets the games in, this is probably the game for you. ... Read more

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Author: John R. Nuckols
Publication: Environmental Health Perspectives (Magazine/Journal)
Date: May 1, 2007
Publisher: Thomson Gale
Volume: 115Issue: 5Page: 684(6)

Article Type: Clinical report, Case study

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Author: John August
Publication: The Advocate (The national gay & lesbian newsmagazine) (Magazine/Journal)
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Publisher: Thomson Gale
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Article Type: Cover story, Interview

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