Authors:
Release Date: 2007-02-07
On Sale: Yes
Price: 26.99
ISBN: 1-58846-608-6
Product Type: Resource
Product Style: Hardcover
Page Count: 144
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Review by: Sterling Jenson
Rating: 9/10
Magnum Opus might not be destined to become the most used book in the line, it does allow for more options and contains ideas that can be the focus of an entire chronicle.
Magnum Opus is the latest and second to last supplement in the Promethean: the Created series. The signature character who this book focuses around is the Ulgan, Zo Malak. For some reason I fell that she is one of the Promethean signature characters that we know the least about. The introductory story and corresponding opening fiction for each of the chapters is fairly good. I like how each of the books in the Promethean line focuses on a different signature character. After the introductory story, the book has an introduction section describing the purpose and what is inside the book.
Chapter One is focus on the “what ifs” of the Promethean game, such as can a Promethean be made out of other materials besides human bodies. In this section, the book has additional progenitor stories for each of the Lineages that do not have a traditional basis as being created out of inanimate objects, namely the Ulgan and the Nepri along with a discussion about how Shelly could have misunderstood the act of creation. I do not like the idea of these stories as being the Truth since if these stories were true, than being made out of cadavers should be the rarity and not the norm in Promethean. Though, these stories might make sense for constructs of the various lineages to believe. Other sections in this chapter deal with Created that arose after a catastrophe, an idea called the Prodigal Demiurge, the living children of Prometheans, Prometheans who were created in a dream, and Prometheans who were created out of parts of animals. All of these sections were well written adding depth to a game and more elements of mystery. Any one of the sections could be the basis of a whole campaign so I find it unlikely that characters will meet all of these possibilities in a course of a typical chronicle. The last section of this chapter is about finding shrines that were left by a Promethean who walked all the major Refinements and created shrines where ever he found inspiration. The only thing that I wished that the writers had included in this section is what would happen if player characters, however unlikely, stumble across such shrines.
Chapter Two discusses other Refinements than those found in the core book. Each of these new Refinements get a new Transmutation list associated with them in addition to a Transmutation list found in the core book. Each of these transmutation lists adds another element to the game and most of them are a bit more abstract than those found in the core book. Out of the new Refinements I liked the Refinement of Aes the least, but I still could see playing a character who followed this Refinement. The Transmutation lists that compose the rest of the chapter look rather solid. I wish that the side bar on pg. 90 that listed Other Bestowments that can be enhanced with the Transmutation Refine Bestowment included Dreamsharing, which is found within Magnum Opus. Other than that the list seems fairly complete otherwise, save for the Zeky Bestowments, but since the Zeky were not released until the last book, Saturine Night, that omission is understandable. Transmutations in the list have several variants depending on what type of supernatural creature the character is studying.
Chapter Three is mainly geared towards Storytellers, giving them ideas on how to deal with characters going to the wastes, how to create Milestones, how to deal with Milestones in short games, and ideas for how to deal with crossover games. Each of these sections are good though I felt that the section on Milestones called “A Stone’s Weight” will probably get the most use out of this chapter since it gives Storytellers ideas on creating Milestones. The section on going to the Wastes is also fairly useful if a character in a campaign has to or wants to purify his Azoth. I felt that parts of this section were fairly common sense, such as bringing a new character in as a temporary player character to replace a character that has left for the wastes. The parts on how to prevent players from using this temporary character to derail the game could be useful though.
Chapter Four is the latest installment of the “Waters of Life.” This installment looks interesting, but I have not kept up with the series so I feel that I cannot offer many useful criticisms.
Overall, I liked this book as with all of the Promethean line. I thought the writing was well done and felt that I could simply sit down and read most of the book cover to cover which does not happen with many RPG books. The art work, save for a couple of pieces, is generally either good or great. I especially like the artist who does the chapter openings, but that might be due to the fact that I like line work. Based on usefulness, writing, content, and art, I’m going to give this book a 9 out of 10. Magnum Opus might not be destined to become the most used book in the line, it does allow for more options and contains ideas that can be the focus of an entire chronicle.
