Crusade of Ashes

Crusade of Ashes is the second book in the Orpheus storyline, and the first of the supplemental sourcebooks. It details the destruction of the Orpheus Group and the resulting devastation on the lives of the surviving employees. Many who escape the law and government become fugitives, attempting to continue their investigations into the world of the dead and the company’s destruction while on the run.

Chapters
Prologue: Crusade of Ashes details how the signature characters get caught in the NextWorld raid on Orpheus. The company is destroyed utterly and completely, and Tom Hayes loses his body in the explosions.

The Introduction, as in all of the other Orpheus books, explains this book’s part in the metaplot using movie structure analogies, and has recommended movies for the reader to watch to help them feel the atmosphere of the book. It also offers short previews (via Radio Free Death) of things to come in the metaplot.

Chapter One: Orpheus in Wane shows the details of the Orpheus Group’s complex before the attack, and details the plans of the raid performed by NextWorld and the Death Merchants.

Chapter Two: Dead Men Running offers suggestions for characters who are now on the run from the law following the destruction of Orpheus. It also outlines the antagonists Orpheus fugitives may come across.

Chapter Three: The Unearthed Player’s Guide contains the Merits and Flaws for Orpheus characters, as well as how to create artifacts.

Chapter Four: Storytelling the Dead contains Orpheus’ last known files on their adversaries and competition, as well as some in depth campaigns dealing with the crucible’s struggle to regain a normal life.