The Quintessential World of Darkness is an omnibus collection of five Classic World of Darkness novels, some new and some reprinted.
Overview[]
Like its predecessor, The Essential World of Darkness, this omnibus is a combination of new and reprinted novels drawn from the five core World of Darkness game lines (Vampire: The Masquerade, Werewolf: The Apocalypse, Mage: The Ascension, Wraith: The Oblivion and Changeling: The Dreaming). The Vampire book in this volume is specifically a Kindred of the East novel - the only fiction ever produced for that product line outside of sourcebooks for the storytelling game. The included Werewolf and Wraith novels included are both reprints of books that were previously published as stand-alone novels (The Silver Crown and Beyond the Shroud, respectively); additionally, the included Changeling story is not a full novel but is instead a new short story.
Summary[]
From the White Wolf catalog:
- One world. Five visions.
- The Quintessential World of Darkness.
- The Lotus of Five Petals
- Kevin Andrew Murphy (House of Secrets)
- For the first time in fiction, the mysterious Kindred of the East are exposed to the horror-stricken gaze of the gaijin. A demon baby and its disbelieving Gi father, a beautiful, deadly lady who births white tiger cubs, a flamboyant penangallan whose greatest pair of falsies are known as Godzilla and Rodan - there is a pattern here, unseen by mortal eyes...
- The Silver Crown
- William Bridges (Werewolf: The Apocalypse)
- Long exiled from the noble Silver Fang tribe, Lord Albrecht must journey through the Spirit World to reclaim the mythical heirloom of his people. Only the Silver Crown can keep them all from being swallowed up by the corruption of the Wyrm...
- Mister Magick
- Edo van Belkom (Wyrm Wolf, 1995 Stoker Award finalist)
- What better place for a mage to hide than amidst the glitz and glitter of a Las Vegas magic show? But soon Romano Minardi must confront the scheming televangelist who drove the Great Rantiki to his death, and who would like nothing better than to see Romano follow his mentor to Hell...
- Beyond the Shroud
- Rick Hautala (Impulse)
- David Robinson's life after death has taken a decided turn for the worse. His ex-wife's dangerous new boyfriend possesses - and is possessed by - a relic so filled with destructive powers that the dark forces of the afterlife will do anything to gain control over it - even destroy the soul of David's young daughter. Nothing, we learn, ends with death...
- The Muse
- Jody Lynn Nye (The Dragonlover's Guide to Pern)
- Every artist needs a muse. But what if one's muse has an agenda of her own - to escape this world altogether? Does the artist help her, knowing she will take his inspiration with her, or does he listen to the pleas of the Seelie Host and bind her to this world? The answer is not what you might think...
Contents[]
- The Lotus of Five Petals by Kevin Andrew Murphy (referred to as "The Five Petals of the Lotus" in the table of contents)
- The First Petal, "The Tale of the Black Tortoise," A Story Of Sorrow
- The Second Petal, "The Tale Of The White Tiger," A Story Of Worry
- The Third Petal, "The Tale Of The Crimson Phoenix," A Story Of The Unexpected
- The Fourth Petal, "The Tale Of The Green Dragon," A Story Of Infatuation
- The Fifth Petal, "The Tale Of The Yellow Emperor," A Story of Balance
- The Silver Crown by William Bridges
- Prologue
- Chapter One - Chapter Eighteen
- Epilogue
- Mister Magick by Edo van Belkom
- Prologue; Montreal, May 198-
- Part One Novice
- Chapter One - Chapter Six
- Part Two Apprentice
- Chapter Seven - Chapter Thirteen
- Part Three Master
- Chapter Fourteen - Chapter Twenty Three
- Epilogue
- Beyond the Shroud by Rick Hautala
- Prologue
- 1 Awakening
- 2 Deserted Streets
- 3 Fetters
- 4 The Storm Breaks
- 5 A Taste Of Oblivion
- 6 Preparations
- 7 Burial
- 8 Ferryman
- 9 RIP Her
- 10 A Dead Man's Dreams
- 11 The Shadow Whispers
- 12 The Deception Ends
- 13 Into The Depths
- 14 Crossing Over
- 15 Bargaining For Souls
- "The Muse" by Jody Lynn Nye
Background Information[]
- Mister Magick was originally going to be published under HarperCollins' HarperPrism line of World of Darkness novels in 1997. And is a continuation of the following short stories, "Career Move," from City of Darkness: Unseen and, "The Great Escape," from Truth Until Paradox.
- Beyond the Shroud does a "Does the Dog Die?" by having Tony kill Sarah's cat Bingley off-screen, but the cat's corpse is described in graphic detail in later scenes.
- The Muse is the shortest section in the book and qualifies more as a short story than a novel.
Memorable Quotes[]
Oh shit! Evan thought. It's one of those raptors from that movie. - The Silver Crown (Pangaea Realm)
"What about Houdini?"
"What about him?" Rantiki said, seemingly annoyed.
"Was he a mage?"
"Yes, but he was a Technomancer, and admittedly a great one. Perhaps even the Technocracy's greatest." - Mister Magick
After a moment he asked, "Are there any Technomancers performing as stage magicians today?"
"A few, the most notable of them being Penn and Teller. The way they've 'exposed' the secrets behind several classic tricks hasn't made them very popular among magicians, or mages for that matter. A few of us can't wait until they head back to New York City." - Mister Magick
'"One of you... one of you is an imposter," David whispered, cringing at the weakness he could hear in his own voice.' - Beyond the Shroud
Characters[]
The Lotus of Five Petals[]
- Anchalee Selakul - "River Prowler," Kuei-jin, Resplendent Crane
- Mei Ling - Mortal
- Mr. Chanai - Mortal, Owner of Patpong's
- Kara - Mortal
- Old Bancha - Mortal
- Howard Hanson, "Howie" - Mortal, Seaman First Class, U.S. Navy, Married Anchalee, Aware of Kuei-jin and Dhampyrs
- Mrs. Kritdee - Mortal, Land Lady
- Khun - Mortal, Mrs. Kritdee's Oldest Son
- Spun - Mortal
- Leong - Mortal
- Mrs. Polasit - Mortal
- Lady Miao, the Courtesan of the Silver Claws - Kuei-jin, Thrashing Dragon
- Phat Ho - Kuei-jin, Thrashing Dragon, Courtesan, Royal Clerk
- Tony Moretto - Mortal, Died
- Wang Tzu - Kuei-jin, Smuggler and Black Marketeer
- Duke of Tsin
- Hwa - Son of Due of Tsin's unfaithful Courtesan
- Howard Jr. - Dhampyr, Child of Anchalee and Howard
- James Buford, "Jim" - Mortal, Seaman Second Class, U.S. Navy, Got together with Phat Ho
- Andre - Mortal, U.S. Navy
- Philips - Mortal, U.S. Navy, Chief Petty Officer
- Warren Nguyen - Mortal, Seaman First Class, U.S. Navy
- Mrs. Svenson - Mortal
- Jin-Jin - Servant, Serving maid to Phat Ho
- Tsing Mao - Lady Miao's House
- Lao Shen - Lady Miao's House
- Kwan Yin - Goddess of Mercy
- Heather - Mortal, Child
- Martha - Mortal, Child
The Silver Crown[]
- Jonas Albrecht
- Jacob Morningkill
- Greyfist
- Tyre - Greyfist's Horse
- Aleking Axeclaw - Silver Fang, House Wyrmfoe
- Gorak Rules-by-Right - Silver Fang, House Wyrmfoe
- Arkady
- Regina - Female Silver Fang Ahroun, Gatekeeper/Warder of North Country
- Eliphas Standish - Silver Fang, Squire of the Lodge of the Moon, Gatekeeper of North Country
- Garrick Batell - Silver Fang, Gatekeeper of North Country, Died
- Mari Cabrah
- Loba Carcassone
- Evan Heals-the-Past
- Fengy
- Mother Larissa
- Alphonse Grayling - Silver Fang Exile, Died
- Justin Beauchamp - Silver Fang Exile, Died
- Vssh'krang - Wyrm Creature, Died
- Margot Rothchild - Female Silver Fang Kinfolk, Albrecht's Cousin, Seth's Mother
- Darren Rothchild - Silver Fang Kinfolk
- Seth - Margot's and Joseph Batell's Child, Silver Fang Kinfolk
- Warner Albrecht - Silver Fang Kinfolk, Sutter's Son
- Henry - Silver Fang Kinfolk
- Sutter Albrecht - Silver Fang Kinfolk, Warner's and James' Father
- James Albrecht - Silver Fang Kinfolk, Sutter's Son, Albrecht's Father
- Joseph Batell - Silver Fang, Seth's Father
- Barktooth - Silver Fang Lupus, Shaman of the Lodge of the Moon, North Country
- Eldest Claw - Female Silver Fang, Shamaness of the Lodge of the Sun, Master of the Rite for North Country
- Thomas Abbot
- Mountain Runner - Silver Fang, Squire of the Lodge of the Sun
- Shining Outward - Silver Fang, Steward of the Lodge of the Moon
- Pale Sire - Silver Fang, Pack Leader from Northern Vermont
- Desmond Rothchild - Silver Fang Kinfolk
- Cynthia Batell - Female Silver Fang Kinfolk
- Henry "Woundgiver" Standish - Silver Fang, Died
- Lord Batell, the "Eye of Gaia" - Silver Fang, Died
- Gregory Breaking Heart - Silver Fang, Died
- Peter - Ragabash Silver Fang, King's Own Pack
- Daphne - Silver Fang Kinfolk, Warner's Wife
- Lenore - Silver Fang Kinfolk, Warner's and Daphne's Daughter
- Antonine Teardrop
- Shakar
- Vassily Hearthcenter - Silver Fang Galliard, wrote Lay of the Silver Crown, chronicler of the Clan of the Crescent Moon
- Ranix Hammer Claw - Past Silver Fang King, Ruled over a Protectorate in Gaul (France)
- Dmitri Spiral Slayer - Past Silver Fang King
- Dagrack
- Ivan - Crow Naturae Spirit
- Rake-to-Death - Lupus Garou in Pangaea
- Queen Azaera
- Jack Wetthumb - Fianna, Screamin' Trailblazers Pack
- Parts-the-Water - Female Silent Strider Theurge, Screamin' Trailblazers Pack
- Ivar Hated-by-the-Wyrm - Get of Fenris, Screamin' Trailblazers Pack
- Finn MacCool - Fianna, Legend
- Pramati - Stargazer Galliard, Screamin' Trailblazers Pack
- Mary Black Fox - Female Dreamspeaker Mage, Ally to Garou, Screamin' Trailblazers Pack
- Nightmaster
- Aaron Ever Stone - Past Silver Fang King, House Winter Snow, Spirit
- Arglach - Black Spiral Dancer, Dank Well Hive Member
- Alani Astarte
- Pearl River
- True Silverheels
- Riordan Cliffgrazer
- Nepthys Mu'at
- Arn Guth Stormbright
- Bull Roarer
- Kleon Winston
Mister Magick[]
- Guy Lafleur - School Kid, Mortal
- Mats Naslund - School Kid, Mortal
- Mario Tremblay - School Kid, Mortal
- Jean-Louis - School Kid, Mortal
- Alan - School Kid, Mortal
- Sean - School Kid, Mortal
- Harvey - School Kid, Mortal
- Yves Bouchard - School Kid, Mortal
- Daniel Sernie - School Kid, Mortal
- Romano Minardi, "Armando Rizzardi," "Mister Magic" - Cult of Ecstasy Mage, Stage Magician, Rantiki's Apprentice
- Franco Minardi - Romano's Father, Mortal
- Albert Levinson - Personnel Manager, Mortal
- Louise Minardi - Romano's Sister, Mortal
- Romana Minardi - Romano's Mother, Mortal
- Nick Rorchia - Restaurant Owner, Torchy's, Mortal
- Beverly Reno - Singer, Mortal
- Sergeant Joe D'Alessandro - Cop, Mortal
- Jay Bilmes - Agent, Mortal
- James Rantiki (Randall Wynne), "The Great Rantiki," "Mister Magic" - Cult of Ecstasy Mage, Stage Magician, Died
- Marin Kraas, "Blinkles the Clown" - Rantiki's Assistant and Apprentice, Technical Advisor, Magician, Mortal
- Arthur Gardner - Rantiki's and Romano's Manager, Mortal
- Rhonda Mazey, "Roxanne May" - Romano Minardi's Assistant and Acolyte
- Odele Walsh - First Member of Rantiki's fan club, "Consor's Club," Mortal
- Susie Wand - Rantiki's Assistant, Mortal
- Linda - Child, Mortal
- Claytin Hines - Cult of Ecstasy Mage, Stage Magician
- David Kotkin - Cult of Ecstasy Mage, Stage Magician
- Leslie Kay - Cult of Ecstasy Mage, Stage Magician
- Harry Reddington Jr. - Cult of Ecstasy Mage, Stage Magician, Deacon of the Magic Box Chantry
- Jimmy Platt - Cult of Ecstasy Mage, Stage Magician
- Jerry Baker - Christian Fundamentalist Talk-Show Host, Mortal
- Graham Chambers - Technician for Rantiki and Romano, Mortal
- Jimi Hendrix - Stated to be a Cult of Ecstasy Mage
- Jim Morrison - Stated to be a Cult of Ecstasy Mage
- Daria DePaul - Producer for the Jerry Baker Show, Mortal
- Dan O'Doyle - PM Magazine's Host, Mortal
- Cynthia Keegan - Inside Affair Reporter, Mortal
- Father Quintino Marucci - Priest, Mortal
- Agnes Brown - Mortal
- Roy Brown - Mortal
- Diego Salerno - Booking Agent, Mortal
- Regina DiMaio - Costume Designer, Mortal
- Zia Yolanda - Mortal
- Ed Treasure - Mortal, Susie's Boyfriend
- Jackson Zwinge - Local Radio Personality, Mortal
- Ehrich Weiss - Lawyer from Burns, Wiess and Manning Firm, Mortal
- Mark Garland - Casino Pit Boss, Mortal
- Barry - Reporter for AM Radio Station, CFRB, Mortal
- Alivn Wheatley - Comedian, Mortal
- Lyle Laughlin - Doctor, Mortal
- Professor Thomas W. Tobin - Technomancer Mage, Technocracy
Beyond the Shroud[]
- Sarah Robinson - Mortal, David's Ex-Wife
- David Robinson - Wraith, Sarah's Ex-Husband
- Karen Robinson - Wraith, David and Sarah's Daughter
- Bingley - Sarah's Cat, Described as a Wraith, Plasmic
- Officer Murray - Mortal, Cop
- Tony Rainieri - Mortal, becomes a Wraith near the end, Destroyed
- Alexander - Mortal, Tony's Roommate
- Professor Morgan - Mortal, Teacher
- Carol - Mortal, Sarah's Friend
- Sam Lowell - Mortal, Landlord
- Morris Green - Mortal, Oaks Funeral Home
- Cindy - Mortal, Sarah's Friend
- Ruth - Mortal, Sarah's Friend
- Mrs. Burke - Wraith, Second-Grade Teacher
- Reverend Harry Grant - Mortal, Minister
- Mrs. Abbiati - Mortal, Librarian
- Bill Relling - Mortal, Literary Agent
- Elizabeth McDonald - Mortal, Sarah's Boss
- Marilyn Crosby - Mortal, Librarian
- Janice - Mortal, Librarian
- Margaret Harkness - Mortal, Died, Killed by Tony, Receptionist at Dixon Brothers Oil Company
- Sy Warner - Mortal, Sy's North Windham Firing Range
- Alan Lindwall - Mortal, Writer
- George Rich - Mortal, Twin Brothers
- Ralph Rich - Mortal, Twin Brothers
- Hope Parker - Mortal, Married to Mike Harlow
- Mike Harlow - Mortal, Married to Hope Parker
- Alexander Courtland - Mortal, Investment Counselor
- Bernie Ryerson - Mortal, Principal at Buxton High School
- Dianne Warner - Mortal, Sy's Wife
The Muse[]
- Alan Webster - Mortal Artist
- Calemotina - Unseelie Changeling
- Ewan Thompson - Alan's friend, Mortal
- Miller - Mortal Artist
Terminology[]
The Lotus of Five Petals: Akuma, Asia, A Thousand Whispers, Australia, Bangkok, Boston, California, Chi, Chih-mei, China, Chinatown, Court, Demon, Demon Lords, Dhampyr, Dharma, Dharmic, Feng Shui, Flesh Shintai, Ghoul, Great Wheel of Transmigrations, Guam, Heaven, Hells, Hell of Being Boiled Alive, Hell of Being Salted and Flayed, Hengeyokai, Hun, Hungry Dead, Joss, Judges of the Dead, Karma, Kin-jin, Kuei-jin, Mandate of Heaven, Middle Kingdom, Ministers of Hell, Minnesota, Mississippi, New York, Osaka, Patpong (Location), Penangallan, Phetburi, P'o, Ratchaburi, Resplendent Crane, Saigon, Samut Songkhram, San Francisco, The Second Breath, Shintai, Singapore, Sydney, Ten Thousand Demons, Ten Thousand Immortals, Thailand, Thrashing Dragons, United States, Vampires, Vietnam, Wan Kuei, Wan Xian, Yama Kings, Yang, Yaowaraj (Lady Miao's House), Yin, Yomi World; The Silver Crown: Abyss, Adirondacks, Aetherial Realm, Ahroun, Airts, Alaska, Amazon, Amazon War, Apocalypse, Asia, Atrocity, Auspice, Austere Howl, Awakening, Axis Mundi, Balefire, Bane, Bawn, Black Furies, Black Spiral Labyrinth, Black Spiral Dancer, Blood-Red Crest, Bone Gnawers, Britain, Bronx, Cabrah's Self-Defense (NYC Loc.), Caern, Caern of the Crescent Moon, Caern Warder, Catskills, Central Park, Charach, Children of Gaia, Chimera, Chimare, Clan of Crescent Moon, Conquering Claw, Crinos, Cub, Dank Well Hive, Dawn Times, Defiler Wyrm, Dirge for the Fallen, Domains, Dreamspeaker, England, Ephemera, Esk River Protectorate (England, Gone), Europe, Fae, Falcon, Fetish(es), Fianna, First Change, First Wolf, Fomori, France, Frenzy, Gaia, Galliard, Gamecraft, Garou, Garou Tongue, Gatekeeper, Gauntlet, Get of Fenris, Gift, Glabro, Glass Walkers, Glass Walker Don, Gleaming Eye, Glen, Glory, Golden Sky, Golden Path, Grand Klaive, Grand Moot, Grand Oak (Throne), Grave of Hallowed Heroes, Greater Darkness, Green Mountain, Hag, Harano, Hell Hole, Hispo, Hive, 'Hoga, Urge Wyrm of Smog', Holland, Homid (breed), Homid (form), Honor, House of Wyrmfoe, Howl of Confirmed Precedence, Howl of Greeting, Howl of Precedence, Iron Path, Kin, Kinfolk, King's Own Pack, Klaive, The Lambent Flame (Gift), The Lay of the Silver Crown by Vassily Hearthcenter (Saga), Leeches, Litany, Lodge of the Moon, Lodge of the Sun, Luna, Lunae, Lunes, Lupus (breed), Lupus (form), Mage, Malfeas, Manhattan Island, Master of the Challenge, Master of the Rite, Mediterranean, Metis, Middlebury (Town), Middle East Mongrel, Moon Bridge, Moon Paths, Moot, Naturae Spirit, New Amsterdam, New Mexico, New York, New York City, Nexus Crawler, North America, North Country Caern, North Country Protectorate, One Tree, Pack, Pack Leader, Packmates, Painted Coyote Caern (New Mexico), Pangaea, Pattern Spider, Penumbra, Philodox, Pit, Protectorate, Pure Breeding, Quest, Ragabash, Rage, Realms, Red Talons, Renown, Retainers, Rites, Ritemaster, Rite of Cleansing, Rite of Passage, Rite of the Questing Stone, Rite of Talisman Dedication, Russia, Sabbat, Scotland, Screamin' Trailblazers (Pack), Seneschal, Sept, Shadow Curtain, Shadow Lords, Silent Striders, Silver, Silver Crown, Silver Fangs, Silver Fang Homeland, Silver Path, Silver Record, Society of Nidhogg, Spirit, Spirit Binding, Spirit Ward (Fetish), Stargazer, Sub-Realms, Table Rock (Location), Taint, Theurge, Totem, Tradition, Tribe, Uktena, Umbra, Umbral, Unbreakable Hearth, Vampires, Veil, Vermont, Warder, War of Rage, The Warning of the Wyrm's Approach (Howl), Weaver, Weaverlings, Wendigo, Werewolf, Winter Snow, Wisdom, Wise Heart, Wyld, Wyldling, Wyrm; Mister Magick: Academy of Variety and Cabaret Artists, Akashic Brotherhood, The Aladdin, American Museum of Historical Documents, Ascension, Atlantic City, Aura, Avatar, Awake, Awakened, Awakening, Bremen, Apprentice, Binion's Horseshoe Hotel and Casino, Blissful Discipline Rote, Bohemian Embassy, Brussels, 'Burns, Wiess and Manning (Firm), Cabal, Caesar's Palace, California, Cameroon, Canada, Cardiff Empire Theater, CFRB (AM Radio Station), Chantry, Chicago, 'Circus, Circus', Coincidental Magick, Consor, Consor's Club (Rantiki's fan club), Correspondence, Cult of Ecstasy, Curtain, Deacon, Desert Inn Drive, Detroit, Dram, Dynamic Magick, El Cortez Hotel, Entropy, Fashion Show Mall, Fitzgerald's Hotel and Casino, Flamingo (Location), Force, Four Queens Hotel and Casino, Fremont Hotel, Frontier Hotel and Gambling Hall, Golden Nugget, Gold Spike Hotel and Casino, Guardian Angel Cathedral, Harrah's Hotel and Casino, Hawaii, Hollywood, Hotel Shelton (New York), Illinois, Indianapolis, Ireland, Italy, The Jerry Baker Show, Lady Luck Casino, Landmark (Closed Location), Las Vegas, Las Vegas Club and Casino, Las Vegas Daily News, Las Vegas Showman's Memorial, Le Colisée, Life, London, Los Angeles, Mage, Magic, The Magic Box (Las Vegas Cabal/Node/Chantry/Bar), Magic Castle, Magick, Maple Lead Gardens, Massachusetts, Master, Matter, MGM Grand Hotel, Miami, Mojave Desert, Montreal, Montreal Forum, Mount Charleston, Nevada, New Mexico, New York, New York City, Node, Paris, Pedagogue, Peerless Handcuff Company, Paradox, Philadelphia, PM Magazine, Pogrom, Prime, Protocols, Quintessence, Ralph's Diner, Rancho Rantiki, Rantiki on Magic (Book), Reality, Reno, Rotes, Sahara, Sleepers, South Carolina, Spanish Steps Restaurant, Sphere, Spirit, St. Louis, Stardust Hotel, Static Magick, Student, Tahoe, Technocracy, Technomancers, Texas, Time, Torchy's (Restaurant), Toronto, Traditions, Tropicana, Umbra, Union Plaza Hotel, United States, Unseen Arm, "Force Rote", Vulgar Magick, Wisconsin, WKLV (TV Station); Beyond the Shroud: Augusta (Location), Auras, Barghests, Brighton Medical Center, Buxton High School, Byways, Caul, Cemetery Dance (Magazine), Chains, Charon, Chicago, Corpse, Corpus, Corsetti's (Store), Dead, Death, Death-mark, Dixon Brothers Oil Company, Embodying, England, Fallen Angels by David Robinson (Novel), Far Shores, Ferryman, Ferrymen, Fetters, Ghost, Haunt, Heaven, Hell, Hierarchy, Hollow Reed (Restaurant), Jack the Ripper's Knife (Relic), James Moore's Complete Encyclopedia of Mass Murderers (Book), Keening, London, Maelstrom, Maine, Mt. Rainey, New York, Nynex Yellow Pages, Oblivion, Painted Horse (Store), Phantasm, Phantom, Pine Knoll Elementary School, Portland, Portland Press Herald (Newspaper), Possessed, Possession, Possesses, Puppetry, Realm, Reaper, Relic, Riverside Cemetery, Shadow, Shadowlands, Skinlands, Skinriding, Soul, Spirit, Stygia, Stygian, Stygian Steel, Sy's North Windham Firing Range, Tempest, Transcendence, Trustworthy Hardware (Store), Vietnam, Wraith; The Muse: Arcadia, Dreaming, Edinburgh, Fair Folk, Glamour, Glasgow, London, Pookas, Samhain, Scotland, Seelie, Shattering, Sundering, Unseelie,
References[]
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