Werewolf Storytellers Companion

Rating:
Summary: For storytellers
Review: I know that you don't forcefully need this book, and that you might be able to handle a chronicle without the companion, but admitt that to get the animals, the stargazers and other things included in this little book, as well as the weapons table on the screen and the full explanation on the littany and reknown you will either need to work on the net for a month or get your head spinning with different sourcebooks and table creations, sure the book is not forceful, but it sure gets some weigh of a storytellers back, besides, the screen is quite cool.

Rating:
Summary: For Those of You Just Joining Us
Review: On my first glance, I was extremely annoyed at this book. Very little of it was original, most of the information simply glossing over what's to be found in other books. But as I read through it, I softened up a bit. True, those of us who have been with Werewolf since first edition (remember page XX?) can safely pass this volume by. But for newcomers, especially those who's first taste of the game is from the Revised edition, this is a useful source.

There is information on the newly departed Stargazers which is good reading if you are following White Wolf's metaplot, otherwise just refer to 2nd edition or tribebook. Enough information is given on the other werecreatures (Nuwisha, Bastet, etc.) to come up with a one-shot NPC, similar to the information the core rulebook gives on Vampires, Mages, Changelings, etc. If you want the troupe to become more entangled with the other Fera, you'd be better off getting the Players Guide or the various Changing Breed books.

The information given on caerns, septs and moots is a must read if you don't already have the Players Guide. This is stuff that really should have made it into the core rulebook as it is the basis for much of Garou society.

Also included are stats for animals ranging from foxes to anacondas, more suggestions for what acts garner what Renown, and how much the Garou know (and how they view) the other supernatural denizens of the World of Darkness. These are useful tools for those already familiar with Werewolf.

I have a hard time buying that there wasn't enough room in the core rules for this information (especially the eight or so pages of caern info), but in the end deciding whether to purchase this depends on your familiarity with the game. Old hands should probably save their money for another sourcebook. Novice storytellers who are already running successful campaigns might pick up some interesting ideas. True newcomers would probably benefit since the gaming screen provides the most needed charts and the book helps flesh out the background and provides ideas for interesting NPC's.

Rating:
Summary: Companion guide that fills the gaps.
Review: The Werewolf Storyteller's Companion is all the extra items that just wouldn't fit in the main Werewolf: the Apocalypse rulebook. This slim volume contains 60 pages of extra information that you can use to enhance your game and provide new opportunities for your players to enjoy.

It is divided into four chapters: 'The Beast Blooded', detailing the recently seperated tribe of werewolves (the Stargazers), a brief summary on other shapshifters and some optional rules for tribal weaknesses; 'Caerns and Septs', briefly overviewing these two fundamental parts of werewolf life; 'Rivals and Enemies', providing new antagonists to torment your players with; 'Odds and Ends', which has rules for underwater combat, new weapons, a timeline of history and expanded Renown rules, as well as a 4-page spread of character sheets.

Also included is a fold-out 5 page Storyteller's Screen, which provides many of the charts and rules you need all in one place, as well as providing a shield for making secret rolls or just hiding your notes from potentially nosey players.

The information in these chapters is very helpful, and this should be considered extra material that would have been in the main rules if not for lack of space. If you are new to Werewolf, this book is a great addition to the main rules. However, if you have the full Storyteller's Handbook, this may simply be repetition of things you already knew. While some of the rules provided here are newer than those in the Handbook, most of the 'flavor' is the same.

For the price, the Storyteller's Companion is a great deal, and useful to anyone playing Werewolf: the Apocalypse, even if you have the older Handbook. These extra pages that belong in the main book, so pick up a copy and complete your Werewolf experience!