Onyx Path Publishing does it again. And by "it", I mean add a wonderful addition to the series!

Taking elements found in both Children of the Blood and Cults of the Blood Gods, this book marries the two:

• The Wellspring, in Copenhagen Denmark, players are given a taste for what it's like to find the remnants of a cult with no leader. It's a question of: What do we do next? An exploration on how they act in a given sticky/tricky situation.

• The Family, in Atlantic City USA, somebody’s been talking. Secrets of the Hecata soon find themselves spilled and it's up to the coterie to find out who, why, and then mop up the mess.

• Open Your Eyes, in Birmingham England, a mysterious figure speaks of Golconda. They perform miracles which sound and seem unbelievable. It's time to separate fact from fiction, and uncover the truth.

• Old Wounds, in Florence Italy, a celebration is to be had and you’ve managed an invitation. The Family is planning a get-together. Some of those in attendance are finally ready to bury the hatchet.

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Accompanying these stories and settings, there are new Loresheets:

The Ruby Throat, a Gambling/Crime related sheet set in Atlantic City, though it could easily be moved to other locations if a Chronicle found its setting applicable, the book even goes as far to state that.

Descendant of de Camden, provides benefit for those of clan Hecata in what appears to be the last confirmed ‘bloodline’ of sorts for them (at least for now).

Finally, we have Relics of the Veil; it provides some haunted/shroud/spooky items of interest for those venturing toward the esoteric or necromantic types of characters.

Three new Ceremonies feature in Trails of Ash and Bone, allowing for some measure of protection against (or entrapment of) spirits, mending of the shroud, or the projection of a spirit’s final mortal moments onto a willing participant or an unsuspecting enemy.

Finally we have Ready-Made Characters, giving players the ideal jumping-in point for the stories in the book, or in general for where they might be suited. All set, and ready to play.

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I’ve found several elements I’ve wanted to cherry pick for my own Chronicles, Characters, but also Locations. They give you enough to work for the stories, but one could cultivate it into their own setting if they were up for the challenge. If I had to compare this book to others in V5, it would be the much loved Let the Street Run Red.

Each story features new SPCs, alongside antagonist stat blocks, and a variety of options for how each could play out. This is baked-in, allowing newer STs better flexibility on how they could tackle the setting for their first time, or for further replays. With Old Wounds in particular they may feel they’re playing a completely different story, given the change in motivations of their potential adversary/adversaries.

Some named SPCs found in Children of the Blood also feature here, allowing for those who have it a deeper understanding of the character, and their motivations (though of course, it is not necessary/mandatory to have it).

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Yet again, I can’t help wanting more. It's not as if the content is lacking by any means, it's more that you can’t get enough of a good thing when Onyx Path Publishing is involved.

I consider this another knock-out for them. 5 Stars. I can't wait for Forbidden Religions.

Onyx Path Publishing gives a great many plot hooks to interweave among any Chicago by Night chronicle:

Taking Anarch, Camarilla, Independent and Mortal stories to give players a chance to experiene and explore a plethora of content. Each with a whole new list of stat block characters, and SPCs to boot. At the end of it all, you're rewarded further with fresh new Loresheets and bloody brilliant Blood Sorcery Rituals.

For new Storytellers, this'll help add to your city and make it all the more hustle-and-bustling. Plenty of jobs, characters, opportunities. Naturally it works well with Chicago, but it could easily be worked into other locations. Custom or otherwise.

Fantastic supplement for Chicago by Night.

This, is the welcome return to Chicago we've all been waiting for. Onyx Path Publishing does a great way updating the city, and providing the set-up for the Lasombra's defection from the Sabbat.

This is the first foray into what will be V5's city settings. It gives you the breakdown of locations, domains, homestead rules, motivations and the malcontents to murder.

You're shown the various SPCs in all their glory, those who've survived anyway. Still plenty of Elders, but not as it once was. New space and new room made in the vaccum for Neonates and Fledglings such as yourself.

This book contains the hierarchical layout, showing who in Chicago's Government is who they say they are. How they feel toward one-another. Great for new players hoping to get a grasp on how to approach such a thing.

Loresheets aplenty, giving you rich backgrounds to play with in your game.

The introduction of Obtenebration (now part of, and called: Oblivion) and various Chronicle stories to get yourself started filling this World of Darkness with many a-things to do.

Truly, this is a beautiful book and a beautiful beginning. It's quite the love letter to the series and the best starting point for Vampire: The Masquerade V5.

Onyx Path Publishing digs deeper into Chicago, and its nearing neighbours.

For those Storytellers looking for a way to break the ice:

• Power Prey introduces the coterie to questionable Kindred and qualms about what they could become. It raises the stakes, putting something on the line that's personal. I highly recommend it as a start in general, but also for Chicago.

• The Dying Fields gives a new setting, feeling as if the walls close in. A small town, fewer vessels to feed from. Those small-time elements of mystery, eerie cult-isms. Its a great story for those having strayed from the path and ended up someplace strange. Where the trees grow tall, and the crows come to call.

• Innocence in Blood provides you with all you'll need to give Lupines more of a presence in your chronicles, starting with this one in particular. Giving varying types of Lupine, and their Kinfolk you give the fight of your unlife. Best of luck to you.

• Rusted Jungle brings Gary Indianna into the forefront. Stepping it up to Chicago to show it what its got. Fall into the befallment of the Circulatory System and the waging war between Camarilla and Anarchs, Gary and Chicago, as tensions grow.

In addition to the spread of awesome SPCs included, you'll find statblocks aplenty. Ghouls, Lupine, Mortals.

New Blood Sorcery Rituals, the Roadside Killer predator type, and Loresheets.

Finally, the Ready-Made Characters so you can dive straight-on in. This is the start of something great, enjoy your stay.

Cults of the Blood Gods is further expanded upon in this supplement: This book opens with new SPC Characters and one or two older ones. These work to provide flavour for any chronicle/story, but also tie-in with other entries, such as Trails of Ash and Bone.

Some Ready-Made Characters for anyone wanting to leap straight into the action.

New Cult-based Merits and Flaws, to better you or your adversaries for your involvement in cults featured in Cults of the Blood Gods.

Bloodlines, adding what appears to be the last (for now at least) of the more notable Hecata families.

And cult Loresheets, offering awesome new choices for the many kindred you’ll no doubt be making.

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I was going to rate this book a 4, for the sole reason that I would have liked to have seen more, but for the price it's offered I think it's spot on. I still certainly wish we had more, but as it is, it's a fine addition. I’m now left wondering when and where we might see some names crop up in later entries (Forbidden Religions).

I’m giving Onyx Path Publishing a 5. A great start to the Supplements.

By far my favourite Onyx Path book. Introducing the Cults and Cultists of Kindred kind, and of course Clan Hecata, in all their glory. For those seeking context on beliefs, (sometimes blood) rituals, the structure, and favoured new powers of the following factions, please consider this book:

• Ashfinders (Duskborn/Thin-Blood).
• The Bahari.
• Church of Caine.
• Church of Set.
• Shalimites.
• Mithrists.
• Nephilims.

Cults of the Blood Gods break down each, showing just how they fit and operate in the modern nights. It supplies you with additional examples and the tools to create your own, drawing from elements both living and dead.

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As for the Cult, -I mean.. Clan of Death:

Initially I wasn't entirely sure how the Hecata could or even would work given the clan/bloodline’s history. Reading over the material, I was pleasantly surprised. They can and do cooperate well as V5’s big “happy” family.

So much so, that I can honestly say that the Hecata has become my favourite.

They feel unlike any other clan in V5. The approach to the various faces featured in the family gives a unique outlook and perspective for the members that make the whole. It adds depth and gives credence to the familial feel. You can hate one-another, hurt one-another, have done terrible things to one-another... but at the end of the day you’re still family. Something to keep in mind when you’re walking the line between sects, and have plenty of enemies who might want to see you fall.

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In addition to all this, Chapter 8 introduces Styx and Bones. The first foray into Munich, bringing back some old names and faces, providing adventurous stories to tackle, antagonists, and ready-made characters.

Onyx Path has really put love and care into the material. You can see, feel, and experience it. At least, I hope you do. Please give this book a try, because I truly love it and revisit it often. There’s always more to find and uncover between these pages.