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Vampire: The Masquerade 5th Edition
Camarilla
The global blood opera of the Camarilla story continues. As the eldest vampires begin to vanish, the Ivory Tower starts to crack under the weight of its own decay. Once it was the mightiest faction of vampires in the world, a stronghold of immortality. Now it retreats into a maze of neo-feudal conspiracies to protect itself against the deadly threat of the Second Inquisition, struggling to enforce the Masquerade in the face of modern technology.
Welcome to the ultimate guide to the Camarilla, the most frightening secret
society history has never known. Written as a primer and set of documents,
penned and collected by immortal socialite Victoria Ash and addressed to you,
her childe, the Camarilla book is designed to be a gripping read for any lover of
the sophisticated undead and is a great resource for all players and storytellers of
Vampire: The Masquerade.
Welcome to the ultimate guide to the Camarilla, the most frightening secret
society history has never known. Written as a primer and set of documents,
penned and collected by immortal socialite Victoria Ash and addressed to you,
her childe, the Camarilla book is designed to be a gripping read for any lover of
the sophisticated undead and is a great resource for all players and storytellers of
Vampire: The Masquerade.
201 pages, ebook
Published November 6, 2018
16 people are currently reading
95 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
June 6, 2021
Extraordinary book. Back in the 90’s the release of a White Wolf book (no matter the line, but especially Vampire) was guaranteed to be a wild ride. Barely containing any actual system information, these books were a weird combination of pop psych, philosophy, and horror creating a beautiful world you truly wanted to interact with.
This changed somewhat as we approached 2000 and then finally disappeared with the NWoD. Don’t get me wrong, there is no judgement here: there were a lot of problems with that old approach of lore and metaplot over system. Nonetheless, it’s an era of the RPG industry that holds a certain degree of nostalgia.
Camarilla for the 5th Ed of Vampire returns to that old school 90’s White Wolf approach. This book is absolutely filled with world building material, metaplot updates, slice of (un)life, etc. it’s a fabulous read for any Masquerade fan. If it has a problem, it’s that it is not exactly friendly to newcomers. I suspect it will mainly appeal only to long term fans.
This changed somewhat as we approached 2000 and then finally disappeared with the NWoD. Don’t get me wrong, there is no judgement here: there were a lot of problems with that old approach of lore and metaplot over system. Nonetheless, it’s an era of the RPG industry that holds a certain degree of nostalgia.
Camarilla for the 5th Ed of Vampire returns to that old school 90’s White Wolf approach. This book is absolutely filled with world building material, metaplot updates, slice of (un)life, etc. it’s a fabulous read for any Masquerade fan. If it has a problem, it’s that it is not exactly friendly to newcomers. I suspect it will mainly appeal only to long term fans.
May 29, 2021
Sto amando Vampiri The Masquerade. Ho concluso stasera una sessione pazzesca, travolgente, piena di colpi di sorpresa. Riesce a coinvolgermi anche giocando con gli amici online. Ogni tanto litigo con i dadi, com’è giusto che sia, ma a parte questo VTM è assolutamente promosso a pieni voti!
November 11, 2025
I really liked how this supplemental book took you on a narrative journey, as if you were a newly turned vamp, to introduce you to the Camarilla and how it functions. It's a fun way to learn about the lore and mechanics of a main faction in VtM.
June 27, 2019
Super fun to travel back in time to Cam days. This is a gaming supplement but it also tells a story of you, newly turned with nothing but this book to lead you on your way. I enjoyed all the history and backstory, though I skipped all the religion stuff because, hello, the real stuff is tedious enough.
Prep for Vampire: The Masquerade Bloodlines 2!
Prep for Vampire: The Masquerade Bloodlines 2!
March 9, 2019
Un magnífico suplemento, principalmente ambientación, que explica en primera persona mediante las declaraciones de múltiples vampiros la historia y funcionamiento actual de la Camarilla, y cómo pasó de ser la Sociedad de Naciones de los Vampiros a un club secreto y exclusivo al que la mayoría sólo pueden aspirar.
El hilo conductor son los mensajes de la Toreador Victoria Ash a uno de sus chiquillos. Está fantásticamente bien escrito, con múltiples voces perfectamente logradas. El libro cubre muchísimo material, con un pequeño apartado de reglas al presentar a los Assamitas (ahora Banu Haqim) como clan jugable, y un sistema de reglas para representar el conflicto entre organizaciones e instituciones.
La parte de la Segunda Inquisición y su funcionamiento es una completa gozada, así como el número de ritos, tradiciones y costumbres que se han resucitado a raíz de la llegada de la misma, devolviendo a los vampiros a una sociedad secreta feudal como la de la Edad Oscura.
No diré que este libro es completamente imprescindible, siendo en su mayor parte ambientación, pero es desde luego excelente, útil y bien traído. No entro en cada capítulo en detalle (eso lo haré en el blog), pero de verdad es recomendable. A ver qué pasa con Anarquistas.
El hilo conductor son los mensajes de la Toreador Victoria Ash a uno de sus chiquillos. Está fantásticamente bien escrito, con múltiples voces perfectamente logradas. El libro cubre muchísimo material, con un pequeño apartado de reglas al presentar a los Assamitas (ahora Banu Haqim) como clan jugable, y un sistema de reglas para representar el conflicto entre organizaciones e instituciones.
La parte de la Segunda Inquisición y su funcionamiento es una completa gozada, así como el número de ritos, tradiciones y costumbres que se han resucitado a raíz de la llegada de la misma, devolviendo a los vampiros a una sociedad secreta feudal como la de la Edad Oscura.
No diré que este libro es completamente imprescindible, siendo en su mayor parte ambientación, pero es desde luego excelente, útil y bien traído. No entro en cada capítulo en detalle (eso lo haré en el blog), pero de verdad es recomendable. A ver qué pasa con Anarquistas.
June 21, 2019
I was skeptical about the changes made to the lore of V5, but reading through this sourcebook sets a lot of those doubts straight, showing there's a bunch of very sound narrative reasons for the changes. The move from Camarilla as the de facto "default" vampire society to an elitist "big boys' club" makes a lot of sense, even if those changes take place over what seems like just a few years. It vampire terms, that's a blink of an eye, even if some of these (Brujah and Gangrel leaving the sect) were a long time coming. But in the end, most of it makes perfect sense, and even some details that I'm not a huge fan of fit the new status quo well.
The way this one is organized is close to how the corebook looks and works, and I still feel like it's a take it or leave it deal, but a few pieces of art from this one are pretty great, and I'm slowly warming up to it. Still not a fan of the tiny font, makes reading the PDF on my iPad a pain, especially when it's white writing on black background.
The way this one is organized is close to how the corebook looks and works, and I still feel like it's a take it or leave it deal, but a few pieces of art from this one are pretty great, and I'm slowly warming up to it. Still not a fan of the tiny font, makes reading the PDF on my iPad a pain, especially when it's white writing on black background.
February 17, 2021
I've always loved the international, machiavellian, illuminati, high-and-mighty, puppetmaster vibes of the Camarilla, and this book has that in spades! I also liked how the lore was told from the perspective of many well-known characters from the lore (most notably Victoria Ash, Fatima al-Faqadi and Fiorenza Savona), which added a more personal touch than your standard lore book, and made it clear how much personal bias was behind the Camarilla's ideology and loyalists. The writing in these sections was strong enough that I actually found myself subconciously agreeing with some of the incredibly biased and morally abhorrent arguments at ccertain points (particularly in relation to the Anarchs), which made me stop and question myself!
Aside from general interest, I found it very useful for clarifying several bits I was unclear on about Camarilla structure (Seneschal and Keeper of Elysium spring to mind), and giving a detailed overview of the Second Inquisition, and introducing the Assamites to V5, which should help with both my general understanding and my TTRPG games in future. Plus I really like these Loresheets introduced in V5 as well - they're always a highlight and makes me want to create a character that can utilise one of them.
However, despite being relatively comprehensive, it is still somewhat a surface-level scan, and certain areas could have done with more depth. This is perhaps a consequence of telling sometimes entire sections from the POV of in-universe characters, which by nature are going to be biased, limited in scope, and prose-heavy, so come at the expense of actual hard detail. In fact, certain sections felt a bit like there were a lot of words being said without actually saying much, and sometimes the text was unclear who was speaking (e.g. when POVs randomly switching between passages without being clear) which is why it drops from a 4 star to 3 star in my mind. But I understand it's all flavour text and part of the writing style, which on the whole I enjoyed.
Aside from general interest, I found it very useful for clarifying several bits I was unclear on about Camarilla structure (Seneschal and Keeper of Elysium spring to mind), and giving a detailed overview of the Second Inquisition, and introducing the Assamites to V5, which should help with both my general understanding and my TTRPG games in future. Plus I really like these Loresheets introduced in V5 as well - they're always a highlight and makes me want to create a character that can utilise one of them.
However, despite being relatively comprehensive, it is still somewhat a surface-level scan, and certain areas could have done with more depth. This is perhaps a consequence of telling sometimes entire sections from the POV of in-universe characters, which by nature are going to be biased, limited in scope, and prose-heavy, so come at the expense of actual hard detail. In fact, certain sections felt a bit like there were a lot of words being said without actually saying much, and sometimes the text was unclear who was speaking (e.g. when POVs randomly switching between passages without being clear) which is why it drops from a 4 star to 3 star in my mind. But I understand it's all flavour text and part of the writing style, which on the whole I enjoyed.
September 5, 2021
Very enjoyable lore book for fans of the RPG Vampire the Masquarede.
There has been a long time since I have played it but I still enjoy the lore of this world and this book is pretty much just that, lore upon lore.
For me that was good because that was what I was looking for but if you are looking for new rules and whatnot you might have to look elsewhere.
The first half of the book I found to be great but from the middle to the end there were some parts that were hit or miss.
In the end I recommend this book to fans of this tabletop RPG, even if you don't play it anymore but enjoys the world.
There has been a long time since I have played it but I still enjoy the lore of this world and this book is pretty much just that, lore upon lore.
For me that was good because that was what I was looking for but if you are looking for new rules and whatnot you might have to look elsewhere.
The first half of the book I found to be great but from the middle to the end there were some parts that were hit or miss.
In the end I recommend this book to fans of this tabletop RPG, even if you don't play it anymore but enjoys the world.
May 7, 2025
Un livre très intéressant, en revanche il n'est pas du tout abordable à un débutant qui ne saurait pas du tout ce qu'est la Camarilla. L'idée d'utiliser pleins de supports de descriptions (lettres, rapports, conversations ...) comme pour le supplément Anarch est super, mais ce n'est pas la petite lettre introductive de Victoria Ash qui va nous en apprendre assez pour comprendre ce qu'on lit. Même avec ma connaissance basique du monde des ténèbres, j'ai souvent été perdue, et il faudrait probablement le relire deux ou trois fois pour avoir toutes les notions. Idem, cette organisation ne rends probablement pas la référence facile, au contraire.
January 8, 2023
Livre très intéressant sur le lore de Vampire la Mascarade V5.
Ce dernier, répond à pas mal de questions qui étaient restées en suspens lors de la lecture du livre de base.
Et il le fait de façon remarquable. Des notes, des lettres nous étant adressé et des témoignages qui rend le tout vivant.
Bref, si le livre de base permet de jouer. Ce livre là, permet de mettre un pas dans l'univers de ce qu'est Vampire La Mascarade.
Ce dernier, répond à pas mal de questions qui étaient restées en suspens lors de la lecture du livre de base.
Et il le fait de façon remarquable. Des notes, des lettres nous étant adressé et des témoignages qui rend le tout vivant.
Bref, si le livre de base permet de jouer. Ce livre là, permet de mettre un pas dans l'univers de ce qu'est Vampire La Mascarade.
May 8, 2025
Operates as a great way to be introduced into the new age of Camarilla, specifically outlines the changes made within our walls all while showing "Oh, you thought your prince was pissed and scary before? Check this out.". It shows how the sun is rising on Kindred society, but more directly on the Camarilla. Vampires are scrambling and this book highlights not only the laws and gives storytellers the tools to show just how desperate kindred are getting in these modern nights
August 21, 2020
Not a huge fan of the Camarilla politics... I am an Independent.
But anyway, this book was full of information about the structure etc of Camarilla. Pretty useful for players and STs of course. I would love it if the Lasombra were in it too, since they joined them.
Overall, great design, fun to read, good info, nice lore sheets and OMG the Banu Haqim are OP AF...!!!
But anyway, this book was full of information about the structure etc of Camarilla. Pretty useful for players and STs of course. I would love it if the Lasombra were in it too, since they joined them.
Overall, great design, fun to read, good info, nice lore sheets and OMG the Banu Haqim are OP AF...!!!
November 9, 2020
Wow. I'm not saying this book is completely useless, but it is mostly boring.
First it talks pages and pages about about religion, cults and stuff (one has to wonder how many vampires per city are now supposed to be religious fanatics to justify that section), talks about the Ashirra (not in-depth, so this chapter doesn't really tell us much), introduces us to the Banu Haqim for the new edition, and fills pages and pages talking about the clans in the Camarilla and some more pages about clans outside the Camarilla.
What the book talks very, very little about is, well, the actual Camarilla.
Sure, as a long-time reader and fan I know about the history, background, and structure of what used to be the default organisation and setting for Vampire games.
As an introduction to new players and as a sourcebook for older fans, explaining how things have changed for the setting's major sect between editions, this book fails miserably.
First it talks pages and pages about about religion, cults and stuff (one has to wonder how many vampires per city are now supposed to be religious fanatics to justify that section), talks about the Ashirra (not in-depth, so this chapter doesn't really tell us much), introduces us to the Banu Haqim for the new edition, and fills pages and pages talking about the clans in the Camarilla and some more pages about clans outside the Camarilla.
What the book talks very, very little about is, well, the actual Camarilla.
Sure, as a long-time reader and fan I know about the history, background, and structure of what used to be the default organisation and setting for Vampire games.
As an introduction to new players and as a sourcebook for older fans, explaining how things have changed for the setting's major sect between editions, this book fails miserably.
December 16, 2025
I really enjoyed reading this book. It was interesting, informative, most of the entries are written as if a real person is sharing the knowledge with the reader, which is best for the immersion. Would recommend it to anyone who wants to get into the Vampire the Masquerade setting. I think, it will be interesting equally for the new players and for the storytellers.
December 26, 2025
The formatting is God-awful as per usual but this is a great introduction to the Camarilla and I'd heartily recommend it to every VtM player. It is also an entertaining read as the book gathers testimonies from a variety of kindred, ranging from a young Archon in the Middle East to Karl Schreckt himself.
September 26, 2025
Podręcznik jest atrakcyjny w formie, ładnie napisany, miejscami pomysłowy – opisywanie klanów z punktu widzenia wampirzej kochanki. Problem jest taki, że nie wnosi on zbyt wiele nowych informacji, raczej strzępki. Dużym plusem jest zerwanie z amerykocentryzmem.
August 31, 2020
Decent lore read from a variety of different viewpoints within the Cammy's domains written consistently as a guide for a fledgling. Enjoyed it largely.
February 21, 2022
Almost entirely lore. Love this type of gaming book. I estimate that only around ten pages had rules, the rest was all details about the sect and clans that make up its members.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews