Lords of Summer (Changeling: The Lost) [Englisch] [Gebundene Ausgabe]

The fourth book in White-Wolf's Changeling: the Lost gameline, Lords of Summer gives a look at the courtly intrigues of the Changelings. At long last, we get to see how freeholds operate (and come into conflict with one another) and, more importantly, the way that the Court structure comes up. Each of the four Seasonal Courts gets a write up in this book, giving background on their philosophies, lifestyles and recruitment, from the fear-mongering mystics of the Autumn Court to the wild revelry of the Spring Court to the hidden secrets of the Winter Court to the brutal warrior ways of the Summer Court, each one is examined. Not only that, we also learn more about the various rituals practiced by the different courts, the reasons behind their favored emotions and how that colors their perceptions, and perhaps most importantly, the various titles used by the Courts, and their roles.

However, lest you go thinking this is just a book of politics, war and Changeling rites, it also has a fair amount of crunch. Each of the Courts gets a new, thematic Contract list, and a new Entitlement, and the whole second half of the book is full of them. The Contracts were actually fairly nice, especially Verdant Spring (which focuses on Spring's association with passion) and Spellbound Autumn (focusing on Autumn's role a Fae magicians). All in all theres about a dozen of them, ranging from the Lord Sages of the Unknown Reaches (who study other supernaturals) to the Magi of the Gilded Thorn (Autumn Courtiers who explore the Hedge) to the Eternal Echoes (who record the experiences of Changelings) to the Guild of the Goldspinners (literally money-makers) to the Lost Pantheon (who seek to become literal Gods) to the Barony of the Lesser Ones (who seek to dominate Hobgoblins). In addition to Court specific Entitlements, we also get two Seeming-specific ones (a messenger service for the Fairest, and an Ogre/Elemental masonic guild), and one that expends on the role of oneiromancy.

Over all, this book is a very solid addition to anyone seeking to expand on the role of Freehold and Court in Changeling. While the Contracts were very nice, most of the Entitlements didn't jump out at me nearly as much as the ones in 'Winter Masques' (though a couple, like the Guild of Goldspinners DID). Still, no doubt some players (and STs) will find more use for these many Entitlements. Nor does it expand on the alternate Courts offered in 'Winter Masques' (the East Asian Directional Courts and the Slavic Sun/Moon Courts). Either way, it will certainly add a great deal of depth and dimension to any Changeling game. Well worth picking up. I'd recommend picking up both this and 'Winter Masques,' which expands not only on Seeming and Kith, but also adds more multi-cultural options for those seeking variation in their Changeling games. Players will appreciate having both present.

This is an excellent and necessary supplement for the game, and contrary to the name's implication contains things for all characters, not just those of the Summer Court.

Simply put, Lords of Summer is the book to have for detailing out the structure and politics of a Freehold. How a Freehold is set up and each of the different seasonal courts is covered with outlooks, recruitment, titles, Entitlment and contract. As well as a variety of new Entitlements not tied to any specific Court is covered.