Francesca Viganò
Before we review La Notte Eterna (which we have already previewed), I would like to thank the publisher, AliRibelli, for sending us a physical copy.
If you would like to purchase this dark D&D5e setting after learning more about it, you can find it in the publisher’s store for €57 for the physical copy and €22 for the digital one.
We are talking about an original setting with dark and epic tones. It is the work of Jason R. Forbus, a sociology graduate who has written essays and novels for the same publishing house. This A4-sized volume presents all the kingdoms of Neir in just under 350 pages. It covers the geography and history of the game world, as well as its peoples and deities.
As this is a D&D5e-compatible setting manual, it refers to the game’s official SRD. While its pages do not contain the core game rules, there are a lot of of new items, races and creatures, as well as some original and interesting mechanics.
Neir, a Dark World Where the Sun Has Disappeared
The cover, designed by the talented Masruron Nihayanto, immediately immerses us in the dark atmosphere of the setting. From the very first pages, we learn that Neir is an ancient world that has seen little exploration or population growth. Plagued by terrible wars and demonic invasions in past eras, it is a place that has not allowed mortal races to expand beyond their homelands.
In fact, 161 years have passed since the Celestial War began, and sunlight was banished from the lands of Neir. While the gods continue to fight each other in an eternal war, city-states have emerged, and new, dark, tyrannical regimes have come to power.
The manual presents a vast and comprehensive selection of territories, ranging from large cities to completely wild regions and kingdoms devoted to either noble intentions or tyranny. Most of the animal and plant species of the past are extinct. New species have flourished in their place, able to live at lower temperatures and without sunlight. Similarly, new races have replaced the diurnal ones, making Neir a dangerous world to be discovered — one in which we must be wary of what awaits us in the darkness.
The manual begins by introducing us to this rich and detailed setting, starting with its cosmogony. The seventeen deities are presented in a concise yet comprehensive manner, equipping players and the game master with all the necessary information to characterise their followers. From Adraoos, the god of the winds, to Unthamarand, the god of ice, we can notice how varied and deep this setting is.
Review of the Five New Playable Races in La Notte Eterna
The world of Neir is constantly evolving. In addition to the familiar races found in other settings, which have had to adapt to the absence of the sun, there are five new playable races: the Wiloi, the Karevi, the Nuno, the Urakian and the Klorss. Let’s take a closer look at them..
Karevi are the lords of the Hidden Lands. They are humanoids with completely black eyes, pale complexions, and fiery red hair. Deeply connected to Garod, the god of darkness and tyranny, they possess abilities linked to their patron. They are also skilled merchants and experts in the art of deception.
The Wiloi are humanoids imbued with a mystical aura and masters of the arcane arts. Their eyes shine, reflecting their connection to magic, and they can summon a yamyam — an extension of their soul — as a familiar.
Urakians are a race of humanoids with distinct feline features. They inhabit the Lanie’s Ash desert and rarely leave their territory. These extraordinary people have great strength and abilities, yet they are persecuted and victims of prejudice in civilized lands.
The Klorss were once elves, but they fell under the influence of the evil Demon Princess Izàfer, establishing a tyrannical rule and committing horrific crimes. They have ash-grey skin and particularly piercing violet eyes, and are slender and agile.
Last but not least the Nuno: gnomes of the depths whose relationship with insects has made these humanoids similar to them in appearance and behaviour.
Sixteen New Subclasses and Four Backgrounds
La Notte Eterna introduces sixteen playable subclasses, expanding the possibilities for characters and adapting to the proposed setting. Two are dedicated to wizards, warriors and paladins, three to clerics, four to rangers, and one to each of the other classes.
One of the most interesting ones I found is Danse Macabre for the bard, which enables them to make the dead dance to their music. Another fascinating subclass is the Knight of Kurash, a wizard who can summon a weapon of pure magical energy and has powers of foresight.
The new possibilities are described in precise and careful details across 36 pages, adding variety and depth to the game’s dark tone.
To ensure that no detail is overlooked, the manual introduces four backgrounds that integrate with the setting, providing further ideas and possibilities for customization. Players will be able to choose their character’s affiliation with transnational organizations that embrace diverse peoples and cultures.
An Archivist is a bard who has dedicated their life to scholarship. Meanwhile, Meteor Hunters are adventurers who scan the skies of Nier in search of dangerous meteor events. The Bloodthirsty Darts are a criminal organisation with tentacles everywhere; they are skilled thieves and spies. Finally, the highly skilled sailors and merchants of the Wandering Sea have incredible abilities. In short, there is something for everyone.
Vampirism and Therianthropy
In a world where the sun has been replaced by darkness, it seems only natural that the game would feature references to creatures that thrive in the nighttime.
La Notte Eterna contains references to vampires. These dark creatures are divided into two categories: vampires and hujilaki (high vampires). There is a possibility (albeit a remote one) that a character could be transformed into one of these fearsome creatures.
Moon sickness (also known as therianthropy) is quite widespread on Neir, particularly in areas far from civilisation. Contrary to popular belief, it is not limited to the infamous “werewolves”, but encompasses many other animal transformations.
These two “archetypes” allow you to explore the grimdark atmosphere of this multifaceted setting in more detail.
Meteors and Sphere Magic: New Game Mechanics
As mentioned at the beginning of this review, La Notte Eterna is based on the classic D&D5e game rules. However, the manual introduces some fascinating new mechanics that offer new tactical and strategic opportunities and enhance immersion in the game. Let’s take a quick look at these new mechanics together.
The Meteor mechanic is closely linked to the setting. These fragments of the Celestial War continue to fall on Nier, bringing with them divine artefacts and extraplanar creatures. One thing is certain: every Meteor is a harbinger of catastrophic events. This mechanic can, of course, be used as the centrepiece of an adventure or even a campaign. Searching for artefacts is a great way to encourage characters to embark on an adventure.
Sphere Magic is a unique form of magic that enables you to summon ancient heroes from the past by sharing your life essence. This element could easily form the basis of an adventure or even an entire campaign.
Review of the Aesthetics of La Notte Eterna
La Notte Eterna is a substantial, solid manual. Its thread-bound binding and hardback cover give it an elegant appearance that will look splendid on your bookshelf. The thick, glossy paper gives the impression of parchment, and the double-column layout uses a simple, perfectly legible font.
Italics and boxes containing extra information do not look out of place. In fact, they liven up the pages, particularly when there are no illustrations.
The artistic side of the book is broad and varied. Seventeen artists worked hard to bring this dark and deep setting to life. Despite their different styles, the images create a precise harmony that complements the text, highlighting the key points and bringing the manual’s imagery to life.
Conclusions of the Review of La Notte Eterna
In conclusion, I can certainly say that La Notte Eterna is an extremely fascinating setting that becomes an active part of the narrative and adventures. The game world’s environmental conditions and varied landscape transform geography into a key element that influences the characters’ choices and the progression of the plot.
Although it is based on a traditional game system like D&D5e, it places particular emphasis on narrative and the mysteries of the setting, leaving plenty of scope for creating original stories.
Are you passionate about dark settings and eager to explore a whole new world? If so, La Notte Eterna is definitely the manual for you!
