World of Darkness (cWoD 19th Century)

User Summary:

The Classic World of Darkness is the setting for White Wolf Entertainment AB's series of Storyteller games of gothic horror. Whereas the core games were all placed in a modern day setting, a number of RPGs and associated books were given historical settings in the same world.

This setting covers two distinct sets of books that, although geographically distinct, are close enough in time that there can be interactions between them:

• The World of Darkness setting of 1830 is a dark mirror of the real world American Old West: the "Savage West" rather than the "Wild West". Settlers encroach more and more on the traditional lands of the natives, and these tensions are reflected in the clashes between European and Native American werewolf tribes. And a threat to all is the powerful Bane spirit called the Storm Eater that tears apart all in its path.

• The Gothic Victorian period of the World of Darkness runs from 1880 (the founding of the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn) to 1897 (the arrival of Dracula in London). This time of cultured society and secret cabals is rife with possibilities for the political machinations of the Kindred, the vampires that hide amongst and attempt to sway humanity. The setting did not develop far as only three books were published before the old World of Darkness was discontinued.

There are five settings for the Classic World of Darkness. Any book within this family should be a member of one of the following four settings based on its historical period:

• World of Darkness (cWoD Modern) for the core modern day setting running from the 1990s to 2004, as well as the 1914 setting of Wraith: The Great War.
• World of Darkness (cWoD 19th Century) for the 1830 Savage West setting of Werewolf: The Wild West and the 1880 Gothic Victorian setting of Victorian Age: Vampire.
• World of Darkness (cWoD Renaissance) for the 1466 setting of Mage: The Sorcerers Crusade.
• World of Darkness (cWoD Dark Ages) for any of the original 1197, revised 1230, or 20th anniversary 1242 Dark Ages settings.

Additionally, any books set in the Far East are also a member of the geographical setting World of Darkness (cWoD Far East), on top of the appropriate historical setting.

Video game adaptations: World of Darkness