Greetings.

I'm looking to add a few books to my SR collection and am looking for some advice.

I already have 2 editions of The Grimoire and Awakenings. How much additional information is there in Magic in the Shadows?

I was looking at the Germany Sourcebook for the new Totems/Idols. Are they included in MitS or is this the only place to find them?

I'm curious about Night Ones, Gnomes and Dryads. Where can I find information on these character races-and SURGE in general? I was thinking Year of the Comet, but wasn't too sure.

It seems as though lots of folks at Dumpshock aren't too fond of these additions-SURGE and whatnot, and I've read much of the rationale, both pro and con. Is there a website that doesn't pirate but does give a synopsis or discussion of these changes? I'm particularly looking at the new character races, so any insight would help. Has AH done an in-depth analysis (like with the Infected)? If not, is he anytime soon (love his site-very insightful)?

Any help'd be appreciated. Thanks in advance.

R

Night Ones, Dryads, and other Metavariants can be found in the Sr Companion. SURGE is in YotC. As for the totem information, I've never seen the Germany source book or Awakenings to compare.

Initiation is done different; there are new abilities as well as some new metamagics. Basically 1 metamagic + 1 magic point. It's a good book that updates everything in Grimoire 2, Awakenings, Germany, Tir Na Nog, UB, Bug City, and Aztlan. It's worth it. The Idols are included including new ones, more paranormal totems, updates of druidic and shamanic totems. Lots of Adept powers, reworked voodoo rules, Wuxing magicians, and path magicians. It works real well.

Variant metahumans: Shadowrun companion. Also reworks lots of the additional rules in the back of Fields of Fire.

I've seen a SURGE/New race discussion at Fanpro. Since I don't have JDK, I don't know how to judge it.

Don