Having played both sides of the coin, I think that Black sect is slightly worse than Scion powers in that Scion powers are more effective a higher percentage of the time, but Emperor powers are much better then Scion powers. I think they are sufficently different to make the game a lot more interesting.

Dark feast is quite good in my opinon. Black circle is nice in that it will sometimes let you get quite lucky against strong players. Power of the damned isn't as cool now that there aren't roving Maran gangs summoning into multiple bashers. I think if anything, that power needs some sort of bonus, like resist negative, or immunity to curse, or something.

Vanakoth: Yeah, that Voralia episode was pretty lucky for me. I'm surprised you didn't come after me more, especially when you had low/almost no charges. Only have to hit the lottery once. Around the same time Savarnic got me slept and fully spelled up, with all protections down, at the entrance to a sect guardian. He made a mistake, but given a similar opportunity I don't think you would have. Good luck with your next.