Mage 20th Anniversary

[AndyZ]

M20 comes out tomorrow and I'd love to see a group get together for it.

[Muse]

Oooooh!!! 

I've been waiting! 

I hope I can get a chance to play  :) 

[Toggle]

Tenative interest!  I'm can't wait to get my copy by mail!

[TFcommando]

I have the backer .pdf and am eager to play a member of the Society of Ether!

[AndyZ]

Spamming DTRPG waiting for it to go up...

[Beorning]

So, it does come out finally? Yesssssssssss...

I mean, I'm more into Awakening lately, but still... :)

[Muse]

*peeks* 

Did it? 

Edit: Nope, not yet. 

[Beorning]

*checks DTRPG*

Still not out...!!!!!!!!

[VonDoom]

That's why you back these things, sillies.   :P

I look forward to getting the leathery companion to my V20.

[Beorning]

I wanted to back it, but I missed it due to being unemployed and stuff...

Anyway, IT'S OUT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

http://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/149562/Mage-the-Ascension-20th-Anniversary-Edition

[Muse]

Oh ho!  It really is! 

*Dances* 

and just 7-8 days 'til I have the money for it.  ^_^;; 

http://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/149562/Mage-the-Ascension-20th-Anniversary-Edition?src=also_purchased

[eternaldarkness]

OMGOMGOMG i just got it and if someone runs it I will play no questions asked. mage is my favorite game ever.

[Muse]

  My hard coppy is in the male nad my digitals are dowloading. 

  Any luck with a GM? 

[RubySlippers]

Oh all the choices now I still have a thing for one well known party tradition and a good concept an innovator of synthetic narcotics.

But the Alliance ones seem to be as much fun the Templar Knights might work to posing as a member of the Celestial Chorus with big guns and weapons and armor. And might have ties and such to the Inquisition as a "woman of profound faith and combat skill whose magick clearly comes from God".

[Callie Del Noire]

Waiting on my copy too. :D

[Muse]

  Mine arived today!  *Dances* 

[Muse]

  I think we need to hear Technocracy higher ups saying things like this more often: 

   "Mr. Jacobs.  This film is a carefully engineered work of propaganda.  We invested a great deal of resources into using it to discredit reality deviant attempts to expose New World Order operatives to the masses through the comedic dissemination of misinformation.  So tell me, Mr. Jacobs, why it is that billions of people around the world have witnessed actor Will Smith holding up a museum quality replica of a stand issue neuralizer?” 

[AndyZ]

Based on what I understand about the Technocracy, I disagree.  They believe that anything is possible through science, and through the subjective reality viewpoint, convincing people that it's possible to neuralyze would be a later step.

If you've ever watched Kenshin, start about 6 minutes in.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eUGjxzZYRTw

I may be misunderstanding how it all works, though.  I haven't looked into the NWO all that much.

[Muse]

  I might have a campaing I can run.  I'm still fairly backed up, though, os it'll be a few weeks at least.  Still hoping someone else can instead! :) 

[Muse]

  *Waves* 

  So who's still interested? 

[Muse]

Mage 20th Aniversery Edition: Curiosity

   In 1969, the Technocracy permited mundane humans to set foot on the Moon.  They thought that seeing a barren, lifeless rock where once they'd dreamed of goddesses in the night would devistate human creativity. 

   They were wrong. 

   Thousands of humans Awakened watching the momentus event and the upweling of inspriation was so great that glamour--the energy that sustains the Fair Folk--surged to forgotten levels, smashing open the gates to their forgotten world. 

   In 2012, a robotic vehicle and mobile science lab called Curiosity sent vast quanties of footage from the martial landscape back to earth, footage made freely availlalbe to all humanity via the internet.  The effect was similar, if not so dramatic. 

   Three years later, a cabal of Tranditions mages in Baltimore: Maralynd are about to learn that Glamour feeds both dreams and nightmares. 

[Pumpkin Seeds]

Going Fae and Mage?

[Rook Seidhr]

I'm interested. Chatted with Muse and I'm looking at either a Verbena or a Hollow One, focusing on Mind, with a practice fusing Witchcraft and High Ritual. I'm planning on putting some points in the Demesne Background.

[Muse]

Going Fae and Mage?

The players should all be mages.  Changeling NPCs will play a major part in the plot, though! 

[VioletPanda]

  I want to join! :)

[AndyZ]

Keeping an eye on this.

[Muse]

So, we have interest reafirmed from Andy Z, Luka Wolf, Pumpkin Seeds, and Riveda?  Anyone else? 

[RubySlippers]

I'll give the game a try again, I have some ideas for either a tradition or more independent mage. Depends on my mood and I want to research the spheres more before committing to a build however.

[VioletPanda]

I'm thinking military background for my Mage,  not sure about tradition yet.

[RubySlippers]

There are other options mages not in one of the Traditions or Technocracy most of which could be enjoyable. I kind of like the Bata’a frankly, and the whole sweaty pagan mage appeals to me at a visceral level.

[Muse]

  *Grins* 

  Well, no technocrats, please. 

  We'll be a cabal in Baltimore, Maralynd in 2015.  No avatar storm. 

  And its' time for me to go run the same plot tabletop.  see you all soon! 

[AndyZ]

So tempted to remake Aria Nocturne (Hollow One) with a bit of a hipster bent...

[RubySlippers]

I had fun my character is a walking vessel for le Mysteries as in "mounted" by spirits as her power but she is very potent for her age. She has some flaws and merits for flavor she is not overly worldly or experienced but is from the more guts wisdom over knowledge build anyway. Her Rotes would be mastered by doing them often enough to become Rotes from things she tries.

I have as Spheres Healing and Spirit at 3.

Down side is she lacks control she can ask a specific spirit to come and some would do so, but its more whatever gets in to "Mount Her" first for lots of amusing and possibly dark things her only safeguard is invoking the protector spirit who is invoked before calling in the spirit, so it should keep out overly dark ones.

[Muse]

  They both sound great.  :) 

[RubySlippers]

I wanted to check the rules are messy, do we start with any Rotes I have a idea for one or two.

[Muse]

Honestly I haven't seen anything that says there's a mechanic for rotes.

Andy, Riveda, is there something I missed? 

[RubySlippers]

I wasn't sure they re n  old rules spells one just knows well, or something. Sorcerer used it more but they aren't full Mages but it mentioned in the Mage v20 book. Its unlikely we would know Spheres and not know any if they have a benefit I would think.

I just need a Open Door Rote to let Le Mysteries use her body as a Maare but proper for her Path, so something unwanted is unlikely to hear.

[Triggvi]

Biker Akashic wander looking for social justice in her own way. Working on her background

[Muse]

Okay, guess I’ve been staggering around on this start.  Been too uncertain about people's readiness. 

Character creation: 
As per the book (Traditions and orphans, emphasis on Traditions) with Arate 3 at no price. 

Our story is set in Baltimore, Marlynd in 2015.  Characters should be willing to work with one another—preferably forming a cabal, if not all ready part of one.  The story also calls for a reasonable degree of altruism—if only enlightened self interest. 

Let me know how I can help.  Likewise, if people want to start off knowing each other and pool backgrounds, I encourage that. 

[AndyZ]

Currently waffling between Hollow One, Chorister and Euthanatos, but the Hollow One would be easiest to make.

[RubySlippers]

Okay, guess I’ve been staggering around on this start.  Been too uncertain about people's readiness. 

Character creation: 
As per the book (Traditions and orphans, emphasis on Traditions) with Arate 3 at no price. 

Our story is set in Baltimore, Marlynd in 2015.  Characters should be willing to work with one another—preferably forming a cabal, if not all ready part of one.  The story also calls for a reasonable degree of altruism—if only enlightened self interest. 

Let me know how I can help.  Likewise, if people want to start off knowing each other and pool backgrounds, I encourage that.

So I can't play my Voudoun practitioner?

[AndyZ]

Voudoun is usually Dreamspeaker, right?  Or Verbena?

[RubySlippers]

My character is a Bata’a, currently, the problem is she doesn't command and protect herself overly from Le Mysteries she lets these spirits "Ride" her as in possess her and that's the source of her power, besides being good at healing. Think of her as a mobile agent of the Loa and other spirits magically potent with backgrounds. I like it because possession isn't of itself is vulgar if done right and a spirit in her can act as it needs to, her willpower is decently high naturally. So she can nudge it about a bit. Her only wards is to go to the Loa who guards the gateway to direct her calling and offer to use her body.

And my character was largely done before her post, now I may need to scrap the concept.

[AndyZ]

With no interest in the Ascension War, the Bata'a maintained their position until the 20th century, when the Technocracy increased its pogrom. With their culture and homelands under threat, the surviving Bata'a have mostly joined the Dreamspeakers, Verbena, and others, seeing their Craft's death as a necessary step for their rebirth as members of the Traditions.

[VioletPanda]

 I need to actually sit down and go through the book again. I've been rather busy- just today I need to do two exams and a chapters worth of work.

[Triggvi]

I am pretty much done with Phoebe.

[RubySlippers]

This is Mage v20 they are in that book the most powerful path, numerically, in the world and broadly represented around the Americas which is the book Muse is using in the main. I'd likely need to do a new character I can't picture her joining a Tradition it would be to her selling out her people and her Loa and Le Mysteries the powerful spirits she calls upon. Muse liked the concept and idea, now seems to not allow the independent paths other than the Orphans. She is happy to work with others against a dangerous enemy.

[AndyZ]

Yeah, sounds like she wouldn't work too well in this game.  Save the concept, though ^_^ I'm sure you'll find a game for her.

[Muse]

  I haven't read about the Bata'a yet, but I'm not aware with any problem with it? 

  Same with the Hollow One.  ^_^;;

[AndyZ]

Okay, so by the limitation you just mean no Technocrats?

[RubySlippers]

I could make her a Dreamspeaker and not change anything just they would ostracize her making her, er, the same solitary build just now she can arguably have some friends in a path who would talk to her. The same difference really.

But the Technocracy is fun!  >:)

[Muse]

Only limitation I said was no technocrats.   


Oh!  I see your confusion. When I meant to say traditions and independents I wound up saying orphans.

[RubySlippers]

Name: Anouk Laveau
Player: Rubyslippers
Nature: Sensualist
Demeanor: Sensualist
Essence: Primordial
Affiliation: The Disparates
Sect: Bata’a
Concept: Marre of Les Mysteries

ATTRIBUTES
PHYSICAL
Strength  <2>
Dexterity  <2>
Stamina  <4>  Specialty: Energizer Bunny
SOCIAL
Charisma  <4>  Specialty: Bewitching
Manipulation  <2>
Appearance  <4>  Specialty: Hawt!
KNOWLEDGES
Perception  <2>
Intelligence  <2>
Wits  <2>

ABILITIES
TALENTS
Alertness  <2>
Art  <2>
Brawl  <1>
Carousing  <2>
Seduction  <2>
Streetwise  <2>
Subterfuge  <2>
SKILLS
Crafts  <2>
Etiquette  <1>
Firearms  <1>
Melee  <1>
Survival  <1>
Stealth  <2>
Technology  <1>
KNOWLEDGES
Academics  <1>
Computer  <1>
Finance  <1>
Law  <1>
Occult  <1>

SPHERES
Entropy  <1>
Life  <1>
Prime  <1>
Spirit  <3>

ADVANTAGES
BACKGROUNDS
Arcane  <5>
Avatar  <5>
Blessing  [Les Mysteries Oracular Signs and Portents]  <5>
Legend [Marie Laveau]  <1>
Past Lives [Marie Laveau]  <2>
Resources [Modest Investments from Gifts and Money from Lovers]  <1>
Wonder  <2>
Wonder  <1>
FOCUS
Paradigm: Creation's Divine and Alive
Practice: Voudoun
Instuments: Alcohol*, Blood, Language [French], Offerings and Sacrifices, Sex and Sensuality, True Names [Loa], Tobacco*
* = Must Use

ARETE  <3>
WILLPOWER  <7>

MERITS
Animal Magnetism   -1 pt.
Language <French>  -1 pt.
Sterile  -1 pt.

FLAWS
Crucial Component <alcohol>  +2 pts.
Crucial Component <tobacco>  +2 pts.

QUINTESSENCE  <5>
PARADOX  <0>

IMAGES

Spoiler: Click to Show/Hide

PRELUDE

Spoiler: Click to Show/Hide

tbd

[Triggvi]

out curiousity how can you have arcane 5 and legends at any level? One make people forget you and the other makes you unforgetable as a legendary figure?

[Muse]

  Well, Legend isn't about your legend, but about a legend your pressence evokes. 

  If the legend you evoke is compatible with the arcane, it gets even better, "I'm telling you, he was right there!  He looked just like elvis!  I turned my back and he was gone!" 

[Muse]

Ruby, you want to bring crucial componet over from an older editon?  Remind me how it works? 

[VioletPanda]

out curiousity how can you have arcane 5 and legends at any level? One make people forget you and the other makes you unforgetable as a legendary figure?

Yay, tropes!

  Also, after reading some of the Euthanatos tradition book, I'm just sitting here, having some mead and feeling really introspective right now. Those books always make me think, give me a new perspective on things.
  Just sitting her going 'Damn....' *sips mead*

[RubySlippers]

Ruby, you want to bring crucial componet over from an older editon?  Remind me how it works?

Its simple she always must use those two items in magic this is regardless of her Arete say she made illuminated master sort of level and could write off all the tools she still must use Alcohol and Tobacco in her magic, she doesn't know why, likely the Spirits like she does as she sees it. But all that means is she has a Flask of Alcoholic Beverage and a Cigar with Lighter handy to do magic with when she's far more powerful. It can be a hassle to if neither is available which is why its a flaw. And those fit her being an earthy sort of mage.

I can change some in her backgrounds that's why I posted it but her Legend is the mighty Voodoo Queen of New Orleans a legend but not like Elvis, but if she comes across anyone into the occult it will likely apply.

But thinking I should add some past lives for the spirit of the Voodoo Queen inside her past lives - tweaking will commence shortly.

[Triggvi]

Phoebe is also a life mage as her affinity sphere so there is a little over lap.

[RubySlippers]

Well she's a Spirit Mage, Life is her second sphere, most of the others didn't appeal to me.

Still tweaking. I'm not a min/maxer though just what fits.

Anyway her Blessing and Wonder need to be worked out.

I lowered Legend to 1 her famous person was dead for centuries so occult people and those with proper backgrounds might see her as a young voodoo queen but its not like she looks like a big movie star.

[VioletPanda]

   I'm going euthanatos, with life and Entropy- is there going to be too much overlap, do you think?

[Triggvi]

Phoebe is a weird mix of combat and healing. She has life 3, forces 1, mind 1 and prime 1. A former Marine with PTSD and a Paradgym of Self Perfection and Cosmic Harmony. She is very focused in the life sphere and she is working on mind to help get her over the PTSD and to eventually help her mother as well.

She is a Hot,Red Headed, Tattooed Girl in Biker Leathers that rides a Motorcycle and is taking care of mother that has been clean and sober from drugs for less than a year.

No worries Ruby. I was not even thinking of Min/Max just looking at Acrane and Legend together as an odd combo. I can see the uses for Legend, it gives you free quintessence. My first draft of my characters are always a little over the top and I have to tweek them like a million times until they are just right.

Panada. I would not worry too much about a little overlap with life. Entropy and Matter is a scary combo as well even with life 1  or 2 and entropy 3 you can do mean thing to living beings

[Muse]

  Much fun then. 

  The way you describe Crucial Compent it works fine, Ruby. 

  I was being told it just meant those were foci you couldn't overcome, but could always use other foci, which would be a rather pointless flaw. 

  Since it works that way, *stamps aproved* 

[RubySlippers]

Oh I need three things:

1. Blessing Benefit

2. Wonder
This one I'm thinking a mighty necklace owned by Marie Laveau that opens the gate through the guardian Loa of the Crossroads letting a named spirit come into her, when covered with a bit of her blood the price and sacrifice and some quintessence given to the spirit.

[Muse]

When you say a named spirit, you mean a specific spirti starong enoguh to merit a name?  Or she chooses the spirit when she makes the summons by calling it's name? 

[RubySlippers]

I'm thinking any of the Loa, the major spirits, but they might send a subordinate to possess her if it chooses to. The down side is its possession and willing once its in her the spirit will leave when it wishes but would general not be a dick. But if he or she wants to party she can't stop it, a reward for it help so to speak, as one example.

[Muse]

All right, let me look that over for the Wonder. 

What are you wanting out of the Blessing? 

*  *  *

A lot of people are wanting mertis and flaws from older editons: 
A.  I'll need to aprove them, to make sure they work both with the story and with the current editon. 
B.  I need those of you who have acess to that information to help those who don't know what to ask for, please.  :) 

[Muse]

Looking the wonder over with Trigvi's help.  This seems to fit the bill within the level invested: 

The necklace of the Voodoo Queen level 2 Wonder (Trinket)

This Necklace is the physical representation of the pact she made with the Loas. She promised to honor the Loas with ritual and sacrifice and then in turn they agreed to hear her call as long as they were able to ride her for a time to experience human existence.

Spirit Pact
The person has to call to the Loas via spirit 2 and they will come assuming they feel they have been honored and respected by the person wearing the necklace.  Only one success is required for successful summoning, and no further assurance of cooperation is required.  Sometimes the summoned Lao will invest the power of a jaggling spirit level manifestation and Ride her, replacing her own power with it's pursuance.  Other times it will not suppress her ability, but grant her the use of a relevant skill at five dots.

[RubySlippers]

That frees one point to spend, ummm, what about a minor Wonder if you put in the magic coin purse say ten coins it gets doubled, any coins, for a Quintessence as long as they are legal tender in the USA as can be used at face value as money.

[Muse]

That one Id' have to think on. 

Here's our cast thread: 
https://elliquiy.com/forums/index.php?topic=239751.0

And our OOC. 
https://elliquiy.com/forums/index.php?topic=239752.0

Who else needs help? 

[Triggvi]

Phoebe Lang is up in the cast thread

[TFcommando]

I saw so many players respond and assumed the game was full for some reason, until Muse PMed me.

I've got a Society of Ether concept too, a 40s/50s style heroic adventurer-scientist, an engineering student who Awakened by reading old pulp magazines that had a lot of "True Science Facts!" articles in them.   Using that same reference, she found one of Doc Eon's companions frozen in time in a strange device (along with an exploding bomb), defused the bomb and thawed him out as her first Procedure, and he became her mentor.

Magic-wise, definitely Forces 3 with a tendency towards flying, perhaps a jetpack or even a Flash Gordon serial-style spaceship, if that'd fit.

[Muse]

Oh, ho...  :) 

Go ahead and work out how to get a jetpack if you can. 

Hang on to the desire for a space ship.  MAybe make it a major goal.  :)

[TFcommando]

A sub-theme to her is "Uncovering the hidden past of adventure!" ala Atomic Robo or Planetary.  She might have discovered an Etherite spaceship and has been trying to restore it, which is rather slow going and thus a long-term goal.

[Muse]

:)  Now you're asking for spoilers.  :P 

[TFcommando]

:)  Now you're asking for spoilers.  :P

*whistles innocently*

Had some merits on a previous iteration of the character, wanted to make sure they were OK here:

Merit: Concentration 1 pt
Merit: Ability Aptitude (technology) 1 pt
Merit: Code of Honor (pulp hero) 2 points (Protect the innocent, don't torture people or execute the helpless, do good for its own sake, etc)

[Triggvi]

those look good to me as long as it wasn't an iteration x. lol

[TFcommando]

Put my character up in the character thread, hope everything checks out.

[Muse]

Let's see. 

[Muse]

*Grins*  She's fun. 

I wonder what the purists will think of us. 

[Muse]

Getting things started: 

https://elliquiy.com/forums/index.php?topic=239816.0

Pumpkin and Riveda are still totaly welcome. 

if someone else wants to play, give me a wave.