Editing Template:Focus (section)

= [https://magetc.itchyeyes.net/mediawiki/index.php?title=Template:Focus Focus] =

Although a mage creates magic through will, it’s the belief in a focus that shapes such magic. The mage lets a focus determine her spell and give it shape. In turn, she believes that the focus channels her will to empower the magic. Although a focus isn’t really necessary to work magic, most mages only understand their magics in terms of the foci that they use -at least until they master their magic and become enlightened enough to recognize the power of will over reality.

When you shape an Effect, your mage generally needs to use a focus. Doing so takes the form of chanting, brandishing an object of power, mixing a substance and applying it, manipulating energy through song and dance or whatever else the mage believes is necessary to work magic. In game terms, you’ll use various trappings and Abilities to work your spells.

Each Tradition description lists various foci that are appropriate. A mage uses these foci to direct magic. For instance, a Hermetic mage may chant in Enochian, inscribe a complex geometric form or call upon angelic intervention in order to conjure flames. A Verbena could do the same with a paean to ancient gods, an offering of blood to the elements or howling a song that sparks fiery energies. A Virtual Adept might use a computer to manipulate local electrical fields or generate a laser for the same effect.

You can use any focus from your Tradition to shape an Effect. You need to narrate the use of that focus, explaining what you’re doing and how it causes the magic to happen. You’ll probably want to brush up on a little theory just to make it convincing. Read some books on computer science if you’re playing a Virtual Adept, checkout some philosophy and religion for Celestial choristers and so on. Of course, you should never actually act out a dangerous behavior or brandish something like a weapon. Merely describe what you are doing in such a case. However, if you can roleplay the use of a focus (by actually singing, for instance, or making complex gestures with an item card), then you should do so as long as you won’t draw negative attention from people who aren’t playing. (No sense convincing onlookers that you’re engaged in some sort of real world occult conspiracy.)

Note also that using a focus isn’t just a roleplaying tool or a hindrance.It can really boost your capabilities with magic. See [[Creating Magical Effects]]

== Unique And Specialty Foci ==

You have a specialty focus for each Sphere, a focus with which you’re particularly good. If you can find a way to work that focus into the magic, then you get a one-Trait bonus on your Arete Trait total for the resolution of such challenges. For instance, if your Hermetic mage uses Enochian chants to summon Forces magic, then you get a one-Trait bonus any time you chant when casting a Forces spell. You could still inscribe a sigil with your staff (say, if you were rendered mute), but you wouldn’t get the bonus, simply because your mage isn’t as good with that combination of Sphere and focus.

In some cases, you’ll have a unique focus. You can decide, for instance, that you don’t just perform your  Akashic Spirit magic with your sword, but specifically with the Chinese broadsword you inherited from your grandfather. When using a unique focus, you gain a one-Trait additional bonus on resolving your magical casting. However, if you ever lose , the focus, you’re in trouble. You can’t use that Sphere at all without the unique focus unless you manage to either surpass it, gain enough Arete to no longer need it or gain a new focus to replace it (at a cost of one Experience Trait per level in the Sphere).

== Suprassing A Focus ==

You can perform magic without a focus, but it’s very difficult to do so. Your mage concentrates on the desired Effect, then channels his will with all of his might. If he’s lucky, he may succeed in performing magic without the use of the focus.

You must spend a Willpower Trait immediately. When you do, you make your usual magical test, but you do so at a three-Trait difficulty penalty for Arete purposes, so you’re much more likely to fail. However, this system allows you to perform magic if you are somehow prevented from using any focus (if you’re mentally projecting, or if you are bound and gagged without any possessions, for instance).

See [[Creating Magical Effects]]

== Abandoning Foci ==

Eventually, with time and great enlightenment, you overcome the need for foci. You realize that it’s your will, not the objects that you use, that causes reality to change.

When you achieve a total of six Arete Traits, you may abandon all use of foci for two of your Spheres. In those Spheres, you can perform magic without any tools or practices. You simply concentrate for a turn on the desired Effect, and you make a test normally without any focus-related penalties. If you decide to go ahead and use a focus anyway, you gain a one-Trait resolution bonus on the test.

Each time you gain another Arete Trait over six, you abandon foci for two more Spheres.