Tradition Politics - Revision history

Aurorlock: /* RANK AND REPUTATION */

2025-07-01T20:14:20Z

RANK AND REPUTATION

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:14, 1 July 2025
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	A character who has earned both the Apprentice and Initiate levels of a Sphere qualifies as an Initiate. She becomes a Disciple when she earns the first Disciple level in a Sphere, and she becomes an Adept when she earns the first Adept level in a Sphere, and so on. A character can earn each Reputation Trait only once, upon attaining that level of mastery of a Sphere for the first time. Therefore, if a character earns Promising for his advancement in the Life Sphere, A he will not earn it again if he demonstrates the same degree of mastery over the Prime Sphere. He has already proven that he possesses that level of enlightenment.		A character who has earned both the Apprentice and Initiate levels of a Sphere qualifies as an Initiate. She becomes a Disciple when she earns the first Disciple level in a Sphere, and she becomes an Adept when she earns the first Adept level in a Sphere, and so on. A character can earn each Reputation Trait only once, upon attaining that level of mastery of a Sphere for the first time. Therefore, if a character earns Promising for his advancement in the Life Sphere, he will not earn it again if he demonstrates the same degree of mastery over the Prime Sphere. He has already proven that he possesses that level of enlightenment.

	Troupes should feel free to invent Reputation Traits to suit their own stories and the deeds of the characters receiving the Traits. For example, a mage who turns back a terrifying Nephandi assault might earn a Trait like Fearless or Noble. A Chantry leader might be considered Trusted or Revered by the local cabals, and a wizard who establishes a homeless shelter to give hope to the downtrodden might receive one such as Wise or Understanding.		Troupes should feel free to invent Reputation Traits to suit their own stories and the deeds of the characters receiving the Traits. For example, a mage who turns back a terrifying Nephandi assault might earn a Trait like Fearless or Noble. A Chantry leader might be considered Trusted or Revered by the local cabals, and a wizard who establishes a homeless shelter to give hope to the downtrodden might receive one such as Wise or Understanding.

Aurorlock: /* RANK AND REPUTATION */

2025-07-01T20:13:41Z

RANK AND REPUTATION

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:13, 1 July 2025
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	Reputation is the game measure of a mage’s standing among others of her kind, and it is measured in Traits. It usually stems from a proven level of magical accomplishment, although it can also be a function of holding some official position in the magical community, such as a Chantry head or faction leader. A mage may also gain Reputation Traits by being influential in a city’s business community, pulling off impressive magical feats, foiling the plots of rival groups or by simply catching the right eyes at the right time.		Reputation is the game measure of a mage’s standing among others of her kind, and it is measured in Traits. It usually stems from a proven level of magical accomplishment, although it can also be a function of holding some official position in the magical community, such as a Chantry head or faction leader. A mage may also gain Reputation Traits by being influential in a city’s business community, pulling off impressive magical feats, foiling the plots of rival groups or by simply catching the right eyes at the right time.

	Anyone taken into a Tradition immediately receives the Trait: Accepted. , Those without this Trait cannot be subject to Tradition justice save for the most serious crimes, but they also cannot expect aid, shelter or even civil treatment from proper Tradition mages either. Different Traits are bestowed at each rank, as shown in the following chart.		Anyone taken into a Tradition immediately receives the Trait: Accepted. Those without this Trait cannot be subject to Tradition justice save for the most serious crimes, but they also cannot expect aid, shelter or even civil treatment from proper Tradition mages either. Different Traits are bestowed at each rank, as shown in the following chart.

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Aurorlock: /* RANK AND REPUTATION */

2025-07-01T20:13:01Z

RANK AND REPUTATION

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:13, 1 July 2025
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	When the Council of Nine formed, one of the first initiatives that the Order of Hermes took on was to establish a standard system of ranks and titles, so that mages would have a universal means of recognizing magical accomplishment. Mages tend to be rather highly competitive by nature, so keeping up a strong public image is a point of both pride and necessity for many wizards.		When the Council of Nine formed, one of the first initiatives that the Order of Hermes took on was to establish a standard system of ranks and titles, so that mages would have a universal means of recognizing magical accomplishment. Mages tend to be rather highly competitive by nature, so keeping up a strong public image is a point of both pride and necessity for many wizards.

	Reputation is the game measure of a mage’s standing among others of her kind, and it is measured in Traits. It usually stems from a proven level of magical accomplishment, although it can also be a function of holding some official position in the magical community, such as a Chantry head or faction leader. A mage may also gain Reputation Traits by being influential in a city’s business I community, pulling off impressive magical feats, foiling the plots of rival groups or by simply catching the right eyes at the right time.		Reputation is the game measure of a mage’s standing among others of her kind, and it is measured in Traits. It usually stems from a proven level of magical accomplishment, although it can also be a function of holding some official position in the magical community, such as a Chantry head or faction leader. A mage may also gain Reputation Traits by being influential in a city’s business community, pulling off impressive magical feats, foiling the plots of rival groups or by simply catching the right eyes at the right time.

	Anyone taken into a Tradition immediately receives the Trait: Accepted. , Those without this Trait cannot be subject to Tradition justice save for the most serious crimes, but they also cannot expect aid, shelter or even civil treatment from proper Tradition mages either. Different Traits are bestowed at each rank, as shown in the following chart.		Anyone taken into a Tradition immediately receives the Trait: Accepted. , Those without this Trait cannot be subject to Tradition justice save for the most serious crimes, but they also cannot expect aid, shelter or even civil treatment from proper Tradition mages either. Different Traits are bestowed at each rank, as shown in the following chart.

Aurorlock: /* RANK AND REPUTATION */

2025-07-01T20:12:44Z

RANK AND REPUTATION

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:12, 1 July 2025
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	When the Council of Nine formed, one of the first initiatives that the Order of Hermes took on was to establish a standard system of ranks and titles, so that mages would have a universal means of recognizing magical accomplishment. Mages tend to be rather highly competitive by nature, so keeping up a strong public image is a point of both pride and necessity for many wizards.		When the Council of Nine formed, one of the first initiatives that the Order of Hermes took on was to establish a standard system of ranks and titles, so that mages would have a universal means of recognizing magical accomplishment. Mages tend to be rather highly competitive by nature, so keeping up a strong public image is a point of both pride and necessity for many wizards.

	Reputation is the game measure of a mage’s standing among others of her kind, and it is measured in Traits. It usually stems from a proven level of magical accomplishment, although it can also be a function of holding some official position in the magical community, such as a Chantry head or faction leader. A t mage may also gain Reputation Traits by being influential in a city’s business I community, pulling off impressive magical feats, foiling the plots of rival groups or by simply catching the right eyes at the right time.		Reputation is the game measure of a mage’s standing among others of her kind, and it is measured in Traits. It usually stems from a proven level of magical accomplishment, although it can also be a function of holding some official position in the magical community, such as a Chantry head or faction leader. A mage may also gain Reputation Traits by being influential in a city’s business I community, pulling off impressive magical feats, foiling the plots of rival groups or by simply catching the right eyes at the right time.

	Anyone taken into a Tradition immediately receives the Trait: Accepted. , Those without this Trait cannot be subject to Tradition justice save for the most serious crimes, but they also cannot expect aid, shelter or even civil treatment from proper Tradition mages either. Different Traits are bestowed at each rank, as shown in the following chart.		Anyone taken into a Tradition immediately receives the Trait: Accepted. , Those without this Trait cannot be subject to Tradition justice save for the most serious crimes, but they also cannot expect aid, shelter or even civil treatment from proper Tradition mages either. Different Traits are bestowed at each rank, as shown in the following chart.

Aurorlock: /* TRADITION POLITICS */

2025-07-01T19:42:49Z

TRADITION POLITICS

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	=TRADITION POLITICS=
	''Life is like high school, only with money.''		''Life is like high school, only with money.''

Aurorlock: /* FACTIONS */

2025-07-01T19:42:05Z

FACTIONS

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:42, 1 July 2025
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	As individualistic as many mages are, it’s no surprise that different camps and cliques within each Tradition have long struggled to establish their own interpretation of how to uphold the Tradition’s goals. What’s more, the modern age of division and isolation has opened many of these old wounds once again and created more than a few new schisms.		As individualistic as many mages are, it’s no surprise that different camps and cliques within each Tradition have long struggled to establish their own interpretation of how to uphold the Tradition’s goals. What’s more, the modern age of division and isolation has opened many of these old wounds once again and created more than a few new schisms.

	An Apprentice who follows one mentor may find himself snubbed by others of his Tradition, and he not have the slightest clue as to why until much later on in his training. Likewise, those who fail to espouse the “correct” doctrine may find themselves unable to gain access to Chantries, Nodes, mentors, libraries or other Tradition resources, depending on who controls these assets and how they feel about a character’s metaphysical viewpoint. Some Traditions are more lenient than others when it comes to tolerating members of other factions, but !, most mages have an opinion on the matter of factional alliance, even if they don’t choose to act on it. As some seasoned faction players say, choosing not to be on a team is really a team of its own, and no one gets to just sit on the sidelines.		An Apprentice who follows one mentor may find himself snubbed by others of his Tradition, and he not have the slightest clue as to why until much later on in his training. Likewise, those who fail to espouse the “correct” doctrine may find themselves unable to gain access to Chantries, Nodes, mentors, libraries or other Tradition resources, depending on who controls these assets and how they feel about a character’s metaphysical viewpoint. Some Traditions are more lenient than others when it comes to tolerating members of other factions, but most mages have an opinion on the matter of factional alliance, even if they don’t choose to act on it. As some seasoned faction players say, choosing not to be on a team is really a team of its own, and no one gets to just sit on the sidelines.

	Storytelling disputes between factions is perhaps the ultimate exploration of delicate alliances, double entendres and the well-timed snub. Since outright battle is strictly frowned upon by all Traditions (although it does still happen occasionally), and harsh penalties follow those who shed the blood of fellow Tradition members, mages of differing factions must wage their wars subtly and kill each other with a thousand tiny cuts. Since most Tradition members appear to embrace the same philosophies on the surface, the slightest difference in metaphysical phrasing can carry immense political and social consequences. A rejected invitation can become a declaration of war, and a remark that was meant as merely a passing comment can earn a character powerful allies... or lasting enemies. Turn the paranoia factor up, make the characters feel they must look into the motives of their fellow Tradition members at every turn, and make all contact with others of their kind seem significant		Storytelling disputes between factions is perhaps the ultimate exploration of delicate alliances, double entendres and the well-timed snub. Since outright battle is strictly frowned upon by all Traditions (although it does still happen occasionally), and harsh penalties follow those who shed the blood of fellow Tradition members, mages of differing factions must wage their wars subtly and kill each other with a thousand tiny cuts. Since most Tradition members appear to embrace the same philosophies on the surface, the slightest difference in metaphysical phrasing can carry immense political and social consequences. A rejected invitation can become a declaration of war, and a remark that was meant as merely a passing comment can earn a character powerful allies... or lasting enemies. Turn the paranoia factor up, make the characters feel they must look into the motives of their fellow Tradition members at every turn, and make all contact with others of their kind seem significant

Aurorlock: /* FACTIONS */

2025-07-01T19:40:43Z

FACTIONS

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:40, 1 July 2025
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	As individualistic as many mages are, it’s no surprise that different camps and cliques within each Tradition have long struggled to establish their own interpretation of how to uphold the Tradition’s goals. What’s more, the modern age of division and isolation has opened many of these old wounds once again and created more than a few new schisms.		As individualistic as many mages are, it’s no surprise that different camps and cliques within each Tradition have long struggled to establish their own interpretation of how to uphold the Tradition’s goals. What’s more, the modern age of division and isolation has opened many of these old wounds once again and created more than a few new schisms.

	An Apprentice who follows one mentor may find himself snubbed by others of his Tradition, and he not have the slightest clue as to why until much later on in his training. Likewise, those who fail to espouse the ~~“correct”doctrine~~ may find themselves unable to gain access to Chantries, Nodes, mentors, libraries or other Tradition resources, depending on who controls these assets and how they feel about a character’s metaphysical viewpoint. Some Traditions are more lenient than others when it comes to tolerating members of other factions, but !, most mages have an opinion on the matter of factional alliance, even if they don’t choose to act on it. As some seasoned faction players say, choosing not to be on a team is really a team of its own, and no one gets to just sit on the sidelines.		An Apprentice who follows one mentor may find himself snubbed by others of his Tradition, and he not have the slightest clue as to why until much later on in his training. Likewise, those who fail to espouse the “correct” doctrine may find themselves unable to gain access to Chantries, Nodes, mentors, libraries or other Tradition resources, depending on who controls these assets and how they feel about a character’s metaphysical viewpoint. Some Traditions are more lenient than others when it comes to tolerating members of other factions, but !, most mages have an opinion on the matter of factional alliance, even if they don’t choose to act on it. As some seasoned faction players say, choosing not to be on a team is really a team of its own, and no one gets to just sit on the sidelines.

	Storytelling disputes between factions is perhaps the ultimate exploration of delicate alliances, double entendres and the well-timed snub. Since outright battle is strictly frowned upon by all Traditions (although it does still happen occasionally), and harsh penalties follow those who shed the blood of fellow Tradition members, mages of differing factions must wage their wars subtly and kill each other with a thousand tiny cuts. Since most Tradition members appear to embrace the same philosophies on the surface, the slightest difference in metaphysical phrasing can carry immense political and social consequences. A rejected invitation can become a declaration of war, and a remark that was meant as merely a passing comment can earn a character powerful allies... or lasting enemies. Turn the paranoia factor up, make the characters feel they must look into the motives of their fellow Tradition members at every turn, and make all contact with others of their kind seem significant		Storytelling disputes between factions is perhaps the ultimate exploration of delicate alliances, double entendres and the well-timed snub. Since outright battle is strictly frowned upon by all Traditions (although it does still happen occasionally), and harsh penalties follow those who shed the blood of fellow Tradition members, mages of differing factions must wage their wars subtly and kill each other with a thousand tiny cuts. Since most Tradition members appear to embrace the same philosophies on the surface, the slightest difference in metaphysical phrasing can carry immense political and social consequences. A rejected invitation can become a declaration of war, and a remark that was meant as merely a passing comment can earn a character powerful allies... or lasting enemies. Turn the paranoia factor up, make the characters feel they must look into the motives of their fellow Tradition members at every turn, and make all contact with others of their kind seem significant

Aurorlock: /* Reputation Uses */

2025-07-01T19:35:02Z

Reputation Uses

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:35, 1 July 2025
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	Here are some common uses of Reputation:		Here are some common uses of Reputation:

	==Reputation Uses==		===Reputation Uses===

	* You may add your Reputation Traits to your Social Traits during an applicable Social Challenge. (Note: You may not do so in casting a magical Effect unless the Storyteller specifically approves of such usage in advance.) You must announce such a usage before resolving the challenge, however, since the target can choose to ignore your Reputation and force you to rely on your normal Social Traits. Since most Reputation Traits derive from accomplishments rather than social acclaim, such a snub is a serious insult in Awakened society. Even if he wins the challenge, the offending character can expect lasting enmity and possibly even some form of formal punishment. Someone who ignores the Reputation Traits a bully is using to intimidate him might get away without too much trouble, but a mage who disregards another’s Reputation for no good reason can expect some serious consequences.		* You may add your Reputation Traits to your Social Traits during an applicable Social Challenge. (Note: You may not do so in casting a magical Effect unless the Storyteller specifically approves of such usage in advance.) You must announce such a usage before resolving the challenge, however, since the target can choose to ignore your Reputation and force you to rely on your normal Social Traits. Since most Reputation Traits derive from accomplishments rather than social acclaim, such a snub is a serious insult in Awakened society. Even if he wins the challenge, the offending character can expect lasting enmity and possibly even some form of formal punishment. Someone who ignores the Reputation Traits a bully is using to intimidate him might get away without too much trouble, but a mage who disregards another’s Reputation for no good reason can expect some serious consequences.

Aurorlock: /* Gilgul */

2025-07-01T19:34:34Z

Gilgul

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:34, 1 July 2025
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	===Gilgul===		===Gilgul===

			Mages who commit the most irredeemably foul, vile, and unspeakable acts of murder, betrayal and corruption are sentenced to Gilgul - the destruction of the Avatar itself. This punishment prevents the mage from being reincarnated and destroys any magical talent the subject might have, so it is performed only when it is determined that there’s absolutely no chance to redeem a particular mage, in this lifetime or any other. Most of the time, such an immense pronouncement is reserved for the Nephandi, since their blasphemous ways leave an indelible taint on the souls they touch. Unfortunately, even untainted mages are capable of performing hideous acts without any outside help at all.

			Naturally, no mage will submit willingly to such a punishment, so offenders are usually restrained physically and magically before the sentence is carried out. Once the ritual is completed, the accused is either released (often after being mind-wiped as well) or executed, depending again on the overall severity of his crimes. Some criminals are deemed too dangerous to live, even after such a terrible punishment, while others are let free, to live out the rest of their lives as a broken shell. It’s anybody’s guess as to which fate is worse.

Aurorlock: /* Death */

2025-07-01T19:33:57Z

Death

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:33, 1 July 2025
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	===Death===		===Death===

			Mages who commit depraved acts such as rape or kidnapping, who betray a Node or Chantry to enemy forces, who spy on and/ or betray fellow Tradition mages for any reason, or whose deliberate actions of any kind bring death or serious injury to other mages are usually sentenced to death. These kinds of crimes stain souls, spread needless misery and set back the efforts at Ascension that lie at the heart of , all Tradition activities,and that simply cannot be tolerated.Even if the mage did not specifically intend to end someone’s life (say, he leaked secrets to someone who later utilized that knowledge to kill another mage), he may still be sentenced to death, since he knew that the original act was wrong and went ahead with it anyway.

			The penalty of death is still not a common sentence, but most mages aren’t in the least bit squeamish about enforcing it when it’s called for. Many still consider themselves at war, after all, and one cannot afford to be undermined from within during a war. Obviously, both death and Gilgul should never be used lightly in a chronicle, since they put an end to a character once and for all. Storytellers should make sure that these punishments are not applied inappropriately.

	===Gilgul===		===Gilgul===