Mage: The Awakening - OOC Planning Thread
- Thread starter Tokiwong
- Start date
Lichtenhart
First Post
Shayuri, I'd have a slightly different proposal.
Alison's grammy was a Sleepwalker, probably a Proxima too, and a friend of several mages in the area. Her bookstore gave her and the mages that were interested the occasion to scrutinize promising people and, if the order of the Wyvern wasn't watching, nudging them on the way to Awakening, giving them a subtle hint, or advising just the right book. Maybe it worked, explaining why James Cove's Awakened/Sleepers ratio is slightly higher than other cities.
It sure worked for Daniel (my char's Shadow Name). She saw potential in him before the other mages, and she offered him a work and a place to stay. She also protected him by always calling him a nickname in front of mages, and by encouraging him to publish his stories under an alias. When eventually he reached Awakening, she introduced him to Martin, that tutored him as a more experienced Obrimos, and taught him the High Speech and the traditions of Awakened society. Whenever he got home though, Allie's grammy gave him a different insight. When his basic training was complete, though, both Martin and Daniel knew that he wasn't yet suited to join the Mysterium and Project Eclipse, and they parted ways in rather friendly terms. Dedicating himself to personal researches rather than joining a cabal, Daniel remained with Allie's grandmother. She told him that she taught her granddaughter could have inherited the family's talents, unlike her mother, and she made Daniel promise to look after her and guide her towards Awakening in case something happened to her.
Sadly, something happened to her all too soon. But when Allison inherited the bookshop and the house, Daniel remembered his promise and tried to guide her to the great questions that could have opened her eyes to the Invisible Truth. Maybe her grandma's blood ran true in her veins, maybe her soul already was on the verge of realization, maybe her recent tragedy shook her preconceptions, anyway Allison after only few months took her most daring voyage to the Watchtower of the Stone Book.
Now Daniel could only teach and explain her what he only recently learned, but he couldn't help her master Arcana so different from his own. Then he introduced her to the members of the consilium that followed the Path of Thyrsus (*), and they saw in her a great potential, especially those that had known her grammy, so they tried to convince her to join their order rather than the others.
(*) This could be a cue in for Angel, Committed Hero. Maybe she went to James cove to investigate about some secret, and Allie's grandma's books notes or diaries could offer her some clues. So she could have joined, at least temporarily, Daniel and Allison, and offered Allison's lesson on on Path in exchange for the use of their resources.
This way our characters are linked and we have nearly formed our cabal. Something must happen to turn three outsiders into a strongly united group. Any idea what?
(I still hope we find someone else to join us. Of all those people that posted at the beginning of the thread no one is interested anymore?)
Alison's grammy was a Sleepwalker, probably a Proxima too, and a friend of several mages in the area. Her bookstore gave her and the mages that were interested the occasion to scrutinize promising people and, if the order of the Wyvern wasn't watching, nudging them on the way to Awakening, giving them a subtle hint, or advising just the right book. Maybe it worked, explaining why James Cove's Awakened/Sleepers ratio is slightly higher than other cities.
It sure worked for Daniel (my char's Shadow Name). She saw potential in him before the other mages, and she offered him a work and a place to stay. She also protected him by always calling him a nickname in front of mages, and by encouraging him to publish his stories under an alias. When eventually he reached Awakening, she introduced him to Martin, that tutored him as a more experienced Obrimos, and taught him the High Speech and the traditions of Awakened society. Whenever he got home though, Allie's grammy gave him a different insight. When his basic training was complete, though, both Martin and Daniel knew that he wasn't yet suited to join the Mysterium and Project Eclipse, and they parted ways in rather friendly terms. Dedicating himself to personal researches rather than joining a cabal, Daniel remained with Allie's grandmother. She told him that she taught her granddaughter could have inherited the family's talents, unlike her mother, and she made Daniel promise to look after her and guide her towards Awakening in case something happened to her.
Sadly, something happened to her all too soon. But when Allison inherited the bookshop and the house, Daniel remembered his promise and tried to guide her to the great questions that could have opened her eyes to the Invisible Truth. Maybe her grandma's blood ran true in her veins, maybe her soul already was on the verge of realization, maybe her recent tragedy shook her preconceptions, anyway Allison after only few months took her most daring voyage to the Watchtower of the Stone Book.
Now Daniel could only teach and explain her what he only recently learned, but he couldn't help her master Arcana so different from his own. Then he introduced her to the members of the consilium that followed the Path of Thyrsus (*), and they saw in her a great potential, especially those that had known her grammy, so they tried to convince her to join their order rather than the others.
(*) This could be a cue in for Angel, Committed Hero. Maybe she went to James cove to investigate about some secret, and Allie's grandma's books notes or diaries could offer her some clues. So she could have joined, at least temporarily, Daniel and Allison, and offered Allison's lesson on on Path in exchange for the use of their resources.
This way our characters are linked and we have nearly formed our cabal. Something must happen to turn three outsiders into a strongly united group. Any idea what?
(I still hope we find someone else to join us. Of all those people that posted at the beginning of the thread no one is interested anymore?)
Last edited:
Tokiwong
First Post
This is a great idea Litchenhart! To build on that, let’s say that Grammy passed just recently and suddenly. Let’s say that when Grammy passed on Angel who is at this point an outsider came into possession of a novel of short stories in the mail. On the last page was a picture of Allison inserted between the pages with a symbol of High Speech on the back that as best as Angel can tell means “Protection”. The picture has a sympathetic link to Allison, making her “Known” to Angel.
Written on the last page is:
August 5th, 2006
They are everywhere. My lifetime has been one of consequence. I have seen you before, and I will see you again. The man in blue knows you are coming. Follow your path.
Consequently Grammy died on the 5th of August, which is about three weeks ago. Angel received the book from Grammy one week ago. The book by the way is Daniel’s book written under his pen name.
This at least sets the stage of some mystery, and gives the three members of the burgeoning cabal a reason to work together at least to figure out what Grammy may have been trying to say, or guide them towards. By the way Angel, the return address is Grammy’s Book Store, which needs a name…
Written on the last page is:
August 5th, 2006
They are everywhere. My lifetime has been one of consequence. I have seen you before, and I will see you again. The man in blue knows you are coming. Follow your path.
Consequently Grammy died on the 5th of August, which is about three weeks ago. Angel received the book from Grammy one week ago. The book by the way is Daniel’s book written under his pen name.
This at least sets the stage of some mystery, and gives the three members of the burgeoning cabal a reason to work together at least to figure out what Grammy may have been trying to say, or guide them towards. By the way Angel, the return address is Grammy’s Book Store, which needs a name…
Sheet v.2! Now sblocked so as not to spam.
Questions arise. What is the "expression" skill? Is it some kind of creative/artistic expression?
Also, how much money does two dots of resources represent?
As always, comments welcome!
PS - Lichten, I'm putting you down for 2 dots of the Santctum. If that is not accurate, let me know and I will adjust.
[sblock]Name: Allison Larkspur
Shadow Name: Thessaly
Virtue: Hope
Vice: Envy
Gender: Female
Age: 20
Exp: 0
Path: Thyrsus
Order: Apostate (pre-Order)
Defense 3
Health 7
Initiative 6
Wisdom 7
Size 5
Willpower 5
Gnosis 2
Arcana
Life ***
Spirit *
Space **
Rotes
Untouchable (Space 2, Wits+Occult+Space (7))
Scrying (Space 2, Intelligence+Investigation+Space (8))
Finder (Space 1, Intelligence+Investigation+Space (8))
Spatial Awareness (Space 1, Intelligence+Occult+Space (7))
Attributes: 5/4/3
Strength **
Dexterity ***
Stamina **
Intelligence ***
Wits ***
Resolve **
Presence **
Manipulation **
Composure ***
Skills: 11/7/4
Academics **
Computers **
Science **
Occult **
Investigation ***
Driving (automobiles) **
Athletics (Swimming) **
Empathy **
Expression **
Socialize ***
Merits:
Sanctum **++ (size 1, security 2, Library 1 (occult), jointly held with another PC)
Resources ** (Owner of The Monkey's Paw bookstore and overhead house)
Gnosis increase ***
Details
The Sanctum is a basement to the bookstore with a concealed entrance. There is a metal spiral staircase in the center of the store used to access the half-sized loft where they keep rare books too valuable or fragile to leave exposed to the pawing of the general public. It's also used as an overstock area. However, the floor of the staircase can twist aside, allowing the steps to be followed down under the floor. There is a large open chamber there, with shelves containing books of -real- magickal lore, and several sets of common magical tools. There is also a bathroom, and a side office that has monitors hooked to the two store security cameras (also has monitors behind the counter near register). A carpet in the central room covers an inscribed pentagram in the floor. If two dots of security allow any magical wards above and beyond these described nonmagical measures, let me know.
Allison's resources are a combination of a trust fund left for her by her grandmother and mother's estates, and the small but steady income from the bookstore itself. While not hugely profitable, the Monkey's Paws clinetele is very loyal, making profits fairly stable. The inclusion of the second story bedroom suite helps a lot, since she doesn't have rent to factor into her expenses.
-----
You don’t know the truth yet… Your character is a young mage, the Mysteries are new, the truth of the universe, indeed reality is just making itself known to you. And already you know that some truths are being hidden from you, either purposefully or perhaps because you are not ready to understand the greater secrets just quite yet. Awakened society is all about secrets, and you know that even your Master is hiding things, perhaps for your own good, perhaps to secure their own power… but how does your character feel about this, or do they even care?
-- Allison finds the Awakened world breathtaking, and still a little hard to keep up with. Though her curiosity about it is boundless, in some ways she's almost glad not to have every little thing revealed to her right away. On the other hand, the more she learns, the more she wants to learn, and she's already starting to envy mages who command greater secrets than she, and can work greater mysteries.
I have the Power… Sleepers are ignorant, they believe that the world they live in is the way things should be. They can’t fathom a supernal world, a world where reality can bend to the will of an individual. The awakened have incredible power at their fingertips, how does this affect how you see sleepers, how you view reality, and how you view yourself. You can force your will on the world at will, but as the saying goes power corrupts… Will it corrupt you?
-- At this point, Allison doesn't refer to 'sleepers' using that term. They're just people, and she still considers herself one of them...more or less. This may change with time, but one thing will always be clear to Allison; the only difference between a sleeper and a mage is -what- they know, and how -much- they know. In her opinion, any sleeper COULD awaken...though she doesn't believe that all sleepers SHOULD.
This reality is a cage… a prison for your soul. The Exarchs, if you even believe they exist hold all the keys to reality. Their minions the Seers of the Throne do exist, and they are the enemy of the Pentacle, they are rarely obvious but they lurk just the same. They are omnipresent, they are dangerous, and they want to control you… or do they control you already?
-- Allison takes the story of the Exarchs with a grain of salt. It seems to her that if they were as powerful as people claim, how could any mage ever work magic? Wouldn't it be in their purview to cut people off from the Supernal? Clearly, even if some mages DID ascend to this celestial existence; their powers must be circumscribed. She suspects that the tales of their godlike abilities is based on a perfectly natural fear on the part of the awakened community...the fear of the unknown. They simply don't KNOW what the Exarchs can or can't do...so they inflate their worst fears and preach them as facts.
Your Shadow Name is your identity… Your Shadow Name is important, it is the name by which
you shall come to identify yourself. It is who you are now, how did you choose your name?
What does it mean to you, and what does it express about you, or how you view the world…
-- Allison chose the name Thessaly to represent herself. She read it somewhere; it was a witch's name. It also sounds pleasantly Greek to her, and she's always had a soft spot for Greek mythology. Aside from these two things, there's not much to connect her and the name. That is, she was led to understand, part of the point of having a Shadow Name. To guard against sympathies and resonances between a real name and a person. An overly meaningful, identifiable false name might be just as dangerous as a truename.[/sblock]
Questions arise. What is the "expression" skill? Is it some kind of creative/artistic expression?
Also, how much money does two dots of resources represent?
As always, comments welcome!
PS - Lichten, I'm putting you down for 2 dots of the Santctum. If that is not accurate, let me know and I will adjust.
[sblock]Name: Allison Larkspur
Shadow Name: Thessaly
Virtue: Hope
Vice: Envy
Gender: Female
Age: 20
Exp: 0
Path: Thyrsus
Order: Apostate (pre-Order)
Defense 3
Health 7
Initiative 6
Wisdom 7
Size 5
Willpower 5
Gnosis 2
Arcana
Life ***
Spirit *
Space **
Rotes
Untouchable (Space 2, Wits+Occult+Space (7))
Scrying (Space 2, Intelligence+Investigation+Space (8))
Finder (Space 1, Intelligence+Investigation+Space (8))
Spatial Awareness (Space 1, Intelligence+Occult+Space (7))
Attributes: 5/4/3
Strength **
Dexterity ***
Stamina **
Intelligence ***
Wits ***
Resolve **
Presence **
Manipulation **
Composure ***
Skills: 11/7/4
Academics **
Computers **
Science **
Occult **
Investigation ***
Driving (automobiles) **
Athletics (Swimming) **
Empathy **
Expression **
Socialize ***
Merits:
Sanctum **++ (size 1, security 2, Library 1 (occult), jointly held with another PC)
Resources ** (Owner of The Monkey's Paw bookstore and overhead house)
Gnosis increase ***
Details
The Sanctum is a basement to the bookstore with a concealed entrance. There is a metal spiral staircase in the center of the store used to access the half-sized loft where they keep rare books too valuable or fragile to leave exposed to the pawing of the general public. It's also used as an overstock area. However, the floor of the staircase can twist aside, allowing the steps to be followed down under the floor. There is a large open chamber there, with shelves containing books of -real- magickal lore, and several sets of common magical tools. There is also a bathroom, and a side office that has monitors hooked to the two store security cameras (also has monitors behind the counter near register). A carpet in the central room covers an inscribed pentagram in the floor. If two dots of security allow any magical wards above and beyond these described nonmagical measures, let me know.
Allison's resources are a combination of a trust fund left for her by her grandmother and mother's estates, and the small but steady income from the bookstore itself. While not hugely profitable, the Monkey's Paws clinetele is very loyal, making profits fairly stable. The inclusion of the second story bedroom suite helps a lot, since she doesn't have rent to factor into her expenses.
-----
You don’t know the truth yet… Your character is a young mage, the Mysteries are new, the truth of the universe, indeed reality is just making itself known to you. And already you know that some truths are being hidden from you, either purposefully or perhaps because you are not ready to understand the greater secrets just quite yet. Awakened society is all about secrets, and you know that even your Master is hiding things, perhaps for your own good, perhaps to secure their own power… but how does your character feel about this, or do they even care?
-- Allison finds the Awakened world breathtaking, and still a little hard to keep up with. Though her curiosity about it is boundless, in some ways she's almost glad not to have every little thing revealed to her right away. On the other hand, the more she learns, the more she wants to learn, and she's already starting to envy mages who command greater secrets than she, and can work greater mysteries.
I have the Power… Sleepers are ignorant, they believe that the world they live in is the way things should be. They can’t fathom a supernal world, a world where reality can bend to the will of an individual. The awakened have incredible power at their fingertips, how does this affect how you see sleepers, how you view reality, and how you view yourself. You can force your will on the world at will, but as the saying goes power corrupts… Will it corrupt you?
-- At this point, Allison doesn't refer to 'sleepers' using that term. They're just people, and she still considers herself one of them...more or less. This may change with time, but one thing will always be clear to Allison; the only difference between a sleeper and a mage is -what- they know, and how -much- they know. In her opinion, any sleeper COULD awaken...though she doesn't believe that all sleepers SHOULD.
This reality is a cage… a prison for your soul. The Exarchs, if you even believe they exist hold all the keys to reality. Their minions the Seers of the Throne do exist, and they are the enemy of the Pentacle, they are rarely obvious but they lurk just the same. They are omnipresent, they are dangerous, and they want to control you… or do they control you already?
-- Allison takes the story of the Exarchs with a grain of salt. It seems to her that if they were as powerful as people claim, how could any mage ever work magic? Wouldn't it be in their purview to cut people off from the Supernal? Clearly, even if some mages DID ascend to this celestial existence; their powers must be circumscribed. She suspects that the tales of their godlike abilities is based on a perfectly natural fear on the part of the awakened community...the fear of the unknown. They simply don't KNOW what the Exarchs can or can't do...so they inflate their worst fears and preach them as facts.
Your Shadow Name is your identity… Your Shadow Name is important, it is the name by which
you shall come to identify yourself. It is who you are now, how did you choose your name?
What does it mean to you, and what does it express about you, or how you view the world…
-- Allison chose the name Thessaly to represent herself. She read it somewhere; it was a witch's name. It also sounds pleasantly Greek to her, and she's always had a soft spot for Greek mythology. Aside from these two things, there's not much to connect her and the name. That is, she was led to understand, part of the point of having a Shadow Name. To guard against sympathies and resonances between a real name and a person. An overly meaningful, identifiable false name might be just as dangerous as a truename.[/sblock]
Lichtenhart
First Post
Expression covers poetry, prose, music, and dance. Visual arts are covered instead by Crafts.
Resources represent disposable income, i.e. your surplus, money that can be spent in an emergency without many worries. Two dots mean 1000$ per month and 5000$ of disposable assets.
Two dots of Sanctum are fine, but it means I'll probably have to rely on your resources (and Committed Hero too, from the look of it). But sooner or later I'll be able to transmute lead to gold, so it won't be an issue anymore.
If you ask me, 7 dots of merits are far too few.
Resources represent disposable income, i.e. your surplus, money that can be spent in an emergency without many worries. Two dots mean 1000$ per month and 5000$ of disposable assets.
Two dots of Sanctum are fine, but it means I'll probably have to rely on your resources (and Committed Hero too, from the look of it). But sooner or later I'll be able to transmute lead to gold, so it won't be an issue anymore.
If you ask me, 7 dots of merits are far too few.
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