Mechanomancy: Ascension of the Magdalene Preview now online

[JohnNephew]

It's up -- our website (http://www.atlas-games.com) now has the 9-page PDF of Mechanomancy, a preview of Ascension of the Magdalene.

AotM is a Coriolis adventure for D20 or Unknown Armies (statted so you can play it with either system), set in early 17th century Prague (or easily translated to your fantasy world of choice). Besides mechanomancy (and more sample clockworks), the book includes D20 rules for archetypes and avatars, another new type of magic drawn from UA.

If all goes according to plan, AotM will be shipping to distributors worldwide this coming week. (How long it takes to get on the shelves of your local store will vary.)

-John Nephew
President, Atlas Games

 

[7thlvlDM]

Occult Lore

Hey John,

I'm curious about Occult Lore, will there be anything like Mechanomancy/artificers in it?

Thanks,
7thlvlDM

 

[JohnNephew]

Re: Occult Lore

I'm curious about Occult Lore, will there be anything like Mechanomancy/artificers in it?

I don't believe so. As far as I know (something might get added or cut in the late stages), the list in the "sell text" product description (which you can find at http://www.atlas-games.com/product_tables/AG3214.html) lists all the fields it covers. (The manuscript is already all written, but I haven't looked at it myself -- Michelle is editing it.)

-John Nephew
President, Atlas Games

 

[Nightfall]

Hey John! I already some of what supposed to be in Occult Lore, but do you think you could do a plug anyway? I'd love to reread over it here.

 

[Kaptain_Kantrip]

I read mechanomancy and liked it except the part about losing your memories. That seems both bizarre and too harsh a penalty to pay. I would recommend changing it.

 

[JohnNephew]

Thanks for the feedback!

I read mechanomancy and liked it except the part about losing your memories. That seems both bizarre and too harsh a penalty to pay. I would recommend changing it.

Well, to be honest, it's integral to the concept of the magic. In Unknown Armies, adepts (magick-users) are by nature obsessive -- they pay a high price to do extraordinary and unnatural things. In game play, too, it makes it a lot more interesting to have consequences beyond "you used up your daily memorized spell." In some respects, it's similar to an experience point cost for powerful spells.

Remember, you can get minor charges without using memories. It's the big things that really drain you.

I suspect that mechanomancy isn't likely to appeal to a lot of D20 players, who may want more flash & bang for their magic (and given generally easy access to magic, why pay so high a price?). However, it works perfectly for some really unusual NPCs -- imagine the absent-minded intinerant tinker, perhaps a high-level Expert, who travels town to town selling simple wares out of the back of his wagon. In reality, he is the deposed emperor of a distant land, who through mechanomancy has both created for himself a powerful construct for shelter and protection (the wagon unfolds into a gargantuan beetle construct to protect him when he is threatened), and in so doing has sacrificed all his memories of the imperial life he once led...

-John Nephew
President, Atlas Games

 

[JoeGKushner]

Thanks for the feedback!



Well, to be honest, it's integral to the concept of the magic. In Unknown Armies, adepts (magick-users) are by nature obsessive -- they pay a high price to do extraordinary and unnatural things. In game play, too, it makes it a lot more interesting to have consequences beyond "you used up your daily memorized spell." In some respects, it's similar to an experience point cost for powerful spells.

Remember, you can get minor charges without using memories. It's the big things that really drain you.

I suspect that mechanomancy isn't likely to appeal to a lot of D20 players, who may want more flash & bang for their magic (and given generally easy access to magic, why pay so high a price?). However, it works perfectly for some really unusual NPCs -- imagine the absent-minded intinerant tinker, perhaps a high-level Expert, who travels town to town selling simple wares out of the back of his wagon. In reality, he is the deposed emperor of a distant land, who through mechanomancy has both created for himself a powerful construct for shelter and protection (the wagon unfolds into a gargantuan beetle construct to protect him when he is threatened), and in so doing has sacrificed all his memories of the imperial life he once led...

-John Nephew
President, Atlas Games

So um, John, when are you going to post this NPC as a PDF extra? Hint hint...

 

[Skywalker]

As a big UA fan I love the idea of the memory loss. It has made for some very good roleplaying experiences for those adepts that use mechnomancy. Jail Break scenario being one great example.

I understand that it may not be the same level as D&D magic but that's shouldn't require the system to be changed. The option is flavour and those who don't want it don't take it.

Now if I can just work into my Iron Kingdoms stuff

 

[tsadkiel]

I like the memory loss as well, though I'm not sure about some of the specific costs - am I reading it correctly? Any upgrade to a significant construct costs a significant charge, and any upgrade to a major construct costs a major charge? If so, that adds up too quickly for my tastes.