AETHERIANSBy DeGorian Smith ([email protected]) Changeling:
Bevond Arcadia a n d Mage: T h e Void for
FrailtiesAnachronistic: The technology they use is either too
far in the past or too futuristic. Any coincidental effect from an
archaic/hturistic device will be ignored. This is because Reality
will pass it off as luck that the device worked. Technomagics: The
only way an Aetherian can do magic is with a technofocus. Quirks:
Instead of having the nocker's Flaws, the Aetherians get quirks.
Their inventions work great, too well at times. Their inventions
sometimes will have a unique effect, undesirable or not. Example: A
robot who follows orders too literally.
DescriptionThe Sons of Ether and the Nockers have been friends
since the beginning of the Ascension War. Before the "destruction"
of Earth, the Nockers help the Sons of Ether escape. Well, to cut
to the chase, the Aetherians, or Aetherlites as their parents call
them, are the children of the Nockers and the Sons of Ether.
FociTechnofocus: AU
AppearanceThey appear relatively human with a reddish face. In
their fae meins, they have more reddish faces and pointed ears.
Quote"This is the best device for this job"
SeemingsChildlings: They crawl around their parents' devices
like gremlins, fixing one thing while breaking another. Wilders:
This is the main age group of the Aetherians. Their inventions are
the stuff stories are made from, comedies and tragedies. Grump: As
of now, there are no grumps.
OutlookBoggans: You got to like the little buggers. Such
simplistic devices Clurichaun: Sell them weapons. They'll love you
for life. Eshu: They don't use our devices, but they can tell us
stories about folks who have. GhiUe Dhu: They're into organics. How
Verbena-Progenitor like. Nockers: That part goes there, Dad. That
part goes there. Got it< Pooka: They love rocket-powered pogo
sticks. Redcaps: Always feed them a homemade bomb. Satyr: Okay, so
my last invention sent one to the medic. He seemed happy. Selkies:
Watersuits, they want watersuits. Sidhe: Fancy ships, no
functionality. Sluagh: The things they want. (Shutter) Trolls:
Advance weapons they like. Old-fashion weapons they like. They are
easy to please. Celestial Crusaders: Did God tell you to leave my
folks behind< Nephandi: They like annihilation. So we'll
annihilate them.
LifestylesTinkering and Inventing. They have labs with their
parents or workshop somewhere else.
AffinityProp
BirthrightsChimera Creation: (See Changeling: The Dreaming p141)
Fix-it-All: (See Changeling: The Dreaming p141) Magicks: Aetherians
have access to true magicks. AU Aetherians must begin with an
Avatar background of two and an Arcane of two.
Teknolords: They hate our pets. Wu Lung: Nice dragon. Good
dragon. Cybermancers:The Virtual Adepts have finally got it right.
Euthanatos: Embrace death and get it over with. Freetrader: If it
works and its really fancy, they'll by it. The Order: I'll have a
cheese steak, you pompous twit. Progenitors: You know the
doppelgangers are still looking for ya, Dr. Frankestein.
Dreamspeakers: The more things change, the more they stay the same.
Marauders:Perfect test subject for inventions you know will
explode. Verbena: Now that's the biggest freaking tree I ever seen.
Sons of Ether: I heard mother-knows-best, but sheesh. The Hollow
Ones: The others think they're dead. Idiots.
StereotypesAkashic Brotherhood: So Evil is really Goodt I know
something this absurd can't be true! Celestial Chorus: Whose power
are you using theret Cult of Ecstasy: Beware the upcoming, for you
don't want its experience! Dreamspeakers: There is only one God.
Dealing with the rest only wastes your time. Euthanatos: Moping
around scaring people is not how life is to be spent; even the Cult
of Ecstasy knows this! Marauders: Chaos is only a way of hiding
truth from yourself Nephandi:These need love most of all. They just
don't understand. Order of Hermes: This is odd ... Sons of Ether:
One question: where did it all come from, thought Verbana: If you
think person-juice will really do all of those things by itself,
you need to think about it for a second. Virtual Adepts: Making toy
Gods in your head doesn't change reality. The Hollow Ones: Another
example of how to shield yourself from reality with an attitude you
think will impress others.
AGAPE FELLOWSHIPBy Zachary Tieman
(tiemang@integrityonlinel2.~0m)
DescriptionThe Agape Fellowship is an offshoot of the Celestial
Chorus, believing they (the Celestial Chorus) have gone astray in
their ways by their alltoo-human means. The Fellowship claims to
have no part of the Chorus, but for the same as all else -- all
must be cared for, loved, and ministered to. It doesn't matter if
they are normal sleepers, or hyperpowerful mages, whether they are
saints of another gathering, or the embodiment of evil. They only
exception to this rule is to evil spirits, or those that are
capable and/or planning to cause harm. These should be cast away,
and/or destroyed at all costs. To have more of an idea, just read
the Bible, as they are Christians. There is no set group home of
any sort, as they believe this world is not one to which they
belong. AU see each other as brothers and sisters, with none above
the others. Even the newest members have the same respect as the
elders. To become one, one only must wish to join and believe the
same with full conviction. Only two types of magic may be used:
those of healing, raising the dead, etc. or dealing (casting away
of destroying) with evil spirits. In healing, there will be no
Paradox, but the subject must have complete and total faith it will
work, or nothing will happen. In raising the dead, there must be
others present, and they must have total faith it will work. Then,
it is for the Storyteller to decide. Dealing with spirits is as the
norm, except for that for each nearby person that completely
believes the deed will work, the Christian's roll will be increased
by 25 percent. Healing spells of any sort done by another character
may not work against a character of this order, unless they are
also of the Agape Fellowship. Also, battle spells will be rendered
ineffective if the character knows one is being done to them before
it takes effect, has a willpower of 10, and spends twice the time
it takes to cast the offensive spell in meditation there and
then.
The Ahl-i-batin RevisedBy Brian Connors ([email protected])
HistoryThe Arabic magi who created Mount Qaf are an ancient
order, one of the few that reach back to the Roman era. Their roots
date back to the early days of the Roman Empire, when a group of
mages in modern Yemen began experimenting with magick that would
now be considered Correspondence and Mind magick. This cabal began
to develop forms of telepathy that were unheard of even among the
most learned, forms which allowed a certain persistence of a
thought even when no one was actually thinking it. By 50 AD (during
the decline of Emperor Tiberius) Mount Qaf had come into existence,
rather by accident. It seemed that two of the mages involved in the
project had been visiting Roman Palestine and had gone in town to
one of the takeout shops that dotted Roman cities. A recent
shipment of very expensive Italian vegetables had just arrived, and
the two mages (Qadim and Abdul are said to be their names, though
this was almost certainly fabricated in the 1700's by a
non-Batini), had an extensive telepathic conversation with the rest
of the cabal. AEter an hour or so, vast amounts of information on
topics ranging from imported vegetables to prices of unspecified
local entertainment to the seemingly borderline maniacal street
preachers (who apparently made some excellent points, by the way)
had become "remembered" within the web that had been created. Mount
Qaf had been established. The Ahl-i-Batin were an organization long
before any other modern group but the Order of Hermes. Mount Qaf
grew to an incredibly vast repository of information that virtually
any Ahl-i-Batin could access with a bit of training. However, the
group remained small for centuries, until the beginnings of Islam
began to spread from Arabia. At the time, around 800, a group of
Afghani Batini came across a cabal of Akashic Brothers from what is
now Tibet. This was the true beginning of the modern tradition. The
Batini grew to become an important force among mages, and were
responsible for uniting the arts of conjuration, abjuration, and
divination into what would become the Sphere of Correspondence.
They also picked up a reputation for being sneaky; a few Virtual
Adepts claim that the "hacker ethic" they live by so steadfastly
developed from the philosophy of the Batini.
PhilosophyThere is a God; there is a Satan. Anyone that does not
get saved will go to Hell. Period. Love everyone. Try to get them
saved.
SphereSpirit
It worked fairly well for a while. The Batini and the Solificati
ultimately could not get along well, but since the Order of Hermes
was the only group that did it wasn't surprising. However, in the
1700s a female Ahl-i-Batin named Yasmina introduced a lover of
hers, a rogue Solificatus named Gerardo, to Mount Oaf. The
relationship disintegrated soon after that, leaving Yasmina in
shame and Gerardo bitter enough to join the Order of Reason. The
defection of the Solificati became inevitable at that point,
leading to the birth of the Electrodyne Engineers. The Ahl-i-Batin
were slightly shamed from that point on, but were still at least
tolerated. The true crushing blow came when oil was discovered in
Arabia and the Technocracy made a power grab. The Batini were
forced to leave behind their council duties to go back and defend
their ancestral territory. They have not been heard from as an
organization since. They continue, though, and are biding their
time until they have enough power to return to the Council. The
hacker ethic is wllentrenched among them (incidentally, the vast
majority of modern Batini are Christian, and of the few Moslems
among them, none are strictly fundamentalist) and they in fact
maintain that Mount Qaf and the Virtual Web are one and the same.
Their numbers are small now, less than a hundred. Their main
chantry keeps moving (they are unwelcome in Iran and a number of
the former Soviet Central Asian countries, and distrusted
elsewhere); it is currently located in southeast Turkey, where
there is less prejudice against Christians than in other places.
They wish to have their seat back on the Council, but are more than
willing to share with the Virtual Adepts if the Council will allow
it. Some have even proposed a merger with the Adepts, but no one
has gone to one of the Adepts' home chantries to speak to them
about it. The Batini hold the Tenth Sphere to be Paradigm. They
have some interest in studying it to see if they can use it with
Correspondence to channel Paradox productively.
Hollow Ones: I would love to know what they hold as an ideal.
They are a complete mystery to me, and what I understand I don't
like. Order of Hermes: Good Lord, they need to lighten up. The
whole idea of magick is that you don't have to play by the rules.
Sons of Ether: The source of the failings of the Adepts. Their love
of technology will get them in trouble if they get carried away.
Verbena: Blood, blood, blood. After all these years, they're still
pagans, but at least they admit it. Virtual Adepts: What we were,
they are. Though they need to realize that the VR goggles are
overkill for what they do, they are truly our heirs. Technocracy:
They have gone over the line too many times. The individuals may be
pardoned, but their organization must be dismantled. Iteration X:
They have it backwards. You build technology for fun. Information
is what's important. New World Order: (crosses himself and
shudders) Progenitors:Perverts. Plain and simple. The Syndicate: I
would love to know what the Virtual Adepts are up to with them.
They deserve a good chain yanking. Void Engineers: Their ambition
is really rather separate from what is really practical. At least
they are relatively harmless. Nephandi: Lose them in their own
corruption. You will never truly destroy them, but they're
perfectly capable of handling it on their own. Maurader: We're
working on the Paradox thing ourselves, but these guys are still
way too dangerous.
PhilosophyThere are advantages to knowing how to archive things.
We realized centuries ago what the Sleepers are only now
understanding: information is the key to everything. Therefore we
need to know how to transport it, store it, and if need be, ration
it.
AkASHIC BROTHERHOOD PARADIGMByTetsu
~
~ N~~~~ ~
h
~
~
t
~
FociOptical instruments, paper, pencils
SphereCorrespondence
Quote"Perhaps the Technocracy has stolen our ideas, but our
ethics are something they will never understand. Follow us and
learn the true meaning of liberation."
As much as possible, I have used Western terms to describe
Eastern concepts. When this is not possible, I have tried to
include both Japanese and Chinese terminology. These concepts are
found in most Eastern societies, and I apologize for my lack of
familiarity with the terminology of the other major Eastern
cultures. The Mage books, by the way, are heavily biased towards
Japanese terminology (as am I), despite the fact that the Japanese
did not develop many of these concepts until far after the mainland
peoples did (in fact, many of the concepts were imported). Even Do
is a Japanese term meaning "The Way." If the Akashic Brotherhood
really is as old as they seem, a reasonable explanation for their
use of terminology must be the more recent refinements (1500 AD to
present) to martial arts that the Japanese have introduced. This
would imply an evolution of the Paradigm to its present form.
StereotypesAkashic Brotherhood: We have philosophical
differences, but much of our culture comes from theirs. Respect,
even for those you do not like, is in order. Celestial Chorus: They
are too conservative. It is their fault we are so close to being
lost. Cult of Ecstasy: They need a focus. Dreamspeakers: They have
the right idea about information, but they go about it the hard
way. Euthanatos: Their cycle is too convenient. Life simply doesn't
work that way.
The ParadigmThe Way: There are things, and there is a Way to all
things. There is a way to paint and a Way to paint; there is a way
to shoot an arrow and a Way to shoot an arrow. There is a way to
move and a Way to move; Your training in teaches You Part the as
well as the Way of fighting. Do is much more than this, but you
must understand the existence of the Way before you can proceed on
the Path.
The Way of doing a thing is to do it correctly, so that mind,
body, and spirit are one and focused on the achievement of the
goal. Masters live their chosen Way at all times, whether it is the
Way of painting, shooting and arrow, or Do.
MagickT h e W a y of D o Focus: This Way is not magick, though
many will call it that. A student of Do is a gifted martial artist
with a natural or developed ability to achieve a Way of Being of
high order. Mind, body, and spirit are in harmony with each other
and the universe, and when this is so, a person is capable of great
achievement: to leap great distances, to anticipate others as if
reading their thoughts, to sunder unbreakable objects, and many
other feats. Nothing is impossible to the Way as long as you accept
it can be done and Focus on achieving the goal. T h e W a y of
Sorcery Magick: There are many other people, on this world and
others, who can achieve great acts but do not follow our Way. These
others practice Sorcery and Magick. Their Ways are different and
many. Do not close your mind to the many possibilities.
-
vindictive, good or evil or something in between. You will
encounter them in your travels; the more you know of them, the
better you will be able to come away from your encounters with
wisdom and not injury. The world of the spirits is reflected within
you. Meditate upon this now. Time: Our concept of Time is not the
same as the Westerners see it. To them Time is a measurable thing,
to be broken down into units and more smaller units to regulate
their lives. This way has no meaning, and is futile. Time is
infinite and forever. How can you divide the infinite< Time is
like a flowing river: it always passes by, sometimes faster,
sometimes slower. You must learn to see the river, the whole river
in its entirety. When you can grasp all of time you can control how
you think of it. You can slow it down so that you can act faster.
You can glimpse the past, and the possibilities of the future. The
master of Time can even move beyond it.
-
Arete - The PathEach member of the Akashic Brotherhood has set
himself upon a path of knowledge and self discovery. On this path
each will learn much about himself, others, and the world. Progress
on the path is measured by the amount of harmony between mind, body
and spirit. At the end of the path lies Enlightenment. Skill in Do
is not the Path, it is only a part, a tool used by masters to teach
certain skills to the Disciples. Physical prowess is easily learned
and mastered with practice. Much harder to bring into harmony are
the sicknesses of the mind and the power of the spirit. Masters of
Do are generally equally matched physically; it is the more subtle
development of Willpower, guile (Wits), and Intelligence that will
determine the outcome of any contest.
SpheresCorrespondence Distance: The greatest secret of
succeeding in combat is the control of distance and space. If you
fight barehanded, stay beyond the distance of your opponent's
longest weapon, the leg. If you fight with weapons, stay beyond
their length. If you fight with guns, stay beyond their range. If
you fight with armies, the control of paths and territories is
essential. Do not the games of Go and Chess teach us this, to force
the opponent to commit to territory they cannot adequately defend
or control< People of great ability have such a great mastery
and control of Distance that they can seem to traverse it in an
instant. Entropy Weakness: Nothing on this world is perfect,
including yourself. You must strive to purge yourself of all
weakness. When you do so, you will achieve Enlightenment. Others
will try to take advantage of the Weakness of a thing. Karma, Joss
- Fate, in this world, cannot be counted upon, but it can be
influenced. Forces, Matter T h e Elements: The Ancients believed
the world to be made of five elements: Earth, Fire, Water, Wind,
and Void. You can harness the power of the Elements in your life as
you walk the Path. Know the s"n and the moon. Study the Way of the
storm. Meditate by the ocean, and listen to the power of the waves.
you can harness this power with good Focus. Life AU living things
have a the plants, the the trees, and the people. When you
understand the a thing you understand its life -- how it can move
and how it cannot move, how it can be hurt and how it can be
healed. Mind: This is the seat of the conscious and unconscious. It
is the source of Focus and of Will. You must rigorously train your
mind to Focus better. If you understand the minds of others, you
can glimpse their Way. Profound understanding leads to profound
ability; this is why you must study and train always. Prime Ki,
Chi: There is a flow to all things, a cycle of living and dying, of
breathing in and out, of yin and yang, in and yo. Binding this
cycle and flowing through it is Ki. Ki is energy, and it is much
more. You must learn to sense the flow of Ki within yourself, and
through it the world. This is essential to learning Do and to
mastering the Elements. By learning to master Ki you will be able
to harness the powers in you and the powers of the universe.
Spirit: The study of Spirit is the study of emotion and inner
essence. As you learn about yourself through the trials of Do, you
will become aware of your own potential, and the potential of the
universe. There are spirit realms beyond our world inhabited by our
ancestors, kami, demons, and more. To learn of the spirit worlds is
a difficult undertaking, for there is much to learn. Spirits can be
helpful or
-
Quintessence - Ki, ChiThe force that flows through and binds the
universe can be channeled with the proper Focus. This is why you
must learn to sense Ki within yourself and in the world. In the
world you will find places where the flow is very strong, and even
the springs from which this flow comes. These are places of great
importance in the world. You should take time to meditate in places
such as these. This will greatly help you to Focus.
-
-
Paradox - Incorrect actionIf an action is taken with improper
Focus, there is the possibility of error. To make an error is a
Weakness, and Weakness opens up oneself to the consequences of
their incorrect action. Sometimes an opponent will take advantage
of the opportunity~ Perhaps the universe will attempt to deny your
success and you will accumulate Bad Karma. Ultimately, it is your
failure that will allow others to harm you. Do not fail!
-
Ascension - EnlightenmentThis is the goal of your studies, the
total harmony of body, mind, and spirit. When you have achieved
Enlightenment, you will have mastered the Way. You will truly
understand who and what you are, and your place in the scheme of
things. It is said that the Masters are capable of great feats. It
is also said that the Masters have achieved a great sense of peace,
of harmony with all things. This is the goal of Do, and of the
Way.
-
Secret Sects of the Akashic BrotherhoodBy Emrey Barnes
Author's NotesThe Akashic Brotherhood Tradition book for Mage:
The Ascension is now available. A lot has gone into the book, but w
e couldn't fit everything. Here's some supplementary material on
our martial mage friends. It comes from the author of the
supplement and has the Mage line developer's stamp of approval.
Description
Each man belongs to a style which claims to possess truth to the
exclusion of all other styles. These styles become institutes with
their explanations of the "Way," dissecting and isolating the
harmony of firmness and gentleness, Teachings of the Scales of the
Dragon establishing rhythmic forms as the particular state of their
techniques. -, Bruce Lee, "Tao of ' ~ e e tKune DO" The teachings
of the ~ k a s h i c The Scales of the Dragon study body-hardening
rites, known as Brotherhood are broken into four distinct Sects
that each focus on the "katas," to increase their physical strength
[increasing initiates' strengths of an individual's Avatar.
Learning the basics of an individual Physical Attributes and combat
Abilities]. Students are taught that Style of Do takes two to five
years; initiates must complete this phase the human musculature can
achieve maximum potential through of training before being released
from their mentors' direct control. exacting postures. Motions of
the arms and legs added to torsional Throughout history, the Orange
Robes have been seekers of peace and momentum can also focus
powerful strength into action [Willpower], knowledge and form the
largest contingent of the Brotherhood. This and the yielding nature
of the physical form can be accessed to absorb Sect tends to reside
within the walls of the various Xiudaoyuan a tremendous impact
[Dodge]. Awareness of the body [Medicine, (Chantries). Members of
the Scales of the Dragon Sect, the Athletics] leads to the Doist's
ability to inflict damage by applying Brotherhood's foot soldiers
in the Ascension War, make up the second force [Brawl, Do,
Strength] to an opponent's body in an efficient largest contingent.
Members of the Yogi Sect manipulate their bodies manner. This
impact can be used to disarm, paralyze or kill. Martial and the
spirit world by exercising intense rituals of self-denial. training
continues into weapon forms [Melee]. Through this they learn
oneness with their innerselves. Members of Do of the Scales allows
the initiate to gain a sense of distance between the Blue Skin Sect
are the rarest and most protected of the Akashic herself and her
opponent and teaches that distance is, in actuality, no ranks; the
Brotherhood considers those following this path of Do to be
distance. This [Correspondence Magick] is the primary field of the
the most likely to achieve Ascension. Scales' mystick study, though
many choose to ignore it for the more Each Sect has its own
specialty maneuvers and rotes that are taught formidable branches
of destruction [Spheres of Entropy and Force]. only to Doists of
that Style. Each specializes in refining certain Dragon Scale
sensei realize that the best way to defeat an opponent is Abilities
and Attributes as well. Each Sect has secret hand signs in to avoid
him altogether; when one must battle evil, however, one addition to
those used by the Brotherhood as a whole, and the Sects must do so
without constraint and to the death. often withhold knowledge of
their mystick teachings from each other.
walking) [Meditation] augment the Orange Robes' ability to
unleash the powers of the Mind Sphere. Thus, the initiate learns to
mold the minds of others. As it is necessary to defend the
Xiudaoyuan and Sleepers, Orange Robes learn how to bend hatred and
evil back into the mind that projects them. Doing so, however, is
greatly discouraged. Weapons, techniques and training help the mind
find peace within itself and allow the Doist to release energies
through Patterns other than her own. They also come in handy when
less enlightened visitors come calling. This Style of Do enables
the Doist to redirect the force of her enemies [Spheres of Force
and Entropy]. Orange Robe sensei merely allow their enemies to
defeat themselves.
Similarities between Orange Robes and the Scales of the
DragonBoth the Orange Robes and the Scales of the Dragon depend on
the existence of the material realm. Initiates of both groups learn
awareness of the physical world [Alertness] and their physical
bodies [Medicine]. Orange Robes produce results by internal use of
Chi, while the Scales of the Dragon instill their influence through
physical, external efforts backed by Ki. During the ongoing process
of bodily purification, the initiate learns that everything around
her has hidden weaknesses [Sphere of Entropy] that can lead to that
Pattern's unraveling.
Similarities of Yogi and Blue SkinsObstacles can be overcome;
sometimes they take a blind leap offaith -- Cheng Sa, "The Avenging
Woodcutter" Yogis and Blue Skin Do Styles directly link the
initiate to fields of study left hidden to most of humanity.
Training of the mind [Sphere of Mind] and purification of the body
[often through Meditation] are essential, as the initiate can
easily be driven insane by the realitymanipulating powers of
magick. Both Styles of Do teach the initiate to delve into the
higher forms of spirituality and knowledge of the other worlds
[Spirit Sphere]. The Doist must be pure; spirits are easily
offended by physical beings. One must remain calm and polite when
dealing with beings from the Celestial Realms. Initiates study many
sutras in order to learn the secrets of the unseen [Enigmas,
Cosmology, Occult]. Through training, the Doist gains insight
[Awareness] into the primal nature of the Cosmic AU. Yogi and Blue
Skins tend to dedicate staves, pipes, fans, fly-whisks and other
seemingly nonoffensive items as their (unique) weapon foci. To
them, the "weapon" effects the flow of the Cosmic All through
living beings [Sphere of Life], instead of manipulating the
physical world as do Scales of the Dragon and Orange Robes.
The Practices of Orange RobesSeek to stabilize and harmonize the
world, for it is what makes us. Ifwe wish to be at peace, so should
be the world. Ifwe wish to be free, we must pee the world of
constraining preconceived perceptions. -- Vibansumitra The Orange
Robes work to increase an individual's cognitive abilities [Mental
Attributes, especially Intelligence] through reading philosophies
and sutras and meditating upon the thought patterns that direct the
actions of others [Manipulation]. They seek the answer to the
ultimate question of the Cosmic AU: "Why!-" Orange Robes explore
the world by defining circumstances and their effects. These
students understand the necessity of social interaction and how it
can lead to conclusions [Investigation] and control [Expression,
Etiquette] of nearly anything in the physical realm. By
understanding how a series of events causes individuals to react,
the Orange Robes learn how to become one with their environment and
thus blend into their surroundings [Stealth, Arcane]. Hand
positioning and meditative stances (sitting, standing and
Yogi TeachingsA things ride upon an underlying current. Nothing
is fiued. A things ride N N upon the tide. It happens. Fight it
not. Knowledges specifically designed around the spirit world are
known as Yogic studies. Interaction with other people [Social
Attributes] is very important; many Do maneuvers taught to Yogi
involve highly unorthodox and alarming activities. Sharpening the
mind [Mental
Attributes] also becomes essential; the Doist must learn to come
to grips with an entirely nonhuman method of dealing with
existence. Yogi learn how plants harness spiritual energies that
can be useful to humanity [Herbology, Medicine]. They study the
sutras [Cosmology, Enigmas, Occult] to learn how manipulation of
the environment occurs outside of the boundaries of the physical
realm. Studies of supernatural life-forms [various Lores] that find
their way into the Akashic Record are often written by Yogi.
Akashic Yogi comprehend reality in a cyclic fashion [Sphere of
Time] rather than in a linear one. Do maneuvers used to link the
Stylist into the currents of time tie into the other walking
meditations. The Stylist learns to "grip frames of reference" and
manipulate them. This also helps the Doist to understand his own
Drahma and that of others. The true master of the Yogi knows that
all conflicts arise from the battling of supernatural and divine
forces on a higher plane of existence. The Yogi knows that in order
to beat an opponent, he must align himself with the entity in that
other existence that is capable of defeating the opposing
supernatural force.
each attacker (two against the first and one against the second,
for example) .]
Four-headed Defender ( * * * Life, * * Prime, * Mind, *
Correspondence)Ancient writings in the Akashic Record tell of a
horde of Nephandi that threatened to fight its way through the
Gauntlet to destroy the Temple of Inner Truth. Rivhaya, a Dragon
Scale, set himself in the center of the Xiudaoyuan's Node and
initiated this rote. Rivhaya sprouted three additional heads, two
extra arms and two additional legs. Each head looked toward a
cardinal point of the compass. The four hands took turns passing
hvhaya's weapon back and forth about his body. Rivhaya's face also
contorted to give the Nephandi a false sense of security. Large
fangs sprouted from his mouths, from both upper and lower jaws. His
skin turned a bright red and his tongues a brilliant blue. Smoke
rolled from his eight nostrils in thunderous clouds. In battle,
Rivhaya scuttled about in a whirling manner, his four weapons
attacking his most deadly opponents. His four heads kept him
constantly alert so that no one was ever able to approach him
unawares. [Prime and Life modify the mage's body, fueling the
larger Pattern with Quintessence. Mind and Correspondence allow all
heads to coordinate the body's actions. Four successes enable the
Stylist to concentrate on information gained through four sets of
eyes.]
Blue Skin TeachingsThose who link into the intrinsic internal
energies of the body and the Cosmic AU,sometimes called Ki or Chi
[Quintessence], are known as Blue Skins. The very nature of the
Blue Skins is to become the archetype. This requires the Doist to
perfect her being [All Attributes] to achieve a supernal state and
to directly link into her inner self [Avatar]. By being strong in
body, mind and social interaction, the Blue Skin learns to
understand and manipulate the Realm and her own Drahma. The Doist
must be alert [Alertness] and contemplative [Meditation] and must
understand the limits of the human body [Medicine]. She must
understand the limits of her self and her environment before
attempting to use magick; the power of the Cosmic AU can tear the
human form [Pattern] to ribbons if the All is accessed improperly.
Blue Skins learn to manipulate the intrinsic internal natures of
Matter and Life. Only the Oracles are said to be able to perceive
Patterns, but the Blue Skin initiate's mind gains perception of
them. Because Blue Skins strive to achieve a direct link to the
Pure Ones [Ascension] and their inner selves [Avatar, Arete], their
Style is the most elusive of Do techniques to master. Many Blue
Skins become disillusioned and disgusted when they learn that their
Drahma tends to deteriorate the physical realm. Their connection to
physical existence, into which they put so much effort, therefore
decays. A true Blue Skin sensei knows that all conflicts are
different aspects of the Pure Ones exerting themselves against each
other.
Rotes Inherited from the SectsThe following are rotes that have
been passed down or have migrated from the four Sects discussed
here. These rotes are available to any Akashic brother, but a
teacher privy to such learnings may have to be sought to understand
them. Bronze Body( * * * Life, * Mind, * * Prime) The Dragon Scale
Master Li T'eih practiced many forms of body strengthening and
weapon deflection. Early in his Awakened state, Li learned how to
avoid damage from attacks by angling his body and tensing certain
muscles. Li trained for years before the ultimate state of this
form was achieved. [The Doist increases the density of her skin
while concentrating on and reacting to the actions of her
attackers. Specify the number of successes for duration of Bronze
Body before rolling for the magick Effect itself. Remember that
such improvement (i.e., the duration of the Effect) is only
temporary. Bronze Body increases the difficulty of a single
opponent's attack rolls by one per success. The Doist can apply
this effect against multiple targets by dividing the successes
between
Summoning Walk of the Enlightenment (* * * * * Prime) While
crossing the forested mountains of Tibet for days without food or
water, Blue Skin Brother Chang Ming came upon an Oracle performing
a walking meditation. Silently, Ming stepped behind the Oracle and
traced his footsteps; Chang Ming's mind was quick enough to make a
mental map of the path for future record. The resulting Tome and
those copied from it teach the way of the Summoning Walk of
Enlightenment. By studying the record, the Doist learns to link his
Avatar to the fast-sweeping currents of the Prime. However, Chang
Ming was not ready for the depth of power that his newfound Style
brought him. Ho Chow Fan, a Euthanatos mage, crumpled him to a mass
of quivering flesh with the Bone Twisting Palm. Fortunately, with
Chang Ming's last act of magick, he destroyed his copy of the Tome
and kept it from falling into the hands of the Euthanatos. [The
Doist's Avatar hlls with Quintessence, recharging his supply. The
mage gains Quintessence at a rate of one per success.] Walk through
Walls ( * * * Matter, * * * Life, * Mind) Oracles of the Blue Skins
have long held meetings in secret chambers and have used this rote
to enter those sacred and holy shrines. Legend has it that the
greatest and most powerful Node points accessed by the Brotherhood
Xiudaoyuan (Chantries) are also hidden. Many of these sites are
long lost, given the Brotherhood's wish to keep them secret but to
a chosen few. This rote is rarely taught and only to the most
trusted of students. [This rote allows the Stylist to walk through
walls by disassociating her body from the physical relation of a
wall or other solid object. When this process is complete, the
Doist can walk through walls without leaving a trace. The Doist
calls upon the amazing concentration of the mind to keep her alert
to situations that are just beyond barriers passed through.]
Weightless Walk (* Mind, * Correspondence, * Matter) Chu Kwei, an
Orange Robe, developed a Light Body technique to walk over surfaces
with concealed weak points. Kwei was unable to make himself
weightless, but could locate areas with good traction that would
support his weight. [Divide the number of successes achieved
between multitasking and range of perception. Correspondence and
Matter perception detect and determine the structural integrity and
traction of surfaces. The mage memorizes the locations of "safe
spots" within the range of his senses.]
ALCHEMISTSBy Anders Sandberg
IntroductionThe Alchemists are a sub-group somewhere between
Order of Hermes and the Sons of Ether. While they use the
terminology and symbols of the Order, they share the solitary
attitude and the interest in the sphere of matter with the
Etherites.
History and PoliticsThe origin of alchemy is lost in time.
Alchemists sometimes claim that the Art was created in Egypt, by
the god Thoth (Sometimes identified with the Greek Hermes). During
the Alexandran period (4th to 7th century AD) alchemy flourished.
Alchemy developed, influenced by the Gnostics and by hermetic
groups in the Mediterranean. Many Alchemists argue that the great
truths of the Art were first discovered by Hermes Trismegistros
(The thrice blessed Hermes), a mage, somewhere in the first
century. But it was not until the middle ages that alchemy became
the Art known today. The Alchemists have a history of ignoring the
politics of the Order. Like the Cabalists, they gained considerable
influence after the fall of the false order. Disappointed hermetics
joined the Alchemists, and they became one of the most influential
sub-groups of the Order during the renaissance. During this time
the Alchemists were the bridge between the Order of Hermes and the
Sons of Ether. They could perform their arts almost in plain sight,
as physicians and learned men. There were several famous mages in
their ranks, like Artephius, Geber, Paracelsus, Agrippa and Count
Saint-Germain. Some of these may still be around. The Alchemists
unwittingly created the ideas the Technocracy used to create their
chemistry and medicine, thereby slowly destroyng the power base for
them as physicians and pharmaceuticists. In fact, some Alchemists
joined the Technocracy in order to help them create a true system
of the science of matter. Newton may have been one of them.
According to malign rumours among Alchemists, the young Newton
(hardly more than apprentice) had created an intelligence
increasing elixir, which he used that fateful summer when he
"discovered" the laws of mechanics and gravity. Afterwards he
joined the Void Engineers (founded by Copernicus himself). But
unfortunately his reliance on his secret elixir made him
prematurely senile, a just punishment according to the Alchemists.
The Alchemists became known as goldmakers and frauds as the
technomancer grip on chemistry, medicine and physics increased. But
the Alchemists turned out to be a bit more resistant than the
technomancers thought, and managed to survive. Today they still use
their magick, using health food and alternative medicine as
camouflage for their own medicine. Alchemical societies exist in
many larger cities. The Alchemists and the Sons of Ether are very
close. Some Alchemists have begun to use the methods of the Sons,
trying electricity and technical methods. Sons of Ether have been
deeply influenced by the Alchemists in their models of how the
ether behaves (The Alchemists claim to have developed the theory in
the early middle ages, something the Etherites hotly dispute). In
fact, it is hard to tell where the Alchemists end and the Etherites
begin. The most notable difference is terminology. Alchemists
prefer the hermetic obtuse symbolism, using Cabala, astrology and
the Greek gods in their magick, while the Sons prefer their own
quasi-scientific jargon.
Like the Sons of Ether, Alchemists pursue their pet projects
with single-minded determination, often not stopping until they
succeed or fail miserably. If an Alchemist has an idea, he will not
hesitate to do anything to test it. This has led to some brilliant
results, like Paracelsus Homunculus, but also to the early death of
many Alchemists Alchemists do not engage in the Ascension war
directly. They instead try to subtly spread their ideas, and
sabotage technomantic science. Their most successful method has
been the spread of distrust against Technomancer medicine and the
upsurge in alternative medicine. They have several times succeeding
in turning technomancer pawns into their unwitting helpers or even
convert them completely. Pons and Fleichmans cold fusion may have
been a joint Sons of EtherAlchemist project. Another thing the
Alchemist struggle against is fluoridation of drinking water. The
alchemists suspect that the fluorides are used for mind-control or
even nastier things. They have managed to spread much bad press
about fluoridation. Still, the Alchemists are hardly any match for
the technomancers, but manage to survive due to their secrecy.
Alchemic doctrineThe most important idea of alchemy is that
everything is evolving. Everything will slowly become something
more advanced given time. A child will grow up to become an adult.
Stones will evolve into ore, which will evolve into metals or gems.
Lead will evolve into gold given enough time. This evolution can be
sped up by the mage. This is the essential idea of the Great Work,
the Alchemist's Ascension: that the mage, by his art, can encourage
the evolution of everything into even higher forms. There are three
kingdoms: mineral, plant and animal. These correspond with the
three alchemical elements (do not confuse with the classical four
elements) Salt, Sulphur and Mercury. Each kingdom will slowly
evolve into the next. A stone will become ore, which becomes metal,
which becomes a simple plant, which will become more advanced
plants, which will become a simple animal, which evolves into
higher animals, which will become a man, who will evolve into
higher, unknown levels. So far, the universe has not evolved very
far, and the process takes a very long time, especially at the
lower levels. Almost no plants derived from metals have appeared
yet, and very few animals derived from plants. The Alchemists try
to understand the evolution of matter and life, by dividing
substances into their components, refining these and then merging
them together again. This process will not only influence the
substance, but also the mage. The whole process of transmutation
lead into gold represents the transformation of a sleeper into a
mage, or a mage into an ascendee. By mixing the proper substances,
the mage will change himself. By changing himself, matter will
change. The mineral kingdom is ruled by the seven kings: lead, tin,
iron, copper, mercury, silver and gold. Since the mineral kingdom
is the lowest and most fundamental kingdom, these metals are very
important. The other mineral substances, like salt, sulphur,
saltpetre, earth, gems and water are used in the alchemical
processes ruled by the metals. The Alchemist slowly learns to
transmute base matter into finer matter, lead into tin, tin into
iron, iron into copper and so on. This is a preparation of the
Great Work. The Great Work consists of finding the Red Stone, also
known as the Philosophers Stone or the Elixir. This (not only a
physical substance but also a spiritual one) will transmute
everything. Lead into Gold. Man into Superman. It is the alchemical
Ascension, when everything will evolve into the highest possible
state and the universe becomes truly complete. The Alchemists want
to hasten this evolution by finding the Red Stone. Like the rest of
Order of Hermes, symbolism is everywhere and everything is
connected to everything else. Each organ of a patient's body is
ruled by a planet and a zodiacal sign, which in turn corresponds to
an element and a metal. To cure a heart disease, the Alchemist
would use elixirs containing gold and fire. Every plant and
animal has subtle signs telling the experienced Alchemist their
uses and symbolism.
Philosophy"When handled properly, the base material will turn
into The Black Stone. The Black Stone will be transmuted into the
Yellow Stone. The Yellow Stone will become The White Stone. And the
pure White Stone will become The Red Stone, known as the
Philosophers Stone to the lay-people. "Do you understand< No, I
didn't think so. The process is not just a chemical process, it is
also a spiritual process inside the mage. And it is also a
spiritual evolution of the world. When we finally have achieved the
creation of the Red Stone, It will transform the whole world. That
is why we are tirelessly working in our laboratories, to bring
about the great day. "How far w e have come< Even if I wanted to
tell you, you wouldn't understand anything. Misunderstandings can
be even more dangerous than no understanding at all. Alchemy is the
secret art, and not to be discussed openly."
their magick. To perform a magickal effect, they must perform a
alchemical reaction of some kind. The most used are melting,
crystallising, distilling or burning. For example, a Ball of
Abysmal Flame would require the Alchemist to throw a mixture of
gold and iron dust into a fire, which would explode. In healing,
the mage would distil some blood from the patient with some
copper-salts, and give the resulting fluid as medicine. One of the
good things about this method is that the Alchemist does not have
to do alchemical reactions "in the field," if he already has done
them in the lab, and taken the end-products with him. The only
requirement is that the mage is present for the final use of the
magick. Many Alchemists use prime or other spheres to create
"one-shottalismans," potions or substances that will perform their
function even without the mage nearby. Correspondence:Tin, or
sometimes sea salt. The metal of Jupiter. Entropy:Lead. The metal
of Saturn. Cold, heavy and inert. Forces: Iron. The lodestone feel
the forces of nature, and steel gives mankind the powers to
transform it. Magnetic iron is very powerful. Life: Copper. The
daughter of Gold and Silver. Often organic materials are used
instead, especially for creating life, healing or transforming.
Alchemists are strong proponents of the Law of Sympathy, and prefer
to use fluids or body parts from the subject of the magick. ('lhis
will also give a decreased difficulty) Matter: Heat. Fire
represents the purifying force, which destroys impurities and
transmutes base material into finer. The heat of sun nourishes the
plants and allow them to evolve from seeds into fully grown plants.
The heat of a body nourishes the egg and evolves it into an animal
or a man. Generally, the lower the substances involved, the greater
heat is required. The most advanced operations require extremely
slow and careful heating.
OrganisationA loose network of individuals and alchemical
societies. Most Alchemists are solitary, with perhaps an apprentice
or some helpers. Sometimes, especially in larger cities, they form
alchemical societies, where they meet to discuss the art.
MeetingsSeldom. The alchemical societies sometimes meet on
astrologically important days, to perform experiments together.
Many Alchemists their work after the gars, planning so that it will
be initiated and end on correct days (this may lower target
numbers).
InitiationSeveral years of apprenticeship are required. During
this period the apprentice is often treated more as a janitor than
a future mage. Slowly the apprentice learns the art from scraps of
information, the rantings of the master and his own intuition. Some
Alchemists claim that the hard apprenticeship is necessary for to
impart the practical knowledge and the burning desire to succeed a
true Alchemist need.
ChantryAlchemists often stay at the chantries of other
hermetics, but seldom found their own. In Paris there exists a
alchemical society, founded by count Saint-Germain himself (he is
rumoured to still be the leader), which has a secret chantry
somewhere.
Mind: Quick, and flowing. the planet and Silver. If taken in the
wrong way, it and the god. Son destroy the mind of the user (Poor
Newton!). Spirit: Silver. The metal of the moon. The wife of Gold.
Lapis Infernalis, silver nitrate, is often used. Prime: Gold. The
sun-king of the metals, which rule the others. Often used as dust
or in solution in aqua regia. Sometimes diamonds or other fine gems
are used instead (the more expensive, the more powerful) Time:
Time. Alchemists using Time will perform an alchemical process
taking a certain time, and preferably on an astrologically correct
day. The time used depend on how powerful the effect is. A simple
Time 1 effect is just a minute of silent thought (many Alchemists
use Time 1 to time their experiments), while a powerful Time 5 rote
would take several months of time. The rote "Zen and the Art of
Panhandling" would, if an Alchemist performed it, perhaps consist
of keeping gold and iron melted in a crucible for seven months, and
then pouring the mixture into water, and drinking the hot water on
a Sunday. Many Alchemists prefer to allow their processes to take
long time, just to be sure.
AcolytesAmateur chemists, health food freaks, gullible rich.
ConceptsChemist, Herbal healer, Scientist
SphereMatter. Alchemists often study Life almost as intensely as
matter. ~~~t fichemists start with ~ ~ tthen begin~to , t ~ hfewhen
~ ~is t t o t h e~ common spheres are prime, F~~~~~ r ~ ~ ~ ~ , j
is very T~~~. due to the severe restrictions (see below).
Quote"Do You know what INRI really means< Of course I know
what the Church says, "Iesu Nazarinus Rex Iudorem", but that is
just the exoteric meaning. The esoteric meaning of I N N is "Igni
Natura Renovatur Integra", "AU of nature is renewed by fire". Do
you understand< Don't you see now, why you must keep the fire
constantly burning under the crucible< Don't you see how this
relates to the Great Work, to the Ascension1990s, thus all record
of them ceased many years hence. Initiation: Candidates are usually
writers or musicians, or such (High Dream), taken to their sanctum
and exposed to True Reality. The order has Master library (Spirit
& Correspondance only), Lores, and a wide variety of updated
modern backgrounds, knowledge provided by their sleeper cover group
'Foundation for Modern Research'. Funding comes from one bank
account, from a Mummy Swiss Bank Account (Allies). Goal: An
understanding of the overall nature of reality, for how can we
change something we do not comprehend< Ascension is not an
immediate goal, it is an end reached after a long, dangerous
preparation. Method: Due to their philosophy they have found no
place closed to them. Garou sometimes see humans on the shores of
the lakes of silver walking untroubled by the guardians to an
audience with Luna. Cast: They may attempt no sphere higher than
their current culture score, as an understanding of another culture
is central to their care beliefs. They must have at least as many
dots in Lore skills as their culture score. Other: We protect the
gauntlet and the Ultima Thule. Ascension must be protected from the
Horrors in the deep Umbra. Foci Circle: Time, Correspondence
Weapon: Forces, Entropy Language*: Spirit, Prime Mirror: Life, Mind
Darkness: Matter* Inspired by role models such as Derlath and
Lovecraft. SOL'Shave created a language they refer to as
"Cthonian". It is hissing, gutteral and alien, also very hard on
the ears, tending to give casual listeners intense head aches,
Spirits and the umbrood seem to like it fine though. NOTE : Because
Cthonian is only known to Magi it is inaccessible to the collective
unconscious. SOL'S it as proof that they are who they use say they
are when approaching a fellow member they have no been introduced
to. (There are currently 21 members)
Orphans: True Magi, we were like them, but now we use the
Traditions teaching methods. We have so much to do and soooo much
to teach. Hollow Ones: Sad. Celestial Chorus: The presence of a
creator is undeniable, but we are not as naive as to claim to know
his mind. Should they not be a convention, the creations of this
tradition have inflicted at least the same amount of pain and
suffering upon reality as the Technomancers. Dreamspeakers: Gaia is
but a minor facet of a far grander design. Their narrowness of
vision blinds them to greater visions. Sons of Ether : "Throw the
switch, Igor." Euthanatos: Study of this group is dangerous and ill
advised, they react badly to being watched. Order of Hermes:
Interesting! Verbena: They can teach us much, but beware their
blood magics. Technomancy: We despise in ANY form. Nephandi: Do not
study them. They have nothing to teach, only a total fool would
swap eternity for temporal power. You cannot kill them, you can
only ease the burden of reality. Marauders: Exercise extreme
caution.
SPANNERSBy Jeremy Streeter ([email protected]) (Also
called Mitakoyoy-asin)
DescriptionThis craft was formed from the Hollow Ones who were
cast out, but still retained some sense of righteousness, and
destiny. Most of the Spanners attempt to create and form vulgar
magics in hope of becoming powerful enough to battle along side the
Traditions in the Ascension Wars, and against the Technocracy. The
founder, an enlightened young woman, named Alexandra, discovered
through using vulgar magics, she was able to harness incredibly
potent powers. Her goal in these rotes were to desensitize reality
to her magical abilities. It worked. She is considered a Marauder
by many Mages, and is even feared of by the Technocracy. She truly
is not a Marauder, however, she attained a level of power, to which
she was able ascend, theoretically "half-way" learn about the
universe, and come back. This she named Spanning, thus the
Spanners. To become one with the universe. She gained many allies
after showing off her abilities during a 'l'echnocracy aligned
Pentex battle in 1988, where she managed to disrupt the entire city
block where the battle was centered around and cause the entire
area to become a merged portal between the Umbra and the Skinlands.
By doing so, the primary soldiers of the Pentex foundation, the
Black Spiral Dancers, were defeated by one of the only recorded
alliances in Awakened beings' history. It is said the battle
included Garou, Kindred, Mages, Mortals, and even the likes of the
Changling community. It is said that the tear in the universe did
such damage that it caused and forced many Wraiths out of their
little universe and into the battle. Whether the existence of the
dead at the battle is true, is not recorded. Alexandra, created
such an upheave1 during this battle, that afterwards, for about 5
months, the city (Los Angeles) was purged of Technocracy and Wyrm
presence, a feat never before actuated by any other force yet
recorded. It is believed that because the city of Los Angeles was
not in Camarilla or Sabbat dominion, and primarily in the open and
full of Anarchs, that the life and falling out of the alliance was
imminent. However, the permanent effects of the battle have lasted
and the Technocracy has been quiet about their re-entry into Los
Angeles ...As well as the Wyrm. Since that time, Alexandra has
raised the attendance to her Spanner seminars to over 250 Hollow
Ones on a monthly basis. She has since
StereotypesVirtual Adepts: Thieves, they stole Mount Qaf just as
we were begining to understand it. Still as one door closes another
opens. Cult of Ecstasy: Don't they know there's a war on
