The Mage

Shrouded in mystery, piercing the veil of reality, the mage is imbued with a gift, yet carries a burden of mistrust and fear. Grounded in one of a number of disparate traditions, the mage alters, encourages, negotiates,  or simply bamboozles perceived reality into a new, form. The mage is a catch all profession for those that Wield Magic. Magic is expressed in many different ways, loosely collected into ‘traditions’ that codify and teach their ways over the generations. The Abilities found below are commonly available to all traditions though the way they are described and realised will vary in at least as many ways as there are traditions to describe them.

Choose a magical tradition. This will influence how you look, what you believe and how your magic manifests in the world.

The Elementalist
When you describe your magic it will be based on the the great arcana of the elements Earth, Wind, Fire, Water, Shadow and Metal that bend to your will. You can shape the abstracted ideal of these blocks of reality, disjointing them from their natural state and reconstituting them into new forms at your will. Shape the winds and use the air as your servant, create blasts of elemental fire, flow like the river between cracks of stone, create walls of earth or, slip between places in shadow and power the riddle of steel with magical power.

The Necromancer
When you describe your magic it will be based on Death Magic, create and control undead, unravel the threads of life, master disease and taste putrefaction. As death is the key to life, you are able to unlock the mysteries and blur the boundaries between the two. Achieve a clinging and dependant immortality, enjoy the pleasures of life with none of the weaknesses.

The Sorcerer
When you describe your magic it will be powered through the summoning and binding of  demons and powers from other realms. The physical world is only one of multitudinous realms and your magic draws creatures from them to do your bidding or to be bound and incarcerated in physical containers in this world. Control can be tenuous and bargains (via the Persuade Move) are rarely certain or perpetuating.

The Witch
When you describe your magic it will be primal and powered by the forces of the natural world around us. This is ancient magic of the earth, the natural world, weather, healing, curses and the spirits that watch us from tree, rock, stream and shadow. Bring the vitality of life to cursed ground, converse with the ancestors, natural spirits and animals, brew potent elixirs from herbs and beast and  ground stones, draw magic from life, heal the sick and curse your enemies with plagues and bad luck.

The Fae
When you describe your magic it will be seen through a dreamy mist shrouded veil. This is the natural magic of the Elves, misdirecting through faerie glamour, old alliances with the trees, protection of places, manipulation of weather, unweaving of the fabric of time, unchaining the waiting fears in the mind, soothing dreams, and constructions of breathtaking beauty.

There will be power overlaps between Traditions. In many ways it is less about the effects that can be produced but more about the traditional narrative that enables them to manifest.

Descriptions:
Choose 1 description for your character from this list. This is a facet of your physical
appearance or behaviour (along with the other 2 choices from your race and origin).


Elementalist or Sorcerer
Fiery eyes, Far away look, Stooped, Energetic, Cautious, Arrogant

Necromancer
Palid, Dark pits for eyes, Waxy skin, Gaunt, Cruel, Morbid

Witch
Fresh complexion, Laughing eyes, Wizened, Mercurial, Coarse, Uncaring

Fae
Beautiful, Graceful, Shimmering, Vengeful, Distracted, Enigmatic


Advancement:
Choose one of the following triggers to begin advancing in this career.

Each session, all characters mark xp the first time...

An objective is taken by the power of magic.
A magical place or power is uncovered.
An extensive magical ritual is successfully completed.
A life is saved or destroyed by magic.
An enemy from another tradition is beaten.

Mage Abilities

As a mage you can choose from these Abilities during character creation.

Cantrips: Small shards of your magic that lightly touch reality and can be produced at a whim.
Countermagic: Undo the magic of others.
Enchanting: Imbue physical items with the power of magic.
Magical Focus: An item through which you channel your power
Well of Power: Your Power track is equal to double your Magic value.


Cantrips
Create minor magical effects, almost instinctively at no Power cost. This magic will be slight, fleeting and insufficiently powerful to create any form of Harm. It will serve to enhance your aura and reinforce the power of the tradition that you follow.

Countermagic
This Ability allows you to unravel magic that is currently in effect. Spend Power equal to the level of Magic Power. Countering Legendary magic will also require additional components, rituals or sacrifices as when it was created.
On a 10+, the magic is dispelled.
On a 7-9, the spell is dispelled, but it costs either an extra point of Power and there is an unforeseen effect to the unravelling that could cause complications.
On a 6-, the magic is strengthened with +1 Power and cannot be unravelled  by the Mage again.

Enchanting
Some of the traditions magic involves placing power into physical things. This Ability enables the Mage to craft items and create magical Tags to upgrade items. Magical weapons, armour, wards and glyphs can be created within the boundaries of the tradition.

Magical Focus
A special item or familiar through which you channel your power. This focus is required to create major or legendary effects.

Well of Power
Your Power track is now set at double your Magic Stat, extending the amount of magic you can cast before your power needs to be recovered.

The Warrior

The Warrior is set apart and trained to protect and destroy. Blood and Steel, Shoot and Skirmish are your stock in trade. You are a step up from the simple rabble, honed for the fight, sensing the initiative, understanding the pattern of the battle and anticipating the enemy. Carrying heavy weapons and steel armour without noticing, you can fight alone, in small groups or in the serried ranks with your battle brothers and sisters.

Descriptions:

Choose 1 description for your character from this list. This is a facet of your physical
appearance or behavior (along with the other 2 choices from your race and origin).
Scarred, Grizzled, Massive, Brooding, Weary, Grim.

Advancement:

Choose one of the following triggers to begin advancing in this career.

Each session, all characters mark xp the first time...

• An objective is taken by force of arms.
• A perilous order is obeyed.
• An injury is sustained.
• An innocent is saved by the force of your martial skill
• A worthy enemy is beaten.

Warrior Abilities:

As a warrior you can choose from these Abilities during character creation.

Tactics: Understand the flow of the battle and influence the outcome.
Endure Great Suffering: Take a lot more punishment than the average person.
Signature Weapon: Specially crafted, with a power to change the course of a battle.
Unencumbered: Carry greater weights and ignore the penalties of doing so.
Battle: Take command in battle and lead your forces to victory.

Tactics
When you are about to enter melee you can Gain Understanding during combat, roll +Bright

• On a 10+, you can see the way this combat will pan out and can anticipate the enemy. Hold 3.
• On a 7-9, you Hold 1.

For every Hold you spend it grants an Advantage +1 going forward to any ally during the encounter. Only 1 Hold can be spent on an ally at anyone time, though one ally can receive multiple bonuses.

Endure Great Suffering
You can suffer two injuries of each of the first three severities, rather than one.

Signature Weapon
Own a signature Grade 3 weapon. If that weapon is ever lost, you can abandon it and spend an extended period of time claiming a new weapon as your Unique Weapon, adding an extra
upgrade to it.

Unencumbered
Ignore the Clumsy trait inflicted by heavy weapons, large packs and heavy armor.

Battle
The cursed melee is something, but the killing ground of mass arrayed armies is another. With this Ability you can take command and direct armies at various levels and opens up Battle Moves.


There are some mechanical elements that will arise out of character creation. Mass battle is one! I'm looking forward to playing with the equipment upgrades too. :)

Professions

Characters are essentially created by making three selections: one race, one profession and one origin. Each provide descriptions, advancements and 'Abilities' that individualise the character, provide edges and options and hone how they will behave in the game.

I thought I would start with ten professions:

• Assassin
• Bard
• Mage
• Merchant
• Priest
• Rogue
• Scholar
• Scout
• Seafarer
• Warrior

Over the coming weeks I'll post up details of each. Initially I'll pick out some for development, so that I can get some characters together for a game on the 8th May at my FLGS.