Mage stuff to know!

Hey guys. This is some stuff you should know for Mage.

The first are the Protocols. You’ve probably heard me talk about them. As your aware, almost every animal has a sort of rules of engagement, humans included. For Vampire, these are the Traditions. For Mage, they are called the Protocols. Even the Technocracy have their own version. They’re summarized below.
• Respect those of Greater Knowledge
• A Tutor’s debt must be repaid
• A mage Word is his Honour; break not a sworn Vow
• The Will of an Oracle must always be obeyed
• Betray not your Cabal or Chantry
• Conspire not the enemies of Ascension
• Protect the Sleepers; they are ignorant of what they do
• Be subtle in your Arts, lest Sleepers know you for what you are. (aka the Rule of Shade.)
If you have questions about these, just email me.

Second, Mages (like Vampires) have a problem when it comes to a unit of exchange. Money doesn’t mean much to one who can conger gold out of hand. So Magi trade in favours much in the same way as vampires. The trading is less vicious mind you (as a Mage will likely pay back a debt, see Protocols). The other form of currency for Magi is that of Quintessence. This can be either in pure Quintessence or Tass (Quintessence in a physical form). Quintessence/Tass is measured in units called a Dram. Quintessence is some times called Juice or Vis.

The Technocracy: The Modern Organization and conspiracy dedicated to furthering a scientific rational basis for the world. The Technocracy hopes to make reality “safe for humanity” by removing random elements and dangerous foibles. It believes that humanity does not have the ability to cope with such elements on its own. As a result, the Technocracy (or Technocratic Union) strives to eliminate magical phenomena and to stop mages, whose powers they do not understand.

Sleeper: A person who has not yet Awakened to the fullness of the supernatural world.

Tellurian: The whole of Reality.

Umbra: The spirit world(s).

Bani: An honorific indicating a mage’s Traditional affiliation: “Nightshade bani Verbena.”

Technomancer: A Mage of a mystic Tradition who uses the trappings of technology, but combines them with mystical understanding. Not to be confused with a Technocrat, a mage who relies wholly on the theories of science and technology.
Ascension: The mythical state of enlightenment beyond human comprehension.

Ascension War, The: The conflict to determine whether the world would embrace magic, science or faith.

Acolyte: A servitor of a mage who does not perform magic, but believes in its powers.

Marauder: A mage given over to dynamism, and tainted by insanity.

Oracle: A legendary mage who has moved beyond the understanding of other magicians, perhaps even to Ascension.

Pure Ones: Legendary primordial beings from the dawn of creation; some mages believe Avatars to be pieces of the Pure Ones.

Resonance: Mystical traces and attunements tied to magical actions, emotions, intent and desire. All magic carries Resonance, and Resonance reflects a mage’s will in creating an effect.