Winter of Magic (Mage the Ascension)

We can gain skills in other areas later thou. Not like we are locked into a single sphere. And fate can mess with computers pretty good already a single Neutron hitting at just the right moment can flip a 0 to a 1 or the reverse.
Er....I don't think that Fate will be allowed to do things like that, or at least, not on a large scale since it might make other abilities obsolete. And I agree with Sullivan up there, since programming is something they know alot about, it makes mroe sense our abilities and powers would be more diverse, and we may get things we don't know about.
 
Er....I don't think that Fate will be allowed to do things like that, or at least, not on a large scale since it might make other abilities obsolete. And I agree with Sullivan up there, since programming is something they know alot about, it makes mroe sense our abilities and powers would be more diverse, and we may get things we don't know about.
Mages in this setting run on super hax, the different sphere are more a theme then hard dividers, only limited by being observed by normal people. Like in the middle of nowhere your basically a god, in a city you can easily paradox yourself dead lighting a match. Subtle uses of magic that other people can explain away as random chance or even better think is perfectly normal however you can do all day long.
 
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[X] A cot in a room that's crammed with electronics, lit by flickering LEDs (Virtual Adepts, favoring the sphere of Space)

You know thinking about it there really aren't many or any quests with a Virtual Adept or Virtual Adept-adjacent main character. We have a few quests I think about magical death assassins, so this would be a novel alternative. Plus GM does programming..
 
We can gain skills in other areas later thou. Not like we are locked into a single sphere. And fate can mess with computers pretty good already a single Neutron hitting at just the right moment can flip a 0 to a 1 or the reverse.
Yeah, dom't try to have your cake and eat it too. If you want to do computer stuff, pick Adept. If you want to do assassin stuff, pick Euthanatos. If you want to do mad scientist stuff, pick Etherite.
 
Voting is closed, Euthanatos won. Looks like it's spooky death cult assassin time.
Adhoc vote count started by notanautomaton on Oct 19, 2021 at 5:05 PM, finished with 31 posts and 17 votes.

  • [X] A backlit, many-armed statue in an otherwise pitch-black room (Euthanatos, favoring the sphere of Fate)
    [X] A cot in a room that's crammed with electronics, lit by flickering LEDs (Virtual Adepts, favoring the sphere of Space)
    [x] A futon in a small, bare room (Vajra Brotherhood, favoring the Sphere of Mind)
    [X] A room draped in gauze, the smell of incense filling the air (Sahajiya, favoring the sphere of Time)
    [X] You see little beyond the fur blankets your covered in, and the roaring fire in front of you (Verbena, favoring the sphere of Life)
    [X] A crackling tesla coil, in a room strewn with scrap metal and tools (Sons of Ether, favoring the sphere of Matter)
    [X] The stars, projected onto the ceiling (Order of Hermes, favoring the sphere of Forces)
 
Awakening
Sleep falls away awkwardly, in fits and starts. At times they hear indistinct voices, only to fall back in. They aren't sure how long it takes them to make themselves wake up, but it doesn't feel like it was short. Looking around, the room they've been sleeping in is... strange would probably be the best way to put it. The bed is extremely comfortable, a luxury they haven't had for weeks, but the walls are lined with strange statues as the only decoration, and the only illumination is from a backlit, many-armed dancing statue of an androgynous figure. But before they have a chance to dally on looking around, they hear raised voices coming from beneath them.

Going to investigate, they slide open the door to the room, trying to sneak down. If the people that found them aren't as nice as their actions imply, they might have to book it. The hallway is far more normal, but in a depressing way. It's dark, with the only light coming from downstairs, and the only decoration is discolored, peeling wallpaper.

As they carefully lower themselves down the stairs one step at a time, the voices become more distinct, and the fact that they're arguing becomes clear. The current speaker seems to be a woman, yelling in anxious tone of voice.

"...had no right to bring in some stranger off the street. We don't know if they're a facade, or a grey man, or fallen! Sure, you got your karma, did your good deed, that's all well and good until we wake up dead!" They don't know what they could have done to make her think that they're... any of those things, whatever they are. There's no way of telling if she's well; maybe she's on drugs, or is schizophrenic like some of the other homeless people.

Creeping further down, they spy a strange quartet clustered around a small dining room table. Through a gap in the banister, they can barely make out each of them, but what they see makes them doubt that they woke up at all. The current speaker is a white woman wearing a shapeless black dress, gesturing with some sort of cane or walking stick, but sitting next to her is a soot-covered black man with long, matted grey hair, and a wild beard, who's dressed in a way that would be perfectly at home in a homeless encampment.

On her other side is an Indian-looking woman who's dressed like a Mardi Gras parade threw up on her, all bright clashing colors, with the most understated parts of her outfit being a sliver necklace worked to look like skulls and a silver belt designed to look like arms grasping each other. The final person looks male, but since he's sitting facing away from them they can only really make out that he has a bald, brown skinned head. When he speaks it is in a commanding, intelligent baritone.

"You know as well as I do that we checked the kid over, and didn't find anything that gave the slightest indication of any of those things. We cannot discard providence because of paranoia, not if we are to live instead of merely survive."

The woman goes to respond "But..."

Only to be stopped with a raised hand. "This is no longer a discussion my friend, but an order. I was brought to that park for a reason, and we will see that through to the end. Now, won't you come down child? You'll give yourself a cramp on those stairs."

Not seeing another option, they slink into the small dining room. No longer having to peek through a bannister, they see the beaten-up table, the way it's illuminated by a single bulb, the stack of dishes in the sink. But they also see the face of the man that rescued them. They see his calm, inviting expression, and a face that seems prematurely lined.

"What is your name, kid. And how did you come to be freezing to death on a park bench on New Years?"

They take a moment to work up the words. "My name's... my name's Z. One letter. My folks didn't like who I am that much, so I had to go make it on my own. Then the shelter kicked me out for pretty much the same reason. But I'm not a kid, I'm eighteen!"

"How long have you been eighteen?"

"...How long's it been two thousand and four?"

He smiles indulgently, the way adults always do when they think kids are being precocious. "Well then Z, while I would have saved anyone from that park, not just anyone would have woken up in our home. Have you ever had feelings? Premonitions that you should take one street instead of the other, that you shouldn't trust someone who seems like a friend? Have you ever had those feelings be proven right?"

Z shakily nods their head. "Y-yeah, but doesn't everyone have those."

"Perhaps. But in your case, it means something more. It means that you are like us. It means that you are a magi... or at least, that you have the potential to become one. We are the wise, those who know the hidden order of the world, and who try our best to return it to balance. You could become such, and so I know that it was fate that brought us together."

Z can't stop their eyebrows from furrowing. "Look, I'm thankful for saving me and all, but I'm not just going to jump right into the first cult with a fun pitch."

The man smiles. "Some skepticism is to be expected."

He turns to the gaudily dressed woman, and asks; "Would you indulge us with some proof my dear? Something that cannot be faked."

She looks rebellious for a moment, but with a raised eyebrow from the man she raises her arm above the table with a sigh.

The lights flicker and fade, revealing that her palm is glowing with a soft light. As Z looks on, the glow solidifies and turns to flame, before daintily floating off of her hand. One flame becomes two becomes four as they split apart, and soon the entire room is illuminated in floating flames. Z reaches out their hand to touch one, but instead of burning their hand it is only pleasantly warm. At that moment, there's no doubt in their mind that there is wonder and magic in the world. They can almost overlook the way the woman's face is screwed up in concentration or discomfort

"Now my young friend, you a choice. You can join us and learn our wisdom, or we can blindfold you and drop you off somewhere you will be safe, and you can attempt to discover magic on your own. Perhaps before we could have found something else, but these days that is no longer an option."

"I will warn you that this life is hard, that it is dangerous, that it is nothing like the children's books would have it. Some days you will hate me, you will curse me, but in the end you will find that there is nothing like this life. You will find spiritual fulfillment and even joy, if you can accept it."

"Even untrained you will likely find that you can live a comfortable life without us, and I can guarantee that you will start on the right path should you leave us. Now, will you take my hand? Or will you take the path to a normal, happy life?"

In that moment, there was no choice. Z clasps the man's hand, and smiles.

"Welcome to the Euthanatos, my young friend."

How do you spend your time? Please vote in plan format.
Major Action:
[x] Initiation (Locked)

Socialize:
[x] Meet the Magi (Locked)

Study Magic (Pick Two):
[] Reading Omens for Dummies
[] How to Fight and Not Die
[] Introduction to Meditation
[] Theology 101
[] Beginner's Philosophy (Also covered by Initiation, doubling down is optional)
 
[x] Plan Mind Over Matter
-[x] Initiation (Locked)
-[x] Meet the Magi (Locked)
-[x] Introduction to Meditation
-[x] Reading Omens for Dummies

Not really that familiar with Mage, but meditation tends to be an important first step in magic in most settings, and reading omens seems like more of a place for a beginner to start than martial arts.
 
Alright... Considering what Z's gonna be nudged towards in the future, martial arts and meditation are gonna be key, especially if the ones in charge are gonna expect us to run before we walk.

[X] Plan: Due Diligence Against Jhor
-[X] Initation (Locked)
-[X} Meet the Magi (Locked)
-[X] Introduction to Meditation
-{x] How to Fight and Not Die
 
[X] Plan Euthanatoi Theology
-[X] Initiation (Locked)
-[X] Meet the Magi (Locked)
-[X] Theology 101
-[X] Beginner's Philosophy (Also covered by Initiation, doubling down is optional)

Understanding the Euthanatoi theology bears the utmost importance. They are walking on a thin line, with the threat of corruption always looming in the background. Their path is not the one to follow blindly.
 
[X]Plan - Don't get killed by technocrats
-{x] How to Fight and Not Die
-[X] Reading Omens for Dummies

Paradox and coincidental casting means that angels Excel at info gathering and playing the spy game. Reading Omens will help us with that, letting us read the future, tell whether an action is safe or not, etc. It will also all be coincidental as there shouldn't be any visible effects.

How to fight and not die is there because, well I'd rather not die and these people are clearly hard pressed given their previous discussion. We joined the losing side of the war
 
Chantry
The Royal Sepulcher
A run-down house somewhere near New York City, run as a Chantry by a group of Euthanatos.

Members:
????????
The Leader?
A brown-skinned, charismatic man who seems to be a leader. Walks with a cane.

??????????
A gaudily dressed Indian woman. Showed off some flying flames.

??????????
A White woman in wearing black robes. Was against including Z.

??????????
A Black man with matted grey hair and a wild beard. Dressed like he's homeless and is perpetually covered in dust.
 
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The Royal Sepulture
A run-down house somewhere near New York City, run as a Chantry by a group of Euthanatos.

Gonna try taking guesses where these leaders are from.

Members:
????????
The Leader?
A brown-skinned, charismatic man who seems to be a leader. Walks with a cane.

I'd say he's chanelling Baron Samedi here, but if I had to guess what faction he's from, I'd pin him for the Court of Ghosts. Then again I don't have much else from the description...

??????????
A gaudily dressed Indian woman. Showed off some flying flames.

Loud Chakravanti. Unless the Taftani's welcome in this Chantry.

??????????
A White woman in wearing black robes. Was against including Z.

I'd pin her for the Albiero. It's in their wheelhouse to be mindful about internal affairs.

??????????
A Black man with matted grey hair and a wild beard. Dressed like he's homeless and is perpetually covered in dust.

This one's harder to pin down. Nothing jumps out, but assuming there's equal representation... I'd pin him as Hierochthonoi?
 
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Gonna try taking guesses where these leaders are from.



I'd say he's chanelling Baron Samedi here, but if I had to guess what faction he's from, I'd pin him for the Court of Ghosts. Then again I don't have much else from the description...



Loud Chakravanti. Unless the Taftani's welcome in this Chantry.



I'd pin her for the Albiero. It's in their wheelhouse to be mindful about internal affairs.



This one's harder to pin down. Nothing jumps out, but assuming there's equal representation... I'd pin him as Hierochthonoi?
I'm not really using the canon subfactions, and all of the Traditions have had some level of change on the back-end. Instead, each represents a different focus within the Tradition.
Oh, is that not fine to say? I saw someone make a similar joke because they saw a cane in a story, so I thought it would be fine. I didn't mean to make fun of your writing or anything.
Firstly, when the joke is just that a person with a disability is a pimp for using a mobility aid, it's flat not funny. (There's no real punchline. Would saying that a scantily clad character is a protitute be funny? Would calling a guy with a Jersey accent a Mafioso?) Just a bit uncomfortable.

Secondly, when that character isn't white it becomes racially charged in a way that takes it to being the exact opposite of funny.
 
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Firstly, when the joke is just that a person with a disability is a pimp for using a mobility aid, it's flat not funny.
Ah that's where it was wrong, I didn't see that he had a disability, I had only just come back from an excursion and saw that there was a character detailed in the Royal Spelchur to have a cane.

There's no real punchline. Would saying that a scantily clad character is a protitute be funny? Would calling a guy with a Jersey accent a Mafioso?) Just a bit uncomfortable.
Scantily clad is one thing, pimp is another. From what I've seen it's a meme that describes a person with certain attire, most noticeably a cane and fedora. I dunno what a mafioso is, and yeah, it was a lame joke. Most of mine are lame. Not all jokes are made to have a punchline, though, unless you want to say that there's 'correct' way to do comedy, in which case I disagree, since formatting should be subjective.

Secondly, when that character isn't white it becomes racially charged in a way that takes it to being the exact opposite of funny.
What? I'm sorry, but I don't understand what race has to do with this. Maybe I didn't learn the things you learned in yor upbringing, but as far as I'm concerned, pimp is in no way related to white people in racial way.
 
Ah that's where it was wrong, I didn't see that he had a disability, I had only just come back from an excursion and saw that there was a character detailed in the Royal Spelchur to have a cane.


Scantily clad is one thing, pimp is another. From what I've seen it's a meme that describes a person with certain attire, most noticeably a cane and fedora. I dunno what a mafioso is, and yeah, it was a lame joke. Most of mine are lame. Not all jokes are made to have a punchline, though, unless you want to say that there's 'correct' way to do comedy, in which case I disagree, since formatting should be subjective.


What? I'm sorry, but I don't understand what race has to do with this. Maybe I didn't learn the things you learned in yor upbringing, but as far as I'm concerned, pimp is in no way related to white people in racial way.
I don't have the time or inclination to teach random internet people how not to be racist. This discussion is now over.
 
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