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salineaSo, I'm setting up a Mage : Sorcerers' Crusade : Pirates of the Caribbean game for soon. Characters creation set up for in 14 days; and thankfully yesterday I finally got into the mood to work seriously at it. At least when I get Mage inspiration, it's very inspiring as always (bad for my sleeping habit though). So far I've mostly meditated on the system/charsheet, following some of the previous thoughts I posted on the journal some time ago (*checks* Hmmm one year ago; how time flies):
Yep, French :p
So I'm using the core nWoD system + the oWoD magic system & setting + some modifications I made or pilfered from other Mage hacks.
Name, Player, Chronicle, Concept - All standards
Nature, Motivation: For the willpower system, I'm thinking mixing good old oWoD/Exalted 1sted Nature/Archetype with Motivation (makes major steps toward motivation, regain all WP). Then again, I don't remember ever using Nature for its supposed role of regaining Willpower in any oWoD game ever, so perhaps it's not so useful asudes from roleplaying indication. Need to re-read chapters about alternative to Virtues/Vices in Mirror for ideas. Possibly use Core Belief from Ascension Reloaded Mage Hack.
Essence: as of oWoD they are Primodial, Dynamic, Pattern & Questing; but the refocused into being about one's vision of Ascension, the Path of Enlightnement they walk. Basically, what they think that magic is for, what they want to do with it on a large scale. Might have to rename it "Path" actually, since the idea that it's the nature of your avatar doesn't work well with that. Also define an Attribute the Mage receives a +1 to (for the sake of having high Willpower, really).
• Primordial – self improvement, becoming gods, transcending – (Resolve)
• Pattern – protecting & helping humanity, guarding & nurturing one's community – (Composure)
• Questing – solving mysteries, new understanding of the world, impossible deeds – (Resolve)
• Dynamic – changing the world through magic – (Composure)
Resonance: Good old resonance : an interesting an compelling idea that never had any implementation in game that was any useful or not utterly vague. Not sure how I'll use it here asides from general vibes your magic is like as a roleplaying indication. Possibly in order to regain Quintessence.
Affiliation: Your Tradition/Convention/Craft. Most Traditions and Crafts are little more than a broad set of similar philosophies with little organization. Most focus and organization is done at the local/area scale of the Chantries.
Way: The kind of Paradigm the Mage follows (possibly should rename this Foundation instead). Those are Theurgy, Esotericism, Ecstasy, Rationalism and Witchcraft. Defined as:
Will play into how difficult it is to work magic with people in different Affiliation; and possibly how welcoming a local Consensus may be to a Paradigm.
I'm also toying with the idea of allowing some supernatural Merits at half price depending on the Way: Avatar and Destiny for Theurgy, Arcane and Sanctum for Esotericism, Wonder and Library for Rationalism, Familiar or Node for Witchcraft, Dream or Awareness for Ecstasy. I'm not really sure that would be balanced though, so I need to think further about it.
Chantry: The local organisation one belongs to.
Cabal: the group of player - probably entirely useless and redundant. :p
I'll probably get two speciality Sphere (Character must start with one dot in either of those two; they cost less xp to improve) depending on both Essence and Way:
• Life (Questing)
• Forces (Dynamic)
• Matter (Pattern)
• Spirit (Ecstasy)
• Connection (Esotericism)
• Time (Witchcraft)
• Mind (Primordial)
• Fortune (Rationalism)
• Prime (Theurgy)
Set of Skills is basic nWoD with Drive replaced with Riding, Firearms replaced with Archery (I really should call it marksmanship instead though) and Computer with a Lore that can serve for any lack. Actually I'm a moron, I need to add a Sail skill somewhere, if we're playing Pirates.
Spheres are the oWoD set, with Corresponce renamed Connection and Entropy renamed Fortune for the sake of Renaissance! (well 17th century anyway).
Power stat would be renamed Enlightenment with the sheet was in English, but i do not have a great translation of that so I'm keeping the old French translation instead. Spell casting will be done with that trait for improvised casting without focus; with Enlightenment + relevant Skills for improvised casting with focus; and with Enlightenment + relevant Skill + Sphere for Rote casting. Quintessence can be used to add dice to that dice pool; and for a variety of things stolen from Awakening the list of which I'm not entirely certain of yet; like wise for difficulty to casting.
Merits will be the usual nWoD plus whatever oWoD Backgrounds and Advantages seem to fit without unbalancing the game.
Willpower (equals to Resolve + Composure) points can be spent to add automatic success.
Instead of a Morality trait; I'm going with a flexible Virtue system similar to Scion (an idea pilfered from the Ascension Reloaded Mage hack) and my set of Virtues is Compassion, Courage, Duty, Expression, Fortitude, Harmony, Intellect, Justice, Freedom, Loyalty, Order, Temperance. I'll allow for them to boost a dicepool when acting in accordance with Virtue (once per game session per virtue? once per virtue dot per story?); acting against Virtue requires failing a Virtue roll, or could be done straight away at the cost of decreasing the Virtue by one. Virtues shift happens from roleplay or Questing.
I think that covers most of what I have so far... Thoughts are always welcome.
Yep, French :p
So I'm using the core nWoD system + the oWoD magic system & setting + some modifications I made or pilfered from other Mage hacks.
Name, Player, Chronicle, Concept - All standards
Nature, Motivation: For the willpower system, I'm thinking mixing good old oWoD/Exalted 1sted Nature/Archetype with Motivation (makes major steps toward motivation, regain all WP). Then again, I don't remember ever using Nature for its supposed role of regaining Willpower in any oWoD game ever, so perhaps it's not so useful asudes from roleplaying indication. Need to re-read chapters about alternative to Virtues/Vices in Mirror for ideas. Possibly use Core Belief from Ascension Reloaded Mage Hack.
Essence: as of oWoD they are Primodial, Dynamic, Pattern & Questing; but the refocused into being about one's vision of Ascension, the Path of Enlightnement they walk. Basically, what they think that magic is for, what they want to do with it on a large scale. Might have to rename it "Path" actually, since the idea that it's the nature of your avatar doesn't work well with that. Also define an Attribute the Mage receives a +1 to (for the sake of having high Willpower, really).
• Primordial – self improvement, becoming gods, transcending – (Resolve)
• Pattern – protecting & helping humanity, guarding & nurturing one's community – (Composure)
• Questing – solving mysteries, new understanding of the world, impossible deeds – (Resolve)
• Dynamic – changing the world through magic – (Composure)
Resonance: Good old resonance : an interesting an compelling idea that never had any implementation in game that was any useful or not utterly vague. Not sure how I'll use it here asides from general vibes your magic is like as a roleplaying indication. Possibly in order to regain Quintessence.
Affiliation: Your Tradition/Convention/Craft. Most Traditions and Crafts are little more than a broad set of similar philosophies with little organization. Most focus and organization is done at the local/area scale of the Chantries.
Way: The kind of Paradigm the Mage follows (possibly should rename this Foundation instead). Those are Theurgy, Esotericism, Ecstasy, Rationalism and Witchcraft. Defined as:
- Theurgy : Magic is the power of the Divine flowing through a Mage
- Esotericism: formulaic magic based on complex systems of representation and initiation to secret knowledge
- Rationalism: Magic based on science and technology, both hard and soft sciences
- Witchcraft: folk magic, mix-and-match systems based on superstitions, storytelling, nature, art & crafts and every day life
- Ecstasy: Shamanic trance, pushing the body & mind, crossing boundaries, breaking taboos
Will play into how difficult it is to work magic with people in different Affiliation; and possibly how welcoming a local Consensus may be to a Paradigm.
I'm also toying with the idea of allowing some supernatural Merits at half price depending on the Way: Avatar and Destiny for Theurgy, Arcane and Sanctum for Esotericism, Wonder and Library for Rationalism, Familiar or Node for Witchcraft, Dream or Awareness for Ecstasy. I'm not really sure that would be balanced though, so I need to think further about it.
Chantry: The local organisation one belongs to.
Cabal: the group of player - probably entirely useless and redundant. :p
I'll probably get two speciality Sphere (Character must start with one dot in either of those two; they cost less xp to improve) depending on both Essence and Way:
• Life (Questing)
• Forces (Dynamic)
• Matter (Pattern)
• Spirit (Ecstasy)
• Connection (Esotericism)
• Time (Witchcraft)
• Mind (Primordial)
• Fortune (Rationalism)
• Prime (Theurgy)
Set of Skills is basic nWoD with Drive replaced with Riding, Firearms replaced with Archery (I really should call it marksmanship instead though) and Computer with a Lore that can serve for any lack. Actually I'm a moron, I need to add a Sail skill somewhere, if we're playing Pirates.
Spheres are the oWoD set, with Corresponce renamed Connection and Entropy renamed Fortune for the sake of Renaissance! (well 17th century anyway).
Power stat would be renamed Enlightenment with the sheet was in English, but i do not have a great translation of that so I'm keeping the old French translation instead. Spell casting will be done with that trait for improvised casting without focus; with Enlightenment + relevant Skills for improvised casting with focus; and with Enlightenment + relevant Skill + Sphere for Rote casting. Quintessence can be used to add dice to that dice pool; and for a variety of things stolen from Awakening the list of which I'm not entirely certain of yet; like wise for difficulty to casting.
Merits will be the usual nWoD plus whatever oWoD Backgrounds and Advantages seem to fit without unbalancing the game.
Willpower (equals to Resolve + Composure) points can be spent to add automatic success.
Instead of a Morality trait; I'm going with a flexible Virtue system similar to Scion (an idea pilfered from the Ascension Reloaded Mage hack) and my set of Virtues is Compassion, Courage, Duty, Expression, Fortitude, Harmony, Intellect, Justice, Freedom, Loyalty, Order, Temperance. I'll allow for them to boost a dicepool when acting in accordance with Virtue (once per game session per virtue? once per virtue dot per story?); acting against Virtue requires failing a Virtue roll, or could be done straight away at the cost of decreasing the Virtue by one. Virtues shift happens from roleplay or Questing.
I think that covers most of what I have so far... Thoughts are always welcome.
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no subject
Date: 17 April 2011 04:39 am (UTC)Also you're making me miss tabletop.
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Date: 17 April 2011 12:03 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 17 April 2011 08:29 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 16 April 2011 06:36 pm (UTC)(beaucoup me passe très clairement autant au-dessus de la tête qu'un dirigeable, mais WOOHOO oWoD system + nWoD attributes! *dieappearancedie*)
no subject
Date: 16 April 2011 10:57 pm (UTC)Tu es libre le 30 Avril? :3
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Date: 16 April 2011 11:00 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 16 April 2011 11:20 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 17 April 2011 07:15 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 16 April 2011 08:32 pm (UTC)To shun the gates of hell,
But against him I rebelled as I sailed,
He shoved a bible in my hand
But I left it in the sand
And I pulled away from land,
As I sailed
I think this sounds grand. :-) A setting rife with adventure and culture clashes for sure.
I like that you're using Vices and that you have created new ones. I'd love to hear more about them when you have time.
no subject
Date: 16 April 2011 10:59 pm (UTC)I've been wanting to run a SC game inspired by PotC ever since i watched the second movie really!!! so this is long in the making ♥
I like that you're using Vices and that you have created new ones
You mean Virtues? :D It's one of the rare good thing in the Scion system; I mainly got the ones from Ascension Reloaded, renamed a few, erased a few. I'll translate the one line description I have of them tomorrow if you want.
no subject
Date: 17 April 2011 08:43 am (UTC)I'd love to read more abou them.
no subject
Date: 17 April 2011 12:00 pm (UTC)Courage – Will to struggle against threats and show off one's bravery
Duty – Accomplish what's expected of us, respect for community's authority
Expression – Appreciation for art, creativity and individualism
Fortitude – Bearing adversity with dignity, being ready to self-sacrifice
Harmony – Valuing peace and balance, willingness to compromise
Intellect – Exaltation of reason, knowledge and truth
Justice – Valuing punishing wrong doings and rewarding good deeds
Freedom – Independence from control
Loyalty – Repaying trust placed in oneself, honesty and faithfulness
Order – Placing values in rules, laws, organisation and forms
Temperance – Moderation, patience and self control
Do you think they work well as a set for Mage? Do you see any big lack or redundancy?
no subject
Date: 16 April 2011 08:35 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 16 April 2011 11:22 pm (UTC)Les Traditions de base sont: Fraternité Akashique (les moines boudhistes qui font du kung fu); les Ahl i Batin (les Musulmans qui sont subtils); les Chakravanti (les nécromanciens et assassins sacrés d'Inde); le Choeur Céleste (Chrétiens hérétiques, Gnostiques et autres Mithraïstes qui font des miracles); les Oniromanciens (la tradition foure tout des mages chamanistes de tous les coins du monde); l'Ordre d'Hermes (LA tradition ésoterique d'Europe à base d'astrologie, d'alchimie, de goetie et d'hermétisme); les Sahajiya (Devins du proche Orient et d'Inde utilisant des techniques d'extase pour déclancher l'illumination); les Solificati (les Alchimistes); les Verbena (les paganistes qui dance nus sous la lune et font des sacrifices sanglant) - évidemment c'est très stéréotypé c'est pourquoi je souligne le côté ce sont principalement des groupements vagues, qui désignent de vagues rapprochements philosophiques plus que de réelles organisations (à par, par example, l'Ordre d'Hermes, et encore); et qui sont souvent le reflet d'un point de vu hautement ethnocentristes des Mages qui ont rassemblés les Traditions.
Les Convention de l'Ordre de Raison sont les Artificier (les maître de la poudre et de fabrications d'engins, d'origine Chinoise); la Cabale de la Pensée Pure (les Inquisiteurs et autres ordres religieux dogmatiques); les Maîtres Célestes (qui tel Cyrano, voyagent dans les Royaumes lointains et astrologiques); les Artisants Maçons (Franc-Maçon égalitaires, ouvriers et architectes utopistes qui ont lancer la première volée de la guerre de l'Ascension); la Haute Guilde (les Financiers et commerçant qui pense que l'on peut tout acheter *cough*Becket*cough*); les Cercle Hippocratique (Médecines et Naturalistes); les Ksirafai (Espions et assassins très secrets *cough*Mercer*cough*) et les Quêteurs du Vide (explorateurs et cartographeurs qui veulent découvrir et nommer tous les coins de la terre).
A ceux ci tu peux ajouter un grand nombre de 'Craft' indépendants qui peuvent être pertinants; comme sera certainement le cas des Bata'a, une affiliation de prêtres Vaudou et des autres religions nés du syncrétisme entre la religion Yoruba, le Christianisme et les religions des Amérindiens en Amérique etc.
Donc j'insiste : les options à la création de perso sont très libre pour le moment : n'importe qui qui se rattache d'un système de pensée, qui peut être religieux, politique, scientifique, philosophique, ésotérique etc. peuvent être un Mage. Dans certain cas celui ci peut être très individualisé et personnel et fait de bric et broc, car certains Mages sont aussi des Orphelins autodidacte.
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Date: 17 April 2011 12:42 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 23 April 2011 08:53 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 23 April 2011 09:28 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 23 April 2011 09:43 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 25 April 2011 09:04 pm (UTC)