Shadow Name

When a newly awakened Mage enters the complex society of orders and consilii, he is strongly advised to use a so called Shadow Name. Names -True Names in particular- have power, because they are a connection to the entity they denote. An enemy that can't be accurately named is an enemy that can't be easily targeted with magic. A mage uses her shadow name the same way an attendee of a masquerade ball uses a mask. Not only does it hide her true self, it also facilitates the mage's taking on a different persona, ideally one that is better suited for working magic.