Consors are custos of mages who have certain unique skills, powers, or abilities in their own right. Consors are generally fully aware of the nature of mages and the Ascension War, though they are not Awakened themselves.
In Ars Magica, consors is singular, with the plural consortis.[1]
Overview[]
Technically speaking, consors are considered to rank below apprentices in the hierarchy of Awakened society, though higher than acolytes.[2] Unlike acolytes, consors are fully involved in the life of the mage, and often far more loyal; they know what they're getting themselves into, and stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the mage anyway. Mages consequently relate to their consors more as equal partners than as employees or assistants. Even Nephandi and Marauders recognize the value of their consors, though any consors of such mages are likely to be just as corrupt or insane as the mages themselves.[3]
The Technocracy typically refers to consors as "operatives"[4] or "extraordinary citizens"[5]
Types of Consors[]
Highly skilled mortals, such as doctors, scientists or soldiers, may count as consors if they are aware of the true nature of reality. Other consors include psychics, sorcerers and other users of linear magic.
Vampires, werewolves and other such beings also may count as consors; although their abilities are quite different from most mages, they can be powerful individuals in their own right. Typically they choose to work with mages only so far as their agendas are compatible, such as a Garou who allies with a Dreamspeaker to wrangle a dangerous spirit.
Spirits, wraiths, constructs (such as golem and robots) and even stranger creatures from Horizon realms may also serve as consors.[3]
Motivations[]
Consors work with mages for a variety of reasons, and mages of different types attract or seek out different sorts of consors. Those who don't fit in with mainstream society for some reason may find more freedom living and working with mages.[6] This includes those who have some minor supernatural ability of their own, or want to learn one, even if they're not Awakened. Other consors are family, friends, or lovers of a mage.[7] The Bastet werecats often associate with mages out of simply curiosity.[8]
Of course, mages may actively recruit consors with specific qualities or skills. Other consors are coerced, blackmailed or outright kidnapped and forced into service.[9] The rewards of service sometimes include monetary compensation, but in the case of consors there is also usually a social bond of loyalty or camaraderie. Some mages tutor their consors, while others provide magical services, such as access to a Horizon realm. Conversely, fear of punishment or death may keep a consor in service to a cruel master.[10]
References[]
- ↑ ArM: Ars Magica Revised Edition, p. 10
- ↑ MTAs: Mage: The Ascension 20th Anniversary Edition, p. 141
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 MTAs: Ascension's Right Hand, p. 15
- ↑ MTAs: Ascension's Right Hand, p. 24-25
- ↑ MTAs: Mage: The Ascension 20th Anniversary Edition, p. 162
- ↑ ArM: Ars Magica Revised Edition, p. 13-14
- ↑ MTAs: Ascension's Right Hand, p. 39
- ↑ MTAs: Ascension's Right Hand, p. 19
- ↑ MTAs: Ascension's Right Hand, p. 40-43
- ↑ MTAs: Ascension's Right Hand, p. 43-46
- MTAs/cMET: Laws of Ascension Companion, p. 20
- HTR: The Spellbound, p. 101-102