Mage: The Ascension Revised Edition

Mage: The Ascension Revised Edition advances the Mage metaplot into the Final Nights setting and introducing the Avatar Storm and the end of the Ascension War.

Summary[]

From the White Wolf catalog:

Reality Overthrown!

Their heritage is magic, their quest truth. Every culture has nurtured or condemned them. They lead humanity to the far horizon and beyond. They are mages, the inventors of sorcery, science and faith. For centuries they have battled to define existence and lead humanity to an enlightened age. Now, in an age when technology is humanity's magic, the magicians of yesteryear's mystic Traditions fight for survival and the key to the cosmos itself – Ascension.

Choose Your Truth

The heroes of Mage: The Ascension, revised in the tradition of Vampire: The Masquerade, have lost their war for reality but the struggle continues in this quintessential volume. All of the Traditions are updated and elaborated, along with the history of mages in the World of Darkness. Explore the revised rules of the Spheres, Resonance and Paradox. See the devastating changes that signal the end for the Ascension War, and learn how modern mages survive 2000s Year of Revelations.

Chapters[]

Prologue: Through a Darkened Mirror[]

Opening fiction. A newly Awakened mage is initiated in the ways of the Traditions and introduced to the realities of the Ascension War.

Introduction[]

A brief introduction to the world of Mage and the nature of its protagonists, a guide to using the rulebook, and a brief list of inspirational literature and film.

Source Material
- Books
  - Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance
  - The Book of Five Rings
  - The Once and Future King
  - A Brief History of Time
- Films
  - The Matrix
  - Practical Magic
  - Dark City
  - Cast a Deadly Spell
  - The Raven
  - Rashomon
  - Zardoz
  - Tales from the Crypt: Demon Knight
  - The Wizard of Speed and Time
  - Legend
  - Crossworlds
- Television
  - Kung Fu
  - G vs. E
  - In Search Of
  - Poltergeist: The Legacy
  - Friday the 13th: The Series
  - Quantum Leap
  - The Twilight Zone
  - The Outer Limits
- World of Darkness captured in film
  - The Crow
  - Batman
  - Nick Night
  - Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas
  - Mission: Impossible

Chapter One: A World of Darkness[]

An overview of the World of Darkness and the place of mages within it, and a lexicon of mage terminology.

Lexicon

Chapter Two: The Traditions[]

Details of the mystical Traditions which form the Council of Nine, as well as the Hollow Ones craft.

Chapter Three: Character and Traits[]

Character creation rules.

Avatar Essences
- Dynamic
- Pattern
- Primordial
- Questing
Personality Archetypes: Nature and Demeanor
- Architect
- Autocrat
- Bon Vivant
- Bravo
- Caregiver
- Celebrant
- Child
- Competitor
- Conformist
- Conniver
- Curmudgeon
- Deviant
- Director
- Fanatic
- Gallent
- Judge
- Loner
- Martyr
- Masochist
- Monster
- Pedagogue
- Penitent
- Perfectionist
- Rebel
- Rogue
- Survivor
- Thrill-Seeker
- Traditionalist
- Trickster
- Visionary
Attributes
- Physical
  - Strength
  - Dexterity
  - Stamina
- Social
  - Charisma
  - Manipulation
  - Appearance
- Mental
  - Perception
  - Intelligence
  - Wits
Abilities
- Talents
  - Alertness
  - Athletics
  - Awareness
  - Brawl
  - Dodge
  - Expression
  - Intimidation
  - Leadership
  - Streetwise
  - Subterfuge
- Skills
  - Crafts
  - Drive
  - Etiquette
  - Firearms
  - Meditation
  - Melee
  - Performance
  - Stealth
  - Survival
  - Technology
- Knowledges
  - Academics
  - Computer
  - Cosmology
  - Enigmas
  - Investigation
  - Law
  - Linguistics
  - Medicine
  - Occult
  - Science
Backgrounds
- Allies
- Arcane
- Avatar
- Contacts
- Destiny
- Dream
- Influence
- Library
- Mentor
- Node
- Resources
- Wonder

Chapter Four: The Spheres[]

The abstract and practical applications of Awakened magic, as practiced through an understanding of the nine Spheres. Also details the effects of Paradox.

Correspondence
- • Immediate Spatial Perceptions
- •• Sense Space/Touch Space
- ••• Pierce Space/Seal Gate/Co-Locality Perception
- •••• Rend Space/Co-Locate Self
- ••••• Mutate Localities/Co-Location
Correspondence Effects
- • Sense Connection
- • Landscape of the Mind
- • Whereami?
- •• Apportation
- •• Correspondence Sensing
- •• Ward
- ••• Chain
- ••• The Seven-League Stride
- ••• Filter All-Space
- •••• Bubble of Reality
- •••• Hermes Portal
- •••• Polyappearance
- ••••• Co-location
- ••••• Spatial Mutations
Entropy
- • Sense Fate and Fortune
- •• Control Probability
- ••• Affect Predictable Patterns
- •••• Affect Life
- ••••• Affect Thought
Entropy Effects
- • Locate Disorder and Weakness
- • Ring of Truth
- •• Beginner's Luck
- •• Games of Luck
- ••• Like Clockwork
- ••• Slay Machine
- •••• Blight of Aging
- •••• Midwife's Blessing
- ••••• Binding Oath
- ••••• Mutate Ephemera
Forces
- • Perceive Forces
- •• Control Minor Forces
- ••• Transmute Minor Forces
- •••• Control Major Forces
- ••••• Transmute Major Forces
Forces Effects
- • Darksight
- • Quantify Energy
- •• Electrical Chaos
- •• Energy Shield
- ••• Friction Curse
- ••• Telekinesis
- •••• Embracing the Earth Mother
- •••• Storm Watch
- ••••• Inferno
- ••••• Tempest in a Teapot
Life
- • Sense Life
- •• Alter Simple Patterns/Heal Self
- ••• Alter Self/Transform Simple Patterns
- •••• Alter Complex Patterns/Transform Self
- ••••• Transform Complex Patterns/Perfect Metamorphosis
Life Effects
- • Life Scan
- • Prayer of Healing Revelation
- •• Alter Simple Creature
- •• Heal Self
- ••• Better Body
- ••• Rip the Man-Body
- •••• Mutate Form
- •••• Physiological Emotion Control
- ••••• Animal Form
- ••••• Perfect Metamorphosis
Matter
- • Matter Perceptions
- •• Basic Transmutation
- ••• Alter Form
- •••• Complex Transformation
- ••••• Alter Properties
Matter Effects
- • Analyze Substance
- • Fragments of Dream
- •• Melt and Reform
- •• Straw into Gold
- ••• Destroy Structures
- ••• Sculpture
- •••• Alloy
- •••• Transformers
- ••••• Alter Weight
- ••••• Matter Association
Mind
- • Sense Thoughts and Emotions/Empower Self
- •• Read Surface Thoughts/Mental Impulse
- ••• Mental Link/Dreamwalk
- •••• Control Conscious Mind/Astral Projection
- ••••• Control Subconscious/Untether/Forge Psyche
Mind Effects
- • Mind Empowerment
- • No-Mind
- •• Empathic Projection
- •• Psychic Impression
- ••• Probe Thoughts
- ••• Telepathy
- •••• Manipulate Memory
- •••• Possession
- •••• Astral Projection
- ••••• Create Mind
Prime
- • Etheric Sense/Effuse Personal Quintessence
- •• Weave Odyllic Force/Fuel Pattern/Enchant Patterns/Summon Prime Weapon/Activate Quintessential Matter & Forces
- ••• Channel Quintessence/Sublimate Quintessential Matter & Forces/Active Quintessential Life/Enchant Life
- •••• Expel Base Energy from Matter & Forces/Sublimate Quintessential Life/Permanently Enchant Matter & Forces/Suffuse Matter & Forces/Create Soulgem/Tap Wellspring
- ••••• Expel Base Energy from Life/Alter Quintessential Flow/Nullify Paradox/Permanently Enchant Life/Suffuse Life/Create Soulflower/Create Node/Fountains of Paradise
Prime Effects
- • Consecration
- • Heart's Blood
- • Watch the Weaving
- •• Body of Light
- •• Enchant Weapon
- •• Holy Stroke
- ••• Bond of Blood
- ••• Enchant Life
- ••• Lambs to the Slaughter
- •••• Create Talismans and Artifacts
- •••• Flames of Purification
- •••• Wellspring
- ••••• Fount of Paradise
- ••••• Paradox Ward
- ••••• Master's Enchantment
Spirit
- • Spirit Senses
- •• Touch Spirit
- ••• Pierce Gauntlet
- •••• Rend and Repair Gauntlet/Bind Spirits
- ••••• Forge Ephemera/Outward Journeys
Spirit Effects
- • Detect Possession
- • Spirit Sight
- •• Call Spirit
- •• The Spirit's Caress
- ••• Awaken the Inanimate
- ••• Stepping Sideways
- •••• Affix Gauntlet
- •••• Breach the Gauntlet
- ••••• Break the Dreamshell
- ••••• Deep Umbra Travel
Time
- • Time Sense
- •• Time Sight
- ••• Time Manipulation
- •••• Time Determinism
- ••••• Time Travel/Time Immunity
Time Effects
- • Perfect Time
- • Time Sense
- •• Divinations
- •• Time Wards
- ••• Distort Time
- ••• Time Warp
- •••• Contingent Effect
- •••• Programmed Event
- ••••• Sidestep Time
- ••••• Time Travel

Chapter Five: Rules[]

The basic rules of the Storyteller System.

Chapter Six: Systems and Drama[]

More advanced rules for unusual situations.

Combat Maneuvers
- General Maneuvers
  - Aborting Actions
  - Ambush
  - Blind Fighting/Fire
  - Flank and Rear Attacks
  - Movement
  - Multiple Actions
  - Targeting
- Defensive Maneuvers
  - Block
  - Dodge
  - Parry
  - Desperate Defense
- Close-Combat Maneuvers
  - Clinch
  - Close
  - Disarm
  - Hold
  - Jab Pistol
  - Kick
  - Multiple Opponents
  - Strike
  - Sweep
  - Tackle
  - Weapon Strike
- Ranged Combat Maneuvers
  - Aiming
  - Automatic Fire
  - Cover
  - Multiple Shots
  - Range
  - Reloading
  - Strafing
  - Short Burst
  - Two Weapons
Melee Weapons Chart
Ranged Weapons Chart
Armor
Special Ammunition
- Ectoplasmic Disruptors
- Explosive Shells
- Flechettes
- Incendiary Rounds
- Rubber Bullets
- Taser Bullets
- Tear Gas
- Teflon Bullets

Chapter Seven: A History of the Ascension War[]

A very broad history of the history of the Awakened and the struggle between the Council and the Technocracy, including the current state of play in the Final Nights.

Chapter Eight: Storytelling[]

Advice on running a Mage chronicle.

Chapter Nine: Antagonists[]

Traits and information for various individuals, organizations, creatures, and other threats to modern mages.

Marauders - Stats
Nephandi - Stats
Vampires
- Young Fangbanger - Stats
- Ancient Manipulator - Stats
Werewolves
- Hot-Blooded Warrior - Stats
- Elder Shaman - Stats
Wraiths
- The Newly Dead - Stats
- The Old Ghost - Stats
Changelings
- Mischievous Child - Stats
- Noble Knight - Stats
Hunters
- Arcanum Scholar - Stats
A New Breed?
- Imbued Hunter - Stats

Appendix[]

Optional rules for Merits and Flaws.

Merits and Flaws
- Physical Merits and Flaws
  - Ambidextrous (1-PT. Merit)
  - Catlike Balance (1-PT. Merit)
  - Daredevil (3-PT. Merit)
  - Huge Size (4-PT. Merit)
  - Insensible to Pain (5-PT. Merit)
  - Addiction (1 or 3-PT. Flaw)
  - Defective Sense (1-PT. Flaw)
  - Short (1-PT. Flaw)
  - Disfigured (2-PT. Flaw)
  - One Ear/Eye (2-PT. Flaw)
  - Primal Marks (2-PT. Flaw)
  - Bad Sight (3-PT. Flaw)
  - Deformity (3-PT. Flaw)
  - Degeneration (3, 6 or 9-PT. Flaw)
  - Diminished Attributes (Variable)
  - Lame (3-PT. Flaw)
  - Monstrous (3-PT. Flaw)
  - Permanent Wound (3-PT. Flaw)
  - Slow Healing (3-PT. Flaw)
  - Deaf (4-PT. Flaw)
  - Mute (4-PT. Flaw)
  - Aging (5-PT. Flaw)
  - Mayfly Curse (5 or 10-PT. Flaw)
  - Blind (6-PT. Flaw)
  - Paraplegic (6-PT. Flaw)
- Social Merits and Flaws
  - True Love (4-PT. Merit)
  - Child (1-3-PT. Flaw)
  - Dark Secret (1-PT. Flaw)
  - Mistaken Identity (1-PT. Flaw)
  - Shy (1-PT. Flaw)
  - Witch-Hunted (4-PT. Flaw)
  - Probationary Member (4-PT. Flaw)
- Mental Merits and Flaws
  - Ability Aptitude (1-PT. Merit)
  - Common Sense (1-PT. Merit)
  - Concentration (1-PT. Merit)
  - Light Sleeper (1 to 3-PT. Merit)
  - Lightning Calculator (1-PT. Merit)
  - Time Sense (1-PT. Merit)
  - Berserker (2-PT. Merit)
  - Code of Honor (2-PT. Merit)
  - Eidetic Memory (2-PT. Merit)
  - Iron Will (3-PT. Merit)
  - Compulsion (1 to 4-PT. Merit)
  - Deep Sleeper (1-PT. Flaw)
  - Ineptitude (1-PT. Flaw)
  - Nightmares (1-PT. Flaw)
  - Sleepwalker (1 to 4-PT. Flaw)
  - Soft-Hearted (1-PT. Flaw)
  - Speech Impediment (1-PT. Flaw)
  - Amnesia (2-PT. Flaw)
  - Deranged Phobia (2-PT. Flaw)
  - Short Fuse (2-PT. Flaw)
  - Vengeful (2-PT. Flaw)
  - Ability Deficit (5-PT. Flaw)
- Supernatural Merits and Flaws
  - Conditional Magic (1 to 6-PT. Merit)
  - Green Thumb (1-PT. Merit)
  - Parlor Trick (1-PT. Merit)
  - Circumspect Avatar (2-PT. Merit)
  - Medium (2-PT. Merit)
  - Unaging (2-PT. Merit)
  - Oracular Ability (3-PT. Merit)
  - Cyclic Magic (3-PT. Merit)
  - Manifest Avatar (3-PT. Merit)
  - Lucky (4-PT. Merit)
  - Shapechanger Kin (4-PT. Merit)
  - Twin Souls (4-PT. Merit)
  - Ghoul (5-PT. Merit)
  - Legendary Attribute (5-PT. Merit)
  - Shattered Avatar (5-PT. Merit)
  - Sphere Natural (5-PT. Merit)
  - Avatar Companion (7-PT. Merit)
  - Dual Traditions (7-PT. Merit)
  - True Faith (7-PT. Merit)
  - The Bard's Tongue (1-PT. Flaw)
  - Devil's Mark (1-PT. Flaw)
  - Echoes (1 to 5-PT. Flaw)
  - Geasa (1 to 5-PT. Flaw; Must be attached to another Flaw or Merit)
  - Crucial Component (2 to 5-PT. Flaw)
  - Dark Fate (5-PT. Flaw)
  - Sphere Inept (5-PT. Flaw)
  - Phylactery (7-PT. Flaw)

Epilogue: Striding Forth into the Final Days[]

Fiction. Diary entries from Akashic Brother Dominic LeTarry, detailing his Awakening and the disappearance of his sifu, probably as a result of the Avatar Storm.

Index[]

Character Sheet[]

Background Information[]

The Revised edition of Mage purposefully made the game much darker and grittier, declaring the Ascension War all but lost to the Technocracy, and removing all the most powerful Council mages through the device of the Avatar Storm, which also made it much more difficult for mages to travel through the Umbra. These changes were met with a divided fan reaction.
The Revised edition also formalized a rule system for dealing with Resonance, and abandoned the variant spelling "magick" which was previously used to denote Awakened magic.
Playtesters are credited in the book as: Bruce Baugh, Andrew Bates, Jason Belanger, Deird're Brooks, Ryan Casper, Alex Caton, Scott "Beast Macabre" Cihlar, Kwei-Cee Chu, Kieran Dewhurst, Brian Goodson, Huey Hoague, Joseph M. Jones, Jesse Means, Brooks Miller, Brett Murphy, Charlsie "Here" Patterson, Richard Stratton, Chenaya Strutton, Eric Tolle, Dave Weinstein, Kathy Weinstein, and countless others who may not have been named here, but whose contributions are remembered.
The book is dedicated to those who keep the magic alive. You know who you are.
The Book's Index is notorious, often with completely wrong page numbers leading to other sections of the book not related at all to the indexed item.
Ads at the back of the book include: Laws of Ascension (Early 2001), Exalted (Before the...)
A Limited Edition of this book was also released.

Memorable Quotes[]

(...)

Characters[]

Chapter Two: The Traditions
- David, "Dave" - Mage
- Mark
- Catherine
Chapter Three: Character and Traits
- John - Mage
- Donald - Mage
- June - Mage
- Haman - Mage
- Tina - Mage
- Marcus - Hermetic
- Charles - Mage
- Geri - Mage
- Dewy - Etherite
- Lana Tulane - Etherite
- "X" - Mage
- Casey - Mage
- Minx - Mage
- Jared - Mage
- Lee Ann
- Michele - Mage
- Cochrane - Mage
- Markov - Mage
- Librescu - Hollow One
- Layton - Mage
- Lisa - Mage
- Billy - Mage
- Duke - Mage
- Marcia - Mage
- Blackwell - Mage, Died
- Andy - Mage
- Zephr - Mage
- Lu - Mage
- Mary-Joan - Mage
- Rafter - Mage
- Missy - Mage
- Brandon - Mage
- Blue - Cultist
- Reny - Mage
- Susan - Mage
- Kyle - Mage, Lee Ann's student
- Vern - Mage
- Klaus - Mage
- Oz - Mage
- Remy - Mage
- Shima - Mage
- Montreaux - Mage
- Jack Black
- Gerard - Mage
- Victor - Mage
- Wescott - Mage
- Blandine - Mage
- Maphis - Mage
- Jodi
- Xian - Mage
- Terry - Mage
- Habeeb - Mage
- Monchello - Mage
- William - Mage
- Flynn - Mage
- Azure - Mage
- Father Shelley - Mage
- Sybil - Mage
- Dakota - Dreamspeaker
- Nicky - Mage
- Patricia - Mage
- Dedmund - Mage
- Barbara - Mage
- Chin - Mage
- Ashe - Mage
- Nicole - Mage
- Xavier - Mage
- Jamie - Mage
- Boyde - Mage
Chapter Four: The Spheres
- Michael - Mage
- Walter - Mage
Chapter Five: Rules
- Colin - Hermetic
- Mary Chen - Akashic Brotherhood
- Raven - Verbena
- Father Michael - Celestial Chorus
- Jag - Virtual Adept
- Loraine - Mage
- Nessa - Jag's Ally, Mage
- Jules - Jag's Ally, Mage
Chapter Six: Systems and Drama
- Stacy Zurck - Virtual Adept
- Jonathan Hart, "Dante"
- Mioshi - Dreamspeaker
- Aeon - Virtual Adept
Chapter Seven: A History of the Ascension War
- Tomas - Mage
- Mister P.
- Alan Turing
Chapter Eight: Storytelling
- Dell - Mage
- Melissa - Mage
Chapter Nine: Antagonists
- Smile - Void Engineer
- Roberts - Technocrat Mage, Traitor
- Goratrix
- Ingrid Bauer
- Colonel Bryant Shields - NSA
Epilogue: Striding Forth into the Final Days
- Janet - Left relationship with Dominic
- Dominic LeTarry

Terminology[]

Lexicon: Common Parlance: Acolyte, Arete, Ascension, Ascension War, Arcane, Avatar, The Awakened, The Awakening, Branding, Bygone, Cabal, Censure, Chantry, Coincidental Magic, Convention, Craft, Deep Umbra, Demon, Dream Realms, Epiphany, Familiar, Focus, Gaia, Gate, The Gauntlet, Gilgul, Hollow Ones, The Horizon, Hubris, Initiation, Mage, Magic, Marauder, Metaphysic Trinity, Methodology, Mystic, Near Umbra, Nephandus, Node, Oracle, Orphans, Ostracism, Otherworlds, Paradox, Paradox Realm, Paradox Spirit, Path (Destiny), Pattern, Procedures, Pure Ones, The Pogrom, Portal, Prime, The Protocols, Quiet, Quintessence, Realms, Resonance, Rote, Seeking, Shade Realm, Shard Realm, Sleeper, Sphere, Static Reality, Symposium, Tass, The Tapestry, Technocracy, Tellurian, Tradition, Tribunal, Umbra, Umbrood, Vulgar Magic, Wonder, Wyck; Titles: Adept, Apprentice, Bani, Barabbi, Celestine, Consor, Deacon, Disciple, Errant, Fellow, Incarna, Lord, Master, Mentor, Minion, Pedagogue, Preceptor, Primus, Rogue, Sentinel, Technomancer, Tutor; Old Form: Certámen, The Curtain, Custos, Fallen One, Grog, Magus, Postulant, Turb, Vis; Vulgar Argot: Black Hats & Mirrorshades, Bloodwork, Copperfield, Crystal Wavers, Doxed, Dram, Faust, Freak, Fry, Goin' Satanic, Grayface, Juice, Merlin, Mundane, Nuke, Pit Bulls, Technobabble, Wyld & Fried; 332 BCE, 1325, 1700s, 1800s, 1834, 1920s, 1999, Arcanum, Armageddon, Astral Umbra, August 13, August 16, August 20, August 22, Avatar Storm, Black Labyrinth, Cabal of Pure Thought, Celestial Masters, Ceoris, Changeling, Code of Ananda, Concordia, Construct, Council of Nine (AB (Shi-Ren, Li-Hai, Kannagara, Jnani, Vajrapani, Wu Lung), CC (Anchorites, Septarian, Latitudinarians, Monists, Alexandrian Society, Sons of Mithras, Children of Albi, Nashimites, Knights Templar), CoE (Aghoris, Acharne, Hagalaz, Dissonance Society, K'an Lu, Klubwerks), DS (Keepers of the Sacred Fire, Solitaries, Ghost Wheel Society, Red Spear Society, Baruti), E (Natatapas, Madzimbabwe, Pomegrante Deme, Aided, Lhaksmists, Golden Chalice, Knights of Radamanthys, Albireo), OoH (House Bonisagus, House Ex Miscellanea, House Flambeau, House Fortunae, House Janissary, House Quaesitor, House Shaea, House Solificati, House Thig, House Tytalus), SoE (Ethernauts, Utopians, Cybernauts, Progressivists, Mad Scientist, Adventurers), V (Gardeners of the Tree, Twisters of Fate, Moon-Seekers, Lifeweavers), VA (Cyberpunk, Cypherpunks, Chaoticians, Reality Hacker, Nexplorers), HO (Councilor, Revolutionaries)), Dark Umbra, Device, Digital Web, Do, Doissetep, Fetish, Harrowing, Horizon, House Tremere, Imbued, Infernal, Inquisition, Kitab al Alacir, K'llashaa, Maeljin Incarna, Malfean, Malfeas, Malleus Neffandorum, Mythic Age, NSA, October 10, One, Order of Reason, Paradigm, Paradigma, Penumbra, Reckoning, Red Star, Sanctum, Sending, September 6, September 9, September 10, September 12, September 20, Society of Leopold, Talisman, Tremere, Trinary Computer, Vampire, Void Seekers, Werewolf, Widderslanite, World War II, Wraith,

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