The Mage: The Ascension rulebook was the first book published for the Mage: The Ascension game line, detailing mages and their magicks.
Summary[]
From the White Wolf catalog:
- The closing of a millennium is at hand. We have been crushed in a vice. Trapped between rigid law and black chaos. All we have wrought with magick is forgotten.
- The Technocracy, Rational, Resolute, Ruthless. It rules the crystalline earth and suffocates us in webs of steel.
- The Marauders, Unknowable, Unpredictable, Unholy. They rule the outcast realms and drown us in ceaseless discord.
- The Nephandi, Damned, Diabolic, Destructive. They rule the nethermost voids and constrict us within the Wyrm's coils.
- We have failed to heal the growing paradox. Our timid tinkering has won us little ground. But perhaps you will not ear to strike firmly to wield the full force of your fury. Perhaps you will battle them as we could not... perhaps the time has come.
Contents[]
Prologue: The Awakening[]
Tells the story of a potential Mage Raphael who is introduced to the world of Mage by Madame Wo.
Book One[]
Chapter One: Introduction[]
On the concepts and ideas behind the Storyteller System, an overview of what Mage is, including summaries of the beliefs of mages and the factions and enemies. There is also a Lexicon of Mage terms.
Chapter Two: Setting[]
A discussion of Gothic-Punk and the role it plays in Mage, details on the origins of mages, the Ascension War, the Technocracy, Marauders, Nephandi, and the Traditions, and about Magick and Spheres, and the roles other supernaturals and realms (such as the Tellurian and the Umbra).
Chapter Three: Storytelling[]
How to be a storyteller for Mage is detailed in this chapter, including creating chronicles, storylines, and conflict, using classic storytelling techniques such as flashback and parallel stories and how to prepare players and storytellers for a chronicle.
Book Two[]
Chapter Four: Rules[]
The classic rules of gameplay, including the passage of time in Mage, dice rolling, actions, character ratings, difficulties, botches, and other assorted info, and a list of terms used in game.
Chapter Five: Character[]
How to create a mage for fun and profit, including sample character creation and questions to ask about your character as you go along.
Chapter Six: Traits[]
All the details a mage will need, including info on each Tradition, Archetypes, Attributes, Abilities, Essences, Backgrounds, Arete, Quintessence, Willpower, and Paradox.
- Archetypes
- Architect
- Avant-Garde
- Bon Vivant
- Bravo
- Caregiver
- Conformist
- Conniver
- Critic
- Curmudgeon
- Deviant
- Director
- Fanatic
- Jester
- Judge
- Loner
- Martyr
- Rebel
- Survivor
- Traditionalist
- Visionary
- Essences
- Dynamic
- Pattern
- Primordial
- Questing
- Attributes
- Physical
- Strength
- Dexterity
- Stamina
- Social
- Charisma
- Manipulation
- Appearance
- Mental
- Perception
- Intelligence
- Wits
- Physical
- Abilities
- Talents
- Alertness
- Athletics
- Awareness
- Brawl
- Dodge
- Expression
- Intuition
- Intimidation
- Streetwise
- Subterfuge
- Skills
- Drive
- Etiquette
- Firearms
- Leadership
- Meditation
- Melee
- Research
- Stealth
- Survival
- Technology
- Knowledges
- Computer
- Cosmology
- Culture
- Enigmas
- Investigation
- Law
- Linguistics
- Medicine
- Occult
- Science
- Talents
- Backgrounds
- Allies
- Arcane
- Avatar
- Destiny
- Dream
- Influence
- Library
- Mentor
- Node
- Talisman
Book Three[]
Chapter Seven: Magick[]
Details on how magick works for mages, information on foci, and complete information on the nine Spheres and how to use them and rotes.
- Spheres
- Correspondence
- • Immediate Spatial Perceptions
- •• Correspondence Perceptions
- ••• Shift through Space/Co-locality Perception
- •••• Blend Localities/Co-locate Self
- ••••• Mutate Localities/Co-location
- Correspondence Effects
- • Landscape of the Mind
- •• Correspondence Sensing
- ••• The Seven-League Stride
- ••• Divided Sight
- ••• Filter All-Space
- •••• Dreamer's Shroud from Day
- •••• Ripple through Space
- •••• Hermes' Portal
- •••• Polyappearance
- •••• Stalking the Void
- ••••• Spatial Mutations
- ••••• Free Conjunction
- ••••• Co-location
- Entropy
- • Perceive Entropy
- •• Control Randomness
- ••• Diffuse Energy/Destroy Matter
- •••• Wither Life
- ••••• Intellectual Entropy
- Entropy Effects
- • Dim Mak
- • Locate Disorder
- •• Games of Luck
- ••• Slay Machine
- ••• Erode Matter
- •••• Blight of Aging
- •••• Heart Murmurs
- ••••• Destroy Thought
- Forces
- • Perceive Forces
- •• Control Lesser Forces
- ••• Spawn Lesser Forces
- •••• Control Major Forces
- ••••• Spawn Major Forces
- Forces Effects
- • Darksight
- • Quantify Energy
- •• Discharge Static
- •• System Havoc
- •• Call Lightning
- •••• Telekinetic Control
- •••• Embracing the Earth Mother
- •••• Walking on Water
- Life
- • Sense Life
- •• Alter Simple Patterns
- ••• Alter Self/Create Simple Patterns
- •••• Alter Life
- ••••• Create Life Patterns
- Life Effects
- • Genetics Scan
- • Prayer of Healing Revelation
- •• Little Good Death
- •• Mold Tree
- •• Heal Simple Creature
- ••• Ho Tien Chi
- ••• Better Body
- •••• Mutate Form
- •••• Rip the Man-Body
- •••• Physiological Emotion Control
- ••••• Animal Form
- Matter
- • Matter Perceptions
- •• Create Unified Patterns
- ••• Alter Matter/Pattern Disassociation
- •••• Transmutation/Quilted Forms
- ••••• New Substances or Structures
- Matter Forces
- • Fragments of Dream
- • Analyze Substance
- ••• Matter Pattern Disassociation
- ••• Sculpture
- ••• Alter Weight
- ••• Alter State
- ••• Destroy Structures
- •••• Transmutation
- ••••• Tapping the Signal
- Mind
- • Empower Self
- •• Mental Impulse
- ••• Mental Link
- •••• Control Minds
- ••••• Untether
- Mind Effects
- • Multi-Tasking
- •• Pathos
- •• Subliminal Impulse
- •• No-Mind
- ••• Telepathy
- ••• Graphic Transmission
- ••• Probe Thoughts
- •••• Possession
- •••• Manipulate Memory
- ••••• Untether
- Prime
- • Store Quintessence
- •• Fuel Pattern
- ••• Channel Quintessence
- •••• Expel Base Energy
- ••••• Alter Flow
- Prime Effects
- • The Rush
- • Sense Quintessence
- •• Rubbing of the Bones
- ••• Bond of Blood
- ••• Create Talisman
- •••• Flames of Purification
- ••••• Recharge Gift
- Spirit
- • Spirit Sight/Spirit Sense
- •• Call Spirits/Plumb the Deep Umbra
- ••• Travel Spirit
- •••• Fabricate Spirit/Control Gauntlet
- ••••• Outward Journeys
- Spirit Effects
- • Spirit Sight
- •• Call Spirit
- ••• Stepping Sideways
- •••• Breach the Gauntlet
- •••• Psychic Sterilization
- •••• Gauntlet Prison
- •••• Create Fetish
- ••••• Break the Dreamshell
- ••••• Deep Umbra Travel
- Time
- • Time Sense
- •• Past/Future Sight
- ••• Time Contraction/Dilation
- •••• Time Determinism
- ••••• Future Travel/Time Immunity
- Time Effects
- • Time Sense
- •• Internal Clock
- •• Postcognition
- •• Songs of Future Days
- ••• Accelerate Time
- ••• Slow Time
- •••• Programmed Event
- ••••• Time Travel
- ••••• Sidestep Time
- Correspondence
- Rotes
- Correspondence Rotes
- FOR NEXT Loop (•••• Correspondence, •••• Life, •• Forces)
- Personal Compression (••••• Correspondence, ••• Life)
- Play Back (•• Correspondence, •• Time)
- Semi Auto CAD CAM (••••• Correspondence, ••• Matter)
- Entropy Rotes
- Curse of the Mayfly (•••• Entropy, •••• Life)
- Delion's Haze (•• Entropy, •• Time)
- Magdeline's Dynamic Mind (•• Entropy, •••• Mind)
- Shango's Grave (••• Entropy, ••••• Forces, •• Matter, •• Prime)
- Forces Rotes
- Ball of Abysmal Flame (••••• Forces, •• Prime)
- Pulse of the Electro-Stream (••• Forces, •• Prime)
- Unseen Arm (••••• Forces, •• Prime)
- Veil of Invisibility (•• Forces, ••• Life)
- Life Rotes
- Fluids of Death (•••• Life, •••• Entropy)
- Flesh Toys (••• or ••••• Life, •• Prime)
- Imbue Flesh (•• Life, •• Spirit)
- Uther's Butchered Visage (••• Life, • Mind)
- Matter Rotes
- The Incredible Shrunken Machine (••••• Matter, ••• Forces, •• Prime)
- Spontaneous Material Construction (•• Matter, •• Prime)
- Talisman Transmogrification (••• Matter, ••• Prime)
- Transephemeration Ray Projector (••• Matter, ••• Life)
- Mind Rotes
- The Blissful Discipline (•••• Mind, ••• Forces, •• Prime)
- Sense the Echo of the Dragon (••• Mind, •• Time)
- Serene Temple (• Mind, • Life)
- Prime Rotes
- Hymn of Beatific Harmony (••• Prime, •••• Correspondence)
- Mark of the Beast (••• Prime, ••• Correspondence, • Life)
- Radiate Prime's Energy (••• Prime, •• Entropy)
- Spirit Pilgrimage (••••• Prime, ••• Life)
- Spirit Rotes
- Dream Locus (•• Spirit, ••• Matter)
- Drums of Elemental Fire (•• Spirit, •• Forces, •• Matter)
- Leap Beyond (••••• Spirit, ••••• Mind)
- Leap Sideways (••• Spirit, ••• Correspondence)
- Time Rotes
- Peeping Tom (•• Time, ••• Correspondence)
- Sugar Magnolias (•••• Time, •• Mind)
- Tune in, Turn On, Drop Out (•••• Time, ••• Life)
- Zen and the Art of Panhandling (••••• Time, •• Forces, ••• Prime)
- Correspondence Rotes
Chapter Eight: Systems[]
Information on character development and experience points, Quintessence, Ascension, moving between realms, and the problem with Paradox. It then goes into information on the health system of Mage.
Chapter Nine: Drama[]
Types of actions a character might typically (or not so typically) take, how to perform combat, and an example of play.
- Combat
- Firearms Table
- Melee Weapons Table
- Brawling Table
- Melee and Brawling Complications
- Multiple Opponents
- Flank and Rear Attacks
- Body Slam
- Armor Chart
Appendix: Antagonists[]
Details on the various antagonists a mage might encounter, including other supernaturals, the government, the Inquisition, the Arcanum, Technomancers, Marauders and mythical beasts, the Nephandi, and Paradox spirits. There is also information on Talismans, as well as "All Hollow's Eve", the first chapter from the Loom of Fate.
- Umbrood Powers
- Airt Sense
- Materialize
- Reform
- Governments
- Police Officer -Stats
- Police Detective - Stats
- Government Agent - Stats
- The Inquisition
- Witch-hunter - Stats
- The Arcanum
- Scholar - Stats
- Vampires
- Werewolves
- Typical Werewolf - Stats
- Mages
- Disciple - Stats
- Adept - Stats
- Master - Stats
- Technomancers
- Marauders and Beasts of the Mythic Age
- Mythic Remnants - Marauder Allies
- Nephandi and Their Ilk
- Talismans
- • Spirit Goggles
- •• Sword of Discharge
- ••• X-ray Glasses
- •••• Peacemaker
- ••••• Prodigy
- Bibliography
- Bach, Richard, Illusions, Dell, 1977.
- Jonathan Livingston Seagull
- Barker, Clive, Imajica, Harper, 1991.
- Castaneda, Carlos, Journey to Ixtlan, Touchstone, 1972.
- Carse, James P., Finite and Infinite Games, Ballantine, 1986.
- Denning, Melita and Osborne Phillips, The Foundations of High Magick, Llewellyn, 1991.
- Dick, Philip K., Clans of the Alphane Moons, Bluejay Books, 1984.
- Hardison Jr., O.B., Disappearing through the Skylight, Viking Penguin 1989.
- Howard, Michael, The Occult Conspiracy, Destiny Books, 1989.
- Keyes, Daniel, Flowers for Algernon, Bantam Books, 1975.
- Kraig, Donald Michael, Modern Magick, Llewellyn, 1992.
- Pirsig, Robert M., Lila, Bantam Books, 1991.
- Pirsig, Robert M., Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenace, Bantam New Age, 1981.
- Postman, Neil, Technopoly: The Surrender of Culture to Technology, Vintage Books, 1993.
- Tyson, Donald, The New Magus, Llewellyn, 1988.
- Tyson, Donald, Ritual Magic, Llewellyn, 1992.
- Vertigo Comics (Sandman, Hellblazer, Kid Eternity)
- Yatri, Unknown Man, Fireside, 1988.
- Last Words by Stewart Wieck - July 1993
Index[]
Character Sheet[]
Background Information[]
- White Wolf Magazine 39 has an article on Mage: The Ascension Rulebook Errata. This Errata also appears in The Book of Chantries.
- The ad at the back of the book is for Wraith (Summer 1994).
- The dedication in the book is made to the author, Robert M. Pirsig.
- Playtesters credited to the book include: Bill Bridges, Paul Butler, Andrew Campbell, William Hale, Harry L. Heckel IV, Rick Jones, Alex Knepper, Greg Krywusha, Scott Lien, Stephanie Lucas, Benjamin T. Monk, Jr., Mark Rein•Hagen, Arthur Snyder, Paul Stafford, Lori Swift, Joshua Gabriel Timbrook, Matt Troedson, Stephan Wieck, Tom Wiggington, Travis Williams, Daniel Greenburg, Harry Heckel, Heather Curatola, Robert Kaminsky, Alan M. Fisher, Jon Sill, Barbara Hare, Travis Bryant, Matthew Gluth, Ross Issacs, Steve Cook, Alan C. Kerr, Katerine James, John Kuzuma, Owen Gtersen, Matt Fulton, Lowell Stouder, John Lewis, Chris Bartlett, Robert Schroeder, David Pulver, Kathleen Ryan, Brian Campbell, Matthew Burke, Shayne Patrick, Victor Smith and Rob McMillon.
- The art by Janet Aulisio on page 136 would be re-used for the cover of Such Pain.
- In Stewart Wieck's Last Words, he give thanks to Mark Rein•Hagen, Stephan Wieck, Chris Earley, Chris Hind, Travis Williams, Rob Hatch, Sam Chupp, Bill Bridges and Andrew Greenberg.
Memorable Quotes[]
(...)
Characters[]
- Prologue: The Awakening
- Book One
- Sanders - Died
- Amanda Jonsson
- Chapter Two: Setting
- Copernicus
- Babbage
- Frankenstein - Son of Ether
- Book Two
- Senex (referred to only as "the old man")
- Chapter Five: Character
- Reynold - Dreamspeaker
- Chapter Six: Traits
- Alfonso X
- Chapter Seven: Magick
- Elma Hartley - Correspondence Master
- Farrus - Virtual Adept
- Zharvic - Euthanatos
- Vareness - Mage
- Delion - Euthanatos, Died
- Magdeline - Mage
- Shango - Mage
- Caeron - Order of Hermes
- Claudius - Mage
- Jason Hemingway - Mage
- Clarissa Donley - Mage
- Alexander - Hemetic
- Ashton - Verbena Initiate
- Heiro - Mage
- Uther - Mage
- Dr. Reinhald - Son of Ether
- Dr. Nimbus - Son of Ether
- Loralai - Son of Ether
- Kwang Lee - Akashic Brotherhood
- Kim Lee - Akashic Brotherhood
- Ho Kazaoke - Akashic Brotherhood, Do Instructor
- Sister Evara Immanuel - Celestial Chorus
- Ezekiel - Celestial Chorus
- Gregory - Celestial Chorus
- Sarah Burnstone - Mage
- Specter - Dreamspeaker
- Gerry Halfmoon - Dreamspeaker
- Red Blossom - Dreamspeaker
- Teronymus - Mage
- Dr. Fritzenjammer - Cult of Ecstasy
- Peeping Tom - Cult of Ecstasy
- Zak Trainer - Cult of Ecstasy
- Xanadu - Mage
- Chapter Nine: Drama
- Rembrandt - Virtual Adept
- Maximillian Gadfrey - Order of Hermes
- Nera - Technomancer
- Appendix: Antagonists
- Mages
- Technomancers
- Marauders and Beasts of the Mythic Age
- Nephandi and Their Ilk
- Meggan O'Rourke
- Wormwood - Demon
- Meggan O'Rourke
- Spirits and Umbral Denizens
- Paradox Spirits
- Guardian Spirits
- Null-B
- Vendiz - Leader of Null-B
- All Hollow's Eve
- Madame Cleo Verthank
- Merika Seth
- Bob - Reporter
- Reverend John Williams
- Norna Weaver
Terminology[]
Lexicon: Common Parlance: Acolyte, Adept, Ascension, Apprentice, Arcane, Avatar, The Awakened, The Awakening, Branding, Cabal, Caern, Celestine, Censure, Chantry, Coincidental Magick, The Continuum, Convention, Deacon, Deep Umbra, Demon, Disciple, Dream Realm, Dynamic Reality, Errant, Fellow, Focus, Gaia, Gate, The Gauntlet, Garou, Gilgul, The Horizon, Horizon Realms, Incarna, Initiation, Kindred, Lord, Magic, Magick, Master, Marauder, Mentor, Minion, Near Umbra, Nephandus, Node, Oracle, Orphans, Ostracism, Paradox; Paradox Realm, Paradox Spirit, Pattern, Pedagogue, Pure Ones, The Pogrom, Portal, Postulant, Preceptor, Prime, The Protocols, Quiet, Quintessence, Realm, Rogue, Rote, Seeking, Sentinel, Shade Realm, Shard Realm, Sleeper, Sphere, Static Reality, Symposium, Tass, Talisman, The Technocracy, Technomancer, Tellurian, Tradition, Tribunal, Tutor, Umbra, Umbrood, Vulgar Magick; Old Form: Certámen, Consors, The Curtain, Custos, Grog, Magus, Pawn, Turb, Vis; Vulgar Argot: Beelzebub, Black Hats & Mirrorshades, Bloodwork, Copperfield, Corpses, Crowley, Crystal Wavers, Dram, Faust, Freak, Fry, Gremlins, Greyface, Juice, Merlin, Mundane, Nuke, Paraphobe, Pit Bulls, Technobabble, Wyld & Fried; Game Terms: Arete; 1200s, 1229, 1453, 1800s, 1900s, 1953, 1969, 1970s, Akashic Brotherhood, Ancestral Chantry, Arcadia, Arcanum, Argentina, Ascension War, Autochtonia, Bane, Berkeley, Black Forest, Black Spiral Dancers, Boston, Bronx, Calcutta, California, Celestial Chorus, Chimerae, Chinatown (SF), CIA, Coincidental Paradox, College Chantry, Constantinople, Cordoba, Countermagick, Covenants (Chantry law), Cult of Ecstasy, Do, Doissetep, Dream Lords, Dream Magick, Dream Realm, Dreamspeakers, Dynamic Magick, Effect, Egypt, England, Enochian, Essence (Dynamic, Pattern, Primordial, Questing), Ether Goggles, Europe, Euthanatos, Faerie, FBI, Fetish, France, Germany, Ghoul, Grace Cathedral, Grand Canyon, Greece, Greenwich, Guardian, Hobgoblins, Hollow Ones (Blood Doll, Clique, Midnight Mass, October 31), Huntington Cemetery, HyperIntTech Mark V, "HIT Mark," India, Inquisition, Iteration X, La Guardia, Luna, Manhattan, Men in Black, Mindscape, Mythic Age, Nebraska, The Net, New World Order, New York, New York City, Nob Hill, North America, NSA, Null-B, Omaha, One, Order of Hermes, Paradigma, Paradox Backlash, Paradox Flaws, Paris, Progenitors "Hydras", Project PSI, Rogues, Rome, San Francisco, Saudi Arabia, Sleepwalkers, Sons of Ether, Spain, Special Affairs, Spheres: Mind, Prime, Time, Spirit, Entropy, Forces, Matter, Life, Correspondence; Spirit, Squatter Chantry, Stepping Sideways, Syndicate, Taint, Tapestry, Technomancer Chantry, Tempest's Eye, Tibet, Toledo, Umbrae, Umbrood Powers, Vampire, Verbena (World Tree), Vienna, Virtual Adepts, Void Engineers, Vulgar Magick, The Way Down, White Monks, Wyck Industries, Wyrm,
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