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Mage: The Ascension lexicon

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This is a lexicon of terms used in Mage: The Ascension.

Mage: The Ascension[]

Common Parlance[]

These words are commonly used among the Mages.

Titles[]

  • Adept
  • Apprentice
  • Bani
  • Barabbi
  • Bygone
  • Celestine
  • Consor
  • Deacon: A common name for the founding member of a well-established Chantry.
  • Disciple
  • Errant: A vengeful mage whose Chantry and cabal have been destroyed. Errants are frequently shunned by other mages.
  • Fellow: A full member of a Chantry, but not a founding member and therefore of lower status than its Deacons.
  • Garou
  • Guardian
  • Incarna
  • Kindred
  • Lord
  • Master
  • Mentor: One mage who teaches another.
  • Minion
  • Pedagogue: A Hermetic tutor of great fame, usually quite powerful and surrounded by students.
  • Preceptor
  • Primus
  • Rogue: A renegade mage turned mercenary.
  • Sentinel: One of the guardian mages of a large Chantry; not typically a member herself.
  • Technomancer
  • Tutor: Mages who have become known as proficient teachers. They are highly regarded by other mages.

Old Form[]

Vulgar Argot[]

  • Beelzebub
  • Black Hats & Mirrorshades
  • Blood Doll
  • Bloodwork: Any magic that requires a tremendous amount of effort and involves risk to life and limb. Also: Verbena magic.
  • Copperfield
  • Corpses (Derogatory)
  • Crowley: Term used to describe a flamboyant and pretentious mage.
  • Crystal Wavers: "New Agers" who have no idea what true magick is, but capitalize on it anyway; charlatans. Occasionally used as an insult to the Dreamspeakers.
  • Doxed: A mage who accumulates a lot of Paradox is said to be doxed.
  • Dram: One Tass of Quintessence.
  • Faust: A mage who bargains excessively with spirits, especially dangerous ones.
  • Freak: A dangerously insane mage; often applied to Marauders and Nehphandi.
  • Fry
  • Goin' Satanic
  • Gremlins
  • Greyface
  • Juice
  • Merlin: An old mage, especially one who very rarely visits Earth anymore.
  • Mundane
  • Nuke: What Paradox spirits do to those they attack.
  • Paraphobe: Someone who is desperately afraid of accumulating Paradox. (Derogatory)
  • Pit Bulls (Derogatory)
  • Technobabble (Derogatory)
  • Wyld & Fried

Ascension's Right Hand[]

Book of Worlds[]

Dead Magic[]

  • Mesopotamia Lexicon
    • Abubu: A huge winged monster, used to represent the Flood.
    • An: The heavens. Also the name for the Sumerian sky god.
    • Anki: The universe.
    • Anunnaku: 1. The primordial gods who ruled before Creation, undifferentiated by names. 2. The fifth section of the Enuma Anu Enlil that details omnia of particular use to Awakened astrologers.
    • Arallu: The abode of the dead in the Underworld, ruled by Ereshkigal.
    • Bau: A term coined for the authors of the Anunnaku section of the Enuma Anu Enlil.
    • Bel: 1. A later name for Marduk. 2. The high priest of the conspiracy of Etemenanki, responsible for overseeing the temple of Marduk and administering the Sacred Marriage.
    • Cella: The central shrine of a ziggurat.
    • En: The high priest of a ziggurat.
    • Enlil: Sumerian air god; eclipsed An, the sky god, late in Babylonian history. He riles the earth from the air, while An oversees the heavens.
    • Enki: Sumerian god of wisdom.
    • Ensi: Priest-king.
    • Enuma Anu Enlil: A sequence of tablets from Babylon containing instructions for predicting the future based on celestial events.
    • Ereshkigal: Sumerian goddess of the Underworld.
    • Esagil: The temple of Marduk and his wife Sarpanitu, located in Babylon.
    • Etemenanki: "The foundation of heaven and earth," the name of the ziggurat located in Babylon.
    • Etemmu: Ghosts that sometimes return to seize living persons.
    • Gallu: Demons that carry the spirits of the dead off to the Underworld.
    • Igigi: The great gods.
    • Ki: The Earth.
    • Lilitu: A scorpion-tailed she-wolf often thought to represent Lilith.
    • Marduk: Patron god of Babylon, a god of wisdom and magic.
    • Me: The rules and traditions handed down by the gods.
    • Melam: The blessing of the gods. Often conveys a shining aura to the recipient and can be worn or removed like an article of clothing. Symbolized in art as a crown or sigil.
    • Mimma lemmu: All evil.
    • Mushussu: An enormous snakelike dragon, the favored form of Tiamat.
    • Omina: 1. A sign foretelling the future, especially one derived from observation of the heavens. 2. A specific omen listed in the Enuma Anu Enlil.
    • Ni: Not Monty Python's herring-wielding knights but a mantle of fear, the opposite of Melam. A creeping sensation of physical dread 9adrenaline rush, sweats, pounding heart) accompanies the vestment.
    • Sacred Marriage: A ceremony of ritual prostitution used to summon demons in the temple atop Etemenanki.
    • Sibit Etemmu: Possession, usually by a ghost, resulting in seizures.
    • Stele: A pillar, often decorated or inscribed.
    • Utu: Sumerian sun god, brother to Inanna; not to be confused with Uttu.
    • Uttu: Sumerian sun goddess of weaving, corresponding to Stasis in some modern cosmologies. Her sign also connotes "spider."
    • Ziggurat: A staged temple; from "zaqaru," meaning high or raised up.
    • Zisurru: "Flour which makes a boundary," a specially prepared powder used for warding circles.
  • Arctic Circle Lexicon
    • Anikunapeu
    • Anningan: The Inuit boy who became the moon. The dirty, pocked facade of the moon is attributed to his having soot on his face.
    • Ashkui: A large area of open water like a lake or the ocean, important for fishing and hunting birds.
    • Inua: The spirits present in all things.
    • Kamantushit: An Innu shaman.
    • Kakushapatak: A Innu shaman who uses a shaking tent to communicate with various spirits.
    • Kuekuatsheu: Wolverine, said in some Innu myths to be the creator of the world.
    • Malina: The Inuit girl who became the sun.
    • Makusham: A feast of many Innu families.
    • Manitushiun
    • Matshishkapeu
    • Mishtapeu
    • Mupimanu: A drum dance held at a makusham.
    • Nimushum: Grandfather.
    • Nukum: Grandmother
    • Nutshamet: The countryside. The tundra and hunting lands.
    • Papakashtshihku: Master pf caribou, thought to be one of the most powerful animal masters.
    • Tupilak: Inuit term for spirits like the mishtapeu of Innu tales; also a term for a figurine used to deliver the anger of the caster with the help of the spirit inhabiting the object.
    • Tulugaak: Inuit name for Raven, a beak-faced man who figures prominently in myth.
    • Tshishtashkamuku
    • Uanaikan: A wooden deadfall trap for hunting.

Dead Magic II[]

  • Etruscan Lexicon
    • Ais: God
    • Apa: Father
    • Arim: Monkey
    • Ati: Mother
    • Atran: Priest
    • Avil: Year
    • Cecha: Ritual
    • Celu: Sacred Offering
    • Cezp: Five
    • Ci: Three
    • Clan: Son
    • Disciplina Etrusca: The Etrusacn discipline; Divination
    • Ein: Them, They
    • Etera: Servant or foreigner
    • Fanu: Sacred Place
    • Favi: Grave
    • Hinthial: Soul, Ghost
    • Huth: Four
    • In: It
    • Lautun: Family
    • Lauxum: King
    • Lictor: A magisterial assistant
    • Mach: Five
    • Mech: People
    • Mi: I
    • Mini: Me
    • Mir: We
    • Mun: Tomb
    • Mutana: Sarcophagus
    • Neftsh: Nephew or grandson
    • Nethshrac: A diviner, or haruspex
    • Nes: Dead person
    • Nurph: Nine
    • Papa: Grandfather
    • Phersu: Mask or actor
    • Puia: Wife
    • Pulumchva: Stars
    • Reasna: Etruscan
    • Ruva: Brother
    • Sacni: Sanctuary
    • San: Ancestor
    • Sec: Daughter
    • Semph: Seven
    • Sha: Six
    • Shar: Ten
    • Spur: City
    • Suthi: Tomb
    • Tamera: Preist
    • Thaur: Tomb
    • Thu: One
    • Tivr: Moon
    • Truna: Power
    • Trutnut: Fortune teller
    • Vers: Fire
    • Zal: Two
    • Zeri: Rite
    • Zilach: Magistrate

Destiny's Price[]

Digital Web[]

  • A-K Brother
  • Anarchy: Despite stereotypes, anarchy's concepts are based on the abolition of government and the self-government that allows for that abolition. Most people forget the latter part.
  • Barkeep: One of the mysterious employees of the Spy's Demise.
  • Biochop (Meatspeak): Conversation.
  • Bleaters (Bleats) (Derogatory)
  • Brand: Spinner punishment where the offender has his icon labeled with a blazing stigma. (See rawhiding.)
  • Buzzbomb: A rogue hacker-mage (often an ex-Virtual Adept) who causes trouble for the hell of it.
  • CGI: Computer Generated Imaging.
  • C of X
  • Cell: An area of Wen where an individual is imprisoned in the fabric of reality with only a moderate ability to communicate.
  • Chaos Dump: A horrible fate in which a spinner's consciousness is split between her body and her disrupted icon, which shatters into a fractal pattern. Worse than death.
  • Conduit: Pathway through the Digital Web. It lets a mage pass from one sector to another. Travel through conduits is almost instantaneous.
  • Constraint Realm: An area that redefines and limits the look of the icons that can enter it. Only contextually appropriate icons can enter.
  • Construct
  • Corrupted Web: Sector that has been twisted into a mind-and-soul-ruining mass.
  • The Crater: A popular Stacked File where Cybernauts play their own versions of combat video games.
  • Cryptkeeper (Crypter): Old (or old-fashioned) Virtual Adept. The name is a play on words, crossing "encryption" with the name of a crotchety old E.C. horror comics character.
  • CT: Conspiracy Theorist; also called a Mulder.
  • Cybernaut: A voyager into the Digital Web; used for the Awakened.
  • Data Beasts (Zerks)
  • Data Rider: A term for someone online. Like "Cybernaut," but connotes a greater-than-average thirst for information.
  • De-rez: To lose iconic integrity and vanish from the Web.
  • Digital Death: The dangerous and potentially deadly dislocation from the Web that occurs when an icon loses all its health levels.
  • Digital Dollz: Artificial icons, runned by basic programs and possessing singularly shallow personalities. People who aren't really people.
  • Digital Web
  • Disk Dealer (Derogatory): A mage who sees the Net in terms of a big video game.
  • Drag (Lag, Thrashing): Localized slowing of time caused by overuse, congestion or careless magick.
  • Dumped: Being forced offline.
  • Eclectronics: Skillfully changing icons to suit different social groups or sectors.
  • Egg-Burning: Frying your brain, often through online trauma or sensory overload. This term is based on those "this is your brain on drugs" commercials.
  • Ether Land/The Ether: A section of the Web run by Sons of Ether.
  • FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions, a kind of help file posted to Usenet newsgroups, on Web pages, or appended to user's manuals.
  • Feedback
  • Flathead (Derogatory)
  • Flatscreen: On-line but not inside the Web. Used for both Sleepers with computers and mages with VR gear in sensory visitation mode.
  • FOAD: F*** Off And Die.
  • Formatted Web: Sector of the Web that has received an imprint from a conscious mind.
  • Fractal: A somewhat symmetrical pattern caused by chaotic, dynamic activity.
  • Free: Accessible to anyone who knows how to get there.
  • FREEKS: Free Ranging Electronic Encroachment Kill Systems - countermeasure icons that threaten Webspinners with carious messy ends.
  • Fuzz: To de-rez someone or something.
  • FWIW: For What It's Worth.
  • Glip
  • GODZ: Spinners who have assumed some "divine" status, either through worship, P.R., accomplishments, or all three.
  • Great Escape: A legendary backdoor rumored to exist in even the most secure cell.
  • Great Race: The competition between the Void Engineers and the Virtual Adepts to format the entire Net.
  • Grid Sector: Monochrome areas of iconographic figures where mages can talk to Sleepers who are using BBS. The Sleepers see representations that are appropriate to the technological medium they are using.
  • Hamburger Country (Meatsville): Where the meat comes from; IOW, the material world.
  • Handle: Name used in cyberspace.
  • Haunt: Place inhabited by a literal ghost in the machine.
  • Heebo: Affectionate term for "kid" or "dummy." Origins unknown.
  • Help: One of the mysterious nameless employees of the Spy's Demise.
  • Icon
  • Iconification: The process by which a person translates his perceptions or his mind and perceptions, or his body, mind and perceptions into the Web.
  • IMHO: In My Humble Opinion.
  • IOW: In Other Words.
  • Iron: Technological hardware. (See Splat.)
  • Ironteeth: A cyborg; also used to denote a badass, Technocrat or both. A variation, Ol' Irontooth, refers to the Technocracy as a whole.
  • IT: Information Technology; IOW, computers, the Net, media, and all the technology associated with them.
  • Jack In/Out: Plugging into/out of the Digital Web or advanced VR system.
  • Junklands: Sectors of the Web that are full of material splashed out in a raw emotive release, usually from war or disaster.
  • Lame: If you have to ask, you probably are.
  • Madball
  • Meat: The physical body.
  • MU*: A generalized term referring to any form of multi-user domain, including MUD, MUSH, MUCK, MOO, LP, and others.
  • NDTWR: I'm Not Dignifying That With a Response.
  • Neffie (Billy-Boys)
  • Net: A term used interchangeably with Digital Web to talk about the VR Realm. Specifically, the Web refers to the place, and the Ner refers to the Web's functions as a data storage, processing and retrieval device. though few users make the distinction.
  • Netizen: Someone who spends enough time in VR to be considerd a "citizen," as opposed to a skipper or trendie (q.v.).
  • Net Runner: A voyager into the Digital Web; used for the Awakened (q.v. Cybernaut)
  • Net Space: The area within the Digital Web.
  • NetSpeak: Slang used by hard-core Digital Web users.
  • Offline: Outside cyberspace.
  • Online: Inside cyberspace.
  • Other Side, The: Either VR or physical reality - whichever one you're not currently experiencing.
  • Parallaxing: Creating several different icons and "living" through them simultaneously.
  • Parameter: A law of reality that extends through a particular sector.
  • Pix-e Dust: The invisible trail of log ons and switches that follows an icon who moves between conduits.
  • Prog: Program; also short for "progressive."
  • Rawhiding: Catching an annoying spinner and giving him a brand.
  • Realspace: Refers to physical reality.
  • Realtime: Instantaneous; without a delay.
  • Restricted: A section of the Net where access is limited.
  • Room: Colloquial term for sector.
  • RSN: Real Soon Now.
  • RTFM: Read The F***ing Manual.
  • Sector: The areas of the Net where VR Realms are located. They are distinct from the conduits that connect the sectors, but have no virtual length of breadth.
  • Skipper: A loser who breezes through sectors without taking the time to actually get to know anyone (or get to be known). In short, a poseur with no sense of commitment. Often mocked in passing. ("Hey, Skipper! Wazup?")
  • Skweeb: A treacherous spinner, known for betrayal or other Lame behavior. Based on the sound of a rat being sucked into a jet engine.
  • Sleepwalker
  • SO: Significant Other.
  • Spice: Balls, savvy, chutzpah. Also powerful technomagick.
  • Splat: Biotech hardware. (See Iron.)
  • SRVRZ (TechnoTurf; Secured and Restricted Virtual Reality Zone):
  • Spy's Demise
  • Stacked File: An area of Web in which someone died during formatting. The sector contains its own Avatar.
  • Tangle: An unexpected shift in a conduit. Also, any problem while online.
  • Techno Turf: An area of the Digital Web formatted by the Technocracy. It appears in only three neon colors. The environment is geometric and pixelated.
  • Tree: A set of connected conduits and sectors in the Digital Web.
  • Trendie: A newbie (also newbi) who got into cyberspace because everyone else was doing it.
  • Trogs: People who never get online and know nothing about it (although they think they know enough to make decisions about Web activity).
  • Twip: A minor annoyance being deleted. Derived from the sound of a twink or twit going "blip" and disappearing. Also a verb ("Somebody twip this bleater already.")
  • Unformatted Web: Sector of the Web yet to receive an imprint from a conscious mind (q.v. Unformatted Web).
  • V1: Version One, that is, obsolete.
  • Virgin Web: Unformatted Webspace, eagerly sought by spinners.
  • Virtual Realm: A sector formatted by a mage or Cabal, usually with strange parameters.
  • VR: Virtual Reality.
  • Wazup?: "What's up?"
  • Webslinger (Spinner, Webber): Slang for a Cybernaut.
  • Wetware: A human, or more specifically, a human brain.
  • Whiteout
  • WIBNI: Wouldn't It Be Nice If...?
  • Witchy-Poo: A Verbena or other pagan mage; derived from the villain on H.R. Puffinstuff.
  • WMTFM: WHO Made This F***ing Mess? A common question after a Whiteout.
  • WYSIWYG: What You See Is What You Get.
  • XTC
  • :) (Emoticons; used to communicate emotions to Sleepers)

Forged by Dragon's Fire[]

  • Artifact: An object or living being enchanted with one or more magical Effects, such that an Awakened individual can wield it to cast those Effects. The technomagic equivalent is called an Invention.
  • Charm: A one-shot Wonder. Each Charm provides a magical power for only a short time, until its material shell us used up: the enchanted candle has burned out, the magical bullet has been fired, etc. The technomagic equivalent is called a Gadget.
  • Device
  • Familiar
  • Fetish
  • Gadget: See Charm.
  • Grimoire
  • Periapt
  • Primer
  • Principia
  • Talisman
  • "Q": A slang term for technomage who relies too much on creating Wonders.
  • Wonder

Crafts[]

Bata'a[]

  • Adoration: A song of thanks and praise, given after a sacrifice or a stroke of good fortune.
  • Asagwe: "The salute of the loa"; the sacred dance used to call forth the spirits. In asagwe, the dancer spins, sweeps and swings herself around in circular arcs, hoping to catch a loa's attention.
  • Aché
  • Baka: Evil spiirts. Some come from corrupted nature (called "Banes" by the Garou), while others are angry ghosts ("Shades" and "Spectres" in Wraith terminology).
  • Bokor: A sorcerer or evil mage.
  • Cholé: "Godflowers"; the old term for a horse, a person who willingly gives himself over to be ridden by the spirits.
  • Couché: The ritual seclusion initiates to the mysteries undergo before they're brought into the Craft.
  • Conjure Man
  • Gris-Gris: Common Bata'a term for a focus, fetish or Talisman.
  • Gros-bon-ange: The human will, called "a grand good angel." United with the ti-bon-ange, this essence creates a soul - an Avatar. When the two grow especially strong and aware, they Awaken the Avatar, allowing a devotee to become a True Mage.
  • Horse: Common term for a person possessed and ridden by a loa or ghost, Also called Le Chevaux.
  • Houngan: A Voudun priest, literally "the master of a god."
  • Hounfour: A sacred space; in Voudun, a hounfour is a temple, but among the Bata's, the name applies to any area set aside for worship.
  • Hounsis
  • Jingo: The call by which a Bata'a summons spirits.
  • Les Idiots: Outsiders, usually white, who don't understand Bata'a ways. Singular is l'idiot.
  • Les Invisibles
  • Loa: Powerful spirits which grant devotees favors, usually for a price.
  • Loup Garou (Uktena)
  • Mambo (Conjure Woman)
  • Marassa: The partnership between a male and female Bata'a, signifying union.
  • Marre: The sacred "marriage" between a skillful horse and her Loa rider. Considers "proper" magick.
  • Mjane: The practice of magick without the spirits help. Considered selfish and vain.
  • Mokolé
  • Mojo: A spell, hex or charm. A Mojo Bag carries sacred tools and charms.
  • Obi (Obeah)
  • OgÃ: Respected outsiders. They can't play, but they can watch.
  • Orisha: The old god-spirits who came over from Africa with the slave ships. Followed instead of the loa in Santería.
  • Quinshi: "Surrender to the will of the gods"; the old practice of the original inhabitants of the islands, who let the spirits use them as vessels in the mortal world.
  • Ronde des Ames: "The Chain of Souls"; the Bata'a network, which runs between towns and cities. Spirits pass information back and forth between "links" in this Chain in return for favors. Each Rangi controls its own Ronde, which causes communication problem and worse.
  • Rangi: Literally, "color"; a name for the tribal divisions within the Bata'a. Inspired by the colors of Ayida-Wedo's rainbow.
  • Saci (Aziza)
  • Setite
  • Ti-bon-ange: "The small good angel" which forms half of a soul. The ti-bon-ange is the conscience and love-essence that combines with will to fuel creative powers and awareness.
  • Vévés: Ritual drawings, often made in sand, rice or sugar, which lead the loa through into mortal space. Used to conjure spirits or to set events in motion.
  • Voodoo: An often-misunderstood term covering hundreds of practices linked to nearly a dozen religions. As a blanket term, voodoo signifies an unorthodox magickal tradition which serves spirits (load), often in return for favors.
  • Zombi: A soulless walking corpse created by magick. A houngan usually commands the zombi's soul, and thus the zombi itself.

Children of Knowledge[]

  • Great Awakening: The name for the event that, triggered by the Children of Knowledge, will cause a massive paradigm shift in the belief of the nature of reality among the Sleepers, thus causing the creation of the Tenth Sphere.
  • Cununctio: "Conjunctions"; three ranks of achievement within the Craft.
  • Hermium: True Mercury; also the name of the third and most powerful Cununctio.
  • Lunargent: True Silver; also the name of the second Cununctio.
  • Prima Materia: The first and original material of all creation.
  • Prima Vis
  • Orichalcum: True Gold; also the name of the first and lowest level of Cununctio.
  • Shop: Common slang term for the laboratory; short for workshop.
  • Solificati
  • Transcendental Enlightenment
  • Unity

Hem-Ka Sobk[]

  • Aakhu-t sheta-t
  • Aat-t: Plague or disease; a reference to Quiet, Paradox.
  • Ab: The heart; source of power and good and evil thoughts.
  • Agb: Water focus used by the Hem-Ka.
  • Akha-t: Scar focus used by the Hem-Ka.
  • Aakhu
  • Bakhu
  • Heka
  • Hekau
  • Hem-Ka
  • Heri-Shi: The tribe of Sobk.
  • Kheri heb ashau: The most-common type of priest within the Hem-Ka.
  • Kheri heb tep: "Chief reader of the divine words." Head priest of the Hem-Ka.
  • Nak
  • Neqaui-hatu
  • Nuta Akha-t: Divine scars; the marks of Sobk upon his followers.
  • Rager
  • Sekhem
  • Sekhet-Aaru
  • Sunu: Divine hunters; the Hem-Ka responsible for hunting down the guilty.
  • Unu-t: Ordinary priests; those deceived into promoting the false worship of Rager.
  • Xeper: "Scarab," or a True Mage. One whose powers are self-created.

Kopa Loei[]

Sisters of Hippolyta[]

  • Chorodia: A group of seven Sisters who create their magick collectively; also, any group of Sisters working together toward a common goal.
  • Conclave: The place where groups of Sisters live and work together; often used interchangeably with the term "community."
  • Epitropi: The elected septarchy, which rules each conclave for seven years.
  • Patriarchy: Gerneral term for the forces of masculine oppression. Seen by some as an actual spirit entity (an Incarna).
  • Samantha: Derogatory term for a Sister who has left the conclave to pursue a so-called "normal life."
  • Themiscryain Compact: The oath that proclaims that no Sister shall be taken alive into slavery, even if it means the entire conclave must die to prevent it.

Templars[]

  • Grand Master: The Templars' leader.
  • House: Informal name for Preceptory.
  • Knight-Magus: An Awakened Knight.
  • Rule: The body of literature which expounds upon the Templars' duties and beliefs.
  • Preceptory: An official abode for one or more Knights, usually containing a Temple, and administered by a Preceptor.
  • Reckoning: Christ's Second Coming, as foretold in the Revelation of St. John the Divine.
  • Temple: A place in which Templars meet and perform rituals.
  • Temple, The: A Templar metaphor for lost Christendom.

Wu-Keng[]

  • A-ji: "Aunt." A Wu-Keng's superior, but not her teacher.
  • A-ma: "Mother." The leader of an ng and a mentor.
  • Chan Fa: "Flower Inspection." A journey to the Heavenly Flower Garden to divine new births and commune with the spirits. Impossible for the Wu-Keng, who cannot command Spirit magic.
  • Chou yan: "Smoke." The six remaining Wu-Keng from the Chou dynasty who know their masters' true natures. missing since 1999.
  • Chu-Sheng
  • Divine Bones: 36 ethereal bones that connect a shaman to the Heavenly Flower Garden. A Wu-Keng's Divine Bones are shaped into the Juk Ak.
  • Divine Road: The path of the shaman that only she may see, which connects her to the spirit worlds. lost to Infernalist Wu Kung.
  • Feng-tu
  • Heavenly Flower Garden
  • Juk Ak
  • Kei tsip si: "Concubine." A Wu-Keng who controls her ngan through sexual means.
  • Khay ma: A shaman who is a symbolic mother to a spirit or Juk Ak. There are also Khay kong, who are symbolic fathers.
  • Man Mae Phax: "Young Woman." An apprentice to a man Saeg Phax.
  • Man Saeg Phax: "Old Woman." An elder shaman who is not bound to a Juk Ak.
  • Mui: "Girl," A Wu-Keng spoken of by one who is greater in station. An apprentice.
  • Ng: A Wu-Keng cabal consisting of one Mui, three A-ji, and one A-ma.
  • Ngan: "Eye." A person who handles the Wu-Keng's business with the outside world.
  • Sam chin ak
  • Te
  • Wu

Wu Lung[]

  • Chi
  • Chi Neng
  • Ching: Respect, reverence. Required to gain Li.
  • Ch'uang Shih
  • Chu Jen: A Master of the Spirit Arts and at least one other field.
  • Ch'ung T'u
  • Feng Huang
  • Feng Huang Hou Wu: Phoenix Empress Wizard. One of the three rulers of the Wu Lung, who reincarnates into her own child every 108 years. As of 2000, inhabiting an eight year old body.
  • Hu Kuei Tsu: Tiger Lord Wizard, the General of the Magical Bureaucracy. As of 2000, regent over the Wu Lung.
  • Hun
  • Kuei
  • Kuei Lung Chuan: Spirit Dragon Fist, the martial art of the Tiger School.
  • Kuei Tsu: The nine rulers of the Magical Bureaucracy. Each oversees one office. Headed by the Riger Lord.
  • Kun Lun: The Horizon Realm of the Wu Lung, lost due to the Avatar Storm.
  • Li
  • Lung
  • Magickal Bureaucracy
  • Nan Wu
  • Nung Wu
  • Office: A department of the Magical Bureaucracy, ruled by a Kuei Tsu.
  • P'o
  • Pu Chang: Minsters who examine candidates for Chu Ken rank.
  • Shen: A divine spirit.
  • Sheng Shou
  • Shih
  • Shih Li
  • Sifu
  • Sigung
  • Sh-ihing: A senior tutor, usually of Nan Wu rank.
  • Spheres (T'ung Ch'ing, Hun Luan, Yao Su, Sheng Ming, Wu Chih, Hsin, Li, Ching Shen, Shih Chien)
  • T'ai Chi: The Absolute, the Great Ultimate. Ascension, or the world as it was in the First Age.
  • Three Ministers
  • T'ien K'ung te Huang Ti Wu Lung: Heavenly Emperor of the Dragon Wizards, the ruler of the Wu Lung. As of 2000, contact between the Dragon Emperor and Earth's Wu Lung has been severed.
  • Tsu Tsung
  • Wu

Lost Paths[]

Ahl-i-Batin[]

  • Ahl al-'adl wa 'l-tawhad
  • Al-Insan al-Kamil: "The One Who Is Complete," "The Perfect One." A mage who has been raised up to rule the universe as the Unity's agent.
  • Al-Khidr: "The Green One." A mysterious figure thought to be an Oracle who offers blessings, protection and mystical initiation.
  • Baraka
  • Batin
  • Fana
  • Faqir: "Holy ascetic beggar." The common term for Subtle Ones trained as Darwushim in the Baghdad khanate.
  • Ghayba: "Occultation" or "unbeingness." A state certain extremist Ahl-i-Batin achieve whereby they cannot be sensed by physical, electronic or magical means.
  • Hafiz: "Guardian" or "keeper." An Ahl-i-Batin scholar who commits an entire sacred text to memory, sometimes with the help of Mind magic. (Plural: hafizi)
  • Hanif: A pure, non-denominational monotheist. What the Batini stive to be.
  • Iblisi: Depending on your sources, the Iblisi are either a sect of Ahl-i-Batin who thought themselves immune to Nephandic corruption and entered the Cauls to fight the Nephandi on their own grounds and became barabbi, or they are a group of Ahl-i-Batin double agents operating out of Nephandic labyrinths who make "small sacrifices" in order to provide the Ahl-i-Batin with current information on the actions of the Filthy Ones.
  • Ihram: A state of ritual purity that Batini prefer to be in before practicing magic.
  • Imam: "Leader." The most educated member of any given Batini unit and, therefore, the one who reports to the Qutb and maintains discipline. Most commonly used to refer to the leaders of a jama'a. (Plural: imami)
  • Isfret
  • Jabarut: Divine omnipotence.
  • Jahannum: Hell.
  • Jama'a: Literally "community" or "group." A convert cell of Batini scholars and, sometimes, consors living together in a zawiya.
  • Kafir: Infidel.
  • Khanate: One of the five training schools of the Ahl-i-Batin. Each has its own course of study and is led by its own Murshid.
  • Khilwat: "Silence." Old Batini term for an Ahl-i-Batin mage, referring to both the silent mind speech that the Batini prefer and to what an enemy hears before a Subtle One strikes. The term is commonly used today to denote a sacred assassin of the Ahl-i-Batin (as opposed to a scholar, an architect or the life).
  • Khwaja al-Akbar
  • Mahdi: "Guide" or "leader." Messianic figure who will appear at the end of the world and usher in a new order. Possibly the Al-Insan al-Kamil (cf); may be the mentioned leader in the Prophecy of the Phoenix.
  • Ma'rifa
  • Mi'raj
  • Muh'rim: One who is in the ritual state of ihrim.
  • Mutasawwif: "One who has just begun his way along the path." A Batini who has just Awakened.
  • Mu'jiza: A "miracle" or magical Effect.
  • Murids
  • Murshids
  • Muwahhid: A believer in the Tenth Sphere of Unity (tawhid) Pl: Muwahhidun
  • Nabi: Literally "Prophet." A Batini mage who uses the Sphere of Time to see and foretell future events.
  • Najasa
  • Pir: A spiritual guide or magical teacher.
  • Qutb: A "pole" in the sense of "Axis mundi;" also "Saint." One of the Masters of the Mind Sphere who served as judges and reference points for what was, essentially, a telepathic network of minds.
  • Silsila: Literally "chain." The concept that everything is interwoven and connected to the Unity and, therefore, one. Also the Batini term for the Sphere of Correspondence.
  • Tariqa: The "Way" of the Ahl-i-Batin. Including the doctrine, physical, spiritual and mystical disciplines, specific techniques and Rotes of the Batini. It can also be used to refer to the Tradition as a whole.
  • Tawhid
  • Wahdat al-wujud
  • Zahir: The opposite of Batin: Obvious, blatant, unsubtle, rude. Some Batini refer disparagingly to the Taftâni as the Ahl-i-Zahir: the Rude Ones. Used in this way, it has connotations both of "obnoxious" and "pathetically undisciplined."
  • Zawiya: Literally "Corner," as in the corner of a building or temple but commonly referring to a Batini retreat or cloister.
  • Zuhd: Asceticism.

Taftâni[]

  • Aramaiti: A mind purified by atar, i.e., a clear mind ready to use magic (though not necessary capable of doing so).
  • Asha: Truth, order of righteousness; the highest principle in Taftâni philosophy. Also, the universe as it truly is, not just as humans are capable of perceiving it. (Traditionalists claim that Asha is the Taftâni 's equivalent of the Tenth Sphere, though Taftâni themselves disagree, claiming that the relationship of Asha to the Spheres is more complex than that.
  • Ashavant: Follower of Truth, one who uses magic liberally, especially in front of those who need to see it most (i.e., Sleepers).
  • Atar: Fire when referred to in its sacred sense, also the "thought-fire" of purified mind. A common Taftâni metaphor for magic.
  • Atash: Another (more general) word for fire, also the Taftâni term for the Sphere of Forces.
  • Bundahishen
  • Chinvat: Bridge over the abyss; bridge to the afterlife, "Crossing the chinvat" is also a Taftâni term for final suicidal display of spectacularly vulgar magic performed in front of Sleepers with the intent of proving the existence of magic.
  • Dahr
  • druj: Falsehood, including all unenlightened beliefs, assumptions, opinions and thought.
  • Dregvant: Follower of Druj. A liar or evil person. Frequently a term referring to someone who knows that magic works but colludes with the status quo anyway.
  • Fravashi
  • Getig
  • Gumezishen: "Mixture" or "Conflict." The term for the specific sires where Asha and Druj are in most intense conflict. Because Taftâni believe that all life is generated by this conflict, this is also the Taftâni term for the Life Sphere.
  • Hamestagan
  • Haram: "Sanctuary." The absolute and inviolable truce called twice a year by Taftâni during which attendees discuss developments in the world, show off their apprentices and carouse.
  • Haurvatat: Literally, "Integrity," referring to the Taftâni principle of direct and unhesitant action.
  • Jashan
  • Kahin: "Seer;" A Sha'ir who focuses on the Sphere of Entropy, interpreting the battle movements of Asha and Drij to sense how the universe is preparing to move instead of relying on Spirits.
  • Magos
  • Manthra: A magical phrase repeated until it loses meaning, at which time the Taftâni believes that the meaning has departed the realm of Hamestagan and entered the realm of Asha, where it can affect the flow of outcomes in the universe.
  • Medin: A poetic eulogy given by a current or former Taftâni apprentice when his mater dies.
  • Qismat: Destiny or lot. Persian word that eventually became "kismet."
  • Ribash
  • Sha'ir: Literally "one who knows;" a poet. A Taftâni who works primarily by weaving Asha into his words with sound, rhyme and meter. Sha'ir focus predominantly on the Spirit Sphere and speak with djinn and other spirits on a regular basis.
  • Menog: The Invisible World or an inhabitant thereof (referring to Spirits in general, not necessarily just djinn). Also the Taftâni term for the Spirit Sphere.
  • Vizier: An archaic term, derived from the same linguistic root as "wizard," used to describe anyone making obvious use of magic, particularly the Spheres of Entropy, Spirit and Time.
  • Wali
  • Wizardishen: "Separation." The time in the far future, after Truth has been realized, when Asha and Druj are eternally separated. Sometimes used interchangeably with Dahr to denote the Sphere of Entropy.
  • Zaotar: Literally "One who purifies creation." The term denoting the more aggressive, warlike Taftâni (compared to the Kahin).
  • Zurvan

Marauders[]

Nephandi[]

  • Adsinistratus: A Nephandus who travels the world, spreading evil and seeking souls ripe for corruption. (pl. Adsinistrati)
  • Ahriman
  • Aswad
  • Barabbi
  • Caul
  • Dragon's Tongue: The Nephandi's secret language.
  • Gilledian: A powerful leader of the Nephandi, usually the head of a Labyrinth.
  • Iblitic: A Sect of the Ahl-i-Batin which attempted to infiltrate the Nephandi, but instead succumbed to the forces of corruption. (also called Iblitie, Iblisite; from the Arabic Iblisi)
  • Infernalist
  • K'llasshaa
  • Labyrinth
  • Malfean
  • Malleus Neffandorum
  • Nephandus
  • Outsider: A Nephandus who serves some inscrutable and incomprehensible entity of the Deep Umbra
  • Pawn: One who serves the Nephandi, sometimes knowingly but often not.
  • Pit: A Labyrinth's ritual area.
  • Prelatus: The second-in-command to a Gilledian. (pl. Prelati)
  • Qlippoth
  • Shaytan: The most violent and destructive of the Nephandi.
  • Widderslainte

Technocracy[]

See also Newspeak

Accepted Terminology[]

Scuttalk[]

  • Adjustment
  • Agent: 1) A term of distinction, used to designate a Technocrat who works with his amalgam selflessly to carry out missions; 2) A designation of subservience, used to describe a low-ranking Technocrat who executes the plans of his superiors.
  • Autochthonia
  • Avalon
  • "Be seeing you.": Watchwords stated to remind a fellow agent that he will always serve the Technocratic Union. (Derived from a classic British television program. Considered sarcastic.)
  • Beyond: The realms of the Deep Universe.
  • "Black Hat and Mirrorshades": 1) A term used to criticize or infeasible; 2) Blatant use of hypertechnology.
  • BFG: Any held-held weaponry device capable of unleashing incredible force - in other words, a "Big Fucking Gun."
  • The Bottom Line
  • Boys in Black
  • Cash Basket: A hard-working Syndicate op with the connections, talents and drive to generate tremendous amounts of profit.
  • Clockwork Convention
  • Cyborg
  • Defaulted
  • Dogs: Pejorative term used to describe Front Line operatives; typically, a dog is so obsessed with his immediate concerns that he cannot see his master's overriding needs.
  • Drycleaning
  • Erg Cola: A high-energy beverage and food substitute.
  • Erg Junkie: 1) A person strung out on hypermeds or high-energy foods; 2) A Technocrat who relies on procedure and devices to do his work for him.
  • Exo: Insulting term for an obvious cyborg; also ExoJock and Go-Bot.
  • Fortean Anomaly
  • Fortune
  • Frankenstinian: A scientist, usually Progenitor or Void Engineer, whose theories and work are too bizarre for his colleagues' comfort. Also called a Mad Doctor or Star-Eater. Sometimes used as an adjective. ("That's very Frankenstinian of you.")
  • Great Deep
  • Hypermeds: General term for advanced drugs and medicines.
  • Hypertech
  • Ice-Pack: A cold killer, usually from the NWO.
  • The Jump: The decision to abandon one's oldlife and live completely within the Technocratic Union. (Not always a voluntary choice!)
  • Lab Rats: Pejorative term used to describe a theorist who has little contact with the Front Lines or similar realms; a lab rat does not understand the harsh realities of life outside his sanctuary, and does not care to.
  • LERMU: Living Entity Reality Modulator Unit. An agent genegineered to perform better in the realms beyond Earth's Horizon; often mistakenly described as a "gray alien."
  • Massesspeak
  • Mordred: A traitor to Avalon - that is, a Technocrat who has sold out the Union's ideals in favor of power, rage or greed.
  • Morganna: A female traitor to Avalon (see Mordred); also, a pagan witch, whose wiles endanger the common good.
  • "Mutant Chihuahua": Pejorative Progenitor term for a genegineered organism that is amusing, but too blatantly manufactured to survive in the field.
  • Mystic
  • Natural
  • Nik: An agent's code-name; short for "nickname."
  • 1984: Term used to describe tactics that are outmoded, outdated or obviously anachronistic. ("Get with it. That is so 1984!")
  • Oldlife
  • Op
  • Polishing
  • Prole: Pejorative term used to insult loyal citizens and employees.
  • Pulling a Scotty: Despite its Star Trekish ring, this phrase refers to replacing someone with a clone. Inspired by the Scottish sheep experiments, which, while primitive, captured the public imagination and paved the way for open cloning. Also called Dressing up Dolly.
  • Pushing
  • Rat Race
  • Room 101: A room specially equipped to facilitate interrogation, Social Conditioning and occasional torture.
  • The Shadow Crusaders: A historical conspiracy theory explaining how the Order of Reason infiltrated governments over a period of 500 years, destroying much of its own documentation in the process.
  • Six Degrees of Separation: A colloquial term referring to the six stages of loyalty within the Technocratic Union. All loyal Technocrats are within six degrees of separation of the Inner Circle. (Giving someone the "first degree" ensures loyalty; attaining the "seventh degree" results in immediate termination.)
  • Sanitize
  • Sheep Shanking: Falling in love or lust with a clone. Also known as bangin' a baa (for obvious reasons).
  • Standard White Jesus: A mocking term for a Christian Technocrat or his religion. Some ops call Buddhists tummy-polishers for the same reasons.
  • Sterilize: To eliminate all physical evidence of an anomaly, thereby eliminating all belief in the manifestation that created it.
  • Steelhead: 1) A cyborg; 2) stubbornly "orthodox" Technocrat.
  • Steelskin: A cyborg or other noticeably Enhanced agent.
  • Suit: 1) A garment worn by professionals of distinction, such as Syndicate mangers and NWO Supervisors; 2) A professional who maintains objectivity, ensures profitability and maintains acceptable losses. 3) A Supervisor or manager who's willing to sacrifice anyone or anything, including his own identity and ideals, for the sake of his personal advancement and profit.
  • Superstitionist
  • Sweep-'n'-Sack: Busting into a place, killing everyone there, taking all data into possession and either replacing it with false data or wiping the site clean. A few agents call this "raiding SJ" for reasons that remain obscure to the rest of the Union.
  • The Templar Theory: An archetypal, mytho-historical conspiracy about an Enlightened Methodology that was allegedly created by an alliance of 33 escaped prisoners in 1308. (Note: This theory is a controversial topic in the Ivory Tower.)
  • Tin Men
  • Unionist
  • Void: 1) Historical term for the realms beyond Earth's Horizon, first used in the Victorian Era; 2) Pejorative term used to describe the Void Engineers, suggesting they're "devoid" of lives or "avoiding" the rest of the Union.

Iteration X[]

New World Order[]

  • Apparatus
  • Black Suit
  • BTW: E-mail shorthand for "by the way."
  • Collective Will
  • Construct
  • Convention
  • Deep Universe
  • E-mail: A method of textual communication using computers as intermediaries, a substitute for actually to talking to someone else face to face. Also used as a substitute for social interaction.
  • Enlightened
  • FTP: "File transfer protocol," a language used to access and download large amounts of information.
  • Gengineering
  • Gray Suit
  • Influence
  • Kirlian lens: Ann apparatus used to allow Enlightened Watched to observe spiritual and magickal activity.
  • The Masses
  • Methodology
  • Mindscaping: The magickal process of using technology or espionage to alter an individual's perceptions of reality.
  • Mistridge
  • Mythic Age
  • Natural
  • Newlife
  • Oldlife
  • Order of Reason
  • Paradox
  • Procedure
  • Processing
  • Processed: Describes a Traditionalist whose paradigm no longer threatens static reality, or a Sleeper or sympathizer who has been conditioned to be loyal to the Technocracy.
  • Reality Criminal
  • Reality Deviant
  • Reality Programmer: A Technomancer skilled in altering an individual's perception of reality.
  • Safe House: A base of operations on the front lines used by the New World Order.
  • Shroud: A spiritual barrier used to protect humanity from the ghosts of the dead and defeat a spiritual paradigm wherein the dead may control the living.
  • Sleepteaching: A method of teaching someone who is asleep, usually through subliminal broadcast or induced dreaming.
  • Social Conditioning
  • Sympathizer: An unenlightened ally of the Technocracy, or an ally who does not realize she is Enlightened.
  • Techncracy

Progenitors[]

Syndicate[]

Void Engineers[]

  • BCD
  • "Between Space"
  • "Big Joke"
  • Celestial Masters
  • CF: Cooperative Forces, aka Cannon Fodder; assistants from other Technocracy groups, usually used as fire support.
  • Co-Op
  • Coordinator: Executive who oversees a co-op team.
  • Deep Universe
  • Dimensional Science/DS
  • DET: Deep Exploration Team; a co-op which explores the outer reaches of the solar system and beyond.
  • DIMH: Descartes Institute of Mental Health; where Engineers go to "get their minds back in order."
  • DSEATC
  • EFD
  • Fluctuation Matrix/Quantum Field Inverter:
  • Gateway Travel: Faster-than-light travel which warps through magickal wormholes to cross vast distances in space.
  • GENES
  • IHEET: Inaccessible High Elevation Exploration Team; mountaineer who investigate odd rumors or disturbances in earthly mountains or rocky Realms.
  • iMPALA: Ionic Molecular Pigment Absorption Level Adapter; a procedure (often built-in) which allows a material to change colors on command.
  • Investigator: A research specialist.
  • LERMU: Living Entity Reality Modulator Unit; custom-built "assistants" designed by Progenitor allies for hazardous investigations.
  • NSC
  • PAD: Prime Absorption Device; a machine used to extract Quintessence from Nodes.
  • PDC
  • PFT: Personally Fueled Tecknology, i.e., a magickal procedure which comes from the Technomancer, not from a Device.
  • R&E
  • RRF: Rapid Response Force; a co-op scrambled to handle emergencies.
  • Sanitization: The elimination of supernatural threats. This may be done through mental conditioning, Node conquest, or destruction.
  • Seekers of the Void
  • Sentinel: Defense satellites which orbit the Earth in both realspace and Umbral space.
  • STAR Unit: Quintessence collector units used by Deep Universal craft.
  • Tecknology: Engineer term for their brand of magick.
  • Those Beyond
  • Universal Craft: Umbral exploration or battle ships.
  • Wanderers

Traditions[]

  • Agent Smith: Generic Technocrat.
  • Appo: A mage who tries to smooth matters between Traditions and work for the unity of the Council as a whole. Abbreviation of "apologist."
  • Arcanopath: One who eschews morality in the pursuit in the pursuit of magical knowledge and/or power. (Technically incorrect usage, but considered acceptable slang.)
  • Boom Stick: A wand or staff used for vulgar magic.
  • Casa de (Tradition): A chantry predominantly of a given Tradition.
  • Chippies: Friends and associates in magical circles. ("I went clubbing with the boys from work, then later met up with my chippies for drinks and debate.")
  • Choaded: Torn apart or otherwise incapacitated by Paradox. ("Winston got the fireball off, but casting it choaded him.")
  • Crash (a Node): To steal Quintessence from a Node in a crude fashion that damages said Node.
  • Cryptofascist Conspiracy
  • Cyberdork: A computer-using mage who constantly references '80s and early 90's cyberpunk fiction.
  • Disco Warrior: A mage who insists on continuing the Ascension War - disco is dead, and so is the War (presumably).
  • Disney Kidz: Young mages who still think that magic is solely about fun and whimsy. Generally, a derogatory term used by older cynical mages.
  • Dreamspeaker with a Mallet: A mage who, for some reason, can no longer perform magic in the preferred fashion and must rely on additional tools or overkill. Refers to Dreamspeaker difficulties with spirit-binding in the wake of the Avatar Storm.
  • Fac
  • Formulaic Trash: The reduction of a magical process to a vague description based upon the Council's system of Spheres. ("Basically, this complex Hermetic spell is, in terms of formulaic trash, just another big application of Forces.")
  • Fuckdox: A persistent (although not necessarily permanent) Paradox Effect that interferes with the mage's ability to socialize normally.
  • Glow
  • Glowstick
  • Headjob
  • Hellganked: Turned into an infernalist or Nephandus.
  • Home Turf: A Horizon realm sympathetic to Tradition magic.
  • House for Wayward Boys
  • House of Cheddar: A chantry where the mages typically rely on certamen to settle all disputes, regardless of merit.
  • Law of Ass: Murphy's Law. Corollary to the laws of Sympathy and Contagion.
  • Light Up: To spend Quintessence. ("He lit up and fired off a tremendous curse.")
  • Magical Esperanto: The Council's system of the nine Spheres.
  • Moving Mundane: Dwelling and working in a normal, mundane life and avoiding magical exposure. ("Seeing as how he got choaded, Winston decided he's gonna be moving mundane for a while.")
  • Mystic Republican: A mage who inherits magic from a family line.
  • Navel-gazer: Mage who relies on meditation and introspection to the exclusion of any sort of active pursuit of enlightenment.
  • Old Man Dox
  • Past Sign: An Avatar lineage. A lingual drift from the comment "What's your past life sign?"
  • Pixie Dust: Powdered Tass, especially if it's also a drug.
  • Potter: Same as a "Disney Kid" (q.v.). ("Maelwyn, he's such a Potter, he really needs to grow up.")
  • Slideways
  • Slipstream
  • Spike (a Node): To leave behind a trap on the Quintessence stream of a Node.
  • Steel: A cyborg - usually Technocratic, but could include a technomagical cyborg as well. Also, Technocracy enforcers. ("Time to bail out, the steel's arrived.")
  • Substitute Penis: Derogatory form of "Book Stick," for a mage who relies too much on vulgar magic with a wand or staff as a focus or Wonder. ("Oh look, it's Watford and his substitute penis.")
  • Three-Assed Monkey: A failed experiment or useless magical device or creature.
  • TING: "This is no game" - tongue-in-cheek reference for a job that's stupidly simple. Used simply as a remark of satisfaction at the situation. ("We just walk out with the Tass and nobody even looks at us? TING.")
  • Tree-hugging Hippy Neopagan: Derogatory term for any mage who uses diluted versions of cultures or religions without bothering to research their roots. Sometimes "Dancing Hippy Neopagan."
  • Twist
  • Vampire Bait: Mages who became involved in the Second Massasa War.
  • Vetvet: A veteran of the Ascension War. Came about as a double abbreviation of "veteran," on the presumption that being a veteran of the Ascension War is somehow more noteworthy than being a veteran of a mundane war. Refers to a mage who actually fought Technocrats, raided their bases and so on.
  • Voices in My Head
  • Waffle Hoes: Itinerant cabal of mages who meet in bars, restaurants or clubs instead of having a chantry.
  • Wannabe Jedi: Any mage who relies on pop culture to perform magic. Most commonly used to describe orphans and Hollow Ones with composite styles.
  • What Would Porthos Do?: In-joke among younger mages, used facetiously as a sarcastic examination of a situation. Tends to infuriate older Traditionalists. ("Let's see, he killed two of his chantry mates and sold the others out to the Nephandi. I dunno - what would Porthos do?")
  • Whips 'n' Chains: Mages who rely on sexual foci, typically Cultists of Ecstasy and Verbena ("I suppose we'll have to talk to the whips 'n' chains about this mess.")
  • Zanger: A mage who studies a Traditional style and culture wildly divergent from the individual' native culture, such as a Middle American Caucasian engineer who winds up in the Akashic Brotherhood.

Akashic Brotherhood[]

  • Akasha: The Ascended Avatar credited with the development of writing and the formation of the Akashic Record.
  • Akashi: The name used by the Akashic Brotherhood until the Himalayan Wars, when they changed it to emphasize that they were a different "vehicle" (yana) to enlightenment than other sects.
  • Akashic Brotherhood
  • Akashakarma: 1. The impressions all beings make upon the fabric of the Tapestry with their actions; magic makes these tangible to the Akashayana. Called the Akashic Record by Western Brothers. 2. The passive (Yin) principle of Akashic philosophy, similar to the Taoist wu-wei.
  • Akashayana Sangha: "The Order of the Vehicle of Akasha." The name the Tradition uses for itself. "Sangha" more strictly refers to the Kannagara monastic order. "Akashayana" is used on its own as well, to emphasize that each Brother is a vehicle for the Akasha, in a singular or plural fashion.
  • Blue Skins: Mages of the Primordial Essence who focus their lived in the pursuit of Ascension. Legends say that as the mage nears Ascension his skin becomes blue with Quintessence saturation.
  • Bodhicitta
  • Bodhimandala
  • Bodhisattva
  • Brother: A sworn comrade who will side with you throughout this incarnation, no matter what the cost. This term is not gender specific.
  • Calculating: Making an educated assumption based on known facts through the extrapolation of information, especially when utilizing the Spheres of Correspondence, Mind and/or Time.
  • Ch'i (Qi or Chi)
  • Chi'n Ta
  • Choppy-Socky: 1) The act of performing martial arts, specifically Do, in an improper fashion. 2) A martial arts or Asian action-adventure film. Often considered derogatory.
  • Dharma: 1. In Hindu belief, a set of social mores and ritual behaviors that one must follow to live a good life. 2. In Buddhism, an ultimate truth about the nature of wisdom and the universe. 3. In Akashic terminology, a core magical principle or field, often used to refer to the Spheres.
  • Dojang (also Dojo): 1) A training hall used for the practice of martial arts. 2) A lesser Xiudaoyuan.
  • Dragon
  • Dragon Nest
  • Drahma: The short form of Draladharma, hybridized term derived from Tibetan and Sanskrit meaning, "the law of transcending the enemy." The active (Yang) principle in Akashic philosophy.
  • Fist: 1) The hand when clenched into a form usable for striking blows. 2) The whole of that which a martial artist puts to use when in combat (i.e. her entire body).
  • Flow: The underlying current of the Cosmic All.
  • Fruit of Sarasvati: 1) Tass. 2) Sections of the Akashic Record.
  • Intrinsic Internal Energy: That which is chi, both internal and external.
  • Kamikaze: 1) Divine Wind. 2) One who aligns one's self with both the Flow and Drahma in order to achieve a goal even if it leads to death. 3) Often a mage who aligns himself with the Phoenix Incarna.
  • Kannagara: An ascetic faction that upholds the old traditions of the Brotherhood.
  • Kemian
  • Ki: That which is chi, mainly referring to the externally summoned.
  • Lingxiu: Deacon.
  • Lin Shen: "Forest Spirit." A Jnani hermit. Sometimes a euphemism for a Brotherhood assassin.
  • Lung-ta: Also called the Kai-lin, or Windhorse. A spirit aligned with the Li-Hai and some hengeyokai; associated with the Maya Realm, the stars and enigmas.
  • Magick Papers: Slips of yellow paper inscribed with characters in red ink. The inscription determines the type of powers that the paper possesses. The size of the paper indicates the strength. Often, the blood of the practitioner is blended into the inks to yield even more strength.
  • Meru'ai: The people of Meru, the oldest name for the Akashayana.
  • Mudra: A hand gesture used to invoke and direct spiritual energy. Among the Akashic Brotherhood, it also serves as a sophisticated sign language.
  • Orange Robe: A Sleeper or Awakened initiate of the Akashic Brotherhood who resides full-time in a Chantry. Such mages tend to be of the Pattern Essence and seek to excel at the Sphere of the Mind.
  • Others, The: A derogatory term for Awakened beings who are not mages.
  • Paladin: The champion of an Akashic Brotherhood Xiudaoyuan; usually the highest-ranking Questing Essence mage.
  • Pangu: 1) The architect who constructed the universe and whose body became the substance of the universe upon his death. Seen by many to be an equivalent to the Western Gaia. 2) Nature, used to refer to all creation.
  • Phoenix
  • Phoenix Robes: Alternate name for the Kannagara.
  • The Record: The Akashic Record.
  • Rinpoche (Tulku): A title for a Brother who was a Brother in a previous life.
  • Saint: 1) One who nears Ascension. 2) One sworn to fight for a cause, with all of her being, unto death.
  • Samadhi
  • Sam Chien
  • Santana: The self. Literally, "stream." The Akashayana believes that self is in constant flux and intertwined with the Ten Thousand Things, such that it cannot be said to have an independent existence.
  • Sar: 1) Tass. 2) Abbreviation of the Fruit of Saravati.
  • Sarasvati: 1) The river that, with the Ganges, replaced the Sindhu as the most holy river of India. 2) The Indian goddess of speech, wife of Brahma. 3) To the Akashics, Sarasvati is the Ascended Avatar of the founder of complex communication.
  • Scales of the Dragon: Mage of the Questing Essence who specialize in the militant aspects of Do. It is said that their combined number makes up the physical body of the Dragon Celestine. Also called Dragon's Scales.
  • Sect: A branch of the Brotherhood that specializes in the study of specific Spheres of magick and usually has a particular agenda for its teachings and philosophy.
  • Sensei
  • Sensing: Using Life, Forces and Matter to extrapolate information about the nearby surroundings.
  • Shaolin Temple: Two Buddhist monasteries located in China, one northern and one southern. These temples are historically described as the birthplace of modern Chinse martial arts.
  • Sifu: Mentor.
  • Sigung
  • Sihing: "Elder Brother." An Adept.
  • Simiao Zhuchi: 1) The leader of a Chantry, usually concerned with general Chantry operation. 2) The most learned Pedagogue of a Chantry.
  • Style: 1) A specific form of Do. 2) A particular pattern or mode of Do that relies upon a certain attitude and, usually, a set energy source (internal or external).
  • Sword Saint: A member of the Akashic Brotherhood who has chosen the sword as her dedicated focus for the Spheres of Life and Matter, and who has sworn to battle in the Ascension Wars.
  • Thumb: A master's top student and/or assistant.
  • Tao-shih: "Way Scholar/Warrior." A Do specialist within the Brotherhood.
  • Tiger: One of the three Ministers of the Sam Chien. Dynamism in the Metaphysic Trinity. Associated with Yang.
  • Tiger
  • Warring Fist: 1. Wu Chuan, the martial art of the Vajrapani. 2. A derogatory nickname for the Vajrapani and the Brotherhood as a whole.
  • Xiudaoyuan
  • Yogi: Among the Akashic Brotherhood, a Dynamic mage specializing in the Spirit Sphere.

Celestial Chorus[]

  • Book of Ages: The scared scriptures of the Celestial Chorus.
  • Catechumenate: An Apprentice's period of training and study.
  • Curia: The Chorus' administrative council.
  • Dark Singers
  • Enchiridion: (Greek, "handbook") Portion of the Book of Ages which sums up many of the Chorus' beliefs.
  • Faithful
  • First Singers: The first, and most powerful, mages.
  • The Four Ages: Concept which divides history into four ages, each representing a different epoch in Chorus' history:
    • First Age (Ended in the 2nd century): The earliest days, the time of pre-history, when the First Singers walked the Earth.
    • Second Age (2nd century to 312): The time from the establishment of the Congregation.
    • Third Age (312 to 1325): The period of Christian ascendancy within the Congregation, from the Battle of the Milvian Bridge to the Declaration of the Ivory Tower.
    • Fourth Age (14th century to present): The reign of the Technocracy.
  • Great Adytum: The Chorus' seat of authority and main Horizon Realm.
  • Longaevi
  • Messianic Voices
  • Office of the Inquisition: The part of the Chorus assigned the task of investigating ecclesiastical crimes committed by members of the Chorus. Power derived from the Curia.
  • Office of the Academy: The part of the Chorus assigned the task of teaching new Apprentices and developing curriculum for study by the Apprentices.
  • Pontifex Maximus: The central authority for the Chorus.
  • Metempsychosis: The ancient belief of reincarnation.
  • Rebels: Those of the Many who struggled against the One's authority; also called The Defiant.
  • Reconciliation: The End Times, when all Creation shall be reunited. The One's followers will be rewarded, His opponents will be destroyed. Some believe a great war will occur.
  • Sacred City: The goal of the Congregation - a world which reveres the One and places religion at the center of society.
  • The Three Inquisitions: The three inquisitions of the Roman Catholic Church, included due to the enormous ecclesiastical influence wielded by the Roman Church and the sea change that was the result of these Inquisitions.
  • Wesleyan Revival: Occurred during the 19th century CE in response to the excesses of the Roman Catholic Church. Converted 250,000 new followers for the Presbyterian and Methodist factions of the Christian religions. Included as first evidence of loss of secular and ecclesiastical power of the Roman Catholic Church. Confined to the West.
  • Variant Terms

Cult of Ecstasy[]

  • Ananda: The scared state of bliss and transcendence. Not Ascension, but a step toward it.
  • Blockhead: An outsider who doesn't get and never will.
  • Chakra: Energy centers along the spine, through which mystick power flows. Various Eastern practices define either four or seven chakras; the latter correspond well with the locations of endocrine glands. Tantrik exercises (among others) stimulate energy flows through these centers. See ojas.
  • Code of Ananda
  • Congrex: A mystick communion, sometimes sexual, sometimes not, which raises power and/or awareness through the Sacred Self.
  • Daemon
  • Dakini: A Tantrik holy woman whose magickal powers flow from her sexual energies.
  • Diksham: The bone between mentor and student.
  • Divya
  • Dreamline: A mystick communication which calls Ecstatics together during emergencies.
  • Jambo: A "formal" Cult gathering, often called to discuss some serious matter but enhanced with wild parties and affectionate greetings.
  • Kamamarga
  • Krisha: The eighth reincarnation of the Hindu god Siva (Shiva), and a supreme deity in his own incarnation.
  • Kundalini: The "coiled serpent." The power that rests within until awakened through spiritual action (often Tantra). To Cultists, the potential for magic. Aroused, the kundalini uncoils into Shakti (q.v.).
  • Lakashim: The Divine Pulse, or World Heartbeat, which resonates in all things. Ecstasy helps attune a person to the Lakashim, and magick flows from it.
  • Mandala: A design or pictogram of lines, circles and triangles, used to focus thought and as a meditation aid. To the Cult, a traced or drawn mandala acts as a conduit for Lakashim and a way to focus magical energy.
  • Mantra: A repetitive phrase used to focus spiritual energy. "Om" is a common and powerful phrase, rounded and simple. "Hare Krishna" forms the basis of a mantra of prayer to Krishna.
  • Muse
  • Ojas: "Life forces"; the inner power that Ecstatics refine through altered consciousness. One's personal Quintessence reserve, channeled through magicks like the Rush Prime Effect.
  • Okox: Communion with spirits, usually through trances and possession. This usually involves sex between mage and spirit, channeling and exchanges of perceptions on both sides.
  • Rasarnava: A 12th-century Tantric manuscript dealing with the transmutation of metals - Indian alchemy.
  • "Running Away" Drugs: Depressants, narcotics and other chemical inhabitants most Cultists disdain.
  • "Running Toward" Drugs: Hallucinogens, stimulants and other chemicals which block inhibitions and open a person to new perceptions.
  • Sahajiya
  • Sects: Small orders within the Tradition. Most predate the Cult itself.
  • Shakta: The male focus energy which gives form to the raw power of Shakti. Wedding the two into a greater whole is the Tantrik ideal.
  • Shakti: "Creative power"; Prime energy, usually embodied as a goddess. Also a common name for True Magick among Cultists. Real access to Shakti involves bliss, will, knowledge, wisdom and action.
  • Siddhu: An Indian mystic; a wandering holy man.
  • Tantra: A system of balancing polarities through exercises, meditations, postures and congrex. Contrary to popular belief, many Tantrik exercises have nothing to do with sex, although most of the popular ones do. Dakshinacara, the "right-hand way," concentrates on spiritual devotion to a higher power rather than on mortal sensations. Vamacara, the "left-hand path" of Tantrik magick, invokes inner Divinity through focused sensual stimulation - that is, ritual sex, drugs, dance and meditation.
  • Vedas: Hindu sacred scriptures.
  • Yantra: "Instrument." A very complex and linear form of mandala used as a meditation aid. Following the form of a yantra, combined with yoga, helps to focus the postulant on the steps to enlightenment.
  • Zeitgeist: "Time spirit"; a personification of a time period that carries such emotional Resonance that it takes on a life of its own. Some time shaman Cultists can contact or even summon zeitgeists.

Dreamspeakers[]

  • Aiyana
  • Diaspora: The scattering of African tribes throughout the world as a result of the slave trade; any dispersion of groups of people through exile, enslavement or emigration.
  • Dreampath: A path or roadway through the Umbra. Dreampaths can either connect locales in the Otherworlds or form bridges allowing passage into the dreams of another. Some believe that dreampaths correspond in some fashion with changeling trods.
  • Dreamtime
  • Great Dream: This vision of an Earth reclaimed for itself and transformed into a new home for all its inhabitants (spirits, humans, animals, plants and inanimate beings) forms the heart of Dreamspeaker lore.
  • Howahkan
  • Kaimi
  • Mana
  • Mawiya: The life-force within all things, called Atman by other Traditions; sometimes used as another word for Avatar.
  • Medicine
  • Moe'uhane: Literally "soul sleep," this word describes each individual's personal dream or vision.
  • Nahimana: A Dreamspeaker who has achieved mastery in at least one form of medicine (Sphere); a wisdom keeper or Master.
  • Path of Nightmares: Summation of all the corrupted uses of Spirit magick as practiced by Vision Mockers and sorcerers.
  • Rituals
  • Sacred Objects: Tools used to concentrate and direct the powers of Dreamspeakers; foci.
  • Shaman
  • So'cha
  • Society of Dreams
  • Sorcerer (Witch): One who uses magick for personal power. Sometimes this word also describes Nephandi or mages from other Traditons.
  • Tarehe: A meeting for spirit-walkers in the Dreamlands, where matters of great importance are discussed in a protected circle.
  • Tisa
  • 'Uhana
  • Vision Mocker
  • Wemilo
  • Other Terminology
    • Dreams (Visions, Maya, pathways of the mind, the sleeping realm, moe'uhane, spirit visitations and waking sleep)
    • Dreamspeakers (Clever men and women, the wise, sami, lorekeepers, bakhita, honored ones, servants of the tribe, medicine men, hada, ramla, gowan, kha'vadi, spirit doctors, konata, medicine workers, taiun-ki, dreamcallers, anuvari, maskai, babalawos, sangoma, spirit workers, men of high degree and wise women)
    • Spirits (Invisible, Other Beings, Iwa, Little Brothers and Sisters, Shining Ones, the Timeless, Friends Within, Hidden Helpers, Brethren, Et, Grandfathers, Grandmothers, Umbrood, Wisdom Speakers, Vision Guides, Branches of the Sacred Tree, Weavers of the Hoop and Meridians)

Euthanatos[]

  • Acarya
  • Agama: The journey between the worlds of the living and the dead. Agama te refers to the initiation ritual (which sends a shravaka through a short death), although it also applies to greater travels beyond the Pana. Agama re refers to trips of two or more people.
  • Atman
  • Avatara
  • Chakra: The Wheel of creation and destruction that regulates the Tellurian. Also a cabal of Euthanatoi.
  • Chakradharma: The sacred duty to the Great Wheel that empowers a Thanatoic mage and charges her with helping all others to adhere to their own dharmas (duties).
  • Chakravanti
  • Chela
  • Chodana: The code of ethics all Tradition Euthanatoi are supposed to follow.
  • Coumatha: Literally, "Croosroad," the crux where a Euthanatos' old life ends and her new life begins. Sometimes used as a term for the Awakening, Coumatha usually refers to some life crisis that leads to a bigger revelation - like an Epiphany.
  • Diksha: The near-death experience (NDE) that leads a Euthanatos into his new life as a mage. The Thanatoic Awakening.
  • Euthanatoi
  • Jhor
  • Kali Yuga: The final Age of Iron or Darkness that precedes the end of the universe. Hindus calculate the Kali Yuga as having begun in March 18, 3201 BC. Therefore, the years 2001 and 2002 AD are Kali 5102 and 5103 according to the Yuga reckoning. Many Euthanatoi believe that the Yuga will conclude sooner than expected, ending the current Cycle and, for all intents and purposes, destroying the cosmos.
  • Lohka
  • Marabout
  • Naraki
  • Nyasa: The Awakening that carries magickal enlightenment and a greater appreciation of life. Although lesser awareness can invoke lesser powers (i.e., hedge magic), magickal talents come only through a true Nyasa. To the Euthanatoi, the best Nyasa come through Diksha.
  • Ojas
  • Pana
  • Paramaguru (Rimposhe)
  • Samashti: A grand meeting that most Euthanatoi are expected to attend.
  • Shravaka
  • Shruti: "That Which is Revealed"; a Time/Mind memory technique that calls up images and sensations of what another person has experienced (q.v. smrti).
  • Siddi
  • Smrti: "That Which is Remembered"; a vision technique (q.v. shruti) in which a Euthanatos calls up memories of past incarnations.
  • Thanatoics (Wheel-turner or Death Mage)
  • Vrata: A formal oath, often bound to a life-promise. To break it is to court disgrace, exile or even death.
  • Wheel, The: The great Cycle of birth, death and reincarnation. Used as a metaphor for creation and the living world.

Order of Hermes[]

  • Common Terms
    • Adam Kadmon: The Primordial Man, reflecting the Divine within humanity. Seen as a guide to godly perfection captured within the imperfect human form.
    • Art (or Arts): Magic; Sphere (pl. Artes)
    • Arx Hermeticum: Symbolically, the structure of the Order and the strength of its resolve. Literally "Fortress of Hermes," it was often equated to Doissetep; unlike Doissetep, this Fortress has not been demolished, simply reorganized.
    • Bani
    • Enochian
    • Instruments
    • Massasa
    • Mi'ahs/Mi'as: Jocular term for politics (Arabic, "quicksand"). When apprentices become mages, they "enter the mi'ahs."
    • Pymanderphile: Disparaging term for a Hermetic idealist.
    • Sancta
    • Sephierah
    • Twilight
    • Wings: The Internet, named for the wings of Hermes and used as both a noun ("I've been riding the wing this morning") and a verb ("Were you winging when I called earlier?").
  • Outmoded Terms (Rarely Used by Modern Hermetics)
    • Circlus Abstrusus: The now-fallen inner circle of Hermetic Archmasters, cracked by Doissetep's ruin and wrecked during the Concordia War.
    • City of Pymander: The shining city of Hermetic idealism; magical Utopia guided by hidden Archmasters. Considered a naive, if not utterly absurd, goal these days, the Pymander concept still has its adherents.
    • Covenant
    • Domus Magnus: The "home base" of an individual Hermetic House.
    • Heka
    • Mater: "Mother"; traditional address for a female mentor.
    • Parma Magica
    • Pater: "Father"; a male mentor.
    • Sa: Favors or obligation; from magical fluids in Egyptian lore. (Vulgarly referred to as "Janissary juice" by those who bitterly recall Caron Mustai).
  • Anima (Ars Animae)
  • Concordia (also Ars Concordiae)
  • Conjunctio (also Ars Conjunctionis)
  • Essentia (also Ars Essentiae)
  • Fatum (also Ars Fati)
  • Manes (also Ars Manium)
  • Materia (also Ars Materiae)
  • Mens (also Ars Mentis)
  • Tempus (also Ars Temporis)
  • Vis (also Ars Vis)

Sons of Ether[]

  • Aretus
  • Chair
  • Doctor
  • Electrodyne Engineers
  • Emeritus
  • Ether
  • Etherite
  • Fortean: Unusual phenomena for which there is no evidence but no known cause, such as rains of frogs or psychic phenomena. Used by the Sons of Ether to uncover hidden natural laws and to prove the Parmenidean doctrine.
  • Heraclitan: Theories in the Kitab al-Alacir similar to those proposed by the Greek philosopher Heraclitus. Heraclitan doctrine holds that reality is in constant flux as opposing metaphysical forces destroy each other and recombine into new phenomena.
  • House Golo
  • Kitab al-Alacir
  • Parmenidean
  • Professor
  • Reductionism: Scientific and philosophical tenet that holds that all possible phenomena can be reduced to a set of consistent, explainable mechanisms. Rejected by the Sons of Ether on the basis that phenomena are infinite, dynamic and possessed of simultaneous rational explanations.
  • Researcher
  • Science: When capitalized, Science refers to Etherite Awakened inventions, research and theories, as opposed to Sleeper or Technocratic science. Also called Awakened Science, Ether Science or Dynamic Science.
  • Scientist
  • Specialist

Verbena[]

  • Aeduna: The ancestors of the Verbena, a loose alliance of pagans, wise ones, herbalists and such who were influential in Europe (particularly around the Mediterranean) in the ancient world.
  • Airts: The four directions (north, south, east and west). An old form not in common use among modern Verbena.
  • Burning Times
  • The Craft
  • Deosil: (JESS-il) "Sun-wise" or in the direction of the sun. In Verbena ritual, deosil means moving in a clockwise direction.
  • Fam-trad: Short for "family tradition," a Verbena who was initiated by a family member and who comes from a family line of Verbena.
  • Gardeners of the Tree
  • Great Rite: The union of opposites, embodying the divine masculine and feminine, performed in Verbena ritual. The Great Rite can involve sex magic, but it is often performed symbolically.
  • Great Wheel: A pagan symbol of life's cycles, which progress perpetually around and around in ever-changing cycles.
  • Lifeweavers: A faction of the Verbena that explores the limits of magic to transform both themselves and others, often disregarding the rituals and rites of the Tradition.
  • Moon-Seekers: A forward-looking faction of the Verbena that seeks to incorporate diverse styles and cultures into the Tradition and learn from them.
  • Old Faith
  • Old Gods: The many deities that predate Christianity, which are often worshipped by the Verbena.
  • Old Ways: A general Verbena term for the teachings, beliefs and way of life of their Tradition, stretching back to the most ancient times.
  • Pagan: From the Latin paganus or "country-dweller." Verbena generally use "pagan" to mean any follower of the Old Faith, in one form or another.
  • Paths of the Wyck
  • Rede: Also known as the Verbena Rede or the Great Rede: "An it harm none, do what thou wilt." It is a guiding principle of Verbena belief.
  • Twisters of Fate: A Verbena faction in touch with ancient and primordial magic that works to reclaim and maintain the root paradigms of the Tradition.
  • Valdaermen
  • Verbenae
  • Widdershins: Moving in a counter-clockwise or "anti-sun-wise" direction. Generally avoided in Verbena ritual except for rites of banishing or destruction.
  • Widderslainte
  • World Tree: A Verbena metaphor for the structure of the Tellurian and of their Tradition. The World Tree's roots reach deep into the Underworld, while its branches spread out among all the worlds of the Deep Umbra. its trunk runs through the center of reality and is the axis around which it turns.
  • Wyck

Virtual Adepts[]

  • Abbreviations: To save time, a lot of Adepts abbreviate. Traditions become "Trads," the Cult of Ecstasy "CoE," etc. They also substitute numbers for letters - 2 for "to" or 8 for "ate." For example, "H8 Technos? Call Rent Adepts!"
  • Alt: Short for alternative lifestyle. Used to describe political factions within the Adepts.
  • Bodybags (Derogatory): People.
  • Coding: Altering an object's behavior with preset instructions. It's most commonly used to describe computer programming but may also refer to the use of magic to alter reality.
  • Digi-Web
  • Elite: A Virtual Adept or someone exceptionally talented.
  • Hacker: Someone adept at coding.
  • Hypersphere: A way of describing reality using theoretical physics. Space and time exist on the "boundary" of the hypersphere. Virtual space exists within it.
  • Kibo: Knowledge in, bullshit out. In adept slang, it refers to someone who specializes in information gathering. It can also be used as a curse - "buried in kibo" is the same as saying "buried in bullshit."
  • Lame: A non-Adept, but it can describe a new Adepts well. Also lamer.
  • Meatspace: Normal space-time, also known as realtime.
  • Misspelled words: Adepts routinely misspell words to confuse filters and authoritarian searches. For example, ph*ck instead of fuck, $h!t instead of shit and so on.
  • Virtual Space: Inside the hypersphere, a place removed from space and time. Virtual space contains the Digi-Web.

Mage: The Sorcerers Crusade[]

Common Parlance[]

  • Acolyte
  • Aethyrs
  • Apprentice
  • Artisans: When capitalized, this term refers to magi who work their magicks through mechanical devices or sacred geometry. Also a general term for craftsmen (uncapitalized).
  • Ascension
  • Astral Flight: Leaving your body behind and traveling into the spirit worlds or across the mortal one.
  • Awakening
  • Common World
  • Consor
  • Contrarium, The
  • Council of the Nine Mystick Traditions
  • Covenant
  • Cray
  • Creation: Everything made by the hand of God (or the gods) - the mortal world, the Otherworlds and the Void.
  • Daedalean
  • Daemon
  • Disparate
  • Dreaming, The
  • The Earth: Capitalized, Earth refers to the material world.
  • Ephemera
  • Ethiope: Archaic term for black Africans (as opposed to Arabs). Also Moor.
  • The Fall: The loss of ideals and vision. Usually wrapped in Infernalism, Hubris or both, the Fall often ends in death, slavery or corruption.
  • Familiar
  • Fate, Fortune or Free Will: One of the great Renaiisance debates; is humanity governed by predestination (personified as Lady Fate); blind luck (personified by Dame Fortuna); or man's own decisions (often epitomized as virtues and vices)? Either way, the principles play active roles in magick.
  • Fragmentum
  • Gauntlet
  • Ghost
  • Grog
  • Horizon
  • Hubris: The fatal pride that dives most sorcerers to destroy themselves and those around them.
  • Humours: Bodily fluids, thought to influence temperament and health.
  • Infernalist
  • Lilith
  • Mage
  • Maraud
  • Microcosm/Macrocosm: The concept that a smaller thing (microcosm) reflects a larger thing (macrocosm). Often expressed as "As above, so below." A fundament of magickal thought.
  • The Mist: The fog of blindness most mortals spend their whole lives wandering through. (See Awakening, Sleepers.) Also, the eternal fog that shrouds the spirit worlds; to travel, one walks into the Mists.
  • Moonpaths
  • Mysticks
  • Naturae: Nature spirits (see spirits), as opposed to demons and angels.
  • Night-folk
  • Old Gods: The pre-Christian deities worshipped by Pagans and shamans but displaced by the Word of God. Seen by Christian magi as spirits, these deities still command respect in rural places.
  • The Order of Reason
  • Otherworlds
  • Pagan: One who believes in the many gods of the Old Ways, as opposed to the one God of Christianity, Judaism or Islam. In this world, an endangered but defiant creed.
  • The Path of Gold: The road to Ascension, idealized by many but followed by few.
  • The Path of Screams: The road of the Infernalist and the Maraud. Instead of a higher state, the wizard seeks a debased or demented one. While this road has a valid place in Creation, those who follow it cause misery and sorrow.
  • The Path of Thorns: The wizard's destiny - to follow a winding, upward, dangerous road through thorns of temptation and blindness. Hopefully, the sorcerer will eventually reach the Zenith or pursue the greater Path of Gold.
  • Paths of the Wyck
  • Pattern
  • The Penumbra
  • Philosopher-scientist: A magus who explores the natural and esoteric worlds. Weaving his magick from formulae and science, rather than from mysticism, he rarely considers what he does to be "magick." (See Ars Praeclarus.)
  • Quintessence
  • Regio: An area shimmering with mystick power, usually aligned with a certain kind of Resonance.
  • Resonance
  • Scourge
  • Shadow-walking
  • Shallowing
  • Sleeper
  • Solitary: A sorcerer who chooses to be left alone. A solitary might join a group for a while, but she avoids long-term alliances or indoctrination.
  • The Spheres
  • Spirit
  • The Tapestry
  • Tass
  • The Trinity: The interplay of change (mutatio), order (stasis) and decay (entropy) that keeps Creation moving.
  • True Form: The original Pattern or name given to a person or thing. Magick can change this Form, but doing so places the wizard above the Creator - not a wise move! Sometimes called the Holy Form by deeply religious magi.
  • Umbra
  • Vadum
  • The Void
  • Weavery: Spellcasting. The term comes from the idea of reweaving Creation.
  • Witchwalk: Eerie phenomena that betray a mage's presence. Soured milk, strange sounds, rustling winds and hundreds of other portents can follow "when a witch walks by."
  • The Word: A great Truth, often seen in different lights (the Holy Word, the Word of Reason, the Word of Insight, etc.). Sadly, most people consider their chosen Word to the be the only truth, and will kill in its name.
  • The Wyck: According to Pagan legends, the first race of magi.
  • The Zenith: The paragon of magickal power. Not true enlightenment, but mastery of great and terrible forces. (See Ascension, Path of Thorns.)
  • Zodiac: The celestial bodies (often viewed as legendary heroes and creatures) that influence humours, Fate and Fortune.

The Council of Nine[]

  • Adeptus: A magus of some skill and insight.
  • Bani
  • Cabal
  • Certámen
  • Compact of Callias: Declaration of cooperation, suggesting the formation of inter-Tradition cabals.
  • Deaconus: One of the founders of a Covenant.
  • Gilgul
  • Icari: An insulting play on words referring to the Daedaleans. Daedalus was the successful inventor; Icarus was his jealous son, who flew too close to the sun, was burned, and fell.
  • Legatus: A Council diplomat, skilled in both magickal and mundane politics.
  • Magister: A Master-rank magus. The variant title Magister Mundi, denotes a wizard of great power and reputation. Magistra refers to a female Master, but many wizards simply use Magister as a catchall term.
  • Mastiga: A foolish apprentice, a young and stupid magus or an errant consor.
  • Primi
  • Promethean
  • Squama: An insulting name for Daedaleans; refers to the metal plates used in armor (with the idea that their heads and hearts are made of the same material).
  • Tradition
  • Umbrood

The Order of Reason[]

Game Terms[]

  • Ability
  • Action: One given task, sometimes achieved with a die roll, often roleplayed.
  • Advantage
  • Affinity Sphere: A magickal element linked to a sorcerer's personality and Awakening.
  • Arete
  • Attribute
  • Automatic Success: An action that, under normal circumstances, does not require a roll.
  • Bane: A nasty Scourge backlash. Also a term for an evil Nature-spirit.
  • Boon: A mystickal "reward" for virtuous magick; the opposite of a Bane.
  • Botch
  • Casual Magick
  • Character
  • Dice Pool
  • Difficulty
  • Effect
  • Extended Action: An activity that requires a certain amount of time and successes to accomplish.
  • Health Level
  • Player
  • Points: A measure of Traits that go up or down (as in "lost one Willpower point"), the cost of a Trait (as in "each dot of Strength costs five points"), or a reflection of experience (as in "you receive five experience points"). Points are fluid; unlike ratings, they often change during a single game session.
  • Rating: The permanent dots in a given Trait. Most ratings remain intact throughout the game; it takes some monumental circumstance to alter a Trait rating one way or the other.
  • Refresh: The rate at which a Trait returns to its original rating. When points are lost from a Trait like Willpower or Health, they come back at the refresh rate.
  • Resisted Action: When two characters oppose each other, the matter is resolved through a resisted action. Both players roll and compare their successes; the one with the most successes wins.
  • Simple Action: Something that can be achieved with a single success.
  • Sphere
  • Storyteller
  • Success
  • Trait
  • Troupe
  • Vain Magick
  • Virtues and Vices: Defined by the Cardinal Virtues, Pagan Virtues, Theological Virtutes, Pagan Vices and Seven Deadly Sins, these behaviors measure a sorcerer's intentions - and suggest the effects of Scourging.

The Sorcerers Crusade Companion[]

Common Parlance[]

  • Abraham man: An ex-asylum inmate of madman (or a beggar posing as one).
  • Ale Passion: A hangover.
  • Alms: Charity, often food or money.
  • Apple-Squire: A procurer.
  • Apocrypha: Hidden writings, often referring to Scripture.
  • Ars Amatoria: The are of amorous etiquette, sexual politics and manipulative ploys.
  • Baggage: A prostitute or woman of "easy virtue."
  • Beak: A magistrate, so named for the long-beaked hats commonly worn by such officals.
  • Beefeater: A respected servant paid in room and board.
  • Beffa: A practical joke used to embarrass the victim.
  • Bell, Book and Candle: A shorthand way of referring to a ceremony of excommunication.
  • Bezoar: Mineral or gem pendant dipped into a liquid to detect or neutralize poison (or, more specifically, a calcareous concretion that comes from the alimentary canal of a goat, and that changes color in the presence of arsenic).
  • Bit: Money, especially small and cheap coins.
  • The Black Art: Picking locks (a possible source of confusion among the Awakened).
  • Brawl: A raucous dancing party.
  • The Cart of Shame: Public display of criminals on a conveyance, in order to deride or make an example of them.
  • Castle in Spain: An imaginary glory or daydream. Moorish occupation of Spain made ownership of a castle there unlikely at best for persons of the Christian faith.
  • Chested: Buried in a coffin.
  • Chichevache (from Chaucer): A monster that feeds on patient wives, and this is always famished.
  • Coals to Newcastle, taking: To bestow the unneeded or to state the obvious.
  • Cokenay: An effeminate man.
  • Colt's Tooth: Youthful exuberance, often sexual in nature.
  • Cony: A dupe or victim.
  • Credence: Testing a wine for poison by tasting or by "bezoar."
  • Crocodile Tears: Hypocritical tears, from the belief that crocodiles weep when they eat.
  • Cuckold: A husband whose wife is engaged in an intimate (and clandestine) relationship with another man.
  • Cup-shotten: Drunk.
  • Danse Macabre: Common artistic and literary theme meant to remind that Death is inevitable to all.
  • Derring-do: Bold deeds.
  • Dexter: Right-handed, often meaning good or lucky. See also sinister.
  • "Divorce Italian Style": Poisoning by arsenic.
  • Docere et delectare: The best art. Literally, "to teach and to please."
  • Domna: A high-born woman who inspires poems of courtly love.
  • Dunce: A thick-witted person.
  • Earwigging: Whispered sharing of secrets.
  • Energumen: A person possessed by demons or evil spirits.
  • Evestrum: A spirit summoned to divine the future.
  • Ex Cathedra: A papal announcement; believed to infallible.
  • Food for Worms: Dead.
  • Gate of Ivory: A place from which false dreams come.
  • Gate of Horn: A place from which true dreams come.
  • Geas: A forbidden word or gesture, with dire consequences if invoked.
  • Gnoff: A foolish old man (often rich).
  • Golden Mean: The perfect point between two excesses.
  • Golden Thumb: A dexterous cheat, who surreptitiously adds weight to mercantile scales.
  • Gong: A privy.
  • Harry ten shillings (slang): A half sovereign coin minted in the reign of Henry VIII.
  • Hectoring: Loud bullying or assertiveness.
  • Hocus Pocus: A nonsensical Latin phrase used by various charlatans.
  • Honeymoon: A fermented honey wine served at marriages to encourage conception.
  • Hoodwink: To deceive, as if hooding a falcon.
  • Hurly Burly: Excited noisy commotion.
  • In the Cards: A pronouncement that something is fated, often through the use of divinatory card reading.
  • Jakes: A privy.
  • Kameah: A Hebrew good luck charm, often inscribed with sacred names or symbols.
  • Lamen: An amulet or good luck charm, often astrological in nature.
  • Love's Merry Business: Wooing and foreplay.
  • Leech: A physician, surgeon or healer.
  • Ockham's Razor: A belief that the simplest truth is the most likely; also called the "Velvet Covered Razor."
  • Rebis: An alchemical hermaphrodite uniting male and female principles and chemical opposites.
  • Rose Alley: Any spot used as a urinal (for "plucking a rose").
  • Sinister: Left handed, often meaning tricky, evil, or unlucky. See also dexter.
  • Sprezzatura: Unforced ease of accomplishment, or effortless superiority; the trademark of gentlemen.
  • Stews: A house of prostitution.
  • Swyve: To engage in sexual intercourse.
  • That Old Dance: Courtship and foreplay.

Songhai[]

  • Amiru: The chief of a village or neighborhood within a larger city.
  • Ansara: European.
  • Baata
  • Baba: Father; a term of respect for any old man.
  • Boro bi: The black-skinned people.
  • Griot: The bard of the Songhai. Like the bards of Ireland and Greece, the griot is a living history book, sage and performer. Every king and many a chieftain has a personal griot.
  • Gris-gris
  • Pui: A poem about a mythological hero; a song of praise, or a prayer to a supernatural being.
  • Sisiri: The "chain of power" the Sohanci carry in their abdomen; the Daemon.
  • Sohanci
  • Sorko
  • Sorko Benya: Literally, a sorko's slave, but figuratively it means an apprentice magician or witch.
  • Zima: The head of a possession troupe.
  • Zongo: A section of a town or village set aside for strangers.

A Turkish Lexicon[]

  • Amir: A military leader.
  • El Hajj: A title given to one who has completed the pilgrimage to Mecca.
  • Imam: A religious leader.
  • Iblis: Satan.
  • Maraboaut: An Islamic Cleric.
  • Muezzin: The crier who announces the daily prayers, traditionally from the minarets of a mosque.
  • Muhtedi: The name given to a Christian willingly converted to Islan; literally "one who has found the true way."

Infernalism: The Path of Screams[]

Lexicon Malevoli[]

  • The Absolute: The eternal consciousness of the Void; the living Darkness from which all things come. Known by many names and hidden to all but the most insightful infernalists, the Absolute is greater than the gods and devils of Earth together, and is, in fact, the source of them all.
  • Adversary: Literally, "one who turns against." Often used to describe Satan, it also defines "the satan within," the impulse to oppose virtue and civility. By attuning himself with the inner adversary, an Infernalist sets himself against goodness and nurtures his darker urges.
  • Aesfotedia: Infernally tainted Tass; demon-essence. Often said to be distilled in Hell, but just as often refined by exquisite hatred or suffering.
  • Ahriman: In Zoroastrianism, the Adversary; long ago, some Nephandi called themselves Ahrimanites. Later, the term came into use as the name for a Nephandic cabal (an ahriman), so called because all the members were considered part of the Adversary's body.
  • Ahrimanites: Followers of the Adversary; ancient Nephandi.
  • Assumption: The final step of the Path of Screams, in which the Infernalist becomes one with the Darkness and leaves humanity behind.
  • Asward: An anti-saint. Among the Nephandi, a subtle master of the Dark Arts and the truths behind them.
  • Barabbi
  • Black Magick: Spells or rituals cast put of malice and intended to cause harm. See maleficia.
  • Caul
  • Decadenti: Rake-hells and libertines who indulge in blasphemy, demonism and sensuality for kicks.
  • Deep Lords of Misrule: Legendary "ghost-oracles" of darkness and chaos. Sentient fragments of the Primal Void, said to occupy a null-pace beyond the heavens and the gods. Sometimes regarded as the breaths of the Absolute, its attendants, or both.
  • Demon: Generic term for an intelligent, malicious spirit. Although often associated with anti-Christian Infernalism, demons can be found all over the world, in a multitude of forms. Early germ theory even attributes the cause illness to these malicious spirits, naming them "demonets."
  • Divine Chain of Being: In Christian theology, the order of things. As ordained by God, all things in Heaven, Earth and Hell are ranked in hierarchies that define their place in the Divine scheme. Supposedly, this system keeps disorder in check; thus, Infernalists love to break the chain.
  • Dregvat
  • Fallen: A proper descriptor for one who has chosen the Path of Screams over the roads to virtue or Enlightenment. Based on the rebel angels who, with Lucificer, rejected Heaven in favor of a Hell of their own design. Despite its Christian origin, the term fits Infernalists of all kinds and cultures.
  • Foedus Infernus: The pact of demonic service and servitude. Plural, Foderis.
  • Gallû: "Demons." Sometimes used as a name for ancient Infernalists. Also a title among the Nephandi.
  • Gilledian: One of the small but influential group of Nephandi who seek to unite the Fallen. Also known as a Div.
  • Gnostic: A heretic (or heretical idea) that claims the Biblical god is really the Demiurge (Satan), and that the only true salvation comes through pure knowledge and defiance of the Demiurge's laws and Church.
  • God of the Book
  • Grimoire
  • Host, The: Wafer and wine of the Catholic Holy Communion; thought to become the body and blood of Jesus, the Host is often desecrated by those who wish to defile Jesus and his Church.
  • Investment/Investiture
  • Jacquerie: The "Jacks," a fiendish sect of French mercenaries. Supposedly hunted to extinction in the 1300s, they went underground and founded several Infernal cults in France.
  • Khristos
  • K'llasshaa
  • K'wahhll
  • Laham: A person sired by a demon or evil spirit; someone who seems to have inherited Infernal powers.
  • Lex Praedatorius: The Rule of Predation - eat or be eaten. Often used to refer to the diabolical code of morality: "Be a wolf or be a sheep."
  • Lili: A Nephandic priestess.
  • Luciferian: A Satanist who believes the Fallen Angel has been slandered, or who prefers a rebellious theology to the passivity demanded by the God of the Book. Also the concept that it is, as Milton said, "better to reign in hell, than serve in heav'n."
  • Mafouh Whash
  • Maleficia: Evil magick; spells and rituals done to cause harm and misfortune.
  • Malleus Nefandorum
  • Nephandi
  • Nhanga: Common name for a cannibal-sorcerer from sub-Saharan Africa. Also called, Banoba, Udena and Chisonzi.
  • Nine Keys to Creation
  • Pact: A promise of service given to a demonic Patronus in return for favors or Investments. Contrary to common belief, not all pacts involve soul-selling, though all demand some degree of sin.
  • Patronus: "Protector, advocate"; common term for an Infernalist's demonic "master." As the diabolists see it, a warlock is more an apprentice than a slave, and the Patronus offers occult training and other favors in exchange for a few favors. Feminine demons are sometimes called Patrona ("Protectress"); in their plural forms, the terms are Patroni (masc.) and Patronae (fem,).
  • People of the Book: Jews, Christians and Muslims, as opposed to Buddhists, Hindus, Pagans, and followers of other faiths.
  • Praelatus: A Nephandic priest. Also known as an Ibl'is.
  • Reckoning, The: A term some Infernalists use to reflect the final showdown between Light and Darkness. Often thought of in terms of Ragnaroc, Armageddon, or other great battles, the Reckoning sets virtue and oblivion at odds, and supposedly ends with the return of primal Darkness.
  • Qlippoth
  • Qlippothic Spheres
  • Qut Etemmu: "Hands of Ghosts"; old name for Infernalists. Often used in reference to Babylonian Nephandi, but not exclusive to them.
  • Raksha: An Indian demon, known for its powers of illusion, deception and misdirection.
  • Sebil-el-Mafouh Whash
  • Supplicium
  • Void, The: The primal origin and ending of all things; the Void lies just beyond Earth and will someday encompass it altogether. Also the inner urge toward chaos. The Fallen Ones consider the two aspects interconnected, and they encourage the "inner" Void to grow, reflect and reach out toward the "outer" one.
  • Widderslainte
  • Zoroastrianism: Persian religion that replace polytheism with the image of warring dualities of Good (Ahura Mazda, or "Wise God") and Evil (Angra Manyu; see Ahriman). Greatly influenced Christianity and Islam, as well as their dark opposites

Dark Ages: Mage[]

Victorian Mage[]

Mind Eye's Theatre: Laws of Ascension[]

Mind's Eye Theatre Terms[]

  • Ability
  • Attribute
  • Challenge: Any time that two opponents face off and throw Rock-Paper-Scissors to determine the outcome.
  • Extended Challenge: A challenge that continues until the tester loses.
  • Health Level
  • Scene: A location where action is taking place, or the specific duration for such an action.
  • Simple Test: Any time two opponents throw Rock-Paper-Scissors without comparing Traits.
  • Trait
  • Turn: A unit of time in Mind's Eye Theatre play, usually considered to be the equivalent of about three seconds, but generally as long as necessary for everyone involved in a situation to take one simple action.

Laws of Ascension Companion[]

References[]

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