The Book of Shadows: The Mage Players Guide

The Book of Shadows: The Mages Players Guide is the players guide for Mage: The Ascension.

Summary[]

From the White Wolf catalog:

By My Will, So It Is Done!

"We are the shapers of reality, the masters of the Path. We move the Wheel of Creation on its forward course and counter those who would freeze the Wheel in its tracks.

"Now if we could only cooperate, we'd be in business!"

— Porthos, Drua'shi Master of the Order of Hermes

Magickal Lore of the Ages

A Book of Shadows is a journal of the Path, a tome of revelations for the followers of magick. In this Book of Shadows, mage players and Storytellers will uncover lost secrets of the Traditions and their rivals. This is a valuable tome for mages everywhere!

The Mage Players Guide includes:

New rotes, Talismans, Abilities, Merits and Flaws, and details about the elusive Ahl-i-Batin;
in-depth truths about the factions of magick and the Path of Ascension;
Expanded rules for magick, foci, familiars and more!

Contents[]

Prelude: Behind the Walls[]

By Kathleen Ryan.

Introduction[]

Book One: The Gifts of Awakening - Traits[]

This Book includes new Abilities, Archetypes and Backgrounds, plus Merits and Flaws, an optional spice for Mage characters.

New Abilities
- Talents
  - Artistic Expression
  - Blatancy
  - Carousing
  - Diplomacy
  - Fortune Telling
  - Instruction
  - Interrogation
  - Intrigue
  - Mimicry
  - Scan
  - Scrounging
  - Search
  - Seduction
  - Sense Deception
  - Style
  - Ventriloquism
- Skills
  - Acrobatics
  - Animal Training
  - Archery
  - Blind Fighting
  - Camouflage
  - Climbing
  - Crafts
  - Demolitions
  - Disguise
  - Dancing
  - Do
  - Escapology
  - Fast-Draw
  - Fast-Talk
  - First Aid
  - Gambling
  - Gunsmithing
  - Heavy Weapons
  - High Ritual
  - Hunting
  - Hypnotism
  - Lockpicking
  - Misdirection
  - Pilot
  - Psychoanalysis
  - Ride
  - Singing
  - Speed Reading
  - Swimming
  - Torture
  - Tracking
  - Traps
- Knowledges
  - Alchemy
  - Area Knowledge
  - Astrology
  - Chantry Politics
  - Computer Hacking
  - Cryptography
  - Herbalism
  - History
  - Lore
  - Poisons
  - Psychology
  - Science Specialties
  - Secret Code Language
  - Sign Language
  - Stone Lore
  - Taxidermy
  - Theology
Merits and Flaws
- Psychological
  - Code of Honor (1 pt Merit)
  - Higher Purpose (1 pt Merit)
  - Curiosity (2 pt Merit)
  - Addiction (1-3 pt Flaw)
  - Compulsion (1 pt Flaw)
  - Dark Secret (1 pt Flaw)
  - Intolerance (1 pt Flaw)
  - Nightmares (1 pt Flaw)
  - Phobia (1 pt Flaw)
  - Overconfident (1 pt Flaw)
  - Shy (1 pt Flaw)
  - Speech Impediment (1 pt Flaw)
  - Sadism/Masochism (2 pt Flaw)
  - Obsession (2 pt Flaw)
  - Vengeance (2 pt Flaw)
  - Flashbacks (3 pt Flaw)
  - Driving Goal (3 pt Flaw)
  - Hatred (3 pt Flaw)
  - Lifesaver (3 pt Flaw)
  - Phobia (Severe) (3 pt Flaw)
- Mental
  - Common Sense (1 pt Merit)
  - Concentration (1 pt Merit)
  - Lightning Calculator (1 pt Merit)
  - Eidetic Memory (2 pt Merit)
  - Prodigy (2 pt Merit)
  - Iron Will (3 pt Merit)
  - Self-Confident (5 pt Merit)
  - Amnesia (2 pt Flaw)
  - Confused (2 pt Flaw)
  - Absent-Minded (3 pt Flaw)
- Awareness
  - Acute Senses (1 pt Merit)
  - Color Blindness (1 pt Flaw)
  - Hard of Hearing (1 pt Flaw)
  - Bad Sight (2 pt Flaw)
  - Deaf (4 pt Flaw)
  - Blind (6 pt Flaw)
- Aptitudes
  - Animal Magnetism (1 pt Merit)
  - Ambidextrous (1 pt Merit)
  - Computer Aptitude (1 pt Merit)
  - Crack Driver (1 pt Merit)
  - Mechanical Aptitude (1 pt Merit)
  - Poison Resistance (1 pt Merit)
  - Natural Linguist (2 pt Merit)
  - Daredevil (3 pt Merit)
  - Fast Learner (3 pt Merit)
  - Perfect Balance (3 pt Merit)
  - Jack-Of-All-Trades (5 pt Merit)
  - Age (1 pt Flaw)
- Supernatural
  - Past Life (1-5 pt Merit)
  - True Love (1 pt Merit)
  - Medium (2 pt Merit)
  - Danger Sense (2 pt Merit)
  - Faerie Affinity (2 pt Merit)
  - Spirit Mentor (3 pt Merit)
  - Werewolf/Vampire Companion (3 pt Merit)
  - Luck (3 pt Merit)
  - Twin Souls (4 pt Merit)
  - Unbondable (4 pt Merit)
  - Spark of Life (5 pt Merit)
  - Sphere Natural (5 pt Merit)
  - Guardian Angel (6 pt Merit)
  - Avatar Companion (7 pt Merit)
  - True Faith (7 pt Merit)
  - Spirit Magnet (3-7 pt Merit or 2-6 pt Flaw)
  - Strangeness (1 pt Flaw)
  - Throwback (1-5 pt Flaw)
  - Echoes (1-5 pt Flaw)
  - Cursed (1-5 pt Flaw)
  - Magical Prohibition or Imperative (2-7 pt Flaw)
  - The Bard's Tongue (1 pt Flaw)
  - Primal Marks (2 pt Flaw)
  - Haunted (3 pt Flaw)
  - Sphere Inept (5 pt Flaw)
  - Psychic Vampire (5 pt Flaw)
  - Dark Fate (5 pt Flaw)
- Mage Ties
  - Boon (1-3 pt Merit)
  - Prestigious Mentor (1 pt Merit)
  - Reputation (2 pt Merit)
  - Enemy (1-5 pt Flaw)
  - Infamous Mentor (1 pt Flaw)
  - Insane Mentor (1 pt Flaw)
  - Mentor's Resentment (1 pt Flaw)
  - Twisted Apprenticeship (1 pt Flaw)
  - Diabolical Mentor (2 pt Flaw)
  - Notoriety (3 pt Flaw)
- Sleeper Society
  - Black Market Ties (1-5 pt Merit)
  - Judicial Ties (2 pt Merit)
  - Mansion (3 pt Merit)
  - Media Ties (2 pt Merit)
  - Nightclub (2 pt Merit)
  - Church Ties (3 pt Merit)
  - Corporate Ties (3 pt Merit)
  - Entertainment Ties (3 pt Merit)
  - Police Ties (3 pt Merit)
  - Political Ties (3 pt Merit)
  - Underworld Ties (3 pt Merit)
  - Corporation CEO (5 pt Merit)
  - Ward (3 pt Flaw)
  - Hunted (4 pt Flaw)
- Physical
  - Double-Jointed (1 pt Merit)
  - Huge Size (4 pt Merit)
  - Allergic (1-4 pt Flaw)
  - Asthma (1 pt Flaw)
  - Short (1 pt Flaw)
  - Disfigured (2 pt Flaw)
  - Child (3 pt Flaw)
  - Deformity (3 pt Flaw)
  - Lame (3 pt Flaw)
  - One Arm (3 pt Flaw)
  - Mute (4 pt Flaw)
  - Paraplegic (6 pt Flaw)
New Backgrounds
- Chantry
- Familiar
- Resources
- Sanctum

Book Two: Faces of Magick - Portraits[]

This Book details the various mage factions through their own eyes and presents the lost Tradition of the Ahl-i-Batin.

Book Three: The Book of Rules - Systems[]

In this Book, Mage players and Storytellers will find new rules for foci, talismans, study points, familiars, child mages and the Akashic art of Do, as well as a quick-and-dirty system for magick and clarification of many gray areas of the Mage rules.

Book Four: The Magick Toybox - Equipment[]

The Book presents a collection of rotes, talismans and more mundane equipment for the well-equipped Mage character.

Tradition Rotes
- Akashic Brotherhood
  - Peace of Buddha (•• Mind)
  - Avatar Form (••• Life, •• Prime, •• Mind)
- Ahl-i-Batin
  - Eagle Eye (•• Correspondence, • Life)
  - Sneaking Shadow (•• Forces, •• Mind)
- Celestial Chorus
  - Sense Corruption (• Entropy, • Spirit)
  - Wall of Mirrors (•••• Correspondence, ••• Forces)
- Cult of Ecstasy
  - True Psychic Radio (•• Forces, • Mind)
  - The Trip (•••• Mind, •• Correspondence, •• Time, • Entropy)
- Dreamspeakers
  - Scrying (•• Correspondence, • Spirit)
  - Sucking Gate (•••• Spirit, •••• Forces, •• Prime)
- Euthanatos
  - Random Impulse (•••• Mind, •• Entropy)
  - Bone Twisting Palm (•••• Entropy, •••• Life, ••• Prime)
- Hollow Ones
  - Be Cool (•• Mind)
  - Lecherous Kiss (•• Mind, •• Life, •• Prime)
  - Penny Dreadful's Bright New Penny (••• or •••• Matter, •• Prime, •• Time)
- Order of Hermes
  - Unseen Nomenclature (•• Mind, •• Matter, •• Prime)
  - Unraveling the Text (•• Entropy, •• Matter, •• Prime)
- Sons of Ether
  - Jury Rig (•• Matter, •• Prime, •• Correspondence, • Mind)
  - Supporting the Brain (•••• Life, •• Matter, •• Mind, •• Prime)
- Verbena
  - Shadows in the Most (•• Forces, • Spirit)
  - Spirit Wounding (•••• Spirit, ••• Matter)
- Virtual Adepts
  - Adrenal Rush (••• Life, •• Prime)
  - Override Signal (•• Forces, or sometimes •••• Life)
General Rotes
- Ariadne's Thread (• Mind, • Correspondence)
- Detect the Fream Gateway (• Correspondence, • Spirit)
- Prime Location (• or •• Correspondence, • Prime)
- Burn Out (•• Forces, • Entropy)
- Hallmark (•• Mind, • Prime)
- Pixie Lead (••• Mind, •• Correspondence)
- Talons (••• Life, •• Matter, •• Prime)
- Pygmalion's Paradigm (•••• Matter, ••• Life, •• Prime, •• Spirit)
- The Poison Maiden (•••• Life)
- Song of Orpheus (•••• or ••••• Life, •• Matter, •• Prime, •• Time, •• Spirit)
- Call Forth the Forgotten (••••• Life, •• Prime, •• Spirit)
Do Rotes
- Dragon Fist (••• Life, •• Prime, sometimes ••• Forces) Required Maneuver: Punch or Kick
- Screech of the Owl (••• Mind, ••• Entropy) Required Maneuver: Kiai
- Piercing Cry (••• Matter, ••• Entropy) Required Maneuver: Kiai
- Long Fist (•••• Correspondence, •• Prime) Required Maneuver: Punch
- Flying Dragon Kick (•••• Forces, • Correspondence) Required Maneuver: Flying Kick
Talismans
- •• Golden Walnut - A:3, Q: 10
- •• Lycanthroscope - A: 3, Q: 15
- •• Prayer Beads - A: 4, Q: 20
- ••• Cord of Three Winds - A: 4, Q: 20
- ••• Fan of Kang Wu - A: 5, Q: 25
- ••• Glasses of Speed Reading - A: 3, Q: 15
- ••• Herbal Plaster of the Ancients - A: 3, Q: 15
- ••• Master Remote - A: 4, Q: 20
- ••• Tonics and Potions - A: N/A, Q: N/A
- ••• Wolf Link - A: 4, Q: 20
- •••• Carte Blanche - A: 5, Q: 25
- •••• Hand of Glory - A: 5, Q: 25
- •••• Nine-Dragon Tattoos - A: 5, Q: 30
- •••• Thought Transference Device - A: 6, Q: 30
Silicon Servants
- Alpha Series: "The First Name in Computers" aka Alpha IX
- Eltie Series: "The Name in Says It All"
- Grandmaster Computer: "The Key to Knowledge" aka Grandmaster-1000 or The White Knight

Book Five: The Fragile Path - Parables[]

This series of tales illuminates aspects of the Path of the mage: Seekings, Quintessence, the mentor/apprentice relationship, two opposing views a=of the end of the Mythic Age and the rise of the Technocracy, and more. Unlike simple essays, these parables illustrate Mage in action and flesh out the world of the Awakened through the experiences of the mage.

Book Six: Guiding Words - Counsel[]

Words of wisdom to Mage players and Storytellers alike.

The Hero's Handbook by John Robey
Roleplaying the Awakening by Beth Fischi
Magick & Belief in Mage by Donald H. Frew
Alienation of the Savior by William Spencer-Hale
The Chains of Reason by Teeuwynn
Turning Vampires into Lawn Chairs and Other Works of "High" Magick by Stephan Wieck
Prisoners in Eden by Steven Brown

Index[]

Background Information[]

(...)

Memorable Quotes[]

“

Paradox is a puzzle. The key to Ascension is to unlock this puzzle. - Marcus Triliox, Order of Hermes
Paradox is an immune system; its spirits protect Gaia from the disease of reckless magick. - Heasha Morninglade, Verbena
Paradox is Jimminy Cricket with a chainsaw. - Zerox, Orphan
Paradox is the curse of the Technocratic plunder of this world. When we're rid of them, we'll be rid of Paradox! - Dr. Volcano, Virtual Adept
Paradox is nothing more than our lack of faith in ourselves. - Oh Soon Hai, Euthanatos - pg. 113

”

“

"That was cheap!" Hutch snarls.
"You're cheap, fashion victim," the Bitch Queen retorts.
"I guess," says Chantrymate Alvin Locke, "you're both doing dishes this month."
They pummel him without mercy. - pg. 133

”

“

"So, can we at least agree that reality in the World of Darkness is subjective?" someone said.
It was January of 1993, and Mark Rein•Hagen, Chris Early, my brother Stewart and I were in the middle of fusing out brains together to create the basis for Mage.
"Yes," said Mark.
"Yes," said Chris.
"Yes!" said I.
"Yes, for now, but remember Lila," said Stewart (whose equivocal response branched into a discussion that shaped a future for the metaphysics of Mage, but that's a story for another time). - Turning Vampires into Lawn Chairs and Other Works of "High" Magick by Stephan Wieck

”

Characters[]

Prelude: Behind the Walls
- Amanda
- Jane Carter
- Old Man
- Michael
- David Cho
- Xia
- Anne
Introduction
- Hapsburg - Orphan Seer
Book One: The Gifts of Awakening - Traits
- Mangus Warhawk - Mage
Book Two: Faces of Magick - Portraits
- Fall Breeze
- Gentle Mountain
- Raging Eagle
- Brother Randall Dexter - Celestial Chorus
- Sandra - Randall's Friend, Sleeper
- Jank - Cult of Ecstasy
- Maura - Cult of Ecstasy
- Annalise - Dreamspeaker
- Laughing Eagle
- Mother Umbala - Dreamspeaker
- Stan Edwards - Euthanatos
- Jack Anderson - Stan's Friend, Died
- Dawson - Stan's Friend, Samedi
- 13 - Order of Hermes
- Nuria
- Mortez - NWO
- Professor Vorgel - Son of Ether
- Janos - Son of Ether
- M. Dupreau - Son of Ether
- Dr. Thomas Holder - Technomancer
- Jay - Verbena
- Screamer - Virtual Adept
- Janor - Order of Hermes
- Daniel Smith - Intelligence Analyst, NWO
- Dr. Irene Rollins - Progenitor
- Test Subject #137 - Iteration X
- Dr. Harold Kalishnakov - Syndicate
- Dr. Eliza Trondheim - Void Engineer
- Jodi Blake
- Robert Davenport
- Martins
- Kary Davenport
- The Gourmet - Marauder
- Miss Zhao - Marauder
- Maraya Davenport
- Senorita Aabraxas - Marauder
- Bryce Grimm
- Kami - Verbena
- Sascha (Winters) - Hollow One
- Baron - Hollow One
- Khwaja al-Akbar
- Rufai the Mede of the Darwushim
- Khattaboth Kaghan of the University of Light
- Josephus the Ascetic of the Brethren of the Unified Soul
- Mahlav - Darwushim Acolyte
- Saddhu - Akashic Sculptor
- Ustad Akhdir Jabal
- Nazdhur-i-Khan - Ahl-i-Batin Oracle
- 'Aql-i-Khul, "Universal Mind" - Umbral denizen
- Alkidr - Oracle
Book Three: The Book of Rules - Systems
- Trevor - Order of Hermes
- Job Lightfoot - Cult of Ecstasy
- Oh Soon Hai - Euthanatos
- Gregor Shadowmoon - Euthanatos
- Kayla Dare - Mage
- Marcus Triliox - Order of Hermes
- Heasha Morninglade
- Zerox - Orphan
- Dr. Volcano - Virtual Adept
- Jennifer - Mage
- Sunila - Akashic Brotherhood
- Kjarl Hamarskald - Order of Hermes
- "Bitch Queen" Vannoy
- "Hutch" Hutchenson
- Alvin Locke
Book Four: The Magick Toybox - Equipment
- Ah Mu - Akashic Brotherhood
- Vibansumitra - Akashic Brotherhood
- Shalitza - Ahl-i-Batin
- Alu By-yam - Ahl-i-Batin
- Antonius - Celestial Chorus
- Sister Marcella - Celestial Chorus
- Jenny "Songbird" Logan - Cult of Ecstasy
- Tim "Doc" Pere - Cult of Ecstasy
- Water Rhythm - Dreaspeakers
- Cathi Marisha - Euthanatos
- Ho Chow Fan - Euthanatos
- Wendy "Spider" Jones - Hollow One
- Howard "Rex" MacNesh - Hollow One
- Penny Dreadful
- Ruf Argonholf - Orphan, Son of Ether
- Doctor Gustov Finney - Son of Ether
- Ken Javlin - Virtual Adept
- Slayer D - Akashic Brotherhood
- Cheng Sa, the Avenging Woodcutter - Akashic Brotherhood
- General Kwai Chien - Akashic Brotherhood
- Yu Fong - Akashic Brotherhood
- Wao Mu Ling - Akashic Brotherhood
- Kang Wu - Mage
Book Five: The Fragile Path - Parables
- Livius - Order of Hermes
- Porthos
- Mother Francesca - Celestial Chrous
- Blake - Virtual Adept (blake@jedi.mit.edu)
- Daria - Mage
- Isbelle - Mage
- Rich - Virtual Adept
- Xiao - Cult of Ecstasy
- Branton - Cult of Ecstasy
- Tasha - Mage
- Harley - Mage
- Deathlace, "Barbara" - Mage
- Lady Cullen - Mage
- Torquemada - Cabal of Pure Thought
- Shella - Heasha's Familiar, White Abyssinian Cat
- Christopher - Mage
- Baldric
- Sh'zar
- Nightshade
- Valoran
- Star-of-Eagles
- Chalech
- Wu Jin
- Diplomate Luis
- Herr Doctor Geronimo - Son of Ether
- Ali-beh-sharr
- Blackrose - Hollow One
- Professor Terrance Whyte
- Grimgroth
- Feild Commander Davis - Instructor of Iteration X HIT Marks
- Ashton - Defector from the Order of Hermes
- Dr. Horatio Baldridge - Son of Ether
- Gutenberg - Technomancer
- Copernicus
- Lightspeed - VR programmer, former Virtual Adept
- Inspector Rathbone
- Augustus Fortinbras - Executive Director of the Guild
- Kepler
- Michaelson - Parmenidean
- Morley - Parmenidean
- Xerxes - Former Agent of the New World Order, Euthanatos spy
- Zarathustra - Virtual Adept, from issue #136 of the webslinger.spys-demise samizine

Terminology[]

1324, 1886, Ahl-i-Batin (Night of Fana, Dasht-i-Margo, Himalayan Wars, 900-600 BC, Handura, Doctrine of Unity, Afghanistan, Mount Qaf, Web of Faith, Qutbs, Samarkand, Murshids, Unity, Khanaqahs, Murids, Haram, Khanates (Ikhwan at-Tawhid, University of Light, Silk Cartel, Paradise Garden, Darwushim), Makkah, Jerusalem, Isfahan, Baghdad, Sihr Maqamut), Akashic Brotherhood, Alpha Computing, Autochthonia, The Book of Humours by Livius (1352), Burning Times, Cabal of Pure Thought, Celestial Chorus, Celestial Masters, Cerberus, Certamen (Gladius, Aegis, Marshall), Chantry (Nightmare Theatre, Sepulcher, Lodge of the Gray Squirrel, House of Helekar, Doissetep, Magic Bus Chantry), Cloud Realm of Montgolfier, Craft (Children of Proteus, Bata'a, Sisters of Hippolyta, Sculptors of Fate, Children of Knowledge), Craftmasons, Cult of Ecstasy, Cult of Mercury, Deep Umbra, Do, Dragon's Tongue (ahriman), Dreamspeakers, Embrace, Etheric Continuum, Euthanatos, Familiar, Fetish, Foci, Grimm's Occult Specialty Shop, The Guild, Hollow Ones, Inquisition, King Solomon's Whines (Marauder Splinter Group), Marauder, Mistridge, Mythic Age, Near Umbra, Nephandi, Order of Hermes, Order of Reason, Orphan, Paradigma, Paradox, Parmenideans, Quintessence, Resonance, The Rule of Shade, Sanctum, Seekers of the Void, Siege of Metz, Sons of Ether, Talisman, Technocracy, Trinary Computer, Umbra, Umbrood, Verbena, Virtual Adepts,

Previous release	Game Books	Next release
MTAs: Virtual Adepts Tradition Book	Mage: The Ascension books	VTM/WTA/MTAs: The Chaos Factor