Chronicles of Darkness - Mage: the Awakening Second Edition

Overview

The world of Mage: The Awakening is a prison of Will, a world Fallen from Supernal grace, where humans, once all able to bend reality to their will, are now cursed to remain ignorant of the Supernal powers that exist alongside them, and their true heritage. Mages are those few individuals who have Awakened, chasing that itch in their soul and surviving mind-bending metaphysical trials, only to reveal the most agonizing truth imaginable: the world is a Lie, a splinter of what Reality once was, and the Supernal Realms - realms of Magic and Truth - are, seemingly, just out of reach forevermore. Driven by a burning need to understand the secrets of the Supernal, of their shared lineage, and of the Fallen World, their wills shape reality by forces they call Magic. Burdened by searing insight and an addiction to knowledge, Mages face many dangers in search of their next metaphysical 'high', chasing their Great Works. Opposing them is the terrifying will of the Exarchs, tyrannical god-beings that usurped the Supernal realm, mandating and maintaining the Lie of the Fallen World.

But no threat is so great, no danger so insurmountable, as the pride of these cataclysmically powerful, yet woefully mortal beings.

They are, after all, simply humans, unleashed.

Player Resources

• Mage Character Template
  • Sleepwalker Character Template
• Awakening 2^e Genre Directory _{(Not Available)}
• The Dō of Wisdom _{(Not Available; To Be Rewritten)}
• Duel Arcane Quick Reference Guide
• Mage Spell Calculator (Website) _{(PC & Mobile)}
  • Note: Does not calculate the +5-after-penalties-Yantra cap at all, is not updated with any Signs of Sorcery mechanics.
• Mage Spell Calculator (Google Doc) _{(Save a copy to your Google Drive to use.)}
  • Note: Does show wasted dice after +5-after-penalties-Yantra cap, is not updated with any Signs of Sorcery mechanics.
• Note: Use the above calculators as a guide only, and always double check the rules and BTS addenda before engaging an Awakening ST.

Player Resources

These are some additional pages with information for players from the National Office.

• Awakening CofD GSS
  • Important information on genre-wide themes, setting, important rules addenda, and additional approval levels.
• National Awakening CofD History
  • Note: The national genre history was never been provided as a separate document. Contact the National Office ST chain to find out more.

Genre Staff

Awakening Genre Storyteller (GST): N/A

Assistant National Storyteller: Dark Places (aNST:DP): Constructing additional pylons - TBA.

Characters

For a list of all pages tagged as characters, see the relevant category, or look at the relevant Order, Path or City pages/categories for more info.

Paths

Upon Awakening, every Mage is drawn to a Watchtower, a distant realm both within and beyond the Supernal Realms, where if they mark the Tower with their Name, they gain the ability to draw magic from their soul, as a rare bridge across the endless Abyss. A Watchtower both defines, and is defined by a Mage, but the will of the Watchtowers is difficult to divine, so to say a Path is limited by, or to, a given personality isn't entirely true. Mages are unique beings whose will supersedes the world - they supersede stereotypes, too.

• Acanthus - Known as the Enchanters of the Awakened community. With their powers of Fate and Time, they often live in the moment. Seen by some as a breath of fresh air, and others as immature and childish.
• Mastigos - Called Warlocks by many, the Mastigos steel themselves through mental and metaphysical trial. They possess the powers of Mind and Space, and are as unforgiving upon others as they are upon themselves.
• Moros - Due to their powers of Death and Matter, the Moros are known as Necromancers. They tend to have sombre views of life, Moros find it hard to maintain a view of good and evil, when death seemingly treats all as equal.
• Obrimos - All Obrimos have a truly divine spark, and are known to others as Theurgists. With Forces and Prime at their sides, they are highly devoted, with nigh-unshakable wills, and exert that will over magic itself.
• Thyrsus - With their deep connection to Life and Spirit, the Thyrsus are known as Shamans. They are often known for following their primal natures, instinct and passion leading them over Fallen science and logic.

Orders

For as long as the Awakened can remember there have always been the Diamond orders, recently they have become the pentacle with the inclusion of the Free Council.

• Adamantine Arrow - These Claws of the Dragon seek to protect the Pentacle through force. Their philosophy is the Adamant Way, a lifestyle that encourages strength and adaptability. It's members seek to prove their resolve and uphold their honour in the face of any conflict.
• Free Council - The youngest of the orders, the free council seeks to bring magic into the modern era. Often disbelieving of the old Atlantean tales, the Free Council members often believe that change is for the best and push the boundaries of both Science and Magic.
• Guardians of the Veil - Descended from the Eye of the Dragon the Guardians see themselves as the police of all Awakened. Believing that Reached Magic and Paradoxes strengthen the Abyss, they do whatever it takes to keep magic a secret, and punish those who abuse it.
• Mysterium - Often known as the Lore Masters of the Pentacle, these Wings of the Dragon are both old fashioned researches and Indiana Jones Style Archaeologists. They seek to learn all they can from the past, both it's knowledge, and learn the lessons that lead to the fall Atlantis.
• Silver Ladder - Descended from the priests and viziers of Atlantis, collectively known as the Vox Draconis, The Silver Ladder believes that its place is to lead the rest of the Pentacle mages. Their main goal is to reunite the Fallen World with the Supernal Realm, so that all humans can access the magic that is their right.
• Seers of the Throne - These Slaves of the Exarchs seek to Serve their masters and gain power in order to cement their comfort, to live like kings and hold as much power as they can. Any who serve faithfully shall receive rewards.
• Apostate - Apostates are mages that have not joined any Order of awakened and instead make do on their own. Often they do not even join a Cabal, which leads to much distrust from other members of the Awakened community.

Nameless Orders

• Nameless - Several factions and cabals of apostates that refused the authority of the Diamond Orders, and rebelled against them, culminating in the Nameless War.

Left Handed Mages

• Banishers - Mages who turn on their own kind.
• The Mad - Mages who have lost the last of their Wisdom.
• Scelesti - Mages who pervert Supernal magic by invoking the Abyss.

Sleepwalkers

A precious few humans exist who, although not Awakened, possesses enough awareness of the Supernal World to escape many of the effects of the Lie. They do not suffer from Quiescence, generate Dissonance, or worsen the risk of Paradox, and as such these Sleepwalkers are when found often included at least at the periphery of Awakened society.

Groups

• Legacies - Most mages, once able, join a Legacy.
• Cabals - Small groups, primarily local.

Consilia of Australia

• Adelaide - Venue Closed.
• Southern Cross - Venue Closing Soon.
• Brisbane - Venue Closed.