[IC] [Mage: the Awakening 2E] The Supernal Suburbia

[Kvitebjørn Kong Valemon]

LYNX
Active Sight:
Active Spells: None
Willpower: 4/5 Mana: 6/10
Conditions/Tilts: Steadfast
Beats: 3 - Arcane Beats: 4

"I've got it! We must all be fascinated by something. Magic has a way of obsessing you. Let's discuss what we're working on, and decide what we could pursue together and compare notes on. Exploring a Mystery, any Mystery with magic behind it, can make all of us better magicians. I'll start: I will be clearing out some demons from my psyche this week, which I mean quite literally. A mage I don't know will be guiding me through it. Frankly, I could use an escort, especially if any of you are comfortable with demons of the mind. Or trip sitting."


"Mystery?" Lynx murmurs as he looks for more letter tiles to spell out other Norwegian words. "I'm not sure you could help me. It's a Thyrsus thing. A Primal Wild thing. I'm looking for the one who Awakened me. A Great Lynx. He guided me during my second visit to the Wild. I want to find him again. Pretty sure it's a him, at least. Not really sure if spirits have gender yet..." He hums a little as he looks at the group. "I doubt you can relate to this. If any of you know Spirit magic, I guess that could help. I'll appreciate any help you're willing to give, though."

"If you want a more realistic Mystery to pursue together from my end, it'll be insight into one another. What's it like being an Acanthus? What's it feel like to wield Space or Forces? What's it like being attuned to... Stygia, was it? There's so much to learn. I think we can teach each other a lot. Reach an understanding. Become friends and allies." He looks to Moonstone, then to Phoenix and Ragnar, with a look of amusement. "Enjoy some friction."

Wait, what?

[crapcarp]

Phoenix
Peripheral Sight | Armor: None | Active Spell(s): None
Health: OOOOOOO | WP: 4/5 | Mana: 2/10 | Wisdom: 7 (Understanding)
Conditions: Grieving [Guilty], Supernal Blindness | Tilts: None

I just sit there and stare at Moonstone as I drink both the information and the coffee. I don't think I even blink, it's a lot to take in all in one sitting. I wince slightly when he talks of our encounter with the Gulmoth. My memories of that place were vague, but the image of those bleeding holes in me are still crisp and clean, as much as I'd love them not to be. When he gets to the part about dealing with it, I do appreciate how he acknowledges at least someone else other than himself, but...

"As well as the others," I chime in, gesturing towards Ragnar, Lynx, and Binder with my paper mug. It's a start for him, I suppose. Looks like he's on the heroic path, he just tripped up a bit is all. After that, he mentions that the Gulmoth would appear on...

"The 17th? Doesn't give us a whole lot of time..." I sigh with a concerned breath.

The subject of a common goal for our cabal pops up, with Moonstone suggesting we all pitch in on our projects. That...is gonna complicate matters. If they pitch in on me searching for Anubis, they might find out I'm a Hunter. Can't let them know that I once dedicated my life to killing mages. Maybe I can change the subject.

"Do we really need a common goal? At least, to start with, I mean. We're all new to the world of magic, if only as active participants for some of us," I state, glancing at Moonstone with that last part, "What's the rush? Let's just work together and leave it at that for the time being. A common goal will probably crop up naturally that way, anyways."

I hope that gets them off the subject.

[MagicSwordsman]

BINDER
Willpower: 4/7 Mana: 9/10 Health: LOOOOOO
[Shaken]
Mage Sight: Peripheral
Beats: 4 Arcane Beats: 2

"These places are called Athenaea, essentially Supernal libraries and storehouses. We can take you both to one this week and introduce you to some of our other members, should you be interested."

"I certainly would be! We'll need to work out a time; I have unavoidable obligations during the late afternoon and evening." Binder is careful to use his tone to convey that these obligations are not unpleasant; they're unavoidable because he chooses to not avoid them. "Free all morning and night, though."

---

"There are some whom we worry about because they are too eager, too impatient to use our knowledge unwisely. Such misuse would risk a great deal of danger for many. But I don't think you're like that, are you?"

"I certainly feel eager. But I like to think that I'm not terribly impatient."

---

"I don't really know who we are. I guess I'm the pet dog or bear or cat or... or something..."

Binder makes a concerned face at Lynx's self-deprecation. "Please, Lynx, you're not a pet; we're all equals here."

---

"I'll start: I will be clearing out some demons from my psyche this week, which I mean quite literally. A mage I don't know will be guiding me through it. Frankly, I could use an escort, especially if any of you are comfortable with demons of the mind. Or trip sitting."

"I'd be interested in that, if you're willing to have me. It would be good to learn more about the practical applications of mind magic."

---

"I'm not sure you could help me. It's a Thyrsus thing. A Primal Wild thing. I'm looking for the one who Awakened me. A Great Lynx. He guided me during my second visit to the Wild. I want to find him again. Pretty sure it's a him, at least. Not really sure if spirits have gender yet..." He hums a little as he looks at the group. "I doubt you can relate to this. If any of you know Spirit magic, I guess that could help. I'll appreciate any help you're willing to give, though."

"I might be able to relate more than you think. My awakening was triggered by an otherworldly entity as well. Though," he admits, "mine was a demon. I know a little of Spirit, and I'd be interested to learn more about the ephemeral."

---

"If you want a more realistic Mystery to pursue together from my end, it'll be insight into one another. What's it like being an Acanthus? What's it feel like to wield Space or Forces? What's it like being attuned to... Stygia, was it? There's so much to learn. I think we can teach each other a lot. Reach an understanding. Become friends and allies." He looks to Moonstone, then to Phoenix and Ragnar, with a look of amusement. "Enjoy some friction."

Binder breezes past the sexual implications of that last remark. "If you'd ever like to stop by the bookstore sometime, I'd be very happy to discuss our paths in relation to each other! That, of course, goes for everyone. In fact, that reminds me; Moonstone, you mentioned that cabal's often share a ritual space? I don't know anything about Hallows or Demesnes, but I've been outfitting the upper floor of the bookstore as a ritual space these past few days, and I'd be happy to share it with the rest of you."

---

"I've got something in mind that I'm thinking of looking into, though I don't know if it's a mystery per se. I really do want to do a little more research before bringing it before the group though."

[Caladriu]

Moonstone
Peripheral Sight | Spells: Small Talk (all PCs, scene duration)
Conditions: Divergent (Passive), Guilty, Triumphant, Informed (Rumors), [-1 Strength until evening]
Health: OOOOOO | Willpower: 6/8 | Mana: 9/10 | Beats: 3/5 | Arcane Beats: 4/5

"I doubt you can relate to this. If any of you know Spirit magic, I guess that could help. I'll appreciate any help you're willing to give, though."

"Spirits and vision quests are a little messy for me. Askia was always more of an Ecstatic than a Shaman. But this Great Lynx sounds like a thing of the Primal Wild more than the Shadow, and there are ways of calling out the Beasts of the Wild for an audience. I suggest you ask an elder Shaman about summoning."

---

"I'd be interested in that, if you're willing to have me. It would be good to learn more about the practical applications of mind magic."

"Wonderful! We'll make a day of it." He really has wanted to know Marlin/Binder better, given their shared Path and general friendliness. If there's anyone at the table he'd trust to be a second, it's him.

---

"I think we can teach each other a lot. Reach an understanding. Become friends and allies." Moonstone notices Lynx looking from him to Ragnar and Phoenix, and smiling. "Enjoy some friction."

He clears his throat, self-conscious. "I would rather avoid any more frictionbetween these dashing young men and myself."

"If you'd ever like to stop by the bookstore sometime, I'd be very happy to discuss our paths in relation to each other! That, of course, goes for everyone. In fact, that reminds me; Moonstone, you mentioned that cabal's often share a ritual space? I don't know anything about Hallows or Demesnes, but I've been outfitting the upper floor of the bookstore as a ritual space these past few days, and I'd be happy to share it with the rest of you."

"Thank you, Binder, how generous! You all should see his bookstore, it has potential. Oh, I'm so excited, this is all fitting together so well!"

---

"Do we really need a common goal? At least, to start with, I mean. We're all new to the world of magic, if only as active participants for some of us," Phoenix glances at him. "What's the rush? Let's just work together and leave it at that for the time being. A common goal will probably crop up naturally that way, anyways."

Moonstone deflates. "I suppose that's true. We don't need a statement of purpose just yet. We're only just getting started."

He wrings his hands, drains the rest of his coffee, and speaks up in a quiet voice. "But...listen. I want to form a cabal with you all. Whatever brought us together- Fate, Sympathy, circumstance- I want to make the most of it. I don't want this to dissolve after we deal with the Gulmoth. Magic is an anchor for me. It's been so long since I was on my own in the world of Sleepers- my 'normal' is the world of magic. This is where I find stability: working with mages, being of service, giving myself to others. I know how to help a cabal- how to help all of you!"

"But I also realize that I've caused you all a great deal of grief and trouble since we've met. And if we're going to work together, I need to take ownership of that. I want to make what I know available to you, to be your bridge into the Consilium. And if I can make up for what I've done through sacrifice and service, I want to. I'd swear an Oath if I could, but for now, all I can offer is my solemn word and my magic."

Basically offering to use Moonstone's Social merits [like Allies 3 (Arrow) and Contacts (Sleepwalkers, Occultists)] for the benefit of the cabal/whoever wants to use their mechanical effects this chapter, and/or doing favors or casting spells for the group. Seriously, the band is taking requests.

[Haberdasher]

RAGNAR

Mage Sight: None
Active Spells: None
Conditions/Tilts: Inspired
Health: OOOOOOOO I WP: 3/4 I Mana: 5/10 I Wisdom: 7
Beats: 0/5 I Arcane Beats: 4/5
Experiences: 1 I Arcane Experiences: 0

"If you want a more realistic Mystery to pursue together from my end, it'll be insight into one another. What's it like being an Acanthus? What's it feel like to wield Space or Forces? What's it like being attuned to... Stygia, was it? There's so much to learn. I think we can teach each other a lot. Reach an understanding. Become friends and allies."

Ragnar nods. "That sounds like a good idea. I'm going to have Moonstone to give me a lesson on Space magic, and I've been meaning to ask you to give me a lesson on Life magic, Lynx. Maybe we could all get together and give each other lessons?"

"Enjoy some friction."

Ragnar is taking a sip of coffee as he hears this. An image of himself and Lynx making inventive use of friction pops into his head, and he immediately gags on the coffee. He spends a couple seconds coughing. "Um.. define 'tension,'" he says weakly.

[Kvitebjørn Kong Valemon]

LYNX
Active Sight:
Active Spells: None
Willpower: 4/5 Mana: 6/10
Conditions/Tilts: Steadfast
Beats: 3 - Arcane Beats: 4

"Please, Lynx, you're not a pet; we're all equals here."

Lynx chuckles weakly. "Old habits die hard."

---

"I might be able to relate more than you think. My awakening was triggered by an otherworldly entity as well. Though," he admits, "mine was a demon. I know a little of Spirit, and I'd be interested to learn more about the ephemeral."

"That's great! We're already set up to learning together, so this is an added bonus."

---

"Um.. define 'tension,'" Ragnar says weakly. Lynx snorts.

"The tension between you three is amusing. Touchable."

"I would rather avoid any more frictionbetween these dashing young men and myself."

"Well, conflict's a good way to get to know one another. I'm sure you three know more about each other than I do." Lynx rubs his beard.

Why do they all look so awkward?

"If you'd ever like to stop by the bookstore sometime, I'd be very happy to discuss our paths in relation to each other! That, of course, goes for everyone. In fact, that reminds me; Moonstone, you mentioned that cabal's often share a ritual space? I don't know anything about Hallows or Demesnes, but I've been outfitting the upper floor of the bookstore as a ritual space these past few days, and I'd be happy to share it with the rest of you."

"Oh, I'll definitely come visit. I think I know where your shop is."

---

"Do we really need a common goal? At least, to start with, I mean. We're all new to the world of magic, if only as active participants for some of us," Phoenix says, glancing at Moonstone with that last part, "What's the rush? Let's just work together and leave it at that for the time being. A common goal will probably crop up naturally that way, anyways."

"It's a great way to get to know one another, though," Lynx murmurs. "I'd like to be useful to you lot, but in order to do that, knowing the gist of what you want is kinda necessary."

---

"That sounds like a good idea. I'm going to have Moonstone to give me a lesson on Space magic, and I've been meaning to ask you to give me a lesson on Life magic, Lynx. Maybe we could all get together and give each other lessons?"

"Yes! Great idea! I'd love to see your magic in practise. Hell, maybe all of us should meet and try teach each other new stuff."

[Haberdasher]

RAGNAR

Mage Sight: None
Active Spells: None
Conditions/Tilts: Inspired
Health: OOOOOOOO I WP: 3/4 I Mana: 5/10 I Wisdom: 7
Beats: 0/5 I Arcane Beats: 4/5
Experiences: 1 I Arcane Experiences: 0

"The tension between you three is amusing. Touchable."

Ragnar's face begins to flush. "Oh. Okay, because, I, uh, thought. You. Meant..." Ragnar stops and stares fixedly at the table. Open mouth, insert foot. Brilliant, Ragnar.

He looks around. "So, uh. Yeah. Lessons would be neat. How do we want to do it? Cast some spells on each other? Something simple, just to show each other what it feels like to have each Arcanum affect you, so you know for future reference?"

[Caladriu]

Moonstone

Ragnar blushes, Moonstone is terse: "Yes, we know. The sheer sexual tension is nearly unbearable. Moving on."

"My masters would sometimes challenge each other with magic, or test their own bodies and minds to their limit. Create their own gauntlets and come out stronger for the experience. I believe we learn more from struggle and crisis than passive instruction, with due respect to the teachers among us."

"At any rate, a crowded coffeehouse isn't the Wisest place to experiment with magic, if you ask me. Binder's bookstore would be better- but our session will be downtown, Ragnar, if you're free for the afternoon. If we are agreed on forming a cabal beyond the immediate threat, then I consider our business happily finished. "

[Thorbes]

Ouroboros Ophis
Mage Sight: Periphereal | Active Spells: None
Health: OOOOOO | WP: 6/6 | Mana: 9/10 | Wisdom: 7 (Understanding)

Conditions: None | Tilts: None | Beats: 6 | Arc. Beats: 1

-"If I may add my vote on this... I think we could use the appointed mission to deal with that Gulmoth as an starting point for our cabal. Then we will see how well we work together and if some overall interest binds us further together"- pauses to take a long sip of cofee- "Speaking of interests, there is something you all can do for me, but I understand if you are wary. The soul is a matter of profound fascination to a doctor like me, I have made an habit out of looking at them and I will be forever grateful if I could get your permission to gaze at yours"

He makes his best to ignore the mention of sexual tension among members of the group.

-"I am, of course, ready to provide any insight or help any of you may need, as well as medical attention of both the mundane and mystical sort. I might not walk the same Path as Lynx, here, but my constant practice has made me a Disciple of the Mysteries of Life. There is a lot that can be acomplished by mixing medical knowledge with mystical healing, I have found".

Another sip of cofee.

-"And, there is also the issue of the name. How are we going to call our Cabal? Names are quite important. They can define you... consume you..."- you think you can hear the faint sound of slithering scales.

[Caladriu]

Moonstone

"The soul is a matter of profound fascination to a doctor like me, I have made an habit out of looking at them and I will be forever grateful if I could get your permission to gaze at yours"

"My soul is rather personal to me, but it wouldn't be the first time a mage studied it. I'm amenable if you don't touch it, and I can gaze back at you in return."

"And, there is also the issue of the name. How are we going to call our Cabal? Names are quite important. They can define you... consume you..."

Was that a serpentine sound? He furrows his brow and plays with the tiles.

"Tell me about it. I haven't used my dead name since the Clinton years. Storm...knights. Storm lords. Storm chasers. Seven instead of six members would be preferable for numerology, but we have options. Hexagrams? I have more affinity with I Ching hexagrams than the Abrahamic six-pointed star, but both have powerful occult resonance...the Children of Aion? Honoring the Oracles is a good use of a name."

[Haberdasher]

RAGNAR

Mage Sight: None
Active Spells: None
Conditions/Tilts: Inspired
Health: OOOOOOOO I WP: 3/4 I Mana: 5/10 I Wisdom: 7
Beats: 0/5 I Arcane Beats: 4/5
Experiences: 1 I Arcane Experiences: 0

Ragnar looks down at his tiles and blinks. He lays the tiles down on the board: T-A-R-O-T. "Could tarot work? I've never tried to do a reading, but I know the symbolism behind them. I could do a ritual and try to divine a path forward for us."

[crapcarp]

Phoenix
Peripheral Sight | Armor: None | Active Spell(s): None
Health: OOOOOOO | WP: 4/5 | Mana: 2/10 | Wisdom: 7 (Understanding)
Conditions: Grieving [Guilty], Supernal Blindness | Tilts: None

"It's a great way to get to know one another, though," Lynx murmurs. "I'd like to be useful to you lot, but in order to do that, knowing the gist of what you want is kinda necessary."

"I guess," I reply simply. Lynx's intentions are honest, so I can't fault him for that. I'll have to come up with something new to pursue to keep 'em off the scent (no pun intended), but I'm not sure what.

"The tension between you three is amusing. Touchable."

"Well, if you're interested, we could make it a foursome," I retort with a chuckle, "Would that be beastiality, though?"

"The soul is a matter of profound fascination to a doctor like me, I have made an habit out of looking at them and I will be forever grateful if I could get your permission to gaze at yours"

Huh, Pops always struck me as a purely scientific type, though he did manage to Awaken, so obviously there's more to him. Still, he's interested in souls of all things. "What about the soul stands out to you?" my curiosity asks.

"And, there is also the issue of the name. How are we going to call our Cabal? Names are quite important. They can define you... consume you..."

That sounded like...slithering? I would be more intrigued, but my gut speaks for me, "Yeah, no kidding."

Where did that come from? It's like-I somehow knew that all my life. Actually, it feels like I knew longer than that, but how is that possible? Oh hey! I could use that to throw them off the scent. That, and it's something I'd actually like to know, so I can kill two birds with one stone.

"Speaking of names, I chose a particularly...prominent one. Is reincarnation a thing?" I ask the group.

"Tell me about it. I haven't used my dead name since the Clinton years. Storm...knights. Storm lords. Storm chasers. Seven instead of six members would be preferable for numerology, but we have options. Hexagrams? I have more affinity with I Ching hexagrams than the Abrahamic six-pointed star, but both have powerful occult resonance...the Children of Aion? Honoring the Oracles is a good use of a name."

"We should probably keep it simple and focus on what we've all got in common rather than numbers or Oracles or whatever, so the storm thing looks like a good place to start," I suggest.

"Could tarot work? I've never tried to do a reading, but I know the symbolism behind them. I could do a ritual and try to divine a path forward for us."

"How would the tarot get us a name?" I wonder, "Do we like, draw two cards and splice their names together or something?"

[Kvitebjørn Kong Valemon]

LYNX
Active Sight:
Active Spells: None
Willpower: 4/5 Mana: 6/10
Conditions/Tilts: Steadfast
Beats: 3 - Arcane Beats: 4

"Oh. Okay, because, I, uh, thought. You. Meant..."

"Yes, we know. The sheer sexual tension is nearly unbearable. Moving on."

"Well, if you're interested, we could make it a foursome. Would that be beastiality, though?"

Lynx goes still.

I didn't mean...

...

He remains quiet as the others carry on.

"We should probably keep it simple and focus on what we've all got in common rather than numbers or Oracles or whatever, so the storm thing looks like a good place to start."

"I Awakened after the storm," Lynx mumbles more to himself, "But since we're all part of this ... well. Storm of events going on, maybe something like... Born of the Storm? Stormborn?"

[Haberdasher]

RAGNAR

Mage Sight: None
Active Spells: None
Conditions/Tilts: Inspired
Health: OOOOOOOO I WP: 3/4 I Mana: 5/10 I Wisdom: 7
Beats: 0/5 I Arcane Beats: 4/5
Experiences: 1 I Arcane Experiences: 0

"I Awakened after the storm. But since we're all part of this ... well. Storm of events going on, maybe something like... Born of the Storm? Stormborn?"

Ragnar perks up at that. "How about 'The Stormborne'? With a silent 'e' on the end? That way, it refers to both the fact that some of us Awakened during and after the Deathstorm, and that we came together as a result of a Highstorm?"

[Caladriu]

Moonstone

"Hear, hear. Stormborne with an 'e'. Short but sweet. I assent."