The Paths
As with the regular Paths, each of these new Paths is defined by a central dichotomy.
Aretos: Theory and Practice
Axios: Risk and Reward
Kleos: Memory and Myth
Mæstros: Authority and Duty
Sophros: Growth and Decay
The Watchtowers
Aretos: the Watchtower of the Hermium ___ in the Realm of Utopia
Axios: the Watchtower of the Adamantine ___ in the Realm of the ___
Kleos: the Watchtower of the Tin Flute in the Realm of the Akasha
Mæstros: the Watchtower of Brass and Flame in the Realm of the Elemental Nation
Sophros: the Watchtower of the Wooden Chalice in the Realm of Elysium
Path Stereotypes
Aretos: Artisans and Alchemists
Axios: Traders and Advocates
Kleos: Sages and Bards
Mæstros: Sorcerers and Evokers
Sophros: Druids and Mediums
Paths As Game Mechanics
Path | Ruling Arcana | Inferior Arcanum |
Aretos | Matter and Prime | Fate |
Axios | Space and Fate | Life |
Kleos | Time and Mind | Space |
Mæstros | Forces and Spirit | Prime |
Sophros | Life and Death | Time |
To an Axios on the Path of Merit, the world is full of Opportunities and Connections. They summon the Stars guide him
To a Kleos on the Path of Enlightenment, the record of the world is an open book, and she can read the stories that surround her. They summon Eidolons.
To a Mæstros on the Path of Mastery, the forces in the world are alive with purpose. They summon the Djinn.
To a Sophros on the Path of Balance, the cycle of the Seasons is everywhere, as everything is either developing or fading in turn. They summon Serpents.
How To Use These Paths
Here are four alternate settings to illustrate how these Paths might be used.
Another World
In this version of the Chronicles of Darkness, there are only five Paths; but instead of witches, wizards, alchemists, theurges, and shamans, you have artisans, traders, sages, sorcerers, and druids.
The Ten Watchtowers
In this setting, all ten Paths coexist, and have always coexisted. There is talk about “the Paths of the Soul” (Acanthus, Mastigos, Moros, Obrimos, Thyrsus) that supposedly favor the Subtle Arcana, and “the Paths of the World” (Aretos, Axios, Kleos, Mæstros, Sophros) that supposedly favor the Gross Arcana; but, like the distinction between Subtle and Gross, it's largely a theoretical distinction. Nonetheless, associations are drawn:
Paths of the Soul
Acanthus: the Name
Mastigos: the Spirit
Moros: the Shadow
Obrimos: the Essence
Thyrsus: the Heart
Paths of the World
Aretos: Earth
Axios: Air
Kleos: Void
Mæstros: Fire
Sophros: Water
In this setting, the new Paths of the World get the common Elemental Mastery Legacies, and the original Paths of the Soul get a new set of Legacies based on the five parts of the soul.
The World Has Changed
In 2009, some sort of cosmic event occurred, and new mages started Awakening in large numbers to a sixth Watchtower, the Watchtower of Brass and Flame. But that was just the beginning: over the next two years, four more Watchtowers “came online”, one after the other. It has now been nine years since the first of the New Watchtowers erupted, and seven years since the last one did, and their appearances are as much a mystery now as they were then. No one speaks of “Paths of the Soul” or “Paths of the World”; rather, they're simply “the Old Paths” and “the New Paths”.
Science and Magic
This setting combines these Paths with Gifted Science from Mage Chronicler's Guide. That is, the Aretos, Axios, Kleos, Mæstros, and Sophros aren't Mages who Awakened to Watchtowers; they're Gifted Scientists who have Actualized different Utopias:
• the Aretos are the Path of Engineering, builders of the Singularity
• the Axios are the Path of Utility, advocates of the Market
• the Kleos are the Path of Society, founders of the Republic
• the Mæstros are the Path of Physics, seekers of Type V Civilization
• the Sophros are the Path of Biology, tenders of the Garden
Thanks to Dave Brookshaw and Malcolm Sheppard for devising these Technocratic Utopias while writing the Mage Translation Guide; it's unfortunate you had to cut them for space.
Thanks also to malonkey1 for the sigils.
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