I'm running a PBP game here on these forums, and my PCs are soon going to have the opportunity to seek initiation into the Order of their choice. Across the 6 PCs, we have the entire Pentacle covered (2 want to join the Mysterium). I'm excited about the opportunity to showcase this process "on-screen" and give them the opportunity to RP their initiation. However, I haven't led this part of a game as a Storyteller before, and I want to make it really engaging and enjoyable.
What I'm looking for is a good general summary of the process for each Order and/or specific page numbers or references for where I can find the information for each Order. I was able to find some of these already from the Mage 1E Order books, but I'm still missing some helpful information, especially for the Free Council. Also, I'd love any general ideas or story hooks on how to go about this process.
Here is what I know so far:
Adamantine Arrow
I think this is the Order that is most clearly described in the Adamantine Arrow Order book, written in thorough detail on p. 94-101. This is incredibly helpful, and I already have some cool ideas about how to bring it to life for this particular PC.
Briefly, there are multiple stages of the initiation process, which starts from the time the mage formally requests entry up until they are formally accepted. Prospects must petition a ranking member of the Arrow; undergo a thorough evaluation of their magical prowess, physical fitness, strategy tactics, combat skills, and ethics; receive training in deficient areas until they meet acceptable standards; and then utilize all of these skills to a complex, multi-step test. If they pass, they are welcomed into the Order; if they fail, they are either sent back for more training or told that they have failed and cannot join.
Free Council
I haven't been able to find much detail in this book. Because the organization is built on democratic principles, I assume that formal initiation is more straightforward, probably includes some kind of petition or presentation at an Order meeting for the local chapter or at a caucus, and that there is some vote or consensus to allow them in. New members are considered "voters" and required to swear allegiance to the Free Council, as well as swearing off any old ties or superseding loyalties. Details about the different roles are on p. 54-56 of the Free Council source book, but I can't find specific references to how initiation occurs specifically.
Guardians of the Veil
This one also seems clearly laid out in the Order book. There are varying levels of trust assumed with Guardians, based on the various Veils of initiation (Guardians of the Veil, p. 48-49). Brand new members are trusted with the Black Veil, where they learn the Exoteric Tenets (publicly available rules of the Order). However, they don't know the general inner workings of the Guardians yet and haven't learned the Esoteric (secret) Tenets. Once they reach Status 1, they formally learn these secrets at the White rank, and they are trusted with all but the most important secrets of the Order. Those are obtained at the Colorless rank after reaching Order Status 4. The actual process of recruitment and "indoctrination" to the Order is described in more detail on p. 85-98.
Mysterium
Seems detailed fairly well in the Order book, although I haven't had a chance to review it in detail yet. Actual recruitment is described on p. 90-92; advancement through the Ladder of Mysteries (the various levels of status and initiation within the order) is detailed on p. 98-116. Prospective mages are led to an Athenaeum and invited to use their magic with increasing complexity until they create a small Paradox; after that, they are shown a more severe consequence of Paradox. As long as the mage shows understanding of this lesson and heed the importance of safekeeping dangerous knowledge, they are treated as an initiate.
Silver Ladder
Recruitment is described on p. 88-102, with p. 100-102 focusing on the process for newly Awakened mages (which is most relevant to my game). Prospective mages undergo a formal apprenticeship program and tutored using the Socratic method, with mentors guiding the prospect using tales from Silver Ladder successes (and failures). These lessons are grounded in the Lesser Elemental Precepts of Earth, Water, and Fire (described in the book). Once the mentor believes the student is ready, they submit a formal petition to the local chapter or caucus with an application portfolio, and acceptable members are offered membership with a simple initiation task of social or political duties -- which they are strongly encouraged to accomplish without the use of magic.
Seers of the Throne
Recruitment is described on p. 78-79 of the Seers of the Throne source book. Due to the nature of the Order, recruiters tend to be more subtle, looking for targets who are likely to appeal to greed or thirst for power. They use more of a marketing approach, selling up the benefits of joining the Order and serving the Exarchs. Most recruiting is done from Apostates, those who have no connection to any Order and haven't been indoctrinated in any way by the Pentacle. Their goal is to sell the Order to people in a way that's sensible and practical.
What I'm looking for is a good general summary of the process for each Order and/or specific page numbers or references for where I can find the information for each Order. I was able to find some of these already from the Mage 1E Order books, but I'm still missing some helpful information, especially for the Free Council. Also, I'd love any general ideas or story hooks on how to go about this process.
Here is what I know so far:
Adamantine Arrow
I think this is the Order that is most clearly described in the Adamantine Arrow Order book, written in thorough detail on p. 94-101. This is incredibly helpful, and I already have some cool ideas about how to bring it to life for this particular PC.
Briefly, there are multiple stages of the initiation process, which starts from the time the mage formally requests entry up until they are formally accepted. Prospects must petition a ranking member of the Arrow; undergo a thorough evaluation of their magical prowess, physical fitness, strategy tactics, combat skills, and ethics; receive training in deficient areas until they meet acceptable standards; and then utilize all of these skills to a complex, multi-step test. If they pass, they are welcomed into the Order; if they fail, they are either sent back for more training or told that they have failed and cannot join.
Free Council
I haven't been able to find much detail in this book. Because the organization is built on democratic principles, I assume that formal initiation is more straightforward, probably includes some kind of petition or presentation at an Order meeting for the local chapter or at a caucus, and that there is some vote or consensus to allow them in. New members are considered "voters" and required to swear allegiance to the Free Council, as well as swearing off any old ties or superseding loyalties. Details about the different roles are on p. 54-56 of the Free Council source book, but I can't find specific references to how initiation occurs specifically.
Guardians of the Veil
This one also seems clearly laid out in the Order book. There are varying levels of trust assumed with Guardians, based on the various Veils of initiation (Guardians of the Veil, p. 48-49). Brand new members are trusted with the Black Veil, where they learn the Exoteric Tenets (publicly available rules of the Order). However, they don't know the general inner workings of the Guardians yet and haven't learned the Esoteric (secret) Tenets. Once they reach Status 1, they formally learn these secrets at the White rank, and they are trusted with all but the most important secrets of the Order. Those are obtained at the Colorless rank after reaching Order Status 4. The actual process of recruitment and "indoctrination" to the Order is described in more detail on p. 85-98.
Mysterium
Seems detailed fairly well in the Order book, although I haven't had a chance to review it in detail yet. Actual recruitment is described on p. 90-92; advancement through the Ladder of Mysteries (the various levels of status and initiation within the order) is detailed on p. 98-116. Prospective mages are led to an Athenaeum and invited to use their magic with increasing complexity until they create a small Paradox; after that, they are shown a more severe consequence of Paradox. As long as the mage shows understanding of this lesson and heed the importance of safekeeping dangerous knowledge, they are treated as an initiate.
Silver Ladder
Recruitment is described on p. 88-102, with p. 100-102 focusing on the process for newly Awakened mages (which is most relevant to my game). Prospective mages undergo a formal apprenticeship program and tutored using the Socratic method, with mentors guiding the prospect using tales from Silver Ladder successes (and failures). These lessons are grounded in the Lesser Elemental Precepts of Earth, Water, and Fire (described in the book). Once the mentor believes the student is ready, they submit a formal petition to the local chapter or caucus with an application portfolio, and acceptable members are offered membership with a simple initiation task of social or political duties -- which they are strongly encouraged to accomplish without the use of magic.
Seers of the Throne
Recruitment is described on p. 78-79 of the Seers of the Throne source book. Due to the nature of the Order, recruiters tend to be more subtle, looking for targets who are likely to appeal to greed or thirst for power. They use more of a marketing approach, selling up the benefits of joining the Order and serving the Exarchs. Most recruiting is done from Apostates, those who have no connection to any Order and haven't been indoctrinated in any way by the Pentacle. Their goal is to sell the Order to people in a way that's sensible and practical.
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