Mage Character Creation

Traits

See Costs for information on how many dots you can assign during character generation.

Restrictions

1. The Certification background is not in use.
2. The Cult background is not available for Mages. It may still be taken by other characters.
3. Totem is not available for Mages.

Backgrounds

Backgrounds in Mage are more free-form than some other systems, and as such require a bit more definition before they can exist in a usable state. We will need a little more information than you may be used to ensure that we can provide the roleplaying experiences we think the game of Mage: the Ascension deserves.

1. Allies - For each moderate or powerful ally, please list an 'NPC' (see below). For sidekicks, a simple description of the services they usually perform for the PC will suffice.
2. Alternate Identity - Please include Name and some basic information about the identity (based on the value of the background).
3. Avatar - See Avatar below.
4. Backup - Choose a Backup team (M20, p306)
5. Chantry - This background is not available in Character Generation
6. Contacts - Please list an NPC for each Contact.
7. Demesne - A description of the Demesne itself
8. Destiny - Please specify your 'Moment of Destiny'.
9. Dream - No notes necessary
10. Fame - What are you famous for?
11. Familiar - We use the rules from Gods, Monsters, and Familiar Strangers for Familiars here. Please include a name, basic roleplaying notes, and a stat block.
12. Influence - No notes necessary
13. Legend - Who your Legend is, and what mannerisms/appearances you are expected to upkeep.
14. Library - A physical description of the Library and where it resides
15. Mentor - See NPCs below.
16. Node - This isn't available in Character Generation
17. Past Lives - No notes necessary
18. Patron - See NPCs below.
19. Rank - Denote which Sleeper institution your Rank is in.
20. Resources - Where does your money come from?
21. Retainers - One NPC entry per Retainer.
22. Sanctum - A description of your Sanctum and where it resides
23. Spies - The areas in which your Spies are deployed
24. Status - Describe what you're known for among your group
25. Wonder - We use the rules from Forged by Dragon's Fire for Wonders and their creation. Please include a name, description, and statblock.

NPCs

For each background which deal with direct NPCs, there is a chance that staff will need to roleplay as these NPCs. To facilitate such, we ask the following for each NPC that is linked to a Background:

1. Name
2. How the character knows the NPC
3. What the NPC can do for the character
4. Roleplaying notes

This may sound like a lot, but it often can be handled fairly succinctly. Ex: Lil' Fade is a member of the 616 Crew that Damien befriended during his days growing up in the Fifth Ward and pushed him away from the gang life. He still treats Damien like a little brother. Lil' Fade might be able to scrounge up a firearm without a serial number, but he excels at getting his hands on street drugs or the occasional bit of larceny.

Focus

Focus, as of M20, is made up of 3 separate (but related) facets: Paradigm, Practices, and Instruments. We also ask that you include information on your Avatar. The minimum necessary information for each of these continues below. The information can be split into various notes in whatever way you see fit.

Paradigm

Paradigms and their descriptions can be found in various M20 supplements (primarily the Core rulebook and Book of Secrets). Choose one of the listed paradigms. As every Mage's beliefs are as unique as the Mage themself is, you can describe nuances to the chosen world view as they apply to your character as well.

Practices

Pick 2 or 3 Practices (M20 p573) that your Mage uses to perform their magick. You can, if you wish, describe how the practices tie in with your Paradigm.

Instruments

Pick at least 5 Instruments (M20, p588) that your Mage uses in their Magick. While not required, it can be helpful to pick one Instrument for each Sphere that your character has, and 2 or 3 'general' instruments that are used often.

Avatar

Describe your Avatar as you would any other NPC. The name that your PC knows their Avatar by (not all Mages know their Avatar by name), how the Avatar traditionally interacts with your character, what goals the Avatar has (which should be linked to Essence... remember, the Essence is the 'Avatar's', and need not align with your character's personality), and any other roleplaying notes regarding the Avatar itself. Remember, the way the Avatar is described will heavily inform your Seeking plots.