To talk about the game and such

Welcome P1

Since we talked about a small group game, I am approaching a couple of other potential players who had expressed some interest.

Very cool. Im not rushing you.

In reply to P1 (msg # 3):

Waves, no worries on time;-)

Okay folks.  We may have another player join us later.  May not. But let's get started.

First, I'd like to use 5ed. Ars Magica.  I am going to play a little loose with the cannon per se.  But nothing too earth shaking.

So what I am proposing is this:

I would like to run you through a mini-campaign of sorts.  It's a travelouge type adventure.  You'll traipse across parts of Central and Eastern Europe as well as someplace a little more exotic before it's over.

By the end of it, you'll have seen at least two potential covenant sites, possibly gained some valuable resources, and maybe allied with or pissed off some of the Hermetic powers that be. If we are still of the same mindset, by the end of this game we can transition into a more typical AM troupe style game.  Recruit some more players. And have you guys set up a covenant.

To start with, I'd ask for you both to generate magi.  You can choose to either be 3 years out of gauntlet or roll a 1d10-2 and say you are that many years out of gauntlet (a -1 or 0 counts as being fresh out of gauntlet).  You will be starting as low ranking members of Fengheld Covenant in the Rhine.

I'd also like you both to generate at least a grog a piece.  You may want to generate two a piece.  Parts of the storyline will need to be played by non-Magi.

That sound doable/appealing?  I am not married to this idea, so please feel free to make alternate pitches.

Thanks.

Sounds fine with me.  I like the idea of traveling and carving out a new covenant.

Can we start with a freshly gauntleted magi if we like?

I'm thinking of doing a magi with a bit of a 'troublemaker' initial reputation so one that left him little option but to leave Fengheld and no options to join an established covenant.

In reply to P2 (msg # 6):

If you'd like to start spanking fresh outta gauntlet, I am fine with that.

Note to start: this is brilliant-

https://timothyferguson.wordpr...-ars-magica-players/

I'd like Friderich to be a few years out; I think Bonisagus is the right house, though I could be convinced Tremere.

Any range for starting year?

In reply to P1 (msg # 8):

I was thinking of having Seeker leanings, but how do you see the relationship between our magi?  Friends, common interest or goals, adventuring spirit or...?  Figure a Bonisagus could find a covenant (and gild) if they wanted one, so what drives yours to go on a bit of a road trip (and carve a new one out)?

I'm leaning Ex Miscellenea and a little low on the Hermetic totem pole because of rep (scandal with master/gauntlet?).

In reply to P2 (msg # 9):

You usually can't go wrong with Tim Ferguson's stuff.

I'd also recommend Issue 11 of Sub Rosa.  They have an interesting Magi builder based on the approach from the Grogs supplement.

For starting year...let's go with 1190.  That will give us a good gap with the official starting year.

I will let you two decide how your PCs know one another.  It would probably be a decent idea to assume your parens are members of Fengheld.  P2, you almost don't have a choice.  But if you'd like to have your parens be a member of a different covenant, I won't stop ya.

I will try to work in any Story flaws into the game of course.

One note:  if you take the "Outsider" flaw, I tend to be a little brutal about it.  Mythic Europe was not kind.  Please be forewarned.

Other questions?

Know of a good character builder site or program?

In reply to P1 (msg # 11):

I use Metacrator.  But do not know if Alter Ego Software is still in existence. Their store page on DriveThruRPG doesn't exist any longer.

In reply to The Founder's Ghost (msg # 12):

Nope, Alter ego software retired.

In reply to P2 (msg # 13):

Here's a creator for grogs...

https://och.nu/tesla/AM/grog.html

Redcap listed that the Metacreator program was still available if you googled it but so far I haven't found a good link.

In reply to P2 (msg # 14):

https://alteregosoftware.com/ArM5Features.php

But when you try to follow the link for the Ars Magica package, it just takes you to the defunct DriveThruRPG page.

Looks like Metacreator has gone the way of the dodo.

I think a talk about our friendship & motivation for leaving might be the catalyst I need to build a character - the story approach.

One thing I am thinking is moving from Bonisagus to Tremere - the key is really with you, Founder's Ghost - is your Tremere a sketchy group with low esteem and a nefarious agenda?  Or is it a structure = power type place?
If the former, then Bonisagus is my house.  Friderich, being a bit older, was at one point a proctor of a lab, and floor guardian for some younger members, and befriended P2 along the way.  Who can forget being chased by Klaus for stealing cheese - and the fumbled spell that made the kitchen cat into a rat?  At least temporarily...

As we grew up within the Covenant, we later worked together as I was a tutor, trying - somewhat successfully? - to help 'break' his Ex Mis mind to that of a proper scholar.  While it didn't work, we came to an understanding, and I learned something about the Arcane.

It could be as well then, as I had completed my gauntlet, that I was accused of helping you with yours.  A charge unfounded, and though even while I was ultimately cleared of that, some whiff of disrespectability remains.

And that could be why - if you're _just_ out of your gauntlet, that you and I are to travel together?


-OR-

As House Tremere, I have at times, growing up in the covenant, worked with him, and we are friendly, if not friends.  As I became more entrenched in Tremere, my mentor, the witch Margilt, often had me focus on where I could gain my advantage - a point that brings other points into focus.  I began to look at who I could work with, who I could trust, who could help me, Tremere, and all Magi be better and stronger.  P2 - of course.  A man with no agenda, and who, because of an...issue with his gauntlet, is open to the idea of a sojourn.

House Tremere - and Margilt - will provide some of the backing, but there is a place or three to the East that needs looking into...

In reply to P1 (msg # 16):

I have to admit one of the things I don't like about 5ed Cannon is the treatment they gave Tremere.  It just seemed to be the preferred house for many of the line developers.  They seemed to write Tremere as the house where everyone's toned and has perfect hair.

My take on Tremere is that they are a structure=power type in principal.  But in organizations like theirs, there's all these little crevices the sketchy can hide.

In other words, yes Tremere talks the talk.  As to whether they walk the walk is a magi by magi basis.

Ok, well - maybe l could get a hint from you ?  Generally prefer a social, diplomatic PC - ambitious, bright, too clever for his own good.  If you feel like Margilt and I are Boni, great.  If you like some of the machinations of Tremere, then great!

P2 - do you have a preference for friends vs partners vs acquaintances?

In reply to P1 (msg # 18):

I can work with what you like.  'Emrys' has a few motivations to go out to search for a place to make a new covenant...not the least is that he's at the bottom of the social status ladder (making founding a covenant easier than joining an established one).

Part of Friderich's motivation for doing the road trip with Emrys is of course 'safety in numbers' and he found a interested (or desperate) party in Emrys (regardless of the status of their relationship) but the larger question in my mind is why does Friderich take to the road?  It'd be far less risky to play the Gild game and find a spot in a nice safe covenant in the Rhine tribunal.

Oh....side note... the initial turb of grogs.  How are they recruited or connected to us?  Friends, 'assigned'/gifted by mother covenant, some other connection?
This message was last edited by the player at 19:19, Wed 15 Feb 2023.