Necro mages will always be looked upon with suspicion. Even in areas like parts of Tsimshian and Yakut, where Necro Magic is accepted, the average person will still more than likely fear a Necro mage because of their power and morbid nature. It is up to the player to decide how evil a Necro mage really is. Is Necro Magic really malevolent, while trying to masquerade as a simple force of nature? Are mages in the thrall of a force much darker and more heinous than they let on? Or perhaps they really seek the good of all through one of nature’s more hated but necessary forces?
NECRO MAGIC
Combat: Corpse (Man) Detection: Carcass (Beast) Health: Rot (Plant) Illusion: Detritus (Earth) Manipulation: Palefire (Fire) Drain: Willpower + Logic PREFERRED SPELLS
Death Replay, Death Touch, Manabolt, Manaball, One Less, Slaughter, Slay, Shattershield, Rot, Death Mark (ritual), Necro Summoning (ritual), Whisper of Bones (ritual)
SORCERY
Necro Mages practice spellcasting normally.
CONJURING
Necro Magic is a possession tradition. It cannot summon as normal, but uses the Necro Summon- ing Ritual instead.
ENCHANTING
Necro mages practice enchanting normally.
NECRO MAGE RULES
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Must take Ritual Spellcasting.•
At character creation, must choose one (and only one) Necro Summoning ritual.•
Cannot summon normal spirits, but are re-stricted to Corpse, Carcass, Rot, Detritus, or Palefire spirits.
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At initiate grade 1, learn one additional Necro Summoning ritual.•
At initiate grade 2, learn one additional Necro Summoning ritual.•
At initiate grade 3, learn one additional Necro Summoning ritual.•
At initiate grade 4, gain an additional +2 dice pool bonus to summoning rituals.•
At initiate grade 5, learn one additionalNecro Summoning ritual.
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At initiate grade 6, may take the reckless Necro Summoning metamagic (in place of normal metamagic).NOTABLE TEACHERS
Dr. Jennifer Stinson is the premier teacher of Necro
Magic. The chairperson of the Tzuri Group, she fills most of her days running Tzuri’s corporate HQ in Mumbai. Almost all current Necro mages trace their tutelage back to her. Since the reveal of Necro Magic to the world in ’75, however, she has not tak- en on any pupils, at least that we know of. That isn’t to say that she isn’t trying to grow her craft.
Dr. Henry Hwang, Dr. Stinson’s associate (and
fellow metaplanar archeologist) has taken on more students in the last five years. Hwang runs the Tzuri Group’s Korean operations out of Pyong- yang, and his Necro School (professing “Peace and Power Through Acceptance”) is actively tak- ing new recruits, as well as scanning East Asia for potentially Awakened individuals.
A former associate of Stinson and Hwang, Dr.
Jesse Hodges, apparently broke ties with the Tzuri
group and has taken on at least two pupils that we know of. His current location is unknown, and ac- cording to one of his students, he is rather reclusive. If you can find “Hermit” Hodges, he may teach you, but it may not be the same formal education you would get from the “official” Tzuri teachers.
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I can’t post it here, but if anyone wants to know why Hodges broke with Tzuri, I have the goods. It’ll cost you 4,000 nuyen for the info, though. So keep that in mind before you ask.>
Haze>
It’s no secret. Hodges was touched in the head. He had a breakdown and was fired. No conspiracy.>
Snopes>
Oh yeah? Tell me about his breakdown. Anything specific?>
Haze>
No? I didn’t think s… Heh. Thanks for the 4,000, Snopesy. Check your inbox.>
HazeOLYMPIANISM
The legends of the classical gods and goddesses of ancient Greece are still as prevalent in public education today as they were last century. And the fascination with the ancient Greeks doesn’t end there. Books, trids, architecture, philosophy, and even the form of government in some coun- tries still reflect a never-ending fascination with all things Hellenistic. And that is without even men- tioning how Ares Macrotechnology keeps that culture alive in many less obvious ways.
So it should come as no surprise that since the Awakening, many have retread ancient texts and rediscovered ancient forms of worship and de- votion to these classical gods. This restored wor- ship is called Olympianism, after Mount Olym- pus, where the gods had their home. Olympians point to the mysterious veil around the summit of Mount Olympus that appeared some years ago as evidence that their faith is correctly placed.
Olympianists are a robust and diverse group, accepting all metatypes and abilities, as they be- lieve all life was made by the gods. Greek spirits are commonplace in Olympian lore, from house- hold gods and ancestor spirits to fairy-like spirits of air, water, earth, and fire. The Olympians take great care to not offend spirits if possible.
Olympianist priests generally venerate all of the Greek Pantheon, but once initiated, they spe- cialize in service to one particular deity. The most common devotion goes to Zeus, of course, then Aphrodite, then Hera, followed by Ares and Ha- des. Even though these gods receive more praise, strong followings of Neptune, Apollo, and Artemis exist, as do smaller devotions to almost every oth- er god within the pantheon (including a small sect of powerful mages bound to Hecate).
Gregorios Argyris leads the renewed Olympi- anist temple in Athens. With visual aid given by a stable alchera, the Parthenon was magically re- stored to its former glory and now serves as the epicenter of the new and swiftly growing faith.
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The renewed Parthenon is something to behold. It reallyisn’t a wonder why so many are flocking to hear Gregorios speak and learn of the old ways.
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AreteRELATED MENTOR SPIRITS
While some Olympianists are committed to serving the entire pantheon, most eventually choose a pa- tron deity. Those wishing to follow a particular deity can find existing mentor spirits that represent ideals their patron encourages. While not a deity, Oracle also fits well within the Olympianist paradigm.
IDEALS
The Olympianists don’t always value the same things that the ancient Greeks did. Specifically, most Olympianists favor Athens and their demo- cratic ideals rather than Spartan cruelty or Epicure- an hedonism. While each god has their own focus, the pantheon as a whole and the Olympianists val- ue learning, philosophy, martial prowess, and order.
SORCERY
Olympianists practice spellcasting normally.
CONJURING
Olympianists practice conjuring normally.
ENCHANTING
Olympianists practice enchanting normally.
NOTABLE TEACHERS
Gregorios Argyris and his democratic ekklesia (or principal assembly) lead the Hellenistic revival
in Greece. Gregorios may lead the movement, but he is hardly the most powerful member. In fact, the so-called New Argonauts are the high- est-profile teachers of Olympianist magic.
The New Argonauts—Hercules, Orpheus, and
Atalanta—form the leadership of the Olympianist
Academy of Magic. While the academy is commit- ted to training all seekers in the philosophy and use of Olympianist magic, they also handpick the best recruits to join the New Argonauts as mercenaries for hire. The New Argonauts travel where the Ora- cle leads them, and their prowess has gained them a herculean reputation in the shadows.