Paradox-When absorbing Paradox (and suffering Backlash) you must absorb all of it or none.
To the Limit: at the cost of 3 extra paradox dice and a willpower point, a character can cast an improvised Instant or Reflexive spell once per scene that is 1 level higher than they could normally cast. The spell is automatically vulgar.
Raising Arcana: The mages of Chicago believe becoming an Adept requires years of study or a special epiphany about the Arcanum (this is just fluff). They also believe that to become a Master requires a journey into the deepest levels of the Astral. (This is true).