We Vances are simply exemplary casters of spells. Vances know that spells are living things in their own right. They vibrate, squirm, and seethe. To learn a spell is to master it, like one masters a dangerous beast or—perhaps—like one makes an interesting friend. To study a spell is to ask it to inhabit you, like a spirit. Only a fool would put something dangerous into themselves, right? To cast a spell is to expel it from your mind and soul (unless you use your personal power to grasp onto it so you can cast it again). We use complex formulae and intricate words and gestures to tame the inherently wild and dangerous natures of unmastered spells.
Perhaps the most mathematical and studious of the vislae, we Vances cast powerful, predictable, and reliable spells. Vancian spells have a mathematical and linguistic intricacy to them. This precision is displayed visually in the game with a special set of cards of varying sizes. These cards offer all the spell’s details, and also indicate how much of a Vance’s mental capacity is required to hold it. All the various spells fit together in a diagram like pieces of a puzzle, arranged as the Vance sees fit. Swapping out one spell for another is easy if they’re the same “size,” but if they are different, some monkeying with the arrangement might be in order. Of course, we can, over time, increase our capacity and hold more (or larger) spells in their arrangement.
A spell held in a Vance’s mind/soul can be cast with no cost to the Vance, or they can expend energy to retain the spell in their repertoire to keep casting it.
The Vancian Order is very traditional, with a strict hierarchy. At the top of this hierarchy is the Telemeric Court, a council of nine Vances of the 6th degree. The Telemeric Court meets infrequently as needed, but always at a yearly gathering of the order called the Conclave of Iov, held in Satyrine, with each year a different member of the court serving as the Supreme Magus of the order. Members can become more and more influential in the order if they gain the support and trust of their fellow Vances and master some or all of the key disciplines.
Sometimes, people refer to us as book mages. Others might use the term “wizard” (although in Satyrine that’s a word long out of fashion). We are consummate spellcasters, spell smiths, and spell masters.
In a way that only we can truly understand, our spells vibrate, squirm, and seethe. They have their own sort of life to them—their own independent intelligence. Vancian spells want to be cast. Paradoxically, they are difficult to master and draw in, as if their own eagerness works against them. Once within the mind of the mage, however, they are simple to release. Sometimes we try to explain what it’s like to have spells within us all but begging to be cast, continually. But most of the time we just keep it all to ourselves. No one else will truly understand anyway.
Philosophy and Outlook: Magic is a living thing. Spells are tools, yes, but they’re more than that. They’re manifestations of the intelligence inherent within magic itself. When we craft a spell, we are shaping an independent magical intelligence from the overmind, and when we absorb a spell and ready it for casting, we are communing with a sapience beyond our own, forming a symbiotic relationship. It is a mutually beneficial agreement based on harmony and understanding. (Some look at it as being more of a master-and-servant relationship, but they are the exceptions. They look at creating new spells as “hunting and capturing” spells. In other words, the spells already exist; they just need to be found and subdued.)
Relationships: We typically find Goetics to be kindred spirits, with Vancian spells being not entirely unlike demons themselves. Weavers, on the other hand, are a bit difficult to understand. They look at magic in a very different way than we do—very open-ended and undisciplined. They tell us that we’re too rigid and formulaic. Makers often make fine companions, but sometimes seem a little focused.
Other Names: Magician, wizard, mage, book mage.
Path to Joy: The following actions give us Joy.
✦✦ Learn a spell of a level higher than any we’ve yet learned.
✦✦ Attend the Conclave of Iov for the first time.
✦✦ Create a new Vancian spell (and name it after yourself).
✦✦ Learn a spell from the Vancian who created it (assuming they are higher ranking than you).
✦✦ Spend one month instructing lower-ranking Vancians.
Path to Despair: The following actions give us Despair.
✦✦ Chastisement from a higher-ranking Vancian.
✦✦ A spell producing a different effect than expected (this does not mean failure, just a completely different effect than described).
✦✦ Complete separation from the order and any of its members for more than three months.
Vance characters start at the 1st degree with the following abilities.
Connection: We have 1 level of connection with the Order of the Vance.
Ephemera Use: We can safely possess three ephemera at any given time.
Special Skill: We have 1 level of skill with anything having to do with understanding or identifying formalized and codified magical practices like spells, rituals, invocations, and so on.
Efficient Use of Power: Vances start with an additional bene in their Sorcery pool as a permanent bonus.
Vancian Spells: We have a grimoire with six Vancian spells. This has no cost to us, but the spells must be selected from those we can fit into our minds (alpha or beta class) at the 1st degree. We can add to this grimoire in a variety of ways, including advancing in degree, learning from others of our order, or creating new spells. Like other spells, each Vancian spell has a level, indicating the cost in Acumen required to add it to our repertoire.
When we want to use a spell, we read the complex formulae, lengthy linguistic keys, intricate images, and elaborate instructions and draw it all into ourselves, preparing it to be cast later. Although the uninitiated call this memorization, it’s more an act of absorption or consumption. Sometimes we call it “clothing ourselves in our spells”—each one is like putting on an additional garment. Some of us, however, see it more as figuratively cramming the spells into our brains. Still others might refer to it more as joining with the spell and becoming one with it. The more powerful the Vance, the more spells—and the more powerful spells—the Vance can prepare at one time. This preparation process takes about an hour, regardless of how many spells are involved.
Each spell takes up virtual “space” within us. The total space we have is represented by a square that is 3 inches by 3 inches (8 by 8 cm). If we advance in degree, this space increases. Whatever spells we can fit into this space, that is how many spells we can prepare. So the larger (and likely higher level) the spell, the fewer we can prepare. The space a spell occupies in this square varies, but in general is signified by its class—alpha class (3 inches by 1.5 inches [8 by 4 cm]), beta class (3 inches by 3 inches [8 by 8 cm]), gamma class (3 inches by 6 inches [8 by 15 cm]), or omega class (6 inches by 6 inches [15 by 15 cm]). We cannot put the same spell into our minds twice (or more) at the same time.
The spell is eager to be cast, so casting it requires no energy or effort from us. Just an action. However, if we want to retain the ability to cast that spell again without going through the preparation phase, there is a Sorcery cost involved equal to the spell’s level—basically, we’re casting it, but metaphorically hanging on tight so we don’t lose it when we do.
Authority and Responsibilities: A 1st-degree Vance has authority over journeyman Vances, giving them the power to request small services or casual favors, like running an errand, delivering a message, or filing papers. They are required to perform similar duties by those of higher degree.
A Vance can attain the 2nd degree only with personal sponsorship of a 3rd-degree (or higherranking) Vance. The Vance must maintain a good standing with the order and have exemplified themselves in some way. Initiation to the 2nd degree involves an interview with a representative of the Telemeric Court followed by a formal but private ceremony in which we are awarded a special medallion signifying our station. As part of our training and initiation into the ranks of this new degree, we learn the following:
Vancian Spells: The storage space we have for spells does not increase; however, we can reduce the occupying space of two of the spells we know to half their original size. We also automatically learn one new Vancian spell that can fit into our mind at no cost.
Authority and Responsibilities: A 2nd-degree Vance has authority over those of lower degrees, giving them the power to request small services or casual favors, like running an errand, delivering a message, or filing papers. They are also more likely to be called upon by those of higher degree to undertake significant duties like helping with research.
A Vance can attain the 3rd degree only after developing a new Vancian spell and having it accepted by the Telemeric Court at the Conclave of Iov. Initiation to the 3rd degree involves a formal ceremony open to the public, in which we are awarded a special medallion signifying our station. As part of our training and initiation into the ranks of this new degree, we learn the following:
Incantation Use: One of our ephemera can be a conation incantation.
Vancian Spells: The total space we have to store spells is now represented by a rectangle that is 3 inches by 6 inches (8 by 15 cm). We also automatically learn one new Vancian spell that can fit into our mind at no cost.
Authority and Responsibilities: A 3rd-degree Vance has authority over those of lower degrees, giving them the power to request help with errands or research. They are expected, at this degree, to act as leaders and teachers for other Vances, and to help those of lower degree with problems from time to time.
A Vance can attain the 4th degree only if they have performed the Invocation of Knowledge as a 3rd-degree Vance. This must be witnessed by a higher-degree Vance. Initiation to the 4th degree involves a great deal of paperwork and disclosing of personal information to the Telemeric Court. The induction ceremony, in which we are awarded a special medallion signifying our station, is conducted in secret and involves many clandestine gestures and rites revealed to us only at that time. As part of our training and initiation into the ranks of this new degree, we learn the following:
Ephemera Mastery: We can safely manage four ephemera at any given time.
Vancian Spells: The storage space we have for spells does not increase; however, we can reduce the occupying space of two of the spells we know to half their original size.
We also automatically learn one new Vancian spell that can fit into our mind at no cost.
Authority and Responsibilities: A 4th-degree Vance has authority over those of lower degrees, giving them the ability to request help with research or even accompany them on important missions. They are expected to act as leaders and teachers for other Vances and contribute in significant ways to the advancement of the order, including serving in administrative roles, fundraising, and troubleshooting.
A Vance can attain the 5th degree only if they have sponsored a lower-ranking Vance and that mage has studied under them for at least three months. We gain the medallion that signifies our station in a small, private ceremony followed by a public celebration. As part of our training and initiation into the ranks of this new degree, we learn the following:
Incantation Mastery: Two of our ephemera can be conation incantations.
Vancian Spells: The total space we have to store spells is now represented by a square that is 6 inches by 6 inches (15 by 15 cm).
We also automatically learn one new Vancian spell that can fit into our mind at no cost.
Authority and Responsibilities: A 5th-degree Vance has authority over those of lower degrees to the point at which they can expect those of much lower degree to work for them as assistants or guards over a long term. Vances of 5th degree are expected to take administrative roles, and put the concerns of the order over personal concerns.
A Vance can attain the 6th degree only with the personal endorsement of the Supreme Magus of the Telemeric Court. Induction of 6th-degree Vances occurs at the Conclave of Iov, in a ceremony presided over by the Supreme Magus. As part of our training and initiation into the ranks of this new degree, we learn the following:
Greater Ephemera Mastery: We can safely manage five ephemera at any given time.
Vancian Spells: The storage space we have for spells does not increase; however, we can reduce the occupying space of two of the spells we know to half their original size.
We also automatically learn one new Vancian spell that can fit into our mind at no cost.
Authority and Responsibilities: A Grand Magus has complete authority over all Vances other than those of the same degree. They are expected either to become members of the Telemeric Court or to be available whenever the court might have need of them.