Traditions

The realms of magic are still largely terra incognita seventy years into the Awakening, at least for metahumanity. Why is that so? After all, most magical beings use their powers intuitively, just as mammals pick themselves up and walk right after birth. As everyone knows, it takes metahumans considerably more time to find their feet, and those of us who show innate arcane powers struggle miserably learning to handle them. It seems as if 1.2 million years of evolution have equipped us—well, many of us, anyway—with a formidable brain and at the same time not just alienated us from our intuitions about our physical body, but also stripped us entirely of our understanding of the astral body. So, learning our ways around magic is an effortful endeavor. Just as we need to realize and comprehend the three-dimensional space around us in order to stand up and take our first steps, we need an orientation system to navigate the uncharted waters of our arcane abilities.

In general, there are two approaches for metahumans to learn magic: the “shamanic” way of interlinking our magic with a guiding belief system, and the “hermetic” way, in which we try to approximate the laws of magic by the use of different, somewhat opposing rationales.

Of course, this is a simplistic presentation, the truth is much more complex than that.

Traditions of Logic

Scientific Traditions

Animal Spirit Traditions

Gaia Traditions

Traditions of Logic

If you want to see it that way, the roles of religions and spiritual systems have always been to offer support and guidance in the face of phenomena mankind couldn’t explain. Those phenomena manifested themselves according to laws that were, and often still are, beyond the immediate reach of our senses. This is true for natural phenomena like thunder and lightning, but also for the workings of our mind, emotions, and instincts, and certainly for metaphysical questions like the meaning of life. All of them appear mysterious, even frightening at times.

It is obvious to see the Awakening as another manifestation of phenomena beyond our senses, and it holds true for magic that it originates from sources beyond our reach but can also be found within and around us. Consequentially, metahumanity reverted to religion and faith to make sense of it. And surprisingly (or not), spiritual teachings proved able to lend help and guidance to those who dared to take the leap of faith. Whenever there is talk about a “shaman,” in most cases this magician is typically not a practitioner of First Nations shamanism, but rather a student of one of the following faith-based traditions.

Logic Tradition Qualities

Recommended Positive Qualities:

Analytical Mind (Secular Qabbalah)
Astral Chameleon (Folk Traditions)
Focused Concentration (Scientific Traditions)
Mentor Spirit (Folk Traditions)
Spirit Affinity (Folk Traditions)

Recommended Negative Qualities:

Astral Beacon (Hermeticism)
In Debt (Scientific Traditions)
Spirit Bane (Any)

Scientific Traditions

Traditions that value scientific methods aren’t only limited to the hermetic, of course, though that particular tradition is the most well-known. Many of these paths share a deep root in science, as well as a disdain for those paths that operate on superstition and simple belief.

Hermeticism

Tradition Attribute: Logic

The interpretations of hermeticism have varied somewhat over the centuries, but Sixth World hermetic beliefs are centered on a single key point: that while magic is not yet fully understood, it is understandable. Hermeticists take a scientific approach to magic, rigorously staging trial after trial, lab test after lab test to build a better understanding of the underpinnings of logic. It should not be surprising that the faculties of the most prominent thaumaturgical universities in the world are heavily staffed by hermetic mages.

Hermeticists see themselves as part of a long, proud tradition of striving to understand the laws undergirding the world and manipulate them. They are more than happy to point out that Isaac Newton’s alchemical studies took up more of his time than his work on physics, and that people like John Dee and Aleister Crowley, who were pushed to the margins of academia, had their reputations dramatically upgraded after the Awakening.

Since hermeticists feel they understand magic, they think that puts them ahead of any other branch of academia, since others’ understanding is rooted in this world only. This strongly contributes to their reputation for snobbery and arrogance, a reputation they tend to embrace through the concept that it’s not arrogance if you can back it up. Besides that, most shaman operate without a fundamental understanding of the magic they wield - meaning that while they are wielding mana like a chimpanzee with a machine gun and falling to threats they could understand easily if they had just a little more discipline, hermetics are typically the ones cleaning up their messes.

Chaos Magic

Tradition Attribute: Logic

Chaos magic is a broad category that breaks from the hermetic tradition in a few notable ways, namely that it tends to be a lot more open-minded when it comes to taking bits and pieces of other traditions outside of the rather rigid structure of hermetic practice. A particular variant of Hermeticism that relies on a “Unified Magical Theory” is often said to have drawn heavily from the practices and beliefs of Chaos magic, or at least have developed along the same lines. So, what do they believe, exactly? Well, in Chaos Magic, magic is often viewed as a method of altering the code of reality - some take this phrase more literally than others. Reality itself is a code, a series of equations, and mages of this tradition put forward that when one casts a spell, it invariably alters that code to make the user’s will manifest, the way a hacker might exploit programs for the same reason. The more studied and regimented of Chaos magicians may be indistinguishable from their hermetic cousins at first blush, but some of their unorthodox methods tend to quickly make the difference clear.

Of course, there’s a more hands-on variant to Chaos Magic that doesn’t tend to get as much attention, often because it tends to be cobbled together by street mages learning whatever they can, wherever they can. This tends to be looked down on by their more traditionally taught brethren. But at the end of the day, the result is largely the same - abroad, scientifically rooted tradition not afraid to adopt whatever methods work to further itself, whether from techniques drawn from other traditions of magic or the application of technology.

Black Magic

Tradition Attribute: Logic

Much maligned and poorly understood by most, Black Magic is a tradition that descends from the hermetic but draws on a measure of hedonistic emotion and excess. “Do what feels good, as you’re only beholden to yourself” - that’s the general drive of the typical Black Magic practitioner.

Of course, this is usually mixed with a hefty dash of nihilism, which can lead to its users viewing the world rather callously. Given that, it’s not surprising that they tend to be viewed so negatively. Still, like other hermetic traditions, Black Magic is more a tool than a force with actual moral leanings. The world is never as simple as good versus evil, and Black Magic falls somewhere into those various shades of grey that things are really made of. Black Magic is motivated by the self, and whatever that ends up meaning is up to the individual user, for good or ill.

Secular Qabbalah

Tradition Attribute: Logic

While heavily related to its Abrahamic cousin, and drawing on many of the same traditions, the more secular arm of Qabbalah is largely divested of its religious leanings and far easier to relate it to the hermetic traditions listed before.

Casters who follow Secular Qabbalism tend to cast spells using ancient Hebrew, and their research features complex formulae and diagrams, with numerology and astrology forming a significant part of their theories regarding the flow of mana. This method of explaining the Awakened universe is also part of the hermetic paradigm, although the hermetics use other sources of information as well.

That said, there isn’t a huge difference outside of their less religious approach and it is often compared to classical hermeticism.

Folk Traditions

Of course, not every single tradition that might fall on the “practical” side is so heavily rooted in science. Some are built on pragmatic teachings from different cultures and societies throughout the ages, or at least claim to be, and thus fall into their own category. As previously mentioned, the sort of Chaos Magic cobbled together by street mages who had to teach themselves definitely falls into this category, which sets it apart from its science-rooted cousin, but there are many, many more.

Practical Theurgy

Tradition Attribute: Logic

Tied into pagan practices that you might find among certain reconstructions of shamanic cultures, Practical Theurgy draws quite a lot from these roots while incorporating lessons learned from their experiences while being disconnected to a degree from the gods or spirits that guide their less-secular kin.

Their rituals and spells often have some tinge of spirituality to them, but they usually lack the patron spirit that a pagan shaman would serve and generally most magic is dictated much less by headstrong actions and more by logic.

Romani

Tradition Attribute: Logic

While many see trying too hard to describe their abilities without being immersed in that culture as a fool's game, the Romani have always had strong beliefs that have guided their people since before the Awakening, and they continue to do so even now.

They also tend not to teach this sort of magic to anyone not of their kin. What is known is that there is a very strong connection to the spirit of their people, and their magic reflects this.

The art is taught orally and never recorded in grimoires or any sort of permanent text.

Storyteller

Tradition Attribute: Logic

Said to tap into the power of the collective unconscious, the Storyteller tradition draws on tales that share commonalities between cultures.

Images and stories are seeded deep within the cultural understanding we have of the world around us, creatures such as dragons, ghosts, and other supernatural beings existing in stories in many cultures. The Storytellers claim to use this commonality to fuel their magic, and they attempt to trace a “great narrative” through these tales, while also trying to track new leads and elements that surface in more modern stories.

When dealing with mentor spirits, they often choose those that represent heroes of legend or protagonists of great stories from decades past.

Traditions of Faith

Ancient Pantheons

It wouldn’t surprise you to hear that plenty of shamanic traditions have popped up in relation to ancient religions and gods, of course. Whether or not there’s any veracity to them, objectively speaking, people believe, and where there’s belief there’s power. Tapping into that kind of power can be tricky, and it can certainly be dangerous, but that’s never stopped the ones who really want it, has it?

Ancient Pantheon Tradition Qualities

Recommended Positive Qualities:

Recommended Negative Qualities:

Mandatory Negative Quality

Possession Tradition (Vodou)

Egyptian

Tradition Attribute: Charisma

What we know about ancient Egyptian religion probably hasn’t advanced all that much since the days before the Awakening, but if one thing’s for sure, it’s that the rise of metahumans and magic have definitely lent some credence to the old stories from just about every ancient faith. Shamans who find a connection to one of the gods of Ancient Egypt might not necessarily have a cultural connection to them - that’s common enough for many of the traditions derived from belief - but they devote themselves to understanding what we know of the ways and beliefs of Egypt, and how it interfaces with the metahuman soul. Not surprising, given its importance in Egyptian belief.

An individual mage might find connection with a god that represents some aspect of existence that they feel most drawn to. Given that there are so many gods in the pantheon of Ancient Egypt, there’s one for just about anything you could imagine. Death, life, even hippos. Members of this tradition place a lot of weight on their actions in this life, drawing on the belief that to enter the afterlife with a heavy heart will result in torment.

Greek/Roman

Tradition Attribute: Charisma

There’s a lot of similarity between the Roman and Greek traditions, with the ancient Romans having cribbed quite a few of their gods from the Greeks before them.

Like any polytheistic tradition, the disposition of a given shaman from these tradition is going to depend heavily on which god they’re most drawn to. A magician devoted to Mars is going to be a lot fragging testier than one devoted to, say, Bacchus. Not that you’d meet a Bacchus shaman on a given run, probably. They’re probably too busy having fun. Their practices might use Latin or Greek, of course, depending on which side of the line they fall. What’s likewise not uncommon is the usage of ritual practices from pre-Awakening religious reconstructions. Most of the original rites were lost when monotheistic faiths swept over the region. A pity, really, given how much fascinating information must have been lost.

A good mix of Greek philosophy makes its way into these traditions as well, often used as a guiding morality for their art. Given that area of the world tends to be considered the birthplace of philosophy, or at least Western philosophy, this makes a lot of sense.

Norse

Tradition Attribute: Charisma

Adherents to traditions that derive from Norse beliefs are far more nuanced than those cosplaying vikings in their bedrooms or on the Matrix, or the white supremacists with mjolnir necklaces espousing race science and a warrior culture. Odin himself is often viewed as emblematic of a magician, given his sacrifice of his eye for knowledge and the ability to see between worlds.

Awakened practitioners of the Norse magic and Ásatru are called Godi, though non-religious Awakened could be called vitka (sorceress) or heiðr (cunning woman). Many Awakened followers of the Norse tradition specialize in a specific magical skill group. Godi are mostly spell weavers, priests practicing sorcery through prayers to the Norse pantheon. They are given respect by other followers of Ásatru. Unlike other traditions, it’s a part-time religious position, with a Godi holding another profitable job for support. They use a more hierarchal structure than other Ásatru adherents.

Runemasters have delved into futhark runes (the written language of the Norse) and have been able to incorporate their work into more persistent magic as they carve the words into stone. Seidmen focus their attention on gaining access to the 9 realms and communicating with the creatures found within. Some of these Awaken and then focus their efforts on mastering all 9 realms. Of particular note are berserkers or "bear sarks" who adopt totemic animal mentors (such as Bear or Stag); most are adepts, though mystic adepts or magicians are not unknown.

Many magicians who follow this tradition try to walk this path of wisdom, guiding those around them and serving as protectors of their comrades - though, admittedly, the occasional shaman bound to some of the more unsavory elements of the Norse pantheon can crop up from time to time. Loki, believe it or not, tends to be more annoying than anything else. It’s Fenrir or Jormungandr that you’ve got to watch out for. Given the stories of the world serpent spewing poison into the sky at the end of the world, there’s some wonder if the World Serpent-followers fall under the whole ‘toxic shaman’ descriptor. This is argued internally by many in the Norse tradition with the vigor of a thousand caucasians stuck in line at a grocery store.

Vodou

Tradition Attribute: Charisma

The centerpiece of Vodou is the concept of les invisibles, the unseen beings that populate the spirit world. The spirits are referred to as "loa," and they are what the Vodou Awakened serve. There are degrees of loa, both major and minor. The general goal in Vodou is to gain the favor of a major loa, either by interacting directly with that spirit or by gaining influence within that spirit’s court. One good way to get on a loa’s good side is to give them some time to play around on the material plane, which in the Vodou tradition is accomplished by allowing them to possess the body of the summoner or of one of their servants (or perhaps the body of some lunkhead the Vodou conjurer brought along for just that purpose). The loa like to live it up during their possession time, which partially explains some of the wilder and more exuberant aspects of Vodou rituals.

Vodou practitioners are not just respectful to the spirits they summon - they are deferential. In their view, their magical abilities hinge on keeping the loa happy, so they will do everything in their power to please these beings, including engaging in flattery or obsequiousness. A Vodou conjurer would never refer to a spirit as owing them “services.” Instead, she would say that the spirit has granted them gifts, or some other phrasing that makes their subservient relationship to the spirit clear.

Conjurers are by far the most common type of Vodou practitioner, though their focus on material objects to use in their rituals means that enchanters have a place in their ranks as well.

Spellcasters play an important role in the rituals of the tradition, though this role is often filled by strong conjurers who have also built up a bit of spellcasting prowess. Adepts are rare in Vodou; they work so hard to get the utmost control over their bodies that they often don’t like the idea of turning that control over to les invisibles.

Abrahamic Traditions

It is remarkable that three of the world’s great religions originate from the same small region of the Near East, located in the geographical joint between Africa, Asia, and Europe. Drawing from a common cultural heritage, these religions share more similarities than their conflict-laden relationship to each other would suggest: the veneration for jointly owned characters like the eponymous Abraham (Ibrahim), sacred ancestor of the Semitic people; common - though not necessarily shared - places of worship and the characteristic reverence for central, constitutive holy texts that made scholars coin the synonymous term “book religions” for them, to only name a few. The Abrahamic religions are infamously hesitant in accepting woman believers into the ranks of clergy - a drawback that not only persists to modern times, but also extends to their respective magic traditions that formed after the Awakening.

Although the return of magic hit the Abrahamic religions unprepared, they quickly recovered. After all, don’t the Holy Texts contain stories of sacred people and sages performing not just miracles but acts that, to the expert eye, are nothing if not magic? Soon, the scholars and gnostics of Christianity, Islam, and Judaism each gathered ancient knowledge from their archives, reluctantly and yet frantically fusing the ancient wisdom into new magic traditions.

All Abrahamic traditions agree that, although their respective God is the ultimate artificer of the world and therefore the creator of magic itself, Awakened powers are in no way to be seen as a gift from God to those who wield them. In fact, all book religions still have ongoing debates on whether man is supposed to have those powers at all. While hardliners in this discussion consider the very existence of mages an act of heretical presumption, there is a consensus among the moderate forces that those who actually wield arcane powers should always feel moral obligation toward God and the community of faith weighing heavy on their shoulders.

So, trembling with uncertainty as to whether their magic finds the goodwill of their Lord at all, disciples of the Abrahamic traditions are rather cautious spellslingers and entirely uncomfortable interfering with the astral spheres and its inhabitants. Caught in a dualistic worldview, scholars can’t quite make out the role of spirits in the eternal fight between the forces of good and evil. Many try to play it safe and refrain from conjuring spirits at all, content with their lot as aspected magicians.

Adepts of all Abrahamic traditions typically accept roles as warriors of faith. The Krav Maga adepts of the Israeli Defense Forces, the Caliphate’s Mujahideen, or the Exorcists of the Catholic Church are only a few examples

Abrahamic Tradition Qualities

Recommended Positive Qualities:

Recommended Negative Qualities:

Honorbound
Possession Tradition (Qabbalists)
Pusillanimous Summoner (Islamic and Christian theurgists)
Representation

Disadvised Positive Qualities:

Mentor Spirit (Islamic theurgist - except Lion or Holy Text)
Spirit Affinity

Christian Theurgy

Tradition Attribute: Charisma

Christianity made its transition to the Sixth World in fits and starts. For some people, it was easy. The supernatural had always played a role in their stories and beliefs, so they simply accepted magic as part of the belief framework they’d always held. Others, however, identified magic with the witchcraft and satanism they’d been warned about for years, so they put up walls (the Catholic Church in particular erecting some strong barriers). The Imago Dei encyclical helped break down those walls, but it also transitioned people away from the belief that magic was a manifestation of godly power. Christian Theurgists in general see magic as a tool they can use to perform God’s work, rather than a direct channel to the divine. Spirits often make Christian Theurgists uncomfortable - they’re not sure if they should treat them like the souls of the dead, angels, devils, or something else, so they’re often more comfortable just leaving them alone.

Christian Theurgists are as organized as their particular branch of Christianity is. Members of the clergy, such as mages in the Order of St. Sylvester, have stricter controls on their behavior, while members of the laity of any denomination who happen to be Awakened may have some guidelines or principles to help them in their use of magic, but the degree to which the follow those guidelines is up to them.

In its ideal form, Christianity is about helping others and relieving their pain where possible, and there are Christian Theurgists who attempt to live up to this ideal. Throughout history, however, there have been all sorts of acts done in the name of Christianity, and that remains the case today. Depending on what part of Christian teachings they emphasize or how they choose to interpret them, Christian Theurgists may be involved in a wide variety of activities ranging from the charitable to the reprehensible. But whatever they do, it will have that certain tinge of a holy crusade.

Christian Theurgists of all stripes can be found throughout the Western Hemisphere, though they become less common in the Eastern (where they tend to be spellcasters). Their conjuring skills are often subpar, and their experience giving instructions to spirits is limited. If you want someone who can clearly word a task without leaving loopholes for the spirit, look elsewhere. They can be potent spellcasters and adepts, particularly when they feel they are advancing the cause of righteousness.

Christian Theurgist Order: Order of St. Sylvester

Also known as Sylvestrines, this is an order that investigates magical phenomena for the Church. This order is also publicly known for promoting magical awareness and beneficial magic such as the healing arts and exorcisms. A few of the order are not Awakened but have done much research into Awakened subjects such as parazoology and parabotany. The Order started in 1841 as an honorary title for those who exceed in their duties in various arts, but then was reformed in 1905 with their present agenda of investigating magical phenomena. The Knights and Dames of St. Sylvester only became publicly known in 2025 after an official sanction from the Pope.

Christian Theurgist Order: New Knights Templar

The Knights Templar were originally accused of practicing dark magic and were almost completely destroyed in 1307. While publicly disbanded in 1312, the Knights were reestablished in 1910 after hearing the visions of Dame Grace, a young Sylvestrine. New Knights Templars are Awakened followers supported by the Vatican and are actively involved in the affairs of the church. They are sworn to protect the world against the dark forces, though some have taken to interpreting the visions as protecting the Church. This has caused some factions to have alternate goals, leading to conflicts. With the exception of Westphalian Theurgists, the NKT are the most confrontational of the orders.

Christian Theurgist Order: Vigilia Evangelica

Known as the only Christian Theurgists to be able to practice alchemy regularly, the Vigilia Evangelica was created in 1274 by Pope Gregory X following the death of Thomas Aquinas. Since that time they have hidden libraries and collections of magical artifacts deemed too dangerous to mankind. There are, as far as observers of the order can tell, 4 of these Aquine Vaults to secure the largest and most dangerous collections. Vigilia Evangelists also work behind the scenes, supporting other orders with intel and magical supplies and are bound by a vow of silence and a vow of pacifism.

Christian Theurgist Order: Westphalian Theurgists

Rooted in Germany, the Westphalian Theurgists are the most restrictive and aggressive of these orders. In 2014, when Imago Dei reversed previous church stances on metahumans, this group split from the rest of the church. They believe in restrictive rules of magic; only Christian Theurgy is acceptable, and all others are heresy and must be destroyed.

Christian Theurgist Order: Orthodox Exarchs

When bug outbreaks were discovered in Eastern Europe, the Orthodox Exarchs gathered the strength of the Awakened from their churches and proved decisive against the invading spirits. They had the advantage of early preparation - after the Awakening, they were on the leading edge (at least as far as church members went) in diving into magical research. Members of the order originally consisted of Church members who were friendly to mysticism, so their mental adjustments to the Awakening were not exceptionally difficult. They are the oddest of groups in the Sixth World - individuals focused on fighting evil and not bringing any reward, or even attention, to themselves. Sure, there are power struggles sometimes - that’s part of having power - but for the most part, the Exarchs do their research, learn their secrets, then use what they’ve learned to keep magic from being abused. Simple, but also quite rare.

Islamic Theurgy

Tradition Attribute: Charisma

Islam has a difficult relationship with magic. On the one hand, mainstream Islam is generally not fond of magic; on the other hand, Awakened individuals have been very useful in advancing the cause of Islam in some instances, so they cannot dismiss it entirely. More conservative factions forbid women from practicing magic, while progressive Muslims welcome woman practitioners and use them to teach the next generation of Islamic spellcasters.

One common thread binding all Muslim Awakened together is the analysis they dedicate to their tradition. They are thorough and detailed, bringing a mathematical rigor to their study of magic. This results in some very advanced but elegant formulae and practitioners who are among the leading magic academics of our time.

Islamic magic is disciplined. Practitioners believe there is a place for experimentation, and that place is most certainly not in the field. They do not like making things up on the fly. They generally do not need to, though, because they tend to be well-trained and well-prepared. They move forward knowing the spells and techniques they intend to put into play have been thoroughly tested, and they have a confidence that comes from reliability.

Spell formulae from leading Muslim mages are usually sold for premium prices, since the confidence in their ability to work as expected is high. There are also a large amount of Muslim adepts, especially among the more conservative groups, as they channel their powers into acting as holy warriors for their cause.

Islamic theurgists are known as excellent arcane theorists, due to the thorough and analytic approach taught in the madrasas (schools) of magic. Depending on their progressiveness, theurgic scholars are more or less hesitant to share their findings with the rest of the world (or, indeed, with woman students).

Islamic magic is hesitant when it comes to conjuring spirits - or djinn. Djinn come in one of 5 tribes: Marid, Ifrit, Shaitan, Jinn and Jann. These creatures comes from a hot and arid metaplane called Ginnistan, where a great glass city - Schadou Kiam - rests between two vast deserts and is where the 5 tribes meet. On one side is Badiat-Goldare, a desert of black volcanic sand and sulfur odors. It is the desert of monsters, where dark and demonic creatures, along with some banished spirits, survive. On the other side is To the right is Badiat-Tealgim, a desert of white silicon sand that sings when the wind blows. It is the desert of Peris, where the more benevolent spirits dwell. Djinn are cunning and deceitful, with their own ambiguous agendas but the ifrit and shaitan in particular are seen as outright evil and conjured only by the most sinister magicians.

A blind spot in the disapproving eyes of the religion are the practices of alchemy. The effects of alchemic magic tend to be attributed to the intrinsic qualities of the used materials, and less to the alchemist himself. In fact, alchemy has a far greater acceptance in Muslim societies than other manifestations of magic.

Islamic Alchemists

Tradition Attribute: Logic

Most in the Islamic Alchemist tradition do not consider themselves mages at all. Rather, they view alchemy as just another form of science.

Experimentation, formulas, rigorous notes - all of these things are important to the Islamic Alchemist, who either view mana as another element to be dissected, or simply refuse to acknowledge mana at all.

Islamic Alchemy is the exception to the rule against magic in the Islamic world. Nearly all forms of Islam accept Alchemists in their ranks, as Islam has a rich history with alchemy going back to before the Middle Ages.

Those within the Islamic Alchemist tradition cannot practice spellcasting or ritual spellcasting, but are able to counterspell normally and when initiating may only take alchemy-related Metamagics.

Licit Qur'anic Theurgy

Tradition Attribute: Logic

There is another branch of Islamic Magic that has always been present, but until the recent changes in the Caliphate, has not been mainstream.

Thanks to the teachings of Joseph Chamseddine, Islamic mysticism is on the rise. What makes Licit Qur’anic Magic different from Islamic magic in general is the razor-sharp focus on what is permissible (licit) and what is not permissible (illicit).

For many in the Licit Qur’anic tradition, the Qur’an is the only sure-fire way to know if magic is permissible. The logic is that in Islam, the Qur’an is given by Allah, and therefore always permissible. So any “magic” or power that flows from use of the Qur’an or its contents is always permissible.

Use of amulets with Qur’anic verses is typical among LQM practitioners, guaranteeing spells remain under control and giving the caster peace of mind.

Mages of the Licit Qur'anic Tradition must have the Representation negative quality, as they can only cast spells through fetishes such as amulets, scrolls, and texts based on or containing Qur'anic verses.

Qabbalist

Tradition Attribute: Charisma

As mystics of Judaism, Qabbalists enjoy high esteem in Israel as well as in the Jewish communities around the world, though not for their magic powers (which sometimes are even disapproved of), but for their erudition and their (implied) devoutness. Often considered the most learned among all magic traditions, a Qabbalist’s curriculum contains not just the Miqra (also called Tanakh, the Hebrew Bible), but Qabbalah scripts like the Sefer Yetzirah (“Book of Formation”), the Zohar (“Splendor”), the Sefer ha-Bahir (“Book of the Bright”), and the Sefer ha-Razim (“Book of Secrets”). A widespread credo of the Qabbalism states that nothing is really earned if not reached through effort - and it is indeed an effort to decipher and comprehend the lore of the scripts, for they are notoriously intangible, mind-blowingly complex and, to add to all existing woes, composed in a variation of ancient Semitic dialects (which have to be mastered first, for the texts are said to only reveal all of their secrets if read in original tongues). However, since the Qabbalah scripts are said to have been passed on to man by the angels, the knowledge they contain is seen as divine revelation, furthering not just the Qabbalists’ understanding of the arcane arts, but also bringing them closer to God.

Endowed with the Abrahamic reluctance to conjure spirits, most schools of Qabbalism do not allow themselves to force the elohim - as spirits are called - to manifest in the physical world, effectively rendering Qabbalism a possession tradition. Instead, they provide them with prepared vessels, of which the golems (“the unfinished”), statues of vague man-like shape made of clay, are the most known. To the rare (and frowned upon) Qabbalists who actually master the conjuring techniques tha tallow physical manifestation, the elohim appear with angelic features, yet in a more archaic form than the spirits summoned by Christian theurgists.

Karma Traditions

Magic has proven itself to be a powerful instrument. Most spiritual communities have accepted or even embraced it to further their causes, be they outward-directed or aimed inwardly, for the spiritual “improvement” of the believers. There is an abundance of visions about how personal growth is supposed to take place, but the common denominator, even though it is phrased differently, is the concept of Karma.

Originating from the Sanskrit language, the literal translation of “Karma” is “deed” or “action.” Every action of an individual is believed to have direct and inevitable consequences - not just the obvious ones seen in the outward world, but also on a purely spiritual level. Accumulating “good” Karma from behavior that qualifies as honorable, skillful, and congruent with the spiritual and moral beliefs of the community, the individual advances toward “enlightenment” (which can be many things, but generally implies a state of higher awareness). Dishonorable, inconsiderate, and amoral deeds, on the other hand, bestow “bad” Karma on the individual, causing them to go astray from the spiritual path. Innate astral powers turn into a catalyst for the magician, fast-tracking the accumulation of good or bad Karma and the way to enlightenment - or doom.

Karma Tradition Qualities

Recommended Positive Qualities:

Arcane Resilience Training (any Attribute)

Recommended Negative Qualities:

Honorbound (Path of the Wheel, Zoroastrian)
Representation (all except Path of the Wheel)

Buddhist

Tradition Attribute: Charisma

The religion of Buddhism has spread across the Sixth World and is commonly practiced throughout Asia, with significant enclaves in North America as immigrants migrated to the continent, either forcibly by their own volition. The religion has developed into three major schools of thought, with only the Vajrayana, or Tantric, school accepting magic as a pathway to nirvana. The other schools largely believe the Awakening is another part of reality to be overcome along the road to enlightenment. While many practitioners of magic claim Buddhism as their religion, the majority of these casters practice a different tradition, normally Wuxing or Shinto. It is believed the majority of this tradition’s followers are located in Tibet, although there are significant numbers in Imperial Japan and continental Asia.

The Vajrayana method of instruction is largely based on the relationship between the master and the pupil. Spells are taught, not studied from a formulae, and are usually part of a larger lesson for the pupil to understand. It is highly unusual for any member of this tradition to attempt to learn a spell from any source other than a teacher, although some practitioners claim Matrix instruction works in the same way.

Buddhist magical techniques include mantras for ritual techniques, with yoga as a method for meditation and physical exercise. Practitioners explain the metaplanes through the use of mandalas to serve as maps. Some Buddhist adepts have a mentor spirit which normally takes the form of yidam, an enlightened being that the yogi meditates on in an attempt to gain enlightenment. The majority of known followers of this tradition are mystic adepts, but that majority is a slim one with mages and physical adepts also well represented in their ranks.

The Buddhist tradition also has no real enchanting practice, and it is an uncommon skill to see among practitioners.

Hindu

Tradition Attribute: Charisma

The Hindu tradition is based on the Hindu religious system, and it is designed to provide a path for the enlightened to reach transcendence. The path is one of ritual devotion, asceticism, and karmic purity. While the exact strictures followed by each school vary, most accept the precepts from the Vedas, texts originally written in Ancient India. Those followers who are Awakened believe following the precepts of their faith assist them along the path.

The Hindu believes the soul is in a constant cycle of death and rebirth, governed by a relationship with karma. Those who follow their particular school of thought (dasarnas) and caste’s rules are reincarnated into a higher caste, eventually reaching moksha, or transcendence. Those who refuse to follow their destined path are reincarnated as a lesser being.

The Awakened members of the Hindu faith who follow this tradition generally fall into two general categories. The Brahmin, members of the high caste, uses magic in a priestly manner and are usually magicians or aspected magicians. The saddhu practices the path of the ascetic, using yogic practices to reach their ultimate goal, primarily supported by adepts and mystic adepts. The summoning of spirits largely takes the form of calling on devas, roughly benevolent entities, while others call on the asuras, entities with less obvious motivations.

The practitioners of this tradition frequently use bhajans (devotional songs), mantras, and yoga in their spell casting or power usage. Magic and dance are normally major components of rituals, helping the caster focus their concentration and mana. Sanskrit is also frequently used, with the Vedic form largely used by the brahmin, while the saddhu prefer the later, classic form of the language.

Hindus often choose to follow one of their pantheons numerous deities and a major source of income for Hindu alchemists is enchanting for hire. The Hindu tradition is also more inclined towards mystic adepts and aspected magicians, with very few full-scale magicians.

Path of the Wheel

Tradition Attribute: Charisma

This tradition is practiced in the elven nation of Tír na nÓg and is open only to elves. The five paths simultaneously represent the nation’s social order, and as the students advance along the paths, they also increase their social status.

For every path (Warrior, Steward, Bard, Druid, and Rígh (“Lord”)), there is a highly rigid and formalized curriculum, which is only available to those who have qualified for them. The followers of the Path of the Wheel are highly committed to the Tír. The whole tradition is set to protect the nation against enemies from outside - as well as from within.

Since mages can only advance by achieving mastery on their current path, they are very focused on improving their abilities. Those following the Path of the Warrior, for example, make up some of the most frightening defenders in the world - as anyone who has attempted anything illicit in the Tír can tell you.

As might be expected of anything within the magic- soaked Tír, the Path of the Wheel encompasses all sorts of Awakened. Residents of the Tír are particularly comfortable with spirits, as they seem to spend most of their time with one foot in the spirit realm. They generally are neither commanding nor deferential to spirits; they simply treat them as just another member of the team on which they function. In general, Tír Awakened are extremely skilled with whatever talent they might have, though their rigidity can be used against them.

Practitioners of the Path of the Wheel are strictly forbidden from sharing their knowledge with outsiders - it is a crime punishable by death. There have occasionally been members who have gone rogue, but they can generally measure their life expectancy in weeks once they do so.

Zoroastrian

Tradition Attribute: Charisma

The forerunner of most modern monotheistic religions, Zoroastrianism is an active and ancient Persian faith, one that sets a stark difference between good and evil, order and chaos, and tells the devout in no uncertain terms that they need to be working on behalf of good.

The central deity of Zoroastrianism is Ahura Mazda, the creator, who works in opposition to Angra Mainyu, the destructive force of chaos. Followers are implored to actively work on the side of goodness and creation, as that is the only way to defeat chaos. Adherents often use rituals involving the life-giving forces of water and especially fire to purify themselves if necessary. Frequent prayer, meditation, or mental focusing is important to the tradition.

Zoroastrianism often focuses on dualities: good and evil, order and chaos, mind and body. The dualities are not perfectly aligned - for example, neither mind nor body is judged to be good or evil - but practitioners are aware of the separation and desire to have mind and body working in harmony with each other. All types of Awakened individuals can be found in the Zoroastrian tradition, but mystic adepts often find it particularly appealing as they feel the focus if the tradition allows them to put the two sides of their magical talent into greater alignment.

Apart from a common edifice of ideas, the followers share no official infrastructure of any kind. The tradition encourages the believers’ self-initiative to build communities around the world and to teach and learn from each other. Shaped by their belief of constant conflict, Zoroastrians can be on the belligerent side, sometimes acting as “concerned third parties” to promote the cause of the faction they regard as just. However, as much as they like to see the good prevail, they see it as a matter of course to spare a beaten enemy.

Zoroastrian mages tend to be blunt and direct. They certainly understand the value of stealth in a fight, but they also tend to like to let their enemies know just who they’re up against. They like to hit fast, hit hard, but leave their enemies intact. They also want to be sure they can heal up damage as necessary when the dust settles, and are generally willing to provide care to their opponents to keep them alive. To outsiders, their poise of archaic chivalry is often seen as irritating and their actions as meddling.

Animist Traditions

When the world Awakened and the first spirit sightings were reported, the believers of Animist religions were less than surprised. They have known for a long time that all things - living beings as well as objects of all kinds - have an individual soul (“anima” in Ancient Greek, hence the name). And what else could spirits be, but those souls coming into shape?

Animists have always strived to live in harmony with the spirits surrounding them. While ordinary believers could only commune with the animae in an indirect way, making offerings in shrines or temples, the priests mastered elaborate rituals of cleansing, worship, and communication with the spirits, which they passed to one another and on to their successors. After the Awakening, their knowledge proved most useful in understanding magic, rendering Animist priests the Sixth World’s first users of magic.

The Shaman tradition practiced by America’s Native American Tribes is not just the best-known Animist tradition, but arguably the best-known magic tradition in general, giving an entire system of traditions based on faith and intuition its name. There is a distinction to be made between traditional shamanism, embedded in Native American lore and taught on a teacher-student basis, and modern shamanism, which adapted the basic Shaman teachings, amplified it with external concepts and transferred it to the mindset of Western culture.

Animist Tradition Qualities

Recommended Positive Qualities:

Aptitude [Skill] (Any Magic-related skill)
Focused Concentration
Shamanic Mask (Shaman)

Recommended Negative Qualities:

Representation (Shinto, Wuxing)

Shaman

Tradition Attribute: Charisma

The only unifying concept between the hundreds - if not thousands - of shamanic schools of thought are a hands-on approach to magic. They never cease to state that magic, in its complexity, must be experienced, not studied in books, as it overcharges the intellectual mind. All efforts to encompass magic scientifically are regarded as futile and self-limiting. They also point out that the very concept of different traditions shows that there is an individualistic bent to magic, and their perceived coldness of the equations of hermeticism supposedly cannot account for the variety and power they see in different magic expressions.

Paradoxically, this rift has not prevented some modern shamanist schools from embracing the Unified Magic Theory and teaching their approach to magic in major universities worldwide.

The wilderness is an excellent place for shamans to gather reagents, finding plant and animal parts, naturally shaped stones, and vials of water in such pristine locations. In urban areas, shamans find that the spirit of life also inhabits in the cities. So-called “street shamans” find reagents in urban animals, naturally worn stones in parks or waterways, and handcrafted jewelry made with natural materials.

The shamanic perspective on conjuring is based on a belief that spirits are intelligent and ancient, and they should be treated with the respect one would show an elder. Due to their belief that spirits are everywhere, shamans frequently summon spirits from the area when the need arises, rather than binding spirits for long periods. Shamans often develop personal connections to spirits, following them as they learn magic.

Traditionalist Shaman

Tradition Attribute: Charisma

While many shamanic mages embrace the Unified Magic Theory to some extent and have benefited from its application, there are many shamans who resent the implication that magic can be tidied up and placed in neat boxes.

These shamans follow older paths and keep strict boundaries around their practices, as they feel it is truer to the spirits and helps maintain an ancient harmony.

These Traditionalists always have mentor spirits, only summon spirits native to the local environment, and never bind spirits.

Ancestor Shaman

Tradition Attribute: Charisma

The practice of venerating ancestors is as ancient as human civilization.

While most shamans revere the Earth and its spirits, Ancestor Shamans primarily interact with the spirits of those who once lived.

Ancestor Shamans do not bind spirits, have a deep concern for their honor/shame reputation in the spirit world, and often have an easier time initiating due to communion with the dead who share their tradition.

Wuxing

Tradition Attribute: Charisma

Followers of the Chinese magic tradition of Wuxing refrain from worshipping individual spirits. To them, the animation of the world occurs through a sacred, all-permeating force called qi. The underlying philosophy, the “teaching of the five transitional phases” (the literal translation of Wuxing), is no religion but a daoist system of understanding and describing nature.

The five elements - fire, earth, metal, water, and wood - are seen as fluid, alternating phases of matter. The Wujen, as the shamans of the Wuxing tradition are called, use their understanding of nature to shift their surroundings away from a chaotic, turbulent state (yang) toward order and harmony (yin).

To an outsider the Wuxing thought system may appear very neat and pointlessly bureaucratic, but for the Wujen, this order means control. Applying feng shui principles to optimize the flow of qi, as well as the movement meditation techniques of qi gong or tai chi, the wujen are famous for manipulating the surrounding mana flow in their favor. The Wuxing tradition’s superior knowledge of background count cleaning and tapping into ley lines turns their magic-users into sought-after specialists in that field - not just for the Chinese megacorp of the same name but throughout the world.

Wujen see spirits as emanations of qi and use them like tools - highly regarded and respectfully applied tools, of course. Their holistic view on qi makes following an individual mentor spirit pointless. However, they might cherish an abstract moral concept or a historic Wuxing master, which effectively fulfills that task (although the wujen would never call them their “mentor spirit”). Deeply influenced by the Wuxing philosophy, they dislike chaos and loss of control, trying to regain the upper hand in every situation before facing the problem itself. Wujen spellcasters and adepts are formidable healers and fighters.

Shinto

Tradition Attribute: Charisma

Shinto, the state religion of the Japanese Empire, has expanded not unlike the shamanism that was born in Native America - but only within the Japanese communities that formed themselves when the Empire’s megacorporations spread around the globe. The vast majority of Shinto believers, however, are still found in Japan where they worship the “kami” (“gods” or “spirits”) in innumerable shrines. Shinto tenets are largely based around harmony with kami spirits, with Awakened activities being considered a natural extension of this concept, and it lacks dogmatic approach to its worship like most religions and some magical traditions.

The religion currently has 115,000 shrines and over 25,000 priests in Japan, with more around the world. The Emperor has increased the influence of the religion in national politics, as well. The official status of the underlying religion provides the Shinto Tradition with a high reputation in the Japanese corp world. This is remarkable for a “shaman” tradition, since corporations normally prefer the more logical, and therefore predictable, hermetics. (Of course, the individual competence of Shinto practitioners - typically conjurers, but also ritualists, spellcasters, and a few adepts - has helped the wide acceptance, too.) Shinto magicians are said to be experts for protective wards (ofuda) and amulets (omamori). Those responsible for a Shinto shrine's maintenance are called kannushi and unlike many other shaman they do not have a single mentor but attempt to live harmoniously with all the kami. Key portions of this harmony are respect for nature and ensuring physical and spiritual cleanliness though proper ritual. Honoring the kami is important to the Awakened, as they regularly ask favors of the spirits, especially looking for assistance in the use of magic.

Correspondingly, their combat magic tactics are fundamentally defensive. The tradition’s relationship toward spirits is shaped by reverent respect: a kami is asked, not expected, to do the conjurer a favor. As all kami are to be honored equally, it is considered improper for Shinto magicians to choose a mentor spirit.

Animal Spirit Traditions

Although the traditions of this group have otherwise greatly diverging features on display, they have one great feature in common: the belief that shamans are incomplete without an animal spirit by their side. This companion is the one through which they channel their arcane powers - not just the access to the spiritual world but also the key to understanding oneself.

Animist Tradition Qualities

Recommended Positive Qualities:

Mentor Spirit (Animal Spirit) (All)

Recommended Negative Qualities:

Representation (Garb) (Aztec)

Aztec

Tradition Attribute: Charisma

The Aztec tradition is usually seen as synonymous with the magic of Aztechnology. And no one can be blamed for that mistake - in fact, Aztechnology itself, feigning to be the sole representative of the “true” Aztec renaissance, likes to portray it that way. However, while the nahualli (magic priests) in the ranks of the AAA state corporation are outwardly seen as affiliated with the Aztec tradition, most of them actually tread paths that are far more sinister.

A “real” nahualli believes that every self-aware being - even every god - has an animal spiritual twin that shares some of its traits and complements others. The search for a compatible animal twin is the first spiritual endeavor for a student of the Aztec Tradition, and once found, the animal twin assumes the function of a mentor spirit. Maintaining spiritual contact with their mentor spirits is essential for nahualli (which proves to be easier outside the cities, in the animals’ original habitat).

While conservative schools attach importance to ritual magic, traditional garbs, and ancient ceremonial weapons, liberal proponents employ more practical approaches, prioritizing spellcasting and allowing any resources that prove helpful with connecting to the astral world to be used.

In earlier times, ritual spellcasters were largely attracted to the Aztec tradition, but recent years have seen a number of individual spellcasters following this path as well. This is due, at least in part, to people separating Aztec from Aztechnology and deciding that following the one did not mean tying yourself in with the other. These spellcasters can often be found in more rural areas as they seek to better commune with their mentor in the wild. The rough life they sometimes lead has ended up being attractive to some adepts as well, who often enjoy a physical challenge.

Conjured spirits (even the elemental ones) typically appear as Aztec warriors or in a suitable animal form, honoring the duality of man and animal.

Sioux

Tradition Attribute: Charisma

In the shamanic Tradition of the Sioux, animal spirits are not individual companions; instead, they form a pantheon of powerful entities that exert influence on the life of man. Among the multitude of characters are Iktomi the spider and Mica the coyote, both sly tricksters, Ptesan-Wi the benevolent White Buffalo Calf Woman or Wakinyan the powerful thunderbird. (Notably, the animals’ traits sometimes differ hugely from the characteristics attributed to them in European folklore.)

Although they all follow their own respective agendas, the animal spirits embrace their role as arbiter between man and Wakan Tanka, “the Great Spirit,” the all-encompassing power of life itself. Also called “the Great Mystery,” its ways are far beyond human comprehension. In order to cope with the spiritual powers within themselves and in their environment, shamans of the Sioux Tradition have to rely on the hints and clues left behind by the animal spirit arbiters. This makes them attentive and receptive observers of their environments, reading the auras around them without prejudice, always willing to react to a more-or-less-friendly pointer - even if that makes them seem to act erratically from an outward perspective. Most mages feel an inclination - a special bond—to one of the animal spirits and choose them as mentors.

Whenever disputing with spirits, even with their own mentors, Sioux shamans tend to be on their heels, though not resentfully so. They allow for the fact that other beings may legitimately follow their own interests, and accept that, to some extent, both the physical and spiritual worlds will always remain mysteries to them.

Magicians of every form can be found in the Sioux tradition, though their adept scouts, experts in reconnaissance and survival, probably have the highest profile and they often carry a bit of the spirit of Inktomi or Coyote with them, adding a twist of humor or mischievousness to their actions. There are also a strong population of Sioux enchanters and spellcasters, channeling their knowledge of the life given by Wakan Tanka into strong projections for creation - or devastating strikes against any flaws they perceive.

Red Magic

Tradition Attribute: Charisma

Lacking both the lore and refinement of the Aztec and Sioux teachings, Red Magic is yet arguably the oldest of the Animal Spirit traditions. An archeological outfit called Tzuri Group introduced - or as the corp’s researchers insist, reintroduced - Red Magic to the world a few years ago, claiming to have discovered it on one of their dig sites. Followers of the Red Magic tradition believe that, for magicians, the instinctive understanding of one’s magical powers may well be blocked, but can nevertheless be accessed, by reverting to the “animal mind,” their animalistic side within, communicated best by the spirit of a congenial (often wild) animal, which becomes their mentor. Through the mentor spirit, they gain access to what they call the Domain of Red, which is not an actual place but rather is a force that connects all animal life in this world and throughout the universe. (Metasapients and metahumanity are generously included in their definition of “animal life.”) Red mages do not “learn” to use their magic, but instead try to “unlearn,” intermittently ridding themselves of their rationale.

Red mages do not see intelligence as a sign of importance. Rather, they see each branch of the animal kingdom as having its own evolutionary paths, which have overlapped in the past and will continue to intertwine in the future. In the minds of Red mages, it is the blood that gives the power. They may or may not respect plant life, but every animal has value, even if it is for food, and they have a high aversion to wasting blood, which includes using it for dark magic.

Although the archaism (and the name) of this tradition may suggest otherwise, the proponents of Red Magic actively oppose blood magic, regarding these practices as a contamination of their domain of Red. They either choose to adapt to urban life, keeping their disgust for the degenerated ways of an over-domesticated mankind to themselves, or outright refuse any “charade,” openly celebrating their animalistic side and stubbornly facing the consequences. Magicians of all kinds can be found among them. The spirits they conjure display a wide variety of animal forms.

Gaia Traditions

“The Awakening” is a widely accepted term for describing the return of magic, although a few people actually question its meaning. What - or who - had been sleeping for the last millennia?

Followers of numerous eco-spiritual religions offer (or, in some cases, uproariously call out) an answer to that question: the sleeper was Mother Earth herself, also called Gaia, the primordial goddess of many a creation mythology. The anthropomorphic manifestation of nature and all life forces, Mother Earth is believed to be the ultimate source of all magic. (Truth be told, the eco-believers don’t really stand alone with that theory. In fact, modern science has coined the term “gaiasphere” for a complex ecosystem with the ability to create and sustain arcane energy.)

Some eco-spiritualists have come up with explanations as to why Gaia has woken up: man-made pollution and the destruction of the world, they say, has put her under siege. If humanity can’t revert to a more sustainable form of living, the more radical followers proclaim, it is doomed to extinction - and the extinction of humanity is regarded as preferable to the destruction of Mother Earth (which would also include the extinction of humanity, anyway).

Eco-believers revere Gaia in her pure form, gathering with the like-minded in unperturbed nature and planning for ways to further Nature’s cause. The shamans among them are confronted by high expectations: Mother Earth needs healing, and those she blessed with arcane powers are particularly mandated to rid her from the threats posed by over-industrialization, war, and greed.

Animist Tradition Qualities

Recommended Positive Qualities:

Aptitude (Enchanting) (Witchcraft)
Mentor Spirit
Shamanic Mask (Witchcraft, Wicca)

Recommended Negative Qualities:

Pusillanimous Summoner (Druids, Wicca)
Uncouth (Green Magic)

Mandatory Negative Quality

Possession Tradition (Witchcraft)

Druid

Tradition Attribute: Charisma

The Druidic traditions are a confraternity of highly different Druidic schools: the civilized, almost Masonic English druids of the British nobility, the far less civilized, primeval wild druids, and the bulk of classical Celtic druid lineages, just to name the biggest groups.

All schools, though otherwise highly varied, share a very territorial behavior (which is, as malicious tongues claim, caused by the male predominance within this tradition). Druids tend to claim “a land,” which can be a classic grove for the Celts, a small, otherwise uninhabited island for Wild Druids, or the quite large, densely populated British Isles for the English druids.

They form a deep bond with that land and defend it fiercely against any interference from the outside, shielding it from pollution of any kind, whether mundane or astral. Territorial as they are, druids impute the same inclination to spirits. In their lengthy rituals, they assure themselves of the cooperation of the locals among the spirits.

In combination with their intimate knowledge of the surroundings, they are a force to be reckoned with on their home turf.

Druids create magical lodges called sacred circles to practice their magic. These are monolithic stone circles where they practice magic. “Modern” druids, or those that followed the Neo-druidic movement, scale down their lodges into rooms with zen rock gardens or a central water feature—a token gesture to their unity with all things of nature. Traditional druids invest more into their stone circles, with great stone structures grounded into the earth. For celtic druids, this becomes the main magical lodge and the only location for learning. This does not prevent them from establishing temporary circles for rituals. Older druid sites such as Stonehenge are built on mana lines to enhance the druid’s magic. The Druidic Tradition is widespread in the British Isles, Tír na nÓg, France and parts of central Europe.

Druids usually need very good excuses for leaving their grove, most of which would sound absurdly ancient to outsiders: an errand on behalf of their circle’s elders, a sacred quest to save their home grove, or an agonizing vision that needs further exploration. The majority of druids are apt conjurers.

While their spell-slinging abilities are above average, their skills in influencing background counts and ley lines are matched only by the Wuxing tradition’s wujen. Adepts hold subordinate positions in a druid circle’s organization, tasked with guarding and protecting the community.

Celtic Druid

Celtic druids are by far the most common and have revived ancient Celtic culture wholesale. Their practices are a conglomeration of everything that has been discovered so far relating to druids. This knowledge is for the most part passed as an oral tradition to the next generation, though like other practitioners of magic, the Digital Grimoire was an appealing item for them to understand magic. Celtic druids include Welsh and Scottish druids. They make themselves unique with subtle differences in their practices as well as the spirits they follow.

Celtic Druids cannot build lodges, so instead they build Sacred Circles with standing stones of any size. Celtic Druids also cannot bind spirits and always have a mentor spirit.

English Druid

English druids borrow the esoteric correspondences, potent symbology, and trappings of Druidism. In the opposite direction of wild druids, the English druid encompasses more of the Celtic mysticisms than the natural magic. For this reason, “English druid” is something of a misnomer, though it is true that this specific orientation originated in England. They believe what they summon are aspects of a greater spirit of the land, so their attitude toward such spirits is more like hermetic mages.

Four annual festivals hold immense ritual significance to all branches of Druidism: Imbolc, Beltane, Lugnasad, and Samhain. Druidic circles (magic groups) reserve great rituals and initiation rites for these sacred dates.

Wild Druid

Wild druids follow a deeply primeval, totemic tradition, much like shamans. They prefer to believe that some of their magical practices existed prior to any Celtic influences, distinguishing themselves from Celtic and English druids. They only worship natural/animalistic mentor spirits. They are more hermits in habit, shunning modern society and technology and living off the grid with nature.

A subset of wild druids includes those who’ve blended bardish mysticism into their practice. The bards are nomadic and live off the land, but unlike the rest of these druids they don’t avoid modern society. Bards also have some artistic talent in music or song, passing down their traditions through it. They are much like the street shamans you can find in most North American sprawls.

Witchcraft

Tradition Attribute: Charisma

Lacking territorialism and reversing male dominance of Druidism, the Witchcraft tradition cherishes Mother Earth by exploring her life forces to the fullest. Their nightly gatherings in secluded meadows, celebrated with ecstatic dances and intoxicating potions, are the stuff of legends. Besides their meetings, witches tend to live in solitude or in small communities, practicing their magical skills. Their enchanting abilities surpass most other traditions. Having undergone centuries of cruel persecution, they prefer to keep low profiles. Witches are often accompanied by a mentor spirit, typically an animal, which they call their familiar and confer with at eye level. Witchcraft is a possession tradition, which means that witches can only summon a spirit to the physical plane by having it posses a vessel.

Instead of scorning the urbanized chaos of the Sixth World city molochs, the Street Witches own it. They witness Mother Earth’s life force in the abundance of human energy that pulsates throughout the sprawls, holding their gatherings at orgiastic rave parties, feeling at home under the neon lights of the city center as well as in the littered back alleys. The majority of street witches are adepts, ranging from the thievish slum rat to the high-profile con artist, always ready to tap into the city’s human energy to earn their livings. Some traditional witches shun their cousins from the city, even accusing them of following a toxic path (which is not the case).

Wicca

Tradition Attribute: Charisma

The Wiccan tradition is collection of beliefs, tenets gathered from 19th century sources and New Age reasoning merged with earlier, pre-Christian concepts. The central tenets of the religion are harmony with nature and the Wiccan Rede or a similar code.

The main distinctions between traditional witchcraft and Wicca is the openness of Wicca covens toward mundane believers. In fact, the mundane coven members often surpass the Awakened by far, experiencing Wicca as a religion only.

Wiccans generally venerate 2 deity-like figures - the Horned God and the Great Mother - although some believe they are aspects of a single being. Mentor spirits for the tradition are generally the Wise Warrior for adherents of the Horned God or the Peacemaker for the Great Mother. All Wiccan magicians who summon a spirit show deference and normally make a small payment of some kind, as the Law of Threefold Return is a constant theme in the tradition’s teachings.

Wiccan followers are not part of a monolithic entity but are composed of several different sects or lineages, frequently called traditions. The largest tradition, known as Gardnerian or British Traditional Wicca, follows a hierarchal model of leadership within their covens, with witches and wizards attaining higher levels of initiation within the religion through mandated rituals, whether or not they are Awakened. This tradition is nearly hermetic in their approach and largely follows The Book of Shadow. The other traditions are frequently referred to as the Eclectic or Goddess Wicca and are a collection of less-structured organizations. Apt conjurers and solid ritualists, those of the Wiccan tradition excel at magic healing.

Green Magic

Tradition Attribute: Charisma

On the surface, Green Magic seems to have much in common with eco-shamanism or nature-based Druidic traditions. But dig a little deeper and, common interests aside, they are startlingly different. This “newer” tradition was not created as much as rediscovered by Tzuri Group archeologists investigating one of two cities found resting underwater in the Gulf of Khambhat off India’s northwestern coast. Tzuri found that plant worship was common 10,000 years ago and led by “Priests of Green.”

Green mages view their magic as coming from an elemental power beyond our world that connects all plant life together in one metaplanar eco-system called the Domain of Green.

Green mages hold respect for plant life above everything else. In their mind, life on Earth, and everywhere else in the universe, not only started with plant life, but is sustained by it. The idea that metahumanity, animal life in general, or any other sapient life holds more value than the world’s plant life is abhorrent to them. As long as Green survives, the rest of life will find a way also.

In return, the Green mage gains tremendous power in the domain of plants. According to archeological evidence, this focus often placed the more dogmatic Priests of Green in conflict with the more aggressive Red Mages.

Claiming the absolute precedence of herbal life, Green shamans are usually less than amicable, and often described as “strange folks.”