Author: Joseph

Role playing games have changed over time and one new family of play options involve handing players ways to change the story outside of the actions of their characters. Matthew Dawkins is an in-house developer for The Onyx Path and talks with Terry about ways to bring metanarrative tools into your games as well as some healthy speculation about what M5 should be.

Also, if you see this before December 5th, another Matthew project, Mummy: The Curse 2nd Edition, is on Kickstarter. If you like what you hear, go back it!

Show Notes

• Guidelines to submit on The Onyx Path
• He-Man and Skeletor team up to fight Hordak
• Green Ronin’s Adventure Game Engine (AGE)
• The Extraordinary Adventures of Baron Munchausen, a game of playing rôles
• Fiasco RPG
• Paranoia RPG
• The Truman Show
• Zucker, Abrahams and Zucker
• John Scalzi’s Red Shirts
• It Came From the Late, Late, Late Show
• They Came From Beneath the Sea
• Redmoon Roleplaying live play of Mummy: The Curse 2e
• The King in Yellow by Robert W. Chambers
• Storypath Nexus

Executive Producers

Oracles

Bad Company • Buck Gregory • Christopher Phillips • Derek Semsick • DrawnCap • DrunkDez • Jason Vines • Rebecca Pool • Sean Gallagher • Spartacus • The Krewe of Erebuss

Archmasters

Berto • Brad-O-the Blue • Dan Svensson • Glacial Indifference • Jeffois • Leroy Bryce • Morgan Aran • Wolf Larryson

Acolytes

Aleks • Alexia • Ambiversion • Anders S • Ben Bandelow • Blaise Hebert • Bruno Teixeira • Bryce Perry • Bubba, The Pale One • Chartan • Cig • Curtis Hendricks • Darren Hennessey • Daniel Cuppen • Daniel Scribner • Dan Svensson • David Röhe • Ean Robertson • EBG • Eric Schwenke • Gray -Trilug- H • Guy Stewart • Ia Bull • James B • Jason Kennedy • Jenna F • Jeremy Z • Jervis Johnson • Kathleen Hailperin • Kevin Fitzpatrick • Khris Kinner • Leslie Weatherstone • Lolz & stuff • Loren Jensen • Manel Canós • Matthew Proehl • Maurice Hopkins • Melissa Krause • Michael Parker • Nebero • Nikita Kleymenov • Patrick McNamara • RobH • Ryan • Ryan Kendy • Ryan Stray • Samuel Tobin • Sev Nessus • Shell Konch • Starfish • Stefan Carton • Tyler Bryan • Will Vincent • Ygard

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The Council gets their Tradition books, the Technocracy gets their Convention books, but what about the Hollow Ones? Not necessarily Orphans, not quite a craft, these creatures of modernity claim to go back to at least the Jazz Age but how do you play one? Outcasts: A Players Guide to Pariahs was the first supplement to give more information on this collection of goths and romantics along with information on the Caitiff of Vampire and the Ronin of Werewolf. Adam and Terry talk about the Hollow Ones changing story and the role of Orphans in Mage: The Ascension.

Show Notes

• References!
  • Lord Dunsany – Writer of works that sound an awful lot like someone visited the Umbra
  • Teratology – The monster manual for Invisible Sun
• Other Books!
  • Tradition Book: Hollow Ones – probably the best text on the group and published in Revised
  • Book of Crafts: Whispers of Dissent – 2nd Edition‘s big book of entities not aligned in the Ascension War
  • Orphans Survival Guide – Expands on non-Hollow Orphan groups in Mage
• Next Book!
  • Void Engineers – Fascinating group with a questionable narrator

Executive Producers

Oracles

Bad Company • Buck Gregory • Christopher Phillips • Derek Semsick • DrawnCap • DrunkDez • Jason Vines • Rebecca Pool • Sean Gallagher • Spartacus • The Krewe of Erebuss

Archmasters

Berto • Brad-O-the Blue • Dan Svensson • Glacial Indifference • Jeffois • Leroy Bryce • Morgan Aran • Wolf Larryson

Acolytes

Aleks • Alexia • Ambiversion • Anders S • Ben Bandelow • Blaise Hebert • Bruno Teixeira • Bryce Perry • Bubba, The Pale One • Chartan • Cig • Curtis Hendricks • Darren Hennessey • Daniel Cuppen • Daniel Scribner • Dan Svensson • David Röhe • Ean Robertson • EBG • Eric Schwenke • Gray -Trilug- H • Guy Stewart • Ia Bull • James B • Jason Kennedy • Jenna F • Jeremy Z • Jervis Johnson • Kathleen Hailperin • Kevin Fitzpatrick • Khris Kinner • Leslie Weatherstone • Lolz & stuff • Loren Jensen • Manel Canós • Matthew Proehl • Maurice Hopkins • Melissa Krause • Michael Parker • Nebero • Nikita Kleymenov • Patrick McNamara • RobH • Ryan • Ryan Kendy • Ryan Stray • Samuel Tobin • Sev Nessus • Shell Konch • Starfish • Stefan Carton • Tyler Bryan • Will Vincent • Ygard

Become a supporter of Mage: The Podcast.

Contact us at magethepodcast@gmail.com with feedback and comments, and please help extend the reach of the show by sharing it with friends.

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James Estes, former Mage writer and current professor and library director, takes some time to talk with us about religion in Mage. Can it contribute something to our Chronicles and how should we handle it? He also shares his experiences about writing for Mage and offers advice for those thinking of contributing to Storytellers Vault.

Show Notes

• James Estes bio
• James Estes web site
• Wesley Theological Seminary
• Celestial Chorus Tradition Book
• Halls of the Arcanum
• Guild Encyclopedias

Executive Producers

Oracles

Bad Company • Buck Gregory • Christopher Phillips • Derek Semsick • DrawnCap • DrunkDez • Jason Vines • Rebecca Pool • Sean Gallagher • Spartacus • The Krewe of Erebuss

Archmasters

Berto • Brad-O-the Blue • Dan Svensson • Glacial Indifference • Jeffois • Leroy Bryce • Morgan Aran • Wolf Larryson

Acolytes

Aleks • Alexia • Ambiversion • Anders S • Ben Bandelow • Blaise Hebert • Bruno Teixeira • Bryce Perry • Bubba, The Pale One • Chartan • Cig • Curtis Hendricks • Darren Hennessey • Daniel Cuppen • Daniel Scribner • Dan Svensson • David Röhe • Ean Robertson • EBG • Eric Schwenke • Gray -Trilug- H • Guy Stewart • Ia Bull • James B • Jason Kennedy • Jenna F • Jeremy Z • Jervis Johnson • Kathleen Hailperin • Kevin Fitzpatrick • Khris Kinner • Leslie Weatherstone • Lolz & stuff • Loren Jensen • Manel Canós • Matthew Proehl • Maurice Hopkins • Melissa Krause • Michael Parker • Nebero • Nikita Kleymenov • Patrick McNamara • RobH • Ryan • Ryan Kendy • Ryan Stray • Samuel Tobin • Sev Nessus • Shell Konch • Starfish • Stefan Carton • Tyler Bryan • Will Vincent • Ygard

Become a supporter of Mage: The Podcast.

Contact us at magethepodcast@gmail.com with feedback and comments, and please help extend the reach of the show by sharing it with friends.

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Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or your favorite podcast app.

Join our Discord server.

Mage’s Second Edition Core Rulebook had a strict page count and clocked in at fewer pages than First Edition. So what were these missing pages and where did they go? Hidden Lore was the collection of all the materials that ran over the page count and for the Second Edition Storyteller it’s your best source for additional rotes and systems as well as an entire cabal. Terry and Adam discuss what to take from it and what to leave behind in this episode of Tomes of Magick.

Show Notes

• Troupe play from Ars Magica
• Dice for gaming on our Discord server
• Inphobia Magazine
• Alternative play styles in Mage
• A trip to Pike Place Market in Seattle
• Theater of the Mind Chantry
• Mages of Note
• Enlightened Grimoire list of all rotes
• Sphere handouts for M20
• Umbraships

Executive Producers

Oracles

Bad Company • Buck Gregory • Christopher Phillips • Derek Semsick • DrawnCap • DrunkDez • Jason Vines • Rebecca Pool • Sean Gallagher • Spartacus • The Krewe of Erebuss

Archmasters

Berto • Brad-O-the Blue • Dan Svensson • Glacial Indifference • Jeffois • Leroy Bryce • Morgan Aran • Wolf Larryson

Acolytes

Aleks • Alexia • Ambiversion • Anders S • Ben Bandelow • Blaise Hebert • Bruno Teixeira • Bryce Perry • Bubba, The Pale One • Chartan • Cig • Curtis Hendricks • Darren Hennessey • Daniel Cuppen • Daniel Scribner • Dan Svensson • David Röhe • Ean Robertson • EBG • Eric Schwenke • Gray -Trilug- H • Guy Stewart • Ia Bull • James B • Jason Kennedy • Jenna F • Jeremy Z • Jervis Johnson • Kathleen Hailperin • Kevin Fitzpatrick • Khris Kinner • Leslie Weatherstone • Lolz & stuff • Loren Jensen • Manel Canós • Matthew Proehl • Maurice Hopkins • Melissa Krause • Michael Parker • Nebero • Nikita Kleymenov • Patrick McNamara • RobH • Ryan • Ryan Kendy • Ryan Stray • Samuel Tobin • Sev Nessus • Shell Konch • Starfish • Stefan Carton • Tyler Bryan • Will Vincent • Ygard

Become a supporter of Mage: The Podcast.

Contact us at magethepodcast@gmail.com with feedback and comments, and please help extend the reach of the show by sharing it with friends.

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Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or your favorite podcast app.

Join our Discord server.

Not every rule makes sense in every Mage game, but how do you figure out what to change and know when to change it? Monica Speca, developer and writer for Onyx Path Publishing walks through the design considerations for making the rules of the game fit the game you want to play. Learn about mechanics like momentum, stunts, investigation, stress, and relationship tension Jenga towers.

Show Notes

• Bonus Experience podcast – Monica’s podcast along with cohost Rai Cole.
• BXP episode 2 on House Rules
• “house ruling is basically just micro game design for an audience of like six people”
• Age system – Game with an investigation mechanic and the generic version
• Gumshoe games – Game centered around investigation in different settings like:
• Ashen Stars – Sci fi investigation game
• Trail of Cthulhu – dark horror investigation game
• Star Crossed – Two player Jenga Love Game
• Stunts in Exalted – a run down of stunts in Exalted
• Invisible Sun – A somewhat pretentious but surreal game by Monte Cook that Terry loves a bit too much
• Planescape for Advanced Dungeons and Dragons 2nd edition – The best 2e setting
• Through the Breach – A game Monica likes, not all characters in the game are swol/skinny bitches
• Apocalypse World – GM doesn’t touch dice system
• Blades in the Dark – A tight system with hard tradeoffs

Executive Producers

Oracles

Bad Company • Buck Gregory • Christopher Phillips • Derek Semsick • DrawnCap • DrunkDez • Jason Vines • Rebecca Pool • Sean Gallagher • Spartacus • The Krewe of Erebuss

Archmasters

Berto • Brad-O-the Blue • Dan Svensson • Glacial Indifference • Jeffois • Leroy Bryce • Morgan Aran • Wolf Larryson

Acolytes

Aleks • Alexia • Ambiversion • Anders S • Ben Bandelow • Blaise Hebert • Bruno Teixeira • Bryce Perry • Bubba, The Pale One • Chartan • Cig • Curtis Hendricks • Darren Hennessey • Daniel Cuppen • Daniel Scribner • Dan Svensson • David Röhe • Ean Robertson • EBG • Eric Schwenke • Gray -Trilug- H • Guy Stewart • Ia Bull • James B • Jason Kennedy • Jenna F • Jeremy Z • Jervis Johnson • Kathleen Hailperin • Kevin Fitzpatrick • Khris Kinner • Leslie Weatherstone • Lolz & stuff • Loren Jensen • Manel Canós • Matthew Proehl • Maurice Hopkins • Melissa Krause • Michael Parker • Nebero • Nikita Kleymenov • Patrick McNamara • RobH • Ryan • Ryan Kendy • Ryan Stray • Samuel Tobin • Sev Nessus • Shell Konch • Starfish • Stefan Carton • Tyler Bryan • Will Vincent • Ygard

Become a supporter of Mage: The Podcast.

Contact us at magethepodcast@gmail.com with feedback and comments, and please help extend the reach of the show by sharing it with friends.

Follow Us

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Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or your favorite podcast app.

Join our Discord server.

Second Edition’s (2e) intimacy and depth is sometimes viewed as a radical departure from First Edition’s (1e) cosmic stories but what are the nuts and bolts of the differences? Was the change sudden or gradual and how was Brucato’s vision implemented in a core book? Adam and Terry talk about how mechanics, mood, setting, and metaplot changed and what you should remember when looking back on 2e’s groundbreaking release and what got left behind from 2e’s strict page count.

Show Notes

• Changes:
  • Mechanics
    • Difficulties change for vulgar magic from rolling Sphere to rolling Arete in all cases
    • Focuses opened up and focus-specific time requirements dropped
    • Orphans progress at same rate as other mages but require focuses
    • Bonuses for being near a node no longer swing as wildly, capped at -3 instead of -5
    • Can now re-try failed effects without blowing willpower
    • Damage chart unified and one-off modifiers listed for Spheres (Mind does bashing, etc)
    • Coincidental magic now process
    • Much of the content of Book of Shadows: the Mage Players Guide is baked in
    • More difficulty modifiers introduced
  • Mood
    • Game less cosmic interaction of Avatars for the metaphysical trinity to something more personal
    • Mage less might-makes-right with mages delivering sleepers from Technocratic Union control. Technocrats no longer fighting for strict rigid equality.
    • 1e was “conflict between utopias.” Utopia not visible in 2e.
  • Setting
    • Pure Ones no longer believed in by all mages
    • Void Engineers no longer viewed as infected by the fae and no longer wish to destroy space
    • Continuum dropped as a term
    • Marauders no longer universally fighting for a return of the Mythic Age and in 2e are generally less sane
    • Fight for Nodes and Quintessence less front and center
    • Penumbra established, no longer just Near Umbra
    • Nephandi no longer strictly star-squid cultists
    • Oracles no longer those near Ascension but those who’ve stepped back from it
    • No longer one Chantry per Tradition
    • All nine spheres now used in metaphysical cycle rather than just six
    • Essence de-emphasized
    • Rotes change
  • Metaplot
    • Syndicate un-disappeared
    • Amanda Johnson revealed to share Avatar with former Senex apprentice who went barabbus

    – Fors Collegis Mercuris evacuated to Cerberus after Nephandi and Technocratic attack

Executive Producers

Oracles

Bad Company • Buck Gregory • Christopher Phillips • Derek Semsick • DrawnCap • DrunkDez • Jason Vines • Rebecca Pool • Sean Gallagher • Spartacus • The Krewe of Erebuss

Archmasters

Berto • Brad-O-the Blue • Dan Svensson • Glacial Indifference • Jeffois • Leroy Bryce • Morgan Aran • Wolf Larryson

Acolytes

Aleks • Alexia • Ambiversion • Anders S • Ben Bandelow • Blaise Hebert • Bruno Teixeira • Bryce Perry • Bubba, The Pale One • Chartan • Cig • Curtis Hendricks • Darren Hennessey • Daniel Cuppen • Daniel Scribner • Dan Svensson • David Röhe • Ean Robertson • EBG • Eric Schwenke • Gray -Trilug- H • Guy Stewart • Ia Bull • James B • Jason Kennedy • Jenna F • Jeremy Z • Jervis Johnson • Kathleen Hailperin • Kevin Fitzpatrick • Khris Kinner • Leslie Weatherstone • Lolz & stuff • Loren Jensen • Manel Canós • Matthew Proehl • Maurice Hopkins • Melissa Krause • Michael Parker • Nebero • Nikita Kleymenov • Patrick McNamara • RobH • Ryan • Ryan Kendy • Ryan Stray • Samuel Tobin • Sev Nessus • Shell Konch • Starfish • Stefan Carton • Tyler Bryan • Will Vincent • Ygard

Become a supporter of Mage: The Podcast.

Contact us at magethepodcast@gmail.com with feedback and comments, and please help extend the reach of the show by sharing it with friends.

Follow Us

• Blueksky
• Mastodon
• Pixelfed
• Threads

Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or your favorite podcast app.

Join our Discord server.