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A '''tradition''' is a particular style of magic that is practiced and handed down to generations of magicians through [[Apprentice|apprenticeship]]. [[Hermetic Magic|Hermetic magic]] is an especially flexible, powerful magical tradition practiced throughout the [[Order of Hermes]].  There exist other, [[non-Hermetic]] traditions; many of them are associated with a particular culture or locale in [[Mythic Europe]].  Many traditions have origins in the classical or ancient past.


A '''tradition''' is a particular style of magic that i practiced and handed down to generations of magicians through [[Apprentice|apprenticeship]].  [[Hermetic Magic|Hermetic magic]] is an especially flexible, powerful magical tradition practiced throughout the [[Order of Hermes]].  There exist other, [[non-Hermetic]] traditions; many of them are associated with a particular culture or locale in [[Mythic Europe]].  Many traditions are ancient
"Tradition" is not a strictly defined game term in Ars Magica.  There are several varieties of magic that can be called traditions.  They are all similar in a sense that wizards who practice the tradition share some similar powers, but they differ in the scope of those powers and in the diversity of the traditions' members.
 
"Tradition" is not a strictly defined game term in Ars Magica.  There are several varieties of magic that can be called "traditions." They are all similar in a sense that wizards who practice the tradition share some similar powers, but they differ in the scope of those powers and in the diversity of the traditions' members.


==Hermetic Traditions==
==Hermetic Traditions==
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=== Ex Miscellanea Traditions ===
=== Ex Miscellanea Traditions ===
{{Main|House Ex Miscellanea}}
{{Main|House Ex Miscellanea}}
House Ex Miscellanea is a [[Societates|Societas]], but consists of many independent traditions that it has assimilated over the centuries. It is therefore more properly considered a collection of traditions than a tradition in its own right. Most of the traditions in House Ex Miscellanea overlap with [[hedge magic]]. The difference is that magi Ex Miscellanea usually have full command of the [[Hermetic]] [[Art]]s<ref>''[[Ars Magica Fifth Edition]]'', p. 11, "House Ex Miscellanea"</ref> ''in addition to'' the magic of their ancestral traditions, whereas hedge wizards are restricted to their pre-Hermetic powers only, and are much more limited.
House Ex Miscellanea is a [[Societas]], but consists of many independent traditions that it has assimilated over the centuries. It is therefore more properly considered a collection of traditions than a tradition in its own right. Most of the traditions in House Ex Miscellanea overlap with [[hedge magic]]. The difference is that magi Ex Miscellanea usually have full command of the [[Hermetic]] [[Art]]s<ref>''[[Ars Magica Fifth Edition]]'', p. 11, "House Ex Miscellanea"</ref> ''in addition to'' the magic of their ancestral traditions, whereas hedge wizards are restricted to their pre-Hermetic powers only, and are much more limited.


See [[House Ex Miscellanea]] for a list of traditions. Those traditions which, according to [[canon]], survive outside of the [[Order of Hermes]] are also listed [[#Non-Hermetic_Traditions|below]].
See [[House Ex Miscellanea]] for a list of traditions. Those traditions which, according to [[canon]], survive outside of the [[Order of Hermes]] are also listed [[#Non-Hermetic_Traditions|below]].
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== Non-Hermetic Traditions ==
== Non-Hermetic Traditions ==
{{Main|Hedge magic}}
{{Main|Hedge magic}}
Most non-Hermetic traditions are much weaker and more limited than Hermetic magic. These weak forms of magic are collectively called [[hedge magic]]. There are, however, a few powerful forms of foreign magic that are closer to parity with the power of Hermetic Magic; see ''[[Rival Magic]]'' for rules and background on them.
Most [[non-Hermetic]] traditions are much weaker and more limited than Hermetic magic. These weak forms of magic are collectively called [[hedge magic]]. There are, however, a few powerful forms of foreign magic that are closer to parity with the power of Hermetic Magic; see ''[[Rival Magic]]'' for rules and background on them.


=== Mystery Cults ===
=== Mystery Cults ===
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=== Hedge Traditions ===
=== Hedge Traditions ===
Most traditions that still exist outside the Order are considered [[hedge magic]], though that broad term masks a diversity. Some forms of hedge magic are more powerful than others. In terms of [[game mechanics]], a follower of a hedge tradition may be a [[companion]], [[Gifted companion]], [[Mythic companion]], or a [[magus]] [[Ex Miscellanea]], depending on the particular tradition and/or the player's preference.
Most traditions that still exist outside the Order are considered [[hedge magic]], though that broad term masks a diversity. Some forms of hedge magic are more powerful than others. In terms of [[game mechanics]], a follower of a hedge tradition may be a [[companion]], [[Gifted companion]], [[Mythic companion]], a [[magus]] [[Ex Miscellanea]], or even a [[grog]],<ref>''[[Hedge Magic Revised Edition]]'', p. 11, "Magi, Companions, or Grogs"</ref> depending on the particular tradition and/or the player's preference.


The following list combines traditions affiliated with both the [[Magical|Magic Realm]] and [[Faerie Realm]]s. Both are included in the common usage of the term "hedge magic."
The following list combines traditions affiliated with both the [[Magical|Magic Realm]] and [[Faerie Realm]]s. Both are included in the common usage of the term "hedge magic."
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;[[Borrowers]]
;[[Borrowers]]
:Traders who barter mortal goods for [[faerie]] blessings
:Traders who barter mortal goods for [[faerie]] blessings
;[[Corrguineach]]
;Breton Bards
:Irish wizards with great powers over elemental spirits.
:There is a tradition of Breton bards descended from [[Melusine]] the water faerie, whose powers of enchanting music are similar to those of the [[Seirenes]]<ref name="Ringing">''[[Houses of Hermes: Societates]]'', p. 109, "Ringing the Changes" (inset)</ref>
;Corrguineach
:Irish wizards with great powers over elemental spirits, whose powers are similar to those of [[sahir]]s<ref name="Ringing" />
;[[Elementalists]]
;[[Elementalists]]
:
:Magicians with power over the four classical elements, including elemental spirits
;[[Folk witches]]
;[[Folk witch]]es
:
:Usually female magicians with magical powers of healing, cursing, divination, and shapeshifting
;[[Galdramen]]
:Norse version of the [[mathematicus|mathematici]]
;[[Gruagachan]]
;[[Gruagachan]]
:
:Scottish magicians with a wide range of powers including shapeshifting, spirit magic, and visions
;[[Koldun]]
;[[Koldun]]
:Slavic sorcerers who have abandoned their role as [[volkhvy]]
:Slavic sorcerers similar to [[volkhvy]], but who follow dark [[pagan gods]] of winter and cold
;[[Learned Magicians]]
;[[mathematici|Learned Magician]]s
:[[Vitkir]]
:University-trained magicians, experts in astronomy and alchemy, also known as '''mathematici'''
;
;[[Nightwalkers]]
;[[Nightwalkers]]
:
:Magicians who can project their spirits astrally
;[[Ollamhain]]
;[[Ollamhain]]
:Irish bards and soothsayers
:Irish bards and soothsayers
;Roman Necromancers
:There are Roman necromancers who use their powers over ghosts to terrorize the locals; their powers are similar to those of the [[Donatores Requietis Aeternae]]<ref name="Ringing" />
;[[Rustic Magi]]
;[[Rustic Magi]]
;[[Scinfolk]]
:craftsmen who imbue their products with magical powers
:herbalists and faerie doctors whose magic can increase fertility
;[[Sahir]]s
;[[Taltos]]
:Islamic wizards who summon and bind spirits called [[jinn]]
:a Magyar tradition of [[skinchanger]]s and herbalists
;[[Seithr|Seithkonir]] (also [[Seithr]])
:Nordic [[folk witch]]es.<ref>''[[Hedge Magic Revised Edition]]'', Chapter Seven: "Vitkir", p. 121 (insert "Female Vitkir"))</ref>
;[[Settuten]], (also [[Settut]])
:Berber witches that excell at destrutictive and dispelling magical effects.<ref>[[Between Sand & Sea: Mythic Africa]]</ref>
;[[Scinnfolk]]
:Herbalists and faerie doctors whose magic can increase fertility
;Taltos
:A Magyar tradition of [[skinchanger]]s and herbalists with powers similar to the [[Pharmacoepians]]<ref name="Ringing" />
;[[Trollsynir]]
;[[Trollsynir]]
:Giant-descended wizards of Scandinavia and Iceland
:Giant-descended wizards of Scandinavia and Iceland
;[[Vitkir]]
:Scandinavian rune-wizards with versatile powers
;[[Volur]]
:Norse diviners
;[[Volkhvy]]
;[[Volkhvy]]
:Slavic [[pagan]] priests with nature-related powers.
:Slavic [[pagan]] priests with nature-related powers.
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:Villagers who use [[faerie wizardry]] to make charms and wards
:Villagers who use [[faerie wizardry]] to make charms and wards
;[[Witches of Thessaly]]
;[[Witches of Thessaly]]
:
:Mostly female wielders of necromancy and curses; possibly the ancestral tradition of [[Trianoma]]<ref>''[[Realms of Power: The Infernal]]'', p. 140, "Infernal Societas: The Witches of Thessaly"</ref>


* Breton bards with great powers of enchanting music.
=== Divine Traditions ===
* Roman necromancers that terrorize the locals.
;[[Karaites]]
:Jewish practitioners of [[Holy Magic]]


=== Divine Traditions ===
=== Rival Traditions ===
;
The most powerful non-Hermetic traditions are described in ''[[Rival Magic]]''. They are shrouded in legend; some of them are not even certain to exist in [[canon]].


=== Faerie Traditions ===
;[[Amazons]]
:The warrior-women of classical legend, who have developed their own independent, non-Hermetic Arts
;The [[Augustan Brotherhood]]
:A secret society of court wizards whose magic descends from the Roman poet and sorcerer Virgil
;The [[Order of Odin]]
:A shadowy group of Nordic wizards that may or may not actually exist<ref>''[[Guardians of the Forests]]'', p. 113, "The Order of Odin" (inset)</ref>
;The [[Order of Suleiman]]
:A rumored organization of Islamic [[sahir]]s
;[[Muspelli]]
:Scandinavian sorcerers who worship the ''jotunn,'' the wicked giants of Norse myth; they are more powerful than the [[vitki]]r.
;The [[Sorcerers of Soqotra]]
:Legendary magicians from a mysterious island in the Arabian Sea


=== Rival Traditions ===
=== Extinct Traditions ===
The most powerful non-Hermetic traditions are  
Not all magical societies survive the ages; several such traditions are covered in ''[[Ancient Magic]]''.


;[[Canaanite Necromancy]]
The supposed origin of all summoning arts, this biblical group of necromancers are long dead. Being necromancers this doesn't mean the end of them.
;[[Defixio Magic]]
A Roman chthonic tradition that has ties the Cults of Pluto, Hecate & other deities.
;[[Heron Mechanicians]]
A tradition of mechanical craftsmen who create magical constructs to generate their effects.
;[[Hyperborean Hymns|Hyperboreans]]
The Priests of Apollo who were wiped out by the Order in it's early days despite much of the Hyperborean hymns breaking the limits of Hermetic magic.


==  References ==
==  References ==
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==  Related Topics ==
==  Related Topics ==
* [[Hedge Magic]]
* [[Hedge Magic]]
* [[True Lineage]]
* [[True Lineages]]
* [[Societas]]
* [[Societas]]
* [[Mystery House]]
* [[Mystery House]]
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* ''[[Ancient Magic]]''
* ''[[Ancient Magic]]''
* ''[[Houses of Hermes: Societates]]''
* ''[[Houses of Hermes: Societates]]''
* ''[[Hedge magic book| Hedge Magic]]'' and ''[[Hedge Magic Revised Edition]]''
* ''[[Hedge Magic (book)| Hedge Magic]]'' and ''[[Hedge Magic Revised Edition]]''
* ''[[Rival Magic]]''
* ''[[Rival Magic]]''


==  Legacy Page  ==
==  Legacy Page  ==
The history of this page before August 6, 2010 is archived at [[Legacy:tradition]]
The history of this page before August 6, 2010 is archived at [[Legacy:tradition]]
[[Category:ArM4]]
[[Category:ArM5]]
[[Category:Faerie Realm]]
[[Category:Hedge Magic]]
[[Category:Jargon]]
[[Category:Magic Realm]]

Latest revision as of 01:11, 28 December 2016

A tradition is a particular style of magic that is practiced and handed down to generations of magicians through apprenticeship. Hermetic magic is an especially flexible, powerful magical tradition practiced throughout the Order of Hermes. There exist other, non-Hermetic traditions; many of them are associated with a particular culture or locale in Mythic Europe. Many traditions have origins in the classical or ancient past.

"Tradition" is not a strictly defined game term in Ars Magica. There are several varieties of magic that can be called traditions. They are all similar in a sense that wizards who practice the tradition share some similar powers, but they differ in the scope of those powers and in the diversity of the traditions' members.

Hermetic Traditions

Main article: Houses of Hermes

Hermetic magic can be considered a very broad, powerful, and diverse tradition of magic. All members of the Order of Hermes can be said to follow it, except perhaps hedge wizards who very recently joined the Order.

Each of the Houses of Hermes is a tradition in its own right. Indeed, several houses combine two or more traditions; see the articles on the individual Houses for details.

Ex Miscellanea Traditions

Main article: House Ex Miscellanea

House Ex Miscellanea is a Societas, but consists of many independent traditions that it has assimilated over the centuries. It is therefore more properly considered a collection of traditions than a tradition in its own right. Most of the traditions in House Ex Miscellanea overlap with hedge magic. The difference is that magi Ex Miscellanea usually have full command of the Hermetic Arts[1] in addition to the magic of their ancestral traditions, whereas hedge wizards are restricted to their pre-Hermetic powers only, and are much more limited.

See House Ex Miscellanea for a list of traditions. Those traditions which, according to canon, survive outside of the Order of Hermes are also listed below.

Non-Hermetic Traditions

Main article: Hedge magic

Most non-Hermetic traditions are much weaker and more limited than Hermetic magic. These weak forms of magic are collectively called hedge magic. There are, however, a few powerful forms of foreign magic that are closer to parity with the power of Hermetic Magic; see Rival Magic for rules and background on them.

Mystery Cults

Main article: Mystery Cult

Mystery Cults are secret organizations that teach specific mystical practices call Mysteries. Mysteries are highly ritualized and often include a spiritual or even explicitly religious component. Magi of the Order of Hermes can join mystery cults, but Mysteries are outside the usual theory and practice of Hermetic magic.

In terms of game mechanics, Mysteries usually take the form of special Mystery Virtues rather than Arts or Abilities. Some Mystery Cults are integrated into the Order as Houses, but others are not. Most mystery cults pre-date Hermetic magic theory.

See the Mystery Cults article for a list of mystery cults.

Hedge Traditions

Most traditions that still exist outside the Order are considered hedge magic, though that broad term masks a diversity. Some forms of hedge magic are more powerful than others. In terms of game mechanics, a follower of a hedge tradition may be a companion, Gifted companion, Mythic companion, a magus Ex Miscellanea, or even a grog,[2] depending on the particular tradition and/or the player's preference.

The following list combines traditions affiliated with both the Magic Realm and Faerie Realms. Both are included in the common usage of the term "hedge magic."

Borrowers
Traders who barter mortal goods for faerie blessings
Breton Bards
There is a tradition of Breton bards descended from Melusine the water faerie, whose powers of enchanting music are similar to those of the Seirenes[3]
Corrguineach
Irish wizards with great powers over elemental spirits, whose powers are similar to those of sahirs[3]
Elementalists
Magicians with power over the four classical elements, including elemental spirits
Folk witches
Usually female magicians with magical powers of healing, cursing, divination, and shapeshifting
Galdramen
Norse version of the mathematici
Gruagachan
Scottish magicians with a wide range of powers including shapeshifting, spirit magic, and visions
Koldun
Slavic sorcerers similar to volkhvy, but who follow dark pagan gods of winter and cold
Learned Magicians
University-trained magicians, experts in astronomy and alchemy, also known as mathematici
Nightwalkers
Magicians who can project their spirits astrally
Ollamhain
Irish bards and soothsayers
Roman Necromancers
There are Roman necromancers who use their powers over ghosts to terrorize the locals; their powers are similar to those of the Donatores Requietis Aeternae[3]
Rustic Magi
craftsmen who imbue their products with magical powers
Sahirs
Islamic wizards who summon and bind spirits called jinn
Seithkonir (also Seithr)
Nordic folk witches.[4]
Settuten, (also Settut)
Berber witches that excell at destrutictive and dispelling magical effects.[5]
Scinnfolk
Herbalists and faerie doctors whose magic can increase fertility
Taltos
A Magyar tradition of skinchangers and herbalists with powers similar to the Pharmacoepians[3]
Trollsynir
Giant-descended wizards of Scandinavia and Iceland
Vitkir
Scandinavian rune-wizards with versatile powers
Volur
Norse diviners
Volkhvy
Slavic pagan priests with nature-related powers.
Wise Folk
Villagers who use faerie wizardry to make charms and wards
Witches of Thessaly
Mostly female wielders of necromancy and curses; possibly the ancestral tradition of Trianoma[6]

Divine Traditions

Karaites
Jewish practitioners of Holy Magic

Rival Traditions

The most powerful non-Hermetic traditions are described in Rival Magic. They are shrouded in legend; some of them are not even certain to exist in canon.

Amazons
The warrior-women of classical legend, who have developed their own independent, non-Hermetic Arts
The Augustan Brotherhood
A secret society of court wizards whose magic descends from the Roman poet and sorcerer Virgil
The Order of Odin
A shadowy group of Nordic wizards that may or may not actually exist[7]
The Order of Suleiman
A rumored organization of Islamic sahirs
Muspelli
Scandinavian sorcerers who worship the jotunn, the wicked giants of Norse myth; they are more powerful than the vitkir.
The Sorcerers of Soqotra
Legendary magicians from a mysterious island in the Arabian Sea

Extinct Traditions

Not all magical societies survive the ages; several such traditions are covered in Ancient Magic.

Canaanite Necromancy

The supposed origin of all summoning arts, this biblical group of necromancers are long dead. Being necromancers this doesn't mean the end of them.

Defixio Magic

A Roman chthonic tradition that has ties the Cults of Pluto, Hecate & other deities.

Heron Mechanicians

A tradition of mechanical craftsmen who create magical constructs to generate their effects.

Hyperboreans

The Priests of Apollo who were wiped out by the Order in it's early days despite much of the Hyperborean hymns breaking the limits of Hermetic magic.

References

  1. ↑ Ars Magica Fifth Edition, p. 11, "House Ex Miscellanea"
  2. ↑ Hedge Magic Revised Edition, p. 11, "Magi, Companions, or Grogs"
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 Houses of Hermes: Societates, p. 109, "Ringing the Changes" (inset)
  4. ↑ Hedge Magic Revised Edition, Chapter Seven: "Vitkir", p. 121 (insert "Female Vitkir"))
  5. ↑ Between Sand & Sea: Mythic Africa
  6. ↑ Realms of Power: The Infernal, p. 140, "Infernal Societas: The Witches of Thessaly"
  7. ↑ Guardians of the Forests, p. 113, "The Order of Odin" (inset)

Related Topics

Related Products

Legacy Page

The history of this page before August 6, 2010 is archived at Legacy:tradition

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