Houses of Hermes: Difference between revisions

From Project: Redcap
(→‎The Twelve Houses: fixed PR link for redcaps)
mNo edit summary
 
(17 intermediate revisions by 6 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
 
{{about|the group of present and past houses that comprise the Order of Hermes|the 1994 Supplement by Wizards of the Coast|Houses of Hermes Book}}
In [[Ars Magica]], the term "Houses of Hermes" can have two possible meanings:
1. One of the twelve sub-groups within the [[Order of Hermes]]
2. A supplement for [[ArM3]] titled [[Houses of Hermes book | Houses of Hermes]]


In most Ars Magica [[Saga|sagas]], the [[Order of Hermes]] consists of twelve "houses".  (Depending on the time period of the saga, there may be thirteen instead, plus any unofficial Houses the players may have invented for themselves)
In most Ars Magica [[Saga|sagas]], the [[Order of Hermes]] consists of twelve "houses".  (Depending on the time period of the saga, there may be thirteen instead, plus any unofficial Houses the players may have invented for themselves)


Houses are groups of magi who are somehow related; they are something like noble families, though their members (usually) trace their lineage through apprenticeship rather than blood.
Houses are groups of magi who are somehow related; they are something like noble families, though their members (usually) trace their lineage through apprenticeship rather than blood.
----
A French version of this page is available: [[Maisons d’Hermès]]


==  The Twelve Houses ==
==  The Twelve Houses ==


: [[House Bjornaer]] : A House of shapeshifters.  In [[ArM5]], this is a [[Mystery House]]
: [[House Bjornaer]] : A [[Mystery House|Mystery Cult]] descended from Germanic magi and capable of taking the form of an animal called the "heartbeast."<ref>''[[Ars Magica Fifth Edition]]'', p. 11, "House Bjornear"</ref>
: [[House Bonisagus]] : A House of magical researchers and statesmen. In [[ArM5]], this is a [[True Lineage]].
: [[House Bonisagus]] : A [[True Lineages|True Lineage]] decended from the founder of the Order. This house is a mix of magical researchers and statesmen.
: [[House Criamon]] : A House of highly mystical magi.  In [[ArM5]], this is a [[Mystery House]].
: [[House Criamon]] : A [[Mystery House]] of enigmatic magi who frequently work in riddles and question the nature of reality.
: [[House Guernicus]] : A House containing the [[Quaesitor|Quaesitors]], the judges of the Order. In [[ArM5]], it is a [[True Lineage]].  In [[ArM4]] and earlier, it was known as House Quaesitor.
: [[House Ex Miscellanea]] : An eclectic House of magi from many different traditions, some of them [[Non Hermetic|non-Hermetic]].  In [[ArM5]], this is a [[Societas]].
: [[House Ex Miscellanea]] : A highly eclectic House of magi from many different traditions, some of them [[Non Hermetic|non-Hermetic]].  In [[ArM5]], this is a [[Societas]].
: [[House Flambeau]] : A [[Societas|Society]] of warrior magi, often specializing in the [[Arts]] of [[Ignem]] or [[Perdo]].
: [[House Flambeau]] : A House of warrior magi, often specializing in the [[Arts]] of [[Ignem]] or [[Perdo]]. In [[ArM5]], this is a [[Societas]].
: [[House Guernicus]] : A [[True Lineages|True Lineage]] of [[Quaesitor|Quaesitors]], the judges of the Order. In [[ArM4]] and earlier, it was known as House Quaesitor.
: [[House Jerbiton]] : A House of magi interested in [[Mundane]] culture or society. In [[ArM5]], this is a [[Societas]].
: [[House Jerbiton]] : A [[Societas|Society]] of magi interested in [[Mundane]] culture, arts and society.
: [[House Mercere]] : A House that includes many [[unGifted]] [[Redcap|redcaps]] and some [[magi]].  In [[ArM5]], it is a [[True Lineage]].
: [[House Mercere]] : The messengers and merchants of the Order, this [[True Lineages|True Lineage]] includes many [[unGifted]] [[Redcap|redcaps]] and some [[magi]].
: [[House Merinita]] : A House that is interested in the [[Faerie Realm]].  In [[ArM5]], it is a [[Mystery House]].
: [[House Merinita]] : A [[Mystery House|Mystery Cult]] interested in the [[Faerie Realm]].
: [[House Tremere]] : A highly organized, hierarchical House with strong political influence.  In [[ArM5]], it is a [[True Lineage]].
: [[House Tremere]] : A highly organized, hierarchical House with strong political influence.  In [[ArM5]], it is a [[True Lineages|True Lineage]].
: [[House Tytalus]] : A House whose members share a philosophy of thriving on conflict.  In [[ArM5]], it is a [[Societas]].
: [[House Tytalus]] : A [[Societas|Society]] of magi whose members share a philosophy of thriving on conflict.
: [[House Verditius]] : A House whose members excel in making [[Enchanted Items]].  In [[ArM5]], it is a [[Mystery House]].
: [[House Verditius]] : A [[Mystery House]] whose members excel in making [[Enchanted device|enchanted devices]].


==  The Thirteenth House ==
==  The Thirteenth House ==


In addition, earlier in the history of [[Mythic Europe]], there was a thirteenth House called [[House Diedne]].  It was destroyed in the [[Schism War]].  House Diedne is also referred to as the [[Nameless House]].
In addition, earlier in the history of [[Mythic Europe]], there was a thirteenth House called [[House Diedne]].  It was destroyed in the [[Schism War]].  House Diedne is also referred to as the [[Nameless House]].{{citation needed}}


==  References ==
==  References ==


===  [[Fifth Edition]] ===
===  [[Fifth Edition]] ===
The categorization of Houses into [[True Lineage | True Lineages]], [[Societas | Societates]], and [[Mystery House | Mystery Houses]] was introduced. ([[ArM5]], p. 223)
The categorization of Houses into [[True Lineages]], [[Societas | Societates]], and [[Mystery House | Mystery Houses]] was introduced. ([[ArM5]], p. 223)


In Fifth Edition, House Quaesitor was renamed to [[House Guernicus]].
In Fifth Edition, House Quaesitor was renamed to [[House Guernicus]].


The following Fifth Edition supplements relate to Houses:
The following Fifth Edition supplements relate to Houses:
* [[Houses of Hermes: True Lineages]]
* [[Houses of Hermes: True Lineages]] covering [[House Bonisagus]], [[House Guernicus]], [[House Mercere]] and [[House Tremere]].
* [[Houses of Hermes: Mystery Cults]]
* [[Houses of Hermes: Mystery Cults]] covering [[House Bjornaer]], [[House Criamon]], [[House Merinita]], and [[House Verditius]].
* [[Houses of Hermes: Societates]]
* [[Houses of Hermes: Societates]] covering [[House Flambeau]], [[House Jerbiton]], [[House Tytalus]], and [[House Ex Miscellanea]].


===  [[Fourth Edition]] ===
===  Interim between [[Third Edition]] and [[Fourth Edition]]===


There is no Fourth Edition supplement exclusively describing the Houses.  The Third Edition supplement was considered mostly compatible.
[[Wizards of the Coast]] published a supplement that described the Houses in detail: [[Houses of Hermes Book | Houses of Hermes]].  It billed itself as a Fourth Edition source book, but was published before any Fourth Edition core rule book.  When [[Atlas Games]] began the Fourth Edition line, Houses of Hermes was considered mostly compatible.
 
===  [[Third Edition]] ===
 
There was one Third Edition supplement that described the Houses in detail: [[Houses of Hermes book | Houses of Hermes]]


===  [[Second Edition]] ===
===  [[Second Edition]] ===


Houses were described in the Second Edition supplement, [[ Order of Hermes book | Order of Hermes]]
Houses were described in the Second Edition supplement, [[ Order of Hermes Book | Order of Hermes]]


===  [[First Edition]] ===
===  [[First Edition]] ===


Houses did not exist in First Edition.  Magi were generally categorized by their favored [[Arts]] instead.
Houses did not exist in First Edition.  Magi were generally categorized by their favored [[Arts]] instead.
==Legacy Page  ===
 
The history of this page before August 6, 2010 is archived at [[Legacy:houses_of_hermes]]
= Citations =
<references />
 
{{Legacy|page=houses_of_hermes}}
[[Category:Houses of Hermes]]
[[Category:Order of Hermes]]

Latest revision as of 20:27, 14 September 2020

In most Ars Magica sagas, the Order of Hermes consists of twelve "houses". (Depending on the time period of the saga, there may be thirteen instead, plus any unofficial Houses the players may have invented for themselves)

Houses are groups of magi who are somehow related; they are something like noble families, though their members (usually) trace their lineage through apprenticeship rather than blood.


A French version of this page is available: Maisons d’Hermès

The Twelve Houses

House Bjornaer : A Mystery Cult descended from Germanic magi and capable of taking the form of an animal called the "heartbeast."[1]
House Bonisagus : A True Lineage decended from the founder of the Order. This house is a mix of magical researchers and statesmen.
House Criamon : A Mystery House of enigmatic magi who frequently work in riddles and question the nature of reality.
House Ex Miscellanea : An eclectic House of magi from many different traditions, some of them non-Hermetic. In ArM5, this is a Societas.
House Flambeau : A Society of warrior magi, often specializing in the Arts of Ignem or Perdo.
House Guernicus : A True Lineage of Quaesitors, the judges of the Order. In ArM4 and earlier, it was known as House Quaesitor.
House Jerbiton : A Society of magi interested in Mundane culture, arts and society.
House Mercere : The messengers and merchants of the Order, this True Lineage includes many unGifted redcaps and some magi.
House Merinita : A Mystery Cult interested in the Faerie Realm.
House Tremere : A highly organized, hierarchical House with strong political influence. In ArM5, it is a True Lineage.
House Tytalus : A Society of magi whose members share a philosophy of thriving on conflict.
House Verditius : A Mystery House whose members excel in making enchanted devices.

The Thirteenth House

In addition, earlier in the history of Mythic Europe, there was a thirteenth House called House Diedne. It was destroyed in the Schism War. House Diedne is also referred to as the Nameless House.[citation needed]

References

Fifth Edition

The categorization of Houses into True Lineages, Societates, and Mystery Houses was introduced. (ArM5, p. 223)

In Fifth Edition, House Quaesitor was renamed to House Guernicus.

The following Fifth Edition supplements relate to Houses:

Interim between Third Edition and Fourth Edition

Wizards of the Coast published a supplement that described the Houses in detail: Houses of Hermes. It billed itself as a Fourth Edition source book, but was published before any Fourth Edition core rule book. When Atlas Games began the Fourth Edition line, Houses of Hermes was considered mostly compatible.

Second Edition

Houses were described in the Second Edition supplement, Order of Hermes

First Edition

Houses did not exist in First Edition. Magi were generally categorized by their favored Arts instead.

Citations

  1. Ars Magica Fifth Edition, p. 11, "House Bjornear"


The edit history of this page before August 6, 2010 is archived at Legacy:houses_of_hermes.