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Science Fiction & Fantasy |
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Mage Silver Ladder (Mage the Awakening)
written by White Wolf
Studio : White Wolf Publishing
by White Wolf Publishing
Publisher : White Wolf Publishing
Released : 2008-07-09
Availability : Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Number of Items : 1
EAN : 9781588464385
Avg. Customer Rating: (based on 1 review)
List Price : $31.99
Our Price : $18.43
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Product Description |
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"A Character Book for Mage: The Awakeningo The history, methodology and ultimate goals of the Silver Ladder. Internal functions of the Silver Ladder, from initiation into the Cryptopoly to their complicated codes of law." |
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The Golden Path to Godhood |
Finally, after waiting this long we have the fifth of the Order books detailing the 'leader' faction for Mage: the Awakening. And it's about time! As with the other Order books, this one serves to flesh out the Silver Ladder, who seek to ultimately guide humanity to the powers that are their birthright. As opposed to the other Orders, the Silver Ladder (at its best) believes magic is inherent to humanity. Wonderfully, it expands them beyond their stereotype of 'leaders' and emphasizes their heritage as priests, viziers and philosophers of the Awakened, giving players and STs alike lots of new possibilities for using this Order.
The book opens with the history of the Silver Ladder, from their early days as the philosopher-priests of Atlantis and the Five Kings who (they claim) established the Paths, to their embrace of the British Empire during the age of colonialism. From there, it goes on to explore the role of the Silver Ladder in different corners of the world, from businessmen in Brazil to progressive Muslims in the Middle East to humanitarian aid in Africa. The second chapter explores the beliefs and practices of the Silver Ladder, including the Elemental Precepts, their political structure, magical law, roles and status within the Order, and Path roles. It also explores the Silver Ladders relations with other Mages and, more importantly, mortals! Better, it includes rules for Cryptolopolies (secret societies under the Order's influence), new Proximi rules, and even Sivler Dynasties (entire families of Proximi!).
In chapter three, we are given information about the Silver Ladder's recruitment, initiation and even conversion of other Mages, including the tests and lessons that neophytes must learn. In addition to some more info on Proximi, we also get more detailed looks at Status within the Silver Ladder, members relationships to their community and fellow Mages, and more specifics on the other Orders. This chapter also looks at the other things that lurk in the World of Darkness... Vampires, Werewolves, Changelings, even Prometheans and Hunters, with details for incorporating them in chronicles as either enemies or allies. It also includes some very nice details on what Mages know (and THINK they know) about other supernaturals.
The next chapter gets into factions like the Powerbrokers (self-descriptive), Theurges (religious Thearchs) and Ascended (who dedicate themselves to Ascension), as well as sample Cryptolopoly cults used by the Silver Ladder. Then there are Legacies... lots of them, ranging from the Bene Ashmedai (another Legacy of Mastigos demonologists, opposeed to the Clavicularus), Keepers of the Covenant (Thyrsus who uphold deals with spirits), Sisterhood of the Blessed (Acanthus women blessed with good luck), and even a new Left-Handed Legacy. This is all good stuff leading up to the magic of the Silver Ladder, which includes details on the Arcana, Rote Specialties, sacraments used by the Order, and a whole host of new Spells and Imbued Items (some of which are a bit over the top, but what the hey). Finally, we get an appendix full of NPCs, which can be used in just about any chrocicle featuring the Silver Ladder, or as concepts for creating your own characters.
All in all, this book follows the tradition of the previous Order books. While it isn't nearly as groundbreaking as some of the others, its still a great book for fleshing out and expanding the Silver Ladder beyond the stereotypes. Furthermore, the details on Mage political and legal structure will be useful for any Mage games, not just those involving the Silver Ladder. The same can be said of the new (and expanded) rules for Proximi (and Proximi Dynasties) and the Lex Magica. Those alone will make it essential for any Mage games. But the rest of the material is just as good too, and will no doubt give you some ideas for your next Mage: the Awakening chronicle... |
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