And as to spreading a lab rat out - if you want to make a range of magic items - items for beyond simple combat items - having a basic knowledge of each art helps alot - espeically for lesser enchanted items - which are far more preferable to Greater items - once i can get 10s acorss the board, then ill specialise with a lab rat....
Kal
Why do you so absolutely insist that he spread out his arts, Marko? To me he seems the kind of cjaracter that can't be bothered with the beauties of nature. He - the character just doesn't care. You wanted a killing machine - you gout one. What does he need Herbam for: To behead flowers?
I don't think he is power-gaming. I'd know a trick or two to turn this concept into a munchkin's wet (red?) dream.
I am curious about the spells though.
Attacking angels btw seems like asking God for some punishment (are you Jacob?).
We will have to keep him locked away - he's bound to scare the ladies.
Well, at least put some more Magic Theory into the guy! Be a Perdo freak for all I care 
. Just make sure you can take care of powerful magic spirits 
.
As for having been in the "service", I can see you being a grizzled veteran hoplite.
I see no reason not seek out a verditious or creo expert ot make your new potion or a better potion. I leave it to Marko to decide about existing potion:
The key is that you are not dhampir which means you have 11 aging rolls at +3 for first 6, +4 for next 5. Having potion, can really lower this. It also adds 11 pts warping.
Second, inability to do creo rituals, does the flaw (not sure what book unnatural magic is from) specifically say no longevity rituals? Longevity is special kind of ritual and is more lab activity than ritual spell (though CrCo).
THe thing that caught my eye is the masteries of 4 and 5, even with flawless magic, that is still 23 and 35 xp each.
If you really wanted to be dhampir, take it as original virtue and having one of the minors you started with become the twilight virtue.
Unnatural magic is from HoH: Mystery Cults.
It means none of your character's rituals have permenant effects, plus you can not distill vis. Thats from the book - I take that to mean I can not create longivity potions, nor use creo in enchantments (which is kinda hard, as I would have like to have a recovery bonus item - oh well, house verditius it is...)
Totally forgot about it being tailor to me to avoid warping....hm.....
Still trying to work out what to take for virtues & flaws to fit the character and background - for a major twilight effect, I can really only see Major Magical focus, as cant really see any other major virtue that would fit him - expect maybe Cthonic Magic for the demoning hunting angle, but thats getting a little too dark for a heroic, if somewhat girzzled, hoplite even, and I'm not too keen on it....EDIT Just looked at Faerie Raised Magic - switch the faerie for magic realm and it might work, as hes been on the road a hell of a lot?maybe not....i dont know 
I'm taking 10XP off the total to make space for a longivity potion now too. Even considering taking a little creo and ignem to please marko and to get Pulum of Fire mastered with magic resistance, if i can find the XP :mrgreen:
Kal
IF none of your rituals have permanent effect, that doesn't mean that lab items are blocked from Creo being used in them. I am not even sure I would apply that to longevity potion since 1) it isn't permanent effect anyways (it can be canceled), 2) it isnt' a ritual spell.
To purchase a Longevity Potion costs you a season of no xp and will get you level 30.
As for the sword and the cloak, I will sell you these things for a season each (yes, I am now a Verditius magus). However, only one will be an Item of Quality. I am either a blacksmith or a tailor, I will not be both. The other item will be a Lesser Enchanted Device that I shall design. Do not worry about Warping. It will be designed for you &/or will not be of a high enough level to worry about. And it will not be a constant effect. I design most enchantments to be turned on and off. And even if it is constant, don't sleep with your cloak on or snuggled up to your sword, and you will be okay.
Also;
I have unfortunately decided to put the nix on Unnatural Magic. I feel that is more of a specifically Faerie Magic sort of Flaw. The other V&F's you picked from the House Books other that Societas (;)) are fine by me. I suggest that in its place, you take a Major Deficiency in Creo. Screw Creo, you are a Perdo Master. You can still have someone else make a Longevity Potion for you, and you can crank out a permanent ritual if you really-really have to.
For other Virtues & Flaws; your starting lineup looks fine (though I would swap temperate out for something more heroic). Drop all the story V&F’s. For Twilight, drop Damphir.
Hmmm…
I don’t see a Focus working for you, since you have no Form scores. How about Flexible Formulaic Magic? Take that and Blatant Gift, forget the other two.
I think at this point, it will be easier for me to start the character build from scratch, instead of trying to alter it - the concept and most of the background will be the same (the twilight bits may change) - also Marko - the sword and cloak werent major things - if hes serious about the fight, he'll use Form of Phastasmal MAgus to become non-solid, so both items would be pretty useless at that point....with perdo mages, I usually use PeIg as a backup combat style, instead of swords etc, just i wanted to have Weeping Blade, a spell I've only cam up with after reading the wiki for Andorra - based off one of the sword enchantments...i may just leave that when it comes to the rebuild...an enchanted claok to ignore me would still be good tho 
I actually have the whole day free tomorrow, so I will try and get a full post up, with everyone on it so folks can look it over, arts, abilities, spells etc.
Kal
Also, a magus can't take Heroic Virtues and Flaws without having Mythic Blood (True Luneages p104), so Gift of Tongues and Heroic Personnality are out of the questions, but I think mythic blood could work out well for you anyway 
He had picked the Legacy Flaw, which also allows Heroic V&F's. But anyway, Kal sent me a letter saying he had to drop out of here and Novis Mane. RL issues.
Hi,
Mythic Blood, Blood of Heroes, Legacy.... and RAW also allows any virtue that the GM (or Troupe) considers an appropriate prerequisite.
(YMMV for this, of course. I'd allow Giant, an appropriate Strong Faerie Blood or Strong Magic Blood, and even Diedne or Mercurian Magic. In general, any Major Virtue that suggests a powerful lineage works for me, regardless of Realm, since every realm has its heroes, especially Faerie.)
Anyway,
Ken
I dunno, I think that this makes them all the more accessible and common. And, IMO, if heroic virtues and flaws start prompting right and left, they already become a lot less special, which counters their purpose.
As you said, YMMV
I don't think V&F's should be so strictly categorized to begin with.
But anyway, the debate is pointles because Kal will not be joining the game.
However, and old Berklist buddy of mine is soon to be joining. Andrew Gronosky will be playing a Jerbiton magus that looks very interesting. Jerbiton is my third favorite house. They used to be second, but I have developed an admiration for Tytalus magi as of late. But Flambeau is always #1 for me
Hi all,
Marko has invited me to join the Saga, and I decided to give it a whirl. Here's an initial version of my magus.
The concept is that Esteban is a wizard who kind of straddles the boundary between House Jerbiton and House Flambeau. He has ties and interests in mundane society. Unlike the HoH:S version of House Jerbiton he is not primarily oriented toward arts and literature (though he does appreciate poetry and paintings). He's more of what I call an "old school Jerbiton" working on relations between the Order and society. Esteban believes that the Order should exist alongside the other great institutions of Mythic Europe, the Church and the Crown (well, the nobility as a whole) as a separate, independent, and equal entity. But, he's not entirely political. He has his own agenda that includes honing his martial skills and seeking adventure, riches, and glory.
Esteban is a bit unusual in that he joined the Order by choice. His maternal grandmother (now deceased) had the Second Sight, and could see that Esteban had the Gift. She convinced him to cultivate his magical abilities. So, assuming wizardry was like any other trade, the young Esteban searched around for a wizard, knocked on his door, and asked to become an apprentice. It worked out pretty well but Esteban was pretty old for an apprentice (15 at start) and had his own ideas of what being a wizard is all about. It doesn't include living in an ivory tower and gazing at objets d'art all day. So, Esteban and his pater don't really see eye to eye. (This does not go so far as to say his pater is a Tormenting Master, it more explains why Esteban doesn't have a Mentor in the Order.)
Before apprenticeship, Esteban was the son of a knight (cabellero hidalgo). His family is very angry that Esteban ran off with a bunch of Godless wizards instead of taking up the honorable profession of arms. They don't see the difference between Hermetic magic and witchcraft, and they want to see Esteban renounce his magic and join a monastery in atonement for his sins.
Growing up, Esteban was tutored in riding and swordplay (and drinking and wenching) by some of his father's comrades-in-arms, cabelleros villanos. He is still friends with 3 or 4 these fellows and their heirs. Unlike Esteban's stuck-up family, the "commoner knights" see some advantages in being able to do magic.
So here is a copy of Esteban at age 30, right out of Gauntlet. Let me know what you think.
Esteban
Characteristics: Int +2, Per 0, Pre +2, Com +1, Str +1, Sta +1, Dex +1, Qik 0
Size: 0
Age: 30 (30), Height: 5'7'', Weight: 160 lbs, Gender: Male
Decrepitude: 0
Warping Score: 0 (0)
Confidence: 1 (3)
Virtues and Flaws: The Gift, Gentle Gift, Improved Characteristics, Inspirational (Bonus: +3 to targets' Personality Traits), Privileged Upbringing (50/50), Hermetic Magus, Social Contacts (Caballeros Villanos), Black Sheep, Deficient Form (Ignem), Higher Purpose (Reconcile Order of Hermes and Society), Proud
Reputations: Wizard (Local) 2
Combat:
Dodge: Init: -1, Attack --, Defense +2, Damage --
Sword, Long: Init: +1, Attack +9, Defense +5, Damage +7
Fist: Init: -1, Attack +3, Defense +2, Damage +1
Kick: Init: -2, Attack +3, Defense +1, Damage +4
Soak: +7
Fatigue levels: OK, 0, -1, -3, -5, Unconscious
Wound Penalties: -1 (1-5), -3 (6-10), -5 (11-15), Incapacitated (16-20)
Abilities: Andorra Lore 2, Artes Liberales 2, Awareness 2, Brawl 2, Carouse 2, Catalan 5 (Upper class diction), Charm 2, Code of Hermes 1, Etiquette 2, Finesse 1, Folk Ken 2, Guile 2, Intrigue 2, Latin 5, Leadership 3, Magic Theory 3, Parma Magica 1, Philosophiae 1, Ride 3, Single Weapon 3 (Sword, Long), Theology 1
Arts: Cr 5, In 6, Mu 5, Pe 0, Re 6, An 1, Aq 0, Au 0, Co 5, He 0, Ig 0, Im 0, Me 6, Te 0, Vi 3
Equipment: Partial Chain Mail (Soak: 7) (Soak: 7; Protection: 6)
Encumbrance: 1 (2)
Spells Known:
Bind Wound (CrCo 10) +11
Revealed Flaws of Mortal Flesh (InCo 10) +12
Prying Eyes (InIm 5) +7
Perception of the Conflicting Motives (InMe 15) +13
Posing the Silent Question (InMe 20) +13
Aura of Ennobled Presence (MuIm 10) +6
Rise of the Feathery Body (ReCo 10) +12
Wizard's Sidestep (ReIm 10) +7
Aura of Rightful Authority (ReMe 20) +13
Wielding the Invisible Sling (ReTe 10) +7
I like the "old school" Jerbiton approach. My 4th ed Jerbiton character was more interested in commerce and finances than in artsy endevours. The focus on mundane interaction and relations is what captured my imagination concerning that House.
And I dig the Social Contacts with the Caballero Villanos. It gives the character that local-area specific feel
If not for his background in the Iberian Tribunal, Esteban would make a superb member of the Apple Guild (Rhine Tribunal). Jerbiton and others in it are equally determined to ease the relations between the Order and mundane society.
I think that Esteban also fits the current "Charisma Campaign" of the present Primus of House Jerbiton (see "Sanctuary of Ice: The Tribunal of the Greater Alps). He has a love of art and literature, but is driven by an effort to reconcile mundanes and the Order, largely due to his Faith (easy, Marko, I'm just summarising what's been written in the sourcebook, not making any personal commentary on it). Representatives and agents participating in this campaign are extremely active in the Iberian Tribunal.
Out of curiosity, what are his views on hedge wizards?
They really ought to sign up with the Order. All we're asking is for them to promise not to kill us. Seems a reasonable thing to ask.
That's a polite way of saying "join or die."
Hi all,
I decided to go season by season with Esteban. Didn't get as far as I thought -- here is the version 6 years post Gauntlet. As you can see he's been working toward making his own Longevity Ritual but dabbling a bit in Arabic poetry and swordplay along the way.
Esteban
Saga: Light of Andorra
Characteristics: Int +2, Per 0, Pre +2, Com +1, Str +1, Sta +1, Dex +1, Qik 0
Size: 0
Age: 36 (36), Height: 5'7'', Weight: 160 lbs, Gender: Male
Decrepitude: 0
Warping Score: 0 (½)
Confidence: 1 (3)
Virtues and Flaws: The Gift, Gentle Gift, Improved Characteristics, Inspirational (Bonus: +3 to targets' Personality Traits), Privileged Upbringing, Hermetic Magus, Social Contacts (Caballeros Villanos), Black Sheep, Deficient Form (Ignem), Higher Purpose (Reconcile Order of Hermes and Society), Proud
Reputations: Wizard (Local) 2
Combat:
Dodge: Init: -1, Attack --, Defense +2, Damage --
Sword, Long: Init: +1, Attack +9, Defense +5, Damage +7
Fist: Init: -1, Attack +3, Defense +2, Damage +1
Kick: Init: -2, Attack +3, Defense +1, Damage +4
Soak: +7
Fatigue levels: OK, 0, -1, -3, -5, Unconscious
Wound Penalties: -1 (1-5), -3 (6-10), -5 (11-15), Incapacitated (16-20)
Abilities: Andorra Lore 2, Arabic 2, Artes Liberales 2, Awareness 2, Brawl 2, Carouse 2, Catalan 5 (Upper class diction), Charm 2, Code of Hermes 2, Etiquette 2, Finesse 1 (5), Folk Ken 2, Guile 2, Intrigue 2, Latin 5, Leadership 3, Magic Theory 4 (enchanting items) (6), Parma Magica 2, Philosophiae 1, Ride 3, Single Weapon 3 (Sword, Long) (5), Theology 1
Arts: Cr 11, In 7, Mu 5, Pe 4, Re 6, An 6, Aq 0, Au 0, Co 10, He 0, Ig 0, Im 0, Me 6, Te 0, Vi 3
Equipment: Partial Chain Mail (Soak: 7) (Soak: 7; Protection: 6)
Encumbrance: 1 (2)
Spells Known:
Bind Wound (CrCo 10) +22
Purification of the Festering Wounds (CrCo 20) +22
Revealed Flaws of Mortal Flesh (InCo 10) +18
Prying Eyes (InIm 5) +8
Perception of the Conflicting Motives (InMe 15) +14
Posing the Silent Question (InMe 20) +14
Aura of Ennobled Presence (MuIm 10) +6
Rise of the Feathery Body (ReCo 10) +17
Wizard's Sidestep (ReIm 10) +7
Aura of Rightful Authority (ReMe 20) +13
Invisible Sling of Vilano (ReTe 10) +7
I just realized how unskilled a combatant you are! If you want to hang with the Caballeros, you need to learn more. At a score of 3 for Single Weapon, you at least know which way the pointy end is supposed to face . You have room for a few more V&F's. Maybe you should squeeze Warrior in there? You can also spice things up by telling us what you did the first six years. Any epic adventures? Grim battles? Legendary romances?
Also, you shouldn't have Andorra lore yet. Save that for later. Start out with Iberian Area Lore, specializing in the Catlonia region (that covers Andorra).
What does Estaban want out of life? Where does he think he is headed, and you you think he will get there?
That comes from 15 years of apprenticeship during which Esteban wasn't allowed to pick up a sword at all.
Esteban did spend three seasons working on swordsmanship. I was assuming a source quality of 4, which is typical for practice. If the caballeros are willing to train him then I can probably build up Single Weapon and Ride a bit more rapidly. What source quality should I assume?
As to goals, in the first years out of apprenticeship Esteban wants to go out and have a life. See the country, explore some magical sites, ride and fight with the caballeros, chase some women. (It's good to have the Gentle Gift. 
) It's like graduating high school, but at the age of 30.
The challenge here is a 5-year deadline to get Magic Theory and CrCo built up high enough to brew a Longevity Ritual. That is pretty much the only magical goal he has at first.
Esteban also wants to learn Arabic, which his pater didn't speak (the Latin snob). Moorish girls are sexy.
I also need some help coming up with a last name. He's the son of an hidalgo so it should probably be a locative (e.g., "de la Mancha"). Any suggestions?
I'll make some changes and post a new version.