I hate to post an invitation at the same time as Timothy. But I'm doing it anyway.
They're are lots of game here dealing with the storytelling aspects of Ars magica. I'm hoping to start one that's got a heavy emphasis on the game mechanics.
This is the site of an on line exalted game that I very much admire. Please take a second to read a few of the posts:
rpol.net/game.cgi?gi=11217&gn=Ex ... 1168322098
This game does not attempt to create a moving large scale narrative. Rather, the game consists of a group of people having fun weaving descriptions of fight scenes and exalted mechanics together to create little vignettes of high action but kicking. These vignettes are, in my opinion, made more beautiful and meaningful by the inclusion of all of the game mechanics (providing that you know how to interpret them).
It is my belief that the laboratory/advancement rules in fifth edition Ars Magica are the most enjoyable set of RPG mechanics that have yet to be put to paper by the human race. It is my hope to showcase these mechanics in a manner that is in some ways similar to the way that Exalted combat is showcased on the Games of Divinity site.
Campaign Title: Iron Magus.
System: Ars Magica Fifth edition with EVERYTHING.
Players Wanted: I think that I'd need three players to make it work.
Posting Rate: Once per two or three weeks but they would need to be significant sized posts.
Combat Rules: We won't see combat but we'll probably have to look at how new spells and such interact with the system.
Dice-Rolling Rules: Iรขโฌโขm open to anything that the players want but I think the simplest answer is that I do all of the die rolling. I don't foresee die rolling being used outside of vis study and experimentation.
Advancement Rules: Characters will be created immediately out of apprenticeship at age 27. They will then be advanced 15 years using the laboratory and advancement rules with reference to the first standing contest: "Magnificent Abode of the Iron Magus". This 43 year old magus will then be used for all subsequent contests (baring a general desire to use older or younger magi)
Special Rules: I've got a few concerning vis, books, mundane resources, and virtues. I'll add them in a second post
Deadline: I'll start it up after we've got three PC's.
Campaign Description: The point of this game is to utilize the laboratory mechanics to resolve issues, not with power and efficiency, but with style and panache.
I will present challenges such as
In six years the lord of Wasserburg a somewhat prosperous costal city will die of natural causes and his son will take his post. An agreement between the tribunal and the old lord of Wasserburg will expire upon his death. Create spells and enchanted devices that can be employed once these six years elapse to create a profitable wool trade within the city. Most of the city's residents should not know that the magi are behind the new industry.
or
In three years time on the evening of the winter solstice the remains of an ancient army of 3,000 Goths will rise as ghosts to attempt to continue their defense against the foreigners who invaded their lands. Prepare the ancient battlefield for their return in such a manner as to protect the land's living residents and/or to turn the ghosts to your own purposes
The players will take their 43 year old magi into their labs and libraries for the allotted time and come up with ways to meet the challenge, (often times making deals with their fellow magi to gather the resources that they need). But the important issue isn't meeting the challenge effectively. The important issue is meeting the challenge with style. This game is intended to be about character. Everything that a PC does should reflect that character's personality. It just isn't going to have a great deal of plot and I can't promise that we'll ee any significant story elements unless you all try very hard. I'd advise you to look at games of divinity and see that there is an opportunity to roleplay within a mechanics focused game.
Assuming that I can find three players who are interested in this game, the first challenge will be a combination challenge/ character creation event: "Magnificent Abode of the Iron Magus". It should take the characters from their gauntlet at age 27 to being the age 43 magi which I hope to use for all further challenges. This challenge will involve the magi's own laboratories and sanctums.