Authoritative Authors

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Dormon
Hermetic Name: Duras ex Miscellanea
Hibernia Tribunal, Stonehenge Tribunal
Reputation:Unskilled author 2 (Hermetic)
Preferred Topics: Order, Magic Lore, Parma Magica

Though most Hermetic authors look down on the less eloquent of authors, their work is not without merit. Duras ex Miscellanea is a fine example of this - Dormon, as he usually was called. He was not a very educated author, but his focus of study was upon hedge witches and wizards, coming from Hibernia as he did. Students seeking to learn more of a particular tradition would be well to seek his work out, because most authors do not deign upon such a subject.

Dormon spent most of his Hermetic life working as a facilitator between hedge traditions and the Hermetic Order in Hibernia and Stonehenge, helping the less adept hedge mages work with the intricate political dangers of the Order. He firmly believed that the Order would be stronger by properly integrating hedge tradition allies, even if they were not full members of the Order. Dormon was Marched in Normandy under suspicion of leaking magical secrets to Hedge traditions.

Order Primier for New Allies

Order Primier for New Allies, Dormon; Order of Hermes Lore summa in Gaelic, Cornish and Latin, Level 3 Quality 7

Dormon penned this book as a gift to his hedge wizard friends, a guide for interacting with the magi from the Order of Hermes. While a few of his sodales in the Tribunal were upset about the book, this work actually helped smoothe over a number of initial meetings with the local hedge wizards, and focused entirely on the social aspects of the Order.

Basic Defense

Basic Defense, Dormon; Parma Magica Tractata in Latin, Quality 7

Techncially, these books are untitled, the first sentence talks about the importance of basic magical defense. There are four books in total, which is an impressive number for an ill-regarded, ill-educated backwater mage. Unfortunately, this also got Dormon marched by an angry Quaesitor in a visit to Normandy. It was judged that the creation of the books was a high crime by the Quaesitor, and suspecting that Dormon was selling knowledge of Parma to his hedge allies, had him immediately slain. All copies of this book were claimed by the Tytalus who slew him. Since the Guernicus declared reproduction and sale of the book to be a crime, members of the Tytali's bloodline usually have short Wizards Wars amongst themselves to trade the books around.

Things Ghosts Say

Things Ghosts Say, Dormon; Magic Lore tractatus in Latin, Quality 7

An early work from the rarely appreciated Dormon, Things Ghosts Say describes his time with a Tremere necromancer during a trip in the Rhine tribunal. With a surprising politic decision, Dormon included almost nothing regarding the actual magic performed by his traveling companion, instead recording the discussions and interrogations of the ghosts the pair found and called upon during their journey. There is a similar book written by his companion, Astillian (Quality 5).

Hedge Witch

Hedge Witch, Dormon; Hedge Witch Lore tractatus in Latin, Quality 7

Dormon wrote a number of these small informational texts, imparting the basic information necessary for peaceful and profitable interaction with different Hedge Witch traditions. He's known to have written primers for witch cults in Cornwall, Wales, Brittany, and much of Hibernia. Storyguides may decide each of these is their own cult lore at their discretion.

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Iurgium ex Tytalus
Hermetic Name: Iurgium ex Tytalus
Normandy Tribunal
Reputation: Terrible storyteller, skilled author 3 (Hermetic)
Preferred Topics: Magic Lore

Iurgium is a magus that other members of his house point to as an example of the efficacy of their beliefs. During his apprenticeship, Iurgium was blinded, but perservered, and was Gauntleted with some amount of honor due to his struggles. His inability to read was crippling to his advancement from there. He was forgotten for a decade soon after, but suddenly appeared at the gates of Cad Gadu in Stonehenge with no warning. He was met by the Primus of the time, Immanola, who spoke briefly with him and sent one of the other Magi there to guide him to back to his covenant in return for a promised book.

Iurgium's return was shocking to his Covenant, as he was now sighted, but had smoldering, burning pits where his useless eyes once were. According to him, Iurgium had slain a dragon and stolen his eyes to repair his own, and his abject refusal of his blinded state showed his Essential nature to be sighted. He immediately set about writing a book which he sent to Cad Gadu, reportedly still in their library. Many other high-quality books of his have since surfaced, though most of them contain a large amount of bragadocious storytelling which cause some to dislike them.

Favors Returned

Favors Returned by Iurgium ex Tytalus, Magic Lore Summa in Latin, Level 6 Quality 11

The book gifted to Cad Gadu, a single known copy of it was made for Voluntas to pay off a debt. Cad Gadu claims Cow and Calf rights to the texts. This book is a surprisingly simple text, with clear and precise language. It speaks of the Magical Realm, six known locations in which someone would be able to enter the Magical Realm (Including near Cad Gadu, two in Thebes, one in the city of Rome.) It can also act as an Area Lore (Magic Realm) tractatus.

On Dragons and Slaying

On Dragons and Slaying by Iurgium ex Tytalus, Magic Lore tractatus in Latin, Quality 11

A very expositionary tale of Arturos the Brave, a young wizard's drive and urges to better himself, and how he drove himself to victory. Despite the fact it shows an unrealistic story of Tytalian glory and dragon-slaying, the actual information on the wyrms is highly accurate.

Genies and Their Uses

Genies and Their Uses by Iurgium ex Tytalus, Magic Lore tractatus in Latin, Quality 11

Another grand adventure by the brilliant Tytalian Magus Arturos, this time through the mysterious lands of the Levant, hunting down his kidnapped fiance princess and rescuing her from vile Sahir and their Genie servants. Again, the actual story is unrealistic and full of bravado, but the technical information on Djin and their magic is frighteningly accurate.

Ghosts and Where to Kill Them

Ghosts and Where to Kill Them by Iurgium ex Tytalus, Mentem tractatus in Latin, Quality 11

Delightfully, another adventure from our intrepid Arturos, who is struggling to rescue his princess from the vile depredations of a Tremere who was secretly a vampire. He may have been weakened by the season-long eclipse the wicked Tremere caused, but he did manage to rescue his princess. He was unable to share the secrets of the vampires, due to not wanting to breach the Code of Tremere House secrets, but the information he has on ghosts and spirits is incredibly useful.

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Inaltum ex Tremere
Hermetic Name: Inaltum ex Tremere
Transylvanian Tribunal
Reputation: Passing author on Enchanting 4(Hermetic)
Preferred Topics: Muto, Terram, Herbam

Inaltum is a magus few know about outside of the Tremere. He grew up as a refugee from Constantinople, and was sent by the Tremere in Thebes to Transylvania for training. He found a skill for creating wands and staves, and often helped his superiors in their construction with his unique insights. It was during his later years he began to pen texts for study. Inaltum wrote many of his findings in staff-crafting, and wand-making. He was quite exhaustive over his study of different materials and uses in wand and staff production - with a specific focus on materials which would survive use should adventure or battle befall the magus using it.

Composition of a Staff

Composition of a Staff by Inaltum ex Tremere, Herbam tractatus in Latin, Quality 9

Inaltum spent a number of seasons - almost three years - having skilled woodworkers create a number of staves for study and use. The Tremere determined that dense, hardwood staves were always good to use, to the limit of your crafter's skill. Reading this book thoroughly can bestow the Shape and Material bonus for Ebony (+4 to hardness or density).

Creation of Wand and Rod

Creation of Wand and Rod by Inaltum ex Tremere, Terram tractatus in Latin, Quality 9

This book is the culmination of a few years' work on wand construction, with a study on rods and scepters as well. Inaltum had found many of his wands from wood were too fragile in longer and harder use. With a wooden core, a metallic sheath would add both ornate and durable options to the wand's construction. While you could make a solid metal wand, Inaltum preferred the dual construction. For pure metal, Inaltum made rods and scepters, which also were more impressive to wield for those who cared on such things. This in-depth work can teach the Shape and Material bonus for Rod or Scepter (+5 control or command living creatures)

Delicate and Deliberate Wand Crafting

Delicate and Deliberate Wand Crafting by Inaltum ex Tremere, Herbam Tractatus in Latin, Quality 9

As an extended study on wands and woods, Inaltum crafted a large number of wands of differing woods with differing spells. While the synergies between material and enchantment cannot be denied, Inaltum proposes that if possible, a good dark hardwood wand can be made sturdy and light, allowing for a greater variety in triggering motions, which can be much safer to avoid accidents and theft. The reader can learn to the Shape and Material bonus for African Blackwood (+4 hardness and density) though accessing such a material would require contacts in northern Africa.

Staves as Sturdy Defense

Staves as Sturdy Defense by Inaltum ex Tremere, Terram Tractatus in Latin, Quality 9

While many Tremere have stepped away from wands for a more convenient wand, the utility of a full-sized staff is something Inaltum supported. Despite creating countless wands for research and use, Inaltum himself had a staff that he always used. His personal staff was a melange of many types of stone melded into a single long rod. One of the greatest benefits of proper staff Inaltum found was the basic defense in case of an emergency. This book can impart the reader an understanding of the expanded Shape and Material bonus for Jade (+6 toughness or resilience)

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Ostentatia Trianoma ex Bonisagus
Hermetic Name: Ostentatia ex Bonisagus
Provencal Tribunal
Reputation: Very mediocre author of many subjects 3 (Hermetic)
Preferred Topics: Magic Theory, many Arts

The maga Ostentatia is one who is not well known nowadays, but when she was alive the Bonisagus was known as an author and a socialite. She claimed to be trained both as a diplomat and a magical scholar, but most who knew her believe she was skilled at neither. What she did have going for her was energy and drive. She prodigiously sold copies of her books, often penning work after work. One of her Jerbiton peers has stated a powerful relief that she never picked up any artistic claims, because he would hate to be obligated to review all of that work. Most of her works had a confirmed production of over a dozen.

Research and Study of Basic Magical Theory

Research and Study of Basic Magical Theory by Ostentatia Trianoma ex Bonisagus, Magic Theory tractatus in Latin, Quality 7

Ostentatia had two different people request copies of this book, because they were having trouble finding texts and she was being efluvient about her production. Having determined that she had proof of this books brilliance, she had a dozen copies of it produced for the next Tribunal, where she managed to sell a single one. She was not deterred from her goal. This book is actually pretty easy to find a copy of.

Deep Explorations of Ring Crafting

Deep Explorations of Ring Crafting by Ostentatia Trianoma ex Bonisagus, Magic Theory tractatus in Latin, Quality 7

A gift scribed for a Verditius she had a fancy for, this book refined over a year of study on magical item creation focused on jewelry, to aid her dear ally and advance his art. This being a gift for one individual, she did not mass produce and resell this book for a number of years. (She still produced a lot of them.)

The Power of Fish

The Power of Fish by Ostentatia Trianoma ex Bonisagus, Aquam tractatus in Latin, Quality 7

Ostentatia was known to obsess in topic after topic. This particular work was an advanced study on the food web of fish in the Mediterranean coast, utilizing a number of mer-folk faeries as informational sources. The specific science behind the fish-eat-fish competition is spurious at best, but there is quite a lot of good concepts hidden amongst the faerie-inspired fantasies.

Useful Purposes for Your Flambeaux

Useful Purposes for Your Flambeaux by Ostentatia Trianoma ex Bonisagus, Ignem tractatus in Latin, Quality 7

Generally regarded to be one of her best works, and not for its educational content, this tome covers a wide variety of uses for Ignem that don't involve burning someone to death. In addition to the surprisingly thoughtful applications of Ignem magic, this book also makes a skilled mockery of certain individuals who seemed to believe the Art of fire was mostly useful for murder and chaos.

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Etenos ex Guernicus
Hermetic Name: Etenos ex Guernicus
Levant Tribunal
Reputation: Honest Terram magus 2 (Hermetic)
Preferred Topics: Terram, Rego, Finesse

Etenos was trained near Rome, and had a strong pious bent. This belief often got him in trouble as a youth, and instead of being guided to Quaesitor status, he ended as an earth magus, and a Hoplite. He accompanied his elder Quaesitor when the latter was sent to the Levant to watch over the Tribunal, and with the Quaesitor's failing physical capabilities, Etenos acted as scribe and assistant to the man he also guarded. This lead into him developing a talent with the quill, and as the Quaesitor became less and less active, he turned to authoring books.

Earth and Stone

Earth and Stone by Etenos ex Guernicus, Terram summa in Latin, Level 18 quality 11

His final work, and an exhaustive one, Earth and Stone is also his best-known work. In his aging years, he accumulated a large volume of experiments and studies, and when he was bedridden he decided to work them together into a single work. In addition to discussing how to use the Art, it has a section discussing differing types of sand, loam, earth, minerals, and more, helping a magus decide on the correct representation of Terram for any particular use.

Practices in Accuracy

Practices in Accuracy by Etenos ex Guernicus, Rego tractatus in Latin, Quality 11

A series of training exercises and practices that Etenos used to increase his accuracy with magical spells. It includes utilizing clay-fired pots, spheres, and rods as tools to show a mastery of finesse and precision. At the storyguide's option, after reading this book, the reader may Practice finesse later in the same year for an additional +2 xp.

Peripheral Code Between Tribunals

Peripheral Code Between Tribunals by Etenos ex Guernicus, Code of Hermes tractatus in Latin, Quality 11

Etenos's first real work, it was a report on the changes in the Levant Tribunal peripheral code, but developed into a study of the differences between it and the Roman Tribunal, and how it changed the Hermetic culture.

Manifold Earth

Manifold Earth by Etenos ex Guernicus, Terram tractatus in Latin, Quality 11

This book studies the numerous uses of clay in spellcasting - a malleable medium, a sharpened ceramic, hardened shards. While it does touch upon the uses of turning earth to clay, it is more specific in utilizing clay itself. It includes a sample spell called Field of Mud, which turns a large area of terrain into a sloshing wet clay to bind and restrict those trying to move within it.

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Bubonem ex Miscellanea
Hermetic Name: Bubonem ex Miscellanea
Roman and Thebes Tribunal
Reputation: Troublemaker Quaesitor 2 (Roman), Upstanding Quaesitor and Teacher 4(Thebes)
Preferred Topics: Magic Theory, Teaching, Intellego

Originally, Bubonem ex Miscellanea was a young magus in Rome, who was very active and keen in proving himself and solving problems. It did seem no matter how much he tried the Magi of the Tribunal did not accept his work - often his successes were attributed to his allies, and unrelated failures tied to him, a mere hedge wizard in civilized land. It was a reputation he was unable to shake for a long time, even after a traveling Guernicus began training him as a Quaesitor; a pity case, the peers called it.

Bubonem was an idealist, however, and finally given a modicum of power and self-guidance, he spoke with his superiors and moved his residence to the Theban Tribunal. There, his reputation was not at disadvantage from his mentor's history. Though he was a foreign magus, he learned the local language and customs, pleased by the stronger examples of Tribunal cohesiveness displayed. He took in foundling apprentices whose original masters were lost during training, and developed a record as a teacher as well as investigator. He would have been quite renowned, if he hadn't had a disadvantage of primarily speaking Latin, but he was content with no longer being disregarded.

Design Notes: This is actually a character from one of my players, used with his permission. Thanks, friend!

An Apprentice's Legacy

An Apprentice's Legacy by Bubonem ex Miscellanea, Teaching Summa in Latin, Level 4 Quality 11

Bubonem wrote this book while he was training his second apprentice. This second apprentice was adopted when another Ex Miscellanea died during the apprentice's training. While he could not fault the others' methods of teaching, Bubonem had more skill with such and found a lot of habits the apprentice had that he would not have accepted. This is a thoughtful work on how teaching leaves an impression on the student for a long, long time.

Gifted Children and Their Habits

Gifted Children and Their Habits by Bubonem ex Miscellanea, Teaching tractatus in Latin, Quality 11

This carefully scribed opus is a work that Bubonem gave as a gift to his first filius when the magus heard the man had found an apprentice of his own. The younger magus thanked his parens, then turned around and sold a few copies of the book for extra funding.

Analysis and Examination of Popular Magic

Analysis and Examination of Popular Magic by Bubonem ex Miscellanea, Magic Theory tractatus in Latin, Quality 12

A commentary and review of one of the most popular Magic Theory primer books in the Roman tribunal [Level 4 Quality 8], it specifically called out parts of the book that have since been reviewed and disproven by researchers in House Bonisagus, but the work itself was still regularly copied and sold because of a lack of Cow and Calf oath on it. Bubonem released this book during his training as a Quaesitor, and allowed it to be freely copied to try and save young magi from critical errors in experimenting.

The Art of Information

The Art of Information by Bubonem ex Miscellanea, Intellego Summa in Latin, Level 19 Quality 13

A work comissioned by the Tribunal to be shared by the younger Quaesitores when Bubonem began to feel Warping and age in his body. He paid an allied Jerbiton for a few ritual spells to increase his capabilities before penning this work. There is a version in Greek at Quality 11.

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Lycan the Wolf, Lycan of Merinita
Hermetic Name: Lycans ex Merinita
Rhine Tribunal
Reputation: Fae-drunk braggart 2 (Rhine)
Preferred Topics: Muto, Animal

Lycan of Merinita was a wild feral-born Merinita who lived in the Rhine. Common stories and many beliefs claim he was a were-wolf, and the forefather of a tribe of roaming werewolves still in the forests near Dankmar. Other stories claim that he was not at all a Lycanthrope, but was trying to create a faerie-based line of werewolf servants. Either way, when alive, Lycan was known as an influential troublemaker during his time.

Blood of the Wolves

Blood of the Wolves by Lycan of Merinita, Animal Summa in Latin, Level 17 Quality 10

While this book's description often reads like a study on wolves and beasts, rather than an exhaustive animal text, it actually uses a wolf-pack as a point of view in the full ecological web of the forests. It studies prey and predators, the differences between different forests, hereditary wolf-pack traits, and more. It grants a surprising insight into all sorts of variation in different animal forms.

Transformations of Man

Transformations of Man by Lycan of Merinita, Muto Summa in Latin, Level 19 Quality 10

This rarer tome is a fully in-depth work involving transformation, shapeshifting, and mutation. The techniques used in spell design are fair on brilliant, and applicable to not only the work of human-beast shapeshifting, but to any sort of living being to other form. This work even has a section on the physical, emotional, and mental side-effects of prolongued shapeshifting.

Sight Beyond Sight

Sight Beyond Sight by Lycan of Merinita, Second Sight tractatus in Latin, Quality 11

A number of these books were in Irencillia and given to exiting magi as gifts when they left to other tribunals. While a number of magi in House Merinita possess the Second Sight, tomes that adequately describe its varied uses and techniques for improvement are surprisingly rare.

Beast and Flesh

Beast and Flesh by Lycan the Wolf, Shapeshifter tractatus in Latin, Quality 11

A rare book that has been seen by a few in Irencillia, and Dankmar has claimed was stolen from its library. While many might say the book is nothing particularly important, it had become a sore point between certain members of the Rhine tribunal as to its disposition and posession, before the trouble faded into memory along with many other things. Irencillia claims the book was written by their House member Lycan, and Dankmar claims the book was not written by a magus but by one of their servants.

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Filiaventus ex Bonisagus
Hermetic Name: Filiaventus ex Bonisagus
Roman Tribunal
Reputation: Brilliant ward specialist 4 (Hermetic)
Preferred Topics: Rego, Vim, Magic Theory

Filiaventus ex Bonisagus was trained originally in the Rhine. His origin is a bit controversial, claimed first by a Merinita, but taken as an apprentice by a Bonisagus who was intent on learning more about the faeries. His faerie blood made him a subject of study, and he learned to dislike most of his Hermetic bretheren. Even after being released into Hermetic society as a full magus, his temperament and reclusive nature made him not well liked at Tribunal, and the social friction from Archmagi against his attitude lead him to migrate to the Roman tribunal.

It was a completely new social environment where he flourished. The magi in his new convenant forgave many of his social foibles and covered for him, as their Bonisagus partner mentally ravaged their library and began correcting and rewriting many of the dying covenant's old and outdated books. Well after Filiaventus's death, the covenant finally opened up its stores to sell books after two of their living vis sources slew each other.

Correction Upon Dasian's 'Theoretical Magic'

Correction Upon Dasian's 'Theoretical Magic' by Filiaventus ex Bonisagus, Magic Theory summa in Latin, Level 4 Quality 13

Filiaventus's first work, which earned him accord from his new covenant, was a result of his frustration and brilliance both. A well-read but aging opus of Dasian ex Bonisagus, Theoretical Magic had a number of salient points Filiaventus disagreed with, and did not expound upon topics he felt important. Thus, Filiaventus edited and rewrote the book with annotations and additions which vastly improved the book. The original book is Level 4 Quality 9.

Analysis of Testudinis's 'Comprehensible Description'

Analysis of Testudinis's 'Comprehensible Description' by Filiaventus ex Bonisagus, Vim tractatus in Latin, Quality 14

A commentary on a more recent work that had been spread around, and one of the few that Filiaventus had little bad to say about. While the actual descriptions of Vim working was inarguably atrocious, the concepts and ideas presented by the original author were insightful and brilliant, and Filiaventus did a fantastic job of describing the insights.

Four Conflicting Realms

Four Conflicting Realms by Filiaventus ex Bonisagus, Vim summa in Latin, Level 9 Quality 16

While this book provides great educational opportunities, the book itself is denigrating the read for their need in education. A true example of Filiaventus's personality, he explicitly points out that he has lowered the complexity level of his work so the less skilled can understand his meanings. Few magi will admit to reading this book outside of apprenticeship. It describes the four realms, and techniques of interacting with them using magic - specifically how each realm will need unique spells to affect them, and you, the reader, and an idiot for only learning the Magical versions of those spells. At the storyguide's option, reading this book may provide a small bonus to inventing Warding effects later in the same year.

Order and Control

Order and Control by Filiaventus ex Bonisagus, Rego tractatus in Latin, Quality 13

Filiaventus's most widely renowned work, in part because it was secretly edited by one of his covenant mates before distribution, correcting a number of disparaging comments that had been added in by the original author. This book discusses binding and controlling spirits, and the close relationship to wards. The unedited text is a full third longer due to the original author's commentaries about his peers.