In my experience, a magus who is too much specialized as a lab rat isn't much fun to play, since it becomes either hard to involve him in stories, or he ends up ill-fitted to them. So make sure your character is designed from the start with reasons for going on stories, either as part of his background/personality, or because he has a major story flaw that forces him to become involved.
The way we do things in this saga is that you need at least 2 other players to "like" your concept before you can fuly develop it. Those likes represent a commitment by those players to create and run stories for your character.
Once you have an approved concept, I'll create a character development topic for you, where you will be able to flesh out your characters -- initially that is your magus, but it will also be used for a companion, familiar, draft out new spells or enchantments, etc.
Once your magus is fully formed at the time he passes his Hauntlet, I will create a character sheet topic where you will put the final version (including his familar, enchantments, etc.)
Leonardo ex Tytalus
Leonardo isn't much to look at: A small, gaunt man, balding at a young age. But maybe it is this unthreatening appearance that makes him an excellent teacher, or maybe it is his unparalleled communicative talent. Anyway, he has made it his task to convince hedge magi to join the order themselves, or to allow their apprentices to become Hermetic Magi. And since the Force is with him, he makes an excellent ambassador who can competently conserve the talents of those new recruits.
Stories:
Anything to do with apprentices (House Tytalus loves them!)
I have a Tytalus as well, but I think your concept would be a good complement to my character. We will probably want to coordinate our backstories too depending on where you plan on your magus being from.
Also, if you are looking at schooling, my magus has good teacher and com +2, so he would be interested and useful. Something where I can support your plans and story IC
I think we've been doing things fine. I don't really see an issue with being strict about expectations as long you clearly communicate them, which I think you've done a pretty good job on.
Hello,
I have been mulling over a few different concepts and think this one will be the most interesting. Though there could of course be problems with a Quaesitor living at the site so perhaps its undesirable, if so, I will simply play something else.
Balatro of Guernicus
A comically looking man. Hunchbacked with ill-fitting bright clothes. Balatro however takes full advantage of this, as well as his reputation as fool and untalented magus, for his Quaesitor duties. Favouring being underestimated and mundane methods of investigation.
Stories
Investigations.
Guernicus politics.
Trying to make the covenant follow the Code.
Problems of potentially being under 3 different Peripheral Codes.
It is customary to introduce yourself in the Table Talk (OOC) before jumping into character concepts. It lets people know you and where you are coming from, game-wise. It helps the other players get a feeling of your experience with Ars Magica and PbP sagas.
I'll let the other players comment on the concept for now!
I was also thinking of a Guernicus, but if Whaler has a strong predilection I'd rather let you play one than me.
My idea was:
a transicionalist that wants apprentices to have rights under the code
he himself has been accidentally damaged by his parens during apprenticeship
his parens consider his agenda a personal insult (tormenting master) because 1) it was an accident; and 2) he tried to compensate by dedicating more time to instruction (strong parens virtue)
he is actually proud of his parens and wants to enforce the same responsabillity through the strong arm of the Hermetic Law
could either be an ally or an antagonist to Abaelard's character (wouldn't be happy with more hedge magi joining because he thinks the other magi will not support more benefits for hedge magi apprentices, but is in full support for a reform on the Tytalus way of teaching)
EDIT: thinking again, this one doesn't seem like it will be fun to play, even with major corrections. Disregard this one.
A second concept that I'm entertaining:
________ of Bonisagus (still recognizes himself as a Criamon)
Started as Criamon, talented at Creo and Auran (Affinity with Auran). Terrible temper (Fury, maybe Wrathful).
Stole lab text for Incantation of Lightning (barely manageable for him towards the final years of apprenticeship, may require apt student).
Fury triggers one day, huge lab accident, and he discovers that when his temper goes really bad the target of Incantation of Lightning is imbued of perdo vis (Personal Vis Source, he can't really control this).
A bonisagus got reeeally interested in that (how does CrAu generates Pe???). Used all kind of mentem spells to try to control or change the generated vis (triggering anger with CrMe, using MuMe to see if he would generates creo vis, etc). No success. Tried with other spells, also no success (possible source of a Flawed Parma (Mentem)).
His current goal is to build a safe device to discharge his vis (probably a glass bottle that would trigger something similar to Gather the Essence of the Beast when hit by lightining), possibly his future talisman and to control his temper.
Would really love to spend the rest of his life thinking about the Enigma and the Wind.
I know this one still requires some thinking to become a magus easier to run stories. I'd accept suggestions.
I can also think of a few more options if needeed.
I want to heart your character so hard, but I am already committed to 2 and soon I will be running all stories duento loving character concepts too much!
@Arthur, I'm aware of the validation. That reminds me, should we look at the already created magi and commit to run stories for two of them?
What about updating on Notes and Claims storyguide commitments?
Since you ask directly, ... no I am not going to answer that question, because there are good reasons to be critical, and if it works for you, I have no reason to criticise, ... but I can comment on consequences.
For me, the play-to-prep ratio drops too low. I draw inspiration from play, or rather from the interaction of roleplay, and I only have little bit to get me through chargen, before play starts. When chargen takes too long, for whatever reason, I burn out. Of course, high standards for chargen and preparation is only one of many reasons for its taking time. I have no idea how important each reason is, nor how many burn out as easily as I do. All I can do is to point out the causality, and leave to others to draw conclusions.
