Converting the Nigrasaxa adventure to 5th edition (ArM5e)

Games Discussion Ars Magica
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I'm currently introducing friends to Ars Magica, and after a first adventure run which introduced them to Mythic Europe (without any magi at all, to reduce complexity), I'm preparing the free Nigrasaxa adventure. I was expecting that someone had already converted it to fifth edition, but could not find anything on the net, so I'll share my first steps.

Converting the PC's was mostly unproblematic - I gave Ariel an MMF to bring him to 3 virtues/flaws and eliminated Weak Writer from Herrit. For Morlen, I replaced Obligation with Faerie Friend and eliminated Poor Reader. Siffed got Warped Magic and Weird Magic to bring the number of flaws up to five. For Thamik, I replaced "Follower of Verditius" with "Difficult Spontaneous Magic" and decided to keep "Deep Sleeper", even though it is not a Flaw under ArM5e rules. Adapting the known spells required some intuition

Converting the library of Nigrasaxa was more challenging. I converted all the libri quaestionum into tractatus, simply because a liber quaestionum may only be used once. Since book quality works differently in ArM4e, I decided not to try to calculate equivalent values but just went with values that seemed right. Quality should be higher than in ArM4, because quality is directly the number of xp you get (barring virtues), and Tractatus by the same author should have the same quality. The quality of tractatus by Maximianus of Bonisagus is unformly 8 (I just assumed Com +2), others are between 10 and 14.

Surely other people have already played Nigrasaxa in 5e - I'd be happy to hear your experiences, concerning both the conversion as well as the adventure itself (it does feel a bit outdated and bare-bones).

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I like the adventure and I’ve played it, GMing the middle chapter when our regular SG was out. My editorial advice is to change the name of the covenant, especially if you’re running for live players around a table where everyone will hear you say, and be expected to themselves say, “Nigrasaxa” multiple times every session. It just makes players uncomfortable. They feel like they’re being asked to say bad words, and we can avoid that whole problem by simply renaming the place, easy.

The word means Blackstone of course, which is a perfectly serviceable name, because the tower is literally made of black stone. So if you don’t want to change the name, simply refer to it always in translation. I always found Blackstone interesting because, beyond the obvious descriptive name, the name is presumably signaling the covenant as in opposition to Blackthorn. Otherwise, it seems weird that there’s two covenants in the same tribunal with such similar names.

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It took me a while to understand what you wanted to convey. It's good advice for Americans! We'll be playing in German, so the name will probably be less of an issue.

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I ran the first "chapter" of it for 5th edition as a one-shot, which went well, but we didn't use the player characters provided - I wanted to show off the flexibility of the chargen system (and had way too much time on my hands) so asked the novice players to give me character concepts for medieval wizards, which I then wrote up. Otherwise, I found the story works very well for 5th edition, but basically rewrote a lot of the stats from scratch. As you say, going with what feels right for the system is very much the way to go vs trying to figure out a conversion formula for everything

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Saxa is a brand of table salt in Australia, so I've always assumed it meant Black Salt.

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Saxa Rubra is a Roman place near Rome: the name means red rocks. Nigrasaxa would hence mean black rocks.

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Oh, no I'm sure you're correct. I just find it funny I misunderstood it for all these years.

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First time that I ran in the Rhine, I did that for Philipus Niger ex Flambeau which i turned into Black Peter/Schwarz Peter (while the dutch version has attracted a lot of negative attention, the Schwarz Peter that I grew up with a is chimney sweeping black cat). Now that I run again, I have Zwartpiet as the same chimney sweeping black cat, as the emissary of the urban Faerie court of Köln. Which made me go back to using Philipus Niger ex Flambeau in his original name, though since we play in German, the G isn't hard... and I still mostly refer to him as der Schawrz.

I had always read Nigrasaxa as "black sword", in reference to the Saxon Seax/Sax weapon.

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Since it was a little work to convert the characters, I'd like to post them here so that others may have it easier.

Looking at the 4th ed. stats, I noted two errors:

  • Morlen had 7 points spent on characteristics, despite the description of Sidhe Blood saying that the +1 presence had already been figured in. I corrected Morlen's Pre from 2 to 3 to reflect the Sidhe Blood.
  • Siffed had 9 points spent on characteristics, so I reduced Qik from 1 to -1 to get the points to 7.

Then I converted the characters to fifth edition.

  • There was no need to change the characteristics.
  • For the virtues and flaws, I added the required "The Gift" and "Hermetic Magus" as well as the House Virtue, where necessary. Some virtues/flaws no longer exist or were renamed, and the costs changed, so some characters needed more adaptations. Those are detailed below.
  • I added the personality traits of the example magi of the same house from the core book to all characters.
  • I replaced Scribe Latin 2/3, Speak English 4, Speak Latin 5 with with English 5, Latin 4, Artes Liberales 1. I also gave all characters Area Lore (Stonehenge Tribunal) 2. Most other abilities stayed the same.
  • The Arts did not need any changes.
  • Some spells no longer exist and I replaced them with similar spells. Some spells have different TeFo combinations or a different level.

So here are the resulting characters.

Ariel of House Flambeau
-Added Minor Magical Focus (Creating Flames) to balance virtues and flaws
-Replaced the spell "Thief of the Stolen Breath" with "Invocation of Weariness"

Characteristics: Int +3, Per +2, Pre –2, Com –1, Str +1, Stm +1, Dex 0, Qik 0
Size: 0
Age: 36
Decrepitude: 0
Warping Score: 0 (0)
Confidence Score: 1 (3)
Virtues: The Gift; Hermetic Magus; Puissant Ignem*; Affinity with Ignem; Minor Magical Focus (Creating Flames); Lightning Reflexes
Flaws: Creative Block; Clumsy; Short-lived Magic
Personality Traits: Brave +3, Wrathful +3, Thoughtful -2
Reputations:
Combat:
Soak: 1
Fatigue Penalties: OK, 0, -1, -3, -5, Unconscious
Wound Penalties: -1 (1-5), -3 (6-10), -5 (11-15), Incapacitated (16-20)
Abilities: English 5, Area Lore: Stonehenge Tribunal 2, Artes Liberales 1, Awareness 3, Concentration 1, Finesse 5, Latin 4, Magic Theory 4, Parma Magica 5, Penetration 6
Arts: Creo 10, Intéllego 0, Muto 7, Perdo 8, Rego 10, Animál 0, Aquam 0, Auram 7, Corpus 8, Herbam 0, Ignem 12+3, Imáginem 0, Mentem 0, Terram 0, Vim 0
Twilight scars: None
Encumbrance: 0 (0)
Spells known:
Charge of the Angry Winds (CrAu 15)
The Wound that Weeps (PeCo 15)
Invocation of Weariness (PeCo 20)
Gift of the Frog's Legs (ReCo 15)
Lamp Without Flame (CrIg 10)
Blade of the Virulent Flame (CrIg 15)
Arc of Fiery Ribbons (CrIg 25)
Prison of Flames (MuIg 20)
Conjuration of the Indubitable Cold (PeIg 25)
Burst of the Sweeping Flames (ReIg 25)
Ward Against Heat and Flames (ReIg 25)

Caltis of House Tremere
-The "No Sigil" flaw no longer exists
-Certamen is no longer an ability
-Replaced the spell "Circle of the Fairie Stone" with "Wall of Protecting Stone"

Characteristics: Int +3, Per 0, Pre +1, Com 0, Str +1, Stm +2, Dex -1, Qik -2
Size: 0
Age: 37
Decrepitude: 0
Warping Score: 0 (0)
Confidence Score: 1 (3)
Virtues: The Gift; Hermetic Magus; Minor Magical Focus (Certamen)*; Book Learner; Fast Caster; Side Effect; Strong-Willed
Flaws: Magic Addiction; Oversensitive (to disrespect)
Personality Traits: Authoritarian +3, Respectful +3, Brave +2
Reputations:
Combat:
Soak: 2
Fatigue Penalties: OK, 0, -1, -3, -5, Unconscious
Wound Penalties: -1 (1-5), -3 (6-10), -5 (11-15), Incapacitated (16-20)
Abilities: English 5, Area Lore: Stonehenge Tribunal 2, Artes Liberales 1, Concentration 5, Finesse 4, Folk Ken 3, Guile 2, Latin 4, Order of Hermes Lore 2, Intrigue 2, Magic Theory 4, Parma Magica 4, Penetration 3
Arts: Creo 10, Intéllego 7, Muto 8, Perdo 10, Rego 8, Animál 0, Aquam 0, Auram 0, Corpus 0, Herbam 0, Ignem 0, Imáginem 0, Mentem 0, Terram 12, Vim 7
Twilight scars: None
Encumbrance: 0 (0)
Spells known:
Seal the Earth (CrTe 15)
Wall of Protecting Stone (CrTe 25)
Eyes of the Treacherous Terrain (InTe 15)
The Crystal Dart (MuTe 10)
Earth that Breaks No More (MuTe 20)
Pit of the Gaping Earth (PeTe 15)
Stone to Falling Dust (PeTe 20)
Trackless Step (ReTe 10)
The Unseen Porter (ReTe 10)
Hands of the Grasping Earth (ReTe 15)

Herrit of House Tytalus
-The "Weak Writer" flaw no longer exists

Characteristics: Int +3, Per 0, Pre 0, Com -2, Str -1, Stm +1, Dex +1, Qik +2
Size: 0
Age: 39
Decrepitude: 0
Warping Score: 0 (0)
Confidence Score: 2 (5)
Virtues: The Gift; Hermetic Magus; Self-Confident*; Gentle Gift; Keen Vision; Quiet Magic
Flaws: Flawed Parma Magica (Ignem); Noncombatant; Tormenting Master
Personality Traits: Argumentative +3, Brave +2, Trusting -2
Reputations:
Combat:
Soak: 1
Fatigue Penalties: OK, 0, -1, -3, -5, Unconscious
Wound Penalties: -1 (1-5), -3 (6-10), -5 (11-15), Incapacitated (16-20)
Abilities: English 5, Area Lore: Stonehenge Tribunal 2, Artes Liberales 1, Concentration 3, Folk Ken 5, Order of Hermes Lore 3, Intrigue 4, Latin 4, Magic Theory 4, Parma Magica 4, Penetration 3
Arts: Creo 8, Intéllego 10, Muto 0, Perdo 8, Rego 10, Animál 0, Aquam 0, Auram 0, Corpus 12, Herbam 0, Ignem 0, Imáginem 7, Mentem 7, Terram 0, Vim 0
Twilight scars: None
Encumbrance: 0 (0)
Spells known:
The Chirurgeon's Healing Touch (CrCo 20)
The Inexorable Search (InCo 20)
The Eye of the Sage (InCo 30)
Grip of the Choking Hand (PeCo 25)
Rise of the Feathery Body (ReCo 10)
Endurance of the Berserkers (ReCo 15)
Strings of the Unwilling Marionette (ReCo 25)
Veil of Invisibility (PeIm 20)
Wizard's Sidestep (ReIm 10)
Posing the Silent Question (InMe 20)
Confusion of the Numbed Will (ReMe 15)
Aura of Rightful Authority (ReMe 20)

Morlen of House Merinita
-Increased Presence to 3 to account for "Sidhe Blood"
-The "Poor Reader" flaw no longer exists
-Replaced the flaw "Obligation" (no longer exists) with "Faerie Friend"

Characteristics: Int +3, Per 0, Pre +3, Com 1, Str -2, Stm -1, Dex +1, Qik 0
Size: 0
Age: 39
Decrepitude: 0
Warping Score: 0 (0)
Confidence Score: 1 (3)
Virtues: The Gift; Hermetic Magus; Faerie Magic; Free Study; Inventive Genius; Sidhe Blood
Flaws: Faerie Friend; Loose Magic; Poor Student
Personality Traits: Mercurial +3, Honest -2, Reliable -3
Reputations:
Combat:
Soak: 0
Fatigue Penalties: OK, 0, -1, -3, -5, Unconscious
Wound Penalties: -1 (1-5), -3 (6-10), -5 (11-15), Incapacitated (16-20)
Abilities: English 5, Area Lore: Stonehenge Tribunal 2, Artes Liberales 1, Awareness 4, Concentration 2, Faerie Lore 6, Faerie
Magic 1, Finesse 5, Order of Hermes Lore 1, Magic Theory 5, Music (Lute) 4, Parma Magica 2
Arts: Creo 7, Intéllego 10, Muto 10, Perdo 8, Rego 0, Animál 0, Aquam 7, Auram 8, Corpus 0, Herbam 0, Ignem 0, Imáginem 12, Mentem 0, Terram 0, Vim 0
Twilight scars: None
Encumbrance: 0 (0)
Spells known:
Touch of the Pearls (InAq 5)
Breath of Winter (ReAq 15)
Whispering Winds (InAu 15)
Clouds of Thunderous Might (ReAu 30)
Phantasmal Animal (CrIm 20)
The Ear for Distant Voices (InIm 20)
Discern the Images of Truth and Falsehood (InIm 30)
Disguise of the Transformed Image (MuIm 15)
Image Phantom (MuIm 20)
Silence of the Smothered Sound (PeIm 20)
Veil of Invisibility (PeIm 20)

Siffed of House Criamon
-Dropped Qik to -1 to arrive at the correct number of points;
-Added "Warped Magic" and "Weird Magic" to balance the increased cost of "Gentle Gift".
-Replaced the spells"Subtle Shift of Heart" and "Emotion of Reversed Intentions" with "Panic of the Trembling Heart" and "Rising Ire"

Characteristics: Int +3, Per +1, Pre +1, Com +2, Str 0, Stm 0, Dex -2, Qik -1
Size: 0
Age: 40
Decrepitude: 0
Warping Score: 0 (0)
Confidence Score: 1 (3)
Virtues: The Gift; Hermetic Magus; The Enigma; Gentle Gift; Cyclic Magic (pos., day); Piercing Gaze
Flaws: Cyclic Magic (neg.,night); Incomprehensible; Lame; Warped Magic; Weird Magic
Personality Traits: Enthusiastic +3, Friendly +2, Practical -3
Reputations:
Combat:
Soak: 0
Fatigue Penalties: OK, 0, -1, -3, -5, Unconscious
Wound Penalties: -1 (1-5), -3 (6-10), -5 (11-15), Incapacitated (16-20)
**Abilities:**English 5, Area Lore: Stonehenge Tribunal 2, Artes Liberales 1, Awareness 3, Charm 5, Concentration 4, Enigmatic Wisdom 3, Folk Ken 6, Guile 5, Latin 4, Oder of Hermes Lore 2, Magic Theory 4, Parma Magica 2
Arts: Creo 7, Intéllego 10, Muto 10, Perdo 7, Rego 8, Animál 0, Aquam 0, Auram 0, Corpus 0, Herbam 0, Ignem 0, Imáginem 8, Mentem 12, Terram 0, Vim 0
Twilight scars: None
Encumbrance: 0 (0)
Spells known:
Phantasm of the Talking Head (CrIm 10)
Disguise of the Transformed Image (MuIm 15)
Panic of the Trembling Heart (CrMe 15)
Rising Ire (CrMe 15)
Memory of the Distant Dream (CrMe 20)
Perception of the Conflicting Motives (InMe 15)
Peering into the Mortal Mind (InMe 30)
Trust of Childlike Faith (PeMe 10)
Blessing of Childlike Bliss (PeMe 25)
The Call to Slumber (ReMe 10)
Snap of Awakening (ReMe 10)
Scent of Peaceful Slumber (ReMe 20)

Thamik of House Verditius
-Replaced the flaw "Follower of Verditius" with "Difficult Spontaneous Magic"
-Substituted "Philosophiae" for "Verditius Magic" ability

Characteristics: Int +3, Per +1, Pre –2, Com –1, Str 0, Stm +1, Dex +2, Qik 0
Size: 0
Age: 34
Decrepitude: 0
Warping Score: 0 (0)
Confidence Score: 1 (3)
Virtues: The Gift; Hermetic Magus; Verditius Magic; Inventive Genius; Puissant Craft; Secret Vis Source; Special Circumstances (in a forest)
Flaws: Clumsy Magic; Deep Sleeper; Difficult Spontaneous Magic; Weakness
Personality Traits: Disciplined +3, Perfectionist +3, Spontaneous -2
Reputations:
Combat:
Soak: 1
Fatigue Penalties: OK, 0, -1, -3, -5, Unconscious
Wound Penalties: -1 (1-5), -3 (6-10), -5 (11-15), Incapacitated (16-20)
Abilities: English 5, Area Lore: Stonehenge Tribunal 2, Artes Liberales 1, Concentration 3, Craft: Woodcrafter 6+2, Latin 4, Order of Hermes Lore 3, Magic Theory 5, Parma Magica 2, Philosophiae 1
Arts: Creo 7, Intéllego 8, Muto 8, Perdo 7, Rego 10, Animál 0, Aquam 0, Auram 0, Corpus 0, Herbam 12, Ignem 0, Imáginem 0, Mentem 0, Terram 0, Vim 10
Twilight scars: None
Encumbrance: 0 (0)
Spells known:
Trap of the Entwining Vines (CrHe 15)
Wall of Thorns (CrHe 20)
Intuition of the Forest (InHe 10)
Shriek of the Impending Shafts (InHe 15)
Converse with Plant and Tree (InHe 25)
Repel the Wooden Shafts (ReHe 10)
Tangle of Wood and Thorns (ReHe 15)
Freeing the Striding Tree (ReHe 30)
Maintaining the Demanding Spell (ReVi 20)

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I believe Nigrasaxa is "black rocks" for the towers; Libellas is "little book", Semitae is "pathways" - sort of winding track i expect giving it travels. Ungulus is ungulate so hoof? The hoof makes little sense so maybe claw of the dragon? Voluntas is "the will" - i think will to power here after Julia's schemes, and Blackthorn is a Somerset cider maker.

I have no idea what Caer Gadu means - Castle something in Welsh?

David Chart will be able to tell you the real meaning of the names. Burnham is a village in Norfolk but probably in Northumbria as well.

And it took me ages tonight to see why saying Nigrasaxa might be upsetting to anyone but i get it now. I'd totally avoid that in the USA! (Less of an issue in nations where the root is clear and the word nigra has no unpleasant connotations. Blæcan Toras the OE for the Black Towers might work?

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Hi, may I suggest you opening a new topic if you want to discuss names in Stonehenge tribunal? This topic is supposed to be about conversion of the adventure to 5e.

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Does it matter? Why?

Topics drift, and converting Nigrasaxa to 5th is pretty straightforward. I am sure the characters are still online from when I did them, and the rest of it you can just run from the 4th ed version and convert loosely on the fly? I think you can run almost any earlier adventure without reworking anything but the characters?

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