Rival Magic - Legends of Hermes - The Church

Jabir · September 8, 2010, 1:13am

Michelle Nephew:

I just split this topic from the original thread, since it's become discussion rather then questions for Atlas. For your reference, here's the original post that started said discussion ...

AUG 16, 2010

Here's info on the three books I have completed manuscripts for, to make up for Thebes taking so long ...

RIVAL MAGIC
The Order of Hermes is supreme, unchallenged in its mastery of magic. All other magicians are hedge wizards ... maybe interesting to researchers, but certainly no threat. Or so magi of the Order tell each other. And most of them believe actually it.
The four traditions in this book prove the folly of that complacency:
[]The Augustan Brotherhood uses magic discovered in the tomb of Virgil to support its political ends. Its members serve as court wizards, relying on mundane force as much as magic.
[]The Soqotrans dwell quietly on their island in the distant east, staying out of politics and looking nervously at an expansionist Order.
[]The Amazons, warrior wizards beyond the borders of Europe, harbor a deep hatred of the Order for reasons that no magus could ever guess.
[]And in icy north, the Muspelli plot to release their jotun masters and destroy the world in frost and fire.
How long can the Order of Hermes maintain its pleasant illusion of superiority?

Wow, how many takes on the Order of Odin can one game have? I was pretty satisfied with the Hedge Magic writeup of rune magic myself.

I'm going to show my age and say I'm reminded of my days as a Runequest player when ever single publication printed a cult of Kyger Litor the Troll Mother.

The Soqutra stuff sounds pretty cool though, I'll give you that.

Mark_Shirley · September 8, 2010, 9:56am

The Muspelli are decidedly not a version of the Order of Odin, I can promise you that! As the blurb says, they serve the jotnar, who are the enemies of the Norse gods. That's not to say that if you are interested in stories about the "Order of Odin" that you won't find something of interest in Rival Magic...

Mark

Xavi · September 8, 2010, 10:09am

A bunch of gruagachan wielding runes. That is my wild guess here At least the jotunn have a brand of gruagachan-like humans descended from them

I can see the Muspelli being ENEMIES of the vitkir, not their allies. Enemy of my enemy is my friend and the Orders end up joining efforts?

Cheers,
Xavi

Mark_Shirley · September 8, 2010, 2:24pm

Except that runes are a gift from Odin, and unlikely to be the tools of his arch-enemies...

When faced with powerful enemies who want to destroy the world, all things are possible!
Mark

Xavi · September 8, 2010, 3:04pm

Ah yes, a small detail I overlooked :mrgreen: lol

Xavi

Vespasian · September 8, 2010, 8:37pm

Odin gave them to mankind, but who gave them to Odin?
He didn't dream them (all) up by himself

Xavi · September 8, 2010, 8:52pm

Wasn't the auto-sacrifice in Yggdrasil (impaling himself and hanging there for 9 days) what gave him the runes? So he gave the runes to himself.

Xavi

Jabir · September 9, 2010, 10:25pm

I was actually thinking of the Order of Odin in the general sense of mysterious and menacing Nordic magicians. I never really pictured them as actually serving Odin any more than the OOH serves Hermes. But it does sound like the Muspelli are futher afield than I had expected.

marklawford · October 23, 2010, 4:03pm

I noticed that Rival Magic is scheduled for December this year. Any word on whether that's achievable? Not that I'm wishing my life away but I'm looking forward to that book and Legends that follows it.

Erik_Tyrrell · October 23, 2010, 7:11pm

I spoke with Bobi two weeks ago and asked her about it, but she wasn't in a position to say. I'd say that at this point it's still possible

David_Chart · October 24, 2010, 11:45am

It was still achievable on Friday. It's not a resilient schedule, but it is still doable.

Fahkrin · October 26, 2010, 5:46pm

GIJoo:

The Fixer:

And didn't sahir already appear in one book? I believe it was in the Ex Misc chapter of HoH: MC, but may be wrong.
If I am, it ain't difficult to paint them as Magical Summoners (from RoP: tI), or full-fledged villains with Infernal Goetia powers (adding Commanding and all to summoning, although this'll make them really powerful).
IIRC, you could also probably use the Faerie powers in RoP: F

About the books: color me bad, but the Muspelli... I love end-of-the-world scenarios and ennemies (although the other rivals also look pretty darn interesting!)

Hermetic Sahir are in HoH:S. They are far removed from the 'true' Sahir. To quote said book "the non-Hermetic Sahir have much greater control over their jinn. Rather than relying on bargains to obtain favors, the non-Hermetic Sahir can compel service from the jinn if needed. Jinn-given powers claimed for the non-Hermetic sahirs include immortality, healing, instant transportation over far distances, spying, shapeshifting and even Magic Resistance."

So the way I see it, they have their own version of powers similar to some of the ones found in Goetia. Niall Christie did a good write up for the Sahir in 5th Ed.

shrenewed.wetpaint.com/page/Fifth+Edition+Sahirs

But my point still stands, this is a Major Tradition and one that should have the Order's attention ( given that they can get Magic Resistance ). To not include them in either of the books focusing on Hedge Wizards seems a weird choice to me and I was just wondering if there was a reason is all.

Sahir were covered in Blood and Sand, the Levant Tribunal book. It's an OK supplement, not one of the best, but worth picking up if you can find it.

Heaven_s_Thunder_Ham · October 28, 2010, 4:42pm

Michelle Nephew:

I just split this topic from the original thread, since it's become discussion rather then questions for Atlas. For your reference, here's the original post that started said discussion ...

AUG 16, 2010

Here's info on the three books I have completed manuscripts for, to make up for Thebes taking so long ...

RIVAL MAGIC
The Order of Hermes is supreme, unchallenged in its mastery of magic. All other magicians are hedge wizards ... maybe interesting to researchers, but certainly no threat. Or so magi of the Order tell each other. And most of them believe actually it.
The four traditions in this book prove the folly of that complacency:
[]The Augustan Brotherhood uses magic discovered in the tomb of Virgil to support its political ends. Its members serve as court wizards, relying on mundane force as much as magic.
[]The Soqotrans dwell quietly on their island in the distant east, staying out of politics and looking nervously at an expansionist Order.
[]The Amazons, warrior wizards beyond the borders of Europe, harbor a deep hatred of the Order for reasons that no magus could ever guess.
[]And in icy north, the Muspelli plot to release their jotun masters and destroy the world in frost and fire.
How long can the Order of Hermes maintain its pleasant illusion of superiority?

LEGENDS OF HERMES
Throughout its history, some members of the Order of Hermes have stood out from their peers, whether for their brilliance or for their sheer stubborn pursuit of a goal. They are the legends of the Order, magi of whom all have heard, and whom some try to emulate. Some of them have left legacies that have yet to be fully uncovered.
Legends are never complete.
This book details five such magi from across the Order's history: a brilliant researcher who extended Hermetic theory, an advocate of peace on the eve of the Schism War, a master of spirits, an obsessive constructor of magical defenses, and the flamboyant master of a flying castle. All have left treasures behind, treasures waiting to be found by living magi.

THE CHURCH
God rules Mythic Europe in awesome majesty, served by the angelic hosts. For most people, however, the majesty of the local bishop is awe-inspiring enough, and God is served by the priests, monks, and friars who share their communities. The church touches every aspect of life, and every individual heart. Even magi in their covenants must contend with the church, and many trust it with the salvation of their souls.
The Bride of Christ
This book provides background and rules for the western church as a human institution, covering the organization of dioceses, monastic orders, and daily devotion. It also covers the role of women, and looks at the Knights Templar and Franciscans in more detail. As a human institution, however, the church is not immune to corruption, and this book also discusses how some of the great orders of the church might fall to the Infernal. Bring the faith of your characters to life.

Wow. This looks pretty exciting. ON my "too buy" list.

Heaven_s_Thunder_Ham · November 2, 2010, 7:42pm

Speaking of release dates, when are the Church and Legend of Hermes supposed to come out? Thanks!

Vrylakos · November 2, 2010, 8:17pm

The Church

Stock Number: AG0296 | ISBN: 1-58978-120-1 | MSRP: $29.95 (US)
Format: 144 pages, hardcover
Release Date: March 2011

Legends of Hermes

Stock Number: AG0297 | ISBN: 1-58978-121-X | MSRP: $29.95 (US)
Format: 144 pages, hardcover
Release Date: June 2011

Heaven_s_Thunder_Ham · November 2, 2010, 10:07pm

Nice. Is there a link I don't know about, or is your google-fu awesome?

Vrylakos · November 3, 2010, 3:39am

They were announced as officially in the pipeline on the Atlas Games main page. Links from there (by title) took me to the product pages and the info posted.

Vrylakos

Christian_Andersen · November 3, 2010, 7:03am

That's gotta be uncomfortable, and not very discreet
Sorry, couldn't resist

Verticius · November 4, 2010, 6:47pm

<>

DIREWOLF75 · November 5, 2010, 12:07pm

Ok, 2nd time i read it and i still get a good laugh from it. :mrgreen: