Jan 25, 2026 2:45 pm
1 - Joe Noakes
Jan 25, 2026 2:57 pm
Despite Joe’s best efforts, or perhaps because of it, they were about to be late for school.
How did this happen? What will you do, if anything, to try to make it in time?
Apart from the prompt, consider a brief mention of: How did you spend summer break? What were you most looking forward to at school this year? What are you dreading?
How did this happen? What will you do, if anything, to try to make it in time?
OOC:
Welcome to your first post, but read the main thread first! Apart from the prompt, consider a brief mention of: How did you spend summer break? What were you most looking forward to at school this year? What are you dreading?
Jan 26, 2026 12:44 am
"C’mon, sis, we’re going to be late! You don’t need everything, just take paper and pens! You didn’t prep your bag last night? You had all summer, for pity’s sake!" Joe stood at the front door, drumming on the frame with his fingertips.
"We did not have all summer, we’ve only been here a few weeks and it’s a complete nightmare!" raged his sister Emily, careering down the stairs.
An awkward moment of quiet passed between them.
"Never more so," Joe agreed quietly. Even as he tried to comfort her, he knew he was repeating words they had used before, but there was no way to pretend that this morning was going to be anything like their previous lives, and decided to cut to the running-joke-summary-line they had found fitted at the end of all the oh-my-god exchanges; they had already reached a point where that phrase summed up the awful shared pain, and desperate comfort, and the certain knowledge that, however bad the summer had been, things could always be worse still. "Keep calm, and carry on!". His strained smile met her wobbly grimace.
"One day you’ll say that once too often, and I’ll throw something at you!"
"I know, and if we ever don’t need it any more, I’ll stand still and let you; but for now, standing still won’t help. C’mon, it’s a mile and a half, and we’re going to have to run!" That was no joke, their parents had encouraged them both to keep fit. They even kept up their slightly breathless exchange:
"Why rush? No first class to miss!"
"‘Course not. Nobody knows the timetable on day one. Still, a good impression always helps!"
"So turning up sweaty and out of breath is giving a good impression?"
"The mean kids will sneer anyway, and the teachers will care more about punctuality."
"Don’t remind me. You’re worried about the teachers?"
"Actually worried about the total change of school system; worried they’ll have learned different things and I’ll look ignorant."
"English is still English."
"Not the way some of these people speak it!"
"Oh lay off! How’d you think these people would cope with a Geordie? Or a Weegie? Every country has weird accents!"
"I’m most worried about history. Saxons, check. Normans, check. Tudors, check. American Civil War? No chance."
"Just remember, big brother; no Tea Party jokes!"
"We did not have all summer, we’ve only been here a few weeks and it’s a complete nightmare!" raged his sister Emily, careering down the stairs.
An awkward moment of quiet passed between them.
"Never more so," Joe agreed quietly. Even as he tried to comfort her, he knew he was repeating words they had used before, but there was no way to pretend that this morning was going to be anything like their previous lives, and decided to cut to the running-joke-summary-line they had found fitted at the end of all the oh-my-god exchanges; they had already reached a point where that phrase summed up the awful shared pain, and desperate comfort, and the certain knowledge that, however bad the summer had been, things could always be worse still. "Keep calm, and carry on!". His strained smile met her wobbly grimace.
"One day you’ll say that once too often, and I’ll throw something at you!"
"I know, and if we ever don’t need it any more, I’ll stand still and let you; but for now, standing still won’t help. C’mon, it’s a mile and a half, and we’re going to have to run!" That was no joke, their parents had encouraged them both to keep fit. They even kept up their slightly breathless exchange:
"Why rush? No first class to miss!"
"‘Course not. Nobody knows the timetable on day one. Still, a good impression always helps!"
"So turning up sweaty and out of breath is giving a good impression?"
"The mean kids will sneer anyway, and the teachers will care more about punctuality."
"Don’t remind me. You’re worried about the teachers?"
"Actually worried about the total change of school system; worried they’ll have learned different things and I’ll look ignorant."
"English is still English."
"Not the way some of these people speak it!"
"Oh lay off! How’d you think these people would cope with a Geordie? Or a Weegie? Every country has weird accents!"
"I’m most worried about history. Saxons, check. Normans, check. Tudors, check. American Civil War? No chance."
"Just remember, big brother; no Tea Party jokes!"
Jan 28, 2026 1:38 pm
Teenagers on the cusp of adulthood weren't typically given to superstition and other such easily-dismissed thoughts. But if there were a chance for hindsight years from now, the Awakened ones of the Class of '26 might be able look back to as early as their first day of school to realise that change was in the ether. Perhaps it was the greater weave of fate that pushed against their coming back, as if delaying them, keeping them away from the penumbral shores, from what was about to happen.
But they wouldn't have known that of course. To them, the situation was simply that they would be late. Joe and Emily were about to set off, and while it was certainly the case that there was no timetable yet and hence no first class to miss, first impressions mattered. Joe as a senior, would probably be able to figure out something to wiggle out of latecoming, but it wouldn't do for Emily to be late on her actual first day ever.
But they wouldn't have known that of course. To them, the situation was simply that they would be late. Joe and Emily were about to set off, and while it was certainly the case that there was no timetable yet and hence no first class to miss, first impressions mattered. Joe as a senior, would probably be able to figure out something to wiggle out of latecoming, but it wouldn't do for Emily to be late on her actual first day ever.
OOC:
Time to warm up your dice! You will be late for school unless you make a succesful Ability roll of your choice. Narratively justify in your next post whichever one you choose to roll. Alternatively you may use a relevant Sphere power, which for this particular situation will automatically succeed as coincidental magic, but magic was used nonetheless ;) Jan 29, 2026 12:02 am
OOC:
As the lateness problem was telegraphed in the previous post, I’ve already set up that the Noakeses are running to make school on time (hopefully!). I lifted the distance of a mile and a half from the air; as that’s distance running, I’m assuming Sta+Athletics: 4 dice. Difficulty is up to you…Rolls
Sta+Ath: - (4d10)
(7393) = 22
Jan 30, 2026 12:15 am
OOC:
I’ve managed to get some PC time and I’ve upgraded Joe’s character sheet with his Merits, Flaws and backstory which I’ve slightly clarified. Hopefully you will feel I’ve done you a few favours as his parents provide several potential longer-term hooks (or places to put them when you’re ready) in addition to his flaws, some of them in areas Joe wouldn’t have known much about before his Awakening (and possibly still doesn’t).A few things I haven’t got around to discussing yet; I didn’t post Joe’s summary in the general thread at first because it wasn’t ready, but then it occurred to me that, as he’s new, a good deal of ignorance about him is actually appropriate. If you feel that the other players should be trusted to separate character knowledge for themselves, I think we’re approaching the point where his summary (or a version of it?) could be posted - let me know what you think. I have also tried to ensure that the areas of his background I am poorly versed in (Akashic theory, oriental philosophy, spirit magick, spirit realms, cosmology, etc.) are precisely the areas where Joe is also ignorant, to make him easier to play in these respects.
I have assumed that, as a reincarnate, his Avatar actually has some history in more than one Tradition; although the Akashayana feel some responsibility for him (hence Lady Shrouded Mountain), his Past Lives also include experience of the Burning Times, among the Verbena but possibly others as well (the Chorus had a phase when they weren’t very fussy, ‘burn them all, God will know his own’, etc.).
After some thought I made one actual change; I bought the Burning Aura merit I was feeling drawn to, and lost a point in Mentor to pay for it, so the freebie point reckoning is still accurate. I realise this potentially acts against the Unobtrusive merit, but I reason that to remote or mundane monitoring Unobtrusive will dominate, while in person Burning Aura may start to make its presence felt, and mystic senses will of course tend to register the effects of his Aura. It could even reflect his mood; burning with fervour, power, or anger, as appropriate to the situation.
Next time I have some spare time I will try to work out his paradigm and tools, which is an area M20 seems to dig into a lot harder than previous editions.
Last edited January 30, 2026 12:17 am
Jan 30, 2026 4:14 am
They didn't need to go full tilt, not at first anyway. Emily was happily cheerful and energetic for her first day and was more enthusiastic about running faster than Joe was. They only decided to go full burst when they reached the long driveway with the gentle incline that wound its way up to the campus, because they saw that the few stragglers in front of them had also decided to pick up their pace. In fact, there were still a few vehicles still wending their way forward as well. Maybe they would waive latecoming for the first day.
But Joe needn't have worried. They cut it close, but were on time.
So go ahead and respond here with a post, and then head over to the main thread.
And yep I'll review the character sheet some more, we'll probably want to discuss the Past Lies aspect a bit, there's great potential in discovering magic there . Also, I'd recommend a very recent Awakening, ie mom just passed away, and maybe your Spirit Mentor is only just about to take an interest in manifesting themselves to you. That's probably more in line with the overarching premise of how this game begins, with newbies trying to figure out their magic.
No worries about paradigm etc, I fully intend in our session 0 to work all our way through the various starting aspects of Mage.
But Joe needn't have worried. They cut it close, but were on time.
OOC:
I was thinking you might've have made a post alongside your rolls, but then realised you were waiting on me for a difficulty number. It'll be default difficulty 6 unless otherwise stated. So go ahead and respond here with a post, and then head over to the main thread.
And yep I'll review the character sheet some more, we'll probably want to discuss the Past Lies aspect a bit, there's great potential in discovering magic there . Also, I'd recommend a very recent Awakening, ie mom just passed away, and maybe your Spirit Mentor is only just about to take an interest in manifesting themselves to you. That's probably more in line with the overarching premise of how this game begins, with newbies trying to figure out their magic.
No worries about paradigm etc, I fully intend in our session 0 to work all our way through the various starting aspects of Mage.
Jan 30, 2026 10:33 am
Joseph and Emily have done a fair bit of running, with only brief pauses to wait to cross roads. The snatched exchanges of conversation trail off as the oxygen debt builds in their muscles. Joe tries to keep their pace moderate, wanting to keep a reserve of energy, which proves necessary for the long uphill drive leading into the school grounds.
"Where do we go?"
"Just follow everyone else, I think."
I was thinking of Penny’s demise as happening a few weeks after arrival, with Joe’s Awakening arising during the processing, and probably within the last two weeks to a month. Lady Shrouded Mountain (who I’ve pictured as a kind of Akashic Qui-Gon, with a touch more sternness, either an ex-Akashic who wasn’t reincarnated, or some kind of allied spirit, who became a trainer for isolated Akashics, including quite possibly Penny before Joe) would then be showing up either immediately as part of the process, or very shortly thereafter. It’s even possible that, if she had been working with Penny, she’d have been around Joe as soon as Penny died; it’s just he wouldn’t have been aware of her until his actual Awakening.
With his father being a mage, and the event anticipated, I’m picturing his Awakening as more transformative than traumatic, with a few basics established immediately; most of all, don’t rely on magick when mundane abilities will do, it’s too risky. Paradox is obviously going to be an issue in this setting.
A Spirit Mentor is explicitly not supposed to teach Sphere Magic, although I was assuming that she would be able to teach him what he could do with what he has, while also focusing on the other skills an Akashic needs to develop; Do for a start, for his own safety (this is why he has the second dot in it) but also expecting Belief Systems and other disciplines such as more Meditation to be included urgently. I could certainly see Lady Shrouded Mountain instructing Joe to ask Alan for specific Sphere training, very likely Prime.
"Where do we go?"
"Just follow everyone else, I think."
OOC:
I was actually awaiting the outcome of the roll before continuing, not knowing for example if another challenge or complication might be coming.I was thinking of Penny’s demise as happening a few weeks after arrival, with Joe’s Awakening arising during the processing, and probably within the last two weeks to a month. Lady Shrouded Mountain (who I’ve pictured as a kind of Akashic Qui-Gon, with a touch more sternness, either an ex-Akashic who wasn’t reincarnated, or some kind of allied spirit, who became a trainer for isolated Akashics, including quite possibly Penny before Joe) would then be showing up either immediately as part of the process, or very shortly thereafter. It’s even possible that, if she had been working with Penny, she’d have been around Joe as soon as Penny died; it’s just he wouldn’t have been aware of her until his actual Awakening.
With his father being a mage, and the event anticipated, I’m picturing his Awakening as more transformative than traumatic, with a few basics established immediately; most of all, don’t rely on magick when mundane abilities will do, it’s too risky. Paradox is obviously going to be an issue in this setting.
A Spirit Mentor is explicitly not supposed to teach Sphere Magic, although I was assuming that she would be able to teach him what he could do with what he has, while also focusing on the other skills an Akashic needs to develop; Do for a start, for his own safety (this is why he has the second dot in it) but also expecting Belief Systems and other disciplines such as more Meditation to be included urgently. I could certainly see Lady Shrouded Mountain instructing Joe to ask Alan for specific Sphere training, very likely Prime.
Last edited January 30, 2026 10:38 am
Jan 31, 2026 1:00 am
OOC:
One thing I figure Joe might need to urgently learn (from his mentor?) is how to damp down that Burning Aura. It's a lovely story hook, but I worry plot-wise Joe's return to school is going to trigger all sorts of alarms!Jan 31, 2026 1:57 am
OOC:
It’s really that big of a problem- and the school has detection means that make it that big a problem?The description says it’s very difficult to conceal, and I don’t even know how he’d do that. Edit: I see, Mind 1 as he lacks Prime 2, presumably coincidental, but the stated penalty to hide an aura presumably ups that to a difficulty 6 at least…
Would he know to do this routinely? Presumably yes, from his Mentors…but if he regularly damps it down is there any point in having it…?
I was sure it’d be a feature at some point, but I don’t want to derail things immediately!
If it’s that big a problem, I could undo the purchase?
Last edited January 31, 2026 12:02 pm
Feb 1, 2026 2:26 pm
OOC:
I'm totally encouraging of all character choices and would enjoy building situations around them, merits and flaws both! Just pointing out that something like Burning Aura basically makes a character stand out from the rest when some aura reading ability is used (like a metaphysical flame in a crowd). Not trying to make you worry too much about it, swap or keep, it's early days yet so tweak accordingly. Just re-mentioning the starter premise of this game: young adults who were unaware of their magick potential, whose parents were mages but didn't tell them so. But they did put/keep their children in this school for some reason. Your backstory for Joe's character moved that needle along quite a bit, so we're working around it a bit, but no biggie :).Eight of Pattern means skill, and also artistry, prudence, attention to detail, centredness, and is associated with employment. (I drew a starter card for everyone to see what random subplot generation I might throw their way.)
Feb 1, 2026 7:30 pm
BedzoneII says:
OOC:
Your backstory for Joe's character moved that needle along quite a bit, so we're working around it a bit, but no biggie :).Eight of Pattern means skill, and also artistry, prudence, attention to detail, centredness, and is associated with employment. (I drew a starter card for everyone to see what random subplot generation I might throw their way.)
OOC:
Sorry, wasn’t trying to shake things up; rather, to fit in, at least for a while!Card sounds entirely appropriate to an older version of Joe…
Last edited February 1, 2026 7:31 pm
Feb 5, 2026 12:23 pm
BedzoneII says:
OOC:
I'm totally encouraging of all character choices and would enjoy building situations around them, merits and flaws both! Just pointing out that something like Burning Aura basically makes a character stand out from the rest when some aura reading ability is used (like a metaphysical flame in a crowd). Not trying to make you worry too much about it, swap or keep, it's early days yet so tweak accordingly. Just re-mentioning the starter premise of this game: young adults who were unaware of their magick potential, whose parents were mages but didn't tell them so.Both parents’ traditions have a range of mundane underpinnings which the children could easily be inducted into the basics of without revealing the full nature of the Awakened world, and I imagine that they would not have told the children anything that would imperil the family if blurted out in an incautious moment, nor caused problems if one or both failed to Awaken (again I’ve not said a dicky bird about any potential Emily may or may not have). It also occurred to me that some disapproval and/or tension might exist between the two traditions assuming their awareness of the relationship, never mind the children; I’d thought of this possibly making them less than respectable among one or both Traditions’ old guard, if you wanted a reason for their Tradition ties to be looser than usual.
I purposely left the exact events of Penny’s demise, and the nature of Alan and Penny’s mundane careers, vague to leave you wiggle room; I’d assumed that Alan at least had some magickal reason for coming to this area as well, helping to account for why he’s capable but frequently busy/unavailable, but I left that for you to work with as well. If you want, I can come up with some ideas for these areas, but I don’t want to throw more spanners into your setting!
If Joe’s keeping the Burning Aura (and I realise that nailing this down is probably becoming increasingly urgent!) do you want me to roll for the effectiveness of Joe’s attempts to suppress it? I’m picturing this as a daily exercise with Lady Shrouded Mountain…
Edit: Ultimately it’s supposed to be a merit; if it’s going to mostly operate as a flaw, that could suggest that it’s best discarded?
Last edited February 7, 2026 1:04 am
Feb 7, 2026 8:43 pm
The two new ‘counsellors’ dress and demeanour screams NWO. (Possibly a red herring if you’re into such things! ;-) )
Given how recognisable that trope is, my initial reaction is there’s a good chance Joe has been warned about it- that is kind of Awakened streetwise 101, along with clues to spot a basic HIT-Mark. However I’m also acutely aware of sailing close to the wind on character knowledge in this setting. So, does he know enough to jump to the obvious conclusion?
Given how recognisable that trope is, my initial reaction is there’s a good chance Joe has been warned about it- that is kind of Awakened streetwise 101, along with clues to spot a basic HIT-Mark. However I’m also acutely aware of sailing close to the wind on character knowledge in this setting. So, does he know enough to jump to the obvious conclusion?
Feb 8, 2026 1:20 am
OOC:
Regarding how much Joe thinks he knows about our new counsellors, it's safe to say let's take a relevant roll for that. This roll can be the one I'm requesting for at the moment, as Joe is having his dizzy spell. Remember, he can jump to the conclusion, but he still may or may not be correct. There will always be red herrings :) :). So how much Joe knows in general about magecraft we can determine along the way, with rolls if necessary, no need to assume he knows a lot, or too little, from his existing background, eg we can invoke Mentor, or Dream, or Spirit Mentor, etc, as and when necessary to explain what he knows or doesn't know.Back to Burning Aura, I'm not too bothered by it. The merit is that it gives a bonus to Resonance, but as it's an optional rule I haven't implemented the mechanic for it, only the storytelling aspect. It's why Wren detects Joe and Jonathan when her Resonance sensitivity kicked in. So the Aura will definitely benefit narratively at the right time, but it will also continue to suffer the drawback as described.
Btw, am narratively tapping into the fact that Joe has Dream and Demense, maybe Past Lives, to come up with this fainting incident.
Feb 8, 2026 2:41 am
OOC:
Ok, then Burning Aura stays.I was assuming you had a reason for the fainting fit, but it’s nice to feel kept up to speed. Thanks!
Red herrings expected, especially since our characters are inexperienced and a little (IC) knowledge can be a dangerous thing.
Then, since Awakened streetwise 101 in this case is contemporary knowledge, I’m going to suggest Mentor is most appropriate, and since Joe is not at his best -and- about to faint, Wits may be more appropriate than Intelligence as he has to order his thoughts quickly…? That would make a dice pool of five.
Last edited February 8, 2026 2:42 am
Feb 8, 2026 3:20 pm
Sorry, I thought you’d explicitly included Mentor as a possible reference:
Note: using Past Lives for the roll about the counsellors means that one of his past lives must have been alive sometime in the last 70 years or so.
Quote:
Regarding how much Joe thinks he knows about our new counsellors, it's safe to say let's take a relevant roll for that. This roll can be the one I'm requesting for at the moment, as Joe is having his dizzy spell. Remember, he can jump to the conclusion, but he still may or may not be correct… …we can invoke Mentor, or Dream, or Spirit Mentor, etc, as and when necessary to explain what he knows or doesn't know.Last edited February 8, 2026 3:24 pm
Mar 1, 2026 12:08 am
I’ve made some notes about belief system, paradigm and tools at the end of Joe’s sheet.
The more I think about Joe’s magickal training and his mother having taken the lead in preparing him for possible awakening, the more I think she ‘d have been unlikely to prepare him for Entropy 1 and Dim Mak, and much more likely to teach him some basic chi raising in preparation for Prime 1.
If you’ve no objection, I think I should change that dot from Entropy to Prime?
The more I think about Joe’s magickal training and his mother having taken the lead in preparing him for possible awakening, the more I think she ‘d have been unlikely to prepare him for Entropy 1 and Dim Mak, and much more likely to teach him some basic chi raising in preparation for Prime 1.
If you’ve no objection, I think I should change that dot from Entropy to Prime?
Last edited March 1, 2026 12:59 am
Mar 1, 2026 1:23 am
OOC:
None of the dots are locked in yet. I did say the premise of this intro was a pre-Awakening/just Awakened situation, so if you haven't committed nor used certain skills and powers, then continue to swap them for something else.load next