Node (Mage: The Ascension 20th Anniversary)

Backgrounds

Definition

A Node is a location where the Tapestry is thin and Quintessence naturally wells up from the fabric of reality. Ley lines converge, spiritual energy pools, and magick flows more freely. Nodes are the fuel stations of the Awakened world, providing the raw Quintessence that powers enhanced magical effects and fills Wonders. Nodes are among the most contested resources in the Ascension War. Every Tradition, the Technocracy, the Nephandi, and even the Marauders seek to control Nodes for the Quintessence they produce. Owning a Node means a steady supply of magical energy, but it also means defending it against everyone else who wants it. Many Chantries are built on Nodes, and wars have been fought over particularly powerful ones.

Ask AI about this term

How it works

**Key Uses**: - Harvest Quintessence to fuel magical effects - Power Wonders and magical devices - Reduce the difficulty of magick performed at the Node **Special Rules**: Each dot of Node produces a certain amount of Quintessence per week that the mage can harvest. Nodes also often have a Resonance that flavors the Quintessence they produce (e.g., a Node at an ancient battlefield might produce aggressive, martial Quintessence). Prime 3 is required to efficiently harvest Quintessence from a Node.

Tips

**Build Advice**: Critical for mages who rely on Quintessence-heavy magick. Often shared as a cabal or Chantry resource. Even one dot provides a reliable Quintessence supply that reduces dependence on the Avatar Background. **Tradition Synergies**: Verbena tend sacred groves that are often Nodes. Order of Hermes build Chantries on powerful Nodes. Dreamspeakers protect Nodes at spiritually significant locations. Sons of Ether study the energy patterns of Nodes. **Character Concepts**: Verbena guardian of a sacred grove Node, Hermetic Chantry master who controls a ley line convergence, Dreamspeaker protector of a spirit-touched Node, cabal collectively defending their shared Node.

Frequently asked questions

Can a Node be destroyed?

Yes, through sufficient magical or physical disruption, though it is difficult. Environmental destruction, powerful Entropy effects, or spiritual corruption can damage or destroy a Node. Losing a Node is a major event that can cripple a Chantry's magical resources.

Do I need Prime to use a Node?

Prime 1 lets you sense Quintessence at a Node. Prime 3 allows you to draw Quintessence from the Node and store it in your pattern or a container. Without Prime, you can still benefit from the reduced difficulty of casting at a Node, but you cannot harvest its Quintessence.

Node (Mage: The Ascension 20th Anniversary)

Definition

How it works

Tips

Frequently asked questions

Further Reading