Traditions are different approaches to magic and reality. Each Tradition has favored Spheres and a unique worldview. Order of Hermes uses hermetic rituals, Verbena works with nature, Virtual Adepts use technology, Akashic Brotherhood combines magic with martial arts, and so on. Your Tradition affects your starting Spheres and how you approach magic.

Mage: The Ascension 20th Anniversary

Bend reality. Master the spheres.

Q: What are Spheres in Mage M20?

Spheres are the fundamental forces of reality that mages manipulate. The nine Spheres are: Correspondence (space and distance), Entropy (chance and decay), Forces (energy), Life (living things), Matter (inanimate objects), Mind (thoughts and mental powers), Prime (quintessence and raw magic), Spirit (spirit world), and Time (temporal manipulation). Each Sphere ranges from 1-5 dots, with higher dots allowing more powerful effects.

Q: How does Paradox work in Mage?

Paradox accumulates when you perform magic that violates Consensus, the shared belief about what's possible. Vulgar magic (obviously impossible, like shooting fire from your hands) generates more Paradox than Coincidental magic (could be explained away, like a gun jamming). Too much Paradox can cause backlash, from minor effects (burns, headaches) to dangerous Paradox Spirits that hunt you.

Q: What's Arete in Mage?

Arete represents your character's understanding of reality and ability to work magic. It ranges from 1-10 and determines the maximum Sphere dots you can use in a single effect. Higher Arete allows for more powerful and complex magic. You roll Arete dice when casting magic, and need successes to power your effects.

Q: What's the difference between Coincidental and Vulgar magic?

Coincidental magic can be explained away by coincidence or normal means: a gun jamming, a computer crashing, a lucky break. Vulgar magic is obviously impossible: shooting fire from your hands, flying, teleporting. Coincidental magic generates less Paradox and is safer, while Vulgar magic is more powerful but dangerous.

Bend reality to your will. Master the Spheres, balance your Paradox, and claim your place among the Awakened. Consensus is just a suggestion.

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What is Mage: The Ascension 20th Anniversary?

Mage: The Ascension 20th Anniversary Edition is a tabletop RPG where you play as Awakened mages who can bend reality through the Spheres. As a mage, you belong to a Tradition (like the Order of Hermes, Verbena, or Virtual Adepts) and use your understanding of reality to cast magic, all while managing Paradox and Consensus.

How Mage: The Ascension 20th Anniversary works

Character creation in Mage M20 starts with choosing your Tradition, your approach to magic. Traditions include Order of Hermes (hermetic magic), Verbena (nature magic), Virtual Adepts (technomancers), Akashic Brotherhood (martial arts), Celestial Chorus (divine magic), Cult of Ecstasy (altered states), Dreamspeakers (shamanism), Euthanatos (death magic), and Sons of Ether (steampunk science).

Key game mechanics

9 Spheres: Correspondence, Entropy, Forces, Life, Matter, Mind, Prime, Spirit, Time

9 Traditions: Order of Hermes, Verbena, Virtual Adepts, Akashic Brotherhood, Celestial Chorus, Cult of Ecstasy, Dreamspeakers, Euthanatos, Sons of Ether

Arete system: Determines maximum Sphere dots usable in effects

Paradox mechanics: Accumulates from Vulgar magic

Coincidental vs Vulgar magic: Coincidental generates less Paradox

Quintessence: Fuels magical effects

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Mage: The Ascension 20th Anniversary frequently asked questions

What are Spheres in Mage M20?

How does Paradox work in Mage?

What's Arete in Mage?

What's the difference between Coincidental and Vulgar magic?

What are Traditions?

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Bend reality. Master the spheres.

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