Mage: The Ascension 20th Anniversary tradition
Verbena
Verbena is a tradition in Mage M20: Pagan mages of blood and season who work life itself as their craft.
Last reviewed
Key facts
- Specialty Sphere
- life
Overview
The Verbena are the Traditions' witches: blood rites, seasonal cycles, herb lore, and a paradigm that makes the body the primary instrument of magic. They predate the Order's formulae and have far less interest in explaining themselves. Life is their specialty Sphere, which makes a Verbena the cabal's healer whether or not the character has the temperament for it. In play the Verbena is the one who keeps everyone standing. Life rank 3 heals other people, which is where the Tradition earns its seat, while rank 2 already covers your own light wounds and simple organisms. The paradigm has a price attached: blood and pain as instruments mean your magic is personal, and a Verbena who never gives anything up for an effect is not playing the Tradition.
How it works
Focus: Pagan tradition, blood rites, and the cycles of nature Typical Spheres: Life (the Tradition's specialty), Matter, Spirit, Forces Paradigm: Life is the oldest power, and it is paid for in blood, season, and sacrifice Practice: Blood rite, herbalism, seasonal ceremony, midwifery, the old craft Instruments: Blood, athame and cauldron, herbs, bone and antler, the turning year
Tips and playstyle
Best For: Players who want the healer's seat, a visceral paradigm, and magic that costs something on screen. Playstyle: Take Life to 3 as soon as you can afford it, since healing others is the difference between flavor and function. Spend a Background dot on Node or Familiar, and name what each rite takes out of you. Character Concepts: Hedge witch running a herbal shop, midwife, hospice nurse, coven daughter, an ecologist who found the old craft in her fieldwork.
Frequently asked questions
Do Verbena have to use blood?
The practice is built on it, but blood can mean a scratch on your own hand rather than anything gruesome. What the paradigm asks is that the magic cost the caster something physical.
Are Verbena useful outside healing?
Yes. Life at rank 4 transforms other people, and the Tradition's Matter and Forces work covers weather, plants, and terrain. Healing is the first thing a cabal will ask you for.
How much Life should a starting Verbena buy?
Three, the creation cap for one Sphere, if you intend to heal the party. That leaves only 3 of your 6 dots for everything else, so decide whether you are the medic or a generalist.