An Introduction to Ars An Introduction to Ars MagicaMagica

A very brief guide for new players of the A very brief guide for new players of the classic roleplaying game to help get you classic roleplaying game to help get you

started.started.

Welcome!Welcome!

Many potential players of the Ars Magica 5Many potential players of the Ars Magica 5 thth edition rpg by Atlas edition rpg by Atlas Games find the idea fascinating but any new rpg can be Games find the idea fascinating but any new rpg can be intimidating. This simple presentation should help you get to intimidating. This simple presentation should help you get to grips with the system very quickly, Read it a bit at a time, and do grips with the system very quickly, Read it a bit at a time, and do try the exercises and quizzes. Like any game, once you know the try the exercises and quizzes. Like any game, once you know the rules and background you will find it all very simple in play!rules and background you will find it all very simple in play!It is written for people who have no experience with the system It is written for people who have no experience with the system at all, and just want a quick overview. This part focuses on the at all, and just want a quick overview. This part focuses on the magic system and your magus character. Take it slowly, and don’t magic system and your magus character. Take it slowly, and don’t try to do it all in one sitting…try to do it all in one sitting…

The GiftThe Gift

Magicians have something called Magicians have something called The GiftThe Gift; it’s ; it’s their magical potential, and it infuses them. The their magical potential, and it infuses them. The Gift makes your magus character weird and Gift makes your magus character weird and spooky to most people. Animals are scared of spooky to most people. Animals are scared of you – no horse will let you ride it. Normal you – no horse will let you ride it. Normal people are frightened of you. The Gift makes people are frightened of you. The Gift makes life hard for you, and uncontrolled it can cause life hard for you, and uncontrolled it can cause strange magical events outside your control…strange magical events outside your control…

The Gift: part 2The Gift: part 2

That’s probably how your character ended up in That’s probably how your character ended up in the Order of Hermes. The Gift made their the Order of Hermes. The Gift made their childhood awkward – strange, sometimes bad childhood awkward – strange, sometimes bad things like spontaneous fires, talking toys or odd things like spontaneous fires, talking toys or odd visions spooked all around you. And The Gift visions spooked all around you. And The Gift puts people on edge anyway: folk with it puts people on edge anyway: folk with it emanate an odd vibe that scares, annoys or emanate an odd vibe that scares, annoys or confuses others – even others with The Gift…confuses others – even others with The Gift…

The Gift Part 3The Gift Part 3

Your magus character will start with The Gift. Most Your magus character will start with The Gift. Most people have just The Gift: this gives you -3 as a penalty people have just The Gift: this gives you -3 as a penalty to social interaction rolls with all other people, animals to social interaction rolls with all other people, animals etc. Some magi have it even worse – their Gift is etc. Some magi have it even worse – their Gift is particularly unsettling, in fact downright terrifying. This particularly unsettling, in fact downright terrifying. This is called is called The Blatant GiftThe Blatant Gift – and gives a horrible -6 – and gives a horrible -6 penalty to all social rolls. Some have it lucky, and have penalty to all social rolls. Some have it lucky, and have The Gentle GiftThe Gentle Gift; this means there Gift has no effect on ; this means there Gift has no effect on anyone, and they are just like a normal person to anyone, and they are just like a normal person to mundane eyes. You will get to choose the level of The mundane eyes. You will get to choose the level of The Gift your magus has when you design the character. Gift your magus has when you design the character.

The Gift Part 4The Gift Part 4

So magicians accidentally spook, intimidate and So magicians accidentally spook, intimidate and grate on everybody, even each other. And for grate on everybody, even each other. And for that reason it was VERY difficult for them to that reason it was VERY difficult for them to cooperate, until in the 8cooperate, until in the 8 thth Century AD a brilliant Century AD a brilliant magus called magus called BonisagusBonisagus created a rite called created a rite called Parma MagicaParma Magica – literally “Shield of Magic”. This – literally “Shield of Magic”. This has the fortunate effect of blocking the negative has the fortunate effect of blocking the negative effects of other magicians Gift – so you can effects of other magicians Gift – so you can tolerate them, and get on!tolerate them, and get on!

The Parma MagicaThe Parma Magica

So the Parma Magica, a ritual performed every So the Parma Magica, a ritual performed every day at sunset and sunrise (taking two minutes) day at sunset and sunrise (taking two minutes) made it possible for even Gifted magicians to made it possible for even Gifted magicians to live and work together. It has a rather more live and work together. It has a rather more important effect – it also acts as a form of important effect – it also acts as a form of Magic Magic ResistanceResistance, blocking spells and powers directed , blocking spells and powers directed at your magus. In the game it is an at your magus. In the game it is an Ability Ability (Skill) (Skill) you will need on your character sheet – it will you will need on your character sheet – it will begin at just 1! begin at just 1!

Parma Magica 2Parma Magica 2

Until that point, magicians might have been able Until that point, magicians might have been able to throw fireballs and toast their enemies – but if to throw fireballs and toast their enemies – but if their enemies were faster and could throw magic their enemies were faster and could throw magic back, they had no defence. So Parma Magica back, they had no defence. So Parma Magica allowed magi to meet and talk and co-operate, allowed magi to meet and talk and co-operate, unaffected by each others Gift’s and with some unaffected by each others Gift’s and with some security against surprise magical attack.security against surprise magical attack.

The Order of HermesThe Order of Hermes

So with the Parma Magica Bonisagus and his So with the Parma Magica Bonisagus and his friend the maga (female wizard) Trianoma were friend the maga (female wizard) Trianoma were able to create an Order of magicians, known as able to create an Order of magicians, known as the the Order of HermesOrder of Hermes, and your magus character , and your magus character is a member of that Order. Your Gift still is a member of that Order. Your Gift still effects other people adversely though – the effects other people adversely though – the Parma Magica blocks it coming in, not going Parma Magica blocks it coming in, not going out! If they have Parma all is well though. out! If they have Parma all is well though.

Magic TheoryMagic Theory

Bonisagus went further though. Up till then Bonisagus went further though. Up till then magic had required all kinds of occult and magic had required all kinds of occult and astrological and pagan rites. Eye of Newt, wing astrological and pagan rites. Eye of Newt, wing of Bat, spin round three times and invoke of Bat, spin round three times and invoke Jupiter while the Moon is in Virgo. That sort of Jupiter while the Moon is in Virgo. That sort of stuff. Bonisagus saw no need for virgin or stuff. Bonisagus saw no need for virgin or pigeon – he created a sort of‘scientific’ (in our pigeon – he created a sort of‘scientific’ (in our terms) magical system, which is terms) magical system, which is Magic TheoryMagic Theory..

Magic Theory 2Magic Theory 2

Bonisagus took a reductionist approach, boiling Bonisagus took a reductionist approach, boiling all magic down to just 15 basic principles he all magic down to just 15 basic principles he called “called “ArtsArts”. Those Arts have 5 ”. Those Arts have 5 Techniques Techniques (verbs) and 10 (verbs) and 10 FormsForms (nouns). Combining the (nouns). Combining the two with one Technique and one Form gives two with one Technique and one Form gives you the basics for a spell. I’ll explain this next, you the basics for a spell. I’ll explain this next, but a fireball is basically a “CREATE” + but a fireball is basically a “CREATE” + “FIRE” formula in his system. “FIRE” formula in his system.

The TechniquesThe Techniques There are five basic Techniques, which your character There are five basic Techniques, which your character

will try and master. They arewill try and master. They are CREOCREO = “I create” = “I create” INTELLEGO INTELLEGO = “I perceive” or “I understand”= “I perceive” or “I understand” MUTOMUTO = “ I change” = “ I change” REGOREGO = “I control” = “I control” PERDO PERDO = “I destroy”= “I destroy”

PRINT THIS PAGE OFF OR COPY IT OUT FOR PRINT THIS PAGE OFF OR COPY IT OUT FOR REFERENCE…REFERENCE…

The FormsThe Forms

AnimalAnimal – covers animals and – covers animals and animal products: mind & animal products: mind & body of animals.body of animals.

AquamAquam – water and liquids – water and liquids AuramAuram – weather and air – weather and air CorpusCorpus – Human bodies – Human bodies HerbamHerbam – plants and plant – plants and plant

productsproducts

PRINT THIS PAGE OFF PRINT THIS PAGE OFF OR COPY IT OUT. YOU OR COPY IT OUT. YOU WILL REFER TO IT WILL REFER TO IT OFTEN. OFTEN.

Ignem Ignem – Fire, Heat & Light– Fire, Heat & Light ImaginemImaginem – Qualia/ sense – Qualia/ sense

perceptionsperceptions MentemMentem – human minds – human minds Terram Terram – earth, stone, – earth, stone,

metals, gems.metals, gems. VimVim – magic itself. – magic itself.

These are the ten These are the ten FormsForms that that are combined with the are combined with the Techniques to cast spells in Techniques to cast spells in Ars Magica.Ars Magica.

Casting A SpellCasting A Spell

So know you know the 15 Arts, you can see how So know you know the 15 Arts, you can see how they go together…they go together…

Creo IgnemCreo Ignem = “I create fire!” = “I create fire!” Perdo IgnemPerdo Ignem = “I destroy that fire!” = “I destroy that fire!” Muto IgnemMuto Ignem = “I change that fire!” = “I change that fire!” Intellego IgnemIntellego Ignem = “I perceive a fire!” = “I perceive a fire!” Rego IgnemRego Ignem = “I control the fire!” = “I control the fire!”

Casting A Spell 2Casting A Spell 2

Muto IgnemMuto Ignem spells could change the properties of a fire – make spells could change the properties of a fire – make it change colour to bright blue or purple; make it not burn it change colour to bright blue or purple; make it not burn things, even turn the flames to ice.things, even turn the flames to ice.

Creo IgnemCreo Ignem could light a campfire, or launch a fireball, or just could light a campfire, or launch a fireball, or just create a bright light, or warm something up. create a bright light, or warm something up.

Perdo IgnemPerdo Ignem could freeze something by draining it of heat, make could freeze something by draining it of heat, make a room dark (light is Ignem too remember) or put out a fire.a room dark (light is Ignem too remember) or put out a fire.

Intellego IgnemIntellego Ignem could allow you to talk to a campfire, or see could allow you to talk to a campfire, or see through flames, or tell how long ago a fire was lit.through flames, or tell how long ago a fire was lit.

Rego IgnemRego Ignem could make a fire not approach you (a could make a fire not approach you (a WardWard), or ), or jump suddenly in to the air, or move at your comand.jump suddenly in to the air, or move at your comand.

Quick Quiz 1Quick Quiz 1

Now you should start ot see how it works. Now you should start ot see how it works. Time for a test! What technique and form is Time for a test! What technique and form is appropriate for?appropriate for?

1.1. Casting a fireball at that Giant approaching?Casting a fireball at that Giant approaching?

2.2. Creating a cute fluffy squirrel?Creating a cute fluffy squirrel?

3.3. Changing lead to gold?Changing lead to gold?

4.4. Making your friend forget you owe them gold?Making your friend forget you owe them gold?

5.5. Reading your cat’s mind?Reading your cat’s mind?

Quick Quiz 1 AnswersQuick Quiz 1 Answers

1. A fireball is 1. A fireball is Creo IgnemCreo Ignem.. You are creating a magical You are creating a magical fire.fire.

2. Creating a cute ickle squirrel is 2. Creating a cute ickle squirrel is Creo AnimalCreo Animal.. 3. 3. Muto Terram.Muto Terram. Now you can get rich! Now you can get rich! 4. 4. Perdo Mentem.Perdo Mentem. Now you don’t need to be rich! Now you don’t need to be rich! 5. 5. Intellego Animal.Intellego Animal. If you thought Intellego Mentem If you thought Intellego Mentem

don’t worry – that would read HUMAN minds. Animal don’t worry – that would read HUMAN minds. Animal minds come under, well, minds come under, well, AnimalAnimal! !

Don’t Panic!Don’t Panic!

You are probably thinking this is all very complex and You are probably thinking this is all very complex and unnecessary. Other RPG’s just give you a spell list and unnecessary. Other RPG’s just give you a spell list and you are away. If instead you are relishing the potential you are away. If instead you are relishing the potential good for you – but if not don’t panic the good for you – but if not don’t panic the Ars Magica 5Ars Magica 5 thth rulebook has loads of predefined spells. Still sadly you rulebook has loads of predefined spells. Still sadly you will need to understand the will need to understand the Techniques + FormsTechniques + Forms, as , as these “Arts” are absolutely central to the way your these “Arts” are absolutely central to the way your magus works. You only need to learn fifteen terms magus works. You only need to learn fifteen terms though, and hopefully you have them printed off or though, and hopefully you have them printed off or copied out know as a crib sheet?copied out know as a crib sheet?

An Exercise in SpellcastingAn Exercise in Spellcasting

OK, your magician is out walking one day when OK, your magician is out walking one day when he disturbs some bandits who give chase. Not he disturbs some bandits who give chase. Not wanting to kill them he runs away, until just wanting to kill them he runs away, until just before he reaches safety he is stopped by a fast before he reaches safety he is stopped by a fast flowing river. There are trees by the river, and flowing river. There are trees by the river, and plenty of rocks, and some fish swimming in it, plenty of rocks, and some fish swimming in it, but no bridge. Your character can not swim. He but no bridge. Your character can not swim. He has time for one spell. What Technique + Form has time for one spell. What Technique + Form combinations might be useful? How many ways combinations might be useful? How many ways can you find to cross the river by your magic?can you find to cross the river by your magic?

Magic Theory 3Magic Theory 3

Hopefully now you can see the elegance of Hopefully now you can see the elegance of Bonisagus’ Magic Theory. Of course in reality Bonisagus’ Magic Theory. Of course in reality things are harder. Your magus has t make things are harder. Your magus has t make decisions about which of the Techniques and decisions about which of the Techniques and Forms they specialise in. A magus who Forms they specialise in. A magus who specialises in specialises in Rego AnimalRego Animal and and Rego HerbamRego Herbam is is very different to an very different to an Intellego MentemIntellego Mentem and and Creo Creo ImaginemImaginem magus or maga. You will only be magus or maga. You will only be proficient in some of these Arts to begin with…proficient in some of these Arts to begin with…

An Exercise In Spellcasting 2An Exercise In Spellcasting 2

Still now you have learned how the fifteen Arts Still now you have learned how the fifteen Arts work you can start to think about how you want work you can start to think about how you want your character to work. What will they specialise your character to work. What will they specialise in?in?

Try again now: faced by the river, you decide to Try again now: faced by the river, you decide to not cross but to defeat the bandits. How many not cross but to defeat the bandits. How many different ways can you think of to dispose of different ways can you think of to dispose of them? I won’t give any answers this time… them? I won’t give any answers this time…

The Game MechanicsThe Game Mechanics

Your magus character has the 15 Arts listed on the character Your magus character has the 15 Arts listed on the character sheet. When you design a character you will assign sheet. When you design a character you will assign experience experience pointspoints to each to give you a level of expertise in it. Here is to each to give you a level of expertise in it. Here is starting maga, Constantina. starting maga, Constantina.

She has no skill at all in many Forms, but at least something in She has no skill at all in many Forms, but at least something in each Technique. She deals best with minds and sensations. each Technique. She deals best with minds and sensations. Ignore the Experience column for now. Ignore the Experience column for now.

Constantina versus the BanditsConstantina versus the Bandits

Imagine you are playing Constantina. You want Imagine you are playing Constantina. You want to get rid of those pesky bandits! Have look at to get rid of those pesky bandits! Have look at your Arts. What are you going to be best at? your Arts. What are you going to be best at? You can work this out by totalling the relevant You can work this out by totalling the relevant Technique + Form. Technique + Form.

Constantina vs. the Bandits 2Constantina vs. the Bandits 2

Muto Mentem looks like a useful combination Muto Mentem looks like a useful combination with 10. With it you can change minds. So you with 10. With it you can change minds. So you could make the bandits “change their minds” could make the bandits “change their minds” and befriend you, or get bored and go away, or and befriend you, or get bored and go away, or even decide you are too scary and leave you even decide you are too scary and leave you alone? There are other options of course. Sadly alone? There are other options of course. Sadly it is not as simple as just totalling your scores it is not as simple as just totalling your scores though…though…

The Game Mechanics 2The Game Mechanics 2

Let’s assume you have decided to Muto Mentem the Let’s assume you have decided to Muto Mentem the bandits to make them decide to give up chasing you. bandits to make them decide to give up chasing you. Your scores are Muto 5 + Mentem 5. You also add a Your scores are Muto 5 + Mentem 5. You also add a CharacteristicCharacteristic, which in spell casting is always , which in spell casting is always StaminaStamina. . I’ll explain how you design your characters stats later. I’ll explain how you design your characters stats later. Constantina has a Stamina of 0 – she is completely Constantina has a Stamina of 0 – she is completely average. (For now note that Characteristics in average. (For now note that Characteristics in Ars Ars MagicaMagica run from -5 (absolutely terrible) to +5 (almost run from -5 (absolutely terrible) to +5 (almost superhuman). superhuman). So Muto 5 + Mentem 5 +Stamina 0 = 10. You roll a So Muto 5 + Mentem 5 +Stamina 0 = 10. You roll a d10 (a ten sided dice) and add that to the total. You roll d10 (a ten sided dice) and add that to the total. You roll a 5, and cast a a 5, and cast a Level 15Level 15 spell… spell…

Formulaic SpellsFormulaic Spells

Well if you know a Level 15 spell you do… Your Well if you know a Level 15 spell you do… Your character only knows a handful of spells, that you character only knows a handful of spells, that you learned in learned in ApprenticeshipApprenticeship, the process of training to be , the process of training to be a maga. These spells your character knows are called a maga. These spells your character knows are called Formulaic SpellsFormulaic Spells, because you know the formula off by , because you know the formula off by heart. They are very easy to cast.heart. They are very easy to cast.

Disappointed? You thought you could cast any spell Disappointed? You thought you could cast any spell you can imagine? Don’t worry you can. You can invent you can imagine? Don’t worry you can. You can invent spells on the fly – they are just harder. We will come to spells on the fly – they are just harder. We will come to them next, but they are called them next, but they are called Spontaneous Spells.Spontaneous Spells.

Formulaic MagicFormulaic MagicSo Formulaic magic runs off So Formulaic magic runs off Stamina + Technique + Form +die roll +AuraStamina + Technique + Form +die roll +Aura Ignore the Ignore the AuraAura for now; there is not one here on the river bank. Constantina scored a 15. Let’s for now; there is not one here on the river bank. Constantina scored a 15. Let’s look at her spells. look at her spells.

They are rather disappointing! She does not have a Muto Mentem spell at all. Still we can see that They are rather disappointing! She does not have a Muto Mentem spell at all. Still we can see that we abbreviate Arts by their first two letters – so Creo becomes Cr, Muto Mu and Mentem Me.we abbreviate Arts by their first two letters – so Creo becomes Cr, Muto Mu and Mentem Me.

Constantina vs. the Bandits 3Constantina vs. the Bandits 3

Did you notice the Did you notice the Creo MentemCreo Mentem ( (CrMeCrMe) level 15 spell ) level 15 spell Panic of the Panic of the Trembling HeartTrembling Heart? If you already have an ? If you already have an Ars Magica 5Ars Magica 5 thth rulebook rulebook you can find it on p.148 you can find it on p.148 It creates overwhelming fear in a person, so they run in terror. It creates overwhelming fear in a person, so they run in terror. Constantina has Constantina has Stamina 0 + Creo 5 + Mentem 5 = 10 so roll a dice and on a 5 Stamina 0 + Creo 5 + Mentem 5 = 10 so roll a dice and on a 5 or more the bandit leader flees, and his men chase after him!or more the bandit leader flees, and his men chase after him!Not what we planned, but teaches something useful – Creo Not what we planned, but teaches something useful – Creo Mentem effects can create emotions in human minds. If it was Mentem effects can create emotions in human minds. If it was wolves chasing you however the same effect would need a wolves chasing you however the same effect would need a Creo Creo AnimalAnimal spell, because Animal covers animal minds. spell, because Animal covers animal minds.

The Parameters of a SpellThe Parameters of a Spell

Did you notice Constantina’s spells are defined by Did you notice Constantina’s spells are defined by RangeRange, , DurationDuration and and TargetTarget? ? Panic of the Trembling Heart has Panic of the Trembling Heart has Range: EyeRange: Eye which means she must make eye which means she must make eye contact with the bandit leader for it to work. contact with the bandit leader for it to work. Duration: SunDuration: Sun means it will last until the means it will last until the Sun rises or sets – so depends on the time of day you cats it how long it lasts. Sun rises or sets – so depends on the time of day you cats it how long it lasts. Target: Target: IndividualIndividual means it only works on one person, hence the choice of bandit leader. She means it only works on one person, hence the choice of bandit leader. She would need a would need a Target: GroupTarget: Group spell to effect up to the bandits with a single spell and a spell to effect up to the bandits with a single spell and a Group version of this spell would be Level 25, beyond her ability to cast at the Group version of this spell would be Level 25, beyond her ability to cast at the moment.moment.

I want to cast a spell I don’t know!I want to cast a spell I don’t know!

Well we often need to do things we are not prepared Well we often need to do things we are not prepared for, and just because you don’t have an appropriate for, and just because you don’t have an appropriate Formulaic spell you learned years ago does not mean Formulaic spell you learned years ago does not mean you can’t try at least! So instead of bandits, let’s say it is you can’t try at least! So instead of bandits, let’s say it is wolves who have chased us to the river. Constantina is wolves who have chased us to the river. Constantina is rubbish at Animal with a score of 0, and Mentem rubbish at Animal with a score of 0, and Mentem effects won’t work on them as their minds are effected effects won’t work on them as their minds are effected by Animal not Mentem. So she decides to create a by Animal not Mentem. So she decides to create a WardWard, a spell that will stop the wolves crossing it. She , a spell that will stop the wolves crossing it. She needs a needs a Circle of Beast WardingCircle of Beast Warding!!

Casting Spontaneous MagicCasting Spontaneous Magic

Problem is she doesn’t know Problem is she doesn’t know Circle of Beast Circle of Beast WardingWarding as a formulaic spell. Firstly, what does as a formulaic spell. Firstly, what does the spell do? You trace a circle on the river bank, the spell do? You trace a circle on the river bank, and as long as you stay in that ring mundane and as long as you stay in that ring mundane animals can’t attack you or the circle. You are animals can’t attack you or the circle. You are safe, and eventually the wolves will go look for safe, and eventually the wolves will go look for easier prey. It is described on Ars Magica 5easier prey. It is described on Ars Magica 5 thth p. p. 120 if you have already got the rulebook, and is 120 if you have already got the rulebook, and is a a Rego AnimalRego Animal level 5 spell. You need to level 5 spell. You need to improvise it!improvise it!

Constantina vs. the WolvesConstantina vs. the Wolves

The good news is it is only a level 5 spell. The bad news is that The good news is it is only a level 5 spell. The bad news is that Constantina is rubbish at Rego with a Score of 2 and knows Constantina is rubbish at Rego with a Score of 2 and knows nothing about Animal. Still even with a 0 in the latter she still nothing about Animal. Still even with a 0 in the latter she still knows enough to try a spell! She works it out exactly like a knows enough to try a spell! She works it out exactly like a Formulaic Spell: Formulaic Spell:

Stamina (0) + Rego (2) + Animal (0) =2 + a d10.Stamina (0) + Rego (2) + Animal (0) =2 + a d10.However because this is a However because this is a Spontaneous spellSpontaneous spell, she divides , she divides the final result by 2! the final result by 2! She therefore needs to roll an 8 on the dice, for a She therefore needs to roll an 8 on the dice, for a Casting TotalCasting Total of 10, so that when it is divided it becomes 5 – just enough to of 10, so that when it is divided it becomes 5 – just enough to cast a Level 5 spell like cast a Level 5 spell like Circle of Beast Warding.Circle of Beast Warding.