By Rupert A D Smith (smithr@teaching5.physics.ox.ac.uk) (22 Apr 94)
Hide in plain sight. That is the simple motto of this loose Tradition of mages. Most stage magicians, fortune tellers,and mediums are cheap charlatans. However, some of them aren't. The earliest practitioners of this Tradition were probably gypsy women, however the Tradition proper started in England with a more eclectic mix, in about 1870, when the sudden explosion of mystical groups, led to a few mages coming together into loose associations. In about five years two of these had coalesced into solid organisations, one behind the freemasons, and one behind the magic circle, however at the turn of the century the ones behind the masons were inexplicably wiped out. To this day the mages still do not know that the mystical vogue was fostered by Tremere, or that the Tremere had purged their pet organisation.
Today the Tradition is small and widespread, but the members keep in good contact. It is well mixed in the mundane magical community, and its members are careful not to draw too much attention to themselves. Stage magicians form the bulk of this Tradition, but there is little rivalry between the genres. They have little or nothing to do with thaumaturgical groups, which keeps them out of trouble with the Tremere or Order of Hermes.
Most Tradition members try to stick to coincidental magick, covering up with stage tricks and showmanship, indeed many have developed a fear of paradox, mainly the performers, who don't like to give away the trick, and only perform coincidentally.
Politically they have little clout, they act on the population to suspend disbelief, and maybe the sleepers will accept the impossible.
Organisation: word of mouth, and the magical community keep the group together. They rarely have meetings, or form homogenous chantries, but often join chantries with other Traditions.
Meetings: Whenever they feel like it, meetings often correspond with the meeting of their mundane counterparts.
Initiation: A promising newcomer may be taken under the wing of an old mage, but often they just look out for magicians that awaken spontaneously.
Chantry: The emotional heart of the Tradition is in London, but the there is also a strong presence in Las Vegas, where entertainers are thick on the ground.
Acolytes: hypnotists, fortune tellers, mediums, magicians
Sphere: varies
Foci: Wwand - Prime, Forces. Cards - Entropy, Time, Spirit (the latter two are usually Tarot). Concealment - Correspondance. Watch - Mind, Time (not applicable to time senses or cognition). Sword - Life. Trick - Matter
Quote: "Pick a card."
Akashic Brotherhood: Nice enough blokes. You can't deny that they seem content.
Celestial Chorus: They performed too, to a different audience. they're not so pure.
(Petty tricksters. They are not worth notice)
Cult of Ecstasy: They throw good parties, but otherwise ignore 'em.
Dreaspeakers: We have many similarities in background. They chose a harder path, and we respect them for it.
Euthanatos: They just like killing things. The metaphysics is just an excuse.
Hollow Ones: Directionless, but who cares. They make a great audience.
(Hey! I can see a trapdoor! Boooo!)
Order of Hermes: Getting mages into the medieval consciousness was a brilliant idea. It's a shame they weren't up to it, but their time has passed and such tactics just won't work anymore.
(Imitators)
Sons of Ether: What happens when science is indistinguishable from magic? They know what they are doing.
(Who?)
Verbena: Nooooo thank you!
Virtual Adepts: Suspension of disbelief at a new level. But are they trying to put us out of a job or what?
(Similar goals, different methods. I doubt they will achieve much, but cover your bases yes?
Technocracy: (You are advised to come quietly. Do not try to distract me from my given task with trivialities.)