Reality

By Andre Weitzman (a_weitz@alcor.concordia.ca)

Introduction

Among mysticks, Marauders are both feared and envied. For all the terror their madness brings, a good many mages would kill for their ability to ignore the ravages of Paradox. Over many years a few brave (and foolhardy!) willworkers risked their lives in investigating the source of their power.

These investigations point to a hitherto unknown Sphere of knowledge--possibly the elusive Tenth Sphere that the Traditions have sought for centuries. The cost of learning it, though, indicate that it may best be left unpursued...

* Sense Paradox

Apprentices of this Sphere are capable of sensing the manifestations of Paradox in their prescence. Through careful study, they can discover the nature and origin of a particular occurrence of Paradox. The duration of Paradox Flaws can be determined, and resolving Quiets becomes easier. The apprentice can even banish hobgoblins that have become real.

Unfortunately, the onset of Marauder insanity begins. The realization that all paradigms are fundamentally invalid causes the mage's mind to become unstable. Obsession, delusions of grandeur, and flights of fantasy plague the mage.

** Resist Paradox

Advanced apprentices learn how to side-step the effects of Paradox. When any Paradox is incurred, the toll is never counted against the mage; instead, it is bled off into the surrounding environment. Paradox Flaws afflict others (even Sleepers); normal mages suffer attacks of Quiet or the depredations of Paradox Spirits; existing hobgoblins immediately become real.

This skill is its own punishment. The Reality Mage is now a serious threat to her fellow humans. Only retreating into isolation can the safety of others be assured--such as escaping to the Umbra. Some are forced to leave, while others slip away of their own accord. As well, the madness within the apprentice's mind reaches new heights.

*** Control Reality

A Disciple of the Tenth Sphere realizes that the other nine Spheres are simply facets of Reality. Careful manipulation of the Tenth Sphere can duplicate the effects of any other. The mage may create the effects of any normal Sphere up to the level of her Arete...without having to study the Sphere involved.

Insanity deepens, often resulting in short periods of Quiet. Reality Mages of this rank find it difficult to pursue intellectual matters with any degree of success. The experience point cost of adding another dot to Reality (or any other Sphere) is current rating*12. Very few Marauders are able to "Ascend" past this rank.

**** Subvert Reality

Adepts of Reality may affect static reality itself within their immediate area. Within this range, the Sphere rankings of the Realm the mage is in may be altered at whim. Other Mages find normal Spheric magick easier or harder depending on how the Reality Mage has changed the consensual paradigm. This applies even to the mage herself; Paradox is generated based on the new ratings. However, this opportunity to reduce the chaos she generates is usually squandered because the Adept chooses to violate the new paradigm anyway.

***** Subsume Reality

A Master of Reality can create a pseudo-Realm within the Umbra. In nature, it resembles a Chimera; the reality within this realm is determined by the deranged mind of the mage. Unlike a Dream Realm, it persists as long as the Master does. An outsider attempting to gain access without the mage's permission must break through a barrier similar to the Earth's Horizon.

If she enters a "real" Realm, the Master must spend a point of Willpower every hour. Not doing so causes the Realm to reject the Reality Mage like a human body refusing to accept a transplanted organ; the Mage is immediately tossed out into the Deep Umbra. The same procedure must be performed by entities from other Realms when they enter her pseudo-Realm.

Notes on Oracles of Reality

The few Marauders coherent enough to communicate their theories on the subject hold varying views. Some believe the Oracles are in fact proto-Celestines. Others think there are no Oracles. Instead, Masters of Reality slowly integrate with the Realms they create. Their sense of identity fades away, replaced by the paradigm of their Realm. The proccess completes itself with the creation of an entirely new Realm within the Umbra. The supporters of this theory say Gaia herself may once have been an Awakened being who completed integration.