SPANNERS

By Jeremy Streeter (streeter@christa.unh.edu)

(Also called Mitakoyoy-asin)

Description

This craft was formed from the Hollow Ones who were cast out, but still retained some sense of righteousness, and destiny. Most of the Spanners attempt to create and form vulgar magics in hope of becoming powerful enough to battle along side the Traditions in the Ascension Wars, and against the Technocracy. The founder, an enlightened young woman, named Alexandra, discovered through using vulgar magics, she was able to harness incredibly potent powers. Her goal in these rotes were to desensitize reality to her magical abilities. It worked. She is considered a Marauder by many Mages, and is even feared of by the Technocracy. She truly is not a Marauder, however, she attained a level of power, to which she was able ascend, theoretically "half-way" learn about the universe, and come back. This she named Spanning, thus the Spanners. To become one with the universe. She gained many allies after showing off her abilities during a Technocracy aligned Pentex battle in 1988, where she managed to disrupt the entire city block where the battle was centered around and cause the entire area to become a merged portal between the Umbra and the Skinlands. By doing so, the primary soldiers of the Pentex foundation, the Black Spiral Dancers, were defeated by one of the only recorded alliances in Awakened beings' history. It is said the battle included Garou, Kindred, Mages, Mortals, and even the likes of the Changling community. It is said that the tear in the universe did such damage that it caused and forced many Wraiths out of their little universe and into the battle. Whether the existence of the dead at the battle is true, is not recorded. Alexandra, created such an upheavel during this battle, that afterwards, for about 5 months, the city (Los Angeles) was purged of Technocracy and Wyrm presence, a feat never before actuated by any other force yet recorded. It is believed that because the city of Los Angeles was not in Camarilla or Sabbat dominion, and primarily in the open and full of Anarchs, that the life and falling out of the alliance was imminent. However, the permanent effects of the battle have lasted and the Technocracy has been quiet about their re-entry into Los Angeles... As well as the Wyrm.

Since that time, Alexandra has raised the attendance to her Spanner seminars to over 250 Hollow Ones on a monthly basis. She has since begun to teach powerful rotes, and to help the Mages learn, she had begun to provide some limited resources and libraries, as well as some tutors. Her influence has been enough and has formed this Craft into a formidable one, however still weak.

Philosophy

Life has one purpose, but for each person, each thing, that life and it's purpose are different. Life has meaning, but so does death. The Spanners have been founded upon the centralization that the universe is a living entity, a belief not easily taken in by others. The idea has allowed at least two to Transcend, the theoretical half-ascension that I spoke of earlier. This Transcendence, has given enlightenment, given peace, and given power to those who have survived. The Spanners strive to become unified with the universe to help it understand itself better, and to help push its dark side from Earth, or at least into its deepest bowels where Gaia alone can hold in its power. For this reason, most of the magicks performed by Mages of the Spanning Craft, are dynamic and vulgar. A belief rooted in that becoming one with the universe must include going to its darker side and experiencing Paradox in its fullest, and surviving. A dangerous craft indeed, but one that repays the Mage ten-fold. After exiting Quietus, it is possible to be closer one's Avatar, as well to have changed one's Destiny forever. (ie: If the GM allows, and you manage to return from Quiet, and survive, you can be offered an increase of one or more dots in your Backgrounds, all of them).

Organization

The Spanners are rooted in the United States, with a roving set of leaders. Alexandra and her first, Vezer, travel around gathering recruit Spanners from the ranks of the Hollow Ones, not only giving the Hollow Ones respect, but honour. Something rare to a Hollow One to feel, a sense of purpose and confidence in her powers. As well, Alexandra and Vezer attempt to help Unawakened Mages awaken and find their powers from within, as well as find a Tradition that may best suit that person and her life style. For that, more than anything, the Traditions have given a seat to Alexandra and Vezer on some of the high councils in a few cities around the globe. For lack of formal organization however beyond the traveling about and gathering of new recruits for Spanning, the membership in the Spanners is limited to believers in the cause. Some of the Spanners have though, formed small "clubs" within cities, numbering 200, the largest gathering of Spanners in New York City, a great place to practice vulgar magicks.

Meetings

The smallers groups have organized regular meetings as often as possible and commune every week. A larger gathering, perhaps the Eastern Sea Board or something like that occurs once a month for the smallers groups. It is difficult to follow Alexandra and Vezer in mortal society, because people, (generally Sleepers), just don't tend to remember either of them, (they both have an Arcane of 5).

Initiation

Probably the longest and grueling part of Spanning, your first task is to cast a vulgar magic and practice this out in the open, though not necessarily before Unawakened (apparently that hurts more), but in a place where the powers can be focused and universe will come quickly to that person. Transcendence is thought to be a group thing for Spanners to have to survive. Once initiated, you have at least once, survived Paradox backlashes and entering Quiet, and have returned. Normally, you have done this with the help of others, and most Spanners begin with 12-15 background points to distribute. If not yet initiated, the backgrounds are given as per the normal 7.

Chantry

Now being constructed, hopefully to be finished by 1997, however the funds are running low, and a fundraiser is being held. The Chantry is being placed in the Himalayas, free for study, and will be accompanied by the second largest library collection in the world.

Acolytes

Hollow Ones

Sphere

Prime

Foci

• Transcendence: Prime/Life/Matter/Entropy/Spirit/Mind
• Paradox: Prime/Life/Matter/Spirit/Forces/Entropy/Mind/Time/Correspondence

Concepts

New Age thinker, musician, scholar, theologist, artists, scientists.

Rotes

In the years that have followed since the battle, now known as Mitakoyoy-asin, or the Battle of Unity, the Spanners have began developing unusual rotes. Most of them are dangerous for all Mages to attempt, and it is believed that few of the Spanners may be in Quiet, even at the moment. Here are just a few sips of some of the hundreds of rotes they have created, of which I will present to you in order of power, consider them levels, as the number of higher knowledge of the spheres rises...

"We Like Traffic Lights", Deluminal-Transcendence

2 Entropy, 2 Forces, 2 Prime

By inducing this rote, the mage is able to control the changing of traffic lights, or any light in the general facility and make them bend to her will. It took years of practice to perfect teaching this, let alone using it. It works say in cases like car chases, even moving at 200 mph, the spell will remain if Prime is used to feed Quintessence into the entropy and forces (light) manipulation. This rote is also used by some members at nightclubs to gain attention from a crowd by having certain lights follow her, or by having strobe lights blink to illuminate her dancing, as well as move in sequence with the lights. As long as a light can be turned on and off, this power can be used on them; however it is considered vulgar if you are sitting in a diner and point at a light and it suddenly goes out (and you are the one who made it go out). Otherwise, this rotes is not considered vulgar by the universe, mainly because you are not greatly disturbing the course of things, nor is this power too complex and dynamic for the universe to whip you across the head for using it.

Universal Soldier, Dimensional Manipulation

2 Entropy, 3 Spirit, 3 Matter, 3 Forces, 3 Time, 2 Prime

By initiating knowledge and feedback from the universe, one can predict successfully the next strike an opponent in combat may make. However, combining that while in combat is incredibly difficult. This rote is possibly one of the most vulgar magics, and unless the opponent is killed during that first attack and is not Awakened, chances are that the universe wil make you go into Quiet so fast you didn't even get a chance to block the guy's next attack. You may attack, and strike your opponent with as many success as you wish, anywhere on that opponent's body during this combat round after using this spell. This is done by slowing time, making umbral pockets for your fists and feet, and creating small ripples in the universe where your direct density, mass, and weight are higher than normal. As well, with Forces, you create the strength and force behind the strikes enough to kill any Sleeper being struck. Only the best martial arts masters could survive this onslaught normally, or one of those really big tough guys in front of a bar, or perhaps you messed with a Kindred... (whoops). Well, you are there now, and all damage is quadrupled in force for this rote. The number of attacks you have is determined by how many success you get, and you gain first intiative to attack again next round. Not bad, but most likely, you have gained 5-6 Paradox points for this action, in addition to a Backlash, normally concerning loss of friction, temporal perception changes, and umbral ripples knock you over as if they were physical objects. Got to suck around Garou.

Invoke Paradox, Invoke Transcendence

Prime 4, Life 4, Spirit 4, Mind 4, Time 4

By initiating this Rote, a Mage can transfer Paradox of her own to another individual. And infuse the Paradox into that individual's soul, thusly dumping her Paradox on others. Normally, this is treated as vulgar magic, once she touches the person, the target begins to scream and fall to its knees in extreme pain from the entire process. As long as the being has a soul or a mind, this process can take place. Vampires and Garou merely receive Aggravated damage for the process and are paralyzed during the process as well. Mortals and Mages feel pain, but take no damage. Instead, they gain a Paradox rating. By doing this, the caster of this rote is able to send mortals tumbling into Quiet, and Mages to suffer incredibly.

*** Once initiated this Spell cannot be directly countered as a normal rote. The Mage countering must spend, or lose (either way you see it), a point of Quintessence to stop the process, for each success the Mage casting has.

New Merits and Flaws

Sphere Adept (7 pt. Supernatural Merit): The Mage is focused on a sphere, not by choice, but as part of her destiny, part of her Avatar had mastered a sphere in a formal life, and the powers from it have carried over into this life. Within the chosen Sphere, this Mage receives automatic successes for every point she has in the sphere when using this Sphere in casting by itself or for a Rote. She is closer to that Sphere and that part and piece of the Universe. The Spell can still be failed, for instance; as you have an Arete of 4, and your Sphere is Life but you have 2 in Life. You make your Arete roll, and roll 4 ones, (ouch). You still get two automatic successes, but the 4 ones in that roll cause the spell to not work and you receive a lot of Paradox. As well, the benefits of this Merit allow that Mage to raise that Sphere naturally without a tutor at a rate of Current Rating x 4, however, remember you cannot surpass your Arete rating.

Paradoxial Bonds (7 pt. Supernatural Merit): This is the closest one can get to being a Paradox Spirit without being one. You are living on the edge; you are close to the universe and yet it punishes you constantly. For this Merit, you can remove a point of Paradox by spending 2 experience points when you are resting, or when initially receiving Paradox. Study Points do not work towards this Merit and cannot be used here. Other Mages may notice the Paradox being released and if so, you may be treated as an enemy unless the condition is explained. You must have an Occult of 4 to understand what this Merit is, however, you do not have to have an Occult of 4 to use it's benefits. If you have an Occult of 4, make an initial Intelligence+Occult roll at difficulty 6. If the roll is successful before beginning the role playing, you will be able to explain and role play what you may know out of character.

Spanner Initiate (7 pt. Mage Society Merit): With this Merit, you receive more backgrounds; ideally you roll a D10 and the number you get is the number of Background points you receive in addition to your initial points. As well, you have Transcended once and survived. This gives you 6 points more to distribute in your Abilities, (any of them), (you have gained knowledge by tapping into the universal continuum). There is a downside to all of this, as Paradox is now closer to you, or perhaps still not nice to you... (Unless you take the 7 pt. Merit above this one). You often can receive Backlashes, and have a more likeliness of encountering Paradox Spirits that have come to kick your butt. Hopefully you'll have some friends around...

Dying Avatar (5 pt. Supernatural Flaw): Your Avatar and your past lives are fading from existence and from memory, and with them, may your powers and enlightenment. It is your duty to save your Avatar or lose it forever. An Avatar, with a rating of 1, will be lost in a year, up to an Avatar rating of 5 which will be lost in five years. You must seek Ascendance now, or Transcend, or even visit Quiet. Your only other chance is to die and give your next life the chance to remove the taint from it's past. Characters with this Flaw cannot take the Backgrounds Destiny, Dream, and Arcane.

Rote Mastery (5-7 pt. Supernatural Merit): You have mastered one of your Rotes, and have done so to an effect where you receive no Paradox for the Rote, no matter how Vulgar. The more Vulgar however, the more this Merit costs. No rote can be mastered in this way if it contains any Spheres with a rating over 3. The most complex Rotes that have been mastered are rare and ingenious, and your GM may not allow this Merit, and or may limit you to a selection of Rotes within your spheres. Those with Rote Mastery may not take Sphere Adept.

"The Natural", (True Mage 10 pt. Supernatural Merit): You were born with your powers and could use them inNately as a baby and a small child. You grew up a genius and learned things faster than anybody else around you. Your powers spawned such energy that Paradox sometimes does not effect you directly, even for Dynamic or Vulgar Magicks. You can use Magicks that are not in the Spheres that you have studied, and the powers are almost natural, as if you were a node of energy that can spawn spontaneous Quintessence effects. If you spend a Willpower Point, and make an Arete roll, you can cast spells without taking Paradox. Remember however, that once this power is discovered, you will be hunted by other Mages and probably killed or feared forever. Even Marauders would fear you. In addition, you may raise your Arete at Current Rating x 6. However, if you actually get Paradox for a spell, it is extra hard to get rid of, and when you go to a Node to Meditate to remove Paradox, your difficulty for success is a 9.