Games - Order of Hermes

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	Games - Order of Hermes

The Order of Hermes is a fictional mystical group of mages in the role-playing game Ars Magica
by Atlas Games, set in Mythic Europe. They are also one of the fictional Nine Mystic Traditions in the Mage: the Ascension role-playing game by White Wolf Game Studio, set in the World of Darkness.

History

Antiquity

The Tradition traces its roots to the Sumer and ancient Egypt of 5000 years ago around the time when the first writing systems were developed. Before written language, names were thought to be inherent to the objects they designated as reflections of their true natures. With writing as an ability to catch and manipulate names, the scribe was able to imprison the object and manipulate its very nature. The catching of names was considered a magical act in ancient societies so the ability to write was reserved for the clergy under the direct influence of gods of wisdom and magic such as Thoth.

Letters provided useful metaphors for abstact concepts, so for the first time in history thinkers were able to ascend from the physical world into whole new realms of ideas. First, Plato formed the theory of realism that allowed a secular paradigm for controlling every element of reality. Mystics then equated ideals with divinity developing manicheic, gnostic, neoplatonic and other dualistic theories around 2nd century CE. But the great intellectual upsurge of the 2nd century was soon squashed by the rapid expansion of Christianity which strove for orthodoxy in the Mediterranean region. Soon Rome fell and Western civilization fell onto Dark Times. Hermetic scholars fragmented, the sharing of ideas halted and wizards secluded themselves in their towers for protection and to study free of the Church's inquiry.

From the summonings of Babylonian priests to Egyptian priest's divining the Nile's flooding from stars to Solomon's seals, which gave him control over world, it was the time of the greatest mages of Western tradition. It was also the time when the greatest grimoires and talismans were created. However, apart from Solomon we don't know their names and so the body of knowledge consisting of theurgia, goetia, astrology and alchemy was known as the work of a single Ascended being called Hermes Trismegistus.

Order of Hermes

It wasn't until 767 CE that the situation changed. Two mages, Bonisagus and Trianoma, gathered together eleven great magi and persuaded them to form an alliance. Thus, the Order of Hermes was born.

The Tradition

Modern thoughts

The Order was thought to be a group of old wizards who cloister themselves in dusty libraries and had old arcane lore as their bread and butter. However, with the advent of modern technologies, the young and the brave new generation of Hermetics restructured the Order and devised new ways to do magick so that it would survive in the 21st century.

Hermetic practice

Houses of Hermes

Each magus in the Order of hermes has formal membership in one or more Houses, which are confederations of like-minded magi with specific philosophies and areas of expertise. The size, number, and influence of the Houses has changed significantly over time.

Surviving original Houses

These Houses were part of the original twelve that founded the Order, and still survive today.

Bonisagus

:A Founding House. Masters of magickal knowledge and theory.

Flambeau

:A Founding House. Studies the magick of warfare and the potent use of mystickal forces. Have Zoroastrian roots (common with Taftani Craft); most extreme of Hermetic Houses, almost to the point of fanaticism.

Quaesitori

:A Founding House. Actually (or, rather, originally) named House Guernicus. Acts as the judges and lawmakers of the Order.

Tytalus

:A Founding House. Strives to improve itself through conflict.

Verditus

:A Founding House. Joined Ex Misc in the 17th century; promoted to full house again in 1999, include some remains of House Thig. Artificers and enchanters who cannot perform magick without tools. After inclusion of House Thig have heavy information technology slant.

Newly-founded Houses

These Houses are not founding members of the Order but have grown large enough to be considered Major Houses.

Solificati

:Founded in 1315 AD as somewhat separate entity; have long history of alliances and conflict with the Order. Full House since 1999. Alchemists, traditionally of very noble blood.

Shaea

[ Visit the complete Wikipedia entry for Order of Hermes ]

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