Traditions Written up Properly, What Street Magic didn't have room for Options

[OrionJA]

The tradition write-ups in SR 4 are cool and all, but sadly incomplete. Space limitations and all, plus not wanting to bind players to one interpretation. Still, I think we could flesh out these traditions write-ups witha LOT more information for GMs to work with. Here's an example, based on a tradition I wrote-- I plan to apply the same template to other traditions in the future.

Note: I use a variant version of aspected magicians. It’s a 10-point positive quality that one takes instead of magician, it gives no abilities outside the aspect except astral perception, and an aspected magician begins play as a rank 1 initiate. Also, in place of spell/spirit aspects, I have “path aspect� which allows access to two spell/spirit categories. This tradition was written for that ruleset.

Mentalism
Concept: Seemingly “magical� occurrences are expressions on untapped potential in the human mind. Mentalists are scientists who study paranormal phenomena.
Available to: Adepts, Mystic Adepts, Path Magicians
Drain/Spirits: Willpower+Intuition/Possession
Detection: Guidance
Manipulation: Man
(Combat: Guardian)
(Health: Beast)
(Illusion: Task)
Other: All Mentalists are path aspected to Detection/Manipulation. For games under standard rules, most but not all mentalists should be detection aspected.

Spells and Formulae in Mentalism

Mentalists believe that their powers are manifestations of the human mind. By cultivating their awareness of their surroundings, they become able to reach out into the "aether" to reveal and manipulate the otherwise inaccessible. Their spells are not typically given elaborate names, merely descriptive Latinate titles.

Mentalist spell formulae are not descriptions of how to perform a spell; that knowledge lies in the human unconscious. Rather, they are journals and research notes detailing another mentalist’s experiences and advice on putting oneself in a state of mind where the appropriate self-discovery is possible.

Spirits and Mentors in Mentalism

Mentalists consider spirits to be detached pieces of id, racial memory, or other sorts of abnormal consciousness. “Summoning� actually entails budding off a portion of one’s own consciousness and giving it temporary autonomy. These mental beings have no physical forms, but prefer to possess objects, especially technological ones like cars.

Mentalist Mentors are extremely rare, as most mentalists don’t believe spirits know anything we don’t.

Lodges, Groups, and Rituals in Mentalism

A mentalist’s lodge is generally simply a small study filled with research notes, journals of other mentalists, and the occasional crystal, mirror, or other optical device. Ritual and Binding materials commonly include (help me out here, please?)

Mentalist groups are extraordinarily common, as the mentalists think of their entire tradition as a specialized academic community. Almost every mentalist claims membership in one of these groups, whose strictures generally include attendance, dues, service, or fraternity.

Initiation and Metamagic in Mentalism

Initiation for Mentalists is the result of an intense period of self-contemplation, often accompanied by tests of will. Theses are extremely frequently used as ordeals, with suffering and meditation the next most common.

Quickening is extremely widely practiced in mentalism; it is thought of as an extension of the conjuring process, and most mentalists learn it during their apprenticeship. Any Mentalist of standing will tend to carry a grip of quickened detections at all times.

Masking and Extended Masking are also extremely popular, as most mentalists don’t think of themselves as magical, don’t want to be part of the magical community, and definitely don’t want the attention of magical authorities.

Divining, Psychometry, Sensing, and other metamagic replicate classic mentalist tricks and are also widely studied.

Geasa, Fetishes, and Foci in Mentalism

Geasa are rare in mentalism, as most of them are highly unscientific. The exception is a condition geas reflecting a need for focus, such as astrally perceiving or sitting down,

A variety of crystals and optical devices are routinely employed to aid detection magic. Items are less commonly used for manipulation, and when such foci are used, they tend to be self-enchanted items of personal value, like a class ring. These are often thought of as aids to concentration.

Adepts in Mentalism

Mentalist adepts are rare, but do exist. The majority are social adepts, without physics-defying physical powers. Some more militant adepts put their expanded perception to use in battle, or emulate the telekinetic powers of their spellcasting brethren.

Most Common Powers:
Improved Social Skill, Kinesics, Commanding Voice, Enhanced Perception, Iron Will, Magic Sense, Astral Perception, Pain Resistance.

Combat Sense, Improved Reflexes, Improved Agility, Power Throw, Missile Mastery, Distance Strike, Nerve Strike, Improved Combat Skill,

Adept Initiates typically learn Masking, Cognition, and Psychometry,

Society, Technology, and Mentalism.

Most mentalists try to be socially conscious, but many sell their souls to the corps in return for a comfortable life. All revel in industrial society and love technology. Being scientists, Mentalist groups maintain extensive online databases on their research and findings.