A question on Initiation, Limits to magical initiation Options

[Makki]

In SR4.5? Usually that ritual is covered under an ordeal of some sort, roleplayed out in accordance with their tradition/way.

I know ordeals have time requirements usually extended tests. But what about initiation without ordeal?

[_Pax._]

quick question: do you let your awakened PCs off with just paying the karma or do you expect them to undergo some tradition-related ritual which will take a considerable amount of time? if the latter is the case, what time?

Haven't GMed such a thing myself, but ... generally, the ritual is a couple days. If i had to come up with a rule, I'd say "2 days, plus target initiation grade", for the initiation itself.

Raising magic would take time like any other (non-physical) attribute.

[Cain]

I know ordeals have time requirements usually extended tests. But what about initiation without ordeal?

I let it happen, because that's what you "get" for paying the extra karma. Instead of doing some roleplay and taking some time, you pay more and get it right away. It really doesn't matter much, because I don't let players initiate in the middle of a game (without advance planning, of course. Deeds and certain ordeals aren't the same), so seldom are initiations time-sensitive.

[Glyph]

I know ordeals have time requirements usually extended tests. But what about initiation without ordeal?

My opinion is that it should be consistent with how training and advancement is normally handled. If people just pay the karma, take the time, and improve their skills, then initiation shouldn't get singled out. On the other hand, if the adept has to prove himself worthy of the wise old sensei before he can buy another level of the martial arts quality for kung fu, and the street samurai has to go to similar lengths to raise his long arms skill from 5 to 6, then initiation should be similarly fleshed out.