Full Version: Masonic magic
There are a number of fraternal organizations with mystical trappings; in America, the Freemasons and the Shriners are probably the best-known. Is there any SR book that talks about their reaction to the Awakening? What happened when Masonic rites suddenly developed actual, mystical power? Do they count as a distinct magical tradition, or is it Hermeticism with (slightly?) different trappings?
Seems like clear cut hermeticism to me. I'd say there are two types of Masonic Lodge, awakened and otherwise. Awakened lodges would function as initiatory groups, with the Secrecy tenet, as well as possibly others. Unawakened groups would function the same as real world ones do. Seems easy to houserule, though you'd have to gloss over details unless everyone in the group is an actual Mason.
QUOTE
There are a number of fraternal organizations with mystical trappings; in America, the Freemasons and the Shriners are probably the best-known. Is there any SR book that talks about their reaction to the Awakening?
Threats, Threats 2, and all magic books after Magic in the Shadows. The Black Lodge is the most important in the fluff, being behind pretty much al the evils of Washington and whatnot, and (arguably) backed by the third major type of Immortals in Shadowrun, next to dragons and elves.
Hermeticism is a good fit if you consider freemasons tied to jewish conspiracies (Quabbalism would also fit reasonably well then). If you want to be more historical, use Christian Theurgy (p. 44 Street Grimoire/p. 37, Street Magic). If you want to go full 80s Satanist Scare on the Freemasons, you can also use Black Magic (p. 41 SG/p.36 SM) or a toxic tradition of your choice.
QUOTE (hermit @ Jan 29 2016, 12:11 PM) 
Threats, Threats 2, and all magic books after Magic in the Shadows. The Black Lodge is the most important in the fluff, being behind pretty much al the evils of Washington and whatnot, and (arguably) backed by the third major type of Immortals in Shadowrun, next to dragons and elves.
Hermeticism is a good fit if you consider freemasons tied to jewish conspiracies (Quabbalism would also fit reasonably well then). If you want to be more historical, use Christian Theurgy (p. 44 Street Grimoire/p. 37, Street Magic). If you want to go full 80s Satanist Scare on the Freemasons, you can also use Black Magic (p. 41 SG/p.36 SM) or a toxic tradition of your choice.
Hermeticism is a good fit if you consider freemasons tied to jewish conspiracies (Quabbalism would also fit reasonably well then). If you want to be more historical, use Christian Theurgy (p. 44 Street Grimoire/p. 37, Street Magic). If you want to go full 80s Satanist Scare on the Freemasons, you can also use Black Magic (p. 41 SG/p.36 SM) or a toxic tradition of your choice.
Black Lodge are immortals? I thought they were just a shadowy mage group.
It's a bit conjecture, but they are arguably the front for the Denairastas, the children of Denairastas the Outcast, a Great who just couldn't stop making immortal metahumans after the debacle with the elves. They play a large part in Earthdawn's metaplot.
If you are building this idea from scratch, take a look at the "Adept" series of novels by Kurtz and Harris. Lots of rich detail from which to draw.
QUOTE (Zednark @ Jan 29 2016, 12:10 AM)
Seems like clear cut hermeticism to me. I'd say there are two types of Masonic Lodge, awakened and otherwise. Awakened lodges would function as initiatory groups, with the Secrecy tenet, as well as possibly others. Unawakened groups would function the same as real world ones do. Seems easy to houserule, though you'd have to gloss over details unless everyone in the group is an actual Mason.
That makes me think it would be funny if the group were, ICly, all Freemasons who lost all their identities and anybody who could vouch for them in the Fall. So the Masons think they're a bunch of poseurs and/or impersonators, and the group are running the Shadows to gain the resources with which to prove their identities and so be re-acknowledged as brothers.
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