Untitled - The Secrets of the Mind & Body Shaping

The Clan Mysteries
Bjornaer magi may be initiated
into both Clan Mysteries and House
Mysteries. Each clan’s description
lists the Initiation Scripts for the Clan
Mysteries available to the members
of that clan. Those Mysteries marked
with an asterisk (*) in the clan descriptions
below are detailed in The Mysteries
Revised Edition; the rest may be found in
this book or in ArM5. The mechanics
of these Scripts can be found under the
heading Initiating the Clan Mysteries,
below.
members of Clans Midusulf, Maruhs, and
Ilfetu (the Wilderist clans) are more likely
towards the fringes of the Order, where
primal wilderness still reigns.
Clans Midusulf and Sirnas are the
largest, with about 18 members each;
Clan Ilfetu is the smallest with six magi.
The other three clans have about 12
members each.
clan arelie
“Remember”
descriPtion
Clan Arelie believes that the ancestors
can be best honored through remembrance,
and seeks to preserve as much of
the stories and teaching of the bygone
age as possible. It attempts to dispel the
“Germanic barbarian” stereotype of the
House, and is the most outward-looking
of the clans, keen to know what is going
on in the rest of the Order. Many members
are taught the rare Academic Ability
Art of Memory (see The Mysteries Revised
Edition, Chapter 3: Curious Common
Magics).
Political stance
Harmonist, to the point of pacifi sm.
They are the fi rst to complain to the
House when a Wilderist acts out of turn,
but have a reputation for being the last to
come to the defense of the House. Clan
Midusulf accuse Clan Arelie of being the
caged birds of the Order in general, and
the Quaesitores in particular.
Houses of Hermes
saMPle roles
Peacemaker: This magus desires nothing
more than peace. He usually latches
on to one particular issue at a time, and
bends thoughts and deeds to resolve the
confl ict.
Spy: Skilled in subtle magics and
mundane stealth, this magus discovers
much information about others, both
friends and foes. He may have a noble
purpose (such as spying for the good of
the House), but not all do.
Philosopher: Skilled in rhetoric and
debate, this magus has received a classical
education and loves the cut and thrust of
scholarly debate.
clan initiations
The Trial of the Tree: The initiate is
hanged by his wrists for four days, henceforth
suffering from Palsied Hands, but
acquires a Piercing Gaze.
The Deed of Forgotten Lore: The initiate
must uncover a previously forgotten
or unknown fact about a clan ancestor,
for which he acquires the Clear Thinker
Virtue.
The Oath of the Empty Hand: The initiate
vows never to raise a weapon against
another being, and acquires an Affi nity
with Mentem.
clan cHief
Ursula Densacer (“Sharp-Tooth” in
Latin) has received accolades for her
erudition from House Jerbiton, and her
volumes of poetry are widely circulated
by that House. She has a wolf heartbeast,
and is good friends with Prima Falke.
clan ilfetu
“Teach”
descriPtion
Clan Ilfetu, the most mystically
inclined of the six clans, administers to
the cult of ancestors, conducting all the
public rites of the House. It also leads the
way in discovering new Mysteries. They
are dreamers and theorists, considered to
be both blessed and moonstruck. While
holding much of the power of the House,
being the only ones to Initiate the House
Mysteries, they do not overtly exercise this
12
authority. To be a member of this clan, you
must take the Clan Ilfetu Minor Virtue.
Political stance
Wilderist. Clan Ilfetu is Wilderist
because Birna commanded them to preserve
the wild, and the Wilderist offers
the most protection to the ancestors who
dwell in wild places.
saMPle roles
Prophet: A reader of auguries, apparently
more than a little mad. Their divinations
and subsequent pronouncements
may not be real, but they are respected.
Theoretician: An innovator, either in
Hermetic magic or the Mystery of the
Heartbeast.
Crusader: A zealous promoter of a
particular religious ideal who is trying to
make others see the light. If this archetype
espouses a non-religious view, then it is
better suited to Clan Maruhs.
clan initiations
The Trial and the Oath of the Prophet: To
acquire the Mystery of Divination* (a
Major Virtue), the Initiate must endure
a trial and swear an oath. The Initiate is
pinned under a large rock for 9 days and
acquires the Visions Flaw; they must also
swear always to tell the truth.
The Deed of Honor: The Initiate must
locate an ancestor site and claim it for
the House, thereby receiving the Second
Sight Virtue.
clan cHief
Ardea is well-respected in the House,
for many of the current generation of
Bjornaer magi were Initiated into the
House by this elderly maga with a heron
heartbeast. Ardea is believed to be the
most powerful mystic in the House, and
is accorded great respect as its spiritual
mother.
clan MaruHs
“Strive”
descriPtion
Clan Maruhs refuses to allow itself
to be bound by the rules of culture, but
demands to do whatever it wishes. Its