tradition stuff

The Nobles Undying

Quote: “Balance and improvement in all things – in Life and Death, in Magic and Reality.”

Affinity Spheres: Time, Life, Spirit, Prime

Stereotypes: High school student, doctor, history teacher, rich heiress, ghouled mage, former mage (Alumni)


The stringent, choking thirst for knowledge, and the endangering recklessness that encapsulates the Order of Hermes has been the downfall of so many of its own members, so much that becoming their own enemy - 'Masassa', vampires of the clan called Tremere – could be called mercy. On the opposite end, choking out one's own magical potential to preserve a flimsy illusion of reality is the blinder that the Technocracy suffers so much from. When so many young mages are trapped between these two extremes, and indeed, the extremes presented by the other traditions, the need for moderation becomes that much greater.

It was that dichotomy that brought forth the beliefs of the cabal in which the Nobles Undying were originally formed. After the traumatic, spiteful Embrace of a Seattle cabal leader named Emil Shain, as well as his young student, the gathering was left to two powerful, yet Traditionless Mages, a doctor named Vasanti Maki, and a history professor named Astra Macbeth. Suffocated both by the pursuit of the Hermetic Order, which their former leader belonged to, and the watchful, oppressive eye of the Technocracy, whom had been called into the city by a somehat naïve Air Force pilot, the two women were left to pick up the pieces and dissuade the two looming threats.

In the wake of the mess, they were left with several questions in their mind: Why should we Mages only have extremes to choose from? And why should either option force us either to abandon those loved ones chosen by the Ivory Tower, or to destroy our own and those we share supernatural kinship with while dismissing them as 'Reality Deviants'? Why, instead, is there no organization in which moderation is taught? As such, the decision was made to establish such a sorely needed school of teaching.

In time, a more true school of thought emerged from the initial burst of inspiration that created the Nobles' original concept: The study of life, time, and the delicate dance of both; the study of what truly makes up Reality, how such things as Quintessence and the Umbra affect and define it. Why is the human lifespan as it is, their creed asks? What can we as humans and as Awakened beings do to lengthen it, enhance it, make it better? How, indeed, does one truly define Reality?


Organization

The organization of the Nobles Undying is somewhat loose. A typical lower Noble chantry consists of one or two 'Teachers' and a small gathering of 'Students', usually overseen in a district or small town by  'Professors', who in turn answers to the circle of regional leaders known as 'Elders'. Teachers, Professors and Elders are urged to create a welcoming, safe environment for young Students, in which they might foster their education in the magical arts without demanding bounds be pushed and risking paradox.

When a Student has shown sufficient progress in her pursuit of the magical arts, while also showing appropriate tact among the unawakened and mortal, she is allowed to progress to the role of Teacher herself, and permitted to oversee Students of her own. From there, should she continue to grow and improve, the regional Elders may decide to appoint them as a Professor of their area. However, Elders are only chosen by the very founders of the Tradition, the two women who refer to themselves as the Undying, usually after having been presented personally an exceptional individual. Being such a young Tradition, there are only two of these highest-ranking Nobles, and so it is unknown yet how one might make it to such a pinnacle.

In addition, while supernaturals of other sorts may not become official members of the Tradition, should they be deemed trustworthy by a Professor, Elder or Undying – either by some deed which benefits the Tradition or by being a former member torn from their Avatar by the Embrace - they may become allied partners to the Nobles, known as 'Alumni'.


Initiation

Young mages are not approached when promise is spotted, nor forced to awaken, nor groomed for entry or bred from family lines. Rather than any sort of stringent selection process, the Nobles seek mages who are discontented with the options already presented, for one reason or another. Traits they tend to prefer in such individuals are sharp wit and a penchant for study, But this is by no means a requirement.

From there, the new Student is placed in an 'observation period', during which the Teachers, Professors and Elders are to monitor the Student closely. They are to keep a watchful eye out for such things as a flagrant disregard for the safety of Unawakened as well as themselves, or a rejection of the true Reality. This behavior is not tolerated.