Esoterica
Esoteric knowledge comes in many forms: astrology, angelography, fortune-telling, yoga, herbalism, demonology, the lore of stones, even the secret code languages of occult societies. For centuries, such mysteries were the province of selected initiates; these days, it’s relatively easy to find the basics in any decent bookstore or website. Even so, the deeper levels remain obscure to all but the most devoted students of the art. Anyone can take a yoga class in the modern world, but the more arcane applications of that art demand years of practice, study, and devotion.
Game-wise, the Esoterica Knowledge reflects your pursuit of esoteric disciplines and, by extension, provides instruments for your magickal focus. The Trait’s overall rating reflects your general knowledge of arcane subjects, whereas each specialty reflects your expertise within a certain field. Unlike the Occult Knowledge – which in Mage 20 reflects an understanding of “secret history” and shadow-cultures – Esoterica represents the practical application of unusual fields. Occult can teach your character who Aleister Crowley was, while Esoterica helps her understand what Crowley did… and to use those principles herself. In short, this Knowledge sums up a lot of previous editions’ Abilities into a single united Trait.
Because esoteric disciplines are often interrelated, you can use the Well-Skilled Craftsman option to purchase a new specialty for only four experience points, assuming that you already have at least four dots in the Esoterica Knowledge, an existing specialty, and a story-based reason to learn that discipline. Say, for example, your character has four dots in Esoterica, with a specialty in Herbalism; if he gets some time to study yoga, he can spend four experience points and then add a specialty in Yoga to that Knowledge… after which time he can use yoga as a focus tool (assuming that it fits his magickal paradigm), and count 10s as two successes on mundane or magick-casting rolls that employ that practice.
Given an opportunity to study and practice an art, any character can learn Esoterica. Although such disciplines don’t give magickal powers to unAwakened characters, the Knowledge lets them use mundane applications – teaching yoga classes, doing horoscopes, deciphering alchemical texts and so forth – and count 10s as two successes if and when they do so. Understanding the principles of bakemono-jutsu – the ninja “ghost technique” – won’t make you invisible, for instance, but a specialty in that esoteric technique would let you count 10s as two successes on your Stealth Skill roll. Even though they can’t employ mystic powers, non-mages can be far more knowledgeable about such subjects than mages are. Such mentors may teach a mage this Knowledge or allow him to add another specialty to his existing expertise. Let’s say that Dante needs to learn demonology; he goes to the best teacher he can find – an unAwakened monk named Brother Silence – and studies his ass off.
In time, Dante understands the names and rituals associated with Infernal powers and can put them to practical use. In such cases, the student may indeed surpass the master, thanks to the Awakened understanding that unlocks the greatest potential of the art. Again, an Esoterica practice must fit the character’s belief system if you want to use it as a focus; a computer mage will have a hard time wedging her study of herbalism into a technomagickal hacking routine! This rule, however, helps flesh out your character’s belief system and gives you a practical use for the arcane disciplines that any mage worth that name understands.
For details about various paradigms, practices, and instruments associated with esoteric practices, see Focus and the Arts in Chapter Ten, (pp. 565-600).
• Dabbler: You’ve skimmed some New Age books or taken a handful of classes in the subject.
•• Student: You’ve devoted some time and energy to esoteric subjects.
••• Scholar: A devoted esotericist, you’ve spent years building up a working knowledge of odd subjects.
•••• Professor: Now you understand the interconnected patterns of arcane disciplines; knowing one allows you to master others more easily.
••••• Master: You possess a profound understanding of esoteric subjects and the practical uses behind them.
