Term for any house rules wherein either: the Parma Magica "weakens" any
incoming spells that it doesn't totally stop; or the Parma itself "weakens"
through repeated contact with magics that it stops or weakens; or both.
Belief Defines Reality: one side of the Medieval Paradigm
argument, whereby mythical things happen because people believe in them. This worldview assumes that as people's beliefs
change, reality changes too.
To send private (particularly if embarassing to yourself or others) e-mail to
the list at large. Originally named after an email in which the Sarge
apparently referred to a noted game designer as 'squid boy'.
Crotchety Old Old Fart (a longtime member of the list, like since ArM2 was
a new edition. Alternatively, anyone who's been on the list as long as any
current member can remember.) Also translated "Child Of Our Founders" (by
David Spitzley) which is much more respectful (young whippersnappers
today, don't appreciate their elders, mutter mutter).
Lion of the North, the Tribunal book for Loch Leglean. Generally held to
be the best third edition Tribunal book, contains details on Gruagach (exotic magi).
The Second edition of Ars Magica. This usage has declined since the
publication of ArM4. It's likely that ArM5 will further
diminish the ranks of True Believers.
Keeping the list safe from flamewars. (Basically, if you are about to
start a Paradigm-based flamewar, someone from the force will pop up and warn everyone.)
Also, Pink Dot Defense, Pink Sword Loophole, Purple Dot
Loophole, Purple Polearm Loophole, etc. A
recognized problem with Fifth
Edition Magic Resistance rules, whereby a magus can turn his
opponent's sword pink and the now-enchanted sword will be kept
out by the caster's own Magic Resistance.
"Rules as written." What the rules strictly say, as
opposed to the way people apply them in their games (which may
be based on a combination of the RAW, house rules, legacy rule
interpretations from past editions, and common sense). Note
that there can be room for ambiguity or more than one
interpretation in the RAW.
"Do what Works for your Saga," named for Robbie Westmoreland, the star-bellied
geek and a COOF, lately inactive. Also #include <robbie.h>, meaning that Robbie's Mantra follows
Tribunals of Hermes, either the areas of Mythic Europe, or the book which
WotC promised but never got around to producing. Also used for the first two third Edition Tribunal books:
Tribunals of Hermes: Iberia, notorious for the random addition of demons
by the Line Developer, and the skill "Craft Sex Toys (painful ones)", which
the author (Peter Hentges) utterly disowns.
Wizard's Grimoire: A third edition product, notorious for having been less
thoroughly playtested and edited than it ought to have been. Supplementary
rules and spells, including some that broke the limits of Hermetic Magic.
Wizard's Grimoire, Revised Edition: the 4th Edition update of the above.
Much more sensible, though still notorious for some of its controversial spells (Encase in Ice, for example).