Legacy:Parma magica

From Project: Redcap

Version 1

Date: 2008-12-27 20:36:25 GMT Author: AndrewGronosky Comment: Initial version


''Parma Magica'' is a Latin phrase meaning "Magical Shield."  Parma Magica is a spell-like ritual that provides [[Hermetic]] [[Magus|Magi]] with [[Magic Resistance]].  It provides a general-purpose [[Magic Resistance]] that combines with the Magic Resistance granted by the magus's [[Form]] score.

Parma Magica was invented by [[Bonisagus the Founder|Bonisagus]].  It is one of the two great discoveries attributed to him; the other is [[Hermetic Magic]] itself.

The exact details of Parma Magica have varied a little through the lifetime of Ars Magica.

=Parma Magica in Fifth Edition

Parma Magica is the only form of all-around Magic Resistance in [[Fifth Edition]] [[Canon]].  [[Non-Hermetic]] wizards (and [[Diabolist|diabolists]]) lack anything that provides Magic Resistance against all [[Forms]].

In addition to providing [[Magic Resistance]], Parma Magica also blocks the adverse social effects of the [[Gift]].  This enables magi to have normal social interactions with one another, form friendships, and found long-lasting [[Covenant|covenants]].  In Fifth Edition canon, Parma Magica made the [[Order of Hermes]] possible ([[ArM5]], page 9).

In [[ArM5]], Parma Magica is a an [[Arcane Ability]] that can only be learned by characters who have The [[Gift]].  The secret of Parma Magica is only taught to members of the [[Order of Hermes]]; teaching it to outsiders is a serious crime ([[ArM5, page 66).  Hermetic apprentices not taught the full secret of Parma Magica until after they have passed their [[Wizards Gauntlet]] and sworn the [[Hermetic Oath]].

[[Houses of Hermes True Lineages]] includes some variations on Parma Magica that could be invented as a [[Hermetic Breakthrough]].

==Fifth Edition References

* Invention and social effects of Parma Magica, [[ArM5]] page 9.
* Ability Description, [[ArM5]] page 66.
* Activating and De-Activating Parma Magica, [[ArM5]] 85
* Formula for Magic Resistance granted by Parma, [[ArM5]] 85 
* Sharing Parma Magica, [[ArM5]] 66, 85

=Parma Magica in Fourth Edition

Mechanically, Parma Magica worked the same in Fourth Edition as it does in Fifth Edition.  There is no mention of it having any effect on the social impairment of The Gift.

=Parma Magica in Second and Third Edition

Parma Magica in Second and Third Edition provided Magic Resistance.  In addition, the text noted that Parma Magica also blocked the "everyday" magic of a beautiful sunrise or a well-prepared meal.  This set magi apart from other characters and made them think and act even more differently from mundanes.

In the Third Edition sourcebook, [[Houses of Hermes]], it was noted that some members of House Jerbiton avoid using Parma Magica so they can fully experience beauty.

=Parma Magica in First Edition

Parma Magica in [[ArM1]] was not an Ability at all, but a [[Rego]] [[Vim]] [[General Spell|General spell]]. Furthermore, Parma Magica would "go down" and need to be re-cast if a spell successfully penetrated it.  A magus would know when his Parma went down, but not necessarily why. (This is the opposite of the situation in [[ArM5]], where a magus knows when his Parma blocks a spell but not when one gets through).

The effect of having Parma Magica as a ReVi spell was to strongly encourage all magi to develop their Rego and Vim scores.  Presumably, this tended to reduce diversity among player-magi.  Parma Magica was changed to an Ability in Second Edition, presumably to weaken the incentive for magi to specialize in Rego Vim.

=Frequently-Asked Questions

See [[Magic Resistance]]

Version 2

Date: 2008-12-28 19:49:36 GMT Author: AndrewGronosky Comment: typos


''Parma Magica'' is a Latin phrase meaning "Magical Shield."  Parma Magica is a spell-like ritual that provides [[Hermetic]] [[Magus|Magi]] with [[Magic Resistance]].  It provides a general-purpose [[Magic Resistance]] that combines with the Magic Resistance granted by the magus's [[Form]] score.

Parma Magica was invented by [[Bonisagus the Founder|Bonisagus]].  It is one of the two great discoveries attributed to him; the other is [[Hermetic Magic]] itself.

The exact details of Parma Magica have varied a little through the lifetime of Ars Magica.

=Parma Magica in Fifth Edition

Parma Magica is the only form of all-around Magic Resistance in [[Fifth Edition]] [[Canon]].  [[Non-Hermetic]] wizards (and [[Diabolist|diabolists]]) lack anything that provides Magic Resistance against all [[Forms]].

In addition to providing [[Magic Resistance]], Parma Magica also blocks the adverse social effects of the [[Gift]].  This enables magi to have normal social interactions with one another, form friendships, and found long-lasting [[Covenant|covenants]].  In Fifth Edition canon, Parma Magica made the [[Order of Hermes]] possible ([[ArM5]], page 9).

In [[ArM5]], Parma Magica is a an [[Arcane Ability]] that can only be learned by characters who have The [[Gift]].  The secret of Parma Magica is only taught to members of the [[Order of Hermes]]; teaching it to outsiders is a serious crime ([[ArM5]], page 66).  Hermetic apprentices are n are not taught the full secret of Parma Magica until after they have passed their [[Wizards Gauntlet]] and sworn the [[Hermetic Oath]].

[[Houses of Hermes True Lineages]] includes some variations on Parma Magica that could be invented as a [[Hermetic Breakthrough]].

==Fifth Edition References

* Invention and social effects of Parma Magica, [[ArM5]] page 9.
* Ability Description, [[ArM5]] page 66.
* Activating and De-Activating Parma Magica, [[ArM5]] 85
* Formula for Magic Resistance granted by Parma, [[ArM5]] 85 
* Sharing Parma Magica, [[ArM5]] 66, 85

=Parma Magica in Fourth Edition

Mechanically, Parma Magica worked the same in Fourth Edition as it does in Fifth Edition.  There is no mention of it having any effect on the social impairment of The Gift.

=Parma Magica in Second and Third Edition

Parma Magica in Second and Third Edition provided Magic Resistance.  In addition, the text noted that Parma Magica also blocked the "everyday" magic of a beautiful sunrise or a well-prepared meal.  This set magi apart from other characters and made them think and act even more differently from mundanes.

In the Third Edition sourcebook, [[Houses of Hermes]], it was noted that some members of House Jerbiton avoid using Parma Magica so they can fully experience beauty.

=Parma Magica in First Edition

Parma Magica in [[ArM1]] was not an Ability at all, but a [[Rego]] [[Vim]] [[General Spell|General spell]]. Furthermore, Parma Magica would "go down" and need to be re-cast if a spell successfully penetrated it.  A magus would know when his Parma went down, but not necessarily why. (This is the opposite of the situation in [[ArM5]], where a magus knows when his Parma blocks a spell but not when one gets through).

The effect of having Parma Magica as a ReVi spell was to strongly encourage all magi to develop their Rego and Vim scores.  Presumably, this tended to reduce diversity among player-magi.  Parma Magica was changed to an Ability in Second Edition, presumably to weaken the incentive for magi to specialize in Rego Vim.

=Frequently-Asked Questions

See [[Magic Resist