Legacy:True lineages
Version 1
Date: 2009-08-25 23:08:41 GMT Author: pm Comment: Initial version
Four [[Houses of Hermes|Houses]] belong to the '''True Lineages''': * [[House Bonisagus]] * [[House Guernicus]] * [[House Tremere]] * [[House Mercere]] All four [[Houses of Hermes|Houses]] are particularly interested in the stability and well-being of the [[Order of Hermes]]. = References * [[ArM5]], p. 10, 11, 30, 223. * ''[[Houses of Hermes: True Lineages]]''
Version 2
Date: 2009-10-12 13:21:08 GMT Author: Yair Comment: notes on meaning
Four [[Houses of Hermes|Houses]] belong to the '''True Lineages''': * [[House Bonisagus]] * [[House Guernicus]] * [[House Tremere]] * [[House Mercere]] All four [[Houses of Hermes|Houses]] are particularly interested in the stability and well-being of the [[Order of Hermes]]. A true lineage is quintessentially characterized by direct descent from the [[Founder]], in an unbroken line of [[parens]]-[[apprentice]]. However, at least formally all magi in the [[Order of Hermes|Order]] follow this pattern, as all magi were formally accepted as apprentices and then attested to pass their [[gauntlet]] in order to be accepted into the Order. Thus, this requirement should be perceived as a matter of substance, rather than formality - in a true lineage the apprenticeship is extensive and meaningful, and true to the founder's ideals. On the other hand, in practice many true lineages incorporated various magi from other [[Houses of Hermes|Houses]] or traditions over the years. For example, in its early years [[House Tremere]] adopted many magi from necromantic cults, which were taught little if much at all by [[Tremere the Founder|Tremere]]. Nevertheless, these lineages were assimilated by the House and are now part of the true lineage. In such cases, your troupe may consider that descent from an indirect lineage may be considered a lower status within the House, or that descent from a direct lineage be considered a high status (as, for example, in [[House Mercere]], where the direct Hermetic lineage is a small fraction of the House). Finally, while [[Canon|canonically]] the above four Houses are built around the idea of a True Lineage, this need not be the case in your saga, and you should consider changing it or adding other elements. Perhaps the inner circles of [[House Tremere]] form a [[Mystery Cult]] teaching cthonic magic and immortality by transformation into a vampire, or maybe [[House Bonisagus]] has evolved into a [[Societates]] that invites innovative researchers and leading peacemakers from all Houses (perhaps even not accepting young magi - membership in House Bonisagus is now an honorary title, much like the status of a [[Quaesitor]]). Fifth Edition presents the four houses as true lineages to foster ideas and emphasize contrast between the Houses, not to limit your imagination, or the Houses. = References * [[ArM5]], p. 10, 11, 30, 223. * ''[[Houses of Hermes: True Lineages]]''