Project: Redcap - User contributions [en]

World of Darkness

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128.89.77.189: PRLinks to Tweet and Rein-Hagen

The '''World of Darkness''' is a popular game line and game setting published by [[White Wolf|White Wolf Game Studio]]. The World of Darkness line includes such games as ''Vampire: The Requiem'' (formerly ''Vampire: The Masquerade'') and ''Mage: The Awakening'' (formerly ''Mage: The Ascension'').

== Relationship of World of Darkness to Ars Magica ==
Ars Magica is not related to the World of Darkness. IT'S NOT! NOTNOTNOT!!!

Seriously, though, at one time things were heading toward some kind of connection between the two settings. Back when [[White Wolf]] briefly owned Ars Magica, they seemed to be working toward the idea that the World of Darkness grew out of [[Mythic Europe]]. This appears to be the meta-game reason for such [[Third Edition]] features as "[[True Reason]]" and the [[vampire]]s in [[House Tremere]]; note also the inclusion of an [[Order of Hermes]] in the World of Darkness game ''Mage: the Ascension'' (now ''Mage: the Awakening''). It is worth noting that the seminal World of Darkness game, '''Vampire:the Masquerade''', was largely the brainchild of [[Mark Rein·Hagen]], who, with [[Jonathan Tweet]], co-founded [[Lion Rampant]] and was part of the original team creating Ars Magica. When Lion Rampant merged with White Wolf, Ars Magica came along for the ride.

That was a long time ago. [[Atlas Games]] now owns Ars Magica, and Atlas has nothing to do with the World of Darkness. White Wolf wrote their own medieval-themed World of Darkness "prequel" setting, so there is no need for Mythic Europe to fill that role. The [[Fourth Edition]] of Ars Magica eliminated [[True Reason]], and the Fifth Edition removed vampires from House Tremere.

You can still portray Mythic Europe as eventually turning into the World of Darkness if you want to, but there is no longer anything in the official Ars Magica books suggesting that it will (or won't).

== External Links ==
;[http://www.white-wolf.com/classic-world-of-darkness (Old) World of Darkness home page]: Official Old World of Darkness page at the [[White Wolf]] Web site. The "Old" world is more connected to Ars Magica than the "New" world.
;[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_of_Darkness Wikipedia article on the World of Darkness]:

[[Category:FAQ]]
[[Category:Meta Topics]]

Project Redcap:Content guidelines

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This page explains how to make useful contributions

== Before You Contribute ==
Please read and follow our [[Project_Redcap:Copyrights|copyright]] policy. It's important.

Also, please keep in mind Project: Redcap's twin [[Project Redcap:Purpose|purposes]].

== What to Contribute ==
Anything you can do to make Project: Redcap better will be appreciated. See [[Project Redcap:About]] for the site's goals, or [[Project Redcap:Sub-Projects]] for a list of the sub-projects we have initiated to further these goals.

We are especially interested in links to Ars Magica material elsewhere on the Web, regardless of its language, age, or perceived quality. Please search Project: Redcap to find the most relevant page on which to add a link. The [[Internet Site Index]] is a good place to add links to general fan sites, and sites about players' [[Saga]]s are best to add to the [[Regional Tribunal]] page where the saga is set.

Adding new articles and improving existing articles are also great ways to contribute. You can improve existing articles by expanding the text, editing for clarity and brevity, and adding [[Help:References|references]].

Project: Redcap also welcomes [[:Category:Fan-created|fan-created]] material. Here are some suggestions of things you might want to consider creating:

* Links to interesting Web sites you've found, either about Ars Magica or about [[Real History]]
* Downloadable character sheets, maps, or other play aids
* Ready-made characters, [[covenant|covenants]], or creatures
* Original articles about some aspect of [[Mythic Europe]] or the [[Order of Hermes]]
* Short articles that summarize how a [[Rules | rule]] works or explain something from the [[Canon | canon]], such as a [[Hedge Magic]] tradition or a [[Regional Tribunal]]. Please keep in mind our [[Project_Redcap:Copyrights|copyright]] policy when writing about the canon.
* Original illustrations, maps, and diagrams.
* Original characters, adventures, covenants, and creatures. Please mark such contributions with the [[:Category:Fan-created|Fan-created]] category.
* Almost anything else you can think of!

== What Not to Contribute ==
At the risk of repeating ourselves excessively, do not post copyrighted material to Project: Redcap. We're totally serious about our [[Project Redcap:Copyrights|copyright policy]]. If you are unsure, please [[contact]] the maintainers for advice.

If, in the maintainers' sole judgment, you violate or come close to violating copyright policy, a maintainer will attempt to contact you to explain the error and request you correct it. If the maintainer cannot reach you, he or she will make any necessary edits up to and including deleting the page.

== Qualities of a Good Article ==
The best articles are:

* Focused on a specific topic
* Well-organized with appropriate headings
* Linked to other articles
* Supported by references
* Assigned to one or more [[Special:Categories|Categories]] so others can find them

Here follow some guidelines, not strict rules, for how to make your pages useful without violating copyright or hurting Atlas Games' business.

* The main point is not to write so much detail that someone could use your page instead of referring to his or her bookshelf.
* Go beyond what's in the Ars Magica books. Add examples, or suggestions on how to use something in play. Explain when a rule works differently in one edition as opposed to another.
* Include lots of links to other pages (either on this site or elsewhere)
* Refer to game rules by page number rather than quoting from them.
* Similarly, refer to fictional places, events, and characters by page reference when possible.
* If you must explain something from the game world, be very brief: one or two sentences.
* For long out-of-print material (ArM3 and earlier) you can write more extensive summaries, but still be sure to only summarize, not replicate.
* Remember that other people can, and probably will, edit the pages you create.
* Avoid writing detailed timelines of fictional events. Timelines of Hermetic history are included in several ArM5 books.

== Civility ==
Be civil. It is all right to express opinions on this site. We're not trying to be completely objective (that's an unattainable ideal). Be careful to:

# state opinions as opinions, not as facts;
# separate opinions from fact where possible, for example in a section marked "opinion," "commentary," or "reviews"
# remain respectful toward authors, other people's play styles, and opposing opinions.

Just because you think something is poorly done or a bad idea, does not mean the person who wrote it is an enemy of civilization.

== Controversial Topics ==
The nature of [[Mythic Europe]] leads [[Ars Magica]] to deal with potentially offensive and/or controversial topics such as anti-Semitism, the Crusades, witch-burning, slavery, medieval attitudes toward gender, and so on. Please ''do'' feel free to write about these topics, but write carefully. One of the great things about the [[Fan Community]] is our diversity. This implies we owe it to ourselves to be respectful of all religions, nationalities, etc.

When writing about historical events, be sure to use the past tense. Atrocities committed 800 years ago have little direct bearing on modern events. Remember that a lot of players enjoy Ars Magica for the magic and fantasy, so don't get too hung up on [[Real History]].

Perhaps the best angle is to present the controversial topic in a matter-of-fact way, then go on to explain at length all the fun Story ideas it inspires.

== See Also ==
* [[Help:Style guide]]

[[Category: Help]]
[[Category: Project_Redcap]]

Help:Style guide

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[[Category:Help]]
This is a brief guide on how to design articles for Project:Redcap, emphasizing layout and structure.

== Before You Begin ==
Please read our article on [[Copyright]] and do not post copyrighted material to this Wiki. The moderators will remove unauthorized copyrighted material immediately.

== When to Create a New Article ==
Before you create a new article, please check to see whether there is an existing page that covers the same or a similar topic. Use the search box, which appears in the upper-right corner of every page on Project: Redcap, to search for key words.

You can find a list of articles we'd like people to write on the [[Special:WantedPages]] page.

== How to Create a New Article ==
The easiest way to create a new article is to click on an existing link, on any page, that links to a non-existent page. Such links appear red in most Web browsers (though this may vary according to the preferences you've set for Project:Redcap and/or your browser). You can find a list of such links on the [[Special:WantedPages]] page.

Another way to create a new article is to search for it. If the article does not exist, the search results will include a link you can use to edit (create) it.

== Follow our Naming Convention ==
Article titles in [[MediaWiki]] are case-sensitive, with the exception of the first character. Thus, [[Magus]] and [[magus]] are the same page, but "Troupe Style" and "Troupe style" would point to different pages. It's [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Don%27t_repeat_yourself very important] that we have only ''one'' article about each topic. To achieve that goal and make Project: Redcap usable, we have to adhere to a strict capitalization convention.

Our capitalization and naming rules are:

# Capitalize proper nouns normally.
# Capitalize the titles of books as they appear on the cover: [[Realms of Power: The Divine]]
# Capitalize game terms as they appear in the latest edition of the rules: for example, [[Casting Total]], [[Botch die]], [[Grand Tribunal]], [[Lesser enchanted device]].
# Prefer the singular form for nouns: [[Magus]] not "magi," [[Virtue]] not "Virtues". We make a few exceptions to this rule: for example, the [[Covenant concepts]] article because it is inherently a list of ideas contributed by fans; similarly [[Products]] is a page about many products, not just one.
# Drop leading articles (such as "the" or "a" at the beginning of an article title) because they make pages hard to find by name
# For titles with multiple words, capitalize the title as if it were appearing at the beginning of a normal sentence. If your article is about learning to play Ars Magica, "Learning to play" would be correct and "Learning to Play" would be incorrect (because "play" is not a proper noun and should not be capitalized)
# For pages about specific Hermetic magi, in most cases, use Name of House. In this case, simply use the name of the founder instead House Founder. For instance, [[Andru of Jerbiton]], not Andru of House Jerbiton. First use of the name in the lead may be longer than this, including titles, parens, and other factors. It is also good to either do a redirect page of just the name, ie [[Andru]], or if we get more than one Hermetic character with the same personal name, a disambiguation page. Certain exceptions to this are below:
## [[Founder|Founders]] of the order are identified by their name and "the Founder". Thus, [[Bonisagus the Founder]]. Right now, there are two other exceptions. [[Trianoma]], although a founder of the Order, is titled only by her name (this may change). Also, [[Pralix]], though a house founder, not a founder of the Order, is only titled by her name. Between formerly being part of [[House Tytalus]], creating the Order Ex Miscellanea, and then leading [[House Ex Miscellanea]] without formerly rejoining the Order, it's just easier to use the one name.
## Members of House Ex Miscellanea should be titled "Name Ex Miscellanea" because of the Latin grammar. At the time this rule is added, there does not appear to be any pages for Ex Miscellanea magi other than Pralix.

If you follow these rules, it will be easy for other writers to link to your article. If you don't follow them, a moderator will probably re-name your article.

== Dealing with Name Collisions ==

Name collisions occur as soon as two or more pages claim the same name. This is particularly probable for simple words that bear two or more in-game meanings. Name collisions are also likely for common names that have different meanings in different contexts, such as »Bonisagus« — a term that applies to the singular person, the denotation of the [[House]], as well as any member of that [[House]].

The suggested procedure to deal with name collisions is as follows:

# At first, keep page names as simple as possible, and try to avoid additional specifiers where possible.
# When this is not possible any more, a page fork should be performed that creates two or more additional pages.

For example, the page »John« might be split into »John (actor)« and »John (writer)«. While the latter two continue to grow, the former is discontinued, and contains just a list of connecting links:

<pre>The term '''John''' is ambiguous and refers to one of the following specific pages:

* [[John (actor)|The actor]]
* [[John (writer)|The writer]]
</pre>

Additional links can be included as soon as the need arises. Page »John« is tagged as »Ambiguous«.

The advantage of this scheme is that

* Page »John« continues to exist.
* Referrers may remain unchanged, but can be changed at any time.
* In the former case, the reader is gently notified of the name collision.

== Use Categories ==
Project: Redcap uses [http://www.mediawiki.org/wiki/Help:Categories Categories] to organize pages and make them discoverable. It would be a big help to us if you could include categories in your new article. The Wiki automatically maintains a list of categories on the [[Special:Categories]] page.

Please use only the existing categories. If you think we need to add a new category, please [[Special:Contact | contact]] us or use your article's Talk page to discuss it. Although it might not be apparent, we've put quite a bit of thought into our categories and we want to think carefully before adding new ones.

Canon

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The '''canon''' of Ars Magica refers to the official rules and setting of the game, as presented in the [[Ars Magica]] [[Products|product line]]. This is in contrast to unofficial fan fiction, [[House Rule]]s, and the like.

== Importance of Canon ==

Canon is only as important as you want it to be. It's common and acceptable, even encouraged, for [[Troupe | troupes]] to change the canonical setting a little to suit their own tastes. [[Robbies Mantra|Robbie's Mantra]] takes precedence over canon.

The [[fan community]] often talks about canon simply because it forms a common point of reference for everyone's game. Because the canon is by definition the collection of what's published and "official," everyone more or less understands what it is, so it helps players talk about the game.

== Canon and Game Editions ==

The canon of Ars Magica has evolved over time; every new product published adds to it. For example, when [[First Edition]] came out, the [[Houses of Hermes]] hadn't been written into the game. They became part of the canon in [[Revised Edition]] when the supplement, [[Order of Hermes book| Order of Hermes]] was published.

When [[ArM5]] was released, [[Atlas Games]] started over in defining the canon. Sourcebooks from past editions are no longer canonical in Fifth Edition. They are still perfectly usable in play, but there is a chance that some current or future [[ArM5]] product will contradict them.

The correspondence of canon to game editions works something like this:

:[[ArM1]]: There were not a lot of supplements for First Edition, so canon wasn't really well established yet.
:[[ArM2]] through [[ArM4]]: These shared a contiguous canon that was mostly self-consistent, though it got very complicated over dozens of supplements.
:[[ArM5]]: [[Atlas Games]] started over, though a lot of the canon from past editions was quickly re-adopted, sometimes with changes. The major elements of the [[Order of Hermes]], Hermetic history, and [[Mythic Europe]] are unchanged, but noticeable details have been altered. For example, the portrayal of [[House Tremere]] and [[House Flambeau]] have changed quite a bit, and Fifth Edition contains no reference to the covenant of [[Doissetep]].

== About the Term ==

The word "canon" literally means "the body of ecclesiastical law" -- note that it is spelled differently from "cannon," a large gunpowder weapon. Taken figuratively, "canon" refers to a body of material that is accepted and sanctioned by some recognized authority. In the case of Ars Magica, the authority is [[Atlas Games]].

== Related Topics ==

* A non-canonical rule that players devise for their own games is called a [[House Rule]].
* The acronym [[RAW]] ("rules as written") is sometimes used to refer specifically to the official [[game mechanics]].
* Games set in non-canonical world are listed under [[Alternative Sagas]]

== Related Sites ==

* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canon_%28fiction%29 Wikipedia: Canon (Fiction)]
=== Legacy Page ===
The history of this page before August 6, 2010 is archived at [[Legacy:canon]]

[[Category:Meta Topics]]

Berklist

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#REDIRECT[[Berkeley Ars Magica List]]

List of products by edition

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[[Category:Products]]
[[Category:FAQ]]
This is a list of all Ars Magica products we're aware of, by edition, and the abbreviations Project: Redcap uses to refer to them.

==Product Availability==
Distributors may carry print editions of many Ars Magica products long after they are out of stock at the publisher; ask your [[FLGS]] if they can order the book you want.

For [[PDF]] editions, the authorized seller is [http://e23.sjgames.com/ E-23].

==Fifth Edition Products==
{|
|'''Title'''
|'''Abbreviation'''
|'''Type'''
|'''Notes'''
|-
|''[[Against the Dark]]: The [[Transylvanian Tribunal]]''
| [[AtD]]
| Tribunal sourcebook
|-
|''[[Ancient Magic]]''
| [[AM]]
| Sourcebook
|-
|''[[Antagonists]]''
| ?
| Character sourcebook
|-
|''[[Apprentices]]''
| None
| Sourcebook
|-
|''[[Ars Magica Fifth Edition]]''
|[[ArM5]]
|Core rules
|-
|''[[Art and Academe]]''
|[[AA]]
|Sourcebook
|-
|''[[Book of Mundane Beasts]]''
|[[BoMB]]
|Sourcebook
|'''free''' [http://www.atlas-games.com/pdf_storage/ArM5Beasts.pdf download]
|-
|''[[Broken Covenant of Calebais (fifth edition)]]''
|[[BCoC5]]
|Scenario
|-
|''[[Covenants (Fifth Edition)]]''
|[[Cov5]]
|Sourcebook
|-
|''[[The Church]]''
|[[TC]]
|Sourcebook
|-
|''[[City & Guild]]''
|[[C&G]]
|Sourcebook
|-
|''The [[Cradle and the Crescent]]''
|[[CatC]]
|Sourcebook
|-
|''[[Guardians of the Forests]]: the [[Rhine Tribunal]]''
|[[GotF]]
|Tribunal sourcebook
|-
|''[[Grand Tribunal Board Game|Grand Tribunal]]''
|[[GTBG]]
|Board Game
|Board game based on aspects of the role-playing game
|-
|''[[Grogs]]''
|None
|Sourcebook
|-
|''[[Fallen Fane]]'' Live-Action Roleplaying
|[[FF]]
|Scenario
|-
|''[[Hedge Magic Revised Edition]]''
|[[HMRE]]
|Sourcebook
|-
|''[[Hermetic Projects]]''
|[[HP]]
|Sourcebook
|-
|''[[Houses of Hermes: Mystery Cults]]''
|[[HoHMC]]
|Sourcebook
|-
|''[[Houses of Hermes: Societates]]''
|[[HoHS]]
|Sourcebook
|-
|''[[Houses of Hermes: True Lineages]]''
|[[HoHTL]]
|Sourcebook
|-
|''[[Legends of Hermes]]''
| [[LoH]]
|Character sourcebook
|-
|''[[Lion and the Lily | The Lion and the Lily]]: the [[Normandy Tribunal]]''
| [[LatL]]
|Tribunal sourcebook
|-
|''[[Lords of Men]]''
| [[LoM]]
|Sourcebook
|-
|''[[Magi of Hermes]]''
| [[MoH]]
| Character sourcebook
|-
|''[[The Mysteries Revised Edition]]''
| [[TMRE]]
| Sourcebook
|-
|''[[Realms of Power: the Divine]]''
| [[RoPD]]
| Sourcebook
|-
|''[[Realms of Power: Faerie]]''
| [[RoPF]]
| Sourcebook
|-
|''[[Realms of Power: the Infernal]]''
| [[RoPI]]
| Sourcebook
|-
|''[[Realms of Power: Magic]]''
| [[RoPM]]
| Sourcebook
|-
|''[[Rival Magic]]''
| [[RM]]
| Sourcebook
|-
|''[[The Sundered Eagle: the Theban Tribunal]]''
| [[tSE]]
| Tribunal sourcebook
|-
|''[[Tales of Mythic Europe]]''
| [[ToME]]
| Scenario
|}

== Fourth Edition Products ==
{|
| '''Title'''
| '''Abbreviation'''
| '''Type'''
| '''Notes'''
|-
| ''[[Ars Magica Fourth Edition]]''
| [[ArM4]]
| Core rulebook
| '''free''' [http://e23.sjgames.com/item.html?id=AG0204 download]
|-
| ''The [[Black Monks of Glastonbury]]''
| BMoG
| Scenario
|-
| ''[[Blood and Sand]]: The [[Levant Tribunal]]''
| [[BaS]]
| Tribunal sourcebook
|-
| ''[[Bishop's Staff | The Bishop's Staff]]''
| [[BS]]
| Scenario
|-
| ''[[Cause and Cure]]''
| [[CaC]]
| Scenario
|-
| ''The [[Covenant of Tarragon Vale]]''
| [[CoTV]]
| Sourcebook
| '''free''' [http://www.atlas-games.com/pdf_storage/TarragonVale.pdf download]
|-
| ''[[Dragon and the Bear|The Dragon and the Bear]]: The [[Novgorod Tribunal]]''
| [[DatB]]
| Tribunal sourcebook
|-
| ''[[Faerie Stories]]''
| [[FS]]
| Scenario
|-
| ''The [[Fallen Angel]]''
| [[FA]]
| Scenario
|-
| ''[[Festival of the Damned]]''
| [[FotD]]
| Scenario
|-
| ''[[Hedge Magic book | Hedge Magic]]''
| [[HM]]
| Sourcebook
|-
| ''[[Heirs to Merlin]]: The [[Stonehenge Tribunal]]''
| [[HtM]]
| Tribunal sourcebook
|-
| ''[[Kabbalah: Mythic Judaism]]''
| [[KMJ]]
| Sourcebook
|-
| ''[[Land of Fire and Ice]]'' (Mythic Iceland)
| [[LoFaI]]
| Tribunal sourcebook
|-
| ''[[Medieval Bestiary Revised]] Edition''
| [[MBRE]]
| Sourcebook
|-
| ''A [[Medieval Tapestry]]: Personalities of Mythic Europe''
| [[MT]]
| Sourcebook
|-
| ''[[Living Lore]]''
| [[LL]]
| Scenario
|-
| ''[[The Mysteries]]''
| [[TM]]
| Sourcebook
|-
| ''[[Mythic Seas]]''
| [[MS]]
| Sourcebook
|-
| ''[[Nigrasaxa book | Nigrasaxa]]''
| none
| Scenario
|-
| ''[[Ordo Nobilis]]: Mythic Europe's Nobility''
| [[ON]]
| Sourcebook
|-
| ''[[Parma Fabula]]: The Ars Magica Storyguide's Screen''
| [[PF]]
| Play aid
|-
| ''[[Promises Promises | Promises, Promises]]''
| [[PP]]
| Scenario
|-
| ''The [[Return of the Stormrider]]''
| [[RotS]]
| Scenario
|-
| ''[[Sanctuary of Ice]]: The [[Greater Alps Tribunal| Greater Alpine Tribunal]]''
| [[SoI]]
| Tribunal sourcebook
|-
| ''[[Secrets in Sand]]''
| [[SiS]]
| Sourcebook
| '''free''' [http://www.atlas-games.com/pdf_storage/secretsinsand.pdf download]
|-
| ''[[Triamore: the Covenant at Lucien's Folly]]''
| [[TtCaLF]]
| Scenario
|-
| ''[[Ultima Thule]]: Mythic Scandinavia''
| [[UT]]
| Tribunal Sourcebook
|-
| ''[[Wizard's Grimoire Revised Edition|The Wizard's Grimoire, Revised Edition]]''
| [[WGRE]]
| Sourcebook
|}

== Third Edition Products ==
{|
| '''Title'''
| '''Abbreviation'''
| '''Type'''
| '''Notes'''
|-
| [[Ars Magica Third Edition]]
| [[ArM3]]
| Core rulebook
|-
| [[Black Death]]
| [[BD]]
| Scenario
|-
| [[Deadly Legacy]]
| [[DL]]
| Scenario
|-
| [[Faeries, Revised Edition]]
| [[FRE]]
| Sourcebook
|-
| [[Houses of Hermes Book | Houses of Hermes]]
| [[HoH]]
| Sourcebook
|-
| [[Lion of the North]]: The [[Loch Leglean Tribunal]]
| [[LotN]]
| Tribunal sourcebook
|-
| The [[Medieval Bestiary]]
| [[MB]]
| Sourcebook
|-
| [[The Maleficium]]
| [[Mal]]
| Sourcebook
|-
| A [[Midsummer Night's Dream]]
| [[MND]]
| Scenario
|-
| [[Mistridge book|Mistridge]]
| none
| Scenario
|-
| [[More Mythic Places]]
| [[MMP]]
| Scenario
|-
| [[Mythic Europe book | Mythic Europe]]
| [[ME]]
| Sourcebook
|-
| [[Mythic Places]]
| [[MP]]
| Scenario
|-
| [[Pact of Pasaquine]]
| [[PoP]]
| Scenario
|-
| [[Shamans the Hidden Paths]]
| [[StHP]]
| Sourcebook
|-
| [[Storyguides Screen]]
| none
| Play aid
|-
| The [[Tempest]]
| none
| Scenario
|-
| [[Tribunals of Hermes: Iberia]]
| [[ToHI]]
| Tribunal sourcebook
|-
| [[Tribunals of Hermes: Rome]]
| [[ToHR]]
| Tribunal sourcebook
|-
| [[Twelfth Night]]
| [[TN]]
| Scenario
|-
| A [[Winters Tale | Winter's Tale]]
| [[WT]]
| Scenario
|-
|}

== Second Edition Products ==
{|
| '''Title'''
| '''Abbreviation'''
| '''Type'''
| '''Notes'''
|-
| ''[[Ars Magica Revised Edition]]''
| [[ArM2]]
| Core rulebook
|-
| ''[[Broken Covenant of Calebais (revised edition)]]''
| [[BCoC2]]
| Scenario
|-
| ''[[Covenants (Second Edition)|Covenants]]''
| none
| Sourcebook
|-
| ''[[Faeries]]''
| none
| Sourcebook
|-
| ''[[Order of Hermes Book|Order of Hermes]]''
| [[OoH]]
| Sourcebook
|-
| ''[[Saga Pack]]''
|[[SP]]
|Play aid
|-
| ''The [[Sorcerer's Slave]]''
| [[SS]]
| Scenario
|-
| ''[[South of the Sun]]''
| [[SotS]]
| Sourcebook
|-
| ''The [[Stormrider: Jump Start Kit]]''
| [[SJK]]
| Scenario
|-
| ''[[Tales of the Dark Ages]]''
| [[TotDA]]
| Scenario
|-
| ''[[Trial by Fire]]''
| [[TbF]]
| Scenario
|}

== First Edition Products==
{|
| '''Title'''
| '''Abbreviation'''
| '''Type'''
| '''Notes'''
|-
| ''[[Ars Magica (First Edition)]]''
| [[ArM1]]
| Core rulebook
|-
| ''[[Bats of Mercille]]''
| none
| Scenario
|-
| ''[[Broken Covenant of Calebais]]''
| [[BCoC1]]
| Scenario
|-
| ''[[Whimsy Cards]]''
| none
| Play aid
|}

== Definitions ==
;Core rules: The essential rules for the game. This refers only to the main rule book, so there is only one "core rules" product for each edition.
;Character sourcebook: A book that is focusses on describing sample characters in greater detail.
;Scenario: A published adventure (also called a [[story]]) or set of stories
;Sourcebook: A game supplement that expands the rules, the setting, or (usually) both, and doesn't fall into another category
;Tribunal sourcebook: A book that is concentrates on setting information about one [[Regional Tribunal]], or part of a Tribunal (such as just Russia or just Scandinavia)
;Play aid: Something for Ars Magica that isn't a book -- gamemaster's screen, cards, etc.

== Related Pages ==
* [[Buying Guide]]
* [[:Category:Authors]]
* [[:Category:FAQ]]
* [[:Category:Products]]
* [[Fanzine]]
* [[Metacreator]]

==Related Sites==
There are many roleplaying community sites on the Web that maintain lists of products and the like; the following are known offer information on Ars Magica.

;[http://index.rpg.net/display-search.phtml?key=system&value=Ars%2BMagica&sort=system,systemversion/ RPGNet Product List]
: List of Ars Magica books and supplements (1987-present). An alternate view is the [http://index.rpg.net/display-search.phtml?key=system&value=Ars+Magica&sort=system,systemversion&type=checklist RPGNet Game Index], providing a checklist of Ars Magica products, with RPG.net members' ratings, comments, and reviews.

Talk:Stress die

2012-12-12T16:24:42Z

128.89.77.189: Replied to user comment

The third example is not in accordance with the previously stated? It should be: You roll 1, and roll 0. The second zero counts as 10 and is multiplied by 2, the result is 20.

Fixed. I don't know how that error crept in, but thanks for pointing it out. -- [[Andrew Gronosky]]

Stress die

2012-12-12T16:23:27Z

128.89.77.189: Fixed example of 1 followed by zero

Rolling a '''stress die''' refers to a method of the [[Ars Magica]] [[Game Mechanics|game mechanics]] to determine the outcome of an action or event under stressful circumstances. A stress die carries with it the possibility of spectacular success or [[Botch | catastrophic failure]].

First, you roll a single ten-sided die, which is typically numbered 0 through 9. A zero is special: there is a chance the character will [[Botch]], and the player must roll [[Botch Die|botch dice]] to see whether that happens. Even if no botch occurs, the roll is treated as zero.

A 1, on the other hand, allows the player to roll again, doubling the result of the next roll. Additional 1's multiply the next result by four, eight, sixteen, and so forth, until a number other than 1 is rolled. All other numbers (2-9) count as their actual values. On the second and subsequent roll, a zero stands for a value of 10.

* Example: You roll 3. The result is 3.
* Example: You roll 0. The result is 0, and you must roll a certain number of [[Botch die|botch dice]] determined by the [[Storyguide]] to see if you [[botch]].
* Example: You roll 1, roll 0. The result is 20, because zero counts as 10 on the second and subsequent rolls.

Unlike a [[Simple Die]] that is used in relaxed situations, a Stress Die is used to reflect stressful circumstances. Combat and most spell casting are both examples for the use of a Stress Die. Due to the open-ended multiplication from rolling consecutive 1's, a stress die can (rarely) yield spectacular results.

== Criticism ==
The [[fan community]] has raised two issues regarding the stress die. First, the doubling with each new "1" leads to exponentially large results, which can be jarring and inappropriate for some groups. Such exponential success will probably work well if your game is full of heroic-action, but will feel inappropriate and weird if your game is gritty and "realistic".

A second consideration is that the roll feel weird, as '1' or '0' on the dice is sometimes good and
sometimes bad, and can be disappointing in that once you finally do get a '1' on your stress roll you follow-up by rolling a '2' for a final dismayingly-low result of 4.

Groups that find these issues especially distressing may choose to change how the stress dice is rolled through a [[house rule]]. Most groups don't really notice any problem, or if they do it's so minor that they don't bother.

== References ==
* Stress Die (inset) [[ArM5]], page 6
* Stress Die, [[ArM5]] page 6 column 3

== See Also ==
* [[Botch]]
* [[Botch die]]
* [[Simple die]]
* [[Quality die]]
* [[Low die]]

== Legacy Page ==
The history of this page before August 6, 2010 is archived at [[Legacy:stress_die]]

Mailing lists

2012-12-11T14:37:42Z

128.89.77.189: Lex Hermitcum is not dead; the Berk List is not highly active

The following are public mailing lists related to Ars Magica.

== The Berkeley List ==
The Ars Magica Mailing List hosted at Berkeley, also known as the Berk List, BerkList, or BerserkList (due to the vigor of the discussions that characterized it c. 1995-2004), was formerly the main discussion forum for the Ars Magica community. It is still active, but has been largely supplanted by the [[official forum]]. Its primary language is English. A substantial number of Ars Magica authors are on the BerkList. Many of the playtesters and design contributors of Ars Magica 5th Edition are also on the list.

The mailing list is for the discussion of Ars Magica and related subjects. It is not a suitable forum for commercial advertising (unless you publish Ars Magica material), or for unending flame wars. Otherwise, almost anything related to the game is on topic: rules, background, medieval history, alternate rules, alternate background (although if you have alternate rules and alternate background, people might wonder whether you are still playing Ars Magica), upcoming supplements, the quality of the binding of supplements, etc. The best advice is to lurk (read the list without posting anything) for a while, to see what sort of thing is discussed.

Please do not post attachments (binary files especially): text files can be included in the body of the email. Also, if your email program is attaching things automatically (rich text, HTML, whatever), please find out how to turn it off, and do so. Note that if other people on the list tell you that you are posting attachments, you probably are: your program will be able to handle its own attachments, so they may not be visible to you.

See also the articles on the mail list's [[:Category:Jargon|Jargon]] (much of which has been adopted by the broader online [[fan community]]), and the geeky block of [[ArM Code]] used by many of its members.

=== Subscribing to the Berkeley List ===
To subscribe to the Berk List, visit [http://mead.csua.berkeley.edu:1337/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/ars-magica its Web site]. The same page may be used to search and browse the archives.

== Specific Lists ==
The following lists are smaller, and generally enjoy far less activity (if at all) in comparison with the main list.

:[http://www.ii.uib.no/~georg/alt/rpg/ars/InterSaga/ Inter-Saga Relations]: is a list aiming to set up communication between people's Sagas. The details are on the web page. (Project appears to have died circa 1998, but contains much useful content for Tribunal sessions.)

:[http://groups.yahoo.com/group/hermeticpenpals/ Hermetic Penpals]: Hermetic Penpals is a list where members can reply to letters from other covenants as magi. The aim is to take some of the load off storyguides, and to give people away from a troupe the opportunity to play magi. (Project appears to have died circa 2005.)

:[http://groups.yahoo.com/group/lexHermeticum/ Lex Hermeticum]: Lex Hermeticum is a semi-moderated list dedicated to the discussion of Hermetic Law, Politics and Society. (Such discussion is also welcome on the general list, above.)
== Legacy Page ==
The history of this page before August 6, 2010 is archived at [[Legacy:mailing_lists]]

[[Category:Fan community]]

Quality die

2012-12-10T15:05:00Z

128.89.77.189: /* Commentary */ Corrected arithmetic error

A '''quality die''' is a kind of die roll introduced in First Edition<ref>''[[Ars Magica (First Edition)]]'', p. 6, "Quality Roll"</ref> and continued through [[Fourth Edition]].

Quality dice are not used in Fifth Edition. Instead, in Fifth Edition, one would use a [[stress die]] with no botch dice.<ref>''[[Ars Magica Fifth Edition]]'', p. 6, "Stress Die"</ref>

== Usage ==
Quality dice were used in situations where extraordinary success was possible, but devastating failure was not.<ref>''[[Ars Magica Fourth Edition]]'', p. 14, "Mechanics and Dice Rolling"</ref>

A quality die is similar to a [[stress die]], with two differences:

#A zero counts as ten, not zero
#A quality die can't botch

== Commentary ==
Because zero counts as ten on a quality die and it counts as zero on a stress die, a quality die has a higher average result than a stress die. (5.6 for the quality compared to 4.6 for a stress die).

== References ==
<references />

[[Category:ArM1]]
[[Category:ArM2]]
[[Category:ArM3]]
[[Category:ArM4]]
[[Category:Rules]]

Ars Magica Revised Edition

2012-12-07T21:28:50Z

128.89.77.189: Fixed broken PRLink

[[Category:Products]]
[[Category:ArM2]]
''(This page is about the core rulebook for '' Ars Magica Revised Edition. ''For a full list of pages related to Revised (second) Edition, see [[:Category:ArM2]].)''

'''Ars Magica Revised Edition''', also called '''Second Edition''' or '''ArM2''', was published by [[Lion Rampant]] in 1989 as a 160-page softcover rulebook. It was the first edition to reach wide circulation.

{{Product description
|productName = Ars Magica Revised Edition
|imageFile = arm2_cover.jpg
|edition = Second
|abbreviation = ArM2
|type = core rules
|authors = [[Jonathan Tweet]] and [[Mark Rein·Hagen]]
|publisher = Lion Rampant
|releaseDate = 1989
|format = [[Softcover]]
|pageCount = 160
|availability = Out of print
}}

== Subject and Contents ==
This was a revised edition of the core rules that streamlined gameplay a bit. The layout was improved from [[Ars Magica (First Edition)|First Edition]] but still rudimentary by modern (c. 2012) standards.

== Contributions to [[Canon]] ==
ArM2 introduced the [[Houses of Hermes]], though it mentioned them only briefly and left the details to the supplement, ''[[Order of Hermes Book|Order of Hermes]]''.

== Comparison with Other Editions ==
Compared to [[ArM1]], Second Edition was generally more polished and streamlined. Many of the changes seem to have been made with playability in mind:

* ArM2 was the first edition to use [[season]]s for laboratory work and character advancement ([[ArM1]] used months, which were comparatively much more cumbersome)
* ArM2 converted [[Parma Magica]] into an [[Ability]] (in ArM1, Parma Magica was a [[Rego]] [[Vim]] [[General spell]])
* [[Combat]] was revised to be somewhat simpler and faster-paced.

== Opinion & Reviews ==
ArM2 maintained a loyal following even after [[ArM3]] was published, and was long called the [[One True Edition]] (or OTE) by its proponents.

== Related Pages ==
* [[Ars Magica (First Edition)]]
* [[Ars Magica Third Edition]]
* [[:Category:ArM2]]

== External Links ==
* [http://index.rpg.net/display-entry.phtml?editionid=42 Ars Magica Revised Edition] at [http://www.rpg.net/ rpg.net]

== Legacy Page ==
The history of this page before February 5, 2012 is located at [[Legacy:arm2]].

Metacreator

2012-11-21T18:47:20Z

128.89.77.189: RoP: Magic is available for Metacreator

'''Metacreator''' is a software produced by Alter Ego Software that serves as a character creation and amangement software for multiple gaming platforms. The company provides an Ars Magica template providing the rules (including much of the text) needed for character generation and advancement for core [[ArM5]] and [[ArM4]].

In addition, expansion packages are available with support for:

* [[True Lineages]] and [[Guardians of the Forest]] (as a bundle)
* [[The Mysteries Revised Edition]] and [[Houses of Hermes: Mystery Cults]] (as a bundle)
* [[Covenants (Fifth Edition)|Covenants sourcebook for the Fifth Edition]]
* [[Houses of Hermes: Societates]] and [[Lion and the Lily]] (as a bundle)
* [[Realms of Power: Magic]]

It is also possible to define and create your own rulesets, accommodate house rules, insert new items such as new spells, and so on.

The ease of creating and maintaining ArM characters and covenants in Metacreator is substantial, and the program is supported by [http://www.atlas-games.com/ Atlas Games] on its Ars Magica webpage as an excellent aid to play.

== External link ==

* [http://www.alteregosoftware.com/ Alter Ego Software], including links to the Ars Magica template and the available supplements.
== Legacy Page ==
The history of this page before August 6, 2010 is archived at [[Legacy:metacreator]]

Metacreator

2012-11-21T18:45:49Z

128.89.77.189: Pre-order of Societates is long past

'''Metacreator''' is a software produced by Alter Ego Software that serves as a character creation and amangement software for multiple gaming platforms. The company provides an Ars Magica template providing the rules (including much of the text) needed for character generation and advancement for core [[ArM5]] and [[ArM4]].

In addition, expansion packages are available with support for:

* [[True Lineages]] and [[Guardians of the Forest]] (as a bundle)
* [[The Mysteries Revised Edition]] and [[Houses of Hermes: Mystery Cults]] (as a bundle)
* [[Covenants (Fifth Edition)|Covenants sourcebook for the Fifth Edition]]
* [[Houses of Hermes: Societates]] and [[Lion and the Lily]] (as a bundle)
It is also possible to define and create your own rulesets, accommodate house rules, insert new items such as new spells, and so on.

The ease of creating and maintaining ArM characters and covenants in Metacreator is substantial, and the program is supported by [http://www.atlas-games.com/ Atlas Games] on its Ars Magica webpage as an excellent aid to play.

== External link ==

* [http://www.alteregosoftware.com/ Alter Ego Software], including links to the Ars Magica template and the available supplements.
== Legacy Page ==
The history of this page before August 6, 2010 is archived at [[Legacy:metacreator]]

Metacreator

2012-11-21T18:45:00Z

128.89.77.189: Spelling and link formatting

'''Metacreator''' is a software produced by Alter Ego Software that serves as a character creation and amangement software for multiple gaming platforms. The company provides an Ars Magica template providing the rules (including much of the text) needed for character generation and advancement for core [[ArM5]] and [[ArM4]].

In addition, expansion packages are available with support for:

* [[True Lineages]] and [[Guardians of the Forest]] (as a bundle)
* [[The Mysteries Revised Edition]] and [[Houses of Hermes: Mystery Cults]] (as a bundle)
* [[Covenants (Fifth Edition)|Covenants sourcebook for the Fifth Edition]]
* [[Houses of Hermes: Societates]] and [[Lion and the Lily]] are now available for pre-order

It is also possible to define and create your own rulesets, accommodate house rules, insert new items such as new spells, and so on.

The ease of creating and maintaining ArM characters and covenants in Metacreator is substantial, and the program is supported by [http://www.atlas-games.com/ Atlas Games] on its Ars Magica webpage as an excellent aid to play.

== External link ==

* [http://www.alteregosoftware.com/ Alter Ego Software], including links to the Ars Magica template and the available supplements.
== Legacy Page ==
The history of this page before August 6, 2010 is archived at [[Legacy:metacreator]]

Troupe style

2012-10-26T13:54:36Z

128.89.77.189: fixed nonsensensical sentence

'''Troupe Style Play''' is an approach to role-playing where each player controls multiple characters and changes between them as the story requires, similarly to a small repertory company where a single actor plays one character in Act I and then changes costume to play a different character in Act II. This is in contrast to the more typical style of role-playing, in which every player has one character and plays that character exclusively for an entire game session.

In the context of Ars Magica, there are degrees of troupe style play<ref name="ArM5">"Troupe-Style Roleplaying," ''[[Ars Magica Fifth Edition]]'', pages 219-220</ref>. Some of these involve changing which player acts as [[storyguide]] from one session to the next, allowing every player to have a [[magus]] character.

== Using Troupe Style ==
Troupe style is optional. Although the [[Fifth Edition]] (and earlier) rule books refer to a gaming group as a "troupe," that is not meant to dictate a particular style of play. Thus, while every Ars Magica belongs to a troupe, not every troupe plays in the troupe style.

== Aspects of Troupe Style ==
In Ars Magica, there are two independent aspects to troupe style play.

=== Multiple Characters ===
In troupe style play, each player typically has one primary character who no one else can control. Since Ars Magica is focused on wizards and magic, very often this primary character is the player's [[magus]]. Each player may also have exclusive control over one or more secondary characters, such as [[companion]]s or [[grog]]s.

One variation of troupe-style play, called "Pooled Characters"<ref>"Pooled Characters," ''[[Ars Magica Fifth Edition]]'', page 219</ref> involves the troupe creating a shared "pool" of supporting characters (usually [[grog]]s) whom anyone can play. Such characters might be played by one person for the whole session, or even change hands when the scene changes.

=== Multiple Storyguides ===
Whether or not the troupe uses multiple characters per player, it is also possible to share the responsibilities of the [[storyguide]]. The troupe always plays the same characters from the same [[covenant]], but when planning each session, the troupe decides who will be the storyguide for that game. That player's character is then absent for the story (or relegated to a very minor role) and the player runs a story for the other players.

Some troupes prefer to have one person act as storyguide most of the time, with guest appearances by other storyguides. This primary storyguide is called the [[Alpha storyguide]]. Other troupes prefer to share the duties of storyguide more equally, so there is no one person who is identifiable as the "Alpha." Another variant is to have an Alpha storyguide who runs the majority of stories, but one or more "Beta" storyguides who pitch in less frequently.

=== Whimsy Cards ===
{{Main|Whimsy cards}}
A third aspect of troupe-style play, which was present in [[ArM1]]<ref>"Using Whimsy Cards," ''[[Ars Magica (First Edition)]]'', page 145</ref> and [[ArM2]]<ref>"Using Whimsy Cards," ''[[Ars Magica Revised Edition]]'', page 149</ref> but not in [[Third Edition]] or later, is [[Whimsy cards]]. These were randomized cards that invited players to improvise in the story, briefly taking over the job of narrator. Whimsy cards therefore created opportunities for all the players to influence the story, with an emphasis on improving the quality of the narrative rather than gaining an in-game advantage.

== Example of Troupe Style ==
''Andrew and John are players. John's magus Prospero is busy with a laboratory project, so the storyguide tells him to play his companion, Friar Matthew, instead for this session. Andrew's magus is not busy so the storyguide tells him he can play either Cyrus, his magus, or Baldwin the Bard, his companion -- but not both. Andrew decides to play Cyrus. Cyrus and Friar Matthew decided to bring one grog with them for protection, and the troupe is using pooled grogs. They pick Edgar the Tough out of the pool. Andrew and John agree that Andrew should play Edgar most of the time, because Cyrus's [[Gift]] makes it difficult for him to talk to mundanes and Andrew wants something to do during dialogue-heavy scenes.''

''Later, the three characters get attacked by highwaymen, and Friar Matthew is a pacifist. Andrew hands Edgar the Tough over to John, who now can play the grog and have something to do during the fight scene. This also relieves Andrew of the burden of trying to run a second character alongside Cyrus, his magus, in the battle. When the fight is over, John gives Edgar the Tough back to Andrew.''

== Opinion and Commentary ==
The Fifth Edition rule book points out that troupe style is especially suitable for Ars Magica because, for various reasons, it can be impractical for every player to play his magus at every game session unless the troupe is very small.<ref name="ArM5"></ref>

=== Advantages of Troupe Style ===
The three character types of magus, companion, and grog make Ars Magica very amenable to troupe style play. For example, troupe-style play lets a player who wants to play a warrior run a grog once a while without giving up the chance to also run a magus.

One benefit of troupe style is that there is always something to do for each player, something to get involved in, even if the player's primary character (the [[magus]]) has locked himself up in his [[laboratory]] for some long-term activity, or is not available due to being away from the [[covenant]] for whatever reason.

The role-switching aspect of troupe style play can help make sure everyone stays engaged in the action. If a particular character is especially bad at one kind of action -- magi interacting socially with mundanes, or illiterate warriors trying to find information in the library of a medieval university -- the troupe can add an extra character or two for that session who has complimentary abilities. Players who would otherwise be sidelined can switch over and play someone else for a scene or a session.

Troupe style play is also quite forgiving of troupes where the players have outside obligations. If one player can't make it for the regular Thursday night game, someone else can take over his character, or the troupe can rotate in additional grogs or companions to make up for the missing skills and abilities of the absent player's character.

=== Disadvantages of Troupe Style ===
Ars Magica is a game about wizards. If you are using troupe-style play, then probably not all the players are going to get to play their wizards all the time. This might disappoint some players. Make sure you discuss your plans for troupe style play and periodically check in to make sure everyone is happy with the arrangements and the amount of time they get to play their characters.

Troupe style play is challenging. If your troupe includes players without a lot of general role-playing experience, it can be overwhelming to them. Even if your troupe consists of veteran role-players, if they are new to Ars Magica, troupe style play can seem complicated and disorienting at first.

=== Suggestions ===
Consider playing a grog and a magus at the same time. The grog can handle the social interactions where the magus, if he has good sense, fades into the background. Likewise, the magus takes center stage during interactions with other magi or when facing intellectual puzzles, where the typical grog would become a spectator.

When designing a companion, don't design the character to accompany your own magus. Design it to accompany someone ''else's'' magus. Consider making a companion whose abilities compliment, rather than align with, those of the magus he will accompany.

== History of Troupe Style ==
Troupe style play was introduced to Ars Magica in [[First Edition]] (1987)<ref>"Role-switching," [[Ars Magica (First Edition)]] page 4</ref>. It has been a part of the game ever since.

== References ==
<references />

== See also ==
* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Troupe_system Wikipedia article]
[[Category:Rules]]

Troupe style

2012-10-26T13:51:54Z

128.89.77.189: /* Multiple Characters */

'''Troupe Style Play''' is an approach to role-playing where each player controls multiple characters and changes between them as the story requires, a small repertory company where a single actor plays one character in Act I and then changes costume to play a different character in Act II. This is in contrast to the more typical style of role-playing, in which every player has one character and plays that character exclusively for an entire game session.

In the context of Ars Magica, there are degrees of troupe style play<ref name="ArM5">"Troupe-Style Roleplaying," ''[[Ars Magica Fifth Edition]]'', pages 219-220</ref>. Some of these involve changing which player acts as [[storyguide]] from one session to the next, allowing every player to have a [[magus]] character.

== Using Troupe Style ==
Troupe style is optional. Although the [[Fifth Edition]] (and earlier) rule books refer to a gaming group as a "troupe," that is not meant to dictate a particular style of play. Thus, while every Ars Magica belongs to a troupe, not every troupe plays in the troupe style.

== Aspects of Troupe Style ==
In Ars Magica, there are two independent aspects to troupe style play.

=== Multiple Characters ===
In troupe style play, each player typically has one primary character who no one else can control. Since Ars Magica is focused on wizards and magic, very often this primary character is the player's [[magus]]. Each player may also have exclusive control over one or more secondary characters, such as [[companion]]s or [[grog]]s.

One variation of troupe-style play, called "Pooled Characters"<ref>"Pooled Characters," ''[[Ars Magica Fifth Edition]]'', page 219</ref> involves the troupe creating a shared "pool" of supporting characters (usually [[grog]]s) whom anyone can play. Such characters might be played by one person for the whole session, or even change hands when the scene changes.

=== Multiple Storyguides ===
Whether or not the troupe uses multiple characters per player, it is also possible to share the responsibilities of the [[storyguide]]. The troupe always plays the same characters from the same [[covenant]], but when planning each session, the troupe decides who will be the storyguide for that game. That player's character is then absent for the story (or relegated to a very minor role) and the player runs a story for the other players.

Some troupes prefer to have one person act as storyguide most of the time, with guest appearances by other storyguides. This primary storyguide is called the [[Alpha storyguide]]. Other troupes prefer to share the duties of storyguide more equally, so there is no one person who is identifiable as the "Alpha." Another variant is to have an Alpha storyguide who runs the majority of stories, but one or more "Beta" storyguides who pitch in less frequently.

=== Whimsy Cards ===
{{Main|Whimsy cards}}
A third aspect of troupe-style play, which was present in [[ArM1]]<ref>"Using Whimsy Cards," ''[[Ars Magica (First Edition)]]'', page 145</ref> and [[ArM2]]<ref>"Using Whimsy Cards," ''[[Ars Magica Revised Edition]]'', page 149</ref> but not in [[Third Edition]] or later, is [[Whimsy cards]]. These were randomized cards that invited players to improvise in the story, briefly taking over the job of narrator. Whimsy cards therefore created opportunities for all the players to influence the story, with an emphasis on improving the quality of the narrative rather than gaining an in-game advantage.

== Example of Troupe Style ==
''Andrew and John are players. John's magus Prospero is busy with a laboratory project, so the storyguide tells him to play his companion, Friar Matthew, instead for this session. Andrew's magus is not busy so the storyguide tells him he can play either Cyrus, his magus, or Baldwin the Bard, his companion -- but not both. Andrew decides to play Cyrus. Cyrus and Friar Matthew decided to bring one grog with them for protection, and the troupe is using pooled grogs. They pick Edgar the Tough out of the pool. Andrew and John agree that Andrew should play Edgar most of the time, because Cyrus's [[Gift]] makes it difficult for him to talk to mundanes and Andrew wants something to do during dialogue-heavy scenes.''

''Later, the three characters get attacked by highwaymen, and Friar Matthew is a pacifist. Andrew hands Edgar the Tough over to John, who now can play the grog and have something to do during the fight scene. This also relieves Andrew of the burden of trying to run a second character alongside Cyrus, his magus, in the battle. When the fight is over, John gives Edgar the Tough back to Andrew.''

== Opinion and Commentary ==
The Fifth Edition rule book points out that troupe style is especially suitable for Ars Magica because, for various reasons, it can be impractical for every player to play his magus at every game session unless the troupe is very small.<ref name="ArM5"></ref>

=== Advantages of Troupe Style ===
The three character types of magus, companion, and grog make Ars Magica very amenable to troupe style play. For example, troupe-style play lets a player who wants to play a warrior run a grog once a while without giving up the chance to also run a magus.

One benefit of troupe style is that there is always something to do for each player, something to get involved in, even if the player's primary character (the [[magus]]) has locked himself up in his [[laboratory]] for some long-term activity, or is not available due to being away from the [[covenant]] for whatever reason.

The role-switching aspect of troupe style play can help make sure everyone stays engaged in the action. If a particular character is especially bad at one kind of action -- magi interacting socially with mundanes, or illiterate warriors trying to find information in the library of a medieval university -- the troupe can add an extra character or two for that session who has complimentary abilities. Players who would otherwise be sidelined can switch over and play someone else for a scene or a session.

Troupe style play is also quite forgiving of troupes where the players have outside obligations. If one player can't make it for the regular Thursday night game, someone else can take over his character, or the troupe can rotate in additional grogs or companions to make up for the missing skills and abilities of the absent player's character.

=== Disadvantages of Troupe Style ===
Ars Magica is a game about wizards. If you are using troupe-style play, then probably not all the players are going to get to play their wizards all the time. This might disappoint some players. Make sure you discuss your plans for troupe style play and periodically check in to make sure everyone is happy with the arrangements and the amount of time they get to play their characters.

Troupe style play is challenging. If your troupe includes players without a lot of general role-playing experience, it can be overwhelming to them. Even if your troupe consists of veteran role-players, if they are new to Ars Magica, troupe style play can seem complicated and disorienting at first.

=== Suggestions ===
Consider playing a grog and a magus at the same time. The grog can handle the social interactions where the magus, if he has good sense, fades into the background. Likewise, the magus takes center stage during interactions with other magi or when facing intellectual puzzles, where the typical grog would become a spectator.

When designing a companion, don't design the character to accompany your own magus. Design it to accompany someone ''else's'' magus. Consider making a companion whose abilities compliment, rather than align with, those of the magus he will accompany.

== History of Troupe Style ==
Troupe style play was introduced to Ars Magica in [[First Edition]] (1987)<ref>"Role-switching," [[Ars Magica (First Edition)]] page 4</ref>. It has been a part of the game ever since.

== References ==
<references />

== See also ==
* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Troupe_system Wikipedia article]
[[Category:Rules]]

Fan community

2012-09-05T14:07:22Z

128.89.77.189: Updated link to size of the fan community to point internally

Ars Magica enjoys a highly active, worldwide fan community. No one knows exactly how many active Ars Magica players are out there: see [[#Size of the Fan Community|Size of the Fan Community]], below.

We invite you to participate in the Ars Magica community by [[contributing]] to Project: Redcap.

== Ars Magica on the Internet ==
''Main article: [[Internet Site Index]]''

Fans have created a great deal of unofficial material on the World Wide Web, from Project: Redcap itself (and its sibling, the [http://arsmagica.wikia.com/wiki/Ars_Magica_Wiki Ars Magica Wiki]) to pages for individual [[saga]]s.

See the [[Internet Site Index]] for a general listing of all Ars Magica sites. Pages for individual [[saga]]s are also listed in the [[Regional Tribunal]]s where those sagas are set. We also have a specific [[:Category:Fan-created|category for fan-created]] material.

If you are [[contributing]] to Project:Redcap by adding links to your own Web page(s), it is OK to cross-list them on both the [[Internet Site Index]] and the [[Regional Tribunal]] pages if you wish.

=== Discussions ===
;[http://forum.atlas-games.com/viewforum.php?f=4&sid=ef3f469fc350f01d63a4ae2a54616819 Official Ars Magica Discussion Forum]
:[[Atlas Games]] hosts the official discussion forum on its Web site. Players use the discussion forum to discuss rules questions, story and character ideas, features of the [[Mythic Europe]] setting and [[Order of Hermes]], and many other topics.
; [[Mailing Lists]]
:There have also been several e-mail lists devoted to the game, the most active and long-lived of which is the venerable [[Berkeley Ars Magica List]].
; [[ICQ]]

=== Online Play ===
Please list below any play-by-post or play-by-e-mail games open to new players.

* [http://www.atlas-games.com/forum/ Play-by-post] at the Atlas Games Forums
* Not exactly Ars Magica, but using Ars Magica concepts, is the [[Tempora Heroica]] [[MUD]]

== Fanzines ==
''Main article: [[Fanzines]]''

In addition to the official [[Products]] published by [[Atlas Games]], Ars Magica fans publish their own high-quality [[Fanzines]]: semi-professional periodicals written by the fans, for the fans. The current English language fanzine is [[Sub Rosa]].

== Conventions ==
''Main article: [[Grand Tribunal (convention)]]''

Since 2007, Ars Magica fans have organized their own [[Grand Tribunal (convention)|conventions]], either as part of a larger game convention or as separate affairs. In fact, is most years there have been two conventions, one in the U.K. and one in the U.S.

[http://gt12.ekkaia.org/page/About Grand Tribunal UK 2012] will be held August 17-19.

== Finding Players ==
(for tabletop games, as opposed to online)

* [http://arsmagicafinder.atspace.com/index.html Ars Magica Player Finder]

== Size of the Fan Community ==
There are no hard statistics on the actual number of active Ars Magica players, but John Nephew did post the following on the [[official forum]] in response to a fan's question (on 16 March, 2009):

<blockquote>Well, as a privately held corporation, we don't as a matter of general practice share detailed sales or financial information with the public. In terms of supplements, I'm comfortable saying that we have typically printed 1,000 to 1,500 of each Ars Magica 5th Edition supplement on its first printing. Numerous supplements have needed to be reprinted. The core rulebook needs to be printed in larger quantities, both because of higher demand and also to make its 2-color interior printing affordable. Today we are down to the very last case of the second printing, and the third printing is due to arrive from the printer in the middle of this week, avoiding any out-of-stock time between printings. I hope this is enough to satisfy your curiosity. :-) </blockquote>

== Idiosyncrasies of the Fan Community ==
The Ars Magica fan community was historically centered on the [[Berk List]], which has developed its own special [[:Category:Jargon|jargon]] and even a geeky notation called the [[ArM Code]].

Since the launch of [[ArM5]], the [[official discussion forum]] has developed into a distinct, but overlapping, community in its own right. Due to the number of people who participate in both discussion groups, much of the jargon has migrated over to {enrich, corrupt} the newer forum.

[[Category:Fan Community]]
[[Category:FAQ]]

Project Redcap:Sub-Projects

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128.89.77.189: /* Product Pages */ Spelling fix

[[Category:Project Redcap]]
[[Project Redcap: About|Project: Redcap]] has two goals: to link to all [[Ars Magica]] content on the web, and to serve as a guide and companion to the rules and game world of the game. To further these aims, we have identified several sub-projects we at Project: Redcap are working on.

== Getting Started ==
If you would like to [[contributing|contribute]], you are more than welcome to jump in and start editing pages to help with any or all of these, or to start a sub-project of your own.

If you have not already done so, please see our [[contributing]] page before you get started. You may also find [[Help:Style Guide]] useful since it explains how to name and format pages.

== Sub-Projects ==
=== General Cleanup ===
We have a lot of cleaning up to do. It's not glamorous, but it's necessary, and help is much appreciated.

In August 2012, we used an automated process to import all the content from our previous wiki, [[PageWork]], to this one. The conversion process was more than 90% accurate but that still leaves us with some pages that have garbled formatting or worse. Look for pages authored by [[User:Redcap Automation]] that have only one revision. Please check those for errors and correct them manually.

Other pages may also need to be corrected or modified.

If you run into anything requiring intervention by the Wiki's maintainers (such as modifying the page's name or so on), please leave a note in the entry's Discussion page (accessed by the tab at the top of the page).

A list of suggested cleanup and maintenance activities:
* Go over the links from the Sidebar and Main page, expanding on the articles and linked-articles, and correcting broken/missing links, to improve the experience of first-time visitors to the site (who will likely browse it instead of search for stuff).
* Go over the [[Special:ShortPages]] list to identify remaining stubs for deletion.
* Go over the [[Special:LonelyPages]] list to identify stubs; if the content is more extensive, consider also introducing links to them from other entries.
* Go over the (few) [[Special:DeadendPages]] to add links to other entries.
* Go [[Special:UncategorizedPages]] to categorize them.
* Go over the [[Special:WantedPages]] to add redirects to existing entries; many of these are simply links to existing pages.
* Go over [[Special:AllPages]] to correct formatting errors, categories, and so on. As noted above, this is especially relevant for pages created by [[User:Redcap Automation]] and not modified since.

=== Expand and Update Internet Site Index ===
Maintain the [[Internet Site Index]], by removing dead links and adding new ones.

=== Product Pages ===
Our [[list of products by edition]] has many missing entries. You can help us greatly by creating new pages for products you have.

The best product pages go beyond what the sales literature says about the product and tells readers what the product is like, what useful or interesting information it contains, or even what shortcomings it has. Some examples of good product pages are ''[[Houses of Hermes: True Lineages]]'', ''The [[Sundered Eagle]]'', and of course ''[[Ars Magica Fifth Edition]]'' (though that last one is probably more detailed than the page for a supplement needs to be).

Some of our product pages exist, but can be improved by adding information and insights.

=== Foreign Languages ===
{{Main|Project Redcap:Languages}}
Project: Redcap has always been a multi-lingual site. We encourage fans to write about Ars Magica in their own language and to use Project: Redcap as a center for the online Ars Magica community in their language. Probably the most useful information you can write would be what Ars Magica books are available in your language, and information about the [[Fan Community]] that speaks your language.

=== New Pages ===
See our list of [[Special:WantedPages|wanted pages]] and go ahead and start creating some!

=== Introductory Material ===
Create and maintain a suite of [[Introductory Material]] to help new players and storyguides, including pages such as [[Welcome to Ars Magica]], [[Character generation]], advice on storyguiding, an overview of [[Hermetic Society]], and so on. This includes generating summaries and overviews of key issues, like [[Magus]], the tribunals, and so on.

=== Commentary ===
Compile commentary on any topic, to the benefit of players of all levels. This includes the [[FAQ]], providing historical details such as the "previous edition" part of many tribunal descriptions or the [[History of Ars Magica]] page, analysis of the implications of the rules and suggestions on house rules, and so on.

=== Complete Indexes ===
Create and maintain Complete Indexes on a few select topics. This includes our pages on the [[Peripheral Code]], [[Creature Index]], and so on.

== Related Pages ==

* [[Project Redcap:Administration]]

Peripheral Code

2012-08-16T12:20:04Z

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[[Category:Code of Hermes]]
[[Category:Order of Hermes]]
[[Category:ArM5]]
The '''Peripheral Code''' is the case law of the [[Order of Hermes]]: the collection of [[Tribunal]] rulings that apply and interpret the [[Code of Hermes]] and provide guidance on exactly what it means and how to enforce it.

Many, but by no means all, of the Peripheral Code precedents in [[Ars Magica Fifth Edition]] may be found in the [[House Guernicus]] chapter of [[Houses of Hermes: True Lineages]].

=Jurisdiction of the Peripheral Code=
The Peripheral Code may arise from the proceedings of one of the [[Regional Tribunal]]s, in which case it has force only within that Tribunal, or from the [[Grand Tribunal]]. Peripheral Code rulings from the Grand Tribunal apply throughout the [[Order of Hermes]]. Thus, all Tribunals share a common Peripheral Code that devolves from the Grand Tribunal, and each extends that body of case law with additional precedents from its local jurisdiction.

The Grand Tribunal has authority to review and either affirm or refute a ruling from a lower Tribunal. If it affirms the ruling, that ruling then applies throughout the Order. If it refutes the ruling, the ruling ceases to apply even in the Tribunal where it originated

=Authority of the Peripheral Code=
The Peripheral Code cannot contradict the [[Code of Hermes]], and a regional Tribunal cannot pass a ruling in contradiction to the Code or to relevant Grand Tribunal decisions (it can, however, reverse its own Peripheral Code). The Presiding [[Quaesitor]] should counsel the Tribunal against any decisions that contradict the Code or Grand Tribunal, and may, if necessary, veto any such resolution.

=Peripheral Code in Fifth Edition=
The ArM5 rule book has a brief section on the Peripheral Code<ref name="PeripheralCode">[[Ars Magica Fifth Edition]], pages 13-14, "The Peripheral Code</ref>. A lengthier and more detailed treatment occurs in [[Houses of Hermes: True Lineages]]<ref>[[Houses of Hermes: True Lineages]], pages 45-56</ref>. In addition, each Fifth Edition [[Tribunal Book]] explains some particulars of the local Peripheral Code of that Tribunal.

= Peripheral Code by Topic =

== Magical Power ==
These rulings relate to depriving a magus of his magical power, which by extension includes depriving him of magical resources<ref>[[Ars Magica Fifth Edition]], page 14, "Depriving of Magical Power"</ref>.

=== Rulings on Magical Power in Fifth Edition ===
* A.D. 1151, [[Transylvanian Tribunal]]: Vigilante action by [[Redcap]]s to collect debts by force<ref name="RiskyBusiness">[[Houses of Hermes: True Lineages]], page 90, "Risky Business" inset</ref>
* (date unspecified), [[Grand Tribunal]]: privacy of books and scrolls marked as property of a magus or [[House]]<ref name="SanctumLaw">[[Houses of Hermes: True Lineages]], page 71, "Sanctum Law" inset</ref>. See also [[Sanctum]], [[Sanctum Text]].

== Slaying Magi ==
These rulings pertain to slaying magi or using potentially lethal force against them. See also [[Forfeit Immunity]].

=== Rulings on Slaying Magi in Fifth Edition ===
* A.D. 894, [[Rome Tribunal]]: Magus killing another magus in self-defense<ref name="Dominicus">[[Houses of Hermes: True Lineages]], page 47</ref>
* A.D. 884, [[Rome Tribunal]]: Magus attacking another magus for casting a spell on him<ref name="Gravis">[[Houses of Hermes: True Lineages]], page 47</ref>

== Wizard War ==

See also [[Wizard War]].

Without giving any specific rulings, [[Houses of Hermes: Societates]] discusses what happens if a magus is not present to receive a declaration of war or ignores the message<ref>[[Houses of Hermes: Societataes]], page 23, "Declaration of War" inset</ref>

=== Rulings on Wizard War in Fifth Edition ===
* A.D. 898, [[Normandy Tribunal]]: Using Wizard War to avenge someone killed in a separate Wizard War<ref name="HoHTL_48">[[Houses of Hermes: True Lineages]], page 48, third paragraph</ref>
* (date unspecified), [[Rhine Tribunal]]: Excessive use of Wizard War a criminal offense<ref name="Henris">[[Houses of Hermes: True Lineages]], pages 47, "Wizard War"</ref>

== Abiding by Decisions of the Tribunal ==

=== Rulings on Abiding by Decisions in Fifth Edition ===
* A.D. 1179, [[Thebes Tribunal]]: Vigilante action to enforce a Tribunal ruling<ref name="RiskyBusiness" />

== Voting ==
Without giving any specific rulings, [[Houses of Hermes: True Lineages]] explains:
* the residency requirements to vote in a Tribunal<ref name="VotingRights">[[Houses of Hermes: True Lineages]], page 49, "Voting Rights"</ref>
* the practice of voting by [[proxy]]<ref name="ProxyVoting">[[Houses of Hermes: True Lineages]], page 48, "Proxy Voting" inset</ref>
* [[Vagrancy]]<ref name="ProxyVoting">[[Houses of Hermes: True Lineages]], page 49, "Vagrancy" inset</ref>

== Endangering the Order ==
''This section is incomplete. You can help Project: Redcap by [[contributing]].''

== Interfering with Mundanes ==
''This section is incomplete. You can help Project: Redcap by [[contributing]].''

Without giving a specific ruling, the Fifth Edition rule book states that:
* Magi are expressly forbidden from serving as court wizards<ref name="CourtWizard">[[Ars Magica Fifth Edition]], page 14, "Interfering with Mundanes"</ref>
* Magi may not swear an [[Oath of Fealty]]<ref name="OathOfFealty">[[Ars Magica Fifth Edition]], page
57, "Oath of Fealty</ref>

[[The Lion and the Lily]] describes the particularly lax interpretation of mundane interference that applies in the [[Normandy Tribunal]].

[[Houses of Hermes: Societates]] describes the sorts of interactions with mundanes that are legal in all Tribunals.

=== Rulings on Interfering with Mundanes in Fifth Edition ===
* A.D. 1208, [[Stonehenge Tribunal]]: limits on the creation and circulation of [[Magical Silver]]<ref name="MagicalSilver">[[Houses of Hermes: True Lineages]], page 87, "Magical Silver" inset</ref>
* A.D. 1081 (no Tribunal specified, perhaps the [[Grand Tribunal]]): Limitations on the sale of enchanted items, restrictions on who may sell and what may be sold<ref>[[Ars Magica Fifth Edition]], page 16, "Magical Items"</ref>. In response to this ruling, [[House Verditius]] placed additional limits on how many items its members may sell per year<ref>[[Houses of Hermes: Mystery Cults]], page 111, "Crises in the Order"</ref>

== Dealing with Demons ==
The law against dealing with [[demon]]s is enforced very rigorously<ref>[[Ars Magica Fifth Edition]], page 14, "Dealing with Demons"</ref> in Fifth Edition [[canon]].

=== Rulings on Dealing with Demons in Fifth Edition ===
* A.D. 1151, [[Rhine Tribunal]]: magus held responsible for collateral damage inflicted by a demon with which he had feuded<ref>[[Houses of Hermes: True Lineages]], page 51, "Deals with Devils"</ref>

== Molesting Faeries ==
''This section is incomplete. You can help Project: Redcap by [[contributing]].''

== Scrying ==

=== Rulings on Scrying in Fifth Edition ===
The Fifth Edition rule book says that the law against scrying, or "using magic to pry into [another magus's] affairs", is applied very broadly<ref>[[Ars Magica Fifth Edition]], page 14, "Scrying"</ref>, and even walking around invisible can be construed as a violation of the Code.

Magi can use [[Forceless Casting]] to avoid inadvertently affecting magi with Intellgo spells<ref>[[Houses of Hermes: True Lineages]], page 72, "Forceless Casting" inset</ref> (or other spells, for that matter) and so avoid violating the law.

=References=
<references />

Corruption

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{{about|the Infernal power|the Hermetic crisis of diabolic corruption|Corruption of House Tytalus}}
'''Corruption''' is a [[Supernatural Ability]] aligned with the [[Infernal Realm]]. It allows the character to subtly lead others to evil. Mechanically, this is handled by forcing other characters to make a [[Personality Trait]] roll if they hear the character speak, study his/her writings, or are [[Teaching|taught]] [[Art]]s or [[Ability|Abilities]] by him/her<ref>"Corruption," ''[[Realms of Power:The Infernal]]'', p. 91</ref>.

A [[Major Virtue|Major]] [[Supernatural Virtue]] of the same name grants access to the Ability.<ref>"Corruption," ''[[Realms of Power:The Infernal]]'', p. 83</ref>

== References ==
<references \>
[[Category:Infernal Realm]]
[[Category:Virtues]]

Project Redcap:Administration

2012-08-15T12:11:41Z

128.89.77.189: /* Stub Article Cleanup */

[[Category:Project Redcap]]
This page is for administrative discussions among the site [[contributing|contributors]]. Anyone is welcome to join the discussion.

We use this page to make decisions about the content and presentation of Project: Redcap. Once we've made decisions, we move those over to the [[Project Redcap: Sub-Projects]] page.

== Mission Statement for Online Encyclopedia ==
The original mission of Project: Redcap still applies to the Internet Site Index aspect of the site. That mission is "to collect links to as many online Ars Magica resources as possible, regardless of language, age, or perceived quality."

I am not normally a fan of corporate mission statements and the like, but that one has clear implications for editorial policy: we link to anything. :-) I've found in quite useful over the last several years.

I'd like to build consensus behind an equally clear statement for what we're accomplishing with the Internet Site Index -- the Wiki part. We have enough experience now to have opinions on what works and what doesn't. Before I suggest anything that looks like a statement, I'd like to mention some possibilities to consider.

* We could emphasize fan-created material and try to be like Durenmar or Sanctum Hermeticum.
* We could try to provide a comprehensive index of Fifth Edition material. Since Fifth Edition books often lack an index, and material is spread willy-nilly through an every-growing library of supplements, it is increasingly hard to find information. For my part, I bought PDFs of the entire Ars Magica catalog and configured my computer to search across them, but that's kind of extreme. If this is what we want to do then we should have lots of pages with long lists of {topic, page reference} pairs, and look into things like plug-ins that convert Wiki pages to spreadsheets and vice versa.
* We could try to be a companion to the rules that explains the application and implications of the RAW, as well as alternatives where appropriate.

== MediaWiki Migration ==
Updated 2012-08-15

Everything that could be automatically imported from PageWork to MediaWiki has been. We have two main things to import manually:

# All the pages for which we lacked up-to-date XML: the 65 pages that were edited between August 2010 and August 2012.
# Pages with character-encoding issues.

== Stub Article Cleanup ==
I (Andrew Gronosky) am coming to believe it was a mistake to upload the hundreds of short articles that were auto-generated from lists of spells and Virtues and Flaws.

There are three problems with these short articles:

# They don't add much value to the site. I would argue having hundreds of one-line articles is a lot ''less'' valuable than just uploading the Virtues and Flaws Index PDF and pointing to that.
# They give the impression that Project: Redcap is trying to be something it's not: an exhaustive index for the game. If we had a hundred contributors maybe we could maintain an exhaustive index. With the number we actually have, I'm actively opposed to taking on that thankless and tedious job.
# They only cover a fraction of the Virtues and Flaws (and spells) in the game, so they give the impression that the site is a half-hearted job. The fact that most of them consist of nothing more than a page reference and a (probably dead) link add to that impression.

So, I think we should get rid of most of these stub articles. If we actually have something useful to say about a Virtue, for example, [[Animal Ken]], by all means put that in the article and leave it in place. I also think it's important to import such articles so they show up in the database and project logs, in case anyone ever wants to resurrect them (say, to put in actual content).

I've already got started on consolidating articles. We had a situation where there would be one stub for a Virtue like [[Animal Ken]] and a '''separate''' Stub for the corresponding Ability or Art or whatever. Since the Virtue and the Ability have the same name and we have only one line of text for each, I think it makes a lot of sense to have a single page covering both.

I'd like to enlist the help of the other maintainers to review and clean up most of these articles. The situation I'm trying to avoid is for [[:Category:Virtues]] to contain 500 stub articles with that overwhelm the handful of articles where we really do have something to say, and is nothing more than an unusable and incomplete imitation of the Virtues and Flaws Index PDF.

: Deleting the stubs sounds like a good idea. These are good arguments for that. I'd add that many time the entry is simply wrong or misleading (putting down invested effects as spells, or so on). The only bad thing I can see about it is that someone searching for a spell's name won't find it; I don't think we can import the indexes over, they're Atlas/creator's property. Still, we should just back-off the aspiration to be complete, as you say we have too few contributers for that. I'm not sure just what it is you want us to do, however. You want to (automatically) import the content over from PageWork, and then for us to manually delete and consolidate/expand the entries? [[User:Yair|Yair]] 06:38, 6 August 2012 (MDT)

The pages have been automatically imported because I don't want to just drop content on the floor without leaving an audit trail for what happened to it. It turns out MediaWiki has a script for automatically deleting articles by title: you feed it a list of titles, and it deletes them all. Where a spell actually deserves discussion and commentary, by all means expand the stub: for example, [[Ball of Abysmal Flame]] deserves a page both because it's commonly used by fans as an example of an attack spell, and because it's an archetypal Flambeau spell. [[Wizard's Communion]] and [[Aegis of the Hearth]] are both complicated and have non-obvious implications. But for run-of-the-mill spells, I think deleting the page is the best course of action, if we can't think of anything to add. [[User:Andrew Gronosky]] 15 August 2012

Where human decision-making can help is in identifying [[Special:LonelyPages|orphaned pages]] that we definitely want to ''save''. [[User:Andrew Gronosky]] 15 August 2012

== Legacy Page ==
he history of this page before August 6, 2010 is archived at [[Legacy:administration]].

Project Redcap:Administration

2012-08-15T12:11:10Z

128.89.77.189: /* Stub Article Cleanup */

[[Category:Project Redcap]]
This page is for administrative discussions among the site [[contributing|contributors]]. Anyone is welcome to join the discussion.

We use this page to make decisions about the content and presentation of Project: Redcap. Once we've made decisions, we move those over to the [[Project Redcap: Sub-Projects]] page.

== Mission Statement for Online Encyclopedia ==
The original mission of Project: Redcap still applies to the Internet Site Index aspect of the site. That mission is "to collect links to as many online Ars Magica resources as possible, regardless of language, age, or perceived quality."

I am not normally a fan of corporate mission statements and the like, but that one has clear implications for editorial policy: we link to anything. :-) I've found in quite useful over the last several years.

I'd like to build consensus behind an equally clear statement for what we're accomplishing with the Internet Site Index -- the Wiki part. We have enough experience now to have opinions on what works and what doesn't. Before I suggest anything that looks like a statement, I'd like to mention some possibilities to consider.

* We could emphasize fan-created material and try to be like Durenmar or Sanctum Hermeticum.
* We could try to provide a comprehensive index of Fifth Edition material. Since Fifth Edition books often lack an index, and material is spread willy-nilly through an every-growing library of supplements, it is increasingly hard to find information. For my part, I bought PDFs of the entire Ars Magica catalog and configured my computer to search across them, but that's kind of extreme. If this is what we want to do then we should have lots of pages with long lists of {topic, page reference} pairs, and look into things like plug-ins that convert Wiki pages to spreadsheets and vice versa.
* We could try to be a companion to the rules that explains the application and implications of the RAW, as well as alternatives where appropriate.

== MediaWiki Migration ==
Updated 2012-08-15

Everything that could be automatically imported from PageWork to MediaWiki has been. We have two main things to import manually:

# All the pages for which we lacked up-to-date XML: the 65 pages that were edited between August 2010 and August 2012.
# Pages with character-encoding issues.

== Stub Article Cleanup ==
I (Andrew Gronosky) am coming to believe it was a mistake to upload the hundreds of short articles that were auto-generated from lists of spells and Virtues and Flaws.

There are three problems with these short articles:

# They don't add much value to the site. I would argue having hundreds of one-line articles is a lot ''less'' valuable than just uploading the Virtues and Flaws Index PDF and pointing to that.
# They give the impression that Project: Redcap is trying to be something it's not: an exhaustive index for the game. If we had a hundred contributors maybe we could maintain an exhaustive index. With the number we actually have, I'm actively opposed to taking on that thankless and tedious job.
# They only cover a fraction of the Virtues and Flaws (and spells) in the game, so they give the impression that the site is a half-hearted job. The fact that most of them consist of nothing more than a page reference and a (probably dead) link add to that impression.

So, I think we should get rid of most of these stub articles. If we actually have something useful to say about a Virtue, for example, [[Animal Ken]], by all means put that in the article and leave it in place. I also think it's important to import such articles so they show up in the database and project logs, in case anyone ever wants to resurrect them (say, to put in actual content).

I've already got started on consolidating articles. We had a situation where there would be one stub for a Virtue like [[Animal Ken]] and a '''separate''' Stub for the corresponding Ability or Art or whatever. Since the Virtue and the Ability have the same name and we have only one line of text for each, I think it makes a lot of sense to have a single page covering both.

I'd like to enlist the help of the other maintainers to review and clean up most of these articles. The situation I'm trying to avoid is for [[:Category:Virtues]] to contain 500 stub articles with that overwhelm the handful of articles where we really do have something to say, and is nothing more than an unusable and incomplete imitation of the Virtues and Flaws Index PDF.

: Deleting the stubs sounds like a good idea. These are good arguments for that. I'd add that many time the entry is simply wrong or misleading (putting down invested effects as spells, or so on). The only bad thing I can see about it is that someone searching for a spell's name won't find it; I don't think we can import the indexes over, they're Atlas/creator's property. Still, we should just back-off the aspiration to be complete, as you say we have too few contributers for that. I'm not sure just what it is you want us to do, however. You want to (automatically) import the content over from PageWork, and then for us to manually delete and consolidate/expand the entries? [[User:Yair|Yair]] 06:38, 6 August 2012 (MDT)

The pages have been automatically imported because I don't want to just drop content on the floor without leaving an audit trail for what happened to it. It turns out MediaWiki has a script for automatically deleting articles by title: you feed it a list of titles, and it deletes them all. Where a spell actually deserves discussion and commentary, by all means expand the stub: for example, [[Ball of Abysmal Flame]] deserves a page both because it's commonly used by fans as an example of an attack spell, and because it's an archetypal Flambeau spell. [[Wizard's Communion]] and [[Aegis of the Hearth]] are both complicated and have non-obvious implications. But for run-of-the-mill spells, I think deleting the page is the best course of action, if we can't think of anything to add. [[User:Andrew Gronosky]] 15 August 2012

Where human decision-making can help is in identifying [[Special:LonelyPages orphaned pages]] that we definitely want to ''save''. [[User:Andrew Gronosky]] 15 August 2012

== Legacy Page ==
he history of this page before August 6, 2010 is archived at [[Legacy:administration]].

Covenants Book

2012-08-13T12:38:55Z

128.89.77.189: fixed redirect

#REDIRECT [[Covenants (Fifth Edition)]]