Houses of Hermes

2013-11-03T05:30:02Z

77.248.228.82: /* Interrim between Third Edition and Fourth Edition */

{{about|the group of present and past houses that comprise the Order of Hermes|the 1994 Supplement by Wizards of the Coast|Houses of Hermes Book}}

In most Ars Magica [[Saga|sagas]], the [[Order of Hermes]] consists of twelve "houses". (Depending on the time period of the saga, there may be thirteen instead, plus any unofficial Houses the players may have invented for themselves)

Houses are groups of magi who are somehow related; they are something like noble families, though their members (usually) trace their lineage through apprenticeship rather than blood.

== The Twelve Houses ==

: [[House Bjornaer]] : A House of shapeshifters. In [[ArM5]], this is a [[Mystery House]]
: [[House Bonisagus]] : A House of magical researchers and statesmen. In [[ArM5]], this is a [[True Lineages|True Lineage]].
: [[House Criamon]] : A House of highly mystical magi. In [[ArM5]], this is a [[Mystery House]].
: [[House Ex Miscellanea]] : A highly eclectic House of magi from many different traditions, some of them [[Non Hermetic|non-Hermetic]]. In [[ArM5]], this is a [[Societas]].
: [[House Flambeau]] : A House of warrior magi, often specializing in the [[Arts]] of [[Ignem]] or [[Perdo]]. In [[ArM5]], this is a [[Societas]].
: [[House Guernicus]] : A House containing the [[Quaesitor|Quaesitors]], the judges of the Order. In [[ArM5]], it is a [[True Lineages|True Lineage]]. In [[ArM4]] and earlier, it was known as House Quaesitor.
: [[House Jerbiton]] : A House of magi interested in [[Mundane]] culture or society. In [[ArM5]], this is a [[Societas]].
: [[House Mercere]] : A House that includes many [[unGifted]] [[Redcap|redcaps]] and some [[magi]]. In [[ArM5]], it is a [[True Lineages|True Lineage]].
: [[House Merinita]] : A House that is interested in the [[Faerie Realm]]. In [[ArM5]], it is a [[Mystery House]].
: [[House Tremere]] : A highly organized, hierarchical House with strong political influence. In [[ArM5]], it is a [[True Lineages|True Lineage]].
: [[House Tytalus]] : A House whose members share a philosophy of thriving on conflict. In [[ArM5]], it is a [[Societas]].
: [[House Verditius]] : A House whose members excel in making [[Enchanted Items]]. In [[ArM5]], it is a [[Mystery House]].

== The Thirteenth House ==

In addition, earlier in the history of [[Mythic Europe]], there was a thirteenth House called [[House Diedne]]. It was destroyed in the [[Schism War]]. House Diedne is also referred to as the [[Nameless House]].

== References ==

=== [[Fifth Edition]] ===
The categorization of Houses into [[True Lineages]], [[Societas | Societates]], and [[Mystery House | Mystery Houses]] was introduced. ([[ArM5]], p. 223)

In Fifth Edition, House Quaesitor was renamed to [[House Guernicus]].

The following Fifth Edition supplements relate to Houses:
* [[Houses of Hermes: True Lineages]]
* [[Houses of Hermes: Mystery Cults]]
* [[Houses of Hermes: Societates]]

=== Interrim between [[Third Edition]] and [[Fourth Edition]]===

[[Wizards of the Coast]] published a supplement that described the Houses in detail: [[Houses of Hermes Book | Houses of Hermes]]. It billed itself as a Fourth Edition source book, but was published before any Fourth Edition core rule book. When [[Atlas Games]] began the Fourth Edition line, Houses of Hermes was considered mostly compatible.

=== [[Second Edition]] ===

Houses were described in the Second Edition supplement, [[ Order of Hermes Book | Order of Hermes]]

=== [[First Edition]] ===

Houses did not exist in First Edition. Magi were generally categorized by their favored [[Arts]] instead.
== Legacy Page ==
The history of this page before August 6, 2010 is archived at [[Legacy:houses_of_hermes]]
[[Category:Houses of Hermes]]
[[Category:Order of Hermes]]

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Houses of Hermes