Ars Magica Definitive Edition, Chapter Three: Characters - Revision history

Yair at 09:29, 5 May 2026

2026-05-05T09:29:08Z

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	The fifteen years of apprenticeship give the character 240 experience points, and 120 levels of spells. These experience points can be spent on Arts or Abilities, including Arcane, Academic, and Martial Abilities. Note that magi can only spend experience points on Arcane, Academic and Martial Abilities before apprenticeship if they have a Virtue which allows them to do so. A sensible division is to spend 120 experience points on Abilities and 120 on Arts.		The fifteen years of apprenticeship give the character 240 experience points, and 120 levels of spells. These experience points can be spent on Arts or Abilities, including Arcane, Academic, and Martial Abilities. Note that magi can only spend experience points on Arcane, Academic and Martial Abilities before apprenticeship if they have a Virtue which allows them to do so. A sensible division is to spend 120 experience points on Abilities and 120 on Arts.

	Magi must have the following minimum Abilities: Parma Magica 1, Magic Theory 1, Latin 1. Characters with lower scores would not be admitted to the Order. A character without a Latin score of least 4 and an Artes Liberales score of at least 1 is unable to read the books of the Order. This will seriously weaken the character relative to other		Magi must have the following minimum Abilities: Parma Magica 1, Magic Theory 1, Latin 1. Characters with lower scores would not be admitted to the Order. A character without a Latin score of least 4 and an Artes Liberales score of at least 1 is unable to read the books of the Order. This will seriously weaken the character relative to other magi, and you should be aware of this before designing such a character. A character with a Latin score of less than 5 cannot write books, which may also be important. A Magic Theory score of below 3 is weak, and, in particular, means that the magus cannot set up his own laboratory. Very few magi have a score in Parma Magica over 1 immediately after apprenticeship, as this Ability is normally the last thing taught. Indeed, the magus is not taught the final secret to raising a Parma until after he has sworn the Oath. Magi should also seriously consider putting points into Code of Hermes, Concentration, Finesse, Order of Hermes Lore, Penetration, and Profession (Scribe).

	<blockquote><span id="example-darius-of-flambeau-4"></span>		<blockquote><span id="example-darius-of-flambeau-4"></span>
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	Finally, just before Gauntlet, he spends his last 5 exp on Parma Magica 1.		Finally, just before Gauntlet, he spends his last 5 exp on Parma Magica 1.

	magi, and you should be aware of this before designing such a character. A character with a Latin score of less than 5 cannot write books, which may also be important. A Magic Theory score of below 3 is weak, and, in particular, means that the magus cannot set up his own laboratory. Very few magi have a score in Parma Magica over 1 immediately after apprenticeship, as this Ability is normally the last thing taught. Indeed, the magus is not taught the final secret to raising a Parma until after he has sworn the Oath. Magi should also seriously consider putting points into Code of Hermes, Concentration, Finesse, Order of Hermes Lore, Penetration, and Profession (Scribe).
	</blockquote>		</blockquote>
	<span id="hermetic-magi-recommended-minimum-abilities"></span>		<span id="hermetic-magi-recommended-minimum-abilities"></span>

Yair: /* Personality Traits */

2026-04-25T15:31:05Z

Personality Traits

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	Personality Traits are a short description of important features of your character's personality. For major characters, such as magi and companions, they are normally nothing more than an aide memoire, and a reason to think about the character's personality during character creation, although there are a few specific rules that require Personality Trait rolls.		Personality Traits are a short description of important features of your character's personality. For major characters, such as magi and companions, they are normally nothing more than an aide memoire, and a reason to think about the character's personality during character creation, although there are a few specific rules that require Personality Trait rolls.
	{{CommunityGloss\|Consider associating each personality trait with a vice or virtue, as ~~suggestes~~ in [[Realms of Power: The Divine Open Content#Personality Traits\|Realms of Power: The Divine]] and [[Realms of Power: The Infernal Chapter Two: Sin and Temptation#Sinful Traits\|Realms of Power: The Infernal]]. Personality traits are also categorized by the four humours in [[Art & Academe Open Content#Personality Traits for the Four Complexions\|Art & Academe, Chapter Four: Medicine]].}}		{{CommunityGloss\|Consider associating each personality trait with a vice or virtue, as suggested in [[Realms of Power: The Divine Open Content#Personality Traits\|Realms of Power: The Divine]] and [[Realms of Power: The Infernal Chapter Two: Sin and Temptation#Sinful Traits\|Realms of Power: The Infernal]]. Personality traits are also categorized by the four humours in [[Art & Academe Open Content#Personality Traits for the Four Complexions\|Art & Academe, Chapter Four: Medicine]].}}

	For grogs, they are more significant. As grogs are often shared between players, or at least played rarely (see Troupe-Style Roleplaying on [[Ars Magica Definitive Edition, Chapter Sixteen: Sagas#Troupe-Style Roleplaying\|page 528]]), the numbers attached to Personality Traits can be used as a concrete guide to playing the character. They can be positive or negative, and normally range between +3 and -3, although there are exceptions. A Minor Personality Flaw (see later) would normally be matched by a Personality Trait of +3 or -3, while a Major Personality Flaw, which a grog would not normally have, would justify a Personality Trait of +6 or -6. 'Loyal' is a particularly important Trait, as it reflects the grog's attachment to the covenant, while 'Brave' is just as important for warrior grogs. A third Trait should be something distinctive about that grog. You may decide to roll a grog's Personality Traits when you are unsure how he would react, or you may treat the numbers simply as a guide to roleplaying. If you do roll them, add nothing but the Personality Trait, and roll a stress die. Suggested Ease Factors are found on the table		For grogs, they are more significant. As grogs are often shared between players, or at least played rarely (see Troupe-Style Roleplaying on [[Ars Magica Definitive Edition, Chapter Sixteen: Sagas#Troupe-Style Roleplaying\|page 528]]), the numbers attached to Personality Traits can be used as a concrete guide to playing the character. They can be positive or negative, and normally range between +3 and -3, although there are exceptions. A Minor Personality Flaw (see later) would normally be matched by a Personality Trait of +3 or -3, while a Major Personality Flaw, which a grog would not normally have, would justify a Personality Trait of +6 or -6. 'Loyal' is a particularly important Trait, as it reflects the grog's attachment to the covenant, while 'Brave' is just as important for warrior grogs. A third Trait should be something distinctive about that grog. You may decide to roll a grog's Personality Traits when you are unsure how he would react, or you may treat the numbers simply as a guide to roleplaying. If you do roll them, add nothing but the Personality Trait, and roll a stress die. Suggested Ease Factors are found on the table

Yair: added gloss on four humours /* Personality Traits */

2026-04-25T05:19:15Z

added gloss on four humours Personality Traits

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	Personality Traits are a short description of important features of your character's personality. For major characters, such as magi and companions, they are normally nothing more than an aide memoire, and a reason to think about the character's personality during character creation, although there are a few specific rules that require Personality Trait rolls.		Personality Traits are a short description of important features of your character's personality. For major characters, such as magi and companions, they are normally nothing more than an aide memoire, and a reason to think about the character's personality during character creation, although there are a few specific rules that require Personality Trait rolls.
	{{CommunityGloss\|Consider associating each personality trait with a vice or virtue, as suggestes in [[Realms of Power: The Divine Open Content#Personality Traits\|Realms of Power: The Divine]] and [[Realms of Power: The Infernal Chapter Two: Sin and Temptation#Sinful Traits\|Realms of Power: The Infernal]].}}		{{CommunityGloss\|Consider associating each personality trait with a vice or virtue, as suggestes in [[Realms of Power: The Divine Open Content#Personality Traits\|Realms of Power: The Divine]] and [[Realms of Power: The Infernal Chapter Two: Sin and Temptation#Sinful Traits\|Realms of Power: The Infernal]]. Personality traits are also categorized by the four humours in [[Art & Academe Open Content#Personality Traits for the Four Complexions\|Art & Academe, Chapter Four: Medicine]].}}

	For grogs, they are more significant. As grogs are often shared between players, or at least played rarely (see Troupe-Style Roleplaying on [[Ars Magica Definitive Edition, Chapter Sixteen: Sagas#Troupe-Style Roleplaying\|page 528]]), the numbers attached to Personality Traits can be used as a concrete guide to playing the character. They can be positive or negative, and normally range between +3 and -3, although there are exceptions. A Minor Personality Flaw (see later) would normally be matched by a Personality Trait of +3 or -3, while a Major Personality Flaw, which a grog would not normally have, would justify a Personality Trait of +6 or -6. 'Loyal' is a particularly important Trait, as it reflects the grog's attachment to the covenant, while 'Brave' is just as important for warrior grogs. A third Trait should be something distinctive about that grog. You may decide to roll a grog's Personality Traits when you are unsure how he would react, or you may treat the numbers simply as a guide to roleplaying. If you do roll them, add nothing but the Personality Trait, and roll a stress die. Suggested Ease Factors are found on the table		For grogs, they are more significant. As grogs are often shared between players, or at least played rarely (see Troupe-Style Roleplaying on [[Ars Magica Definitive Edition, Chapter Sixteen: Sagas#Troupe-Style Roleplaying\|page 528]]), the numbers attached to Personality Traits can be used as a concrete guide to playing the character. They can be positive or negative, and normally range between +3 and -3, although there are exceptions. A Minor Personality Flaw (see later) would normally be matched by a Personality Trait of +3 or -3, while a Major Personality Flaw, which a grog would not normally have, would justify a Personality Trait of +6 or -6. 'Loyal' is a particularly important Trait, as it reflects the grog's attachment to the covenant, while 'Brave' is just as important for warrior grogs. A third Trait should be something distinctive about that grog. You may decide to roll a grog's Personality Traits when you are unsure how he would react, or you may treat the numbers simply as a guide to roleplaying. If you do roll them, add nothing but the Personality Trait, and roll a stress die. Suggested Ease Factors are found on the table

Yair: added gloss on virtus and vices /* Personality Traits */

2026-04-24T07:11:25Z

added gloss on virtus and vices Personality Traits

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	Personality Traits are a short description of important features of your character's personality. For major characters, such as magi and companions, they are normally nothing more than an aide memoire, and a reason to think about the character's personality during character creation, although there are a few specific rules that require Personality Trait rolls.		Personality Traits are a short description of important features of your character's personality. For major characters, such as magi and companions, they are normally nothing more than an aide memoire, and a reason to think about the character's personality during character creation, although there are a few specific rules that require Personality Trait rolls.
			{{CommunityGloss\|Consider associating each personality trait with a vice or virtue, as suggestes in [[Realms of Power: The Divine Open Content#Personality Traits\|Realms of Power: The Divine]] and [[Realms of Power: The Infernal Chapter Two: Sin and Temptation#Sinful Traits\|Realms of Power: The Infernal]].}}

	For grogs, they are more significant. As grogs are often shared between players, or at least played rarely (see Troupe-Style Roleplaying on [[Ars Magica Definitive Edition, Chapter Sixteen: Sagas#Troupe-Style Roleplaying\|page 528]]), the numbers attached to Personality Traits can be used as a concrete guide to playing the character. They can be positive or negative, and normally range between +3 and -3, although there are exceptions. A Minor Personality Flaw (see later) would normally be matched by a Personality Trait of +3 or -3, while a Major Personality Flaw, which a grog would not normally have, would justify a Personality Trait of +6 or -6. 'Loyal' is a particularly important Trait, as it reflects the grog's attachment to the covenant, while 'Brave' is just as important for warrior grogs. A third Trait should be something distinctive about that grog. You may decide to roll a grog's Personality Traits when you are unsure how he would react, or you may treat the numbers simply as a guide to roleplaying. If you do roll them, add nothing but the Personality Trait, and roll a stress die. Suggested Ease Factors are found on the table		For grogs, they are more significant. As grogs are often shared between players, or at least played rarely (see Troupe-Style Roleplaying on [[Ars Magica Definitive Edition, Chapter Sixteen: Sagas#Troupe-Style Roleplaying\|page 528]]), the numbers attached to Personality Traits can be used as a concrete guide to playing the character. They can be positive or negative, and normally range between +3 and -3, although there are exceptions. A Minor Personality Flaw (see later) would normally be matched by a Personality Trait of +3 or -3, while a Major Personality Flaw, which a grog would not normally have, would justify a Personality Trait of +6 or -6. 'Loyal' is a particularly important Trait, as it reflects the grog's attachment to the covenant, while 'Brave' is just as important for warrior grogs. A third Trait should be something distinctive about that grog. You may decide to roll a grog's Personality Traits when you are unsure how he would react, or you may treat the numbers simply as a guide to roleplaying. If you do roll them, add nothing but the Personality Trait, and roll a stress die. Suggested Ease Factors are found on the table

Yair: gloss on /* Getting New Confidence Points */

2026-04-24T06:43:41Z

gloss on Getting New Confidence Points

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	Typical characters should gain two or three Confidence Points per session.		Typical characters should gain two or three Confidence Points per session.
			{{CommunityGloss\|Note that it is also possible to gain a Confidence Point through sin (see [[Realms of Power: The Infernal Chapter Two: Sin and Temptation#Gaining Confidence through Sin\|Realms of Power: The Infernal, Chapter Two]]). Confidence can also be gained through [[Realms of Power: The Infernal Chapter Ten: The Maleficia#Debauchery/psychomachia\|maleficia]] or [[Realms of Power: The Infernal Chapter Eleven: Ars Goetia#Ablating\|Ablating]].

			On the Divine side, a Confidence point can be gained through [[Realms of Power: The Divine Open Content#The Sacraments\|Penance]] or a [[The Church Open Content#Vigils & Fasting\|Vigil]], but in limited ways.}}

	<span id="raising-confidence-score"></span>		<span id="raising-confidence-score"></span>

	==== Raising Confidence Score ====		==== Raising Confidence Score ====

Yair: /* Magi Only: Hermetic House */

2026-04-17T13:28:10Z

Magi Only: Hermetic House

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	=== Magi Only: Hermetic House ===		=== Magi Only: Hermetic House ===

	The next step in creating a Hermetic magus is choosing his House. The twelve Houses are described starting on page 13, and summarized in the nearby table. Membership in a House grants a particular benefit at character creation, which is listed in the table. A magus can only be a member of one House.		The next step in creating a Hermetic magus is choosing his House. The twelve Houses are described starting on [[Ars Magica Definitive Edition, Chapter Two: The Order of Hermes#The Houses of Hermes\|page 12]], and summarized in the nearby table. Membership in a House grants a particular benefit at character creation, which is listed in the table. A magus can only be a member of one House.

	<span id="hermetic-houses-summary"></span>		<span id="hermetic-houses-summary"></span>
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	</blockquote>		</blockquote>
	<span id="virtues-and-flaws-1"></span>		<span id="virtues-and-flaws-1"></span>

	=== Virtues and Flaws ===		=== Virtues and Flaws ===

Yair: added hyperlink

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	'''Soak:''' The character's Soak score.		'''Soak:''' The character's Soak score.

	'''Fatigue levels:''' A listing of the character's Fatigue levels and penalties, which represent how tired the character is. Fatigue is described on page 403.		'''Fatigue levels:''' A listing of the character's Fatigue levels and penalties, which represent how tired the character is. Fatigue is described on [[Ars Magica Definitive Edition, Chapter Eleven: Obstacles#Fatigue\|page 403]].

	'''Wound Penalties:''' Shows the penalties for wounds of varying severity, with the number of points of damage required to inflict a wound of that severity shown in parentheses.		'''Wound Penalties:''' Shows the penalties for wounds of varying severity, with the number of points of damage required to inflict a wound of that severity shown in parentheses.

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	Companions and Magi start with a Confidence Score of 1 and 3 Confidence Points, unless they have a Virtue or Flaw that indicates otherwise.		Companions and Magi start with a Confidence Score of 1 and 3 Confidence Points, unless they have a Virtue or Flaw that indicates otherwise.

	Confidence Points can be spent to gain a one-off +3 bonus to any die roll, and a maximum number of Confidence Points equal to the character's Confidence Score may be spent on a single roll. More details on Confidence can be found on page 29.		Confidence Points can be spent to gain a one-off +3 bonus to any die roll, and a maximum number of Confidence Points equal to the character's Confidence Score may be spent on a single roll. More details on Confidence can be found on [[#Confidence\|page 29]].

	<span id="equipment"></span>		<span id="equipment"></span>

	=== Equipment ===		=== Equipment ===

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	=== Reputations ===		=== Reputations ===

	Characters only start with a Reputation if they choose a Virtue or Flaw that grants one, but all characters can develop them in play. See page 28 for rules on Reputations.		Characters only start with a Reputation if they choose a Virtue or Flaw that grants one, but all characters can develop them in play. See [[#Reputations\|page 28]] for rules on Reputations.

	<span id="confidence-1"></span>		<span id="confidence-1"></span>

	=== Confidence ===		=== Confidence ===

Yair: added hyperlink

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	Circular Ward Against Demons (ReVi 20/+16)		Circular Ward Against Demons (ReVi 20/+16)

	Customization Notes: The Criamon does not have her maximum allowance of Flaws, so could take an additional Major Flaw or three Minor Flaws, with corresponding Virtues, if desired. Her Charm and Folk Ken scores could be moved into other Abilities available in the first five years of life (see the Detailed Character Creation rules, page 43), possibly also moving her good Presence score as well.		Customization Notes: The Criamon does not have her maximum allowance of Flaws, so could take an additional Major Flaw or three Minor Flaws, with corresponding Virtues, if desired. Her Charm and Folk Ken scores could be moved into other Abilities available in the first five years of life (see the Detailed Character Creation rules, [[#Detailed Character Creation\|page 43]]), possibly also moving her good Presence score as well.

	<span id="ex-miscellanea"></span>		<span id="ex-miscellanea"></span>