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To live is not to breathe but to act.
Overview
The Magician Arcana is the #1 Major Arcana, and is full of dynamism. It is usually represented by an actual magus carrying a wand and demonstrating a connection, or even mastery between the human and divine worlds.
The Magician is often associated with action, activity and power, all active elements. However, the Magician is more than just action and spontaneity; mythopoetically it represents someone having just started on a journey towards enlightenment and, having just learned of their abilities, are delighted with what they're capable of doing. To this end, the Magician represents power of a latent kind, the power of potential. In this it represents one's inner talents and abilities, ones that the querent would be able to unleash if only something weren't holding them back: themselves. It is only through insight and experience that a Magician will be able to undo their own foibles and unleash their incredible power.
Magicians often resemble the young scholar who, having just started absorbing information on a topic, arrogantly believes themselves to be an expert. This is a reoccurring motif of characterising the Magician, and other comparisons might be a talented but lazy person, or someone who has been able to coast on pure talent for so long that they've forgotten how to work hard to develop their abilities when faced with a greater challenge. Indeed, overestimating their current ability is a defining trait of the Magician, and it's not surprising to see them described as people too clever by half, or as people who rush in where angels fear to tread: simply put, people who act instead of thinking, relying on their own ability.
There's a whiff of tragedy to the Magician; often their confidence and ability are compelling and admirable, but it is often these very things that lead to their downfall. Poignant examples of this are Prometheus, whose clever tricks benefit humanity, but also seal his fate at the hands of Zeus; or the Jack-o-Lantern, a lazy but brilliant con artist who tricks Satan himself and forces Satan to promise not to take his soul to hell; but as Jack's cunning had led him to too much sin during life, he was also disbarred from Heaven and thus forced to wander the world as a purgatorial spirit. Thus the element of fire is fitting for the Magician; not only is it a primal element, but using it fruitfully involves a careful balancing act, lest one's control slip and the fire burn precious things.
Thus it is no surprise that on the reverse, the Magician represents destructive impulsiveness and inexperience. Indeed, the Magician started off as a trickster ideal, and when reversed, is easy prey for other tricksters who know how to manipulate the Magician, who wears their heart on their sleeve. On the other hand, a reversed Magician can also represent someone in denial of their own abilities, someone who believes themselves average despite their great potential.
Example Inner Conflicts for a Magician might be a habit of acting before thinking, which inevitably leads to disaster; a constant desire to show off and impress others with one's own cleverness; having a brilliant mind, but is too lazy or disinterested to study; someone with great and creative ideas, but only works on them for short bursts of time before moving onto something else; and struggling with being shown up by other people.
Combat-wise, the Magician is a very aggressive Arcana. It specialises almost exclusively in fire abilities, and when push comes to shove, no one can set things on fire like a Magician. They also have a bevy of agility-based abilities. However, the Magician is lacking somewhat in reliable defensive abilities, and thus tends to be most suited at constantly attacking and moving. Despite their great power, Magicians have a tendency to burn through Spirit reserves quickly, and there's nothing as sad or easily destroyed like a Magician without Spirit.
Outside of combat, the Magician can be a rather flexible Arcana. Agility and Intelligence open Magician up to some of the broadest skills, allowing the Magician to dabble broadly if they so wish, although they have to rely on other Arcanae if they wish to specialise.
Arcana Qualities
| Characteristic Bonus |
Aptitudes |
Magic Characteristic |
| +5 Agility and Intelligence |
Agility, Intelligence, Offense |
Intelligence |
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Arcana Exemplary
| Exemplary |
Base Effect |
Rank 4 Improvement |
Rank 7 Improvement |
Rank 10 Improvement |
| Bright Potential |
Once per day, you may use a power belonging to an equipped Minor Persona. |
Bright Potential may now be used once per encounter. |
The Power is Yours: Your Confidants may take a single aptitude they know and permanently change it to one of the aptitudes you possess. You may do the same, but swapping one of your aptitudes for one belonging to a Confidant with an S-Link rank of 7 or higher. This swap does not need to happen the second you hit Evoker Rank 7- it may be done at any time. |
Bright Potential may now be used twice per encounter. |
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Arcana List
Grade One: Pyro Jack
An Irish Spirit Trapped in Purgatory. Hee-ho!
| Details |
| Grade: |
1 |
Name: |
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Wounds: |
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| Elemental Attributes |
| Melee |
Missile |
Fire |
Ice |
Elec |
Wind |
Psi |
Nuke |
Bless |
Curse |
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| Traits, Knacks, Item |
| Traits: |
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Knacks: |
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Item: |
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| Powers |
| Spells: |
Agi, Ghost Hands |
Arts: |
Agile Target |
Passives: |
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Grade Two: Robin Redcap
A malevolent familiar-fairy that haunts the Scottish border.
| Details |
| Grade: |
2 |
Name: |
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Wounds: |
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| Elemental Attributes |
| Melee |
Missile |
Fire |
Ice |
Elec |
Wind |
Psi |
Nuke |
Bless |
Curse |
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| Traits, Knacks, Item |
| Traits: |
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Knacks: |
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Item: |
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| Powers |
| Spells: |
Sukukaja |
Arts: |
Swipe, Firebomb |
Passives: |
Resist Dizzy |
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Grade Three: La Sayona
A vengeful Latin Mesoamerican spirit. She hunts unfaithful men.
| Details |
| Grade: |
3 |
Name: |
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Wounds: |
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| Elemental Attributes |
| Melee |
Missile |
Fire |
Ice |
Elec |
Wind |
Psi |
Nuke |
Bless |
Curse |
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| Traits, Knacks, Item |
| Traits: |
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Knacks: |
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Item: |
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| Powers |
| Spells: |
Spirit Drain |
Arts: |
Pin Down |
Passives: |
Dodge Ice, Resist Panic |
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Grade Four: Hermodr
The messenger of Odin. He tried to retrieve Baldr from Hel, but was undone by Loki.
| Details |
| Grade: |
4 |
Name: |
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Wounds: |
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| Elemental Attributes |
| Melee |
Missile |
Fire |
Ice |
Elec |
Wind |
Psi |
Nuke |
Bless |
Curse |
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| Traits, Knacks, Item |
| Traits: |
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Knacks: |
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Item: |
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| Powers |
| Spells: |
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Arts: |
Skewer, Feather Drop, Monkey's Grip |
Passives: |
Dodge Wind |
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Grade Five: Sati
The pre-incarnation of Parvati. She immolated in fury at her father's disrespect and nearly destroyed the world.
| Details |
| Grade: |
5 |
Name: |
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Wounds: |
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| Elemental Attributes |
| Melee |
Missile |
Fire |
Ice |
Elec |
Wind |
Psi |
Nuke |
Bless |
Curse |
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| Traits, Knacks, Item |
| Traits: |
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Knacks: |
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Item: |
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| Powers |
| Spells: |
Agilao, Firewall |
Arts: |
Dryad Step |
Passives: |
Fire Flow |
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Grade Six: Adar
The adored Yazata of holy fire. He assists Asha Vahishta, the bringer of burning truth.
| Details |
| Grade: |
6 |
Name: |
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Wounds: |
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| Elemental Attributes |
| Melee |
Missile |
Fire |
Ice |
Elec |
Wind |
Psi |
Nuke |
Bless |
Curse |
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| Traits, Knacks, Item |
| Traits: |
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Knacks: |
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Item: |
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| Powers |
| Spells: |
Firebreak, Holistic Reaction |
Arts: |
Scatter Bomb, Trip Up |
Passives: |
Enhance Burning |
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Grade Seven: Māui
A cunning and brave Polynesian culture hero. He ensnared the sun to make days longer, stole fire from Mahuika and pulled up islands out of the sea.
| Details |
| Grade: |
7 |
Name: |
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Wounds: |
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| Elemental Attributes |
| Melee |
Missile |
Fire |
Ice |
Elec |
Wind |
Psi |
Nuke |
Bless |
Curse |
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| Traits, Knacks, Item |
| Traits: |
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Knacks: |
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Item: |
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| Powers |
| Spells: |
Agidyne, Makajam, Momentous Grasp, Gravity Shackle |
Arts: |
Backflip Kick, Bouncing Claw |
Passives: |
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Grade Eight: Ogoun
The War-Smith Primordial of the Yoruba. He descended to earth to clear a path for the other gods.
| Details |
| Grade: |
8 |
Name: |
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Wounds: |
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| Elemental Attributes |
| Melee |
Missile |
Fire |
Ice |
Elec |
Wind |
Psi |
Nuke |
Bless |
Curse |
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| Traits, Knacks, Item |
| Traits: |
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Knacks: |
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Item: |
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| Powers |
| Spells: |
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Arts: |
Binding Chain, Bend Back, Lucky Punch, Deflect Missile |
Passives: |
Enhance Amnesia, Boost Fire |
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Grade Nine: Surtr
A Fire-Giant from Muspell. During Ragnarok, he slays the god Freyr and engulfs the world in fire.
| Details |
| Grade: |
9 |
Name: |
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Wounds: |
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| Elemental Attributes |
| Melee |
Missile |
Fire |
Ice |
Elec |
Wind |
Psi |
Nuke |
Bless |
Curse |
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| Traits, Knacks, Item |
| Traits: |
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Knacks: |
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Item: |
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| Powers |
| Spells: |
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Arts: |
Heat Wave, Devil's Barb, Shadowfire |
Passives: |
Transubstantiation, Amp Fire, Fire Magister, Fire Dragon Manual |
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Grade Ten: Agni
The mighty fire-God of Hinduism. He is messenger between the Gods and humanity. He purifies everything he touches and offers firm guidance to the seekers of truth. His weapon is the Agneyastra, which creates flames that cannot be quenched.
| Details |
| Grade: |
10 |
Name: |
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Wounds: |
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| Elemental Attributes |
| Melee |
Missile |
Fire |
Ice |
Elec |
Wind |
Psi |
Nuke |
Bless |
Curse |
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| Traits, Knacks, Item |
| Traits: |
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Knacks: |
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Item: |
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| Powers |
| Spells: |
Inferno, Scorched Earth |
Arts: |
Agneyastra, Gate of Fire, Angel Step |
Passives: |
Fire Lord, Ali Dance |
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