Prime

Prime is one of the ten Arcana of Mage: The Awakening, and the Subtle ruling Arcana of The Aether. It may be best described as the magic of magic; it controls the basic energy or "particle" of magic, the prima materia that mages usually experience as Mana or Tass. Knowledge of Prime allows mages to manipulate this energy, allowing a mage to alter the spells of others, imbue mundane objects with magical properties, and manipulate resonance and auras. The Arcanum of Prime deals with magic in its raw and unrefined state, wielding the Supernal Fire directly on the Fallen World, rather than merely altering its facets. A mage skilled in Prime can create illusion, dispel the works of other mages, shield herself from magical power, tap the power of tass, read the nature of a being through its aura, and hurl bolts of divine fire, the most powerful offensive weapon in Awakened society, according to its primary weilders, the Obrimos. So far, nothing has been found to dispute their claims.

Its associated summoning is the Cherub and the Exarch that supervises it is the Father. Within Astral Space, Prime is incorporated by the Aeon Lilith.

Influences:

Hallows, illusions, magical imbuement, Mana, Patterns, resonance, spellcasting, and tass.

Nature and Power

The Arcanum of Prime is the Subtle Arcanum of the Supernal Realm of Aether, a realm that also produces the Arcanum of Forces, Aether seethes with magical energy. The realm is described as having rains of Mana, falling from the storm-wracked sky to the burning earth below. The very air is charged with mystic potential, the power of mighty works hanging over the landscape like a dense fog. Such is the power of Prime in the Aether that the whole realm is suffused with its glow, giving it an unearthly and terrible beauty. The Fallen World is nowhere near as magically charged as Aether and the Supernal Realms, but Prime still holds some power there. Of all the Subtle Arcana, Prime's influence has suffered the most by the gulf of the Abyss. Before The Fall, the universe was awash with in magic; now one cannot even cast the simplest spell without risking the invocation of Paradox. However, magic still exists, the Ars Mysteriorum is still humanity's best defense against the darkness, and the power of Prime is an effective tool in wielding and controlling these mercurial energies.

Magic is used by many, and a wielder of Prime can gain considerable power over all these people, simply by rendering their arts useless. A mage skilled enough in the Arcanum of Prime may work many wondrous and powerful changes upon the magical nature of one's surroundings, to the point where a true master can create Hallow and siphon the Essence from spirits or ghosts. One can pull Mana from Hallows or tear it from regular objects, making anything a potential source of power. The mage can dispel the efforts of any mage with ease or simply create a potent shield against magic energy rendering attacks and curses, null and void. One can see resonance and auras directly, detect and alter the ley lines of the world, bending these currents of magical energy to one’s whim. One’s powers can weave complex illusions, simulacra that can perfectly mimic anything one desires, or one can conjure up the destructive power of raw magic to rain destruction upon one’s enemies. A mage with the power of the Arcanum of Prime is a useful ally and a powerful foe indeed. Mage Sight using Prime, "Supernal Vision", is generally the most potent for examining resonance, though other Mage Sight spells are better for specific types of resonance. Supernal Vision also allows the caster to view a supernatural being's true nature.Template:Ref Another very useful application is in counterspelling; Apprentice knowledge of Prime allows a mage to counter any spell without knowledge of the Arcana used by the targeted spell.Template:Ref A mage who is an Apprentice of both Prime and Space gains the ability to supernaturally sense when others scrutinise or tamper with her active spells. This is known as "sensing the threads", and Prime magic may also be used to thwart this ability.

Common Practices

Initiate (●)

An Initiate of Prime, using the first level of mastery, can see resonance more proficiently than with any other spell. One can also detect and analyze enchantments in items, and see through illusions (depending on the respective skill level of illusionist and observer). One gains a limited ability to dispel magic, though one must have knowledge of the effects being dispelled. Lastly, one can record one’s rotes in a grimoire, that the mage or another might use them.

NAME	OTHER ARCANA	PAGE	REQ	SOURCE	DESCRIPTION	Rote Pool	ASPECT
Analyze Enchanted Item		219		M:tA	learn properties of Imbued, Enhanced or Artifact items	Intelligence + Occult + Prime	Covert
Chronicle Resonance	Time 2	20		TotM	determine past magical events	Wits + Investigation + Prime	Covert
Copy Grimoire	Matter 1	48		Myst	copy Grimoire, even if not understood		Unlisted
Counterspell		123	●	M:tA	counter Prime spells	Composure + Occult + Prime	Covert
Detect Banisher		62		Ban	identify Banisher signatures		Covert
Discern Phantasm		220		M:tA	identify unreal objects	Wits + Occult + Prime	Covert
Dispel Magic	Any 1	220	●	M:tA	unweave existing spells	Intelligence + Occult + Prime	Covert
Ephemeral Postcognition	Time 2	210		Summ	view recent past of Ephemeral entity		Covert
Gauge Essence	Death 1 and/or Life 1 and/or Spirit 1	210		Summ	determine quality and quantity of Essence held in a creature, place or object		Covert
Inscribe Grimoire		220		M:tA	create Grimoire from known Rote	Intelligence + Expression + Prime	Covert
Supernal Vision		221		M:tA	Mage Sight, identify nature of aura	Wits + Occult + Prime	Covert

Apprentice (●●)

An Apprentice of Prime has the power to bestow one’s resonance detection upon others. One may counter spells from any Arcanum, or create armor against enemy spells (though not against regular damage like punches, or guns). The mage’s aura may be altered, making one appear as something one isn’t, and one may create the dueling circle for the Duel Arcane, a ritualized form of wizardly combat. One may also cloak oneself from the mystical senses of other mages as one alters or examines their magic, and may activate Artefacts and imbued items without needing to fulfill their triggers.

NAME	OTHER ARCANA	PAGE	REQ	SOURCE	DESCRIPTION	ROTE POOL	ASPECT
Activate Enchanted Item		221		M:tA	trigger Imbued Item at distance	Intelligence + Investigation + Prime	Covert
Cleanse Aura	opt Life 2	189		IEwtA	remove outside influence from aura		Covert
Counterspell Prime		222	●	M:tA	unweave spell being cast	Composure + Occult + Prime	Covert
Ephemeral Image		200	(x)	SL	create two-dimensional illusion over flat surface		Vulgar
Locate Node		124		MT	determine if a Node is in the area		Covert
Magic Shield		222	s	M:tA	gain Armor against Supernal magic	Resolve + Occult + Prime	Covert
Manipulate Contingent Trigger	Fate 2	194		SotT	alter the trigger of an Imbued Item		Covert
Paths of Power		139		GoG	see Ley Lines, or sense nearest		Covert
Primal Flow		222		M:tA	grant Mage Sight	Manipulation + Occult + Prime	Covert
Shadow Chess	Spirit 3 or 5	124	(x)●	TotM	manifest Spirits for Duel Arcane	NA	See text
Sigilization		37		S&S	imprint Aura onto object	Presence + Expression + Prime	Covert
Spell Cloaks	any conjunctional arcanum	70	+●	TotM	makes spells invisible to a mage’s Unseen Senses and makes it harder for Mage Sight to reveal the spell	(adjunct)	(adjunct)
Squaring the Circle		223	●	M:tA	form grounds for Duel Arcane	Resolve + Occult + Prime	Covert
Supernal Script	opt Any 1	202		Myst	write text only the Sighted can detect		Covert
Transform Aura		223		M:tA	falsify nature of aura	Intelligence + Occult + Prime	Covert
Unseen Spy		223		M:tA	scrutinize spells without detection	Composure + Subterfuge + Prime	Covert

Disciple (●●●)

A Disciple of Prime may bestow one’s shield against magic, or alter the aura of, other creatures. One may channel Mana directly from Hallows or take it from inorganic tass or enchanted items, or dissolve said tass. The mage’s power over dispelling increases, allowing one to selectively dispel magic from some targets while still keeping the spell active against other targets, fortify the souls of targets, making them more resistant to attempts at soul theft, and one can imbue spells into items or make weapons and equipment capable of affecting Twilight or Shadow Realm creatures. One may transfer one’s Mana to other living creatures, create wellsprings of power from the ley lines that straddle the Earth, or weave simple, immobile illusions. Finally, one may wield the raw energy of magic as an offensive weapon, blasting at her foes with Supernal fire, not even arch masters can withstand Supernal energy for long, unless they kill the mage channeling this power they will eventually be burnt to ash.

NAME	OTHER ARCANA	PAGE	REQ	SOURCE	DESCRIPTION	ROTE POOL	ASPECT
Armor of the Soul		223		M:tA	gain Armor against soul manipulation	Composure + Occult + Prime	Covert
Astral Tass Conversion		28		AR	reserve Tass for Astral travels		Covert
Celestial Fire		224	(x)	M:tA	inflict Bashing/Lethal damage	Dexterity + Occult + Prime	Vulgar
Channel Mana		224		M:tA	draw Mana from Tass or Hallow	Wits + Occult + Prime	Covert
Controlled Dispellation		224		M:tA	exempt targets from existing spell	Resolve + Occult + Prime	Covert
Create Tass		224	●	M:tA	form Mana into a solid shape	Resolve + Crafts or Occult + Prime	Covert
Disguise Resonance		225		M:tA	falsify Resonance of an area	Composure + Subterfuge + Prime	Covert
Disguise Spell		68	●	TotM	falsify aspects of a spell	Intelligence + Investigation + Prime	Covert
Dissolve Tass		225		M:tA	destroy Tass	Resolve + Occult + Prime	Covert
Energetic Tass	Forces 3	69	●	TotM	form Mana into a Forces pattern	Wits + Science + Prime	Covert
Ephemeral Enchantment		225	(x)	M:tA	allow physical object to affect Twilight and Shadow	Resolve + Occult + Prime	Vulgar
False Signature	opt Any 1-5	184	●	AA	disguise Arcana used in combined spell		Covert
Fortify Phantasmal Item		27		TotM	grant weak Phantasm an Equipment Bonus	Intelligence + Crafts + Prime	Covert
Girding the Champion's Faith		88	(x)	MT	gain +2 Armor, downgrade Agg to Lethal		Vulgar
Hallow Bond		94	●	S&S	prevent others from using Hallow	Composure + Occult + Prime	Covert
Imbue Animal	Life 3	62		Ban	create Imbued Animals; sin against Wisdom 5	Manipulation + Animal Ken + Prime	Vulgar
Imbue Item		225		M:tA	create Imbued Item	Composure + Crafts + Prime	See text
Imbue Mana		226	v/s	M:tA	transfer Mana to others	Presence + Persuasion + Prime	Covert
Instill Exclusiveness		142	●●●(3)	TotM	item crafting, defense	Intelligence + Occults + Prime	Covert
Item Failsafe		141		TotM	item crafting, defense	Intelligence + Crafts + Prime	Covert
Last Testament		143		TotM	item crafting, defense	Intelligence + Crafts + Prime	Covert
Ley Lines		226		M:tA	create Node from Ley Line juncture to produce power	Intelligence + Occult or Science + Prime	Covert
Ley Shift		97	●	S&S	alter direction of Ley Line	Strength + Occult + Prime	Covert
Magic Wall		227		M:tA	grant other Armor against Supernal magic	Manipulation + Occult + Prime	Covert
Mana Leech		139	●	TotM	item crafting, curse	Intelligence + Crafts + Prime	Covert
Marked Power	Space 2	62	●	Ban	implant signature into Hallow's tass, creating sympathy to users		Covert
Mystic Shackle		139	s	TotM	item crafting, curse	Intelligence + Crafts + Prime	Covert
Path in the Skin	Life 2/3	69		TotM	create Tool tattoo	Dexterity + Crafts + Prime	Covert
Payment in Power		129	20●	TotM	item crafting, alternate cost relinquishment - spend mana	Intelligence + Occult + Prime	Covert
Phantasm		227	(x)●	M:tA	create small unreal object	Intelligence + Crafts + Prime	Vulgar
Price of Hubris	Any 1	63	●	Ban	as Counterspell, but if successful, redirect attack to caster		Covert
Reset Platonic Exemplar		133	●	TotM	unweave all spells in a Platonic Exemplar	Intelligence + Occult + Prime	Covert
Subvert Ownership		145	●	TotM	choose new authorized user of item	Wits + Subterfuge + Prime	Covert
Summon Supernal Being		73		Summ	(Obrimos only) call a Cherub from the Aether, with difficulty		Covert
Target Interloper		140	●	TotM	item crafting, defense	Intelligence + Occult + Prime	Covert
Temporal Phantasm	Time 2	202	(x)●	Myst	create Phantasm from past template		Vulgar
Transform Other Aura		227		M:tA	falsify others aura nature	Intelligence + Occult + Prime	Covert
Tribute of Iron	Death 1	76		MT	gain Mana from death as if sacrifice		Covert

Adept (●●●●)

An Adept of Prime can dispel any spell encountered without needing to understand the workings behind it. One may reactivate the flow of Mana from dormant Hallows or suppress active Hallows into temporary slumber. One may bestow one’s perception of magic and the arcane upon even Sleepers at this level of power, allowing them to glimpse into the magical world without fear of invoking Disbelief. Mana can now be siphoned from the Essence of spirits, loci, and ghosts or pulled from regular, non-enchanted objects. The mage can now also create animated illusions, but it still needs to be actively animated by the mage; they have no free will or mind. Finally, one may create functioning illusory objects, weapons or armor, which affect the world like regular such items would.

NAME	OTHER ARCANA	PAGE	REQ	SOURCE	DESCRIPTION	ROTE POOL	ASPECT
Annihilate Spells	Time 3	62	●	Ban	counter all hung and Prolonged spells on target with touch		Covert
Awaken Hallow		228	●	M:tA	waken a dormant Hallow	Composure + Survival + Prime	Covert
Bodyguard's Blessing		184	●	AA	redirect next spell target casts to yourself		Covert
Channel Paradox	Life 3	47		GoG	redirect Paradox from others to self		Covert
Curse of the Fallen World		64	●	Ban	all of target's spells are Vulgar, uncloak Nimbus and give +1 to Paradox rolls		Covert
Delusions of Grandeur		64		Ban	target may spend one additional mana per turn, but all Mana expenditures are doubled		Covert
Disenchant Item		144	●	TotM	unweave spells in enchanted item	Intelligence + Occult + Prime	Covert
Eyes of the Awakened		228		M:tA	Sleeper does not suffer Disbelief	Manipulation + Empathy + Prime	Covert
Ley Flow		98	●	S&S	alter strength of Ley Line	Composure + Occult + Prime	Covert
Marionette		228	(x)	M:tA	create lifelike animal/human phantasm	Intelligence + Subterfuge + Prime	Vulgar
Phantasmal Weapon		228	(x)●	M:tA	create solid armor/weapon phantasm	Intelligence + Crafts + Prime	Vulgar
Pierce Magical Shield		64		Ban	Armor Piercing (Shielding spells only), 1 / Potency		Covert
Poison Mana		65	(x)●	Ban	taint points of Mana in a Hallow to cause Lethal damage when used		Vulgar
Primal Transfer		78	(x)●	L:tA	item crafting; alternate relinquishment; let other pay willpower dot		Vulgar
Scour Other's Pattern	Life 3	70	(x)●	TotM	transfer Mana from others	Presence + Intimidation + Prime - Stamina	Covert
Siphon Essence		229	(x)	M:tA	transfer Mana from Spirit	Resolve + Occult + Prime - Resistance	Vulgar
Siphon Integrity		229	(x)	M:tA	transfer Mana from object	Resolve + Occult + Prime	Vulgar
Supernal Augumentation	Life 3 or Matter 3	185	(x)	AA	spend Mana to make unarmed/armed attacks Aggravated		Vulgar
Supernal Dispellation		229		M:tA	unweave any existing spell	Resolve + Occult + Prime vs Potency	Covert
Suppress Enchantment		203		Myst	deactivate power of Imbued Item/Artifact		Covert
Suppress Hallow		229		M:tA	reduce Mana generation of Hallow	Presence + Survival + Prime	Covert
Tainted Source		65	s●	Ban	taint points of Mana in a Hallow to cause users to only spend 1/turn while any remains in their pool		Covert

Master (●●●●●)

A Master of Prime to create complex illusions with a semblance of proper function, such as “working” computers or convincing shock troops. One can now siphon Mana from unwilling mages or create one’s own temporary Hallow to draw power from. One can also expel Mana from a given area, creating a ‘dead zone’ in which magic cannot function, though this may endanger the lives of creatures within the zone.

NAME	OTHER ARCANA	PAGE	REQ	SOURCE	DESCRIPTION	ROTE POOL	ASPECT
Concealing the Dragon's Path		103	(x)●	GoG	hide a ley line, permanently		Vulgar
Create Complex Phantasm		230	(x)	M:tA	create solid complex phantasm	Intelligence + Crafts + Prime (objects) or Intelligence + Medicine + Prime (people)	Vulgar
Create Hallow		230	(x)●	M:tA	create Hallow (with prolonged duration)	Composure + Occult + Prime	Vulgar
Dead Zone		230	(x)	M:tA	remove ambient Mana from area	Composure + Occult + Prime	Vulgar
Dessicate	Life 3	65	(x)	Ban	drain target of Physical Attributes, Mana or Health		Vulgar
Forge Tulpa	Mind 5	231	(x)	M:tA	create lifelike sentient phantasm	Wits + Occult + Prime	Vulgar
Halt the Flow		66	(x)s	Ban	destroy a Hallow		Vulgar
Scorched Earth		66	s●	Ban	increase a Dead Zone to severely hinder spellcasting permanently		Covert
Siphon Mana		231	(x)	M:tA	transfer Mana from unwilling Mages	Resolve + Intimidation + Prime - Stamina	Vulgar
Supernal Sense	Space 3	71	●	TotM	become aware of all magic in area	Wits + Empathy + Prime	Covert
Universal Bane		67	(x)●	Ban	enchant weapon or ammunition to inflict Aggravated; object is destroyed at end of spell		Vulgar

Imperial Practices

Archmasters are rare but not unheard of. They don’t follow the same rules as the other ranks. Archmasters become Avatars of the Arcanum they studied, living embodiments of the Watchtower their power comes from. They become conduits for power and are no longer barred from their power by the Abyss and so aren’t subject to Paradox. They take on the physical characteristics of their Arcanum. They should be addressed as Arcs (i.e. an Arc of Death). Archmasters can cast all the spells from Initiate to Master, without using any Mana, and in any preferred duration. They effectively gain the powers of a God, including limited immortality (e.g. they stop getting older, and become immune to all diseases), but they’re still human beings and as such can be killed just like anybody else should they become careless. They still suffer penalties of their Inferior Arcanum; a mage can’t over come that until he/she has become an Arc of that inferior Arcanum. Archmasters no longer belong soley to the planet of their birth; they become citizens of the cosmos, so their concerns must move beyond their home planet to the wider Universe.

Archmasters of Prime sometimes emit a faint light. Arcs of Prime can create Hallows anywhere they want and even control the quality of the Mana and tass it produces. They can create permanent, self-correcting illusions, imbued items, even endow others with supernatural abilities when combined with the proper arcana. They can dispel the magics of other archmasters, and create "overseer" spells that repair its creator's magics when they've been dispelled or breached.

Archmastery 6 (●●●●● ●)

Bypassing Mage Armor or other defensive magics by automatically probing for weak points.

Phantasms that vary in appearance by onlooker. Antimagic Zones that dispel or counter any lesser Practice cast in the area of effect. Spells that alter the resonance of any Mana or Tass in an area to best suit the uses to which they are put.

Archmastery 7 (●●●●● ●●)

Claim an unoccupied Chantry, incorporating it into the caster’s soul. “Adoption” of orphaned sub-souls using the Arcanum used in their creation. Create an Artifact that casts spells of the Arcanum. Create a Demesne of the Arcanum. Create or alter Legacies with attainments based on the Arcanum. Create Proximi with spells of the Arcanum as powers. Alter whether the targeted Arcanum is Ruling, Common or Inferior for a targeted mage. Alter how many spells of the Arcanum a mage may maintain spell control over, or how they affect spell tolerance. Alter the spell factors, target and other details of a spell of the Arcanum.

Create adamas in the form of an advanced enchantment. Change the conditions by which a target regains Mana, the size of his Mana pool, or how many points he can spend a turn.

Removal of a Legacy with attainments based on the Arcanum. Removal of a supernatural ability governed by the Arcanum (such as Mind to remove a vampire’s ability to use the Dominate Discipline). Dispelling an Imperial Spell cast using the Arcanum. Removing a mage’s ability to use the Arcanum. Destruction of an Artifact based on the Arcanum.

Dispelling any Imperial spell. Rendering a mage unable to spend or regain Mana.

NAME	OTHER ARCANA	PAGE	REQ	SOURCE	DESCRIPTION	ROTE POOL	ASPECT
Imperial Dispellation		38		IM	dispel Imperial Death spells		Not listed

Archmastery 8 (●●●●● ●●●)

Create a Chantry rooted in the material world. Create an Ochema that lacks the Imperial Practices or possesses archmastery of the Arcanum used. Create a portal to the Supernal Realm that has the Arcanum used as a Ruling Arcanum.

Create an “overseer,” a spell which uses its own Gnosis and Arcana to repair the archmaster’s spells when they are dispelled. Absorb a Hallow into a Chantry, providing a supply of Mana to the beings inside.

Archmastery 9 (●●●●● ●●●●)

NAME	OTHER ARCANA	PAGE	REQ	SOURCE	DESCRIPTION	ROTE POOL	ASPECT
Transfiguration		39		IM	gain complete control over the Arcana		Not listed