[Herr Novak]

Hi chummers,

I want to create an Elven Mage from the Tir with tight connections to the Atlantean Foundation. So my question is: Do Tir mages have a special or preferred magic tradition like the Wheel of the Path from the other Tir in Ireland? Something liek a Theran Tradition? As I found no info on that, I'd say Hermetic Tradition (he's supposed to be a mage, not a dancing tree-hugger) would be the nearest choice, but shouldn't Elves take advantage of their CHA-Bonus? Also, would Sperethiel make a nice choice for Centering?

Thanks in advance,
Chris

[Makki]

I'd jump at the chance and go with the Path of the Wheel, because nobody else except the Tir folk will ever learn it. So this might be your only ever chance to play this tradition, which I like.

[Herr Novak]

Yes, thought about the Path of the Wheel too, but it is Tir Na Nog and the Mage is from Tir Tairngire. Also think I read somewhere that Tir Tairngire Elves don't take Path of the Wheel Mages too serious. But I will consider that Tradition, maybe even changing to an Irish Elf which would be fun since we have an Ex-IRA Terrorist in the group.

[Crimsondude]

It's Hermetic. Rather, it's a pretty "pure" type of Hermeticism that was different than normal. Tír mages tended to look down on shamanism and the Path of the Wheel as unnecessary barriers between them and the rather straightforward act of magic use. So you might want to create a variant of Hermeticism that does in fact exploit their Charisma bonus.

[JustADude]

As JM has hinted at, there are rules so that you can make your own Tradition from scratch.

Make up some fluff that suits your tastes, slap on some Spirits that fit your fluff's outlook on magic, then pick a drain stat (Charisma for you, obviously ). Boom, done.

[Mirikon]

Path of the Wheel is a tradition in Tir nan Og. Few people outside of the island practice it.

In Tir Tairngir, there are most of the North American traditions, with hermetics being big, and some shamans. Of course, you could do like me and make a tradition. The Swordmage is a concept I came up with for a combat mage after watching Hero a few too many times.

[Critias]

Most of them are straight-up Hermetics, yes.  They're more magical wonderland touchy-feely tree-huggy than Seattle, but that's not saying much;  compared to NAN countries and Tir Na nOg, Tir Tairngire is downright cutting-edge, modern, and scientific, and their Hermetic leanings reflect that.

[Herr Novak]

Thanks to all for your contributions. I think I will stick with the Hermetic. Makes finding teachers and formulae much easier.

Any suggestions, which Mentor Spirits would suite a Tir Elf?

[Crimsondude]

They wouldn't use Mentor Spirits.

[Critias]

As a group?  None in particular.

As an individual, as Hermetics can still sometimes draw the attention (and blessing) of an ideal, a way of life, a supernatural entity that may be the embodiment of some human ideal?  I dunno.  Pick one.  It'd have to be a non-douchebag Mentor, that wouldn't inspire whole tons of douchebaggy behavior on the part of the mage in question -- Adversary doesn't last long in a military environment, for instance, and you've got to be good enough at your job to justify the headache, if you take one of the "goes berserk" Mentors -- but in my opinion most Mentor Spirits would be fine.

Or, rather...most trained hermetics would be valuable enough that turning someone away for having a Mentor Spirit would be not-fine.  So long as it doesn't make it so you can't do your friggin' job, the Tir should be accepting of someone who gets a little boost here and there from an obliging Mentor.  So long as overall you're still a competent, reasonable, rational enough spellslinger -- not one of those hippy bullcrap Shamen with their weird rituals and special rules and stuff -- the Tir should be fine with you.

[Crimsondude]

Pick one.  It'd have to be a non-douchebag Mentor, that wouldn't inspire whole tons of douchebaggy behavior on the part of the mage in question

Because that would be redundant in a Tír mage.

[Mirikon]

I agree with Critias. As a group, there aren't any mentor spirits that call particularly to Tir mages. But the mentor is always a reflection of the practitioner's own outlook. So you could potentially find people who follow any of the mentor spirits in the Tir. Some lend themselves towards a military lifestyle, such as Dragonslayer, Wolf, or Shark. Bear would be an ideal medic, something you always want to have on hand in the military. Adversary, Rat, and Dragon wouldn't last too long in a military environment. Seductress would make for an excellent spy.

[Makki]

Aritificier is basically made for research orientated magicians.
Military magicians would like Gryphon very well or vice versa I guess.
Investigator types will be supported by Owl-like mentors.
If you're particularly self-confident and a perfectionist, Sun might choose you, no matter you're intentions.