So, like many others in the past, I'm putting my money where my mouth is. What follows are revised rules for the Infernalist in your chronicle, including extensive notes on what a diabolist gets out of his pacts, as well as some brief philosophy on three general types on Infernal mages. Some may find what follows a bit rules-ish, but this happens to be my style for dealing with this. If it weren't, my "organizational" skills would have completely ruined it's usefulness for me. Anyway, I thought BoMadness had plenty of philosophy to go around.
Please note that these changes were heavily suggested by the work done in The Maleficium, the guide to the infernal for Ars Magica. No copyright infringement is intended, and all trademarks belong to their rightful owners. This is strictly created as a suppliment for play, and not as a means to profit. So don't sue me, WWGS and WotC :).
You can also distrubute this any way you like, as long as you don't make any profit off it...if you wanna print it out as sell it at cost to your friends, feel free...WWGS and WotC may sue you, but I won't. If you do make profits, though, send some my way:)
And now, on with the show...
Why would a mage want to use Hierarchy? Two reasons: it allows for higher rolls when using vulgar magick (of course, with a corresponding high chance of rolling a botch, and thus gaining mucho paradox), and Hierarchy is easier to gain that Arete. No seeking, no epiphany are necessary. Just a continual exposure to the Infernal.
Secondly, there is the addictive quality of Hierarchy. Whenever the mage with Hierarchy is exposed to an infernal text, or otherwise reminded of the lures of Hell, and the player wishes the character to avoid said knowledge, they must make an extended Willpower roll versus a difficulty equal to the mage's Hierarchy score + 3 (Max. 10), and must gain a number of successes equal to the Hierarchy score. Failure means they jump right in. Thus, as the mage falls deeper under the influence of the powers of hell, she finds it harder and harder to escape.
The third, and most subtle, effect: Paradigm engineering (thanks to whoever initially suggested this...I've misplaced his name). As the mage continues to use Hierarchy, the infernal paradigm begins to subtly infect his surroundings. Neighborhoods get meaner, pollution gets worse, etc. This is a prime example of resonance in play, and, besides gaining prestige in the Infernal hierarchy, is the prime reason demons corrupt mortals: to create hell on earth.
Action Infernal points gained
------ ----------------------
Reading of Infernal Texts As study points (see M:tA)
Interaction with Demons:
Summoning and Magnitude of Demon*
Binding
Learning True Magnitudex2
Name
Learning Summoning Magnitude/2
Rote
Discovering Infernal Node Quintessence output / 4
Creating an Infernal Node Quintessence output / 2
Creating an Infernal Horizon Storyteller's discretion
Realm (ie. tons...)
Creation of an Infernal Rank of Talisman x 2
Talisman
Learning an infernal Sphere Rating x 2
*=Power / 5
The storyteller, of course, can add to this list as he sees fit. Anders suggested granting infernal points for evil acts, especially those done either as part of a pact, or for an infernal master, and I think this is a great idea. Point values for this would definitely have to be on a case-by-case basis.
Hierarchy, like Arete, can also be a measure of the maximum sphere ratings a Mage can possess. However, any sphere knowledge gained over Arete are termed infernal spheres, and can only be used with Hierarchy. If a mage gives up his infernal ties, he must also relearn these spheres. Cost for Infernal spheres is normal. Please note, this applies even if the mage raises his Arete for some reason while using Hierarchy. For example: a mage has Arete 3, Hierarchy 4, and Forces 3. If the mage studies to raise his rating in Forces to 4, this level is an Infernal sphere, and this must be noted. Now, even if the mage raises his Arete to 4, the 4th level of Forces is still Infernal, and can only be used with Hierarchy-based Infernal magicks. If the mage now wants a normal rating of Forces 4, he must spend the experience needed again, as if he were still only Forces 3.
Another note: Though only briefly mentioned, please re-read the Storyteller's notes section in the Infernal section of the Book of Madness. This is the only place is really lists what an Infernalist can get out of these pacts he signs. To restate, they include: Knowledges and Skills, study points for Spheres (my interpretation...I doubt a demon could just grant a level of a Sphere), Investments (per BoM), expansion of certain backgrounds, gaining a demonic familiar, and certain Merits (storyteller's discretion.) There's another possibility not really mentioned: service. The Infernalist may require the summoned being to perform some service. Examples include the location and return of Magickal texts or talismans, the slaying of an individual, or to remain "on call" for a call for help when needed. I'm sure you can think of a million others.
"I have tried. Honestly, I have tried. But it is of no use. Too many years have been spent in my unlawful pursuits, to the neglect of the Art. It is now my only source of power, and in these times, to be powerless here in Doisettep is to be dead. May God have mercy on my soul."-From the diary of Poltius of the House Tremere, 1052 AD
They say the road to hell is paved with good intentions, and for many diabolists, this is true. Often, mages come into Infernal power unknowingly, or think they're just doing harmless research into the enemy. Other times, they are misled by disguised demons (my favorite ploy, actually), tricked into accepting their offers of "help." And in yet other circumstances, the mage finds himself in a position where they only way out is to accept Infernal help, help which more often than not created the situation in the first place to force the mage into Descension.
At any rate, there mages eventually learn the true source of their new-found power. Many try to give up, and then the horrors of Hierarchy loom in the path. Many things can draw the diabolist back to evil. The three most common are threats, addiction, and despair.
The demon who tempted the diabolist in the first place, upon finding their charge is threatening to return to the path of righteousness, will often create obstacles and threats in the path of the mage, conflicts which (the mage believes) can only be solved by further diabolic involvement. The demon may also use threats, mentioning that the loss of reputation may destroy the good that the mage works for (see Piers Anthony's For Love of Evil...my, never thought I'd use that as a serious reference :) )
Then there is the addiction to Hierarchy. This has been more fully explained in the new rules section, but is often evoked by the demon in charge of the Infernalist's soul. Maybe he just leaves diabolic texts lying about all over the place, driving the diabolist mad with temptation.
The third most common cause of a return to the Infernal is despair. Having learned that they have wasted years in the search for Ascension, many mages return to Hierarchy in a sense of inevitability. This is the ultimate in angst - using Evil itself because nothing else is left to them.
"Burn, baby, burn!"-Hot Shot, Virtual Adept Barabbi
For them, the path to Hell is the quest for easy power. Whether fueled by jealousy, revenge, or plain madness (and you can be sure the demon will fan these flames most vigorously), these mages care little for the lack of true enlightenment in the Infernal. Power is what they seek, and power is what they get. These are the diabolists who are the most obvious, and often the most dangerous, since their quest for power leads them to powerful talismans and magicks. Those who worship evil itself can fall into this category.
"Don't worry, I've got everything under control..."-Democritus, Order of Hermes (Deceased)
This is the path of Faust: not the Faustus of Marlowe, with his party tricks and low buffoonery, buy the intellectual everyman of Goethe. Believing they control the powers they summon, they fall into the trap of Hubris. Remember, even Mages are human: one slip, and the demon has your soul. These mages are often the most cunning in hiding the source of their power, and this are perfect as the sly, cunning, repeating villain of a chronicle. No one can ever quite pin down that smell...is it brimestone, perhaps?
(Following three examples are by Dek@ix.netcom.com - Thanks Dek!:) )
"Look, I tried to be a pristine, pious little magus for God, but one little mistake, and my powers were gone! I figured, there must be an easier way. So sure, I had to deal with the element I hated most, but now I can use them to hunt them!"-Travis MacLeod house Tremere AD 1016 Well known deamon hunter, now known to have been in league with the dark powers.
Some magi turn because of some terrible event that happened to them made them doubt the existence of anything better than the dark forces. Some turn because no matter how hard they try, nothing goes there way. Travis MacLeod hated deamons all of his life, and because of it, he became a pious mage. The life was much too hard for him though, and he saught the easier path of diabolism. (He is now thought to have a very high rank in hell, but to be a mad and incredibly corrupt monster.)
"Red blood. Bitter blood. Drink the blood. Pretty blood. Blood from flesh. Pale flesh. Thin flesh. Flay the flesh. Bones under flesh. Yellow bones. Hollow bones. Break the bones. Lovely snap. Hee hee..."-Niles - Verbena Barabbi (I think... =b)
Some people are just plain evil. A path with the evil one is just plain more fun than being a pious innocent person. When someone has evil in their veins, being a monster, commiting vile acts and the like become everyday things.
"Ah, you poor innocent thing! My name? Ah no, I think I shant tell you. To see it would drive you mad, to hear it would soil your soul for eternity and to say it would kill you."
Some people just figure it's cool to be bad. I dunno... wierd.
I didn't originally think this was a good idea, until Anders Sandberg wrote the following...now, infernalists beware! (At least in my chronicles :) )
Actually, if a mage starts to deal with (or serve) the demons, he has strayed from the path to Ascension. He will gradually loose the real understanding of the world, and have it replaced by the infernal lie (Hierarchy), which appears just as potent and much more enticing...If the diabolist repents, he has to regain his inner knowledge and free himself from the lies which he has been fed (both by demons and by his ego). This is painful and takes a long time.
Well, I hope that was useful for somebody. Of course, the philosophy section was not meant to be all-encompassing. There are as many reasons for embracing the Infernal as there are Infernalists. If anybody has any comments, suggestions for revisions, etc, please, please, send 'em my way. You can write me at either bard@cats.ucsc.edu, or sneeches@cruzio.com. That last address may not be up until Monday, so wait until then if you wanna send 'em that way.
If you want more reading on Infernalism, and a great game-system treatment of it, go pick up The Maleficium for Ars Magica. A great read: stuff of the hierarchies of hell, lots on the motivations of Demons, and some really good stuff on their mortal pawns. After a read, you'll notice the influence immediately.
-Chris Mangum
sneeches@cruzio.com