The Order of Hermes is a fictional mystical group of
wizards in the
role-playing game
A role-playing game (sometimes spelled roleplaying game, RPG) is a game in which players assume the roles of player character, characters in a fictional Setting (narrative), setting. Players take responsibility for acting out these roles within ...
''
Ars Magica
''Ars Magica'' is a role-playing game set in 'Mythic Europe' – a historically grounded version of Europe and the Levant around AD 1200, with the added conceit that conceptions of the world prevalent in folklore and institutions of the High Mi ...
'' by
Atlas Games
Atlas Games is a company which publishes role-playing games, board games and card games. Its founder and current president is John Nephew.
History
When Atlas Games did not have the finances to publish '' On the Edge'' (1994), they partnered with J ...
, set in
Mythic Europe.
History
The Order of
Hermes
Hermes (; grc-gre, Ἑρμῆς) is an Olympian deity in ancient Greek religion and mythology. Hermes is considered the herald of the gods. He is also considered the protector of human heralds, travellers, thieves, merchants, and orato ...
was founded by the wizards Trianoma and Bonisagus. Trianoma had the desire to unite the disparate
Magi
Magi (; singular magus ; from Latin ''magus'', cf. fa, مغ ) were priests in Zoroastrianism and the earlier religions of the western Iranians. The earliest known use of the word ''magi'' is in the trilingual inscription written by Darius th ...
of
Europe
Europe is a large peninsula conventionally considered a continent in its own right because of its great physical size and the weight of its history and traditions. Europe is also considered a Continent#Subcontinents, subcontinent of Eurasia ...
into a single group, who could learn from one another. She did not know how to accomplish this goal until she met Bonisagus. He had created a consistent theory of
magic
Magic or Magick most commonly refers to:
* Magic (supernatural), beliefs and actions employed to influence supernatural beings and forces
* Ceremonial magic, encompasses a wide variety of rituals of magic
* Magical thinking, the belief that unrela ...
which would allow magi to share information, using a common frame of reference. Also, he had invented the ritual ''Parma Magica,'' a personal, protective, magical shield. Having ''Parma Magica'' would allow magi to meet face to face without fear of magical attack. Trianoma became Bonisagus' student, learned his theory and the ''Parma'', then traveled throughout Europe recruiting other wizards. Eleven Magi joined her. Bonisagus and the eleven Magi established twelve
Houses
A house is a single-unit residential building. It may range in complexity from a rudimentary hut to a complex structure of wood, masonry, concrete or other material, outfitted with plumbing, electrical, and heating, ventilation, and air condi ...
in a fellowship called the Hermetic Order of Hermes. The Order quickly recruited like-minded wizards, teaching the protective ''Parma Magica'' to Magi, who would take the Order's
Oath
Traditionally an oath (from Anglo-Saxon ', also called plight) is either a statement of fact or a promise taken by a sacrality as a sign of verity. A common legal substitute for those who conscientiously object to making sacred oaths is to ...
of mutual cooperation. The wizards who refused to take the Oath were not taught the ''Parma Magica''. Instead, they were hunted down and destroyed.
Houses
Every member of the Order belongs to one of the twelve ''Houses''. The Houses were established by and named after Bonisagus and eleven of the twelve other Founders. Each House is led by a ''Primus'' (Latin = "the first", female ''Prima'', general plural ''Primi''). The Primi's authority and duties vary greatly between the Houses, ranging from absolute authority (House Tremere) to mere representation (House Verditius). The Primus lives in the ''domus magna'' (
Latin
Latin (, or , ) is a classical language belonging to the Italic branch of the Indo-European languages. Latin was originally a dialect spoken in the lower Tiber area (then known as Latium) around present-day Rome, but through the power of the ...
= "Great House"), the headquarters of each House.
Bonisagus, Guernicus, Mercere, and Tremere Houses are the True Lineages. This means that each Magus was taught by a Magus of that House, and that
master
Master or masters may refer to:
Ranks or titles
* Ascended master, a term used in the Theosophical religious tradition to refer to spiritually enlightened beings who in past incarnations were ordinary humans
*Grandmaster (chess), National Master ...
-
apprentice
Apprenticeship is a system for training a new generation of practitioners of a trade or profession with on-the-job training and often some accompanying study (classroom work and reading). Apprenticeships can also enable practitioners to gain a ...
relationship goes back to their founding Magus. These Houses are the backbone of the Order of Hermes. Houses Bjornær, Criamon, Merinita, and Verditius are the Mystery
Cults
In modern English, ''cult'' is usually a pejorative term for a social group that is defined by its unusual religious, spiritual, or philosophical beliefs and rituals, or its common interest in a particular personality, object, or goal. This ...
of the Order. They are groups of Magi who have been initiated into at least one of their household's Mysteries. Ex Miscellanea, Flambeau, Jerbiton, and Tytalus are social Houses. These Magi are brought together by shared interests, common philosophies, and
camaraderie
The term ''comrade'' (russian: товарищ, tovarisch) generally means 'mate', 'colleague', or 'ally', and derives from the Spanish and Portuguese, term , literally meaning 'chamber mate', from Latin , meaning 'chamber' or 'room'. It may also ...
.
;Bjornær:Shapeshifters and beast Magi belonging to a
Germanic tradition, instead of the Roman or Latinate Tradition. They venerate
animal
Animals are multicellular, eukaryotic organisms in the Kingdom (biology), biological kingdom Animalia. With few exceptions, animals Heterotroph, consume organic material, Cellular respiration#Aerobic respiration, breathe oxygen, are Motilit ...
ancestor
An ancestor, also known as a forefather, fore-elder or a forebear, is a parent or (recursively) the parent of an antecedent (i.e., a grandparent, great-grandparent, great-great-grandparent and so forth). ''Ancestor'' is "any person from whom ...
s and strive to perfect the Heartbeast. Each Bjornær has a Heartbeast--an animal, rarely a plant--which is their true form. This House is a Mystery Cult, a gathering of Magi initiated into the same Mysteries. The Outer Mystery opens the Heartbeast and the Inner Mysteries allow the Magi to unlock mythic forms. The Magi are divided into six
clan
A clan is a group of people united by actual or perceived kinship
and descent. Even if lineage details are unknown, clans may claim descent from founding member or apical ancestor. Clans, in indigenous societies, tend to be endogamous, meaning ...
s, descending from the House’s six original apprentices. These fierce Magi shun the civilized lands and embrace the wilderness. The domus magna is Crintera in the
Stubnitz Forest, on the Isle of
Rugen in the
Rhine
), Surselva, Graubünden, Switzerland
, source1_coordinates=
, source1_elevation =
, source2 = Rein Posteriur/Hinterrhein
, source2_location = Paradies Glacier, Graubünden, Switzerland
, source2_coordinates=
, so ...
Tribunal, which was the first established Tribunal.
;Bonisagus:Masters of magical knowledge and
theory
A theory is a rational type of abstract thinking about a phenomenon, or the results of such thinking. The process of contemplative and rational thinking is often associated with such processes as observational study or research. Theories may be s ...
. Most Magi seek knowledge through scholarship. This House is the most revered True Lineage, continuing to supply knowledge and leadership to the Order. They explore the theoretical applications of magic, delving deep into its arcane secrets. Some Magi follow the example of Trianoma, sharing of knowledge through
diplomacy
Diplomacy comprises spoken or written communication by representatives of states (such as leaders and diplomats) intended to influence events in the international system.Ronald Peter Barston, ''Modern diplomacy'', Pearson Education, 2006, p. 1 ...
. The Oath of the Order allows the Bonisagi to claim any apprentices from the other Magi, but they are legally required to share all their discoveries. The domus magna is Durenmar, in the
Black Forest
The Black Forest (german: Schwarzwald ) is a large forested mountain range in the state of Baden-Württemberg in southwest Germany, bounded by the Rhine Valley to the west and south and close to the borders with France and Switzerland. It is t ...
, in the Rhine Tribunal.
;Criamon:Cryptic seers and prophets. They are the
mystics of the Order, walking spiritual paths to answer the question posed by their founder, "How do we escape time?" The many paths that they walk may grant powers, which can include
immortality
Immortality is the concept of eternal life. Some modern species may possess biological immortality.
Some scientists, futurists, and philosophers have theorized about the immortality of the human body, with some suggesting that human immorta ...
. The domus magna is the Cave of Twisting Shadows in the Greater
Alps
The Alps () ; german: Alpen ; it, Alpi ; rm, Alps ; sl, Alpe . are the highest and most extensive mountain range system that lies entirely in Europe, stretching approximately across seven Alpine countries (from west to east): France, Sw ...
Tribunal.
;Ex Miscellanea: Magi from other traditions, who answered the Order's "join us or die" policy by joining the Order. This House was established by Pralix, formerly of House Tytalus, to replace House Diedne. This House gathers Magi who do not fit into any other House. Such Magi may be tied to elements of pre-Hermetic Traditions, or may embrace an eclectic mix of traditions. This House embodies unity in diversity, but the emphasis is on diversity. The domus magna is Cad Gadu in the
Stonehenge
Stonehenge is a prehistoric monument on Salisbury Plain in Wiltshire, England, west of Amesbury. It consists of an outer ring of vertical sarsen standing stones, each around high, wide, and weighing around 25 tons, topped by connectin ...
Tribunal.
;Flambeau: Masters of
fire
Fire is the rapid oxidation of a material (the fuel) in the exothermic chemical process of combustion, releasing heat, light, and various reaction Product (chemistry), products.
At a certain point in the combustion reaction, called the ignition ...
magic and combat. They are the
champions
A champion (from the late Latin ''campio'') is the Victory, victor in a challenge, Competition, contest or competition. There can be a territorial pyramid of championships, e.g. local, regional / provincial, state, national, continental and w ...
of the Order, who fight for
glory and
honor
Honour (British English) or honor (American English; see spelling differences) is the idea of a bond between an individual and a society as a quality of a person that is both of social teaching and of personal ethos, that manifests itself as a ...
, both their own and that of the Order. The House revels in bold adventurers who seek out and overcome fearsome opponents. Ironically, many of the Oath-breaking Magi are from House Flambeau, as are the Order's law-enforcing
Hoplite
Hoplites ( ) ( grc, ὁπλίτης : hoplítēs) were citizen-soldiers of Ancient Greece, Ancient Greek Polis, city-states who were primarily armed with spears and shields. Hoplite soldiers used the phalanx formation to be effective in war with ...
s, who hunt them down. There is one Flambeau lineage that studies magical destruction, Perdo, in lieu of fire. And, a secret lineage is dedicated to the extermination of all Bjornær Horse Magi. The domus magna is Val Negra in the
Provence
Provence (, , , , ; oc, Provença or ''Prouvènço'' , ) is a geographical region and historical province of southeastern France, which extends from the left bank of the lower Rhône to the west to the Italian border to the east; it is bor ...
tribunal. The Fifth Edition changed this to Castra Solis, though the Tribunal remains unchanged. Most of the members of this house come from France and Spain.
;Guernicus: The ''
Quaesitores'' are the official
judge
A judge is a person who presides over court proceedings, either alone or as a part of a panel of judges. A judge hears all the witnesses and any other evidence presented by the barristers or solicitors of the case, assesses the credibility an ...
s and criminal investigators of the Order. By force of
law
Law is a set of rules that are created and are enforceable by social or governmental institutions to regulate behavior,Robertson, ''Crimes against humanity'', 90. with its precise definition a matter of longstanding debate. It has been vario ...
, these Magi have held the basic structures of the Hermetic Order of Hermes intact for over four hundred years. Some act as the Order's
historian
A historian is a person who studies and writes about the past and is regarded as an authority on it. Historians are concerned with the continuous, methodical narrative and research of past events as relating to the human race; as well as the stu ...
s, having traced their rituals to as far back as the cults of
Mercury
Mercury commonly refers to:
* Mercury (planet), the nearest planet to the Sun
* Mercury (element), a metallic chemical element with the symbol Hg
* Mercury (mythology), a Roman god
Mercury or The Mercury may also refer to:
Companies
* Merc ...
in
Rome
, established_title = Founded
, established_date = 753 BC
, founder = King Romulus (legendary)
, image_map = Map of comune of Rome (metropolitan city of Capital Rome, region Lazio, Italy).svg
, map_caption ...
and
Thoth
Thoth (; from grc-koi, Θώθ ''Thṓth'', borrowed from cop, Ⲑⲱⲟⲩⲧ ''Thōout'', Egyptian: ', the reflex of " eis like the Ibis") is an ancient Egyptian deity. In art, he was often depicted as a man with the head of an ibis or a ...
in
Egypt
Egypt ( ar, مصر , ), officially the Arab Republic of Egypt, is a transcontinental country spanning the northeast corner of Africa and southwest corner of Asia via a land bridge formed by the Sinai Peninsula. It is bordered by the Mediter ...
. The domus magna is Magvillus in the Roman Tribunal.
;Jerbiton: Experts in the use of Mentem and Imaginem, these Magi live for the pursuit of
beauty
Beauty is commonly described as a feature of objects that makes these objects pleasurable to perceive. Such objects include landscapes, sunsets, humans and works of art. Beauty, together with art and taste, is the main subject of aesthetics, o ...
. They interact with the mundane world beyond the Order, for the sake of beauty, and to avoid the stunted lives that result from living in a closed community. The members are often writers, artists, philosophers, doctors, or other professionals. Some Magi are recruited from the
nobility
Nobility is a social class found in many societies that have an aristocracy (class), aristocracy. It is normally ranked immediately below Royal family, royalty. Nobility has often been an Estates of the realm, estate of the realm with many e ...
for their diplomatic leverage and aristocratic connections. The domus magna is Valnastium in the Greater Alps Tribunal.
;Mercere: The
couriers of the Order hold the Magi of Mythic Europe together by facilitating communication, encouraging trade, and aiding the Magi. House membership is not restricted to those "Gifted" with magical abilities, out of respect for the House founder, who lost his Gift. Even those incapable of magic are considered to be full Magi by anyone, who wishes to continue receiving mail. The
heralds
A herald, or a herald of arms, is an officer of arms, ranking between pursuivant and king of arms. The title is commonly applied more broadly to all officers of arms.
Heralds were originally messengers sent by monarchs or noblemen to ...
,
hero
A hero (feminine: heroine) is a real person or a main fictional character who, in the face of danger, combats adversity through feats of ingenuity, courage, or Physical strength, strength. Like other formerly gender-specific terms (like ...
es,
mercenaries
A mercenary, sometimes also known as a soldier of fortune or hired gun, is a private individual, particularly a soldier, that joins a military conflict for personal profit, is otherwise an outsider to the conflict, and is not a member of any o ...
, and
merchants
A merchant is a person who trades in commodities produced by other people, especially one who trades with foreign countries. Historically, a merchant is anyone who is involved in business or trade. Merchants have operated for as long as industry ...
reflect the contradictions of their House: it is exotic, but traditional; loyal, but self-centered; proud, but humble. The domus magna is Harco in the Roman Tribunal.
;Merinita: Nature Magi of a non-Latinate tradition. After their founder disappeared, they reorganized as students of the
Faerie
Fairyland (''Faerie'', Scottish ''Elfame'', c.f. Old Norse ''Álfheimr'') in English and Scottish folklore is the fabulous land or abode of fairies or ''fays''. Old French (Early Modern English ) referred to an illusion or enchantment, the land ...
s under the Primus Quendalon. They move among the Fay, ultimately joining them. Their spells can draw on Faerie
glamor, awakening the Fay around them, or inflicting
curse
A curse (also called an imprecation, malediction, execration, malison, anathema, or commination) is any expressed wish that some form of adversity or misfortune will befall or attach to one or more persons, a place, or an object. In particular, ...
s upon those who cross them. The domus magna is Irencilia in the Rhine Tribunal
;Tremere: Magi who believe in order, obedience,
hierarchy
A hierarchy (from Greek: , from , 'president of sacred rites') is an arrangement of items (objects, names, values, categories, etc.) that are represented as being "above", "below", or "at the same level as" one another. Hierarchy is an important ...
, and coordination. Their founder was weak in magic relative to the other founders of the Order, but he created ''certamen'', the magical duel, as a means of dispute resolution, and as a rite of passage for Tremere Magi. The House tries to control events, by gathering influence and resources to respond to crises as they draw near. They are pragmatic, dutiful, and courageous Magi, who know that Mythic Europe is a chaotic and dangerous place. The domus magna is Coeris in the
Transylvanian
Transylvania ( ro, Ardeal or ; hu, Erdély; german: Siebenbürgen) is a historical and cultural region in Central Europe, encompassing central Romania. To the east and south its natural border is the Carpathian Mountains, and to the west the A ...
Tribunal.
;Tytalus: Magi who strive to improve themselves through conflict. They believe the main conflict is between an individual's nature and the rules imposed by society. They are famous for their long-term in-House rivalries, convoluted political schemes, and activities that skirt the edge of legality. The domus magna is Fudarus in the
Normandy
Normandy (; french: link=no, Normandie ; nrf, Normaundie, Nouormandie ; from Old French , plural of ''Normant'', originally from the word for "northman" in several Scandinavian languages) is a geographical and cultural region in Northwestern ...
Tribunal.
;Verditius: Artificers and enchanters who cannot perform magic without tools. They craft great items, putting a little of themselves into their finest creations.
Pride
Pride is defined by Merriam-Webster as "reasonable self-esteem" or "confidence and satisfaction in oneself". A healthy amount of pride is good, however, pride sometimes is used interchangeably with "conceit" or "arrogance" (among other words) wh ...
in their creations is often their downfall, making these Magi prone to the most deadly sin. The domus magna is Verdi in the Roman Tribunal.
;Diedne: This extinct, non-Latinate House practiced
Druid
A druid was a member of the high-ranking class in ancient Celtic cultures. Druids were religious leaders as well as legal authorities, adjudicators, lorekeepers, medical professionals and political advisors. Druids left no written accounts. Whi ...
ic magic. It was destroyed in the Schism War by Tremere, Flambeau, and Tytalus, supported by the other Latinate Houses. The non-Latinate Houses Bjornær and Merinita ran for cover, re-emerging decades after the War.
Tribunals
The Order is divided into 13 ''Tribunals'', each of which administers a region of Mythic Europe. Once every seven years, the Magi within a Tribunal hold a meeting, called a Tribunal, where new Magi are presented, new Masters are recognized, and new Archmagi are honored. The Quaesitores judge disputes, which cannot be resolved within a covenant, a magical community. The Tribunal is presided over by a Praeco, usually the eldest Magus or Maga present. The legality of the Tribunal is supervised by the ruling Quaesitor, who determines whether a quorum is present to legitimize the proceedings.
Once every 33 years, each Tribunal sends a representative to a ''Grand Tribunal'', which takes place in Durenmar, the domus magna of House Bonisagus. The Grand Tribunal proceeds much like a regional Tribunal, but the Primus of House Bonisagus is always the Praeco, and the Primus of House Guernicus is the ruling Quaesitor.
The 13 Tribunals:
* Greater Alps (mountainous regions of
Central Europe
Central Europe is an area of Europe between Western Europe and Eastern Europe, based on a common historical, social and cultural identity. The Thirty Years' War (1618–1648) between Catholicism and Protestantism significantly shaped the area' ...
)
* Hibernia (
Ireland
Ireland ( ; ga, Éire ; Ulster Scots dialect, Ulster-Scots: ) is an island in the Atlantic Ocean, North Atlantic Ocean, in Northwestern Europe, north-western Europe. It is separated from Great Britain to its east by the North Channel (Grea ...
)
* Iberia (
Spain
, image_flag = Bandera de España.svg
, image_coat = Escudo de España (mazonado).svg
, national_motto = ''Plus ultra'' (Latin)(English: "Further Beyond")
, national_anthem = (English: "Royal March")
, i ...
and
Portugal
Portugal, officially the Portuguese Republic ( pt, República Portuguesa, links=yes ), is a country whose mainland is located on the Iberian Peninsula of Southwestern Europe, and whose territory also includes the Atlantic archipelagos of ...
)
* Levant (the
Holy Land
The Holy Land; Arabic: or is an area roughly located between the Mediterranean Sea and the Eastern Bank of the Jordan River, traditionally synonymous both with the biblical Land of Israel and with the region of Palestine. The term "Holy ...
)
* Loch Leglean (
Scotland
Scotland (, ) is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Covering the northern third of the island of Great Britain, mainland Scotland has a border with England to the southeast and is otherwise surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean to the ...
)
* Normandy (Northern
France
France (), officially the French Republic ( ), is a country primarily located in Western Europe. It also comprises of Overseas France, overseas regions and territories in the Americas and the Atlantic Ocean, Atlantic, Pacific Ocean, Pac ...
and the County of
Flanders
Flanders (, ; Dutch: ''Vlaanderen'' ) is the Flemish-speaking northern portion of Belgium and one of the communities, regions and language areas of Belgium. However, there are several overlapping definitions, including ones related to culture, ...
)
* Novgorod (
Russia
Russia (, , ), or the Russian Federation, is a List of transcontinental countries, transcontinental country spanning Eastern Europe and North Asia, Northern Asia. It is the List of countries and dependencies by area, largest country in the ...
and parts of
Eastern Europe
Eastern Europe is a subregion of the Europe, European continent. As a largely ambiguous term, it has a wide range of geopolitical, geographical, ethnic, cultural, and socio-economic connotations. The vast majority of the region is covered by Russ ...
)
* Provence (approximately
Occitania
Occitania ( oc, Occitània , , or ) is the historical region in Western Europe, Western and Southern Europe where the Occitan language, Occitan language was historically spoken and where it is sometimes still used as a second language. This ...
, or
le Midi
Southern France, also known as the South of France or colloquially in French as , is a defined geographical area consisting of the regions of France that border the Atlantic Ocean south of the Marais Poitevin,Louis Papy, ''Le midi atlantique'', A ...
of
France
France (), officially the French Republic ( ), is a country primarily located in Western Europe. It also comprises of Overseas France, overseas regions and territories in the Americas and the Atlantic Ocean, Atlantic, Pacific Ocean, Pac ...
)
* Rhine (Northern parts of the
Holy Roman Empire
The Holy Roman Empire was a Polity, political entity in Western Europe, Western, Central Europe, Central, and Southern Europe that developed during the Early Middle Ages and continued until its Dissolution of the Holy Roman Empire, dissolution i ...
)
* Rome (
Italy
Italy ( it, Italia ), officially the Italian Republic, ) or the Republic of Italy, is a country in Southern Europe. It is located in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea, and its territory largely coincides with the homonymous geographical re ...
)
* Stonehenge (
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Wales to its west and Scotland to its north. The Irish Sea lies northwest and the Celtic Sea to the southwest. It is separated from continental Europe b ...
and
Wales
Wales ( cy, Cymru ) is a Countries of the United Kingdom, country that is part of the United Kingdom. It is bordered by England to the Wales–England border, east, the Irish Sea to the north and west, the Celtic Sea to the south west and the ...
)
* Thebes (
Balkans
The Balkans ( ), also known as the Balkan Peninsula, is a geographical area in southeastern Europe with various geographical and historical definitions. The region takes its name from the Balkan Mountains that stretch throughout the who ...
)
* Transylvania (Parts of
Eastern Europe
Eastern Europe is a subregion of the Europe, European continent. As a largely ambiguous term, it has a wide range of geopolitical, geographical, ethnic, cultural, and socio-economic connotations. The vast majority of the region is covered by Russ ...
)
See also
*
Order of Hermes (Mage: The Ascension)
References
*Dahl, Erik; Timothy Ferguson, Andrew Gronsky, John Post, Mark Shirley, Nick Simmonds,
David Chart
David Chart is a game designer who has worked primarily on role-playing games.
Career
David Chart authored '' Akrasia: Thief of Time'' (2001), the first in Eden Studios's "Eden Odyssey" series of adventures. Chart took over as ''Ars Magica'' Lin ...
(2007), ''Houses of Hermes: Societates'', Atlas Games,
*Dahl, Erik; Timothy Ferguson, Matt Ryan (2006), ''Houses of Hermes: Mystery Cults'', Atlas Games,
*Dahl, Erik; Timothy Ferguson, Matt Ryan (2005), ''Houses of Hermes: True Lineages'', Atlas Games,
*Shirley, Mark; and Andrew Smith (2006), ''Guardians of the Forests: The Rhine Tribunal'', Atlas Games, {{ISBN, 1-58978-072-8
External links
Ars Magica Fifth Edition
Ars Magica
Fictional organizations