Editing Ars Magica

{{Short description|Tabletop fantasy role-playing game}}
{{About|the role-playing game}}
{{Italic title}}
{{Infobox game
|title= Ars Magica
| image= ArsMagicaRPGCover.jpg
|caption= Cover for ''Ars Magica'', fifth edition
|designer= [[Jonathan Tweet]]<ref name="Dragon #274">{{cite journal| last = Kenson| first = Stephen| author-link = Steve Kenson| title = ProFiles: Jonathan Tweet| journal = [[Dragon (magazine)|Dragon]]| issue = #274| pages = 10, 12, 14| publisher = [[Wizards of the Coast]]| location = [[Renton, Washington]]|date=August 2000}}</ref> and [[Mark Rein-Hagen]]
|publisher= [[Lion Rampant (game publisher)|Lion Rampant]], [[White Wolf, Inc.|White Wolf]], [[Wizards of the Coast]], [[Atlas Games]]
|date= 1987 (1st edition)<br />1989 (2nd edition)<br />1992 (3rd edition)<br />1996 (4th edition)<br />2004 (5th edition)
|genre= [[Medieval]] [[fantasy]]
|system= d10-based with strong [[magic (paranormal)|magic]] system
|footnotes=
}}
'''''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 Middle Ages]] are factual reality (a situation known informally as the "medieval paradigm").  The players' involvement revolves around an organization of [[Magician (fantasy)|magi]] and their allies and foes both mundane<ref>[[Mundane]]. "In fantasy literature the term is sometimes used to apply to non-magical people or the non-magical society."</ref> and supernatural.  The game was originally developed by [[Jonathan Tweet]] and [[Mark Rein-Hagen]], with its first edition published in [[1987 in games|1987]].<ref name="HG">{{Cite book | contribution=Ars Magica | title=[[Hobby Games: The 100 Best]] | last=Wieck | first=Stewart | author-link=Stewart Wieck | editor-last=Lowder | editor-first=James | editor-link=James Lowder | publisher=[[Green Ronin Publishing]] | year=2007 | pages=13–16 | isbn=978-1-932442-96-0}}</ref>

The current edition (the game's fifth) was written by [[David Chart]], and published in 2004 by [[Atlas Games]], who continue to develop new material for it.

''Ars Magica'' was one of the first examples of a [[troupe system]].  Early editions recommended that the players collaborate to create the campaign world and story with:
* Each player having an opportunity to be [[Game master|Story Guide]]. (e.g. alternating by play session, 'chapter' of a story, or at the whim of the troupe)
* Each player having more than one [[player character|character]]; when the primary character lacks opportunity or reason to participate in a session (typically due to laboratory or library activity), a secondary character is played.

The Story Guide scheme has been de-emphasised in recent editions; in Fifth Edition it is relegated to an optional play style described at the back of the book.  Alternatively a troupe may select one player as the primary story guide responsible for the overall plot, and one or more secondary story guides who run peripheral sessions and/or stories.

To enhance the 'authenticity' of the historical setting, the game uses [[medieval Latin]] for a number of key terms, particularly in the game's most prominent feature, a system of [[Hermes Trismegistus|Hermetic]] [[Ars arcana|Magic]].

==History==
{{multiple image
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 | image1            = Jonathan Tweet.jpg
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 | image2            = Mark Rein·Hagen - Lucca Comics and Games 2015.JPG
 | footer            = [[Jonathan Tweet]] and [[Mark Rein-Hagen]] designed ''Ars Magica''.
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The first two editions were published by [[Lion Rampant (game publisher)|Lion Rampant Games]], with several [[adventure (role-playing game)|modules]] published by Atlas Games.  In 1991, Lion Rampant merged with White Wolf Magazine to form [[White Wolf, Inc.|White Wolf Game Studio]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rpg.net/columns/briefhistory/briefhistory10.phtml|title= A BRIEF HISTORY OF GAME #10: LION RAMPANT: 1987–1990}}</ref>
White Wolf published several adventure modules for the game before adding its Third Edition rulebook, co-authored by Rein•Hagen with [[Ken Cliffe]]. This revision greatly expanded the settings and peripheral rules while leaving the core system intact.  White Wolf then released at least a dozen supplements for Third Edition, including the addition of Divine and Infernal mechanics, rules for shamanic magic, beginning the Tribunal series and completing the 'Four Seasons' tetralogy of stories begun by Lion Rampant.

In 1994, publishing rights for the game were sold to [[Wizards of the Coast]],<ref name="briefhistory">{{cite web|url=http://www.rpg.net/columns/briefhistory/briefhistory1.phtml |title=Wizards of the Coast: 1990–Present |access-date=September 1, 2006 |last=Appelcline |first=Shannon |date=August 3, 2006 |work=A Brief History of Game |publisher=RPGnet |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060824022118/http://www.rpg.net/columns/briefhistory/briefhistory1.phtml |archive-date=24 August 2006 |url-status=dead }}</ref> who brought in Jonathan Tweet and started development on a fourth edition. The company published one supplement for the upcoming edition while republishing two supplements for the older edition. Development fell behind schedule, and on December 5, 1995, Wizards of the Coast announced they would leave the tabletop role-playing business altogether, although this turned out to be a temporary departure.<ref name="briefhistory"/>
 
The next year the rights were sold to [[Atlas Games (company)|Atlas Games]], who published the 4th edition developed by Tweet and [[Jeff Tidball]]. The core book was nominated for the [[Origins Award]] in 1996 for Best Roleplaying Game. Continuing to develop the line, Tidwell added several new stories, continued to expand peripheral material and released an extensive line of Tribunal books.

Atlas then assigned [[David Chart]] as line developer and released a 5th edition in 2004. This release made extensive changes to the system, especially the mechanics for combat, experience, and character creation.  Many players felt that the alterations to the combat system were long overdue,<ref name=combat>{{cite web |url= http://redcap.org/FAQ/FAQ3c.html#combat |title= Is combat busted? |work= The Ars Magica FAQ |publisher= Project Redcap |access-date= 2007-11-23 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20071224162303/http://redcap.org/FAQ/FAQ3c.html#combat |archive-date= 24 December 2007 |url-status= dead }}</ref> especially the rules for armour, which in previous editions made wearers much more likely to die in combat.  This edition won the [[Origins Award]] for ''[[2004 Origins Award winners|Best Role Playing Game of 2004]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.originsgamefair.com/awards/2004/list-of-winners |title=Origins Award Winners (2004) |publisher=Academy of Adventure Gaming Arts & Design |access-date=2007-10-17 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080603142308/http://www.originsgamefair.com/awards/2004/list-of-winners |archive-date=June 3, 2008 }}</ref>

Since 2014, the 4th Edition has been distributed for free at ''Warehouse 23'' fronted by [[Steve Jackson Games]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.warehouse23.com/products/ars-magica-4th-edition-core-rulebook |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140427210304/http://www.warehouse23.com/products/ars-magica-4th-edition-core-rulebook |archive-date=27 April 2014 |title=Ars Magica 4th Edition Core Rulebook |quote=FREE!}}</ref>

Many characteristics of the [[Storyteller system]] developed by White Wolf can be traced to ''Ars Magica'' and the fact that the Storyteller system was developed by one of ''Ars Magica''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s co-authors; White Wolf's ''[[Mage: The Ascension]]'' was envisioned as "Ars Magica in the Modern World", and many of the changes in the 3rd edition of ''ArM'' were to make the game-worlds more compatible.<ref name="reason">[http://www.redcap.org/page/World_of_Darkness "World of Darkness"] section of the ''Ars Magica'' FAQ. Retrieved 16 June 2013.</ref>

On the 12th January 2024, Atlas Games announced that a new product in the line, Ars Magica 5th Edition Definitive, was in production and would be crowdfunded later in the year.<ref name="definitive">[https://atlas-games.com/news/post?s=2024-01-12-anno-magica-2024 "Anno Magica 2024"] Retrieved 15 January 2024.</ref>

==Setting==
The setting, '''Mythic Europe''', is primarily based on Europe of the 12th and 13th centuries; the geography is the same, and the mundane (non-magical) politics are practically identical. However, in ''Ars Magica'' the "Medieval [[paradigm]]"<ref name="paradigm">The [http://redcap.org/FAQ/FAQ2.htm#paradigm Medieval Paradigm]{{dead link|date=October 2016|bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} section of the ''Ars Magica'' FAQ</ref> – the way the world was described or understood in that time period – is the literal truth. In this setting, Faeries actually do steal lost children, Demons cause disease and crop failure, Angels help the righteous, and dragons and other Magical creatures are real (though perhaps forgotten or hidden). In 3rd edition, to tie the game into the ''[[World of Darkness]]'' line, this was reality ''because'' of the beliefs; other editions distance themselves from this interpretation, simply taking place in a world where those beliefs happen to be true.<ref name="reason"/>

[[Player character]]s typically alternate between the role of a '''[[magus]]''' (plural ''magi''; female '''maga/magae'''), and a '''companion''' (''Consors''). Companions are select skilled non-magi who help wizards conduct their affairs (as magi tend to be distanced from "mundanes" due to the effects of their magical "Gift"). Additionally, there are a number of '''Grogs''' (usually skilled peasants, often bodyguards or watchmen) who can be controlled by any player. (As of the Third Edition, Grogs are also a viable player 'class'; the Fifth Edition has added an entire supplement dedicated to 'fleshing out' Grogs.) The wizards generally gather in specialized strongholds called '''covenants''', which are often built in [[ley lines#In popular culture|places of power]]. A covenant is typically a 'home base' where the magi are in charge (though they may travel Mythic Europe for reasons of politics, resources, study or even leisure). Some consider the covenant to be the central character of the game,<ref name="cov">[http://www.redcap.org/page/Covenant#Covenants_in_the_Saga Covenants] on Project Redcap</ref> and the official rules encourage troupes to develop the covenant along those lines.

===The Order of Hermes===
{{main|Order of Hermes (Ars Magica)}}
Standard player-character magi belong to the '''Order of Hermes''', a society of magically "Gifted" humans which was inspired in 767 A.D. by the witch Trianoma and magus Bonisagus after the latter developed a breakthrough in communicating and manipulating magic (termed 'Hermetic Magic' for its roots in both the Greek deity [[Hermes]], upon which the ancient Roman Cult of [[Mercury (god)|Mercury]] was based, and the works of the legendary figure [[Hermes Trismegistus]]).
While magicians at this time were scattered, rarely social and highly distrustful of each other as a rule, two factors strongly favored mutual co-operation.  One was Trianoma's political vision of an organization that would unite the Gifted for their mutual benefit.  The other was Bonisagus' second breakthrough, the ''Parma Magica'' (loosely translated as "magic shield"):  a highly efficient and easily taught personal ritual which could allow these disparate individuals and traditions to meet on common ground with some assurance of safety.  Over subsequent centuries, with very few exceptions, magi who quit or refuse to join the Order have been hunted down and destroyed, giving the Order a definite monopoly over magical resources within its 'jurisdiction'.

While each of the Order's twelve [[Order of Hermes (Ars Magica)#Houses|Houses]] maintains a distinct baseline or tradition in pursuing and transmitting knowledge and power, the Order is also divided into ''Tribunals'', each defined by a geographic region of Mythic Europe.  Each Tribunal holds a gathering of its magi once every seven years; attendance is not mandatory, though it is essential for certain procedures (e.g. those who have completed their apprenticeships are formally presented for official membership; the ''Quæsitores'' judge the types of disputes deemed beyond simple inter- or intra-covenant resolution).  Once every 33 years, each Tribunal sends a representative to the '''Grand Tribunal''' at the site of the Order's founding in the [[Black Forest]].

The Tribunals loosely correspond to groupings or portions of modern-day nations; each has a distinct cultural and historical flavor which is expanded in the ''Tribunals of Hermes'' series.  For example, the Roman Tribunal is a densely populated area with a shortage of magical resources, offering highly politicized plot-lines (both within and without the Order itself); Novgorod features vast areas of harsh wilderness, where pagan tribal warfare and magical beasts are significantly more common than elsewhere.

* Greater [[Alps]] – including [[Early history of Switzerland#High Middle Ages|Switzerland]] with the Alpine regions of [[Margraviate of Austria|Austria]] and northern Italy.
* Iberian – the precursors to [[Spain]] and [[Portugal]]; note the [[Reconquista]] as current political climate
* Normandy – Northern [[France#High Middle Ages|France]] and what will soon be known as the [[Low Countries]]
* Provençal – Southern France
* Roman – [[Italy in the Middle Ages|Italy]]
* Theban – [[Frankokratia|Greece]], [[Second Bulgarian Empire|Bulgaria]] and Western [[Anatolia|Asia Minor]]
* Transylvanian – what will become the [[Balkans]]
* Rhine – centered on the [[Rhine]] River, core of the [[Holy Roman Empire]]
* Novgorod – the broader cultural region known as [[Ruthenia|Rus']], including [[Poland#Piast dynasty|Poland]]
* Stonehenge – [[England and Wales]]
* Loch Leglean – [[Scotland in the High Middle Ages|Scotland]]
* Hibernian – [[Ireland#Norman and English invasions|Ireland]]
* Levantine – lands of the Eastern Mediterranean known as the [[Levant]]

As with any system of [[Border control#History|borders]] not contingent on clear demarcation such as a river or wall, the territory of each Tribunal is rarely defined with precision; this is partially illustrated (via the Fifth Edition ''[[Covenants (Ars Magica)|Covenants]]'' book) with the 'Tribunal Border' characteristic, which situates a covenant in a location that could place it in more than one Tribunal (depending on political favors, conflicts over resources, and so on).  Such ambiguity can exist even with "clear" borders such as rivers or mountain ranges, since incorporating supernatural aid or power into the structure (and perhaps the constituency or lifestyle of its inhabitants) can allow them to thrive even in the middle of either such feature.

===Realms of Power===
The overarching premise of the ''Ars Magica'' setting is that the "mundane" world of ordinary, physical existence is a place where four great supernatural forces have varying degrees of influence and presence.

;The [[Divinity|Divine]] realm: This is the supreme, holy force of [[Creation myth|Creation]] – [[God]] as represented by the scriptures of the [[Abrahamic religion]]s, and his agents in the world.  Divine influence diminishes anything not attuned to it (i.e. anything of a Faerie, Infernal or Magical nature) and is categorically opposed to all things Infernal.  One of the Order's struggles is in reconciling their avoidance of mundane politics with the inexorable spread of the Dominion (Divine influence permeating the land as more land is settled by Christian and Muslim nations and more centers of Divine worship are constructed).
;The [[Hell|Infernal]] realm: [[Satan]] and his demonic forces.  In the medieval context, this includes everything from Satan himself to illnesses and bad smells.  Demons are compelled to corrupt, destroy, and tempt all mortals to [[sin]]; while the Order of Hermes refuses to explicitly name the Infernal as their enemies (which it is assumed would draw too much attention and wrath to the Order), they have been forbidden from entering into agreements with Hell's minions ever since a corruption scandal nearly ruined House Tytalus in the 11th century.  As the evil/negative counterpart to the Divine, Infernal power also weakens the effects of any Realm not attuned to Hell or other forsaken spaces.  Infernally tainted forms of magic do exist, usually of great deceptive or destructive power, or acquired too easily for understanding, especially in order to tempt magi.  Anyone in the Order found guilty of [[diabolism]] is expelled and hunted down.
;The [[Faerie]] realm: Creatures of traditional [[fairy tales]].  These creatures are often capricious, sometimes malicious, but invariably addicted to (even dependent upon for their very existence) human attention, emotion and creative expression.  Despite such considerations, Study of the Faerie realm can be rewarding to some.  Magi are allowed to associate with the Fae (in fact, one House of the Order has become increasingly dominated by its members' pursuit of 'Faerie Magic') as long as they do not incur their wrath and thereby endanger their fellows.
;The realm of Magic: A mysterious arcane force, to which all magi (among other rare entities) are inherently attuned.  This is the power almost exclusively used to cast spells and enchant objects.  Magic and Faerie have some positive resonance with each other, reflected in either aura's benefit to the other realm's powers, and in that remote or lost pagan traditions can have connections with either (in some cases, Faerie entities seem to have 'replaced' Magical ones when the devotees of the latter either lost their way or became extinct).

Additionally, a "Realm of Reason" appeared in the Third Edition.  This was associated with skepticism and empirical observation, and its "rational aura" challenged most supernatural effects.  Many fans of the game consider this to be paradoxical and inconsistent, since applying reason and rationality to the world of '''Ars Magica''' should really lead to the conclusion that magic does exist and fairies are real, etc., and yet the "True Reason" promoted by this fifth realm posited the contrary, and thus resembled a delusional (yet effective) state of mind rather than a rational one.<ref name="reason2">[http://www.redcap.org/page/True_Reason#True_Reason_and_the_World_of_Darkness "True Reason"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140116150117/http://www.redcap.org/page/True_Reason#True_Reason_and_the_World_of_Darkness |date=2014-01-16 }} on Project Redcap</ref> The realm of Reason had additional counter-intuitive effects – for example, imposing penalties on wizard's magic use when in prominent mundane libraries, despite the predominant portrayal of Hermetic Magic as a scholarly pursuit.

Reason proved an unwelcome addition to the game; neither Fourth nor Fifth Edition have included this 'Realm', and all references to it have been stricken from the [[canon (fiction)|canonical]] setting.

==System==

===Die-rolling conventions===
There are eight [[attribute (role-playing games)|Characteristics]]: Intelligence, Perception, Strength, Stamina, Presence, Communication, Dexterity and Quickness. Each one is generally rated from −5 to +5 for humans and a Characteristic of 0 is considered 'average'. To perform a typical action, one of the Characteristics is added to a relevant [[skill (role-playing games)|Ability]], and a [[ten-sided die|d10]] is rolled.  The total of '''Characteristic + Ability + die roll''' is compared to a '''target difficulty''' or '''Ease Factor'''; the action succeeds if the rolled total is greater than or equal to the target number.

If the action is routine or trivial and nothing in particular is at stake, the roll is read as 1–10 and simply added to the total (this is called a "Simple roll").  If there is an opportunity for ''exceptional'' success or failure, the die is read as 0–9 and is called a "Stress" roll.  For Stress rolls, results of "1" and "0" have special significance.  A '1' is rerolled and the result doubled (consecutive "1"s redouble the eventual "non-1", with consecutive '1's each redoubling the result again).  A roll of '0' is also re-rolled (more than once in cases of especially hazardous activity) as a '''Botch''' roll.  If any '''botch die''' ''also'' comes up '0', the action has been [[critical failure|botched]]: failed in some disastrous way.  Otherwise, the roll merely equals zero, and the character is assumed to have been unsuccessful at whatever they were trying to accomplish.

===Magic system===
The centerpiece of ''Ars Magica'' is the system of Hermetic Magic devised by Bonisagus.  It consists of 15 '''Arts''', divided into 5 '''Techniques''' and 10 '''Forms'''.  This is sometimes called a "Verb/Noun" system: the Technique is the verb (what effect the magic has), and the Form is the noun (the entity, object or substance that is affected or brought forth).  These 'verb-noun' combinations can be used to cast both '''Formulaic''' spells (which are recorded in texts, are learned through study and mastered through experience, and have known, fixed effects) and '''Spontaneous''' spells (which a caster improvises with no prior knowledge other than the Arts themselves, giving the potential results greater flexibility but lower potency).  Every apprentice (with a few [[Order of Hermes (Ars Magica)#Houses|Ex Miscellanea]] exceptions) is "opened" in all 15 Arts before fully joining the Order; each Art begins with a Score of 0 and a mage may usually only increase one of them during a season (see below).

Each Technique is named by a first-person singular present tense [[grammatical mood|indicative]] Latin verb:
*'''Creo''' ("''I create''") brings objects and substances into existence from nothing, or makes an already-existing target a "more perfect" version of itself (e.g. healing magic, as healed bodies are nearer perfection than wounded bodies).
*'''Intellego''' ("''I perceive''") detects or reveals, enhances a target's natural [[sense]]s or conveys supernatural ones.
*'''Muto''' ("''I transform''") alters the nature of a being, object or substance, adding unnatural traits and/or removing natural ones.
*'''Perdo''' ("''I destroy''") decays, disintegrates or otherwise diminishes the target, making something a worse example of its kind (i.e. the opposite of ''Creo'').
*'''Rego''' ("''I control''") involves manipulation of the target in any way that does not alter its nature, e.g. direct a target's movement, put a creature to sleep, or force a tree to bear fruit out of season.  This is the main Technique used in spells of protection or 'warding'.

Each Form is named by a singular [[Accusative case|accusative]] Latin noun:
*'''Animal''' affects "all natural living things that are not plants or humans, doing to animals what ''Mentem'' and ''Corpus'' spells do to people" as well as "things made with animal products" such as leather, wool, cheese, silk, etc.  Since [[bacteria]] were unknown in medieval times, illness (e.g.) was considered either a form of [[Demonic possession|possession]] or an imbalance of '[[Humorism|bodily humors]]'; thus, magic dealing with disease is relegated variously to ''Creo'', ''Mentem'' and/or ''Vim'' effects.
*'''Auram''' affects lightning, wind and gaseous substances; other weather effects typically require an ''Aquam'' requisite (see below).
*'''Aquam''' is used for any liquid, with the exception of blood (which requires ''Animal'' or ''Corpus'' magic to affect); non-liquid forms of water will involve requisites (see below).
*'''Corpus''' (the incorrect declension ''Corporem'' was used in older editions) applies to the human body, making it crucial to longevity formulas.
*'''Herbam''' primarily involves plants, but applies equally to any organic matter, living or dead, that is not of animal origin.
*'''Ignem''' involves light and heat, and is heavily represented in the fire spells of House Flambeau.
*'''Imaginem''' (previously ''Imagonem'') deals with images, sounds, and other sensory stimuli (thus is involved in most illusionary effects).
*'''Mentem''' deals with emotions, memories, thoughts and spirits.
*'''Terram''' involves earth and minerals: mere soil is the simplest target, while stone, metal and gems require progressively greater investment of spell levels to achieve the same effect.
*'''Vim''' ("power") involves magic itself, as well as demons (the overlap is not widely understood, but the fact that there is one is a significant obstacle to the Order's 'public relations', particularly concerning the [[Christian views on magic|Church]]).

A mage's skill when casting a spell is the sum of their scores in the appropriate technique and form.

Some spells involve more than one Technique, and/or more than one Form at once; each Art used in addition to the basic pair is called a ''requisite''.  All relevant Art Scores are compared: the caster's lowest Technique and lowest Form are used, reflecting the limiting of the caster's magical knowledge.

Regardless of how high one's Art Scores may rise, there are outer boundaries to the application of Hermetic Magic (whether Formulaic, Spontaneous or even Ritual).  Bonisagus's theory outlines a set of inherent '''Limits''', similar in concept to the [[Physical law|laws of physics]]; the two central, 'Greater' Limits are:
# Magic cannot influence a pure manifestation of the Divine; while earthly Relics (however sacred) and agents of the Divine (anything "separate from the mind of God") may be resistant to magic they are not immune, but it is impossible to (e.g.) interfere with a Miracle (which may be prayed for by an agent or supplicant, but is itself a direct intervention by Divine will).
# Magic cannot permanently change a target's [[Nature (philosophy)|Essential Nature]] (the implications of which vary depending on the target in question).
There are also eleven 'Lesser Limits' (addressing more specific 'blind spots' such as aging, creation, time and the [[soul]]) which are generally thought either to derive from the two Greater Limits, or to be flaws in Hermetic Theory which may eventually be 'corrected'.

Additional statistics for every spell (which have been redefined in nearly every new edition of the game) are Target (what or whom the spell is directed at), Range (how far the Target may be from the caster), and Duration.
For reasons of [[Balance (game design)|balance]], some spells require the expenditure of "vis" – magical essence in physical form – which all magi and covenants tend to make a point of hoarding and/or trading.  No ''Creo'' effect, for example, can be permanent unless vis is consumed during the casting.
Some Formulaic Magic is so effective that it can ''only'' be achieved with vis and an elaborate, time-consuming ritual (hence, '''Ritual Spells''').  This automatically applies to any spell of a greater Level than 50, any spell with a Duration of 'Year', and any non-Imaginem spell with a range of 'Sight'.

===Character development===
All characters (magi, companions and grogs alike) improve their Abilities by applying [[Experience point#Activity-based progression|experience]] which can be earned through ''Exposure'', ''Practice'', ''Training'' or ''Study''.  Magic, however, is stressed as a multifaceted discipline with a greater variety of avenues for improvement.  Magi are expected to spend months at a time with books and/or laboratory equipment: inventing new spells (or learning or modifying existing ones), strengthening their Arts, enchanting items, and so forth.  ''Ars Magica'' includes rules for magical research within the game's standard 'advancement' timescale of 3-month '''[[season]]s'''.

These '''seasonal activities''' generally concern either study of a text or laboratory activity.  Although participating in adventures, missions and other endeavors outside of seasonal activity gives characters ''Story Experience'', the most substantial progress (and the ''raison d'etre'' of many in the Order) is nearly always from the seasonal activities of magi.  Hence, time in an ''Ars Magica'' campaign may pass much faster than in other RPGs (if, for example, all player-characters are engaged in seasonal activity, standard "roleplaying sessions" are unnecessary for that period) but is also more 'accounted for' (since regular and exact periods of activity give highly defined benefits).  To accommodate this, many magi prolong their lives with unique (to each individual) '''longevity''' formulas (generally called "longevity potions", though the form one takes is not always a potion); this only ''delays'' the aging process, however; beyond a certain point one's longevity formula will have no effect at all and must be reformulated (preferably with increased knowledge of the appropriate Arts and/or greater quantities of ''vis'').  The increased longevity has led to a prevalent attitude among members of the Order that Companions in general (and Grogs almost invariably) will come and go – perhaps killed in action, occasionally living long enough to retire – while the Magi carry on.  Magi ''may'' concoct longevity formulas for non-magi, but this is a rare consideration, less effective than devising one's own personal formula, and is an expensive prospect in time and resources in any case.

'''Study''' is primarily achieved with texts, each designed to enhance an Ability, Art or specific Spell(s).  A respectable covenant inevitably requires either a respectable library or sufficient commodities to exchange for the use of other libraries, since the dominant form of Hermetic Magic is a scholarly pursuit.  Magi who are able to write useful books or teach well can use these as commodities, trading with other magi for books or training (though the Code of Hermes places limits on what its members may sell to 'mundanes').

'''Lab Projects''' concern projects to enhance one's repertoire of spells or magical artifacts.  All projects have a level of effect to which the character compares their 'Lab Total':  '''Intelligence + Magic Theory''' ability '''+''' sum of a '''Form''' and '''Technique +''' other bonuses (which may be from local Aura, quality and specialization of lab, assistants, special knowledge, sympathetic connections from items, and in some circumstances an additional Ability).  Some merely require a Lab Total to match the Level of Effect; more extensive endeavors simply add up each Lab Total in 'points' until twice the Level of Effect are accumulated.

The following Lab Projects are the most commonly pursued:
* ''Invent Spells''.  The magus invents a new magical effect from scratch.  A variation of a known spell is easier to invent than a completely original one.
* ''Enchant Device''.  The magus may create a magical artifact which may hold a magical effect like those of Spells.  These can be used by even nonmagical individuals.  Usually they cost ''vis'' to make, but the Lab Total gets a bonus based on the sympathetic Shape & Material bonus of the material used; e.g. if one is enchanting a staff, the fact that it is a staff gives a bonus when the chosen effect is 'controlling things at a distance'.  They can be made as Charged Devices (which cost no ''vis'' but have a limited number of uses), Lesser Devices (which may only hold one effect, and must have a Level of Effect that the Lab Total can reach in a single season), or Invested Devices (which require additional preparation in advance and thus must be enchanted over several seasons, and may hold several effects based on size and material).
** ''Enchant Talisman''.  A Talisman is a personalized form of Invested Device with many additional features.  Talismans have a much higher capacity for effects with which they may be enchanted, and are easier to enchant.  However, should a Talisman fall into the wrong hands, it leaves the magus very vulnerable.
* ''Longevity Ritual''.  A Creo Corpus effect that prolongs the magus' life by granting a bonus for Aging Rolls, making it more likely to avoid the deterioration of age which typically begins after 35 years.  Thus may a magus live two centuries or longer, barring other mishaps.  Magi often pay specialists to devise this ritual for them, to get a better effect than they can personally achieve.
* ''Bond with Familiar''.  The magus may form a powerful mystical connection with another creature.  Usually this will be an animal which is thematically attuned to the magus' personality and/or specialty: an Auram magus might bond with a bird, or a Herbam magus with a squirrel.  The Bonding process is long and hard, but may very well be worth the effort.  The animal learns to communicate with the owner, and while it does not become intelligent ''per se'', it is almost always brighter than a normal animal of its type.  One major benefit of the bond is that the Familiar can be invested with many enchantments (with restrictions as to target and activation), but the primary, unique benefits are from the Bond Scores: the ''Gold Cord'' concerns magic, and helps the magus avoid magical botches; the ''Silver Cord'' concerns the mind, helps keep the magus focused and if strong enough may permit speech and telepathy between the two; and the ''Bronze Cord'' concerns the body, making the magus more enduring and tough.

==Publications==
===Sourcebooks, first edition===
*[[Whimsy Cards]] (1987)
*[[Covenants (Ars Magica)|Covenants]] (1990)
*[[The Order of Hermes]] (1990)
*[[Saga Pack]] (1990)
*[[Faeries (Ars Magica)|Faeries]] (1991)
*[[Mythic Places]] (1991)
*[[Medieval Bestiary]] (1991)
*[[More Mythic Places]] (1991)
*[[The Maleficium]] (1992)
*[[Pax Dei (Ars Magica)|Pax Dei]] (1993)
*[[The Tribunals of Hermes: Iberia]] (1993)
*[[The Wizard's Grimoire]] (1993)

;Other:
*''[[Melos Caverna]]'' - Lion Rampant produced this CD to be used as background music to accompany underground adventures

===Adventures, first edition===
*[[The Broken Covenant of Calebais]] (1988)
*[[The Stormrider]] (1989)
*[[Tales of the Dark Ages]] (1990)
*[[The Tempest (Ars Magica)|The Tempest]] (1990)
*[[The Pact of Pasaquine]] (1991)
*[[Trial by Fire (Ars Magica)|Trial by Fire]] (1991)
*[[A Winter's Tale (Ars Magica)|A Winter's Tale]] (1991)
*[[Black Death (Ars Magica)|Black Death]] (1991)

===Supplements, second edition===
*[[Houses of Hermes]] (1994)

==Reception==
[[Stewart Wieck]] reviewed ''Ars Magica'' for ''[[White Wolf (magazine)|White Wolf]]'' #11, rating it 10 out of 10 overall, and stated that "I really don't think I can praise 'Ars Magica' highly enough. This is simply one of those games that you must get."<ref name="WW11">{{Cite magazine |last= Wieck|first= Stewart|author-link= Stewart Wieck|date=1988 |title= Review: Ars Magica|magazine= [[White Wolf Magazine]] |number=11|pages= 64 |url=https://imgur.com/a/SJpBJCy}}</ref>

In the December 1988 edition of ''[[Dragon (magazine)|Dragon]]'' (Issue 140), [[Ken Rolston]] was effusive in his praise, calling ''Ars Magica'' "a distinctive, original, and intriguing treatment of magic for fantasy role-playing games... earnest, colorful, and meticulous in its development of a magic system with a plausible, coherent rationale. Its attempts to integrate this magic into a historical context are persuasive, and the game master notes and staging tips are wonderfully perceptive." Rolston concluded, "This is the most interesting and original fantasy role-playing system and setting I've seen in a long time."<ref name=dragon180>{{cite journal|last=Rolston|first=Ken|author-link=Ken Rolston| date=December 1988 |title=Role-playing reviews|journal=[[Dragon (magazine)|Dragon]]|publisher=[[TSR (company)|TSR, Inc.]]|issue=140|pages=88}}</ref>

Six months later, Rolston revisited ''Ars Magica'' for a more in-depth review in the July 1989 edition of ''Dragon''. Rolston noted that "the quality of writing, editing, and presentation is first-class", and he admired the "storyguide" system of role-playing: "This emphasis on the dramatic and narrative elements of role-playing produces some distinctive and thought-provoking perspectives on commonly accepted conventions of role-playing gaming." Although Rolston gave good marks for the game mechanics, character creation system and combat rules, he was especially drawn to the magic, which he said "has elegant tone and atmosphere." He also liked the quasi-historical medieval setting. He concluded with strong recommendation: "The ''Ars Magica'' game features an original and exciting game system, a coherent and satisfying treatment of magic, a convenient and imaginative exploitation of a historical medieval setting, and an explicit and appealing presentation of a role-playing style that emphasizes the common development of the setting, narrative, and PC-group activity over the personal expression of the individual PC."<ref name=dragon187>{{cite journal|last=Rolston|first=Ken|author-link=Ken Rolston| date=July 1989 |title=Role-playing reviews|journal=[[Dragon (magazine)|Dragon]]|publisher=[[TSR (company)|TSR, Inc.]]|issue=147|pages=63–69}}</ref>

In the March 1989 edition of ''[[Games International]]'' (Issue #3), Paul Mason believed that this game "truly encourages joint creativity." He also admired the game mechanics based around single rolls of a ten-sided die, although he found the rules added some unnecessary complications. He suggested that "combat was the weakest part of the game", finding the game mechanics were too "war-gamey". But he called the magic system "the centrepiece of the game." He concluded by giving this game an above-average rating of 4 out of 5, saying, "If you're looking for a new game to take you away from mechanics and 20th century rationalizations, back into the lands of mystery and enchantment, then this is it."<ref name=gi>{{cite magazine|last=Mason|first=Paul| date=March 1989 |title=General Games|journal=[[Games International]]| issue=3|pages=42–43}}</ref>

In the October–November 1989 edition of ''[[Space Gamer]]'' (Vol. II, Issue 2), J.M. Caparula  commented that "In the end, ''Ars Magica'' is a superb roleplaying game, one that furthers the gaming art in a positive direction."<ref name="SG">{{cite journal|last=Caparula|first=J.M. |date=October–November 1989|title=The Art of Storytelling: A review of Lion Rampant's ''Ars Magica'' (Second Edition)|journal=[[Space Gamer]]|publisher=[[3W (company)|World Wide Wargames]]|volume=2|issue=2|pages=46–47}}</ref>

In the February–March 1990 edition of ''[[Games International]]'' (Issue 13), Dave Morris applauded the change in the second edition from four types of dice rolls — something he had initially complained about in the first edition — to only two types of dice rolls. He also admired the re-organization of the magic system, and pointed out that rather than a sample scenario often found in other RPGs, ''Ars Magic'' offered a sample setting. Morris called this "a more productive inclusion in the main book than a scenario." He concluded by giving the second edition an excellent rating of 9 out of 10, saying, "it's worth buying for the ideas and the imaginative vision of its authors, even if you don't plan to play it."<ref name=ad>{{cite magazine|last=Morris|first=Dave| date=February–March 1990|title=Ars Magica 2nd edition|journal=[[Games International]]| issue=13|pages=41}}</ref>

[[Stewart Wieck]] reviewed the revised edition of ''Ars Magica'' in ''[[White Wolf (magazine)|White Wolf]]'' #19 (Feb./March, 1990), rating it a 5 out of 5 and stated that "The only other fantasy game which so thoroughly takes advantage of the art of role-playing is ''Pendragon'' by Chaosium. ''Ars Magica'' owes something to ''Pendragon'', but the unique setting and beautiful magic system of ''Ars Magica'' truly sets it apart from all the rest."<ref name="WW19">{{Cite magazine |last=Wieck|first=Stewart |authorlink=Stewart Wieck |date=February–March 1990 |title= Capsule Reviews |magazine= [[White Wolf Magazine]] |number=19 |pages= 52–53 |url=https://imgur.com/a/d5coYAg}}</ref>

In his 1990 book ''[[The Complete Guide to Role-Playing Games]]'', game critic [[Rick Swan]] liked the extensive magic system, but thought "The game's biggest flaw is its combat system, which is far too complicated for an RPG that downplays physical encounters." Swan concluded by giving the game a rating of 3.5 out of 4, saying, "Though the magic rules are fascinating, they're probably too sophisticated for newcomers. But for experienced players, ''Ars Magica'' is one terrific product; this is wizardly role-playing at its finest."<ref name=swan>{{cite book | last =Swan  | first =Rick | author-link=Rick Swan |title =[[The Complete Guide to Role-Playing Games]] | publisher =St. Martin’s Press | date =1990 | location =New York | pages =35–36}}</ref>

Matthew Gabbert reviewed ''Ars Magica'' 3rd edition in ''[[White Wolf (magazine)|White Wolf]]'' #39 (1994), rating it a 5 out of 5 and stated that "One thing that pleases me about the new edition is that it doesn't make all the previous sourcebooks obsolete. Your investment in older ''Ars Magica'' products hasn't been wasted. If you've never tried the system, this edition is a wonderful way to start."<ref name="WW39">{{Cite magazine |last=Gabbert |first=Matthew |date=1994|title=Capsule Reviews |magazine= [[White Wolf Magazine]] |number=39 |page=66 |url=https://imgur.com/a/gao1LxS}}</ref>

In a 1996 reader poll conducted by ''Arcane'' magazine to determine the 50 most popular roleplaying games of all time, ''Ars Magica'' was ranked 19th. Editor Paul Pettengale commented: "This is a fantasy game for the thinking player – although there's plenty of scope for action, too. A first success for Jonathan Tweet and Mark Rein-Hagen, who both went on to even bigger things, ''Ars Magica'' includes one of the most flexible, highly-regarded magic systems in the roleplaying hobby. The game, which places heavy emphasis on storytelling, is extremely popular with fans who have followed its troubled history through four different publishers. With Atlas just about to produce a new edition, those fans are currently feeling suitably optimistic."<ref name="Arcane14">{{cite journal|last= Pettengale|first=Paul|date= Christmas 1996 |title=Arcane Presents the Top 50 Roleplaying Games 1996|journal=Arcane|publisher=[[Future plc|Future Publishing]]|issue=14|pages=25–35}}</ref>

==Other reviews==
*''[[Valkyrie (magazine)|Valkyrie]]'' #15 (1997)
*''[[Pyramid (magazine)|Pyramid]]'' #24 (March/April, 1997)
*''Arcane'' #15 (January 1997)
*''Backstab'' (Issue 2 – Mar/Apr 1997)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://archive.org/details/backstab-magazine-french-02/page/n37/mode/2up|title = Backstab Magazine (French) Issue 02}}</ref>
*''Dosdediez'' (Número 3 – Mar/Abr 1994)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.rpggeek.com/rpgissuearticle/176226/novedades-nacional|title = Novedades – Nacional &#124; Article &#124; RPGGeek}}</ref>
*''[[Pyramid (magazine)|Pyramid]]'' – Fifth Edition<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.sjgames.com/pyramid/sample.html?id=5731|title = Pyramid: Pyramid Pick: Ars Magica Fifth Edition}}</ref>

==Awards==
* Winner of the [[Origins Award|Gamer's Choice Award]] for best FRPG for 1987<ref name=dragon187 />
* Nominated for the 1988 ORIGINS Best Role-Playing Rules<ref name=dragon187 />
*''Ars Magica'' 5th edition won the 2005 Gold [[ENnies|Ennie Award]] for "Best Rules" and the Silver Ennie Award for "Best Production Values".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ennie-awards.com/history/2005.asp |title=The ENnie Awards – 2005 Awards |website=www.ennie-awards.com |access-date=19 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090803184502/http://www.ennie-awards.com/history/2005.asp |archive-date=3 August 2009 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
*[https://www.atlas-games.com/arsmagica ''Ars Magica''] homepage at Atlas Games
*[http://www.redcap.org Project: Redcap] an online ''Ars Magica'' community

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Ars Magica| ]]
[[Category:Role-playing games introduced in 1987]]
[[Category:Works set in the 12th century]]
[[Category:Works set in the 13th century]]
[[Category:Atlas Games games]]
[[Category:ENnies winners]]
[[Category:Jonathan Tweet games]]
[[Category:Mark Rein-Hagen games]]
[[Category:Origins Award winners]]
[[Category:White Wolf Publishing games]]
[[Category:Wizards of the Coast games]]