Magen

Benjamin Ri had the absolute worst headache. While the others were out fighting each other with sticks, Benjamin stayed behind, sitting on the crumbling stone wall that probably had ringed the town... back when the town hadn't been destroyed by the Splintering. Now it was just a crumbling stone wall. Him being alone on the wall wasn't unusual. He preferred it that way. When the others were around, they typically teased him, or even beat up on him a little. Today, he really didn't want to deal with it. He had such a bad headache.

He had been feeling it all day. A weird... something... just out of reach. It was like having a spec floating in your eye. Impossible to focus on, yet constantly there and drifting into your vision. He kept trying to look at it, and it kept slipping away.

There was a sudden jerk on his leg. For a moment, he thought he had somehow interacted with the unseen thing. His stomach wrenched as he realized the source of the pull. He had barely a moment before the ground rushed up to meet him. The boys had returned from their play fighting.

They laughed, a malicious sound typically reserved for pulling legs off of insects. He stared up at them, shame in his cheeks and pain bubbling through his body. Fortunately, they didn't do anything else. Ben guessed he just wasn't worth taking any more time to humiliate or beat.

It wasn't fair. He didn't have toy swords at home, and he didn't build muscles on a farm. AND he had a really bad headache. It just wasn't fair. Benjamin _bent_ the whatever it was in frustration. Several of the crumbling stones from the wall seemed to almost bounce off of the whatever as it bent. They hurtled through the air, striking the other kids in the head. They dropped as fast as Benjamin had.

Well. He stared at their crumpled forms on the ground. This was new.

Magen toy daily with a force that was in many ways responsible for the entire Splintering: The Pael. While there are wild Magen in the realm, most come from one of the Four Illustrious Institutions of Magic - Dagmurk, Flamewrought, Stonerang, or the Hallowed Halls of Oceangarde. Each school has a different way it focuses its future Magen (knowledge, combat, etc), they all adhere to the same 5 principle ways of Manipulating the Pale. Most Magen never master all 5 ways, but there are strengths in each. The root of each Magen stems from where that Magen studied. Students of Flamewrought are very different than students of Dagmurk, who are in turn very different than Wild Magen who learn to manipulate the Pael independently. Magen typically (but not always) show a touch of arrogance that comes from extensive study and education, and an ability inaccessible to most.
Not all Magen complete their training, especially since the Splintering. Many depart and seek a new way in life. Those who complete their training become known as The Ascended.

Playing a Magen

Magen can serve many roles in a party, depending on which Virtue the Magen favors. They can range anywhere from long-ranged artillery (Fury) to the party's face (Discernment) to the healer (Mercy) or Utility (Sovereignty/Augury). Magen tend to have low Might, and as such are not usually front-line combatants. However, the magic they carry can have immense effects on others.

The Illustrious Four

Most Magen attended one of the Four Illustrious Institutes of Magic, and as such, they are influenced by that school's style.
Hallowed Halls at Oceangarde - The oldest of the Institutes, the Hallowed Halls are invitation only and typically only target people who live in the Unmarred City of Oceangarde. Oceangarde was one of the oldest empires in the world, and although its influence has crumbled somewhat over the centuries, most notably from interference by the Sorcerer himself, it still commands attention and respect. The Ascended of the Hallowed Halls often focus on Fury and combat.
Flamewrought Academy - If there was an institute that educated for education's sake, it would be Flamewrought. The theory is incredibly thick, but the practical less so. The teachers (Known as Magisters) focus heavily on classroom work and book lessons. It is widely whispered that the Sorcerer was once an Ascended from Flamewrought.
The Dark at Dagmurk - Little is known publicly about the Dark. Its students are kidnapped and not given a choice in their education and indoctrination to the school. They specialize in stealth and manipulating the Pael in subtle ways.
Stonerang Institute - Situated deep in the Iron Hills to the South, so far south that the snows almost never let up, Stonerang is considered the haven for humanity in the area. Students learn to blend magic with physical training (indeed not every student there actually even learns to manipulate the Pael), but those that do eventually provide service for those who need them, often free of charge. They frequently serve as guides and protectors.
Read more on The Illustrious Four.

Magen Origins

Most Magen keep the world at a distance. The ability to touch the Pael and manipulate it have left them changed in ways that most "normal people" would never understand.

Different	You've always been... different. As a child, you were able to make things happen. The bully got knocked into the water trough. You just knew the sex of your baby sister before she was born, and that your mother would die a few days later. Unfortunately, not all parts of the world are comfortable with Magen and the Pael, and rather than being prepared for life with your gifts, you were ostracized. You had no friends. Your differences set you apart from the rest of the kids. Eventually, you set off to find a place where you would be accepted, and received formal training for your gifts.
Destined	The stars aligned. The river ran in reverse. Whatever happened. People knew before you were born that you were going to be special. And you did not disappoint. The village named you oracle and brought the sick to you for healing, even as a child. You were asked to read and study holy texts, and offerings were made to you and your family to get your favor or praise. Omens pointed to things you would say or do, and each step of the way you seemed to fulfill prophecy (maybe only if we considered prophecy in the loosest way possible). Eventually, you needed a pilgrimage to finally become the person you were meant to be, and away you went.
Surprise Powers	You never knew you had powers at all. Your life had been normal before somebody showed up, telling you that you were special. That you'd be able to do things most mortals couldn't comprehend, and that your powers and gifts could bring salvation or disaster upon those you meet. This person might stress you need to go with them, or worse, may just take you. Your powers are coming, and you'd better be ready for them.

Magen Connections

Roll a d20 to select a connection option below, choose one directly, or make your own.

1	You've made it your life's work to unravel the secrets of the Sorcerer's path, and to walk the same roads he did.	11
2	After your Ascension, you were assigned a task to escort a merchant. You failed the merchant and still regret the failure.	12
3	You struggle to understand the Pael, not just as a means to manipulate it, but so much to understand the world within it, and how it fits with our world.	13
4	During your time at the Institute, you had a key rival. Despite your superior performance, that rival somehow always manages to be a step ahead of you in her career.	14
5	Not too long after the Splintering, your village was attacked by Reach-wielding barbarians. You first touched the Pael saving your town, tearing them all the bloody ribbons.	15
6	You believe there is actually a Sixth virtue, but you just need a little more proof.	16
7	You come from a long-line of Magen, and hopes were high for you. Unfortunately, you failed to Ascend and now find yourself considered a Wild Magen.	17
8	You actually come from a line of Citadel-born, and for the first part of your life, you abilities had to be your secret shame.	18
9	You came from a place where the Pael is completely unknown, despite the Splintering.	19
10	As your powers grew, so too did a certain paleness... only affecting half of your body.	20

Magen Player Intrusions

As a Magen, you may spend 1XP to use one of the following player intrusions, provided the situation is appropriate and the GM agrees.
Know Things - You've seen and read a lot. During all the study and training, you've come across rare scraps of information on a variety of topics. One piece of it comes in especially handy with a problem you are currently facing.
Pael-Aware - Because of your deep understanding of and direct relationship with the Pael, you can make a Reach more effective, either speeding the process, or potentially even affecting the end destination.
Virtue-rich - When using an ability from your preferred Virtue, take the effect an magnify it somehow. For Augury, this might allow you to pierce deeper into the future. For Fury, it might take an effect an enable it to do area damage.

Magen Stat Pools

Pool	Starting Value
Might	7
Speed	8
Intellect	13

The Magen gains 6 additional points to distribute among the starting pools.

Magen Tiers

A Magen almost exclusively pulls from the Adept tree, but it is sprinkled with other abilities to help ensure all Virtues are represented at all tiers. Each ability has its Virtue listed next to it.

First-Tier Magen

First-tier Magen gain the following abilities:
Effort: You have 1 Effort.
Brilliant: You have Edge 1 in Intellect, and 0 in both Might and Speed.
Advanced Cyphers: You may possess up to 3 Cyphers.
Weapons: You can use light weapons without penalty. You have an inability with medium and heavy weapons; your attacks with them are hindered.
Starting Equipment: Appropriate clothing and a weapon of your choice, plus two expensive items, two moderately priced items, and up to four inexpensive items
Special Abilities: Magen may select from the Magen Abilities chart below. The first letter of the virtue is listed before the ability. References are noted below.

1st Tier (Choose 4)	2nd Tier (Choose 3)	3rd Tier (Choose 3)
(D) - Distortion (129) (D) - Erase Memories (136) (S) - Far Step (138) (F) - Onslaught (167) (S) - Push (173) (M) - Resonance Field (176) (A) - Scan (179) (A) - See the Unseen (180) (F) - Shatter (182) (M) - Ward (196) Hedge Magic (149) Magic Training (159)	(F) - Cutting Light (123) (S) - Hover (149) (D) - Mind Reading (162) (A) - Retrieve Memories (177) (M) - Reveal (178) (S) - Stasis (186) (F) - Force Field (143) (D) - Ray of Confusion (174) (A) - See Through Matter (180) (M) - Healing Touch (149) Enhanced Intellect Edge	TBD
4th Tier (Choose 2)	5th Tier (Choose 3)	6th Tier (Choose 2)
TBD	TBD	TBD