The Awakened
"Congratulations, you just got a hall pass to the rules of reality! Don't get too crazy with it." "But...what do I do now?" "Weren't you listening? You do whatever you want."There are many supernatural beings in the World of Darkness, who all are fundimentally non-human in one way or another. For the Mages of this world, the question is: what would happen if a Human had their limits taken off? That is what it means to be Awakened. To see the world in a vastly different light not just because you are a part of the gifted few, but because you have the power to change the world you see. They may not be omnipotent, they may not be limitless, and by Jove they are not Gods, but it's not impossible for them to get close. By and large, the Awakened are the ones who have the best chance of remaining human to their core, but even they run the risk of throwing away their morals, their concience, and their common sense for the goal of greater power and ascension to true omnipotence. That or die trying. But still, the power of the Awakened is not as inherently corruptive as the Vampire's hunger, the Werewolves rage, or the Changelings banality. As for what it means to be an Awakened, and how they operate night-to-night? That has much more to do with which school of thought they subscribe to, which you will find in greater discussion in this category: Awakened Sects For now, let's get down to who The Awakened are.
Career
Qualifications
Every standard human, largely referred to as Sleepers, has a spark of potential towards becoming Awakened, but those who actually reach that potential are few and far between. Finding that potential is known as Awakening and it can come in a variety of forms depending on the person, their day-to-day life, and their understanding of the world, but it boils down to coming to a key realization that aligns with that spark of potential within you. This also involves an internal aspect called the Avatar that represents an Awakened's potential and arcane power, often appearing in a dream or other such vision.
Career Progression
There are many different groups and organizations among the Awakened that take a multitude of forms. Most take the form of arcane circles, covens, or chantries that have either loose self-imposed ranks or a strict hierarchy of strength, achievement, and exprerience. The ranks and cultures of these groups will be delved into deeper in their own articles found under
Awakened Sects
Payment & Reimbursement
Unless you are a part of one of the rigidly ordered organizations, you're unlikely to recieve a salary for your work as a Mage, however when working with one another or with other supernatural creatures, there's bound to be plenty of offers made for reimbursement, or the evergreen system of boons and favors.
Other Benefits
To become an Awakened is to have the power to change reality. While the amount you can change it is determined by many features, it remains true that you can still change it. Mages will often be able to enhance their bodies and minds, lengthen their lives, and reach a level of understanding and experience that would have been impossible before, and that's even before you include the strength provided by finding a group of like-minded Mages.
Perception
Purpose
The power of the Awakened does not bring with it any specific responsibilities. Some see their powers as gifts from a higher power for them to right the worlds wrongs, some see it as merely a tool to get what they desire, some see it as a weapon of vengence or destruction. Largely, experienced Mages will gain a goal or purpose with their particular organizations, but the unifying goal of all Awakened is simple: to grow stronger, to Ascend.
Social Status
Anyone can be Awakened from any path of life, but some people get really big heads about it and act like being Awakened puts you on a higher pedestal than your common Sleeper, hence the differing names. Most people who do awaken to their powers have a better chance of finding success as they use their new abilities in their favor, but that's not a hard rule of the job.
History
The Awakened have, theoretically, been around since the dawn of time, navigating the world in their own ways throughout the eons. Starting around the 1400's, the primary structure of The Nine Traditions began to shape, providing a greater network and structure for Mages around the world. As the centuries came and went, the council went through many shakeups, renamings, alterations, additions, restructurings, and various other forms of disruption that included the formation of various other wide structures to oppose them, but the Traditions and their methods are largely still in place, even as the threat of the Final Nights becomes ever present.
Tacoma has had many Awakened throughout it's life, especially in the pre-colonial days among the many native people that lived in and near the area, but in the modern night it is less of a varied Mage hotspot. Part of this is due to The Weakness, the areas particulary brittle and weak leylines that make casting any magic more difficult. This is also made more difficult by The Technocracy, a modern and post-modern scientific based organization, having much control in the region due to their large base of power in Seattle. That's not to say there aren't many mages of many paths still within the city, but they exist in fewer numbers and less power than in the past or in other regions.
Operations
Tools
It is very rare that a Mage can use their reality-warping magic on their lonesome. Usually they will require a specific medium or focus to truly channel their craft. This can range from your standard wands and staffs to more specific ritual items, or even mundane items that have gained significance and representation to the Mage. These tools are an essential part of the Awakened repetoire and come hand in hand with your magic journey.
Workplace
Much like with the aforementioned Tools, an Awakened's sanctum will be shaped around their individual path and understanding of magic. Studies filled with arcane tomes, greenrooms of well-tended plants, a dimly lit backroom with incense and chimes, a clearing in the middle of a large forest, the list goes on. More technologic or scientific focused mages do work in more realistic workplaces, such as labratories or office spaces, but usually with other Mages or magic-exposed people.
Provided Services
Mages of different paths can offer a LOT of services with their magic, but finding those services can be difficult. Awakened Magic is largely limited by the understanding of reality by the outside world, so someone walking up to an Awakened diviner yet not beliving in fortune telling will impose a difficulty on that Mages success. Working with other supernaturals makes this easier, but opens its own can of worms many times.
Dangers & Hazards
The biggest threat to any Mage is the force known as Paradox. Essentially, while Mages can bend reality, reality can fight back and if a Mage tries to bend it too far outside of the baseline-human populations perception of reality, then they will take all sorts of damage from reality snapping into place. There are many ways to circumvent these limitations, but it is an everpresent wall that many Mages have driven themselves to madness or ennui trying to break through.
Alternative Names
Mages, Enlighted Scientist, Namebreakers (among Werewolves), Witches
Type
Arcane
Demand
Cherished and Demanded among other Mages, unknown to the common Sleeper
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