Starting Sphere Allocation: Beginning mages recieve six sphere "dots." They must be allocated to basics only. You must place one dot in your Tradition Specialty Sphere. However, the specialty sphere is an exception to the rule. You may (if your Arete allows) purchase the first intermediate of your Tradition specialty sphere with your starting dots.

Starting Arete Level: Ideal: one or two. An Arete of three on a starting character only with a good concept and background story.

Fast Casting: The normal penalty for fast casting is a +1 to the difficulty of the Arete challenge. The penalty is now set at +4, effective immediately.

Restesting the Arete Challenge: If you spend a full round casting magic and roleplaying your foci you gain the appropriate ability retest for your Arete Challenge. This means the effect takes place at the beginning of the round after you begin casting it. This only effects the Arete Challenge itself, not the "to hit" challenge if the effect was offensive in nature. You may always use an appropriate retest when involved in a "to hit" challenge.

Penalty for Failure to use Foci when needed:As usual, when failing to use a neccessary Foci you recieve a +3 difficulty on the Arete Challenge. Sorry.