| Order of Hermes |
| We cannot live by power, and a culture that seeks to live by it becomes brutal and sterile. But we can die without it. Max Lerner |
| As Order of Hermes mages grow more experiences, they often willingly enter a state akin to the Seeking, which they term "The Revelation." During this time, they are particularly vulnerable to Mind and Spirit magick. They open themselves fully to their Avatars in order to learn more about reality. The great danger of this practice is that, on occasion, Technomancers detect the questing mage, capture her, and subject her to "reeducation." Mages cpature in this fashion are often brainwashed by Technomancers posing as the mage's own Avatar. In theory, Order of Hermes mages hold that they serve humanity by resisting the Technocracy, studying arcane lore and transforming that lore into everyday reality. In practice, they have been so entwined in political intrigue with their own Chantries that Technomancers have to come knocking down their doors before they remember their stated mission. Even if they work to change reality in humanity's favor, most cabals disagree on policy, and often thwart each other's efforts. On the positive side, Order of Hermes may work hindsightedly, but when they fall, they typically take more than their share of Technomancers with them. The Order of Hermes, because it sees itself as the oldest and most renowned of the Traditions, has deluded itself into thinking it can spread rumors of its members' attainments without eliciting the scorn of the other Traditions. While its claims that are more Oracles originated in their Tradition than any other Tradition are likely true (simply because their Tradition is so ancient), rumors of Ascended Order of Hermes mages are the products of too many mages sinking into Quiet. Ascension, to Order of Hermes mages, is an act of will that only those with powerful Avatars can achieve. Ordinary humans, in their view, must be acclimated to the principles that will lead them to Ascension. The only way to orient humanity to these principles is to translate the realities behind the Orders numerologies, charts and formulae into comprehensible notions. Of course, Order of Hermes mages believe they are the only ones who can do so; the other Traditions exist only as their helpmates, for they have lesser magicks. Needless to say, while the Sphere of Forces is powerful, the force of hubris is far more powerful, and it has prevented many a mage from Ascending. The modus operandi of the Order is to keep their influence on the philosophical, cultural, and political direction secret. Secrecy ensures safety from humanity's fear and ignorance and the Technocracy's vengeance. To the Orders mages, scholarship with an emphasis on magick abd adherence to tradition hones the mind. Since the mind is the tool by which the mages achieve Ascension, there are no activities more important than active shcolarship and revering the traditions ancient wisdom. Perhaps because they know they are losing the struggle, the Order's mages also cling to the belief that the Wheel of Fortune (of the tarot's Major Arcana) will someday bring them back into eminence. More than any other Tradition mages, the Order of Hermes hates the Tecnocracy, blaming it for the downfall of its regency in the late Middle Ages. The blame they place on the Technocracy is largely well-founded. Primary Sphere: Forces |