A Guide to Hermetic Etiquette
This is meant to serve as a small primer for the various conventions that
have been used or developed during the course of play. In game terms, any
character with a Hermetic Etiquette skill knows most of the material
here.
| Meeting Magi |
Visiting Covenants |
Welcoming to the Hosting Site |
| Magi Names |
Magi's Protection |
| Magi Titles |
Date of Tribunal |
Meeting Magi
When two magi meet for the first time they are expected to introduce
themselves before any other conversation begins. In casual meetings magi
typically each introduce themselves. In more formal situations, one magus
may perform introductions. This is most common when one individual has a
connection between two meeting groups and is often done by a trusted second
to the most prominent magus present.
Magi Names
A magus introduces himself as "[Proper Name] filius [Parens] of House
[House-Name]." If a magi's parens has been Marched, substitute the house
founder for the Parens. Magi typically address one another as "Sodales,"
or "Sodales [Name]" when being slightly more formal. Use of a magi's proper
name alone is typically reserved for close covenant members and amici.
Magi Titles
Covenfolk address and refer to magi as "Master [Name]," or "Mistress
[Name]" for women. This is because Lord and Lady are specific titles and
are inappropriate for general use. "Sir" and "Madam" are always in style,
though.
Visiting Covenants
When magi arrive at another covenant it is expected that they will present
themselves at the edge of the Aegis, which is usually a very clearly marked
spot. Mundane servants may be available to assist in the arrival, but other
than basic instructions it is impolite to ask them anything until contact
has been made with the covenant membership. The Archon will typically meet
Hermetic visitors at the border. (If the Archon isn't present it could be
considered a slight to the guest if insufficient reason is given…
although most lab work qualifies.) After introductions the visitors are
expected to give a brief suggestion of their intentions after which the
Archon invites them in and offers them a token allowing them access to the
Aegis.
Magi's Protection
Mundane servants can come under the protection or into the service of magi.
Any attack against such a protected mundane is treated as an attack on the
magus' property.
Date of Tribunal
Tribunal is held on the night of the first new moon after the first full
moon after the Summer Solstice. (Thus, anywhere from two weeks to one month
after the solstice.) It is typical for members to arrive and be welcomed up
to a week ahead of time, and for player characters to arrive the day
before.
Welcoming to the Hosting Site
As members arrive at the site of Tribunal the hosting Archon* greets them
and offers tokens as is traditional. Additionally, a Quaesitor casts a spell
on each voting sigil (which are arcane connections) to confirm that the
owner is either alive or bearing it.
*This may change if the next Tribunal is not held at an active covenant.
