Arcane Connection: An Ars Magica Fan Podcast

Hello! At the time we recorded this episode Ars Magica Definitive Edition was ten or so days off - and we had no idea it would be such an amazing success. There are still 30 days to go but I'm really hoping we will see new 5th ed material off the back of the amazing numbers we are seeing!In this episode Tom and Chris talk about their plans for the Open License, what they think of DE and various other Ars related matters. CJ also references his Spell Level calculator which is here and very much a work in progress. It might be useful for new players though? https://cjromer.com/CJspell.phpWe are assuming if you listen to Arcane Connection you know that the Crowdfunding for Definitive Edition is live and can be found here: https://www.backerkit.com/c/projects/atlas-games/ars-magica-5th-edition-definitiveProject Redcap can be found at http://www.redcap.org/page/Main_PageSub Rosa fanzine can be found at http://www.subrosamagazine.org/Timothy Ferguson's wonderful Games from Folktales is at https://timothyferguson.wordpress.com/Jason Tondro's Ars fanzine Peripheral Code is here: https://preview.drivethrurpg.com/en/publisher/678/Perambulations-Pressand Line Editor David Chart's Patreon is here: https://www.patreon.com/DavidChart"Ars Magica" is a trademark of Trident, Inc. d/b/a Atlas Games. This fan production in no way linked with Atlas Games. ATLAS GAMES website is http://blog.atlas-games.com/ 

EDIT: A new edit with improved sound!Writing stories for Ars Magica can be hard, so in this episode Tom and I who have done a lot of it over the years talk about where we find ideas, how we structure our stories, and then design a story that might work in play. We hope it will prove useful, but are sure you can do better! Tell us about your stories, and how you write scenarios. and if a player what kind of adventures you enjoy?The Bundles of Holding are athttps://bundleofholding.com/presents/ArM5-2024https://bundleofholding.com/presents/ArM5Europe2024https://bundleofholding.com/presents/ArM5Wizards2024https://bundleofholding.com/presents/ArM5More2024Advice for starting your first Ars game: https://forum.rpg.net/index.php?threads/necro-ars-magica-bundle-of-holding-do-i-want-it.735290/page-4#post-18246005Project Redcap can be found at http://www.redcap.org/page/Main_PageSub Rosa fanzine can be found at http://www.subrosamagazine.org/Timothy Ferguson's wonderful Games from Folktales is at https://timothyferguson.wordpress.com/Jason Tondro's Ars fanzine Peripheral Code is here: https://preview.drivethrurpg.com/en/publisher/678/Perambulations-Pressand Line Editor David Chart's Patreon is here: https://www.patreon.com/DavidChart"Ars Magica" is a trademark of Trident, Inc. d/b/a Atlas Games. This fan production in no way linked with Atlas Games. ATLAS GAMES website is http://blog.atlas-games.com/ 

This week Tom and CJ run through all the Story Flaws in the core rules, and discuss how player choices shape your saga. What are your favourites? If you have any Ars Magica related questions please do ask! The Bundles of Holding are athttps://bundleofholding.com/presents/ArM5-2024https://bundleofholding.com/presents/ArM5Europe2024https://bundleofholding.com/presents/ArM5Wizards2024https://bundleofholding.com/presents/ArM5More2024Advice for starting your first Ars game: https://forum.rpg.net/index.php?threads/necro-ars-magica-bundle-of-holding-do-i-want-it.735290/page-4#post-18246005Project Redcap can be found at http://www.redcap.org/page/Main_PageSub Rosa fanzine can be found at http://www.subrosamagazine.org/Timothy Ferguson's wonderful Games from Folktales is at https://timothyferguson.wordpress.com/Jason Tondro's Ars fanzine Peripheral Code is here: https://preview.drivethrurpg.com/en/publisher/678/Perambulations-Pressand Line Editor David Chart's Patreon is here: https://www.patreon.com/DavidChart"Ars Magica" is a trademark of Trident, Inc. d/b/a Atlas Games. This fan production in no way linked with Atlas Games. ATLAS GAMES website is http://blog.atlas-games.com/ 

You've just picked up the rulebook, or the Bundle of Holding? You take one look and your mind boggles, your sanity snaps and you think "maybe I'll run Bunnies and Burrows instead!" Should you give up? NO!!! Ars Magica is much easier to learn than many rpgs, and in fact no harder than the most popular game on its 5th edition as long as you take it sensibly. So here is some simple advice to start your first campaign. :) The Bundles of Holding are athttps://bundleofholding.com/presents/ArM5-2024https://bundleofholding.com/presents/ArM5Europe2024https://bundleofholding.com/presents/ArM5Wizards2024https://bundleofholding.com/presents/ArM5More2024Advice for starting your first Ars game: https://forum.rpg.net/index.php?threads/necro-ars-magica-bundle-of-holding-do-i-want-it.735290/page-4#post-18246005Project Redcap can be found at http://www.redcap.org/page/Main_PageSub Rosa fanzine can be found at http://www.subrosamagazine.org/Timothy Ferguson's wonderful Games from Folktales is at https://timothyferguson.wordpress.com/Jason Tondro's Ars fanzine Peripheral Code is here: https://preview.drivethrurpg.com/en/publisher/678/Perambulations-Pressand Line Editor David Chart's Patreon is here: https://www.patreon.com/DavidChart"Ars Magica" is a trademark of Trident, Inc. d/b/a Atlas Games. This fan production in no way linked with Atlas Games. ATLAS GAMES website is http://blog.atlas-games.com/ 

It's Easter and Tom and CJ are musing on how to begin an Ars Magica campaign, or in the parlance of the game your "saga".  They get mildly distracted by Medieval customs, Christianity and ask the question "which story flaws are ideal for your first character, or just interesting to take?" If you'd like to chime in with an idea email us at chrisjensenromer@hotmail.comProject Redcap can be found at http://www.redcap.org/page/Main_PageSub Rosa fanzine can be found at http://www.subrosamagazine.org/Timothy Ferguson's wonderful Games from Folktales is at https://timothyferguson.wordpress.com/Jason Tondro's Ars fanzine Peripheral Code is here: https://preview.drivethrurpg.com/en/publisher/678/Perambulations-Pressand Line Editor David Chart's Patreon is here: https://www.patreon.com/DavidChart"Ars Magica" is a trademark of Trident, Inc. d/b/a Atlas Games. This fan production in no way linked with Atlas Games. ATLAS GAMES website is http://blog.atlas-games.com/ 

After a short hiatus of -- five years? -- Tom and CJ are back. They may have been missing from the web but they have certainly not given up on Ars Magica, in fact they have run a seriously large online saga. What lessons were learned? What did we learn playing a game with multiple covenants and dozens of characters? And what does the future hold for Ars Magica? Project Redcap can be found at http://www.redcap.org/page/Main_PageSub Rosa fanzine can be found at http://www.subrosamagazine.org/Timothy Ferguson's wonderful Games from Folktales is at https://timothyferguson.wordpress.com/Jason Tondro's Ars fanzine Peripheral Code is here: https://preview.drivethrurpg.com/en/publisher/678/Perambulations-Pressand Line Editor David Chart's Patreon is here: https://www.patreon.com/DavidChart"Ars Magica" is a trademark of Trident, Inc. d/b/a Atlas Games. This fan production in no way linked with Atlas Games. ATLAS GAMES website is http://blog.atlas-games.com/ 

Description:This week CJ is back from the Grand Tribunal ATLAS GAMES convention here in the UK that he hosted in August. There he met Justin Alexander our Special Guest and recorded this interview in his basement http://www.grandtribunal.org/wiki/Main_Page Our Facebook page which you should like is https://www.facebook.com/pages/Grand-Tribunal-Ars-Magica-Convention-UK/138381449536238?fref=photo Grand Tribunal USA is at http://us.grandtribunal.net/ Project Redcap can be found at http://www.redcap.org/page/Main_Page Sub Rosa fanzine can be found at http://www.subrosamagazine.org/ The Grand Tribunal forum is at http://grand-tribunal.freeforums.net/"Ars Magica" is a trademark of Trident, Inc. d/b/a Atlas Games. This fan production in no way linked with Atlas Games, and completely unauthorized. ATLAS GAMES website is http://blog.atlas-games.com/

Been a long time! This week CJ & Tom talk about the forthcoming Grand Tribunal, their excitement about their Special Guest, and plans to learn the future of Ars Magica 5, as well as why you should go immediately and back their Magonomia podcast. As always Ars Magica is the property of Atlas Games; http://blog.atlas-games.com/You can learn about Grand Triunal at www.grandtribunal.orgAnd you can go back the Magonomia Kickstarter at https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/shewstonepublishing/magonomia-the-rpg-of-renaissance-wizardry

Shewstone Publishing is at https://shewstonepublishing.com/Grand Tribunal UK is at http://www.grandtribunal.org/wiki/Main_Page Our Facebook page which you should like is https://www.facebook.com/pages/Grand-Tribunal-Ars-Magica-Convention-UK/138381449536238?fref=photo Project Redcap can be found at http://www.redcap.org/page/Main_Page Sub Rosa fanzine can be found at http://www.subrosamagazine.org/ Peripheral Code is at http://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/227691/Peripheral-Code-Writing-in-the-Margins-of-Ars-Magica-Issue-3-Autumn-2017Games from Folktales is at https://timothyferguson.wordpress.com/The Atlas Games forum is at http://forum.atlas-games.com/viewforum.php?f=4 "Ars Magica" is a trademark of Trident, Inc. d/b/a Atlas Games. This fan production in no way linked with Atlas Games, and completely unauthorized. ATLAS GAMES website is http://blog.atlas-games.com/

This week CJ is getting ready for the Grand Tribunal ATLAS GAMES convention here in the UK that he will be hosting next weekend (August 8th to 10th).In this episode of Arcane Connection CJ and Tom discuss the convention, Ars Magica, and Tom tries to stop CJ singing 70's pop classics. In the last 10 minutes they return to normal topics, with reference to Faith & Flame: Provence Grand Tribunal UK is at http://www.grandtribunal.org/wiki/Main_PageOur Facebook page which you should like is https://www.facebook.com/pages/Grand-Tribunal-Ars-Magica-Convention-UK/138381449536238?fref=photoGrand Tribunal USA is at http://us.grandtribunal.net/Project Redcap can be found at http://www.redcap.org/page/Main_PageSub Rosa fanzine can be found at http://www.subrosamagazine.org/The Atlas Games forum is at http://forum.atlas-games.com/viewforum.php?f=4"Ars Magica" is a trademark of Trident, Inc. d/b/a Atlas Games. This fan production in no way linked with Atlas Games, and completely unauthorized. ATLAS GAMES website is http://blog.atlas-games.com/

From March to May 2014 CJ Romer collected categories, then nominations and finally votes from the Ars Magica community for the first Grimgroth Awards. Here he presents the results with co-presenter Lloyd Graney

This week Bundle of Holding is offering a chance to get a number of fine games on pdf, and also help good causes. One of those games is Ars Magica 5th edition, and the next Bundle of Hodling which goes up on Tuesday March 4th 2014 will make a number of 4th edition Ars Magica rpg supplements available.In this special episode of Arcane Connection CJ and Tom discuss useful stuff for people trying out the game for the first time through this offer, where to find help and resources in learning the game, and the compatability of 4th ed supplements with the 5th ed rules - (high!). In the last 5 minutes they return to normal topics, with reference to Hooks, Faith & Flame: Provence and a new issue of Sub Rosa.CJ's Essay on Setting Up Your First Saga can be found at http://jerome23.wordpress.com/2009/10/28/running-ars-magica-advice-for-new-story-guides-part-one/CJ's Useful Tool for Learning Ars Magica the Magic System is here (slide show): http://jerome23.wordpress.com/2012/09/03/about-my-hobby-for-non-gamers-an-introduction-to-the-5th-edition-ars-magica-roleplaying-game/Project Redcap can be found at http://www.redcap.org/page/Main_PageSub Rosa fanzine can be found at http://www.subrosamagazine.org/The Atlas Games forum is at http://forum.atlas-games.com/viewforum.php?f=4"Ars Magica" is a trademark of Trident, Inc. d/b/a Atlas Games. This fan production in no way linked with Atlas Games, and completely unauthorized. ATLAS GAMES website is http://blog.atlas-games.com/

This week Arcane Connection sees CJ and Tom discussing radical new ideas for the future of Ars Magica, including the not to be missed "Ars Agricola" project. Ground breaking, (& seed planting)radical ideas for your podcast hosts. WARNING: May Contain Nuts.Project Redcap can be found at http://www.redcap.org/page/Main_PageSub Rosa fanzine can be found at http://www.subrosamagazine.org/"Ars Magica" is a trademark of Trident, Inc. d/b/a Atlas Games. This fan production in no way linked with Atlas Games, and completely unauthorized. ATLAS GAMES website is http://blog.atlas-games.com/

This week CJ is joined by Lloyd Graney as they running a single House saga in Ars Magica, concentrating on House Bjornaer but discussing other options too.Project Redcap can be found at http://www.redcap.org/page/Main_PageSub Rosa fanzine can be found at http://www.subrosamagazine.org/"Ars Magica" is a trademark of Trident, Inc. d/b/a Atlas Games. This fan production in no way linked with Atlas Games, and completely unauthorized. ATLAS GAMES website is http://blog.atlas-games.com/

This week CJ is joined by Ars Magica author Ben MacFarland as they discuss supernatural horror in Ars Magica, just in time for Halloween!Project Redcap can be found at http://www.redcap.org/page/Main_PageSub Rosa fanzine can be found at http://www.subrosamagazine.org/"Ars Magica" is a trademark of Trident, Inc. d/b/a Atlas Games. This fan production in no way linked with Atlas Games, and completely unauthorized. ATLAS GAMES website is http://blog.atlas-games.com/

In this week's Arcane Connection CJ & Kevin discuss the new Hibernia Tribunal book for Ars Magica, and CJ talks a little bit about the history and background from his perspective as one of the authors. Project Redcap can be found at http://www.redcap.org/page/Main_PageSub Rosa fanzine can be found at http://www.subrosamagazine.org/"Ars Magica" is a trademark of Trident, Inc. d/b/a Atlas Games. This fan production in no way linked with Atlas Games, and completely unauthorized. ATLAS GAMES website is http://blog.atlas-games.com/

This time round CJ interviews Ars Magica author Andrew Gronosky about his vision of House Flambeau expressed in his Houses of Hermes: Societates chapter that defined the House for 5th Edition, and the Flame Wars that quite appropriately followed the release. :) Project Redcap can be found at http://www.redcap.org/page/Main_Page"Ars Magica" is a trademark of Trident, Inc. d/b/a Atlas Games. This fan production in no way linked with Atlas Games, and completely unauthorized. ATLAS GAMES website is http://blog.atlas-games.com/

In this episode CJ is joined by Ars Magica author and Project Redcap editor Andrew Gronosky to discuss grogs and the role they can play in your saga. That's the character type, not the book, which we both agree is excellent anyway!Project Redcap can be found at http://www.redcap.org/page/Main_Page"Ars Magica" is a trademark of Trident, Inc. d/b/a Atlas Games. This fan production in no way linked with Atlas Games, and completely unauthorized. ATLAS GAMES website is http://blog.atlas-games.com/

In this episode CJ is joined by Kevin Sides, as CJ tries to get Janus of Bonisagus to actually abide by the Code. Not just a discussion of what the Code actually means, but rather a discussion of the implications of the Code of Hermes for how you run your game."Ars Magica" is a trademark of Trident, Inc. d/b/a Atlas Games. This fan production in no way linked with Atlas Games, and completely unauthorized. ATLAS GAMES website is http://blog.atlas-games.com/

In this special episode of Arcane Connection CJ is joined by the President of Black Chicken Studios, Larry Sawh. We discuss our mutual love of Ars Magica, the Ars Magica computer game Kickstarter (and will it ever happen again?) and whether we will ever learn the secrets of House Diedne. CJ runs a IRC chat Ars Magica saga based on Black Chickens forums that began during the Kickstarter, and we mention that, as well as exciting projects coming our of Black Chicken Games in the near future and of special interest to rpg fans the new Holdfast gamebook Kickstarter.You can find the Kickstarter for Holdfast at http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/blackchickenstudios/holdfast-a-gamebook-of-dwarven-vengeance?ref=categoryBlack Chicken Studios are at http://www.blackchickengames.com/The forums are at http://academagia.invisionzone.com/"Ars Magica" is a trademark of Trident, Inc. d/b/a Atlas Games. This fan production in no way linked with Atlas Games, and completely unauthorized. ATLAS GAMES website is http://blog.atlas-games.com/