ANDERS MAGE PAGE 2.0

Note to Readers: While I have seen many variations on the Hollow Ones' paradigm, most fail to explain the overall worldview of the Hollow Ones themselves. Despite the fact that many are rather young and are apt to have very materialistic and selfish ideas, the very fact that they have Awakened avatars indicates having some kind of overall worldview, some idea about what existence is. From what I have read, especially The Book of Shadows, the Hollow Ones are linked by a very existential worldview. My hope with the following is to reconcile this philosophy with the Hollow One's Gothic lifestyle.

The Paradigm

Nothingness: This world is a great Void. There is no Way of things, no ultimate uniting Song, just a huge Void. There is no meaning in this Void, no higher purpose to Being, just a Void. Things exist and the ants scurry around every day trying to justify it all but there is no real reason why we do it.

Magick

Desire: Those with the proper disposition can project their desires into the Void and impose their own meaning on reality for a short time. This is where the fun begins!

The Spheres

Correspondence — Unspace

Isn't it nice how everything has its place? Space is simply a way for the ants to simplify the Void, a trick of denial. Find the Unspace, the single infinity where the Void exists, and then learn how to skip rush hour!

Entropy — Decay

At some point, everything just goes to pot. It means nothing; it's simply that the Void cannot hold everything and so stuff gets wrecked to make room for new toys. Decay hits everything, including the ants' nice prepakaged beliefs, which is why they don't like it.

Forces — Power

This is the stuff that keeps the Void running properly. Divert a bit of it and watch everyone scream!

Life — Being

This seems to screw everyone up; just because we exist, there is some sort of meaning to it all? Get real, ants! Watch me play with your Being, then tell me that it's so special! I mean, it's cool to be, but to be does not mean that you are something.

Matter — Existence

Stuff exists, plain and simple. Why? Who knows and, frankly, who cares!? Just play with existence and see what kind of pretty toys you can make.

Mind — Pattern

Thoughts impose pattern on the Void, trying to make sense of the utterly senseless. Play with the ants' thoughts, screw up their pretty patterns and watch 'em go nuts.

Prime — Essence

Think of it as Universal Super Glue... hey, something's gotta hold all this crap together! It keeps Existence from falling apart too quickly, keeps the Power running and keeps the ants breathing.

Spirit — Reflections

There is a place where the truth about the Void is revealed and something lives there! Spirits reflect the light and dark of the reality the ants are desperately trying to create, and show us what can happen when you deny the truth of the Void for too long.

Time — Measure

Just another cutsey creation to make Being easier. By measuring the length between events, the ants justify ideas like elders, history and importance. Time is just another measurement and the hands of my watch turn back just as easily as the ruler can be shifted.

Arete — Acceptance: The more one accepts the meaningless of the Void, the more one can screw with it. If you can accept the Nothingness in Being, in Existence, and in yourself, you grow in presence and, in a weird way, become more real. Why this happens is unknown but it may be that, as you accept your Nothingness, you lift the veil of ignorance and connect with the Void more directly. Who knows; just accept futility and have fun!

Quintessence — Support: Those who accept the Void usually receive support from it in some way, usually in the form of fuel for your Desires. Cool stuff; don't pass it up!

Paradox — Revenge: Just like you and I don't like other people's ideas imposed on us, the Void doesn't like it when you impose too much meaning on it. When you do that, and especially when you're blatant about it, the Void strikes back and takes revenge.

Mage-Related Backgrounds

Arcane — Nonexistence

Sometimes you accept your Nothingness so much that you become harder to perceive. Let's face it, if you mean nothing and know it, then the ants are going to have a hard time finding a way to justify your existence.

Avatar — Presence

There is a part of you that is intimiately connected with the Void and helps you out. It is this Presence that allowed you to perceive the truth and it is this Presence that will see you to the final truth.

Chantry — Hideout

When the ants just get on your nerves, you need to find a place where everyone knows your name.

Destiny — Ego

We all know this guy, usually the dumb jock or Little-Miss-My-Shyte-Don't-Stink. They have the biggest egos in the world and nothing can seem to bring it down. Odd thing is that sometimes that ego is justified and odd stuff starts to happen.

Dream — Guidance

Once in a while, your Presence needs to tell you something important, so it talks to you when it has your full attention.

Node — Battery

Essence tends to collect in nifty little batteries that you can pick up and pop into your Desires. Of course, you aren't the only one that likes these little batteries, so watch your back.