ANDERS MAGE PAGE 2.0

Those of you with the Sourcebook on the Progenitors might notice that although I have used the names (which I don't like, incidentally, but that's my problem) I haven't quite defined the Methodologies in the same way. I should say at this point I was never overly impressed by that book (though it had good stuff in it) but I disagree with the tone of the thing.

Firstly, I tend to be of the opinion (with a fair number of others on the Net - it was certainly not my "idea") that Technocracy "magic" is science just that the Technocracy has developed technology 50 years or so ahead of what they allow out. The tools and equipment they use are the focuses and talismans that mages would use. I didn't feel the book emphasised that much.

I also think there was not enough emphasis on present technology, i.e. the technology that The convention has allowed to become part of the Paradigm. There are a great many uses for the Science that exists today that are powerful enough and that vulgar magickal effects are for the most part unnecessary.

The Paradigm

The Organism: The Organism is the fundamental unit of society and reality as we understand it. The Organism works in a predictable and controllable manner. The Organism controls reality, we control the Organism in order to create a better reality.

Magick

Biology: By striving to understand the Organism in a mechanistic manner we can develop methods to control it. Biology is most strongly linked to the Sphere of Life, but can be used to influence many other aspects of reality also. It is not straightforward to assign a "sphere" to each research field but approximations are presented below. Note that we follow the General Technomancy Paradigm on all Science and respect the other Conventions' superior knowledge in other Spheres, though our use of those spheres are often very different.

Spheres

Correspondence — Microscopy, Communications

This Sphere is not a fundamental part of the Progenitor Paradigm but the Genegineers often use Correspondence to investigate Organisms at the microscopic and molecular level. The electron microscope uses Forces and Correspondence. They also use the Technology and of other Conventions in day to day communications (cellular phones, computer networks, private jets, surveillance vans etc.).

Entropy — Senescence (Cell Biology)

The organism breaks down. By striving to understand the cellular mechanisms involved we can prevent or manipulate the senescence of the organism or individual cells within the Organism as we see fit.

Forces — Energy

Not an area that Progenitors spend much time studying, some collaborative work can happen with Iteration X e.g. neural interfaces, neural networks, etc. Iteration X can also help with the manufacture of equipment used in Biological Research.

Life — Biomedical Sciences (Genetics, Microbiology, Cell Biology, Physiology, Molecular Biology, Biochemistry)

These sciences form the backbone of the Convention's tools. Genetics can be used as a method of analyzing life patterns, to identify the Organism, as well as a method of altering the organism, (through one of newer Rotes we have allowed to become part of the Paradigm, Gene Therapy). The manipulation of the microorganism has proven useful in many ways, from the production of drugs to the ability to pass on drug resistance to commercial plants. By analyzing physiological processes we have identified many ways to improve the performance of the organism, from drugs, diet and lifestyle. Molecular Biology and Biochemistry are the tools we use to analyse these processes.

Matter — Chemistry

The study of Inorganic and non-living Organic Chemistry. These are useful as tools in a few aspects of Progenitor research, e.g. artificial organs and in the design of research equipment but the ultimate aim of the convention is to manipulate the Organism itself rather than rely on crude mechanical devices.

Mind — Neurology & Psychology

We strive to understand the molecular mechanisms involved in the brain and thus find biochemical methods of manipulating it. Pharmacology is an ideal method of doing this. Medicine and Health Matters have always been very powerful forces in society, by controlling medical advances we are in a strong position to shape future minds to our ideals. The NWO has extensive knowledge of brainwashing and other techniques and the Pharmacopeists often collaborate and use their tools.

Prime — Metabolism (Biochemistry)

The Organism requires biological energy to live. We have isolated the biochemical unit of energy (ATP and other compounds) in order to use it to manipulate the organism. Many of our tools require the use of this energy to work. Understanding the flow of energy also gives us greater insight into the Organism.

Time — Genetics (Eugenics, Molecular Archeobiology, DNA fingerprinting, Developmental Genetics)

Genes are biological programs that create the Organism, every organism has copies of this program in every cell. By the mechanism of Inheritance we can pass our influence onto future generations by permanent changes to the Genome. We can also reconstruct organisms of the past or past movements of living organisms by collecting and analysing their DNA, their genes. By altering the program itself we can alter the time course of the development of the organism from the single fertilised egg cell, to the complete organism.

Arete

Progress: The use of research and knowledge to gain a fuller understanding and greater control of the Organism.

Quintessence

Metabolic Energy: The Organism uses energy to live, energy passes up the food chain from Organism to organism. By understanding the energy flow within and between organisms we can get useful information about the Organism. Manipulating the energy gives us greater control.

Paradox

Insufficient Knowledge: Sometimes insufficient knowledge of the organism leads to mistakes. These mistakes must be explained and removed quickly to maintain the image that biology is an essential and desirable tool for society's good.

Awakening

Education: Before an initiate can further the knowledge of the Convention she must have a thorough understanding of accumulated knowledge of her predecessors.

Mage-Specific Backgrounds

Arcane — Low Profile

The ability to study fundamental aspects of the Organism without causing undue adverse publicity. This allows the Progenitor to present the discoveries to society when the Convention determines it to be the correct time.

Avatar — Insight

The ability to analyze the evidence and invent credible and useful models of aspects of the Organism. It is these models that define the Paradigm and further the cause of the Convention.

Destiny — Success

The ability to investigate and prove her models coupled with the ability to convince others of the validity of that model will allow the Progenitor to succeed.

The Methodologies

There are three Progenitor Methodologies that have slightly different methods and mindset. All use the Life sphere as described above but also use other spheres. They are also influenced and collaborate with other conventions in different ways.

The FACADE Engineers

The oldest Methodology, the FACADE Engineers were once the researchers but more recently have become responsible for the use of Progenitor Science on the Sleeper world. They are the Methodolgy most interested in Social Engineering and thus often have things in common with NWO.

Genegineers

This newest Methodology is responsible for most of the recent biotechnological and genetic breakthroughs. They are the most technical and esoteric of the Methodologies as they primarily conduct and control Scientific research. They often require cutting edge technical equipment to aid them and thus have links with Iteration X. They are most likely of the Methodologies to use Forces, Matter or Correspondence science in their equipment to investigate the organism more completely.

Pharmacopeists

This Methodology is the most industrially oriented of the three and thus has links with the Syndicate. They have both successfully used pharmaceuticals and medicine as a very useful product in the Market. They will be the Methodology who will be responsible for the marketing of the new genetic technologies that the Genegineers have developed and the FACADE Engineers have decided are ready to be released to the Sleepers. For example, gene therapy and the genetic screening in the short term, human genetic engineering in the longer term.