Affinity Sphere: Forces - Mage20 also Forces. OoH could have Forces, Spirit, Matter or others.
From 1st Edition core book
The Order values secrecy. Their secrecy is probably what kept their finances safe from the
Technocracy.
They are the most organized Tradition in the Council of 9.
Numerology & celestial conjunctions determine schedules & rituals.
New members are officially recognized once per year.
Main Chantry is in Cordoba, Spain (probably Doissetep)
From 2nd Edition core book
Among the first to understand Paradigm & its relationship with Sleepers. That’s why they created the Middle Ages public Order of Hermes.
The Order has more of a grudge against the Technocracy than most Traditions.
1st Tradbook (2nd Edition)
Pg. 13 Umbrood Aelida, Lady of Feathers may have been Yoasmy, House Ex Miscellanea. Killed by Order of Reason 1325 AD March 25th.
Upon becoming a disciple, mage takes a Shadow Name. Also True Name is determined & only mage & their mentor know it.
Apprentice ranks:
Note: Neophytes & Zelators study Hedge Magic if not yet Awakened.
For Revised Edition, Sorcerer Revised pg. 28 states the Order of Hermes begins instructing all students in hedge wizard paths and then moves to Sphere magic for those who Awaken.
Ceoris was House Tremere’s ancestral Chantry.
Euthanatos Revised pg. 51 - House Janissary traces its roots to the Ksirafai of Sorcerers Crusade.
Latin names for 9 Spheres has revisions in OoH Tradbook Revised. Prime & Spirit, maybe Life are acceptable revisions. Ditch the rest.
OoH Tradbook Revised chapter 1 - in the mid 1600s the Hermetics acknowledged a paradigm change: the Dominion (Christian theology influence) gave way to the Consensus (scientific, materialist paradigm). No more grand, flashy magic in public view.
Both Tradition books say the Order uses antinomian praxis (dabbling in immoral acts or magic). Makes for a more “whole” mage - but be careful it doesn’t get out of hand!
A possible weakness of the Hermetic paradigm: seeing the unAwakened as lazy, inferior or irresponsible.
Keeping the Order out of harmful intrigue is a priority. I think the assigning of projects to members is the key. As long as the completion or progress on an assigned task is evaluated by someone other than the assigner, this could work. If the assigner is the evaluator, corrupt Chantry leaders can abuse this terribly. Also, these projects assure the Order remains strong and members are contributing something worthwhile, not just increasing their personal power.
The Order is strong because it has a work ethic. All members are expected to produce something useful to the Order.