Editing The Gift:Characters (section)

===The Line of Mary Wood===

The Line of Mary Wood traces itself back to the 19th century mage of that name from California, who started the magical school by instructing her children in magic.  Today, the “family” is still under the control of Mary’s blood relations, although talented outsiders comprise most of the membership.  Although Christian theology plays a role in the line’s study of magic, they have not required members to be Christian since 1946.  The Line of Mary Wood’s rituals and symbolism are derived from a mix of Christianity and European folkmagic, especially English folkmagic.  Theoretically, the Line's Christian streak means that it has no place among the nature worshippers of the Circle, but the nature worshipping orders are too badly in need of allies to get too picky about religion.  Mages of the Line are known as healers, layers of curses and habitual plotters, always laying plans for reasons that range from the purely practical to the incomprehensibly esoteric.

Apprenticeship emphasizes healing and practical application of natural substances.  Spell training sets the mage up to remain eternally young, on purely pragmatic grounds.

Cost: 24 points.

Skills:  Chemistry, Cooking, First Aid, Herb Lore, Naturalist, Pharmacy, Physician, Poisons, Sleight of Hand, Symbol Drawing (European Folk), Theology (Christianity).

Spells:

Healing:  Body-Reading, Final Rest, Halt Aging, Lend Energy, Lend Vitality, Minor Healing, Major Healing, Stop Paralysis, Youth.

Necromantic:  Age, Steal Energy, Steal Vitality, Steal Youth.


House Stances

Magic:  Magic is good or evil, white magic or black magic.

Themselves: We are the beneficiaries of a valuable inheritance.

The Council:  They would rule us if they could.  Beware!

The Circle:  They are family and you protect your family.

The Cooperative:  I have no idea what they are doing but it is certainly interesting.  The Unchained know a great deal but have no sense.

Independents:  The Church of St. Christopher on the Mountain is one step away from becoming witch-hunters.  They are laying plans.  The Sladensville Church have great esoteric wisdom but little practical sense.