Editing The Gift:Characters (section)

===The Bridewell Reading Group===

The Bridewell Reading Group began as a small conspiracy of scientists from across the United States in the 1960s who became convinced of the reality of magic and wanted to subject it to study.  They encountered the Council early but refused to join on the grounds that Hermeticism is a religion and science should proceed without religious interference.  Nevertheless, they have maintained close contact with the Hermetic house Atom Turning, much to the Council’s chagrin.  The group maintains a vague commitment to benefitting humanity but each mage is left to themselves to determine what that means.  In most cases, mages simply pursue their studies, sure that they are helping just by increasing the store of knowledge.  Other mages take a more proactive role, laying schemes in accordance to their own personal view of what people need.  Some Bridewell mages think that it is high time that mundanes learned the truth about magic and Osiris Risen has had to go to considerable lengths to stop them.

Apprentices are provided with a broad scientific training.  An emphasis on what the groups calls “fundamentals” leads to a particular focus on matter and energy.  An apprentice’s spells reflect the need to understand the building blocks of the universe before larger questions can be settled.

Cost:  22 points

Skills:  Alchemy, Astronomy, Chemistry, Computer Operation, Geology, Mathematics, Metallurgy, Meteorology, Physics, Symbol Drawing (Scientific), Thaumatology.

Spells:

Air:  Create Air, Purify Air, Shape Air.

Earth:  Seek Earth, Shape Earth.

Fire:  Ignite Fire, Shape Fire.

Water:  Create Water, Seek Water, Shape Water, Purify Water.


House Stances

Magic:  Magic requires serious scientific study.

Themselves: We are scientists.

The Council:  They understand that magic requires serious scientific study.  House Atom Turning even understands something about science. Unfortunately, the rest of them are so lost in their archaic theories and Hermetic trappings that they can never see clearly.  Burning Stone is very clever indeed but the other houses are their dupes.

The Circle:  Dreamers.  It is time they woke up.  Is reality so hard to face?

The Cooperative:  Quite frankly, we are the only hope humanity has.

Independents:  Exeter are always a pleasure to do business with.  They are serious and reliable.  The Silver Mirror School talks more crap than sense, but they do occasionally get some very interesting ideas.