The votes are – you folks want the complex stuff first. You got it.
Well, first, some context. A Refinement is a practical philosophy, a pattern of behavior and ethos that informs a Promethean’s approach to the Pilgrimage. But one Refinement isn’t going to lead you to the New Dawn – that would be a gross oversimplification of humanity. The Pilgrimage consists of many roads, and every Promethean has to discover her own journey as she undertakes it.
As she starts out, she follows one of the five basic Refinements, which we’ll talk about next week (how ’bout that, I’ll just make the decision now). But as she progresses, meets other Prometheans, encounters Athanors or journals left behind by other Created, she learns about the more nuanced, esoteric, and complex Refinements.
- Aes, the Refinement of Bronze: Sentries place their throng’s safety above their own. Practitioners that don’t have a throng of Prometheans might latch on to a group of humans (dangerous work, but potentially rewarding). They act as bodyguards, but sometimes as spiritual guardians and advisers as well. Example: Marta always plays the voice of reason, the experienced viewpoint, the stable, solid, dependable one. It can be maddening, trying to live up to the expectations of others, to deal with the emotional fallout that Disquiet breeds, and more than once she’s wanted to simply smash it all and walk away. Yet she keeps coming back, trying to understand the difference between caring for someone and caring about them. Perhaps it has something to do with watching ones’ younger brothers and terribly awkward sister thrive and grow on their own? Or is that motherhood instead?
- Argentum, the Refinement of Silver: Mystics see the larger supernatural world, and strive to understand humanity in that context. The mingle with vampires, werewolves, and any other non-human creatures to learn about what makes them not human, and where that separation lies. After all, if they can see the absence of humanity, maybe they can extrapolate what humanity is? Example: Cato found out about werewolves the hard way — and, likewise, they found out how awful Promethean flesh tastes. Still, it wasn’t enough to do him in completely, and when he woke up again he was absolutely fascinated by the idea of humans that could transmogrify themselves. Since then he’s made a thorough study, documenting case after case as he tries to narrow down an alchemical theory for how they do what they do. Most importantly, of course, he wants to figure out how to kill them — he doesn’t intend to be eaten alive a second time.
- Cobalus, the Refinement of Cobalt: Cathars revel in sin, weakness, vice, and impurity. If they’re going to turn lead into gold, the process needs to free of impurity. So they strive to understand what goes wrong, whether that’s the defects that some humans seem born with, and the defects they choose for themselves. But more than that, they strive to understand the nature of “wrong” and “transgression.” What makes an action immoral or transgressive? Why is denying impulse consider virtuous in most instances, and why isn’t it consistent? Humans seem to understand these things instinctively. Example: She considered the crack den to be her laboratory. The neighborhood was so bad here, the residents so squirrely, that Disquiet was barely noticeable. She lived among them: breathing the same rank air, taking the same drugs, and experiencing the same slow death. No Mimic would go this far, fall this low. But she understood their pain and each day cleansed her and strengthened her, like the heat of their need was a fire in which she was tempered. She watched as her companion started another pipe. She smiled and the flame of his lighter danced in her eyes.
- Mercurius, the Refinement of Quicksilver: Savants are students of the Divine Fire, practitioners of alchemy for alchemy’s sake. They study the effects of Pyros on themselves and on the world around them, the Wastelands and Firestorms, but also the transformative effects of poisons and drugs on humans. Chemicals are alchemy, after all, and neurochemistry is just as dependent on electrical impulse as anything a Promethean can do. Example: It had been two years since she escaped from her creator but she still had nightmares of being strapped to that table, subjected to torturous experiments to test the limits and properties of her Pyros. In the end, she reflected, the experiments were his undoing. His attempt to cause her to manifest a new Transmutation worked, but her newfound ability allowed her to shatter her bonds. She can still feel how his flesh crystallized under her touch and finally shattered. Despite all of it, she saw the value in his work, and continued on his Refinement. The nightmares guide her towards avoiding his excesses.
- Phosphorum, the Refinement of Phosphorus: The candle that burns twice as bright, burns half as long. The Light-Bringers reject the cautionary aspect to that philosophy and burning dazzingly, brilliantly. They take risks that no human would consider, they abuse their bodies and minds, and they risk their own existences to follow other Prometheans to the River of Death. Why? Many Light-Bringers have tasted defeat. They tried to create a new Promethean, but raised Pandorans instead. They attempted the New Dawn, but something went wrong and sent them stumbling backwards on the path. And now that they know how tenuous it all really is, instead of becoming fearful and cautious, they stand, bloody but unbowed, burning bright. Alex loves it when they see others trying in vain to gender them. They personally gave up trying to decide between the two long ago, perfectly happy with that nebulous nonbinary space. They’ve been at this for a while, long enough to have been through half a dozen Refinements trying to find one that fits, but like their gender it always seemed to be one big question mark… until they discovered the path of the Light-Bringer.
There’s the complex Refinements. Feel free to ask questions in the comments; I may not do a Sunday update, since Tuesday I’m going to cover the basic Refinements.
Interesting. I don’t see much of a focus shift in these Refinements. Are they going to get their own pair of Transmutation trees, or will they be overlapping like before?
Interesting that one of the original five from 1e is now a complex Refinement and one of the supplement ones isn’t listed here with the others. Is it too much of a stretch to guess that the old Plumbum is basic now? (Which thematically works for a couple of reasons)
So am I right in reading this that Argentum is now more about “studying” (be that through occult means, academic study or direct interactive experience) the supernatural rather then mimicking it like it used to be?
Will the Silver Refinement Transmutations reflect this shift? As opposed to being kinda generic “copy” powers that they used to be?
With Posphorum I take it that these Prometheans are the “dare-devil” types. Obviously a refinement that values experiential methods. However, I’m having trouble visualizing character examples that don’t seem to resolve around dangerous lifestyles or rebellious characters. A few examples could help here I believe.
Mercurius remains full of awesome. Alchemy for Alchemy’s sake all the way! I like that its still one of the more obviously morally dubious Refinements (about 2 steps away from Centimintani).
Like the tonal changes (or at least emphases) on Aes and Cobalus as well.
Aes always previously left me very cold it its ideas. The idea of being “team mom” has a little more to it emotionally I feel then the previous idea of a “greater good” the Refinement had going in 1E.
Cobalus likewise, though the idea of now examining a societies norms via its taboos is very appealing and an interesting launch pad for characters. Exploring all the nasty stuff humans do but not really reveling in any of it makes for very interesting, nuanced and morally ambiguous characters in my experience with the WoD.
I would say Argentum Prometheans best study the supernatural by experiencing and mimicking it
Maybe its just that I have a low opinion of mimicry in regard to actual understanding.
Sure mimicry does require intelligence and observational ability. However, mimicry is not understanding. Or at least is only a very base understanding.
For example, a Parrot can mimic human speech. Which is to say it can duplicate the sound of human speech. Its likely understanding that producing “Sound A” usually results in a response “Sound B” from its subject (lets say its human owner).
This is really just exercising its natural call-response instinct. The Parrot has no idea of the meaning of the sounds it producing. It cannot tell the difference between a pleasantry and a curse. There is no understanding of content or purpose in its mimicry.
Obviously Promethean’s are more intelligent then Parrots. However, a Promethean following Argentum might start out by mimicking other supernaturals. However, I imagine “properly” engaging with the refinement requires a more composite understanding that one can only get through fundamental and multifaceted study.
I see a follower of Argentum studying things like:
1) Examine individuals (both through observation and interaction if possible) (certainly psychologically, possibly physically) within the supernatural type (particularly making note of the individual differences that might be the result of their pre-supernatural lives (e.g. level of education) vs innate conditions inflicted on them by their sub-type of supernatural (Deava vs Nosferatu).
2) Examine a given supernatural types “culture” (if one exists and if it does the important differences between it and “normal” human cultural groups).
3) How the supernatural type interacts with and views humanity in both a general and practical sense?
4) How does human myths, legends and stories view the type of supernatural being? Examine how accurate these sources are about a given supernatural type. Perhaps view the modern human viewpoint on these now “fictional” creatures and how that has changed over time (particularly in regard to the belief in them dying out among mortal populations).
5) Contrast the “history” of these supernatural cultures in comparison with the above case study. How does the supernatural type in question record its past? How is the focus different from how humans record history?
6) Try and see how a given supernatural type views other supernatural types (if they are even aware of them). How does a Mage see the world and by extension how does a Mage see a Demon? Interesting for comparison and contrast to the Argentum followers own viewpoint.
7) See if any of the given supernatural type are attempting anything similar to the New Dawn. Not always applicable but their are more then a few examples in the other supernatural types –
– Ordo Dracul and their quest to become “more then vampire” kinda fits (plus Golconda, if your ST is still using it after SE dumbed it).
– Mages don’t all want to Ascend to Archmastery and only a tiny fraction of Mummy’s pursue Apotheosis, but both do occur.
– Almost every Demon wants to complete their Descent and escape the God-Machine.
I’m sure there is more stuff, that’s just off the top of my head.
I may have over-thought this previously at some point. As Argentum is my very favorite Refinement (though Mecurius (mad scientists are cool), Stranum (reflects a bit of my own philosophy on physical betterment) and Centimentani (because its still got the best antagonist write up of any antagonist group in 1E NWoD).
Though I’m more likely to run Promethean then ever play it. My first character would be a Ulgan following Argentum (though not necessarily focusing on Spirits, Ghosts or Werewolves).
I’m a bit disappointed that the nicknames have lost their mythic bent (or were those just the core?). I enjoyed how it tightened the Created’s ties to the Divine.
Can you tell us anything more meaty about these Refinements? Perhaps hints at their Roles, or notable changes in philosophy? Ooh, maybe give us sample Transmutations like DaveB does for Mage’s Paths?
The only nickname that changed was Mercurius; they were called Ophidians, which I always thought sounded kind of high-falutin’.
I want to talk about Transmutations and Roles on their own, but that’s coming, don’t worry.
Yeah, “high-falutin'” names ain’t got no reason to share a setting with things called The Noble Resistance of the Suffocating Rise of Torment and the Wasting of the Peaceful Refuge, which, as we all know, are just this side of a blue-collar on a blue streak.
🙂
Still, I think “Fury” is going to sell more players on Stannum than “Originist” will on Plumbum . Can’t we sell you on more awesome names for everything? Hellhounds, harpies, hydras, gorgons, dragons, minotaurs, etc. Don’t let Beast take all the good stuff!
Nice, i like that Quicksilver is in complex, and just wondering what type of Tranmutations one can have affinity to with the mindset of a Light-Bringer.
Interesting! Quicksilver becoming complex (and Plumbum basic) certainly makes thematic sense, but what does it mean for their Transmutation line up? Will Mercurius and Phosphorum both practice Vulcanus? Will Plumbum and Stannum both practice Disquietism?
Yes and yes.
Each Refinement has a Transmutation that is unique to it, and one it shares with one other Refinement. In the case of Mercurius, for example, you get Alchemicus and Vulcanus, while Phosphorum gets Vulcanus and Luciferus.
Interesting that 2 Complex Refinements favor Vulcanus (and no Basic Refinements do), and 2 Basic Refinements practice Disquietism (and no Complex Refinements do). But I suppose the correct associations with the nature of the Refinements is more important than symmetry on this one.
Do the Refinements still non-metal terms for what they are Refinements of (i.e. Mortality, Self, Torment, Mystery, Aid, Impurity, Pyros, etc)? If so, any chance of finding out Phosphorum’s?
Extremes, maybe? Mortals are fragile – their lives are lived on the edge of destruction – and the Phosphorum seem to try for that same edge. That doesn’t particularly tie in with the comment about gender, except inasmuch as both could be construed as going past limits.
But one Refinement isn’t going to lead you to the New Dawn – that would be a gross oversimplification of humanity. The Pilgrimage consists of many roads, and every Promethean has to discover her own journey as she undertakes it.
Huh. Does this mean that changing Refinement is now a must at some point along the way? And if so, is it just that that “refinement shift” means? And also if so, does this constitute a universal milestone?
Aww. I was hoping for more. Oh well.
I’m wondering about Luciferus and now I have a sinking feeling my idea for the extinct Belenus Lineage (Fire/Choleric themed guys for historic pre-Frankenstein games) is about to get blown up out from under me…
And in related news:
http://www.atlasobscura.com/places/castle-frankenstein
I wanted to put this comment with the Alchemists post, but comments are closed there.
I’m curious what role Argentum has in non-crossover games.
And it’s good to see Plumbum and Cobalus get some much-needed love.
Well spirits and ghosts are assumed parts of the cosmology even without a crossover (hence the Ephemeral Flesh, the Ulgan Wasteland, how they regain Pyros through sleep, etc), so there’s plenty to seek out without dealing with other player-splats.
Don’t forget GMC Angels! Unless they aren’t included…Not sure about mortal psychics. Or alchemists, pandorans or Qushmalim count.
For my part, I’m glad that Argentum seems to have ditched that notion of ‘madness’ being a focus of the Refinement’s studies. Don’t get me wrong that madness IS a part of the human experience, but as presented in Magnum Opus, the idea of mental illness held a barmy sense of elitism. The ‘madness’ that the mystics sought reminded me of the bunny-slippers-and-fairies version version of insanity that the First Edition Vampire: the Masquerade Clan Malkavians possessed… It’s a change that I’d be glad to see if it is, indeed, the case.
That notion of “madness” is now mostly covered in Cobalus, in large part to decouple “mental illness” from “magical insight.”
I have to say, I’m not very happy about the idea of Argentum as a core Refinement. I mostly hold to the belief that each of the WoD lines must first and foremost stand by itself – it’s okay to have supplemental material about how to handle interactions between different splats, but when I play Promethean, I want to be able to have an entire Chronicle in which not even the barest, slightest hint of there existing any element to the cosmology other than the Promethean-centric ones would come up.
You can, though it makes Argentum pretty narrow. Just restrict it to spirits and ghosts.
But really, the World of Darkness is supposed to have all kinds of supernatural weirdness in it. Even if you don’t want to bring in monsters from the other game lines, you could still have monsters of some stripe. But if you really want Prometheans to be the only supernatural creatures in the world, cool. Assume there’s only 9 Refinements, skip Silver, and call it a day. 🙂
Or, if you do drop the Refinement of Mystery, I’d suggest for alchemical symmetry (as leaving out Silver would be odd) renaming the Refinement of Mortality “Argentum”, and just having Gold represent the final achievement of the New Dawn itself.
Mm, I think Gold should stay as it is (and studying humans should definitely be on the “basic” list). Argentum could be the study of the *world.* Natural forces, sciences rather than alchemy, the physical/biological lives of animals (including humans – rather than life “styles”).