Breifly, A Social Status characteristic is determined from the net total of your social attributes, in pyramid points. e.g. +1=1,+2=3,+3=6,+4=10,+5=15...
A social attribute is one particular thing about you which either enhances or damages your standing. These things only count if they are reasonably widely known or fairly self-evident. Many are not applicable for starting characters (but may be gained during play), and some require other V/F to justify. Some replace existing V/F. Starting characters pay for their starting Social Status with an equivalent number of V/F points.)
Social Status -------------
- +5 You are effectively regarded as a demigod - it's as if one of the Founders themselves had returned.
- +4 You are universally recognised as one of the foremost magi of the Order, and you probably have the age to go with it. A leader, a mover and a shaker, you might be a primus or praeco, very likely an Archmage.
- +3 You are well-known and very well-respected. You have power and self confidence and are a significant member of the Order.
- +2 You are well-respected and known by numerous people - a worthy magus.
- +1 You are an upstanding member of the Order, and are likely to be treated with some measure of respect.
- +0 You are an unremarkable member of the Order. Not many people may know you, or if they do, perhaps you have a chequered history.
- -1 You are viewed in some circles as mildly inferior or a little shady.
- -2 You have little respect amongst your peers, and your acts have earnt you disfavour. You are generally frowned upon.
- -3 You have lost nearly all your respect as a magus. You may be widely despised and viewed with contempt. Few would be sorry to see you go.
- -4 You are either universally shunned, outcast, or notorious for your misdeeds. Few, if any, magi will have any dealings with you. If not already Marched, the Quaesitores won't need much persuading.
- -5 Your name is so vile and black that it is simply impossible for you to function in the Order - magi you meet will either flee or attack. Stay hidden or expect to be slain.
Positive social attributes--------------------------
Master of (Hermetic Ability / Art) +variable
You are acknowledged as an expert in your field. At +1, you have publicly demonstrated your mastery, and it is well known. At +3, you are unsurpassed as the foremost exponent in the Order.
Sigil Holder +variable
(Tremere only) 1 pyramid point per each additional sigil owned.
Primus +4
"Disrespect me, and you disrespect my entire House!"
Archmage +3
Not everyone likes an archmage, but everyone respects one. You've shown you've got the raw power, willpower and tenacity to join this elite club, and are not to be messed with.
Praeco +2
Authority and respect come with your great age.
Covenant Ruler +2
You rule your covenant as a dictator (whether benevolently or malevolently matters not). Its entire resources (perhaps including its Tribunal votes) are at your sole disposal. (Also applies if you are the absolute ruler of some other group of magi, e.g. a secret society.)
Enforcer +2
Likely the most senior hoplite in your Tribunal, when the Quaesitors or the Tribunal itself calls for a March to be implemented, they call
YOU. You're the one with the track record of numerous renegade wizard slayings under your belt, and you've got the raw power.
Fabulously Wealthy +2
You're rolling in it. Hordes of vis, innumerable retainers, priceless ingredients, the finest clothes and furnishings, you've got the lot. Some may be jealous, but everyone wants to be your friend.
Famous Author +2
You have written books that have been very widely copied, and are renowned as among the most outstanding in their subject area.
Achievement +1
You've done something fairly famous, which made people stand back and take notice, and is remembered. (For example, banishing a major demon,
slaying an infamous renegade, discovering a lost secret, etc.)
Author +1
You have written a number of good-quality tomes which have been copied and disseminated.
Challenger +1
You haven't yet succeeded, but are actively trying to become an Archmage. Some, at least, view you as worthy for the honour.
Covenant Leader +1
You are the nominated disceptator/princeps of your covenant. Whilst your vote there may only be one of many, you are nevertheless regarded as your
covenant's figurehead, or most pre-eminent magus. (Also applies if you are the leader of some other group of magi, e.g. a secret society.)
Cultured +1
You seem to have the right Hermetic breeding. Speaking fully-correct archaic latin, a temperate manner, and with your formal and correct dress,
you look and act every inch the upstanding magus. (Must have Speak Latin of 6 or more.) (A common one for Jerbiton.)
Descendants +1
You've trained at least one apprentice, who is now a competant magus in their own right. Your lineage is assured, and you've done your bit
for the continuance of the Order.
Eponymous Spell +1
A spell which you are known to have invented, perhaps which even bears your name, has achieved widespread usage.
Famous Parens +1
Your parens is a well known and powerful magus (Social Status of 3+), and you are treated accordingly.
Friends in High Places +1
"Oh yes, I know the Primus of Flambeau quite well. He owes me a favour, in fact."
Great Covenant +1
"Hi, I'm from Doissetep/Durenmar/Magvillus."
Hoplite +1
House Bonisagus +1
Machiavellian +1
You've demonstrated significant interest and ability in Hermetic politics, and always seem to be in your element at Tribunal. People come to you for
gossip (you're always the first to know) and are wary of betraying you.
Orator +1
You've demonstrated notable skill when speaking up for your chosen cause at Tribunal, expounding eloquently and at length. You aren't afraid
to stand up and be counted, and some may even ask you to speak on their behalf.
Pedigree +1
Your Hermetic lineage is impeccable. You can probably trace your predecessors directly to one of the Founders, and are descended from a
line of powerful and famous magi. Surely you are destined for the same. (You like to advertise this fact, or it is well-known.)
Quaesitor +1
Slayer +1
You have slain another magus in a righteous (or if not righteous, at least legal) Wizard's War. People know not to mess with you...
Theorist +1
You are the leading proponent of a Hermetic theory, which, while it may not yet be widely accepted, is acknowledged as credible and noteworthy
(and largely your own work).
Wealthy +1
You've always got plenty of vis to spare, have a cushy lab, dress finely. Obviously a magus of means.
Negative social attributes
--------------------------Miscreant -variable
You have been found guilty of a Hermetic crime. At -1, this might be a fairly minor transgression / fine of a small quantity of vis. At -3, this
is a very serious offence (e.g. murder) / fine of loss of apprentice / familiar.
Addled -1
You have some nonmagical vice which clouds your judgement and thinking, e.g. drink, drugs, women. How can you contemplate magic like that?
Bumbling Parens -1
Your master was very badly regarded, for whatever reason. (Master had/has Social Status of -3 or worse.) Little better is expected of you.
Certamen Abuser -1
You are known to make excessive and inappropriate usage of certamen, to the annoyance of your peers. "Ugh, I hate the colour of your shoes -
certamen!" (A common one for Tremere.)
Certamen Refuser -1
You have repeatedly refused plausibly-grounded certamen challenges against you, without seeming good reason. It's not the done thing. You
must either be a coward or are just irritatingly obstinate.
Crude -1
More refined magi look down on you. Perhaps you speak latin poorly or with a thick accent (must take this if your Speak Latin is less than 3),
dress uncaringly, or have unesoteric pursuits. (Suitable for non-Roman Houses, esp. Bjornaer.)
Gauntlet Pending -1
There's just the little detail that, um, you haven't quite passed your Gauntlet yet, although in other ways you are ready to become a full
magus. Perhaps you won't screw it up on your 2nd try...
House Ex-Miscellanea -1
House Mercere -1
In Search of Covenant -1
"Hi there, you wouldn't happen to have a free lab going in your nice covenant, would you?"
Incompetant in (Hermetic Ability) -1
You have publicly proven your ineptitude in some important area (e.g. certamen, magic theory, etc.), much to the amusement or derision of
your peers.
Loner -1
No one generally bothers to look you up, because they know you aren't the kind who likes to speak to other magi. Perhaps you rarely show up
at Tribunal.
No Sigil -1
(Tremere only)
Orbus -1
"So, um, what did you do that was so bad, that they had to throw you out?"
Pawn -1
You have no vote or say in the running of your covenant's affairs, and only perform less important or menial tasks on its behalf. Alternatively, it's known that you're still running errands for your master.
Poor -1
You always seem to be scraping together your last few pawns of vis. Perhaps you aren't seen with many retainers, and those you are with seem very poorly outfitted. You have a mediocre lab at best, and can't afford decent parchment/inks. You'll never make it with such meagre assets!
Suspect -1
You may not have been officially found guilty of any Hermetic crime, but the accusations have nevertheless come up often enough so that most people suspect you've got at least some form.
Tainted Lineage -1
Someone among your predecessors did something real, real bad. You don't like to talk about it. (Although others whisper about it behind your back.)
Troublemaker -1
You're always stirring it up, whether creating grief at Tribunal, or with your unwelcome involvement with the fae / church / nobility. If you were more subtle about things, your might attract less unwanted attention.
Warmonger -1
You have a history of declaring Wizard's Wars, perhaps not for the strongest of reasons. You are seen as either bloodthirsty or a bully.
Worthless Covenant -1
"Hi, I'm from <insert name of PC covenant here>."
Diabolic Parens -2
Boy, are the Quaesitors keeping a beady eye on you, what with the infamous acts and subsequent Marching of your parens...
Hedge Wizard -2
To put it charitably, you're, erm, a new recruit. Others may regard your lack of familiarity with matters Hermetic with open disdain - either a sucker fit for fleecing or a villian fit for Marching.
Hermit -2
"So you live alone, in a hut, on the hillside. Out of choice? Er, OK..."
Impoverished -2
You don't seem to have any vis, or indeed any even semi-valuable possessions at all... "Please, I'll do anything for a pawn of Herbam!" Maybe you even turn up at Tribunal in rags - a bit of a laughing stock, really.
Subservient -2
You effectively have the status of a servant in your covenant. You are at the beck and call of the ruling council/leaders, to perform menial tasks at their whim. You obviously have very little self-respect, to suffer such abuse. Alternatively, another magus (perhaps your master) is known to completely dominate and command you.
Outcast -3
You were thrown out of your previous covenant for your misdeeds, and now you are widely shunned, no covenant seems to want to take you. As per Hermit, except it's not through choice.
Marched -4
Oh dear. Run! And try to avoid other magi... (Does not apply if you have successfully avoided justice and changed your identity or whatnot, i.e. starting characters should instead take Dark Secret.)