Tradition Book: Order of Hermes (Mage)

Rating:
Summary: Bani Hermes
Review: As one who has conversed with the author (Stephen DiPesa), I must admit, he knows his stuff. A definate must-read.

Rating:
Summary: Nice book on the most influential Tradition
Review: The most influential Tradition got reworked for Mage Revised. The book covered the Order's past history, glory, downfall, and rebirth. You'll find the standard information you'll expect to find in any Revised Tradition book. The history and philosophy were the book's strongest points along with a nice description of the past and current houses and the roles they play in the scheme of things. The Hermetic philosophy and stereotypes are still in the Tradition but the group overall was more humbled and eager to embrace the new age instead of brooding and using old-fashioned techniques.

The book was a quick read since it contained a lot of interesting information for anyone remotely interested in the Order's high ritual magic paradigm and extremely rich history. The narrator was fair in the portrayal of the various magical factions as well as the Technocracy. The Order of Hermes has a history with one of the most influential vampire groups in the World of Darkness, the Tremere and it was neat to learn a little bit more about the elusive vampire clan.

So how did this book stack up against the earlier edition Order of Hermes Tradition book? It didn't seem to cover as much ground even though it had a higher page count. However, more time was spent on the history and the philosophy of the Order. The older book told the story of a powerful Tradition with all its chantries, horizon realms, and archmagi. The new book was essentially about a shattered Tradition that just emerged from a huge reckoning battle with its realms destroyed and archmagi banished beyond the Gauntlet or destroyed. It was a story of how the young Hermetics finally have a chance to bring the once great Tradition up to date and thrive in the post reckoning and implement positive changes in and out of the old Order.

If you have the old book you will find that the new book is a nice addition to your collection since there is a lot of new material. If you don't have the old book than the new book will be a nice and thorough look at the most influential Tradition in Mage the Ascension. You really don't need any prior knowledge of the Order to pick up and enjoy this book. This book is strongly recommended for old and new Mage players interested in learning about and running games with the Order of Hermes.