The worderful world of mages - a Mephisto review

Since every system of the Chronicle of Darkness gets its own anthology, Mage - The Awakening does not go empty-handed thanks to Fallen World either. Twelve stories take the reader on a multifaceted journey through the world of mages. At one point, it's about a young magician who experiences a personal crisis and finds magical enlightenment. Then again, the focus is on the conflict between two mages who interfere with a custody dispute for their own interests.

While most stories focus more on their protagonists and less on the major organizations and powers within the game world, one story with an interesting Seers of the Throne perspective provides a very original look at one of the larger conflicts in the game world.

Not much can be said about the stories without running the risk of giving away their surprises. While the themes and presentation vary (which is what makes a good anthology, in my view), the stories have in common that they are entertainingly written and worth reading. You do not necessarily need to know the world of Mage, but it certainly helps when reading - which also means that there is no "secret knowledge" of the game world to be found here.

(Björn Lippold)

Overall, this is a good book, and I generally recommend it. It is an anthology of fiction, and like many anthologies, the quality of the individual stories varies. Obedience is one of the best stories in it, and is worth the price of the book by itself. That story is a reprint from The Seers of the Throne, though. The Storyteller is another excellent piece of fiction that puts a truly dark spin on Mage and is a genuine horror story. The Wheel is also a fantastic story that is well worth reading, though it feels more like a piece of Lovecraftian fiction than something set in the Mage universe. Open Carry and Custody Battle bother do a good job of protraying the Mage world while being quite entertaining.

The remainder of the stories are something of a mixed bag. Many of the others are enjoyable, but some of them are enormously confusing and hard to follow, especially when they attempt to deal with Archmages which is something

I very much enjoyed all the stories in this collection, they explore all the different ways that Mage stories can be set and all were spectacular in adding a sense of unique atmosphere in the context of the setting. Truthfully, the stories involving the Nemean and the intricacies of Mage politics got quite confusing and maybe a little unfocused, but that's more down to personal taste rather than poor writing.

I feel the story and setting shines when it focuses on a few main characters and a particular aspect of the world (i.e. the meaning of your life once you've awakened, lovecraftian horrors that you can't solve with spells, why be moral if it only ever hinders you, etc.). But then again, it always has those details that hint at how the wider world exists and fits together.

Good price for the collection, if you read the sourcebook but still weren't sure how a Mage story could go, this is a solid place to start.

I am not too familiar with Mage Awakening. I read the core book (1st edition) and bought this anthology to get a better feeling for the setting. While some stories were a bit confusing, all in all this book gives decent impressions of Mage Awakening.

Some comments on specific stories: The Hanged Woman is about a character trying to cope with a murder. It was a bit weird, not the type of stories I usually read. Open Carry and The Intruder were good for starting, they give an idea, what mages are capable of and how they do it. Crimson Lips - this one a liked very much, for an interesting antagonist. Obedience is written from the perspective of the Seers, which are typically antagonists. It is always good to have such a story, where perspectives are changed. The Storyteller - I simply agree with the other reviews, great story! The Unmurdered Man was rather complicated, many changes of view and I guess, it would help to know more about the setting for this story. The Wheel is written in a style reminding me of Lovecraft's short stories. Imaginary Skin has actually a quite interesting plot, maybe it is a bit too short, some more explanations might help. Custody Battle is about a conflict between two mages, influencing a trial. This is the type of stories I expected (and hoped) to read, it gives ideas for plots and how mages could pursue their aims. The Tahmanawis Stick is another cool story about creepy things in the wilderness. The Human Heart finally is a two-page story about a interacting with the Abyss.

The stories cover a broad range of topics and settings. Most stories are well written, although some could be better.

I really enjoyed this selection of short stories. It is well priced and the stories themselves are well written and interesting. A special call-out to Rick Chilliot and his story called "The Storyteller." This story was fantastic and creepy and captured a real sense of horror.

All the stories are well written and give some valuable insight into how different mages approach magic. The game emphasizes the use of symbolism, and the stories manage to emulate that aspect well. Some of these stories maybe incomprehensible if you are not familiar with the jargon and setting of the game. While one of them ("The Wheel") has no clear connection to Mage at all. But the shining diamond in this anthology is "The Storyteller" by rick Chilliot. I read this story in "Intruders: Encounters With the Abyss" and it hit me right in the gut. The years did not dull that edge. This story is creepy and disturbing in just the right ways. It presents a terrifying antagonist that cannot be beaten by conventional means. And demonstrates how knowledge and symbols are a Mage's greatest weapons.

Once again, the writers of Mage: The Awakening have managed to capture the spirit of the game in awe-inspiring, mystical, and terrifying stories that leave both new fans of the game and old hats like me eager to see what direction it goes from here. The Fallen World Chronicle Anthology features some of my favorite stories from the previous game lines, as well as new stories related to some of the most memorable characters in those stories, weaving an interconnected tale of danger, mystery, and the power of those who can bend the world to their will. This supplement is very reasonably priced, and an excellent read. I highly recommend picking it up.