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Allies (Mage: The Ascension 20th Anniversary)

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Definition

Allies represent mortals (or occasionally other supernatural beings) who actively support your mage. Unlike Contacts who merely provide information, Allies take action on your behalf, whether lending money, providing shelter, running interference with authorities, or even putting themselves in danger. For Awakened characters, Allies are the Sleeper connections that keep them grounded in the mundane world. In the Ascension War, Allies provide resources and support that magick alone cannot. A police detective Ally can make an investigation disappear. A journalist Ally can publish stories that undermine Technocracy front companies. A lawyer Ally can keep a mage out of prison when mundane law enforcement gets involved. These relationships require maintenance and reciprocity, but they provide Paradox-free solutions to many problems.

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How it works

**Key Uses**: - Call on friends for active help and favors - Access skills and resources you lack - Provide mundane cover and support **Special Rules**: Each dot represents one Ally or a small group. Allies have their own lives and limitations. Overuse of Allies strains the relationship, and the Storyteller may require maintenance scenes. Allies are mortal and vulnerable, making them both useful and a potential liability if enemies discover them.

Tips

**Build Advice**: Invest in Allies when you need reliable mundane support that magick cannot easily provide. Particularly valuable for mages operating in Sleeper society who cannot constantly use vulgar magick. **Tradition Synergies**: Celestial Chorus maintain congregations of faithful Allies. Cult of Ecstasy build networks of fellow travelers and artists. Verbena cultivate connections in rural and pagan communities. **Character Concepts**: Celestial Chorus pastor with devoted parishioners, Virtual Adept with hacker collective friends, Cult of Ecstasy club promoter with a loyal social scene, Verbena herbalist with rural community ties.

Frequently asked questions

What happens if my Allies discover I am a mage?

This depends on the Ally and the Storyteller. Some Allies may accept it, becoming more useful but also more entangled in the supernatural world. Others may react with fear or disbelief. Revealing your nature to Sleeper Allies always carries risk and narrative consequences.

Can Allies be other supernatural beings?

With Storyteller approval, yes. However, supernatural Allies are rare and usually come with complications. A werewolf Ally has their own pack obligations. A vampire Ally has their own political entanglements. Most Allies are ordinary mortals.

Further Reading

Contacts BackgroundInfluence BackgroundAll Mage M20 Backgrounds
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