Chantry Creator
Create complete, interconnected M20 chantry packages.
What This Skill Creates
A complete chantry package includes:
- Main Document — Statistics, links, overview
- History — Narrative history with timeline
- Members — Mage profiles organized by role
- Retainers — Sorcerers and Consors
- Nodes — Via node-creator
- Libraries — Via library-creator
- Sanctums — Via sanctum-creator
- Horizon Realms — Via horizon-realm-creator
- Grimoires — Via grimoire-creator
- Rotes — Via rote-creator
- Items — Via wonder-creator (Charms, Talismans, Artifacts, Periapts)
- Locations — Important areas within the chantry
All files are comprehensively cross-linked.
Phase 1: Initial Concept
Ask the user before creating:
Essential:
- Faction: Which Tradition, Convention, or Craft?
- Point Budget: How many background points?
- Primary Purpose: Library, Research, War, College, Fortress, Healing, Diplomatic?
- Location: Region, setting type (urban/rural/hidden)
Optional: 5. Season: Spring (growing), Summer (peak), Autumn (stable), Winter (declining) 6. Special Features: Specific Nodes, Libraries, Horizon Realm? 7. Membership Size: Affects detail depth 8. Chronicle Integration: Standalone or specific chronicle?
Phase 2: Research Faction Flavor
Query mage-rules-reference for faction data:
# Get chantry name (Covenant, Chapel, Grove, etc.)
python lookup.py references/faction-chantry-names.json "[Faction]"
# Get title system
python lookup.py references/faction-titles.json "[Faction]"
# Get available practices
python lookup.py references/faction-practices.json "[Faction]"
# Get common languages
python lookup.py references/faction-languages.json "[Faction]"
See references/faction-reference.md for:
- Naming conventions by faction
- How to apply title systems (by_arete vs by_role)
Rank and Point Budget
| Points | Rank | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1-10 | 1 | Small, recently established |
| 11-20 | 2 | Established, modest resources |
| 21-30 | 3 | Significant, well-resourced |
| 31-70 | 4 | Major, extensive capabilities |
| 71+ | 5 | Legendary, vast power |
Background Costs
| Cost | Backgrounds |
|---|---|
| 2/dot | Allies, Arcane, Backup, Cult, Elders, Library, Retainers, Spies |
| 3/dot | Node, Resources |
| 4/dot | Enhancement, Requisitions |
| 5/dot | Sanctum |
| 10/dot | Horizon Realm |
Multiple Instances: A chantry may have multiple separate instances of the same Background (e.g., multiple Nodes at different ranks).
See references/backgrounds.md for full descriptions.
Leadership Types
| Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Panel | Committee of equals |
| Teachers | Senior mages guide juniors |
| Triumvirate | Three leaders share power |
| Democracy | Members vote on decisions |
| Anarchy | No formal leadership |
| Single Deacon | One leader rules |
| Council of Elders | Oldest members decide |
| Meritocracy | Most capable lead |
File Structure
/[chantry_name]/
├── [chantry_name].md # Main document
├── history.md # History with timeline
├── members/
│ ├── leadership.md # Council/leadership
│ ├── [role_group].md # By function
│ ├── apprentices.md
│ └── retainers.md # Sorcerers and Consors
├── nodes/
│ └── [node_name].md # Via node-creator
├── libraries/
│ └── [library_name].md # Via library-creator
├── sanctums/
│ └── [sanctum_name].md # Via sanctum-creator
├── horizon_realm/
│ └── [realm_name].md # Via horizon-realm-creator
├── grimoires/
│ └── [grimoire_name].md # Via grimoire-creator
├── rotes/
│ └── [rote_name].md # Via rote-creator
├── items/
│ ├── common/ # Chantry property
│ └── personal/ # Individual items
└── locations/
└── [location_name].md # Important areas
Use snake_case for all file/folder names.
Creation Workflow
Phase 3: Create Main Document
See references/output-templates.md for format.
Required sections:
- Concept (2-3 paragraphs)
- Statistics tables (all entries link to files)
- Physical Location
- Magical Features (wards, integrated effects)
- Common Property (links to items)
- Political Position
- Story Hooks (3-5)
Phase 4: Create History Document
Structure:
- Founding (2-3 paragraphs)
- Early Years (2-3 paragraphs)
- Growth and Development (2-3 paragraphs)
- Modern Era (2-3 paragraphs)
- Timeline table (Year | Event)
- Notable Historical Figures
- Legacy and Influence
Timeline must reference:
- Resource acquisition (Nodes, Libraries, Realms)
- Leadership changes
- Major conflicts
- Current members where relevant
Phase 5: Create Member Profiles
See references/member-guidelines.md for:
- Recommended counts by Rank
- Profile format
- Role organization
- Retainer guidelines (Sorcerers and Consors)
Member profile includes:
- Name with faction-appropriate title
- House/Sub-faction
- Arete rating
- Primary Spheres with levels
- Role in chantry
- Brief description (2-3 sentences)
- Cross-links to locations, grimoires, rotes, items
Phase 6: Invoke Sub-Skills
For each Node — Invoke node-creator:
- Rank, name, location within chantry
- Faction/concept for thematic consistency
- Request links back to chantry document
For each Library — Invoke library-creator:
- Rank, name, focus, faction
- Reference specific grimoires to include
For each Sanctum — Invoke sanctum-creator:
- Rank, owner (with proper title), Tradition
- Location within chantry
For Horizon Realm — Invoke horizon-realm-creator:
- Realm Rank (NOT Background rating)
- Purpose, paradigm
- Request integration with chantry history
For Grimoires — Invoke grimoire-creator:
- Rank, faction, focus
- Request ALL rotes fully written via rote-creator
For Signature Rotes — Invoke rote-creator:
- Ward spells, communication rotes
- Initiation rituals, emergency protocols
- Signature techniques
For Items — Invoke wonder-creator:
- Charms (one-use), Talismans (multi-power)
- Artifacts (single-power), Periapts (Q storage)
- Track items mentioned in member profiles
Phase 7: Create Location Files
For important areas within the chantry (Council Chamber, Observatory, Gardens, etc.):
# [Location Name]
**Type:** [Room/Building/Area] | **Access:** [Open/Restricted/Leadership Only]
## Description
[2-3 paragraphs]
## Purpose
[Activities, who uses it]
## Notable Features
- [Feature with links]
## Associated Members
- [Member](../members/file.md#anchor) - [connection]
## Story Hooks
- [1-2 hooks]
Phase 8: Cross-Linking Pass
Every document links to:
- Main chantry document
- History (when discussing events)
- Relevant members (anyone mentioned by name)
- Relevant locations
- Relevant items
Link formats:
[Name](../folder/file.md)
[Name](file.md#section-name)
Anchors use lowercase with hyphens: #magister-scholae-helena-valcourt
Phase 9: Validation
- Total background costs ≤ point budget
- Rank matches point total
- All members use faction-appropriate titles
- Arete levels appropriate for roles
- Every member/location/item mentioned is linked
- History references actual resources and members
- All items mentioned in profiles have files
- Sub-components created via appropriate skills
Horizon Realm Integration
When a chantry has a Horizon Realm:
Background Cost: 10 pts/dot of Horizon Realm Background
- Rating 1-5: Access
- Rating 6-10: Ownership (access + 5)
Realm Rank: Separate from Background rating
- Determines build points and maintenance
- Higher Rank = more features but more maintenance
Maintenance: Must identify Quintessence source
- Often from Node background
- Note in chantry statistics
Integration Requirements:
- Realm creation in chantry history timeline
- Link from chantry to Realm document
- Note which members live/work there
- Connect Node/Library/Sanctum backgrounds appropriately
Example:
Horizon Realm 6 (Ownership of Rank 4 Realm): 60 pts
Node 4 (provides maintenance): 12 pts
Quick Reference
Query faction data via mage-rules-reference:
# Chantry name
python lookup.py references/faction-chantry-names.json "[Faction]"
# Titles
python lookup.py references/faction-titles.json "[Faction]"
# Practices
python lookup.py references/faction-practices.json "[Faction]"
See references/faction-reference.md for naming conventions.