Wonder Creator
Design mechanically valid Wonders for M20.
Wonder Types
| Type |
Powers |
Arete |
Reusable |
Key Feature |
| Talisman |
Multiple (= Rank) |
Yes |
Yes |
Most powerful, independent magic |
| Artifact |
Single |
No |
Yes |
Simpler permanent Wonder |
| Charm |
Single |
Yes |
No |
One-use, destroyed after |
| Periapt |
Optional |
Optional |
Usually |
Quintessence storage |
Core Statistics (All Wonders)
Rank (0-10)
| Rank |
Description |
Background Cost |
| 0 |
Trinket |
0 |
| 1-2 |
Minor |
1-2 |
| 3-4 |
Significant |
3-4 |
| 5 |
Grand |
5 |
| 6-10 |
Legendary |
6-10 |
Background Cost typically equals Rank.
Resonance
Wonders have Resonance traits totaling at least Rank. Query traits:
python lookup.py references/resonance-traits.json "Forces"
# Output: Forces: Fiery, Bright, Energetic, Stormy, Electric, Kinetic
Common pattern: Choose traits matching the Wonder's Sphere affinities.
Type-Specific Rules
Talismans
The most sophisticated Wonders—permanent items with independent magical capability.
| Stat |
Value |
| Powers |
= Rank (one power per rank) |
| Arete |
1-10 (typically ≤ Rank) |
| Quintessence |
Rank × 5 |
| Power Limit |
No power's Sphere level > Arete |
Power Design: Use rote-creator skill for each power. Each power needs:
- Sphere requirements
- Effect description
- Activation method
- Quintessence cost (if any)
Artifacts
Single-power permanent Wonders. Simpler than Talismans.
| Stat |
Value |
| Powers |
1 |
| Arete |
None (uses wielder's or fixed dice) |
| Quintessence |
Optional storage |
| Rank |
= Highest Sphere level in effect |
Power Design: Use rote-creator for the single effect.
Charms
One-use Wonders destroyed after activation.
| Stat |
Value |
| Powers |
1 |
| Arete |
= Rank (rolled on activation) |
| Rank |
= Highest Sphere level |
| After Use |
Destroyed, inert, or transformed |
Common Forms: Potions, scrolls, talismans (broken), bullets, gadgets (burn out)
Periapts
Quintessence storage devices. May have secondary powers.
| Stat |
Value |
| Max Charges |
See table below |
| Consumable |
Yes (like Tass) or No (refillable) |
| Secondary Power |
Optional |
Capacity by Rank:
| Rank |
Max Charges |
| 1 |
5-10 |
| 2 |
10-20 |
| 3 |
20-30 |
| 4 |
30-50 |
| 5 |
50-100 |
Charging Indicators: How does charge level show? (Glow, warmth, weight, color, hum)
Creation Workflow
- Type: Talisman, Artifact, Charm, or Periapt?
- Concept: What is it? Who made it? What paradigm?
- Rank: Based on power level / capacity
- Powers: Use rote-creator for each effect
- Resonance: Traits totaling ≥ Rank (query mage-rules-reference)
- Physical Form: Appearance matching paradigm
- History: Origin, wielders, legends
- Validate: Check type-specific rules
Paradigm Forms
| Tradition |
Typical Forms |
| Hermetic |
Rings, wands, ceremonial objects, grimoires |
| Technocracy |
Devices, implants, gadgets, programs |
| Verbena |
Natural objects, blood items, living plants |
| Virtual Adept |
Digital devices, interfaces, programs |
| Etherite |
Ray guns, impossible machines, gadgets |
| Akashic |
Meditation aids, martial implements |
| Celestial Chorus |
Religious symbols, relics, icons |
| Dreamspeaker |
Fetishes, spirit vessels, natural objects |
Validation by Type
Talisman
Artifact
Charm
Periapt
Output Format
Load the relevant template:
- Talisman: references/talisman-template.md
- Artifact: references/artifact-template.md
- Charm: references/charm-template.md
- Periapt: references/periapt-template.md
Quick stat lines:
- Talisman:
Rank: X | Arete: X | Powers: X | Quint: X
- Artifact:
Rank: X | Power: [brief] | Tradition: [origin]
- Charm:
Rank: X | Arete: X | Form: [type] | One-use
- Periapt:
Rank: X | Max: X | Consumable: Y/N
1---2name: wonder-creator3description: Create Wonders (magical items) for Mage: The Ascension 20th Anniversary Edition. Handles Talismans (multi-power), Artifacts (single-power), Charms (one-use), and Periapts (Quintessence storage). Requires mage-rules-reference for Sphere/Resonance lookups and rote-creator for power design. Triggers: create a wonder, design a talisman, M20 magical item, enchanted object, create an artifact.4---5
6# Wonder Creator
7
8Design mechanically valid Wonders for M20.
9
10## Wonder Types
11
12| Type | Powers | Arete | Reusable | Key Feature |
13|------|--------|-------|----------|-------------|
14| **Talisman** | Multiple (= Rank) | Yes | Yes | Most powerful, independent magic |
15| **Artifact** | Single | No | Yes | Simpler permanent Wonder |
16| **Charm** | Single | Yes | No | One-use, destroyed after |
17| **Periapt** | Optional | Optional | Usually | Quintessence storage |
18
19## Core Statistics (All Wonders)
20
21### Rank (0-10)
22
23| Rank | Description | Background Cost |
24|------|-------------|-----------------|
25| 0 | Trinket | 0 |
26| 1-2 | Minor | 1-2 |
27| 3-4 | Significant | 3-4 |
28| 5 | Grand | 5 |
29| 6-10 | Legendary | 6-10 |
30
31Background Cost typically equals Rank.
32
33### Resonance
34
35Wonders have Resonance traits totaling at least Rank. Query traits:
36```bash
37python lookup.py references/resonance-traits.json "Forces"
38# Output: Forces: Fiery, Bright, Energetic, Stormy, Electric, Kinetic
39```
40
41Common pattern: Choose traits matching the Wonder's Sphere affinities.
42
43## Type-Specific Rules
44
45### Talismans
46
47The most sophisticated Wonders—permanent items with independent magical capability.
48
49| Stat | Value |
50|------|-------|
51| **Powers** | = Rank (one power per rank) |
52| **Arete** | 1-10 (typically ≤ Rank) |
53| **Quintessence** | Rank × 5 |
54| **Power Limit** | No power's Sphere level > Arete |
55
56**Power Design**: Use **rote-creator** skill for each power. Each power needs:
57- Sphere requirements
58- Effect description
59- Activation method
60- Quintessence cost (if any)
61
62### Artifacts
63
64Single-power permanent Wonders. Simpler than Talismans.
65
66| Stat | Value |
67|------|-------|
68| **Powers** | 1 |
69| **Arete** | None (uses wielder's or fixed dice) |
70| **Quintessence** | Optional storage |
71| **Rank** | = Highest Sphere level in effect |
72
73**Power Design**: Use **rote-creator** for the single effect.
74
75### Charms
76
77One-use Wonders destroyed after activation.
78
79| Stat | Value |
80|------|-------|
81| **Powers** | 1 |
82| **Arete** | = Rank (rolled on activation) |
83| **Rank** | = Highest Sphere level |
84| **After Use** | Destroyed, inert, or transformed |
85
86**Common Forms**: Potions, scrolls, talismans (broken), bullets, gadgets (burn out)
87
88### Periapts
89
90Quintessence storage devices. May have secondary powers.
91
92| Stat | Value |
93|------|-------|
94| **Max Charges** | See table below |
95| **Consumable** | Yes (like Tass) or No (refillable) |
96| **Secondary Power** | Optional |
97
98**Capacity by Rank**:
99
100| Rank | Max Charges |
101|------|-------------|
102| 1 | 5-10 |
103| 2 | 10-20 |
104| 3 | 20-30 |
105| 4 | 30-50 |
106| 5 | 50-100 |
107
108**Charging Indicators**: How does charge level show? (Glow, warmth, weight, color, hum)
109
110## Creation Workflow
111
1121. **Type**: Talisman, Artifact, Charm, or Periapt?
1132. **Concept**: What is it? Who made it? What paradigm?
1143. **Rank**: Based on power level / capacity
1154. **Powers**: Use rote-creator for each effect
1165. **Resonance**: Traits totaling ≥ Rank (query mage-rules-reference)
1176. **Physical Form**: Appearance matching paradigm
1187. **History**: Origin, wielders, legends
1198. **Validate**: Check type-specific rules
120
121## Paradigm Forms
122
123| Tradition | Typical Forms |
124|-----------|---------------|
125| Hermetic | Rings, wands, ceremonial objects, grimoires |
126| Technocracy | Devices, implants, gadgets, programs |
127| Verbena | Natural objects, blood items, living plants |
128| Virtual Adept | Digital devices, interfaces, programs |
129| Etherite | Ray guns, impossible machines, gadgets |
130| Akashic | Meditation aids, martial implements |
131| Celestial Chorus | Religious symbols, relics, icons |
132| Dreamspeaker | Fetishes, spirit vessels, natural objects |
133
134## Validation by Type
135
136### Talisman
137- [ ] Number of powers = Rank
138- [ ] No power exceeds Arete
139- [ ] Quintessence capacity = Rank × 5
140- [ ] Resonance ≥ Rank
141- [ ] Each power has Sphere requirements
142
143### Artifact
144- [ ] Single power only
145- [ ] Rank = highest Sphere in effect
146- [ ] Resonance ≥ Rank
147
148### Charm
149- [ ] Single power
150- [ ] Arete = Rank
151- [ ] Destruction/transformation noted
152- [ ] Resonance ≥ Rank
153
154### Periapt
155- [ ] Max charges appropriate for Rank
156- [ ] Consumable status noted
157- [ ] Charging indicators described
158- [ ] Resonance matches Quintessence source
159
160## Output Format
161
162Load the relevant template:
163- **Talisman**: [references/talisman-template.md](references/talisman-template.md)
164- **Artifact**: [references/artifact-template.md](references/artifact-template.md)
165- **Charm**: [references/charm-template.md](references/charm-template.md)
166- **Periapt**: [references/periapt-template.md](references/periapt-template.md)
167
168**Quick stat lines:**
169
170- **Talisman**: `Rank: X | Arete: X | Powers: X | Quint: X`
171- **Artifact**: `Rank: X | Power: [brief] | Tradition: [origin]`
172- **Charm**: `Rank: X | Arete: X | Form: [type] | One-use`
173- **Periapt**: `Rank: X | Max: X | Consumable: Y/N`
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