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Joey Z. Skater Boy

I stepped up to the lip of the concrete embankment and looked down on my new student. Spread below me was a concrete skate park filled with ramps, rails and one lone skater. He looked just like they described, small frame, spiky, blonde hair and the kind of face that made women melt. He was dressed as his kind commonly dressed, sneakers, baggy short pants and a loose fitting, red, button-up shirt with short sleeves. He zipped back and forth across the park performing stunts that were normally reserved for only the most elite of athletes and with every one I could feel the telekinetic manipulations he performed.

The sages were right, he was very talented. They all knew someone needed to teach this boy or he may fall to the manipulations of the other traditions, or worse. All ready he was beginning to follow our path, his style was that of the Order, calm, structured almost formulaic. So it was I who was recruited for his teachings, mostly because I was very much like him in my day but when the teen angst left me I found the structure of the Order to be just what I needed to help focus my mind, magic and life. So now I had this self proclaimed �Skater Boy� to teach the intricacies of ritual and formula.

I walked slowly down the concrete stairs and sat at a small picnic table to wait for him. It was obvious to me he had already noticed my presence through his magical perceptions. I watched him crest a rise opposite me and launch himself back down the ramp; he hit a jump and catapulted himself into the air where he started spinning. He turned around in the air a full four times before landing and skidding to a halt in front of me. With one foot he kicked up his board and deftly caught it in his right hand.

I stood.

     ï¿½Joseph Zanarkand?� I asked.
     ï¿½Yup.� He responded nonchalantly. �I figured you�d be by sooner or later.�

I was confused for a moment.

     ï¿½You know who I am then?�
     ï¿½Sorta. I know what you are but I don�t know who you are.�

Before I could respond he turned and began to walk away.

     ï¿½C�mon, there�s a Double D up the road. Let�s grab some joe, it�s on me.�

I followed along side him and he began to talk. He said all kinds of things but never really told me anything. I found myself liking him from the get go, he was charismatic and friendly, albeit a bit hyperactive and a little of a show off.

Upon reaching Dunkin� Donuts he ordered coffee, reading my mind to determine what I wanted, then proceeded to flirt with the attendant and convinced her to give us the coffee for free without the use of magic. After we had our order he said he wished to speak outside in the fresh air as the interior smelled of pork.
Back at the skate park we sat in the moonlight and talked about nothing for a little while. Finally he asked me my name and at that point I realized that he hadn�t asked it previously.

     ï¿½Cochrane.� I answered.
     ï¿½Like the dude from Star Trek?� He asked.
     ï¿½Yes.�
     ï¿½That�s cool. I wish my name was something interesting.�
     ï¿½Joseph,--�
     ï¿½Call me Joey, Joey Z. Everyone does.�
     ï¿½Ok, Joey, I�d like to discuss your magic.�
     ï¿½That simple, huh? It�s just magic? Like spells and stuff?�
     ï¿½Fundamentally, yes. There is more to the practice and the way of life but for the most part there is no grand lineage or divine intervention.�

     ï¿½That�s cool. I always knew there was something to me, ya know? Like I was more inside than most people. So after a while I started doing things, like trying spells from D&D and stuff, and some of �em, worked. Sometimes it didn�t work or crazy shit happened I didn�t much like. So I figured out that it was easier if it wasn�t obvious or if there wasn�t anybody around. It just all seems like parlor tricks though and I know there�s gotta be more than that.�

     ï¿½Indeed there is Joey. I would like to teach you the skills you need to be able to focus your talent. I will take you into the Order and you will be protected and supported by us so long as you follow our ideals. Our ideals are very simple however and you are the kind of person that already believes as we do.�

     ï¿½What order?�

     ï¿½The Order of Hermes. It is what we call ourselves. There are other magicians out there who do not follow our Order, some good, some bad. We believe magic comes from within and without, with the proper skills and formula we can wield that power. However, we must never refuse those in need, those who cannot protect themselves or are at the mercy of others. But I have determined that you are already like that.�

     ï¿½Yeah. I always wanna help folks out, ya know? I give money to bums and stuff. I�d like to learn more, though.�
     ï¿½Than we can begin your teachings tomorrow.�

I handed him a card with my name, address and phone number on it.

     ï¿½Come see me and we can begin.�
     ï¿½Will do.�

Over the following six months Joey�s style improved to the limits of his talent. His form was unique and unlike anything I had seen before but his application was similar to those taught by the Order. He was an unorthodox student and I knew why I had been chosen to teach him. He would not have tolerated pouring over ancient tomes and studying arcane formula. Instead he created his own formula and rotes. Being a bit of an artificer I tried to teach him that art but he lacked the channeling powers necessary to lock the magic in. So those parts I did and he imbued the magic. Following trinkets he created some items of real power and I was impressed. Finally I gave him a crystal passed down from teacher to student for years to commemorate his completion of studies with me.

We remained friends for quite some time after that, until I was called away to Europe by the Order. I informed him upon returning I would come see him, he was disappointed but he understood my duties to the Order.

     ï¿½I want you to have this.� I told him, outside the airport.

I handed him a small item wrapped in cloth. I had inherited it from an elder in the Order many years ago and I felt that Joey would put it to good use and keep it safe. He unwrapped it slowly and revealed an intricately molded, gold pocket watch.

     ï¿½Wow.� He said slowly.
     ï¿½It is an item of great power. Its legend has been told to many. It is the Tempus Fugit Watch.�

His eyes went huge when I said its name.

     ï¿½It�s the watch that stops time?�
     ï¿½Basically, yes. It slows time to a crawl for all but it�s user. It is yours to have and protect but do not abuse it�s power.�
     ï¿½I won�t C. I�ll hold it �till you come back.�
     ï¿½That will do.�

I got out of his car and walked into the terminal without a look back. I had the distinct impression that it would be a very long time before I saw my friend again, if ever.

Name: Joey Z.
Nature: Survivor
Tradition: Order of Hermes
Player: Josh
Essence: Questing
Concept: Skater Boy
Chronicle:
Demeanor: Thrill-Seeker
Cabal:

Attributes: 7/5/3 (15)
Strength *
Charisma ****
Perception **
Dexterity *****
Manipulation ***
Intelligence **
Stamina **
Appearance ***
Wits **

Abilities: 13/9/5 (27)
Alertness ***
Crafts
Academics
Athletics ****
Drive ***
Computer ***
Awareness *
Etiquette
Cosmology
Brawl *
Firearms **
Enigmas
Dodge *
Meditation
Investigation
Expression
Melee *
Law
Intimidation
Performance
Linguistics
Leadership
Stealth ***
Medicine
Streetwise *
Survival
Occult
Subterfuge *
Technology ***
Science

Spheres: 5
Correspondence
Life
Prime *
Entropy
Matter
Spirit
Forces ***
Mind **
Time

Dynamic
Arete: 1 ***
Entropic
Static
Willpower: 5 **********

Backgrounds: 7
Freebie Points: 15
Wonder *****
Arete (-8) **
Athletics (-2) *
Resources **
Willpower (-5) *****

Merits and Flaws
Daredevil (Merit 3)
Geasa: Never Fail To Help Those In Need (Flaw 3)

Joey Z. was one of those characters who seemed to come to life all on his own. I enjoyed making him and playing him that I wanted to share him with everyone. Perhaps someone may wish to use him as a PC or NPC in a Mage game or just bask the phenomenon that is Joey Z.

Some of you may notice the point allocation does not quite match up to the point totals given in the Mage The Ascension core rulebook under character creation. This is intended. Myself and my friends use an optional rule found in the Hunter The Reckoning Player�s Guide that allows a player the option of taking the points allocated to primary, secondary and tertiary and lump them together for one point total. For example, a regular mage has 7/5/3 available for attributes and 13/9/5 for abilities, this rule would give a total of 15 for attributes and 27 for abilities to be placed wherever the player chooses. Note this rule does not change the rule of not being allowed to increase an ability beyond 3 without the use of freebie points. This rule makes for better character customization but is not recommended for players who cannot make a very well rounded character.
My next installment will include all of Joey Z�s wonders and custom rotes. I hope you all enjoy.