Magi of the Gilded Thorn

**Requirements:** Wyrd 2+, Occult 2+, Survival 3+

**Origin tales:**

1. A long time ago, the Hedge was far more deadly than it is now. No trods had yet been made and Hollows were nearly impossible to make. The First Magi made bargain with the hedge, giving it wealth instead of the iron blades others used, and the Hedge grew calmer and more receptive. The Magi convinced the Thorns to be less aggressive so as to get more prey to wander and it has been this way ever since.
2. Everyone knows that the Hedge can be a source of plenty if you are willing to risk the dangers. The first Magi needed goblin fruit to survive and so entered the Hedge over and over. Despite the danger, she grew to love the Hedge for its danger and its brilliant thrill and the Hedge adapted to her love. She plucked a thorn from the Hedge and from this thorn came all the Heraldry of the Magi.
3. The Hedge has no master save the Gentry. Their will is not absolute, but their power over the Hedge is. The first Magi was owed a favor by one of the most powerful for hospitality given freely and he knew what he wanted. “Lord of Gilded Thrones and Carpenter of Thorns, grant me the respect the Hedge has for you to myself and all those who bear my tokens!” And the first Magi was born that day.

**Legends:**

1. Terris always found his way, no matter how they walked through the hedge. All paths lead to their goal, whether they knew it or not. At some point Terris wanted to see how long they could walk until they turned up at their goal. They began their journey in the wilderness and set no end goal. What felt like days in the hedge turned into weeks and months and still the Hedge provided and in turn he nurtured the hedge. Before long they stopped and turned to leave the hedge only to set foot in a new village full of pale skinned men and women wearing the strangest garb. Their village was on the brink of collapse, their population decimated by starvation and the harsh winter. Terris spent some time amongst them, teaching them how to survive, giving them the key instructions on how to work with the land and have it yield bountiful harvests.
2. Normally Little Fox ran through the Hedge without a care. Little Fox was friends with the Thorns as much as you can be and the Thorns responded by giving them time. Yet this time Little Fox was running with purpose. The hounds were baying behind them, they dipped and ducked through passageways large enough for only a fox. The Briarhounds crashing through the thorns behind them. As Little Fox ran they began turning the hedge into a maze of  tunnels and support structures. As they ran they tied each support to the next and as they pulled out of the maze, with one powerful pull they collapsed each beam and in turn the whole maze on top of the hounds.

**What We Do in the Shadows:**

The Hedge is a strange and mysterious place, a realm of wonder and terror. From the most luscious goblin fruits, to the most horrific hobgoblins, to the occasional wandering Gentry, the Briars conceal uncertainty and odd magic. Some Ashen fae aspire to learn the every secret of the Hedge, to tame this unfathomable realm and to reap its powers. The so-called Magi of the Gilded Thorn are a group of Changeling devoted to unraveling the ages-old riddles of the Thorns, claiming its many assets, and, perhaps, eventually learning to control its dangers. While the perils of this pursuit are many, the rewards are greater still. Or so the Magi maintain.

These changelings call themselves Magi of the Gilded Thorn for many reasons. Perhaps foremost among them is the understanding that treasure hides amongst the Briars, awaiting those who have but to demonstrate the courage and resolve needed to penetrate the depths of the Hedge and claim that bounty for their own. In terms of personal transformation, gold has long been considered the pinnacle of the physical practice of alchemy, a metaphor for the far more profound spiritual transmutation undertaken by those devoted to the so-called Royal Art. Magi see themselves as delving into a crucible of the will, taking elements of that which the Lost hold in dread into their bodies and, indeed, their very souls, and becoming something stronger, wiser, and better able to survive. Within the Thorns, these changelings say, is found greater power, both exploitable and, just as importantly, infinitely renewable.

To those freeholds that know of them, Magi of the Gilded Thorn appear as rugged foresters and survivalists, masters of the mutable ways of the Hedge. They are often viewed with a bizarre blend of awe and distrust, outsiders more at home among the monstrosities of the Thorns than in the company of other Lost. While the truth of the matter is somewhat different, the Magi don't always mind projecting such an image. The suspicion of other fae keeps them at arm's length, enabling the Magi to do their dangerous work in peace, free from the interference of those who usually do more harm than good in their well-meaning eagerness and ignorance. Often, the "standoffish, mysterious wanderer" stereotype isn't terribly far off the mark. In many cases, though, Magi deliberately adopt the image to hold others at arm's length, whether out of altruism, a desire for solitude, or some other reason.

**Mask & Mein:**

As the Magi of the Gilded Thorn tend to spend more time in the Hedge than is normal for changelings, many of them prefer simple, sturdy garments that are easily mended and, when need be, cheaply replaced. Heavy boots and rough denim or leather is preferred, and several Magi make use of armor. Of course, Hedge-spun raiment is common to those entitled to the Gilded Thorn. Some older or more hidebound Magi prefer the garb of traditional wood-wise folk (ranging from heavy robes, to deerskins, to little more than natural pigments), though these grow fewer and fewer with each passing year, as mortals develop ever more efficient ways of thriving in wilderness environments and the Gilded Thorn eagerly adopts them. Still, in rural freeholds and those based out of less industrialized societies, a considerable number of Magi cling to the trappings of what are, to their thinking, purer and more venerable ways of life.

Upon adopting the Oath of the Gilded Thorn, a changeling's mien often manifests subtle markings suggestive of the Briars: Faint patterns (looking like birthmarks or faded scars in the shape of thorny vines) on one or more limbs, for instance, or small, bloody and painless wounds upon a hand or foot that make it look as though the character's flesh has been pierced by thorns. As the fae's Wyrd grows, these telltale signs also become more evident, as writhing strands of golden thorns slither upon every inch of exposed skin or thorns poke out of bloody divots in the skin, forever wet with blood. These barbs are soft and supple -- incapable of causing harm -- but act as a visual reminder of the Magus' bond to the Briars. Eventually, slender vines may thread from one wound to the next, or small leaves (and perhaps flowers or even berries) sprout from their edges. Some say that the eldest and most powerful Magi are, themselves, almost indistinguishable from the Hedge that they aspire to master.

**Bequeathal:**

A changeling seeks out a Magi as a teacher. Typically, a teacher takes on one or, at most, two apprentices at a time (often, with long years between each such induction; many teach only one student in a lifetime). The master passes along much of what she knows to her student and then leaves the newly-entitled changeling to figure out the rest on his own.

**Token: The Thorn Bracelet [1-5]**

The Thorn Bracelet appears different depending on how many points are invested in it. For each point invested a new thorn appears around in, pointing outward. To mortal eyes, it appears that these are decorative and some sort of dark metal, likely lead. When activated, the thorns turn golden and have a faint tinge of blood. For every point invested in this token, the Magi can call upon the Hedge to provide a pathway to their destination. To do this, they must have been to the area before. The Hedge obliges and provides a trod that will allow passage to the location within five minutes of travel. Seven minutes after the trod is called, the trod will vanish. The Magi can bring additional people at the cost of one use per additional person brought.
**Catch:** The Magi is using this ability to go to their own hollow
**Drawback:** The Magi can never walk the same path twice in a day. They may never use the token to travel to places the token has been directed towards in the past 24 hours
**Blessings**

* [1] This blessing lets the changeling regain 1 Glamour whenever she regains Willpower through her Needle in direct pursuit of her role. She may spend the Glamour immediately on anything she likes or store it in her heraldry token for later use. The token can store up to her Wyrd in Glamour. If she can neither spend nor store it, it’s lost. All stored Glamour empties at the end of the story.
* [1] Choose one of the following specialties: Occult (Hedge, Goblins, Goblin Fruit), or Survival (Shelter, Weather). The chosen speciality also gains exceptional on three successes instead of five.
* [1] Additional Thread.
* [1] Expanded Hollow: One Hollow of your choosing can go up to 6 points; this extra Hollow value is free and applies upon purchase. If your Hollow is destroyed or removed, you may apply this blessing to a new Hollow after one month.
* [1] Friend in the The Thorns - The Hedge provides assistance in traveling even if you leave the trods. Gain a Fae Mount equal to your Wyrd/2 (Rounded up) that you may design. The Fae Mount gains the Dreamspun special ability for free. (Conditional)

**Touchstone:** A survivalist with experience in the local area.

**Clarity Curse:** Clarity attacks suffered while watching the Hedge negatively impact the real world add damage dice equal to ranks invested in this Merit.

**WP:** Once per scene, gain a Willpower when a lesson you've imparted to a mortal pays off.