Comparing sacred places and nexus points

In this post I compare the various rules for magical places between Nephilim and Enlightened Magic. I consulted the following sources: Nephilim rulebook p132-3, 102, 202; Gamemaster’s Companion p45-6; Enlightened Magic p14.

Rules as written

Plexi and Nexi: The benefits provided by Plexi and Nexi are simple: automatic Ka-element rolls and recharge Stasis objects.

Sacred Places: The benefits provided by Sacred Places are simple: a persistent +1d6 bonus to the corresponding Ka-element, if that Ka-element's astrological bonus is ≥6 then a Plexus appears for that astrological day, while a bonus of  ≥10 results in a Nexus instead.

Spontaneous Generation of Elementals: Natural and magical phenomena have a change of spontaneously generating elementals based on any present emotional potentials. Minor natural phenomena—like a thunder storm, minor tremor, house fire, high tide or partial eclipse—have a 5% chance of generation. Major natural phenomena—like a tornado, earthquake, firestorm, tsunami or eclipse—have a 10% chance of generation. Minor magical phenomena—like a Plexus during a Grand Enthronement of its element—have a 20% chance of generation. Major magical phenomena—like a Nexus during any Grand Enthronement—have a 40% chance of generation. These chances are halved if the event is artificial (i.e. created by a spell, such as Command the Weather, Touch of Flame, or any Manifest Plexus spell).

Nexus Points: Enlightened Magic introduced alternative rules for "Nexus Points". These are divided into minor nexus points and major nexus points, loosely analogous to plexi and nexi above respectively. Instead of the benefits mentioned above (as Ka rolls aren't necessary under EM, Stasis objects don't exist, and nexus points lack any specific elemental affinity), these respectively provide a bonus of +10 and +20 to magical skill rolls and POW. This allows a mage to meet the threshold of spells or procedures he could not ordinarily meet. Seasonal and daily modifiers are not randomly determined and stack with those from nexus points.

Combining enlightened magic with five fields?

Here are some of my ideas to combine the two. As always, the GM is free to rule as desired.

If using the rules for enlightened magic with those for the five fields, then nexus points are considered analogous to sacred places by default. The bonuses apply as per EM, allowing mages to qualify for Third Circle sorcery Power Thresholds. See my post on astrological modifiers to see how to convert Ka-element bonuses to enlightened magic.

Any given nexus point will have one or more elemental affinities assigned, determining which element(s) the bonus applies to. On the day of the week associated with that element, then a Plexus of that element forms for the astrological day and can recharge that element in Stasis objects. On the day of the week associated with that element in any month associated with that element, then a Nexus forms for the astrological day and can recharge any and all elements in Stasis objects.

There is a limitation based on the strength of the nexus point: a Plexus may form at any minor or major nexus point, while a Nexus will only ever form at a major nexus point.

Charging Stasis objects will probably work a little differently due to the lack of Ka rolls for magic, so wait for an upcoming post on that (which would also scale storage based on the Stasis item's size). As a quick and dirty conversion, or if I don't follow up, then assume that these stored Ka points provide the same benefits as Fate Points (see BRP 4th edition rulebook p176) but only on rolls corresponding to the same element.

If an old-style randomization is desired, but the Nephilim rulebook's method is too complicated, then use a die roll to determine the modifier instead of using the flat modifier given in EM. As per the Nephilim rulebook, PCs are entitled to Astrological Lore rolls to predict the exact modifier in advance.

To convert flat modifiers to dice rolls on the fly: ±5 ~ ±1d6, ±10 ~ 2d6, ±20 ~ ±3d6. In other words, every flat increment of 5 is equivalent to 1d6. For example: a Nephilim casting a Moon spell on Monday (+10) in the month of Capricorn (+5) at a major nexus point (+10) would receive a +25 bonus to the casting roll and the spell's POW. As a random dice roll, this bonus would be +5d6.

A Magical POT?

The French version had a "Mystical POT" for sites in some editions, but the rules are scattered among books and periodicals. This Mystical POT was important because it was used to calculate the environmental influence of a Nephilim in Narcosis, and various other things depending on the edition. (It seems to come from this article on sden.) It went like so:

Magic Fields	Mysticism	d100
Scattered magic fields	Not Mystical	80–100
Organized magic fields	Little Mystical	61–80
Powerful magic fields	Quite Mystical	41–60
Plexus	"..." Mystical	21–40
Powerful Plexus / Nexus	Very Mystical	01–20

The 3e rulebook mentions that Plexi and Nexi have an Intensity Characteristic on p151. This determines how long the Plexus or Nexus lasts and how many points it has to charge Stasis items, artefacts, etc. These points don't regenerate: once used up, then the Plexus or Nexus dries up immediately. Every 10 points drawn from a Plexus reduces its Intensity by one step. A Nexus works the same, but contains all Ka-elements at the same Intensity. See the table below:

Intensity	Duration	Charges
Not Intense	4 hours	10
Little Intense	8 hours	20
Quite Intense	12 hours	30
Intense	16 hours	40
Very Intense	20 hours	50

In my notes I was inspired to come up with a similar idea of assigning these sites a universal “Mystical Intensity POT” that could be modified by astrological modifiers. There would've been 4–6 degrees of intensity, determining the strength and effects of the bonus to magic rolls, spontaneous generation of elementals, how many charges could be drawn before drying up, etc. However, it's probably too much additional effort to include in this post. I'll put it on the backburner for now.

Hope you enjoyed!