TRUTH UNTIL PARADOX: The Crystal Messiah; The Great Escape; Introit; When the Mo

Classic World of Darkness Fiction

by Stewart Wieck

Magic is not dead, but it's dying. At least, the kind of magic that keeps the world alive. Magic is the power to shape reality, and this power is falling ever more into the hands of a few, into the hands of the Technocracy, a group of mages that has decided the universe is best defined by science.The second edition of this anthology contains the best stories from the first edition, as well as new stories that even better reflect the world of The Ascension "RM" as presented in the new edition of the Storyteller game.

Genres: Fantasy, Horror, Gaming, World Of Darkness, Urban Fantasy, Anthologies, Role Playing Games

Paperback

First published January 1, 1994

Reviews

[Colin · Rating 3 out of 5]

The revised edition of "Truth Until Paradox" is actually a bit of a disappointment. Fewer stories than the original, and some of the best stories from the original collection are missing from the revision. A good collection of stories, but not great. Still, if you're a fan of Mage: The Ascension, you should read it . . .

[Periklis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short story collection, tie-in fiction to the Mage: The Ascension role playing game.
Brief thoughts on each story:

• Introit • (1995) • novelette by Jackie Cassada
A young mage of the Celestial Chorus tradition, faces the Technocracy. Good introductory story aimed towards gamers, mostly... (3/5)

• The Seven Sages of the Bamboo Grove • (1995) • novelette by Gherbod Fleming [as by John H. Steele ]
The Akashic Brotherhood awaken a young sleeper mage to dire consequences. A mysterious entity named Zorn (appears also in Tower of Babel by the same author) is mentioned. Great writing but the plot demands inside knowledge of the game material and universe. (3.5/5)

• Silver Nutmeg, Golden Pear • (1995) • novelette by James A. Moore and Kevin Murphy [as by Jim Moore and Kevin Murphy ]
A relic hunter of the Hollow Ones tradition, discovers a Nephandi witch in her city. Very good writing, can be enjoyed by readers with no inside knowledge. (4/5)

• Grim Reminders • (1995) • novelette by James A. Moore and Kevin Murphy [as by Jim Moore and Kevin Murphy ]
A companion piece of the above story, with a hefty battle at its center. Hollow Ones confront the Nephandi witch with the colorful Order of Hermes mage from before, taking center stage. Great action, very good writing (4.5/5)

• The Great Escape • (1995) • shortstory by Edo van Belkom
Decent story about a houdini-like mage, confronting the major antagonists, the Technocracy. Good writing, using gaming terminology at times. (3/5)

• A Block of Time • [The Mage Tieh] • (1995) • novelette by Jane Lindskold
Good "yarn" for MtA insiders and casual readers to enjoy equally. Akashic Brotherhood and Dreamweavers against Technocracy. (3/5)

• Make 'Em Laugh • (1995) • novelette by James Lowder
GREAT story. A Sons of Ether acolyte turns a local grindhouse cinema into an awakening chamber. With the Nephandi involved it all goes spiralling into madness and mayhem. Classic and cult movie-scenes come to life in vivid descriptions. (5/5)

• Escobar Falls • (1994) • shortstory by Stewart Wieck [as by Stewart von Allmen ]
Great story, both in style and substance. Some game terminology was lost on me, but the story delivered the perspective of both, Mage and sleeper, to a... chilling effect. (5/5)

[Kapmando · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nephandi Technocrat with evil hand... Do I have to say more? Okay, it's based on World of Darkness's Mage RPG, and it gives a good feel for the world and the crushing push of banality and hostile forces on modern magi.

[Peter De Kinder · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lot better than the antology for the new Mage system, this book actually introduces the different views of the Traditions in the World of Darkness. Entertaining stories with a hint of nostalgia as the real world feel of the nineties comes wafting of the pages.