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               "Atomic Batteries to power,
                Turbines to speed."
                                   - Robin, in the Batman serial


     The foci listed for the Sons of Ether in MAGE: the Ascension
represent a sort of field kit, a minimum set of tools necessary
for one of the 'Sons' to utilize each of the nine spheres.  In
practice, when working in difficult, time important situations or
when evoking coincidental effects, the four 'standard' Etheric
foci (Abacus, Scientific Meter, Ether Goggles, and Electricity)
are all that are needed.  However, in the course of their
paradigma experiments, the Sons of Ether have developed a
plethora of devices, theories, and techniques to bring about
desired magical effects.  They have also, being the inventive lot
that they are, come up with many variations on the standard foci. 

Abacus:  To perform magick of the spheres of Correspondence and
Entropy, a Son of Ether must make complex calculations.  They
typical tool of choice is the abacus.  However, some prefer the
use of a slide rule and younger members sometimes avail
themselves of calculators and computers.  Because of the bizarre
nature of etheric mathematics, the more technologically advanced
computers and calculators are no better than the old fashioned
foci - all take a +2 initiative penalty.

Ether Goggles:  One of the more onerous of the Sons' foci is the
strange set of lenses they must wear when performing Spirit and
Mind related magick.  Though they are not exceptionally unwieldy
or encumbering, ether goggles are very distinctive.  They are
traditionally composed of three bulbous, ether-filled lenses. 
Two fit over they eyes, while the third, smaller, lens sits above
and between the other two, where the 'third eye' of many mystical
traditions would be located and where the Sons claim a vestigial
organ, sensitive to magnetic fields, can be found.  By enhancing
this sensory organ and coordinating its impressions with the more
familiar sensory input of the eyes, ether goggles allow the user
to perceive psychic and spiritual emanations and thus gain
sufficient familiarity and understanding of them to work Spirit
and Mind magick.  

Ether Shades:  To make their focus less conspicuous, some Sons of
Ether have experimented with disguised Ether Goggles.  Slimmed
down versions can be made to appear as wrap-around or oddly
designed sunglasses (the 'third eye' must still be covered).
Visors in motorcycle helmets have also proven effective.  A
recent development uses a Virtual Adept chip and a low power
invisible laser to project an image from the bridge of ordinary
looking sunglasses onto the vestigial sensory organ normally
serviced by the third lens.  All Ether Shades are as effective as
Ether Goggles and are betrayed by their distinctive green tint.

Beta-wave Amplifier:  The Sons of Ether occasionally make use of
a helmet or circlet like device that amplifies electromagnetic
waves produced by the brain.  The amplifier can be used for
biofeedback and to read and influence other minds (ie: all levels
of the Mind sphere).  It can replace Ether Goggles as a focus for
Mind though it is just as conspicuous.

Scientific Meter:  The most varied and individualized of the
Sons' foci is the Scientific Meter.  These can be palm-sized or
suitcase sized, have numerous probes and antennae or none at all,
display information on antiquated looking dials or digital
readouts.  A normal Scientific Meter is obviously unusual, but a
disguised  model can be made to resemble a Geiger counter,
oscilloscope, or other piece of equipment.  With the complex and
extremely accurate data provided by this device, a Son of Ether
can affect the Spheres of Mater, Forces, and Time.  Though it is
electrically powered, the battery of a Scientific Meter does not
provide enough energy to work Life or Prime magicks beyond the 
first sphere level.

Test Equipment:  Any sort of test equipment or measuring device
can be used in place of a scientific meter.  The only
requirements are that it be (1) accurate and (2) appropriate to
the effect being produced.  Thus a Son of Ether could use a
stopwatch to perform Time magick, a voltmeter to cast System
Havoc or litmus paper to turn water into acid.

Ether-Ray Gun:  This is a gun-shaped device of varying, but
usually whimsical, appearance.  It has some of the functionality
of a Scientific Meter and contains a powerful battery.  It is an
example of an Etheric focus designed primarily for use with a
specific rote or effect, in this case, Spawn Lesser Forces.  

Electricity:  Most Sons of Ether use electricity as their focus
for life and prime.  Electricity can be generated in any way,
though in some cases lightning and various exotic sources will
reduce difficulty slightly.  

Radiation:  Some Sons of Ether use radiation as an alternative
focus instead of electricity.  In fact, it was SoE attempts to
base utopian technologies around nuclear power that caused the
Technocracy to insert the dire dangers of radiation into their
paradigm.  Among those who prefer this focus, Radium is
considered the best source.

Invention:  The Sons are a creative lot, they often use foci that
stray far from the typical devices of their Tradition.  A Son of
Ether can invent a focus to accomplish a specific effect.  This
invention need not bear any particular similarity to the normal
foci.  Creating such a focus can take anywhere from a few minutes
to a year per sphere level involved.  The exact time must be
determined by the storyteller based on how much the invention
differs from the normal Son of Ether foci, how plausible it is
within consensual reality, and how skilled the inventor is.

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