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This was posted by Troy at
[Atlas Forums](https://forum.atlas-games.com/t/house-rule-gauntlet-graduation-gifts/169172)
This is based on a house rule posted by Troy at
[Atlas Forums](https://forum.atlas-games.com/t/house-rule-gauntlet-graduation-gifts/169172).
It has been amended and interpreted to suit my own style of
ArM storytelling.
# Gauntlet Gifts
# Covenant Dowry
Going back to 4th edition, one of my play groups has build up a house
rule for a system of determining gifts a newly gauntleted Magus might
receive before they embark to found a new covenant.
It is quite reasonable, for a young magus joining a covenant,
to bring some kind of contribution to the covenant resources.
This is similar to the system of dowry in matrimony.
When young magi found a new Spring covenant from scratch, this
kind of contribution is essential. They need to get the resources
from somewhere.
With that said, we have found it is something that has been useful in
games in which all of the Magi are coming together to form a new
covenant. The normal small gifts such as writing implements are not
included on the list, since they are assumed to be given to all
graduates even ones not leaving to found a new covenant.
In practice, the resources can come from anywhere. They can be
a gradudation gift from the parens, the house, or the Alma Mater.
They may have been earned in an adventure, possible just after
gauntlet or during the gauntlet itself. The player should be
free to narrate the background as they see fit.
New Magi receive points of gifts when they pass their gauntlet, to
welcome them into the brotherhood of the Order and help them begin
their life as a Magus. These points are spent using a pyramid scale.
For the sake of game balance, the Dowry represents
the player's individual influence on the covenant design.
It is intended that the player design the Dowry to be useful
for their own magus.
Yet, the Dowry is not intended as personal possessions.
In character, every magus is expected to bring a Gift of roughly
this level of value, and it should be used for the common good.
There is some scope for negotiation and bartering here, if the
troupe enjoys this kind of roleplay.
# The system
New Magi receive a number points to buy starting resources
(see above).
These points are spent using a pyramid scale
(level 1 is 1pt, 2 is 3pt, 3 is 6p).
Optionally they might also receive points of special gifts, which may
only be used in category they have spent gift points in. What is gained
from special gifts is added to what is received from normal gifts.
Arguably, the special Gifts are more personal in some cases, and
optionally may be private and not part of the dowry. This is a house
call.
The default totals are 7 points of Gifts and 1 point of Special Gifts.
Gift Categories
## Gift Categories
+ Personnel (Grogs, Specialist)
+ Wealth (Silver, Equipment)
+ Magic (Vis, Enchantments)
+ Writings (Books, Lab Text)
## Personnel
[Special Gift is 1x well equipped Shield Grog and 1x Specialist, both with close ties to the Magus such as family or childhood best friend]
| Level | Grogs | Specialist |
| :-: | :- | :- |
| 0 | 1x Shield Grog | No Specialist |
| 1 | 2x Shield Grog | 1x Specialist |
| 2 | 5x Shield Grog | 3x Specialist |
| 3 | 10x Shield Grog | 6x Specialist |
| Level | Grogs | Specialist | Comment |
| :-: | :- | :- | :- |
| 0 | 1x Shield Grog | No Specialist | |
| 1 | 2x Shield Grog | 1x Specialist | |
| 2 | 5x Shield Grog | 3x Specialist | |
| 3 | 10x Shield Grog | 6x Specialist | |
| Special | 1x well equipped Shield Grog | 1x Specialist | both with close ties to the Magus such as family or childhood best friend |
## Wealth
[Special Gift is 15 lbs Silver (normally in the form jewelry), Excellent +1 Clothing and 1x Excellent +2 Item]
| Level | Silver | Equipment |
| :-: | :- | :- |
| 0 | 5 lb Silver, Lock Box | Standard Equipment, Cart w/ Horse |
| 1 | 15 lbs Silver, Lock Box | 1x Excellent +1 Item, Small Wagon w/ Horses |
| 2 | 30 lbs Silver, Lock Box | 3x Excellent +1 Item, Wagon w/ Horses, Riding Horse |
| 3 | 50 lbs Silver, Lock Box | 6x Excellent +1 Item, Wagon w/ Horses, 2x Riding Horse |
| Special | 15 lbs Silver (normally in the form jewelry) | Excellent +1 Clothing and 1x Excellent +2 Item |
## Magic
[Special Gift is 5x Pawn Vis and a single enchanted item (Up to level 30)]
| Level | Vis | Item |
| :-: | :- | :- |
| 0 | 1x Pawn Vis | No Enchantments |
| 1 | 5x Pawn Vis | 30 levels single use items (Max 10 level) |
| 2 | 15x Pawn Vis | 50 levels single use items (Max 20 level) |
| 3 | 30x Pawn Vis | 75 levels single use items (Max 30 level) |
| 1 | 5x Pawn Vis | 30 levels charged items (Max 10 level) |
| 2 | 15x Pawn Vis | 50 levels charged items (Max 20 level) |
| 3 | 30x Pawn Vis | 75 levels charged items (Max 30 level) |
| Special | 5x Pawn Vis | One lesser enchanted item (up to level 30) |
## Writing
[Special Gift is 1x Summa (35 total)]
| Level | Books | Lab Text |
| :-: | :- | :- |
| 0 | No books | 1 Lab Text (up to level 20) |
| 1 | 1x Summa (26 total) | 50 levels of Lab Text (Tablets take Double) |
| 2 | 2x Summa (26 and 28 total) | 150 levels of Lab Text (Tablets take Double) |
| 3 | 3x Summa (26, 28, and 30 total) | 300 levels of Lab Text (Tablets take Double) |
| Level | Books | Lab Text | Comment |
| :-: | :- | :- | :- |
| 0 | No books | 1 Lab Text (up to level 20) | |
| 1 | 1x Summa (26 total) | 50 levels of Lab Text (Tablets take Double) | |
| 2 | 2x Summa (26 and 28 total) | 150 levels of Lab Text (Tablets take Double) | |
| 3 | 3x Summa (26, 28, and 30 total) | 300 levels of Lab Text (Tablets take Double) | |
| Special | 1x Summa (31 total) | | Original house rule had 35 total |
