Background difference between Mage: The Ascension and Mage: The Awakening include: * The concept of Paradigm has largely been eliminated. It still crops up in asides, though - fantastic creatures are at a smaller risk of being dispelled through Disbelief if they live in areas where they are considered possible by the populace. * There is no conflict between mages over technology versus mysticism. Instead, the loftiest goal of mage society is ascension to a Realms Supernal, where they can either join forces with the Exarchs or the Oracles (if they exist). The former are ancient, power-mad mages who would eliminate the possibility of Awakening so that nobody will ever gain the power to topple them from their thrones, while the latter are their more altruistic adversaries who wish for