From:	Peter Kristiansen sds@**.auc.dk
Subject:	Buildings, doors, maglocks, and magic
Date:	Tue, 13 Jun 2000 08:44:51 +0200 (W. Europe Daylight Time)

On Mon, 12 Jun 2000, Ahrain wrote:

> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Gurth <gurth@******.nl>
> Subject: Re: Buildings, doors, maglocks, and magic
>
>
> > Which is the essence of my question, as I see it: can doors or locks be
> > targeted separately from the building they are in? If you can, then you
> > can IMHO also target wheels or windows of cars. Unless a building is not
> > considered a single target, but then the question becomes: where do you
> > draw the line of what constitutes a single target?
>
> OK, from my experience in playing/GMing mages and the like (which has been
> most of my SR career) I think it honestly depends on the type of spell.
>
> Combat spells: No way, all or nothing unless specifically designed to do so.
> Transformation Manipulations: Again, dido
> Damaging Manipulations: Yes, targeting would be possible.
>
[SNIP Reasoning="Buildings being of one aura."]

I'll agree partially with what I see as general concensus. As long as an
object is relatively small I'll agree. A car even a truck is perceived
as one compound object, equally affected by any spells, ie. no
targetting possible.

What you have to ask yourself is where do you distinguish??
The Earth, one single "entity" with one aura. Should the entirety of
earth by affected if I tried to dig a ditch with a spell?? Clearly not.
Granted, you might disagree with the Earth as having one aura.

How about mountains?? Do they have one aura?? Is it possible to target a
specific part of a mountain?

What I'll do, and have done, is that when objects become sufficiently
large, treat them as a collection of single entities. So, each building
would consist of several single entities. One wall, one door so
on. The general rule (Well, the one i use) is that when the target is
changed, based on the object resistance table (right name??) you are
able to target the individual component. I apply this for all larger
constructs, including ships.

The point is when does something becomes to big to count as one
object?? That is based upon personal preference.

Ofcourse.. YMMV


-----Peter (sds) Kristiansen-----
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