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Message no. 1
From: Shadowdancer <BRIDDLE@*****.VINU.EDU>
Subject: SUBMISSION: Astral Vortex
Date: Mon, 20 Feb 1995 15:30:45 EST
Shadowlore II
Astral Vortexes
R-01
--------

...taken from "Magician's Life", pg. 44, issue 8, volume 3, 2055

"Many strange occurances have happened since the Awakening, but
the most baffleing is the emergence of the Astral Vortex. These
spacial anomilies resemble a black hole, and open into astral space.
Any living being, be it plant or animal, is affected by a gravity like
force. It is theorized that a mana backwash is the cause of this force,
though no solid evidence yet existes. The cause of a Vortex is yet
unkown, but many speculate that nuclear devices, the death of a great
spirit or dragon, or the rupture of a Ley Nexus are the culprits. There
is also a disturbing rumor of a new spell circulating called Implosion
that could cause this horrible atrocity. Dr. Daniels, metaphycisit for
MIT&M, was reported...."

No one yet knows the cause of astral vortexes, but they are nasty.
They are great holes that open into astral space, sucking up any
living being. Technological or dead items are not affected. Vortexes
appear and disappear randomly, though can be caused by anything.

The vortex has three attributes: Base force, range, and effective force.
The base force can be determined randomly. Range is equal to base
force x 6, and effective force is base force + range. When any living
thing gets into the range, it must make an opposed test, Strength vs
effective force. Subtract the distance of the creature(from the center of
the vortex) from the effective force. This roll is made every turn the
creature is within range.

Example: Trudy the troll casually strolls into the range of a Vortex.
The Vortex has a range of 36 and an effective force of 42. She is 20m
away from the center, and her Strength is 11. She must roll 11 dice
against 22, and the vortex rolls 22 dice against 11. Bye bye Trudy.

Even if the creature resistes the pull, it must resist a (EF)M every turn
until out of range.

Magicians can combat the vortex by entering astral space and
performing astral combat or casting spells. The target is the base
force, but the magician must avoid anything pulled into astral space.
Spells cast on the physical side of the vortex are lost in astral space.
Message no. 2
From: "Robert A. Hayden" <hayden@*******.MANKATO.MSUS.EDU>
Subject: Re: SUBMISSION: Astral Vortex
Date: Mon, 20 Feb 1995 16:42:10 -0600
A) how can something resemble a black hole if we've never seen on,
except in theory

B) way strange, but no stranger than Dead Zones. Something needs to be
said about how Rare or common these things are.

____ Robert A. Hayden <=> hayden@*******.mankato.msus.edu
\ /__ -=-=-=-=- <=> -=-=-=-=-
\/ / Finger for Geek Code Info <=> I am Pentium of Borg
\/ Finger for PGP Public Key <=> you will be approximated
Message no. 3
From: "J.D. Falk" <jdfalk@****.CAIS.COM>
Subject: Re: SUBMISSION: Astral Vortex
Date: Mon, 20 Feb 1995 18:48:00 -0500
On Mon, 20 Feb 1995, Robert A. Hayden wrote:

> A) how can something resemble a black hole if we've never seen on,
> except in theory

In that case, it must only resemble a black hole in theory. *grin*

> B) way strange, but no stranger than Dead Zones. Something needs to be
> said about how Rare or common these things are.

Agreed. If you wished, you could even go as far as to say that
they're more common in some parts of the world than in others. That
would make a lot of sense, considering that magic is stronger in some
areas, and technology has dampened it in some, and so forth.
Here's a thought -- could they be the result of strong magic and
strong technology existing in the same area for an extended period of
time? If so, I could see 'em being around where NORAD is now (more or
less in the Rockies), and definately wherever thermonuclear devices were
tested in otherwise natural settings.

-------------========== J.D. Falk <jdfalk@****.com> =========-------------
| "Information's pretty thin stuff unless mixed with experience." |
| -Clarence Day |
--------========== http://www.cais.com/jdfalk/home.html ==========--------
Message no. 4
From: Guy Swartwood <gswartwo@*********.WICHITAKS.NCR.COM>
Subject: Re: SUBMISSION: Astral Vortex
Date: Tue, 21 Feb 1995 08:25:00 PST
----------

> B) way strange, but no stranger than Dead Zones. Something needs to be
> said about how Rare or common these things are.

Agreed. If you wished, you could even go as far as to say that
they're more common in some parts of the world than in others. That
would make a lot of sense, considering that magic is stronger in some
areas, and technology has dampened it in some, and so forth.
Here's a thought -- could they be the result of strong magic and
strong technology existing in the same area for an extended period of
time? If so, I could see 'em being around where NORAD is now (more or
less in the Rockies), and definately wherever thermonuclear devices were
tested in otherwise natural settings.

-Or you could go with the idea that dead zones are where magic was used up.
This all goes witht he mana theory. That there is only so much mana in a
particular zone. WHen magic is used, mana is the fuel of the spell. That
means over a period of time and sufficent number of spells done, any area
would be dead.

This in it self causes to problems.

1. If that is true, why are cities not dead zones for that is where a good
number of magic is done (based on the theory that more magic active people
in concentrated areas than rural. The only explanation I could give to that
is that maybe somehow people or cities can replenish the mana and maybe that
the great magics was done in the rural areas (ie ghost dances and such) that
the rural areas couldn't replenish itself.

2. how does an area replenish itself.

As I said earlier, this is all dependant to a mana theory. If you don't
subscribe to it, than this message was a waste of time. I haven't
incorporated dead zones into my campaign yet, so therefore I want to know
more about it.
Message no. 5
From: "Robert A. Hayden" <hayden@*******.MANKATO.MSUS.EDU>
Subject: Re: SUBMISSION: Astral Vortex
Date: Tue, 21 Feb 1995 15:57:36 -0600
On Tue, 21 Feb 1995, Guy Swartwood wrote:

> Here's a thought -- could they be the result of strong magic and
> strong technology existing in the same area for an extended period of
> time? If so, I could see 'em being around where NORAD is now (more or
> less in the Rockies), and definately wherever thermonuclear devices were
> tested in otherwise natural settings.

I put forth to you that nuclear fusion and nuclear fission is a natural
occurance, as demonstrated by the fact we are all alive on this planet

> 1. If that is true, why are cities not dead zones for that is where a good
> number of magic is done (based on the theory that more magic active people
> in concentrated areas than rural. The only explanation I could give to that
> is that maybe somehow people or cities can replenish the mana and maybe that
> the great magics was done in the rural areas (ie ghost dances and such) that
> the rural areas couldn't replenish itself.

Life produces mana. High concentrations of people can eliminate the
technological cancellation.

> 2. how does an area replenish itself.
>
> As I said earlier, this is all dependant to a mana theory. If you don't
> subscribe to it, than this message was a waste of time. I haven't
> incorporated dead zones into my campaign yet, so therefore I want to know
> more about it.

Dead Zones are pretty goofy, IMHO, from a standpoint of trying to
understand the physics, and that's what makes them so kool. These
vortexes are also goofy from a standpoint of trying to understand them.

IMHO, votexes should appear only in places of high technology and
relatively low life (say, a supercollider in the middle of a desert).
When a vortex leave, there should be a TREMENDOUS amount of mana in the
area and it should act identical to a Dead Zone for (rating) Days.

Also, some guidelines for how stong, and how rare these are needs to be
worked up, also, what happens to a body sucked it. Is it gone forever or
does it reappear somewhere else?

____ Robert A. Hayden <=> hayden@*******.mankato.msus.edu
\ /__ -=-=-=-=- <=> -=-=-=-=-
\/ / Finger for Geek Code Info <=> I am Pentium of Borg
\/ Finger for PGP Public Key <=> you will be approximated

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