From:	bschlitt@**********.net (Dr. Robert Kyle)
Subject:	Re: Strange Spirits
Date:	Tue, 12 Mar 1996 18:31:56 -0600

>I took it from some extra goodies that I created for my game, so it's not
>a standard spirit. In my game, it's a Void elemental and has the powers
>of psychokinesis, engulf, and fear. Now, that's from a man who has 7
>extra elemental types, numerous new spirits, and at least three new toxic
>spirits too.
Actually, Brian, I liked the spirit. I thought it was a neat
addition to the mix, but then again I have been playing astrally active
characters in one form or another since the game came out so I am sort of
biased. ;-)
Now to share my opinion on the matter, I would have no problem for
it being a free spirit, but that wasn't the *feel* I got for the thing.
Though I am waiting on my copy of Awakenings, I am aware of the unusual
nasties that occassionaly mix-up with Shadowrunners. It had the simple
mindlessness that makes it that much more scary.
As to the idea of a Void elemental, I think it would be interesting,
but would need much explanation. In the Sourcebooks, they talk about the
nasty things that happen in Space to a Mage who goes Astral in any manner.
That would work with the absorption power that it kept using against spells,
etc. The only question would be, what sort of more unusual insane Toxic
would summon this sort of elemental. First, it would require the existence
of Toxic Mages (shamans wer what have only been dealt with mainly before) to
be able to summon the more unusual elementals. Also, the Astral appearance
of the creature suggests the mathematical precision developed in its
creation. Almost as if it had a aural conatainment field of some sort based
off of an Astral Matrix. Second, it would be very interesting to develop a
method for summoning such creatures at all, considering the current effects
of said void on Astrals. Lastly, you would have to be prepared to do some
more writing because Shade will want to pursue this thing to the far corners
of the earth to learn more about it, and at least disrupt it.
One other possibility is that it is a new form of Astral paranormal
from the sourcebooks. Maybe it is a metamorphosed Nomad, etc. This would
easily explain why Shade seemed to have such trouble banishing it, i.e. it
wasn't a spirit so the charms could only partially affect it. I personally
would prefer options two and three because the existence of another
unfriendly Free Spirit that reads something akin to "Worse that the Wraith,"
would seem too repetitive.
Ahh, here come the next Forec 22 Spirit. Time to get Thel ready to
be possessed again to destroy this horror.

Sinc.
Benjamin Schlitt
aka Shade, etc.