From:	bschlitt@**********.net (Dr. Robert Kyle)
Subject:	Re: Strange Spirits
Date:	Tue, 12 Mar 1996 22:43:05 -0600

>Hmmm. I have two problems with this concept. First, I always thought that
>outer space was magic null, thus making it hard to get spirits from. Second,
>I'd be reluctant to introduce too many types of new mages and magics to
>Shadowtalk...
Actually the magic bit dealing with space was described as "a
balloon suddenly having the air sucked out of it," or something along those
lines in a sourcebook. I am not suggesting lots o' new spirits or whatnot,
just I thought the idea was interesting considering the various implications
of problems dealing with magic and space. It might add new insights into
the workings of the Nega-Mage. Also there is strong evidence to suggest
that said magic sucked helps build a bridge to the horrors as per Harlequin
II. This might be a thing that exists along the area around the bridge and
slipped through.


>On the other hand, I also don't want this to turn into "new sourcebook
>monster of the week".
Neither do I. On shadowruns, runners constantly come into contact
with new technologies, uses of critters, etc. They are not so much new
things, but merely twists or improvements on the old. Often, during the
stressful situations that Shadowrunners have during their runs in the
confusion they see things that defy what they normally experience. Usually
it turns out to be nothing unusual in the end, but no one is gonna take that
chance. Basically Shade and a bunch of others saw a weird spirit, and
especially because he is a parazoologist, he is going to investigate this
creature to identify it if for nothing else than to satisfy academic curiosity.


>I don't know how powerful the various things sent against it were, but from
>my reading it could just (hah!) be a somewhat unusual Force 8 or so free
>spirit with a few points of spirit energy, a nasty form of engulf, etc.
>Highly obnoxious to deal with, but not as bad as the wraith by a long
>stretch, especially as someone in Maxim already knows its true name.
Considering the rarity of free spirits in the game, there is a
greater likelihood to encountering a new paranormal than meeting a free
spirit. As for the force, you vastly underestimate my character's
capabilities if you think that at a Force 8 spirit would so easily defeat an
initiated conjouring adept. The Storm spirit it killed almost
instantaneously was a Force 8 Greater Form Storm elemental by standard
procedure of my character under the circumstances. I would say that most
likely, if it were a normal spirit; then it would be at least Force 12 to
stop my character cold like that. He has a very high general conjuring
skill, and a few focuses that he brought along for no other purpose than to
banish enemy spirits. That is how he was able to almost control the toxic
spirit.

SInc.
Benjamin Schlitt