From:	jaimie.nicholson@********.otago.ac.nz (Jaimie Nicholson)
Subject:	Re: Watchers, watchers, and more damned watchers. Could there _be_ anything more
Date:	Mon, 3 Jun 1996 15:17:59 -0300

Evan said:

> Mirages are caused by differing air densities and the refraction
>(please, oh please, let that be the correct term) of light.

Yeah, sounds right, and that's what i mean by not much mass (air). If
shifting densities can do it, why does a manifested spirit have to be huge
and physically powerful to make itself visible?

He continued:

>> Speaking of manifested watchers, could you ground an area-affect spell...

> That would be one hell of an attack. It sounds like a good idea.

Whereas I tend to think that it sucks the big one. Still it would be good
to mess with those stupid FAB-UV-netgun-carrying-"I've got an astral net,
and you can't get me, nyah nyah nyah"-security-guards ("net this, you donut
snarfing fraggers").

Mark said:

>On the other hand, the "Astral-echo" effect is a well-established effect
>with documented mechanics (this is where you get a Perception test to see if
>you notice a spell or spirit that's hanging around astrally)... it's
>probably >not too much of a stretch to say that it's just a modification
>of Astral-echo.

That's what I meant by "there are two schools of thought on that one". And
isn't that perception test made when the spirit manifests, and is just
sitting nearby? Since all else has failed, I guess I'll have to check the
rulebook when I get home.

>I don't think Watchers should manifest, and, as a consequence, that they
>should not count for grounding spells through.

Yeah, fair enough, but any other force 1 spirit would still do.

Winter said:

>"Posters" in the lit. have stated that this
>will piss off spirits and even elementals, but it is not clear what
>the repercussions of this abuse may be.

Good point, but the posters seem to be talking out their arses. If the
spirit can be forced into slavery, have it's essence burnt to reduce drain
(allies only), have its force siphoned to maintain spells (elementals
only), and be bound to a site permanently (elementals only, I think), the
one that is merely grounded through should consider itself lucky.

Lastly, Mike Loll said:

>Watcher debate --------> shadowrn

(Here's a nice loophole) I may soon use a watcher or nature spirit in this
way on a shadowtk post and traffic amounts prevent me from being on
shadowrn. Does anyone have any input for me? Send it privately if you care
enough not to offend Mr Loll.

PLAYTHING OF A CRUEL GOD...
JAIMIE NICHOLSON