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Message no. 1
From: Ed <equine@***********.COM>
Subject: Questions from Ed
Date: Thu, 3 Dec 1998 14:11:20 -0600
Here are some more questions for you folks...

What exactly is a simsense? Is it just a movie/video on a disk?

How do you folks handle renting vehicles? Is there something I should roll
for to see if it is available?

I dont like the manifestation rule...or maybe I have just not understood it
correctly. It seems to be to easy for someone to pop up their ghostly form
anywhere they travel in astral space. Does anyone have a house rule with this?

Ed
Message no. 2
From: Tim Kerby <drekhead@***.NET>
Subject: Re: Questions from Ed
Date: Thu, 3 Dec 1998 15:18:08 -0500
On 3 Dec 98, at 14:11, Ed wrote:

> What exactly is a simsense? Is it just a movie/video on a disk?

Yea, but it's full sensory; like you are there. Check out the movie
Strange Days for a good display of simsense.

--

=================================================================
- Tim Kerby - |"Letter writing is the only
- drekhead@***.net - | device for combining
HTML to: drekhead@********.net | solitude and good company."
ICQ - UIN 2883757 | -Lord Byron
Message no. 3
From: "Ojaste,James [NCR]" <James.Ojaste@**.GC.CA>
Subject: Re: Questions from Ed
Date: Thu, 3 Dec 1998 15:18:17 -0500
Ed wrote:
> What exactly is a simsense? Is it just a movie/video on a disk?
>
Sort of - but imagine a movie which
a) really was 3d
b) you could *smell* things
c) you could *feel* things
In short, simsense is to a movie what a movie is to a book. (and
before anybody complains about books being much better than movies,
think for a bit, and reread the sentence)

> How do you folks handle renting vehicles? Is there something I should
> roll
> for to see if it is available?
>
You're the GM. Is it a reasonable request? Just about every rental
place will have half a dozen Jackrabbits or Americars and one or two
Honda ZXs. Just think of it in terms of today's rental agencies.

> I dont like the manifestation rule...or maybe I have just not understood
> it
> correctly. It seems to be to easy for someone to pop up their ghostly
> form
> anywhere they travel in astral space. Does anyone have a house rule with
> this?
>
Not that I've seen... Why do you object to having mages manifest?
Do you find it unbalancing in some way? Doesn't fit with your world
view? The rule you pick should be based on what the problem is.

James Ojaste
Message no. 4
From: Jared Leisner <leisnj48@****.CIS.UWOSH.EDU>
Subject: Re: Questions from Ed
Date: Thu, 3 Dec 1998 14:33:40 -0600
>I dont like the manifestation rule...or maybe I have just not understood it
>correctly. It seems to be to easy for someone to pop up their ghostly form
>anywhere they travel in astral space. Does anyone have a house rule with
this?


How do you understand it? In SR3, it works like this: A projecting magician
is in astral space and wants to talk to his buddies in the physical, so he
psychically puts his image (which he can not fake without a spell) into
their minds. Note that it only works on living beings looking at him or
within the sound of his voice.

Hmmmmm....two questions: Could a magician choose to show his image only to a
few select people (as an Intiate power?)? And if FASA wanted to really
seperate the physical and astral realms (see walking through living beings
and no grounding), how do they explain the
psychically-putting-images-into-the-brains-of-non-astrally-active-beings?

-Jared
Message no. 5
From: Ed <equine@***********.COM>
Subject: Re: Questions from Ed
Date: Thu, 3 Dec 1998 14:37:23 -0600
At 03:18 PM 12/3/98 -0500, you wrote:
>Sort of - but imagine a movie which
>a) really was 3d
>b) you could *smell* things
>c) you could *feel* things

Hmm..well this still makes me wonder about BTLs then.


>You're the GM. Is it a reasonable request? Just about every rental
>place will have half a dozen Jackrabbits or Americars and one or two
>Honda ZXs. Just think of it in terms of today's rental agencies.

Well if it was just a car he wanted. How about Hovercrafts? He wants a
small one that can go through the city.


>Not that I've seen... Why do you object to having mages manifest?
>Do you find it unbalancing in some way? Doesn't fit with your world
>view? The rule you pick should be based on what the problem is.

Yeah...we discussed this Friday while on a 5 hour drive to Beaumont, TX.
Two of us thought something should be done so it was not so easy for a mage
to manifest. I mean he could do things like sneak up on a guard and say
boo and if the guard was startled the others could pop in and take him out.
This could happen over and over again without the mage being affected
much...unless...there were astral baddies around to pound on him.

Ed
Message no. 6
From: Ed <equine@***********.COM>
Subject: Re: Questions from Ed
Date: Thu, 3 Dec 1998 14:32:37 -0600
At 03:18 PM 12/3/98 -0500, you wrote:
>Yea, but it's full sensory; like you are there. Check out the movie
>Strange Days for a good display of simsense.

That is what I thought. I loved that movie. I think it was one of the
closest SR movies I have seen without the cyber implants and magic. I am
just curious about the difference between Simsense and BTL. I though BTL
was the full sensory living the even that is taking place kind of
entertainment.

Ed
Message no. 7
From: "Ojaste,James [NCR]" <James.Ojaste@**.GC.CA>
Subject: Re: Questions from Ed
Date: Thu, 3 Dec 1998 15:42:41 -0500
Ed wrote:
> >Sort of - but imagine a movie which
> >a) really was 3d
> >b) you could *smell* things
> >c) you could *feel* things
>
> Hmm..well this still makes me wonder about BTLs then.
>
BTLs are just simsense with really high signal levels. They feel more
real than real life.

> >You're the GM. Is it a reasonable request? Just about every rental
> >place will have half a dozen Jackrabbits or Americars and one or two
> >Honda ZXs. Just think of it in terms of today's rental agencies.
>
> Well if it was just a car he wanted. How about Hovercrafts? He wants a
> small one that can go through the city.
>
In Seattle? Good luck! :-) (this is what I'd classify "an
unreasonable request")

> >Not that I've seen... Why do you object to having mages manifest?
> >Do you find it unbalancing in some way? Doesn't fit with your world
> >view? The rule you pick should be based on what the problem is.
>
> Yeah...we discussed this Friday while on a 5 hour drive to Beaumont, TX.
> Two of us thought something should be done so it was not so easy for a
> mage
> to manifest. I mean he could do things like sneak up on a guard and say
> boo and if the guard was startled the others could pop in and take him
> out.
> This could happen over and over again without the mage being affected
> much...unless...there were astral baddies around to pound on him.
>
Ah. Well, you've hit upon one big thing, nasty things waiting in
astral space. You could try passive defenses, like wards. If you
*really* want a houserule, try (4 + # of hours in astral space)L stun
resisted by willpower everytime he projects. 4L doesn't seem like
much, but eventually the TN will creep up and he'll miss a couple...

James Ojaste
Message no. 8
From: Ed <equine@***********.COM>
Subject: Re: Questions from Ed
Date: Thu, 3 Dec 1998 14:55:22 -0600
At 02:33 PM 12/3/98 -0600, you wrote:
>How do you understand it? In SR3, it works like this: A projecting magician
>is in astral space and wants to talk to his buddies in the physical, so he
>psychically puts his image (which he can not fake without a spell) into
>their minds. Note that it only works on living beings looking at him or
>within the sound of his voice.
>Hmmmmm....two questions: Could a magician choose to show his image only to a
>few select people (as an Intiate power?)? And if FASA wanted to really
>seperate the physical and astral realms (see walking through living beings
>and no grounding), how do they explain the
>psychically-putting-images-into-the-brains-of-non-astrally-active-beings?

I understand it the same way you do from the looks of it. The other thing
we discussed was if the mage is projecting and talking to one person when
someone else walks in would the one just coming into the area see the
manifestation? Is it all mental and only the people there at the time can
see him?

Ed
Message no. 9
From: Ed <equine@***********.COM>
Subject: Re: Questions from Ed
Date: Thu, 3 Dec 1998 14:59:55 -0600
At 03:42 PM 12/3/98 -0500, you wrote:
>BTLs are just simsense with really high signal levels. They feel more
>real than real life.

So they are only illegal because they are addictive?


>In Seattle? Good luck! :-) (this is what I'd classify "an
>unreasonable request")

Do you mean finding a hovercraft to rent or driving one in Seattle is an
unreasonable request?


>Ah. Well, you've hit upon one big thing, nasty things waiting in
>astral space. You could try passive defenses, like wards. If you
>*really* want a houserule, try (4 + # of hours in astral space)L stun
>resisted by willpower everytime he projects. 4L doesn't seem like
>much, but eventually the TN will creep up and he'll miss a couple...

That might work. One thing we came up with was that everytime he manifests
he subtracted one extra Essence point. That way he could manifest 5 times
within the hour or do it once or twice in a couple of hours.

Which brings me to another question. Why does it take away essence while
he is in astral space? Why not stun damage? And what kind of shape is he
in if his essence goes to 1? Would it be the same as a street sam with a 1
essence?

Ed
Message no. 10
From: Kevin Langevin <kevinl@******.COM>
Subject: Re: Questions from Ed
Date: Thu, 3 Dec 1998 16:15:54 -0500
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Ed [mailto:equine@***********.COM]
> Sent: Thursday, December 03, 1998 4:00 PM
> To: SHADOWRN@********.ITRIBE.NET
> Subject: Re: Questions from Ed
>
>
> At 03:42 PM 12/3/98 -0500, you wrote:
> >BTLs are just simsense with really high signal levels. They
> feel more
> >real than real life.
>
> So they are only illegal because they are addictive?

Nope...the cen actually alter a person's mind, causing the person to lose
themselves in the BTL's reality. Check out the Dreamchipper adventure...

-Kev
Message no. 11
From: Micheal Feeney <Starrngr@***.COM>
Subject: Re: Questions from Ed
Date: Thu, 3 Dec 1998 16:54:58 EST
In a message dated 98-12-03 15:11:37 EST, you write:

> Here are some more questions for you folks...
>
> What exactly is a simsense? Is it just a movie/video on a disk?
>
> How do you folks handle renting vehicles? Is there something I should roll
> for to see if it is available?

Simsense is more than that. Simsense is more like a movie where YOU are the
lead charecter. You see, hear, and feel just what the hero does during the
course of the 'movie'. ASSIST is similar, in and off it converts signals from
a vehicle or the Matrix into things the Rigger or decker can see, hear, and or
feel. Its how a rigger "becomes" the vehicle, or a decker becomes so fast in
the Matrix.

Renting vehicles? Thats a good one. I would only invoke an availability roll
if 1) the charecter is Sinless, 2) they are trying to rent something esoteric
or expensive or 3) they've rented a vehicle in the past and wrecked it.

as far as cost? Hmm. I'd divide the book price by 100 and thats the rental
cost per day.

--
Starrngr -- Now with WEBPAGE:
Ranger HQ
<A HREF="http://hometown.aol.com/starrngr/index.htm">;
HTTP://hometown.aol.com/starrngr/index.htm</A>;

"You wear a Hawaiian shirt and bring your music on a RUN? No wonder they call
you Howling Mad..." -- Rabid the Pysad.
Message no. 12
From: Paul Gettle <RunnerPaul@*****.COM>
Subject: Re: Questions from Ed
Date: Thu, 3 Dec 1998 17:12:17 -0500
-----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE-----

At 02:32 PM 12/3/98 -0600, Ed wrote:
>>Yea, but it's full sensory; like you are there. Check out the movie
>>Strange Days for a good display of simsense.
>
>That is what I thought. I loved that movie. I think it was one of
the
>closest SR movies I have seen without the cyber implants and magic.
I am
>just curious about the difference between Simsense and BTL. I though
BTL
>was the full sensory living the even that is taking place kind of
>entertainment.

The difference between simsense and BTL is one of intensity. Simsense
mimics sensations that you could experience in real life; BTL "turns
the volume UP" delivering sensations at a higher intensity than would
be possible in reality.

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--
-- Paul Gettle, #970 of 1000 (RunnerPaul@*****.com)
PGP Fingerprint, Key ID:0x48F3AACD (RSA 1024, created 98/06/26)
C260 94B3 6722 6A25 63F8 0690 9EA2 3344
Message no. 13
From: Paul Gettle <RunnerPaul@*****.COM>
Subject: Re: Questions from Ed
Date: Thu, 3 Dec 1998 17:29:15 -0500
-----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE-----

At 02:59 PM 12/3/98 -0600, Ed wrote:
>>BTLs are just simsense with really high signal levels. They feel
more
>>real than real life.
>
>So they are only illegal because they are addictive?

Not just addictive, but strongly so. Several years back, there was a
neurological study, to determine how the brain senses pleasure and
pain. One experiment in the study involved inserting electrical leads
into the "pleasure centers" of rats' brains. The rats' cages were
fitted with a bar they could press that would trigger a short charge
of electricty, stimulating their pleasure centers. The results of the
experiment were extreme: once the rats learned what pressing down on
the bar resulted in, they soon began pressing down on the bar
repeatedly, up to several thousand times an hour. This activity would
continue to the exclusion of drinking, eating, sleeping, and all other
ratish activities, until the rats passed out from exhaustion,
dehydration, and undernourishment. BTL is a bit more refined than a
raw jolt of electricity to the right nerve endings, but as far as
addictions go, it's certainly in the same ballpark.

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--
-- Paul Gettle, #970 of 1000 (RunnerPaul@*****.com)
PGP Fingerprint, Key ID:0x48F3AACD (RSA 1024, created 98/06/26)
C260 94B3 6722 6A25 63F8 0690 9EA2 3344
Message no. 14
From: Iridios <iridios@*********.COM>
Subject: Re: Questions from Ed
Date: Thu, 3 Dec 1998 19:13:06 -0500
Ed wrote:
>
> At 03:18 PM 12/3/98 -0500, Tim wrote:
> >Yea, but it's full sensory; like you are there. Check out the movie
> >Strange Days for a good display of simsense.
>
> That is what I thought. I loved that movie. I think it was one of the
> closest SR movies I have seen without the cyber implants and magic. I am
> just curious about the difference between Simsense and BTL. I though BTL
> was the full sensory living the even that is taking place kind of
> entertainment.

Another good example for simsense is the movie "Brainstorm" (IIRC).
In the movie they recorded all the sensory information, but in the
process also recorded some of the bodily responses, chemical reactions
and such. The scientists cut these tracks out to allow the recordings
to be viewed with minimal dangers and scenes were shown what it could
be like without cutting out these particular reactions.

--
Iridios
iridios@*********.com
ICQ UIN:6629224
http://www.geocities.com/Area51/Shadowlands/9489

-------Begin Geek Code Block------
GS d-(++) s+: a- C++ U?@>++ P L E?
W++ N o-- K- w(---) O? M-- V? PS+@
PE Y+ !PGP>++ t++@ 5+ X++@ R++@ tv
b+ DI++ !D G e+@>++++ h--- r+++ y+++
-------End Geek Code Block--------
Message no. 15
From: Fade <runefo@***.UIO.NO>
Subject: Re: Questions from Ed
Date: Fri, 4 Dec 1998 04:28:49 +0000
> Here are some more questions for you folks...
>
> What exactly is a simsense? Is it just a movie/video on a disk?

Yes and no. It's simulated senses - a movie played in your head,
direct input to your senses instead of through a screen etc. It thus
feels like you're watching the movie as one of the actors.

(*really* good actors are therefore *very* highly paid, since they
not only have to look good but 'feel' good - and realistic.).

Same tech that gives the matrix and drone control interface.

BTL chips is simsense run through serious enhancers, giving
'overdoses' of stimuli. Highly addictive & fries the brain, making it
numb to normal (RL) stimuli.

Simsense can be played off head induction sets (no cyber) or through
chipjacks. (Insert simsense chip, have fun.). Dunno about datajacks.

Another option - direct simsense link - allows a live transfer of
simsense - you are a passenger, live, in another's body. (No control,
just a passenger.).

All this is highly expanded upon in Shadowbeat, one of the more rare
and sought after books. That reminds me...

ATTENTION! The local gaming store has 4 Shadowbeat on the shelf.
Anyone want me to buy it for'em? I'm not kidding here, but cash
transfer will be a bitch...



> How do you folks handle renting vehicles? Is there something I should roll
> for to see if it is available?

First off, they need a (fake) ID. Probably rating 3-4 tester.
Whatever ID is used is registered as the owner. Common rental
vehicles - ford americar, semi-sporty hondas etc. should be very
available. Anything fancy might be harder.

If the car is stolen/destroyed/damaged/not returned the fake ID is
compromised. Since most okay fake ID's should cost more than a car,
it won't be cost - effective to steal the car or use it as an
'expendable' car.

> I dont like the manifestation rule...or maybe I have just not understood it
> correctly. It seems to be to easy for someone to pop up their ghostly form
> anywhere they travel in astral space. Does anyone have a house rule with this?

Hm.. no, just keep in mind it's not a true manifestation - they
cannot do *anything* to anyone, except communicate weakly and perhaps
distract someone that doesn't know much about it. Keep in mind that
it's probably one of the more well - known aspects of magic, so it
won't confuse/scare/panic people beyond the fact there's a mage in
the area. (At least if you do not want it to be a powerful tool.).

Regards,
Fade
--
Fade

And the Prince of Lies said:
"To reign is worth ambition, though in Hell:
Better to reign in hell than to serve in heaven."
-John Milton, Paradise Lost
Message no. 16
From: Gurth <gurth@******.NL>
Subject: Re: Questions from Ed
Date: Fri, 4 Dec 1998 12:03:34 +0100
According to Ed, at 14:11 on 3 Dec 98, the word on
the street was...

> What exactly is a simsense? Is it just a movie/video on a disk?

I see it as a movie you're actually in, with all the senses stimulated
rather than just sight and hearing; sort of like a dream, really, except
one that makes sense when you look back on it afterward :)

> How do you folks handle renting vehicles? Is there something I should roll
> for to see if it is available?

Characters with a SIN should be able to rent a car easily enough, I think.
SINless ones will have a much harder time, but from a normal rental agency
the price (according to one FASA-published adventure) is 1% of the
purchase price per day, including insurance. Payment must be in advance.

> I dont like the manifestation rule...or maybe I have just not understood it
> correctly. It seems to be to easy for someone to pop up their ghostly form
> anywhere they travel in astral space. Does anyone have a house rule with this?

This has always been easy, except SR3 is the first book that really puts
it into rules rather than vague mentions in texts that are really about
something else.

--
Gurth@******.nl - http://www.xs4all.nl/~gurth/index.html
If I had green hair, I'd dye it.
-> NERPS Project Leader * ShadowRN GridSec * Unofficial Shadowrun Guru <-
-> The Plastic Warriors Page: http://www.xs4all.nl/~gurth/plastic.html <-
-> The New Character Mortuary: http://www.electricferret.com/mortuary/ <-

GC3.1: GAT/! d-(dpu) s:- !a>? C+(++)@ U P L E? W(++) N o? K- w+ O V? PS+
PE Y PGP- t(+) 5++ X++ R+++>$ tv+(++) b++@ DI? D+ G(++) e h! !r(---) y?
Incubated into the First Church of the Sqooshy Ball, 21-05-1998
Message no. 17
From: Gurth <gurth@******.NL>
Subject: Re: Questions from Ed
Date: Fri, 4 Dec 1998 12:03:34 +0100
According to Ed, at 14:59 on 3 Dec 98, the word on
the street was...

[BTLs]
> So they are only illegal because they are addictive?

Yes. The signal is so high that it causes addiction (and IIRC illness), so
governments tend to say they're forbidden.

> >In Seattle? Good luck! :-) (this is what I'd classify "an
> >unreasonable request")
>
> Do you mean finding a hovercraft to rent or driving one in Seattle is an
> unreasonable request?

I'd say driving one is an unreasonable request. I used to think nothing of
having hovercraft in Seattle, but now I've seen the city I've changed my
position :) I guess you're like me and live in a flat area, so you assume
that any area in the world is flat unless you're specifically told there
are hills there, right?

> Which brings me to another question. Why does it take away essence while
> he is in astral space? Why not stun damage?

Stun damage makes tasks more difficult to perform, while losing Essence
only puts a time limit on things.

> And what kind of shape is he in if his essence goes to 1? Would it be
> the same as a street sam with a 1 essence?

What shape _is_ a sam in with 1 Essence?

--
Gurth@******.nl - http://www.xs4all.nl/~gurth/index.html
If I had green hair, I'd dye it.
-> NERPS Project Leader * ShadowRN GridSec * Unofficial Shadowrun Guru <-
-> The Plastic Warriors Page: http://www.xs4all.nl/~gurth/plastic.html <-
-> The New Character Mortuary: http://www.electricferret.com/mortuary/ <-

GC3.1: GAT/! d-(dpu) s:- !a>? C+(++)@ U P L E? W(++) N o? K- w+ O V? PS+
PE Y PGP- t(+) 5++ X++ R+++>$ tv+(++) b++@ DI? D+ G(++) e h! !r(---) y?
Incubated into the First Church of the Sqooshy Ball, 21-05-1998
Message no. 18
From: David Buehrer <dbuehrer@******.CARL.ORG>
Subject: Re: Questions from Ed
Date: Fri, 4 Dec 1998 07:35:06 -0700
For the mere cost of a Thaum, Paul Gettle wrote:
/
/ -----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE-----
/
/ At 02:32 PM 12/3/98 -0600, Ed wrote:
/ >>Yea, but it's full sensory; like you are there. Check out the movie
/ >>Strange Days for a good display of simsense.
/ >
/ >That is what I thought. I loved that movie. I think it was one of
/ the
/ >closest SR movies I have seen without the cyber implants and magic.
/ I am
/ >just curious about the difference between Simsense and BTL. I though
/ BTL
/ >was the full sensory living the even that is taking place kind of
/ >entertainment.
/
/ The difference between simsense and BTL is one of intensity. Simsense
/ mimics sensations that you could experience in real life; BTL "turns
/ the volume UP" delivering sensations at a higher intensity than would
/ be possible in reality.

IIRC BTL can either be a simsense where the sensations are realler than
real (at the orgasm level), or one or more sensations are looped (while
plugged in you continually feel pleasure, or pain, or whatever).

There's probably also a black market of simsense where the user can
experience the rush of killing someone, or being killed, or commiting
or being the victim of given perverse crimes ("filmed" without the
"stars" consent).

BTLs are most often detrimental to the user by causing brain damage
and/or physical and emotional addiction.

-David B.
--
"Earn what you have been given."
--
email: dbuehrer@******.carl.org
http://www.geocities.com/TimesSquare/1068/homepage.htm
Message no. 19
From: Ed <equine@***********.COM>
Subject: Re: Questions from Ed
Date: Fri, 4 Dec 1998 09:14:09 -0600
At 12:03 PM 12/4/98 +0100, you wrote:
>Yes. The signal is so high that it causes addiction (and IIRC illness), so
>governments tend to say they're forbidden.

Kind of like crack or PCP??! :)


>position :) I guess you're like me and live in a flat area, so you assume
>that any area in the world is flat unless you're specifically told there
>are hills there, right?

Yes I am...I live in Dallas, TX....so all I can say is, "Hills?? What are
those?"


>Stun damage makes tasks more difficult to perform, while losing Essence
>only puts a time limit on things.

So which is better for astral work? Stun damage so things get harder to
perform the longer they are there or just taking away essence?


>> And what kind of shape is he in if his essence goes to 1? Would it be
>> the same as a street sam with a 1 essence?
>What shape _is_ a sam in with 1 Essence?

Good question. I have heard many things about what a low essence does to
someone. What would your opinion be?

Ed
Message no. 20
From: Gurth <gurth@******.NL>
Subject: Re: Questions from Ed
Date: Fri, 4 Dec 1998 18:51:11 +0100
According to Ed, at 9:14 on 4 Dec 98, the word on
the street was...

> Kind of like crack or PCP??! :)

Except BTL-users tend to stay in one place and do nothing more than "live"
the sim (simdecks are built to prevent the user from moving with the
action, to avoid injury and dangerous situations). OTOH those with
modified decks _can_ move around, but it's not the smartest thing in the
world to do (still, neither is using BTLs, so...).

> Yes I am...I live in Dallas, TX.... so all I can say is, "Hills?? What
> are those?"

Exactly my point, and very much the same situation I'm in. Trust me,
Seattle is _not_ built on flat land :)

> >Stun damage makes tasks more difficult to perform, while losing Essence
> >only puts a time limit on things.
>
> So which is better for astral work? Stun damage so things get harder to
> perform the longer they are there or just taking away essence?

I'd say losing Essence is the better option. Stun damage not only makes
TNs higher, it also means that it's easier for others on the astral plane
to knock out astral magicians -- say you take one box per half hour, which
equates roughly to the BTB time of 6 hours you can stay astral; after 2
hours, an atacker only needs to do 8 boxes of damage to make you KO.

> >What shape _is_ a sam in with 1 Essence?
>
> Good question. I have heard many things about what a low essence does to
> someone. What would your opinion be?

Mine is that a street sam with 1 Essence is just the same as one with 6
Essence -- mentally, that is. Physically there will be all kinds of
cyberware, of course, but I don't subscribe to the cyberpsychosis school
that someone seems to be advocating on ShadowGM ATM.

--
Gurth@******.nl - http://www.xs4all.nl/~gurth/index.html
If I had green hair, I'd dye it.
-> NERPS Project Leader * ShadowRN GridSec * Unofficial Shadowrun Guru <-
-> The Plastic Warriors Page: http://www.xs4all.nl/~gurth/plastic.html <-
-> The New Character Mortuary: http://www.electricferret.com/mortuary/ <-

GC3.1: GAT/! d-(dpu) s:- !a>? C+(++)@ U P L E? W(++) N o? K- w+ O V? PS+
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Incubated into the First Church of the Sqooshy Ball, 21-05-1998
Message no. 21
From: "Ojaste,James [NCR]" <James.Ojaste@**.GC.CA>
Subject: Re: Questions from Ed
Date: Fri, 4 Dec 1998 14:33:28 -0500
Ed wrote:
> >BTLs are just simsense with really high signal levels. They feel more
> >real than real life.
> So they are only illegal because they are addictive?
>
That and they can fry people's brains...

> >In Seattle? Good luck! :-) (this is what I'd classify "an
> >unreasonable request")
>
> Do you mean finding a hovercraft to rent or driving one in Seattle is an
> unreasonable request?
>
Well, both actually. Seattle is (as others have pointed out) hilly.
Second, why have hovercraft? They're less efficient and more expensive
than cars, less maneuverable than choppers (though less expensive,
IIRC). What's the demand for them? Well, they'll deal with any really
rough terrain (either broken ground or lots of gullies), and they'll
handle water well (but you'd need it for both, or you'd just get a
boat).

In short, they're a pretty specialized type of vehicle with low demand,
thus they won't be easily available - and that's on top of not being
able to drive them in Seattle!

> >*really* want a houserule, try (4 + # of hours in astral space)L stun
> That might work. One thing we came up with was that everytime he
> manifests
> he subtracted one extra Essence point. That way he could manifest 5 times
> within the hour or do it once or twice in a couple of hours.
>
You might want to make it that every minute he spends manifesting you
subtract essence (I could see popping back and forth causing strain,
but not *that* much strain).

> Which brings me to another question. Why does it take away essence while
> he is in astral space? Why not stun damage? And what kind of shape is he
> in if his essence goes to 1? Would it be the same as a street sam with a
> 1
> essence?
>
To limit mages from spending all their time in astral space. It
reduces essence because that's much nastier - you run out, you die.
It's a finite limit on everybody.

As for what shape he's in at essence 1? Yeah, the same as the sam.
What's that mean? Nobody really knows - it's been bandied about that
you start feeling separated from your body, but it's all speculation.
FASA hasn't really mentioned it.

James Ojaste
Message no. 22
From: Ed <equine@***********.COM>
Subject: Re: Questions from Ed
Date: Fri, 4 Dec 1998 13:47:28 -0600
At 02:33 PM 12/4/98 -0500, you wrote:
>Well, both actually. Seattle is (as others have pointed out) hilly.
>Second, why have hovercraft? They're less efficient and more expensive

Well one of my players is looking for a driving skillsoft and if he can not
find one he wants a hovercraft so he can drive around using his hovercraft
skillsoft.


>As for what shape he's in at essence 1? Yeah, the same as the sam.
>What's that mean? Nobody really knows - it's been bandied about that
>you start feeling separated from your body, but it's all speculation.
>FASA hasn't really mentioned it.

Well when I think of low essence with Sams I think of one who is not quite
there. Psychopathic at times...to himself...doesnt care about
people...could kill without blinking an eye. I don't see why that would
happen to a mage who has been astral for a few hours. Tired and drained
maybe but not the way I mentioned a Sam would be.

Ed
Message no. 23
From: "Ojaste,James [NCR]" <James.Ojaste@**.GC.CA>
Subject: Re: Questions from Ed
Date: Fri, 4 Dec 1998 14:57:30 -0500
Ed wrote:
> >Well, both actually. Seattle is (as others have pointed out) hilly.
> >Second, why have hovercraft? They're less efficient and more expensive
>
> Well one of my players is looking for a driving skillsoft and if he can
> not
> find one he wants a hovercraft so he can drive around using his hovercraft
> skillsoft.
>
Uh huh. Well, I'd say that buying a driving skillsoft wouldn't be
too difficult and neither would be renting a car. Hovercraft just
don't belong in Seattle. The Netherlands, sure. Africa, fine.
Seattle? Nope.

> >As for what shape he's in at essence 1? Yeah, the same as the sam.
> >What's that mean? Nobody really knows - it's been bandied about that
> >you start feeling separated from your body, but it's all speculation.
> >FASA hasn't really mentioned it.
>
> Well when I think of low essence with Sams I think of one who is not quite
> there. Psychopathic at times...to himself...doesnt care about
> people...could kill without blinking an eye. I don't see why that would
> happen to a mage who has been astral for a few hours. Tired and drained
> maybe but not the way I mentioned a Sam would be.
>
Hm. I never pictured essence loss that way myself. Being separated
from your body could lead to a loss of empathy, but there's a big
jump between being empathic and killing people. Personally, I find it
difficult to empathize with people at times (and feel *guilty* for not
empathizing - ironic, huh?), but I haven't killed anybody. Yet. ;-)

Anyway, astral space is generally accepted to be the realm of emotion,
and I can easily see either spending "life force" to be there
unnaturally, or becoming more attached to that place than to your body.
(I personally subscribe more to the second - think of slowly pulling on
a wad of chewing gum, it'll get thinner and thinner until it eventually
snaps)

James Ojaste
Message no. 24
From: Ed <equine@***********.COM>
Subject: Re: Questions from Ed
Date: Fri, 4 Dec 1998 14:11:44 -0600
At 02:57 PM 12/4/98 -0500, you wrote:
>Uh huh. Well, I'd say that buying a driving skillsoft wouldn't be
>too difficult and neither would be renting a car. Hovercraft just
>don't belong in Seattle. The Netherlands, sure. Africa, fine.
>Seattle? Nope.

Well I he needs the driving chip in like 15 hours but the roll he got will
take him 1 day atleast. I would be nice and let him have it but I want
them to squirm. :) Unless of course Fade is reading this and then I will
say...oops he just didnt get the roll he needed to make it available any
sooner. Too bad no one picked a driving skill. Plus no riggers in the
group makes travel a bitch too. :)


>Anyway, astral space is generally accepted to be the realm of emotion,
>and I can easily see either spending "life force" to be there
>unnaturally, or becoming more attached to that place than to your body.
>(I personally subscribe more to the second - think of slowly pulling on
>a wad of chewing gum, it'll get thinner and thinner until it eventually
>snaps)

Is that the same way deckers feel in the matrix? They start liking it
better than reality and would rather spend their time there than in their
meat body? That is how I have always understood it but I may be taking
what I read somewhere out of context.

Ed
Message no. 25
From: Fade <runefo@***.UIO.NO>
Subject: Re: Questions from Ed
Date: Fri, 4 Dec 1998 21:26:17 +0000
> >Well, both actually. Seattle is (as others have pointed out) hilly.
> >Second, why have hovercraft? They're less efficient and more expensive
>
> Well one of my players is looking for a driving skillsoft and if he can not
> find one he wants a hovercraft so he can drive around using his hovercraft
> skillsoft.

(Hi Sid!)

It is probably quite possible to rent a hovercraft - they seem a lot
more available then than they are now. But it is not advisable to
drive around downtown with it. They are usually bigger (wider) than
normal cars, which won't go well with most streets, as well as ...
'windy'. Not quite as bad as a helicopter, but near enough and thus
quite unpleasant, possibly even dangerous (flying grit etc. could
injure eyes or face.. minor injuries but enough that it won't be
popular).). He could probably do so, but he might get arrested. He
would also know this, most likely, so he should be warned it might be
endangering the public and a traffic violation or ten.

*SNIP Samurai with low essence and mages in astral.*

*nod* Temporary essence loss like that suffered by astral mages would
not incur any sort of personality disorders IMO. (Unless the mage
wants it to.). It's usually a good idea to leave it up to the player
exactly how it affects the character in the case of sammies as well.
The listed symptoms need not be the ones.. but there should be SOME
symptoms. (Disassociation syndrome seems like the medical term and is
the most common.).

IOW, the mage's reduced essence while astrally travelling is quite
simply a time limit. Once he gets very near that limit (last hour?)
he should probably feel like he's 'fading' or weakening, simply as a
warning.

Read ahead to D.Buehrer's comments.
Interesting idea, that the reason mages 'die' at 0 essence is because
they decide they want to stay or become 'one' with the astral space
once their essence is gone. Would seem more suitable to use willpower
then, though, but the idea has merit.

Regards,
Fade
--
Fade

And the Prince of Lies said:
"To reign is worth ambition, though in Hell:
Better to reign in hell than to serve in heaven."
-John Milton, Paradise Lost
Message no. 26
From: Fade <runefo@***.UIO.NO>
Subject: Re: Questions from Ed
Date: Fri, 4 Dec 1998 21:33:43 +0000
> Well I he needs the driving chip in like 15 hours but the roll he got will
> take him 1 day atleast. I would be nice and let him have it but I want
> them to squirm. :) Unless of course Fade is reading this and then I will
> say...oops he just didnt get the roll he needed to make it available any
> sooner. Too bad no one picked a driving skill. Plus no riggers in the
> group makes travel a bitch too. :)

Uhhh....

Doh!

He did roll badly, right? Okay. ;)

Driving on reaction would be okay as long as they/we didn't get
stopped by the cops and nothing hairy happened.
(No skill implies no driving licence implies a problem with the
Lone Star.).

*cough* Who am I kidding? We're dead if we try that. Chased by cops
all over, ramming into things, burning wrecks in our wake...

Sounds fun! Let's do it!! ;)

Regards,
Fade
--
Fade

And the Prince of Lies said:
"To reign is worth ambition, though in Hell:
Better to reign in hell than to serve in heaven."
-John Milton, Paradise Lost
Message no. 27
From: Ed <equine@***********.COM>
Subject: Re: Questions from Ed
Date: Fri, 4 Dec 1998 14:45:21 -0600
At 09:33 PM 12/4/98 +0000, you wrote:
>*cough* Who am I kidding? We're dead if we try that. Chased by cops
>all over, ramming into things, burning wrecks in our wake...
>Sounds fun! Let's do it!! ;)

That is why I dont care if he finds the chip in time or not. :) I want to
see someone drive that van and keep it from getting messed up! :) Oh I
might add in a car chase just to have some extra enjoyment...for myself of
course.

Ed
Message no. 28
From: Nexx <nexx@********.NET>
Subject: Re: Questions from Ed
Date: Fri, 4 Dec 1998 17:21:49 -0600
----------
> From: Fade <runefo@***.UIO.NO>
>
> Driving on reaction would be okay as long as they/we didn't get
> stopped by the cops and nothing hairy happened.
> (No skill implies no driving licence implies a problem with the
> Lone Star.).

No skill does not imply no license... judging from the way other people
drive, its practically required that you have no skill to get a license...
Message no. 29
From: Fade <runefo@***.UIO.NO>
Subject: Re: Questions from Ed
Date: Sat, 5 Dec 1998 01:54:07 +0000
> > From: Fade <runefo@***.UIO.NO>
> >
> > Driving on reaction would be okay as long as they/we didn't get
> > stopped by the cops and nothing hairy happened.
> > (No skill implies no driving licence implies a problem with the
> > Lone Star.).
>
> No skill does not imply no license... judging from the way other people
> drive, its practically required that you have no skill to get a license...

Oh, you forget the nature of a skill of 1.

Fumbling once every six tries is a lot worse than what you get just
by driving on reaction. ;)

Regards,
Fade
--
Fade

And the Prince of Lies said:
"To reign is worth ambition, though in Hell:
Better to reign in hell than to serve in heaven."
-John Milton, Paradise Lost
Message no. 30
From: Micheal Feeney <Starrngr@***.COM>
Subject: Re: Questions from Ed
Date: Fri, 4 Dec 1998 20:08:16 EST
In a message dated 98-12-04 18:30:08 EST, you write:

>
> No skill does not imply no license... judging from the way other people
> drive, its practically required that you have no skill to get a license...
>
>

Sounds like someone ELSE lives in Lost Angeles as well.

--
Starrngr -- Now with an UPDATED webpage:
Ranger HQ
<A HREF="http://hometown.aol.com/starrngr/index.htm">;
HTTP://hometown.aol.com/starrngr/index.htm</A>;

"You wear a Hawaiian shirt and bring your music on a RUN? No wonder they call
you Howling Mad..." -- Rabid the Pysad.
Message no. 31
From: Starjammer <starjammer@**********.COM>
Subject: Re: Questions from Ed
Date: Fri, 4 Dec 1998 20:12:11 -0500
At 05:21 PM 12/4/98 -0600, Nexx wrote:
>----------
>> From: Fade <runefo@***.UIO.NO>
>>
>> Driving on reaction would be okay as long as they/we didn't get
>> stopped by the cops and nothing hairy happened.
>> (No skill implies no driving licence implies a problem with the
>> Lone Star.).
>
>No skill does not imply no license... judging from the way other people
>drive, its practically required that you have no skill to get a license...

Well, yeah. Anyway, we treat certain things as "Everyman" skills depending
on the character's background and lifestyle, and basic motor-vehicle
operation is usually assumed under that. It's only when you get into
radical maneuvering or dangerous conditions that skill rolls start cropping
up.

Starjammer | Una salus victus nullam sperare salutem.
starjammer@**********.com | "The one hope of the doomed is not to hope
Marietta, GA | for safety." --Virgil, The Aeneid
Message no. 32
From: Gurth <gurth@******.NL>
Subject: Re: Questions from Ed
Date: Sat, 5 Dec 1998 11:55:33 +0100
According to someone else than Fade, at 21:33 on 4 Dec 98, the word on
the street was...

> > Well I he needs the driving chip in like 15 hours but the roll he got will
> > take him 1 day atleast. I would be nice and let him have it but I want
> > them to squirm. :)

I just had an evil GM idea... The fixer doesn't have a Car chip, but who
says he doesn't have a Hovercraft chip handy? Stick a different label on
the thing, and sell it as if it were a Car chip. Then apply the necessary
TN modifiers without telling the player...

--
Gurth@******.nl - http://www.xs4all.nl/~gurth/index.html
If I had green hair, I'd dye it.
-> NERPS Project Leader * ShadowRN GridSec * Unofficial Shadowrun Guru <-
-> The Plastic Warriors Page: http://www.xs4all.nl/~gurth/plastic.html <-
-> The New Character Mortuary: http://www.electricferret.com/mortuary/ <-

GC3.1: GAT/! d-(dpu) s:- !a>? C+(++)@ U P L E? W(++) N o? K- w+ O V? PS+
PE Y PGP- t(+) 5++ X++ R+++>$ tv+(++) b++@ DI? D+ G(++) e h! !r(---) y?
Incubated into the First Church of the Sqooshy Ball, 21-05-1998
Message no. 33
From: Gurth <gurth@******.NL>
Subject: Re: Questions from Ed
Date: Sat, 5 Dec 1998 11:55:33 +0100
According to Ojaste,James [NCR], at 14:57 on 4 Dec 98, the word on
the street was...

> Uh huh. Well, I'd say that buying a driving skillsoft wouldn't be
> too difficult and neither would be renting a car. Hovercraft just
> don't belong in Seattle. The Netherlands, sure.

No hovercraft here AFAIK. The only hovercraft I've seen (and been on) are
ferries between Calais (France) and Dover (England). Still, in SR I could
see some of them appearing in this country. OTOH, only if the &@%&#%
senseless destruction caused by certain German writers would mean some
laws and regulations get relaxed -- as it is right now, you're not allowed
to use jetskis in most places here because of the perceived noise and
danger to others using the water. Hovercraft would definitely fall into
the same category, I think, if not in fact then in the imagination of the
civil servants thinking up these regulations.

> Africa, fine. Seattle? Nope.

I think I said this a few weeks ago when much the same subject came up,
the only place you would probably encounter hovercraft in Seattle IMHO are
along the water -- the lakes, rivers, Puget Sound, etc. Certainly not
driving along the streets.

--
Gurth@******.nl - http://www.xs4all.nl/~gurth/index.html
If I had green hair, I'd dye it.
-> NERPS Project Leader * ShadowRN GridSec * Unofficial Shadowrun Guru <-
-> The Plastic Warriors Page: http://www.xs4all.nl/~gurth/plastic.html <-
-> The New Character Mortuary: http://www.electricferret.com/mortuary/ <-

GC3.1: GAT/! d-(dpu) s:- !a>? C+(++)@ U P L E? W(++) N o? K- w+ O V? PS+
PE Y PGP- t(+) 5++ X++ R+++>$ tv+(++) b++@ DI? D+ G(++) e h! !r(---) y?
Incubated into the First Church of the Sqooshy Ball, 21-05-1998
Message no. 34
From: ArcLight <arclight@**************.COM>
Subject: AW: Questions from Ed
Date: Sat, 5 Dec 1998 16:57:33 +0100
> -----Ursprüngliche Nachricht-----
> Von: Shadowrun Discussion [mailto:SHADOWRN@********.ITRIBE.NET]Im
> Auftrag von Gurth
> Gesendet am: Samstag, 5. Dezember 1998 11:56
> An: SHADOWRN@********.ITRIBE.NET
> Betreff: Re: Questions from Ed
>
> According to Ojaste,James [NCR], at 14:57 on 4 Dec 98, the word on
> the street was...
>
> > Uh huh. Well, I'd say that buying a driving skillsoft wouldn't be
> > too difficult and neither would be renting a car. Hovercraft just
> > don't belong in Seattle. The Netherlands, sure.
>
> No hovercraft here AFAIK. The only hovercraft I've seen (and been on) are
> ferries between Calais (France) and Dover (England). Still, in SR I could
> see some of them appearing in this country. OTOH, only if the &@%&#%
> senseless destruction caused by certain German writers would mean some
> laws and regulations get relaxed -- as it is right now, you're not allowed
> to use jetskis in most places here because of the perceived noise and
> danger to others using the water. Hovercraft would definitely fall into
> the same category, I think, if not in fact then in the imagination of the
> civil servants thinking up these regulations.

<while running away>
Hovercrafts with camping trailers...
</while running away>

> > Africa, fine. Seattle? Nope.
>
> I think I said this a few weeks ago when much the same subject came up,
> the only place you would probably encounter hovercraft in Seattle IMHO are
> along the water -- the lakes, rivers, Puget Sound, etc. Certainly not
> driving along the streets.

A question: Some Amerindian from the NAN visits Seattle, and he used a
Hovercraft
to get there. Would he be allowed to use it within the plex?
Message no. 35
From: Gurth <gurth@******.NL>
Subject: Re: AW: Questions from Ed
Date: Sat, 5 Dec 1998 19:33:07 +0100
According to ArcLight, at 16:57 on 5 Dec 98, the word on
the street was...

> A question: Some Amerindian from the NAN visits Seattle, and he used a
> Hovercraft to get there. Would he be allowed to use it within the plex?

I don't think it's a matter of not being allowed, it's more a matter of
not being able to go anywhere because of the hills. Taking the hovercraft
_to_ Seattle (over the water, probably) should be doable, but then you'd
better rent a car or take a taxi, I think.

--
Gurth@******.nl - http://www.xs4all.nl/~gurth/index.html
If I had green hair, I'd dye it.
-> NERPS Project Leader * ShadowRN GridSec * Unofficial Shadowrun Guru <-
-> The Plastic Warriors Page: http://www.xs4all.nl/~gurth/plastic.html <-
-> The New Character Mortuary: http://www.electricferret.com/mortuary/ <-

GC3.1: GAT/! d-(dpu) s:- !a>? C+(++)@ U P L E? W(++) N o? K- w+ O V? PS+
PE Y PGP- t(+) 5++ X++ R+++>$ tv+(++) b++@ DI? D+ G(++) e h! !r(---) y?
Incubated into the First Church of the Sqooshy Ball, 21-05-1998
Message no. 36
From: Ed <equine@***********.COM>
Subject: Re: Questions from Ed
Date: Sat, 5 Dec 1998 12:58:00 -0600
At 11:55 AM 12/5/98 +0100, you wrote:
>I just had an evil GM idea... The fixer doesn't have a Car chip, but who
>says he doesn't have a Hovercraft chip handy? Stick a different label on
>the thing, and sell it as if it were a Car chip. Then apply the necessary
>TN modifiers without telling the player...

The player wouldn't know something was up? I mean he starts trying to use
the driving skill and for some reason nothing is coming to him? Or would
he think the things that the chip is telling him is car related when it is
really hovercraft driving techniques? For some reason that guy keeps
making wide turns in the jackrabbit.

Ed
Message no. 37
From: Wolfchild <nathan.olsen@*******.MSUS.EDU>
Subject: Re: AW: Questions from Ed
Date: Sat, 5 Dec 1998 13:19:24 -0600
Regardless of the laws, I have a hard time seeing hovercraft in wide use
merely because they're impractical. I mean, they're difficult to
manoeuver, limited to flat terrain, and have low carrying capacity
relative to other vehicles. Oh, and they're really noisy making them
unsuitable for shadowrunners. I don't know about fuel economy but I'm
assuming they need quite a bit of power to keep themselves inflated and
above the ground limiting the craft to short-distance hops.

There are plenty of good uses for hovercraft, but a general civilian
vehicle is not one of them.



Wolfchild - "Discinctaque in otia natus."
--
_,-/ "Desperanda tibi salva concordia socru." \-,_
,-~ / -Juvenal, Satire 6 \ ~-,
/' | /(_ "Quin tu istanc orationem hinc _)\ | `\
/' / \,_/ .\ veterem atque antiquam amoves?" /. \_,/ \ `\
| | /, ,-' -Plautus, Miles Gloriosus `-, ,\ | |
| | ,-, \ \,?| There are nights when the wolves are |@,/ / ,-, | |
| ,-|/ / ,_\,_/_ silent, and only the moon howls. _\_,/_ \ \|-, |
|/' | __, _) ZOMBIE@****.MANKATO.MSUS.EDU (_ ,__` | `\|
| `;-~_.--~ ZOMBIE@****.MANKATO.MSUS.EDU ~--._~-;' |
\ \__ http://krypton.mankato.msus.edu __/ /
`,-,`` /~zombie/lynx.htm '',-,'
((|))____/~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~\____((|))
Message no. 38
From: Fade <runefo@***.UIO.NO>
Subject: Re: Questions from Ed
Date: Sat, 5 Dec 1998 21:43:32 +0000
*snip substituting a car chip with a hovercraft chip*
> The player wouldn't know something was up? I mean he starts trying to use
> the driving skill and for some reason nothing is coming to him? Or would
> he think the things that the chip is telling him is car related when it is
> really hovercraft driving techniques? For some reason that guy keeps
> making wide turns in the jackrabbit.

Skillwires takes over the use of hands and feet or whatever
appendages are used in the skill. They can be overridden, but that's
about it. That's why you need skillwires and not just a chipjack, and
that's why you cannot use pools for chipped skills.

And that's why you shouldn't slot a skillchip you do not know what
does...

To do the above, switch chips, you need to decide that chips can
default at all. I'd say they can't. But if they can, then the chip
would act appropriately to the vehicle, although it would react
differently in emergencies since the procedures for doing so is
widely different between a car and a hovercraft. (Skill only comes
into play in emergencies or extreme use, after all). It would have a
few odd idiosyncracies though...

(Can you rig with chipped skills, BTW? That sounds odd... a chipped
skill gives a manual skill to a driver, while rigging is purely
mental.).

Regards,
Fade
--
Fade

And the Prince of Lies said:
"To reign is worth ambition, though in Hell:
Better to reign in hell than to serve in heaven."
-John Milton, Paradise Lost
Message no. 39
From: "D. Ghost" <dghost@****.COM>
Subject: Re: Questions from Ed
Date: Sat, 5 Dec 1998 15:03:12 -0600
On Sat, 5 Dec 1998 21:43:32 +0000 Fade <runefo@***.UIO.NO> writes:
<SNIP>
>(Can you rig with chipped skills, BTW? That sounds odd... a chipped
>skill gives a manual skill to a driver, while rigging is purely
>mental.).

Yes. But you need an encephalon or Skillwires. (the last bit does not
make sense, IMO. I would say you need an Encephalon.) See R2, page 17,
under Intelligence Enhancers.

--
D. Ghost
(aka Pixel, Tantrum, RuPixel)
"Coffee without caffeine is like sex without the spanking." -- Cupid
"A magician is always 'touching' himself" --Page 123, Grimoire (2nd
Edition)

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Message no. 40
From: Micheal Feeney <Starrngr@***.COM>
Subject: Re: AW: Questions from Ed
Date: Sat, 5 Dec 1998 20:07:40 EST
In a message dated 98-12-05 10:58:42 EST, you write:

> A question: Some Amerindian from the NAN visits Seattle, and he used a
> Hovercraft
> to get there. Would he be allowed to use it within the plex?
>

Probobly not, but more imprtantly he probply wouldnt want to, the streets
being to narrow and steep in a large area of the plex.

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Message no. 41
From: Gurth <gurth@******.NL>
Subject: Re: Questions from Ed
Date: Sun, 6 Dec 1998 11:51:13 +0100
According to Ed, at 12:58 on 5 Dec 98, the word on
the street was...

> The player wouldn't know something was up? I mean he starts trying to use
> the driving skill and for some reason nothing is coming to him? Or would
> he think the things that the chip is telling him is car related when it is
> really hovercraft driving techniques? For some reason that guy keeps
> making wide turns in the jackrabbit.

Exactly. It would only work with vehicle types that are controlled in a
similar manner, so using a motorcycle chip for a sailboat would be out (or
at least would be noticed very quickly -- "John, you've got that new chip,
tell us how to control this boat!" "Okay, rotate the right handgrip toward
you to accelerate..."). I would think that a hovercraft in Shadowrun, if
they're as common as the books make it appear, would have controls similar
to those of a car, to make it easier on the driver. So, selling a
hovercraft chip as if it were a car chip (or the other way around) could
be done. And then you get people driving a car in the way you would drive
a hovercraft -- avoiding inclines because the chip "tells" the driver
those are difficult or impossible to get onto, etc.. Perhaps, if a roll
fails really badly (Rule of One), the character will actually drive it
onto water ;)

You could do the same with other chips -- weapons (sell them a chip for a
different weapon type), social skills (intimidation instead of
negotiation), languages (Berber instead of Russian), and so on. However, I
doubt smart players will buy from the same source twice :)

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