Back to the main page

Mailing List Logs for ShadowRN

Message no. 1
From: Gary Carroll <gary@****.COM>
Subject: Astral courier
Date: Tue, 6 Jun 1995 08:20:53 -0700
Here's an interesting Idea...
Can a spirit or Elemental (or dual natured paranormal)
bring items with him astrally?

i.e. As was mentioned... I loose my Foci. I send a spirit
to astrally retrieve it. Can he manifest - pick it up then
go astral again with the foci and bring it back to me.

Careful how you answer this...
You could be creating an astral courier.

Thanks
Gary .
Message no. 2
From: Mark Steedman <RSMS@******.EEE.RGU.AC.UK>
Subject: Re: Astral courier
Date: Tue, 6 Jun 1995 16:36:36 GMT
Gary Carroll writes

> Here's an interesting Idea...
> Can a spirit or Elemental (or dual natured paranormal)
> bring items with him astrally?
>
> i.e. As was mentioned... I loose my Foci. I send a spirit
> to astrally retrieve it. Can he manifest - pick it up then
> go astral again with the foci and bring it back to me.
>
NO. simple fact that the item won't go astral with the spirit as it
has a physical component, it goes astral and the item falls on the
floor. Oh dear.

A spirt could however go there astral manifest, pick up focus and
then come back with it manifest, though that would be a remote
service unless you follow the thing on the astral all the way.

> Careful how you answer this...
> You could be creating an astral courier.
>
not much danger

> Thanks
> Gary .
>
Mark
Message no. 3
From: Justin Pinnow <jpinnow@***.IM.MED.UMICH.EDU>
Subject: Re: Astral Courier
Date: Tue, 6 Jun 1995 11:51:43 -0400
>NO. simple fact that the item won't go astral with the spirit as it
>has a physical component, it goes astral and the item falls on the
>floor. Oh dear.

Um, actually, weapon foci can go into the astral with the mage
(suggesting that just because it has a physical component, doesn't mean
it can't be brought into the astral). I don't have my Grimoire II with
me at the moment, so I am unsure about power foci, etc, though.

Sorry I couldn't help more.

Justin :)
Message no. 4
From: Gary Carroll <gary@****.COM>
Subject: Re: Astral Courier
Date: Tue, 6 Jun 1995 09:08:35 -0700
>>NO. simple fact that the item won't go astral with the spirit as it
>>has a physical component, it goes astral and the item falls on the
>>floor. Oh dear.
>
>Um, actually, weapon foci can go into the astral with the mage
>(suggesting that just because it has a physical component, doesn't mean
>it can't be brought into the astral). I don't have my Grimoire II with
>me at the moment, so I am unsure about power foci, etc, though.
>Sorry I couldn't help more.
>
>Justin :)

I guess I'm really trying to find out - what if anything could be
picked-up & brought astral with an Elemental or Spirit or a dual-
natured creature. Maybe awakened plants, or how about a
dead/unconscious paranormal creature.

i.e. A player is battling a dual natured(manifested) creature,
he manages to render the creature unconscious. Could he
use a Spirit / Elemental to manifest - pick up the creature,
go astral and travel back to his home and deposit the creature?

or perhaps use a Spirit to fetch awakened Peyote.

Ever curious
Gary C.
Geek Code v2.1: GCS/O d++(--) H>++ s-:>- g+(-) !p(1) au+>++
a-(?) w+(++/-) v(--/++) C++$ A++++/X++$/V++ P+++(-) L 3
N++(-) E--- K- W+ M-(--) V-(--) -po+(po) Y+ t+ 5- !j R++(+)
G(') tv b- D++(D) B(!) e+>+++ u++(**) h f+(++) r n-(++) y?
Message no. 5
From: Stainless Steel Rat <ratinox@***.NEU.EDU>
Subject: Re: Astral courier
Date: Tue, 6 Jun 1995 12:37:12 -0400
>>>>> "Gary" == Gary Carroll <gary@****.COM> writes:

Gary> Can a spirit or Elemental (or dual natured paranormal)
Gary> bring items with him astrally?

No.

Gary> i.e. As was mentioned... I loose my Foci. I send a spirit
Gary> to astrally retrieve it. Can he manifest - pick it up then
Gary> go astral again with the foci and bring it back to me.

No; it can go in astrally, manifest, pick it up, and leave physically.
It cannot demanifest and take the focus unless it bonds it, in which
case you're modestly screwed.

--
Rat <ratinox@***.neu.edu> | Caution: Happy Fun Ball may suddenly
http://www.ccs.neu.edu/home/ratinox | accelerate to dangerous speeds.
PGP Public Key: Ask for one today! |
Message no. 6
From: Matt Hufstetler <gt2778a@*****.GATECH.EDU>
Subject: Re: Astral Courier
Date: Tue, 6 Jun 1995 12:42:00 -0400
Justin Wrote:
>
> >NO. simple fact that the item won't go astral with the spirit as it
> >has a physical component, it goes astral and the item falls on the
> >floor. Oh dear.
>
> Um, actually, weapon foci can go into the astral with the mage
> (suggesting that just because it has a physical component, doesn't mean
> it can't be brought into the astral). I don't have my Grimoire II with
> me at the moment, so I am unsure about power foci, etc, though.
>

Yes, however, the PHYSICAL component (Namely your body) doesn't go into
the astral along with your astral projection. The PHYSICAL component of
the weapon focus won't go into the astral either.


Matt 'Comatose Raspberry' Hufstetler
Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta Georgia, 30332
uucp: ...!{decvax,hplabs,ncar,purdue,rutgers}!gatech!prism!gt2778a
Internet: gt2778a@*****.gatech.edu
Message no. 7
From: Justin Pinnow <jpinnow@***.IM.MED.UMICH.EDU>
Subject: Re: Astral Courier
Date: Tue, 6 Jun 1995 12:44:51 -0400
>Yes, however, the PHYSICAL component (Namely your body) doesn't go into
>the astral along with your astral projection. The PHYSICAL component
>of the weapon focus won't go into the astral either.

See, that's what I get for not having my Grimoire II with me ;)

Sorry about any confusion that might have caused :)

Justin :)
Message no. 8
From: The Digital Mage <mn3rge@****.AC.UK>
Subject: Re: Astral Courier
Date: Tue, 6 Jun 1995 17:46:11 +0100
On Tue, 6 Jun 1995, Matt Hufstetler wrote:

> > Um, actually, weapon foci can go into the astral with the mage
> > (suggesting that just because it has a physical component, doesn't mean
> > it can't be brought into the astral). I don't have my Grimoire II with
> > me at the moment, so I am unsure about power foci, etc, though.
>
> Yes, however, the PHYSICAL component (Namely your body) doesn't go into
> the astral along with your astral projection. The PHYSICAL component of
> the weapon focus won't go into the astral either.
>
Unless you've learned to step sideways.


The Digital Mage : mn3rge@****.ac.uk
Shadowrun Web Site under construction at
http://www.bath.ac.uk/~mn3rge/Shadowrun.html
Message no. 9
From: Gary Carroll <gary@****.COM>
Subject: Re: Astral Courier
Date: Tue, 6 Jun 1995 09:55:43 -0700
>>Justin Wrote:
>>>NO. simple fact that the item won't go astral with the
>>>spirit as it has a physical component, it goes astral and
>>>the item falls on the floor. Oh dear.
>> Um, actually, weapon foci can go into the astral with the
>> mage (suggesting that just because it has a physical
>> component, doesn't mean it can't be brought into the
>> astral). I don't have my Grimoire II with me at the
>> moment, so I am unsure about power foci, etc, though.
>
>Matt replies:
>Yes, however, the PHYSICAL component (Namely your body)
>doesn't go into the astral along with your astral
>projection. The PHYSICAL component of the weapon focus
>won't go into the astral either.

Does that also mean that if one of your friends (or
someone else: if you left your body unattended) takes
your weapon foci from your hands while you are projecting
that it goes blink out of your hands on the astral plane?
<evil grin>

Thanks
Gary C.
Message no. 10
From: Matt Hufstetler <gt2778a@*****.GATECH.EDU>
Subject: Re: Astral Courier
Date: Tue, 6 Jun 1995 13:07:53 -0400
Gary Writes:
> >Matt replies:
> >Yes, however, the PHYSICAL component (Namely your body)
> >doesn't go into the astral along with your astral
> >projection. The PHYSICAL component of the weapon focus
> >won't go into the astral either.
>
> Does that also mean that if one of your friends (or
> someone else: if you left your body unattended) takes
> your weapon foci from your hands while you are projecting
> that it goes blink out of your hands on the astral plane?
> <evil grin>

Yes. So, if'n you are in the back of a car, projecting around, and the
car does a tight turn, and the focus falls out of your hands.... well,
lets just say it won't be pretty.


Matt 'Comatose Raspberry' Hufstetler
Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta Georgia, 30332
uucp: ...!{decvax,hplabs,ncar,purdue,rutgers}!gatech!prism!gt2778a
Internet: gt2778a@*****.gatech.edu
Message no. 11
From: Robert Watkins <bob@**.NTU.EDU.AU>
Subject: Re: Astral courier
Date: Wed, 7 Jun 1995 15:11:41 +0930
Gary Carroll wrote:
>
> Here's an interesting Idea...
> Can a spirit or Elemental (or dual natured paranormal)
> bring items with him astrally?

No. NO. Noooooooo. NONONONONONO. No.

You can not carry a physical item astrally. The best you could do is carry
an astrally active item, and even then I'd rule that you couldn't push it
around if it weighs ANYTHING. (Kinda like the "living nets" and FAB
debate).

Dual natured paranormals, of course, are physically present (as are
manifesting spirits).

> Careful how you answer this...
> You could be creating an astral courier.

"I don't think so, Tim".

--
Robert Watkins bob@**.ntu.edu.au
Real Programmers never work 9 to 5. If any real programmers
are around at 9 am, it's because they were up all night.
*** Finger me for my geek code ***
Message no. 12
From: Robert Watkins <bob@**.NTU.EDU.AU>
Subject: Re: Astral Courier
Date: Wed, 7 Jun 1995 15:13:11 +0930
Justin Pinnow wrote:
>
> >NO. simple fact that the item won't go astral with the spirit as it
> >has a physical component, it goes astral and the item falls on the
> >floor. Oh dear.
>
> Um, actually, weapon foci can go into the astral with the mage
> (suggesting that just because it has a physical component, doesn't mean
> it can't be brought into the astral). I don't have my Grimoire II with
> me at the moment, so I am unsure about power foci, etc, though.

The focus doesn't go onto the astral... an _image_ of the focus comes with
the mage. This image, being the astrally active portion of the focus, has
the powers of the focus.

The body of the focus stays behind with the mage's body.

--
Robert Watkins bob@**.ntu.edu.au
Real Programmers never work 9 to 5. If any real programmers
are around at 9 am, it's because they were up all night.
*** Finger me for my geek code ***
Message no. 13
From: Mark Steedman <RSMS@******.EEE.RGU.AC.UK>
Subject: Re: Astral Courier
Date: Wed, 7 Jun 1995 08:24:00 GMT
Justin Pinnow writes

> >NO. simple fact that the item won't go astral with the spirit as it
> >has a physical component, it goes astral and the item falls on the
> >floor. Oh dear.
>
> Um, actually, weapon foci can go into the astral with the mage
> (suggesting that just because it has a physical component, doesn't mean
> it can't be brought into the astral). I don't have my Grimoire II with
> me at the moment, so I am unsure about power foci, etc, though.
>
> Sorry I couldn't help more.
>
Thats an astral copy of any foci bonded to the magician going astral.
i.e. if you go astral a COPY of all your foci goes with you,
unfortunately that is not the same thing as the physical part of the
focus. Therefore you can use foci bonded to you on the astral (note
locked magic does not affect astral stats despite this) but it is
only the astral part of the focus that comes with you and the foci
bust be BONDED TO YOU for even this to occur.

> Justin :)
>

Mark
Message no. 14
From: Mark Steedman <RSMS@******.EEE.RGU.AC.UK>
Subject: Re: Astral Courier
Date: Wed, 7 Jun 1995 08:30:18 GMT
Gary Carroll writes

> Does that also mean that if one of your friends (or
> someone else: if you left your body unattended) takes
> your weapon foci from your hands while you are projecting
> that it goes blink out of your hands on the astral plane?
> <evil grin>
>
dead right that <evil grin>. Yes would seem a logical answer - oops!
The answer of course is be careful where you leave your body, but if
all they did was borrow your foci you are lucky. I assume the rest of
your team would have enough brains to leave well alone so if its the
opposition that borrowed them you are lucky it was not, bound gagged
and blindfolded, wait for magician to come home and knock out.
(note be careful doing any damage to a projected magicians body, it
kills them, so if you want prisoners go easy)

> Thanks
> Gary C.
>

Mark
Message no. 15
From: Gurth <gurth@******.NL>
Subject: Re: Astral courier
Date: Wed, 7 Jun 1995 09:59:29 +0200
>A spirt could however go there astral manifest, pick up focus and
>then come back with it manifest, though that would be a remote
>service unless you follow the thing on the astral all the way.

Not for a nature spirit. The problem there is that both you and the focus
need to be either outside or inside the same building in order for the
spirit to go get it and take it back to you


Gurth@******.nl - Gurth@***.nl - http://www.xs4all.nl/~gurth/index.html
Leave the making of mistakes to the government
Geek Code v2.1: GS/AT/! -d+ H s:- !g p?(3) !au a>? w+(+++) v*(---) C+(++) U
P? !L !3 E? N++ K- W+ -po+(po) Y+ t(+) 5 !j R+(++)>+++$ tv+(++) b+@ D+(++)
B? e+ u+@ h! f--(?) !r(--)(*) n---->!n y? Unofficial Shadowrun Guru :)
Message no. 16
From: Jani Fikouras <feanor@**********.UNI-BREMEN.DE>
Subject: Re: Astral Courier
Date: Wed, 7 Jun 1995 11:02:11 +0200
> >NO. simple fact that the item won't go astral with the spirit as it
> >has a physical component, it goes astral and the item falls on the
> >floor. Oh dear.
>
> Um, actually, weapon foci can go into the astral with the mage
> (suggesting that just because it has a physical component, doesn't mean
> it can't be brought into the astral). I don't have my Grimoire II with
> me at the moment, so I am unsure about power foci, etc, though.

This is only partly right, the "power" of the focus acompanies the
magicain in the astral not its physical form. So as far as the mundanes
are concerned the focus stays with the body.

--
GCS d H s+: !g p1 !au a- w+ v-(?) C++++ UA++$S++L++$>++++ L++>+++ E--- N+ h*(+)
W(+)(---) M-- !V(--) -po+(---) Y+ t++ 5++ R+++ tv b++ e+ u++(-) f+ r- n!(-) y?

Moderator of alt.c00ld00z (coolness in general)
Message no. 17
From: Jani Fikouras <feanor@**********.UNI-BREMEN.DE>
Subject: Re: Astral Courier
Date: Wed, 7 Jun 1995 11:03:31 +0200
> >Matt replies:
> >Yes, however, the PHYSICAL component (Namely your body)
> >doesn't go into the astral along with your astral
> >projection. The PHYSICAL component of the weapon focus
> >won't go into the astral either.
>
> Does that also mean that if one of your friends (or
> someone else: if you left your body unattended) takes
> your weapon foci from your hands while you are projecting
> that it goes blink out of your hands on the astral plane?
> <evil grin>

Yep.

--
GCS d H s+: !g p1 !au a- w+ v-(?) C++++ UA++$S++L++$>++++ L++>+++ E--- N+ h*(+)
W(+)(---) M-- !V(--) -po+(---) Y+ t++ 5++ R+++ tv b++ e+ u++(-) f+ r- n!(-) y?

Moderator of alt.c00ld00z (coolness in general)
Message no. 18
From: cocheese <ZKLJ1@****.EAST-TENN-ST.EDU>
Subject: Re: Astral courier
Date: Wed, 7 Jun 1995 15:54:34 EDT
>A spirt could however go there astral manifest, pick up focus and
>then come back with it manifest, though that would be a remote
>service unless you follow the thing on the astral all the way.
Gurth wrote:
>Not for a nature spirit. The problem there is that both you and the focus
>need to be either outside or inside the same building in order for the
>spirit to go get it and take it back to you

I obviously have a lack of knowledge on nature spirits and their powers/limits
in astral space, could someone please enlighten me?

CoCheese
Message no. 19
From: Robert Watkins <bob@**.NTU.EDU.AU>
Subject: Re: Astral courier
Date: Thu, 8 Jun 1995 15:00:36 +0930
cocheese wrote:
> I obviously have a lack of knowledge on nature spirits and their powers/limits
> in astral space, could someone please enlighten me?

Nature spirits are limited in the terrain they can enter or leave.
Basically, they are a spirit of a place, and can't leave that place. A
Street Spirit can't enter a building. A Hearth spirit can't leave it.
Unless they are greater form, of course...

--
Robert Watkins bob@**.ntu.edu.au
Real Programmers never work 9 to 5. If any real programmers
are around at 9 am, it's because they were up all night.
*** Finger me for my geek code ***
Message no. 20
From: Gurth <gurth@******.NL>
Subject: Re: Astral courier
Date: Thu, 8 Jun 1995 17:39:30 +0200
>I obviously have a lack of knowledge on nature spirits and their powers/limits
>in astral space, could someone please enlighten me?

Nature spirits can be summoned in a Complex Action, unlike elementals which
take hours to conjure. They (nature spirits) can go anywhere and affect
anyone/anything as long as that place/person/object is in the terrain they
control. A Desert spirit can go anywhere in the desert, but cannot leave it.
A Heart spirit can go anywhere in its own building, but can't leave it to go
out onto the street, and so on.


Gurth@******.nl - Gurth@***.nl - http://www.xs4all.nl/~gurth/index.html
Leave the making of mistakes to the government
Geek Code v2.1: GS/AT/! -d+ H s:- !g p?(3) !au a>? w+(+++) v*(---) C+(++) U
P? !L !3 E? N++ K- W+ -po+(po) Y+ t(+) 5 !j R+(++)>+++$ tv+(++) b+@ D+(++)
B? e+ u+@ h! f--(?) !r(--)(*) n---->!n y? Unofficial Shadowrun Guru :)

Further Reading

If you enjoyed reading about Astral Courier, you may also be interested in:

Disclaimer

These messages were posted a long time ago on a mailing list far, far away. The copyright to their contents probably lies with the original authors of the individual messages, but since they were published in an electronic forum that anyone could subscribe to, and the logs were available to subscribers and most likely non-subscribers as well, it's felt that re-publishing them here is a kind of public service.

Thwap!