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Message no. 1
From: Matb <mbreton@**.NETCOM.COM>
Subject: Astral... (was Re: Centering vs Penalties (was Re: [SR3] Spell
Date: Sat, 12 Jul 1997 08:05:37 -0700
> > I'm a little confused by this. If an area of effect spell is being cast at
> > a group of people, then it affects each on individualy. The affect (or lack
> > thereof) of the spell on one person does not change the affect of the spell
> > on another. As for the requirement to see all the targets of a spell, it
> > has to do with the "synchonising araus" thing - you can't affect a
target
> > that you cannot synchronise with (exception: DM spells).

> An area effect spell is indeed cast on an area, all valid targets in that area
> that the caster can see. The center merely tells where the sphere is centered,
> that's all.

...Which yields two types of combat spells: the 'bolts, where the caster
has to synch aura, and the 'balls, where synching doesn't (?) have to
occur.

> > As for the requirement to "centre" spells on a target, I always used
to run
> > it that spells other than DMs had such a requirement. However, upon
> > looking, I cannot find where I obtained this ruling from (perhaps 1st Ed?).

> A tiny example on Quickening spells in Grim1 (that I think carried over to
> Grim2) which mentions Rikki Ratboy Quickening a spell on a bar patron to
> Quicken it to the site; a Stink spell, it was). This may be in the example not
> because of something about area spells but rather a requirement for Quickening.

p. 45 of the New Grimoire. The spell is Quickened to the Armadillo Bar,
*not* a particular patron. Stink is an Illusion; it does not need an
aura to latch onto as a combat spell does.

> > Also, I cannot really see any reason that a comabt spell requires that the
> > centre of its affect be a specific target of the spell. After all, its is
> > just pumping energy into the auras of all targets within its area of affect
> > - why should it need one at the centre?

This has a dangerous conclusion: The mage does .not. have to synch
auras in 'ball spells, he just points and shoots. He should, then, be
able to 'ball people in range of the spell but not visible to him
visually or Astrally; the equivalent of tossing a grenade. Obviously,
he has to intuit that a person is there....


> losthalo
Message no. 2
From: "J. Keith Henry" <Ereskanti@***.COM>
Subject: Re: Astral... (was Re: Centering vs Penalties (was Re: [SR3] Spell
Date: Sun, 13 Jul 1997 12:35:03 -0400
In a message dated 97-07-13 10:28:52 EDT, mbreton@**.netcom.com (Matb)
writes:

>
> Read the conclusions that I was drawing on, Spike, before dissenting.
> If synching is not a part of area-effect spells, then every valid target
> within the area gets spelled. The caster would have to see the center
> of the spell radius, yes. The spell travels to that location and
> explodes outward; anyone within its area is then within LOS... of the
> spell.

There is one argument I can find on this...an area spell "blasts inward" from
the outer perimeter of it's area, not outward from it's source. I agree with
what you are saying Matt, I just wish it were explained better.

> Off-thread: Via Masking, you can change the perception of your Aura.
> Shouldn't this, then, add to the difficulty of someone trying to
> manabolt you? (They see an Aura, but it's not your true Aura.)

IF you go into a concentrated/active Masking usage. Otherwise, the aura,
though masked, is still present to certain degrees, even if it isn't your
"real aura".

-Keith

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