From: | Steve Kenson <TalonMail@***.COM> |
---|---|
Subject: | Auras, Masking and "Real" Magic |
Date: | Tue, 30 Dec 1997 10:52:18 -0500 |
A great deal has been bandied around about the topic of auras, astral space,
etc. As Ereskanti pointed out, it is without a doubt the most confusing
aspect of SR magic. I'm not going to sole it here and now (sorry, folks) but
it is an issue for SR3 and I wanted to comment on a few things.
<personal rant: ON>
First off, on the subject of "real world" magic as it relates to Shadowrun.
My simple answer is: it doesn't. Before everyone jumps on me let me say that
I both believe in and practice magic myself (as those of you who read the
interview of Fro's Shadowrun Supplimental know). I'm a pagan. I believe magic
is real. I have dozens of books on magical theory from Crowley to Carroll to
Starhawk. I also know that much of the original Shadowrun magi system is
based on Paul Hume's personal experiences with magic. (Paul is a practicing
mage in the Thelemic tradition and an initiate of the Ordo Templi
Orientalis).
However, Shadowrun is a GAME. It is under no constraint to conform to
anyone's particular theories about how magic "really" works. For one thing,
magical theory in the real world is hardly what I would call a coherent body
of work. Ereskanti points out that the aura exists. That may be so, but I can
point out plenty of other magicians who believe it doesn't exist, and many
more who agree it exists but don't agree about what it is and what it does. I
can likewise point out magicians who believe the astral plane (or something
much like it) exists and those who say it doesn't. If someone wants to use
real world magical theory in Shadowrun my answer is "which one"?
I think that Shadowrun's magic system has it's basic foundation in some
real-world magical theory, but it is also a fantasy game magic system. I
believe in magic, but I don't believe real magicians can throw fireballs at
each other (and neither does Paul Hume, AFAIK). That's a fictional thing.
Part of the trouble with using any part of the real world (magic theory,
computer science, etc.) in a game is sooner or later someone is going to say
"that's not how it works!" The old science-fiction writer's adage is that
INTERNAL CONSISTENCY is the most important thing. I don't honestly care if
Shadowrun properly reflects how real Witches, Hermetics, shamans or whatever
believe magic works. My goal is to create a consistent, playable and FUN
magic system for the game. If a piece of real world magic theory serves that
goal, then cool. If it doesn't then I'm going to favor fun and playability
every time.
Saying Shadowrun should be bound by how someone believes magic works in the
real world is like saying In Nomine should be bound by what's in the Bible
(another argument on Usenet of late). Realistic and accurate, perhaps, but
not nearly so much fun. So please, don't defend your arguements to me for or
against something in the Shadowrun magic system with "well, in REAL magic..."
it just doesn't wash.
<personal rant: OFF>
That said, the basic question being debated is: "how does astral space work?"
specifically, what is the aura and how can it be modified? Unfortunately, for
the moment, that's a question that is (obviously) somewhat unclear in the
existing Shadowrun rules.
How we choose to define the aura in SR3 will help to decide some of these
questions. For example, if we define the aura as the halo of "light"
surrounding something in astral space, seperate from the "astral body"
itself, then changes to the aura do not necessarily affect the actual
appearance of the astral body. In this case, you can change the INFORMATION
your aura gives off, but not your "astral appearance." So, you always look
like the astral form of a human (or whatever) but you can appear mundane,
magical, initiate, cybered or not, ill or in good health, and whatever
emotional state you want, but you cannot (for example) appear to be an elf or
a wendigo (you could appear to be a vampire--a human with HMHVV--however).
OTOH, if we define the aura as "the astral form and all the information it
projects." Then perhaps Masking can alter an astral form's entire appearance.
In this case, the astral form of an initiate has pseudo "shape-shifting"
abilities on the astral, at least where appearance is concerned (whether or
not the astral form actually changes shape is another kettle of fish
entirely).
Does the aura change under the effects of something like a shapechange
spells? The honest answer is I don't know for sure. The rules aren't terribly
clear on that matter. I would tend to say not. Since "everything displays its
true form in astral space" I would think you would see the true form of the
shapeshifted or transformed subject. But it all depends on how things like
the aura and Masking are defined. Things are in flux right now, so all I can
do is interpret the SR2 rules and give you vague ideas that have been bandied
around for SR3. The goal of SR3 is to more clearly define (and in some cases
re-define) existing terminology to make it clear, playable and (most
importantly) FUN.
When more progress is made, I'll try and share the new information as I can.
Take care and have a happy New Year,
Steve K.