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Message no. 1
From: Alfredo B Alves <dghost@****.COM>
Subject: Blood Magic (Your gonna hate this one ...[well maybe :) ])
Date: Wed, 20 May 1998 01:53:07 -0500
Don't worry, I don't wanna know how to make PC Blood Mages ... well, not
exactly, anyway... Could you make a ex-Blood mage (Just a RP thing.
Maybe a few special Edges/flaws [Bad karma comes to mind] no actual Blood
Magic) that defected from Aztlan or maybe somewhere else like Amazonia
(Is this the right one?)? Or is the only PC Blood magic-related
character option available a burned out mage? I know even the last isn't
allowed per FASA, but I was wondering what you guys had to say on the
matter. What would you allow among PCs and why?

NOTE: This is just a curiousity ... I most likely won't allow anything
more than the last option, if that. And to answer my own question
completely: because 1) I don't want put anything in PCs hands that isn't
fleshed out and 2) I want to reduce the death toll in my games, not
increase it by letting Mages reduce or eliminate drain by geeking the Sec
Cops... (Ick, can you imagine "Knock them out so I can use them for spell
food later ..."?). At most this would be a "Ok, I'll give you this as
long as you don't use it" sort of thing ...

D.Ghost
(aka Pixel, Tantrum)

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Message no. 2
From: Lehlan Decker <decker@****.FSU.EDU>
Subject: Re: Blood Magic (Your gonna hate this one ...[well maybe :) ])
Date: Wed, 20 May 1998 10:34:20 -0500
>
> Don't worry, I don't wanna know how to make PC Blood Mages ... well, not
> exactly, anyway... Could you make a ex-Blood mage (Just a RP thing.
> Maybe a few special Edges/flaws [Bad karma comes to mind] no actual Blood
> Magic) that defected from Aztlan or maybe somewhere else like Amazonia
> (Is this the right one?)? Or is the only PC Blood magic-related
> character option available a burned out mage? I know even the last isn't
> allowed per FASA, but I was wondering what you guys had to say on the
> matter. What would you allow among PCs and why?
>
The only thing FASA has said, is that no PC who deal with sacrificial
magic can be a PC. Depending on your campaign, I would allow it within
limits. Particulary if he had a good background and characters flaws.
One slight problem, from what I understand blood magic isn't taught
to everyone by a long shot. I'm sure the Azzies do alot of screening before
you ever go beyond the very basics. So I'd say he'd be hunted fairly
severely. :) Excellent RP opportunities.


--
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Lehlan Decker 644-4534 Systems Development
decker@****.fsu.edu http://www.scri.fsu.edu/~decker
--------------------------------------------------------------------
The universe doesn't have laws, it has habits. And habits can be broken.
Message no. 3
From: BigDaddy <bigdaddy@*****.COM>
Subject: Re: Blood Magic (Your gonna hate this one ...[well maybe :) ])
Date: Wed, 20 May 1998 10:27:13 -0400
Alfredo B Alves wrote:
<snip>

> Aztlan or maybe somewhere else like Amazonia
> (Is this the right one?)? Or is the only PC Blood magic-related
> character option available a burned out mage? I know even the last isn't
> allowed per FASA, but I wasD wondering what you guys had to say on the
> matter. What would you allow among PCs and why?
>
>

Hmm a most interesting point is raised here. Would a GM allow the runners
to just knock some guard out and bring him along to help drain. Well I for
one would allow it. But!!!!!!! (important but here!), if they were to be say
from aztlan or amazonia(i believe they do it down there) the pc would not
gain all the benifits from the drain reduction, perhaps cut it in half, and
only for a select few spells. Now before the PC throws themselves into
coniption fits over this look at it this way.

1. The PC was among other blood mages and used to functioning with them and
those associated with blood rituals. Now he's out on his own with runners,
who more than likely fear Aztlan( I do!) and they have to worry about those
that see the blood magic going on AND if said PC can still do the blood
rituals( still fuzzy on some of the details my Aztlan sourcebook is buried
somewhere :( ) AND if they can get out alive.

2. Aztlan will never, ever, ever, ever, ever (is that enough evers?) allow
one of their own to escape into the other lands (ie UCAS,CF, god help us in
CAS ever gets a hold of one!) unscathed. If that runner were to be allowed to
escape, he would be harried, hounded, harassed, and generally, sought after
by ever resource the Azzies got.

Those pts in mind the PC would be resricted to spells, have to be soooo
careful of who, what, where,when, and why he casts them (cause in the shadows
you don't know who's watching!). This runner would probably suffer from a
paranoia flaw (Azzies are comin' Azzies are comin'!). Anything i missed?

Napalm Sticks to Kidz,
BigDaddy
Message no. 4
From: MC23 <mc23@**********.COM>
Subject: Re: Blood Magic (Your gonna hate this one ...[well maybe :) ])
Date: Wed, 20 May 1998 12:26:46 -0400
Once upon a time, Alfredo B Alves wrote;

>Or is the only PC Blood magic-related character option available a
>burned out mage?

??? Any one can overcast a spell so what do you mean by that?

<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>

Ancient cultures believed that names held great power, personal names
more so and they were guarded very closely. To protect themselves, they
answered to another name, because if another discovered their real name,
it could be used against them.
History repeats itself.
Welcome to the Digital Age.
I am MC23
Message no. 5
From: Alfredo B Alves <dghost@****.COM>
Subject: Re: Blood Magic (Your gonna hate this one ...[well maybe :) ])
Date: Wed, 20 May 1998 11:25:20 -0500
On Wed, 20 May 1998 10:34:20 -0500 Lehlan Decker <decker@****.FSU.EDU>
writes:
>> Don't worry, I don't wanna know how to make PC Blood Mages ... well,
not
>> exactly, anyway... Could you make a ex-Blood mage (Just a RP thing.
>> Maybe a few special Edges/flaws [Bad karma comes to mind] no actual
Blood
>> Magic) that defected from Aztlan or maybe somewhere else like Amazonia
>> (Is this the right one?)? Or is the only PC Blood magic-related
>> character option available a burned out mage? I know even the last
isn't
>> allowed per FASA, but I was wondering what you guys had to say on the
>> matter. What would you allow among PCs and why?

>The only thing FASA has said, is that no PC who deal with sacrificial
>magic can be a PC. Depending on your campaign, I would allow it within
>limits. Particulary if he had a good background and characters flaws.
>One slight problem, from what I understand blood magic isn't taught
>to everyone by a long shot. I'm sure the Azzies do alot of screening
before
>you ever go beyond the very basics. So I'd say he'd be hunted fairly
>severely. :) Excellent RP opportunities.
>
>
>--
>--------------------------------------------------------------------
>Lehlan Decker 644-4534 Systems Development
<SNIP Sig>

YupYup. I forgot about the screening part, but, even the most ardent
followers of evi--err Aztlan/Aztechnology can become disillusioned. I
was thinking this would be a great place for a Hunted 6 flaw or if you
allow more than 6 points of flaws (come on, somepeople are REALLY fooked
up ;), A Hunted 4 and Bad Karma. Distinctive Style could also be
appropriate (Runic Scars)...
As for Edges, this would be a good reason to give a mage (burned-out or
not) Toughness, High Pain Tolerance, or maybe even Quick Healer...

Yup. If this were allowed it be vewwy intewesting RPing ... hmmm ...
would a native Aztlaner speak english (or speak it well)? Now that he
has turned against his darklords, what would his new path be? The
elimination of all blood magic? To spread awareness of Aztlan's
activities?

I dunno ... I'm not gonna give it much thought ... Just a curiousity :)

D.Ghost
(aka Pixel, Tantrum)

_____________________________________________________________________
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Message no. 6
From: MC23 <mc23@**********.COM>
Subject: Re: Blood Magic (Your gonna hate this one ...[well maybe :) ])
Date: Wed, 20 May 1998 12:52:11 -0400
Once upon a time, Alfredo B Alves wrote;

>YupYup. I forgot about the screening part, but, even the most ardent
>followers of evi--err Aztlan/Aztechnology can become disillusioned. I
>was thinking this would be a great place for a Hunted 6 flaw or if you
>allow more than 6 points of flaws (come on, somepeople are REALLY fooked
>up ;), A Hunted 4 and Bad Karma. Distinctive Style could also be
>appropriate (Runic Scars)...

Hunted by Aztechnology and a bounty on their head courtesy of
Dunkelzahn. Very short lifespan of such a character. Also very disruptive
to the other players.
Welcome to week five of the campaign, "Aztech and bounty hunters
again!?!"

<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>

Ancient cultures believed that names held great power, personal names
more so and they were guarded very closely. To protect themselves, they
answered to another name, because if another discovered their real name,
it could be used against them.
History repeats itself.
Welcome to the Digital Age.
I am MC23
Message no. 7
From: Lehlan Decker <decker@****.FSU.EDU>
Subject: Re: Blood Magic (Your gonna hate this one ...[well maybe :) ])
Date: Wed, 20 May 1998 13:11:29 -0500
>
<SNIP>
> YupYup. I forgot about the screening part, but, even the most ardent
> followers of evi--err Aztlan/Aztechnology can become disillusioned. I
> was thinking this would be a great place for a Hunted 6 flaw or if you
> allow more than 6 points of flaws (come on, somepeople are REALLY fooked
> up ;), A Hunted 4 and Bad Karma. Distinctive Style could also be
> appropriate (Runic Scars)...
> As for Edges, this would be a good reason to give a mage (burned-out or
> not) Toughness, High Pain Tolerance, or maybe even Quick Healer...
>
> Yup. If this were allowed it be vewwy intewesting RPing ... hmmm ...
> would a native Aztlaner speak english (or speak it well)? Now that he
> has turned against his darklords, what would his new path be? The
> elimination of all blood magic? To spread awareness of Aztlan's
> activities?
>
> I dunno ... I'm not gonna give it much thought ... Just a curiousity :)
>
Actually I'm writing a semi-epic campaign at the moment, that takes the
runners from CalFree, into the Tir, down into Aztlan, and through a third
as yet undetermined place. (Perhaps the carribean). The reformed Blood Mage
idea might work perfect for an NPC I had in mine. :) Thanks for the idea.
Most likely he'd have some skill in English or Cityspeak, and I'd
say he would want to stamp out all Blood Magic, or hide in obscurity.
Works for me. :)

--
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Lehlan Decker 644-4534 Systems Development
decker@****.fsu.edu http://www.scri.fsu.edu/~decker
--------------------------------------------------------------------
The universe doesn't have laws, it has habits. And habits can be broken.
Message no. 8
From: Alfredo B Alves <dghost@****.COM>
Subject: Re: Blood Magic (Your gonna hate this one ...[well maybe :) ])
Date: Wed, 20 May 1998 12:50:31 -0500
On Wed, 20 May 1998 12:26:46 -0400 MC23 <mc23@**********.COM> writes:
>Once upon a time, Alfredo B Alves wrote;
>>Or is the only PC Blood magic-related character option available a
>>burned out mage?
>
>??? Any one can overcast a spell so what do you mean by that?
>
<SNIP Sig>
> I am MC23

No, I mean the only way a PC could / should have any dealings with Blood
Magic is if he were a Blood Mage who has burned out ... As opposed to a
full magicain or adept who knows blood magic... (but has a sworn
affidavit with the GM saying that he won't use it ... and the GM has
material links just in case ... ;)

To clarify on the second option:
Option 1: The Mage spends the appropriate points on spells learned for
Blood Magic and says he won't use them. (dangerous....)

Option 2: The Mage doesn't spend the appropriate points on spells
learned for Blood Magic and since he won't use them. (Not as dangerous
but, the char can still summon Blood Spirits :/ [of course he WON'T,
right?])

D.Ghost
(aka Pixel, Tantrum)

_____________________________________________________________________
You don't need to buy Internet access to use free Internet e-mail.
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Message no. 9
From: Erik Jameson <erikj@****.COM>
Subject: Re: Blood Magic (Your gonna hate this one ...[well maybe :) ])
Date: Wed, 20 May 1998 14:23:35 -0400
At 01:53 AM 5/20/98 -0500, you wrote:
>Don't worry, I don't wanna know how to make PC Blood Mages ... well, not
>exactly, anyway... Could you make a ex-Blood mage (Just a RP thing.
>Maybe a few special Edges/flaws [Bad karma comes to mind] no actual Blood
>Magic) that defected from Aztlan or maybe somewhere else like Amazonia
>(Is this the right one?)? Or is the only PC Blood magic-related
>character option available a burned out mage? I know even the last isn't
>allowed per FASA, but I was wondering what you guys had to say on the
>matter. What would you allow among PCs and why?


Well, as long as you don't allow them to actually perform blood magic
anymore, I don't see a problem with it.

This PC would be either a hermetic or a Quetzecoutal (I know I spelled that
wrong) shaman, perhaps something else with a strong nationalist bent.

I would imagine they would be an initiate, but that probably isn't
necessary. What I would do is say they had lost a certain number of magic
points, just as if they had a Focus Addiction from Awakenings (I think
there are geasa that go with that also, correct? If so, they could be
properly modified).

I'd probably give the PC a certain bonus for each Magic point lost, like
maybe 3 extra skill points per Magic point or something like that. They
might also have the rapid healing edge (gotta be able to heal yourself up
quickly if you want to do Blood Magic I would think).

On the flip side, they would have a nasty flaw or two. Bad Karma would be
an excellent choice. A 6 point enemy of the Azzies would probably also be
appropriate, since I doubt they would be happy about a Blood Mage leaving
them.

But as long as they can't/don't perform Blood Magic any longer, then I
think the idea is actually not bad at all. You could question the validity
of a Blood Mage going rogue, but I won't here.

Erik J.


"Forgive me FASA for I have sinned. It has been 6 days since I last played
Shadowrun and 15 days since I last bought a SRTCG booster pack."
Message no. 10
From: Fade <runefo@***.UIO.NO>
Subject: Re: Blood Magic (Your gonna hate this one ...[well maybe :) ])
Date: Wed, 20 May 1998 22:17:55 +0000
*snip blood mages as pc's*

First off - I don't have the Aztlan sourcebook.

A blood mage as a PC might be okay with me, as I expect the
'not available as PC's' note on many things is because they want to
give the game a veneer of morality, as well as quell some rather
extreme power game options - I deal with those kinds of things in my
own way.

Things to consider, though:

Blood magic isn't necessarily *better* than other magic - just
different. Considering using blood sacrifice similar to fetish
addiction should be highly appropriate, so would reducing the
power of spells cast without that sacrifice. The caster would,
considering the training regime, be highly likely to have a ritual
concentration - blood specialization(?) on sorcery.

Then, the hunted bit. Blood mages are almost guaranteed to have a
sample or three left back home - one which is still in Aztlan hands
at the start of the game, one which it would be suicide to try to
retrieve. I believe most of Aztlan's ritual teams are fairly busy,
but they'll find time somewhere down the road to nuke him
(or else send a dream insinuation to kill all his allies before
suiciding, that sort of thing.).

I'd make that a fairly hefty flaw.. in the vicinity of 'cortex bomb'
but not quite, as it's easier to defend against. (You get some
warning, after all, but it can be used more than once.. ).


Hey! Why isn't there a flaw for 'ritual sample in enemy's posession'
?
--
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. 11
From: Matb <mbreton@**.NETCOM.COM>
Subject: Re: Blood Magic (Your gonna hate this one ...[well maybe :) ])
Date: Wed, 20 May 1998 14:41:52 -0700
> Don't worry, I don't wanna know how to make PC Blood Mages ... well, not
> exactly, anyway... Could you make a ex-Blood mage (Just a RP thing.
> Maybe a few special Edges/flaws [Bad karma comes to mind] no actual Blood
> Magic) that defected from Aztlan or maybe somewhere else like Amazonia
> (Is this the right one?)? Or is the only PC Blood magic-related
> character option available a burned out mage? I know even the last isn't
> allowed per FASA, but I was wondering what you guys had to say on the
> matter. What would you allow among PCs and why?

From what I understand, Aztlan and Harlequin's Back have some kind-of
sort-of not-really rules for using Blood Magic. I can't find the first
and don't own the latter, so I can't elaborate more than that - someone
else on the list?


- Matt

------------------------------------
In a dark time, the eye begins to see. - T. Roethke

GridSec: SRCard
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SRTCG Website: http://www.geocities.com/Area51/Station/2189/ccgtop.htm
Message no. 12
From: Ereskanti <Ereskanti@***.COM>
Subject: Re: Blood Magic (Your gonna hate this one ...[well maybe :) ])
Date: Wed, 20 May 1998 18:45:23 EDT
In a message dated 5/20/98 11:54:14 AM US Eastern Standard Time,
mc23@**********.COM writes:

> Hunted by Aztechnology and a bounty on their head courtesy of
> Dunkelzahn. Very short lifespan of such a character. Also very disruptive
> to the other players.
> Welcome to week five of the campaign, "Aztech and bounty hunters
> again!?!"
>
Actually, the second article/obstacle could probably be gotten around. An
Aztlan Blood Mage who decides to "leave his order" for whatever reasons could
turn himself over to the Draco Foundation, and then offer himself up for a
series of Mind Probes and the like, even writing down works of material that
he's familiar with. Then become a sort of "Blood Mage Repellant", as in he
knows what they do, he can start working on things that could correct it or
defend against it.

We actually got into this a LONG time ago. A very special "Mana Barrier"
spell of sorts worked against ONLY Blood Magic of various types (it also
managed to screen out the powers of Vampires). Really got the odds of things
evened up a bit.

-K
Message no. 13
From: Ereskanti <Ereskanti@***.COM>
Subject: Re: Blood Magic (Your gonna hate this one ...[well maybe :) ])
Date: Wed, 20 May 1998 18:59:44 EDT
In a message dated 5/20/98 3:18:31 PM US Eastern Standard Time,
runefo@***.UIO.NO writes:

> Hey! Why isn't there a flaw for 'ritual sample in enemy's posession'
> ?
> -
There is, it's called "Limited Time"... ;}

-K
Message no. 14
From: Jessica Grota <grota@*********.COM>
Subject: Re: Blood Magic (Your gonna hate this one ...[well maybe :) ])
Date: Wed, 20 May 1998 22:18:44 -0400
Ereskanti wrote:
>
> In a message dated 5/20/98 3:18:31 PM US Eastern Standard Time,
> runefo@***.UIO.NO writes:
>
> > Hey! Why isn't there a flaw for 'ritual sample in enemy's posession'
> > ?
> > -
> There is, it's called "Limited Time"... ;}
>
> -K


Ha! I like that. That adds to the old standard advice: Watch your back.
Shoot straight. Never let the dragon deal. And watch where you bleed.

--Jett

Further Reading

If you enjoyed reading about Blood Magic (Your gonna hate this one ...[well maybe :) ]), you may also be interested in:

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Thwap!