| From: | Doctor Doom <JCH8169@*****.TAMU.EDU> |
|---|---|
| Subject: | Grand Unified Warpfield Theory |
| Date: | Sun, 4 Apr 93 04:18:52 CET |
>First of all, I'm not a mage type, and I've never read the Grimmy (I or II).
>If I'm incorrect on my mage stuff, through a flaming carp and some vodka
>my way. My big assumption is that "drain" is the amount of work that
>the mage is putting into the spell. (That's engineering "work," as in
>energy added to the system with a useful result.)
[...]
>Now here's the problem:
> dPE = mg(z2-z1)
>where m=mass, g¬celeration due to gravity, z2=final height,
>and z1=initial height.
>As long as z2<z1 (i.e. downhill movement) the mage will gain
>energy, perhaps controllably, and perhaps not. But, he still
>But what if z2>z1 (i.e. uphill)? Well, the mage will suddenly
>find himself doing positive work (putting energy into the system)
>and his drain code is going to go up fast!
>So, don't try teleporting from the ground to the Spindletop.
>That could hurt just a wee bit.
----------------
Intriguing.
There are two principle methods I may choose to employ to respond to your
statements...the first, and easiest, is...
1) The laws governing the behavior of magic and its interaction with the
"normal" world are not necessarily bound by the precepts of Physics or other
physical laws. Magic permits the impossible to be possible; hence, it
engineers compensation for any discrepancies encountered under normal space
regulations.
"Magic is the art and science of the impossible."
Alternatively,...
2) Actually, such nuances in the application of this spell had not occurred to
me when I was formulating it. This factor may serve as a possible explanation
of why, to use the experiences of Nightcrawler as a referent, there was such
difficulty encountered when directly upwards teleportation was attempted.
I must confess that I had not considered such ramifications of the spell when I
was pontificating on his implementation.
However, e'en in this case, I feel that Drain adjustment is not the correct
solution. Drain does not always convey, nor should it be considered to be
determined by, the amount of "work" performed by the spell. It is perhaps best
defined as the taxing effect the casting of said spell has upon the human
nervous system--It is a question of the proper (and adequate) manipulation of
the metaphysical energies possibly to, as mentioned above, compensate for any
experienced differences following the alteration of normal reality.
Should a Game Master deem it necessary for the spell to reflect increased
vicissitude encountered during mystical manipulation in such cases, I would
propose a method of further modifiers to Target Numbers in the initial success
test.
The counter-point to this is the fact that casting the spell is by no means the
proverbial "snap". Given the potential for missing the intended destination,
the caster must generate three successes to be certain of proper positioning.
Also, given the distance modifiers, long-range transport shall not be a
endeavor to be taken lightly.
Nevertheless, if one is truly adamant about their wishes to incorporate this
aspect of instantaneous dimensional transportation, my suggestion is to employ
some version of the distance modifiers table from the spell. To my mind, this
bears resemblance to "borrowing trouble", to use the vernacular, as ShadowRun
is, in essence, a cinematic system--despite how loathe I am to use this
argument.
>As for the "Shape change to light" thingy, I'm going to talk to
I have already commented upon the impracticality of the Shapechange to Light
proposal, and I feel it unnecessary to add to list of difficulties you
conjectured upon regarding it.
Colonel Count von Hohenzollern und von Doom, DMSc, DSc, PhD.
Doom Technologies & Weapon Systems -- Dark Thought Publications
>>> Working on solutions best left in the dark.
<<<
[ Doctor Doom : jch8169@********.tamu.edu ]
