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Message no. 1
From: The Deb Decker <RJR96326@****.UTULSA.EDU>
Subject: Grounding
Date: Sun, 8 Aug 1993 17:37:01 -0500
OK, as I drove away from the lab I got to thinking about the other
implications of the way I defined grounding through a Quickening. For
one thing, it would mean that you could ground through a sustained spell,
which I believe would rsult in a big NO from Mephistoles Hume.

Also, re-read (again!) the section on attacking through foci and there
was the physical requirement, listed as neccesary for grounding. How then
to resolve this with the official statement that you can "ground through
any spell, physical or mana, that has an effect on the real world". It's
the damn errata that keeps fouling things up.

I think the best way to envision it is to imagine that the mage himself id
is the physical component of a Quickening (or whoever it's quickened on).
That way, no grounding through sustained spells, but you can still ground
through the big Q. Now, people don't get ratings; I would say that in
place of the focus rating in the resistance test, use the Karma used to
Quicken the Spell. Use the spell's actual force if you attack the spell
directly, like usual.

J Roberson
Message no. 2
From: SHADE <MFN6430@*****.TAMU.EDU>
Subject: grounding
Date: Mon, 9 Aug 1993 11:59:06 -0500
Once the mage is initiated it is probably in his best intrests to anchor
the spells instead of quicken them anyways. As I recall when an anchor is
turned off it cannot be grounded down anyway, and keeping increased reaction on
all of the time is as bad for a mage as wired reflexes are for a street sam.
Also there is not a lot to worry about anyway, do an astral quest to hide the
spell lock, anchor, focus, or quickening. The quest can be done at any level
the mage chooses, I will now hide my anchors with a level twelve astral quest.
In the process of a run no mage is likely to contest with doing an astral quest
at a level of 12 to see if there are any hidden things out there. Yes a person
hunting you will, but that is what allies are for. You cant ground the spell if
you can't get there fast enough. Half a second and you have at least the mage
and his ally to deal with, not just a quickened spell.
Isbin and Thurmite
Message no. 3
From: "Jason Carter, Nightstalker" <CARTER@***.EDU>
Subject: Grounding
Date: Mon, 9 Aug 1993 12:54:16 -0700
Grounding consist of targeting a spell cast from astral space to a target which
has a "dual" physical/astral nature. This includes dual-natured beings,
astrally perceiving magicians, foci, and anchoring. It does not include spells
or spell casting magicians.

You can most definitely ground through a focus, but only when it is active.
An active focus has a physical and an astral component. Spells Locks are foci,
so you can ground through them. This has nothing to do with the spell, but the
focus itself.

You can ground spells through a Anchoring. They have a physical and an astral
component and a bridge between them at all times. This is why anchored spells
are always vulnerable to astral attacks.

You can not ground through a spell or spell casting magician. The spell does
not have a dual physical/astral nature, although it may have direct effects
in the physical plane.

Quickenings are sustained spells that have their own link to astral space
instead of relying on the caster. They have no physical component, although
they may be connected to the aura of a physical object.

According to the Dark Lord on High, this is enough to allow you to ground
through a quickening, but his Metaphysics doesn't check out. While you might
want to follow his ruling, I think it is full of crap.

See Ya in Shadows,
Jason J Carter
The Nightstalker
Message no. 4
From: "Stephen R. Wilcoxon" <wilcoxon@****.EDU>
Subject: Re: Grounding
Date: Tue, 10 Aug 1993 05:08:20 -0400
Jason Carte, Nightstalker <CARTER@***.edu> said:
> Quickenings are sustained spells that have their own link to astral space
> instead of relying on the caster. They have no physical component, although
> they may be connected to the aura of a physical object.

Logically (I'm not sure about according to the rules), you could quicken
some spell that affects inanimate objects to such an object (although I
can't think of a reason you'd really want to do this). This means
that the spell would have to be connected to the actual object (since it
doesn't have an aura). To me, the quickening creates a circuit between the
actual object (usually person) and astral space, not the aura of the object
(hence grounding through a quickening is entirely possible).


Twilight

The Crystal Wind is the Storm, and the Storm is Data, and the Data is Life.
-- The Player's Litany
Message no. 5
From: "Jason Carter, Nightstalker" <CARTER@***.EDU>
Subject: Re: Grounding
Date: Wed, 11 Aug 1993 10:12:40 -0700
Twilight said:

>>Logically (I'm not sure about according to the rules), you could quicken
>>some spell that affects inanimate objects to such an object (although I
>>can't think of a reason you'd really want to do this). This means
>>that the spell would have to be connected to the actual object (since it
>>doesn't have an aura). To me, the quickening creates a circuit between the
>>actual object (usually person) and astral space, not the aura of the object
>>(hence grounding through a quickening is entirely possible).

You problem. All objects have auras. Even inanimate objects have auras.
That's why the passenger of a car can travel through a mana wall, while the
passenger of a motorcycle will go splat.

As for why a person would want to quicken a spell to an inanimate object, how
about a version of the Armor spell that works on vehicles? Or how about
quickening anti-bullet barrier to your favorite car?

See Ya in Shadows,
Jason J Carter
The Nightstalker
Message no. 6
From: "Jason Carter, Nightstalker" <CARTER@***.EDU>
Subject: Grounding
Date: Wed, 6 Apr 1994 23:50:31 -0700
Alright everybody, chill out.

Now go and read SRII page 149-150, Spells and Astral Space.

Once you are done, com back and tell me why you can ground spells through
quickenings. "DLOH says so" does not count.

*******************************************************************************
* See Ya in Shadows * * "Keep your friends close, but keep *
* Jason J Carter * Carter@***.EDU * your enemies closer." *
* The Nightstalker * * Deep Throat -- The X-Files *
*******************************************************************************
Message no. 7
From: "Brian W. Allison" <bwa550s@***.SMSU.EDU>
Subject: Re: Grounding
Date: Thu, 7 Apr 1994 11:42:23 -0500
In fact in the section in SR where it talks about grounding out a spell,
it says specifically that spell casting does -not- provide the kind of
link needed to ground a spell. (Found that last night too.)

------------------------------------------
Brian (bwa550s@***.smsu.edu)
Michael Crawford = sing.god
(GEEK CODE) GCS d@ -p+ c++++!!!!! l u+(++) e+(++) m@(+/++/---) s@/@
!n--- h*(+) f+(?) !g(20/12) w+ t+ r+(++) y?
Message no. 8
From: "J.W.Thomas" <cm5323@***.AC.UK>
Subject: Re: grounding
Date: Tue, 5 Jul 1994 16:51:13 +0100
In Combat spells, i remember some sorta thing about the spell
passing from you , into astrial via your aura, to the target
astrially, then grounding through their aura...so it ignores the
victims armour...is that right?
so you cant attack with spells from astrial, as you haven't got
your physical body to provide a link physical/astrial.

So WHAT DOES 'RAM','WRECKER'AND 'URBAN RENEWAL' GROUND INTO???

CHOPPER
real slythy tove of a guy
Message no. 9
From: Robert Watkins <bob@**.NTU.EDU.AU>
Subject: Re: grounding
Date: Wed, 6 Jul 1994 04:44:44 +0930
>
> In Combat spells, i remember some sorta thing about the spell
> passing from you , into astrial via your aura, to the target
> astrially, then grounding through their aura...so it ignores the
> victims armour...is that right?
> so you cant attack with spells from astrial, as you haven't got
> your physical body to provide a link physical/astrial.
>
> So WHAT DOES 'RAM','WRECKER'AND 'URBAN RENEWAL' GROUND INTO???

Inanimate objects have aura's too, you know. They're not as strong,
however, which is why Physical Spells are tougher to cast. That's also why
you, and spells, can go through them when they want to.

If you _really_ wanted to, you could slam a power bolt in to the poor
sucker's armour instead of the poor sucker himself. but why?
(Actually, you might not be able to. The victim's aura extends just a bit
beyond them, and may "mask" the aura of the armour. Leaves the victim
vulnerable, but protects the armour...)

--
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.
Message no. 10
From: Menard Steve <menars@***.UMONTREAL.CA>
Subject: grounding?
Date: Fri, 28 Apr 1995 11:41:59 -0400
I've read lots and lots about magic, area of effects spells, combat
spells and grounding, and there is one thing I still do not understand.

Regarding combat spells, it is said that if somenone is not in LOS
then that person cannot be affected by your spell even if he's in
range(someone else was the may target), right? But then they go on to say
that if a mage astrally projecting receives a are-effect combat spell,
the spell grounds where his body is. So what? If you do not see where his
body is, how can you affect anyone else? Is there something I am missing?
HELP!!!!!!!

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
--- |\_/| Still The One and Only Wolfbane! ---
--- |o o| " Hey! Why ya lookin' at me so weird? Ain't ya 'ver seen a ---
--- \ / decker witha horn ?" --- Scy, Troll decker with a CC ---
--- 0 Steve Menard menars@***.UMontreal.Ca ---
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Message no. 11
From: Stainless Steel Rat <ratinox@***.NEU.EDU>
Subject: Re: grounding?
Date: Fri, 28 Apr 1995 12:55:31 -0400
>>>>> "Menard" == Menard Steve <menars@***.UMONTREAL.CA>
writes:

Menard> Regarding combat spells, it is said that if somenone is not in
Menard> LOS then that person cannot be affected by your spell even if he's
Menard> in range(someone else was the may target), right?

Right.

Menard> But then they go on to say that if a mage astrally projecting
Menard> receives a are-effect combat spell, the spell grounds where his
Menard> body is.

That's not what it says. It says that a combat spell with elemental effects
grounds through, it hits the mage. It's the elemental effects that do the
damage, not the spell itself.

--
Rat <ratinox@***.neu.edu> | Ingredients of Happy Fun Ball include an
http://www.ccs.neu.edu/home/ratinox | unknown glowing substance which fell to
PGP Public Key: Ask for one today! | Earth, presumably from outer space.
Message no. 12
From: Gary Carroll <gary@****.COM>
Subject: Re: grounding?
Date: Fri, 28 Apr 1995 10:50:33 -0700
>
>Steve writes:
> Regarding combat spells, it is said that if somenone is not in LOS
>then that person cannot be affected by your spell even if he's in
>range(someone else was the may target), right? But then they go on
to say
>that if a mage astrally projecting receives a are-effect combat spell,
>the spell grounds where his body is. So what? If you do not see
where his
>body is, how can you affect anyone else? Is there something I am
missing?
>HELP!!!!!!!

I believe that what is is saying is that when you are astrally
projecting there is a direct link to your body (in the physical
world). So when someone cast a area effect spell on you the spell
actuall occurs on the physical world where your body is.
Fortunately the other mage can't see your friends standing around
you so they would not be affected but is it had an elemental fire
effect - your apartment may start to burn down.

Sounds like fun folks
Pick where you project carefully.
Thanks Gary.
Message no. 13
From: Jani Fikouras <feanor@**********.UNI-BREMEN.DE>
Subject: Re: grounding?
Date: Sat, 29 Apr 1995 19:33:25 +0200
> I've read lots and lots about magic, area of effects spells, combat
> spells and grounding, and there is one thing I still do not understand.
>
> Regarding combat spells, it is said that if somenone is not in LOS
> then that person cannot be affected by your spell even if he's in
> range(someone else was the may target), right? But then they go on to say
> that if a mage astrally projecting receives a are-effect combat spell,
> the spell grounds where his body is. So what? If you do not see where his
> body is, how can you affect anyone else? Is there something I am missing?
> HELP!!!!!!!

What they mean is that you have to be able to see his aura, and where
normal targets are concerbed the aura coexists with the body. Astral
magicians are an exception, you can still hit them as you can see their
aura in the astral, but the effects manifest themselves around the body.

--
"Believe in Angels." -- The Crow

GCS d H s+: !g p1 !au a- w+ v-(?) C++++ UA++S++L+$>++++ L+>+++ E--- N+ W(+)(---)
M-- !V(--) -po+(---) Y+ t++ 5++ R+++ tv b++ e+ u++(-) h*(+) f+ r- n!(-) y?
Message no. 14
From: Damion Milliken <adm82@***.EDU.AU>
Subject: Re: grounding?
Date: Sun, 30 Apr 1995 13:37:51 +1000
Stainless Steel Rat writes:

> Menard> But then they go on to say that if a mage astrally projecting
> Menard> receives a are-effect combat spell, the spell grounds where his
> Menard> body is.
>
> That's not what it says. It says that a combat spell with elemental effects
> grounds through, it hits the mage. It's the elemental effects that do the
> damage, not the spell itself.

Not in the case of Combat spells it isn't. The spell pumps astral energy
into the target, the elemental effect is a side effect. Only Damaging
Manipulations use elemental effects to actually inflict the damage.

If a combat spell hits an astrally projecting magician, it will ground out
through his body. It will damage him, and if the caster of the spell has LOS
to where the affected magician's body is, it will affect those in the area
of effect as well (even if the caster is astrally present only, as long as
he can see the guys present in the physical, then the spell he grounded
through the astral magicians body will get the suckers). If the Combat spell
has elemental effects, then these will be created in the area of effect, but
unless the caster can see the area of effect, then only the target will be
affected by them (ie unless the caster can see the area of effect, then the
only fire created from a fireball is on the target - the caster cannot see
the auras of any of the other targets in the area of effect, this includes
the carpet, furniture, other people and so on. Unless he can see them, the
grounded spell will not affect them).

--
Damion Milliken University of Wollongong E-mail: adm82@***.edu.au

(GEEK CODE 2.1) GE -d+@ H s++:-- !g p0 !au a19 w+ v(?) C++ US++>+++ P+ L !3
E? N K- W M@ !V po@ Y+ t+ 5 !j R+(++) G(+)('''') !tv(--@)
b++ D B? e+$ u@ h* f+ !r n----(--)@ !y+
Message no. 15
From: Damion Milliken <adm82@***.EDU.AU>
Subject: Re: Grounding
Date: Thu, 25 May 1995 18:31:22 +1000
Menard Steve writes:

> I am sorry but you CAN ground through an astrally projecting mage, the
> spell grounds through his body. Of course, since his body is probably out
> of sight only elemental effects will cause anything(like setting the
> house aflame!)

The spell will still frag the target magician over (since you cast it at his
astral presense, it is attuned to his aura), but, yeah, it won't to anything
else at all. Not even elemental effects would manifest at the site of the
magicians body, because the caster cannot actually see the area. The
magicians real meat body would likely show the effects one would expect of
such damage though, due to repercussion. If, OTOH, the caster could actually
see the location of the target magicians body, then things will turn out the
same on the physical plane as if the caster cast it from the physical plane.

--
Damion Milliken University of Wollongong E-mail: adm82@***.edu.au

(GEEK CODE 2.1) GE -d+@ H s++:-- !g p0 !au a19 w+ v(?) C++ US++>+++ P+ L !3
E? N K- W M@ !V po@ Y+ t+ 5 !j R+(++) G(+)('''') !tv(--@)
b++ D B? e+$ u@ h* f+ !r n----(--)@ !y+
Message no. 16
From: The Digital Mage <mn3rge@****.AC.UK>
Subject: Re: Grounding
Date: Thu, 25 May 1995 10:53:05 +0100
On Thu, 25 May 1995, Damion Milliken wrote:

> Menard Steve writes:
>
> > I am sorry but you CAN ground through an astrally projecting mage, the
> > spell grounds through his body. Of course, since his body is probably out
> > of sight only elemental effects will cause anything(like setting the
> > house aflame!)
>
> The spell will still frag the target magician over (since you cast it at his
> astral presense, it is attuned to his aura), but, yeah, it won't to anything
> else at all. Not even elemental effects would manifest at the site of the
> magicians body, because the caster cannot actually see the area. The
What if it was a manipulation spell though? Like Hell Blast or whatever
its called -but would that ground out through the body as Damaging
Manipulations immediately manifest in the physical world, therefore are
they even possible to cast when astrally projecting?

By the way regarding my previous post of grounding into teh astral, I
just realised the PowerBall would not have line of sight and so would
only take out the Focus (and possible teh mage as his body was visible)
-sorry about that folks :)

The Digital Mage : mn3rge@****.ac.uk
"We're falling from ecstacy, like Changlings."
-Fields of the Nephilim, Psychonaut Lib 111.
Message no. 17
From: Stainless Steel Rat <ratinox@***.NEU.EDU>
Subject: Re: Grounding
Date: Thu, 25 May 1995 09:55:54 -0400
>>>>> "The" == The Digital Mage <mn3rge@****.AC.UK> writes:

The> What if it was a manipulation spell though?

Only combat spells ground. Other spells can be used to attack the
dual-natured entity (ever use Makeover to frag a spell lock?:) but the
effects won't go any further unless it's a combat spell.

--
Rat <ratinox@***.neu.edu> | Do not taunt Happy Fun Ball.
http://www.ccs.neu.edu/home/ratinox |
PGP Public Key: Ask for one today! |
Message no. 18
From: The Digital Mage <mn3rge@****.AC.UK>
Subject: Grounding
Date: Mon, 23 Oct 1995 16:33:02 +0000
This was on rec.games.frp.cyber where a similar debate has been raging
-with some of the same people :)


The Digital Mage : mn3rge@****.ac.uk
Shadowrun Web Site under construction at
http://www.bath.ac.uk/~mn3rge/Shadowrun.html

---------- Forwarded message ----------

Wow.

I've been following this debate for a while and I'd like to offer my own
tenth-yen opinion (or whatever small amount it might be worth). Sad to say
that this debate will not be ended by Awakenings, since it doesn't
precisely address what you can and can't ground through because I thought
the situation was fairly clear. I wish I had know about this problem a
little more in advance (g).

IMHO (NOT FASA doctrine or holy writ, simply my opinion as a player and
gamemaster of SR), you cannot ground through sustained or quickened
spells. The intention of grounding, as it was explained to me, was that if
you had a subject that existed simultaneously in both the real world and
astral space (dual-natured), then you could use that subject as a bridge.
This means foci, dual-critters, and astrally perceiving or projecting
magicians (or the occasional cybermantic goon nowadays). A magician is
"partially" astrally active at the moment of casting a spell (when the
aura of the target and magician are brought into synch to direct the flow
of energy), but once the mojo is thrown, it's done. A magician sustaining
a spell is devoting some concentration to it, but they're not astrally
active. Likewise a Quickening is given a mainline into the energies of
astral space to sustain it, but that circuit exists wholly in the astral
plane and you can't ground through it. So you *might* be able to attack a
magician from astral space at the moment they spellcast (I tend to say
that casting magicians are effectively immune to astral attack unless
they're using ritual sorcery, but if you've got a held action and want to
try and ground through a casting magician, go for it, but make it count,
cuz next round they're no longer a valid target). If you want to take out
a sustained or quickened spell, use dispelling or astral combat. Grounding
won't work.

Just my humble opinion. In fact, Tom's opinion's are also just his opinion
as will be those of the next SR developer (after all, Tom thinks spirits
can't pass through dead wood either, according to Burning Bright <g>).
It's your game, you paid for it and you can play it any way that makes
sense to you.

I hope this helps. Best of luck to everyone.

Steve
Message no. 19
From: "Sascha Pabst" <Sascha.Pabst@**********.Uni-Oldenburg.DE>
Subject: Re: Grounding
Date: Sun, 16 Jun 1996 16:30:59 +0200
On 14.06.96, David Buehrer wrote about "Re: Grounding - with page refs!":
> After my initial baptism on the Grounding Debate I've made every effort to
> steer clear of it. I've seen all the arguements concerning it and feel that
> I couldn't argue my feelings any better than what I've seen other people
> do. And yet the "other" side still stands by what it believes. The
> conclusion is that there is room for interpretation. So interprete
> Grounding however works best for you (speaking to the group).
The main problem in this discussion is that there are strong arguments
for both sides and how you handle it depends on which arguments you are
considering more important then others. And since this is an emotional
thing that depends on how you "feel" the magic system, no conclusion can
be reached. And since "the other side" refuses to follow "your side's"
view, flame wars start.

Sascha

--
+---___---------+----------------------------------------+--------------------+
| / / _______ | Jhary-a-Conel aka Sascha Pabst |The one who does not|
| / /_/ ____/ |Sascha.Pabst@**********.Uni-Oldenburg.de| learn from history |
| \___ __/ | | is bound to live |
|==== \_/ ======| *Wearing hats is just a way of life* | through it again. |
|LOGOUT FASCISM!| - Me | |
+------------- http://www.informatik.uni-oldenburg.de/~jhary -----------------+
Message no. 20
From: "Mr. E" <enygma@********.com>
Subject: Re: Grounding
Date: Sun, 16 Jun 1996 15:18:33 -0700 (PDT)
On Sun, 16 Jun 1996, Sascha Pabst wrote:

> The main problem in this discussion is that there are strong arguments
> for both sides and how you handle it depends on which arguments you are
> considering more important then others. And since this is an emotional
> thing that depends on how you "feel" the magic system, no conclusion can
> be reached. And since "the other side" refuses to follow "your
side's"
> view, flame wars start.
>
> Sascha

I agree. I know that I personally will do what I think is best for my story.
It's doesn't matter to me what side is "right" or "wrong". Can't we
all
just get along?

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
__ __ ____ ___ ___ ____
enygma /__)/__) / / / / /_ /\ / /_ /
enygma@********.com / / \ / / / / /__ / \/ /___ /
Message no. 21
From: dbuehrer@****.org (David Buehrer)
Subject: Re: Grounding
Date: Sun, 16 Jun 1996 16:51:14 -0600 (MDT)
Mr. E wrote:
|
|On Sun, 16 Jun 1996, Sascha Pabst wrote:
|
|> The main problem in this discussion is that there are strong arguments
|> for both sides and how you handle it depends on which arguments you are
|> considering more important then others. And since this is an emotional
|> thing that depends on how you "feel" the magic system, no conclusion can
|> be reached. And since "the other side" refuses to follow "your
side's"
|> view, flame wars start.
|>
|> Sascha
|
|I agree. I know that I personally will do what I think is best for my story.
|It's doesn't matter to me what side is "right" or "wrong". Can't we
all
|just get along?

<chuckle> I can get along with anyone. Course, I don't live in L.A. ;)

BTW, I think the flame wars start when one side takes it upon themselves to
convince the other side that they're right. That's when the debate breaks
down. I would be more than willing to debate the subject of Grounding. But
I don't want to argue about it.

-David

/^\/^\/^\/^\/^\/^\/^\/^\ dbuehrer@****.org /^\/^\/^\/^\/^\/^\/^\/^\
"His thoughts tumbled in his head, making and breaking alliances like
underpants in a dryer without Cling Free."
~~~~~~http://www.geocities.com/TimesSquare/1068/homepage.html~~~~~~
Message no. 22
From: "Paolo (2) Falco" <Falco@****.it>
Subject: Re: Grounding
Date: Mon, 17 Jun 1996 19:04:26 +0000
I usually use a very fascist attitude as a GM when it comes to
controversal things such as (shudder) grounding through
quickening. I stand up in front of my players and say:
"_You_ can't. _They_ can."
I then quickly duck for cover when all sorts of heavy object
start flying for my forehead :)
It's a hard life for us GMs...

-----------------------------------------------------------------
Paolo Falco | An enseble is called self referencing if it
Ironbound Section | contains a self referencing sub ensemble
-----------------------------------------------------------------
See the Rollerbrawl Rules and the Anarchic Lemming Corp. site at:
*********> http://www.geocities.com/SoHo/2717 <*******
Message no. 23
From: hardware@*******.DATANET.AB.CA
Subject: Grounding....
Date: Thu, 21 Dec 1995 12:39:21 +0000
Heya.. I gots an idea.... *slips FASAMike a bribe* sooo... what does
FASA say about Grounding eh Mike? heheh ;) *wave*
Message no. 24
From: Autumn / Shatterglass <laughingcrow@****.COM>
Subject: Re: Grounding....
Date: Mon, 16 Dec 1996 05:19:53 PST
Good try...

Think he'll go for it? [looks around] Hey FASA-dude Mike! Want a couple
of these nice, warm, right-outta-the-oven chocolate-chip cookies? Hmm?
[waves the smell temptingly in that direction...]

Then fess up!

--Autumn
Message no. 25
From: "Brian W. Allison" <ballison@*******.WAM.UMD.EDU>
Subject: Re: Grounding....
Date: Sun, 22 Dec 1996 15:42:13 -0500
On Mon, 16 Dec 1996, Autumn / Shatterglass wrote:

> [waves the smell temptingly in that direction...]

cooooookieeeee....... D'oh!


Brian W. Allison

Computer Scientist Vocalist Would-be Poet Bicycler Scuba Diver
Hacker(0xca) Nerd(79) GenX(21) #include <witticism.h>
http://www.wam.umd.edu/~ballison

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--- and will result in a US$500 fee per US Code Title 47 Sec 227. ---
Message no. 26
From: Spike <u5a77@*****.CS.KEELE.AC.UK>
Subject: Re: Grounding....
Date: Sun, 22 Dec 1996 22:24:47 +0000
|
|Heya.. I gots an idea.... *slips FASAMike a bribe* sooo... what does
|FASA say about Grounding eh Mike? heheh ;) *wave*
|

I can predict a dextrous dodging of this subject....

It's such an old moan that I reckon all FASA employees run screaming from
the room whenever it's mentioned...
--
______________________________________________________________________________
|u5a77@*****.cs.keele.ac.uk| "Are you pondering what I'm pondering Pinky?" |
|Andrew Halliwell | |
|Principal subjects in:- | "I think so brain, but this time, you control |
|Comp Sci & Electronics | the Encounter suit, and I'll do the voice..." |
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
|GCv3.1 GCS/EL>$ d---(dpu) s+/- a- C++ U N++ K- w-- M+/++ PS+++ PE- Y t+ 5++ |
|X+/++ R+ tv+ b+ D G e>PhD h/h+ !r! !y-|I can't say F**K either now! >*SULK*<|
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Message no. 27
From: The Jestyr <jestyr@*******.DIALIX.COM.AU>
Subject: Re: Grounding....
Date: Mon, 23 Dec 1996 10:46:47 +1100
> > [waves the smell temptingly in that direction...]
>
> cooooookieeeee....... D'oh!

Now I know why they call it the silly season...

Lady Jestyr

--------------------------------------------------
A titanic intellect... in a world full of icebergs
--------------------------------------------------
Elle Holmes jestyr@*******.dialix.oz.au
http://www.geocities.com/TimesSquare/1503
--------------------------------------------------
Message no. 28
From: "Brian W. Allison" <ballison@*******.WAM.UMD.EDU>
Subject: Re: Grounding....
Date: Sun, 22 Dec 1996 18:54:49 -0500
On Mon, 23 Dec 1996, The Lady Jestyr sayeth thusly:

> > > [waves the smell temptingly in that direction...]
> >
> > cooooookieeeee....... D'oh!
>
> Now I know why they call it the silly season...
>
> Lady Jestyr


Careful M'Lady, I've known cookie lovers to tickle when teased.

Just doing my civic duty to warn you of that scoundrel...









Brian W. Allison

Computer Scientist Vocalist Would-be Poet Bicycler Scuba Diver
Hacker(0xca) Nerd(79) GenX(21) #include <witticism.h>
http://www.wam.umd.edu/~ballison

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--- and will result in a US$500 fee per US Code Title 47 Sec 227. ---
Message no. 29
From: Autumn / Shatterglass <laughingcrow@****.COM>
Subject: Re: Grounding....
Date: Mon, 16 Dec 1996 06:15:39 PST
>Now I know why they call it the silly season...
>
>Lady Jestyr
>

Well... yeah....

But I figured it was worth a try. [grins]

--Autumn
Message no. 30
From: Wiebke & Birger Timm <WiebkeT@********.DE>
Subject: Grounding
Date: Tue, 7 Jul 1998 22:07:39 +0200
Hey, I tried to find out what grounding could be but didn't
succeed...So what is it?

BlixDrake
Message no. 31
From: David Buehrer <dbuehrer@******.CARL.ORG>
Subject: Re: Grounding
Date: Tue, 7 Jul 1998 15:01:31 -0600
Wiebke & Birger Timm wrote:
/
/ Hey, I tried to find out what grounding could be but didn't
/ succeed...So what is it?

Per SR2, you can "ground" a Physical spell through a dual natured
object/being from astral space.

For example, you can attack an active spell lock from astral space with
a Power Bolt. If there's any residual energy left over after
destroying the spell lock (assuming the spell overcomes the lock) it
can attack the wearer of the spell lock. Area effect spells, like
Power Ball, can attack anyone within the radius of effect after they
ground into physical space.

When it comes to spell locks and foci, and dual natured critters, it's
pretty cut and dry. The flames start flying when you start asking
whether or not you can ground through a Quickened spell, because a
Quickened spell is not clearly defined as to whether or not it is dual
natured.

There's a little story about it on my web page that'll answer all your
questions :)

My advice would be to forget you ever heard the term "Grounding" and
buy SR3 :)

-David
--
"If I told you, then I'd have to pull a Shadowrun against you. Sorry."
--
email: dbuehrer@******.carl.org
http://www.geocities.com/TimesSquare/1068/homepage.htm
Message no. 32
From: Spike <u5a77@*****.CS.KEELE.AC.UK>
Subject: Re: Grounding
Date: Tue, 7 Jul 1998 23:08:54 +0100
And verily, did Wiebke & Birger Timm hastily scribble thusly...
|
|Hey, I tried to find out what grounding could be but didn't
|succeed...So what is it?

The scenario....

There you are, hovering about in astral space when you spot someone you
know, (and loath).
They have no mages nearby, but do have a spell lock active, so you decide to
be a really vindictive b'stard....

Physical combat spells don't work on the astral, as there's no bridge to the
physical plane, but ooo look, that spell lock is ideal. It's magically
active, it has a physical component.... And it's got a really weak force.

So, you cast a fireball at the focus, and due to the nature of such things,
the focus is fried, and the spell arcs across into the physical plane,
burning the bloke carrying the spell lock...

(Only area effect spells will work, if it'd been a fire bolt, all that
would be fried was the focus itself....)
--
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
|u5a77@*****.cs.keele.ac.uk| Windows95 (noun): 32 bit extensions and a |
| | graphical shell for a 16 bit patch to an 8 bit |
|Andrew Halliwell | operating system originally coded for a 4 bit |
|Principal Subjects in:- |microprocessor, written by a 2 bit company, that|
|Comp Sci & Electronics | can't stand 1 bit of competition. |
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
|GCv3.1 GCS/EL>$ d---(dpu) s+/- a- C++ U N++ o+ K- w-- M+/++ PS+++ PE- Y t+ |
|5++ X+/++ R+ tv+ b+ D G e>PhD h/h+ !r! !y-|I can't say F**K either now! :( |
Message no. 33
From: Gurth <gurth@******.NL>
Subject: Re: Grounding
Date: Wed, 8 Jul 1998 11:05:49 +0100
Wiebke & Birger Timm said on 22:07/7 Jul 98,...

> Hey, I tried to find out what grounding could be but didn't
> succeed...So what is it?

It's where you cast a spell from astral space into the physical
plane through an item that forms a "bridge" between the two
planes. For example, an active focus forms such a bridge. An
astral magician who ca nsee the focus can then cast a spell at it,
and the spell can "ground" into the physical plane. This is
explained in the Magic chapter of SRII, somewhere at the end of
the astral space section, IIRC.

And DO NOT ask about grounding through sustained or quickened
spells -- you're likely to be thwapped into oblivion :)

--
Gurth@******.nl - http://www.xs4all.nl/~gurth/index.html
I wish I was a neutron bomb, for once I could go off.
-> NERPS Project Leader * ShadowRN GridSec * Unofficial Shadowrun Guru <-
-> The Plastic Warriors Page: http://www.xs4all.nl/~gurth/plastic.html <-
-> The New Character Mortuary: http://www.electricferret.com/mortuary/ <-

GC3.1: GAT/! d-(dpu) s:- !a>? C+(++)@ U P L E? W(++) N o? K- w+ O V? PS+
PE Y PGP- t(+) 5++ X++ R+++>$ tv+(++) b++@ DI? D+ G(++) e h! !r(---) y?
Incubated into the First Church of the Sqooshy Ball, 21-05-1998
Message no. 34
From: Wiebke & Birger Timm <WiebkeT@********.DE>
Subject: Re: Grounding
Date: Wed, 8 Jul 1998 17:44:50 +0200
Gurth wrote:

> And DO NOT ask about grounding through sustained or quickened
> spells -- you're likely to be thwapped into oblivion :)

In fact I'm still involved in reading the Grimoire (half a year ago I didn't
know much about shadowrun...) so I won't dare asking questions that delicate
! ;-)

Blix
Message no. 35
From: Wiebke & Birger Timm <WiebkeT@********.DE>
Subject: Re: Grounding
Date: Wed, 8 Jul 1998 16:00:19 +0200
David Buehrer wrote:

> My advice would be to forget you ever heard the term "Grounding" and
> buy SR3 :)

I don't think that's possible...it will be published in German at least
one year after the English/American version...so I have to wait until
then...

Blix
Message no. 36
From: Wiebke & Birger Timm <WiebkeT@********.DE>
Subject: Re: Grounding
Date: Wed, 8 Jul 1998 16:17:21 +0200
Spike wrote:

> (Only area effect spells will work, if it'd been a fire bolt, all that
> would be fried was the focus itself....)

So the mage who carries the focus would get burned too if he held it in his hand
(or has explosives near the focus ;-) )?

BlixDrake
Message no. 37
From: Spike <u5a77@*****.CS.KEELE.AC.UK>
Subject: Re: Grounding
Date: Wed, 8 Jul 1998 17:59:27 +0100
And verily, did Wiebke & Birger Timm hastily scribble thusly...
|
|Spike wrote:
|
|> (Only area effect spells will work, if it'd been a fire bolt, all that
|> would be fried was the focus itself....)
|
|So the mage who carries the focus would get burned too if he held it in his hand
|(or has explosives near the focus ;-) )?

Possibly, but only from the elemental effect. With the area effect, he would
have taken the full damage of the spell....
--
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
|u5a77@*****.cs.keele.ac.uk| Windows95 (noun): 32 bit extensions and a |
| | graphical shell for a 16 bit patch to an 8 bit |
|Andrew Halliwell | operating system originally coded for a 4 bit |
|Principal Subjects in:- |microprocessor, written by a 2 bit company, that|
|Comp Sci & Electronics | can't stand 1 bit of competition. |
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
|GCv3.1 GCS/EL>$ d---(dpu) s+/- a- C++ U N++ o+ K- w-- M+/++ PS+++ PE- Y t+ |
|5++ X+/++ R+ tv+ b+ D G e>PhD h/h+ !r! !y-|I can't say F**K either now! :( |
Message no. 38
From: Martin Steffens <chimerae@***.IE>
Subject: Re: Grounding
Date: Wed, 8 Jul 1998 18:28:20 +0000
and thus did Gurth speak on 8 Jul 98 at 11:05:

> > Hey, I tried to find out what grounding could be but didn't
> > succeed...So what is it?

> And DO NOT ask about grounding through sustained or quickened
> spells -- you're likely to be thwapped into oblivion :)

That could very well be the reason why grounding will be removed,
just to make sure that problem never ever comes up again
*shudder*

<oldtimers rant>It would be interesting to see however if the Thwaps
nowadays can compete with those from Dr Doom</oldtimers rant>
But then again, I rather start a "magic is real" thread to find that
out :)

Karina & Martin Steffens
chimerae@***.ie
Message no. 39
From: Gurth <gurth@******.NL>
Subject: Re: Grounding
Date: Wed, 8 Jul 1998 20:23:09 +0100
Wiebke & Birger Timm said on 16:17/8 Jul 98,...

> Spike wrote:
>
> > (Only area effect spells will work, if it'd been a fire bolt, all that
> > would be fried was the focus itself....)

That's not quite right. Physical spells can ground through at all
times, even if they're not area-effect. Area-effect spells, though,
blow up to their full area once through the focus.

> So the mage who carries the focus would get burned too if he held it in his hand
> (or has explosives near the focus ;-) )?

Yes. In game terms, the magician takes damage from the spell as
if he or she were hit by it directly.

--
Gurth@******.nl - http://www.xs4all.nl/~gurth/index.html
I wish I was a neutron bomb, for once I could go off.
-> NERPS Project Leader * ShadowRN GridSec * Unofficial Shadowrun Guru <-
-> The Plastic Warriors Page: http://www.xs4all.nl/~gurth/plastic.html <-
-> The New Character Mortuary: http://www.electricferret.com/mortuary/ <-

GC3.1: GAT/! d-(dpu) s:- !a>? C+(++)@ U P L E? W(++) N o? K- w+ O V? PS+
PE Y PGP- t(+) 5++ X++ R+++>$ tv+(++) b++@ DI? D+ G(++) e h! !r(---) y?
Incubated into the First Church of the Sqooshy Ball, 21-05-1998
Message no. 40
From: Erik Jameson <erikj@****.COM>
Subject: Re: Grounding
Date: Wed, 8 Jul 1998 15:52:00 -0400
At 06:28 PM 7/8/98 +0000, you wrote:

>That could very well be the reason why grounding will be removed,
>just to make sure that problem never ever comes up again
>*shudder*

A potentially excellent guess.

><oldtimers rant>It would be interesting to see however if the Thwaps
>nowadays can compete with those from Dr Doom</oldtimers rant>
>But then again, I rather start a "magic is real" thread to find that
>out :)

Ick. Don't start a magic is real thread. Bad. Bad!

But Doctor Doom was THE best at Thwaps. No one has ever equalled him and I
doubt anyone ever will.

Imagine several pages of text, all written in very formal old English,
immaculately spelled, punctuated and in flawless grammar (you could use it
to teach non-English speakers the language!). Very witty and funny, though
not in the Jim Carrey style of humor. And not until you've read nearly all
of that long text, do you realize that you were just giving a brutal
thwapping! None of this:

THWAP!!

silliness. Ah, the good old days when people cared enough to send the very
best...thwaps!

Erik J.

Who strongly suggest checking out the logs from .hearn to read a few old
Doctor Doom thwaps.
Message no. 41
From: David Buehrer <dbuehrer@******.CARL.ORG>
Subject: Re: Grounding
Date: Wed, 8 Jul 1998 14:49:26 -0600
/ David Buehrer wrote:
/
/ > My advice would be to forget you ever heard the term "Grounding" and
/ > buy SR3 :)
/
/ I don't think that's possible...it will be published in German at least
/ one year after the English/American version...so I have to wait until
/ then...
/
/ Blix

Oh. Well, in that case make the judgement call for your game. Most
people don't allow Grounding through Quickenings. Only a very few
allow Grounding through Sustained Spells. But what you do is up to you
:)

-David
--
"If I told you, then I'd have to pull a Shadowrun against you. Sorry."
--
email: dbuehrer@******.carl.org
http://www.geocities.com/TimesSquare/1068/homepage.htm
Message no. 42
From: Spike <u5a77@*****.CS.KEELE.AC.UK>
Subject: Re: Grounding
Date: Wed, 8 Jul 1998 22:23:57 +0100
And verily, did Erik Jameson hastily scribble thusly...
|silliness. Ah, the good old days when people cared enough to send the very
|best...thwaps!

AS I never witnessed such genius, how can you possibly expect us to emulate
it?

--
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
|u5a77@*****.cs.keele.ac.uk| Windows95 (noun): 32 bit extensions and a |
| | graphical shell for a 16 bit patch to an 8 bit |
|Andrew Halliwell | operating system originally coded for a 4 bit |
|Principal Subjects in:- |microprocessor, written by a 2 bit company, that|
|Comp Sci & Electronics | can't stand 1 bit of competition. |
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
|GCv3.1 GCS/EL>$ d---(dpu) s+/- a- C++ U N++ o+ K- w-- M+/++ PS+++ PE- Y t+ |
|5++ X+/++ R+ tv+ b+ D G e>PhD h/h+ !r! !y-|I can't say F**K either now! :( |
Message no. 43
From: Erik Jameson <erikj@****.COM>
Subject: Re: Grounding
Date: Wed, 8 Jul 1998 18:51:43 -0400
At 10:23 PM 7/8/98 +0100, you wrote:
>And verily, did Erik Jameson hastily scribble thusly...
>|silliness. Ah, the good old days when people cared enough to send the very
>|best...thwaps!
>
>AS I never witnessed such genius, how can you possibly expect us to emulate
>it?

Well, just because damn it!!

Seriously, Doctor Doom didn't post that often so it was a treat to see what
he had written anytime he chose to speak up. And when he thwapped someone,
it was, dare I say it, a work of art. Do take a look at the really old
logs (like 93 or so) and do a quick scan for him. Then you'll see the
genius tht Doctor Doom was.

Erik J.

URL to go here soon...
Message no. 44
From: Martin Steffens <chimerae@***.IE>
Subject: Re: Grounding
Date: Thu, 9 Jul 1998 09:37:42 +0000
and thus did Spike speak on 8 Jul 98 at 22:23:

> |best...thwaps!
>
> AS I never witnessed such genius, how can you possibly expect us to emulate
> it?

Try the archives around December 1994, the best one is in that
period and there was a web site with Dr Doom's Thwaps, but I forgot
where it was. As to you emulating it, forget it, Dr Doom is
impossible to emulate. And that's not my "in the good ol' days people
knew how to Thwap" voice speaking there, he was and will be the best
Thwapper ever.


Karina & Martin Steffens
chimerae@***.ie
Message no. 45
From: Martin Steffens <chimerae@***.IE>
Subject: Re: Grounding
Date: Thu, 9 Jul 1998 09:37:42 +0000
and thus did Erik Jameson speak on 8 Jul 98 at 15:52:

> Ick. Don't start a magic is real thread. Bad. Bad!

Well I wasn't going to, but I hoped someone would grab onto that and
start one so we could all practise thwapping on him/her :>

> Imagine several pages of text, all written in very formal old English,
> immaculately spelled, punctuated and in flawless grammar (you could use it
> to teach non-English speakers the language!).

Well you might want to start with something a tad simpler, unless you
like the idea of English students running away screaming that they
rather learn Russian.

> Who strongly suggest checking out the logs from .hearn to read a few old
> Doctor Doom thwaps.

Didn't JD or Robert Hayden keep the best ones on his web site?

Karina & Martin Steffens
chimerae@***.ie
Message no. 46
From: Gurth <gurth@******.NL>
Subject: Re: Grounding
Date: Thu, 9 Jul 1998 11:38:36 +0100
Martin Steffens said on 18:28/8 Jul 98,...

> <oldtimers rant>It would be interesting to see however if the Thwaps
> nowadays can compete with those from Dr Doom</oldtimers rant>

No, they're not. During your absense, most of the Thwaps were of
the Spike-style, that is to say large ASCII letters on the screen
reading "THWAP" and usually some kind of remark along the lines
of "[whatever] is wrong! Fix it!"

I tried to resurrect the old method about a year ago, but I'm not
so great at writing amusing stories like the Doctor was... Still, it's
better than nothing, though I think only David and I really made
an effort. The results are one Dvixen's page somewhere
(http://coastnet.com/~dvixen/ I think).

> But then again, I rather start a "magic is real" thread to find that
> out :)

Nah... Street sams vs. physads is a much better thread :)

--
Gurth@******.nl - http://www.xs4all.nl/~gurth/index.html
"That's IT, lunchbox!!! We'll go to Shermer, Illinois!"
-> NERPS Project Leader * ShadowRN GridSec * Unofficial Shadowrun Guru <-
-> The Plastic Warriors Page: http://www.xs4all.nl/~gurth/plastic.html <-
-> The New Character Mortuary: http://www.electricferret.com/mortuary/ <-

GC3.1: GAT/! d-(dpu) s:- !a>? C+(++)@ U P L E? W(++) N o? K- w+ O V? PS+
PE Y PGP- t(+) 5++ X++ R+++>$ tv+(++) b++@ DI? D+ G(++) e h! !r(---) y?
Incubated into the First Church of the Sqooshy Ball, 21-05-1998
Message no. 47
From: The Hamm ljvance@*******.edu
Subject: Grounding
Date: Sat, 07 Aug 1999 23:51:30 -0700
At 08:11 PM 8/7/99 -0700, you wrote:
>Hello;
>
> Several people have repeatedly mentioned something in past about going
>after a mage or a mage's foci via some kind of thing having to do with
>'grounding' and an astral presence or something...
>
> I've been spending the weekend priming up my knowledge of the magic rules
>and this phrase is confusing me. What exactly are these people referring to
>and where can I read up on it? Is it in SR3 or MitS and if so does anyone
>have a page number?
>
> Thank you.
>
>Arcady http://www.jps.net/arcady/ <0){{{{><

Arcady,

The practice of grounding was a SR1 and 2 technique of having a spell
'cross over' from astral space to physical space. Because the focus or
whatever item that is dual natured exists on both planes at once, you used
to be able to have a spell 'ground' through them from the astral to the
physical plane. It was done away with in SR3.

I kinda liked it, though.

But I liked Petrify, too.

-The Hamm
Message no. 48
From: Scott Wheelock iscottw@*****.nb.ca
Subject: Grounding
Date: Sun, 08 Aug 1999 13:20:06 -0300
"And now, a Channel 6 editorial reply to The Hamm."
] The practice of grounding was a SR1 and 2 technique of having a spell
] 'cross over' from astral space to physical space. Because the focus or
] whatever item that is dual natured exists on both planes at once, you used
] to be able to have a spell 'ground' through them from the astral to the
] physical plane. It was done away with in SR3.
]
] I kinda liked it, though.
]
] But I liked Petrify, too.

<panicking>

What? What happened to Petrify? Ack...game world logic
ripping...I've got a player who'll be the only one with Petrify in
universe...

-------------------------------------------
PLEASE WATCH YOUR STEP
NICK UNDER CONSTRUCTION
Message no. 49
From: Claude Lejeune clejeune@****.org
Subject: Grounding
Date: Thu, 1 Jun 2000 09:38:18 -0400
Hi,

I will restart a campaign that has been on hiatus for over a year due
other obligations (read children). Third edition rules will be used
and characters have been converted. Altough I have not finished
reading all chapters, I didn't find any reference to grounding
physical area spells through a focus or an astraly perceiving or
projecting mage (or a dual natured being).

May be I am jumping the gun but i would like to know if this rule has
been changed in SR3. By the way, is there a list somewhere of the
important changes betwwen SRII and SR3?

Thanks

Ulysse
Message no. 50
From: Sebastian Wiers m0ng005e@*********.com
Subject: Grounding
Date: Thu, 1 Jun 2000 10:03:45 -0500
:Hi,
:
:I will restart a campaign that has been on hiatus for over a year due
:other obligations (read children). Third edition rules will be used
:and characters have been converted. Altough I have not finished
:reading all chapters, I didn't find any reference to grounding
:physical area spells through a focus or an astraly perceiving or
:projecting mage (or a dual natured being).

Correct. There are in fact rules that (indirectoy) prohibit it. While
astrally projecting, you can only cast mana spells- since SR2 grounding
required physical spells, its gone right there. SR3 further stipulates that
spellcasters can only affect targets present on the same plane as they are.

:May be I am jumping the gun but i would like to know if this rule has
:been changed in SR3. By the way, is there a list somewhere of the
:important changes betwwen SRII and SR3?
:
:Thanks
:
:Ulysse

Herkimers lair has one. http://shadowrun.html.com/hlair/errindex.php3 ,
check out the aptly title link "sr2 to sr3".

Mongoose

_____________________________________________
NetZero - Defenders of the Free World
Click here for FREE Internet Access and Email
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Message no. 51
From: Gurth gurth@******.nl
Subject: Grounding
Date: Thu, 1 Jun 2000 19:29:41 +0200
According to Claude Lejeune, at 9:38 on 1 Jun 00, the word on the street
was...

> I will restart a campaign that has been on hiatus for over a year due
> other obligations (read children). Third edition rules will be used
> and characters have been converted. Altough I have not finished
> reading all chapters, I didn't find any reference to grounding
> physical area spells through a focus or an astraly perceiving or
> projecting mage (or a dual natured being).

That's because grouding has become impossible in SR3. Maybe a better way
of putting it, is that it was never possible at all :)

If you like grounding, because it makes things a bit more dangerous for
magicians, there's no reason you can't keep it, though. An important thing
to keep in mind in that case, however, is that you can't cast physical
spells on the astral plane anymore, so having anything ground out into an
area is impossible unless you ignore that rule.

> May be I am jumping the gun but i would like to know if this rule has
> been changed in SR3. By the way, is there a list somewhere of the
> important changes betwwen SRII and SR3?

There is (or at least, there was a list like that some 1 1/2 years ago)
but don't ask me where it's located...

--
Gurth@******.nl - http://www.xs4all.nl/~gurth/index.html
Here come the golden oldies. Here come the Hezbollah.
-> NAGEE Editor * ShadowRN GridSec * Unofficial Shadowrun Guru <-
->The Plastic Warriors Page: http://shadowrun.html.com/plasticwarriors/<-

GC3.1: GAT/! d-(dpu) s:- !a>? C+(++)@ UL P L+ E? W(++) N o? K- w+ O V? PS+
PE Y PGP- t(+) 5++ X++ R+++>$ tv+(++) b++@ DI? D+ G(++) e h! !r(---) y?
Incubated into the First Church of the Sqooshy Ball, 21-05-1998
Message no. 52
From: Gurth gurth@******.nl
Subject: Grounding
Date: Thu, 1 Jun 2000 19:29:41 +0200
According to Sebastian Wiers, at 10:03 on 1 Jun 00, the word on the street
was...

> Correct. There are in fact rules that (indirectoy) prohibit it. While
> astrally projecting, you can only cast mana spells- since SR2 grounding
> required physical spells, its gone right there.

Actually, it doesn't. I figured out the possible combinations of spells
and targets a few years ago (IIRC, Wordman put them into the ShadowFAQ way
back when) and -- going by memory here, so I might be off -- a single-
target mana spell will only hit the item you're actually casting it at. An
area-effect mana spell, though, would hit whatever is attached to the
target (like the person holding a focus).

> SR3 further stipulates that spellcasters can only affect targets present
> on the same plane as they are.

Which still makes it possible to damage active foci; you can't also hurt
their wielders, though.

--
Gurth@******.nl - http://www.xs4all.nl/~gurth/index.html
Here come the golden oldies. Here come the Hezbollah.
-> NAGEE Editor * ShadowRN GridSec * Unofficial Shadowrun Guru <-
->The Plastic Warriors Page: http://shadowrun.html.com/plasticwarriors/<-

GC3.1: GAT/! d-(dpu) s:- !a>? C+(++)@ UL P L+ E? W(++) N o? K- w+ O V? PS+
PE Y PGP- t(+) 5++ X++ R+++>$ tv+(++) b++@ DI? D+ G(++) e h! !r(---) y?
Incubated into the First Church of the Sqooshy Ball, 21-05-1998
Message no. 53
From: Adam J adamj@*********.html.com
Subject: Grounding
Date: Thu, 01 Jun 2000 12:59:43 -0600
At 19:29 6/1/00 +0200, Gurth wrote:

>> May be I am jumping the gun but i would like to know if this rule has
>> been changed in SR3. By the way, is there a list somewhere of the
>> important changes betwwen SRII and SR3?
>
>There is (or at least, there was a list like that some 1 1/2 years ago)
>but don't ask me where it's located...

http://www.fasa.com/Preview/10070/SR2%20to%20SR3.html

or

http://shadowrun.html.com/shadowfaq/Shad2-3Changes.html

or

http://shadowrun.html.com/hlair/showerr.php3?title=SR2+to+SR3&errlist=sr2tosr3

:-)

Adam
--
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< FreeRPG & Shadowrun Webring Co-Admin / The Shadowrun Supplemental >
Message no. 54
From: ShadowRunner9653@***.com ShadowRunner9653@***.com
Subject: Grounding
Date: Thu, 1 Jun 2000 18:24:16 EDT
This questions interests me as well since it was always a good way to keep
the mages from having oodles of active foci/Spell Locks/Sustained spell foci.

I understood the no physical thing. But what about spells like chaotic world.
Or other area effect mana spells.

Just a question

Scott
Message no. 55
From: Wordman wordman@*******.com
Subject: Grounding
Date: Thu, 1 Jun 2000 20:25:06 -0400
> > Correct. There are in fact rules that (indirectoy)
> prohibit it. While
> > astrally projecting, you can only cast mana spells- since SR2 grounding
> > required physical spells, its gone right there.
>
> Actually, it doesn't. I figured out the possible combinations of spells
> and targets a few years ago (IIRC, Wordman put them into the
> ShadowFAQ way back when)

For the curious:

http://shadowrun.html.com/shadowfaq/Shad2FAQ.html#M2

Wordman
Message no. 56
From: Gurth gurth@******.nl
Subject: Grounding
Date: Fri, 2 Jun 2000 12:00:44 +0200
According to ShadowRunner9653@***.com, at 18:24 on 1 Jun 00, the word on
the street was...

> This questions interests me as well since it was always a good way to keep
> the mages from having oodles of active foci/Spell Locks/Sustained spell foci.

Same here, and that's one of the reasons why it's still used in my group's
games. (The other reason is that our last campaign -- which is technically
still going but in another form -- was started with SRII rules, so we kept
grounding in for continuity.)

> I understood the no physical thing. But what about spells like chaotic world.
> Or other area effect mana spells.

Grounding doesn't happen anymore, it's as simple as that. If you cast
Chaotic World at an astrally-perceiving magician, that magician will be in
its area of effect (as will anyone nearby on the astral plane) and will be
affected by it, but the spell will not ground out in any way. This makes
casting it as an active focus, in order to affect the focus' wielder,
pointless.

--
Gurth@******.nl - http://www.xs4all.nl/~gurth/index.html
Here come the golden oldies. Here come the Hezbollah.
-> NAGEE Editor * ShadowRN GridSec * Unofficial Shadowrun Guru <-
->The Plastic Warriors Page: http://shadowrun.html.com/plasticwarriors/<-

GC3.1: GAT/! d-(dpu) s:- !a>? C+(++)@ UL P L+ E? W(++) N o? K- w+ O V? PS+
PE Y PGP- t(+) 5++ X++ R+++>$ tv+(++) b++@ DI? D+ G(++) e h! !r(---) y?
Incubated into the First Church of the Sqooshy Ball, 21-05-1998

Further Reading

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

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Thwap!