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Mailing List Logs for ShadowRN

Message no. 1
From: Steve Huth <HUTH@***.EDU>
Subject: Invisibility and physics
Date: Mon, 10 May 1993 16:50:01 -0700
In response to Iron Claw and Nightfox: Just saying "It's magic"
certainly kills the debate, doesn't it? Heck, I like to argue. The
whole reason this started, as I recall, is that, contrary to what Iron
Claw says, when you ask Gator to make you invisible, he does NOT do so
in a way that fools everything--thermo and Ultrasound still work. It was
in attempting to explain this problem that people brought up physics, which
is all we can really understand.
As far as the comment that invisibility affects the mind of the viewer, rather
than the person trying to hide....I'm not sure how it would work, though I'd
be interested in seeing comments. If it affects the viewer's mind, how can
it affect techno devices?
Another semi-related problem: How does FASA decide whether a spell is a
manipulation or an illusion. I was about to say that spells that affect
another's mind are manipulation spells, not illusions, until I remembered
the Chaos and Chaotic World spells. (I really should bring my rulebooks, now
I can't remember whether Chaos and its big brother affect the target's mind,
or create physical illusions). Hmm, I'll look it up later.

If you're not interested in physics, stop reading now.
A friend of mine just pointed out why it would actually be impossible for
the invisibility spell to work (in terms of physics) by bending the light
around a person--it would blind the invisible person. Think about it, no
incoming light means no incoming photons means nothing is hitting your eye
and causing a electric impulse to be sent to your brain to be translated into
an image. Sure you'd be invisible, but you'd be in the most total darkness
ever experienced.

Spectre
Steve Huth
Message no. 2
From: Christopher Bellovary <bellovar@***.WISC.EDU>
Subject: Re: Invisibility and physics
Date: Mon, 10 May 1993 18:56:51 CDT
> A friend of mine just pointed out why it would actually be impossible for
> the invisibility spell to work (in terms of physics) by bending the light
> around a person--it would blind the invisible person. Think about it, no
> incoming light means no incoming photons means nothing is hitting your eye
> and causing a electric impulse to be sent to your brain to be translated into
> an image. Sure you'd be invisible, but you'd be in the most total darkness
> ever experienced.
>
> Spectre
> Steve Huth

Well - there is one solution. If it made the area in from of your eyes
somewhat visible, and the magic amplified the weak amount of light entering,
it would still work. I'm going to stay out of this one though, as magic
is not my strong suit.

Chris Bellovary
Message no. 3
From: "Jason Carter, Nightstalker" <CARTER@***.EDU>
Subject: Re: Invisibility and physics
Date: Mon, 10 May 1993 17:23:54 -0700
>>A friend of mine just pointed out why it would actually be impossible for
>>the invisibility spell to work (in terms of physics) by bending the light
>>around a person--it would blind the invisible person. Think about it, no
>>incoming light means no incoming photons means nothing is hitting your eye
>>and causing a electric impulse to be sent to your brain to be translated into
>>an image. Sure you'd be invisible, but you'd be in the most total darkness
>>ever experienced.

Good point Spectre. The solution is rather easy actually. Since the spell
obviously doesn't warp all the light around you, you can see and other people
get a perception roll to see you. All nice and tidy.

See Ya in Shadows,
Jason J Carter
The Nightstalker
Message no. 4
From: Matt Vanek <aa2239@*******.LORAIN.OBERLIN.EDU>
Subject: Re: Invisibility and physics
Date: Mon, 10 May 1993 21:13:02 -0400
Just to clarify...i neverr meant to imply that i wasn't in terrested in
physics...on the contrary it is one of my favorite subjects...However
(yah, had to throw one of those in) Look at the rules...In srII they state
that invisibility is a mana based spell and hence won't work against
any mechanical sensors...They do however work against anything that is
part of the body of the percever..(regular, normal, andwhatever kind of
cyber eyes you have) You pad yo' essence, now you takes your penalties.
any non-essence schtuff, such as binocs or sights will pick up the MU
But I was referring to improveed invisibility before. This is a physical
spell and as such affects the mechanical sensors on everything. You
may now view me as a munchkin (hey, i'm a member of the lollypop....awwww..nemind) but the
magic works...how do they nt pick up the MU?
call it a system error.....
later,
Iron Claw

##3

--
See the constellation ride across the sky
No cigar, no lady on his arm
Just a guy made of dots and lines -TMBG
Huh? Nevermind. I donno, I just got here.

Further Reading

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Thwap!