Back to the main page

Mailing List Logs for ShadowRN

Message no. 1
From: Magister <MELLIOTT@*****.VINU.EDU>
Subject: Re: Paranoia
Date: Tue, 25 Oct 1994 20:03:01 EST
Spellslinger, you and the Rat are so paraniod about mind control, it is
just unbelievable. How can you call yourself a mage and be so dead
set against this. I am not necessarily for magic in concerts and for
the use of magic in all aspects of life. The more it is used, the more
familar people will become, and the easier it will be for ALL members
of the Craft.
Arcanely yours,
The Magister
Message no. 2
From: Shadowdancer <BRIDDLE@*****.VINU.EDU>
Subject: Re: Paranoia
Date: Tue, 25 Oct 1994 20:13:38 EST
> Spellslinger, you and the Rat are so paraniod about mind control, it
is
> just unbelievable. How can you call yourself a mage and be so
dead
> set against this. I am not necessarily for magic in concerts and for
> the use of magic in all aspects of life. The more it is used, the more
> familar people will become, and the easier it will be for ALL
members
> of the Craft.
> Arcanely yours,
> The Magister
>

Please excuse our dear friend Magister. The controlling mage
passed out and unfortunatly let him loose. Please forgive any choas
he might have caused on the bases that he is not well. The sick boy
has been restrained and the magehood is in place. Oops.



Many people run the shadows, praying that whatever gods they worship will smile upon them.
I waltz through shadows with my gods, and I lead!

-SHADOWDANCER-
Message no. 3
From: Magister <MELLIOTT@*****.VINU.EDU>
Subject: Re: Paranoia
Date: Tue, 25 Oct 1994 20:17:47 EST
Excuse me, I think another case of the "Neverending Thwap" spell is
needed for our DEAR friend, Shadowdancer. Either that or a power
bolt up the old wazzoo.
Message no. 4
From: Star <KADAMS@*****.VINU.EDU>
Subject: Re: Paranoia
Date: Tue, 25 Oct 1994 20:21:13 EST
Thanx to wonderful "Lonestar" our dear friend Magister has been
caught, due to the help of Shadowdancer. Now, in memory, I ask that
everyone write a mean thanx note to Shadowdancer for the capture of
a good mage.
WEEP, WEEP, SOB, SOB.




A love that is never can always be obtained, a love that
is lost can never be regained. Think of the ones loved,
and smile.



-Star-
Message no. 5
From: Mercenary X <kdye@*****.STANFORD.EDU>
Subject: Re: Paranoia
Date: Tue, 25 Oct 1994 18:22:47 -0700
>
> Many people run the shadows, praying that whatever gods they worship will smil
e
> upon them.
> I waltz through shadows with my gods, and I lead!
>
> -SHADOWDANCER-
>

Yah? Will I blow off yer head with an optical mag-3 assault cannon, and
now who is leading?
Message no. 6
From: Stainless Steel Rat <ratinox@***.NEU.EDU>
Subject: Re: Paranoia
Date: Tue, 25 Oct 1994 21:24:50 -0400
>>>>> "Magister" == Magister <MELLIOTT@*****.VINU.EDU>
writes:

Magister> Spellslinger, you and the Rat are so paraniod about mind control,
Magister> it is just unbelievable.

Paranoia? No, just a healthy fear. I'm afraid of quite a few things, most
notably the government of the United States. But that's beside the point.
My arguments aren't from the perspective of /my/ fear but that of the
audience. I'm playing the Devil's Advocate here.

One of the most important elements of cyberpunk is that kind of urban
shell-shock caused by technology advancing faster than the common man can
keep up with. The technology curve leaves him dazed and confused, and that
usually results in fear of the same technology. The Shadowrun world has
that kind of techno shell-shock, and it also has its analogue with magic.
Mages, like street ronin, are feared, not respected, except by a very small
handful, because they have at their command power and technology out of the
reach and comprehension of everyman. That's before you have the media and
the government and the corporations reinforcing those negative stereotypes.

Magister> How can you call yourself a mage and be so dead set against this.

Is there something wrong with having a strong desire to not get lynched by
a mob? Does having such a desire make me paranoid?

Magister> I am not necessarily for magic in concerts and for the use of
Magister> magic in all aspects of life. The more it is used, the more
Magister> familar people will become, and the easier it will be for ALL
Magister> members of the Craft.

Sure. But try convincing hundreds of millions of people of this. In the
UCAS and CAS of the 2050s, the Great Ghost Dance is ranked up there with
the Holocaust of Nazi Germany. Try convincing a Jew that the Holocaust was
a good thing. That's the kind of struggle you're up against.

--
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. 7
From: Buddha <CCOLLINS@*****.VINU.EDU>
Subject: Re: Paranoia
Date: Tue, 25 Oct 1994 20:25:10 EST
The "Buddha" rules all that walks before him!!
Message no. 8
From: Magister <MELLIOTT@*****.VINU.EDU>
Subject: Re: Paranoia
Date: Tue, 25 Oct 1994 20:30:14 EST
Rat, I find in you a worthy opponent. I think you and I are arguing just
for the sake of arguing. :) But, in any case, my earlier statements
stand.
Hugs and Kisses
you know who
Message no. 9
From: Spellslinger <mruane@***.UUG.ARIZONA.EDU>
Subject: Re: Paranoia
Date: Tue, 25 Oct 1994 18:36:07 -0700
On Tue, 25 Oct 1994, Magister wrote:

> Spellslinger, you and the Rat are so paraniod about mind control, it is
> just unbelievable. How can you call yourself a mage and be so dead
> set against this. I am not necessarily for magic in concerts and for
> the use of magic in all aspects of life. The more it is used, the more
> familar people will become, and the easier it will be for ALL members
> of the Craft.
> Arcanely yours,
> The Magister
>
I'm hardly paranoid. I am educated so it's easier for me accept
changes. Being a scientist, change in accepted theories is welcome to
broaden our horizons. However, Bob McGee the farmer in Iowa may not be
as open minded as me. Look at Creationism (not meaning to start a
religious debate-- it's an allegory). It's easier for people to say "The
Bible says this, dam gum it!" rather than to spend the time to study and
understand the meaning behind it. It's also easier to fear something new
than to accept it. Imgine that the rock group was playing and they had a
guy on the stage with a loaded machine gun and was shooting it off.
It'd make me a bit scared, beacuse I have know idea if this guy is a
trained professional or a loon clinging to reality. If there isn't a man
with a gun, then it's easier to enjoy the music.

Mike aka Spellslinger
Message no. 10
From: Stainless Steel Rat <ratinox@***.NEU.EDU>
Subject: Re: Paranoia
Date: Tue, 25 Oct 1994 21:40:21 -0400
>>>>> "Magister" == Magister <MELLIOTT@*****.VINU.EDU>
writes:

Magister> Rat, I find in you a worthy opponent.

I will take that as a compliment :).

I'm also pretty darn stubborn if you hadn't noticed already :).

Magister> I think you and I are arguing just for the sake of arguing. :)
Magister> But, in any case, my earlier statements stand.

<shrug> As you would. But then I'm about 5-8 years older than most of the
people on this list (don't let the .edu site fool you), and those few extra
years of living in the real world, working at a real job, and dealing with
the real bullshit and beaurocracy of the government has given me a somewhat
different perspective on life than I had back when I was in school.

--
Rat <ratinox@***.neu.edu> |Do not use Happy Fun Ball on concrete.
http://www.ccs.neu.edu/home/ratinox|
PGP Public Key: Ask for one today! |
Message no. 11
From: Magister <MELLIOTT@*****.VINU.EDU>
Subject: Re: Paranoia
Date: Tue, 25 Oct 1994 20:47:44 EST
I just have one thing to say to this Buddha person.......

THWAP!
Message no. 12
From: "D.O.A. SECURITY" <MKNABUSCH@****.ALBION.EDU>
Subject: Re: Paranoia
Date: Tue, 25 Oct 1994 22:14:19 -0500
SWEET MOTHER OF US ALL!
I'm trying to be civil. I'm trying to be
nice. But at each successive flame, it gets
worse. PLEASE calm down. Does it pay to insult
anothers religion? Does it pay to personally attack
someone else?
*long suffering sigh*
C'mon people. Relax. Don't take things personally, don't
personally aim remarks (flamable ones that is) at each other.
If what some one says ticks you off, wait at least a half hour
before responding (I just broke my own rule...damn.).
Michael
aka Harlequin
Message no. 13
From: Magister <MELLIOTT@*****.VINU.EDU>
Subject: Re: Paranoia
Date: Tue, 25 Oct 1994 21:28:29 EST
I do believe that Rat and I have settled our differences, if that is what
you're alluding to. If it is the debate between Shadowdancer and the
others, well I wholeheartedly agree.
Arcanely yours,
The Magister
No Geek Code
Message no. 14
From: Damion Milliken <u9467882@***.EDU.AU>
Subject: Re: Paranoia
Date: Wed, 26 Oct 1994 17:05:27 +1000
You know who (:-)) writes:

> Rat, I find in you a worthy opponent. I think you and I are arguing just
> for the sake of arguing. :) But, in any case, my earlier statements
> stand.

And just what is wrong with "arguing for the sake of it"? I do it all the
time. :-) I'll have to make a point of not doing it with Rat, we'd go on
forever :-)

--
Damion Milliken University of Wollongong e-mail: u9467882@***.edu.au

(GEEK CODE 2.1) GE -d+(d) H s++:-- !g p? !au a18 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: Matt <mosbun@******.CC.PURDUE.EDU>
Subject: Re: Paranoia
Date: Wed, 26 Oct 1994 02:51:00 -0500
> The "Buddha" rules all that walks before him!!

From what (admittedly little) I know about Buddhism, I find this statement
endlessly amusing.

I also find the idea of certain ultra-greens being adamantly opposed to the
exploration of the laws of nature fairly amusin. But not highly surprising.
Paganism loses a lot of it's mystery and perceived power as the laws of
nature are more fully understood.

Now if that ain't flame-bait, I don't know what is.

Matt
Message no. 16
From: Chris Lubrecht <lubrecht@***.EDU>
Subject: Re: Paranoia
Date: Wed, 26 Oct 1994 10:27:15 -0400
so Rat.....exactly how old are you?

Should we be refering to you as the venerable Rat? (as Bede cringes) :-)

Nigel
"don't let the .edu site fool you"
-the Venerable Rat
Message no. 17
From: Stainless Steel Rat <ratinox@***.NEU.EDU>
Subject: Re: Paranoia
Date: Wed, 26 Oct 1994 10:26:41 -0400
>>>>> "Matt" == Matt <mosbun@******.CC.PURDUE.EDU> writes:

>> The "Buddha" rules all that walks before him!!

Matt> From what (admittedly little) I know about Buddhism, I find this
Matt> statement endlessly amusing.

Isn't it, though? I'd say that this is a case of a name that's chosen
because it's the exact opposite of the personality behind it. I'll bet my
belief in my cyber-carp is stronger than your belief that all is maya any
day, "Buddha" :).

--
Rat <ratinox@***.neu.edu> |When not in use, Happy Fun Ball should be
http://www.ccs.neu.edu/home/ratinox|returned to its special container and kept
PGP Public Key: Ask for one today! |under refrigeration.
Message no. 18
From: Stainless Steel Rat <ratinox@***.NEU.EDU>
Subject: Re: Paranoia
Date: Wed, 26 Oct 1994 10:29:15 -0400
>>>>> "Chris" == Chris Lubrecht <lubrecht@***.EDU> writes:

Chris> so Rat.....exactly how old are you?

I turned 27 last week.

Chris> Should we be refering to you as the venerable Rat? (as Bede cringes)
Chris> :-)

Hooo boy. I'm not /that/ old :)

--
Rat <ratinox@***.neu.edu> |Happy Fun Ball may stick to certain types
http://www.ccs.neu.edu/home/ratinox|of skin.
PGP Public Key: Ask for one today! |
Message no. 19
From: The Dragon <JMEYER@*****.VINU.EDU>
Subject: Re: Paranoia
Date: Wed, 26 Oct 1994 10:42:31 EST
I don't see how ya'll can call yourselves Mages any way!
Message no. 20
From: The Dragon <JMEYER@*****.VINU.EDU>
Subject: Re: Paranoia
Date: Wed, 26 Oct 1994 10:54:28 EST
I'll Have to agree that statement!
Message no. 21
From: Buddha <CCOLLINS@*****.VINU.EDU>
Subject: Re: Paranoia
Date: Wed, 26 Oct 1994 13:19:24 EST
I hope that you don't think that I believe completely with buddhaism.
I so in some aspect of thier teachings. The name "Buddha" is just a
nickname that some friends game me at work.
Message no. 22
From: Stainless Steel Rat <ratinox@***.NEU.EDU>
Subject: Re: Paranoia
Date: Wed, 26 Oct 1994 14:26:09 -0400
>>>>> "Buddha" == Buddha <CCOLLINS@*****.VINU.EDU> writes:

Buddha> I hope that you don't think that I believe completely with
Buddha> buddhaism.

Heh :). You even seem to have a hard time spelling it :).

<duck!>

--
Rat <ratinox@***.neu.edu> |Happy Fun Ball may stick to certain types
http://www.ccs.neu.edu/home/ratinox|of skin.
PGP Public Key: Ask for one today! |
Message no. 23
From: Buddha <CCOLLINS@*****.VINU.EDU>
Subject: Re: Paranoia
Date: Wed, 26 Oct 1994 13:37:35 EST
True. I just want to try to clear my reputation, since I'm new at this.
Message no. 24
From: the holy Entombed <rasputin@***.UMD.EDU>
Subject: Re: Paranoia
Date: Wed, 26 Oct 1994 16:19:56 -0400
On Wed, 26 Oct 1994, The Dragon wrote: (entire message)

> I'll Have to agree that statement!
>

What statement would that be?

You have to include some kind of reference for the listmembers who don't
memorize the progress of every thread.

--thE--
Message no. 25
From: Star <KADAMS@*****.VINU.EDU>
Subject: Re: Paranoia
Date: Wed, 26 Oct 1994 18:22:42 EST
Quite an ego we have, eh Buddah?




A love that is never can always be obtained, a love that
is lost can never be regained. Think of the ones loved,
and smile.



-Star-
Message no. 26
From: Shadowdancer <BRIDDLE@*****.VINU.EDU>
Subject: Re: Paranoia
Date: Wed, 26 Oct 1994 19:13:48 EST
> > The "Buddha" rules all that walks before
him!!
>
> From what (admittedly little) I know about Buddhism, I find this
statement
> endlessly amusing.
>
Worry not, so do I.

> I also find the idea of certain ultra-greens being adamantly
opposed to the
> exploration of the laws of nature fairly amusin. But not highly
surprising.
> Paganism loses a lot of it's mystery and perceived power as the
laws of
> nature are more fully understood.
>
And if science speaks in latin, else it would lose its mystery.

> Now if that ain't flame-bait, I don't know what is.
>
No go. Myhoop is scorched enough as it is.

> Matt
>



Many people run the shadows, praying that whatever gods they worship will smile upon them.
I waltz through shadows with my gods, and I lead!

-SHADOWDANCER-
Message no. 27
From: Paolo Marcucci <marcucci@***.TS.ASTRO.IT>
Subject: Re: Paranoia (fwd)
Date: Thu, 27 Oct 1994 10:34:58 MET
>
> so Rat.....exactly how old are you?
>
> Should we be refering to you as the venerable Rat? (as Bede cringes) :-)
>
> Nigel

Are we going to "I'm the elder" contest? :)

(maybe I can make it in the first places...)

--
________________________________________________________________________
Paolo Marcucci marcucci@***.ts.astro.it
<a href="http://www.oat.ts.astro.it/marcucci/home.html">My Home
Page</a>
Message no. 28
From: Chris Lubrecht <lubrecht@***.EDU>
Subject: Re: Paranoia
Date: Thu, 27 Oct 1994 08:43:20 -0400
On Wed, 26 Oct 1994, Stainless Steel Rat wrote:

> >>>>> "Chris" == Chris Lubrecht <lubrecht@***.EDU>
writes:
>
> Chris> so Rat.....exactly how old are you?
>
> I turned 27 last week.
>
> Chris> Should we be refering to you as the venerable Rat? (as Bede cringes)
> Chris> :-)
>
> Hooo boy. I'm not /that/ old :)
>

Hey! Were the same age!!! Cool!

I was thinking of the sign...Welcome to Shadow Dales

Here have some pudding.

Nigel
Message no. 29
From: Matti Aistrich <aistrich@********.hkkk.fi>
Subject: Paranoia...
Date: Mon, 26 Feb 1996 12:58:54 +0200 (EET)
On Mon, 26 Feb 1996 h_laws@**********.utas.edu.au wrote:

> Another useful tactic is to take in lots of books designed to scare them and
> constantly look at them and role some dice. I really scared some people
> playing ED by carrying in a lot of SR stuff and flipping through it.

There was a story on how to deceive your players in some RPG magazine
some years ago. In it this AD&D DM left open some books on
flying/aerodynamics and animals, gave a few weird hints during play, and
pronto: the players figured they'd meet some flying hippos (!) soon and
wanted to look for training in flying them... that must have been
interesting for all the animal handlers in which ever city they were
in... :-)
Message no. 30
From: fauxpas@******.net (Faux Pas)
Subject: Re: Paranoia...
Date: Mon, 26 Feb 1996 15:56:48 -0600
>On Mon, 26 Feb 1996 h_laws@**********.utas.edu.au wrote:
>
>> Another useful tactic is to take in lots of books designed to scare them and
>> constantly look at them and role some dice. I really scared some people
>> playing ED by carrying in a lot of SR stuff and flipping through it.

I just keep a copy of Bug City near the GM's screen. My players are afraid
of going to Chicago.

-Thomas
Cartoonist At Large

"Don't count your weasels before they pop, dink."
-The Tick
Message no. 31
From: Damon Wilson <damontw@****.com>
Subject: Re: Paranoia...
Date: Wed, 28 Feb 96 14:24 MST
I have a player who REFUSES to go to Chicago...seems he read the SR Novel,
"Buring Bright" ...I keep threatening to toss them in there...he ALWAYS
keeps his nose as clean as possible...I am going to eventually drop them in
"The Zone" for one run, and see how they do...I am waiting to see the look
on his face.

>From one evil Gm to others, HI!

Damon Wilson

damontw@****.com

At 03:56 PM 2/26/96 -0600, you wrote:
>>On Mon, 26 Feb 1996 h_laws@**********.utas.edu.au wrote:
>>
>>> Another useful tactic is to take in lots of books designed to scare them
and
>>> constantly look at them and role some dice. I really scared some people
>>> playing ED by carrying in a lot of SR stuff and flipping through it.
>
>I just keep a copy of Bug City near the GM's screen. My players are afraid
>of going to Chicago.
>
>-Thomas
>Cartoonist At Large
>
>"Don't count your weasels before they pop, dink."
> -The Tick
>
>
Message no. 32
From: fauxpas@******.net (Faux Pas)
Subject: Re: Paranoia...
Date: Wed, 28 Feb 1996 18:03:56 -0600
>I have a player who REFUSES to go to Chicago...seems he read the SR Novel,
>"Buring Bright" ...I keep threatening to toss them in there...he ALWAYS
>keeps his nose as clean as possible...I am going to eventually drop them in
>"The Zone" for one run, and see how they do...I am waiting to see the look
>on his face.

Just remember, in the end, it's *YOUR* campaign. You base the runners out
of Atlanta, have the Big Bug Breakout go up in that city instead of Chicago.
Then check out the look on your player's face. Or if you already have
established Chicago as the Bug City in your game, why not have another minor
breakout happen in your city?

>>From one evil Gm to others, HI!

Hi right back at ya.

-Thomas "Just Another Evil GM" Deeny
Cartoonist At Large

"Aw, geez, look what hit the fan."
Message no. 33
From: chaos@*****.com (Steven Ratkovich)
Subject: Re: Paranoia...:)
Date: Fri, 20 Sep 1996 01:44:15 -0500 (EST)
>>I do so love paranoia...:)
>
>How's the phrase go?
>What comes around . . .
>You realize I GM MUCH more than you right?
>
>
Yeah, but just consider this a little payback... If you can use it, so can
I.... An I wouldn't screw you TOO hard, I'm a much Nicer GM than you...:)


#######################################################
# -Bull, aka Chaos, aka Rak, aka Steven Ratkovich #
# chaos@*****.com #
# Order is Illusion! Chaos is Bliss! Got any fours? #
#######################################################

"You do more damage out of simple irritation than most
men can do in a towering rage."
-David Eddings, "Demon Lord of Karanda
Message no. 34
From: bluewizard@*****.com (Steven A. Tinner)
Subject: Re: Paranoia...:)
Date: Fri, 20 Sep 1996 01:48:02 -0500 (EST)
>>>I do so love paranoia...:)
>>
>>How's the phrase go?
>>What comes around . . .
>>You realize I GM MUCH more than you right?
>>
>>
>Yeah, but just consider this a little payback... If you can use it, so can
>I.... An I wouldn't screw you TOO hard, I'm a much Nicer GM than you...:)

You act like that's something to be proud of. :-)

Yer weak I tell ya! WEAK! :-)


FAMOUS LAST WORDS
"Oh look! Made in Belgium. . ."
Message no. 35
From: Lady Jestyr <jestyr@*******.COM.AU>
Subject: Re: Paranoia
Date: Mon, 23 Nov 1998 23:50:21 +1000
>Lesse... So an experienced player who's having a bad night shouldn't be
>reminded that his character hasn't loaded his gun? Even if his character
>has been handling guns his entire life? Even if his character has an
>Intelligence of 10 (natural 6 with a Cerebral Booster-2 and Encephalon-4)
>and a Mnemonic Enhancer-6? Seems kinda ludicrous to me. There is such a
>thing as realism, y'know... (Yeah... I know... realism... in a game with
>magic...)

And equally, players shouldn't be penalized because they don't remember
details from the last session's gameplay - which might have been a week to
a month ago - when for the _character_, that information was only presented
to them a few hours ago or whatever, game time.

I'm particularly in favor of the GM enforcing the effects of the
character's attributes and abilities, on both sides of the coin. While I
agree with Fade's point, and don't suggest GMs should always cut stupid
players a break just because their character is supposed to be smart, I
know there are some instances where it should apply.

For instance - what if I'm playing a character who has a lot of knowledge
and talent in the area of military tactics? I personally know nothing - no,
make that less than nothing - about tactics. But shouldn't my character be
able to come up with a somewhat more sensible plan than I could? Isn't it a
bit unfair to penalize my character upon whom I spent the requisite skill
points to become good at [insert skill here], because I personally can't do
[insert skill here]? Taken to its (semi-)logical extreme, you may as well
say "No, your character can't shoot that guy, because you personally have
never even seen a gun, let alone fired one." Not fair. Admittedly, it gets
tougher on the GM to stay balanced, but you wind up with happier players
that way.

This is a grey area, and it gets even greyer when you start enforcing the
other side of the coin. That is, players who do things better than their
character could. The fast-talking player who tries schmoozing NPCs despite
their PC's charisma of 2. The player whose character comes up with great
ideas, despite being thicker than your average brick wall. Worse yet, the
player who baffles the GM with their specialist knowledge in the area of
chemistry/biology/explosives/electronics/whatever, and uses this to have
their PC pull off amazing stuff, despite a complete lack of skill in the
relevant area on the part of said character.

Okay... I'm ranting now, and I'm not even sure what I'm ranting about. So
I'm going to bed. 'Night all. :-)

Lady Jestyr

- The Australian dream: Football, meat pies and Holden cars. -
- Holdens are American, meat pies are British, and football is stupid. -
- jestyr@*******.com.au URL: http://www.geocities.com/~jestyr -
Message no. 36
From: Bob Tockley <zzdeden@*******.COM.AU>
Subject: Re: Paranoia
Date: Thu, 24 Sep 1998 01:03:39 +1000
>And equally, players shouldn't be penalized because they don't remember
>details from the last session's gameplay - which might have been a week to
>a month ago - when for the _character_, that information was only presented
>to them a few hours ago or whatever, game time.

Ah... but that's what those memory tests are for doncha know...

>I'm particularly in favor of the GM enforcing the effects of the
>character's attributes and abilities, on both sides of the coin. While I
>agree with Fade's point, and don't suggest GMs should always cut stupid
>players a break just because their character is supposed to be smart, I
>know there are some instances where it should apply.

I'm not suggesting cutting stupid players a break. Stupid players don't
last in my group. It's too taxing keeping up with us intellectual
juggernauts (hehehe... suuuuure....)

>For instance - what if I'm playing a character who has a lot of knowledge
>and talent in the area of military tactics? I personally know nothing - no,
>make that less than nothing - about tactics. But shouldn't my character be
>able to come up with a somewhat more sensible plan than I could? Isn't it a
>bit unfair to penalize my character upon whom I spent the requisite skill
>points to become good at [insert skill here], because I personally can't do
>[insert skill here]? Taken to its (semi-)logical extreme, you may as well
>say "No, your character can't shoot that guy, because you personally have
>never even seen a gun, let alone fired one." Not fair. Admittedly, it gets
>tougher on the GM to stay balanced, but you wind up with happier players
>that way.

>This is a grey area, and it gets even greyer when you start enforcing the
>other side of the coin. That is, players who do things better than their
>character could. The fast-talking player who tries schmoozing NPCs despite
>their PC's charisma of 2. The player whose character comes up with great
>ideas, despite being thicker than your average brick wall. Worse yet, the
>player who baffles the GM with their specialist knowledge in the area of
>chemistry/biology/explosives/electronics/whatever, and uses this to have
>their PC pull off amazing stuff, despite a complete lack of skill in the
>relevant area on the part of said character.

>Okay... I'm ranting now, and I'm not even sure what I'm ranting about. So
>I'm going to bed. 'Night all. :-)

I don't know about you, but if my current players know something that
their character wouldn't they don't let it leak into affecting how their
character would react (well.... okay.. sometimes, but even the best
roleplayers have lapses on bad days...). Why shouldn't the opposite hold
true? If your character knows something that you don't, well... he should
still know it regardless of the fact that you don't. If it holds for some
things and not for others, it isn't balanced. I agree that sometimes
players who don't pay attention should be penalized, but I wouldn't
jeopardize the integrity of the 'game reality' for it. Instead,
unfortunate coincidences begin to take place... much more fun, and much
more satisfying in the long term...
I suppose it gets into the old argument... "My character has Negotiation
and Charisma 6. Can I talk the other PC, who has a Willpower of 1, into
something?" A lot of GMs I know would simply say, straight out, no. But
why? It effectively means the PCs are exempt from some of the rules. They
don't have to do anything they don't want to - regardless of what would
happen to the character. Obviously, there is a problem with the player's
roleplaying if he or she decides against something that 'everyone knows the
character would do'. It never hurt to enforce roleplaying a little -
wasn't that the entire point of Edges and Flaws?

- ARKHAM
"A mind is a terrible thing to waste somebody with..."

ARKHAM'S ASYLUM ( http://www.ozemail.com.au/~zzdeden/shadowrun/ ) currently
having problems with the damned ISP... might be there... might not...
Message no. 37
From: Rand Ratinac docwagon101@*****.com
Subject: Paranoia
Date: Mon, 24 Jul 2000 00:29:55 -0700 (PDT)
Does anyone remember the thread on the "Slay Enemies"
spell etc? Can you recall when that was discussed and
what the actual subject title was?

====Doc'
(aka Mr. Freaky Big, Super-Dynamic Troll of Tomorrow, aka Doc'booner, aka Doc' Vader)

.sig Sauer

Can you SMELL what THE DOC' is COOKIN'!!!

__________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Get Yahoo! Mail – Free email you can access from anywhere!
http://mail.yahoo.com/
Message no. 38
From: Keith Duthie psycho@*********.co.nz
Subject: Paranoia
Date: Tue, 25 Jul 2000 01:44:08 +1200 (NZST)
On Mon, 24 Jul 2000, Rand Ratinac wrote:

> Does anyone remember the thread on the "Slay Enemies"
> spell etc? Can you recall when that was discussed and
> what the actual subject title was?

Specific spells (was Re: Buildings, doors, maglocks, and magic)
A different take on "Slaughter Enemies".
Slaughter Enemies (restricted target combat spells)

Jun 13 to Jun 20
--
Understanding is a three edged sword. Do you *want* to get the point?
http://www.albatross.co.nz/~psycho/ O- -><-
Message no. 39
From: Rand Ratinac docwagon101@*****.com
Subject: Paranoia
Date: Mon, 24 Jul 2000 22:44:48 -0700 (PDT)
> > Does anyone remember the thread on the "Slay
Enemies" spell etc? Can you recall when that was
discussed and what the actual subject title was?
>
> Specific spells (was Re: Buildings, doors, maglocks,
and magic) A different take on "Slaughter Enemies".
Slaughter Enemies (restricted target combat spells)
>
> Jun 13 to Jun 20

Thanks, Mike, Keith, and anyone else who replied.

Ol' Boonie (Boondocker) appreciates it as well, I'm
sure, seeing as how I'm doing this for him. :)

====Doc'
(aka Mr. Freaky Big, Super-Dynamic Troll of Tomorrow, aka Doc'booner, aka Doc' Vader)

.sig Sauer

Can you SMELL what THE DOC' is COOKIN'!!!

__________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Get Yahoo! Mail – Free email you can access from anywhere!
http://mail.yahoo.com/

Further Reading

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

Disclaimer

These messages were posted a long time ago on a mailing list far, far away. The copyright to their contents probably lies with the original authors of the individual messages, but since they were published in an electronic forum that anyone could subscribe to, and the logs were available to subscribers and most likely non-subscribers as well, it's felt that re-publishing them here is a kind of public service.

Thwap!