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Message no. 1
From: Malcalypse The Younger <shadow@******.NET>
Subject: Possible new Spells
Date: Fri, 14 Oct 1994 22:32:12 -0400
These are some idea that have been floating around in my head for a while
for new spells, please let me know what you think about feasability, game
balance, etc. Oh, and I haven't bothered actually figuring up drain
codes, etc. yet, so any suggestions there would be appreciated.

Astral Blast
Basically a Mana Ball that will affect only astrally active
targets (possibly including inanimate items. This would royally screw ppl
with lots of spell lock until they can re-bind them) Anyway, this would
require that the mage be astrally active at the time of casting (LoS is
required, after all) but this could avoid damaging your non-astrally
active friends while taking out the spiritual or dual natured threat...
The possibilities for shorting out foci is nice too... Perhaps a seperate
spell for this purpose?

Detect Astral presence
This spell would detect the presence of an activly astral
being/object. It would make a nice trigger for the above...

Aura Mask
Similiar to Astral Static (From the Grimiore) this would provide
a localized distortion in Astral Space, same effects, just less drain,
limited area of influence.

Comments?

Shadow@******.net
Message no. 2
From: Michael D Ruane <mruane@***.UUG.ARIZONA.EDU>
Subject: Re: Possible new Spells
Date: Sat, 15 Oct 1994 00:08:13 -0700
On Fri, 14 Oct 1994, Malcalypse The Younger wrote:

> Astral Blast
> Basically a Mana Ball that will affect only astrally active
> targets (possibly including inanimate items. This would royally screw ppl
> with lots of spell lock until they can re-bind them) Anyway, this would
> require that the mage be astrally active at the time of casting (LoS is
> required, after all) but this could avoid damaging your non-astrally
> active friends while taking out the spiritual or dual natured threat...
> The possibilities for shorting out foci is nice too... Perhaps a seperate
> spell for this purpose?

It was my impression that a spell cast at an astral target would only hit
the astral target since the spell grounds in the astral locale and would
affect astrally inactive beings (or objects).
>
> Detect Astral presence
> This spell would detect the presence of an activly astral
> being/object. It would make a nice trigger for the above...

I like the premise. Might save a few locks from unexpected firebomb
appearances

>
> Aura Mask
> Similiar to Astral Static (From the Grimiore) this would provide
> a localized distortion in Astral Space, same effects, just less drain,
> limited area of influence.

I had an idea for a similar spell, but creating local astral static is
like holding a sign above your head saying "Spellcaster here!" But it
might be useful for jamming attempts at grounding into foci. Hmm...

Mike aka Spellslinger
Message no. 3
From: MILLIKEN DAMION A <u9467882@***.EDU.AU>
Subject: Re: Possible new Spells
Date: Sat, 15 Oct 1994 17:43:21 +1000
Shadow writes:

> Astral Blast
> Basically a Mana Ball that will affect only astrally active
> targets (possibly including inanimate items. This would royally screw ppl
> with lots of spell lock until they can re-bind them) Anyway, this would
> require that the mage be astrally active at the time of casting (LoS is
> required, after all) but this could avoid damaging your non-astrally
> active friends while taking out the spiritual or dual natured threat...
> The possibilities for shorting out foci is nice too... Perhaps a seperate
> spell for this purpose?

The spell idea sounds fine. It would only really be needed for dual natured
creatures though, sinse if you lob a spell at an astrally projecting mage,
then it grounds out at his body, not the position he is at in astral space.
Actually, a question for you people out there: If I lob an area effect spell
at a pure astral target, like a spirit that isn't manifesting, where does it
ground out? Or doesn't it? 'Cause if the target is an astrally projecting
mage, it'll ground out at his body.

As for the foci side of it, theoretically _any_ physical area effect spell
would take out active foci, sinse they are dual beings at the time; so this one
would - providing it is physical of course. The only way I could see that it
wouldn't happen is if the casting magician couldn't get LOS to each and every
foci (which is more likely to be the case if casting from the physical than
casting from the astral as you have planned).

> Detect Astral presence
> This spell would detect the presence of an activly astral
> being/object. It would make a nice trigger for the above...

This would be easy to design, but would probably have high target numbers
for success. Remember that "Detect Enemies" needs about 10 or 12 (I can't
quite remember) to detect an astraly present enemy.

> Aura Mask
> Similiar to Astral Static (From the Grimiore) this would provide
> a localized distortion in Astral Space, same effects, just less drain,
> limited area of influence.

Well, if, like the name suggests, you intent to use it to mask an aura, then
it will be a lot more complex than Astral Static. If you just plan on having
it as a single target version of Astral static, then that won't be a
problem. If, however, the idea is to duplicate the metamagical ability, then
I would be a tad dubious about whether the spell is possible or not.

Mike writes:

> It was my impression that a spell cast at an astral target would only hit
> the astral target since the spell grounds in the astral locale and would
> affect astrally inactive beings (or objects).

If you lob an area effect spell at an astral target, then it grounds out
physically; much to the (usual) disdain of anyone close by. Note that it
will ground out physically at the astral targets physical link. Which for a
projecting mage would be where ever his body is, for a dual creature it
would be right there, and so on.

--
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. 4
From: Malcalypse The Younger <shadow@******.NET>
Subject: Re: Possible new Spells
Date: Sat, 15 Oct 1994 23:16:23 -0400
On Sat, 15 Oct 1994, MILLIKEN DAMION A wrote:

> The spell idea sounds fine. It would only really be needed for dual natured
> creatures though, sinse if you lob a spell at an astrally projecting mage,
> then it grounds out at his body, not the position he is at in astral space.
> Actually, a question for you people out there: If I lob an area effect spell
> at a pure astral target, like a spirit that isn't manifesting, where does it
> ground out? Or doesn't it? 'Cause if the target is an astrally projecting
> mage, it'll ground out at his body.
>
> As for the foci side of it, theoretically _any_ physical area effect spell
> would take out active foci, sinse they are dual beings at the time; so this one
> would - providing it is physical of course. The only way I could see that it
> wouldn't happen is if the casting magician couldn't get LOS to each and every
> foci (which is more likely to be the case if casting from the physical than
> casting from the astral as you have planned).

Yeah. The point is, I don't WANT the whole Area-of-effect type spell to
ground out through 1 target in the area. I want it to hit them all. (ie,
the 3 astral mages whose bodies are all in seperate places physically)
And I think it's a seperate modifier to be able to affect non-living
objects...

>
> > Aura Mask
>
> Well, if, like the name suggests, you intent to use it to mask an aura, then
> it will be a lot more complex than Astral Static. If you just plan on having
> it as a single target version of Astral static, then that won't be a
> problem. If, however, the idea is to duplicate the metamagical ability, then
> I would be a tad dubious about whether the spell is possible or not.

No, really it would just be to do a localized astral Static, though the
effect would be more like a hazy shimmering around the aura, making it
very difficult to see anything about it, and perhaps increase target
numbers for effect directed at it (Like a background count would do?)

>
> Mike writes:
>
> > It was my impression that a spell cast at an astral target would only hit
> > the astral target since the spell grounds in the astral locale and would
> > affect astrally inactive beings (or objects).
>
> If you lob an area effect spell at an astral target, then it grounds out
> physically; much to the (usual) disdain of anyone close by. Note that it
> will ground out physically at the astral targets physical link. Which for a
> projecting mage would be where ever his body is, for a dual creature it
> would be right there, and so on.
>

Right. But, what happens when I target an are of effect spell at the
space between two targets? Does it ground out through one, the other,
both? or neither?

Shadow@******.net
Message no. 5
From: MILLIKEN DAMION A <u9467882@***.EDU.AU>
Subject: Re: Possible new Spells
Date: Sun, 16 Oct 1994 16:37:59 +1000
> Yeah. The point is, I don't WANT the whole Area-of-effect type spell to
> ground out through 1 target in the area. I want it to hit them all. (ie,
> the 3 astral mages whose bodies are all in seperate places physically)
> And I think it's a seperate modifier to be able to affect non-living
> objects...

Hmm, you have an interesting point there. The way I see it, SR rules would
have a spell cast from the astral only effect one of the three astrally
present mages, as you would have to select one of them for the target, and
the spell would ground out on their body. Just how to get around that I'm
not too sure. But what you seem to want is an area effect spell that only
effects astral entities, and doesn't ground ground out through any one of
them in particular. Kind like an Astral Physical Mainpulation if you see what
I'm getting at. You would probably have to go one of the "Bonus Game
Effects" modifiers to achieve this.

> No, really it would just be to do a localized astral Static, though the
> effect would be more like a hazy shimmering around the aura, making it
> very difficult to see anything about it, and perhaps increase target
> numbers for effect directed at it (Like a background count would do?)

Yep, sounds just like a single target Astral Static to me, just take away
the Area Effect modifier from the Astral Static spell and you'll be pretty
close to what you want.

> Right. But, what happens when I target an are of effect spell at the
> space between two targets? Does it ground out through one, the other,
> both? or neither?

This is not possible on the astral. The only spells which are able to be
aimed at a position rather than a target are physical manipulations, and
these wouldn't work too well on the astral. All combat spells need to be
given a central target, so the spell will ground out through that target,
and not effect the other astrally present targets.

--
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. 6
From: Darth Vader <j07c@***.UNI-BREMEN.DE>
Subject: Re: Possible new Spells
Date: Mon, 17 Oct 1994 09:51:22 +0200
All this talk about the astral and new spells brought to mind
an idea that i've been working over quite a long time.
What do you think of this, a spell that works kinda like detect enemies
but in astral space. It would be have to be an extended range spell of course.
Aint this a great idea for sorcerer adepts? Kinda like an alarm bell telling
him when someones aproaching fast and hard and that its time to turn off
those damned locks :)
And another thing, if this spell should work then I see no reason
why an astral version of Clairvoyance shouldnt work. This could effectively
replace astral perception (naturally with certain limitations) and give
sorcerer adepts a break.
I know that these ideas sound kinda munchkin, but that has not been
my intention, I rather think that they make sence.

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

GCS d>- H s+: !g p? !au a- w+ v-(?) C+++ UA++VS++L>++++ P-- (aren't we all?)
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. 7
From: Micah Levy <M.Levy@**.UCL.AC.UK>
Subject: Re: Possible new Spells
Date: Mon, 17 Oct 1994 09:59:43 +0100
> All this talk about the astral and new spells brought to mind
> an idea that i've been working over quite a long time.
> What do you think of this, a spell that works kinda like detect enemies
> but in astral space. It would be have to be an extended range spell of
course.

If you read the Grimoire carefully, you will find that Detect Enemies already
works for enemies in Astral Space...with a Target Number of 10.
If you wanted to lower the TN then upping the Drain Level by 1 or 2 should
reduce the TN by the same amount (If I remember the Spell Design rules
correctly)

> Aint this a great idea for sorcerer adepts? Kinda like an alarm bell telling
> him when someones aproaching fast and hard and that its time to turn off
> those damned locks :)

> "Believe in Angels." -- The Crow
>
> GCS d>- H s+: !g p? !au a- w+ v-(?) C+++ UA++VS++L>++++ P-- (aren't we all?)
> 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?


||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
||Micah Levy Department of Computer Science ||
|| University College London ||
||Web Page: http://www.cs.ucl.ac.uk/people/zcacma0.html ||
||Email: M.Levy@**.ucl.ac.uk Cestor@******.com ||
|| zcacma0@**.ucl.ac.uk Micah@******.com ||
|| GCS d--@ H s g+(-) p? au--(+)>++ a- w v++ C++++($) UV++(-) P- L- 3 E-||
|| N++ K W++ M+ V-- -po+ Y++ t+ 5-- jx R++ G+(----) tv b+++ D+ B--- e+ u- ||
|| h- f n+ y? ||
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Message no. 8
From: Darth Vader <j07c@***.UNI-BREMEN.DE>
Subject: Re: Possible new Spells
Date: Mon, 17 Oct 1994 10:09:03 +0200
> If you read the Grimoire carefully, you will find that Detect Enemies already
> works for enemies in Astral Space...with a Target Number of 10.
> If you wanted to lower the TN then upping the Drain Level by 1 or 2 should
> reduce the TN by the same amount (If I remember the Spell Design rules
> correctly)

Yes and making it secialised (only for the astral) would lower the
drain giving you more room to lower the TN. I'll post it as soon as I have it
ready. Now all I have to do is get my grimoire :)

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

GCS d>- H s+: !g p? !au a- w+ v-(?) C+++ UA++VS++L>++++ P-- (aren't we all?)
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. 9
From: MILLIKEN DAMION A <u9467882@***.EDU.AU>
Subject: Re: Possible new Spells
Date: Mon, 17 Oct 1994 20:14:25 +1000
Darth writes:

> All this talk about the astral and new spells brought to mind
> an idea that i've been working over quite a long time.
> What do you think of this, a spell that works kinda like detect enemies
> but in astral space. It would be have to be an extended range spell of course.
> Aint this a great idea for sorcerer adepts? Kinda like an alarm bell telling
> him when someones aproaching fast and hard and that its time to turn off
> those damned locks :)

This sounds very similar to the spell someone else was posting and I was
commenting on about a day or two ago.

> And another thing, if this spell should work then I see no reason
> why an astral version of Clairvoyance shouldnt work. This could effectively
> replace astral perception (naturally with certain limitations) and give
> sorcerer adepts a break.

Well, the ability to see the astral is a trait of a particular person; it is
part of their genetics. No mere spell will substitute for a natural magical
ability such as astral perception, the same as you cannot get an "imbue
with spell casting ability" spell. Besides, if the spell were to come into
existance, what's to stop me form casting it on my street sammy buddy? Now
for that I invoke the great "Game Balance" argument.

> I know that these ideas sound kinda munchkin, but that has not been
> my intention, I rather think that they make sence.

I think the second, while being a good idea, is rather open to munchkinous
abuse.

--
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+

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