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Message no. 1
From: "S. Keith Graham" <vapspcx@***.GATECH.EDU>
Subject: Power focus spurs?
Date: Sat, 28 May 1994 20:24:37 -0400
Could a physical adept make/have made a set of retractable spurs
as a power focus, and then have them implanted?

You'd end up with a permanent astral beacon, but it might be interesting.
(And most Phys adepts could probably use a couple of very minor cyber
items, such as a smart link...)

Keith Graham
Message no. 2
From: Stainless Steel Rat <ratinox@***.NEU.EDU>
Subject: Re: Power focus spurs?
Date: Sat, 28 May 1994 21:18:40 -0400
>>>>> "S" == S Keith Graham <vapspcx@***.GATECH.EDU>
writes:

S> Could a physical adept make/have made a set of retractable spurs
S> as a power focus, and then have them implanted?

Yes; he'd also loose Essence for the cyberimplantation. He'd also be
constantly vulnerable to astral attack because he can't remove them (I
don't know about you, but I certainly don't want to risk a Force 8 Fireball
being grounded out /inside/ my body, thankyouverymuch).

They'd also be /very/ expensive.

\||| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |||/
== Rat <ratinox@***.neu.edu> WWW Page: http://www.ccs.neu.edu/home/ratinox ==
== I came. I saw. I did what I had to do, and got the hell out! --a button ==
/||| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |||\
Message no. 3
From: Chris Lubrecht <lubrecht@***.EDU>
Subject: Re: Power focus spurs?
Date: Sun, 29 May 1994 09:34:15 -0400
On Sat, 28 May 1994, S. Keith Graham wrote:

> Could a physical adept make/have made a set of retractable spurs
> as a power focus, and then have them implanted?
>
> You'd end up with a permanent astral beacon, but it might be interesting.
> (And most Phys adepts could probably use a couple of very minor cyber
> items, such as a smart link...)
>
> Keith Graham
>

True, but why give up the magic points? Focus spurs? I don't know if it
would work, but I am sure forearm snap blades would.

Nigel
Message no. 4
From: Adam Getchell <acgetche@****.UCDAVIS.EDU>
Subject: Re: Power focus spurs?
Date: Sun, 29 May 1994 21:45:40 -0700
Since the wielder of a focus can activate and deactivate it by
using a simple action, I don't think the focus will be a permanent
damaging manipulation from astral space magnet.

+-------------+---------------------------------------------------------------+
|Adam Getchell|acgetche@****.engr.ucdavis.edu | ez000270@*******.ucdavis.edu |
| acgetchell |"Invincibility is in oneself, vulnerability is in the opponent"|
+-------------+---------------------------------------------------------------+
Message no. 5
From: Christopher Higgins <as812@*******.CARLETON.CA>
Subject: Power Focus Spurs
Date: Sun, 29 May 1994 22:12:29 -0400
You must be talking about Weapon Foci as Physical Adepts can't bond
Power Foci. Considering the cost of Weapon Foci, the vulnerability of
Foci, in general and the internal nature of cyberware, having Spur Foci
implanted is just asking for trouM-~M-rble.If a fireball manifests through it,
you not only lose the nuyen invested in the foci, you lose your life
because you can't throw the foci away and if the spurs are retracted, the
fireball manifests inside your arms!
Making a move like that is a sign of utter confidence or utter
foolishness.
Christopher Higgins.
Message no. 6
From: Stainless Steel Rat <ratinox@***.NEU.EDU>
Subject: Re: Power focus spurs?
Date: Mon, 30 May 1994 10:16:48 -0400
>>>>> "Adam" == Adam Getchell <acgetche@****.UCDAVIS.EDU>
writes:

Adam> Since the wielder of a focus can activate and deactivate it
Adam> by using a simple action, I don't think the focus will be a permanent
Adam> damaging manipulation from astral space magnet.

You're thinking of a spell lock. A focus is /always/ astrally active when
bonded to it's owner. As such it's always a "magnet" for spells from
astral, and not just damaging manipulations, either.

\||| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |||/
== Rat <ratinox@***.neu.edu> WWW Page: http://www.ccs.neu.edu/home/ratinox ==
== Lord, grant me the Serenety to accept the things I cannot change, the ==
==Courage to change the things I can, and the Weaponry to make the difference==
/||| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |||\
Message no. 7
From: Adam Getchell <acgetche@****.UCDAVIS.EDU>
Subject: Re: Power focus spurs?
Date: Mon, 30 May 1994 20:47:03 -0700
On Mon, 30 May 1994, Stainless Steel Rat wrote:

> You're thinking of a spell lock. A focus is /always/ astrally active when
> bonded to it's owner. As such it's always a "magnet" for spells from
> astral, and not just damaging manipulations, either.

This is not true, to my knowledge. I'd prefer not to make page
references, but if you read about foci in the magic section of SRII it
makes mention of a magician having to hold the focus to
activate/deactivate it. This is true for all types of foci; power,
weapon, and spirit.

+-------------+---------------------------------------------------------------+
|Adam Getchell|acgetche@****.engr.ucdavis.edu | ez000270@*******.ucdavis.edu |
| acgetchell |"Invincibility is in oneself, vulnerability is in the opponent"|
+-------------+---------------------------------------------------------------+
Message no. 8
From: "Jason Carter, Nightstalker" <CARTER@***.EDU>
Subject: Re: Power focus spurs?
Date: Mon, 30 May 1994 22:28:44 -0700
You are incorrect SSR. To qoute the rules (SRII page 137)

_Using a Focus_

A magician must activate a focus before he can use it. It takes one Simple
Action to activate the focus, but it requires no action to use or apply. The
use of a weapon focus.....

... Once activated , a focus operates as long as it is on the magician's person,
whether he wears, carries, or holds it in his hand, pocket, or pouch. If the
focus is snatched away or dropped, it immediately deactivates, and the magician
loses all benefits until it is recovered. The focus need not be re-bonded
if picked up by the same magician.

*******************************************************************************
* See Ya in Shadows * * "Trust No One." *
* Jason J Carter * Carter@***.EDU * The late Deep Throat *
* The Nightstalker * * The X-Files *
*******************************************************************************
Message no. 9
From: Stainless Steel Rat <ratinox@***.NEU.EDU>
Subject: Re: Power focus spurs?
Date: Tue, 31 May 1994 10:42:58 -0400
>>>>> "Jason" == Jason Carter, Nightstalker
<CARTER@***.EDU> writes:

Jason> You are incorrect SSR. To qoute the rules (SRII page 137)

Ouch, yeah, you're right.
Message no. 10
From: Ivy Ryan <ivyryan@***.ORG>
Subject: Re: Power focus spurs?
Date: Tue, 31 May 1994 10:19:28 -0700
On Mon, 30 May 1994, Stainless Steel Rat wrote:

> >>>>> "Adam" == Adam Getchell
<acgetche@****.UCDAVIS.EDU> writes:
>
> Adam> Since the wielder of a focus can activate and deactivate it
> Adam> by using a simple action, I don't think the focus will be a permanent
> Adam> damaging manipulation from astral space magnet.
>
> You're thinking of a spell lock. A focus is /always/ astrally active when
> bonded to it's owner. As such it's always a "magnet" for spells from
> astral, and not just damaging manipulations, either.
>
> == Rat <ratinox@***.neu.edu>

Hmmm, gee Rat, if you look on page 87 of the SRII Grimoire, left column,
clear down at the bottom, it says that a focus is only strally active
when it is in use. If it isn't astrally active, no-one can ground a
spell through it.
The other problem is that damaging manipulations cannot be grounded from
astral space. Combat spells only, if you are trying to damage someone,
and Area Effect Physical Combat spells are necessary if you are trying to
get anything but the focus.
Ivy K

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