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Mailing List Logs for ShadowRN

Message no. 1
From: "Robert A. Hayden" <hayden@******.MANKATO.MSUS.EDU>
Subject: PSI: Regrouping
Date: Wed, 13 Jul 1994 20:40:42 +0100
Hmm.

Now that we've had a few days of babbling about PSIs, where do we stand,
what do people still have concers about? What do people absolutely
hate? What needs to be done?

(I'm in awe of how much we've accomplished in three days).

____ Robert A. Hayden <=> hayden@******.mankato.msus.edu
\ /__ -=-=-=-=- <=> -=-=-=-=-
\/ / Finger for Geek Code Info <=> I do not necessarily speak for the
\/ Finger for PGP Public Key <=> City of Mankato or Blue Earth County
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
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n-(---) h+(*) f+ g+ w++ t++ r++ y+(*)
Message no. 2
From: Stainless Steel Rat <ratinox@***.NEU.EDU>
Subject: Re: PSI: Regrouping
Date: Wed, 13 Jul 1994 21:50:07 -0400
>>>>> "Robert" == Robert A Hayden
<hayden@******.MANKATO.MSUS.EDU> writes:

Robert> (I'm in awe of how much we've accomplished in three days).

I'm in awe of how much junk I've found in my mail spool over the last three
days :). And I will keep myself to that for I have nothing else to add.

--
Rat <ratinox@***.neu.edu> | It turns out that the technical term for
http://www.ccs.neu.edu/home/ratinox | the space between donughnut holes is
this space intentionally left blank | "urlap".
Message no. 3
From: "Robert A. Hayden" <hayden@******.MANKATO.MSUS.EDU>
Subject: Re: PSI: Regrouping
Date: Wed, 13 Jul 1994 20:52:53 +0100
On Wed, 13 Jul 1994, Stainless Steel Rat wrote:

> I'm in awe of how much junk I've found in my mail spool over the last three
> days :). And I will keep myself to that for I have nothing else to add.

One person's junk is another person's treasure.

____ Robert A. Hayden <=> hayden@******.mankato.msus.edu
\ /__ -=-=-=-=- <=> -=-=-=-=-
\/ / Finger for Geek Code Info <=> I do not necessarily speak for the
\/ Finger for PGP Public Key <=> City of Mankato or Blue Earth County
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
(GEEK CODE 1.0.1) GAT d- -p+(---) c++(++++) l++ u++ e+/* m++(*)@ s-/++
n-(---) h+(*) f+ g+ w++ t++ r++ y+(*)
Message no. 4
From: Enos Michel CDT <x62674e3@******.USMA.EDU>
Subject: PSI: Regrouping
Date: Wed, 13 Jul 1994 22:28:56 EDT
The only major concern I still have with the whole concept is the use of
willpower as a major factor in PSI-mechanics. I think it should be a major
determining factor in PSI related game tests. Also, are we basing the psionics
abilities off of essence (ie. will cybered types be able to use psi powers too?

Oh yeah, I'm still waiting for my T-shirt, but they sound cool.


_ _ ____
|\ /| |__ MIKE ENOS | Sex Kills.
| \/ | | CDT Sgt USCC | Come to West Point and live forever.
|_ _| |___ Company F-3 | #299 of the the top 300 party schools
--=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=The Politically Correct Academy=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=--
Message no. 5
From: Jai Tao <jdfalk@****.CAIS.COM>
Subject: Re: PSI: Regrouping
Date: Wed, 13 Jul 1994 23:24:10 -0400
On Wed, 13 Jul 1994, Robert A. Hayden wrote:

> Now that we've had a few days of babbling about PSIs, where do we stand,
> what do people still have concers about? What do people absolutely
> hate? What needs to be done?
>
> (I'm in awe of how much we've accomplished in three days).

Yeah, me too...this is amazing.
I think the first thing we need to do is agree on terms, so that
there's no more arguing about Initiation and so forth. We also need to
decide which parts of my proposed History should be "ratified," and which
parts really need work -- the social ramifications will be a lot of fun,
in my opinion.
At the same time, we'll need to come up with actual mechanics.
There've been a lot of good ideas thrown around, but we need to agree on
'em before we can start coming up with actual powers/abilities/spells (I
only use the word spells because that makes it clear what I'm talking
about; Psi would absolutely have to have a different term.)
Also -- is anybody archiving any of this yet? I've got a copy of
everything I've posted so far, and will keep it until September 1st
unless I need to clear up space in August. I've also got another copy of
the History.
Have I missed anything?

"|s it a fear, fear of madness
0r some strange alchemy J.D. Falk
|s it a fear of fear itself <jdfalk@****.com>
| th|nk |'ll get deranged."
-Billy |dol
Message no. 6
From: Jai Tao <jdfalk@****.CAIS.COM>
Subject: Re: PSI: Regrouping
Date: Wed, 13 Jul 1994 23:25:34 -0400
On Wed, 13 Jul 1994, Stainless Steel Rat wrote:

> >>>>> "Robert" == Robert A Hayden
<hayden@******.MANKATO.MSUS.EDU> writes:
>
> Robert> (I'm in awe of how much we've accomplished in three days).
>
> I'm in awe of how much junk I've found in my mail spool over the last three
> days :). And I will keep myself to that for I have nothing else to add.
>
Ah, but don't forget, Rat -- 'tis all in your mind. *grin*
Message no. 7
From: "C. Paul Douglas" <granite@*****.NET>
Subject: Re: PSI: Regrouping
Date: Wed, 13 Jul 1994 23:47:27 -0400
On Wed, 13 Jul 1994, Jai Tao wrote:
> Also -- is anybody archiving any of this yet? I've got a copy of
> everything I've posted so far, and will keep it until September 1st
> unless I need to clear up space in August.

I have been archiving this stuff for later digesting..So far I have a 37
messages..I might have missed a couple here and there but I believe I
have gotten all of the important messages..If anyone wants them let me
know PRIVATELY..That was a hint..
----------------GRANITE
Message no. 8
From: Tim Skirvin <tskirvin@********.UNI.UIUC.EDU>
Subject: Re: PSI: Regrouping
Date: Thu, 14 Jul 1994 00:24:36 -0500
> what do people still have concers about? What do people absolutely
> hate? What needs to be done?

Mostly, I still have problems with them having astral stuff as a SKILL.
I'd say that it's much more realistic for the stuff to be a psychic ability,
just like everything else...

Another question...what will the Magic rating have to do with this?
Will it have any purpose at all? How will cyberware affect a Psi? Will we
add another stat for this?

A suggestion, finally...maybe there shouldn't be initiation or anything,
but you just learn more "disciplines", or whatever. You can start out with,
say, one, and learning each new one gets progressively more difficult...and
some can't be taken until you have 3 or 4 others, for instance. This would
make it more interesting, and allow specialized but low power Psis to exist
early on...as you went on, you'd just get more powers and be more flexible.

It would make for another nice system, for sure...

-------------Tim Skirvin (tskirvin@********.uni.uiuc.edu-------------
"He's NOT a gibbering idiot - he's cured of gibbering, he's just an
idiot now." -- Jane, "Waiting for God"
Message no. 9
From: Bryan Prince <WALAB@******.HH.VANDERBILT.EDU>
Subject: Re: PSI: Regrouping
Date: Thu, 14 Jul 1994 08:30:12 -0600
Mike Enos brings up a good question:
"Also, are we basing the psionics abilities off of essence (ie will cybered
types be able to use psi powers too?)

I think that yes, cybered types can use PSI, but at a cost. What I mean is
that during the big DECKER/RIGGER debate several weeks ago, we determined
that the essence costs for various cyberware is related to the amount of
interface with our neural pathways the cyberware has. t
The greater the connection with the neural paths, the more essence it cost.
If you have cyber, replacing or augmenting your neural structure is bound
to effect the way your brain works, and thus affect your PSI powers. Like
a burned out mage who must now rely on cyber to imitate the powers he once
had, a PSI is only truly as effective as the amount of himself/herself
(essence) there is left. If the Diciplines are going to work as magic
spells with Drain codes and ect. [which hasn't been determined yet],
then the highest Force Dicipline a PSI can use should be equal to their
essence (round down). That way, someone can have both PSI and cyber, but
at a trade in Power available.
Just my opinion-\
Bryan
Message no. 10
From: Mercenary X <kdye@*****.STANFORD.EDU>
Subject: Re: PSI: Regrouping
Date: Thu, 14 Jul 1994 09:33:44 -0700
On Thu, 14 Jul 1994, Tim Skirvin wrote:

> > what do people still have concers about? What do people absolutely
> > hate? What needs to be done?
>
> Mostly, I still have problems with them having astral stuff as a SKILL.
> I'd say that it's much more realistic for the stuff to be a psychic ability,
> just like everything else...
>
> Another question...what will the Magic rating have to do with this?
> Will it have any purpose at all? How will cyberware affect a Psi? Will we
> add another stat for this?
>
You will have a Psi (= magic) rating at creation. The psi rating
SHOULD augment the psi pool. I like only headware and stuff that effects
the nervous system reduces psi rating (Bone lacing would not, but wired
reflexes would.) We SHOULD.

> A suggestion, finally...maybe there shouldn't be initiation or anything,
> but you just learn more "disciplines", or whatever. You can start out
with,
> say, one, and learning each new one gets progressively more difficult...and
> some can't be taken until you have 3 or 4 others, for instance. This would
> make it more interesting, and allow specialized but low power Psis to exist
> early on...as you went on, you'd just get more powers and be more flexible.
>
> It would make for another nice system, for sure...
>
Message no. 11
From: "Robert A. Hayden" <hayden@******.MANKATO.MSUS.EDU>
Subject: Re: PSI: Regrouping
Date: Thu, 14 Jul 1994 19:18:16 +0100
On Thu, 14 Jul 1994, Tim Skirvin wrote:

> Mostly, I still have problems with them having astral stuff as a SKILL.
> I'd say that it's much more realistic for the stuff to be a psychic ability,
> just like everything else...

Well, I think it balances out to make astral stuff a meta-ability (only
for psionic initiates). It maintains balance and also maintains the
psionic concept of 'out of body expieriences' and the like.

> Another question...what will the Magic rating have to do with this?
> Will it have any purpose at all? How will cyberware affect a Psi? Will we
> add another stat for this?

The magic rating will have zero to do with psi. There will be a new PSI
rating. It has not yet been determined that that rating will be based
upon (will be it be essence? willpower? grams of lint in your pocket?).
Cyberware/Bioware will have an impact on PSI, but there are some
questions about to what extent that will happen and whether one flavour
of cyber will be more damaging or not.

> A suggestion, finally...maybe there shouldn't be initiation or anything,
> but you just learn more "disciplines", or whatever. You can start out
with,
> say, one, and learning each new one gets progressively more difficult...and
> some can't be taken until you have 3 or 4 others, for instance. This would
> make it more interesting, and allow specialized but low power Psis to exist
> early on...as you went on, you'd just get more powers and be more flexible.

Initiation serves some good purposes, though.
A) It structures it
B) It fit in with the "well, bubba, we once thought this was
magic until we was shown wrong".
C) Maintains some balance with magic.

In addition, beginning PSIs can be specialized, by spending all of their
initial force points in only one dicipline and getting a select few
powers at a very high level.

____ Robert A. Hayden <=> hayden@******.mankato.msus.edu
\ /__ -=-=-=-=- <=> -=-=-=-=-
\/ / Finger for Geek Code Info <=> I do not necessarily speak for the
\/ Finger for PGP Public Key <=> City of Mankato or anyone else, dammit
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
(GEEK CODE 1.0.1) GAT d- -p+(---) c++(++++) l++ u++ e+/* m++(*)@ s-/++
n-(---) h+(*) f+ g+ w++ t++ r++ y+(*)
Message no. 12
From: Tim Skirvin <tskirvin@********.UNI.UIUC.EDU>
Subject: Re: PSI: Regrouping
Date: Fri, 15 Jul 1994 01:12:42 -0500
> Well, I think it balances out to make astral stuff a meta-ability
> (only for psionic initiates). It maintains balance and also
> maintains the

Fitting this into my possible system, it would be in a group
that had requirements for about 3 others. Simple... <grin>

> In addition, beginning PSIs can be specialized, by spending all of
> their initial force points in only one dicipline and getting a
> select few powers at a very high level.

Of course, this is only in as much as beginning characters can be
highly specialized.

I'm looking at a system where the beginning characters can be the
top of their field...but suck at absolutely everything else in Psi abilities.
Oh, and I mean ABSOLUTELY top of their field...as in, with there being so
few Psis, the beginning ones are going to be higher if they specialize at all...


-------------Tim Skirvin (tskirvin@********.uni.uiuc.edu-------------
"He's NOT a gibbering idiot - he's cured of gibbering, he's just an
idiot now." -- Jane, "Waiting for God"

Further Reading

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