Message no. 1

From:	bellovar@***.WISC.EDU
Subject:	Re: Question on Endocrine
Date:	Wed, 10 Feb 93 17:16:29 CST

1. Crossfire, the Endocrine System is interesting, but *I* find a problem with
it (this does not mean it has a problem, just that I think there is one.)
The ES works by regulating the chemical balance in your brain/body (if I am
reading this right). Accordingly, you couldn't have it 'always on', or
you would start suffering some serious problems within about 3 days. And
probably death within 2 weeks from total system failure. So essentially
were down to a variation of the adrenal pump. Still much better than the
pump in that you control it. (Trust me, unless you like dermal plated
joytoys, the adrenal pump can put a serious crimp in your lovelife ;)

******************************************************************************

Magister -

I am glad you sent your question to me, because obviously I
hadn't explained the workings of the Endocrine Regulatory System (ERS).
The ERS _is_ indeed always on, but not in the way you are thinking.
Peak efficiency does not mean that it is operating at maximum endocrine
levels - as you pointed out - the body couldn't take that sort of abuse.

This is exactly the reason that the ERS required to be a
combination of bionetics and cybernetics. The bionetics is an overall
enhancement of the entire body's endocrine system along with the
adjustments needed for it to receive commands from the cyberware.
This is the reason why one cannot combine the endocrine system with a
level 2 adrenal pump, suprathyroid gland, or the thymic activator. In
those cases, the systems are augmented beyond the capabilities of the
ERS, and in many cases, contradict it. It is the cyberware that
performs the regulatory aspects of the ERS. This is no minor function.

The ERS subprocessor unit is designed to anticipate the needs
of the body. In this case, if the augmented person is in an arguement
with another, the ERS may begin to increase the activity of the thyroid
gland to free up energy, and depending on the situation, may either
augment or supress the levels of adrenaline entering the bloodstream.
If said arguement escalates, the thyroid gland may be kicked up near
peak levels and the adrenaline will be monitored to rise in responce to
the situation. There will most likely be a slight increase in the level
of endorphins in preparation for a possible physical confrontation.
Assuming this escalated into a fight, the adrenal levels would be
regulated for a balance between adrenaline-induced power and clearness
in thinking. At the same time, the endorphin levels would be monitored
towards the balance between dulling pain, expected need for the immediate
future, and the avoidance of dulling the senses, perceptions, and
thoughts. Afterwards, it would moniter the decline of the hormones in
the body and increase those needed for repair and healing. Under normal
conditions, it merely keeps the levels of endocrine activity to a level
that is most efficient for a heathy body.

The endocrine SPU is designed to augment and modify the natural
endocrine response to a situation, not replace it. This means that you
have greater control over your body - but not total control. It is like
when you have to fight from becoming angry - someone with an ERSystem
will have an easier time, as his regulatory SPU, sensing this,is damping
his natural response so it is easier to fight.

The endocrine system would be nice for many things that lack any
game effect. Self control is easier (but that is seen in the +1 on
Willpower) - and one would never fear from diabetes =)

This may have been an overkill response - but I think it shows
the effects and method of the concept.....


Chris Bellovary
-- CrossFire --


By the way - something I thought of - if one is using a Cranial
Cyberdeck to run the SPU off of, some GM's may wish to Make the SPU a
0.5 essence loss due to connections to centers the encephalon has but
the C2 deck lacks. They may also assign it a certain Mp rating that
must be used in active memory. Just thoughts I recently came up with
because I hadn't gone deep into the aspects of running it off a C2 deck
rather than an encephalon - but I believe it should be possible.