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Mailing List Logs for ShadowRN

Message no. 1
From: Wavy Davy ctysmd@***.leeds.ac.uk
Subject: Resiting Drain with Magic (was Re: Cybermage?)
Date: Mon, 1 May 2000 20:24:30 +0100 (BST)
On Mon, 1 May 2000, Alfredo B Alves wrote:

> I wish Magic Loss was more gradual. A mage might, realisticly refrain
> from getting a lot of cyber. However, as the 1 point of Essence loss
> impacts your Magic (insofar as game mechanics are concerned) the same
> amount as .1 Essence loss, I think there is a tendency to install
> cyberware in magically active individuals in increments of 1 point of
> Essence.

I wish it were so too. Alas, the limits of a D6 based system

We use a house rule regarding drain : use magic attribute to resist it
This makes the effect of magic loss due to cyberware much more
debilitating to magicians, but allows higher grade magicians to resist
damage better as they are more 'in tune' with the astral and allows
them to cast higher spell values more easily. But initiations are few
and far between in our world, so it doesn't make for super powerful
magicians (as of yet).

I realise this may have already been covered previously, but my group
would appreciate some feed back on whether this is a *good thing* or
not, as we've only been playing in for two months of so.

Any thoughts?

--
Wavy Davy (who shares wins)
...If God dwells inside us, like some people say, I sure hope He likes
enchiladas, because that's what He's getting!
Message no. 2
From: Philip Smith phil_urbanhell@*******.com
Subject: Resiting Drain with Magic (was Re: Cybermage?)
Date: Mon, 01 May 2000 20:55:43 +0100
on 1/5/00 8:24 pm, Wavy Davy at ctysmd@***.leeds.ac.uk wrote:

> On Mon, 1 May 2000, Alfredo B Alves wrote:
>
>> I wish Magic Loss was more gradual. A mage might, realisticly refrain
>> from getting a lot of cyber. However, as the 1 point of Essence loss
>> impacts your Magic (insofar as game mechanics are concerned) the same
>> amount as .1 Essence loss, I think there is a tendency to install
>> cyberware in magically active individuals in increments of 1 point of
>> Essence.
>
> I wish it were so too. Alas, the limits of a D6 based system
>
> We use a house rule regarding drain : use magic attribute to resist it
> This makes the effect of magic loss due to cyberware much more
> debilitating to magicians, but allows higher grade magicians to resist
> damage better as they are more 'in tune' with the astral and allows
> them to cast higher spell values more easily. But initiations are few
> and far between in our world, so it doesn't make for super powerful
> magicians (as of yet).
>
> I realise this may have already been covered previously, but my group
> would appreciate some feed back on whether this is a *good thing* or
> not, as we've only been playing in for two months of so.
>
> Any thoughts?
>

Should we recreate the original discussion and let people chip in as we go?

Okay, here goes.
It depends on how you see the channeling of mana; through the body or the
mind. Willpower is used because it shows the degree of mental will behind
the spell casting...

Phil
Message no. 3
From: Wavy Davy ctysmd@***.leeds.ac.uk
Subject: Resiting Drain with Magic (was Re: Cybermage?)
Date: Tue, 2 May 2000 17:29:10 +0100 (BST)
On Mon, 1 May 2000, Philip Smith wrote:

> Should we recreate the original discussion and let people chip in as we go?
>
> Okay, here goes.
> It depends on how you see the channeling of mana; through the body or the
> mind. Willpower is used because it shows the degree of mental will behind
> the spell casting...

I see it as being channeled through a person's aura, their link with
the astral, which is why you suffer physical drain when your presence
is on the astral rather than the physical. In this case, how
strong/healthy you aura is would allow you to do better/worse at
handling the mana. If you a level x initiate, you have a greater
understanding and link with the astral and this results in greater
power. If you have losts of 'ware, your aura is weaker and you cannot
handle the mana as well.

This system has the added benefit of removeing the need or magicians
to have to have a very high will power. I like the idea of a Horned Man
(mythical totem) shamen who is addicted to gambling and drugs and
women and booze and everthing and has a willpower of 2, cos he can't
resist temptation. He can still cast spells well, with magic 6, as that
is a natural part of his shamenhood. Of course, this brings up
another question - should Sorcey be linked to willpower? Maybe
Intelligence for mages and charisma for Shamens, of maybe even magic,
as that represent both you natural ability and learned knowledge.
As always, floors open. (in other words /rant)

--
Wavy Davy (who shares wins)
...If you go flying back through time, and you see somebody else flying
forward into the future, it's probably best to avoid eye contact.

Further Reading

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Thwap!