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Message no. 1
From: "J. Keith Henry" <Ereskanti@***.COM>
Subject: Spells and the Otaku (was: Re: Crash of 2029)
Date: Sat, 23 Aug 1997 15:54:17 -0400
In a message dated 97-08-22 12:03:50 EDT, schuett@******.IVCC.EDU writes:

>
> Viruses are scary. Remeber RTM? The email worm? That took the net down
> for 48 hours. Granted that was back in 86(?). But still. Now imagine a
> computer geek loaded down with a +4 Int spell.
>
A question that bounced up to me, from my game group a while back...what
would Mental Attribute spells do to an Otaku? I know that they have minimal
effect on a decker, because a decker is using a machine (I presume), but an
Otaku's mind -IS- the deck. So what happens...
-K
Message no. 2
From: "John (RunnerX)" <georgas@***.NET>
Subject: Re: Spells and the Otaku (was: Re: Crash of 2029)
Date: Sat, 23 Aug 1997 13:29:22 -0700
J. Keith Henry wrote:

> In a message dated 97-08-22 12:03:50 EDT, schuett@******.IVCC.EDU writes:
>
> A question that bounced up to me, from my game group a while back...what
> would Mental Attribute spells do to an Otaku? I know that they have minimal
> effect on a decker, because a decker is using a machine (I presume), but an
> Otaku's mind -IS- the deck. So what happens...
> -K

Magical enhancements for Otaku do NOT affect the living persona...in other
words, they do not increase the ratings of the Otaku's "deck." (VR 2.0, page
145). Nevertheless, they would still affect his real world actions, as well as
his hacking pool, if ofcourse the spell affected his intelligence.
Message no. 3
From: Mike Bobroff <AirWisp@***.COM>
Subject: Re: Spells and the Otaku (was: Re: Crash of 2029)
Date: Sun, 24 Aug 1997 02:35:41 -0400
In a message dated 97-08-23 16:58:51 EDT, you write:

> Magical enhancements for Otaku do NOT affect the living persona...in other
> words, they do not increase the ratings of the Otaku's "deck." (VR 2.0,
> page
> 145). Nevertheless, they would still affect his real world actions, as
> well as
> his hacking pool, if ofcourse the spell affected his intelligence.

But seeing that this is also an optional rule, what kind of modification
would it take for a normal magical enhancement spell to work on an otaku in
the matrix, IYHO?

AirWisp
Message no. 4
From: Bull <chaos@*****.COM>
Subject: Re: Spells and the Otaku (was: Re: Crash of 2029)
Date: Sun, 24 Aug 1997 02:42:46 -0400
At 02:35 AM 8/24/97 -0400, Mike Bobroff wrote these timeless words:
>In a message dated 97-08-23 16:58:51 EDT, you write:
>
>> Magical enhancements for Otaku do NOT affect the living persona...in other
>> words, they do not increase the ratings of the Otaku's "deck." (VR
2.0,
>> page
>> 145). Nevertheless, they would still affect his real world actions, as
>> well as
>> his hacking pool, if ofcourse the spell affected his intelligence.
>
>But seeing that this is also an optional rule, what kind of modification
>would it take for a normal magical enhancement spell to work on an otaku in
>the matrix, IYHO?
>

None, as Otaku are gross enough as it is...:]

<grin>

And since Otaku in general are an optional rule... <bigger grin>

BTW: I've reread the Otaku stuff recently, and is it my imagination or are
they more than a littl silly, rediculous, confusing, and overpowered??

Hmmm, my type of character...

Gee, what do you think of a Morphing Ork that changes froma Female Mage to
a Male Otaku? Could be fun, but incredibly munchkin...:] But that's my
son/daughter :]

Bull
--
Bull, aka Steven Ratkovich, aka Rak, aka a lot of others! :]

The Offical Celebrity Shadowrn Mailing List Welcome Ork Decker!
Fearless Leader of the Star Wars Mailing List
List Flunky of ShadowCreations, creators of the Newbies Guide,
in production now!
HOME PAGE: http://www.geocities.com/Area51/Cavern/3604/home.html

"CrapGame, you bitch!"
-- R.C. during the Drive in the Country tournament
Message no. 5
From: "John (RunnerX)" <georgas@***.NET>
Subject: Re: Spells and the Otaku (was: Re: Crash of 2029)
Date: Sun, 24 Aug 1997 01:11:50 -0700
Bull wrote:

> None, as Otaku are gross enough as it is...:]
>
> <grin>
>
> And since Otaku in general are an optional rule... <bigger grin>
>
> BTW: I've reread the Otaku stuff recently, and is it my imagination or are
> they more than a littl silly, rediculous, confusing, and overpowered??
>
> Hmmm, my type of character...
>
> Gee, what do you think of a Morphing Ork that changes froma Female Mage to
> a Male Otaku? Could be fun, but incredibly munchkin...:] But that's my
> son/daughter :]

Well, IMHO, the idea is very interesting, and could be used as a source for a
number of great adventures. As for the Otaku being overpowered, try to make an
Otaku character.It takes a great min/maxer (Which, I can be! :) to make a
starting Otaku stand on the same ground as a starting decker. (Make a character,
and compare to the decker archetype....you'll see.)
Also consider the fact that the Otaku do NOT start with any kind of ability to
increase their Detection factor, and so tallies have an easy time in building up.

Ofcourse, the Otaku also have the biggest potential to become super-deckers.
But, since they need large amounts of karma to realize that potential, I doubt
they will ever become too powerful in games. Its sorta like mages....sure they
have the potential, but when do you think they're gonna get the karma to do it?
:)

Plus, the Otaku have an upper limit on their persona's ratings, since they depend
on attributes. All deckers have to do is spring the money for a new MPCP chip...

Oh, well...another rant...sorry.

RunnerX
Message no. 6
From: "John (RunnerX)" <georgas@***.NET>
Subject: Re: Spells and the Otaku (was: Re: Crash of 2029)
Date: Sun, 24 Aug 1997 01:16:52 -0700
Mike Bobroff wrote:

> But seeing that this is also an optional rule, what kind of modification
> would it take for a normal magical enhancement spell to work on an otaku in
> the matrix, IYHO?
>
> AirWisp

Huhmm...I'm re-reading the passage, and it does not seem to be an optional
rule. I think you might be thinking of the optional Multiple Improvements rule
(VR 2.0 page 19). But, even if it WAS optional, I'd still keep the rule. The
Otaku living persona ratings can become quite dreadful once you start tagging on
magical and cyber improvements. Having cyber is bad enough. Once you allow
players to tag on magic as well, the Otaku will become too powerful.

You have to think that if an Otaku starts to dominate the Matrix, there will be
little incentive indeed for a player to make a regular decker character, and
that is not the point of the Otaku. Otaku are meant to provide a change from
the archetypical "computer nerd" decker, often
"ex-corp-that-finally-saw-the-evil" character. They are there to provide a
little mysticism, suspence, and new RPing opportunities.

Damn...another rant...sorry.

RunnerX
Message no. 7
From: "J. Keith Henry" <Ereskanti@***.COM>
Subject: Re: Spells and the Otaku (was: Re: Crash of 2029)
Date: Sun, 24 Aug 1997 04:30:56 -0400
In a message dated 97-08-23 20:25:01 EDT, georgas@***.NET (John (RunnerX))
writes:

>
> Magical enhancements for Otaku do NOT affect the living persona...in other
> words, they do not increase the ratings of the Otaku's "deck." (VR 2.0,
> page
> 145). Nevertheless, they would still affect his real world actions, as
> well as
> his hacking pool, if ofcourse the spell affected his intelligence.
>
>
I am aware of what it says in the book, I am more curious about spells
specifically made for the Otaku in question. Using the "Personal
Rules"...or, instead of Health Spells, how about a Mental Manipulation
Variation?
-K
Message no. 8
From: "J. Keith Henry" <Ereskanti@***.COM>
Subject: Re: Spells and the Otaku (was: Re: Crash of 2029)
Date: Sun, 24 Aug 1997 04:51:46 -0400
In a message dated 97-08-24 02:50:44 EDT, chaos@*****.COM writes:

> BTW: I've reread the Otaku stuff recently, and is it my imagination or are
> they more than a littl silly, rediculous, confusing, and overpowered??
>
> Hmmm, my type of character...
>
> Gee, what do you think of a Morphing Ork that changes froma Female Mage
to
> a Male Otaku? Could be fun, but incredibly munchkin...:] But that's my
> son/daughter :]
>
>
Gee Bull, I've heard about that...I guess I have to agree with everyone else,
you really are leading a screwed up life (your character that is). Wonder
what the Resonance would do to your Wendigoism...
-K
Message no. 9
From: "John (RunnerX)" <georgas@***.NET>
Subject: Re: Spells and the Otaku (was: Re: Crash of 2029)
Date: Sun, 24 Aug 1997 01:53:23 -0700
J. Keith Henry wrote:

> I am aware of what it says in the book, I am more curious about spells
> specifically made for the Otaku in question. Using the "Personal
> Rules"...or, instead of Health Spells, how about a Mental Manipulation
> Variation?
> -K

Well, lessee now.... I still would not allow magic to be used to increase the
living Persona's ratings. It's not fair to other deckers that have to shell out
the meganuyen to buy new chips for that purpose. Having a friendly mage just pop
off a coupla spells, and presto, you're bigger, and badder than anything on the
'trix is bad for game balance, IMHO. But, then again, it depends on the
individual GM...

I guess if the spell in question had a sufficiently high target number, and a
sufficiently high drain, I MIGHT consider it...and I would nail Otaku with
quickened spells from astral. If you have any ideas on specific spell mechanics,
please post them...

RunnerX
Message no. 10
From: "J. Keith Henry" <Ereskanti@***.COM>
Subject: Re: Spells and the Otaku (was: Re: Crash of 2029)
Date: Sun, 24 Aug 1997 05:04:41 -0400
In a message dated 97-08-24 04:57:53 EDT, georgas@***.NET writes:

>
> I guess if the spell in question had a sufficiently high target number,
and
> a
> sufficiently high drain, I MIGHT consider it...and I would nail Otaku with
> quickened spells from astral. If you have any ideas on specific spell
> mechanics,
> please post them...
>
> RunnerX
>
Why yes I do, actually Airwisp has them also, but I can beat him to the punch
on this one...

Personal (aka, only works on one person) is a -1 Drain Category... (the
specific spell option is even mentioned "the spell really does have your name
on it").

Also, attribute spells have target numbers equal to TWICE the existing
attribute in question...if that isn't high, then would you quit trying to
PETRIFY THE DRAGON!!! Gosh, some people... (sarcasm reminder inserted)

-K (who -IS- going to be now at 4 AM +)
Message no. 11
From: Spike <u5a77@*****.CS.KEELE.AC.UK>
Subject: Re: Spells and the Otaku (was: Re: Crash of 2029)
Date: Sun, 24 Aug 1997 13:07:40 +0100
|A question that bounced up to me, from my game group a while back...what
|would Mental Attribute spells do to an Otaku? I know that they have minimal
|effect on a decker, because a decker is using a machine (I presume), but an
|Otaku's mind -IS- the deck. So what happens...

IMNSHO?
He gets totally fragged over....
--
______________________________________________________________________________
|u5a77@*****.cs.keele.ac.uk| "Are you pondering what I'm pondering Pinky?" |
|Andrew Halliwell | |
|Principal subjects in:- | "I think so brain, but this time, you control |
|Comp Sci & Electronics | the Encounter suit, and I'll do the voice..." |
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
|GCv3.1 GCS/EL>$ d---(dpu) s+/- a- C++ U N++ o+ K- w-- M+/++ PS+++ PE- Y t+ |
|5++ X+/++ R+ tv+ b+ D G e>PhD h/h+ !r! !y-|I can't say F**K either now! :( |
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Message no. 12
From: George Metz <W0lfstar@***.COM>
Subject: Re: Spells and the Otaku (was: Re: Crash of 2029)
Date: Sun, 24 Aug 1997 18:31:19 -0400
In a message dated 97-08-24 04:59:59 EDT, you write:

> Hmmm, my type of character...
>
> Gee, what do you think of a Morphing Ork that changes froma Female Mage
to
> a Male Otaku? Could be fun, but incredibly munchkin...:] But that's my
> son/daughter :]

What the hell is that? Magically active Siamese twins? =) Don't forget Otaku
still use datajacks...
Message no. 13
From: George Metz <W0lfstar@***.COM>
Subject: Re: Spells and the Otaku (was: Re: Crash of 2029)
Date: Sun, 24 Aug 1997 18:53:06 -0400
In a message dated 97-08-24 05:47:43 EDT, you write:

> I am aware of what it says in the book, I am more curious about spells
> specifically made for the Otaku in question. Using the "Personal
> Rules"...or, instead of Health Spells, how about a Mental Manipulation
> Variation?

From a rules standpoint, I don't see any reason why not, since you can
design a spell to do just about anything. From a roleplaying standpoint, do
you HONESTLY think any Otaku is gonaa let some Wizzer screw around with his
head-deck and all that jazz? Much less ASK for it to be done? There's an
outside chance(VERY outside) that a Cyberadept Otaku would consider it. A
technoshaman would shoot you. And quite honestly, that's why I wouldn't allow
it. The player would have to come up with an amazing reason as to why his
character would.

Wolfstar
Message no. 14
From: Mike Bobroff <AirWisp@***.COM>
Subject: Re: Spells and the Otaku (was: Re: Crash of 2029)
Date: Mon, 25 Aug 1997 00:47:12 -0400
In a message dated 97-08-24 02:50:43 EDT, you write:

> BTW: I've reread the Otaku stuff recently, and is it my imagination or are
> they more than a littl silly, rediculous, confusing, and overpowered??

Yes, they are, but there is also something you are forgetting, even a
standard person can learn the channels and become even better at decking
through systems. And given time and getting the channels high enough they
could deck without any programs loaded in the deck (other than a combat and
some defensive utlities), and this way they would only have to deal with
keeping the cyberdeck up to SOTA.

AirWisp
Message no. 15
From: Mike Bobroff <AirWisp@***.COM>
Subject: Re: Spells and the Otaku (was: Re: Crash of 2029)
Date: Mon, 25 Aug 1997 01:03:01 -0400
In a message dated 97-08-24 04:57:52 EDT, you write:

> > I am aware of what it says in the book, I am more curious about spells
> > specifically made for the Otaku in question. Using the "Personal
> > Rules"...or, instead of Health Spells, how about a Mental Manipulation
> > Variation?
> > -K
>
> Well, lessee now.... I still would not allow magic to be used to increase

> the
> living Persona's ratings. It's not fair to other deckers that have to
shell
> out
> the meganuyen to buy new chips for that purpose. Having a friendly mage
> just pop
> off a coupla spells, and presto, you're bigger, and badder than anything
on
> the
> 'trix is bad for game balance, IMHO. But, then again, it depends on the
> individual GM...
>
> I guess if the spell in question had a sufficiently high target number,
and
> a
> sufficiently high drain, I MIGHT consider it...and I would nail Otaku with
> quickened spells from astral. If you have any ideas on specific spell
> mechanics,
> please post them...

Then perhaps the balance to this would be to allow the same spells to also
affect deckers also.

AirWisp
Message no. 16
From: "John (RunnerX)" <georgas@***.NET>
Subject: Re: Spells and the Otaku (was: Re: Crash of 2029)
Date: Mon, 25 Aug 1997 01:49:36 -0700
Mike Bobroff wrote:

> Then perhaps the balance to this would be to allow the same spells to also
> affect deckers also.
>
> AirWisp

IMNSHO, the answer to an overpowering character is not balancing that power by
giving more power to other characters. The answer is taking that power away.

RunnerX
Message no. 17
From: Spike <u5a77@*****.CS.KEELE.AC.UK>
Subject: Re: Spells and the Otaku (was: Re: Crash of 2029)
Date: Mon, 25 Aug 1997 14:45:44 +0100
|> Gee, what do you think of a Morphing Ork that changes froma Female Mage
|to
|> a Male Otaku? Could be fun, but incredibly munchkin...:] But that's my
|> son/daughter :]
|
| What the hell is that? Magically active Siamese twins? =) Don't forget Otaku
|still use datajacks...
|

Oh, something much wierder than that....
I remember when they were both separate entities...
(Something happened and now they share the same body, and physically change
when one personality becomes dominant..... I think...)
--
______________________________________________________________________________
|u5a77@*****.cs.keele.ac.uk| "Are you pondering what I'm pondering Pinky?" |
|Andrew Halliwell | |
|Principal subjects in:- | "I think so brain, but this time, you control |
|Comp Sci & Electronics | the Encounter suit, and I'll do the voice..." |
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
|GCv3.1 GCS/EL>$ d---(dpu) s+/- a- C++ U N++ o+ K- w-- M+/++ PS+++ PE- Y t+ |
|5++ X+/++ R+ tv+ b+ D G e>PhD h/h+ !r! !y-|I can't say F**K either now! :( |
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Message no. 18
From: Bull <chaos@*****.COM>
Subject: Re: Spells and the Otaku (was: Re: Crash of 2029)
Date: Mon, 25 Aug 1997 16:31:37 -0400
At 02:45 PM 8/25/97 +0100, Spike wrote these timeless words:
>|> Gee, what do you think of a Morphing Ork that changes froma Female Mage
>|to
>|> a Male Otaku? Could be fun, but incredibly munchkin...:] But that's my
>|> son/daughter :]
>|
>| What the hell is that? Magically active Siamese twins? =) Don't forget
Otaku
>|still use datajacks...
>|
>
>Oh, something much wierder than that....
>I remember when they were both separate entities...
>(Something happened and now they share the same body, and physically change
>when one personality becomes dominant..... I think...)
>
OK, you (Not Spike, the Poster before) must have missed my post explaining
this, so here's a quick run down...

((Keep in mind, this is a Tinner game, so wierdness is normal))

Bull's kids were twins taht were somehow linked to each other, and if they
were seperated over a distance for any length of time, they gotvery sick
and could die.

Then during a major "save the world" run, Reba (The daughter) was killed,
but her spirit went inside her brother, Billy. They now inhabit the same
body, and the body "morphs" into whichever mind is in charge...

They're based on the ED Ogre Twins, I think...

Bull
--
Bull, aka Steven Ratkovich, aka Rak, aka a lot of others! :]

The Offical Celebrity Shadowrn Mailing List Welcome Ork Decker!
Fearless Leader of the Star Wars Mailing List
List Flunky of ShadowCreations, creators of the Newbies Guide,
in production now!
HOME PAGE: http://www.geocities.com/Area51/Cavern/3604/home.html

"CrapGame, you bitch!"
-- R.C. during the Drive in the Country tournament
Message no. 19
From: Mike Bobroff <AirWisp@***.COM>
Subject: Re: Spells and the Otaku (was: Re: Crash of 2029)
Date: Tue, 26 Aug 1997 04:29:55 -0400
In a message dated 97-08-25 05:57:48 EDT, you write:

> IMNSHO, the answer to an overpowering character is not balancing that power
by
> giving more power to other characters. The answer is taking that power
away.
>

Yes, but in the field of detente, if both sides have it then both gain the
benefits.

AirWisp
Message no. 20
From: "J. Keith Henry" <Ereskanti@***.COM>
Subject: Re: Spells and the Otaku (was: Re: Crash of 2029)
Date: Tue, 26 Aug 1997 20:14:44 -0400
In a message dated 97-08-26 01:09:42 EDT, chaos@*****.COM (Bull) writes:

>
> Then during a major "save the world" run, Reba (The daughter) was killed,
> but her spirit went inside her brother, Billy. They now inhabit the same
> body, and the body "morphs" into whichever mind is in charge...
>
> They're based on the ED Ogre Twins, I think...
>
Ah, that explains much. I have ideas now...possibly explainations as
well....
-K

Further Reading

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