| From: | Helge Diernaes <ecocide@***.CBS.DK> |
|---|---|
| Subject: | Yet another note on speed... |
| Date: | Mon, 2 Oct 1995 17:07:16 +0100 |
> In a message dated 95-09-30 12:09:09 EDT, TopCat wrote:
In
> >fact, it's a rare day when I see true roleplaying out of mages. But I don't
> >consider "I cast this spell and this happens" roleplaying. Mages are
> >god-king munchkin rollplayer characters. The only thing that can change
> >that is the player (and it's not as easy as it looks). GM's at least can
> >influence cybered folk.
Hey! I'm magi and the only reason my PC is still alive is that I roleplay
myself out of trouble when I can :-) - much safer.
Besides, if a magi is not Roleplaying, why the hell is s/he running the
shadows and still alive? Me be thinking you're too nice a GM. If people
f**** up the wrong place in the wrong situation, then they should learn
from their mistakes. Start by kneecapping them, next time killing them
outright :->. The harder the lesson, the deeper the correct instinctive next
time.
Remember, many battles in the shadows and other places are fought on
emotion - if your magis behave machinelike in delicate situations, they
should 1. get a bad rep, 2. get a bullet or suchlike in the face.
Orcs, trolls, elves and dwarves are easily riled, aren't they?
And Amerinds :-).. Very Easily Riled!! Hey, it has been only 30 or some
years since we threw of the chains of subjugation and began paying back the
Palefaces and their ilk for just some grivances caused us!
> Amen hallelujah. Magic is an important part of the world of 2050, but it is
> not all powerful. If you want to play in a world where the ONLY path is
> magic, feel free to play Earthdawn. Shadowrun is as much about chrome as it
> is about orichalcum.
Magicians (and that includes Physical Adepts), just
> need to get it through their collective heads that they will NEVER have
> faster reflexes than the fastest of the cyberboys, that is the chromeboy's
> edge. Magicians make intimidating characters, of that there is no doubt, but
> your average mage would be ill-advised in upsetting a Samurai at close
> quarters because the Street Sam should almost always get first shot; an Ares
> Predator II can make some big holes.
>
Precisely my opinion. Beyond that, I believe that PC's playing magi must
show up at least as much brains and subtility as a top Chrome
in order to experience old age - when one plays big, risks tend to be big
and the mortality rate for the underdeveloped rather high.
The magi can be awesome, yes, but they face hefty dangers too - astral
space is dangerous, some dual-natured beings so likes mages as appetiser,
and spell locks are not without risks.
Do not forget use of Background Count - it can be danm inconvenient for
brawn magis and usually kills about 80% off because they can't improvise.
Concerning speed for the magi: When playing a magi, one have to be fast in
order to survive the game.
When someone ambushes a PC in my gaming group, one haven't gotten the
time to turn on a increased X - even if it be taking little time,
nanoseconds count.
Therefore, in my group, a mage spourting increased X have that one
switched on whenever possible, disableing it rarely. It does have
disadvantages, it can (I believe) be used for grounding, but the possible
consequences are potentially worse in the sessions I've survived so far.
BTW, please forgive this if it is truly incomprehensible, I do feel rather
queer right now..
--
Silhouette
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Helge Diernaes | "The Eye that looks always to the safe side is closed
ecocide@***.cbs.dk | forever." Paul Muad'Dib, 'Dune'
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