From:	UCSTAK@***.UWPLATT.EDU
Subject:	None
Date:	Fri, 2 Oct 92 02:26:00 CST

>>
Is this true that Mages lose essence based on any bioware they may get?! I
didn't notice this rule in SRII then again I could have missed it...

Currently, I have no intention of following this rule. The solution is to
make biotech prices a bit more realistic and to change Resources back to the
old way; i.e. mages get less money if they take the force points.

--David
>>

To answer your question...

"As physical integrity is even more crucial for the magically active
(magicians and adepts) <as if we don't know wut 'magically active' means!>
these characters must spend Essence and add to their Body Index when
selecting bioware..The Essence cost..is equal to the Body Cost."
- Shadowtech, p. 5, column 2, last paragraph

Yes, bioware costs Essence for Mages.

That's vanilla Shadowrun rules but let's think about this scientifically.
'Magically Active' people are 'magically active' because they got the right
genes (DNA) to be 'magically active'. The few special codes in their genetic
makeup allow them to channel the mystic energies abundant in the awakened
world. Start throwing in generic bio material (Type O) and you muck up
the works. The new meat just isn't compatible with channeling the energy
so, the mage must pay essence for it just like he has to pay essence to
see with his cybereyes.

Let's say Joe Mage is shot up by John Samurai real bad and needs a replacement
heart. Consult your handy SRII and look up "MAGICIANS AND DAMAGE" p.115:

"If a magician requires a replacement limb or organ, it must <note MUST> be
cloned from the original tissue. Any other DNA pattern...will reduce the
character's Power-handling capability and automatically reduce the character's
Magic Rating by 1."

So the Doc clones him a new heart, makes a couple lucky biotech rolls with
+2 modifiers for working on a mage, and Joe Mage is as good as new. Joe
will probably summon some helpful spirit to track down John so he can fry
his *ss with that Slay Human spell he's been dying to try out.

Now, this raises a question about Bioware: "If it is grown from the mages
own cellular structure or cloned will the mage have to pay Essence for it?"
I say no or a good deal less like 25-50%. This is "cultured Bioware" found
on page 6 of ShadowTech.

But, why would a mage want Bioware? It is VERY expensive in 2053 being that
it is cutting edge technology. It also requires surgery and mages/surgery
don't mix well < MAGE + SURGERY = 8{ >. Kind of like new suits and wet
paint or weight-lifting and ice skating. I think mages/shamans are better off
spending their cash and karma on spell locks, foci, orichalcum knives, etc.
rather than paying for expensive Bioware and trying to get lost Magic Points
back.

Oh, well. That's enough ranting for today. I welcome your flaming or
compliments. Let me know what you think.

- Chaz

Remember: Always deactivate shock gloves and/or forearm snap blades before
using restroom facilities. *8)