From:	steven mancini <mancinis@******.CC.PURDUE.EDU>
Subject:	Re: initiation rare? B.S.!
Date:	Fri, 30 Oct 92 01:05:25 EST

Once again, I would have emailed to Jeff, but I do not have his complete
email address...

Jeff writes:
] It's simple IF you have the Karma to spare (yeah, right. that happens so
] often with mages). Say you wanted to become a level 0 initiate. Just spend
] 18 karma (at most) and poof! you're there! Like magic! (pun intended).
] It's called self-initiation, and it cuts out a lot of the grief GM's can
] give players (that's why it more expensive than group initiation).
]
] As to the non game rule reasons J.E.W. listed- look, if I just spent 18
] KARMA to advance, my totem had better damn well think I'm ready for it/
] worthy of it, otherwise I'm selling my magical secrets and using the
] nuyen to buy cyberware!!!!

Jeff:
Karma to spare? I would call it the smartest investment any
magician can make. Greater Forms? Quickenings which nullify the
threat of Grounding that Spell Locks incur? Centering to reduce
drain? A free ally who is both a power foci and a second source
of drain resistance? Please you must be kidding about having
karma to spare. I'd pass up the 18 points of spells to have
these powers without a second hesitation.

As far as this cutting the GM out; once again- are you serious?
Think back to Sam Verner from the Books and Hyde White's simple
fear tactic to prevent him from initiating. I admit that unless
the GM has a godd reason this is a really scummy thing to do but
simply having 18 points of karma does not bypass the GM, does it?

Lastly, your 'posed' attitude in your last paragraph would have
your link to the totem severed in a Quick Rick instant. It sounds
more like a Wiz Kid attitude (seriously- read the quotes by the
Wiz Kid, they are damn close ;>) than that of someone who has
been chosen.
-Minotaur