| From: | bluewizard@*****.com (Steven A. Tinner) |
|---|---|
| Subject: | Re: Re[4]: [SR2]: Fat-bac -Reply |
| Date: | Thu, 5 Sep 1996 13:56:04 -0500 (EST) |
>the same being cannot affect the net? IMHO, there's a
>major contradiction here. In the case of the net falling
>on the being the physical plane is accomodating the astral
>plane, but if the being tries to affect the net (by moving
>while the net is on him) the physical plane won't
>accomodate the astral plane while at the same time it
>allready is accomodating the astral plane? That's like
>having both tea and no tea at the same time (play Infocom's
>"Hitchiker's Guide to the Galaxy" to really get that joke).
As near as I can muddle it out. Astral being cannot directly affect physical
objects because they lack mass.
Here's the explanation.
Mundanes can affect mundane objects because they share all the same
dimensions. mass, height, etc. and if you want to get technical "astral
signature" (for lack of a better word.)
Astral travellers can affect astral objects because they share the same
attributes - astral attributes.
Follow me so far?
OK, now when the laws of nature check to allow objects to interact, they
only check to see if there is an attribute missing, not if there are extra
attributes.
example - Astral mage trying to move a plant. Both have an astral aura.
However, the mage lacks physical mass, while the plant does not. Since the
actor, cannot act upon all of the actees attributes, he cannot affect the plant.
Next example - FAB net trying to trap an astral mage. Both have an astral
aura. The FAB net has mass in the material plane, while the mage does not.
Here the actor (net) can act upon all of the actees attributes, the fact
that the actor has mass does not matter to the interaction process. The net
has enough astral presence to trap the mage.
As near as I can tell, it's all a matter of who's doing what to who(m?)
If the mage is alert, and can avoid the net, the question is moot.
That's why mundanes don't regularly bump into astral presences (although
that could explain those cold chills! :-))
A net that is simply dropped over a mage IMHO will be easy for him to escape
from. If the bottom is open, he can simply move - at the speed of thought -
out from under the net, and it will fall away.
Now, if the net is fired from the net gun, chances are it will wrap around
the mage. An astral form, and an idealized manifestation of a mage's will
are not malleable things. (Oh, suddenly it's much more ideal for me to be
two inches tall so I can slip through a net! :-))
I don't buy this notion that the mage will POP through the gaps, like a
watermelon seed - How does moss or ivy prevent astral travel then? There are
always small gaps between plants.
I think FASA is playing by the rules with FAB, I just think that the rules
could use some more explaining.
One last opinion on this - We can believe that it's possible for a human to
leave his body and travel around the world as a spirit, but we can't believe
that a fat bacteria could stop him? C'mon, it's all in your head anyway. :-)
If SR was a science FICTION game then I'd probably not allow FB either, but
it's not, it's science FANTASY. Once magic comes into the game, all bets are
off. Anyhting is possible. :-)
