From:	"Mark Steedman" <M.J.Steedman@***.rgu.ac.uk>
Subject:	Re: FAB questions and points of view
Date:	Wed, 11 Sep 1996 10:55:02 GMT

GRANITE writes
> To: FASAMike@***.com
> Copies to: shadowrn@********.itribe.net

ok getting into the debate very late, due to being away and message
backlog.

> Faux Pas wrote:
> > It all started when someone posted a question about a character having a
> > club filled with FAB and using the club to attack an astral mage (caught in
> > a FAB-Net). In the days that followed, dozens and dozens of messages were
> > posted regarding this, bringing up newer questions.
> >
>
first off this need not be just FAB. Long lenthgs of freshly cut vine
or lumps of unenchanted orialcum (ie not part of an actual focus)
cause the same problems.


> I forget who it was that nominated you as the contact point for this but
> here is my point of view,
> and my questions:
>
> 1] is Metathesis as discribed by Majister in the sidebar comments a real
> ShadowRun 2
> phenomenon??? I happen to agree with it..It seems to be the most logical
> [I know...it is magic
> and not bound by logic] way to deal with the attempt of 2 or more auras
> to occupy the same
> space..
>
I really cannot add to this, the comments have been made, how far you
trust Magister is open to question.

> 2] If Metathesis is a true phenomenon..then as a FAB net first strikes
> and then wraps around an
> astral entity as the net is pulling said astral entity to the
> ground/floor metathesis should occur
> within the net...the FAB should be destroyed and the net fall to the
> ground/floor..freeing the astral
> entity..
>
If he's correct. Not the policy i work to but.

> 3] If Metathesis is not a true phenomenon then the original core rules
> should take over and the
> auras of the FAB in the net should be deflected away from the astral aura
> of the entity..and once
> again the net should fall to the ground..or perhaps this would be
> happening at the same time as
> Metathesis..The bacteria is supposed to be held in a compressed container
> so there should be
> plenty of room for the FAB to deflect around the astral entity since it
> is no longer compressed..
>
My biggest problem with the FAB net is the rules for capturing a mage
are far too good, considering the target can dodge at the speed of
thought. And yes generally the target simply gets pushed out of the
way you need to get the mage to catch on something to get the net to
wrap about him/her.
You point about FAB injected into a net is valid, matbe thats what
the escaperule was supposed reflect?

> 4] If the FAB [normally not an astrally active bacteria] is allowed to be
> used to capture an astral
> entity and the aura of this astral entity is allowed to hold up the FAB
> net as though it were
> suspended in mid-air then why cannot an astral entity do something
> foolish like create a
> transparent diokoted container shaped like a blade and as sharp as a
> razor, then fill the container
> with FAB or some other living material and then go astral wrap the aura
> of the astral entity's
> hand around the container and then carry it into let's say a guardshack
> through an open window
> and slit the throat of the unsuspecting guard????
>
This is solvable. The astral entity has form and resistance to being
reformed but is not allowed to move physical objects despite having
strength. ie the FAB net can in theory wrap up the mage and gravity
will drag the net down. The FAB blocks the mage, he has no physical
form so aura contact is enough for froce transference, he gets pulled
down.
Mage tries to move net fails as the net has physical mass. You are
not allowed to affect the physical world, the rules never ban the
physical world affecting the astral, it does often enough actually,
mundanes emotions, nukes etc causing background count.

Therefore the mage cannot pick up the living dagger.

There is nothing to stop the mages astral from supporting the net.
If the mage tries to move something he fails.
If the net (or any living/magical object) tries to move an astral
entity there are three possiblities.

1) Attacker is weapon focus/dual or astral being.
target gets hurt as per the rules.

2) 'Attacker' is a mundane, falling pedestrians, FAB nets, loose
lumps of orialcum, fresh cut vines etc etc etc. And the magician is
free to move.
The magician gets shoved out of the way, no damage will be done
though the poor soul may be disorientated.

3) as 2 except for whatever reason the magician cannot be pushed
aside.
eg, trapped between FAB net and floor(FAB filled, natural earth etc).
My ruling is then treat it as per the physical world so your FAB club
will hurt but ONLY if you force the target to interact and push the
club in to the mage.
If the mage tries to push his astral fist into someone nothing
happens, the interaction is not forced as the mage could happily stay
where he is.
If you try to push the club into the mage its forced interaction, the
physical club is limited by normal physics which knows nothing about
any astral mage in the way, the aura interaction is a result of the
arua of the suff in the club being towed along by its physical
component.


When all is said and done though it should be very very difficult to
imobilise a maigician with FAB due to speed of thought, so the fact
that captured ones are target practice is no problem, and its fair,
normally astral beings get to ne recce the poor mundanes can do
nothing about!

> 6] Please, do not give a politically correct..It is your game run it the
> way you want..type of
> answer..We are looking for some defining answers here..we have been
> arguing this out for way
> too long..and noone can agree on anything except to dissagree about
> almost every aspect of this
> subject..FAB is a fairly big part of this sourcebook and we would like to
> know more how FASA
> intends it to be run...
>
I hope the above helps. Magicain/mage above could be any astral
being, and sex does not matter, assuming male is faster typing.

Mark