From:	"Bruce H. Nagel" <NAGELBH@******.ACS.MUOHIO.EDU>
Subject:	Re: Area of Effect Spells and Astral Targeting
Date:	Tue, 15 Jul 1997 22:21:36 -0500

You wrote:
> I have to agree with losthalo here. The magic system is fairly well written,
> compared to many, NOT all, other systems (since I don't know all the systems
> out there, I'm leaving room for chance here ;). The reason for the debating
> I think is just people in general and the power involved.

> We are dealing with an abstract ability that is very hard to define in a
> "layman's terminology". It's not that many people are stupid...it's that
> many people are power hungry...

And part of the problem is simply that people want official rulings rather than
a decision they make on their own. Personally, I see some small holes in SR
magic theory, but I either find ways to explain them (can you Ground a spell
through a Quickened spell? No, it's designed to only channel specific energies
and is not a part of the 'target' in the same way as a spell lock or other
foci is, no true physical component, no usable bridge - note: just for example).

GMs really need to get their feel for the sustem and use that to decide
ambiguous situations, rather than clamoring for an official FASA ruling in
black and white. Why does it matter so much that there is no official position
on Grounding? Because people are stupid enough to blather on in huge arguments
over it that go nowhere? That's not FASA's responsibility, frankly.

As for players seeking loopholes for power, if you think those loopholes should
work, let them exploit them, then inform them that since they were obvious
(let's face it, thousands of mages, _some_one else has realized the potential
of spell locks and Increase Attribute +4...). Game mechanics loopholes or
tricks should not make PCs powerful, either eliminate them or make the
available to all. :)

losthalo