| From: | "J. Keith Henry" <Ereskanti@***.COM> |
|---|---|
| Subject: | Re: Totems |
| Date: | Sat, 19 Jul 1997 11:58:16 -0400 |
writes:
>
> |But, to query up an ED term. What about the Passions and the Loa? Those
> two
> |sets of beings are most notably -not- mental constructs in the normal
sense
> |as Spells, Watchers and perhaps Ally beings.
>
> I think you're looking at it in the wrong way.
Maybe, but I don't think so. I am trying to look at it entirely differently
than the common thread. That doesn't make it wrong, it makes it different.
> Magic is based primarily in BELIEF, right?
The -usage- of magic maybe, but I don't think the power itself. If that were
true, then the Awakening would likely not have occurred. Reason being is
that I find it hard to believe that the entire world's belief in "the
unknown" had reached such a point as all that and it simply came into
existence. And if you could ask the IE's, you'd have to add the word "AGAIN"
to that sentence.
> A mage who doesn't believe in magic, can't cast spells.
> (But if he believes in Spiderman, he might aquire a talent for
> wallcrawling...)
This is the difference in philosophy and symbology if I recall correctly.
And the Grimoire and Awakenings books have stuff on the "mage who doesn't
believe in magic" theories.
> Now, what about the entire population? What do *THEY* believe in?
Collective Consciousness is a design flaw... (-wink-)
> The entire population of Barsiave believed in the passions. They passions
> probably made their first appearance soon after the arrival of the magic
in
> the 4th world.
I don't really recall that information being given anywhere in ED. Granted,
ED has the Passions, and for the game system, that is fine.
> They only existed because they were CREATED from the collective
unconcious.
> They still, exist because of the few survivors, and the fact that some of
> those survivors are starting passion cults.
Actually, this sounds more like a personal belief than something for game
mechanics. It's that really stupid argument on "my system vs. your system"
thing.
>
> The Totems also figure strongly in this.
I still wouldn't suggest telling Spider that, or a being that a collective
group of "spider shamans" -created-.
>
> Hell, even Jesus, God, and Satan probably started to exist (VERY
POWERFULLY)
> due to the billions that believe in them....
And don't ya just love how big game system/writers just skirt that issue.
Hell, I think Charrette was glorious with S. Verner's "God with God"
statement.
> [It should be noted that I'm an athiest and firmly believe that man
created
> god to explain cosmic mysteries]
>
> Now? When d'you reccon the second coming'll be?
I think it already has, the world just doesn't -BELIEVE- anymore ... we're a
blind race in general with no real ability to remain in touch to our
surroundings. Shadowrun is dealing with the concept of the "unimaginable"
being made tangible, or at least as close to that as the Karmic Winds will
allow.
> :)
(: >
-Keith (had to do that inverted smiley moustache)
