From:	Justin Pinnow <vanyel@*******.NET>
Subject:	Re: Mundane Astral Perception
Date:	Thu, 31 Jul 1997 03:06:18 -0400

> From: Steven A. Tinner <bluewizard@*****.COM>
> Date: Thursday, July 31, 1997 12:42 AM

> Just a thought here.

Uh oh...

> Would it be possible to design a set of goggles worn by a mage that track
> where his eyes move, and then relay that info to another set of goggles
> worn by a mundane?

Oh my. I would say no, simply because I don't view astral perception as
purely visual input.

> The concept I'm working at here is - ASSUMING - that mages eyes DO track
> astral forms just as they track mundane sights, then would it not be
> possible to use "view to a kill"/smartgun aiming technology to coordinate
> the mages eye movements to a mundane, wearing a set of goggles.

In my campaign, when astrally perceiving, nothing appears different about
the mage on the physical plane. To look to his right, he changes his point
of view, so to speak, but doesn't turn his head, for example. This is just
my opinion, however...I don't think this is clarified in the canon rules
anywhere.

> This could allow the mundane to see a targeting reticle over the area an
> astral form was occupying, thue allowing the mundane to ... I don't know,
> hit it with a FAB bat or something. ;-)

Don't say that word! ;)

> This sound logical or have all these cheese puffs melted my brain?

Defintitely the cheese puffs. ;) Actually, there are ways of seeing into
the astral plane for mundanes, IMO. For example, you may allow LSD to
impart astral perception during part of the trip. Not that you can do a
whole hell of a lot except stare at the pretty colors, but that's an
interesting way of allowing a mundane to experience what a mage does for
awhile. (I rule that all the color trails, etc. seen on an acid trip are
actually things being perceived on the astral plane.) And I am sure folks
could come up with other ways of allowing mundanes to temporarily perceive
the astral plane, without letting it get out of control. After all, using
LSD does have its risks. :)

> Steven A. Tinner

Justin :)