| From: | "Leszek Karlik, aka Mike" <trrkt@*****.ONET.PL> |
|---|---|
| Subject: | Re: Magic Questions |
| Date: | Tue, 16 Dec 1997 15:46:32 +0000 |
writing:
> In a message dated 97-12-15 15:35:28 EST, you write:
<snip>
> > Of course you didn't. There's no such a thing as Metaplanar sight.
> > You can only project to metaplanes, you can't see them without doing
> > so.
> What I believe Keith meant is that a person could not normally use
> them to perform Quests of True Aura ... though in the case of a
> Sorceror Adept SUSTAINING the astral sight spell then I would allow
> (and this would also incur the +2 sustaining modifier on the
> 'assensing') ...
Well, IMO performing Quests of True Aura, requires the ability of
Metaplanar Projection - even though they are "of Aura", they are
"Quests". (BTW IMC adepts do get the ability of metaplanar projection
later on...)
<snip>
> > Actually, it's not a problem of PC. It's a problem of world
> > continuity. A spell like Astral Sight WOULD be mentioned in the
> > novels, sourcebooks etc. For example in Corp Sec.
> >
> > Oh well, nobody prohibits you from doing an Astral Sight spell. Or
> > introducing Battle Dress, PGMPs and Fusion+ power. (Waitaminute,
> > that's Traveller, not Shadowrun)
>
> The problem with what you have just said is that you are talking
> about the books, and the writers do not have to explain the rule
> mechanics or provide templates for their protagonists ... remember
> ... this spell, astral sight, was thought up by someone who was a
> player, and not one of the writers ...
Yes. But the problem with such a spell is that as soon as the "it's
possible" word gets out, every corp researcher is going to make one
and the possibilities of astral recon go down the drain.
FAB? We don't need no steenkin FAB!
I mean, if all it takes is two wimpy Karma points for glasses of
Astral Sight, your average-to-high security sites will have guards
going around with Renraku Astral Glasses (TM)...
Remember: if the PC have thought of it, somebody else probably also
did... And corps invest heavy cash in research on astral security
(see FAB).
The only way I can see this done is that the spell allows for astral
sight, but ONLY for the magically active (be they adepts, mages,
shamans, physads etc.). Those who are not magically active see chaos.
<snip>
> > Well, IMC I use slightly modified gradual initation rules (two powers
> > per grade), and adepts have astral sight available to them as a
> > metamagic power. And still NO Astral Sight for mundanes. See? The
> > world won't break up.
>
> Hmm ... still, though the development of Astral Sight is remarkably
> easy even ... just overpower the Sight spell mentioned in Awakenings
> and there you have it ... also, on a side note .. the spell
> Disregard is nothing more than Improved Invisibility without the Can
> Affect Technological Devices (not sure of the true wording of that
> statement) ...
Well, that assumes Astral Sight is another form of normal Sight. IMO
not the case. I think what we have here is a fundamental difference
in understanding of the nature of astral space, so I guess we'll have
to agree to disagree...
<snip>
> > Well, not really. Are there MECHANICAL devices allowing Astral Sight?
> > No? Thought so.
>
> Ever hear of something called Kirlian Plate Technology ... ask
> around or see if you can find information about it from the nets ...
> I'm sure you will find something ...
Of course I did. I've read about it lots of times ago. So, please
show me where does it say Kirlian photography allows one to see
emotions associated with objects. <wicked grin>
I've read lotsa stuff about paranormal research. And IMO Kirlian
Plate is not what we're looking for.
But that's just me.
<snip>
> > Yes. Interesting side effects, as changing the whole Corp Security
> > issue etc.
>
> Hey .. check it out ... an advancement in the SOTA curve ... gee,
> damn ...
Yeah. A BIG advancement. Besides, I guess somebody would invent this
before going through all that trouble with FAB. FAB is EXPENSIVE.
Aztechnology Astral Binoculars (TM, C, patent pending) are much
cheaper... <grin>
<snip>
> > Well, if one of my players wants to have a BattleMech, should I give
> > it to him? Hell, it's a cool idea! (So what if it'll change the
> > setting... a bit. ;> )
> Considering that we consider that any Mech created (and we have
> figured out how to make them - Keith and I) using the R2 rules would
> stomp the daylights out of anything that BattleMech (IMHO) has at
> the moment ...
Yeah. Hey, I mean real Mechs, working according to real physics, not
BattleTech physics (TM) (Hey, BattleTech is just set in an alternate
universe with different laws of physics - it's that simple. :> ).
> Have a Merry Christmas,
You too. :)
Sheesh. Normal smiley looks weird in my letters. That one's better.
;>
Leszek Karlik, aka Mike - trrkt@*****.onet.pl; http://www.wlkp.top.pl/~bear/mike;
Star Wars fan and Amber junkie; FIAWOL; WTF TKD TOO;
FL/GN Leszek/Raptor II/ISD Vanguard, (SS) (PC) (ISM) {IWATS-IIC} JH(Sith)/House Scholae
Palatinae
Wrong! 30 minutes of begging is NOT considered foreplay.
