| From: | Ereskanti <Ereskanti@***.COM> |
|---|---|
| Subject: | An Opposing View (Re: SR3 Magic Terms) |
| Date: | Tue, 23 Dec 1997 19:13:46 EST |
Most of what Steve said in the posting the following originated within, I can
agree with an probably even live with as a SR gamer...the following however,
that is something else...
> >2. Can an astrally perceiving Initiate mask to appear like they aren't
> masking?
>
> I assume you mean mask to look like they are not astrally
perceiving/active.
> IMHO, no. Masking cannot conceal the ASTRAL FORM, it conceals the AURA, the
> information the astral form gives off. You can't mask your astral form to
> make it look like a different race, for example, or to make an active form
> appear inactive, but you can mask your aura to conceal your magical
ability,
> initiate status, emotions, relative health, and all of the other things
that
> can be read from the aura.
>
> Steve K.
Steve, I know that the topic has been brought up, but I do believe the best
way to "clarify" the entire "Aura" argument is to make it it's own
topic, or
"subchapter" within the new SR3 magical section.
Aura can identify an awful lot. Biological Auras are different than Non-Bios
(the dead vs. the Living vs. the organic vs. the artificial). Magical Auras
are different than "Mundane" ones. Elven auras are most definitely different
than Draconic ones. You have in all honesty, been using "Aura" in the most
basic and primitive of definitions. I do believe that it is time to go beyond
that.
A magician can "assense" a given sight where magical activity occurred. They
can determine the "type of magic" (Inherent Ability, Hermetic, Shamanic,
Other), the approximate intensity of power involved (raw spell force, lots of
directed emotional content, a calculated action involving ritual energy,
Metamagical Interaction, etc.). The same assensing can give an approximate
amount of time the power/activity occured (within "force" in hours the power
recedes, similar to material link rules). They can also determine if
elemental/spiritual assistance was involved, as such will change/"flavor" the
energy.
The "Aura" is merely a reflection of things, and how well all things are
controlled and/or controllable, will determine if things like the Aura are
"alterable" at all. With Metamagical Quests, the Aura can be
"perceptively
altered". Those that are under the influence of "Possession/Domination"
have
a "shadowed" or "layered" aura. If a person who actually studies such
things
(as in the Aura Reading skill), then they have a really good idea of what they
are wanting to do.
"Blending" one's aura with the background domain can effectively change the
target number Detection Spells and/or Search powers (Astral Camouflage).
"Morphing" one's aura can recreate the apparent "astral signature"
that a
spell or assenser will potentially perceive (am "I" an "enemy" or
not?).
An example...in the game we had Sunday, Binder performed a detailed assensing
on a canister of "Mutated Gamma-Antho-Bacillium"....then performed a
"Masking
Test" to make his aura appear to be that of the viral agent and thus
"hidden"
from the searching spirits/magicians. He then made his way throught he ship.
Counted as a "Complex (Sustained) Action" (duh!) and just kept walking. He
had too. He doesn't have spells and can't directly call upon spirits for
help. He had to find a way, and this was the best one. Moving through a
Toxic Hearth Spirits domain was lethal enough, but this was required.
Another Example....the party had aquired (as in captured) a member of a Cell
from Winternight (a Toxic Raven)...and studied the guy (Quests of True Aura,
True Name, etcetera). They then used the "pervetered aura" of the guy as a
template for an Aura Masking to "fool" their way into the cell's controlled
area. The "Detect Intruders" spell that was going was pitted against the
successes generated in the "Masking Test" (opposed of course) and the
character's that were influenced managed to get close enough to do damage.
Steve, what I am trying (pleading, attempting, begging...) to get across is
that the Aura is malleable. Both consciously and subconsciously. Mood
Swings, Body Chemistry, Spiritual Influence...all do things that are reflected
within the aura of a given individual/entity/object, or even place.
Reconsider what you have suggested...
-K
