From:	AirWisp <AirWisp@***.COM>
Subject:	Re: Initiation Advancement (Re: Foretelling)
Date:	Sun, 28 Dec 1997 00:16:04 EST

In a message dated 97-12-27 17:30:24 EST, mooreb@*****.FAC.COM writes:

> How do you handle the fact that some Metamagical Abilities are one-shot
> things that you learn and never advance with? For example, Quickening
> doesn't increase as your Initiate level increases (IIRC). On the other
> hand, Shielding does. A Karma-conserving mage would join a group that
> had LOTS of abilities just to learn them, and then join a different
> group to advance Shielding and Masking (IIRC the only abilities that
> are based on initiate grade).
>
Okay, time to settle some issues stated above ...

1. Shielding is nothing more than dice assigned from your Magic Pool for the
purposes of Shielding. This means that a Grade 0 initiate with a Magic Pool
of 20 has up to 20 dice for their Shielding, and only by increasing the Magic
Pool by taking the Sorcery skill up or getting enchantments that increase the
Magic Pool will the pool ever increase.

2. Masking, once learned is always there ...

As for why to join a group, there are several reasons ...

1. For the reduced karma cost involved in initiating as a group ...

2. By sharing the experience you have when going up in grade you spread ideas
and inspirations ... doing something alone is not as rewarding as doing
something with more than one person, and especially when one is among friends
hopefully ...

Mike