| From: | William Gallas <wgallas@*****.FR> |
|---|---|
| Subject: | Re: Auras, Masking and "Real" Magic |
| Date: | Tue, 30 Dec 1997 17:30:22 +0100 |
>I both believe in and practice magic myself (as those of you who read the
>interview of Fro's Shadowrun Supplimental know). I'm a pagan. I believe magic
>is real. I have dozens of books on magical theory from Crowley to Carroll to
>Starhawk. I also know that much of the original Shadowrun magi system is
>based on Paul Hume's personal experiences with magic. (Paul is a practicing
>mage in the Thelemic tradition and an initiate of the Ordo Templi
>Orientalis).
AH AH AH AH AH AH !!!! This was a joke, doesn't it ??? :)
>That said, the basic question being debated is: "how does astral space
work?"
>specifically, what is the aura and how can it be modified? Unfortunately, for
>the moment, that's a question that is (obviously) somewhat unclear in the
>existing Shadowrun rules.
Ok.
>How we choose to define the aura in SR3 will help to decide some of these
>questions. For example, if we define the aura as the halo of "light"
>surrounding something in astral space, seperate from the "astral body"
>itself, then changes to the aura do not necessarily affect the actual
>appearance of the astral body. In this case, you can change the INFORMATION
>your aura gives off, but not your "astral appearance." So, you always look
>like the astral form of a human (or whatever) but you can appear mundane,
>magical, initiate, cybered or not, ill or in good health, and whatever
>emotional state you want, but you cannot (for example) appear to be an elf or
>a wendigo (you could appear to be a vampire--a human with HMHVV--however).
I really really don't like. Aura different from astral appearance ??? Aura
would be a halo of light ??? From what would come this light ? If it comes
from astral body, it's almost the same as astral body. If not... Well, I
don't know from what... it's less clear than before in this case.
>OTOH, if we define the aura as "the astral form and all the information it
>projects." Then perhaps Masking can alter an astral form's entire appearance.
>In this case, the astral form of an initiate has pseudo "shape-shifting"
>abilities on the astral, at least where appearance is concerned (whether or
>not the astral form actually changes shape is another kettle of fish
>entirely).
I prefer this one and I don't see why could masking enable you to change
your astral form. You can change the awakened part of your soul but that's
all and it's good like this. Just think about a mage appearing like a great
dragon in face of a great dragon appearing like a mouse and you will agree
with me.
>Does the aura change under the effects of something like a shapechange
>spells? The honest answer is I don't know for sure. The rules aren't terribly
>clear on that matter. I would tend to say not. Since "everything displays its
>true form in astral space" I would think you would see the true form of the
>shapeshifted or transformed subject. But it all depends on how things like
>the aura and Masking are defined.
Again, I don't see why it would... If a shapeshifter in human still has its
original appearance, I don't why a mage wouldn't.
>Things are in flux right now, so all I can
>do is interpret the SR2 rules and give you vague ideas that have been bandied
>around for SR3. The goal of SR3 is to more clearly define (and in some cases
>re-define) existing terminology to make it clear, playable and (most
>importantly) FUN.
>When more progress is made, I'll try and share the new information as I can.
Cooool. But please, don't use the first statement! :)
>Take care and have a happy New Year,
>Steve K.
Thank you. You too.
Cobra.
E-mail adress : wgallas@*****.fr
Quote : "Never trust an elf"
