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From: Ereskanti <Ereskanti@***.COM>
Subject: An Explanation or Two (and an apology)(Re: Inherent Magical
Date: Wed, 31 Dec 1997 21:35:19 EST
In a message dated 97-12-31 16:56:06 EST, mbreton@**.NETCOM.COM writes:

> > Matt, you need help.
>
> I wonder about you and all these personal attacks: are you having a good
> day?

I am sorry to get so sardonic on ya guy...but there is a severe point of
inflexibility that is being approached upon. The principle reason that I am
putting forth ALL of this energy on the subject is because of the development
of SR3. I guess you could say I am "arguing on behalf of the flexible
view"...

I -DO- apologize for making things so personal....and actually, things are not
so bad at work, they are just -there-.....(shrug)

> > What I am effectively asking about is what happens when
> > the Physical Adept attacks the Barrier put forward by the individual in
> > question. In normal circumstances, I know what happens were it a normal
> > spell. In this case, it is not. It's a Magical Edge.
>
> > And besides, "Psychokinesis" in this case is a variation on the words
"
> Magic
> > Fingers" (geesh, that was a no brainer....).
>
> So? There are Edges that come very close to duplicating mage spells,
> and Edges that only resemble them by way of intended function and not
> the mechanics; presumably, you'd though of this before incorporating a
> homebrew Edge of your own. Without giving the rules for using the Edge,
> you can't really expect a response. It sounds as if you were just
> looking for people to come forward and say, "Treat it like a spell!" for
> you. Why, I do not know.

In a way, I was looking for that. I am the kind of person that like's to test
how people respond, to get a feel for things and see what is out there...by
leaving the "idea door" wide open as I did, even if it meant "baiting"
people
into a heated discussion, I was also trying to find the limits of the negative
as well as the positive. I do this inately now...it's an OLD habit...

As for the Edge "Psychokinesis", it is principly Magic Fingers, but treated
more like the "paranormal power" instead of the spell. Made it a "5
point"
Edge, instead of 4. Took a bit to earn it here (we still would like some FASA
rulings on how you actually "buy" or "develop" edges after character
creation
btw). Looked for some flexibility and yet kept the drain and sustaining
tests/modifiers in order to retain the balance as well.

It's also a leftover from the "anchored magic fingers" that Binder once had...

> You apparently want to treat it as a Barrier, so (d'oh) it gets treated
> like a barrier. That being said, the only thing lacking is the basis
> for the Force of
> the Barrier; I see it as a toss-up between the user's Magic attribute or
> Essence (if you allow magical edges to edges -- FASA Companion rules
> rather than the original Steve Kenson rules) and the user's Willpower.

From the beginning of game mechanics, I agree with you here...the "Willpower"
I am not certain of where you are coming from though...are you referring to
the "Willpower" mentioning in "Clout" for Telekinetic Manipulations?

> So, the physad attacks, and either breaks the Barrier or he doesn't;
> using normal Magic Barrier rules, the barrier would spring back to full
> strength at Initiative Phase 0.. one of the reasons I wouldn't allow
> this Edge, or this usage of Magic Fingers.
> -Mb

It would do so -if- it wasn't constantly antagonized by an outside force of
some type, yes. What I am still looking for the connection between the "edge"
(an inherent type of magic instead of a spell) and the "subconscious
relationship with magic". Steve K. has, IMHO, stepped back into this arena.
-K

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