From:	"Ojaste,James [NCR]" <James.Ojaste@**.GC.CA>
Subject:	Re: FASA's On/Off Course?
Date:	Thu, 7 May 1998 13:09:53 -0400

Ereskanti wrote:
>> > It is my opinion that this is wrong, very wrong. While it may not be
>> >apparent all the time, magic in Shadowrun has greatly influenced things.
>> The
>> >Tir Tan Gire(sp) for example would not exist, and that is a big
>difference.
>> Tir Tairngire. Why wouldn't it? You could still have IEs without
>> magic - it'd just be due to high tech.
>>
>> >The NANs would not have been able to reclaim any territory. And, the day
>to
>> >day things that are not necessarily noticed would be very different.
>> So the NAN uses nukes and assault rifles instead of volcanoes.
>>
>No offense folks, but the two examples that are given here have an entirely
>different impact on how the world of SR would work, had they been taken.
>Technology high enough to pursue out Real Immortality would be no different
>IMO than some magically incurred genetic expression. And Nukes/Assault
>Rifles
>vs. Volcanoes??? I don't know...the fallout question keeps coming to my
>mind...

My point was that the *elements* of the story, like "NAN secedes
from the US" or "a weird 'elven' nation secedes from the NAN"
could have been produced using other special effects. I don't
think that SR without magic would be SR - but much of the history
wouldn't necessarily change. The reason that I think that magic
is required in SR is the flavour of the universe - you never know
what to expect, weird stuff is going on all around, you have to
be quick on your feet to avoid stepping on your jaw.

In short, it makes the world more mysterious, leads to interesting
situations (Saeder-Krupp may have formed on its own, but to be
personally visited by Lofwyr is a different matter!), etc.

James Ojaste