From:	David Thompson <david.s.thompson@****.EDU>
Subject:	Re: Cyberware and Regeneration
Date:	Tue, 12 May 1998 12:12:32 -0400

At 03:40 PM 5/12/98 +0200, Cobra wrote:
>>DT commented that it says in the SRC that it is the regeneration that
>>causes the cyberware to be rejected. That is, of course, true.
>>(SRC, p. 38). He also said, end of discussion. Not quite true, but
>>close. :)
>
>I don't interpret it like this. IMO, regeneration rejects cyberware that
>has not been installed before the critter (or guy) gains this power.
>In the case of a shapeshifter, nothing is changed since it has the
>regenration power since its birth. For a vampire, I would state that he
>keeps his cyberware when he becomes a vampire but has no possibility to
>implant new ones.
>IMO, cyberware does affect your aura. At the time you lose essence, it
>becomes an integrated part of you (IMO since there's no clear quote on this
>subject in SR). The reason why you can't get cyberware after having become
>regenerative is:
>1/ You can't be hospitalized because regeneration power is much too powerful.
>2/ I would state (but it's only MO) that the aura freezes in some way. I
>see regeneration power as the ability for the corpse to evolve into the
>exact appearance of aura. Thus, since the aura is stabilized (otherwise the
>power couldn't work), you can't accept the alteration from cyberware.

I buy all that, especially about essence loss and cyberware, and it
becoming integrated into your aura. The question then is: if a
shapeshifter is in human form, and has cyberware installed (and it is clear
this is possible), do they not lose any essence. When they transform back
to animal form, it is canon that the cyberware is rejected. Do they lose
essence and get it back, or never lose the essence, or lose the essence and
reject the cyberware anyway.

If they don't lose essence, then you can install as much cyber as you want
in a shifter, and they won't die, so that seems like a very bad solution.

Regaining essence is always a tricky issue, and it seems clear that FASA
has stated it isn't possible.

That leaves that they lose essence, and reject the cyberware anyway. That
would invalidate our idea that essence loss integrates the modifications
into the aura, thereby preventing regeneration from expelling anything.

Hmm, we aren't left with much.

--DT