From:	David Fallon dfallon@****.edu
Subject:	A perfectly acceptable reason to test the new list...
Date:	Mon, 8 Feb 1999 11:13:49 -0800

>We all know how munchie a mage/shama can become once, if his initiation
>rating is high enough, he tries to cram cyber into his body...
>
>So the question is this... We all know there are no rules against
>Mages/Shamans getting cyber... We all know all they must do is leave a
>magic rating of 1 intact, and the initiations will compensate for any loss
>(although I'm obviously talking about high-level characters here).
>
>So, should roleplaying dictate the fact that a mage/shaman
>(goddamn...magic-user :) ) cannot get cyber? Should we ostracize any
player
>with munchie intentions, or, as GMs, make them hard as hell on them to get
>cyber?
>
>I view with much doubt a Magic-user who intends to have himself cybered-up,
>since it's obviously not a way to advance his character's
persona/story/etc,
>but a blatant move to boost his already formidable stats (we're talking
>about a level 2-6 initiate) and powers...
>
>Isn't that the definition of a munckin? Can anyone justify a mage of
>perfect health getting cyber, in the name of "character development"?


It's _very_ hard to justify a true roleplaying reason for having a mage just
walk into a chopshop and go "hey, doc, pop out my eyes, I want a new pair.".
In fact, that should be fairly difficult for _anyone_ to do, much less
someone so in tune with their body. I would recommend two things if a
player persists in doing this. One, slap a psychological penalty on them.
They're either clinically paranoid, or start developing multiple
personalities, or become suicidally depressed, or something. Basically, some
device that allows you to justify taking control of the character for brief
periods of time and having them act crazy. This will put a health scare into
the player... They all of a sudden wake up and realize they're tottering on
the edge of a ledge on the top of their building.
Second, I'd continue to encourage a player like that to keep getting
cyberware installed. Have them see brochures on the subject, tell them
there's a special deal... wired reflexes 2 alphaware for the low, low
price...
Get them to point where they're tottering right on the edge of being a
mundane... Then give 'em a deadly wound or two, and see how they handle the
mundane world. Don't let them just install a beta smartgun link and mag3
eyes...