From:	Bruce gyro@********.co.za
Subject:	Cyber-Mages (was: A perfectly acceptable...)
Date:	Wed, 10 Feb 1999 16:20:25 +0200

-----Original Message-----
From: Scott Wheelock <iscottw@*****.nb.ca>
To: shadowrn@*********.org <shadowrn@*********.org>
Date: 10 February 1999 02:21
Subject: Re: Cyber-Mages (was: A perfectly acceptable...)


>"And now, a Channel 6 editorial reply to Gurth."
>]But, many players don't see it that way.. they see it "I'll get to
1.1
>]essence, so's I don't lose my Magic, then Initiate up from there"
(That goes
>]for Physads I might add)... And that's the problem, IMHO...
>
> Well, to use a non-politically correct example, I know people who
>use drugs (GASP!) They use some, avoid others, sometimes go
>months without using, etc. They are walking the line in the same
>way that cyber-mages do. A cyber-mage looks at the pros and cons,
>weighs the benefits, and goes under the knife until the point where
>she/he deems it wise to stop. Same with the user. Whether or not
>the user succumbs and starts taking crack or PCP instead of more
>tame substances is the same as whether or not the mage gets cybered
>to the point of becoming mundane. All you need is willpower,
>brains, and a little research. A decent willpower on the character
>should explain why the character doesn't burn-out voluntarily (and
>if you're playing a mage with a willpower of less than 4, a decent
>willpower, you need to rethink your strategy).


<snip apologies & .sig>

I think thats a sharp analogy. No apologies needed.

As with all the good things in life, moderation, perspective and self
control will preserve your sanity and help you set limits for
yourself.

More on topic though, I feel a mage who decides to get cybered should
do it either in small incremints, maybe starting with the lowest
Essence item first. While thinks makes for a lot of wasted time and
yen, for surgery and recovery respectively, it does reflect the
magic-user's paranoia about ruining his "gift"

Another option is to meticulously plan a "bundle" or "package deal"
procedure. This brings it all down to one Op, but the threat of
further magic loss from invasive surgery and a deadly wound exists.

In my opinion, most mages will know more about the workings of
cyberware than of magic. Additionally, I figure that people will react
more suspiciouly to mages and spell casting than to the heavily
cybered. As an explanation, answer the following question. Who do you
trust? Sean Hill, the guy you went to High school with and who is now
a cybered up Urban Brawler making the big money, or the local mage,
who may or may not know the Control Actions spell? :) My point is that
in a world torn apart by racism and the widening gap between rich and
poor, I dont think the magically active would be scorned by their
peers for making an intelligent descision.

As for the game mechanics behind the whole deal and the min-maxing
munchies out there, who cares?

0.02¥

-- BRUCE <gyro@********.co.za>

<hard@****>

Step from my tables as I start to chop
I'm a lumberjack DJ Adrock
If you try to knock me you'll get mocked
I'll stir fry you in my wok

Beastie Boys - Intergalactic