From:	Wolfchild nathan.olsen@*******.msus.edu
Subject:	Background count (was: Improved Reflexes, Adepts, and truly inane questions.)
Date:	Tue, 3 Aug 1999 07:07:38 -0500 (CDT)

On Tue, 3 Aug 1999, Dennis Steinmeijer wrote:

> What's up with this background count? Does it have something to do with a
> disruption of the astral realm like the rift that was created at the
> assassination of Dunkelzahn? I know that when something is knifed in an
> alley it's not that serious...but I can't think of anything else you would
> mean by "background count". Are there rules for it?

I may not be the best to explain what a background count is since I've
never owned any of the grimoire/awakenings/MitS books, but as I understand
it a background count is essentially a region of astral space that
"ripples" due to some kind of extreme emotion that occured in the area at
some point. Most background counts fade over a relatively short period of
time (a few days), but if the emotion was extreme enough like in any death
camp, it can last for decades or even longer. Also, a background count can
manifest from either positive or negative emotions. A brutal murder may
leave a background count but so will a passionate lovemaking session
between two long lost lovers.

Think of it this way. You know when you walk into a room where there has
just been an arguement and the air seems unusually "thick"? That's
represented as a background count in SR. You can find more information in
MitS and possibly Awakenings or Grimoire.


Wolfchild - "Discinctaque in otia natus."
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