From:	Darrell L. Bowman darrell@******.dhr.state.nc.us
Subject:	British Giant
Date:	Thu, 5 Aug 1999 10:51:37 -0400

On 5 Aug 99, at 3:26, Scott Wheelock wrote:

> "And now, a Channel 6 editorial reply to Darrell L. Bowman."
> ] > OK, another stupid question, because I've never played a Shaman before
> ] > (and this is a reason why). Does the totem modifiers go toward BOTH
> ] > Sorcery and Drain tests, or just one or the other, or can they be
> ] > divided as Power Foci?
> ]
> ] Basically adds to Sorcery Pool for that spell. Divide as you
> ] will.
>
> I know this was the case in 2nd Ed., but is it so in 3rd? I thought it
> just added dice to the test, not the Spell Pool.

Ye know Scott, now that you said that, I went back to the
book to look. P.163 of SR3 under Totem Modifiers says,

"A shaman gains bonus dice when using Sorcery or Conjuring
according to the totem's ideals. The shaman may also lose
dice when using magical skills outside the totem's realm.
These bonuses and penalties are called totem modifiers. They
add or subtract from the final number of dice rolled for a
particular test, but do not otherwise modify the shaman's skill
ratings."

It doesn't say a fraggin' thing about spell pool. While it doesn't
come right out and say it, I would now say I was wrong. I
would infer that because it says "gains bonus dice when using
Sorcery or Conjuring," and it doesn't say that it can be used
for spell pool, I'd say it's for the spell casting test only.

---
Always carry plenty of ammo, watch your back,
and never, ever, deal with a dragon.


Nightshade, Human Racoon Shaman
or
Raven, Elven Irish Rigger with an attitude.

Darrell Bowman
darrell@******.dhr.state.nc.us