From:	leisnj48@****.cis.uwosh.edu leisnj48@****.cis.uwosh.edu
Subject:	Manipulation Spells and Game Mechanics
Date:	Wed, 01 Sep 1999 15:23:08 -0600 (CST)

On Wed, 1 Sep 1999, Gurth wrote:

> According to Gorbi, at 13:45 on 1 Sep 99, the word on
> the street was...
>
> > The astral space and the matrix show us that a person can exist outside
> > the body. But WITHOUT the body? Can anybody give me an explanation
> > except "Well, don't as, it's magic."
>
> You see, that's exactly the problem -- "it's magic" is the only answer
> that will work. Applying physics or chemistry to Shadowrun spells simply
> doesn't work in about 99% of all cases, because magic doesn't stick to the
> rules of science. If it did, how do you explain Levitate, or Flamethrower?

Science can explain /anything/ (except women). *smile*

Since magic is evident, I would think SR's scientists have accepted the
fact that there's the gaiasphere, mana, magic, all that. Right?

You want an explanation for levitate? Here's two: It causes a force to
push the subject upwards. Or, it lessens their 'mana weight' (or maybe
just the area around them), which would result in a direct application of
Archimedes' Principle (definition: the gaiasphere pushes upward on the
subject with a force equal to the 'weight' of the mana the subject
displaces. If the subject's 'mana weight' is lowered, the gaiasphere will
push up on the subject).

Yes, I know that the second creates a problem for magicians levitating,
but if the gaiasphere is really dense, then you can lessen their 'mana
weight' without hindering magical castings.

Flamethrower? The magic spell merely excites the molecules in the air
until they combust, then spreads that effect.


-Jared Leisner
Beginning Physics student, please leave your Flamethrower at home.