| From: | Ereskanti@***.com Ereskanti@***.com |
|---|---|
| Subject: | Astral Defences |
| Date: | Mon, 13 Sep 1999 12:22:32 EDT |
meroeandjeremy@*******.com.au writes:
> I have a few questions regarding a comment on page 173 of the 3rd
> ed. rulebook. At the end of the section on Astral Movement it states
> "The Earth is solid on the astral plane, just as it is in
> the physical world; astral forms cannot pass through it. Secure
facilities
> are often built underground to keep out astral intruders."
Oh the fun of the "Living Earth" concept.
> My questions are-
> How deep underground?
In game terms, I *think* the mechanics vary actually. The degree of movement
through living earth via astral projection is *VERY* slow and *VERY*
dangerous. MitS I *think* updated this rule some, but if it did, it's no
real help.
IMO, and no I have NOT looked this up to verify this, any depth of a one (1)
full meter or more would qualify as some kind of "astral barrier" IMO. It
may be less, it may be more (sorry).
> How thick a layer of earth is required?
See above.
> Would a cave, or the like, be acceptable?
In most cases, I would say yes without question. This may in fact be *part*
of the reason for a "Dragon's Lair" if one thinks about it for a while.
> If so can you build something like a mud hut, ie shape the earth above
> ground level (build a cave)? If so what constructions can still qualify as
> Earth; mud-brick, wattle and daub,..... mud facing on some other material.
*THIS* has always been the part I like. I would suggest the following for
allowances for "Living Earth" construction materials.
Unhewn stones that are put together with mud/grass (not dry straw) to
stucco/mortar it all together.
Fire Kiln materials (brick, porcelain, etc.) will NOT qualify for these
materials.
Concrete is not considered Living Earth. HOWEVER, there may be a way using
Enchanting to come up with said materials and create an "Alchemists Brick".
Follow the rules for Refinement of minerals and such and you can begin to get
some ideas on what is possible. The "Kiln" needed for said "bricks"
would
have to be special, probably a cost modifier to the Enchanter's Shop fees
that are present in MitS (Magic in the Shadows). Alternatively, with
"concrete", the right kind of mix would do it, and some kind of unit
proportion could be worked out with radicalized materials included in the mix
(just a thought...yes, we've done this in the games here, but they are
EXPENSIVE!!!).
Creation of a purely earthen structure done by way of Shape Earth, Earth
Elementals, Gnomes (the spirit kind, not the metahuman variant) or Land-Based
nature spirit might readily be able to provide such means as to create such
an environment. Shadowrun doesn't really give great ideas for how long it
would take an elemental/spirit to "build a house" (cave, hohokam(sp?), or
lair), but IMO, it shouldn't be something capable of doing too quickly.
Perhaps give the barrier of the intended house a number to shoot for or use
the spirits/elementals force as the number of cubic meters per hour or
something.
> N.B. I don't expect the last to qualify, but I am curious to know
> where people draw the line, since the 'overgrown ivy on the wall', no
longer
> works as a cheap astral defence, I was looking at other options.
Well, it works, its just no longer "cheap". Biofiber and Guardian Vines both
exist in MitS. And, with a little bit of (para)botany, crossing some
categories of plants is often well worth the effort. And, though Shadowrun
again doesn't really cover this too much, the idea that *some* plants would
have a more significant astral presence should exist and could be used by
many people as alternative methods. In truth, and entire line of business
expansions for "Paranormal Plants" might exist in the larger cities or those
with better connections at places like larger nurseries or perhaps the more
"experienced" gardeners.
-K
