From:	mneideng@****.caltech.edu (Mark L. Neidengard)
Subject:	Re: Dunkelzahn
Date:	Mon, 19 Aug 1996 11:38:04 -0700 (PDT)

>>>>>[*sigh* Someone had to bring up the Great Ghost Dance, didn't they.
It was certainly a graphic demonstration about how much of an effect magic
could have on the world, but it was also a graphic demonstration of how much
_harm_ magic can cause to those who use it without knowing what they're
doing. Current best estimates from "sources" in the field put the death toll
for that "little ritual" at upwards of 40 percent, which strikes me as a rather
_hollow_ victory for the Amerinds at best. It's fortunate for them that noone
had the wherewithal to stage a counterattack at the time. It certainly
wouldn't work again.

As for removing all the mana from a particular area of space: it won't happen.
The Gaiasphere is a _far_ greater potential well than one, one hundred, or
even a hundred thousand shamans could hope to disrupt. The mere act of trying
to create a "magical vacuum" would be to difficult to even initiate for nearly
any known magical power, and would probably disrupt even a Free Spirit who
tried.

And as for orbital flights, shamans et. al. should avoid them only if they
plan on taking all those illicit spell locks and whatnot onto them. As long as
no active magic is used, they're perfectly safe for mortal spellcasters. I
should know; I've done it myself on numerous occasions and haven't lost a shred
of Talent. Beings whose body requires magic to remain whole are, of course,
a different story. As for the "insanity" bit, I subscribe to the
"explosive
expansion into vacuum" school of thought. The curious may wish to check out
<<ENCRYPTED>> for the latest results of researchers in the field.

I don't know how Dunkelzahn got offed, but if nothing else it should serve as a
graphic reminder that these "great, powerful" beings still have their
weaknesses. It's a warning that we all could profit from I bet.]<<<<<
-- Jason Tyler <11:27:13 / 08-19-57>