From: desanto@uvahep.phys.Virginia.EDU
Newsgroups: alt.games.torg
Subject: Re: a SPI question
Date: 11 Nov 92 01:33:21 GMT
Organization: University of North Texas
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From:	MX%"ssd2q@uva.pcmail.Virginia.EDU" 10-NOV-1992 20:08:12.14
To:	DESANTO
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Subj:	Re: A SPI Question

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From: "Steven S. DeSanto" <ssd2q@uva.pcmail.Virginia.EDU>
Date: Tue, 10 Nov 92 20:05:05 EST
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To: desanto@uvahep.phys.Virginia.EDU
Subject: Re: A SPI Question

On Nov 10,  3:03pm, "Colin J. Wynne" wrote:
> Subject: A SPI Question
> Here's a question:
>
> If the spirit axiom is assumed to represent some form of stored
> possibility energy associated with a given religion within a cosm, what
> are the effects on invoking from out of cosm?

Gee, where did this come from, Colin?  :)

>
> For example, in the LL, the only stored p-energy is for Keta Kalles.  What
> are the metaphysical mechanics of, say, a Dunad worshipper invoking?  Do
> they just draw p-energy from their home cosm using their attachment via
> the Everlaws?

This is the only possible explanation.  No God would provide tangible
assistance to a non-believer.  A Dunad worshipper could only receive help
from Dunad, using his attachment to the Aysle reality.

>
> A related question:  "The God of the Sacellum is a jealous god.  He
> specifically denies His miracles to anyone without faith(Sacellum)."  in
> game terms, no non-Sacellum worshippers can learn Sacellum miracles.

This is crap.  There's no reason for it.  I think the idea was that the
Sacellum miracles are very "Wrath of God upon the Unbelivers" oriented.  Few
other beliefs would require these miracles (CP and some Aysle gods excluded).
 Therefore, this bogus rule should keep characters of other faiths from
gaining them.

>
> Alright.  What does it mean to invoke to learn a foreign miracle?  Are you
> asking your god to generate a new miracle identical to the one granted by
> another god?
>
> If Father Hardy (Sacellum) invokes and receives Crisis of Faith (CP
> miracle), is he asking the Sacellum God to duplicate that miracle?  Or, is
> he actually praying to the CP God for a miracle?
>
> Since invoking for a miracle uses one's personal SPI axiom (e.g., Father
> Hardy invokes at Orrorshian SPI 17 to get Crisis of Faith), the former
> explanation, that of asking your god to reproduce another god's miracle,
> seems more likely.  In that case, what does the Sacellum God have to do
> with denying that CPapist the chance to invoke for, say, Hellfire?

IMO, the priest is asking his god to duplicate an effect he has seen
elsewhere.  The Sacellum priest should have no contact with the CP god.  This
interpretation makes the "jealous Sacellum god" ridiculous, unless there are
conflicts between gods on some higher plane (where munchkins haven't found
them yet :).

This allows the GM to play the "jealous" gods without there being a game
mechanic for it.  Simply make sure that any miracle invoked by the priest
fits firmly within the ideology of that priest's god.  Very few gods are into
the pillar-of-salt-or-flame-from-the-ground-to-smite-your-enemies type
displays, so few priests would have access to Sacellum combat miracles.

Or,
If you believe the other interpretation, that the Sacellum priest is actually
asking the CP god for help, then there should be some other consequences.

(1) the priest should still be able to use his focus (his ability to cast
miracles remains), but should not be able to use his adds in faith(something
else) for the invocation.
(2) actually, the adds in faith(something else) should *hinder* the miracle,
so there should be some kind of conflict of faith, akin to the effects of
healing a character of differing faith, which could result in damage (or
death) to the priest.

This would then allow the "jealous" gods to hoard their miracles.


Steve DeSanto
ssd2q@uva.pcmail.virginia.edu
Newsgroups: alt.games.torg