From: mason
Subject: Re: SR many magic questions (semi-long)
Organization: Rice University  
Date: Mon, 23 Nov 1992 08:11:02 GMT

In article <1992Nov21.213103.28036@oswego.Oswego.EDU>
ma_ind07@oswego.Oswego.edu writes:
 
>    -If you are a mage and you're knocked unconscious while projecting
>          onto the astral plane during-:
>             1-Do you return to your body automatically?
>             2-Does your astral self remain unconscious on the astral plane?
>             3-If your astral self remains unconscious on the astral plane
>             would you then become victim of the 6 hour limit (from essence)
>             4-If you were out in the astral plane for awhile and you only
>             had 5 minutes left and you get knocked out, do you die?
 
Think of a mage's presence on the astral plane as a projection of his
consciousness.  If he loses consciousness, he also loses his astral
presence.  When the two bodies (astral and physical) are separated,
whatever affects one also affects the other.  Thus, damage inflicted
upon the mage's astral body is reflected on his physical body.  Likewise,
damage inflicted on the physical form, reflects on the astral.  Note
that this is why all damage inflicted on a mage's projected
consciousness (including spell drain) is *physical* damage.  There
are advantages and disadvantages to this duality of being.  If a mage
arranges for a guard to protect his body during his "absence", that
guard could cold-cock the physical shell as a means of disrupting the
mage's astral projection.  If a mage's enemies can get to his physical
body, however, then causing damage to it will similarly affect his astral
form.
 
>    -What spells can I cast at an astrally projecting mage (mana/phys)?
 
Mana spells will affect the mage's astral form.  Physical spells will
ground to the mage's body and affect it.  Area-effect physical spells
will also affect anyone close to the mage's body (another of those
disadvantages mentioned earlier).  Damaging manipulation spells will
*not* work.  Stun spells are tricky.  They would ground to the mage's
physical body and do stun damage there, and could thus be used to
remove a mage from astral space without doing him physical harm.
 
>    -Can I cast a physical spell at an astrally projected person and
>          ground the effects were the body is?
 
Yes (see above).
 
>    -Can you ground a fireball down a spell lock?
 
Spells may be cast from astral space at any object that is present
there (including spell locks and active foci), affecting that object
and anyone in physical contact with it.  Area-effect spells may also be
centered on such an object.
 
>    -Is mana the only type of spell you can use against spirits or
>          elementals that are not manifesting?
 
If a spirit is not manifested on the physical plane, then the only
way for a mage to affect it is to attempt to banish it *or* to enter
astral space.  On the astral plane, a mage can engage the spirit in
astral combat, or affect it with mana-based combat spells.  Stun spells
and physical spells will not affect it if the spirit has no physical
manifestation.
 
>    -Can you ground a spell down a spirit/elemental if you are projecting
>          and it is manifested?
 
A manifested spirit is present on both the astral and physical planes,
so area-effect spells cast at the astral form may effect those around
the spririt on the physical plane.  Tip for the shaman: summon a force
one spirit, command it to manifest, then throw a manaball at it.  Yes,
it's brutal, but it works.
 
>    -If you hang a spell on a condition, does it automatically go off
>          or can you stop it?
>    -Can you hang a spell to go off if some astral form comes near you?
>    -To hang a spell do you have to sustian it (and take +2 to target#'s)
>          or can you make a temporary circuit of astral energy (like
>          in quickening) to sustain it.
 
I am unfamilliar with the rules for "hanging" spells.  I believe the
Srun 2 rules for delayed actions make them worthless.
 
Have a pleasant day.
 
-- mason
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