From: esper@cs35b.cs.umn.edu (Dave Sherohman)
Subject: Re: Obscure Shadowrun Rules Questions (and my answers)
Organization: University of Minnesota
Date: Wed, 27 Jan 1993 04:41:52 GMT

In article <93020.160747CSD108@psuvm.psu.edu> <CSD108@psuvm.psu.edu> writes:
>In article <C14zsJ.Kn4@rice.edu>, hyatt@owlnet.rice.edu (David Waterman Hyatt)
>says:
>>(1) What exactly do Physical Adepts get in the way of Metamagic?
>>
>>Our Answer:  Centering and Masking.  A Physical Adept may only use
>>DELIBERATE Masking if he/she has Astral Perception.

I also allow Dispelling (if the PA has sorcery skill and astral perception)
and Shielding (self only with (grade+1) dice available in a Shielding Pool
(since PAs don't have a Magic Pool)).  Quickening and Anchoring just don't
seem to lend themselves to non-spellcasters...
>
>  They are the only spells that can affect purely magical
>targets." (p. 127 SRII). I think a spirit qualifies as a purely magical
>target.

When the spirit is manifesting, it is no longer purely magical as it has a
prysical form.
>
>Sigh. Here we go again. All those new abilities listed in the Grimoire 2 are
>only available to PA initiates.

I can't belive that nobody has corrected you on this yet...  Where'd you get
that idea?  Points to note:  1) The new abilities are in The Arts right next to
Elemental Adepts, not in The Higher Mysteries with the effects and benefits of
Initiation.  2) The description for Enhanced Centering specifies that it allows
abilities to be used by "the initiate physical adept"; all other powers specify
either "the adept" or "the physical adept" with no mention of initiatory status.

esper@ima.umn.edu
  What you have to do is save some magic pts.
>when creating the character and buy the new abilities when you initiate.
>(Get ready for some arguments.)
>
>>(7) Can Nature Spirits manifest?
>>
>>Our Answer:  Yes.  Why was this left out?  They
>>can manifest, and we just adjusted the first edition codes using the
>>same rules provided for adjusting the codes in the Paranormal Animals
>>book.
>>
>They didn't leave it out. "A nature spirit in its astral form, present only
>in astral space, can only use those powers that directly protect or benefit
>the shaman, such as concealment, guard, or movement. To use its powers on
>others, a nature spirit must assume its manifest form." (p. 140 SRII)
>>
>>(9) How many people can Spirits use group-affecting powers on?  Exactly
>>which powers ARE group-affecting?
>>
>>Our Answer:  A spirit may use group-affecting powers on a number of
>>beings equal to its Force.  A Great Spirit may use group-affecting
>>powers against anyone in its domain.
>>
>I could swear I read somewhere about limits on this kind of thing, but I
>can't find anything about it now.
>
>>(11) Should Bioware cost the mage Essence?
>>
>>Our Answer:  No, but make it cost Magic instead.  That just makes
>>more sense to me as a hand-wavy way of rationalizing things.  Just
>>say that "bioware is disruptive to the harmony of the mage's aura, etc."
>>Or some other such nonsense.
>>
>It does reduce the magic attribute, just like cyberware.  It says this some-
>where in Shadowtech.
>
>--Presto
>
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