[firebug]

This isn't asking if there's mechanics, or about potential balance--  This is asking, does anyone know of such a thing happening to a magician in the (canon) history of Shadowrun?  It would obviously be a momentous event for the person, and I'm curious if it's even been established as possible.

I have a feeling that such a thing happening in a long plot wouldn't be overstepping any boundaries, though.

[PiXeL01]

There was a story about a troll Sam who suddenly awakened as a bear shaman. A spirit used him as a conduit, forcing all his cyberware out in the process and restoring his essence. It is one of those 1st Ed stories though.

[Reaver]

Doesn't hapoen in any of the fluff I have read.

By the fluff (and I guess rules), once you awaken aspected, you never "grow out" of it.

But in a home brew campaign? Do what you want! If the Canon police actually had any teeth, they would have dragged my GM away to behind the woodshed a long time ago

[Beta]

The buy with karma system in run faster could even give a basis for a house rule, I'd think.  Pay twice the differential and have story justification.

[firebug]

Well, like I said this isn't about mechanics or game balance for it.  I just wanted to know if it ever happened.  It could be an interesting plot point for a game to have it somehow actually happen to someone, despite it being supposedly impossible.

[Sendaz]

To date I can not recall such an 'upgrade' happening canon-wise, but I would certainly consider it as an option at the game table.

Probably calling for an initiation to make the transition and a karma payout as suggested above.

[Patrick Goodman]

Seamus O'Toole was a dwarf sorcerer in "Blowing Sky High" in the Shadowrun Returns Anthology. By the time we see him again in Sail Away, Sweet Sister, he's a vampire with a fire elemental in his front yard. He had to get that from someplace, and a sorcerer couldn't have summoned him....

I don't think I blatantly spelled it out, but his Infection coaxed the rest of his Talent out of him; he's a full-blown mage now, though his conjuring and such definitely take a back seat to his sorcery. I'm pretty sure I left enough crumbs to follow that trail, though.

[firebug]

I thought that sort of thing would also be possible.  Thanks, Patrick!  I can imagine now, an aspected magician feeling conflicted as they, just for a moment, honestly consider Infection to see if it would remove their limitations.

[Sendaz]

But to be fair, a number of Infected types have been shown to awaken it's victim, even those who had NO magical presence prior to Infection so upgrading an aspected to full in this situation is not so unexpected.

Though now I am imagining some bean counter in a corp somewhere presenting a powerpoint to the execs above how great it would be to ramp up their aspected mages on staff to full mage status (and thus greater value as an company asset) by introducing an Infected to the company magic pool for a bit of Nip & Sip to see if they can kickstart any into full magicians.  Plus hey, Infected generally don't get CFD so win-win on that front.

Sure there will be lots of waivers and other paperwork needing signing, plus moving around schedules to accommodate the new night shift, along with some creative culinary addtions to the corp cafeteria after dark, but hey that's what you have the HR department for right?

[MijRai]

...  I like the cut of your jib, Sendaz. 

[firebug]

Indeed.  I imagine dark rumors on the street that sound completely bunk to the common man.  "Yo, I heard once you reach a certain status in [AA corporation] they invite you into the inner circle, where everyone is really a vampire!"  "Their board meetings are actually where they feast of people!  Like, they talk business too, but...  They also drink people dry."

[MijRai]

So like the Ordo Maximus, but not as posh?

[SMDVogrin]

So like the Ordo Maximus, but with more PowerPoint and Excel?

Fixed that for you.

[MijRai]

So like the Ordo Maximus, but with more PowerPoint and Excel?

Fixed that for you.

Essence Drain through the despair caused by death by PowerPoint?

[The Wyrm Ouroboros]

It's mostly Excel.  But you'd be surprised at how often that works ...