Following the discussion concerning triggering contact preps. I've been considering the magical implications of something being alive and sapient in the cosmology of SR. In particular AI and Sprites. So to me if something is alive and is sapient then it must have an aura. Now what exactly the means in terms of systematic interaction is really the point this conversation, and I hope it will develop into an interesting plot for an up coming campaign. All that said to be very clear and up front this whole thread should be strictly considered as a house rule and have no bearing on RAW or RAI.
So first my basic assumption is AI and sprites have always had auras, but magic researches at MIT&T have only just discovered how to see them, as they appear in a different spectrum or wave length then is normally visible to astral perception. While this theory was purposed by Chaos magic thaumaturges almost decade ago, it was only recently confirmed when a spell was created to enhance the spectrum seen by astral perception.
That said Assensing AI to date has yet to provide meaningful data on anything or then individual basis, as it appears AI thought process and emotions do not correspond to base line assensing techniques, and each individual AI thought process/Emotion appears to be unique to the individual, or the simple size has just been too small to establish a meaningful base line.
Doubters claim the spell created is simply an AI detection spell, and researchers are being fooled by the AI volunteers, as just another step in the AI's plot to overthrow and enslave humanity aided by their technomancer servants.
So, what if any systematic consequences do you see coming from employing this house rule? Any particular plot suggestions that occurs to you based upon this house rule?
In a mostly unrelated note I finished cleaning up my wand style. Any Comments on that? I do want to try and run a season of Wizard's Duel as a game sometime. But trying to figure out more specifically the system for accomplishing it.
Olwa Túrë or Wand Mastery
The newest craze in the magic subculture is wand dueling enabled by a new martial art style: Wand Mastery or Olwa Túrë for the Sperethiel speakers among us. While its detractors often refer to its practitioners as twig jocks. The Style's techniques have been shown to increase physical combat spell effectiveness when channeling spells through a combat wand. The style has been popularized by the hit Trid Show Wizard’s Duel (Now on Season 3!). In the show contestants attempt to disarm their opponent's combat wand, generally after a great many showy magical effects of course. The overall winner receiving a powerful wand dubbed a Master Wand. To use this school practitioners must have a "Combat Wand". (A Combat Wand is defined as an Active Combat Spell Focus that is a wooden wand.)
Available Techniques:
Wand Precision. By changing the origin point for a spells from the eyes or other body party to the combat wand tip, the caster achieves greater precision. When casting an indirect combat spell with the range of LOS using their combat wand, the spellcaster adds +1 die to the Spellcasting+Magic [Force] vs Intuition+Reaction opposed test.
Mana Mastery. As an Initiate or Istar increases their mastery of Olwa Túrë, they learn to over channel mana through their combat wand increasing their spells effectiveness. When casting an indirect combat spell with the range of LOS using their combat wand the spell has +1 DV this also raises the drain difficulty by 1.
Bending of the Wand. Olwa Túrë teaches that the best way to defeat your enemy is to avoid their attack. The Istar practices dodging while continuing to aim their wand combat . (See R&G Page 135, Bending of the Reed, +1 die when using the dodge interrupt action.)
Wandjutsu. Through constant, repeated drilling an Istar masters drawing their wand with lightning speed. (It also helps that Olwa Túrë teaches its practitioners to carry their wands in their sleeves.) A Caster may draw a wand that is sheathed up their sleeve as a free action when taking the casting complex action.
Diswanding. The True Master of Olwa Túrë known as a Curunír have achieved such precision that they can disarm their opponents while otherwise leaving them unharmed. Mastery of this technique allows the caster to attempted a Blast out of Hand called shot when using any indirect Combat Spell with ranged LOS, and reduces the called shot penalty by -1 (Becomes a -3 Penalty, see SR5 Core Page 195.) Regardless of success or failure the spell causes no damage. (This Technique can only be learned by the martial artist after they have mastered all other techniques in this style.)
Thanks for reading!
[Edit changed life to sapient life must have an aura.]
