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From: geoff@ISM780B.UUCP
Newsgroups: net.games.frp
Subject: Re: Using a light spell as a laser
Message-ID: <24500001@ISM780B.UUCP>
Date: Tue, 26-Nov-85 11:10:00 EST
Article-I.D.: ISM780B.24500001
Posted: Tue Nov 26 11:10:00 1985
Date-Received: Fri, 29-Nov-85 08:48:36 EST
References: <880@nmtvax.UUCP>
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Nf-ID: #R:nmtvax:-88000:ISM780B:24500001:000:2720
Nf-From: ISM780B!geoff    Nov 26 11:10:00 1985


>   This is a device I thought about for a possible campaign. Take some rough
>  crystal [... description of primative laser ]
>    To use, cast a light spell ( normally level 1 ) to originate from inside
> the crystal. The crystal will concentrate the light into a cutting beam,
> suitable for slicing prison bars, drilling holes into adamantine, or slicing
> live dragon into dragon steaks.
> Could anyone give me some suggestions for play restrictions on the use of
> this device?
Yes, DON'T ALLOW IT AT ALL (Can you say Play Balance? I knew you could!).
Do you really want a 1st level spell to kill a dragon?
Ok, Ok, If you want a techno explanation, consider how a laser really
works:  The light bounces back and forth Zillions of times before exiting
the laser, right?  BUT the range of a light spell is quite small (~30ft
radius?), as a DM, I would rule that the light exceeded it's range before
getting anywhere.  (I might let you use it to slice paper 8^) ).  The
idea isn't terrible--I might let you use such a device to focus a
_lightning bolt_ so as to cut prison bars, but using a light spell to
kill dragons?  Not a chance in Hell.  Maybe as a very powerful magic item
(i.e., one that can't be produced by non-magical crafts) it would be
reasonable, since it's just a Techno description of a Wand of Lightning
Bolts.

    Personally, I prefer less mundane descriptions in MY magical world.
In this world, Physics just aren't the same.  For example, gravity is
`caused' by the attraction the Earth has for matter originating on the
Earth, and magic is MAGIC (not `sufficently advanced technology').  Magic
items work because they are `inhabited' by the spirits of various
(usually dead) creatures (e.g. a magic hammer is inhabited by an ogre
spirit).  It's really a lot more fun that way, you get to Role-Play a lot
more, (There's a fighter in my champaign who has to sink nearly all of
his treasure into fancy sheaths for his very vain sword--or the sword
will sulk and refuse to be magical.)  This limits the amount of rules
lawyering too, since the players can't argue for consistancy with the
real world, only for consistancy _within_the_fantasy_ world. Questions
like `does an arrow hit by an "enlarge" spell in mid flight lose or gain
momentum?' have no relevance, hence aren't a problem.
    I've digressed enough, if you want a techno-based magic system, go
ahead and let someone mass produce laser cannon for the masses, as for
myself, I'll pass.


	  Geoffrey Kimbrough -- Director of Dangerous Activities --
	  INTERACTIVE Systems Corporation, Santa Monica California.
	     {decvax!vortex || ihnp4!allegra!ima}!ism780b!geoff

    If I can be of any help, you're in worse trouble than I thought.