[Torg] Another round of magic questions

[Kansas Jim]

Chris wrote:

> I didn't think the mage in the example from the original post was 
> disconnected. Though maybe I'm missing some crucial piece of contextual 
> information. Other than that, I have nothing to add to this discussion. 
> But under the impression that the mage is not disconnected, the rules on 
> 212 would apply and the rules on 207 would be moot.

No, the mage in Jerry's example was not disconnected.

Here was my reasoning: a disconnected character cannot create a
contradiction. A disconnected mage is unable to release impressed
spells (p207) which suggests that releasing an impressed spell is a
contradictory action. If it is contradictory to release an impressed
spell, a mage who has not disconnected will need to make a contradiction
check when he releases an impressed spell same as performing any other
contradictory action.

As a Tech-based parallel to this line of reasoning, think of a character
using a matchlock pistol in the Living Land. A Fire Combat skill check
is required to load the weapon and then a second one is required to fire
it, both of which will involve contradiction checks. Impressing a spell
is thus like the loading and releasing it is like the firing, two
actions so two possible contradictions.

But I've found the flaw in my line of thought. Impressing a spell isn't
like loading a weapon and then later firing it, it's not two separate
actions (even though two die rolls are usually involved.) Impressed
spells are already cast but the effect is "held in check" by the act
of impression; the contradiction check being made when you cast an
impressed spell is for this act of putting it on hold, not for the
spell effect. When you release a spell you're not firing it like you
fire the matchlock, you're simply no longer holding back the effect.
That's why when you release an impressed spell the axiom of the magic
effect comes into play, not the axiom of impressing the spell. So p212
is correct.

So what about p207? That's also correct. The flaw in my earlier line
of reasoning was thinking that if a disconnected mage cannot release
his impressed spells it's because it requires Magic 17 to release an
impressed spell. That's not why he cannot release an impressed spell.
He can't release an impressed spell because while disconnected he
cannot make a contradictory tool work, he cannot operate the mental
switch necessary to release the spell effect from its impressed state.
To use a different Tech parallel, it's like a disconnected person
with a loaded gun, even if he pulls the trigger nothing is going to
happen because he simply cannot make the tool work even though it is
under normal circumstances (ie, axioms) a perfectly functional tool.

Clear as mud? What was the original question again? :)

-- 
Kansas Jim, Torg guru (ksjim (at) sdc (dot) org)
Torg website: http://www.sdc.org/~ksjim/index.html