ParanetOnline

The Dresden Files => DFRPG => Topic started by: bcillustration on May 21, 2010, 12:46:22 AM

Title: Technomage! (technomancer)
Post by: bcillustration on May 21, 2010, 12:46:22 AM

One of our players wanted to play a technomage. This doesn't seem to work, as magic in the dresdenverse interrupts/ messes up the flow of electrons in an electronic device. With a force of will & power, even pure mechanical technology can break down.

So we made her PC a scion.
Of Hephaestus.

Awesome.

so one of her supernatural powers is to, with a force of conviction, make it the opposite; even bending the technology to the PCs will.
 doesn't mess with evocation too much, but gets really fun with thaumaturgy. (we're thinking autonomatons, such as Vulcan was reported to have, at some point down the road.)

Otherwise statted as a sorcerer/ practitioner.
the PC still hexes stuff on accident, on occasion. ( wasn't paying attention, etc.)

Title: Re: Technomage! (technomancer)
Post by: paul_Harkonen on May 21, 2010, 06:11:54 AM

Keep in mind that we regularly see magical ways to protect technology from Hexing in the Files.  Spoilers abound, from Storm Front to Changes.  H

(click to show/hide)

arry's charm\spell on the Larry Fowler show, Mac's Bar has fans, running lights, etc., Butters and the magic circles to protect the GPS, Marcone's mansions are all warded with powerful spells, but the cameras still function normally (or seem to).  And lastly, Odin's super computers.

I think it's perfectly reasonable that someone who made it their focus (especially a Scion of Vulcan) would be able to design his\her technology to be protected.  Maybe it's just a natural Hexing shield coming off of the scion, maybe it's runes engraved into the cases of technology to help magic slide off them, maybe it's just that the character's background enables technology to magically work.  Either way, that's an awesome character idea, and seems to fit into the setting perfectly.

Title: Re: Technomage! (technomancer)
Post by: Deadmanwalking on May 21, 2010, 06:57:42 AM

By default, and Word of Jim, only mortal magic as such interferes with technology. Sponsored magic (of whatever source) doesn't, at least not by itself. This leads to a potential loophole in the rules, and could easily explain a number of the more unusual examples mentioned above.

That said, I'd absolutely allow something like what you describe as a -0 Refresh ability...I mean, the only mechanical effect is that, with a bit of effort, their High Concept won't get compelled a certain way. That's actually very reasonable, and the explanation works pretty well, too.