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    What Are You Currently Reading Outside of Tech

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    • KellyK
      Kelly @jmoore
      last edited by

      @jmoore said in What Are You Currently Reading Outside of Tech:

      @wirestyle22 I recommend this series. I thought it was excellent.
      Death Gate Cycle

      I might have to reread those. It has been a long time.

      1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
      • KellyK
        Kelly @wirestyle22
        last edited by

        @wirestyle22 said in What Are You Currently Reading Outside of Tech:

        @kelly said in What Are You Currently Reading Outside of Tech:

        @wirestyle22 said in What Are You Currently Reading Outside of Tech:

        Any one have a book recommendation for something sci-fi but also fantasy? Anything good in that space?

        They're in the B range of books, but L.E. Modesitt's Timegod series might fit that category. Sort of. I think you're going to have to go to books written prior to 2000 or so to find a space where people thought more imaginatively. Most writers today feel that they have to thoroughly explain their worlds and have them hang together, so it is difficult to find blendings of magic and SciFi.

        I'm trying to find examples of it done well because my friend and I are designing an isometric RPG together for fun that fits that genre. The more I find, the more ideas I'll have about how it should be done. Thanks!

        So you want a technical world where magic works? Or a fallen magical society where technology is their past?

        wirestyle22W 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
        • wirestyle22W
          wirestyle22 @Kelly
          last edited by wirestyle22

          @kelly said in What Are You Currently Reading Outside of Tech:

          @wirestyle22 said in What Are You Currently Reading Outside of Tech:

          @kelly said in What Are You Currently Reading Outside of Tech:

          @wirestyle22 said in What Are You Currently Reading Outside of Tech:

          Any one have a book recommendation for something sci-fi but also fantasy? Anything good in that space?

          They're in the B range of books, but L.E. Modesitt's Timegod series might fit that category. Sort of. I think you're going to have to go to books written prior to 2000 or so to find a space where people thought more imaginatively. Most writers today feel that they have to thoroughly explain their worlds and have them hang together, so it is difficult to find blendings of magic and SciFi.

          I'm trying to find examples of it done well because my friend and I are designing an isometric RPG together for fun that fits that genre. The more I find, the more ideas I'll have about how it should be done. Thanks!

          So you want a technical world where magic works? Or a fallen magical society where technology is their past?

          More like Cyberpunk with mysticism/religion that is "real" -- affecting peoples digital selves. It's still being developed though. A lot could change. I'd have to figure out how to deal with people who have no enhancements in a creative way mechanically within the game rather than making them immune or simply never including a character that is au natural.

          KellyK 2 Replies Last reply Reply Quote 0
          • KellyK
            Kelly @wirestyle22
            last edited by

            @wirestyle22 said in What Are You Currently Reading Outside of Tech:

            @kelly said in What Are You Currently Reading Outside of Tech:

            @wirestyle22 said in What Are You Currently Reading Outside of Tech:

            @kelly said in What Are You Currently Reading Outside of Tech:

            @wirestyle22 said in What Are You Currently Reading Outside of Tech:

            Any one have a book recommendation for something sci-fi but also fantasy? Anything good in that space?

            They're in the B range of books, but L.E. Modesitt's Timegod series might fit that category. Sort of. I think you're going to have to go to books written prior to 2000 or so to find a space where people thought more imaginatively. Most writers today feel that they have to thoroughly explain their worlds and have them hang together, so it is difficult to find blendings of magic and SciFi.

            I'm trying to find examples of it done well because my friend and I are designing an isometric RPG together for fun that fits that genre. The more I find, the more ideas I'll have about how it should be done. Thanks!

            So you want a technical world where magic works? Or a fallen magical society where technology is their past?

            More like Cyberpunk with mysticism/religion that is "real" -- affecting peoples digital selves. It's still being developed though. A lot could change. I'd have to figure out how to deal with people who have no enhancements in a creative way mechanically within the game rather than making them immune or simply never including a character that is au natural.

            Video game, boardgame, or tabletop rpg?

            wirestyle22W 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
            • wirestyle22W
              wirestyle22 @Kelly
              last edited by

              @kelly said in What Are You Currently Reading Outside of Tech:

              @wirestyle22 said in What Are You Currently Reading Outside of Tech:

              @kelly said in What Are You Currently Reading Outside of Tech:

              @wirestyle22 said in What Are You Currently Reading Outside of Tech:

              @kelly said in What Are You Currently Reading Outside of Tech:

              @wirestyle22 said in What Are You Currently Reading Outside of Tech:

              Any one have a book recommendation for something sci-fi but also fantasy? Anything good in that space?

              They're in the B range of books, but L.E. Modesitt's Timegod series might fit that category. Sort of. I think you're going to have to go to books written prior to 2000 or so to find a space where people thought more imaginatively. Most writers today feel that they have to thoroughly explain their worlds and have them hang together, so it is difficult to find blendings of magic and SciFi.

              I'm trying to find examples of it done well because my friend and I are designing an isometric RPG together for fun that fits that genre. The more I find, the more ideas I'll have about how it should be done. Thanks!

              So you want a technical world where magic works? Or a fallen magical society where technology is their past?

              More like Cyberpunk with mysticism/religion that is "real" -- affecting peoples digital selves. It's still being developed though. A lot could change. I'd have to figure out how to deal with people who have no enhancements in a creative way mechanically within the game rather than making them immune or simply never including a character that is au natural.

              Video game, boardgame, or tabletop rpg?

              Video game done in Unity

              1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
              • KellyK
                Kelly @wirestyle22
                last edited by

                @wirestyle22 said in What Are You Currently Reading Outside of Tech:

                @kelly said in What Are You Currently Reading Outside of Tech:

                @wirestyle22 said in What Are You Currently Reading Outside of Tech:

                @kelly said in What Are You Currently Reading Outside of Tech:

                @wirestyle22 said in What Are You Currently Reading Outside of Tech:

                Any one have a book recommendation for something sci-fi but also fantasy? Anything good in that space?

                They're in the B range of books, but L.E. Modesitt's Timegod series might fit that category. Sort of. I think you're going to have to go to books written prior to 2000 or so to find a space where people thought more imaginatively. Most writers today feel that they have to thoroughly explain their worlds and have them hang together, so it is difficult to find blendings of magic and SciFi.

                I'm trying to find examples of it done well because my friend and I are designing an isometric RPG together for fun that fits that genre. The more I find, the more ideas I'll have about how it should be done. Thanks!

                So you want a technical world where magic works? Or a fallen magical society where technology is their past?

                More like Cyberpunk with mysticism/religion that is "real" -- affecting peoples digital selves. It's still being developed though. A lot could change. I'd have to figure out how to deal with people who have no enhancements in a creative way mechanically within the game rather than making them immune or simply never including a character that is au natural.

                And...digital selves, meaning a Shadowrun type interface where a person is effectively completely in the virtual world when they're jacked in?

                wirestyle22W 2 Replies Last reply Reply Quote 0
                • wirestyle22W
                  wirestyle22 @Kelly
                  last edited by

                  @kelly said in What Are You Currently Reading Outside of Tech:

                  @wirestyle22 said in What Are You Currently Reading Outside of Tech:

                  @kelly said in What Are You Currently Reading Outside of Tech:

                  @wirestyle22 said in What Are You Currently Reading Outside of Tech:

                  @kelly said in What Are You Currently Reading Outside of Tech:

                  @wirestyle22 said in What Are You Currently Reading Outside of Tech:

                  Any one have a book recommendation for something sci-fi but also fantasy? Anything good in that space?

                  They're in the B range of books, but L.E. Modesitt's Timegod series might fit that category. Sort of. I think you're going to have to go to books written prior to 2000 or so to find a space where people thought more imaginatively. Most writers today feel that they have to thoroughly explain their worlds and have them hang together, so it is difficult to find blendings of magic and SciFi.

                  I'm trying to find examples of it done well because my friend and I are designing an isometric RPG together for fun that fits that genre. The more I find, the more ideas I'll have about how it should be done. Thanks!

                  So you want a technical world where magic works? Or a fallen magical society where technology is their past?

                  More like Cyberpunk with mysticism/religion that is "real" -- affecting peoples digital selves. It's still being developed though. A lot could change. I'd have to figure out how to deal with people who have no enhancements in a creative way mechanically within the game rather than making them immune or simply never including a character that is au natural.

                  And...digital selves, meaning a Shadowrun type interface where a person is effectively completely in the virtual world when they're jacked in?

                  Or Johnny Mnemonic. Yeah sort of.

                  1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                  • wirestyle22W
                    wirestyle22 @Kelly
                    last edited by

                    @kelly I want to add in some interesting mini-games that are not necessary but benefit you a lot in the game. Like hacking corporations in a netrunner inspired hacking simulation. The asset you access can be sold, creating side quests that can go well or very poorly depending. Stuff like that

                    KellyK 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                    • KellyK
                      Kelly @wirestyle22
                      last edited by Kelly

                      @wirestyle22 said in What Are You Currently Reading Outside of Tech:

                      @kelly I want to add in some interesting mini-games that are not necessary but benefit you a lot in the game. Like hacking corporations in a netrunner inspired hacking simulation. The asset you access can be sold, creating side quests that can go well or very poorly depending. Stuff like that

                      Well, you have Clarke's third law to lean on. All you have to do then is clothe the character's technical actions in religious trappings and it becomes a mystical act in character. I'm not sure what you mean by a person without enhancements. Would they not be able to jack in then, or is the level of a person's "holiness" measured by the number of cybernetics they sport?

                      wirestyle22W 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                      • wirestyle22W
                        wirestyle22 @Kelly
                        last edited by wirestyle22

                        @kelly said in What Are You Currently Reading Outside of Tech:

                        @wirestyle22 said in What Are You Currently Reading Outside of Tech:

                        @kelly I want to add in some interesting mini-games that are not necessary but benefit you a lot in the game. Like hacking corporations in a netrunner inspired hacking simulation. The asset you access can be sold, creating side quests that can go well or very poorly depending. Stuff like that

                        Well, you have Clarke's first law to lean on. All you have to do then is clothe the character's technical actions in religious trappings and it becomes a mystical act in character. I'm not sure what you mean by a person without enhancements. Would they not be able to jack in then, or is the level of a person's "holiness" measured by the number of cybernetics they sport?

                        I meant if "magic" is only manifested inside of this digital world humans created, it stands to reason that a person that is normal, ie un-upgraded/zero enhacements would be completely unaffected by it. This creates problems mechanically within the game. If I do go with religion, which is the plan right now, I think the more cybernetic you are the more it shows your dedication

                        KellyK 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                        • KellyK
                          Kelly @wirestyle22
                          last edited by

                          @wirestyle22 said in What Are You Currently Reading Outside of Tech:

                          @kelly said in What Are You Currently Reading Outside of Tech:

                          @wirestyle22 said in What Are You Currently Reading Outside of Tech:

                          @kelly I want to add in some interesting mini-games that are not necessary but benefit you a lot in the game. Like hacking corporations in a netrunner inspired hacking simulation. The asset you access can be sold, creating side quests that can go well or very poorly depending. Stuff like that

                          Well, you have Clarke's first law to lean on. All you have to do then is clothe the character's technical actions in religious trappings and it becomes a mystical act in character. I'm not sure what you mean by a person without enhancements. Would they not be able to jack in then, or is the level of a person's "holiness" measured by the number of cybernetics they sport?

                          I meant if "magic" is only manifested inside of this digital world humans created, it stands to reason that a person that is normal, ie un-upgraded/zero enhacements would be completely unaffected by it. This creates problems mechanically within the game

                          Why does it have to only manifest in the digital world? If a person has the implants to transfer their consciousness to a digital world wouldn't they also have the capabilities to affect systems in the real world? Or, if they don't "jack in" or are digital athiests they could still have the means (perhaps not cybernetic) to alter external systems. E.g. shutdown security systems, overload power conduits, etc.

                          KellyK wirestyle22W 2 Replies Last reply Reply Quote 0
                          • KellyK
                            Kelly @Kelly
                            last edited by

                            @kelly said in What Are You Currently Reading Outside of Tech:

                            @wirestyle22 said in What Are You Currently Reading Outside of Tech:

                            @kelly said in What Are You Currently Reading Outside of Tech:

                            @wirestyle22 said in What Are You Currently Reading Outside of Tech:

                            @kelly I want to add in some interesting mini-games that are not necessary but benefit you a lot in the game. Like hacking corporations in a netrunner inspired hacking simulation. The asset you access can be sold, creating side quests that can go well or very poorly depending. Stuff like that

                            Well, you have Clarke's first law to lean on. All you have to do then is clothe the character's technical actions in religious trappings and it becomes a mystical act in character. I'm not sure what you mean by a person without enhancements. Would they not be able to jack in then, or is the level of a person's "holiness" measured by the number of cybernetics they sport?

                            I meant if "magic" is only manifested inside of this digital world humans created, it stands to reason that a person that is normal, ie un-upgraded/zero enhacements would be completely unaffected by it. This creates problems mechanically within the game

                            Why does it have to only manifest in the digital world? If a person has the implants to transfer their consciousness to a digital world wouldn't they also have the capabilities to affect systems in the real world? Or, if they don't "jack in" or are digital athiests they could still have the means (perhaps not cybernetic) to alter external systems. E.g. shutdown security systems, overload power conduits, etc.

                            Going back to another L. E. Modesitt book, the Parafaith War, he has something happen like that except it is a person from a more advanced society using his implants to attack and subvert the systems in a church in order to alter their religion.

                            1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                            • wirestyle22W
                              wirestyle22 @Kelly
                              last edited by wirestyle22

                              @kelly said in What Are You Currently Reading Outside of Tech:

                              @wirestyle22 said in What Are You Currently Reading Outside of Tech:

                              @kelly said in What Are You Currently Reading Outside of Tech:

                              @wirestyle22 said in What Are You Currently Reading Outside of Tech:

                              @kelly I want to add in some interesting mini-games that are not necessary but benefit you a lot in the game. Like hacking corporations in a netrunner inspired hacking simulation. The asset you access can be sold, creating side quests that can go well or very poorly depending. Stuff like that

                              Well, you have Clarke's first law to lean on. All you have to do then is clothe the character's technical actions in religious trappings and it becomes a mystical act in character. I'm not sure what you mean by a person without enhancements. Would they not be able to jack in then, or is the level of a person's "holiness" measured by the number of cybernetics they sport?

                              I meant if "magic" is only manifested inside of this digital world humans created, it stands to reason that a person that is normal, ie un-upgraded/zero enhacements would be completely unaffected by it. This creates problems mechanically within the game

                              Why does it have to only manifest in the digital world? If a person has the implants to transfer their consciousness to a digital world wouldn't they also have the capabilities to affect systems in the real world? Or, if they don't "jack in" or are digital athiests they could still have the means (perhaps not cybernetic) to alter external systems. E.g. shutdown security systems, overload power conduits, etc.

                              Yes but that's not exactly what I mean. Let's put it in D&D terms. If I cast fireball on you, it's a physical thing that hits an area. It's "real". In this game, it's not a physical thing unless I want to make it physical. It's kind a question of how I want to flavor magic within the game. Nothing about that would stop them from being able to hack systems and bring stuff down etc.

                              KellyK 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                              • KellyK
                                Kelly @wirestyle22
                                last edited by

                                @wirestyle22 said in What Are You Currently Reading Outside of Tech:

                                @kelly said in What Are You Currently Reading Outside of Tech:

                                @wirestyle22 said in What Are You Currently Reading Outside of Tech:

                                @kelly said in What Are You Currently Reading Outside of Tech:

                                @wirestyle22 said in What Are You Currently Reading Outside of Tech:

                                @kelly I want to add in some interesting mini-games that are not necessary but benefit you a lot in the game. Like hacking corporations in a netrunner inspired hacking simulation. The asset you access can be sold, creating side quests that can go well or very poorly depending. Stuff like that

                                Well, you have Clarke's first law to lean on. All you have to do then is clothe the character's technical actions in religious trappings and it becomes a mystical act in character. I'm not sure what you mean by a person without enhancements. Would they not be able to jack in then, or is the level of a person's "holiness" measured by the number of cybernetics they sport?

                                I meant if "magic" is only manifested inside of this digital world humans created, it stands to reason that a person that is normal, ie un-upgraded/zero enhacements would be completely unaffected by it. This creates problems mechanically within the game

                                Why does it have to only manifest in the digital world? If a person has the implants to transfer their consciousness to a digital world wouldn't they also have the capabilities to affect systems in the real world? Or, if they don't "jack in" or are digital athiests they could still have the means (perhaps not cybernetic) to alter external systems. E.g. shutdown security systems, overload power conduits, etc.

                                Yes but that's not exactly what I mean. Let's put it in D&D terms. If I cast fireball on you, it's a physical thing that hits an area. It's "real". In this game, it's not a physical thing unless I want to make it physical. It's kind a question of how I want to flavor magic within the game. Nothing about that would stop them from being able to hack systems and bring stuff down etc.

                                I'm probably not getting a full picture of what you're going for, but it sounds like a narrative problem and not a mechanical one (at least not yet).

                                Why would a cyber-athiest care about the magic of a digital world if they can just shoot one of the faithful? What level of separation are you thinking there would be between the digital and real? It is very hard to emphasize both. You can have a real world that impinges on the digital one (Ready Player One), or a digital one that impinges on the real (can't think of an example right off), but having both be as important as the other gets to be pretty hard to encompass within one game/story.

                                Going back to how you can narratively establish cybernetics being able to extend magical powers, nanites are an incredibly useful means to make this happen. Cybermage casts fireball. Actually, he is expelling high speed nanites who fly at his target and create a brief plasma globe around the target and immolating themselves in the process.

                                wirestyle22W 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
                                • wirestyle22W
                                  wirestyle22 @Kelly
                                  last edited by wirestyle22

                                  @kelly said in What Are You Currently Reading Outside of Tech:

                                  @wirestyle22 said in What Are You Currently Reading Outside of Tech:

                                  @kelly said in What Are You Currently Reading Outside of Tech:

                                  @wirestyle22 said in What Are You Currently Reading Outside of Tech:

                                  @kelly said in What Are You Currently Reading Outside of Tech:

                                  @wirestyle22 said in What Are You Currently Reading Outside of Tech:

                                  @kelly I want to add in some interesting mini-games that are not necessary but benefit you a lot in the game. Like hacking corporations in a netrunner inspired hacking simulation. The asset you access can be sold, creating side quests that can go well or very poorly depending. Stuff like that

                                  Well, you have Clarke's first law to lean on. All you have to do then is clothe the character's technical actions in religious trappings and it becomes a mystical act in character. I'm not sure what you mean by a person without enhancements. Would they not be able to jack in then, or is the level of a person's "holiness" measured by the number of cybernetics they sport?

                                  I meant if "magic" is only manifested inside of this digital world humans created, it stands to reason that a person that is normal, ie un-upgraded/zero enhacements would be completely unaffected by it. This creates problems mechanically within the game

                                  Why does it have to only manifest in the digital world? If a person has the implants to transfer their consciousness to a digital world wouldn't they also have the capabilities to affect systems in the real world? Or, if they don't "jack in" or are digital athiests they could still have the means (perhaps not cybernetic) to alter external systems. E.g. shutdown security systems, overload power conduits, etc.

                                  Yes but that's not exactly what I mean. Let's put it in D&D terms. If I cast fireball on you, it's a physical thing that hits an area. It's "real". In this game, it's not a physical thing unless I want to make it physical. It's kind a question of how I want to flavor magic within the game. Nothing about that would stop them from being able to hack systems and bring stuff down etc.

                                  I'm probably not getting a full picture of what you're going for, but it sounds like a narrative problem and not a mechanical one (at least not yet).

                                  Why would a cyber-athiest care about the magic of a digital world if they can just shoot one of the faithful? What level of separation are you thinking there would be between the digital and real? It is very hard to emphasize both. You can have a real world that impinges on the digital one (Ready Player One), or a digital one that impinges on the real (can't think of an example right off), but having both be as important as the other gets to be pretty hard to encompass within one game/story.

                                  Going back to how you can narratively establish cybernetics being able to extend magical powers, nanites are an incredibly useful means to make this happen. Cybermage casts fireball. Actually, he is expelling high speed nanites who fly at his target and create a brief plasma globe around the target and immolating themselves in the process.

                                  It's not about them caring. It's sort of how an illusion may affect you (fear, reaction etc) but only if you can see it. If a normal human being has no way of interacting with that world then it has no effect on them.

                                  Nanites are an interesting idea

                                  KellyK 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                  • KellyK
                                    Kelly @wirestyle22
                                    last edited by

                                    @wirestyle22 said in What Are You Currently Reading Outside of Tech:

                                    @kelly said in What Are You Currently Reading Outside of Tech:

                                    @wirestyle22 said in What Are You Currently Reading Outside of Tech:

                                    @kelly said in What Are You Currently Reading Outside of Tech:

                                    @wirestyle22 said in What Are You Currently Reading Outside of Tech:

                                    @kelly said in What Are You Currently Reading Outside of Tech:

                                    @wirestyle22 said in What Are You Currently Reading Outside of Tech:

                                    @kelly I want to add in some interesting mini-games that are not necessary but benefit you a lot in the game. Like hacking corporations in a netrunner inspired hacking simulation. The asset you access can be sold, creating side quests that can go well or very poorly depending. Stuff like that

                                    Well, you have Clarke's first law to lean on. All you have to do then is clothe the character's technical actions in religious trappings and it becomes a mystical act in character. I'm not sure what you mean by a person without enhancements. Would they not be able to jack in then, or is the level of a person's "holiness" measured by the number of cybernetics they sport?

                                    I meant if "magic" is only manifested inside of this digital world humans created, it stands to reason that a person that is normal, ie un-upgraded/zero enhacements would be completely unaffected by it. This creates problems mechanically within the game

                                    Why does it have to only manifest in the digital world? If a person has the implants to transfer their consciousness to a digital world wouldn't they also have the capabilities to affect systems in the real world? Or, if they don't "jack in" or are digital athiests they could still have the means (perhaps not cybernetic) to alter external systems. E.g. shutdown security systems, overload power conduits, etc.

                                    Yes but that's not exactly what I mean. Let's put it in D&D terms. If I cast fireball on you, it's a physical thing that hits an area. It's "real". In this game, it's not a physical thing unless I want to make it physical. It's kind a question of how I want to flavor magic within the game. Nothing about that would stop them from being able to hack systems and bring stuff down etc.

                                    I'm probably not getting a full picture of what you're going for, but it sounds like a narrative problem and not a mechanical one (at least not yet).

                                    Why would a cyber-athiest care about the magic of a digital world if they can just shoot one of the faithful? What level of separation are you thinking there would be between the digital and real? It is very hard to emphasize both. You can have a real world that impinges on the digital one (Ready Player One), or a digital one that impinges on the real (can't think of an example right off), but having both be as important as the other gets to be pretty hard to encompass within one game/story.

                                    Going back to how you can narratively establish cybernetics being able to extend magical powers, nanites are an incredibly useful means to make this happen. Cybermage casts fireball. Actually, he is expelling high speed nanites who fly at his target and create a brief plasma globe around the target and immolating themselves in the process.

                                    It's not about them caring. It's sort of how an illusion may affect you (fear, reaction etc) but only if you can see it. If a normal human being has no way of interacting with that world then it has no effect on them.

                                    Nanites are an interesting idea

                                    Pheromones and hypersonics can induce hallucinations (illusions).

                                    wirestyle22W 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                    • wirestyle22W
                                      wirestyle22 @Kelly
                                      last edited by wirestyle22

                                      @kelly said in What Are You Currently Reading Outside of Tech:

                                      @wirestyle22 said in What Are You Currently Reading Outside of Tech:

                                      @kelly said in What Are You Currently Reading Outside of Tech:

                                      @wirestyle22 said in What Are You Currently Reading Outside of Tech:

                                      @kelly said in What Are You Currently Reading Outside of Tech:

                                      @wirestyle22 said in What Are You Currently Reading Outside of Tech:

                                      @kelly said in What Are You Currently Reading Outside of Tech:

                                      @wirestyle22 said in What Are You Currently Reading Outside of Tech:

                                      @kelly I want to add in some interesting mini-games that are not necessary but benefit you a lot in the game. Like hacking corporations in a netrunner inspired hacking simulation. The asset you access can be sold, creating side quests that can go well or very poorly depending. Stuff like that

                                      Well, you have Clarke's first law to lean on. All you have to do then is clothe the character's technical actions in religious trappings and it becomes a mystical act in character. I'm not sure what you mean by a person without enhancements. Would they not be able to jack in then, or is the level of a person's "holiness" measured by the number of cybernetics they sport?

                                      I meant if "magic" is only manifested inside of this digital world humans created, it stands to reason that a person that is normal, ie un-upgraded/zero enhacements would be completely unaffected by it. This creates problems mechanically within the game

                                      Why does it have to only manifest in the digital world? If a person has the implants to transfer their consciousness to a digital world wouldn't they also have the capabilities to affect systems in the real world? Or, if they don't "jack in" or are digital athiests they could still have the means (perhaps not cybernetic) to alter external systems. E.g. shutdown security systems, overload power conduits, etc.

                                      Yes but that's not exactly what I mean. Let's put it in D&D terms. If I cast fireball on you, it's a physical thing that hits an area. It's "real". In this game, it's not a physical thing unless I want to make it physical. It's kind a question of how I want to flavor magic within the game. Nothing about that would stop them from being able to hack systems and bring stuff down etc.

                                      I'm probably not getting a full picture of what you're going for, but it sounds like a narrative problem and not a mechanical one (at least not yet).

                                      Why would a cyber-athiest care about the magic of a digital world if they can just shoot one of the faithful? What level of separation are you thinking there would be between the digital and real? It is very hard to emphasize both. You can have a real world that impinges on the digital one (Ready Player One), or a digital one that impinges on the real (can't think of an example right off), but having both be as important as the other gets to be pretty hard to encompass within one game/story.

                                      Going back to how you can narratively establish cybernetics being able to extend magical powers, nanites are an incredibly useful means to make this happen. Cybermage casts fireball. Actually, he is expelling high speed nanites who fly at his target and create a brief plasma globe around the target and immolating themselves in the process.

                                      It's not about them caring. It's sort of how an illusion may affect you (fear, reaction etc) but only if you can see it. If a normal human being has no way of interacting with that world then it has no effect on them.

                                      Nanites are an interesting idea

                                      Pheromones and hypersonics can induce hallucinations (illusions).

                                      I'll read up on it. I don't think I need to explain every little detail, but I like reading about this stuff because it gives me some inspiration. Thanks!

                                      1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                      • NDCN
                                        NDC
                                        last edited by NDC

                                        @wirestyle22

                                        So it sounds like you are maybe looking for recs mostly in the cyberpunk field but probably not exclusively.

                                        If you haven't read any Gibson you should do it post haste.

                                        I think something like the Marid Audran novels starting with When Gravity Fails by George Alec Effinger would also be excellent for you.

                                        For something (relatively) recent and super cool but not cyberpunk check out Folding Beijing by Hao Jingfang. Not exactly SF or Fantasy, but has some great stuff going on.

                                        Edited to add: Lady of Mazes by Karl Schroeder would also be an excellent addition to your list. It is more straight SF but has some really excellent takes on how augmentation might play out.

                                        KellyK wirestyle22W travisdh1T 3 Replies Last reply Reply Quote 2
                                        • KellyK
                                          Kelly @NDC
                                          last edited by

                                          @ndc said in What Are You Currently Reading Outside of Tech:

                                          @wirestyle22

                                          So it sounds like you are maybe looking for recs mostly in the cyberpunk field but probably not exclusively.

                                          If you haven't read any Gibson you should do it post haste.

                                          I think something like the Marid Audran novels starting with When Gravity Fails by George Alec Effinger would also be excellent for you.

                                          For something (relatively) recent and super cool but not cyberpunk check out Folding Beijing by Hao Jingfang. Not exactly SF or Fantasy, but has some great stuff going on.

                                          You mentioning Gibson reminded me of Gordon R. Dickson. Not exactly the same, but in it there are human subspecies that have developed their mental powers to the point that it is much like magic. I need to reread those too...

                                          1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
                                          • wirestyle22W
                                            wirestyle22 @NDC
                                            last edited by

                                            @ndc said in What Are You Currently Reading Outside of Tech:

                                            @wirestyle22

                                            So it sounds like you are maybe looking for recs mostly in the cyberpunk field but probably not exclusively.

                                            If you haven't read any Gibson you should do it post haste.

                                            I think something like the Marid Audran novels starting with When Gravity Fails by George Alec Effinger would also be excellent for you.

                                            For something (relatively) recent and super cool but not cyberpunk check out Folding Beijing by Hao Jingfang. Not exactly SF or Fantasy, but has some great stuff going on.

                                            Edited to add: Lady of Mazes by Karl Schroeder would also be an excellent addition to your list. It is more straight SF but has some really excellent takes on how augmentation might play out.

                                            I've read neuromancer

                                            1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
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