Re: Teleporting Mages (was Spacer vs Groundling)

steve swenson wrote:
>
> One question... Do you guys hold to an absolute co-ordinate (best word I can
> come up with) or with an identity--attached location?
>
>   That is does the mage know where a location is in relation to himself or
> does he attach by identifying with an object or objects that are in that
> area?
>
>   --Steve
>
I'd say both.  The mage can either specify a set of specific
cooridinates, or use a known location.  Since we're talking about magic,
my theory is that the magic of the spell finalizes the coordinates to
the single, unique location the mage selects.  This leads to the
possibility of error, as the less well known the area is, the more
likely the chance of getting it wrong.  Even though it's not specified
in the description I feel that a set of specific coordinates in space
qualify as a location's description, even if you don't really know
what's there.  For "stationary targets -- buildings, terrain features,
etc, I'd use the listed chances of failure.  If the target is mobile, I
don't think its safely possible -- If the mage is trying to teleport
into Gammaro Base, they _might_ succeed, but only if you had already
determined that it was floating dead in space from the time the mage
began calculations untill he cast the spell.  Note that in order to do
the calculations correctly it will take much longer than normal to
prepare for the spell, probably measured in turns, based on the distance
to the target site.  For example, you could say that teleporting 1000
yards on a planet could be pulled off in a round or two, since most
factors will "drop out" (be covered by the normal chance of error).  If,
on the other hand, you wanted to teleport 1+ miles, the planet's
rotation and revolution will create a fairly serious drift effect.  With
this option, you now have the ability to teleport behind the wall into
teh secret room you "know" is there, but have never seen.  Of course if
the other mage's dim. door was really a cleverly disguised phase door. .
. ;)
David