Need help for a mage/shamman, never played one before Options

[theartthief]

Hello there chummers...

I have never played a mage or shamman before and wanted to get a few pointers and some answers to questions.

1. Is there a good "how to" thread/website out there?

2. Why the optical vision mods? I know that they are required but I just don't see why. The cybereye has replaced the meat one; therefore, there is already an electronic-to-meat connection. What is one more step - eye to electronic vision mod to meat body? If nothing else, I guess that I am looking for an in-game reason.

3. If I cast a spell at Force 1 and it has no drain modifiers, does the spell have no drain or does it still have the minimum TN of 4?

4. Aspected vs. Full - I am still working on the background but this much I have: He is a former ganger (small amount of cyber) who lost people close to him and decided to go on the spiritual pilgramige (?) that he promised his grandfather he would go on (he is Native American). While out in the desert he his called by Coyote. This is all fine and well with him as he loves pranks and his grand-dad was a pre-Awakening shaman with an affinity to Coyote.

Looking for suggestions on aspected vs. full and background reasons.

5. Any other helpful info would be nice.

Thank you,

- theartthief