How big of an object can animate effect Options

[Namer18]

The spell animate from page 145 in Magic in the Shadows seems to put no limit on animate based on the pure discription. Is there a basic rule covering this sort of situation elsewhere (for instance looking at detection spells area default and saying the object must be force*magic attribute cubed meters or smaller) or do people simply house rule it to something realistic? Also, do people put limits on the target of the spell? For instance a statue makes sense how it would be animated, but what does animating a gun (a high TN but it still could happen) or a cyberlimb that's connected to someone do? Finally, if someone were to true and animate a cyberware that was visible and connected someone, does that person get a resistance test? Its a lot of questions about a very specific topic, but I was interested in others' views. My guess is most people are going to say they leave something like this up to GM discretion.

Namer18

[TinkerGnome]

Two things. First of all, it makes sense to add body and half armor to the object resistance. There's no reason vehicles should get this and not other objects (aside from game balance). Thus small objects which don't really have body wouldn't affect the test but, lets say, a two ton boulder would probably have a body of 4 or better (using a similarly massed vehicle as a basis) thus boosting the difficulty of the spell.

As far as targeting people's guns, that seems fair, but targeting cyberware is probably a no-no since it is considered "alive" for magical purposes. Or, at least, it's part of the person's aura and that should protect it.

I don't have any references to back any of that up, but it's a set of thoughts, at least ;)

[Namer18]

Thanks, it seems your treating it sort of like levitate in terms of increasing the diffuculty for heavier things. It still seems the spell is on the powerful end for its drain and TN. Especially since its possible to have something very large, that is still not that heavy. On another note do you think it is possible to cast increased attribute on an animated object? So if I animate a gingerbreadman (TN of ~5) can I then cast increased strength on it for 6? Also, if I cast increase strength on it is the TN the force of the animate spell, the force of the animate spell plus the OR, or some other combination? It seems picky but that animate 6 plus increase attribute strength 3 gets you an inanimate object that can outlift your average ork.

Namer18

[TinkerGnome]

Well, mass is the imperative factor, not size, for most magic. More matter is simply harder to magic (in the case of created force such as levitation, it simply requires more force to be created, etc.). Increased strength probably can't be cast on the item since it's not alive (and the magic doesn't make it so, it just makes it move). If it could, then you'd be facing the OR as a difficulty number, at the least.

[Namer18]

Increase attributes simply state the target as a subject. Since animate gives the object both strength and quickness at a level equal to the force of the spell it seems reasonable to me you could cast spells to modify those stats. It does not seem to me that it says health spells have to target a living thing. Although, it does say voluntary subject for increased attribute, and I do not know if an animated object can do something voluntarily.

Namer18

[Zazen]

[Namer18]

Mana spells can effect "magical things", I would put something that has been animated through magic into the magical things catagory. If you do disagree would you say that increase cybered attribute would work in this situation?

Namer18

[TinkerGnome]

[Zazen]

[RangerJoe]

A custom spell would definitely be the way to go on this one.

I think I know where you're going with this idea and I am frightened.... very very frightened.....

[Fix-it]

Hmmm....

*thinks of a dinosaur skeleton in a museum suddenly breaking free of it's supports and attacking visitors.*

sounds like lotsa fun. :D