I'm sorry - it took all of half an hour, but I'm already coming up with questions for the authors of Street Magic.

Firstly, let me say that this is a beautifully polished book. Even the PDF seems to shine.

I don't know if there's a particular tradition of how to ask questions about the books. If so and this is being handled elsewhere then ignore, of course. I'll also phrase questions in a way that doesn't reveal too much of the content itself. All that said:

Questions so far:
1. Am I to understand that Mantid spirits are no longer restricted just to "Good Merges" but can be true forms? I see no restrictions listed for them.
2. Was the spell Crank named after the dreamless character in City of Lost Children?
3. Was it all of our begging and whining here on Dumpshock that got this released early, as I'd thought it was due after GenCon?

More questions soon, I'm sure.

Only female Mantids are good merges. Males are always true forms.
- MitS, 131

Now if it isn't limited to just males, then it would be something new.

I would say that the inhabited mage could only cast spells if the possessor has a magic rating, since it doesn't specify that the entity also retains the host's magic rating.

Note that any responses I give on here are unofficial until formally backed by a FanPro FAQ.

As to the questions:

EDIT: Synner answered while I was typing.

You have left a door open for the more independent and / or intelligent spirits there, however. If the Mantid (for example) has all of the hosts memories, then she probably does have a good grasp of the spells learnt, theory studied, etc.

As you say, then GM call on the more independent (non-Hive Minded) spirits. Thanks for the response!

bah, looks like i need to update my optics. or maybe my headware. why didnt i think about going to the wiki...

edit:

ah, i had allmost guessed that it would be another term for the good old gauss/rail-gun...

Every Traveller player to...