My main concerns are with bone black makeup and FAB, but if anyone else has ideas about how manatech could be used, feel free to share!
Here's the thing: bone black makeup and FAB should make you aware of spells, spirits, auras, and all other inhabitants of the astral plane to varying degrees. In some cases, these technologies should even allow you to distinguish between a spirit, and, say, an aura.
Here's a short post that I was about to put into "broken rules", just to start us off:
QUOTE
Auras, spirits, and spells = mana. They are all supported by or support the gaiasphere.
(some) Spirits are strong concentrations of mana. Thus, when you disperse FAB into the air, the effect is strong enough to distinguish their silhouettes (RAW).
Auras are (generally) weaker than spirits, but they also are made of mana/life force. By spreading FAB through the air, you won't get anything as solid as a silhouette, but you will be able to notice something if someone's aura passes through them.
(some) Spirits are strong concentrations of mana. Thus, when you disperse FAB into the air, the effect is strong enough to distinguish their silhouettes (RAW).
Auras are (generally) weaker than spirits, but they also are made of mana/life force. By spreading FAB through the air, you won't get anything as solid as a silhouette, but you will be able to notice something if someone's aura passes through them.