I'm reading a fairly amusing fantasy short story in the latest Asimov magazine (October/November) that includes the use of fascinating spell. Long story short...or should that be, 'short story shorter'?... the spell inflicts epic incontinence on the target (with only temporary incapacitation). Naturally, my first thought was, "That's fucking hilarious!"

My second thought was, "That'd be a great spell for Shadowrun!"

So, spell slingers. Break out your copy of Magic in the Shadows and give me your input and thoughts on Shadowrun's Incontinence spell.

*Would you make it a health spell or a control manipulation?
*Since the "stun" effect is temporary at best (a few turns of "release"), how do you model the "damage" and after effects?
*Any suggestion for drain?

Assuming you mean the second definition (involuntary urination or defecation and not indiscipline with regard to sensuous pleasures), I'd say Health spell. You can have two types, symptoms only and actual affliction. The former would only be a Target Modifier which I would model after Confusion or Chaos. The latter would have after effects totally up to the GM, but I'd use something similar to the critter power of Fear mechanics.

Squishy Incontinence
Type: Mana
Range: LOS
Target: Body ®
Duration: Instant
Drain: (S)

Every net success causes the target to miss one iniative pass while his or her bowels empty. They may use free actions to drop prone, and they may still use movement points at one half quickness.

Oh, drek.

All I gotta say.

My standard of spell categorization is "If it can be a manipulation or something else, don't make it a manipulation." Therefore, I'd suggest health.

Effect: If successful, the subject is incapacitated for 1 combat turn per net success up to the spell's force.
Secondary effects: the need for a mop and an effective box of dehydration stun damage for every (body) combat turns subject to this effect, rounded down.

Tn is 10-essence of the target.
Resisted by body for the physical version, willpower for the mana version.

Drain math:
Start at +0(M), same base as attribute adjustment
Harmful (aka, unwilling target): +1 level
LoS: +1 level
(Physical): +1 power
Final drain: +0(D)/+1(D) (mana/physical)

The base drain codes listed for health are:
Heal or cure malady: Damage Level
Cause Affliction: Damage Level
Affects Attribute: M

Since I was working for a spell that didn't have an actual damage code, I went with M.

Now, the directed illusion: (no actual effect, but they believe it happened)
Realistic Multi-sense: +0(S)
Is an Illusion: -1 power
(Physical): +1 power
TN is willpower or intelligence.
Drain is: -1(S) or +0(S)
Same effects except that there is no dehydration stun and no need for a mop.

This does lead to all sorts of amusing variants that have potential, if icky, uses.

Projectile Vomiting, for example.

And, of course, the reaction of anyone nearby.

-Siege

Edit: And, I'm told, some wit from DragonCon used "Instant Orgasm" as a spell on unsuspecting sec guards in full armor last year. Ouch.

I'd be more concerned on the effects of the sustained version of that last spell than an instant version.

The illusion version is amusing, but I have to wonder what the point is of making it physical.

I'd assume that the main goal of this spell would be the (hopefully humerous and debilitating) reaction of the target. I'm not sure wether or not drones (or other physical targets) would react, or even know how to react, to suddenly opening-up their bowels and peeing considering they weren't able to before.

Physical uses a different attribute to resist with. Yes, typically intelligence is more common than willpower, so there isn't really a need for it. The only potential use on non-living targets would be to convince the robot pilot of a very expensive vehicle that it is leaking coolant.

Cast it on a drone piloted tanker truck? That could be interesting.

Hehe. Drain. Hehe.