[gurps] On subjects and objects in GURPS magic (and how I'm going to handle them)

[Matt Merrill]

On 11/29/06, Topi Linkala <nes at iki.fi> wrote:
> Why is there different spells for animal control and person control. The
> spell mammal control states that it works on mammal with IQ less than 8.
> If I first cast foolishness spell on person that lowers the IQ of that
> person to 7 can I then mammal control her? One says no as mammal control
> is an animal spell, another says yes.

I suspect the 'why' is a question of game balance.  And perhaps feel.

At any rate, I read the "IQ less than 8" to be "racial IQ less than
8".  So reducing an individual's IQ score doesn't help for using
Animal College spells against them.

>
> Some questios:
>
> 1. Can I use animate plant on a toadstool? (Toadstools are not plant
> they are fungi.)

I would rule (without reviewing specific spells) yes - it feels right,
and I don't envision easy ways for this to be abused.

>
> 2. If I animate a plant can I then posess it and if so what is the spell
> to use?

I would say there's no need to possess it after animating it - you
already control it via the animate.  If you see a need to possess, how
about Possession or Permanent Possession?

>
> 3. Could I cast a spell that targets objects to a integral structure of
> a intelligent vehicle? (I'm Job within the whale and I know continual
> light spell: Can I cast it on the whale's stomach lining?)

Yes -- Continual Light, at least in the old Magic, specifically states
you can target "a small part of a larger object".

--- Matt