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Old 06-16-2013, 09:43 AM   #1
ajardoor
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Default Modern anti-magic measures?

Okay, let us say that we have several secret organisations of wizards in the modern day. Quite a few are opposed to one another, and all want some means of countering magic with both magic of their own and modern technology.

Assume the most common magic system is the standard system, but with the Threshold-Limited and Based on Will variations. Symbolic modifiers are in effect. Some organisations use the Ritual Magic and Spell Techniques option, also with Thresholds and Will. One organisation uses Synatactic Noun/Verb magic, also with Thresholds and Will.

What reasonable tricks, traps and battle drills would be used to counter enemy mages - secretively, if possible? How would you set up a "turf border" and internal security?
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Old 06-16-2013, 02:50 PM   #2
theothersarah
 
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Default Re: Modern anti-magic measures?

Shoot them, since none of the missile spells really work against bullets. Also, try to do it before they get off Guns to Butter (Technomancer, page 22).

Edit: Yes, that doesn't really work if they are in secret. But I really wanted to reference Guns to Butter. Perhaps you should pull a gun on them and see if it turns to butter? That would certainly detect them.

Last edited by theothersarah; 06-16-2013 at 03:05 PM.
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Old 06-16-2013, 02:58 PM   #3
David Johansen
 
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Default Re: Modern anti-magic measures?

White noise generators and sonic strobe sirens. Make it hard to talk and make it hard to think.
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Old 06-16-2013, 03:24 PM   #4
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Default Re: Modern anti-magic measures?

Quote:
Originally Posted by David Johansen View Post
White noise generators and sonic strobe sirens. Make it hard to talk and make it hard to think.
If its a small organization, then have a human receptionist that can detect auras, as well as a camera watching the single reception room with the other end of the camera far enough away to be safe.

If the receptionist can't immediately match aura to body, she presses a button; if they do match she presses another. If she presses the first button disabling sirens go off as above. If the person on the other end of the camera doesn't see the same thing she does, sirens as above.

The person must have an official ID as well as a hidden ID which changes daily such as holding a hat in his left hand or the official ID tag is an inch higher than normal. The hidden idea is different for each person and changes daily.

That's all the quick paranoia I can think of now.
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Old 06-16-2013, 03:26 PM   #5
DangerousThing
 
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Default Re: Modern anti-magic measures?

Train a dog to sense different spells and when certain ones are present the dog pisses on their shoes. The trouble is finding a dog with Magery 0.
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Old 06-16-2013, 03:30 PM   #6
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Default Re: Modern anti-magic measures?

Cameras. Cameras. Cameras.

sure the mages can take them out... at which point you know the mages are coming. If at all possible, don't meet them face to face.
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Old 06-16-2013, 04:04 PM   #7
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Default Re: Modern anti-magic measures?

Everyone knows that the reason some people are afraid of the number 13 is because it is a natural doorway to the magical nexus. Many buildings were built without the a floor designated 13 because it wards the entire building against teleportation, gateways and so on.
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Old 06-16-2013, 05:51 PM   #8
David Johnston2
 
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Default Re: Modern anti-magic measures?

While scientists who discovered magic would immediately set about trying to discover if Faraday cages stop thrown spells, the surest anti-magician technology would be anything that messes with the ability to concentrate. So sonics, flashing lights, irritant gas, flashbangs, active denial systems and drugs.
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Old 06-16-2013, 06:38 PM   #9
ClayDowling
 
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Default Re: Modern anti-magic measures?

Lots of metal, either projected at great speed or thrust with great skill. Mages are known to have great difficulty casting spells when their heads are residing on pikes.
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Old 06-16-2013, 06:45 PM   #10
Fred Brackin
 
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Default Re: Modern anti-magic measures?

Quote:
Originally Posted by ajardoor View Post
Assume the most common magic system is the standard system, but with the Threshold-Limited and Based on Will variations. Symbolic modifiers are in effect. Some organisations use the Ritual Magic and Spell Techniques option, also with Thresholds and Will. One organisation uses Synatactic Noun/Verb magic, also with Thresholds and Will.

What reasonable tricks, traps and battle drills would be used to counter enemy mages - secretively, if possible? How would you set up a "turf border" and internal security?
The way to neutralize Threshold Mages is to make them spend up to their Thresh. Multiple mundane assaults that still require magic countermeasures will do the trick.

They probably aren't necessary as Threshold Magic users are usually too limited in the long run to be making major magic-based assaults.

Still, if you want to know what the spells in Gurps Magic do not provide defenses for the main answer is concussion damage. You need a Force Wall to stop that.

Deflect/Reverse Missiles doesn't work on Sunbolts or lasers either.

A wide variety of assaults can leave them unable to put up _all_ the defense spells they might need. They'd have trouble keeping up Resist Acid/Lightning/Sound/Fire/Cold/Defelct Missi8les/Bright Vision just on themselves much less team-mates.

Mostly though you nickel and dime them to death. If you know where they're set up this can even work out of combat. 8pts of REC per day just doesn't go very far.

This is another one of those things Threshold Magic is _for_. To create self-limiting mages.
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