[VajraSupremus]

So i've been on here for a while now, but never posted because i didn't think i could provide input.
I'm a long-time fan of Shadowrun since '07, back in middle school coming across forum boards and RP fansites.

I've always enjoyed the idea of the Horrors and Invae and other Extraplanar entities, which creates a theory on how manacycles work on a galactic scale.

What if Horrors and Shadow spirits and Invae live on the astral planes(or even physical areas) of other planets, and use our connection to mana as a sort of long-way astral travel from their place to ours? Once enough mana flows in for them to construct capable enough astral forms from, they enter our world and wreak their havoc and whatnot. The planet(s) of the Horrors could be in other parts of the Milky Way, or even just in nearby galaxies can be considered plausible.

This could also give rise to the idea of magic soon being able to be worked easily in places other than Earth as it grows stronger in our solar system, as long as appropriate mana fields and generated to draw power from.

Any ideas on its feasibility? Any detractors?

[Longshot23]

Interestiing idea, and you could certainly house-rule that being the case. But how does mana fit into a Grand Unified Field theory?

Making those threats more extraterrestrial loses something, in my opinion. Probably several somethings. Being an astral/metaplanar threat really makes them different (thought processes, motivations, fears, etc)  from an entity that originates from another ball of rock somewhere in space. It possibly also changes the astral plane to being no more than a version of 'hyperspace' - does this really fit?

Side question: Do insect spirits require a minimum mana level, or do they get what they need by forming melds with metahumans (insect spirits = Goa'uld? )? Something I'd like to ask Man-of -Many-Names 

[ArkangelWinter]

I like it. Even though they exist in the material world, spirits would still be astral creatures, sometimes inhabiting both planes. Their innate abilities and perceptions would still make their motivations alien: Lovecraft's Outer Gods all existed on our plane as extraterrestrials and were still unfathomable.

[Sichr]

Nice theory. Works well for me. Different types of space objects, worlds and creatures seem to work well for variety of astral creatures.

[DarkLloyd]

it does beg the question tho, if they are just different planets and the astral plane is used for "space travel", before the mana cycle is up in a few thousand years, would we be make space craft that will get to those worlds...
And if so how do you think the horrors would respond to a few anti matter bombs to their houses and real bodies........

[TheVanguard]

How would you imagine the planets of Bugs and Shedim to be like? It seems like a bit of a stretch to me that there is a planet out there where insect life has developed that is identical to that of our planet in most regards, and that their astral presence is greater than that of our home-grown bugs.

The idea of Shedim from outer space would bear some resemblance to Scientology's alien ghosts theory, though. In your game universe, Hubbard might really have been on the right track.

[VajraSupremus]

Interestiing idea, and you could certainly house-rule that being the case. But how does mana fit into a Grand Unified Field theory?

Making those threats more extraterrestrial loses something, in my opinion. Probably several somethings. Being an astral/metaplanar threat really makes them different (thought processes, motivations, fears, etc)  from an entity that originates from another ball of rock somewhere in space. It possibly also changes the astral plane to being no more than a version of 'hyperspace' - does this really fit?

Side question: Do insect spirits require a minimum mana level, or do they get what they need by forming melds with metahumans (insect spirits = Goa'uld? )? Something I'd like to ask Man-of -Many-Names 

It could truly fit. The idea is that Astral space has two forms; the standard Gaiasphere that every world has(local astral space, and where all the mana used in our powers originate), and then the primary mana flow the universe has, and the latter explains how these being enter our world via this space.

See, i think that Invae use the bodies to stay there because it's on an idea i have. Because their Gaiasphere is potentially different(supporting a different planetary environment), ours is not as easily to be attached to, so Inhabitation is an adaptation to this issue. They gain a physical anchor adapted to this Gaiasphere, granting them long-term staying capacity.

[VajraSupremus]

How would you imagine the planets of Bugs and Shedim to be like? It seems like a bit of a stretch to me that there is a planet out there where insect life has developed that is identical to that of our planet in most regards, and that their astral presence is greater than that of our home-grown bugs.

The idea of Shedim from outer space would bear some resemblance to Scientology's alien ghosts theory, though. In your game universe, Hubbard might really have been on the right track.

I'm not particularly versed in Scientology, but the idea is that these being come from primarily Astral space, at least the Horrors do. Invae would more likely have physical bodies that they take with them to here, but being that their bodies can't exist here, they perform Merges. Horrors could be completely Astral, stuck on planets when the mana in that area ebbs away, trapping them there and putting them into a torpor due to the lack of power, while others may scramble for the few sites of energy to be inevitably found.

[Sichr]

I will add. We need to clarify why it is possible that some metaplanar beings are able to Materialize and become part of this world, while others depend on vessels...and even magicians from our own Gaiasphere are not able to materialize from astral perception, just to Manifest.
Possibilities there are:
1) It is an attribute of Gaiasphere, that every being is able to posess just one and only one materialized "body"
2) Like the worlds (and Gaiaspheres) are islands in the Manastream...inhabited islands...there are also beings that inhabit Manastream itself, having their own unique abilities. Also universal entities...ie Fire Spirits, that can find home in every star across the gallaxy.
3) Also there is a possibility that Manastream carries astral forms of entities originating from destroyed worlds, that have nowhere to return to. And such entities are trying to anchor themselves in new Gaiasphere, doing it by taking locals as hosts...

[ArkangelWinter]

It also raises the question of whether humans could use Alchera or Astral Projection for interstellar travel, essentially making Deep Metaplanar quests planetary excursions.

[VajraSupremus]

It also raises the question of whether humans could use Alchera or Astral Projection for interstellar travel, essentially making Deep Metaplanar quests planetary excursions.

This is actually something i thought of a campaign: PC's are thrust into discovering the remnants of a secret project that intends to create a Voyager. Someone who can traverse the Metaplanes indefinitely, defying biological limits and becoming not unlike that of a spirit's mana-physiology.

[Sichr]

SG 1 in action

But you are realy inspiring something. Thank you

[VajraSupremus]

SG 1 in action

But you are realy inspiring something. Thank you

Oh, isn't that something great to hear!

[DarkLloyd]

It also raises the question of whether humans could use Alchera or Astral Projection for interstellar travel, essentially making Deep Metaplanar quests planetary excursions.

When I first read that I thought it said Algebra or Astral"

[TheVanguard]

I'm not particularly versed in Scientology, but the idea is that these being come from primarily Astral space, at least the Horrors do. Invae would more likely have physical bodies that they take with them to here, but being that their bodies can't exist here, they perform Merges. Horrors could be completely Astral, stuck on planets when the mana in that area ebbs away, trapping them there and putting them into a torpor due to the lack of power, while others may scramble for the few sites of energy to be inevitably found.

Sorry, I just realized that I got Horrors mixed up with Shedim, but looks like you still got what I was trying to say.

Well, basically Scientology says that we are under attack from ghosts from outer space (Thetans) that slowly drive us insane (that's the reason why Psychology is BS). See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xenu if you're interested in the details.

Are there "normal" metaplanes in your game universe too, or do you want to replace them with alien planets completely ?