[HoE] Cyborg cold cuts

[Abdullah Oblongota <toadpooka@usa.net>]

<patched together from several messages>
<<We were creating a Cyborg/Harrowed character, a Veteran of the _Weird_ West, 
  and noted that the eye and limb loss results on that tables (from The Wasted 
  West) specify that bionics can _not_ be used to replace the lost organ.

  Ummm, why not? We understand that if a healing roll is failed (as per the 
  listings under Touch of the Doomsayer, Lay on Hands, et. al), the wound is 
  permanent. But if, say, your arm has literally been blown off or vaporized, 
  what is it that prohibits you from attaching a cyborg/bionic limb? We 
  didn't totally follow the reasoning here...>>

Gotta say I agree, in a sense.  If a character is Harrowed, there's no clear
reason why a replacement limb couldn't be put on.  From a game balance
standpoint, I'd ignore the limb loss card and draw another one.  For that
matter, ignore all ther cards 'till you get the Deuce ;)

<<After all, given the potential proliferation of cyborg replacements, I might 
  want to have a monster with the ability to, in "real-time" as it were, 
  inflict such a wound, rather than count on the healer(s) to fail their 
  chances to permanently heal such a wound. Does such a creature exist (since 
  I dont' seem to have seen the MM&M book yet)?>>

How high is the proliferation rate for cyborg bits?  They were damned rare even
before the war, when cans were still in construction.  Now, the only intact
parts you're gonna find are on other cans still lumbering around the west, and I
doubt they'll be willing to sell.  Also, a deader doesn't just "slap on" a
cyborg arm to replace a lost one.  A Spirit Fetter is required to power it, and
that's some very intensive surgery.  Look at the TN's for installing the stuff,
besides the rarity of the equipment itself.  It's not liekly that replacements
are an option for most.
Now, having a critter that can deal damage that can't be healed by magic, etc.
sounds good in principle, but one just has to look at the "aggravated damage"
thing in White Wolf games to see where that trend is headed.  First you have
something that causes damage that can't be healed.  Then, you get something that
can heal damage, even if it says it can't be healed.  THEN, there's the damage
that can't be healed by anything, even if it can heal damage that can't normally
be healed. AND THEN...you get the idea.  It's the World of Darkness and Rifts
all over again.
-- 
From Whom It May Concern,
Richard Ranallo, The Man They Couldn't Hang

Your money talks, but my genius walks
Morticians wait with a shovel and a fork
As detectives trace my hands with chalk
Your money talks but my genius walks.
--They Might Be Giants, "You'll Miss Me"