Spell casting and Masks

[darthauthor]

Does wearing a mask prevent or imped casting a spell?

Specifically, would wearing a standard CS or NG gas mask keep them from casting?

Mask of Deceit?

Necromancers, Mask of Death?

[drewkitty ~..~]

no
no
no
no


The only way it does is when it includes a rebreather or something that fits in the mouth that impeads speaking. But only if the mage has to speak to cast the spell.
(note items in the 'underseas' worldbook & The Pros & Cons of Studying Magic in rifter 27.)

[ShadowLogan]

No, a mask isn't going to generally impact spell casting. As mentioned previously the issue is addressed in WB7: Underseas (pg63, might even be in BoM) with casting magic underwater. I wouldn't be surprised if the issue is also considered for mages in space setting (like Phaseworld).

IINM aren't gasmasks part of Rifts Mages fashion in some circles? If so, that would indicate another example of them not being an issue in terms of spell casting I would think.

Now there might be gas attacks that due to the properties of the gas act similar to being underwater for spell casting purposes, but that would be speculation on my part (and useless against EBA/gasmaks) and given the CS doesn't utilize such a weapon/approach it might not exist.

[eliakon]

You don't have to be heard to cast the spell.
Just able to actually speak the spell.
Ergo any mask that allows you to speak allows you to cast.

[Library Ogre]

IINM aren't gasmasks part of Rifts Mages fashion in some circles? If so, that would indicate another example of them not being an issue in terms of spell casting I would think.

The "Ley Line Walker in a Gas Mask" was so iconic that it went from "default image of a class" to "thing that is really common for everyone in the class to wear" between RMB and RUE.

[Nekira Sudacne]

IINM aren't gasmasks part of Rifts Mages fashion in some circles? If so, that would indicate another example of them not being an issue in terms of spell casting I would think.

The "Ley Line Walker in a Gas Mask" was so iconic that it went from "default image of a class" to "thing that is really common for everyone in the class to wear" between RMB and RUE.

Ironically, I've found my Mystic Studies character in Heroes Unlimited has come to adopt wearing a gas mask reguarlly to the point of adopting it into their costume, even though none of my rifts Mages ever did.

Because someone popping out sleeping gas or nausia gas or smoke grenades or have some kind of chemical secretion power is far more common in a HU setting where everyone has a utility belt and incentive for non-lethal takedowns than in Rifts. So it's just genuinely practical to just always be wearing one

[drewkitty ~..~]

... I wouldn't be surprised if the issue is also considered for mages in space setting (like Phaseworld).

All the space suits listed in the 3G setting (FaIR) are MDC. As such are Armor. And there are rules saying you can't cast (some sorts of) magic through armor.
[which is why there is that ""Special"" armor for mages ]