Let Lines and compasses

[dragonfett]

I can't recall just where I had seen it, but there is a mention somewhere about how pay lines interfere with radio signals. Going with that thought, do you think let lines also mess with compasses?

[glitterboy2098]

everyone makes the clam that they interfere with radio, but no one can actually point out where in the books that is said.

so no, i don't think they mess with compasses. inside mystic triangles compasses sometimes fail, but that is due to the D-shifting effects of Dimensional storms within the triangles, not the ley lines themselves. (hard to tell direction with a compass when you are in 2 or 3 different overlapping dimensions, most of which aren't going to line up magnetically..)

[eliakon]

Ley Line Storms and the like can interfere with radios, compasses and similar.
As far as I am aware of there is no supporting text for the claim that non-storming ley lines in normal conditions affect radios.

[dragonfett]

Ah, ok. Thank you.

[The Beast]

I can't recall just where I had seen it, but there is a mention somewhere about how pay lines interfere with radio signals. Going with that thought, do you think let lines also mess with compasses?

In 1st Ed BTS a dimensional vortex will mess with radios and instruments, but they're found in the power triads in that setting, not along ley lines. I'm guessing that some people applied that to the ley lines on Rifts Earth since those lines are much more powerful than the ones on BTS Earth.

Ley Line Storms and the like can interfere with radios, compasses and similar.
As far as I am aware of there is no supporting text for the claim that non-storming ley lines in normal conditions affect radios.

Was that added in later printings or books? I'm not seeing it in my copy.

[Blue_Lion]

Not sure think it was some where around the SoT or GMG that I remember reading it. Finding one line(of flavor text about ley lines) in dozens of physical books can be a bit of a challenge. But it is also possible I am remembering wrong. What I remember was flavor text about ley lines emitting all types of energy including radio waves. But do not recall a mechanical value just a vague refence to inerfance.

[Jorick]

Hard to find! Probably nothing here that will satisfy everyone, but, you know, electromagnetic waves are wonky even without super fantasy/sci-fi stuff all around.

SoT 6, pg. 13. "Magic, ley lines, dimensional anomalies and other atmospheric disturbances since the Coming of the Rifts only add to the problem, creating distortions, void areas and interference."

SoT 6, pg. 209. In a hook line and sinker about skelebots "Meanwhile, ley line activity in the area has prevented any radio contact, so they sit inactive." ["Ley line activity" could mean a storm. Or not.]

There's more discussion of communication issues that follows the first reference above. Really, I think the actual limitations of radio are enough to satisfy the problems described therein, and adding special sorts of interference is just icing on the cake. Whenever radio range is described for equipment or whatever, I think you have to assume it applies only in perfect conditions and with line-of-site (maybe you can bounce stuff off stuff, with a skill check, but unless you're on high ground in good weather, I think the GM is always within rights to say "no"). The magic zone, for instance, is all hills and deep forests, and if the GM wants to add "ley line issues" to it, then why not?

For compasses in particular, I think it should be GMs call again, but any dimensional anomaly could be an excuse to spin the needle.