crystlshake wrote:Personally id go with 'inteligence' being a learned trait. Unless the author wants the spring to carry some memories with it. Anouther contributing factor to this would be the average life expectancy of the race. If they have a similar to human lifespan, they could achieve their technology as inherited and their knowledge of how to use/make it as taught. However it could be suggested that the race as a whole exibits inquisitive tendencies. In addition the resonated signiature of a Mercutian(ami) could be explained as the same 'mana seepage' that caused the change in the kitsune (a side effect of living on the planet/being tied to it), and is somehting that he is picking up with his altered sences as a kitsune until he can actually smell or see her.
The 'tech head' ranma angle would also be kind of cool. Plus it would be easy to bring in at a latter than initial point. Give him (and the reader) some time to adjust to these changes, before his fascination with technology becomes apparent. It could also be tied to advanced technology, as the mundane things are relatively primitave, and things like the Mercury computer may have a magical signiature of its own to incite his interest. Maybe a 'mystical tech' or artificer angle.
This in turn could be used as an embelishment to Ranma's learning curve/style of thinking after he is cursed (like a +1 intelect racial bonus). Since tact would be tied to wisdom, he sadly wouldnt see any bonus to his negotiation skill(unless he got it from charisma). At least the bonus dexterity should give him a high enough dodge bonus to get out of the worst of it...(though his strength may have taken a hit when he changed making him somwhat weaker physically (comparitively)).
Didn't think of this earlier, but Ranma has been away from most of civilization for a while while in China, so maybe she first of all starts dismantling things like the TV remote, the phone, the vaccum, cars, etc. to get a grasp of modern technology before going for the Silver Millenium level stuff. After all, she has to be able to disguise the advanced stuff so it's not obvious and reveals Amy is Mercury.
