Shadowrun Game?

[Krul]

With my deep love for the Shadowrun setting, and a appreciation for the changes brought by 4E Shadowrun, I've been thinking about gamemastering a Shadowrun game. I'm also thinking I'd want everyone to play Awakened/Emerged(technomancer) Characters for the story I have in mind. So, here's the question, who, if anyone, would be interested?

[Sean Cassidy]

At the very least, I would be willing to try it. I like the Shadowrun setting. Some sort of Physad for me, please.

[Joani]

You've got yourself a Decker for sure.

[Krul]

Hmm, two folks interested, right off the bat, well, I'd say that's a good indicator of interest, if we get a few more, we can get things rolling, but I intend to spend some time on Character Generation.

At the moment, it looks like a Technomancer/Decker and a Physical Adept/Samuri, so plenty of other rolls need to be filled, Mage, Face, Transport, to name a few, but 4-7 is the largest group I'd like to run.. so you two have the first two spots.

Now, character gen, I've just about all of the 4E books, in physical or pdf format, and I prefer the Karma Character generation system, from the Runner's Companion. I also prefer 500 BP characters to 400BP, so that translates into 1000 Karma for character generation. This means that there's no cost for race, it's a thematic choice, rather then a point cost (unless your talking Changelings/Drakes)

Yes, the stuff in the runner's companion is allowed, except, no infected, and I don't want to see any Naga, Pixie, Centaurs, AI or Spirit PC's either. Changelings and Drakes are ok, though I prefer Latent Drakes. Variant Metahumans are allowed also, though some of them you may want to consider carefully. Shifter races, also allowed.

If you don't have the Runner's Companion, or are uncertain about how the Karma Character generation system works.. no problem, I'll work with you on it.

[Dave ST]

My 1,000 karma runner came out to 771BP.

No Attribute is below 4, I have most skills at rank 4 or higher, and 200 points of Positive Qualities.

You sure about this?

[Krul]

I've do some playing with it myself, they tend to be broader characters, but in my view, more realistic, in my view, for Shadowrunners... at the 750 point stage. 1000 points tends to suggest higher talent/capabilities, and I want superior runners here, not run of the mill talent.

Also, I'm thinking of opening up certain options..with some restrictions, such as initiation/submersion after 800-900 Karma point.

But, with some concern about the matter, enough that I want to look characters over, and maybe insist on a few changes here and there, yes, I'm sure... you claiming a spot?

[Dave ST]

Sure, solidify the numbers a bit more so I know what I'll be working with.

Like availability restrictions on equipment.

And do you mean Awakened as in Metatype (Race) or Awakened (Magically active)?

I'd prefer to be a human, I don't mind being a mage, but if everyone is a mage or Physad... that's a lot of crossover.

[Krul]

I'll answer this, you correct it should be covered more.. I talked with Joani about it, so here goes.

If your backstory, and history covers it, you may take it regardless of avaliblity, but the higher the avalibility, the better the story should be.. and the more enemies should be lurking in the background.

Awakened - Magicially Active. Emerged - Technomage.

As to crossover, not as much as you might think.. Phys. Adept's can be very different.. but options such as Astral Sight, or Latent Awakening as also avalible, which makes for less crossover. For that matter, one technomage can be very different from another, depending on streams and forms. And mages can be even more different.

Oh, and let me add a few other things: The year is 2072, the location of your team, is Seattle. And, for technomancers, using the technomancer advantages in the sidebar in Unwired. Also, thinking it over, the limit on the number of spells(2xSpellcasting or Ritual Spellcasting), if your a mage, talk with me on it, it's not hard and fast rule.

when messaging me about characters for this game, post shadowrun first.

[Rorx]

I'd like to claim a slot if possible - Human Mage Initiate - May be based on a 3rd ed one I played a few scenarios of but I'll have to look over the 4th Ed changes to see how to adapt him.

That version had Quickend Int and Dex from a rusty memory (been getting on for 8-10 years since I last played him).

[Krul]

If I have more then one mage, I want them to belong to different traditions, and to cover different areas, such as combat mage and detective, or summoner and spellcaster. Sense Dave is also looking at a magician of sorts, need to interface with him, and see what area he's looking to focus on. Also, having looked over metamagic again, I'm leaning away from characters starting with iniation/submersion.

Also, right now, these roles appear to be claimed

Physical Adept - Elf: Possibly Changeling- Tenatively Melee focused

Technomage - Elf - Matrix Wizard, focused on Hacking

Mystic Adept - ???? - Ninja/Illusionist/Infiltration

Mage - Human - ????

[Rorx]

Ok, shouldn't be a problem. I'll look over the 4th rules in the next couple of days and firm up the ideas in PM with you and Dave as I go along.

[Dave ST]

I'm working on a Mystical Adept. Ninja concept, Adept powers to make him physically perfect, magical abilities the mimic Ninjitsu magic (invis, mask, silence, gecko crawl, enhance aim, etc...)

I'll have a sheet in a bit.

[Rorx]

Ok, I'll go for the more mundane generic Hermetic Mage - I'll work on specilising a bit when I get a chance to read over the 4th Ed stuff more, in the next couple of days.

[SalmonMax]

Dang, this went fast. Got any room for another, or is this just a game I'll have to watch and enjoy?

[Rorx]

Krul orginally said 4-7, so you might still be lucky

[Krul]

There are only 4 so far, so you get spot five, at the moment, the following rolls need to be covered.

Negotiation/Face

Transportation/Smuggler/Rigger

Fire Support/Ranged Combat

Investigation/Detective

[Krul]

To help in character creation, I offer the following, from the Runner's Companion. Also, to give a certain amount of incentive, answering these questions, thoroughly, which means at least a paragraph [150 words], will net you 1 karma per answer, 2 karma if you devote a page [900-1000 words] to it [and yes, that's one page per question]. This Karma will be banked for later, after the game is active, so you can't use it initially, in character creation. You may chose to answer these questions after the game has started, and still get the Karma awards.

*****************

1.We are shaped by our heritage. Facial features, skin tone, height, build, metatype, even aptitudes are influenced by the genes passed from parent to child. Attitude, too, is taught by parents, informed by their own lives and their cultural heritage. Where does your character come from, what is her lineage, who were her parents, and what did she inherit from them?

2. Parents can be proud of their children or regret ever bringing them into the world. Some are loving, and some are indifferent. All of them are only metahuman and have their own opinions of their children. Assuming they could speak, what would each of your character’s parents say about her?

3. Many people remember certain historical events for the rest of their lives. For those alive in the first decade of the 21st century, it could be the assassination of John F. Kennedy, or the Tiananmen Square protests, or the fall of the Berlin Wall, or the attacks of 11 September 2001. People remember where they were, and what they were doing when they first heard of these events. Shadowrun history has significant events as well, such as the assassination of President Dunkelzahn, the Crash 2.0, and the emergence of technomancers and artificial intelligences. Pick a few events from recent Shadowrun history and ask where the character was at the time, what does he remember about the event, and what was he doing at the time?

4. Very few people choose to become shadowrunners. More likely, they are thrown into the life by a chaotic and uncaring world. Even if she made a conscious decision to enter the shadows, her decision is influenced by the world around her. How did your character get into shadowrunning, and why did she take that path?

5. People have control over their own living arrangements. From the child young enough to use crayons and tape all the way up to the elderly shut-in who plasters her walls with family photos and cat pictures, everyone makes their living spaces more personally pleasing. What is your character’s living space like, and what has he added or changed to make it his own?

6. Everyone has beliefs, and many have beliefs strong enough to be convictions. Some are religious, some are political, some are social, and some are just about why people are here. What does your character believe in, what are her convictions (if any), and why does she hold them?

7. Everyone has aspects of their personality that grate on someone. Even the best of friends annoy one another from time to time. The flaws in a person’s character are as important as the qualities. What do you dislike most about your character’s personality?

8. The Sixth World is considered by many to be spinning out of control. If anyone could exert control over it, it would be the “Big Ten” triple-A megacorps. These transnationals exert a lot of influence on everyday life in the 2070s. Which of the Big Ten does your character hold in the highest (or least low) regard, which does he like the least, and why?

9. People make acquaintances and friends; we’re hardwired for it. Humans are social animals. This is especially true in the shadows, where often it is not the power you have, but the power you can borrow, and not who you, are but who you know. There’s a story behind each and every one of these relationships. What is the story with your character and her contacts?

10. It’s Sunday morning, and your character has no commitments until tomorrow afternoon. What does she do for the day?

11. Your character has a specific skill set, a list of Active and Knowledge skills that define what she knows and her areas of expertise. How did she come to learn those skills, and how did she develop them to those levels?

12. Everyone has their limits. People can be dark, but most people’s instinct is to draw the line at certain actions and thoughts, and they keep to their own moral convictions. Is there a moral limit that your character enforces on the jobs she takes, and in what shadow work would she refuse to engage?

13. If you have an Awakened or technomancer character, consider your character’s tradition and streams. Even within the major established magical traditions and the recently emerged technomantic streams, there is room for personalization. Ask yourself what drew her to that particular paradigm, how does it effect the way she views the world and her magic, how does it translate into choice of mentor spirit or paragon, and how does it affect the appearance of the spirits or sprites you conjure or compile?

14. While acceptance and bias vary from place to place, augmentations—be they bio-, cyber-, gene-, or nanoware—are increasingly common and available in the Sixth World. However, personal technological enhancement is rarely cheap, and many implants that runners possess are restricted. How did your character come to have the enhancements she has, how were they paid for, and what motivated the choices she made (if she did make the choices)?

15. Life as a shadowrunner is by definition outside the bounds of “normal” life. Shadowrunners do not truly fit into the lives of ordinary people, whether they live in slums or mansions. What does your character think of ordinary life, mainstream culture, and those who abide by it?

16. Everyone has nightmares. Sometimes, we forget the dream completely on waking. Sometimes, the nightmare haunts us or even recurs. If your character had a lingering nightmare or a deep-rooted fear, what would it be, and why does he find it so terrifying?

17. People tend to attach sentimental value to items in their possession or people they are close to. They make an effort to

keep these close by and safe. What is your character’s “sacred object” or “close one,” and how did they come to be so important to him?

18, One of metahumanity’s greatest assets is its ability to look toward the future and imagine a better life. Even small children have dreams about what they want to be when they grow up. What did your character want to become when he was a child, and what are his goals now?

19. A person’s appearance can say volumes about him. From fashion sense, to the colors he prefers, to the way he walks and speaks. Sometimes, his personality determines his appearance, and, sometimes, the appearance he chooses to present the world effects his personality. What does your character look like, and what inspired his choices?

20. Everyone has a name, but a runner’s street name is a representation of his connection to the shadows. Sometimes runners choose their own moniker, but more often it is given to them as a nickname or earned through some (mis)adventure. How did your character come to be known by his street name?

[Micah]

I'd like to play a gunslinger adept, if there's room open.

[Krul]

the Fire Support/Ranged Combat slot is now yours.

[SalmonMax]

Buh...wuh...guh...

Damnit.

So rigger or face now. Or detective.

Huh.

And they have to be Awakened? Do we have any shamen yet?

[Krul]

No shaman, and I was going to encourage the rigger to go droneamancer, for the technomagic aspect, though I could easily see a racer/adept instead. I would strongly prefer awakened or emerged(technomancer). Also, a bit overlap is ok, and it's a very strong preferance, not an absolute requirement, latent awakening or astral sight is one option.

[Krul]

Aright, this is what I have so far, no more melee focus characters please, the Warrior and Ninja have it well covered.

Asarasa(Sapphire): Deirdre - Adept - Changeling Elf - Martial Arts Warrior

Dave: Marko - Mystic Adept - Human - Ninja Infiltration & Assassin

Micah: Shivlal - Adept - Nartaki(Gold Skined) - 4 armed Gunslinger Weapons Specialist

Rorx: Uriel - Hermetic Mage - Human - Combat Mage/Sniper (Tenatively)

SalmonMax: Dale - TechnoMage - Human - Mechanic/Rigger

Joani: ??? - Technomage - Elf - Hacker

[Dave ST]

It's gone quiet.

[Rorx]

Just while people are finishing off their characters...

Been a reasonable amount of chat about it, enough to be sure it ain't going to die before it starts at least

[Dave ST]

Ahh, haven't been here for chatting. I've been incredibly busy the past couple of weeks, no real time for anything and what little time I have had it's been spent relaxing, not posting.

[Krul]

Folks have been working on characters, I've got partial sheets for most of the characters now.