(4) New Orleans by Night (Shadowrun) (Inactive)

Game Master mdt

Turning back to the assembled runners, the woman continues. "I am unfortunately in the need of a new special projects team. My previous team was betrayed by one of their own. I am rather perturbed at this individual, I do not appreciate having my employees die on me. Not only is it inconvenient to find new people I can work with, on a personal level I rather dislike burying people I've come to like. Now then, this job would be more of an ongoing relationship. A patron as it were. I would pay you a retainer to be on call for any jobs I need done, and you'd need to be available on 24hours notice. When not working for me, you could of course find other work, so long as you are willing to be available on call if I need you. Putting my work as priority in other words. I would pay you 15,000 gold crowns per year for retainer..."

The Troll coughs, causing her to break off and look at him, and he nudges his head sideways in a minimal shake.

"Kugerands?"

Another small shake.

"Yen? Nuyen? Pounds Sterling? Euros? Dollars?"

Several more headshakes, before a small nod.

"Ah, yes, Dollars that is. 15,000 dollars per year retainer. Additional payment to be provided for each job upon handing them out. If you need to sub-contract to fulfill a mission, that can be accomplished as well, as long as you can articulate a good reason and don't spend my money willy nilly, that's my job." She smiles. "Now then, in exchange for giving me your high priority response time, I pay well, and I will use my influence to keep you out of jail and other nasty places where I can, provided you didn't do something outlandishly stupid to end up there. Once we enter into an agreement, you can leave whenever you want, with two weeks notice. If you do so, you forfeit the full retainer. If I let you go before the year is out, you keep the retainer in full."

She looks around. "Any questions?"

Wraith grinned at the offer. It seemed simply enough. Since she left Seattle she'd been without roots, and this seemed a fine enough beginning. Such a person must of course have lots of work, or else why pay money for a resource you didn't use? Well, she wished she had some kind of, if not guarantee--for such things did not exist--at least insight.

"Can you toss us a ballpark figure of the amount of work? The offer as a whole seems solid, but I'll frag my hoop t' be some rich dandie's mantle-piece to collect dust waiting by th' comm for a call don't come.

Mind you, one could start by asking about the status of the...compromising employee? Does that person require...discipline?"

It never hurt to ask.

Huh. Euros and Sterling, alright, but what the hell's up with the gold?" Roy thinks to himself, having sat down. "Well, I'd be a helluva lot happier if it was 15k Kruggerrands, mind you.", he says, grinning. Why do you want to do this, Roy? Is it because you like to see the world on someone else's money? Or because you're tryin' to see some interesting shit happen. Ah, f@!* it. Ain't like I'm 'bout to retire any time soon, might as well make it interesting.

Listening to Wraith, he puts his head on his white beard, chuckling. "Discipline, huh. That whatcha call it in that soggy hole o' yours up north?", he says, teasing.

Taking a sip of the old whiskey, he nods. "Sounds 'bout fair, though. If I wanted to be paid handsome sums for doin' nothin', I'd have ran for guvment ages ago. What I'd like is a certain amount as advance. I'll take the first job regardless, an' you got my promise I'll return the advance then and there." He takes a look at Wraith. "Your couch is nice 'n'all, but my back needs somethin' softer for permanent living. That, and the Cat's music's too old even for me.", he says with a grin.

Grinning at the jibe, Alanna grins and blows Roy a kiss.

"Well, I don't normally hire people to do work in ballparks..." The woman starts, sounding somewhat confused.

"She wants to know how often, as a rough guess, you intend to send them on assignments..." Bartholomew interrupts.

"Really? Well why didn't she just say that." Mr. Johnson responds, sounding somewhat cross. "I swear, people keep altering the language as if it were something you can just change willynilly without consequence." She sighs. "I generally will have between 5 and 10 jobs a year, of varying difficulty and length. As to 'advance' and such, I'm afraid I need a solid, reliable team that I can call when I need them. I assure you, the pay per job will be commensurate with the difficulty and time spent on it." She tilts her head, looking as if she's tasting out her words. "I ballpark the pay as usually about 10 to 20 percent above the going rate for the job, were I to hire random people from an employment facilitator... what do you call them? Repairers? Maintainers?" She trails off...

"Fixers..." Bartholomew adds helpfully.

"Yes! That's it, Fixers."

"Uhum..." Redline mumbled. Their would-be employer seemed like she had a bolt or two loose - most people usually knew what the currency was called at least. Might be old money, someone who isn't accustomed to actually handlin' it herself ... And again, ~10 jobs a year wouldn't interfere too much with any get-money-for-rent schemes. *And* less time actually looking for work is always a plus!

"I got a question see - say we are out of the country and you call - do we get a nice ride home?" Redline asked. The odds of her ever affording a vacation (or passing the border successfully!) seemed slim, but it never hurt to ask. And it may show how desperate she really is for mooks...

Aces, Cloudy thinks as he listens to the woman's offer. I've got to remember to buy Peaches something for turning me onto this gig.

As he thinks of what he might buy with the $15,000 he remarks to the woman, "Deal! When do we get paid?"

"I would hope you would alert me when you will be out of the country before hand, so that I might make other arrangements on the temporary time span you'd be out of country." She responds to Redline. "If you mean, when I send you somewhere, will I arrange your way home, of course."

She turns to Cloudy. "When the rest agree, and we all sign contracts." She takes a different folder out of her briefcase and puts it down.

She turns to Wraith. "As to your question about my wayward previous employee... I cannot answer that question until and unless everyone agrees. I can say I do not normally like to hire people for assassination..."

Wraith makes a confused face and mumbles. "So, you get your wetwork done for free? I don't--" but it's not currently her concern so the thought goes nowhere.

She finishes the fries that came with the first burger and is patiently waiting for the second. When the Johnson mentions more paperwork, she brushes the crumbs from her hands and takes a cleansing sip of ale.

"Well, let's be about it then! Paper and money, two great tastes that...nope, no they do not taste great together. Don't know where I was going with that. But tally ho! Let's get to the reading and the paying and the running. We wrap this up quick I can still make Wyrm Talk."

I think Wyrm Talk was the show that Monica, the runner that kicks off Shadowrun Returns: Dragonfall, was going to see. I guess if you let the AI go, she still gets to see it. =) Oh, um, spoiler alert. X)

I think I've seen mentions of Wyrm Talk in other sources too. But! Not sure at what timespan it ran, it was when Dunkel~spellingsomething ran/became president right?

"Okay." Redline nodded. It made sense, shame about that private jet though. She took another sip of her drink and eyed Wrath's burger, picking up pace. Dammit. What did father use to say I should ask before getting employed? Permanent employment wasn't something she had actually considered herself, but her parents were still hopeful. I uh guess they'll be happy now?

"What about health benefits and stuff like that? Do we have insurance - or dental plan? It would be nice to have, but nothing she really expected. She waited for the reply, either way, before continuing on. "All right, I'm in."

Wraith can't control a snort as employee benefits come up. She looks at Redline. "Honey, were criminals. But don't worry, we'll take some of that cash and we'll go hit the street tonight. We'll find us a nice handsome street doc that likes work and cash and hates questions."

Another kiss gets blown in Redline's direction.

The woman raises an eyebrow. "I was under the impression that the runners get their own contracts with that emergency response service... DoctorWagon? I'm not paying pension or taxes on you either." She gives a slightly lopsided grin.

Selachii had been watching the interplay and exchanges quietly, some of the colder regard his mien had been displaying fading somewhat with the nuances he was gathering. "Sou desu. You are an individual that is not without resources." The unspoken implication of having gathered the names on their SINs, or the casual disregard that they were displayed said more, as well as her off-hand attitude. It was different than some of the meets that he had attended, but perhaps it was allowed in her case. "As we can provide services for some of those resources in payment, I suspect we are suitably... interested in your offer. You wish to deal in known quantities, and we wish for something of a stable arrangement."

He looked around the table and gauged what he saw before returning to the Johnson. "So far, I have not heard anything that would cause me to disagree. Therefore, provided you are not a representative of the interest that we are dealing with, this sounds too good to be true. I would politely request that you allay some of my concerns."

Despite his casual dress, his manner was Seattle-polite, and via that, vaguely wary.

The woman shrugs. "This whole meet is proof. If it isn't enough, I have no idea what would be. Throwing a stack of royal... dollars at you? I've proved I have sufficient reach to know exactly who you are, and a good bit of your history, before I offer you the job. I've had one of the more exclusive bars hired for a night as a meeting place. I've provided above average magical protection, and above average physical protection, and above average matrix protection. All in all, I've already invested more in this meeting than most Mr. Johnson's pay you in a year. If that level of effort on my part is not an indicator of my resources and intentions, I don't know what would be."

Roy nods. "Well, she does have a point. So it means, you want experienced people, an' you know where t'find them, and you like keepin' them. Ain't usual for most business people these days, sadly. So, you can count me in, Mr. Johnson." He takes a draw from his cigarette and removes his glasses, taking a glance at Redline. "I guess we can probably go without dental. And the taste of this drink will wash down the sad feeling I get when we screw over the CAS tax office."

He nods at the newcomer. "I'm guessin' this situation is a bit more of a supply an' demand sorta situation. What I gathered, Mr. Johnson's needin' a team, on short demand, with some sorta reliability. An', I'm guessin' that since we qualified as such, we got a decent deal outta it."

HepCat sits quietly as the others question their new employer. Already he is planning upgrades to Lucile and the garage...

"Aces, sounds good to me," Cloudy responds as he listens to the lady's answers to the questions the other runners have put to her.

The woman nods and takes the folder and hands it to Bartholomew. He in turn fishes through it, takes out one paper for each remaining person, and then begins handing them out, just like before.

Each runner is given another document with another contract on it.

"As you can see, I've already signed the contract." She comments.

"What is it with the grues, anyway. Back in my day, when we had this old thing called the Internet, them used to be a legend.", Roy says, taking the pen and twirling it around his fingers. "Other than that, seems fair. Though I wonder if that here pen don't use my blood.", he says, writing down his elaborate signature and putting the pen on the table. "Well, that's it, boss.", he says, putting his hands on the table. "My curiousity is now peakin'.", he says with a smile.

When the pen comes around to him, HepCat signs his name on the dotted line.

"Done, and done! Crazy man...now what?"

He remembers Suki's warning as he grabs the pen and signs, Hope I don't regret it. Aloud he utters, Inquiring minds want to know," as he gazes at Mr. Johnson.

Reaching out for the pen, Selachii signed with a slight bit of apprehension, but had to concede the point. "This is more of a guarantee than I have had in the past." Similarly to the first contract, he signed the name that had already been filled in prior, then set the pen in the middle of the table for the others to sign next.

Lifting his eyes to the Troll, he nodded courteously. "I too would like one of those burgers, if I may. With a Bloody Mary, please."

"Well - no harm in askin'. But I guess I can afford a lot of floss!" Redline grins and signs.

Alanna smiles at Jairdan. "A fine choice and you'll not regret it! The bun is obviously soy, but the lettuce tastes fresh! Mostly."

Wraith signs, but as an afterthought, she says, "I notice this has neither Mandatory Acceptance clause, nor an Optional Rejection clause. Of course, us bein' such good friends an' all, I'll give your proposals of employment the utmost consideration. But if you tell me to go put a slug in the brain-pan of Lowyr and you offer 2 bucks an' a shiny nickle...then we shall have words."

She calls out to the troll. "Apologies, good sir Barth, if our pallet does not test the culinary skills of the chef this day. On another day mayhap muse shall play a more intricate tune upon subtle tongue!"

As each person signs the paper, there's a small tingling sensation.

"Ah, excellent. Thank you very much for putting up with my... What is it that they call me Bartholomew?"

"That b~&!@ that needs to be drawn and quartered?"

She frowns, giving him a quelling glance. "No."

"That crazy b$#*! who's insane?"

She taps her lips. "No, no, not that one either. The one that they call me when they like me..."

Bartholomew seems nonplussed for a moment. "When they like you?" He seems lost at that thought, then finally offers up. "Eccentric?"

"YES! That's the one! I love that word. Eccentric. It denotes such things, very evocative."

She returns to looking at the runners. "Thank you for putting up with my eccentricities. I'm afraid, as you can tell, this is not my native language. So sometimes I mistake the language, or the intentions, it's especially bad with slang. I do apologize in advance if I don't get your jokes, or you don't get mine. Now then, by signing the contract, you will have some defense against any of my enemies that may try to do something to you. Which means I can talk more freely. Now then, you are welcome to spend the rest of the night enjoying the bar and food. My first job for you, which is a very easy one, is to go to this address and retrieve this statue." She pulls a small statue of a cat out of her briefcase. "This is a maneki-neko statue, there is a matching one, with it's right paw raised. It is at the address in the file. If you go before dawn, there will be no-one home, and the defenses will be a combination of spiritual and automated. The house is not on the network, so it will require physical intrusion to deal with the automated defenses. Retrieval of the statue will be $20,000, to be split how you like amongst yourselves. Bartholomew will be available here between 5 and 7PM tomorrow to accept the statue."

She looks to Wraith. "If you wish to take a job retrieving my former employee, I will also offer a bounty to you for that. $40,000 if you bring him to me dead, $70,000 if you bring him to me alive. I will give you his current known location. He will be guarded, although I suspect he'll have prepared more for magical intrusion than physical, given my tastes."

Roy taps his fingers on the table. "Well, could be helluva lot worse.", he says, looking over the rest of the group. "I'd say we see what's goin' on 'bout this house. Run a recon, like them military folks call it. Then we make a plan an' we pick up the statue. Seem 'bout fair?" And I'd like to learn a bit more about our courteous benefactor, as it were.

He stops for a bit. "Say we decide to take on the bounty.", he asks, pulling his hat upwards. "How d'we keep in touch? Is Bartholomew gonna be our middleman?" I ain't got patience for traitors. An', I'd like to ask said gentleman 'bout our employer, if possible.

The woman nods. "Yes, in general, Bartholomew would be handling your assignments. Once you've completed the first contract, he'll provide you with contact information."

Wraith nods vigorously. This is looking...good? Some decent, easy money right now with a juicy contract to put someone to sleep and haul them in? As runs go, this was about as straight as they got.

"Well frag my hoop an' call me Candy! Tally ho and Sally Ride? How 'bout it, HepCat? How many can pile in an' get t' goin.?

Everyone ready? We can make something more concrete once we get eyes on. Sooner we're done with this, sooner we can get on old Sir Snitch-a-lot and drag his unconscious form in for 70 large."

Wraith seems unusually, even unnaturally optimistic. Whether it's from the free food or the prospect of new work, or something else entirely is as yet unclear.

"I got 4 bucket seats for you to rest your shapely behinds, babies! This is crazy, cats. Lets pile up and burn rubber!"

"Yah, I'm game." Redline stands up a bit too quickly hand have to steady herself on the table. "Only question is how do we deal with the 'spiritual' side? Overwhelming firepower?" Her grin signalled that she liked that solution. Probably not just for any spirits, but any and all of life's little troubles.

So everyone to the HepCat-mobile?^^

Her name is Lucille :-)

"Ya! Overwhelming firepower! My favorite spell, up top!" Wraith gives Redline a high-five.

Bartholomew clears his throat. "Overwhelming firepower will be spectacularly underwhelming to spirits. I suggest you use brawn over firepower, unless you just like wasting bullets."

Easy creds, Cloudy hopes. Aloud he says, "Lets roll our window of opportunity is getting shorter the longer we dawdle,"

Brawn over firepower^^?

Redline enthusiastically return Wraith's high-five and chuckles at Bart.

"It's all about the right dosage!"
She shifts her glance to her new employer and asks one last question, this time in jest. But maaaaybe she'll do it, given how weird she has been acting?

"I suppose I can't write 'truck-o-ammo' on my expense report. No?"

And following the very probable 'no', if only for logistic reasons;

"Aight. Let's head out to that ride of yours HepCat!"

Awakened World Knowledge, critters, or magical knowledge check. Waiting on Roy. How are you all getting there, not everyone can fit in Hepcat's ride..

"Do you have enough room for all of us?" Cloudy asks Hepcat.

"Not to spoil the jovial atmosphere", Selachii began calmly, "I do with to ascertain that the... lack of a plan is to simply go over there and take the statue?" Sitting back in his seat, his mannerisms indicated he had no intentions of joining in on the joyride. "Where is it located? What are the surrounding environs? What is the layout? Doors? Windows?"

"Sorry baby, but I can only take 3 with me. Anyone else got wheel?"

Paranormal Animals check?

Paranormal Animals, TN 4, I guess?: 4d6 ⇒ (6, 4, 6, 4) = 20 Nice!

Roy nods at Selachii. "Kid's gotta point. I reckon it's best to case the joint tonight, while noone's there, and come back the next day." He leans back on his chair. "And I ain't terribly sure about them magical devices and traps. I'd rather get some advice on those, and how to avoid them." He stands up, stretching his arms and sending a smile at HepCat. "Well, I'm callin' shotgun. I reckon me, you, the computer guy and the local kid go and check it out, and leave the ladies to go and shop for whatever it is girls buy these days. Mostly 'nade lauchers, if I judge them two correctly." He finishes his drink and nods at the door. "Shall we?"

"Normally, I'd agree with taking our time to gather some intell but it appears that the target is vulnerable until dawn this morning. I think this is a one shot deal, we'll just have to settle for a quick drive by and recon," Cloudy suggests.

He continues, "perhaps HepCat can make two trips with his vehicle. First trip dropped off is our Recon team while the second group plans our escape and secures another vehicles if necessary."

"Eh, I got a pickup. No bucket seats though..." Redline offers on the transportation front, but she does look a little bit disappointed to miss the joyride.

You built your own vehicle? I thought I'd specified stuff 'out of book' to start with? Otherwise the decker could have done a custom deck rather than an off the shelf deck. Or did you just add some after market mods to a base model?

It was just off the base model....nothing crazy.. I sent you the specs with my character file and you did not say anything, so I thought I was fine....It is a base Bulldog stepvan. If you check my file it should have all the info there....here is a list of the modifications addad...if they are not legal, then I will remove them.

Sorry, I was buried that week and I paid more attention to the characters than the vehicles and such. Looks like everything was off the shelf plug ins other than the turret and armor, so that's fine. I thought you were using the 'create a vehicle' rules, which are 'build from scratch' rules like the 'build a deck from scratch' rules or 'build a gun from scratch' rules. which I was not allowing. Buying components and popping them on a core vehicle is fine.

Great...sorry about that...I had enough learning about rigging that I was not ready to dive into those rules...maybe later..lol

Sighing softly at the the current plan, Selachii raised both of his hands, the sleeves of his coat falling slightly to show the polished edge of a wrist-secretary as he shook his head. "It is currently evening. That means we have at least six hours to prepare, if not more. All I need is one to make sure that I have covered my end before you head to the location. We do not know if the security is standard or rigged, as I would be less effective were it a rigged system."

There was more he could say, but that fell more towards "telling others how to do their job", and in front of their Johnson, no less. "I would ask that we take a brief amount of time to plan. The less noise we make, the less reason they have to pursue us, and I would prefer to keep the amount of damage we do to a minimum, if possible."

Mr. Johnson nods. "Well, I'll leave you to plan, or eat, or both. Bartholomew will be available if you want anything. Have fun storming the mansion." She says with a smirk and traipses out, swinging her briefcase like a schoolgirl in a hurry.

Bartholomew raises an eyebrow. "If you'd like to plan over food, I'll take orders and leave you to planning. The room is secured for the rest of the night." He takes any orders and then leaves, taking up a position at a table just outside the door in the main dining room. Within calling distance, but outside earshot.

There is wi-fi if you want to get on the net for research. The house layout is in the papers given. The house has an alarm system with a hardwire to the local security company and a cellular network backup system. The house is not on the net, so any electronic intrusion will require being in the house first. The house is on a two acre plot in Hammond. It has an 8 foot stone wall around it.

Ok, no problem then. It's likely an artifact of the program. If you bought it as equipment you're fine.

When using a smartlink - 2 apply only a +2 called shot modifier (rather than the usual +4). Also apply a -1 modifier for linked weapons such as underbarrel grenade launchers, grenade guns, rocket launchers, and similar systems.

Missile launchers and other systems with an inherent intelligence rating can't benefit from a smartlink system.

Smartlink 2 systems only work with guns that are smartlink 2 equipped.

Note that I houserule that SL2 will work with SL1 guns and equipment, but only give the benefits of a SL1.

I'm still slowly working through a character. I've gotten to spells and I'll post them here just in case there's something that people *really* want me to have and its missing from this list:

Stunbolt [F6]
Heal [F6]
Armor [F5]
Sterilize [F3]
Improved Invisibility [F1]
Stealth [F1]
Increased Reflexes +3 [F1]
Mindlink [F1]
Detect Life [F1]

I'm well aware of the downsides of F1 spells, but sacrifices must be made.

2) Can I pick up hydraulic jacks without having actual cyberlegs and/or would lower leg replacements perhaps suffice?

Replacement is required; up to the GM whether or not lower leg replacements are sufficient.

3) Also, max starting skills of 6 and specializations - is 4/6 (as in, specialization at 6), 5/7 (6 'skill points' spent) or 6/8 (ordinary skill at 6) the maximum?

5/7 (6 points spent) is the max.

Apti, If you can afford it, get a spell lock for that IR+3. But you undoubtedly already know that. ;)

Shugyōsha's basically-complete sheet(s) can be found here. An HTML-reading plug-in for Google docs is recommended, though I don't mind people downloading and viewing them if they don't want to bother with the plug-in.

I decided to do some maximizing of starting skill points, since at the higher end, a couple points now can equal up to 16 karma later. I was VERY tempted to not take Bike (because defaulting at a +4 TN when you have -2 TN and 11 dice to throw is actually kind of workable), but went ahead and did it anyhow. Glad I got mnemonic enhancer to start with, though. ;)

Any questions, please ask. :)

@1) - All right, good to know : )

@2) - Mkay. So just like 4th ed then. Have to think about if chopping ones legs off is worth being able to jump hilariously high.

@3) - Okay - good to know.

@Shygyösha - Too lazy to even download, I just glared at the html directly :P

Only thing odd is the Sypthoid (sp?) Gland that seems to be applying its bonuses at all times. When I looked at the documentation earlier, it seems to be a known bug, but just a heads up : )

@Skills - Yes, I know the feeling. It's uh an odd system, I think. Personally I prefer (in the edition I've played at least, but it seems similar) the karma builds as it removes the temptation from my sometimes oh so weak mind. But then, I just end up with a giant list of rank 2 skills ...

Also, coming from 4th ed, it feels a bit odd that the attributes does not impact the skill rolls (other then how easily it is to train and various pools). Makes me think, are IPs still the king of combat (probably!) or should one aim for quality?

Oh and another bonus question - on the topic of complimentary skills and group roles - I was thinking of having Redline sometimes serve as a spotter for our sniper.

It would place her in a nice vantage point if her more destructive talents are needed and having an extra warm body around is always helpful when someone decides that they are tired of being sniped :P

I know there is a spotter functionality for heavy weapons but is there one for 'mere' snipers?

Oh and another - is it possible to flag a language as native in that little software of ours?

(I assume that is a thing in 3rd ed, remember seeing it on some of the char sheets that has been floating around)

How does dice-throwing work? I'm guessing here, but if Roy's got 8 'Combat' dice and 8 in his 'Pistol/Particular Revolver', with -1TN for Aptitude, is he rolling 16 dice, and aiming towards a TN, which is reduced by 1 by aptitude?

Basically, what I gather is, Roy wants to shoot someone who's bein' disagreeable, and the TN to hit him is 5.

Roy rolls the 16 dice, and tries to get 4 5's and 6's, and every 6 is rolled again?

Am I right, or am I mixing up the systems horribly?

I also found a picture for Roy.

Yeah, I can't afford any spell locks. And I even thought of dropping the IR+3 given that. But eventually I'll want it so I might as well have it now and get that spell lock when I can.

The biggest difference between 3rd and 4th is the change in importance in attributes. In 1st through 3rd edition the game was built around skilled characters that did the job. The move to attributes gives the feel of many other rpgs that are more "superhero" in style. It simpler and easier for people to get, but it strips that skilled expert theme. (Neither are wrong, it's just a different feel to the game.)

IPs are still the king of combat. Though the further away you are, the less IPs you need (in practice). If you can stay hidden and hit hard, you'll do fine. Also, stats play a much more important role the closer you get to combat. Strength is a notable attribute that is either really important, or not important at all.

Currently, I don't think we have a sniper? Or at least not a dedicated one.

Dice roll would be like this :

Roy : I have 6 and I will use 6 dice from my 8 combat pool to hit the target. He is at long range, but I have vision magnifiction, so the target number is 4 anyway. My aptitude reduces the TN from 4 to 3, and my smartgoggles reduce it again to 2.

Remington 990: 12d6 ⇒ (4, 2, 2, 3, 2, 2, 5, 5, 6, 6, 4, 5) = 46 12 successes

Target : I dodge! I put everything from my combat pool into it. My quickness is 5, and my dodge pool is 6. My TN is 4.

Dodge: 11d6 ⇒ (2, 3, 3, 6, 1, 5, 2, 2, 4, 3, 4) = 35 4 Successes, 1 one, 3 Net Successes

Roy : My rifle does 7S damage. I have 12 successes, minus 3 reduction, is 9 successes. My damage is 7D (2 successes to up to Deadly) with 7 extra successes.

Target : My armor is 8 Ballistic, meaning I soak versus 7 - 8 = -1, so TN of 2. I'm a troll, and I have 9 body.

Body: 9d6 ⇒ (4, 2, 2, 2, 2, 4, 4, 4, 5) = 29 9 successes

Target : I reduced the 7 extra successes, and had 2 left over to reduce it by one level. I take a Serious wound.

EDIT : Fixed typo with 16 vs 12 successes.

Huh. That's really different from what I expected. I'll try and get the Core Rulebook (or whatever the name of the SR3 CRB is) and give it a read.

Thanks for rolling with a newcomer to the system!

BTW : Fixed the example, I used 16 successes instead of 12 originally.

Wraith is getting (among other things) cyber climbing claws, a balance augmenter, and a sniper rifle (still not sure which one, looking at the Walther MA-2100 from CC), so she'll be able to climb anything to get anywhere. Other than tricking out the rifle, I'm not sure how much more dedicated a sniper can get. (I mean, she'll still have CQ stuff, of course, just sayin'. =)

@aptinuveil: I'm sorry, what are "IP"s?

IPs are initiative passes.

For "sniping" I recommend using a sports rifle for regular work. In CAS they're really normal weapons. Hunting rifles are about as common a weapon as it gets. (Just as now in rural areas owning a hunting rifle is more common than owning a pistol.) Not that you shouldn't have a good sniper rifle for when we have the chance to set you up in a decent spot and the mission calls for it.

As for what you want: I'd suggest Smartlink II and good vision mods. That pretty much takes care of a wide range of modifiers to TNs that are likely to pile on. And they're useful in more than just shooting situations. The only other thing that'll be important is stealth. Everything else is just up to character style. And for your character, the best part is that these things synergize well with a close quarter fighter. Having good vision and being stealthy is important for just about anyone.

Man is it going to take some un-learning to get back into the 3e feel. Kept looking at the example and saying "that is not a 5 or 6...so they are misses!" Dud!!
Anyway, I am going to change my are from synth to cyber so I have room to fit all the stuff I need in it. If that works, then I think my character is pretty much done...just need equipment and vehicles and a place to call home!

I was thinking of purchasing (if I have the money) a permanent home (a garage) that might act as a base for our group. I was going to put it on the outskirts of the city, next to the bayou (where no one but the 'gater shamen can hear you scream!!)

@ Lion: I can picture HepCat coming to your place before he setup in New Orleans looking for allies. Maybe you initially turned him down, but he left an open invite for you to come, and when something happened on the farm and you needed to leave, well you remembered your old friend's son and came to visit!

Ok...here is the link to my Shadowrun 3 folder in Google Docs. It has the NRSCG file for HepCat if you wish to download it and make any alterations. Also has some of the books if anyone needs a link.

HepCat

@Daniel - The arm has a DNI for interfacing into electronics, specifically an RCD (which is designed to also jack physically into vehicles). That means you don't need the Datajack as well, as you can jack in from the arm using the DNI for the RCD which is designed to jack into electronics.

Also, you're likely to get yelled at by Paizo for a link that includes PDFs.

woops..thought I excluded those ones...just meant to link the character stuff...will remove that now...

And will return the datajack from the character as well...thanks

sorry been busy will catch up later.

Only thing odd is the Sypthoid (sp?) Gland that seems to be applying its bonuses at all times. When I looked at the documentation earlier, it seems to be a known bug, but just a heads up : )

You're too used to turn on / turn off cyberware - or the 'must fill' adrenaline pump. The suprathyroid gland, like most bioware (excluding the aforementioned adrenaline pump), is 'on' all the time, and thus applies its benefits (and disads) all the time as well. (It's one reason why she always carries 3 days worth of survival bars.)

@Daniel - The arm has a DNI for interfacing into electronics, specifically an RCD (which is designed to also jack physically into vehicles). That means you don't need the Datajack as well, as you can jack in from the arm using the DNI for the RCD which is designed to jack into electronics.

Technically not true. A deck (of whatever kind) inside a limb still needs to be jacked into. Something that's normally in that location (cyberspurs, a cybergun, smartlink, etc.) that's in a cyberlimb still has its standard neural link, or else piggybacks on the limb's link, but dodging the high implant cost by installing something in a cyberlimb (notably the VCR and cyberdecks) typically means you still need the DNI implanted.

Your game, of course, can be different. ;)

Nah I just misremembered what I read from the programs documentation (here) and got it mixed up. I assume the suprathyroid glad is the boosted metabolism one then, given the food comment?

Also, if you are going to carry extra snacks, go with the good stuff :P

Some things of note:
1. I initially had the idea of just going with 3's in all physicals and 6 in all mental attributes. But then as the character came together in my head he struck me as someone that almost religiously works out. (Though a runner rather than a lifter.)

2. I'm pretty happy with how his skills worked out. His active skills are a good mix of really good mage and some low level intelligence training. He's competent in a fight, but nothing special. His knowledge skills are spread between his ridiculous savant nature when learning magic in school and his duties in counter-intelligence and security with the government. Though if anyone sees any knowledge skills that are glaringly absent, let me know!

3. I'm not married to the spells. Especially IR+3. If anyone can think of a good F1 spell to replace it with I'd be happy to switch. I'll eventually pick it up with a spell lock, but it's not my biggest priority at the moment.

4. Flaws: So, Ashley can't drive. Given I've taken it as a Flaw, it's going to come up. So...don't let him drive your cars! :)

5. As you can see he has essentially no gear. The lack of weapons isn't a huge deal. He's not the one that has to pump out the bullets in this group. But the lack of foci is going to hit hard. He's also a good conjurer, but has no conjuration materials. So, at least early on, he'll be using a lot of Watchers. (Which, frankly, I'm more of a fan of anyway.)

Technically not true. A deck (of whatever kind) inside a limb still needs to be jacked into. Something that's normally in that location (cyberspurs, a cybergun, smartlink, etc.) that's in a cyberlimb still has its standard neural link, or else piggybacks on the limb's link, but dodging the high implant cost by installing something in a cyberlimb (notably the VCR and cyberdecks) typically means you still need the DNI implanted.

Your game, of course, can be different. ;)

You are correct.

However, he had both a datajack and a DNI (He payed for an extra DNI). I was pointing out he didn't need to have both, as once he had the DNI for jacking into the deck, which itself is designed to jack into other things, he didn't need the datajack. If you check his sheet, you'll see both a DNI into the RCD for the arm, and a Datajack. The datajack is redundant.

Ok, so, I'd like to get us up and running next week.

What I need :

Your character source file. You can e-mail it to mdtPathfinder @ gmail.com (remove the spaces) or you can PM me a link to a drop box or google drive location. If you aren't using the program, I need a fully filled out sheet, with all equipment on it. I'll put that into the program. I intend to use the program to keep everyone's characters up to date and audited.

You'll need alias's as well. The alias's should contain your stats. They should also contain your skills, and links to your character sheets if they are online. If not, I'll be making PDFs of them and putting them in my drive so I have access to them.

You'll also need to put your important need to know info in your alias's gender/race/class fields so they show up in posts. I'll have to figure out exactly what that info should be. Lessah can show you examples of what I am talking about with one of their alias's from a previous game (likely the space game Lessah). A link to a post is fine if you don't mind.

Oh and another - is it possible to flag a language as native in that little software of ours?

(I assume that is a thing in 3rd ed, remember seeing it on some of the char sheets that has been floating around)

3rd edition assumes your native language is the one you put your free language points into.

Oh and another bonus question - on the topic of complimentary skills and group roles - I was thinking of having Redline sometimes serve as a spotter for our sniper.

It would place her in a nice vantage point if her more destructive talents are needed and having an extra warm body around is always helpful when someone decides that they are tired of being sniped :P

I know there is a spotter functionality for heavy weapons but is there one for 'mere' snipers?

By 2067, snipers no longer need a spotter. Modern sniper rifles have windage, range finders, and other 'spotter' aspects built into them already.

If using a broken or antique sniper rifle, penalties would be to the target numbers for not having a spotter.

Here's my profile. I mailed the character sheet. I've got a copy in the profile, though I'm not sold on the format.

I also still need a way for the character to have joined up with the group. Any of the 'established' runners interested in a recent run-in with a mage that needs a friend?

If you finalize the character (link is on the Karma page), you can print out the character to an HTML character, which you can then print into a PDF. Save the finalized character into a different file, in case you make any last minute changes.

Ashley as PDF

Mkay I'm making some progress on my character. I just have some questions I'd like to bring up:

1) As someone whom is missing Man & Machine - What's the difference between Smartlink and Smartlink II?

2) Can I pick up hydraulic jacks without having actual cyberlegs and/or would lower leg replacements perhaps suffice?

3) Also, max starting skills of 6 and specializations - is 4/6 (as in, specialization at 6), 5/7 (6 'skill points' spent) or 6/8 (ordinary skill at 6) the maximum?

Sorry, had to wait until tonight to answer 2 and 3. 3 Already got answered, here is 2...

HYDRAULIC JACKS
Hydraulic jacks require extensive and obvious modifications to the legs, making them most common among those with cyberlegs. Hydraulic jacks greatly increase the maximum distance (both vertical and horizontal) the user can jump, increase running speed and absorb impact from falls.

Game Effects
A character equipped with hydraulic jacks adds rating x 20 percent to his maximum jump distance (see p. 47, SRComp). Each rating point also adds an extra die for Athletics (Running) Tests. Add a number of dice equal to the jacks’ rating to Athletics (Jumping) Tests.
If a character can manage to land on his feet, hydraulic jacks can also absorb some of the impact of a fall. (Landing on one’s feet requires a successful Quickness (5) Test for a height of 5 meters or less, +1 to the target number for every additional 4 meters.) Reduce the Power level of the fall by the jacks’ rating. Hydraulic jacks have a maximum rating of 5.

So, yes, you can get them in meat legs. However, they are obviously heavily modified and have metal bits sticking out of the flesh to handle the jack.

Legality codes are at the top of the thread now.

CAS uses Confederate Dollars, not Nuyen, but for character creation purposes and buying equipment, we will assume book prices are in CFD, not Nuyen. Makes it easier.

CAS has gotten rid of Intent vs Threat logic in their laws, if you threaten you intend to use.

They've also stopped putting people in jail for possession of drugs. Transport of drugs has penalties that include jail time. Transport refers to, under CAS laws, transport with intent to distribute. So, walking around with a baggie of pot isn't transport. Walking around with more than can be used in a week is.

Illegal software transport refers to either transport of multiple copies of the same software (minimum 50 chips), or transmitting it over wireless or wired networks.

Posession of light arms is not punishable, although selling to people who can't legally own them can be (such as selling to a convicted fellon). Shotguns fall under fifles, unless they are capable of automatic fire. Smartgun equipped weapons are considered 'military grade' weapons, so any pistol or rifle with a smartlink is considered Military Weapons. Permits can be gained for what is classified as 'security grade' weapons (including smart link 1 weapons). These permits are generally granted to people without a criminal license. Smartlink 2 weapons are Military Grade weapons, and permits for these are much harder to come by and looked at closely.

Those who live in the swamps can apply for special 'Hostile Environment' permits for light anti-vehicle weapons to deal with awakened critters.

Bugger. Because of course ALL my weapons are SG2 equipped. I may just have to ... hm. Is the difference between SG1 and SG2 going to be a particularly easy thing for a cop to deduce? (Not that the NOPS aren't bloody corrupt as it is, but still ...)

And, um ... top of which thread?

Scroll to the top of the page when you're reading this. Look for a blue link called 'Legality Codes'.

It's not easy to tell just looking at it, unless you leave the Logos on the equipment. :) If they click a chip to it and run a test, it'll show up as SL2. Or if they just use their own SL to access it.

Ooo, ahhh, ohhh, thanks. (Dur.)

Hm. So normally, we wouldn't need licenses for standard handguns, but if it's SG1, we would. Hrm.

OTOH, with the long coats - (which, I somewhat assume, are locally going to be the lighter-weight sorts for the non-freezing temps?) - my lowest weapons concealability is a 9 - or, well, a 7 for the katana, but still ....

The katana is legal to walk around with, as long as you aren't threatening anyone with it. Although a Katana will get you laughed at, as it's one of those 'jap' weapons. A good old fashioned machete on the other hand won't raise an eyebrow.

That varies by location of course. Restaurants tend to frown on it.

There are permits available for SG2, but they're for security forces, PD, and members of the Confederate National Guard.

Doing a (pretty quick) meatball look at it - and my katana is not your run-of-the-mill weapon (i.e. dikote does lots of wonderful loving things to it :D ) - and I'm looking at almost 30k for licenses, which would be on 'burnable' SINs anyhow.

I don't think I'd spend that much in bribes to ask the NOPS at the cop stop to look the other way. I'd definitely be better off spending that much for contacts in the local precincts ... which I am reminded I haven't got. *goes back to widgeting*

You'll also need to put your important need to know info in your alias's gender/race/class fields so they show up in posts. I'll have to figure out exactly what that info should be. Lessah can show you examples of what I am talking about with one of their alias's from a previous game (likely the space game Lessah). A link to a post is fine if you don't mind.

There. Nothing fancy, just a few stats in the lines as you can see if you click on the alias (note: they only show up in discussion/gameplay threads, which is likely why our dear mdt wanted the link :P).

As for what to put there I nominate all the derived pools/stats (that are relevant; initiative, combat pool, reaction ect), the social first glance/impression skills, condition tracks, armour.

Edit: Another small note, it is just the Race and Class/Level (and I *think* perhaps one more field) that actually show up, and they don't show up in the order listed on the edit profile page. You can go to your alias tab and see what it displays.

@mdt - legality question: Would types of hidden cyberware weaponry (say retractable razors) be considered cyberware of what letter or a weapon from a legal point of view (aka retractable razors = small blades or = Cyberware X)?

Race, class, and Gender.

If it can normally be carried legally, it's Class A cyberware. If you normally need a permit, it's Class B, and if it has a prison term for carrying it it's Class C.

In the book, it is classed as Class A cyberware (which do indeed carry a prison term). Just thinking since that column lacks a threat or use section and the severity of hand razor possession seems particularly tied to if they are used or not ... :P

I may simply rely on the fact that they are retractable and thus hard to detect and then refrain from walking trough cyberware scanners

Put some more info in the character sheet. Also tried out a few formats for stat lines. I'm sure someone could find a way to make it more efficient and look better. Just let me know how you want it and I'll switch it up right away.

ok..here is alias and basic character...still buying gear and vehicles/drones. Money might be tight, so it might come down to 1 vehicle and 2-3 drones to start...will have to wait and see.

Oh, I've altered gear a little bit. First, to make the character's armor work better and second to get permits for some spells. I'm working on the spell permits being 10% of how much the spell formula would be? (That's generally how I handle it, but it's never specifically stated in the book so I figured I should double-check.)

I've sent you the "final" copy of the character with the updated gear.

10% of the spell formula cost seems reasonable.

Howdy, folks!

I've send a character to mdt, and I've finalised a version of Roy, one that I'm happy with. (More Wyatt Earp-y one.)

I've also prepared the PDF file. Sorry if I got something wrong.

Cowboy, shotgun style.

EDIT: I now realised that I haven't got the name of the specialisation/Imp. Abil skill right. It's definitely the Defiance he's using.

EDIT: I just noticed that Ashley has Parazoology as a skill as well. Maybe he knows the Professor of the Parazoology department in the New Orleans uni, who is an old friend of Roy's? Sound good?

Just a note, the rules suggest that Aptitudes should not be allowed for Combat, Magical, or Computer skills to avoid disruption of the game. I'm not sure I want to allow Aptitude (Shotgun)... I need to think about it.

Thoughts of people who've seen it before?

Also, is there a reason why you got one concealable holster and one regular holster?

Race, class, and Gender.

If it can normally be carried legally, it's Class A cyberware. If you normally need a permit, it's Class B, and if it has a prison term for carrying it it's Class C.

Slight correction, if it can be carried or can be had a permit for, it's Class A. If it's not normally legal to own the weapon, then it's class C for a cyber version.

OTOH, with the long coats - (which, I somewhat assume, are locally going to be the lighter-weight sorts for the non-freezing temps?) - my lowest weapons concealability is a 9 - or, well, a 7 for the katana, but still ....

Long Coat, Nawlin's style

Got it on the Aptitude. I'll remove it. Also, I may've gone a bit too quick on the finalising the character, and as bad I am with saving data, I'm going to need to re-edit it.

As for the shotguns, I was thinking one was the open carry one, with the flechettes and the other one was hidden in the coat, for emergencies.

You might want to use the slugs as primary, due to collateral damage.

And I did warn you to save the finalized in a different file. :)

Oh, Ashley definitely didn't go to school locally. (I'm not solid on where I want him to have gone just yet, but it definitely wasn't NOU, and it might not have even been in the CAS.)

He's been out of town for a bit and only grew up here. I'm really hoping to run into one of the other characters randomly and get caught up for the ride, so to speak. Anyone up for that?