Harry "Blacksap" Wuxiao's page

I've had an unexpected trip coming my way and won't finish building her until Monday, but I'm going to be a human female decker going by the handle of Sybil, in case you want to start introductions. If I have time I'll make an avatar and drop to say hi.

Blacksap downs a can of cold tea after packing his smaller arms in a small crate. Water, sweeteners and artificial flavoring, its basic taste hadn't changed since the 19th century. With his right hand he composed a message to Freddy.
Dear Freddie,
I thank you for the opportunity, both regarding the last job and the one that, I imagine, you are about to offer us. We have had a short relationship, but it was a profitable one. However, it has to come to an end.
It's nothing personal, of course. But since I've been in the shadows, I have been an enforcer and a shadowrunner and I have loathed the chaos and anarchy I found. I have always been a believer in the chain of command, behaving like a soldier and a professional and trusting your commilitons. I certainly didn't trust the Mob when I was in Boston, and I can't bring myself to trust the ragtag bunch of misfits that is the current shadowrunning team. They were effective, for certain, but unorganized, messy, chaotic. I couldn't anticipate their actions and work from them.
Which is likely not fault of their own. That attitude is likely to keep you alive when running the shadows. But it's not what I'm cut for.
I've reached out through some contacts to Macau, and I think that by greasing the right wheels I can get into Combat. Inc. I'm telling you this because I feel like I owe you a favor for getting me a place in Seattle: I don't think I'll have much clout anytime soon, but in the future I may be in the position to pay you back.
Shoot straight,
Blacksap

Roger: I'll delve into Complex Action and do my best to cobble together a proper decker.

Updates: I've just finished something that was giving me a lot of stress, so I think I'll be in a way better condition to think about Blacksap and get back into this game, if it's OK with you.

I was also considering trying my hand with a decker, if I can switch characters for a bit: I've read the rules and while they are a bit complex they don't seem impossible. Maybe that way I can think up a personality that comes easier to me.

I'm really sorry that I've been silent, I'm feeling a strange sort of mental block with this campaign. I like everything about it, but I'm drawing a blank when thinking about how my character would act of what he'd do in his spare time. I hope I'll get back on track soon.

Sorry I've not been very active myself, I'm going through some scholastic issues myself. I'll think of some downtime rest and recreation.

"A guy with fashion sense, yes, that's me." Blacksap's voice is as deadpan as usual as he orders a slice of pizza large enough to feed a family of four. "I'll leave the looking good to you other lots, I'm substance over style myself. Function over form and all that jazz."

Blacksap steps out of the van almost without weaponry and stretches.
"What a pleasant night, I love it when things go smoothly, other than that creepy f*** in the car. I think I'll have a slice and some cheesecake, anyone up for it?"

Sorry, I had disabled the notifications by misclicking.

"Just so you're in the know, we have pursuers on our tail, standing by. If we want to look for another way, I can vent their engines, null persp. Otherwise, let's just get through with or without a side of extra carnage. I'd rather not be responsible for yet 'nother squabble caused by power vacuums, but that's your call."
Cyber-enhanced eyes sweep the area in more wavelength than a biological eye could see, looking for any gang-banger lying in ambush.

Perception(Visual, Visual enhancement): 13d6 ⇒ (2, 5, 5, 4, 3, 3, 4, 3, 2, 5, 3, 2, 4) = 45 - 3 hits

One advantage of cyber-eyes is their ability to take quick pictures of anything their user is looking at. In this case, Wraith and Sunset.

When Blacksap speaks again, his voice sounds more amused than usual, which is not much but still somewhat significant. "There should be some way of scrubbing their signal, but we're short a decker. And since I think R-R'd rather lose an appendage than ditch the van, we'll have to outrun them or clean them by hand."

"Before we go for nachos, you may want to know that those bullets were likely tracers, and if so we're being followed. Smart of K-E, they didn't want a shootout in a civvy zone. Let's lure them, aight?"

"I won't say dimensions aren't important, Madam. But how you use your tool is what counts the most." replies Blacksap in Wraith's direction, returning to his seat with a smirk.

A syllable counter pops in the lower counter of Blacksap's HUD as he subvocalizes an improvised composition. Five seconds later, he spouts three lines.
"Through rapid fire /
Armor soaks up all damage /
A waste of bullets"
While reciting the haiku, he's carefully taking aim for the next shot.

Two actions Taking Aim, for +2 dice pool and +2 accuracy.

Blacksap pops out of the roof hatch that Wraith so gently left unoccupied. In contrast to the bullet storm that's pouring out of the other hatch, his Ares Desert Strike fires a single armor-piercing shot towards the engine of the other car that his former employer sent after them.

A Called Shot will give me another -4 penalty, unless I'm mistaken.
Sniper Rifles, Called Shot to the Engine: 6d6 ⇒ (4, 5, 5, 1, 6, 4) = 25 - 3 hits

"I'd gladly go for burgers, or whatever passes for it around here. Any pursuers, R-R?"

Blacksap winces as the shrapnel draws blood, but it looks like his jacket absorbed most of the damage. He rushes in R-R's van, sniper rifle out and ready in case he needs to shoot any approaching cars.
"Some museum-grade grenade. Floor it, big guy!"

Why didn't I get cyberlegs? At least muscle enhancers...

Running: 8d6 ⇒ (5, 5, 3, 4, 2, 2, 1, 3) = 25 - 2 hits

"He's crazy or possessed, I think."

Blacksap switches to the Ares Desert Strike, still loaded with Armor Piercing rounds, and fires.

Sniper Rifles: 14d6 ⇒ (5, 3, 2, 1, 5, 5, 1, 2, 2, 3, 3, 6, 1, 6) = 45 - 5 hits, 13P, -8AP

I went through a full discussion about switching weapons in 5e before realizing it was D&D, not Shadowrun.

"Yeah, the piece was in my hands, worth a shot. Literally. If you prefer, I've got high explosive fraggers."

Calmly walking towards the SUV, Blacksap raises the Ares Predator and fires one shot towards the guy trapped in the Escalade, just in case he can get rid of him without bothering to switch weapons. "Feelin' artsy, chummer? Let's mop up and do our best impression of someone who's not here."

Pistols: 9d6 ⇒ (3, 4, 3, 6, 6, 5, 6, 4, 4) = 41 - 4 hits, 8P damage, AP -1

Lovely, I'll take a few shots in my next pass.

<Point me at him.> huffs Blacksap, reaching the van after sprinting across the road.

Do I see Chessboard Suit?

This should be my second round of running out of four.

Oh, finally, some streamlining was long overdue. I mean, I like number-crunching as much as anything who started with 3.5, but hells if tracking bonuses isn't traumatic.

On related news, has anyone here Kickstarted Carbon 2185? Cyberpunk game on the D&D 5e chassis.

Two running actions, two more to go.

"<Well, fireworks are my cue. None look to be taking the rabbit's way out, I'm heading to R-R's wheels. Give a shout for fire support.>"

Blacksap places the Desert Strike on his back, tying it to the loading harness and heads for the van. He takes care of going over the canine corpse on his way down.

Keeping my Ares Predator out, just in case. I guess it will take me three to four actions to get there, based on how long the dog took?

No problem: I guess there are some AR-marking bullets that we can use for the future. For the time, I'm happy with a milky run.

I'm built to be versatile, so I think I'll come with next time. Null persp. If I don't have to shoot a lot of people, it means it's going well.

Getting tired of keeping watch over no targets, Blacksap taps his fingers on the barrel.
<"If you can't get a clear mark, give me an approximate location. I'll at least lay some cover or distraction.">

I'd still be holding my attack, should I roll at every initiative pass? If so,
Sniper Rifles, readied action: 15d6 ⇒ (2, 2, 3, 5, 3, 3, 4, 2, 2, 4, 6, 4, 1, 5, 2) = 48 - 3 hits

Armor-piercing rounds loaded, Blacksap keeps watch over the house, on the lookout for anyone trying to escape or AR marks on targets.

Sniper Rifles, readied action: 15d6 ⇒ (2, 2, 2, 5, 6, 1, 1, 1, 2, 2, 6, 3, 5, 4, 2) = 44 - 4 hits

<"Threat neutralized, support back up. Get me an AR marker and I'll send a bullet that way.">

Blacksap steadies the sniper rifle back where he can cover the house and looks for targets.

Do I have visual on anyone? If so, I'll take a shot for
Sniper Rifles, Visual Magnification: 16d6 ⇒ (2, 2, 3, 1, 2, 1, 6, 6, 6, 1, 2, 3, 1, 3, 2, 4) = 45 3 hits
otherwise, I'll get ready to ventilate anyone I see. What kind of walls do they have? Is it flimsy drywall, or something I can shoot through?

Blacksap waits for the dog to come, a bullet ready to fire.
Readied Action, Sniper Rifles, -1 dicepool: 15d6 ⇒ (6, 4, 6, 2, 3, 4, 1, 4, 6, 2, 6, 6, 5, 4, 4) = 63 - 6 hits
If it hits, 13P, 4 AP

I'm reading through the rulebook too but I haven't found an answer: is there any disadvantage when using a sniper rifle at short range? I'm thinking about switching to my shotgun for close quarter combat with the dog, but I'm not sure I should.

Also, sorry for the slow posting. I'm having some very busy days, if I'm slowing you down and someone wants to bot me please do it.

Blacksap keeps his rifle ready, waiting for the canine to come to him. "Here, doggie doggie!"

<One of the dogs is coming for me, I'm not supporting until I deal with him.>
Blacksap folds the tripod and turns the sniper rifle towards the entry location, standing ready to fire at the canine as soon as it appears on is line of sight.

If this was Pathfinder I'd ready an action: I don't have the rulebook right now and can't find how to do it in Shadowrun.

<I assume we were noticed. Standing ready for covering fire.>

Blacksap fires quickly again, aiming at the noisy dog. With a bit of luck, the sounds will go mostly unnoticed.
Sniper Rifles, Visual Magnification: 16d6 ⇒ (4, 3, 1, 4, 1, 6, 2, 1, 3, 3, 2, 2, 2, 5, 1, 2) = 42 - 2 hits
If it hits, 13 physical damage, 4 Armor Penetration

Taking Aim for range modifications, and firing. If possible, I'm keeping an eye out on any nearby door.

By the by, this is my first Shadowrun fight (excluding the games) so if I forget about something or miss actions please tell me.

"Very ready. Wind is unfavorable but might cover our noise. Call ten seconds before you breach and I'll take out the dogs."
Blacksap grimaces inside, not enthusiastic at the idea of killing animals. But knockout drugs may not be effective enough. As soon as the others call for the hit, he squeezes the trigger.

So, I only just got to reading the rules and found out that Neuro-stun has to be on contact or inhaled, so I'll have to kill the dogs. I'm setting up my Ares Desert Strike with a tripod, suppressor and Smartgun System, then activating and linking in wireless all of my implants and stuff.
I haven't managed to understand how Image Magnification reduces range penalties, but for a Sniper Rifle the normal thresholds are 50-350-800-1500 meters. One of my Take Aim actions is used to use the magnification, the other to add to the Accuracy and Dice Pool.

Longarms(Sniper Rifles), 2 actions of Take Aim, no recoil penalty: 17d6 ⇒ (6, 5, 4, 1, 6, 5, 3, 3, 4, 2, 2, 4, 1, 6, 6, 5, 5) = 68 - 8 hits minus any penalty you think appropriate for wind and distance.
13 physical damage, 4 Armor Penetration

"Yeah, sure, everything is going to go as we wish, complete milk run. Bunch o' drek. Plan for the worst. If-slash-when everything goes south, we don't want them to slip away. I'd put explosives underneath, but it's the opposite of subtle."

"We should also disable their vehicles. R-R, can you do it or should we just slash the tires?"

"It's basically confirmed that they're planning something." says Blacksap, balancing a beer bottle on one finger. "People coming, people going, they've got construction plans. They may want to bomb some place. So, when do we strike?"

"If you go there, drop me off at my position. I'll set up a watchpoint and get some pictures."

Blacksap drums his cyberarm's fingers on the desk with enough force to leave grooves.
"Madam, please. Let's keep it civil."

"I've got sneering, snarking and six different flavors of sarcasm. By the by, I've a hideout in the Barrens if you're looking for a lay-low."

"That's why this little thing on top is called a silencer."

"Eh, it's not much but it's a place to stay. Bee-arr-bee."
Blacksap takes the elevator to the fourth floor, not for the first time wishing for a cybernose to block out the smell of mold and mildew.

In case nothing weird happens in my apartment.
Ten minutes after he's gone up, the sniper returns with a military green duffel bag, baggy enough to conceal its contents to an unwary observer. He places it somewhere in the back, where it makes a metallic sound. "I'll organize it a bit on the way. You need some spare iron? I've a couple rifles I'm not carrying, or a Roomsweeper if you want bang for your buck."

Blacksap laughs genuinely as Road-Rage trades snark. "We can spar later, big chummer, see if I can pick up something from you. And well, it's harvesting tools of sort, but more of a Grim Reaping persuasion. Farmboy'd've been a sweet name, though."

"Yeah, Mister Scrawny here is not the most intimidating presence. You're best suite for the role." deadpans Blacksap, looking at the gas mask selection. He pats Road-Rage's shoulder with his left arm, amicably but letting him feel the weight of the highly illegal strength enhances inside the chrome.
"I'm partial to Ju-Jitsu myself, omae. Anyway, I was saying, do you mind swinging by Snohomish so I can keep some hardware in your wheels? Assuming you've a safe stash, of course."