Post or Die!, recruitment thread Options

[Ellipsis]

So, I'm going to go with the Art lover and Thief/Infiltration Specialist (Hans van Vooreen "Caper"). I'm going to work out the BG a lot more tonight. I like the idea of playing a character that has had to flee his normal digs. I'm planning on taking Wanted (by the "customer" whose valuable artwork he made off with) and I'd like to take an enemy maybe at like 3? to represent that this custy has the clout to set someone out on Hans' trail and dog him to first punish him for absconding, and second if possible get back the original item/info on where it ended up...which he might still have (in the form of nearly priceless artwork which has become essentially un-fenceable because as soon as it shows up anywhere he's... dead). The other thing I'm curious about is using Hung out to Dry to represent his lack of connection in the sprawl and the fact that he is too hot to touch so his old friends have written him off? If that seems reasonable let me know!

[pbangarth]

So, I have a PC posted in the Cast of Shadows thread, HERE. An archaeologist in the shadows looking to clear his name. I'd like to submit him, in no small part because I have him online here and the other PCs I have available are packed away in a box, as I am moving in a few days.

Red-ROM, he has 10 free Contact points he got from the last game he played in (which died early... go figure). Any chance you could allow that for the players in general? That way I wouldn't have to change him, and contacts make play fun anyway.

The enemy is an NPC I had made up for his original game, the old Virtual Seattle RPGA campaign. I was writing for them then, they needed an arch-enemy for Claudia, everybody's fixer, and I wanted Professor's enemy to get into play. I didn't think ahead far enough, and soon found that I basically removed Professor from playing because I knew too much about the background.

Anyway the enemy was The Blind Man, who eventually murdered Claudia and ended Virtual Seattle. I modelled him after Richard Onslow Roper in John le Carré's "The Night Manager".

[Red-ROM]

So, I'm going to go with the Art lover and Thief/Infiltration Specialist (Hans van Vooreen "Caper"). I'm going to work out the BG a lot more tonight. I like the idea of playing a character that has had to flee his normal digs. I'm planning on taking Wanted (by the "customer" whose valuable artwork he made off with) and I'd like to take an enemy maybe at like 3? to represent that this custy has the clout to set someone out on Hans' trail and dog him to first punish him for absconding, and second if possible get back the original item/info on where it ended up...which he might still have (in the form of nearly priceless artwork which has become essentially un-fenceable because as soon as it shows up anywhere he's... dead). The other thing I'm curious about is using Hung out to Dry to represent his lack of connection in the sprawl and the fact that he is too hot to touch so his old friends have written him off? If that seems reasonable let me know!

Sounds good, makes life easy if I need to kill you (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) Hung out to dry is a beast of a flaw, just to let you know

[Red-ROM]

So, I have a PC posted in the Cast of Shadows thread, HERE. An archaeologist in the shadows looking to clear his name. I'd like to submit him, in no small part because I have him online here and the other PCs I have available are packed away in a box, as I am moving in a few days.

Red-ROM, he has 10 free Contact points he got from the last game he played in (which died early... go figure). Any chance you could allow that for the players in general? That way I wouldn't have to change him, and contacts make play fun anyway.

The enemy is an NPC I had made up for his original game, the old Virtual Seattle RPGA campaign. I was writing for them then, they needed an arch-enemy for Claudia, everybody's fixer, and I wanted Professor's enemy to get into play. I didn't think ahead far enough, and soon found that I basically removed Professor from playing because I knew too much about the background.

Anyway the enemy was The Blind Man, who eventually murdered Claudia and ended Virtual Seattle. I modelled him after Richard Onslow Roper in John le Carré's "The Night Manager".

well, I like it. I'm struggling with the free contact points. I don't like to give them away in my games. I also told Saint Sithney no on the karma gen because people were already turning in characters under the RAW BP system.
On the other hand, I know your a kick ass Poster(I see you're still keeping Rav-O's thread alive) and I like your style.
SO. 10 Free contact BPs for everyone!!

edit: I think you need another restricted gear quality for the goggles

[Ellipsis]

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) Yeah well part of my plan when you brought this up was someone that would fill the role of fun first with a built in background that could make the sudden death believable second (though I have no expectations for that my work makes it really easy for me to hit up the forums often, too often sometimes).
The hung out to dry I'm kind of rethinking that in retrospect, but honestly with what I'm thinking he's fled the UK before the hammer could come down on him, and any contact with his former life is only going to make it easier to track him in his mind, so we'll see I'll let you know as it fleshes out. I'm mostly done with the basics and I'm working through gear right now. BG development as a whole is going to be waiting until tomorrow cuz I didn't get a ton of sleep last night and it's nearing midnight where I'm at. A couple quick questions though while I'm here (it's been oh probably since shortly after 4e came out that I've made a char at all) I'm using the excel chargen sheet that has been floating around here for years and it seems to me like it isn't giving me free knowledge skill points as I add my bps up. Perhaps I'm misunderstanding this entirely? (bbb says log+int*4 free pts and I assume from the way it's written that Kskills are on a 1:1 ratio with the free points??) The other question I have is about legality ratings; say for instance I want to rock a synaptic booster it rates R what do I need to work into generation to make that legit? Much appreciate the game and anybody's explaining this to me!

[Red-ROM]

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) Yeah well part of my plan when you brought this up was someone that would fill the role of fun first with a built in background that could make the sudden death believable second (though I have no expectations for that my work makes it really easy for me to hit up the forums often, too often sometimes).
The hung out to dry I'm kind of rethinking that in retrospect, but honestly with what I'm thinking he's fled the UK before the hammer could come down on him, and any contact with his former life is only going to make it easier to track him in his mind, so we'll see I'll let you know as it fleshes out. I'm mostly done with the basics and I'm working through gear right now. BG development as a whole is going to be waiting until tomorrow cuz I didn't get a ton of sleep last night and it's nearing midnight where I'm at. A couple quick questions though while I'm here (it's been oh probably since shortly after 4e came out that I've made a char at all) I'm using the excel chargen sheet that has been floating around here for years and it seems to me like it isn't giving me free knowledge skill points as I add my bps up. Perhaps I'm misunderstanding this entirely? (bbb says log+int*4 free pts and I assume from the way it's written that Kskills are on a 1:1 ratio with the free points??) The other question I have is about legality ratings; say for instance I want to rock a synaptic booster it rates R what do I need to work into generation to make that legit? Much appreciate the game and anybody's explaining this to me!

(we live in the same time-zone)
Those char-gens are kewl , but they have flaws. the free Knowlege points(not BP's but actual points 1:1) are
Log + Int x 3
The R means its restricted(F is forbiden). that means that if you don't have a liscense(or at least a good fake) the police can take you away. this has no effect on availability(the number in front of it) as far as your character having it or not. the availability number has to be 12 or less at char-gen(unless you take the restricted gear quality in runner's companion)

[Ellipsis]

Sweet, thanks for clarifying that my equation am off but me am not crazy! I'll finish it all up sometime tomorrow, double check some maths and send it over to you for validation and what not!

[pbangarth]

well, I like it. I'm struggling with the free contact points. I don't like to give them away in my games. I also told Saint Sithney no on the karma gen because people were already turning in characters under the RAW BP system.
On the other hand, I know your a kick ass Poster(I see you're still keeping Rav-O's thread alive) and I like your style.
SO. 10 Free contact BPs for everyone!!

edit: I think you need another restricted gear quality for the goggles

Thanks! I'll check the goggles. I think it may be the same mistake I made with another PC.

EDIT: Yeah, that was it. I took out the ultrasound. It should be OK now.

[Saint Sithney]

The R means its restricted(F is forbiden). that means that if you don't have a liscense(or at least a good fake) the police can take you away. this has no effect on availability(the number in front of it) as far as your character having it or not. the availability number has to be 12 or less at char-gen(unless you take the restricted gear quality in runner's companion)

Right now, I'm running priority like so: Resources A, Heritage (lucky human) B, Skills C, Attributes D, Talent (mundane) E
I've got an equal amount of Negative and Positive Qualities as well.

Few questions as to how you want me to go on gear and contacts.
As far as gear, how do you feel about gear ratings (not availability) above 6, because I'd like to get some high-high rating Universal Nantidotes, and they go up to rating 9 while still staying at availability 12. There's also a similar thing with my armored zeppelin.

As far as contacts, "A level" resources provides me with 8 contacts at a rating of 2/3 each, but there is an addendum in the system for varied contacts where I can take those points and move them around. I don't plan on getting any 6/6 contacts or any ridiculous group contacts, but I'd like some more room to play around with my 40 (!!!) points worth of contacts.

Oh, and just to clarify, I'm taking a restricted gear for the laser pistol and another for the ammo, yeah?



And, for everyone else's benefit, my character's going to be lucky as hell, exceptionally skilled in first aid and chemistry, a solid air support rigger, and remotely capable of most technical work. Oh, also he's an 83-year-old bigot with senile dementia and a laser pistol.

[Red-ROM]

@ Saint Sithney: I didn't picture your guy being so connected, but sure. go nuts! you also now have 50 points for contacts(+ 10 )

[Dumori]

I've got two PC ideas both are slighy out there. One abuses the immunity quality and genetic heritage the other should be more legal.

[pbangarth]

I'm travelling across the continent to Ontario, so my connection will be spotty for a week or so. I will try to keep in touch.

[Saint Sithney]

@ Saint Sithney: I didn't picture your guy being so connected, but sure. go nuts! you also now have 50 points for contacts(+ 10 )

Yeah, it's just a weird part of Priority. Since I'm building him with a BP engine anyway, I could just drop the contacts, pick up a few stat points and be BP legal.

I just wanted to boycott BP because of the oil spill. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/frown.gif)

[Red-ROM]

I put some count downs up in the OP just for practice, they don't mean anything yet (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[Martin_DeVries_I...]

I'm here! I'm here! Don't hit me with a truck!

[Ellipsis]

Hans van Vooreen – “Caper”
Human
Male
Age 30
Dutch born but spent most of his adult life in london

[ Spoiler ]

50 questions I found on somebody's sheet that seemed decent:

[ Spoiler ]

Hey guys meant to pass these along awhile ago. Don't feel compelled to answer all of them, it's mostly just a little thing to encourage a history to go along with your meat puppet!

1. What is your character's Sex?

Male

2. What is your character's physical size?

Hans' is about 5' 10", 160lbs with lanky limbs and a flatness about him that makes him seem wider, and more two dimensional than he simply should be. Normally prone to well kept hair and even the occasional manicure his black and gray streaked hair is now worn is a choppy home done cut and generally sports about two days beard growth unless he's about to intentionally insert himself in someone's home. His eyes are a light brown at the center with a ring of hazel tending towards green on clear days.

3. What is the color of the character's hair, eyes, and skin?
yup.
4. What is the character's general appearance (i.e., How does she dress, etc.)?

Non descript street clothes, or the explorer jumpsuit nowadays, a return to his youth while not entirely pleasing isn't out of his range to be comfortable in. That being said once or twice a week he'll pull out his fancy clothes, trim his hair and don a mild disguise to traipse into an art opening or simply sit at an auction house observing the goods of his passion and trade.

5. Where was the character born (City, State, Hospital Name)?

I don't know enough about Germany to place him in a specific town but he was born there then raised in the UK.

6. What is the character's date of birth?

That depends on what year we're playing, we'll call him a healthy 30.


7. What was the character's family life like?

Hans was supported by his family in most endeavors until his desire to turn to art school as a young adult kicked in and his father's protests that he was wasting his life created a rift that has yet to be reconciled, and at this point seems to be to the better. His mother continued to send him encouraging notes during his time studying art in France, but when he quit to move back to England with no forwarding address all contact ceased, this is a somewhat sore point for he has no brothers or sisters to console her.

8. Has the character begun her own family?

No, Hans hasn't really ever felt fully at home with the denizens of the art world as more than acquaintances, and his "double" life as a thief hasn't really made him comfortable enough to share it with anyone.

9. Where or how was the character educated?

Generally at decent public schools with a short stint at a Liberal arts college, after that it has been mostly self motivation that's moved him to learn.

10. Has the character ever done anything else for a living?

Sure he was a night guard at a museum for a couple years from in his early twenties and then worked at his own gallery when enough illicit gains made such a thing possible. Leaving "Ponder" as he called it and the artists he helped support through it is one of his larger regrets.

11. What are the character's political and religious beliefs?

Hans doesn't really subscribe to any particular part beliefs, its rarely interfered with his world, so a lack of interest in those affairs has led to a lack of real development in his views. Religiously speaking he finds exaltation in his movements which has led him to modify his body heavily to pursue greater heights but beyond that true allegiance to a deity doesn't figure into his daily life.

12. Describe the character's moral code. Include how mercenary she is, whether or not she'll kill innocents, etc.

Hans is merc only in the sense that he has no scruples about taking people's goods but their lives are generally safe. He's had to defend himself no doubt and make himself capable in that respect but takes no joy in it and will do his best not to harm an innocent, but things happen and he's not going to loose sleep over it right now, his life is on the line all day every day now. He tends to be unusually unlikely to kill/maim rent-a-cops, knowing what it is like to just be making a buck under a canvas cap and embroidered shield.

13. What are the character's goals?

Uh...good question, live to tomorrow right now? Getting some good cosmetic reconstruction done and a great cover. This is what he's trying to figure out right now. Mostly revolving around fixing the stew he's put himself in but how...that he's not sure about at the moment...

14. Why does the character run the shadows? (Why does she run the shadows still, rather than getting a "real" job?)

See running from his enemies across the pond has left him little other option at the moment and he's got some skill set for it.

15. What kind of personality does your character have? This should not necessarily be obviously stated in the background, as it is more important for actually playing the character, but it may color or add mood to the history.

Hans is mostly solitary ever since he realized he was never going to be a master of the arts he withdrew, from family, from social ties, from pretty much the whole world save the elegant, the absurd, the abstract world of canvas, sculpture and even architecture. He can get along with people fine that's not the problem, but he's never really been able to let people past his defenses, this has been exacerbated by his time in the shadows which suits him fine, he thinks. He quite simply prefers to be alone most of the time. He doesn't dislike people, he just won't actively seek them out and tends to fail to keep up contact with people unless they do more of the work than he does. The exception being artists he's worked with in the past and his fixer Jenn who he's developed an almost real friendship with. People he's worked with, well, it is work after all, and he'll do what he can to help save any one of them, sadistic he is not, self serving, to a degree but not about to leave anyone out to dry.

16. What special qualities does the character possess? This does not refer to skills, but rather to other things, such as how she gets along with people, whether she plans ahead, etc.

Hans is a quick study and improviser, planning is great, but being able to roll with the punches and pickup the changes has proved to be far more important in his life than counting on some foolproof iron clad plan of action.


17. Are there certain things that the character can't or won't do? Why?

Go back to the UK. Tell anyone his name. For obvious reasons. Assassinations may be a little hard for him to wrap his mind around but right now, he's a lost man recreating himself, or creating a new self, he doesn't have to be proud of that self, it just has to not be him.


18. What things, people, or ideas does the character hate?

Disposable culture mostly, he feels it cheapens the lives of everyone to be able to throw away everything.


19. What things people, or ideas does the character love?

Art naturally, artists and musicians are a particular type of siren for him, he's drawn to them because he knows when he sees something gorgeous and worthwhile, but knows just as well he won't be likely to create it himself.


20. What is the character's name? Give both full birth name, as well as nicknames, street names, etc.

Hans van Voreen, "Caper" will introduce himself as Terry Goodkind (his fake SIN) or Jeremiah Holstein (Other sin)

21. Determine what your character used to do, before becoming a shadowrunner (very important).

see above...

22. Decide why your character left her old job, if she had one (also important).

again...

23. Come up with a reason for why the character became a shadowrunner. (This very often will tie in with #22. This is not the same as #14, but rather why she started running the shadows originally. What led her to it?)

In the BG, started off petty crime, then graduated to orchestrated theft and eventually true heists. He now does it because he can't do anything legit.

24. How did your character come to know her contacts? Contacts are an important part of Shadowrun, decide how and why you know them.

in contact bios.

25. Does the character have a SIN? Does the character actually use it? Or is the character one of the SINless masses? This may be affected by the character's previous employment.

He is desperately trying to get rid of his original SIN.


26. Is the character a full-time shadowrunner? Or does the character lead a Batman-like double existence?

Full time baby.

27. Which person(s) or group(s) do you love the most?

Living? Probably none. If it came down to it if his parents came to be in danger he would be very upset over it but they are pretty old by now at least in their seventies. Other than that, meh.


28. Which person(s) or group(s) do you hate the most?

Trid Personalities, most pop culture, he's a little anachronistic.


29. Which person(s) or group(s) do you respect the most?

real artists, other athletes in the scaling/free running category.


30. Which person(s) or group(s) do you fear the most?

The resources of his former "employer" chasing him through the world.


31. What is your favorite colour?


Cadmium Yellow.


32. What is your favorite food and/or drink?

Strangely he looooves bar food, burgers, dogs fries and beer if he could live on it, but doesn't.


33. What place would you most like to visit?

Parks and Alleys for practicing running bounding and tumbling, Museums, although less so lately because he's afraid he'll be noticed there. Small venues playing jazz, or even folk music.


34. Which person(s) or group(s) are you most loyal to?

Right now...just me chummer.

35. What pastime (that you participate in regularly) gives you the most enjoyment?

He loves to scale buildings and find ways around the streets that people don't expect.


36. What pastime (that you participate in regularly) gives you the least enjoyment?

Pastime...having to be paranoid and disguise himself at all times and remember that he's doing it? Being in hiding?

37. What annoys you the most?

That he can't really decide why of all the things he's nabbed and fenced before these pieces finally made him flip. He's not even particularly fond of them. That and Metal drives him up a wall.

38. What (if any) is your favorite form of art?

Classic Oils.


39. What is your greatest goal?

Sink deep enough down that he can start building his own underground art trade organization again, its dangerously close to home if his enemies haven't been rooted out or bought off but, ya can't change what you love neh?

40. What do you think is your characters best quality?

Despite this outstanding fall from grace Hans is dependable and loyal when he takes on a job, he was just tired of having to drop the masters off with masters, being unattached to most anything else he will be unswayed from his task.

41. What do you think is your characters worst quality?

He's probably not paranoid enough considering his situation and is worried a little about himself mentally, perhaps all these years of being mostly alone have finally started to take their toll but this sudden foolish trashing of his life has left him a little unbalanced and unsure about anything around him at the moment and even his own motives.

42. What is the most important thing you have ever done?

He still believes this was opening his gallery and bringing otherwise unknown artists to the light.

43. Which religion (if any) do you follow?

nah.

44. What is your most treasured possession (and why)?

The few drawings that he was supposed to give away as loot to his employer. They represent his most boneheaded and idiotic choices to date and something deeper, some change about himself is hidden in them that he can't quite work out yet, but...time..if there's time he might.

45. What are your three most common dreams?

Being in a gallery dressed properly for once and a solid gleaming hand coming down on his shoulder inexplicably, then waking.

Strangely being on a yacht somewhere at sea on a beautiful day lying on the deck watching gulls swoop lazily around in the air.

running. just running.


46. What is the Character's current relationship with her family?

none.

47. If the character's family is still alive, what do they do, and where do they live?

His parents are alive, as far as he knows, but hasn't checked in years. They'd be retired, father an old engineer from SK and mother a suprisingly conventional housewife.


48. Where did the character learn her Skills?

Starting in school with track and other athletic events, more about security from his employment and less above board employment, as well as a dedicated group of "volunteers" that he first started running small b&e's with, Mr. Goodbar taught him a lot about how to avoid pitfalls.

49. Does the character have a good luck charm? What is it, and why?

Mostly just a bad luck charm.

50. What type of music does the character like?

jazz, folk, really any kind of free form music.

background:

[ Spoiler ]

Hans moved to France as a young man to follow the whimsical idea that he would become an artist, of course much against his parents wishes and probably rightly so, because after about a year of training and some hard revelations he comes to the conclusion that a master, he ain't. With that depressing thought in his mind he kind of drops off the radar of family and friends and ends up working security at a museum in England, the whole time living in a dump the only thing keeping him going are his late night runs through the alleys, streets and parks and his solitude in the museum during his evenings at work. Meanwhile he's making the "wrong" kind of friends who eventually pull him into some of their home invasions so that he can payback his lingering debt and maybe start a new career...or at least buy a car...which he never does. After a couple small b&e's he learns that he is actually quite adept at this work, and begins working more or less on his own for awhile slipping into antique shops and more upper crust homes and sneaking out their valuables and making a pretty penny doing it. After a bit of time working through a fence of less than sterling morals...well let's face it, that's a given, he starts taking larger and larger risks. He keeps his job at the museum throughout but every vacation he comes back a little "different" First came the feet for better late night running, then the eyes so he could keep from using lights on his forays into other people property and so on until one day his fence (Burgess) suggested he meet up with a couple of other "friends" and perhaps they could liberate some of that fine art that is so unnecessarily adorning the walls at the museum. Long story short a couple forgeries and a hoaxed fire later and group had a small fortune in one masterpiece and few drawings enough to let them do as they pleased. Such did Caper truly come to be born. Hans came to open up his own small gallery with the money he had started to accrue from the jobs he was continually pulling, promoting young artists most evenings, stealing old artists work in the others. The constant battle between giving up the trophies he looted to mana knows who finally won out one night after a particularly beautiful collection of drawings from de hooch, rembrant and assorted others convinced him to head to his safehouse rather than to the drop point. He knew he'd ruined his reputation and a phone message from his anonymous Johnson finally broke through that now, he needed to get out, not of the game, the country, his life, everything he'd "worked" so hard for. Liquidating funds was easy, Burgess was always around after all and he had a fair nest egg saved up from his years of work and a somewhat successful gallery. Moving into a small, secure, and while not quite squalid but certainly far below his now somewhat affluent taste apartment in Seattle has proved discouraging. When that happens he turns up the music and pulls the drawings from their hiding places, lays them out and admires, then throws on his jumpsuit and runs through the streets of gritty city like he was being chased down by the devil himself...

Attributes:

[ Spoiler ]

(190 BP) (10BP edge)
Body: 2
Agility: 5
Reaction: 5 (6)
Strength: 2
Charisma: 3
Intuition: 4
Logic: 4
Will: 2
Edge: 3
Initiative: 9(10)
IP: 1(2)
Essence: 3.5/6

Skills:

[ Spoiler ]

Active – (168 BP)
Locksmith: 2
Electronics (Group): 2
Con (Spec Impersonation): 3
Unarmed: 3
Perception: 3
Automatics (Spec SMGs): 2
Dodge: 2
Disguise: 4
Infiltration (Spec Urban): 5
Climbing: 4
Gymnastics (Spec Parkour): 4
Pilot Ground Craft: 1
Etiquette: 2

Knowledge/Language - (2 + 24 Free)
German: Native
English: 4
French: 1
Politics (Art World?): 2
Security Design: 3
Procedure (Security): 4
Art History: 3
Drawing: 1
Movies (Heist Flicks): 1
Antiques (furniture) : 2
Breaking and Entering Techniques: 4

Contacts:

[ Spoiler ]

(7 + 10 Free)
Jennifer Creswell – Fixer – London –L2 C4: Jen is part of the small group that Hans would work with in his former career. She is in reality an events coordinator with her own business in London catering primarily to corporate functions, but with a surprisingly open mind and lack of distaste for anyone. That, and a healthy desire to make ends pass each other she’s managed to cultivate an elaborate set of connections among all ranks of people. She met Hans while they were both attending a gallery opening admiring pieces and continually bumping into each other. A conversation was eventually forced upon the two when they lingered a bit too long on once piece, which unbeknownst to her at the time Hans had stolen and replaced with a forgery, unknown to Hans the original had passed through Jen’s hands to a new home. One off handed comment by Hans about masterpieces just not looking like they used to and the subject broached they filled each other in over the next few weeks and a useful exchange began.

Burgess- antiquities and oddities dealer- London-L1 C2: Burgess was the first person Hans ever sold any of his ill gotten possessions to and has provided a wealth of knowledge and a healthy disinterest in the history of items crossing his path for years. Hans has never learned the man’s last name nor tried to, the arrangement is purely useful to both parties and although the two share similar tastes and a respect there is no illusion in the relationship showing it to be anything other than an across the counter affiliation.

Koala-Mr./Ms. Johnson?-????-L2 C2: Johnson was a connection made through Burgess and an anonymous voicemail box number about four years ago. There his or her (the voice in the message changes each time and is actually what gave Hans the original idea to get his voice modded) generally leaves a short description of an item, a time frame and a price. Negotiations take place through this phone tag and eventually a drop is setup where any necessary hard copy info is dropped for Hans and again when the task is complete. The work has always been theft, detective work or scout for a larger group in heists. The two have never spoken directly and all Hans’ attempts to find more information about Koala from Burgess or the few people he’s worked with over the years have never yet panned out. Koala’s voice mail was the last call he made before his flight, the last message in the tones of an aged black man, “Run, run and disappear Briar rabbit…”

Mr. Goodbar-Spider-Matrix-Paris-L2C2: Goodbar is the nominal spider for a number of Galleries and a few small museums. The pair met while Hans was casing one of the small private galleries Goodbar oversees and warned Hans he knew what he was doing and would be wise to take his business elsewhere. Unabashed Hans probed the man for knowledge and quickly the two developed a working relationship with one as lab rat for new security procedures and the other font of knowledge about said practices. Goodbar doesn’t turn on Hans because he has made the man’s domains some of the hardest to penetrate lairs in the area, and Hans doesn’t attempt to share his inside information with anyone and stays out of the “test” areas he now knows so well.

Qualities:

[ Spoiler ]

(-15 BP)
Murky Link +10
Wanted -10
Enemy (3) -15

Gear: ( 188,820/190,000 : 38 BP)

[ Spoiler ]

Cyber/Bio: (110,900)

Vocal Range Enhancer (0.1): Can make any sound (part of ultrasound set)

Grip Feet (0.3): When barefoot +2 Gymnastics(non-tumbling)/Climbing

Echolocation (0.1): Part of ultrasound rig but also great for creating a mental map from bouncing sounds waves off surroundings. (for ultrasound set)

Smart Articulation (0.8 ):- +1 Gymnastics/Climbing ; +2 Escape Artist ; +2 Effective Body for Grapple Test

Retractable Climbing Claws (0.2): +2 Climbing (str/2)p as weapon

Synaptic Booster 1 (used std 0.6): +1 reac +1 ip

Cybereyes (RT:3 0.4) : Flare Comp, Low Light, Smartlink, Vis Mag, Vision Enhancement (3), Image Link/Recorder.

Cyberears (rt3 0.4): Balance Augmentor (+1 Climbing ) ; Datajack; Ultrasound Sensor (Ultrasound Set Check!) ; Sound Link/Recorder ; Spatial Recognizer; Select Sound Filter 3

Clothing/Armor:

Berwik Suit Jacket 3/2
Berwik Trousers 1/1
Berwik Shirt 1/0
Mortimer Greatcoat Suit 6/5
Form Fitting Body Armor (Full Suit) 6/2
Chameleon Suit (w/ Thermal Dampening Rt 6) 6/4
Urban Explorer Jumpsuit 6/6 (Concealed Holster)
3 x Street/Everyday Clothes


Regular Gear:

Keycard Copier (6)
Maglock Passkey (4)
Chisel
Grapple Gun
200m Stealth Rope
Catalyst Stick
Cellular Glove Molder (r3)
Autopicker (R6)
Monofilament Chainsaw
Climbing Gear
Rappeling Gloves
False Bottom Attache
Latex Face Mask
2x Nanopaste Disguise Small
Jammer Area (R4)
Plasteel Restraints
Ammo – 200 Gel Rounds – 200 Regular Rounds – 60 Shock Lock Rounds
5 x Clips for Pistol
5 x Clips for SMG
Atropine 2 Doses
Medkit (R6)
Fake License (R4)
Fake SIN (R4)
Fake SIN (R3)
Disposable Commlink
Gas Mask
2x Packs Scent-Masking Cigarettes
Comlink: Hermes Ikon - Novatech Navi -
Analyze 4 Armor 2
Browse 4 Attack 2
Command 4 Decrypt 2
Edit 4 Sniffer 2
Encrypt 4 Stealth 2
Purge 4
Reality Filter 4
Scan 4


Weapons:

Shock Gloves (5Se)
Ceramic Knife (2p)
2 Flash Paks
5 Smoke Grenades
5 Gas Grenades

Morrissey Elan (5c/sa/4p)
Internal Smartgun
Silencer Mod

HK 227X (28c/sa bf fa/5p)
Internal Smartlink
Internal Sound Suppressor
Retractable Stock
Ceramic Components 1 (-2 MAD Detect)
Chameleon Coating
Gecko Grip (+6 Dice grip)

Lifestyle:

[ Spoiler ]

Middle 2 Months (10,000)
Comforts 2
Entertainment 2
Necessities 3
Neighborhood 2
Security 4
Security Conscious 2

Starting Bux = 4d6 → [3,2,1,3] = (9) 900

Edit: Added BG and 50Qs

[Red-ROM]

I'm not killing anyone right now, Just had an Idea for a "death clock" Kind of thing, But I don't think I could keep it up to date everyday(today for instance, I worked12 hours and this post is all I could manage)

[Saint Sithney]

Name: United States Astronaut, Oswald Shankles (retired)
Race: Human
Age: 86-years-old (future med FTW)

Tragic Bio:

[ Spoiler ]

Oswald Shankles* was born long, long ago in a time known as The Mid 1980s. He came of age during a wild period, filled with completely forgettable rap-rock and pants which weren't quite pants but weren't quite shorts either. Though they did have little zip-on segments to make them into regular pants... Oh! what wondrous pants they had! But Mr. Shankles wasn't interested in pants. He wanted to be an Astronaut. He studied hard and even attended a special summer camp for aspiring Astronauts, but others mocked his dream as unrealistic. They said, "NASA is falling apart," and "Manned space-flight doesn't really make much sense when you can simply send robots into space and operate them remotely." And so his dream of reaching the stars was deferred. He got his degrees in biology, chemistry and medicine in the hopes of studying the effects of long-term space travel on the human body, but by the time he completed the Astronaut program, NASA's budget crisis had caused them to switch almost entirely to remote drone operation and Oswald was stuck working as a joystick jockey. Something which he proved he had a talent for.

After Ares bought out NASA, in 2016 it was like Ozzy got a second chance at life. As he was the youngest fully trained Astronaut on staff, he was a cinch to head up into the black. Or so he thought. It turned out Ares wanted to use their own people for micro-gravity experiments, but Oswald's expertise in medicine was utilized to study the prolonged effects of microgravity on others... at least until his bedside manner turned so hostile that it culminated in an incident which the company was forced to hush up to maintain morale. Ares, not being the types to waste a polymath, decided that while they had all they needed out of him, they could put his talents to use elsewhere. So they transferred him initially to their space-based laser weaponry division, where he worked until company Psychologists decided the close involvement of the Corporate Court's Zurich Orbital project meant that the work was too sensitive for someone of Oswald's temperment. At this point, he was transferred to their general combat laser development team.

By this point in his development as a man of science, Oswald had hit his stride. Though, it was not the simplest career a scientist could have. In fact, in 2053, while working on creating electrical cells capable of extremely high voltage discharge, he was caught in an explosion which blew off his left hand hand mangled his right arm completely, necessitating cybernetic replacement. However, in the end he was an instrumental part of the development team which produced the 6th world's very first man-portable lasers in the 2060s. When he retired, the team even presented him with one of their early working prototypes for what would become the first iteration of the Ares Redline laser pistol, a weapon which he had spent the better part of a decade refining and testing. Oswald Shankles had finally achieved something. It was a genuine milestone in human development. He helped build a god damn laser gun.

With the work no longer keeping him occupied, Oswald felt pinned down during the second Crash, beginning to imagine himself as a prisoner of the retirement community in which he resided. After years of waiting, alone with his thoughts and memories, all his failed aspirations and dead dreams began to resurface in the form of dementia due to mental degeneration. The Doctors and care providers attempted to help him by applying more and more sophisticated Neural Nanites to try and keep his brain healthy. This proved somewhat successful, and his brain was alternately cooking and healing as memories came and went. That is, until the day he received a package which appeared to be from one of his former associates. Inside was a comlink, unknowingly rigged for hotsim. From the first time he jacked in, Oswald was hooked. The node was somehow a perfect construct of his innermost fantasies. And there he met his savior, Mission Control.

Over time, Mission Control explained to him how Oswald's space ship, which had been faithfully recreated in VR, was captured by alien lifeforms and brought to this false Earth filled with alien beings. Oswald had very little trouble believing this, as the world outside his windows looked nothing like the world the remembered growing up. Luckily, Mission Control had a plan, first to help him escape his captors, and then to help him find refuge in the Rebel faction within the alien civilization, the so called Shadow-walkers who fought for the freedom of the individual in this Worst Gangster Computer-god Communist Police State. And so, Mission Control arranged for Oswald's extraction and helped him set up in a warehouse which it owned and operated by proxy. MC even electronically hijacked manufacturing plants to help supply him with machines and vehicles produced without any any record by the alien watchdogs. And on the reality side of things, MC washed the records of Oswald's extraction, making it appear that he had left the retirement community of his own accord and with corporate and medical approval. Any police officer researching Oswald would get only a record of a genius scientist of high standing and admirable military rank, complete with "hands-off" orders from high-level Ares suits.

*In case you don't get the pants jokes at the beginning, "Shankles" is a slang term for those shorts which go down to one's ankles and which were popular some years ago. In my mind, they were the defining fashion of the late nineties/early aughts.

Personality:

[ Spoiler ]

Trapped on an alien world, Commander Shankles is forever hiding out from his former captors, the swine-people of castle town. (The Ork nurse who took care of him in the Retirement Castle.) Unable to return to his space ship, our hero must find the means to maneuver through the shadowy places of the world. Along with with his Computer, Monty, and the advice and guidance of Mission Control, he fights to adapt this alien technology to his needs until he can one day stow aboard an alien space vessel and return to Earth. (He is the plaything of a Rogue AI of considerable power.) He is fiercely loyal to those whom have earned his trust, but that trust doesn't come easily when he is dealing with moon-babies like you. He has an especially hard time trusting the Rock-Men and Pig-people, but he doesn't much care for the Snatch-ears or the Squats either. (He is hella racist and his mouth goes off like non-stop.)

My Sheet:

[ Spoiler ]

Attributes:

[ Spoiler ]

(155 BP) (40 BP edge)
Body: 2
Agility: 2 [3]
Reaction: 3
Strength: 1
Charisma: 2
Intuition: 5
Logic: 6 [8]
Will: 1
Edge: 6
Initiative: 8
IP: 1
Essence: 3.85/6

Skills:

[ Spoiler ]

Active – (150 BP)
Biotech (Group): 4
Electronics (Group): 4
Exotic Ranged (lazer): 5 (+2 spec Redline)
Gunnery: 3
Infiltration: 2
Perception: 2
Pilot Aircraft: 2
Aeronautic Mechanic: 1
Automotive Mechanic: 1
Exotic Ranged (bombing): 1

Knowledge/Language - (66 BP Free)
English: Native

Biology: 5(6)
Chemistry: 5(6)
Computer Theory: 4(5)
Engineering: 4(5)
Physics: 4(5)
History: 3(4)
Auto Mechanics: 2
Aerospace Mechanics: 2
Literature: 2(3)
Architecture: 1
Design (Vehicles): 1(2)

Contacts:

[ Spoiler ]

(5 + 10 Free)
Mission Control - (Rogue AI) - 5/5 - The origins and motives of the enigmatic Mission Control are rather unclear. It's method of operation seems sort of playful in its twisted way, but it is hard to tell what the end game may be. Realistically, it is helping Oswald greatly, as the mental degeneration he experienced was due to the "Basic Corporate Retirement Package" which is a cocktail of drugs and therapies used to erase memories of retired employees, lest the invaluable information in their heads might go freely into the world. Oswald was really and honestly a prisoner when he was extracted. As to what MC wants, well, maybe it wants the info in Ozzy's head about the base level hardware and programming for the Zurich-Orbital defensive weapons platforms, or maybe it just wants someone to play with and Oz fit the psych profile. In the mean time, it runs the matrix like a shark. Moving 24/7 and cracking system after system, all while replacing Oswald's missing memories with new ones leaving Oswald simultaneously stronger and more reliant on MC.

Old Softy - (Programming Guru) - 2/3 - Old Softy, real name Jerald Tucker, is an aging code cruncher with access to an off-reservation programming environment. He is a digital communist and one of the last of a nearly extinct breed of Open Source and Freeware programmers in existence. Though, he's not above liberating some corp code either, since information wants to be free and all. His Matrix avatar looks like, well, let's not mince words here, Jerry Garcia. He is a huge techno-hippy, with a cadre of four agents which appear as multicolored bears dancing around his head. He was originally introduced to this loopy Oswald character through a mysterious and helpful character called Silverfish (actually MC) who appeared in his nexus one day as a giant rainbow-iridescent fish flipping it's way up his data stream with offers of access to 90% of MCT's code libraries. Old Softy finds Oz to be, like, totally wiz and his code to be fascinatingly unique in a world of cut and paste, modular programming.

Qualities:

[ Spoiler ]

( 0 BP)
Codeslinger (Command) +10
Juryrigger +10
College Education + 5
Restricted Gear (Ares Redline) + 5
Privileged Family Name +5

Prejudiced (Metahumans, Outspoken) -15
Amnesia (Senile dementia) -10
Night Blindness -5
SINner (standard) -5

Gear:

[ Spoiler ]

( 250,000/250,000 : 50 BP)

Cyber/Bio: (78,725)

Attention Coprocessor (3) - 9,000
Math SPU - 4,500
Synthetic Right Arm (all Used Std.) - 10,000
+Customized Limb - Agility (3) - 2,250
+Agility (3) - 375
+Armor (2) - 300
+Autoinjector (4 dose) - 800
+Datajack - 250
Synthetic Left Hand (all Used Std.) - 3,000
+Customized Limb - Agility (3) - 2,250
+Nanohive (2) - 10,000

Neural Amplifire Nanites (3) - Neocortical - 15,000
Oxyrush Nanites (1) - 1,000

Cerebral Booster (2) - 20,000

Electronics: (32,375)

Link: Renraku Sensei + Response chip 4 + Armor case (10) + Biometric Lock + Program Optimization (Command)+ Personality Software - 4,250
OS: Custom - System 3 + Firewall 6 - 3,600
Unrestricted Agent R3 - 3,600
Data Bomb R3 - 1500
ECCM R5 + Ergo + Opt 2 - 5,300
Spoof R5 + Opt 2 - 5,200
Stealth R3 + Ergo - 1,600
Analyze R6 + Ergo + opt 3 - 1,000
Browse R6 + opt 3 - 900
Command R6 + opt 3 - 900
Edit R3 - 150
Encrypt R6 + Ergo + opt 3 - 1,000
Scan R6 + opt 3 - 900

Hotsim Module - 250
Goggles (5) + Flare comp + Image link + Smartlink + Vision Enhancement (3) + Vision Magnification - 1,225
Headphones (2) + Audio Enhancements (3) + Select Sound Filter (3) - 1,000


Kreigenstuff: (25,350)

FFBA (shirt) + non-conductivity 6 - 1,700
Steampunk Overcoat (Labcoat) + Fire resist 3 + Chem resist 2 + Massaging Liner - 2,600
Forearm Guards + Biomonitor + Skinlink - 550

Ares Desert Strike + Extended Drum (100) + Silencer + Electronic Firing - 4,750
Ares Redline + Smartgun (underbarrel) + Thermal Imaging + Custom look (raygun) - 8,100
2x Ruger Super Warhawk + Personalized Grip [robot] - 700

4x Peak Charge Power Clip - 1,200
100x Explosive ammo [sniper] - 500
30x Explosive ammo [Ruger] - 150
30x Fragmentation Grenade - 1,050
40x Gas Grenade - 800
30x High Explosive Grenade - 1,350
20x Thermal Smoke Grenade - 700
10x White Phosphorous Grenade - 1,200

Tools of the Trade: (11,600)

Chemistry Shop - 5,000
Mechanic Shop - 5,000
Hardware Kit - 500
Surgical Kit - 500

6x Medical Supplies - 300
2x Stim Patch R6 - 300
1x Trauma Patch - 500
5x Cram - 50


Vehicles: (89,100)

Rover 2068 + Rigger Cocoon + Radar R6 + Atmosphere R3 + Valkyrie Module - 29,700
Autosofts: Maneuver (2) + Clearsight (2) - 800
Std. Upgrades: Amenities (High), Off-Road Suspension, Passenger Protection 2, Anti-Theft System 2

2x Federated-Boeing Kull + Lowlight - 20,200
Autosofts: Maneuver (3) + Covert Ops (3) + Clearsight (3) - 1,800
Std. Upgrades: Special Cargo (2 exterior airdrop cargo mounts), Signature Masking 1

GTS Tower + Smoke Projector + Armor (12) + Radar (6) + Radio Signal Scanner (6) + Thermal Imaging + Lowlight + Vision Magnification - 29,750
Autosofts: Targeting (3) [desert strike] + Defense (3) + Covert Ops (3) + Chaser (3) + Electronic Warfare (3) - 3,000
Std. Upgrades: Multilaunch Drone Rack, Weapon Mount (external, flexible, remote control) [with Ares Dessert Strike], Lighter Than Air, Retrans Unit (Signal Rating 6)

Renraku manservant-3 + Radio Signal Scanner (6) - 2,650
Autosoft: Adaptability (3) Targeting (3) [Ruger warhawk] - 1200
Std. Upgrades: 2 Mechanical Arms, Walker Mode

Lifestyle: (12,300)
Warehouse - (high) x2 months 12,000
Comforts: 3
Entertainment: 2
Necessities: 3
Neighborhood: 2
Security: 3
Qualities
Workplace
No Neighbors
Easy-going Landlord

3x bonus dice for starting nuyen - 300

(4+3)d6 x 500(high) = 16000¥ starting cash [pension plans FTW]

Concept at a glance: Medic and Control-Rigger who can throw serious dice anywhere he has access to a pair of robot arms. Seriously, give him 'Trix access to your Rating 6 Medkit, and he'll throw 24 dice (minus situational modifiers) on a First Aid test and 18 dice for remote Surgery or Hardware stuff. Hell, he could give himself an epidural and do his own cyber-implant surgery through VR with the help of his mechanized pal, Danny "Nitrile" Glover. Hilarious.
Anyway, in addition to a low-profile makeshift ambulance he's also got a couple of fast moving medium drone planes Juryrigged to drop showers of activated grenades, and a wondrous floating sniper rifle in the sky which can produce its own cloud cover and route Matrix traffic (and, soon enough, launch masses of minidrones.)

[Majhra]

Here we go with this terribly washed up fellow...
And he's far from perfect - Heckle away as you see fit (feedback is always welcome)...

Name: Vince Otto
Alias: Otto
Age: 32
Race: Human

Background:

[ Spoiler ]

Origionally of Hungarian descent, Otto still keeps the European taste for strong spirits and salty fish. At the start of his career he attepted to join Lone Star police after a year of college but flunked out due to his inability to meet the physical requirements.

Instead he began working as private security for a tiny company (Whitey Security) based out of Renton. While proving himself as an able investigator he regularly upset clients because of his distain for authority and their trivial problems. After several years of employment and upsetting one too many Johnsons and was fired. Three days later he started having vodka for breakfast, three months later, his wife of walked out.

Stats:

[ Spoiler ]

(180 BP) (10 BP edge)
Body: 3
Agility: 2
Reaction: 3 [4]
Strength: 1
Charisma: 4
Intuition: 4
Logic: 4 [5]
Will: 5
Edge: 3
Initiative: 7[8]
IP: 1[2]
Magic: 5[4]
Essence: 5/6

Skills
Active – (114 BP)
Sorcery (Group): 4
Conjuring (Group): 3
Dodge: 3
Perception: 4
Pistols: 2
Shadowing: 1

Knowledge/Language - (48 BP Free)
English: Native
Japanese: 1
Corp (Security Companies) 4
Hangouts (Criminal) 2
Procedure (Security) 5
Sailing 5
Knots 3
Hangouts (Bar) 4

Qualities:
Magician +15
Bad Rep -5

Addiction (Moderate) -10


Spells:
Manabolt (Direct) (F÷2)
Lightning Bolt (Indirect, Elem.) (F÷2)+3
Combat Sense (Active, Psychic) (F÷2)+2
Chaos (Realistic, Multi) (F÷2)+1
Borrow Sense (Active, Directional) (sm) (F÷2)
Heal DmgDV–2
Physical Barrier (Environ.) (F÷2)+3
Levitate (Physical) (F÷2)+1

Contacts (6 + 10 Free)
Salman Sime - Fixer (Loy. 2 Con. 3)
David Freeman - Beat Cop (Loy. 2 Con. 3)
Sgt. Paul Whitey - Otto's old boss (Loy. 1 Con. 3)
Mary-Anne Webster - Lawyer ex-wife (Loy. 1 Con. 1)

Resources: (25BP)
Cyber/Bioware: (93,750)
Synaptic Booster 1 (+1reac +1 init pass)
Cerebral Booster 1 (+1 logic)
Cybereye Rating 2 (Std.)
Low-Light Vision
Vision Magnification
Smartlink

Gear : (29,755)
Bonded power foci Rank 1
Renraku Sensei comlink +Skinlink + Subvocal Microphone
Lined Coat + concealed holder + fire resist 2
Fake SIN (1-6) Rtg 2
FN 5-7C + smartlink
40 x Regular Ammo

Edit: A few more detail on poor old Otto. He's having a bad (groundhog) day.... When will it end?

[ Spoiler ]

1. What is your character's Sex?

Male

2. What is your character's physical size?

Otto is 180cm tall, thin and lanky.

3. What is the color of the character's hair, eyes, and skin?

Brown hair and eyes, pale skin.

4. What is the character's general appearance (i.e., How does she dress, etc.)?

A very old dark brown suit. Kept in relativly good condition, but still showing it's age. The fabric at the elbows and seat are

glossy from compression, the collar and cuffs are beginning to wear thin. His shoes are brown loafers, and his white or pale cream

shirt could do with an extra bleaching.

6. What is the character's date of birth?

(assuming present 2070 - 2/12/2038


7. What was the character's family life like?

His only family left alive is his wife who calls to abuse him for past or present screwups once a week or so. This leaves him with a

strong distaste for family relations, his own or others.

8. Where or how was the character educated?

Public school, then evening colledge.

9. Has the character ever done anything else for a living?

Worked as a private security consultant (which usually meant being a bouncer), but showed a flair for private investigations.

10. What are the character's political and religious beliefs?

Religion and politics, two great topics to offend others. Otto believes they are good - for that and not much else.

11. Describe the character's moral code. Include how mercenary she is, whether or not she'll kill innocents, etc.

His moral code is quite high, but with large holes. While he wouldn't kill or injure a child willingly, his actions might cause that

indirectly. He will do what he things needs to be done in the fastest way possibly, with very little thought to the consequences.

12. What are the character's goals?

He has none. He's lost, struggling to find his place in the world that hates him and takes everything he's cared about away. He

doesn't (yet?) realise it's his actions that have gotten him to this point. To distract himself from realising this point, he

drinks.

13. Why does the character run the shadows? (Why does she run the shadows still, rather than getting a "real" job?)

No one else will take him and he has to do something other than destroy his liver.

14. Are there certain things that the character can't or won't do? Why?

Won't admit he has a drinking problem, otherwise he has to admit he's got a problem with his whole life.

15. What things, people, or ideas does the character hate?

Most of society, but only because he hates what he's become.

16. What things people, or ideas does the character love?


17. What is your favorite food and/or drink?

Beer and pizza. The occasional taco late at night, after too many beers.

18. What annoys you the most?

The pansy girl-shirt fakes the world is made up of. They all seem to be walking through the world with a chip on their shoulder, either that or carry the expectation that the world owes them a living. Occasionally I meet someone that has both, and I just can't help myself but knock them down to size. Sure, that sometimes bites me in the ass, but I just have to call the shot like I see it.

[Red-ROM]

Sweet, I think we're getting a crew here. I'll look over characters this week(or weekend), and start getting with people on specifics. I do want Contacts fleshed out seeing as I have to Roleplay them. especially the Higher loyalty ones.

[DrZaius]

10 free points for contacts, eh? I may tweak my guy a bit as a result.

-DrZaius

[Red-ROM]

10 free points for contacts, eh? I may tweak my guy a bit as a result.

-DrZaius

I would imagine. Free bp for contacts frees up points that would have been spent there, to be spent elsewhere. Thats why I'm not a fan. But its no biggie.... a 2-pac maybe, but no biggie.

[Dumori]

I still can't really pick a concept to run with.

[Majhra]

I still can't really pick a concept to run with.

<politically incorrect>
Handicaped rigger - then no running required
</politically incorrect>

Just make sure you post while everyone's in the vehicle you're driving... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

[Martin_DeVries_I...]

Majhra's got a (potentially horribly offensive (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) ) point. There are no riggers in the main group, and so far only one in the reserve list--and Saint Sithney's is a loon. Like, my god. I really fear for our lives if we have to work with him. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) (Which I mean in only the best way.) So another rigger could be good. Especially as his seems to focus on drones/aircraft.

EDIT: This is less a concept than a role in the group, admittedly, but that gets you partway there.