OOC: Search for the Spirit Mask of Timbuktu, Creation and OOC thread for SSMoT Options

[Fenris]

As a note to everyone else, recruiting for this game has already been done, and it's full.

Alright, this is where we'll be designing character and backgrounds.

Since I'm fairly new to the system, I'm going to try and keep things fairly low key. I'll be going with the basic 400pt build system, and I'll toss in an extra 30 karma. You all know the general premise of the game and the flavor I'm going for from my PM, so think along those lines when buying gear and such. Don't stunt your character, just try to keep the flavor ;)

Somewhere out there is an optional rule for free contact points based on your Charisma. I'd like to use it, so a free point of karma to the first person to explain it to me in detail in this thread :D

[BishopMcQ]

Fenris--The optional (Houserule) thrown out by some of the people on the boards, is that characters receive Natural Cha*2 in free points for contacts. it's meant to simulate the fact that high charisma characters will know more people and have better relationships than low charisma characters, as well as, lean on the old stable of 2 free lvl 1 contacts from SR3.

Effectively if my character has a Charisma of 3 (human standard) I get 6 pts worth of contacts free.

2 contacts at 1/2, 2/1
1 contact at 1/5, 2/4, 3/3, 4/2 or 5/1
or 1 contact at 1/1 and another at 1/3, 2/2, or 3/1

My charisma 1 troll gets a free 1/1 contact.

Obviously the options for my Elf face with a charisma of 7 or 8 are much broader...

Cha*2 seems to be the acceptable standard, though some Dumpshockers have pushed for up to Cha*4....which is really just a bit out there, IMO.

[Buddha72]

So to start the ball rolling on throwing out character concepts....

I was going to do a msytic adept with a focus on swords and maybe throwing weapons. Going for the exotic orient feel with the character. I'll have a few utility spells but mostly a melee combant and physical skill monkey.

I would love to weave together a mutual history with the other characters so we start with some sort of group/team bond in place.

Can the other people throw up their rough ideas as well to help the group building?

[Whizbang]

Was going for a Dragonslayer shaman. He's a historian, and knows a good deal about spirits and the paranormal.

[BishopMcQ]

I'm going with an Occult Investigator--a few minor tweaks from the archtype most likely.

A hybrid between Marcus Brody (from Indiana Jones) and a Film Noir PI.

[Fenris]

As a quick question to the group:

How would you feel about adding one more player? There are both drawbacks and benefits, obviously. The benefits circle around not having to cover as many gaps with the existing group, having more actions in combat, access to more skills, spells, equipment, etc.

The drawback is mostly based around the medium. Anytime you have more then one player, things start to slow down a little, no matter who the player or players are, it's just due to the PbP situation.

I personally think 5 is still a very manageable group, and since I have personal emails or I know you IRL, I think I could keep things moving along. I'm leaving the decision up to you guys though.

[Whizbang]

Hmm...you have someone in mind, or you planning on holding auditions? I have no problem with a fifth player.

[BishopMcQ]

I'd be open to a 5th, but I like Whizbang am curious if this would be by invitation like the group or if it'd be an open call.

[Buddha72]

I would be open to another player if you or someone had some previous experience with them so we know that they are reliable and would join with the same friendly spirit.

[Buddha72]

Is anyone making a leader type character at this point? Someone who could easily step into that role? That seems to be one of the things that slow a thread down, the waiting for someone to take charge.

[HeySparky]

I'll take a crack at that, Buddha. Being the leader type. Or at least the, 'say, you're good at this, do your thang' type. :)

Also... Howdy!

Checking in.


And - McQ - I'll see your Marcus Brody and raise you a Sallah! :D Or maybe not. I'm still kicking around ideas.

[Buddha72]

Awesome so we have a leader type person!

So do we want to know each other from before? Do we want to be a tight knit group or professionals who all respect each other but are there to get the job done?

Sorry if I seem to be pushy but I really want to nail down this group and game. :D

[Whizbang]

Would be nice to start off as a group for a change.

[Fenris]

And it would sure make it easier on me ;D

Yes, I have someone in mind, and it would be by invitation. Definitely into the same friendly spirit, as reliable as most posters here on dumpshock ;)

[Whizbang]

So....who is this mysterious someone?

[HeySparky]

I still volunteer to be the leader, but I'm kicking around a change of concept (not that I was totally concrete in the first place) that I'd like feedback on, because that may change just what 'leader' means.

Concept:
Guide and amateur documentary filmographer - possibly Adept, but a weak one. Signed on with the group a facilitator and guide and document their search for The Mask.

She will be well-rounded skillwise, some tech, some combat, some people skills - but is mostly a hands on sort of girl. Race undetermined, I'm currently favoring troll. As leader she'd have a good grasp on the operations of the team, of the team's strengths and a good knowledge of the area of operation (paracritters, political conflicts, languages, etc.).

Who she works for I'm not certain...
1. Herself
2. The team
3. A third-party private patron who doesn't want his/her money squandered by out-of-touch-academics-and-mystics
4. A corporation/government/entity with interests in the find
5. A semi-government watchdog association intent on not letting its treasures get looted

Could be anything. The easy choices there are 1 and 2, but I think that the more interesting RP (for her and the team) would be 3, 4 or 5.

Anyway. I'm game to for anything. Even a totally new concept if we need, say, a brick or something. If we need a brick, I'd be up for some sort of merc-type who would be the on-the-ground/tactical/operations leader, but let the academics work out where they were headed in a broader sense.

[BishopMcQ]

Re: Team Relations--Since we all know each other some what and get along well, I'd say that a group dynamic that builds on that would be best. Pre-existing group that is tight knit but professional. We all know that the job comes first, but will go to lengths to make sure that we have fun in the process.

I'd vote to push away from the traditional shadowrun model if people are up for it. Without wanting to step on Fenris' plan too much, I am pushing for us to be a legitimate group. If we work for an organization like the Draco Foundation or the Atlantis Project, something along those lines, it will be easier for us to travel and move around. There will occasionally be times when we don't want to tell Customs officials exactly what we are bringing, but a half-truth is easier to swallow than a complete lie.

Second idea for the group--If we go for a pre-established group, I'd suggest that we post our characters here. This will help us get to know each other's abilities and we can work at covering some of the gaps that get built.

Sparky--I like the idea of the documentary/guide, but by all means play the character that you want.

[Blitz]

Hi hi! I'm the mystery player that begged to get into this happy game :)

I plan on throwing the character together tonight, but I could use some assistance. We recently repainted the office and somehow my SR4 book has been misplaced. Does anyone know where I can get a copy of the PDF version as band-aid?

As far as concepts go, there seems to be heavy magic support, so Im thinking of perhaps going as a weapons specialist/mercenary talented at all forms of combat as well as really comfortable with interacting with native populations and 3rd world cultures as a "jungle face" sorta. Rough and tumble type who looks at the search as more of a job and less as a quest...the person you bring along to keep the party relatively safe :)

ES..I love your concept, but if you dont think it works as the leader type, I'd be happy to step up that route :) (you definately have dibs though ;))

[HeySparky]

I like the idea of being legit (It also helps support that there is an active documentary occurring - what shadowrunners would allow that?).

I also sort of like the idea of being a representative of 'the man' to the team. But one that puts herself between the parent organization and the capable, perhaps unruly or unorthodox individuals so that both are protected.

If we're gonna have a savvy tough in Blitz's PC, I may go more into the documentary filmographer route. Or more into the corporate face route (and less the generalist).

Or I may ditch all of that an make something else. It's CHARGEN! The world is my oyster. Wheee!

When are characters due and what are we going to specifically do to integrate our characters?

[BishopMcQ]

Blitz--Drive-thru RPG has a copy of the most recent version, and you get free downloads of each new version as they errata it. Also, if you are still a playtester, look back through some of Rob's posts and he tells you where to find one.

[Buddha72]

I am heading out of town for the weekend today and will be back late Monday but I will throw up my character in Tuesday so we can start making the group.

I like the idea as well of us not being shadow runners for this one. Working for Draco or the like sounds very wicked cool so there' s my two cents worth.

[Fenris]

I'll be out of town as well, but please don't let that stop the character creation ideas. The general timeline I've thrown up is to start the game in a week or so, but I honestly have no problems pushing that deadline back a little while if people need more time.

[Blitz]

YAY! Now I dont have to do a rush job! (people want characters so fast here usually :))

[BishopMcQ]

Hey folks--

Here's a rough sketch of my character...

There are still thing to figure out like karma expenditure, contacts and gear...but this should show you the skill base I'm building.

[Blitz]

Did you type that out or do you have a template or character builder program?