Recruiting: Down in the Gutter - Second Phase, Life in Redmond's Newest Street Gang Options

[Eyeless Blond]

Hm. You know, it's just really sinking in: I'm the only guy in DitG with a car? Really?

Maybe I need to rethink that. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/nyahnyah.gif)

[Vegas]

A few of us have bikes, but no I don't believe anyone has a car in game. Too damn expensive for gangers (IMG:style_emoticons/default/nyahnyah.gif) And too big of a target for theft or destruction...

Badmarsh had one, but it got spectacularly exploded in the pre-game events (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

[Spike]

I'm actually lkim on the counterfitting but since we seem to be dropping it...

If I can get my work computer access restored (security seems to think my login was compromised... ugh...) I'll try typing my takes on wordpad and transfering them over.

[Bearclaw]

Hm. You know, it's just really sinking in: I'm the only guy in DitG with a car? Really?

Maybe I need to rethink that. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/nyahnyah.gif)

My bike and I fit comfortably in a 10x10 storage shed (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)
Hard to get that kind of security for a car for what I could afford.

[WinterRat1]

Hm. You know, it's just really sinking in: I'm the only guy in DitG with a car? Really?

I was wondering how long it would take for that to hit you.

[adamu]

Car cannot fight hez.

[Eyeless Blond]

I was wondering how long it would take for that to hit you.

Oh it's been kicking around for awhile. Problem with that is I'm not sure what to do about it, short of completely redoing and/or discarding my character and starting over.

See, here's the thing: Drip can't drive. Or, rather, there's no way in heck he wouldn't be pulled over and carded every time he drives anywhere. The solution to that is to use a car, with the one-way windows that apparently are all the rage by 2070. This, naturally, precludes the idea of a bike, what with its lack of an enclosed space. OTOH, cars have a whole host of disadvantages, in particular size, maneuverability, practicality, etc. It's a problem that's been annoying the heck out of me ever since I started thinking about this character.

And who or what is "hez"?

[Neuntöter]

And who or what is "hez"?

orxploitation slang.

[lkim]

This argument misses two key points:

1. Cash has a method of being tracked. Serial numbers on the bills. The problem is the technology to track them in 'real time'. Electronic credit does not have that problem. If you put 1000 nuyen on a credit, someone has to be accountable for where it came from. Someone has to make good on that. If that basic trust isn't there, the whole electronic currency system collapses. Given that tracking electronic currency can be near instantaneous, and given that there's every reason to need to do so, there's no way financial institutions wouldn't.

2. If it was that easy to just give yourself money out of thin air, why wouldn't everyone do it? It's not that easy and it's not that practical, especially for a scum of the earth gutterpunk hiding out in Kingsgate. And there's a lot of legal, technical, practical, etc. safeguards as to why that is that we're not going to waste any more time discussing.

Bottom line so we can all move forward: The BTL production thing is fine, the one man counterfeiting operation is just not going to be a viable activity.

Alright, final word of WR1, so I'll just move on. Just one more thing, then I'll move on, promise.

In the case where certified credsticks can be tracted by whatever electronic means out there, IF, say a politician, pays prostitude with certified credsticks, to be anonymous, what everyone is saying is that this can be tracted to blackmail him (at least it sound like that...).

What I was thought of counterfeiting credstick:
1. Credstick is worth the amount of credit encoded on it. Yes, it's done by the financial institutions, but after creating the credstick, their jobs done. Certified credstick is like small bank owns that much money. They will not track the money how it was spent, if they could, too much big power for them to blackmail everyone, everytime, everyday. So, for this reason I think it is not electronicaly possible to track down credstick. Physically with lot of leg work, probably.
2. Counterfeiting credsticks are just regular credsticks with fake code encoded in it. Thus it only have to beat the reader, if used on street, like transferring neuyen from one credstick to another. If it is to use with someone with real SIN, to real account in the matrix, yeah I have to agree with everyone on it would be hard to fool the institution.
3. With that reason behind me, I thought it would be easier to counterfeit credstick than ID or licence, where all the info has to be somewhere. Checking a ID, would have to be cross-referencing with whole lot of places in the Matrix, because the info would be, at least, at the government. Checking a certified credstick would be almost impossible, since there are no information of who is the original owner, when was bought, with what money. Who issue the credstick would be possible, if they have logo or sometype on the credstick.

Ok, that's it. I will not talk of counterfeiting credsticks anymore. I'll just have to change couple of stuff.

Sorry, I didn't have chance to read over the BTL creating rule on 3rd edition CC. Did anyone read it?

[Eyeless Blond]

Maybe I'll give him one of those silly-looking monocycles instead. It's not like it'd ever be stolen; noone else would know what it is, much less how to drive it. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

[Eyeless Blond]

orxploitation slang.

Any chance of getting a orxploitation-to-human dictionary?

[Vegas]

eyeless

Define "funny looking" because I honestly think all the bikes in SR look somewhat "funny" (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

If you PM me your email I'll forward you an Or'Zet word doc I have that translates MOST of the stuff commonly used for flavor. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

[Whipstitch]

Oh it's been kicking around for awhile. Problem with that is I'm not sure what to do about it, short of completely redoing and/or discarding my character and starting over.

See, here's the thing: Drip can't drive. Or, rather, there's no way in heck he wouldn't be pulled over and carded every time he drives anywhere. The solution to that is to use a car, with the one-way windows that apparently are all the rage by 2070. This, naturally, precludes the idea of a bike, what with its lack of an enclosed space. OTOH, cars have a whole host of disadvantages, in particular size, maneuverability, practicality, etc. It's a problem that's been annoying the heck out of me ever since I started thinking about this character.

And who or what is "hez"?

You're overthinking this a bit and missing a couple of key points:

1. We're in the Barrens. There isn't really anyone to pull you over. I'm not saying that the Star sits back and lets every crime slide, necessarily, but I'd be really surprised if they went around sticking their noses into the Barrens over what amounts to a routine traffic violation. This could be a problem if you leave the Barrens on a bike or something, but even then I wouldn't worry too much because...

2. Baby and other short people get around on motorcycles all the time, and that's not even accounting for dwarf modified vehicles. Yeah, dwarves can't really be confused with children under normal circumstances (and drip would be tall AND skinny for a dwarf), but you also have to account for a helmet, boots, an oversized jacket and moving at decent speeds into the equation as well, along with the simple fact that just pulling over everyone who's surprisingly short is a great way to waste some time. Plus, routine traffic policing is automated via GridGuide, SIN checks and drones more often than not. You'll likely need a Fake SIN and license to drive around outside the Barrens in the first place, but for the most part it's not like there's all that many traffic cops driving around eyeballing people the old fashioned way anymore when GridGuide can just cite you, fine you and automatically alert the authorities when you really disobey traffic laws. SR4 motorists live in a strange new world where everyone who double parks and disobeys the speed limit faces swift automated justice if they don't have a way of spoofing the system. On the other hand, it's probably quite likely that a 14 year old could roll around on a vehicle that literally drives by itself provided he's got the fake credentials needed to fool GridGuide into thinking he's 16 and passed whatever it is that passes for an exam in a world of automated vehicles. Honestly, if it's a car you wouldn't even necessarily need to tint the windows; the car could very well be driving itself while you watch a simflick and I doubt anyone would bat an eye.

So your concerns are somewhat valid, and honestly, it IS rather hard to imagine someone as small as Drip handling a motorcycle without a motorcycle gyro system (which is outside of your availability) due to their sheer mass, but I certainly don't think being stopped by the Star is by any means inevitable.

[Eyeless Blond]

Define "funny looking" because I honestly think all the bikes in SR look somewhat "funny" (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

I mean the really funny monocycle ones, the ones with the one giant wheel that the guy sits inside. That's just freaky.

But also useful, as it comes with free gyro stabilization and smart tires, and starts cheaper than even my used, Gremlins-filled car.. If only it were more enclosed...

[Eyeless Blond]

Whipstitch

Can't think of a second reason either, huh? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[Whipstitch]

I had to answer the phone (Company was getting back to me about a job interview) so I hit submit and came back to the post later. Call took longer than I expected. I have quite a detailed second reason, actually. To make a long story short, you're approaching things like it's still 2008.

[Bearclaw]

OK, updated my story to put Rico in Brickhouse Boys. Got most of the thirty done. Everything else is done (ie Gear, equipment, etc.) although some could use a little cleaning up.
Oh, and I gotta pay a couple of days rent.

[Eyeless Blond]

Whipstitch:

Good luck with the interview (though I guess that should've come before the call!).

And yeah, in the days of fully automated vehicles, it wouldn't really be all that unusual to see kids letting the car's Pilot program drive them around; in fact if you were slaved to Gridguide it would make perfect sense to not have automated cars require licenses, no more than you'd need a license to be a passenger. The problem with that unfortunately is that most motorcycles are not fully automated, so I'll have to find a cycle that *is* before using it...

[Whipstitch]

Yeah, the motorcycle gyro system would have to be your big purchase in that case, and I don't really think it's worth it. I just think that the cops are one of your lesser worries when it comes to choosing a vehicle at this point, that's all.

[Eyeless Blond]

Oh? Is that a high-Availability mod? I don't have my books at the moment. Then I'll absolutely have to buy one of the cycles with a gyro system pre-installed. Too bad they all look sillier than normal. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/nyahnyah.gif) Oh, or a Segway! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/rollin.gif)

But yeah, the fact that vehicles don't have an "R" around them seems to indicate that driver's licenses are obselete/no longer necessary by 2070.


Re: deadlines. I know we new guys don't have to define positions, but I'm assuming we need everything approved by Friday?

[lkim]

Quick qustion, for the take part of 30 questions. Are all the character in the Take page all active? I thought some are dead, or incase of Doc, in prison, who I don't know if he plays anymore or not....

And here's my 27/30 questions, for reviews/thoughts/comments.

[ Spoiler ]

The Thirty

Background
1. Where and in what kind of environment did your character grow up?
Alex was born and raised in Auburn, an area ruled by small ganger known as Blood Brothers (mixed races of ethnic group of Blacks).

2. What are your character’s relations with their family? (Does your character keep in touch? Where are they now?)
His parents, blue-collar workers in the local factory were poor, but loving and caring. Alex can't get in touch with his family, even he wants to, because they are both dead.

3. Does your character have an ethnic background? (Is it relevant to them?)
Alex is mix blood of African American and Asian.

Appearance
4. What does your character look like?
Alex stands tall at 210 cm or so and nearly 140 kg. He have dark (may be tan) skin, medium length black straight hair that are mostly uncomed.

5. What does your character dress like?
Typical days he'll have his jeans and shirt, and tattered old lined coat in mid-60's style. When he's meeting with the buyer or someone important, he'll be dress as nicely and cleanly as he can.

6. What are your character’s physical quirks?
He have habbit of touching/rubbing on lockat on his necklace time to time. Which contains holo-pic of Myst and himself when he was human.

Skills, attributes, resources
7. What did your character always want to be? (How did they go about getting this job/position/ability/image? Did they succeed?)
When young and living with his parents, he had dream of becomming a president, a firefighter, a cop, etc., just like any kid would. But since he's been living in the street and all, he doesn't dream anymore.

8. Where and how did your character learn their Active and Knowledge Skills?
Some basic stuffs from the Blood Brothers, but mostly living in the street and by the Myst.

9. Where and how did your character get their major equipment and ‘ware?
When Myst was dead, by the crash of '64, he kept some of his and Myst's stuff for memory, but most equipment were sold, traded, bartered.

10. Where and in what kind of place does your character currently live?
Before '64, with Myst in a small apartment, then mostly street, moving place to place. He just got an apartment near the Kirkland park.

12. Who are your character’s enemies? (How did they become your character’s enemies?)
At young age, he hated Orks and humanis club. Who wouldn't? Mob of Ork have killed his parents, when humanis club was to blame. So, he doesn't like one race club, whether if it's Ork or human and doesn't like Black Plague for their pro-meta ideas, although he doesn't think of them as enemy. He does hate, however, RN for killing a girl that looked like Myst.

13. For Awakened characters, how did your character learn their magic? For non-Awakened characters, how does your character feel about magic?
Magic, is some weird stuff. Can't understand it, don't want to deal with it, if it's possible. And what the hell is technomancers and their stuff?

Personality
14. What are your character’s personality quirks?
He is depressed person. So most times he'll be just alone, or wants to be left alone. When ask to speak, he'll only answer in short sentence, and keep quite most times. When ask to do something, he'll do. He'll do just that, though.

15. What are your character’s likes and dislikes?
He doesn't feel joy anymore. It's just been shut off from his emotion. Plus, being depressed, he really doesn't have interest in many things around him.

16. What is your character’s moral code?
Doesn't have any moral code. What's the use in the street, right?

17. Does your character have personal beliefs?
He doesn't belive in any religion. Although he believes there are somewhere that people go when they die.

18. What are your character’s personal motivations?
Personal motivation to live and survive in the street is because he wanted to meet Myst when he die and make her proud of him.

Running with the gang
19. Why does your character run with the gang?
Seeing how RN killed the girl that looked like Myst, they are just the number 1 on the enemy list. He may be depressed and have no interest around him, but he's no idiot. He knows who they are and how powerful enemy they are if you are living in the street. Logical thing to do is find the gang as powerful as they are and do the revenge, nearest gang for possibilty is either Outlanders or UV night, but Outlanders are too weak, and UV are for awakened only. Which leave the possibilty of newly formed gang, Ravens, which seems reasonable. Although they are weak now, but the leader have survived 2 gang war, and need to gain in numbers would make it easier for him to join.

20. When and how did your character join the gang?
He never have joined any gangs in the Redmond. Although he may have delt with one or another troughout the years.

21. How does your character contribute to the gang? What is his role; not just in terms of how he/she makes money, but where does he/she fit in the social hierarchy?
He'll be the one to produce the BTL, which bring the cash to the gang. Also because of his extended connection with the various people bring the rumors and infos out on the street. For social hierarchy, he is most likely treat as breadwinner for the gang.

22. What would make your character ever leave the gang?
He have seen what other gangs do to their member when they try to leave. Plus, he does have agenda to see the down fall of RN. If Ravens do bring the downfall of RN, he won't leave because, most likely, Raven will be the stronges gang in the neighbor. If Raven is defeated by the RN, or other gangs, well, he won't see the next day or just out on the street, again.

23. How does your character feel about their life in the gutter as part of a street gang? What is their view of the rest of the world? (i.e. Non-gangers)
Life in the street gang is really no difference to life living in the street. Only thing different is to follow some order. Hell, he have been given orders by Myst and followed that for several years, so what's the difference?

24. If your character could have their ideal life outside of the gang, describe what that ideal life would be.
Still living with Myst, in human form, do whatever we were doing in the past and have an easy life.

25. What ambitions does your character have for the gang as a whole? What ambitions does your character have for their place within the gang?
My ambition is to make the Ravens big and strong, so it could bring the RN to the bottom. For the place within the gang, I don't really have one right now, but may be later.

26. If your character is a recent addition from another gang, how does your character feel about joining a new gang? If your character is not a recent addition from another gang, how does your character feel about the new arrivals to the gang?
Life in the street gang is really no difference to life living in the street. Only thing different is to follow some order. Hell, he have been given orders by Myst and followed that for several years, so what's the difference?

27. How does your character view relationships within the gang, both romantic and friendship? How does your character view relationships outside the gang, both romantic and friendship?
He's little afraid of emotional connection with anyone, because everyone he liked/loved/cared have died.

29. What is your character’s attitude towards/view of the gang as a whole?
Gang, from the outside perspective, are big customer.

[Vegas]

Eyeless

You don't HAVE to have your characters ready for review/approved by Friday. However, the longer it takes you guys to get them done, means the longer it is before you guys get to be "in play" in the game and intro'ed to the gang in however WR1 deems fit.

ALL

Right now I've got Whipstitch, Dantic and Spike reviewed and passed on up to WR1 for FINAL review. In other words those guys should be making NO changes to their character's stats or gear outside of correcting typos. Background and takes should be fully in place, but we won't fault you guys for adding to either of them or making corrections to typos.

Honestly guys if I "catch" you making changes to the character's stats and gear after you've asked for review (and I do see ALL edits made on the wiki), I will personally kick each and every one of your asses. Failing my ability to hunt you down, I will put your characters on the backburner for priority as far as getting the character approved or any additional questions. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) I'm only being hard-ass about this because those of us doing the recruiting don't have the time to check and recheck and rerecheck your characters and I know we have some perpetual "character tweakers" (self-admitted even) who will constantly move things around unless we cut them off.

I'm just asking for a little more help here, because this does eat up a LOT of the limited time Slipshade, WinterRat1 and myself have for ANYTHING, not just DSF/Gaming.

*steps off her soapbox*

With that said, I will NOT be around from pretty much this point on, until sometime tomorrow (Friday @ Noon CST most likely). So expect some additional delays on getting questions answered regarding whatever, unless Slipshade or WinterRat1 can free up a little more of their time tonight. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

[Spike]

lkim: if you're interested, I put my take on 2070 counterfeiting up on the main forum, won't do you any good in the gutter here, but it cool to have interested parties weigh in.

Everyone else: retyping my takes on wordpad. Going much slower than the intial try did, and not quite as smooth, but I'm sort of recapturing my orininal intent. Is giving me a better, more complex, handle on Maus's peculiar personality, and they do read as sort of 'internal monologue' like I originally shot for. I don't think he articulates it himself (and quite frankly, since i'm not typing staccato broken English (as internally, he's speaking Russian, if anything), his voice is not quite right. Still too much my vocab, not enough Maus. Ah well. That's why I make characters like this: For the challenge.

I'll post the first batch in a little bit. Want to get a few more done first. Haven't started play and I'm already missing the Tough Quality, sigh.... but I do like the rework much better, makes his takes easier to do, actually.

[Vegas]

lkim

Yes, everyone in your list of takes are ACTIVE characters (including all characters that are new, minus your own as I haven't added him to the mix yet until I knew the specifics of your char.) I have been removing inactive characters as they've gone dormant or dropped out.

Doc is still an active character, in jail only because his player is currently on hiatus with limited access to the internet (much like Bockscar) so takes on all of them are necessary.

[lkim]

@Spike
Sure, thanks!

@Vegas
Ah, got it. Alright I'll try do my best.