Recruiting: Deep Water Blackout Options

[DireRadiant]

I am thinking of a speed thrill addicted ork Eurotrash Socialist Socialite street sam babe.

Read that as Face. I can slide some of the BPs around the Social, Contacts and Combat focus as needed. Right now I'm looking at dice pool ~11 + in a couple charisma linked skills, one kick ass combat skill, and 20+ BP in contacts. Toss in some skill wires for as you need them back up skills to round out anything we can plan ahead for. Good on the physical and active skills, light on the technical.

Think along the lines of a student revolutionary who got in a little too deep, and is now stuck on the dark side... or unable to convince herself to go back legit...

What kind of group tone are people interested in? Long time working together, recently known each other, known or met each other professionally on and off over the past few years?

What people know about Cinzia Astarte
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At first this physically attractive and charming ork might appear to be a teenage example of her metatype, but closer attention will reveal that in fact she is a mature specimen in both appearance and demeanor. Her precise North American English betrays it origins in matrix learning of some kind, especially in contrast with her native parisian. When not acting as a representative for various parties in negotiations that are too risky for the participants to involve themselves directly, she has been seen acting as a professional escort to social events(most likely a cover for her acting as part of a security detail), and occasionally more explicitly as part of bodyguard teams.

[pragma]

While we're on the subject, a more thorough introduction of my character thus far might be in order:

What people know about Guy Freebird:
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This self-named new-wave yet old-school surfer, hacker and treasure hunter has lived his life for a very long time without a care in the world. He goes to great lengths to avoid becoming 'locked in' to long haul work and values his freedom and 'peace of chakra' a great deal, as he will readily tell you. His growing years might make him seem like a vulnerability on a Shadowrunning team, especially in a role as fast moving as hacker, but his age also attests to his matrix talent and his willingness to get dirty in a gunfight.

-- may be a little bit more to come

[DireRadiant]

- Direradiant: Eurotrash speed-freak sammy girl

The socialite bit = Face skills. Really Face/Martial Arts/Pistol/any chipped active of physical skills + Contacts.

[Lidralyn]

Ok back from work now.

My character would be an ork mage, long story short (will flesh it out more if I get picked *hopes*) Well he was abandoned as a child and has learned to hate his parents, his mentor spirit through its influence basically raised him. He has always struggled to fit in so he is overly trying to find friends, finally he found this team and is trying to enjoy life again. He ran into a lot of problems with BTLs in his youth until he finally had a breaking point when his mentor turned his back on him until he quit. He is on a revence fest looking for his parents, he is part mage/part face/part infiltrator-assassin. He tries to gather all the information he can and then kill in one silent spell. Overcasting almost everything because physical pain can no longer compare to the pain felt in his heart and the hate towards his parents.

His parents were "treasure" hunters on the sea and thats what brought him to this part of the world.....if he ever finds them, they will surely die, or he will die trying.

Will flesh it more and get more specific once I know more about build and exactly whats going on.

Matt

[Method]

DireRadiant: ah sorry. I missed that in my quest for brevity. Quite a complex character. How do you see her fitting in with the "buzz cut and grey-camo" crowd? Up dated the summary...

Lidralyn: could be interesting. Has a real Luke Skywalker close to the Dark Side feel to it. I'd like to hear more though. Is he just in the salvage/treasure hunter/smuggler/cyberpirate scene to look for his parents?

[Lidralyn]

For the most part yeah, he has only recently (last year or so) learned about what they do for a living and so he came looking, (He still doesn't know there names), and he met the team he is running with now. He shadowruns for information and nuyen to spend to better himself and to get more information on his parents. He really doesn't have a long term goal...he is blinded by hate at this point. If he ever finds them and finishes what he has started he will hit a wall of reality of (what do I do now syndrome.) But he is established into the team so he would more than likely just stay with them and continue helping them, he has always been shunned by society being sinless and an ork without a family, so having something as close to a friend as he can get (a team) he will cling to it for all its worth.

A lot of it is hard to detail since I don't know all of your details lol, I am leaving a lot of it open to you, if they are there or not, could be an interesting hook for you to run with, if not then no big deal, its all backstory then. Either way he should be interesting.

[DireRadiant]

DireRadiant: ah sorry. I missed that in my quest for brevity. Quite a complex character. How do you see her fitting in with the "buzz cut and grey-camo" crowd? Up dated the summary...

Well the poor souls did their stint with the "man" and since they no longer serve L'Etat, they obviously are on the path to enlightenment to being fellow socialist revolutionaries. Besides, people in uniforms always look sharp and Cinzia can't help being attracted to them. Her first mis step was dating that fascist right wing death squad corporal in secondary school and getting into the socialist revolutionary cell on the rebound from that relationship. It was a nice shiny uniform!

[Dakka]

I actually see my weapon specialist in a bright Hawaiian shirt and shorts lol.

[TheOneRonin]

I think you'd also do a lot better buying up the firearms group than going with the separate skills and specializations. You'd lose some dice, but firearms at 3 would save you 16 points. Firearms at 4 would save you 6.

Firearms Group 3 would be woefully inadequate for Ex SBS operator. Honestly, according to the book, his firearms skills should be in the neighborhood of 5. But since I'm not really trying to be the group's "street sam", I think what I picked was a decent compromise. Though it looks like I may HAVE to do something like Firearms 4 to save on some of the points.

[TheOneRonin]

- WoundedRonin: I'd be willing to wiggle a little on the BP (maybe 450?) in order to facilitate *well rounded characters* (which seems to be the goal, so thats good).

Wrong "Ronin". (IMG:style_emoticons/default/cool.gif) Though I do post a lot too, and WR and I think alike, so confusing us is normal. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

I'll try to rebuild with 450 and see how it comes out. It's just tough to properly build a real SpecOps guy with the canon rules...at least if you are trying to stay within 400 BPs.

So what do you think about my concept? Scottish demo/diver/treasure hunter/former SBS guy that attracts trouble but is tottally unflappable and always makes jokes and wears a smile. Sorta patterned (at least physcially) after Desmond in "Lost", but with much more of a military background and much more jovial.

[TheOneRonin]

Character Build guidelines to follow...

Summary of Proposed Characters thus far:

- OneRonin: Former SAS SBS (Special Boat Service) operator


(did I miss anybody?)

Little clarification...

[TheOneRonin]

Second attempt:

Group-Athletics: 3
Group-Stealth: 3
Group-Firearms: 4

Demolitions(Breaching): 4(+2)
Dodge: 3
Diving(SCUBA): 3(+2)
Pilot Water(Motorboat): 2(+2)
Parachuting: 3
Perception: 4
Etiquette: 2
Unarmed: 3


Awefully neutered for ex SBS, but I shaved over 100 BP off skills.

[Dakka]

Hey, skills atrophy when you sit around fishing from the boat, smoking cuban cigars and sipping on rum. I'm in the position you are with skills.

[BlackHat]

Like 90% done with my write up for this character, but its late, so I will put it up tomorrow.

[Method]

Wrong "Ronin".

Er...sorry. I knew that looked wrong when I typed it but I couldn't figure out why. Fixed.

I'll try to rebuild with 450 and see how it comes out. It's just tough to properly build a real SpecOps guy with the canon rules...at least if you are trying to stay within 400 BPs.

Yeah, in my experience you can't really put together a solid SO in anything close to a standard game. It basically has to be a high powered game (500+) to do them justice. Thats not quite what I'm shooting for here though.

So what do you think about my concept?

Concept-wise I like the character and he would fit nicely in the story I'd like to tell. Plus I think he's easy to combine with some of the other characters proposed (especially other ex-military) without too much suspension of disbelief.

-----------

All: I can see this is going to be a really tough decision. I like all the concepts thus far, although some seem to fit my particular vision better than others.

I gotta run now, but I'll do some thinking and post some specific feedback for each character tomorrow. In the mean time if any of you want to write a more detailed character background and toss it up it might help me envision the character better. Sounds like BlackHat is already on that.

[bishop186]

Bah, sounds like I'm too late again. :/

Well, if you do need someone else out there, I was thinking of a eccentric, hallucinating troll treasure hunter/adventurer who is tired with land adventure and looking for a change of pace. I think I'd play him as a greedy Don Quixote.

A side note: Hallucinations is probably my favorite neg-qual because of how open it is and how often it could be played (in that one could just stumble from one hallucination to another, making a winding path between the true and surreal).

[crizh]

Petit Petwo.

The origins of this shaven headed, dark skinned dwarf are a mystery and inquiries are met with a disconcerting toothy grin or Creole riddles. It is safe to say that he was probably born on Haiti but his accent is subtly wrong to those familiar with the region.

Whatever the reasons for leaving his homeland it is clear that his true home is the sea. Agwe's voice sings in his mind and he is powerless to resist. He can often be found on the bow of the ship, singing softly in French or Creole in a murmuring tenor voice, his arms spread wide in ecstasy and his eyes rolled back in his head.

Whatever his eccentricities, it is safe to say that no-one understands the moods of the ever changing Agwe better than Petwo. Many an expedition has returned to port in blue skies minutes before the weather changed and half a dozen vessels were lost. Those with experience have been known to track the vessel that 'PeePee' has signed on with, if they could not entice him onto their own crew. Strangely when 'PeePee's' vessel returns to port early he is rarely aboard and those that know why rarely talk about it. He always reappears within a few days to collect his gear and usually rewards those that have looked after it for him with some sort of valuable trinket.

Mostly he works on fishing vessels and asks for little other than to be on the sea. When one vessel comes back to port he will immediately hire on with another that is about to leave. Occasionally, however, he hires on with salvage expeditions. Such expeditions have a suspiciously high success rate and Petwo always asks for the same payment. One item of his choice from the wreck that isn't on the cargo manifest. Usually such treasures are valueless or bizarre but occasionally they have been items of enormous value or significance whose presence in the wreck is universally mysterious.

Despite his initially appearance, he strongly resembles some sort of terrifying obsidian idol with alien symbols engraved all over it's surface, he is a friendly, jovial man with a deep booming laugh with a love of cooking and story telling, pastimes that are often welcome aboard ship. When not chanting to the Loa he likes to belt out Gilbert and Sullivan and it is rumoured he has even performed in amateur productions, although such stories are clearly madness or tall-tales of his own invention.

[not done, more to follow, must sleep...]

[Dakka]

Okay ran into this "snag" as I'm writing my background. Since we are a team and it sounds like we have a boat or access to it, this brings up these questions. One, can we all contribute to the purchase so, that one is not burdened by it? Two, where do we make port? New Orleans, Havana in the Carib League, Miami, Key West (the list is length) or even the Tortugas? lol (or are we difters, which necessitates a fairly large craft)

I believe those questions are important for background and character build, but forgive if i'm over reaching.

Also, I have no idea how much a saltwater fishing kit costs but will go online to find out, can I use the price I find?

[TheOneRonin]

Wow...I just tried to write a preliminary background for my guy, and it came out quite long. Spoiler quotes for the sake of those who don't feel like reading a novel:

[ Spoiler ]

Life was always hard for Desmond Connelly. Orphaned by the death of his parent when he was 6 years old, Demond floated from foster home to foster home in the outskirts of Glasgow, Scotland. Despite the constant beatings, fights, and poverty, Desmond never let despair overtake him. He was possessed of boundless optimisim, and KNEW that true happiness lay just around the corner for him. He just had to keep driving forward. Of course, this often got him into LOTS of trouble. At 17, Desmond was facing his thrid stint in the Juvinile Detention system, when he was offered an ultimaitum: Prison or The Military. Desmond glady chose the latter.

The Royal Marines were particularly short on manpower, so their recruiters decided to give Desmond a chance. During the evaluation course, they found Desmond to be very fit, intelligent, resourceful, and most of all, extremely determined. No challenge was ever too much for Desmond, and time and again he drove himself well beyond the limits of all the other potential recruits. Desmond's one shortcoming was his general disdain for authority. It got him smoked often, but the discipline only made him tougher, and never dampened his optimistic spirit. And it was during his time with the Royal Marines that Desmond discovered his love for the sea.

After several years of service with the Royal Marine Commandos, Desmond was recruited by the Special Boat Service. He accepted, and after completing the 18 month selection course, was assigned to SBS's Z squadron. At the beginning, Desmond found SBS a challenging experience. He relished the difficult regimen, and enjoyed the taxing missions. But several years of service, Desmond began wanting more. The pay hadn't measured up to what he initially expected, and he began to chaff under the harsh leadership of the Squadron. Desmond decided he would, as in the past, have to take his future into his own hands.

As a team Sergeant, Desmond was responsible for organizing and conducting training exercises during their non-operational rotations. So Desmond devised a plan. Treasure hunting had always been a hobby for Des, but he never really had the means to do it. Now, the men and equipment of the SBS would provide that. After convincing his men to go along with the plan, Desmond used his team to perform treasure hunting and salvage operations in the Mediterranean Sea.

The operations were a success at first. Desmond and his team made a small fortune off the salvage, but it wouldn't last. Desmond isn't sure how it happened, but word of his "side business" got out, and Desmond and his team were arrested and Court Martialed for their crimes.

After a short stint in prision, Desmond was once again out on his own. He hooked up with some contacts of his that worked for a Greek crime syndicate, and resumed his treasure hunting/salvage work. That only lasted until there was a disagreement about payment on some salvage, and words, along with bullets were exchanged. Desmond escaped with his life, and used all of his wealth to change his identity and relocate himself where the Greek syndicate couldn't find him...Seattle, UCAS.

While working in Seattle, Desmond began working with a team that specialized in maritime operations, including salvage and treasure hunting. Desmond's SBS skills (including SCUBA, Demo, and CQC) became an asset to the team, and he began seeing his teammates as his family.

Desmond today is still the unflappable optimist, always quick with a joke and always making light of the most dire situations. Still, he is reliable, trustworthy, and very skilled. Though some of his SBS skills have atrophied a little, what with all that around fishing from the boat, smoking cuban cigars and sipping on rum.*

* -Credit to Dakka for this concept

Please consider this a work in progress and not a final draft.

[Dakka]

If we're both picked I see us as close chums

[BlackHat]

Everything subject to change, especially if he gets picked, and we others want to tie our backgrounds together.
But his is my current idea.

-----------------------------------

Captain of an unimposing, but well-kept, fishing vessel, Odyssey, Joseph Carter "officially" made his living by taking tourists on sightseeing voyages, deep-see diving expeditions, or even taking rich businessmen, or college-girls on spring break, out for various off-shore recreational activities. While was is all true, his real income came from the fact that, for a price, Joseph Carter would take his client, and whatever luggage they brought with them, quietly out of the country, with few questions asked. He had even been known to bring anything, from guns to drugs to people, back in with him, and put them into the right hands. Carter developed connections with various criminal entities, and enjoyed his exciting adventurous lifestyle.

Through his illegal activities, he had made quite a bit of money, which he used to improve his ship, as well as buying a number of nautical drones, diving equipment, and to finance a number of treasure-hunts. His expeditions often resulted in little more than scraps of wrecked vehicles, which he repaired or sold for scrap, but he did occasionally recover valuable goods that had been lost to the sea. He also had a number of run-ins with pirates, smugglers, and similar threats that required he take on a small crew to protect him, his ship, and his cargo.

His most recent success had cost him a year of his life, unfortunately. After finding a cache of weapons on a sunken airplane, and selling them off before he knew who he was crossing, Carter had to lay low to avoid the attention of the arms dealer who came looking for them. During this time, "Carter" and his ship, had to disappear, so the profit he made went into modifications to his boat, a new name, and a new SIN to go with it. Certer spent the last year moving from place to place, living off of the grid, and taking up a number of jobs (both on and off of land) as a professional problem-solver or Shadowrunner - which taught him a number of new useful skills, made him a little more world-wise, as well as putting him in touch with a new network of contacts - specifically, the other PCs.

He still loves life on the sea, and spends a lot of time on his boat, working on modifications or drones, even when the team is resupplying on land - although, when he joins them, trouble is never far behind. He styles himself a robin-hood of pirates, a treasure-hunter extrordinare, and has still been known to compliment his Shadow-income with the occasional smuggling job.

--------------------------

As far as connecting backgrounds go, if Carter (who I will probably pick a suitable nickname for) end up on the team, he'll have the boat covered and could have easily connected up with any other treasure-hunters. As far as the SEALs, SBSs, and other military types, Carter would have been looking for muscle to protect his ship on such voyages, and would gladly have signed up for transportation for sea-based rescue missions.

Havn't worked out the point totals yet, but while Carter will need to have a respectable commlink, I am thinking he will be mostly defensive (protecting his ship/drones) and only passable as a hacker. Having the treasure-hunting hacker on board seems like a good fit.

I'm hoping he'll be decent in a fight, getting into scraps at port, and occasionally against pirates on the sea. He will probably be reasonably good at getting a hold of things, and selling loot, and can handle modifications to the team's equipment.

[TheOneRonin]

If we're both picked I see us as close chums

Agreed. Prior service guys tend to connect automatically. It happens to me IRL all the time, so no reason why it wouldn't happen "in-game". And both of us having a SpecOps background probably makes us even closer.

[TheOneRonin]

Here is another question. Assuming we all live on a boat, how do you thing we should handle Lifestyle costs?

Another possibility for the boat is that we could be "leasing" it from a crime syndicate. That way, we have to earn a base amount of cash to keep up payments on the boat, so that encourages us to get work. Also, it allows the team to afford a nice vessel that might otherwise be a huge drain on our resources.

Thoughts?

[BlackHat]

In the arsenal book, vehicles can have different amenities (default is low, but could be a pimped out yacht, or a low-quality fishing vessel) and I assume you would just pay lifestyle as usual, based on the level of the vehicle you are living on (similar to paying based on the level fo the area in which you want to live).

It would make it so that we all probably have the same lifestyle, though.

[pragma]

Fleshing out the background a little more as promised above. I think its about done now.

Concept: A man on the run from the past who refuses to admit it to anyone, even himself. He seeks adventure and craves youth, even as both slowly slip out of his life.

What people know about Guy Freebird:
-------------------------------------------
This self-named new-wave yet old-school surfer, treasure hunter and hacker has lived his life for a very long time without a care in the world. He goes to great lengths to avoid becoming 'locked in' to long haul work and values his freedom and 'peace of chakra' a great deal, as he will readily tell you. His growing years might make him seem like a vulnerability on a Shadowrunning team, especially in a role as fast moving as hacker, but his age also attests to his matrix talent and his willingness to get dirty in a gunfight.

Historically, he's operated primarily out of Los Angeles, his hometown. He appeared on the gray, maritime market in his late 20's with a fresh set of clothing and a desire to get to sea, he's stayed there (or on various variants of the water) for twelve years. When asked about his life before that time he is unusually hesitant to give any details, a look that borders on pain marring his otherwise placid face.

It is readily apparent from his work that Guy has a lot of experience as a system administrator, matrix security consultant and even electronic warfare and signals intelligence. His talent for diving, salvage, marine history, gunfighting and tai-chi are fresher, though equally polished. He seems to have had a lot of practice in his ten years in the wilderness.

He's a man who stares restlessly at the horizon. When asked what he's doing and when he'll stop he says that he's searching for peace, or the big score, or whatever else springs to mind that day.

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Integrating with team:

I like the idea of this character having worked extensively with Blackhat's on salvage jobs. The two seem like they'd make a decent team.

For dealing with SAS types -- the seas of 2070 necessitate security, and ex-mil is usually where it is provided. He could have run into any number of them that way.