How long can a runner survive?, maximum age |
How long can a runner survive?, maximum age |
Jun 12 2008, 08:33 PM
Post
#1
|
|
Target Group: Members Posts: 61 Joined: 30-May 08 Member No.: 16,020 |
Hi all!
Since "age" and "old" are words the search engine does not accept, I apologize if there had already been a thread on this topic. What I was wondering about: how long a runner could survive running th shadows? We all know it is dangerous and deadly to do, because we all lost some characters. But there are especially smart and tough ones who could probably make it. Of course, most of them will retire as soon as they have enough money, but lets assume he/she is an adrenaline junkie or some kind of Robin Hood type of character who cannot stop doing runs. I thought about an elf born in the year 2011 now being around his/her sixties and still running the shadows. He/she will be highly experienced, professional at nearly everything he/she does, since he/she had a lot of time to develop his/her skills. Probably also cybered at the max., living luxury lifestyle, knowing hundreds of people and so on. Would be a quite good prime runner to throw at a group. |
|
|
Jun 12 2008, 09:20 PM
Post
#2
|
|
The ShadowComedian Group: Dumpshocked Posts: 14,538 Joined: 3-October 07 From: Hamburg, AGS Member No.: 13,525 |
given enough money, everybody can be eternally young, thanks to leonization *g*
|
|
|
Jun 12 2008, 10:33 PM
Post
#3
|
|
Moving Target Group: Members Posts: 343 Joined: 3-October 07 From: Birmingham, UK Member No.: 13,515 |
Fastjack was born in 1999 (Christmas Eve?), IIRC...
|
|
|
Jun 12 2008, 10:42 PM
Post
#4
|
|
The ShadowComedian Group: Dumpshocked Posts: 14,538 Joined: 3-October 07 From: Hamburg, AGS Member No.: 13,525 |
but fastjack was a decker, so he probably did not really have as much dangers around as the real runners *g*
|
|
|
Jun 12 2008, 10:43 PM
Post
#5
|
|
The Dragon Never Sleeps Group: Admin Posts: 6,924 Joined: 1-September 05 Member No.: 7,667 |
You'll need to ask an Immortal Elf.
|
|
|
Jun 12 2008, 10:51 PM
Post
#6
|
|
The ShadowComedian Group: Dumpshocked Posts: 14,538 Joined: 3-October 07 From: Hamburg, AGS Member No.: 13,525 |
|
|
|
Jun 12 2008, 10:57 PM
Post
#7
|
|
Midnight Toker Group: Members Posts: 7,686 Joined: 4-July 04 From: Zombie Drop Bear Santa's Workshop Member No.: 6,456 |
but fastjack was a decker, so he probably did not really have as much dangers around as the real runners *g* In a world where it literally is possible to kill someone through a computer and all important computer systems are fantasy RPG dungeon-mazes complete with brutal well-armed guardians and deathtraps for the unwary, I wouldn't be surprised if deckers had shorter lifespans that the average razorguy. |
|
|
Jun 12 2008, 11:06 PM
Post
#8
|
|
The ShadowComedian Group: Dumpshocked Posts: 14,538 Joined: 3-October 07 From: Hamburg, AGS Member No.: 13,525 |
mayhaps, but his ONLY problem comes through the DNI about 90% of his time i'd wager . . so if he can somehow rig it in such a way so he can NOT be killed through it, he is basically good to go . .
|
|
|
Jun 12 2008, 11:10 PM
Post
#9
|
|
Midnight Toker Group: Members Posts: 7,686 Joined: 4-July 04 From: Zombie Drop Bear Santa's Workshop Member No.: 6,456 |
Trace IC + Thor Shot "accident" = dead decker even using a tortoise.
|
|
|
Jun 12 2008, 11:29 PM
Post
#10
|
|
Moving Target Group: Members Posts: 360 Joined: 6-September 02 Member No.: 3,234 |
given enough money, everybody can be eternally young, thanks to leonization *g* Or a Spirit Pact. Or getting Infected. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) |
|
|
Jun 13 2008, 12:22 AM
Post
#11
|
|
Immoral Elf Group: Members Posts: 15,247 Joined: 29-March 02 From: Grimy Pete's Bar & Laundromat Member No.: 2,486 |
Dodger is a Spike Baby, and he's still running the Shadows, and has been since the twenties or thirties. Admittedly he's a decker/hacker, but he tends to be more of the hands-on type. Argent is still around after more than twenty years. Hell, even Sam Verner is still around and runs the shadows from time to time, and he's somewhat useless now with his pacifistic tendencies and without his magic. But Hatchetman is toast, as is Matador. Sometimes luck plays a part no matter how good you are.
|
|
|
Jun 13 2008, 07:53 AM
Post
#12
|
|
Target Group: Members Posts: 61 Joined: 30-May 08 Member No.: 16,020 |
Well I was thinking of a more or less sammie type of character when I asked this question, though it would be reasonable that a runner like this, having the necessary resources, won`t do every run himself.
Instead he might hire some runners to get the work done and only appears in public when there is a special need. |
|
|
Jun 13 2008, 08:06 AM
Post
#13
|
|
Moving Target Group: Members Posts: 704 Joined: 20-November 06 From: The seemingly unknown area of land between Seattle and Idaho. Member No.: 9,910 |
Well, I have a character, John, from first edition that is still around. And not dead. With new editions I update or recreate him as necessary. He is a 50 year old ork mercenary. In '64 SURGE changed him from human to ork. He's still a runner because a soldier is all he wanted to be, but as a soldier of fortune he has the freedom to only take missions that don't violate his personal code.
And when the young gutterpunks underestimate the old man he reminds them that there is no substitute for experience. |
|
|
Jun 13 2008, 08:07 AM
Post
#14
|
|
Target Group: Members Posts: 62 Joined: 28-February 08 Member No.: 15,717 |
I would say after 10 years of running, 90% that started are by then dead, after 20, probably 99%. In both cases the remaining are retired.
|
|
|
Jun 13 2008, 09:01 AM
Post
#15
|
|
Moving Target Group: Members Posts: 993 Joined: 5-December 05 From: Crying in the wilderness Member No.: 8,047 |
As in actively performing shadowruns? Depends if their smart enough to do milk runs after they make their money. If they do top flight runs at the edge of their ability the cumulative chance for death snowballs. Add in the length of time between runs to. Any where from run one to ten to fifteen years if lucky. Perhapes a bit more if in a non physical area or an elf or dwarf.
The thing is, the best runners are runners because thats who they are. The effort of being the best is to much strain for a wannabe over such a long time frame. The best, therefore, run because they must and in the long lived metatypes even a 0.001% will eventualy happen. Thats why the best run less often for higher gain. |
|
|
Jun 14 2008, 06:34 PM
Post
#16
|
|
Running Target Group: Members Posts: 1,192 Joined: 6-May 07 From: Texas - The RGV Member No.: 11,613 |
Well, Bulldog has almost hit the big one-nine and that's quite a feat for an orc in his line of work.
After getting Levitated through a brick wall and then dropped four stories, he's still going strong. Then there was the time he was shot five times by ARs with APDS rounds while covering his homies escape, and he still manged to climb up the elevator cable to get away. Ol' Bulldog finally had to give up after killing most of the ten fully-armed and armored CorpSec guys and saving two of the party with Trauma Patches. Those uber-mages are a nasty bunch, after all. Of course, he finally dropped from damage (barely) after he got capped by a Roomsweeper point-blank for shanking the guy who called him a traitor in front of his homies, and the aforementioned uber-mages assistant, for 4P...through his armor. |
|
|
Jun 14 2008, 10:20 PM
Post
#17
|
|
Moving Target Group: Members Posts: 704 Joined: 20-November 06 From: The seemingly unknown area of land between Seattle and Idaho. Member No.: 9,910 |
Well John has survived some pretty nasty stuff. Full auto burst from an Ingram Valiant at point blank range. AVM in the back.
|
|
|
Jun 15 2008, 03:00 AM
Post
#18
|
|
Immortal Elf Group: Dumpshocked Posts: 14,358 Joined: 2-December 07 From: Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada Member No.: 14,465 |
Kane, one of the Shadowtalkers, has been around quite awhile.
Fatima is another, old enough to remember the "Night of Rage", and she only died in '71. She was a Metahuman as well, which might make her VERY old depending on which one. Man-Of-Many-Names... Well, hell. He's been through everything, and come out the other side! Or, at least, hints at it. ... Actually, all he does is hint. Bastard. |
|
|
Jun 15 2008, 04:35 AM
Post
#19
|
|
Immoral Elf Group: Members Posts: 15,247 Joined: 29-March 02 From: Grimy Pete's Bar & Laundromat Member No.: 2,486 |
Fatima is another, old enough to remember the "Night of Rage", and she only died in '71. She was a Metahuman as well, which might make her VERY old depending on which one. Fatima was an ork. No great loss! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) |
|
|
Jun 15 2008, 09:06 AM
Post
#20
|
|
Shooting Target Group: Members Posts: 1,629 Joined: 14-December 06 Member No.: 10,361 |
It's hard to say, given that Shadowrun is unlike real-life in that as you gain more years under your belt, you just get luckier.
You could say that in real life your Karma Pool/Edge diminishes with time, rather than goes up. |
|
|
Jun 15 2008, 11:55 AM
Post
#21
|
|
Immortal Elf Group: Dumpshocked Posts: 14,358 Joined: 2-December 07 From: Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada Member No.: 14,465 |
Fatima was an ork. No great loss! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) Which means that, if she remembered the Night Of Rage, she was easily going into her 40s. Or older if she Goblinized. That's exceptionally old age for an Natural Born Ork, and pretty decent for a Goblinized One! |
|
|
Jun 15 2008, 12:24 PM
Post
#22
|
|
Moving Target Group: Members Posts: 291 Joined: 26-February 02 Member No.: 806 |
Given the hazards of the job, I'd say the average runner either drops out or drops dead in 4-12 months. Runners surviving for 2+ years are getting widespread recognition in the underground, and those still active after 4-5 years are legendaries.
|
|
|
Jun 16 2008, 10:41 PM
Post
#23
|
|
Great Dragon Group: Members Posts: 6,640 Joined: 6-June 04 Member No.: 6,383 |
*g*
And by *g* I mean "ideally pdeath occurs within 10 gaming sessions." *g* |
|
|
Jun 16 2008, 11:06 PM
Post
#24
|
|
The ShadowComedian Group: Dumpshocked Posts: 14,538 Joined: 3-October 07 From: Hamburg, AGS Member No.: 13,525 |
much to the chargrin of several of my GM'S, my characters tend to liver much longer than 10 sessions . . 10 runs is more realistically though *grins*
|
|
|
Jun 24 2008, 11:36 PM
Post
#25
|
|
Moving Target Group: Members Posts: 188 Joined: 24-June 08 From: California Free State Member No.: 16,080 |
It would probably depend on the specialization of the Runner. Deckers would probably start younger than Mercenaries or most Razor Guys. Due to the constant shift in technology, I can imagine that many Deckers (excuse me, HACKERS) would just eventually fall off the cutting edge - technology may pass them by after too long.
A guy with Wired Reflexes may only last a few years before he has a complete melt-down due to the fact that... well... his nervous system has been replaced by an insane machine. Mages and the like would probably be able to keep at it longest, due to the fact that they are usually supporting (and thus in the back). Magic skill will probably always be in demand, no matter how old you are. |
|
|
Lo-Fi Version | Time is now: 3rd May 2024 - 02:15 AM |
Topps, Inc has sole ownership of the names, logo, artwork, marks, photographs, sounds, audio, video and/or any proprietary material used in connection with the game Shadowrun. Topps, Inc has granted permission to the Dumpshock Forums to use such names, logos, artwork, marks and/or any proprietary materials for promotional and informational purposes on its website but does not endorse, and is not affiliated with the Dumpshock Forums in any official capacity whatsoever.