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> The Accidental Tourists, Some questions about a run in TT
icharbezol
post Dec 19 2003, 06:10 PM
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My questions stem from the scenario I am running at the moment, and since I have no Tir Tairngire sourcebooks to work with, I was wondering if I was anywhere near on track with this.

I will give a little info on the scenario, strictures I am placing on their jaunt and the ‘runners involved first.

The Scenario: Steal some valuable data from a prominent citizen of Portland. The characters have the dirt on where he lives and what sort of security that he has. Their problem lies in the fact that few of them are able to bring in their “Big Guns” because of the strictures I have placed on them as “tourists”. I had planned on this being a problem for them so they would be forced to use their brains more than their hardware.

The Strictures: I am wondering how far off base I might be and if these strictures are fairly reasonable for TT, since I don’t have access to any data on what’s legal and what’s not in TT. For one, I am not allowing their licenses for firearm possession on their various identities to carry over as tourists into the Tir (since these licenses are for the UCAS), so no guns are crossing the border (but see the Adept below). Also, any cyber beyond Class A (other than those used as “prosthetics”) must be disabled.
There are two magicians and an adept in the group, I am not allowing them to bring any foci or other magical gear beyond Force 2 into Portland. They also must pay a registration fee added to their visa cost just for being magicians and bringing any gear that fits the strictures.

The Characters: There is a “combat specialist” who is a former Sioux Wildcat. She has gone to her cyberdoc contact to have her “questionable” cyber disabled, but wanted some sort of device which could in effect disable the disabler on her reflexes. I thought this should be possible, so the cyberdoc installed just such a thing with a remote trigger.

There is an Adept whose specialization is, of all things, heavy weaponry. I thought he pulled a great job with getting himself into Portland, though. Recent events left him homeless (was staying in the Norwegian Embassy at Seattle; he is a Giant) after his home was bombed, and he requested permission to tour Portland in order to decide whether he wanted to establish residency there to escape the preponderance of hate-crimes in the UCAS. He also let it be known that he was a big-game hunter (paranormal that is) and had a firearm he wanted to bring to do some hunting; he does have the hunting and firearms licenses on his own identity.

There is a rigger who will be fairly useless in that capacity after all of his cyber is disabled, but can still drive like a demon.

There is a mage and a shaman, both of which claim that there is no way for any border officials to actually know what is in their head, so they are bringing no foci/magical gear (since all of their magical gear is over Force 2) and only the spells they know.

There is a decker who has rigged his cyberdeck to appear as though it is registered and is keeping copies of his programs in headware memory. I have pretty much told him that trying to get in with an unregistered deck is going to screw his part of the run right off the bat. The programs are an interesting question, though.

My questions mainly revolve around:
1. What they can expect to be able to find on the black market in Portland (provided they can contact anyone) and what sort of Street Index I should be shooting for; I was thinking about twice the SI of Seattle, but not sure…
2. How easily the Tir Border Patrol could be expected to catch the “combat specialist’s” “enabler”
3. If the Adept’s request to become a citizen based on seeking asylum from hate crimes in Seattle would have much pull and how willing the officials are actually going to be to allow a big game hunter to bring in a Panther Assault Cannon.
4. Seems to me that the Tir BP are going to find those headware memory files fairly easily and that the decker’s gonna have some severe problems getting his stuff in. Any suggestions?
5. Are my strictures excessive? I’m not really sure, but I think that they are fairly reasonable.
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Kurukami
post Dec 19 2003, 06:25 PM
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3. Mmmmmaybe. I expect they'd want him to officially emigrate before they allowed him to bring large-scale weaponry over, and even so he'd have to establish a strict schedule for the use of his firepower. Naturally, he'd need to keep the weapon in a locked case in his trunk or something of the sort most of the time, or risk getting pulled over by Tir cops and deported. :]

4. Though the Tir may be able to easily detect that he HAS headware memory, there's no way they can determine precisely what's in it without a very invasive scan. Arguably, that could be considered a significant invasion of privacy. In my opinion, the decker came up with a fairly innovative way to get the stuff in -- though I agree that he probably won't be able to sneak his cyberdeck in as a "registered copy". He might want to look into some kind of smuggling suitcase, and carry the cyberdeck disassembled into its components. He does have Computer (B/R), right?

Overall, I think the goal of having the runners depend on less tech and weaponry is a good one. Just don't go overboard and allow them to take absolutely nothing unless the circumstances clearly warrant it. For example, one GM had our group take a run up to the Zurich-Orbital to retrieve some data that had been genetically encoded to our DNA. Naturally, all weapons and armor had to be left in Seattle while we flew to the shuttle-port in Berlin. This made for some interesting combats when we got ambushed upon returning from the orbital platform....

Depriving your runners of their usual high-cost toys isn't a bad thing. Just don't strip them down to nothing and then expect them to enjoy running the shadows naked.
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kevyn668
post Dec 19 2003, 06:40 PM
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QUOTE
I am wondering how far off base I might be and if these strictures are fairly reasonable for TT, since I don’t have access to any data on what’s legal and what’s not in TT.


nothing is legal in the TT. You might be able to carry a pocket knife if your a common citizen--and an elf.

QUOTE
There is a “combat specialist” who is a former Sioux Wildcat. She has gone to her cyberdoc contact to have her “questionable” cyber disabled, but wanted some sort of device which could in effect disable the disabler on her reflexes. I thought this should be possible, so the cyberdoc installed just such a thing with a remote trigger.


If that works in your game, go for it. It makes sense to me.

QUOTE
Recent events left him homeless (was staying in the Norwegian Embassy at Seattle; he is a Giant) after his home was bombed, and he requested permission to tour Portland in order to decide whether he wanted to establish residency there to escape the preponderance of hate-crimes in the UCAS. He also let it be known that he was a big-game hunter (paranormal that is) and had a firearm he wanted to bring to do some hunting; he does have the hunting and firearms licenses on his own identity.


Stretching here. But I like the char's idea so I'd let it fly. Does he have Diplomatic Status? Some one else around 'ere can tell you what the Diplomatic relationship is between TT and Norway 'cus I don't know. Either way, I'd say doubtful on the PAC. If he has legit status he might be able to get a guided tour. But again, its the elves and they're a paranoid bunch--and don't think they're big into "big game hunting". I could be wrong. As for applying for assylum, he'd be on the wait list for a LONG time if you go canon. Since you're winging it, use your judgement. From a player's POV, it might irk them that he got to bring his PAC and they got squat. Unless your team are really team players.

QUOTE
Seems to me that the Tir BP are going to find those headware memory files fairly easily and that the decker’s gonna have some severe problems getting his stuff in. Any suggestions?


He'd probably end up in an elven prison. I got nuttin for ya on this one.

QUOTE
How easily the Tir Border Patrol could be expected to catch the “combat specialist’s” “enabler”


As easily as you want them to. If you want to put a TN on it use the "reflex trigger" rules. I don't have my book here or I'd give 'em to ya myself.

QUOTE
What they can expect to be able to find on the black market in Portland (provided they can contact anyone) and what sort of Street Index I should be shooting for; I was thinking about twice the SI of Seattle, but not sure…


Pistols and melee weapons would be the most likely. SI, 2-4 times IIRC. And up for SMGs, ARs, Electronics/Programs...past that, :eek:

QUOTE
There is a mage and a shaman, both of which claim that there is no way for any border officials to actually know what is in their head, so they are bringing no foci/magical gear (since all of their magical gear is over Force 2) and only the spells they know.


Expect them to AT THE VERY LEAST have to give ritual samples. The TT make extensive use of magic on the borders. Again use your judgement, but to keep it realistic if they go in legally, ritual spec are a must.

Some of my thoughts: I like your ideas and it sounds like a fun run. If you want to toss your team a few bones they could 1) use a corp contact to sponser the team. This has its own set of probs (ie. whatever the team gets in trouble for gets passed along to the sponsor corp, but you could have fun with that too. Stranded w/ NO contacts your team would reall have to work to get OUT of the Tir.)
2) If your rigger is drek hot, run the border...but then, they'd have all thier goodies...

good luck!







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JongWK
post Dec 19 2003, 06:54 PM
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Tir Tairngire position on tourism depends on the timeline. As of Shadows of North America (2062), they are almost broke and had to open the gates to tourism and corporations (S-K finally got the approval nod), not to mention that they had to cut part of their security budget (the Portland Wall is in serious need of repairs). It will be easier for them (but not too much).

Oh, and it seems that Norway joined something called the Scandinavian Union (my guess: Norway & Sweden, probably Finland and maybe Denmark).
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icharbezol
post Dec 19 2003, 06:55 PM
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QUOTE
Stretching here. But I like the char's idea so I'd let it fly. Does he have Diplomatic Status?


Yeah, forgot to mention that..he does indeed.

QUOTE
Expect them to AT THE VERY LEAST have to give ritual samples. The TT make extensive use of magic on the borders. Again use your judgement, but to keep it realistic if they go in legally, ritual spec are a must.


Forgot that one...must use...

QUOTE
If you want to toss your team a few bones they could 1) use a corp contact to sponser the team. This has its own set of probs (ie. whatever the team gets in trouble for gets passed along to the sponsor corp, but you could have fun with that too. Stranded w/ NO contacts your team would reall have to work to get OUT of the Tir.)
2) If your rigger is drek hot, run the border...but then, they'd have all thier goodies...


Yeah, a lot of 1) is planned into the run already :spin:

The rigger is hot drek, but the group already decided against blowing a potentially very profitable run by getting caught on the way in. He is their key out, though.
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icharbezol
post Dec 19 2003, 07:00 PM
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QUOTE
In my opinion, the decker came up with a fairly innovative way to get the stuff in -- though I agree that he probably won't be able to sneak his cyberdeck in as a "registered copy". He might want to look into some kind of smuggling suitcase, and carry the cyberdeck disassembled into its components. He does have Computer (B/R), right?


Not as good as he should, he is more of a software than hardware specialist...but he does have a contact who does hardware for him...that's a good idea there, I'll suggest it to him...
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icharbezol
post Dec 19 2003, 07:01 PM
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So do some kind of "caps" for Hand Razors sound reasonable...they are not retractable, just regular Improved Hand Razors...
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icharbezol
post Dec 19 2003, 07:07 PM
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QUOTE
Tir Tairngire position on tourism depends on the timeline. As of Shadows of North America (2062), they are almost broke and had to open the gates to tourism and corporations (S-K finally got the approval nod), not to mention that they had to cut part of their security budget (the Portland Wall is in serious need of repairs). It will be easier for them (but not too much).


It's currently December of 2060 on our timeline...I began the game timeline in March of the same year.
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kevyn668
post Dec 19 2003, 07:09 PM
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QUOTE
icharbezol Posted on Dec 19 2003, 07:01 PM
  So do some kind of "caps" for Hand Razors sound reasonable...they are not retractable, just regular Improved Hand Razors... 


Don't know about caps, but maybe the Sioux chica's street doc contact could come up w/ some detatchable models...
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icharbezol
post Dec 19 2003, 07:13 PM
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QUOTE
Don't know about caps, but maybe the Sioux chica's street doc contact could come up w/ some detatchable models...


Or cover the razors with fake nails maybe?

Oh, and the Sioux chica isn't Sioux anymore. She had her Doc turn her into a white girl (running from the Sioux Government, hehe) :| Looks just like any normal Elf now...

Don't tell her I told you though; she's very sensitive about it!
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kevyn668
post Dec 19 2003, 07:16 PM
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QUOTE
icharbezol Posted on Dec 19 2003, 07:13 PM
Oh, and the Sioux chica isn't Sioux anymore. She had her Doc turn her into a white girl (running from the Sioux Government, hehe)  Looks just like any normal Elf now...

Don't tell her I told you though; she's very sensitive about it!


:rotfl:

QUOTE
Or cover the razors with fake nails maybe?


I think they'd still show up on MAD (metal dectors)...come to think of it, are razors/spurs actually metal or some poly-carb/snythaplast??
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icharbezol
post Dec 19 2003, 07:21 PM
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come to think of it, are razors/spurs actually metal or some poly-carb/snythaplast??


Dunno, there...I'm reading up on it now though. I don't see why they couldn't be some kind of polycarb, though...I think synthaplast might be too weak when you consider the amount of force slashing on a bias with those things would take.

She'd be complaining of broken nails all the time!
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icharbezol
post Dec 19 2003, 07:23 PM
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Book says "chromed steel or carbon fiber", so I will assume she got the CF ones...she is cybered to the hilt, but very little of it would set off a MAD...
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kevyn668
post Dec 19 2003, 08:29 PM
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Carbon fiber is a metal?

opps, read your post wrong (stupid meat eyes)

IIRC, the cyberscanners work on things other than just metal (I think).

This post has been edited by kevyn668: Dec 19 2003, 08:31 PM
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JongWK
post Dec 19 2003, 08:29 PM
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QUOTE (icharbezol)
QUOTE
Tir Tairngire position on tourism depends on the timeline. As of Shadows of North America (2062), they are almost broke and had to open the gates to tourism and corporations (S-K finally got the approval nod), not to mention that they had to cut part of their security budget (the Portland Wall is in serious need of repairs). It will be easier for them (but not too much).


It's currently December of 2060 on our timeline...I began the game timeline in March of the same year.

Ok, so while most outsiders would be unaware of the situation, once they are inside they should see the huge number of squatters, beggars and nobles not caring a frag about them and pretending it's all an illusion.

[ Spoiler ]


If you ask me, it all looks suspiciously close to Nicholas II's Russia or Louis XVI's France.
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icharbezol
post Dec 19 2003, 08:34 PM
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QUOTE
Ok, so while most outsiders would be unaware of the situation, once they are inside they should see the huge number of squatters, beggars and nobles not caring a frag about them and pretending it's all an illusion.


Is that from canon? Heh, I didn't realize things were really that bad in Tir Tairngire, thought it was a "Promised Land" type place.
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JongWK
post Dec 19 2003, 08:58 PM
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You can find all the ugly details in the Shadows of North America sourcebook (buy it, you won't regret it). While some people aren't convinced by the story, I think most agree that it has opened up the country to foreign runners (TT was a tough nut to crack, just in case you hadn't noticed :P)

High taxes (60%), high budgets, no welfare safety net, lack of certain critical resources for its industries, corruption and a devastating trade embargo by both the UCAS and the Salish-Shidhe Council led to the collapse. It has been that way for some years, but only now it is showing (blame the government's censorship).
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JongWK
post Dec 19 2003, 09:02 PM
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AND the last Rite of Progression was cancelled, leaving a LOT of people pissed off.
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icharbezol
post Dec 19 2003, 09:06 PM
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QUOTE
You can find all the ugly details in the Shadows of North America sourcebook (buy it, you won't regret it).


Okay, so that's another to add to my growing list :D
So far all I have is SR, SRC, CC, M&M, MITS, Matrix and the really old Sprawl Sites book.

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icharbezol
post Dec 19 2003, 09:07 PM
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QUOTE
AND the last Rite of Progression was cancelled, leaving a LOT of people pissed off.


OK...so what's that?
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Kurukami
post Dec 19 2003, 09:41 PM
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QUOTE (icharbezol)
QUOTE
You can find all the ugly details in the Shadows of North America sourcebook (buy it, you won't regret it).


Okay, so that's another to add to my growing list :D
So far all I have is SR, SRC, CC, M&M, MITS, Matrix and the really old Sprawl Sites book.

Yup. Sounds like you've got the essentials on your list. :] Sprawl Sites is surprisingly useful, containing all manner of maps, adventure seeds, contact profiles, and othersuch. Definitely a great resource.

Something else you might want to consider as well would be the Sprawl Survival Guide. Lots of nifty stuff in there as well.
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icharbezol
post Dec 19 2003, 09:45 PM
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QUOTE
Something else you might want to consider as well would be the Sprawl Survival Guide. Lots of nifty stuff in there as well.


That's actually the second on the list after the GM screen and Rigger 3 Revised, which are on their way now from a game shop in WI :wobble:

First on the list was SONA and NS.
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Talia Invierno
post Dec 19 2003, 10:58 PM
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Rite of Progression
Suspension of the Rite of Progression

By way of a very general guideline, I'd suggest keeping in mind that the Tir does not have rights, even to its citizens: only privileges which can be suspended or revoked at any time. That's very sweeping!

For immigration, the applicant is assigned a temporary rank which equates to the lowest possible for a Tir citizen. IIRC they must also show that (1) they have a job in the Tir, and (2) that it could not have been filled by a current Tir citizen. The permanent rank is assigned at the next Rite of Progression.
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icharbezol
post Dec 19 2003, 11:58 PM
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Thanks Talia, lots of insight in that for me to consider for the Giant's side of things.

So basically he might be waiting for years to get citizenship, and even when he actually does there may be no way for him to advance in society very far at all.

I'm sure he'll be pleased :spin:

By the way, for all of you keeping up with this, I have made all of the responses from the Tir Tourist Bureau to the runner's questions to be smiley and happy and to represent the Tir as the happiest place on earth and that once the runners set foot there they'll never want to leave! :love:
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