The Agency: Fear & Loathing OOC Options

[BlackHat]

To be fair, I wouldn't expect the Agency to demand more money just because Oracle's lifestyle is 30,000 a month. That's a choice he makes.

Similarly, if our street-sam had a gun full of bullets that cost $7,500 a pop - no matter how good they are, we would want him to use them as a last resort. Especially if he's only making $5,000 on a particular job.

Still, bringing up that fact might lend us an edge in negotiation. "Understand, sir, that for $5000, you have my attention for a few days. I have bound spirits at my beck and call, but each service runs close to $5,000, so for what you are offering, I will not be pulling these resources to bear on your problem. Now, if you'd like to consider our 'Premium' package..."

[dionysus]

Re. the Agency & money: my thought is that the Agency has already gotten their cut from the Johnson and then perhaps set a suggested bargaining price. The Johnson might well be amenable to upping the bid: nobody's tried for more money, just for some up front.

Also, since we're feeling our way through the whole Agency thing, if you guys feel OOC that I'm lowballing you (nothing to do w/ Johnson negotiations), let me know. I will look at lifestyle costs (should have already....bad GM!).

Things like bound spirits, ammo, medical expenses, vehicle repairs....I dunno. Call it overhead? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif) But seriously, I don't want to starve you guys out.

[DireRadiant]

Up to you guys. I'm just opening up the talk, who knows, could end up promising to pay the Johnson for all the fun we are about to have.

[BlackHat]

We can't afford to pay him much!

[dionysus]

@DireRadiant:
Johnson rolls
Negotiation 5 + CHA 5:
[3,1,6,6,6,1,6,6,2,4] = 5 hits (2 net hits)

[edit] no, I can subtract, really[/edit]

[dionysus]

Ok, I added up the lifestyles and decided my first offer was far too low. Mea culpa, mea culpa, mea maxima culpa, I should have done my homework first, I can only plead that I'm trying to start 2 different groups at once. New starting offer: 35k, I've edited the first IC post to reflect this. Negotiated offer so far is 10% up front and the J is willing to entertain in-kind payment.

I promise to be more on the ball in the future (ahahahahahhaa....)

[DireRadiant]

Now we'll be less likely to steal the transportation provided for our own personal gain and more likely to concentrate on the job.

[De Badd Ass]

...New starting offer: 35k, I've edited the first IC post to reflect this...

I edited my posts accordingly.

[dionysus]

I assume everyone (meself included) is busy in RL and not offended/bored/furious/terminally ill.

Just FYI, I start my p&p game this weekend, so my attention might be a little spotty, esp on Sunday.

[ludomastro]

That would be correct on my end.

Grandpa is, of course, fuming about something and muttering, "Damn kids." when he gets the chance. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

Looking forward to more action moving forward.

[dionysus]

Happy September everyone...are we still all on board? IIRC, the Johnson is waiting for you guys to counter-offer or accept terms. Thoughts?

[ludomastro]

We need a clear cut negotiator. I had Grandpa speak up due to a lull in the initial posts. He is hardly a face though. I'm good with a fast forward to legwork and we can back fill any negotiation rolls the face comes up with.

[BlackHat]

I think DR's character makes the best negotiator - but I think the terms are fine the way they are now, and I can't think of anything else to ask him to arrange for us (gearwise).

[DireRadiant]

I thought I lost the negotiation test?

[dionysus]

I thought I lost the negotiation test?

You did, but the Johnson made a counter offer - 10% up front and an inquiry about possible help with gear. It's not what you asked for, but you guys are Agency pros and the Johnson would rather the meeting end cordially (i.e. without you guys feeling completely screwed).

[dionysus]

Ok, I went ahead and wrapped up the meet IC. Handwaving, handwaving: the meet is finished. If there's still stuff to be negotiated, work it out with me OOC, and we'll time-warp it in. I think we'd all like to move on.

Anyone have legwork/shopping/etc. they want to get to?

[ludomastro]

Grandpa wants to check out the area with as much detail as he can. Topography, wind speed, wind direction, area history, etc. What legalities will he need to pay attention to? Plans on taking heavy pistols and his sniper rifle.

[De Badd Ass]

...the Johnson made a counter offer - 10% up front and an inquiry about possible help with gear.

Ziro is wondering if the accomodations include a satellite uplink. There is also the transportation issue. Does the group need to hire an NPC driver with vehicle, or will the Johnson provide?

Ok, I went ahead and wrapped up the meet IC. Handwaving, handwaving: the meet is finished. If there's still stuff to be negotiated, work it out with me OOC, and we'll time-warp it in. I think we'd all like to move on.

Anyone have legwork/shopping/etc. they want to get to?

How did your handwaving affect the Bound Spirits issue? Did Cinzia ever ask the Johnson? How did the Johnson respond?

As for legwork/shopping/etc.: Does your handwaving mean 10% of 35k divided four ways equals 875 nuyen each? Or do we need to use the money to hire transportation, satellite communications, etc?

And you are right, DBA would like to move on!!! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

My understanding is that the team consists of a street samurai / face, an astral samurai, a sniper, and an investigator. What secondary / backup roles is each PC able to fill. I think the team should get to know each others capabilities before we go out into the boonies.

For instance, after "the incident", Ziro has come to realize that he is sorely lacking in survival skills. He also understands the need to be prepared, and hopes that someone in the group has survival skills to spare.

Aside from Astral Protection, the only skills Ziro has to offer are Magical Healing, and the Influence Spell.

[DireRadiant]

Cinzia will hand over the codes and all the nuyen to the team accountant.

So what can we do as a team to track a package besides letting Oracle predict where it goes?

[BlackHat]

And to do that, Oracle would need to be touching or astrally sensing the package... which would negate the need to do so. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

I did my best by glancing at the future of the Johnson, which is tied to the package, and to the information we provide. I specifically didn't ask too many questions about us, so that I could leave the window open to do so once the adventure began.

Oracle would like to phone Dionysus, which I will IC soon, to ask a few questions about the legends surrounding Diana, and maybe see if any of the other symbolism has any ties to Greek mythology that I just didn't catch.

[dionysus]

@Ziro: Matrix connection is included: consider the accomodations a low-mid lifestyle. Re. bound spirits, nobody ever got around to asking; give a negotiation roll if anyone wants to try for it. Transportation & accomodations are provided for the week; if you decide you need to go off chasing things, you can either fork over or see if the Johnson can provide a pilot/aircraft for the duration. The 10% is just money up front in case you have "personal" needs, the Johnson will take care of getting you in place.

@Grandpa: re. legalities, the location is over the border in Salish lands, specifically Cascade Ork territory. The Johnson didn't seem to think it would be a problem, but dust off those fake IDs anyway.

@Oracle: do post IC about your meet w/ Dionysus (BTW, that was a totally unintentional tie-in on my part. Cool.)

[BlackHat]

In case it wasn't clear just from the IC post - Oracle is using psychometry on the statue - but I suspect all he picks up are grieving or sad impressions from people who visit the memorial to remember those who died in Chicago. If anything else crazy jumps out, feel free to let me know. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

Once left to his thoughts, Oracle will also check online for the phases of the moon for the upcoming week (where the mission should take place). AFAIK, we didn't set an exact date for this IC thread, so it might just be random - but if the moon is either particularly present, or absent during those days, that might be good to know.

I might think of something else I want to check out while I'm here, but otherwise, my plan is just to have Oracle enjoy the park for the rest of hte day, or until the team needs him. Ideally, he'll predict when he will be next contacted by the team, and beat them to the punch by contacting them earlier, or placing himself conveniently nearby - but since I have no idea when or if you guys will want to get a hold of him, I leave that up to you, if it would make your post cooler. If Dionysus is okay with it (based on average dice rolls), I don't mind if anyone else puts Oracle on scene, or has him call them up if it would be helpful.

Otherwise, I think Oracle is set to move forward to the mission - so, if no one else has any other legwork to do in Seattle, we can move on to the departure, too. I'd like to get a good look at this plane before we get into it, though!

[dionysus]

Is everyone ready to go ahead, and you're just waiting on me? 'S awful quiet out there.

[ludomastro]

Payment accepted on Fast Forward Post™.

Please proceed.

[De Badd Ass]

Is everyone ready to go ahead, and you're just waiting on me? 'S awful quiet out there.

Ziro has a few things he would like to do after the meeting and before the mission. How much time will he have?

Re. bound spirits, nobody ever got around to asking; give a negotiation roll if anyone wants to try for it.

Yeah, I thought Cinzia aka DireRadiant was going to do that. He hasn't posted IC in a while.

Ziro is not good at negotiating, and won't waste karma on this.

De Badd Ass is ready for the meeting to end, and for the game to proceed.