Pale Lights (OOC), Behind the Curtains Options

[deek]

Judge Intentions on Isoro

[ Spoiler ]

2 5 1 5 6 3 5 3 = 4 hits

Don't worry about it, for me, this weekend was not normal and I had a lot more time to hit the boards...that will likely not occur every weekend.

[TakayamaYuuko]

Man, I'm slow. Hopefully I've edited enough for my post to not be completely nonsensical in light of another post going up while I was still writing it.

Java

[ Spoiler ]

Had a thought that, between there being weird spirits here and these guys being plugged in at death... maybe one or more of them uploaded. So my thoughts about the next couple turns: compile a rating 5 version of Witch, then proceed to pillage data in the room as fast as possible, keeping an eye out for a Ghost or snapshot.

[cndblank]

Kit

Kit - Google Spreadsheet

Kit - text

[ Spoiler ]

NAME: Kit Ryuunksuke (Ryan) Glaiser Karma Cost Nuyen
ALIAS: Jinsoku "Swift"
RACE: Elf
CONCEPT: Kitsune shaman/Shinto
Resources 22000 88
Total 126

Positive Quantities
Magician 30
Mentor Spirit - Kitsune/Fox as Trickster with Cat gifts 10
Class II Surge (Costs 20 requires -20 (see below) and allows 40 free) = Net -20 postive. Marked with * -20
Erased (7 days) 10
Celerity* 10
Glamor* 30

Negative Quantities
Addiction (Mild) Psyche -10
Allergy (Uncommon, Moderate) Silver -20
Dependant (Kami requests and Shinto/ Myobu Duties) -10
Curiosity -10
Enemy 1 Head of MIT Research Group 3 4/1 (very interesting) -10
Enemy 1 Son of Oyabun. 4/1 -10
Vestige Tail* -10
Impaired Strength* -10

Total -10

Other
Low-Light Vision

Attributes
Body: 3 15
Agility: 4 21
Reaction: 4 27
Strength: 2 6
Charisma: 7 66
Intuition: 5 42
Logic: 3 15
Willpower: 5 42
EDGE: 3 15
INITIATIVE: 9
PASSES: 1
MAGIC: 4(5) 42
Attribute Total 237
Magic and Edge 57


Active Skills
Outdoors Group 1 10
Influence Group 3 35
Socery Group 1 10
Stealth Group 3 35
Athletics Group 1 10
Electronics 1 10



Arcanium 1 4
Spellcasting (Illusion) 6 (+2) 42
Counterspelling (Combat) 4 (+2) 20
Ritual 1
Summoning (Man) 1 (+2) 6
Binding (Man) 1 (+2) 6
Assensing (Aura Reading) 1 (+2) 6

Dodge (Ranged) 2 (+2) 10
Unarmed (Escape) 2 (+2) 10
Perception (Sight) 1 (+2) 6
Pilot Ground Craft (Bikes) 1 (+2) 6


Con (Fast Talk) 3 (+2) 2 Ch 7+ Skill 3 + Glamour 3 + Enhanced Phermone Receptors 2 = 15 (17 Fast Talk)
Etiquette (Street) 3 (+2) 2 Ch 7+ Skill 3 + Glamour 3 + Enhanced Phermone Receptors 2 = 15 (17 Street)
Leadership 3
Negotiation 3
Intimidation 1 4 Ch 7+ Skill 1 + Glamour 3 + Enhanced Phermone Receptors 2 = 13

Climbing 1
Gymnastics 1
Running 1
Swimming 1

Disguise 3
Infiltration (Urban) 3 (+2) 2 A 4 + Inf 3 + 2 Fox = 9 (11 Urban)
Palming 3
Shadowing 3
Total 201

KNOWLEDGE SKILLS
Magic Background 1 2
Magic Theory 2 4
Japanese Mythology (Inari and the Myobu) 1 (+2) 3
Parazoology 1 2
Psychology A 1 2
Security Systems S 1 2
Security Procedures S 1 2
Cons S 1 2
Staying under the Radar (leave no trace) S 4 (+2) 12
Special Effects (Illusions) S 1 (+2) 3
Underworld Politics (Yaks) 1 (+2) 3
Security Drones S 1 2
Otaku Subgenres I 1 2
Corp Politics S 1 2

Japanese N
English 5 16
Chinese 1 2
Sperethiel 1 2
63


Contacts:
Shoe Elves (Finest Sins credit can buy) (+1 Size +3 Matrix) Group 3(4)/5 24


Bioware:
Trauma Dampener 0.2 40000 1 box physical damage is moved to stun, -1 box stun damage. Immune to torture
Sleep Regulator 0.15 10000 sleep 3 hr/day, or 48 hours awake w/no modifiers
Enhanced Phermone Receptors (3) 0.1 15000 +3 smell animals/humans, +2 social interactions, -2 from distraction around strong smells
Skin Pocket 0.1 5000

Cyberware:
Fiberoptic Hair (Alpha) 0.08 900
Datajack (Alpha) 0.08 1000

Cyber Eye IV 0.4 3000 16
Eye Laser System 4000 3
Eye Laser Designator 2000
Eye Laser Microphone 3 3000
Eye Laser Range Finder 2000
Vision Magnification 2000 2
Low-Light Vision 2000 2
Thermographic Vision 2000 2
Flare Compensation 1500 1



Total Essense Lost 0.835



Gear:

Form-Fitting Body Armor Full-Body Suit 6/2/2009 4400 Quick Release Thermal Dampening 4 Nonconductivity 4
Forearm Guards and Shin Guards 0/2 250
Full suit (as Steampunk Overcoat) 3/3/2009 10000 Chemical Protection 6 Fire w/ Ruthenium Polymer Coating
Total 9/7/2009

Endoscope 250

Nanopaste small 500
Gas Mask 200
Yamaha Pulsar 150
Darts 30 150

Ares Predator IV 350
Stick and Shock Ammo 30 240

Ceramic Knife (Str/2+1) Personal Grip 175
Concealed Holsters x 2 150

Fake Sin 4 (Sato Haruki - Bartender) 4000
Fake Sin 4 (Sora Takime - Insurance Investigtor) 4000
Fake Sin 2 (Kato Haruka - Store Clerk) 2000
Fake Sin 2 (Kato Okito - Waiter) 2000
Fake Permit 4 Gun x 1, Magic x 2, Cyber x 1, Investigator x 1 2000

Novatech Airware R 3 S 3 1250
Iris Orb F 5 S 3 2900
Various Software 2000
MetaLink R 1 S 2 Vector Xim F 1 S 1 x 4* 1200
Skinlink and Photosensitive Trigger (Full Wipe) 60


ARE Virtual Surround Music 50
ARE Wall Space 50

Wrap Around Shades /w HUD (googles) Helmet fitted to use these w/ Smartlink and Vision Enhancement 3* 800


Earbuds w/ Select Sound Filter 3 * 650
Wolf's Ears (Audio Sensor) 50
w/ Audio Enhancment 3 and Spatial Recognizer* 450

Concealed Flash Bang** 140
Concealed Thermal Smole Grenade ** 120
(** Smart, Skinlink, wireless off, no power till pulled)

32 Tooth Storage Compartments 6400
3 left/back/down Micro Atmosphere Sensor III** 225
2 right/side/down Autoinjectors (6 x2) ** 1650
1 right/back/down Tag Barometric** 350
3 left/side/up Micro Biometric Readers (Breath/Cellular/DNA)** 350
1 right/side/down Biomonitor** 450
2 Left front/up 2 front/down Voice Mask** 650
2 Right front/up 2 front/down Micro Non-Linear Junction Detector Rating 6** 750
1 right/back/down Storage 0
3 left/back/up Micro Cyberware/Micro MAD-Scanner VI ** 600
3 right/side/up Micro Olfactory Booster VI, Chem Sniffer, and Pheromone Scanner** 3150
1 right/back/down Tag Radiation/Geiger Counter ** 250
3 left/back/up Storage *(Black Pearl) 0
3 left/back/down Mini Comlink Sys 1, Res 1, Sig 1. FW 3 Hardening 6, Sim Module (Ras Override), and Photosensitive Trigger (Wipe) Main Backup (only backups)** 760
**w/ Environment Resistance (Mouth) and Skin Link (+150)





Black Pearl
Force 3 Substaining Focus (Pearl) Health 6 30000
Force 1 Substaining Focus (Pearl) Manipulation 2 10000


Fetish Illusion x 2 200
Fetish Combat x 2 400
Lodge 4 2000

Spirit Binding Materials 2 x 3 3000

Betameth x 6 and Trama Patch 120
Psyche x 5 1000
Stimulant 6 x 2 (Autoinjector) 300
Jazz x 2 (Autoinjector) 210
Novacoke x 1 Slab x1 (Autoinjector) 260
Antidote 6 x 2 (Autoinjector) 600
Psyche x 2 (Autoinjector) 400

Med Kit 6 600
B and E kit and Surveilance/Anti Surveilance kit 500
Tag Eraser x 2 300
Camera Neutralizer Rating 4 2000
Keycard Copier 4 1200
Gecko Tape Gloves 250
Rappelling Gloves 70
Autopicker 4 800
Monofilament Chainsaw 300
Lowlight Flashlight 25
Wireclippers 25
Cellular Glove Molder 3 600
Plastic Restraints (Heavy Duty) x 50 10
Sequencer 4 800
Glue Sprayer 150
Latex Face Mask 500

Yamaha Katana-11 (Contrail bike) w/ runflat tires, Spoof chip, Antitheft, skinlink, and Morphing License plate (+3250) 8250

Life Style Middle (Apartment quiet neighborhood) 5000
Life Style Squatter (Hidey Hole bad part of town) 500




Spells Drain
Inorganic Demolish (Direct, Area) as Power Ball (F÷2)+3 5 Limited
Stunball - (Direct, Area) (F÷2)+1 5
Detect Life, Extended - (Active) (F÷2)+2 5
Detect Tracking Devices (including RFIDs), Extended - (Active) (F÷2)+2 5
Increase Reflexes - (F÷2)+2 5
Manascape - (Realistic, Multi-Sense, Area) (F÷2)+1 5
Hot Potato - (Realistic, Single) (sm) (F÷2)-1 5
Silence - (Realistic, Single) (F÷2)+3 5 Limited
Trid Phantasm (Realistic, Multi) (F÷2)+3 5 Limited
Sterilize (Physical) (sm) (F÷2) +2 5
Fashion - (Physical) (sm) (F÷2) 5
Shapechange - (Physical) (F÷2)+2 5
Spell Karma 60






Shinto (sm)
Combat Air
Detection Water
Health Plant
Illusion Beast
Manipulation Man
Drain Willpower + Charisma

Mentor Spirit Kitsune (Fox)
Illusion Spells +2 dice
Inflitration Tests +2 dice
Disadvantage: Willpower + Charisma (3) test to resist an opportunity to pull a prank.








Totals 750
750 219890







Apartment LP Costs
Lifestyle Type Middle
Comforts 2
Entertainment 3
Necessities 2
Neighborhood 2
Security 4
<< Positive Qualities >>
Inconspicuous Housing 2
Privacy Screen 2 2
Well Made 1
Quiet Neighborhood 1


<< Negative Qualities >>
This Isn't Big Bob's Autos -1
Network Bottleneck -1
Defective CHN -1
Household Gremlins 1 -1



Total LP: 15
Total Monthly ¥ Cost: 5000
# Months Purchased:
Final Lifestyle Cost: 0
# Months Passed:
# Months Remaining: 0


Hidey Hole LP Costs
Lifestyle Type Squatter
Comforts 2
Entertainment 1
Necessities 2
Neighborhood 1
Security 4
<< Positive Qualities >>
Inconspicuous Housing 2
No Neighbors 1
Workplace 1
Commercial Zone 1


<< Negative Qualities >>
Black Hole 1 -2
Household Gremlins 2 -3
Network Bottleneck -1
Unsound -2
Green Plan -1
Pest Magnet 1 -1

Total LP: 5
Total Monthly ¥ Cost: 500
# Months Purchased:
Final Lifestyle Cost: 0
# Months Passed:
# Months Remaining: 0







Security Notes
His four Meta links match up to his 4 fake SINS.
The Novatech Airware matches as a hidden primary for Sora Takime which reveals him to be a special investigator for his Insurance Company with enough interesting fake pay data to keep a hacker busy. It connects via skin link to his datajack which routes it to his mini comlink in his left back molars. All sensitive info is kept there. He does almost all of his matrix activities using the Novatech.

[TakayamaYuuko]

A couple notes:
Ritual purity: In traditional Shinto, if someone touches a dead body, they're not supposed to pray at a Shinto shrine for seven days (at least). The rule may be less strict now, not sure. Edit: I'm having trouble finding evidence on Wikipedia, so I'll leave this to Java as to whether it's true in-game or if Isako's just got some funny ideas.
Hikikomori: a person who refuses to leave his own room for months or years on end. Makes taking out the trash a bit of a problem.

[ Spoiler ]

Okay, here goes all the fun with data constructs. I was going to go ahead with the full bit of the compiling and issuing my first instructions, but there's all sorts of messy Opposed Tests involved. And unfortunately I'm having trouble deciding which type Witch should be, or if I should summon one of the Twins instead. I really need a full complement of 4, but I'll settle for, oh, a Crack one right now. Really I've never exhibited Witch with Crack powers, so maybe one of the Twins would be better. Do you agree?

Compiling+Resonance+VR bonus:
55421325635 = 5 hits
Fading resistance (assuming a VR bonus):
223555621555 = 7 hits

Once the compiling's resolved, we'll go ahead with listing all the hikikomoris' devices, breaking into them if necessary, and copying everything to a secure source. That's a turn down the road. And probably more than one, but let's try to find a way to resolve the business in just a couple posts so as to not interrupt game flow.

[JavaLamp]

As far as ritual purity goes, it only really applies for the real hardcore shinto, historical types, Neo-confucianism had any profession dealing with blood in the non-caste, below anyone else. It could be a rare trait outside of shinto/buddhist priesthood now... probably would be rare.

Can you guys hold off until I make another post in the main thread, I'm trying to work it together now, but I've got a lot on my IRL plate

[deek]

Sorry, I read the IC thread first and responded. But really, I didn't progress much. Hopefully that Catalog spell doesn't dump a lot of extra on your plate. I was trying to help by only asking for interesting stuff, so I'm not trying to scavenge for nuyen or anything, just wanting to speed up the search process.

Anyways, I'll hold off until you make another post...

[JavaLamp]

.... Couldn't think of a good way to emulate that form of address in English...

If everyone's okay with it, here's a quick primer on a few Japanese forms of address (far from complete)

the '-' assumes it follows a title or name, they're never used alone

The titles directly below can be used to address people who's names you do not know, but they each imply an age range and gender.

Onii (older brother/mister) An way to address a young-ish man (up into the 20s), or someone you're trying to butter up with compliments of looking young. Rather familiar, it assumes a less formal style of speaking. Rarely without an honorific (see the below)

Onee (older sister/Miss) Gender pair of Onii (above)

Oji/Oba - ('Uncle'/'Aunt') Useable with non-relatives, assumes middle age

Ojii (Grandfather) Appropriate also for use with friendly older men, use with care, implies old age

Obaa (Grandmother) Appropriate also for use with friendly older ladies, use with care, implies old age

-san - Mr, Mrs, Ms. Generic respectful tone, excellent way to start with someone, it gives the deference of 'I don't know you that well' or 'I respect you' depending on how long you know someone, addressing a friend as '-san' can sound distant and cold

-chan - diminutive address, assumes a close level of relation. Most often only used within couples, for girls, children, or pets. Even within couples, it will not be used for the guy unless he's... okay with it.

-kun - General assumption of 'colleague' or 'subordinate' Almost exclusively used for guys (excepting subordinate relations, where the boss will refer to everyone with 'kun')

-sama - High deference, used for addressing people high above you when they do not have a specific title to use otherwise. When used in a family it assumes a high level of formality. This honorific is also used in sarcasm, addressing someone lower or equal to you as 'sama' will be insulting, almost guaranteed...

There are a ton of these... and I've gotta go to work now, But that's a ... very basic primer
Yeah, they could've changed in 60 years, but it's not very likely Japan would lose it's society's 'vertical' nature.

[JavaLamp]

Sorry, I read the IC thread first and responded. But really, I didn't progress much. Hopefully that Catalog spell doesn't dump a lot of extra on your plate. I was trying to help by only asking for interesting stuff, so I'm not trying to scavenge for nuyen or anything, just wanting to speed up the search process.

Anyways, I'll hold off until you make another post...

I've addressed that, but it's likely to be a sensory overload for you, tons and tons of trash, with some commlinks, lots of optical chips and a ton of 'merch' Suffice it to say, the paper comics are the 'out of place' item.. nobody does paper books anymore

[deek]

I've addressed that, but it's likely to be a sensory overload for you, tons and tons of trash, with some commlinks, lots of optical chips and a ton of 'merch' Suffice it to say, the paper comics are the 'out of place' item.. nobody does paper books anymore

Good deal, that gets me what I was wanting to accomplish.

As an aside, based on how I was interpreting the spell, items of the same "type" would only be mentally listed once. I'd need to break the Object Resistance (OR) threshold to actually get a quantity of the item and I'd need net hits on top of that to get details. So, with me casting it at Force 2, I'd think my list would be similar to:

Trash: 3,000
Commlink
Optical Chip
'Merch'
Paper Comic: 1

OR 1 is for Natural Object and OR 2 is for Low-Tech Objects/Materials. High Tech Items (4) and Highly Processed (6+) I'd get a list if recognized (e.g. commlink, optical chip) but I wouldn't get a count as I only had 2 hits total. And seeing the trash and paper comic would need 2 hits just to get the count (assuming they are low-tech objects), I'd get no detail on them at all. And this does not help me at all to locate, I'd just know they were within a 2m radius of where I am standing.

Now, if I casted a higher Force, I could see getting a lot more detailed on each item, but it would also be a larger area unless I withheld some dice to bring the radius down. But again, just my interpretation, you've given me all that I was wanting to get with this spell, so that works!

[JavaLamp]

2 meter radius? there's 4 paperback comics in there.

[deek]

Yup, 2m radius. Okay, as long as I have the spell sustained, which I am planning to do while we are still "searching" the flat, just let me know if anything interesting pops up around me, otherwise, I'll just assume nothing important is around.

[cndblank]

Has Kit identified the Otaku renter/recluse?

Also with his Otaku sub genre knowledge skill help him identify the type of Otaku that lived here?

Are the comic books out of place compared to the rest of Otaku collections at the apartment?

Finally does the other victims look like Otaku?

Is there anything that might place them? Tattoos, detective.cop shoes, gang signs, and such.

The comment that they might be undercover cops certainly gets Kits attention.

if it matters, just what security company does have the local contract?

BTW, great start!

[JavaLamp]

The renter.. you think you've identified him, he's the one with the incendiary by him, The others definitely fit the profile. They seem to be anime/manga otaku, judging from the merch around the room.

I hadn't picked what company was handling the local security yet, I'll set that today as they'll be coming into play.

If they are cops or gang members.. they sure don't look like it.

Paper comics are.. very odd to have around. But ani-ota were pretty much the final group to abandon paper, and some still hold physical printing in high esteem. It's something like music fanatics with Vinyl, which I'm imagining still has a following (though small). (I've done a considerable amount of thinking about japanese sub-cultures in setting this, a lot of which is going to come into play, most of the initial delay I ran into)

Thanks! I'm trying!

[deek]

I second that, very awesome start. As someone who in RL loves japan and spent a couple years in self-study to learn the language (too bad I have lost a lot of that knowledge in the past few years), the setting is something I'm really in to!!!

Keep it coming...I'd say you have 4 solid players that will keep consuming what you put out.

[tarbrush]

Yup, having a great time so far (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

Anyway, just to say I`m probably going to struggle to get online again this weekend, got a rugby tournament so feel free anyone to post something appropriate for Isoro when it`s required. Hopefully this should be the last week of spoty connection.

[tarbrush]

Thanks for filling in for me (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

Um. How big is the incendiary? Do I have any chance of picking it up and, say, putting it into the bathtub before it goes off?

[JavaLamp]

It would be difficult, it's hard just moving around in this apartment for all the trash (not even counting the bodies)

The device itself is 2 canisters about the size of 2 liter bottles with 'device' on each side, let's see... ~4kg for the liquid, another 2 for the canisters, and let's say 2 more for the 'devicing' 8kg total (around 18 lbs), not hard to carry, just hard to maneuver in here.

That is.. if you're keen on carrying an explosive that just displayed an error message.

[TakayamaYuuko]

Darn, both spellcasters are booking it. I was telling Java last night I hoped somebody had an elemental manipulation with water, ice, cement, whatever to encase this thing in. But now I realize that one canister at least may have oxygen in it so it wouldn't matter much. I also doubt the timer is in any way networking-enabled, as sometimes lower-tech is better. I know I shouldn't make assumptions, but still. I really don't know what to do.

[deek]

I had considered something of the sort, but with 6 seconds, I really didn't want to risk it. Plus, I really wouldn't want to put my own spirit in a suicide mission...they don't like that, normally...

Sometimes the best solution is just the quick and dirty...and in this case, we have 6 seconds to run like hell!!!

[cndblank]

Kit hasn't left yet.

He just wanted to clear the room for when he does leave.

Especially if he had to be pulling an oblivious matrix head along.

Since she does seem to be aware of the threat...

Let me make sure I have this right.


Your reasons for you requests do have some weight with the Kami.


This is what I'm planning to do and that is my roll on the summon a Water Spirit


Pass 1:
Free actions: Speak 1 free action (six seconds! run!).
Simple action: Drop sustained spells (Detect Life and Manascape) 1 free action (or if one free action per spell, he will use up a free action from pass 2)

One simple action left.

Simple action: Call bound Spirit of Man force four (Hearth spirit of Kit' apartment if it makes a difference in the form of a little old innkeeper with a broom dressed in clothes from a by gone century) on Standby 1 service optional power innate spell Trid Phantasm to attend him.


Pass 2:

If free action available will say some thing about Kami add us.

Complex action: Summon Water Spirit force 3 optional power Guard in the form of a Carp

Using Edge 8 dice (5 for summon and 3 for edge)

53554344 3 successes!

Spirit rolls Force 3 dice ()


Pass 3:

Simple action: Have the water spirit engulf (Carp swallows it) the device and take it to the bathroom and extinguish any fires started by that device.

Simple action: Now can I'll ask the hearth spirit to protect the building and those with in from the bomb.

Free action: RUN!


Are there any major holes in this plan that Kit would notice?


I was wondering if the accident power could be used by the spirit to break the detonation device.

FYI, Kit is magically active and has a force three health sustaining focus active.

By the way would clapping be an appropriate way to ask for the Kami's attention?

Finally I'll run this out IC but so far it looks like we are on Pass 1

[tarbrush]

Hmm, thanks. So is pooping oneself a simple or a free action then (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[cndblank]

Neither.

First you take the free action to runaway screaming then you check your composure with a threshold based on the dangerousness of the situation.

Grenade = threshold of 1
Greater Dragon after you = threshold of 4

No net successes means you lose bladder control.

Not getting half the threshold means losing bowel control.


I GM my local game and part of the reason I play PBEM is to learn the mechanics from the other side.

[deek]

I GM my local game and part of the reason I play PBEM is to learn the mechanics from the other side.

Funny, that's one of my major draws to PBEM as well. And I picked an Awakened character because magic is not all that popular of a choice for my players. In fact, the current game I am running has no Awakened characters at all. Not even an adept. So, this is certainly a great way to think through the rules and capabilities from the other side of the screen!

Plus, I've always enjoyed roleplaying, and a PBEM is usually a better forum to play with the descriptions, feelings and flavor of the setting.

[tarbrush]

/poke?

[JavaLamp]

Hey Guys, a quick update that's a bit late (just a hair bit)

I'm in LA (At Anime Expo) over the 4th, and will not be back and available to game until very late the 6th, probably the 7th.

Before that.. I was frankly blindsided by the 'koi swallows the bomb' plan of attack and was attempting to think my way through what that would do (long and short term) as well as the fiddly bits of rules in between.

Anyhow, I'm not ending the game, just on vacation (Yeah!)