OOC: Way of the Yen Options

[DireRadiant]

Players
- pbangarth, Bongo Slade: (Physical adept percussionist),V, C
- Psikerlord, Omen, Wolf Shaman, V, C, CS
- deek, Aldan Penrice, Summoner, V, C, CS

Retired
- Shard, Lancer Human Female Rigger Mechanic
- Zaranthan, Jeremy, Ork Street Sam w/Home Ground
- Meatbag, Abigail Pierce, Human Technomancer, V, C, CS
- GT3000, Richard Descarnado, Corrupt Mercenary, Warriors Way Physad, V, C, CS
- Rathmun, Edward Lawrence, Elf B&E, V , C, CS

Thread for out of character discussion.

Your first post is your CS.

Your introductory scenes are set in the Spring of 2070.

IC Thread
Recruitment Thread

[rathmun]

Ok, character sheet here as both a Link and as plain text

[ Spoiler ]

CODE

[font="Courier New"]Edward Lawrence

Elf    30 BP

         rating    cost
BOD      3         20
AGI      6(8)      40
REA      5(6)      40
STR      2(4)      10
CHA      3         0
INT      4         30
LOG      4         30
WIL      4         30
INI      11(2 IPs)
EDGE     1         0

ESSENCE    4.8

Qualities
30BP    Type-O system (all bioware is delta for me, not that this helps all that much at chargen.)
  5BP    Latent Awakening
-5BP    lost loved one: younger sister (will become dependent if resolved)
-10BP    Spirit Bane: guidance spirits "When a strange old witch tells your fortune, DON'T flip her off."
-20BP    Unlucky: see above

230 spent to here.
50 on gear (250,000Y)(breakdown of expenditures later)
280 spent to here.

Contacts
L/C
5/2    street doc
4/3    fixer


Skills
Group                Rating    Cost
none
    pistols            2    8
    dodge              2    8
        Perception                   2    8
               hearing                +2  2
Athletics              3    30
    climbing
    gymnastics
    running
    swimming
Stealth                4    40
    infiltration
    shadowing
    palming
    disguise
Biotech                1    10
    cybertech
    first aid
    medicine
Knowledge: 24 free
    security procedures    5
    security design        5
    security companies     4
    (location) gangs       4
    literature             4
    economics              2

Gear

15,000Y        Echolocation
                .05 essence

5,000Y         Hearing Enhancement
                .05 essence

12,000Y        Vocal Range Enhancer
                .05 essence

12,000Y        Gecko hands
                .05 essence

14,000Y        Muscle Augmentation 2
                +2 STR
                .2 essence
16,000Y        Muscle Toner 2
                +2 AGI
                .2 essence
40,000         Enhanced Articulation
                +1 die to any physical skill test linked to a physical stat
                .15 essence
80,000         Synaptic booster 1
                +1 REA, +1 IP
                .25 essence
20,000         Symbiotes 2
                +2 dice on all healing tests
                .2 essence

B&E tools
1,200Y         autopicker 6
600Y           cellular glove molder 3
20             chisel
1,800Y         keycard copier
300Y           lockpick set
8,000Y         maglock passkey
800Y           maglock sequencer
250Y           miniwelder
35Y            wireclippers
8,000Y         Chameleon suit

Sensors

300Y           goggles rating 6
50Y             flare compensation
25Y             image link
500Y            smart link
100Y            thermographic
300Y            vision enhancement 3
100Y            vision magnification
30Y            earbuds rating 3
300Y            audio enhancement 3
600Y            select sound filter 3

350Y           Ares Predator 4
350Y            Easy Breakdown: manual        
1000Y           Chameleon coating           (-4 concealability)
600Y            integral Sound Supressor    (-6 to awareness pools to detect firing)
75Y             Concealable holster         (-1 concealability)
20Y             4 spare clips               (5 clips total, 2 subsonic, 2 SnS, 1 normal)
400Y            100 rounds of subsonic ammo (-2 to awareness pools to detect firing, -20% range, +2 AP)
100Y            100 rounds of normal ammo
800Y            100 rounds of SnS
    

4,400          low lifestyle 2 months in advance    (2,000 + 10% due to bioware)

4,000Y         rating 4 fake SIN

700Y           sony emperor comlink    (response 2, signal 3)
600Y            Renraku Ichi OS        (firewall2, system 2)
480Y            FTL Matrixware Net Wizard software package (unwired 127)
0Y              Porn collection

900 remaining, convert to starting cash (+1 on roll per 100Y)

Starting cash: 3d6+9 x50Y    http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2066880/
        19x50 = 950Y starting cash

Edit this page (if you have permission) |
Google Docs -- Web word processing, presentations and spreadsheets.


[/font]

Edited 7/6/09 when I got around to adding up all my essence costs.

[Zaranthan]

Jerry's sheet

[ Spoiler ]

Jeremy Lauren, Ganger Gone Pro [400/400 BP]

- Race: Ork (20 BP)

- Attributes (200/200 & 20 BP)

CODE

Bod Agi Rea Str  Cha Int Log Wil  Edg
6   5   4   6    4   2   2   4    3
    (7) (6) (8)

Essence: 2.45
Initiative: 8
Initiative Passes: 3
Physical Damage Track: 11
Stun Damage Track: 10

- Active SKills (126 BP)
Artisan(Painting): 1(+2)
Automatics(SMGs): 4(+2)
Close Combat: 3
Blades/Clubs/Unarmed
Dodge(Ranged): 2(+2)
Etiquette(Street Gang): 2(+2)
First Aid: 2
Heavy Weapons: 4
Intimidation: 2
Navigation(Urban): 1(+2)
Perception: 2
Pilot Ground Craft(Bike): 1(+2)
Survival(Urban): 1(+2)
Tracking(Urban): 1(+2)

- Knowledge Skills (12/12 Free Points, 8 BP)
I: Miniatures & Wargaming: 4
P: Police Procedures(Z-Zone Checkpoints): 2(+2)
S: Seattle Street Gangs(Redmond Barrens): 2(+2)
S: Rough bars: 3
Language Skills:
English: N
Or'Zet: 4

- Qualities (15/35 - 35/35 = -20 BP)
Ambidextrous (5 BP) [BBB.90: No off-hand penalty]
Home Ground (10 BP) [BBB.91: +2 to Active skill tests in OG, +4 to Knowledge tests about OG]
Day Job (-5 BP) [RC.103: $1k/week, 10 hrs]
SINner (-10 BP) [BBB.95: Biometrics (including cyberhand) are on file from gang bust a few years ago]
Poor Self Control: Combat Monster (-10 BP) [RC.107: Composure(2) to flee combat]
Records on File: Ares (-10 BP) [RC.109: +2 to legwork vs. Jerry, +6 for Ares agents]

- - Equipment ($105,000/$105,000) (21 BP) - -
[Carry: 20 kg]
900 Starting Nuyen rollover: 3d6+9 x50 = 600-1350

- Gear & Lifestyle: $19.4k
Lifestyle: Low (10 LP / $2,000 per month / 1 month paid)

CODE

2 Lw Comforts     \  Just the basics. Matrix access via satellite link, food and water via Ork Underground grocers,
2 Lw Entertainment >  creature comforts "fall off a truck" on the way to Bellvue (sometimes literally).
2 Lw Necessitites /   Over half of Jerry's entertainment budget goes toward new Warhammer figurines & paints.
0 St Neighborhood (Orange Grove is a single-block pocket of sanity in a northwestern Z-Zone, the CC keep the area calm to traffic drugs from Snohomish)
3 Md Security (CC has vested interest, and Jerry pays them well to share his interests)
+2  Concerned Neighbors (Jerry makes sure everyone has a home to come back to, so they return the favor)
-1  Green Plan (Building runs on solar cells during the day, and a network of multifuel generators at night)

6k Indian Pathfinder (Ars.108)
1.2k Anti-Theft System
1.8k Motorcycle Gyro Stabilization
500 Satellite Communication

100 Shades
25 Image Link
100 Thermographic
50 Flare Compensation
300 R3 Vision Enhancement
50 Skinlink
----
625

- Helmet Visor
25 Image Link
500 Smartlink
100 Vision Magnification
50 Skinlink
----
675

600 R6 Medkit

1k Renraku Sensei (R2/S4)
600 Renraku Ichi (F2/S2)
50 Trodes (mounted in helmet)
50 Skinlink
100 Sim Module (cold)
----
1.8k

60 R6 Datasoft: Warhammer 40,000 Seventeenth Edition
4k R4 Fake SIN
200 GPS

- Weaponry: $9.7k
200 "Shokka" (Shock Glove, 5S, -half Imp AP, 0 Reach)

750 "Choppa" (Monofilament Sword, Str/2+3=7P, 1 Reach, -1 AP)
100 Personalized Grip

650 "Slugga" (Ingram Smartgun X, 5P, 0AP, BF/FA, 2(3)RC, 32c)
300 Melee Hardening (Str/2=4P, 0 Reach, 0 AP)
100 Personalized Grip [melee]

600 "Big Choppa" (Combat Axe, Str/2+4=9P, 2 Reach, -1 AP)
100 Personalized Grip

2k "Big Shoota" (Ingram White Knight, 6P, -1AP, BF/FA, 6(7)RC, 50c)
600 Chukka (underbarrel Ares Antioch 2)
500 Airburst Link
100 Personalized Grip
400 Smartgun (external)
====
6.2k

1k 5x Flash-Pak
960 1 clip 32x caseless gel rounds (SMG)
640 1 clip 32x caseless regular ammo (SMG)
2k 2 clips 50x caseless regular ammo (LMG)
----
4.6k

350 10 Fragmentation minigrenades
150 5 Smoke grenades
175 5 Thermal smoke grenades
----
725

- Armor: $2.4k
700 Lined Coat (6/4) [12/12]
100 Helmet (+1/+2)
1k PPP (+2/+6) [no helmet] <Ars.49>
500 FFBA Shirt (+3/+0) <Ars.48>

- Cyberware: $43k, 3.25ess
32k R2 Wired Reflexes [3.0 E]
5k Obvious Cyberhand [0.25 E]
6k Cyberarm Gyromount [4 Cap]

- Bioware $30k, 0.80ess
14k R2 Muscle Augmentation [0.4 E]
16k R2 Muscle Toner [0.4 E]

- Contacts (25 BP)
Crimson Crush (3/2) [RC.124: +2 80 local Members, +1 District-wide influence]
Cyberdoc 3/3 "Dr. Danielle Corsetto", referred to by Michael when Jerry lost his hand, needs help keeping her HMHVV infection under her hat, pays in absurdly cheap cyber and bioware.
Tech Wizard 2/6 "Michael Fitzgerald", master of all things electronic; too many long-standing debts to count, let alone balance.
Fixer 2/1 "Sean Copeland", Crimson Crush Lieutenant, former Ares footsoldier; Let Jerry quit clean in exchange for the occasional favor.

[Shard]

Lancer at a glimpse: 22 year old orphan. Learned to fix lots of stuff because things in her young world were always broken and nobody else gave a damn. Through her teens she helped maintain a go-gang's fleet in return for their protection and a place to sleep. She's pretty innocent, usually cheerful, and genuinely likes to help, but she's not stupid. She's been burned before by lame drekheads, and takes things carefully. She knows nuyen and cred run the streets, so that's what she's out for.

Character Sheet

[ Spoiler ]

20 BP B: 3
20 BP A: 3
30 BP R: 4
10 BP S: 2

10 BP C: 2
30 BP I: 4
20 BP L: 4
20 BP W: 3

Stats - 160 BP


Essence: 5.2
Magic Resonance: 0
Edge: 2
Initiative: 8


10 BP - 2 Aero Mechanic (Aerial Drones +2)
20 BP - 5 Armorer
16 BP - 4 Auto Mechanic
4 BP - 1 Gunnery
16 BP - 4 Locksmith
10 BP - 2 Long Arms (Shotguns + 2)
12 BP - 3 Perception
14 BP - 3 Pilot Aircraft (Aerial Drones +2)
6 BP - 1 Pilot Anthroform (Drones +2)
12 BP - 3 Pilot Ground
12 BP - 3 Pistols

40 BP - 4 Electronics Skill Group
40 BP - 4 Cracking Skill Group

Skills - 212 BP

3 Go Gang Etiquette
4 Local Area Knowledge
4 Chop Shop Procedures
2 Indy Rock
4 Vehicle Design
3 Drone Design
4 Remote Security
24 Knowledge Points

Language - English: N

Contacts
Chowder Loyalty 3 Connections 3
Blend Loyalty 5 Connections 4
- 14 BP

Recap
Stats - 160 BP
Skills - 212 BP
Contacts - 15 BP
+65,000 Nuyen - 13 BP

Gear

[ Spoiler ]

Weapons
Remmington 990: 550Y
7P, AP: -1, SA, RC: (1), ammo: 8m
3 magazines 15Y
30 shells 60Y


Fichetti Security 600 450Y
4P, SA, RC (1)1 ammo 30c,
Standard with laser sight (+1 die pool)
3 clips 15Y
90 bullets, 180Y

Flash-Pak x2 400Y

Lined Coat 6/4 700Y


Gear
Commlink: Transys Avalon Response: 4, System: 4 5000Y
- OS: Iris Orb Firewall: 3, System: 3 1000Y

AR Gloves 250Y
AR Goggles 50Y
- Image link 25Y
- Low light 100Y
Subvocal Mic 50Y
Tool Kit 500Y
Certified Cred Sticks x4 100Y


'Ware
Control Rig, essence: 0.5, 10,000Y
Datajack, essence: 0.1, 500Y
Sim Module (modified for hot sim), essence: 0.2, 5,000Y
25,045Y


Programs:

Common Use:
Analyze 3 150Y
Browse 3 150Y
Command 3 150Y
Edit 3 150Y
Encrypt 3 150Y
Reality Filter 3 150Y
Scan 3 150Y
1,050Y


Hacking:
Armor 3 1500Y
Attack 3 1500Y
Decrypt 3 1500Y
ECCM 3 1500Y
Exploit 3 1500Y
Sniffer 3 1500Y
Spoof 3 1500Y
Stealth 3 1500Y
Track 3 1500Y
13,500


Autosofts:
Clearsight 3 600Y
Defense 3 600Y
Electronic Warfare 3 600Y
Maneuver (Ground) 3 600Y
Maneuver (Air) 3 600Y
Targeting (Automatics) 3 600Y
3,600Y


Drones:
MCT Fly-Spy 2,000Y
Lockheed Optic-X 1,700Y
Lone Star iBall w/ gecko tips 1,800Y
MCT-Nissan Rotodrone 2,000Y

Lifestyle: Low (2 months) 4,000Y
Workshop (Smitty's) 5,000Y

Spare Nuyen: 5,350Y

Vignette

[ Spoiler ]

Smitty's Repair Works was conveniently located in the belt of blocks that transitioned from suburbs to 'plex. It was far enough away from the center of the sprawl to be low heat and almost but not quite too far out of the way to be worth the trip. Tucked out of the way, without too much of a hastle from the gangers of the inner 'plex, it straddled two worlds and catered to them both.

A sleek black pickup eased to a stop on the cracked pavement outside. Chowder killed the engine and the lights and the industrial metal guitar riffs that had issued from the wiz audio system died with them. He ducked his head to look out at the place. There was light in the last bay of the garage, accompanied by intermittent bright flashes, but the rest of the shop looked deserted. It didn't look very special, maybe a place to get your mommy's transmission looked at, maybe.

Blend had said this was the place to get his team's drones checked out, and he knew what he was talking about. "Just ask for Lancer," the fixer had said. Chowder snorted, a distinctly orkish sound, and stepped out of the truck. The luscious soft black leather of his coat fell and draped around his bulk. It was custom tailored and well armored despite the designer style. With an encrypted command from his com, he armed the truck's security system and walked to the last bay door. He knocked.

A couple of minutes passed before a modulated voice issued from an intercom above the bay door. "Whatcha want Ork-face?" it queried.

"Got a drone problem I need fixed," Chowder grumbled.

"Who said we do drones, chum?"

"Blend."

A smaller door in the bay door cracked open. After a deep breath, Chowder cautiously pushed his frame through only to come face to barrel with a shotgun held by a small human. Well, he assumed it was a human, but the face was covered by a welding mask and bulky coveralls obscured body details.

"All your customers get this treatment?" Chowder asked calmly. Behind his shades his eyes flicked around the interior of the bay. He noticed various workbenches, vehicles and other various projects in different stages of disarray, but nothing breathing.

"Nope," a young woman's voice came from behind the mask, "only the big scary ones that come sniffin 'round after hours askin bout drones."

Ork brows raised and he took a second look at the woman in front of him. "Blend said to talk to Lancer, you know 'em?"

"Yeah, I know 'em." She lowered the shotty and flipped up the mask. Her face was smudged with grit and grease, not exactly attractive, but not homely either. She couldn't have been much older than 20. "What's your drone problem, leatherman?"

"Our roto took a few hits. Needs repairs and some... modifications. Lancer can do that, right?"

"Yeah, I can do that chum," she replied cheerfully. "Wouldn't be in business if I couldn't, huh?"

Chowder gaped. "You're the drone mechanic?"

Lancer rolled her eyes. This wasn't the first or even the second time she'd gotten this reaction. She might not look like much, but she knew her way around a toolbox. She'd had to have some sort of skill to survive growing up on the streets. "You chippin? Not until I get my hands on it. Gonna stand around lookin all night or what?" The ork snorted and considered her for a moment before he went to grab the roto from his truck.

TEXT >> BLEND >> Thanks for the Lancer lead, drekhead.//

Contacts

[ Spoiler ]

Blend - human fixer and informant - Blend's got a heart when it comes to Lancer. He actually gave the girl a chance and didn't discount her off the bat like nearly everyone else. He's the one that set her up at Smitty's after an on the spot diagnosis on a piece of hardware he was having trouble with. Smitty was skeptical but after a two week trial at his place, he decided to let her rent out the last bay in his shop. During normal hours she'd work for him, but after hours she could work on her own stuff. Blend knows alot of folks and sends business her way. He's been cultivating her skills from mechanics into rigging, seeing it as a way to have another runner at his disposal, but also to see her expand her cred and do well on the streets.

Chowder - Ork enforcer and wheelman - Chowder's a big burly ork with a penchant for style. He runs drugs as his main source of income, and sometimes takes on extra work as muscle. He's got a good reputation as a stand up ork and is known to do courier type work when sensitive cargo needs to be transported securely. He met Lancer through Blend, and she's since helped him out with mechanical work. Lancer and Chowder have worked together on a shadowrun where her newfound talent with rigging saved their bacon.

[DireRadiant]

What is an example of a simple run your character would be hired for?

[Psikerlord]

Woohoo! Omen, wolf shaman, at your service:

Sheet

[ Spoiler ]

Attributes (170+40=210BP, inc Magic)
Body 4 (30)
Agility 1 (-)
Reaction 5 (40)
Strength 1 (-)

Charisma 5 (40)
Intuition 2 (10)
Logic 2 (10)
Willpower 5 (40)

Edge 2
Essence 6
Magic 5 (40)
Resonance 0

Initiative 7 (1 initiative pass)

Composure 10 will + cha
Memory 7 will + logic
Gauge intent 7 int + cha

Physical condition monitor 10
Stun condition monitor 11

Positive Qualities (20 BP)
Magician (15, shaman tradition)
Mentor spirit (5 BP, wolf)

Negative Qualities (+20BP)
Addiction alcohol moderate (+10BP)
Wanted (+10BP, Renraku has a $20K bounty on his head – wanted alive)

Spells (30 BP, ie 10 spells)
Analyse Truth
Mind Probe
Trid Phantasm (fetish)
Physical Mask
Improved invisibility
Stunbolt
Slay Spirit (Street Magic p.165)
Heal
Increase Reflexes
Levitate

Active Skills (132 BP)
Dodge 4 (ranged combat +2) (18)
Perception 1 (Visual +2) (6)
Spellcasting 5 (Combat +2) (22)
Counterspelling 5 (Combat +2) (22)
Summoning 4 (16)
Assensing 3 (auras +2) (14)
Con 2 (Fast talk +2) (10)
Etiquette 3 (Street +2) (14)
Ritual casting 1 (Tracking +2) (6)
Pilot Ground vehicle 1 (4)

Knowledge skills (free 12)
Magical Threats 3
Magical Security 2
Yakuza Politics 2
Government Politics 2
Renraku History & Culture 2
English (free)
Japanese 1

Gear & lifestyle (13BP; $65,000, inc lifestyle, plus 3BP bonding)

Evo Cruiser (as Mercury Comet $14,000, plus anti-theft $2,000, personal armour 3 $1,500, runflat tires $1000, morphing licence plate $1,000)
Sustaining focus 3, bonded (3BP), mahogany walking cane with wolf paw handle, inset with black runes ($30,000)
Lined Coat 6/4 (with insulation 4, $1,300)
Armour vest ($600, for more formal occasions)
Sony Emperor commlink (2/3)($700) with Renraku Ichi (2/2) OS $600, Browse 4 $200)
Micro-transceiver 4 ($1,000) with earbud Audio enhancement 3 ($300)
Fake SIN (rating 3, "Hido Eruchi, Paranormal Investigator", $3,000)
2 x certified credsticks ($50)
Contacts (Vision enhancement 3, low light, flare compensation, $525)
Radio signal scanner (rating 6, $150)
2 x plasteel restraints ($100)
Respirator (rating 6, $150)
Medkit (rating 6, $600)
Fetishes (bone bracelet, Trid Phantasm, $100)
Magical Lodge 5 (at his apartment, $2,500)

Lifestyle
low (three months, low end apartment in Redmond, $6,000)

Starting cash: 3d6 x $50.

Contacts (12BP) - see contacts spoiler for more details
Jenni Moontime, bear shaman (Connection 1, Loyalty 3, 4BP)
Officer Lars Gregor, beat cop (Connection 2, Loyalty 2, 4BP)
Sasha, fixer(Connection 3, Loyalty 1, 4BP)

** I've given him tracking spec in ritual casting, per street magic p.29 - hope that's ok? Happy to change.

Contacts

[ Spoiler ]

12BP total on contacts
Jenni Moontime (Connection 1, Loyalty 3, 4BP)
Dwarf female bear shaman. Jenni lives in Bellevue, and has run a successful physical and mental rehabilitation centre for many years. Now 62, she’s about ready to retire and live the good life. Jenni and Ozu dated back in ’64. It didn’t work out, but they share a common group of friends and have dinner occasionally. Jenni has no love for the corps, and has spent the occasional late night patching up half dead runners, Omen included.

Officer Lars Gregor (Connection 2, Loyalty 2, 4BP)
Elf male beat cop. 25 yr old Lars lives in middle-class ‘burbia, walking the beat and negotiating his early career as a Lone Star officer. He’s mindful of his duties, but understands that to keep the law, sometimes you need to bend it. He’s sharp, charismatic, and not adverse to making extra cred for a small favour or two. Lars first met Omen at a university conference on organised crime. The two struck up a friendship and have remained useful acquaintances to each other ever since.

Sasha (Connection 3, Loyalty 1, 4BP)
Human female Seattle fixer. Omen has never met Sasha, but from what he’s knows of her she’s an attractive strawberry blonde female, late twenties, with a UK accent and penchant for exuberant jewellery. Sasha is a professional, a business woman with extensive contacts (legal and otherwise), and a rep to maintain. Omen’s dealings with her have been exclusively by ‘link, meeting with aides when a physical transfer was required. They have an excellent working relationship, but nothing more.

Concept & Vignette

[ Spoiler ]

Concept

Ozu Takagi, aka “Omen�, is a 78 year old human male wolf shaman. Omen’s family was killed in the Chicago bug incident of ’56, transforming the obedient Renraku salaryman into an awakened, fiercely independent street shaman and bug hunter. Omen has dedicated his awakened years to hunting and destroying malignant magical beings: bug spirits, toxic shamans, Aztechnology Blood Mages, Black magic cultists, and so on. On the side, he takes runner jobs, accepting or rejecting work according to his need and curious morals. Wolf communicates to him only indirectly, through signs and portents that old greybeard instinctively understands. He is driven, courageous, loyal, unrelenting, and singularly aware that his final days are upon him. Mechanics wise focus on spellcasting, bit of summoning & ritual, some charisma skills. No firearms, no binding.

Vignette

Omen sat quietly on the busy street corner, as he often did, watching the clouds and the crowd press by. The sights, the noise, the smells. All these things held nuances of meaning, he knew, if only he had the time to unravel them. Pulling his longcoat closer, he shrinks into his white woollen scarf as the Seattle winds kick up, their frosty chill biting into his thin frame. A young female, a human ganger named Whipcord sits beside him, staring into the wind.

“Did you see the Miami Backbreakers in action last night, Rachael?� Omen asks.

“Course I did, smoothie,� the raven haired female replies. “Can’t believe it, but damn, dem NAN Blazers deserved the win. And fraggit greybeard, the name’s Whipcord - awright?�

Omen nods, raising a wizened old hand in apology. “Of course, Whipcord, I’m sorry� he says, a smile creeping across his bearded face. He has brown eyes, olive skin and asian eyes, part Japanese and part something else. “Rachael suits you better though.�

“Oh, whadda you know, ‘Ooomeen’,� the ganger retorts sarcastically.

The old man gives a quiet laugh, stretching his back and tapping at the wet ground with his walking cane, a mahogany piece inset with black runes. “Fair coment,� he concedes, giving the young woman a friendly wink. “But tell me, Whipcord, have you seen the tattooed ork around lately?�

She shakes her head, pulling her biker jacket collar up around her ears. “What, that tusker kid? Hell no. Somebody musta wised him up, ain’t seen him on our turf for a long while.�

The shaman turns away, his smile fading, scanning the crowd as he considers this new information. It is not what he expected. Perhaps I read the clouds wrong? He muses. But what of the trio of silent crows? Surely no accident.

Omen registers the last thought just as Whipcord pipes up in surprise. “Holy drek, Boozer. There’s your tusker now. You want I should take him?�

Looking up, the shaman instantly spots the tattooed ork, resplendent in a black and white leathers, striding the street alone like he owns it. Somehow, the crowd seems to part for him. “No, not today, young one,� Omen replies cautiously. “I want to see where he’s going.�

The old man merges into the crowd, slipping in a few meters behind the tall tusker, and extends his psychic senses. Unfocusing his eyes, the magician's vision blurs for a moment as reality seems to stretch and then snap back into being, the old world replaced by a curious dimension of shadow and light. As the shop fronts and cars mute to grey, the crowd bursts into radiance, their glowing auras a multitude of colours and shades. Blocking out the many and varied emotions shifting by, Omen hones his second sight on the tattooed ork, trying to read his aura. He can feel it hiding. Squirming, flexing, shifting. But it is there. For the briefest moment he sees it, a dark and foreign force, malignant, a cancer of alien spite and hunger. A roach spirit? He cannot be sure.

Gripping his cane more tightly, the old man mentally intones a sacred song, wrapping the power of the astral about him, imbuing his muscles with unnatural speed and agility. He grips his cane tighter, feeling it’s energies flowing, easing the strain, and he looks to the sky as the crowd begins to draw away from him in alarm. Raising his arms, he calls to his ancestors, feeling them respond, flocking from the otherworld to aid him.

"Show yourself, alien!", Omen bellows, as the ork begins to turn...

Background & Appearance

[ Spoiler ]

Background
Ozu Takagi was born in 1992 in California USA, as it then was. He had an ordinary and happy childhood, settling into life as a Renraku employee straight out of corp school. Before long he had a wife and 2 daughters, and was living a comfortable existence in Chicago. He worked as a marketing exec, which by coincidence led to him learning a few secrets Renraku never wants revealed.

The bug incident of 2056 changed everything when his wife and daughters were killed in an attempted evac. A roach spirit named Isabella took them hostage before her hideout was ultimately firebombed by an Ares paramilitary team. Ozu himself was left for dead, but rescued and revived by a NAN child named Becca Owlheart.

Over a course of weeks, Wolf came to Ozu in his dreams, awakening him to his true calling and saving him from a desperate spiral into madness. This initial awakening is the only time Wolf has communicated with him directly - ever since, his totem has provided guidance only through signs and portents. The old man suffers a terrible sadness, but is fortified by hard drinking, his hatred of bugs and his calling to destroy malevolent magical threats, wherever they might be. Upon learning that Ozu was alive, his former corp master issued an immediate black ops bounty on him (wanted: alive).

Ozu adopted the runner handle Omen about 10 years ago. He moved to Seattle following Isabella’s scent and continues his secret search for her in the world’s most notorious ‘plex. He considers it his duty to hunt and destroy all manner of malign spirits and paranormal threats, but pays the bills with typical runner work, mostly arcane support for whatever jobs his flexible morals, and Wolf, permits. His prior Johnsons have largely been individual one offs, but he has also worked for the yaks a few times. Omen keeps a small apartment in Redmond: two and a half bedrooms, lockup garage, nothing fancy. He maintains a small medicine lodge there.


Appearance
Ozu is now 78 years old, and it shows. His tall frame is rail thin and weather beaten, and any muscle and finesse from his youth is long gone. Despite these frailties, his body is resilient and iron-tough, and the old man exhibits an uncanny sixth sense which helps him avoid danger*.

Omen’s almond shaped brown eyes reflect his father’s Japanese heritage. He has his mother’s olive skin and generous smile, framed by a trimmed silver beard streaked with black. He has short, almost buzz cut silver hair. Omen carries an ancient mahogany walking cane, topped with an ivory wolf paw motif and lined with black runes. He typically wears a long white shirt, thick black pants and dark blue longcoat, an old white scarf trailing his neck. He wears a bracelet of petite, yellowed animal bones on his left forearm. Omen smokes old style tobacco leaf from cigarettes he rolls himself. Like many men over 75, he smells of pipe-weed, old spice and hardened liquor.

*this is supposed to help explain his high reaction.

[Psikerlord]

Simple run Omen would be hired for - anything requiring getting past magical security, particularly patrolling spirits.

[Shard]

Shard could be hired to:

* drive (though she does not have a vehicle of her own)
* make mechanical "adjustments" to someones property, vehicle, drones, etc.
* hack a simple system or retrieve information from nodes on an internal network
* provide surveillance / ECCM coverage, recon or infiltration with her drones
* act as a spider if an attack is expected and the group is being hired as security
* backup pistol / scattergun user

I see her mostly as an asset that her more combat worthy runner comrades would escort and want to keep safe, though she can contribute to a firefight in a pinch. Not sure she's ever wasted someone herself though. Yet. Her skillset also makes her a valuable downtime asset for modifying weapons and vehicles.

[pbangarth]

Bongo Slade Character Sheet:

[ Spoiler ]

Human [0BP]

Attributes [260 BP]
BOD 1 + 2 = 3
AGI 1 + 2 = 3
REA 1 + 2 = 3
STR 1 + 3 = 4
CHA 1 + 3 = 4
INT 1+ 4 = 5
LOG 1 + 2 = 3
WIL 1 + 2 = 3
EDG 2 + 1 = 3
ESS 6 = 6
MAG 1 + 4 = 5
INIT = 8

Active Skills [100 BP]
Artisan 6 (9) INT
(percussion) (+2)
Perception 3 (+3) INT
(hearing) (+2)
Influence Group 1 CHA
con, etiquette,
leadership, negotiation
Stealth Group 1
disguise INT
infiltration AGI
palming AGI
shadowing INT
Throwing Weapons 3 AGI
Dodge 2 REA
(ranged attack) (+2)
Survival 1 WIL
(urban) (+2)
First Aid 1 LOG
Computer 1 LOG
Data Search 1 LOG

Contacts [17 BP]
connections / loyalty
Joe Coole 3 / 2
- music agent / fixer
Mick the Slick 3 / 1
- pawn broker / fence
Johnny Winnipeg 2 / 2
- Algonkian Raven shaman
Runs-with-Tricks 2/2
- Pueblo Coyote shaman

Qualities [-5 BP]
Adept 5
Inspired 5
Perceptive 10
Linguist 5
Fame, Local 5
- Toronto music community
SINner -5
Sensitive System -15
Mild Addiction -5
(tobacco)
Mild Addiction -5
(Betel chewing gum)
Mild Prejudice -5
(established authority)

Knowledge Skills (24 pts.) [17BP]
Music Theory 2
(composition) (+2)
Ethnomusicology 1
Sound Engineering 1
Toronto Music Scene 2
Toronto Street Gangs 1
Denver Music Scene 1
Seattle Music Scene 1
Musical Drum Design 1
Exotic Woods 1
Gaia Theory 2
Magic Artifacts 1
English N
Nahuatl 1 (no Linguist increase yet)
Pueblo 1 (no Linguist increase yet)
Algonkian 1 (no Linguist increase yet)
Cantonese 1 (no Linguist increase yet)
Japanese 1 (no Linguist increase yet)
Morse Code 1 (no Linguist increase yet)

Adept Powers (5 pts.)
Enhanced Perception (1) 0.25
Improved Artisan (1) 0.25
Enthralling Performance 0.5
(artisan-percussion)
Commanding Voice 0.25
Linguistics 0.25
Multi-tasking 0.5
Eidetic Sense Memory 0.5
Three Dimensional Memory 0.5
Nimble Fingers 0.25
Power Throw (3) 0.75
Missile Mastery 1.0

Gear [11 BP] 55,000 ¥
Percussion Equipment - drum kit 4,000Â¥
- bongos
- djembe
Fairlight Caliban Commlink 8,000
Noritake Navi 10,500
upgrades: - system 6
- response 4
- firewall 6
- signal 5
Sim Module (hot sim) 250
Trodes 50
AR Gloves 250
Satellite Link 500
Programs - analyze 6 1,800
- browse 6
- edit 6
Computer Toolkit 500
Datachip X 5 1
Mapsoft (6) - Seattle 30
Tag Eraser 150
Microtransceiver (6) - subvocal mic and earbud 1,200
Medkit (6) - supplies X 5 850
Stimulant Patch (6) X 5 150
Survival Kit 100
Myomeric Rope X 10 m 200
Lightstick 5
Low Lifestyle X 1 month 2,000
Fake SIN (3) 3,000
Fake SIN (4) 4,000
Fake Licenses (4) - thermal smoke grenade 1,600
- flash-bang
- smoke grenade
- ballistic shield
(all licenses are performance related)
Contact Lenses - low light 2,225
- flare comp
- image link
- thermographic vision
- vision enhancement (3)
- vision magnification (electronic)
- smartlink
- ultrasound
Earbuds - audio enhancement (3) 1,910
- select sound filter (3)
- spatial organizer
Latex face mask 500
Nanopaste, small X 2 1,000
Laes-laced cigarettes X 20 500
Psyche - dose X 3 600
Red Mescaline - dose X 8 400
Loco (speedballed Red Mescaline and Psyche) - dose X 1 350
Raecon Sting holdout pistol + 4 clips ammo 390
Shuriken X 10 300
Throwing Knife X 10 200
Grenades - flash-bang X 4 1,350
- fragmentation X 4
- flash pack X 2
- high explosive X 8
- smoke X 2
- thermal smoke X 2
Ballistic Shield (6/4) 1,500
Urban Explorer (6/6) 500
Lined Coat (6/4) 700
Synergist Business Line - suit jacket, slacks, shirt (5/3) 1,500
Clothing, various styles (better than low lifestyle) 1,300
TOTAL 55,000 ¥


Starting Cash 3D6 X 50 ¥ => 650 ¥

[pbangarth]

Bongo likes scouting missions ('case the joint', 'where are the power sources', 'is there another way in'), running distractions... and bar-room brawls.

[rathmun]

What is an example of a simple run your character would be hired for?

Any type of run where the group cares a great deal about making very little noise on their way in or out. Or where they need to make their way through a great deal of physical security (Hey, we have an astral security guy, a techno security guy and a physical security guy. This party dynamic looks pretty sneaky. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) )

[Meatbag]

Abigail Pierce, Human Technomancer (Info Savant)

[ Spoiler ]

Paragon (Flow)

Disadvantages:
Sensitive System
Mild Media Junkie
Low Pain Toleramce
Reality Impaired





Resonance 5
Logic 4
Willpower 2
Intuition 5
Reaction 3
Charisma 3
Agility 2
Body 3
Strength 1
Edge 2


Electronics Group 4
Hacking 5
Electronic Warfare 4
Compiling 4 (Paladin Sprites)
Registering 4
Athletics Group 2
Dodge 3 (Ranged)
Pistols 2 (Revolvers)
Perception 2 (Visual)
Artisan 1 (Matrix Graphics)
Etiquette 1

Knowledges: 27 points
English: N
Cantonese 3 (Read/Write)
Japanese 2 (Read/write)
Computer Background 4 (Matrix Security)
Daoism 3




Complex Forms:

Stealth 5
Spoof 5
Exploit 5 (Mute)
Scan 5
Shield 5
Edit 5
Analyze 5
Track 5

Registered Sprites:

Data, 2 tasks

Paladin, 2 tasks.

35,000 in gear.

2 fake SINS, Rating 4, 8,000Y
4 Fake licenses, Rating 4, (carry firearms and operator's for both SINs) 1,600Y
Meta Link running Iris Orb 1,100Y
1 month of Squatter Lifestyle
Armor Vest (Rating 6 Nonconductivity) 1,800Y
Basic DocWagon Contract 5,000Y
Glasses (Low Light Vision, Image Link, Flare Compensation, Smartlink) 700Y
Subvocal Microphone 50Y
Nanomemory 200Y

Ares-Segway Terrier (4500Y) with:
Pilot 3 3000Y
Morphing Plates 1000Y
Spoof Chip 500Y
Smart Tires 5000Y
Maneuver Autosoft 3 600Y
Defense Autosoft 3 600Y
Clearsight Autosoft 3 600Y

Enough gecko tape, electronic paper and holo-projectors to set up a digital feng shui network throughout her home.

Taurus Multi-6 with Internal Smartgun, 400Y.
Underbarrel low-light flashlight, 200Y

8 speedloaders:

2xLight stick'n'shock ammo
2xLight regular ammo.
2xHeavy regular ammo.
2xHeavy stick'n'shock ammo.

Concealed Holster.

Contacts:

[ Spoiler ]

Jimmy White-Feathers, Security Spider (Loyalty 2/Connections 2)

An elven freelance security rigger and a semi-reliable source of inside info. Curiously, he's not even vaguely amerindian - the moniker was given in reference to his "healthy respect for physical harm.

"Pulse", Trid Muckraker (Loyalty 2/Connections 3)

Known only by his broadcasting handle, Pulse is a trid pirate and an outspoken advocate for the freedom of information, especially when that information concerns corp double-dealing. He/she/it has expressed concern for the wellbeing of Technomancers. but then, a recent Aztechnology-themed broadcast expressed similar sympathy for cyber-jaguars.

Pulse's "image" is an undulating waveform, and his/her/its voice is an obviously masked monotone.

Vignette:

[ Spoiler ]

Abagail swam through the datastreams at the speed-without-interval, leaving glimpses of her persona's sparking fiberoptic hair and glittering datachip-studded robes.

She senses the proper direction intuitively. Though the bright silver packet-paths branch out into confounding patterns, she empties her mind of all but her objective and - oof!

She struck something large, large and gold, gold and orky, styled into a tetsubo-wielding oni. She muttered something extremely improper, rising up to her full height on a semi-solid datapath and cutting off the threat before it arrives: "How much?"

"For you, honey?" The matrix ganger seemed to ponder the going rate for a moment before coming to the same figure he had last week. "Five-hundred." Seems these Orichalcum ARO punks had set up shop near a few local, relatively unimportant data havens, and had been making a pesky extortion racket out of it.

Abagail flashed her persona's eyes bright green, springing back a step. "May you suffer the Hell of Intrusive Data-Mining, promptly and in accordance with the Celestial Machine-Code!" When the swing came, a graceful and heroic sprite sprung up at Abagail's feet, fuly formed, parrying the brute-force crack with its data-rending talons.

When the dust clears, the technomancer has already vanished, gleefully perusing a hard-won data file. The subject? Of all things, "Digital Superstition and the Techno-Mystic Panic."

As of yet, Abby doesn't have a runner name. The best ones are given by other runners anyway.

20 questions

[ Spoiler ]

Who were your parents, how did they shape you?

Father? Micheal Pierce, a data analyst for Cross Applied Technologies. Mother? Alexis Chevalier, a shamanistic wagemage hired to work astral security. Go figure, eh?

Both were rather distant, if loving, due to their duties and unpredictable hours. I inherited a gaming addiction, a fascination with magic that quickly died when no aptitude was found, and the lightest skin this side of ghouldom.

What would they think of you now?

Oh, dad's probably still going on about my abysmal French classes, and Mom's still laughing at him. They don't know, or mutually pretend not to know about my current "job". If hey did, all bets are off.

What historical events do you remember, how did they shape you?

I was really too young to register what happened with Dunk, but Crash 2.0? The term "Mongolian clusterfuck" comes to mind. All of a sudden, I'm out a SIN, my parents are among the first to get nixed from the newly downsized Cross, and I'm shaking off the worst dumpshock ever. Finally realized something was up when I found myself reflexively hijacking a CrashCart.



Why did you become a Runner?

Do I need to repeat myself? No SIN + no trust fund + sudden intuitive hacking skills = Shadowrunner. The universe tends to unfold as it ought to, just go with it.


Where's your home like? How have you customized it?

It's in Everett, need I say more? Physically, it's condemned, but its Resonance is a thing of beauty. I've taped electronic paper to the walls and placed small holo-projectors around the place according to Feng Shui principles. It seems to work, because the electricity's still coming.


What are your beliefs?

For all the enigmatic talking in circles about it, Daoism isn't that complex: pay attention, keep it simple, practice moderation and remember your place - these are tenets any runner should learn.

As personal convictions go? I think family is important, but the friends we choose are moreso. It may not be the most traditional view, but friends help you move furniture, family helps you move bodies, and best friends help you make some if need be.


What do you dislike most about your character's personality?

I wouldn't say I *dislike* it, but her tendency to show off the daoist techno-sorceress aesthetic in The Matrix is likely going to bite her some day. Pity I didn't take Distinctive Style.

Which AAA do you like most? Least?

Most: Ares. So long as they keep using all those resources to kill their fellow man, they'll never recognize the real value of information, and that makes the world's arms dealer the least dangerous of the lot.

Least: NeoNET. They've been into two things lately: Technomancers and bio-drones. Do I need to draw you a diagram here? That's just creepy.

How did you meet your contacts?

Jimmy White-Feathers was an employee at Cross before it took a dive, and he went freelance precisely on cue. As it stands, he barely knows me from Eve, but I've got just enough social capital to wring info from him. Besides, he's kind've cute in his own twitchy little way.

Pulse? That's just it, I haven't met it yet, though I certainly intend to. Its information, if you can get by the monotone rants, is awfully accurate for a trid pirate.

It's the weekend, you're free at last, what do you do?

Call up a Code Sprite during my morning meditation, toss it a datachip and tell it to "surprise me" with a new VR game. The work usually doesn't hold a candle to actual studio games in complexity. but it's simple, difficult and the solutions are often insightful.

What wouldn't you do?

I've got a soft spot for kids and little fuzzies, but don't we all? Also, drawn-out torture sessions just aren't my thing - information gathering shouldn't be that messy. I'll admit it, I hid under the pillows during Saw XI.

How does your philosophy affect your Technomancy?

Zero and one are the Yin and Yang of the Matrix, Together, they cannot be defined within the system, as all things are reflections of them. This is why machine-code is so close to The Dao.

By gently manipulating the balance, of Yin and Yang through Resonance, a proper sage can achieve extraordinary things.

Digital spirits usually appear as anthromorphic representations of the code, the humblest being stooping datachip servants, and the greatest appearing as celestial beings outlined in Resonance.

How did you get your enhancements?

ERROR: NoSuchFieldException!

What do you think of the mainstream?

It's the path of least resistance, and there is something to be said for that, but Crash 2.0 sent a very clear message: it's just not for me.

Your worst nightmare?

Genghis Fang in a thong.

Oh, seriously? Well, ever had that dream where you're running through VR bellevue, naked, and the ground starts to de-rez on your heels? Yeah, that one.


What are your good luck charms?

One, an old 60's "snuff BTL" chip on a chain, plucked from a dead Spider during a hasty extraction. If he hadn't been such a chiphead, I would've been gone.

Does it work? Well, maybe - could've been the dumpshock too.

What were your childhood aspirations? What are they now?

Then? Oh, y'know, be a princess - until I learned what the word "betrothed" meant, then it was some kinda ninja sorceress thing., I blame Anime Hour.

Now? Poke around with Resonance until I find something useful out, then share it selectively. Also, find what's left of Winternight and shoot it - the headaches still haven't stopped.

How do you look, how do you dress?

5'4, brown hair and eyes, little wide at the hips. Usually styled into something that goes with my flats. Keep it simple, yes?

Lifestyle

[ Spoiler ]

Squatter, 500Y, 5 LP
Neighborhood: Squatter 1 LP (Condemned building in Everett)
Necessities: Low 2 LP (The Free Sprite population keeps the electricity running, usually)
Security: Low 2 LP (Uppity sprites with free reign over the electronics)
Entertainment: Street 0 LP (Manifest plainness, have few desires.)

Qualities:
Sprite Magnet, +3
Unsound, +2
Resonance Well -5.

Abby's the Matrix version of Edward, snapping up the paydata, playing havoc with the hardware and slipping out with none the wiser.

If needed, she can use her Sprites to cover her weaknesses in cyber and physical combat - either by putting a Machine Sprite in a drone or running Diagnostics on her smartlinked weapon.

[rathmun]

Abby's the Matrix version of Edward, snapping up the paydata, playing havoc with the hardware and slipping out with none the wiser.

Hmm, security people shall fear us. Bwahahaha... Oh, wait, they won't know we're there... Hmm...

[Zaranthan]

Jerry's in his element dealing with the lawless areas of the sprawl and those who live there. He brings plenty of muscle and street smarts to any situation. A straightforward fellow, but one who can make good on his promises (and other people's promises when the bills need to be paid).

[Zaranthan]

NuYen, its a crime.
Share it fairly but dont take a slice of my pie.
NuYen, so they say
Is the root of all evil today.
But if you ask for a raise its no surprise that they're
Giving none away.

Man, goblin rock is going soft nowadays. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

[DireRadiant]

Woohoo! Omen, wolf shaman, at your service:

Contacts

I still need the BP and Loyalty and Connection for these three.

[Psikerlord]

Sorry, yep have now incorporated those into the sheet and contacts spoiler. I somehow lost them in the cut & paste. Also: noted Trid Phantasm is a fetish spell and corrected Assensing to 3 (Auras +2), to match the 14 points.

PS - Are you using the optional direct combat spell drain rule from SR4A errata? I don't mind either way.

[pbangarth]

Ahhh... Pink Floyd. I gave my copy of that record to my daughter a few years ago, complete with the poster included with the LP. It raised her cred with her boyfriend hugely.

[pbangarth]

Bongo likes scouting missions ('case the joint', 'where are the power sources', 'is there another way in'), running distractions... and bar-room brawls.

Oh... and drumming. Always up for some drumming.

[Shard]

DireRadiant, you taunt us with your IC postage.

[DireRadiant]

PS - Are you using the optional direct combat spell drain rule from SR4A errata? I don't mind either way.

I try to avoid using any optional rules since it's a pain to keep track of them if I am using them.

[DireRadiant]

Jerry, lancer, Bongo initial IC Posts up.

[DireRadiant]

Bongo Slade Character Sheet:

Could you include your list of contacts and their descriptions here as well?

[rathmun]

Your introductory scenes are set in the Spring of 2070.

So, IC Edward is 19 years old. (he was eight during the arcology incident in 2059)

Ignoring the glares of the dispersing people in the streets the four of them made themselves comfortable in their saddles and began sharing sips of clear liquid in an old bottle of Nuke It Cola.

Someone's been playing fallout (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[DireRadiant]

Edward, Omen and Abigail have IC posts to respond to.

If anyone has questions, speak up. The initial posts are to get us started and work things out in a safe fun, and in an unlikely to get your PC killed manner, so there are few wrong things to do as far as IC actions.