OOC: Way of the Yen Options

[DireRadiant]

GT3000 I'll get to review of your sheet in the next few days.

I lied, will get to this when I can.

[pbangarth]

Let me know your general strategy for "casing" the place, and feel free to make the appropriate rolls.

This will actually be the first time I am playing this set of skills, so I will walk through how I think it works, and you can let me know where I need to change things.

Bongo has the Multi-Tasking adept power (SM p. 178) which allows him to ignore all kinds of distractions, Observe in Detail as a Free Action and two Free Actions per Inititative Pass when not in combat. So I am assuming he can look wherever he wants to relatively unobtrusively and even look around while carrying on a conversation. I do not believe there are any rolls required for this.

Bongo has the Eidetic Sense Memory adept power (SM p. 176) which gives him, among other things, "perfect photographic visual memory" plus memory of all other sensual inputs, and "photo read, greatly increasing ... reading speed." There doesn't appear to be any roll required here, either.

Bongo has the Three-Dimensional Memory adept power (SM, p. 180) which allows him to memorize volumes of space in "ultra-clear detail" and walk through the scene later, doing a Magic + Perception Test to determine how successfully he can recall anything he saw. His Magic is 5, so he can memorize 5 volumes of 25 cubic metres in this way. I don't know to what degree Eidetic Sense Memory(particularly the "perfect visual memory" and "photo read") affects this power, so until you tell me otherwise, DireRadiant, I will not apply any modifier to the Three-Dim roll due to Eidetic Sense Memory. I also don't know how idly touching things, strumming instruments, smelling musty odors, etc. (again, Eidetic Sense Memory) will affect his memory. Assuming a ceiling height of about 2.5 metres, Bongo can then memorize for later detailed analysis 5 areas of 10 square metres. In a pawn shop with wall displays and display cases, he will try to cover the available space with these five areas. The rolls follow below.

If engaged in conversation by the proprietor or other staff, Bongo will be interested in "seeing what bargains are there today", and be non-committal about anything they can "help you with today." Given that a browsing customer may look through things, read things, etc., Bongo will take his time to see as much as he can of each area, even to opening things that look like they would be opened by a browsing customer. He may buy something interesting that shows up if it relates to music. Sheet music, whatever. Maybe set aside at the front counter a couple of things for purchase so the proprietor will be inclined to indulge the shopper's curiosity. Bongo only has 650 nuyen, so he can't spend too much, but keeping the shop keeper happy (and getting those instruments from Mick) is worth a couple hundred anyway.

Three-Dimensional Memory Test ==> 17 dice
(Magic 5 + Perception 3+3 + visual enhancement from contact lenses 3 + active looking 3)

Walks down memory lane later:
Area 1: 5 hits
Area 2: 10 hits
Area 3: 4 hits
Area 4: 4 hits
Area 5: 8 hits

[pbangarth]

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

Bongo Slade contacts:

[ Spoiler ]

Contacts

Joe Coole - music agent/fixer
Runs Coole Inc., a talent agency in Toronto with connections in Seattle. Joe saw the opportunity to branch out in business during the making of a simsense action flick when elements of organized crime threatened to derail the production because his client took the place of a low-level mobster’s sweetheart. Joe hired protection and set up a run to convince the mobster his girl was not right for the part. Since then, he has protected a number of productions, and hired his teams out for more conventional runs. He takes a cut of all proceeds.

First used Bongo’s musical talents, but increasingly finds his skills useful in the shadows. He has tried, but failed to convince Bongo to become part of a regular team.

Mick the Slick - pawn broker/fence
Seattle pawn broker, willing to accept anything brought through the front door, and most of what comes in the back door. Has made some good profit on ‘five-finger discount’ items Bongo has brought him. In return he has provided Bongo access to some interesting, quality musical instruments.

Johnny Winnipeg - Algonkian Raven shaman
One one of his forays into the wilds north-west of Toronto, in search of ‘the real Gaia’, Bongo ran across a group unfriendly to anglos from the south. They were led by Johnny. Bongo gained their confidence when he learned their language in a few hours and talked at length about his dream to drum the heartbeat of Gaia. Johnny Winnipeg has skirted the edges of eco-terrorism and is cold-hearted towards those he sees as the enemy, but will bend over backwards to help those he thinks ‘see the light’. Bongo has won membership in the latter group, though Johnny is waiting to see if the boy lives up to his promise.

Runs-with-Tricks - Pueblo Coyote shaman
A man of boundless energy and mischief, Runs-with-Tricks lives to fool others through practical jokes and money-making schemes. He met the boy when Bongo ranged through the drylands south-west of Denver. Bongo’s good-humoured response to a somewhat painful joke earned him a good meal, stiff whiskey and a hangover. Bongo’s drumming won a longer-term respect and a promise to help in Bongo’s quest, once he gets “... a little chest hair.�

[pbangarth]

Johnson is mildly augmented, most likely something along the lines of simple implants, like a commlink.

For later ease of reference, I generally prefer if information and results of tests are somehow incorporated in IC posts.

Ah.

Sorry, I didn't notice this the first pass through. I'll see what I can do about Bongo's scan of the pawn shop. I will have to fabricate a little conversation there. Hope I don't overstep some boundaries.

[DireRadiant]

Ah.

Sorry, I didn't notice this the first pass through. I'll see what I can do about Bongo's scan of the pawn shop. I will have to fabricate a little conversation there. Hope I don't overstep some boundaries.

Perfect, I have no problem if you want to be creative setting scenes. Less work for me, more power for you. Check PM. Also if you like Bongo can be introduced at Pier 94 once the others accept the job.

[DireRadiant]

Busy beginning of this week. COuple IC posts up, should give somethign to keep going.

Meatbag, I'll assume we'll use that data search roll with appropriate topic to search for later.

GT3000, CS and BG review is next on my list.

Anyone else need anything, please ask.

[pbangarth]

Perfect, I have no problem if you want to be creative setting scenes. Less work for me, more power for you. Check PM. Also if you like Bongo can be introduced at Pier 94 once the others accept the job.

Bongo is free for more work now. (He can be found at home acquainting himself with the new drum kit. Thanks, by the way. That could turn out to be something really cool down the road when Bongo has some karma and new skills.) So if you can swing the story to insert him, I'd be happy to join in.

[DireRadiant]

GT3000, I went over the math, it looks like you did not take into account you receive 21 points in free knowledge skills based on Log + Int * 3. You may wish to recalculate. I get the following

156 Active skills
40 magic
190 attributes
14 gear
10 Quali
14 Contacts
-30 Qual
394

It does look like you meant to add a couple knowledges skill purchases but even if I include that you seem a couple BP short.

[GT3000]

GT3000, I went over the math, it looks like you did not take into account you receive 21 points in free knowledge skills based on Log + Int * 3. You may wish to recalculate. I get the following

156 Active skills
40 magic
190 attributes
14 gear
10 Quali
14 Contacts
-30 Qual
394

It does look like you meant to add a couple knowledges skill purchases but even if I include that you seem a couple BP short.

[ Spoiler ]

Character Sheet:
Metatype : Human

Attributes (190BP)
Body: 4
Agility: 4
Reaction: 5
Strength: 3
Charisma: 2
Intuition: 4
Logic: 3
Willpower: 2

Special Attributes (40BP)
Edge: 2
Magic: 5
Initiative: 9
Essence: 6

Knowledge Skills (72BP)
English : N
Military (Army) : 4 (9BP)
UCAS Politics : 2 (4BP)
Corp. Security Tactics : 5 (10BP)
Corporate Wars : 2 (4BP)
Firearms (Design): 4 (9BP)
Arabic (Read/Write) : 3 (7BP)
Security Procedures : 5 (10BP)
Ares Macrotechnology : 4 (8BP)
Military Culture: 4 (8BP)
North American Urban Anthropology: 1 (2BP)

Active Skills (156BP)
Armorer (Armor) : 4 (18BP)
Heavy Weapons (Machine Guns) : 3 (14BP)
Pilot Ground Craft : 2 (8BP)
Leadership (Tactics) : 3 (14BP)
Negotiation : 3 (12BP)
Dodge (Ranged Combat) : 4 (18BP)
Running (Long distance) : 2 (10BP)
Throwing Weapons (Lobbing) : 2 (10BP)
Perception : 2 (8BP)
Blades (Knives) : 1 (6BP)
Pistols (Semi-Automatics) : 3 (14BP)
Automatics (Assault rifles) : 4 (18BP)
Gymnastics (Jumping) : 1 (6BP)

Total Skills (183BP)


Positive Qualities (10BP)
Adept(5BP)
Guts (5BP)

Negative Qualities (30BP)
SINner (5BP)
Gremlins 1 (5BP)
Computer Illiterate (5BP)
Sensitive System (15BP)

Weapons ( nuyen.gif 69,410)
Stoner Ares M202 (4,500)
Gas-Vent 3 System (400)
Tripod (300)
Shock Pad (50)
Combat Load Vest (300)
Ammunition Pouch (25)
3x Spare Clips (15)
Ares Predator IV (350)
Ammunition Pouch (250)
3x Spare Clips (15)
15x Regular Ammo (10 shots) (300)
10x Regular Ammo (10 shots) (200)
10x EX-Explosive Rounds (10 shots) (1,000)
3x Regular Ammo (10 shots) (60)
3x EX-Explosive Rounds (10 shots) (300)
2x Concealable Holster (150)
ArmTech MGL-6 (1,500)
Ammunition Pouch (25)
3x Spare Clips (15)
12x Fragmentation (420)
12x High Explosive Grenades (540)
Colt M23 (750)
Gas-Vent 3 System (300)
Smartgun System, external (400)
Shock Pad (50)
Ammunition Pouch (25)
3x Spare Clips (15)
8x Regular Ammo (10 shots) (160)
8x EX-Explosive Rounds (10 shots) (800)
4x Advanced Safety (2,400)
Knife (20)

Armors
Camouflage Suit (1200)
Chemical Protection (Rating 6) (1,500)
Insulation (Rating 6) (900)
Nonconductivity (Rating 6) (1,200)
Fire Resistance (Rating 6) (1,200)
Clothing (Regular) (50)
Armor Vest (600)
Insulation (Rating 3) (450)
Nonconductivity (Rating 3) (600)
Fire Resistance (Rating 3) (300)

Vehicles
Mercury Comet (Sedan) (14,000)

Commlinks
Commlink : Erika Elite (2,500)
OS : Iris Orb (1,000)
Signal Upgrade (5) (1,000)

Equipments
Shop (5,000)
Biomonitor (300)
2x Fake Sin (Rating 4) (8,000)
Spoof Chip (500)
Morphing Plates (1,000)
8x Fake License (Rating 4) (3,2000)
DocWagon Contract (Basic - per Year) (5,000)

Powers (5BP)
Nimble Fingers (0.25BP)
Improved Sense (0.25BP)

Powers
Improved Sense (0.25BP)
Improved Sense (Lowlight) (0.25BP)
Improved Reflexes (Level 3) (4BP)

Contacts
Corporate Employment (Ares) (L:2 C:4)

Contacts
Military Ties (Squadmate) (L:5 C:3)

I rereviewed my sheet and I made some changes in the active skills and seperated both Knowledge from Active with the BP breakdown. I'm still reading 400BP (+21 for the additional knowledge skills. I don't think you're adding correctly but I might be wrong. 183 Total Skill (69BP Knowledge and 156BP Active) + 40 Magic + 190 Att. +14 Gear + 10 Quali + 14 Contacts - 30 Quali = 421 BP (It's 400 but you said I had 21 free knowledge skills so I tacked them on. Correct me if this is wrong.)

[Zaranthan]

Apologies for my prolonged absence. I haven't had much time to write up a good post until now. It's one thing to surf the boards and make idle chatter while I'm at work, putting my best foot forward for a game takes concentration that I just can't spare.

[DireRadiant]

Gt3000 Introductory scene for Richard posted

Everyone else, I believe I've given an IC bump.

Pbangarth, do you want Bongo to join the scene at Pier 94?

Anything else anyone needs, or I haven't answered yet, please ask.

[pbangarth]

Pbangarth, do you want Bongo to join the scene at Pier 94?

Sure! How do you propose he join the group after they have accepted the job as a 'complete' team?

EDIT: Oh. I should have read the IC thread first.

[DireRadiant]

Sure! How do you propose he join the group after they have accepted the job as a 'complete' team?

It's not necessary to join the team on the job. It's a good point to introduce yourself and your capabilities. Bongo has already done his part of the job, the others just don't know it was him. I'm certain questions will come up, and perhaps Johnson will ask Bongo to answer some of them.

[pbangarth]

Got it. Bongo is available. Further details may require further invention on my part, though.

[rathmun]

Um, Meatbag, you can use a remote service (which uses up all remaining services unless registered) to have a sprite jump through the resonance to get into a device that isn't otherwise connected. That's the primary reason I think TMs are Really Fsking Scary. They can hack devices that aren't connected to the matrix.


NOTE: the resonance jump can take a while though as the sprite needs time to navigate through the resonance realms.

[DireRadiant]

You may know that, but not everyone does IC.

[rathmun]

You may know that, but not everyone does IC.

True, but in this case I suspect a case of character-has-more-knowledge-than-player regarding Abby. since a TM with compiling and registering both at 4 would probably know a fair bit about the capabilities of sprites.

[DireRadiant]

Abby is already established as not wanting to reveal her TMness. It would be IC to for her to imply she needs to be physically connected.

[Meatbag]

True, but in this case I suspect a case of character-has-more-knowledge-than-player regarding Abby. since a TM with compiling and registering both at 4 would probably know a fair bit about the capabilities of sprites.

Actually, I know that, but Abby wasn't keen on using the T-word in front of an anonymous Johnson. She may play up the aesthetic in the Matrix, but she's keenly aware that there's still a bounty in the meat. She would've changed the plan some time between the meet and the target.

But, since Ed already made the Unfortunate Implications ™, she took it in stride and came out've the closet.

[rathmun]

Actually, I know that, but Abby wasn't keen on using the T-word in front of an anonymous Johnson. She may play up the aesthetic in the Matrix, but she's keenly aware that there's still a bounty in the meat. She would've changed the plan some time between the meet and the target.

But, since Ed already made the Unfortunate Implications ™, she took it in stride and came out've the closet.

Pointing at a mage and comparing oneself to him only for the matrix is kind of a dead giveaway. especially for a character with no visible cyber. (ultrasound isn't appreciably hindered by cloth.)

Also, Logic 4 translates out to roughly 133 IQ.

[Meatbag]

Pointing at a mage and comparing oneself to him only for the matrix is kind of a dead giveaway. especially for a character with no visible cyber.

Not exactly. It's certainly among the top few choices, but there are other meanings.

"I'm a wizard on the 'trix, yo."

"I'm a hacker Adept."

"I'm a hacker Mage."

All quite possible, really. But considering Ed has worked with a TM before, it's easy enough for him to make the connection.

[Meatbag]

In case it was missed, I'm using the Data Search roll here to research any six-figure canoes that've been brought to Seattle.

I don't think a Matrix Security roll would tell me much, since I haven't been given any data other than "they stay disconnected."

[Zaranthan]

If I've gotten the description of Chowder wrong, feel free to correct me. I know where my edit button is.

[Shard]

If I've gotten the description of Chowder wrong, feel free to correct me. I know where my edit button is.

Chowder's a stylin' Ork, omae. He arrived in a slick black pickup. If I get this scene description right, Chowder's truck is on one end of the street, he's approaching Jerry, Jerry's in the middle, and a diesel box style / utility truck just pulled up on the far end with a human driver approaching.

[Zaranthan]

Ah, I get it. Same post, other NPC.

Okay, now I'm chronologically confused. I thought the delivery driver already got out and started walking down the street. Is Tomas the driver or was he riding shotgun?