Recruiting for a pbp game Options

[Touch]

I’m recruiting for a pbp game. I’m looking for runners in a long term undercover operation. Characters should be willing to devote the next 3-4 years to the operation.

Characters shouldn’t have an excess of obvious cyberware. At the start of the game you will be a normal fresh runner maybe some experience but no real street cred. Characters will be made with 450 BP. The normal caps on abilities or skills is removed however you will have to buy the exceptional attribute or aptitude for the appropriate stat. There is no cap on positive or negative qualities (within reason) in addition you will be going undercover so I won’t allow certain qualities that will cease to have an effect on characters once they go undercover. You can spend up to 15 BP on Nuyen but remember at one point you will have to relinquish certain items especially illegal items.

If you are interested in playing let me know and post a quick character summary and if I think it would be good for the game I will ask for some more info and see how it goes from there. If there are any questions just ask.

[J. Packer]

I'll throw my hat in the ring.

I'm in the process of working up a character that could be tweaked a bit to fit your parameters. She's an Ork Street Witch, and she would be primarily non-combat, and support, with a side of face.

I'll post the specs when I get a chance, along with the usual 20 questions.

[Aria]

Sounds interesting! I have a variety of adepts that I am creating for Emerging and one of them could easily be adapted for your game. What sort of time frame are we talking about? 2072 onwards? Sounds like Face type skills will be important and cross over 'jack of all trades' so an adept hacker or infiltrator would suit me (although I'd be learning hacking on the fly as I'm still not that familliar with the rules...)

Couple of questions:
IC Stuff:
Presumably we are being employed to be undercover?
Is there going to be another motivation for the task?
Can you give us some insight in to the target?
Will we know about the other group members?
Will we have access to contacts? Don't want to grab loads if they'll be no use (IMG:style_emoticons/default/nyahnyah.gif)

OoC Stuff:
Does the 15BP of nuyen have to cover all cyber etc...?
Given we'd be starting with 450, what is your stance on initiation at character gen?
Would you accept a non RAW adept power 'body sculpt' which is an advanced form of facial sculpt changing the whole body (I'm sure there have been threads on a smilar power in the forums...)

Thanks

A

This post has been edited by Aria: Dec 6 2010, 01:41 PM

[Thanee]

I wonder what the chances are, that someone will submit a non-awakened, non-technomancer char. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

Those 15 BP on resources are severely limiting for those kind of chars, while the Mages, Adepts and Technomancers are hardly limited at all.

Maybe you should rethink that part, Touch?

Or give a more clear picture of what kind of characters you are looking for (sounds a bit like "mundane skill monkeys" would be what you are aiming for).

Just a thought. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

Bye
Thanee

[BlackHat]

I wonder what the chances are, that someone will submit a non-awakened, non-technomancer char. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

100%... CHALLENGE ACCEPTED!

Those 15 BP on resources are severely limiting for those kind of chars, while the Mages, Adepts and Technomancers are hardly limited at all.

I missed that part on my first read through of the game-pitch. After you pointed it out, though, my interpretation is basically the same as yours. Limiting the characters to 30% of standard gear means they can't afford decent cyber/bioware/commlinks/drones/etc - so there will be a strong instinct will be to play a mage/adept/technomancer and make up for the lack of proper equipment with mojo.

That said, I think I have a fun (but not optimal) idea for a character that I'm going to try to put together a pitch for today. He'd probably be twice as effective if I made him an adept, but you could say that about just about any character, if augmentations are not an option.

I think you're right about the skill-monkey thing, too. From the line about having to relinquish some gear when the PCs go undercover, I imagine that Touch is trying to save us from wasting BP on gear that will just get taken away. I have no idea if the intention was to favor awakened/TM characters or not, but I think he's probably looking for characters that can function without any particular gear (so no gunbunnies who only fire sniper rifles from the hip, or street-sams with (F)orbidden augmentations, etc). The characters are going undercover, so their gear needs to be relatively mundane (or new gear will need to be picked up on the job) and they're going to need to be able to walk through a cyberscanner every day without the thing going nuts.

It just so happens that unless being awakened would raise some eyebrows, an awakened characters is actually pretty awesome at being effective without a lot of gear. TMs are even harder to detect.

[Isinghar]

Sounds interesting. Would like to sign up:

PhysAdept covert ops type. May try doing with non-obvious bioware instead.

Will post more later today.

[Doc Chase]

I wonder what the chances are, that someone will submit a non-awakened, non-technomancer char. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

Those 15 BP on resources are severely limiting for those kind of chars, while the Mages, Adepts and Technomancers are hardly limited at all.

Maybe you should rethink that part, Touch?

Or give a more clear picture of what kind of characters you are looking for (sounds a bit like "mundane skill monkeys" would be what you are aiming for).

Just a thought. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

Bye
Thanee

I'd do it in a heartbeat. Cletus rides again. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

I'll have to see what an Ork skillmonkey with a modded-out cyberarm will cost in terms of BP's. Arm + cyberarm slide + smartlink + grappling hook + welding torch finger + shock palm = Bionic Commando. I'll look at that tonight, for kicks.

[SleepIncarnate]

I'll throw my hat in the ring with a TM, I've been itching to make/play one the last week (what can I say, they ARE my favorite character type, and I never seem to get em in a game that lasts here). Can you give us a bit more detail on the story? I mean, if we're going undercover in the Ancients, anything not an elf or elf poser human isn't gonna work, likewise if we're going undercover in Humanis, only human/human looking will do, but if we're going undercover in a corp then that leaves a few other things open. What other restrictions? I'm guessing due to the undercover nature, most metavarients and sapient metacritters are out, but what about other stuff from RC like drakes, HMHVV (thinking Vampire/Banshee mostly here, the others tend to be more obvious unless they're merely carriers), AI, free spirits (well suited for the 3-4 years thing), shapechangers, etc?

[Doc Chase]

Oh yes, that would be a good thing to have.

[Karoline]

I'd be interested as well. Thanee and Aria have voiced my questions/concerns, so I'll just wait on responses to those before going any further.

Oh, one other since you didn't mention specifically, will we have access to all books and races?

[SleepIncarnate]

I'd be interested as well. Thanee and Aria have voiced my questions/concerns, so I'll just wait on responses to those before going any further.

Oh, one other since you didn't mention specifically, will we have access to all books and races?

I kinda already asked that when I asked about the drakes/HMHVV/etc. But getting an idea of WHAT we're infiltrating makes a big difference. Just look at the examples below:

Pretending to be Wageslaves:
Armor more likely to be armored clothing (i.e. Zoe) than more traditional armors
Weapons pretty much limited to pistols and other concealables (or worse, bare hands/magic/whatever you can hack)
Hacking almost guaranteed to be done by TMs as mundane commlinks will be checked regularly
Most metatypes allowed
Required to be SINners or have VERY good fake SINs

Pretending to be gangers:
Armor more likely to be lined coats, leather jackets, etc
Weapon choices more open, though likely to have a greater lean towards melee
Mundane means of hacking more likely to happen
Metatypes possiblty restricted by the gang
Being SINless is ok, and even expected

[BlackHat]

The normal caps on abilities or skills is removed however you will have to buy the exceptional attribute or aptitude for the appropriate stat.
...
If there are any questions just ask.

Does this also mean that the usual cap on abilities (spending no more than half your BP on them) is also lifted? or just that we can have more than one ability maxed out?

[SleepIncarnate]

Another question I just thought of.... if we're going to be undercover, one would assume living arangements would be covered (unless it's infiltrating a gang or something else of the sort), so should we even bother with lifestyles? If not, then how are we to decide on starting nuyen beyond what's been spent on gear? Just take whatever's left? Roll it as if we're homeless?

And for that matter, where are we going to be playing? At least to start. Seattle, I'm assuming, but that doesn't have to be the case,

[BlackHat]

I've got a description of my idea put together, but whether or not it would work at all, or whether it could be modified to work, would probably depend on the answer Touch gives us (if he agrees to drop any hints) for the sort of organization we're going to be infiltrating. If this is going to be a game focused on corporate espionage, a totally different character comes to mind than if we're infiltrating an organized crime syndicate.

From the OP, it sounds like Touch might be looking for a standard spread of (gear-light) Runners (who are not tailored to espionage, necessarily), who will be offered an unexpected long-term contract to go undercover somewhere. If its supposed to be a surprise, that could be cool, too, but knowing that might make some decisions easier or harder.

[SleepIncarnate]

I'm not asking for specifics, but a general idea. The Johnsons (or fixers) usually vet the runners for the job based on what's needed. If the job is to be completely low key in a corp, they're not likely to hire any obvious changelings, not to mention most metavariants (like the nartaki or oni) that are obvious, but if infiltrating the Ancients then maybe a changeling, dryad, nightkin, etc would be acceptable as long as most people would consider the individual to be an elf at first glance.

Likewise, I have two ideas running through my head at the moment, one a dwarven e-scapist teen fresh from school who's been running the shadows secretly for the last year, who also happens to have issues when in the meat (mixes up real object and AROs, prefers the anonymity of her living persona, etc). The other's an amerind elven technoshaman with ADD who follows pulse and is all about "shadowrunner fashion" and fast paced music. I'll flesh both out when I get back to my books in a few hours (on ground duty at work tonight) and will decide then.

[Takino]

I'll happily come up with something. Something special *mwa ha ha ha ha*

[J. Packer]

No lie, now I'm tempted to take the challenge and play a human with no magic, no resonance and no cyber/bio.

[Takino]

.. perhaps I could create a character with an unhealthy obsession with piracy...

[SleepIncarnate]

Edited: Just the one character

Pygmalia:
When first you meet her, it's via the Matrix, her persona appearing in your field of view as a beautiful young dwarf, in maybe her mid 20's, with flowing red hair that seems to move constantly as though in a breeze, piercing green eyes, and a beaming smile. As she moves about the Matrix, she seems almost like a warrior woman from one of the trids - fluid, graceful, in complete control. She wears a tight latex body suit with a trenchcoat over it, which also seems to be blowing in a breeze. And then you meet her in person.... a small (even for a dwarf), nervous girl, looking no more than 12 or 13. Her dirty red hair is a mess, her eyes seem dull and listless, and she's far too thin. She is dressed only in jeans and a t-shirt that's too big for her frame, and she constantly rubs her arm and seems to be looking for a way out, to get back to somewhere that's not here.

[Touch]

Alright first off I want to say sorry for not being very clear this is my first time running a pbp game so thanks for your patients. I also don't want to give too much away I want people to build characters that are not specifically built for the sole purpose of infiltration.

Couple of questions:
IC Stuff:
Presumably we are being employed to be undercover?
Is there going to be another motivation for the task?
Can you give us some insight in to the target?
Will we know about the other group members?
Will we have access to contacts? Don't want to grab loads if they'll be no use (IMG:style_emoticons/default/nyahnyah.gif)

OoC Stuff:
Does the 15BP of nuyen have to cover all cyber etc...?
Given we'd be starting with 450, what is your stance on initiation at character gen?
Would you accept a non RAW adept power 'body sculpt' which is an advanced form of facial sculpt changing the whole body (I'm sure there have been threads on a smilar power in the forums...)

Thanks

A

IC: Yes you will be employed to do it, their may be more motivation after your characters get more involved but it will start off as just money.
I won't give out any more info on the target.
Characters will meet each other briefly before the job, but they will be separated to keep their relationship secret, and then given a signal to give to others once your in place.
Contacts are a bit trickier, really they are just phone numbers so if your character could get in touch with them before hand there would be no reason they couldn't now. That being said you will be abandoning your identity so if
you do keep contacts their loyalties will be 1 unless you decide to reveal yourself to them jeopardizing the cover.
OOC: The 15BP cap on nuyen was more to protect you guys from buying too much gear and losing all of it after starting, so I'll allow the usual limit so people can get cyberware.
I would prefer not having initiation for these characters.
I Want everything to be from the books.

[Touch]

I kinda already asked that when I asked about the drakes/HMHVV/etc. But getting an idea of WHAT we're infiltrating makes a big difference. Just look at the examples below:

Pretending to be Wageslaves:
Armor more likely to be armored clothing (i.e. Zoe) than more traditional armors
Weapons pretty much limited to pistols and other concealables (or worse, bare hands/magic/whatever you can hack)
Hacking almost guaranteed to be done by TMs as mundane commlinks will be checked regularly
Most metatypes allowed
Required to be SINners or have VERY good fake SINs

Pretending to be gangers:
Armor more likely to be lined coats, leather jackets, etc
Weapon choices more open, though likely to have a greater lean towards melee
Mundane means of hacking more likely to happen
Metatypes possiblty restricted by the gang
Being SINless is ok, and even expected

Just the normal races no metavarients, drakes, changelings, AIs,HMHVV infected, etc.
You will be starting as a new runner not going directly undercover so have what you feel you would need to be a good runner.

[Touch]

Another question I just thought of.... if we're going to be undercover, one would assume living arangements would be covered (unless it's infiltrating a gang or something else of the sort), so should we even bother with lifestyles? If not, then how are we to decide on starting nuyen beyond what's been spent on gear? Just take whatever's left? Roll it as if we're homeless?

And for that matter, where are we going to be playing? At least to start. Seattle, I'm assuming, but that doesn't have to be the case,

We will be starting in Seattle and after you get accepted to the job living expenses will be taken care so just by a month or so of lifestyle to illustrate how your character has been living up until now.

[Touch]

I've got a description of my idea put together, but whether or not it would work at all, or whether it could be modified to work, would probably depend on the answer Touch gives us (if he agrees to drop any hints) for the sort of organization we're going to be infiltrating. If this is going to be a game focused on corporate espionage, a totally different character comes to mind than if we're infiltrating an organized crime syndicate.

From the OP, it sounds like Touch might be looking for a standard spread of (gear-light) Runners (who are not tailored to espionage, necessarily), who will be offered an unexpected long-term contract to go undercover somewhere. If its supposed to be a surprise, that could be cool, too, but knowing that might make some decisions easier or harder.

Yeah you got it right I want it to be more of a surprise. However you will be infiltrating somewhere that prizes skill of any type so no one is going to be awful for the job.

[SleepIncarnate]

Just the normal races no metavarients, drakes, changelings, AIs,HMHVV infected, etc.
You will be starting as a new runner not going directly undercover so have what you feel you would need to be a good runner.

Not even changelings that no one (not even themselves) know are changelings? Hmm, damn, back to the drawing board.

[Saint Sithney]

Here's my try at a mundane with no restricted cyber. Figure without starting initiation, any magic is just as obvious as chrome.

Concept: An Orkland native who lived and fought through Saito's regime in San Francisco. After the fighting was done, he wasn't. He kept on fighting, this time in semi-legal boxing matches. Everyone was supposed to be chrome, mojo and drug free, but most weren't. In order to keep competitive with the other cheaters, Brass started cheating himself, getting expensive bioware, and, like all the other cheaters, eventually getting caught. No longer on the up-and-up of the under ground, he fell into the pit fights with twisted adepts and cybered-up hulks of metal. He learned to use combat drugs properly to stay in the game, but eventually he realized he was just going to get ground up by the monster of the week, and, so, he left to find other employment. He had the skills to work the shadows, but no clout, no friends and a big stamp on him as a cheat and a loser.

CODE

Medgar "Brass" Williams
Male Ork
2.1 M / 151 kg

BOD   7    (30)   Positive Qualities:
AGI   5(7) (40)     Lighning Reflexes        (15)
REA   5(7) (40)     Martial Arts x2        (10)  [Boxing +2 DV]
STR   5(7)    (20)    
CHA   2    (10)     Prej. Common, Biased    (-10)  [Japanese]
INT   4    (30)     Hung out to dry        (-10)
LOG   2    (10)     Bad Rep                (-5)
WIL   5    (40)    
EDG   5    (40)    
ESS   3.60

Active Skills:                       Knowledge Skills (18):
10   Athletics Group 1                Regional [Oakland] 2
30   Firearms Group 3                 Street Drugs 2
10   Influence Group 1                Back-room businesses  2
30   Stealth Group 3                       [insert other appropriate KS]
26    Unarmed Combat (Boxing) 6(7)    
18    Dodge (Ranged) 4                        
16    Perception 4                    
        
Gear 30BP
Bioware (1.8 Essence):all std
  Muscle Toner 2;  Muscle Augmentation 2; Bone Density Augmentation 3; Reflex Recorder - Unarmed
Cyberware (.4 Essence, halved to 0.2): all std
  Attention Coprocessor 3; Datajack (wrist)
Gene Treatment (.4 Essence counts towards Bioware total): all std
  Reakt

10,500¥ worth of Sundries
Low lifestyle
Drugs
Fake SIN
Heavy Pistol
Personal electronics

Now edited for the fat stacks of cash.