OoC Emerging: Circles of Power, Who will come and play the Game of Thrones? Recruitment Always Open Options

[Aria]

A new chapter in my Emerging games, this time off at a bit of a tangent (although it will still having the running technomancer theme that I have used in my other games). I am looking for players who would like to explore characters who are the rich and famous (and above all beautiful!); European nobles on the Grand Tour, offspring of corporate tycoons, sim starlets and other people of power and influence – or at least those connected to them. The sub-heading should give you a clue about the sorts of machinations I’d like to see happen here!

The game will be set in and around Europe, principally in the UK as I know the most about that area. The timeline will be around 2073 and I’ll be using bits from Jet Set, Corp Conspiracy Theories and whatever my own twisted imagination can conjure up.

Depending on players’ preferences I am considering running things as a series of snapshots rather than trying to string out a traditional ‘run.’ I would like things to be character driven as you each pursue your own agendas (whatever they may be) along with an overarching plot line that will develop with time. The group will be linked by membership of the Ordo Nobilis (someone with more than pseudo Latin may be able to tell me what that should really be?!?), an Old Boys network dedicated to maintaining the status quo.

Players will build a central character who I imagine will be the central person of power. As an alternative you could play the major domo to a bright young thing, or at a pinch the head of their security detail. Whatever you choose you will need to have a stake in the action and a reason to work with (or possibly against?!?) the other players. You will also have access to an entourage (1-3 key N/PCs) that will allow you to undertake more dubious activities that you wouldn’t normally dirty your hands with (there will be some opportunities for shadowrunner type activity in the game). Don’t worry, I don’t expect stats for these extras (unless you really want to), a small background write-up will be sufficient and then we will base them on built 400BP archetypes (including UmaroVI's archetypes if you want) or leave them stat free for non-combatants.

I would like a commitment of one or more posts per week (within reason), and if we don’t hear from you for a while I will fade you out of the action. But in exchange for your efforts you will be awarded one karma point per post so advancement could be fast! Money will be fairly flexible, you will have lots, and contacts and availabilities will become the limiting factor on whether you can get hold of something you want.

Main Character Generation:

• 400BPs, all books and RAW. If you want to play an alternative metatype or similar from RC there will need to be some serious justification. Likewise, I’m not sure this game is suitable for an AI or free spirit unless you can convince me otherwise. I will frown on obvious munchkinism but the game is meant to be about important people (they will be the first to tell you how important they are!) and ideally suited to high level faces, mages and other power broker types.
• You can take the following additional qualities which must be offset by these negative qualities up to an additional +25/-25BPs. Positive: Born Rich [10BPs] College Education [5BPs] Fame [5BPs] Privileged Family Name [5BPs] Negative: Day Job [-5 to -15BPs] Dependants [-5 to -15BPs] Distinctive Style [-5BPs+] Prejudiced against poor people [-10BPs]
• You are automatically a SINer for no bonus BPs (a criminal SIN is worth -10BPs still as getting caught is a serious faux pas!) Records on File isn’t worth BPs either. If something is never going to come up then I would prefer it if you didn't try and take it as a negative quality.
• You automatically have a free luxury lifestyle (I encourage you to go to town with the advanced lifestyle rules and make a flamboyant abode!), car and driver, staff and other perks of being obnoxiously wealthy. Of course if you want to be a down at heel aristo then you can swap these for a crumbling mansion somewhere with a mountain of debts and only your good name to live off.
• Resources points should be used to purchase restricted or illegal gear, any and all ‘ware and matrix gear. Otherwise your wardrobe and ordinary gear is outside this pot of cash (and again I encourage you to use Attitude and the like to add some flare to your outfits).
• You get a free group contact of the Ordo [Loyalty: 3 Connection:3(9)]
• You get an additional Logic x2 in free knowledge skills exclusively for skills that deal with the nobility and/or history
• When writing up your character background please give special thought to what your in-game motivations will be (other than acquiring more wealth/influence!). The Ordo support the status quo but you might just be with them because it’s the done thing to do (if you can’t get into the Ordo Maxiumus, and yes, you can belong to both for the magical types amongst you!). Also, what do you think about the technomancer phenomenon? Bear in mind they may pose a significant threat to your assets/income, or at least so the media would have you believe.

Any questions or comments please don’t hesitate to yell! I am going to continue running my other Emerging games in the 2072 thread and End of Days thread (the last one is winding down unless I get some more PCs), feel free to take a look as recruitment is always open in those too!

[Aria]

PCs:

Mickle: Elton Welborn

Mr Joshua: Mr Awesome

Stave: Buckminster Fuller Scott

[JxJxA]

I think Trismegistus will make a nice segue into this game... Seems to me like a lavish lifestyle is just up an arrogant mage's alley... XD

[Mickle5125]

Background

[ Spoiler ]

Family: The Welborn family is relatively new to their status (only able/willing to track things back a few generations). They are descended from American business men who returned to England during the first Crash. Each member of the family seeks to better the fortunes of the family, thereby bettering his or her own standing within the family. This has lead to a significant amount of differentiation, with a Welborn's fingers in almost every market in the world. As one of the leading businesses/families in discrete importing, it is well known among certain wealthy circles that, if you truly need something acquired discretely, a Welborn is the best place to start your inquiries.

To the outside world, the Welborns are a united front. An attack on one member is an attack on the Business, and the Business has considerable resources to turn towards the destruction of any attacker. The family is not the wealthiest by any means, but they have spent generations cultivating contacts and information. Underestimating these resources has lead to the systematic destruction of more than one family who saw fit to test their resolve.

Internally, however, the family is constantly in a state of turmoil. The family Head is chosen by the former Head for his or her ability to provide the best benefit for the family. This leads to a constant game of One-Upmanship between the younger generation, with each person fighting to prove to be the best. Violence between members is not unheard of, though it is very rarely lethal, since that is considered to be the ultimate waste within the family.

Elton: Elton Welborn was not born to the Head of the family. His father had that honor torn out from under him when a cousin, Thomas Welborn, managed to acquire a seat on NEONET's board of directors. This position of power gained the Welborn family a not-insignificant amount of power and secured the position of Family Head for Thomas. This understandably upset Elton's father, and he has pushed his ambitions upon Elton, forcing cyber- and bio-ware focused on improving his ability to do business upon Elton. If his father has his way, Elton will be Family Head.

Elton decided early on that he couldn't top his cousin's accomplishment of being on the board of a Megacorp by following the straight and narrow. Things at that level are simply too locked down, with little hope for newcomers to step up. Instead, Elton concluded, the only way to achieve that level of power is to take it from someone else. The best way to do that, of course, is to find out what they don't want anyone else to know about and then threaten to reveal it. As his cousins all began pushing to take public power in response to the Head's path, Elton slipped into the shadows. He began focusing on acquiring less than legal items for those who most desired them. As he did, he learned more an more information about those around him. The Head, of course, took note of Elton's path and began quietly using his corporate resources to keep an eye on Elton...

The Retinue: Of course, acquiring what people want doesn't always come legally. Elton made contacts in the underworld. First Jonas, a Fixer who appreciates having a Mr. Johnson who's willing to work with him rather than against him. Later, Jonas introduced him to members of the local Mafia family, who have focused their abilities on providing BTLs, Malware, Hacking programs, and other illegal forms of software. More importantly, however, Jonas began connecting Elton with shadowrunners, who acquired items that were already owned for his customers. One of the local teams caught his eye. A trio of elves proved to be very capable, making success seem effortless for each task he gave them. Finally, he offered them a more reliable and direct job working directly for him, which they accepted. Now they were part-time as his personal security staff and part-time as his personal runner team, both of which pay better than their old freelance positions.

The Clothes: This willingness to play less-than-legal games to improve his influence has resulted in making some people angry. Elton knew about this, though, and prepared accordingly. His wardrobe comes from the finest minds of the fashion world, with a special focus on self-protection. There are only two places where he's not wearing at least some armor: the family mansion and his personal penthouse. He is often also armed with his Morrissey Elan, though he has yet to have a reason to actually use it (much less the dose or four of Kamikaze he keeps on hand. Just in case, you know).

The Matrix: Elton has been fascinated with the Matrix for quite some time and has happily spent large amounts of money on hardware and software for it. He keeps his business records securely encrypted and guarded on his main commlink (kept turned off when not needed). He primarily 'plays' with the matrix using his MCT Sentinel and a disposable commlink. He hasn't had much time to really develop his skills, but he keeps his things up-to-date for when he does get a chance to really dive into things. He knows a little bit about the oddities of the Matrix, like technomancers, AIs, Sprites... They all are likely dangerous, but have the potential to be very useful as well. It all depends on how much use he can get out of them...

Elton Welborn
Sheet:

[ Spoiler ]

Human
Stats

[ Spoiler ]

Bod: 3
Ag: 3 (5)
Rea: 3
Str: 3
Cha: 6
Int: 3
Log: 4
Wil: 3

Edge: 5/5
Initiative: 6
IP: 1
Essence: 4.175
Nuyen: 20,000
Karma: 0/0

Positive Qualities

[ Spoiler ]

Fame 5 {+2 social, x3 day job income, int+log (1) to be recognized}
Privileged Family Name 5
Born Rich 10
Made Man 10 - Welborn Family Imports
Restricted Gear (MCT Sentinel Nexus) 5
Analytical Mind 5 {+2 dice pool modifier to any Logic Tests involving pattern recognition, evidence analysis, clue hunting, or solving puzzles, + 2 dice pool modifier to any Data Search and Software Tests}
Common Sense 5
Black Market Pipeline - Software {+3 negotiation to sell, 10% discount to buy} - Mafia

Negative Qualities

[ Spoiler ]

Day Job (2500/20 hours) -10
Dependent (Sister) -10
Thrill Seeker -5
Vindictive -10
Records on File -10
Allergy: Kiwi (uncommon, moderate) -10

Active Skills

[ Spoiler ]

Influence Group 4
- Con 4
- Etiquette 4
- Leadership 4
- Negotiation 4

Electronics Group 1
- Computer 1
- Data Search 1
- Hardware 1
- Software 1

Hacking 1
Dodge 1
Perception 3
Pistols 2 (Hold-outs +2)
Longarms 1
Pilot Groundcraft 2

Knowledge Skills

[ Spoiler ]

English N
Spanish 3
French 3

Blackmail 5
Market 4
Politics 3
Charities 3
High society 3
Family Histories 3
Gossip 2

Contacts

[ Spoiler ]

Ordo Nobilis (L3 C9)
Welborn Family "Imports" business (L4, C8) {Source of Made Man Quality}
Mafia (L3 C8)
Fixer (L3 C4)

Gear

GUN

[ Spoiler ]

Morrissey Elan {SA firemode, 5c ammo, 4P damage, -4 conceal, 0-5/6-15/16-30/31-50 range}
- nonmetallic
- Smartgun System
- integral silencer
- Stick 'n' shock ammo {6s damage, -half impact AP}
- hidden gun arm slide

ARMOR

[ Spoiler ]

non-branded

[ Spoiler ]

half body FFBA (4/1, nonconductivity 6)
Actioneer Business Clothers (5/3)
Bike Racing Armor (4/7)
-Helmet (+1/+2, flare comp, image link)

Mortimer of London

[ Spoiler ]

Berwick Line (4-5/3)
- Suit Jacket (3/2)
- Dinner Jacket (2/2)
- Trousers (1/1)
- Shirt (1/0)
Greatcoat Line (6/5, chem protection 2, insulation, -2 concealbility)

Vashon Island

[ Spoiler ]

Steampunk Line (7/7)
- Overcoat (3/3)
- Vest (2/2)
- Slacks (1/1)
- Shirt (1/1)
Synergist Business Line (4-6/3)
- Suit jacket (3/2)
- Short Jacket (2/2)
- Slacks (1/1)
- High-collar shirt (1/0)
- longcoat (4/2)

Zoé

[ Spoiler ]

Executive Suite Line (5-6/2)
- Long Jacket (4/1)
- Short Jacker (3/1)
- Plain Shirt (1/0)
- Trousers (1/1)

COMMLINK

[ Spoiler ]

Fairlight Caliban (Response 4, Signal 5)
- Satellite Link
- Sim Module
- Biometric Lock

Disposable Commlink x3

MCT Sentinel Nexus (Re 4, Si 4, Sy 3, Fi 5, Pers 10, Proc 50)

SOFTWARE

[ Spoiler ]

Novatech Navi (System 4, Firewall 3)
- Firewall upgraded to 6

Singularity Seeker (Browse[crashguard] 5, Browse Agent (pilot 3, browse 3)
Pro user Programming Suite (Analyze 4, Browse 4, Command 2, Edit 4)
Iris Antivirus Suite (Analyze 5 [viral resistance 3] Purge 5 [viral resistance 3])
Encrypt 6
Scan 6
Databomb 5 (Pavlov option)

Programming Suite 5
Three Musketeers IC 3

TOOLS

[ Spoiler ]

Tinkering Shop - Electronics shop in Personal Home
-Infared Laser Trip Beam
-Maglock 6
-Card Reader
-Anti Tampering Circuits 4

Tag Eraser
White Noise Generator
Nanopaste Disguise (small container) x3
Emotitoy minidrone 6
Pocket Mage Library 3

Medkit 6

Kamikaze - 4 doses {10x 1d6 minute duration, +1 bod, +1 ag, +2 str, +1 Wil, +1 IP, High pain tolerance 3, Crash: 6stun, -1 Rea, -1 wil}
Psyche - 6 doses {12-bod hours duration, +1 int, +1 logic}

glasses rating 4
- flare comp
- image link
- smartlink
- vision magnification
- vision enhancement 3

Ear buds 3
- audio enhancement 3
- select sound filter 1
- spatial recognizer

VEHICLES

[ Spoiler ]

Suzuki Mirage
- Motorcycle Gyro Balance

Eurocar Westwind 3K
- Turbocharger
- passenger protection 6
- anti-theft system

Hyundai Shin-Hyung
- smart tires
- Engine Cust (speed)
- Engine Cust (accel)
- Enhanced Image Screen
- Grid Link
- Grid Link Override
- Imp. Suspension
- Nitrous Injection
- Passenger Protection
- Pimped Ride II
- Turbocharger 3

LIFESTYLE and DOCWAGON CONTRACT

[ Spoiler ]

Family Home - Comforts 6, Entertainment 6, Necessities 6, Neighborhood 6, Security 6, Astral Repellant (+5), Escape Tunnel (+3), Hasty Exit (+2), Security Conscious (+2), Well Made (+1), Matrix Privacy Screen 3 (+3), Nosy Neighbors (-2), Living by Committee (-2) {Welborn Family mansion. Each member of the family has a room here, and must return for family gatherings. Staying here is not mandatory}

Personal Home - Comforts 4, Entertainment 4, Necessities 4, Neighborhood 4, Security 6, Security Counscious, Escape Tunnel, Hasty Exit, Workspace (+1), Quiet Neighborhood (+1), Feng Shui (+5), Perfect Roommate (+2) {Private home. Shared with his Sister, Jessica (Dependent, Perfect Roommate). Used by both as a place to escape the pressures of public life AND being a member of the Welborn family.}

Party Home - Comforts 5, Entertainment 5, Necessities 5, Neighborhood 4, Security 4, Easy-going Landlord (+1), Hasty Exit (+2), Friendly Neighbors (+1), Rad Pad (+1), Crash Pad (-1), Physical No Privacy (-1) {Public home. Used to host parties and otherwise establish his Playboy Billionaire persona.}

Super-Platinum Docwagon contract

CYBER/BIOWARE

[ Spoiler ]

PuSHeD - +1 Logic-based skill test
Muscle Toner II, Alpha - +2 agility
Tailored Pheromones III - +3 cha/social tests
Sleep Regulator - sleep 3 hours/day, 48 hours awake w/o mods.
Genetic optimization - +1 max cha
Datajack
Attention coprocessor III - +3 perception
Encephalon I - +1 logic active skills

This post has been edited by Mickle5125: Jul 5 2012, 09:57 PM

[Aria]

The qualities listed are extras over the normal 35 (but must be equally balanced unlike the normal split)...you won't be shadowrunners so can afford more flaws!

No raise in availability...lots of cash doesn't mean you can get hold of illegal stuff any easier - particularly in the UK which is more totalitarian than the UCAS! Restricted gear qualities work as normal...

[Mickle5125]

No raise in availability...lots of cash doesn't mean you can get hold of illegal stuff any easier - particularly in the UK which is more totalitarian than the UCAS! Restricted gear qualities work as normal...

I'd argue this claim, but it just means I'll be that much more useful! *looks up all of the "get stuff easier" qualities*

[fistandantilus4....]

This sounds really interesting. I have an idea for a Speakers Way I might like to try out, an Austrian elf. My posting gets a little erratic because of work but I'm sure I can manage one a week. There might be a few times longer than that, but I could let you know before hand.

Other than that, looking at the Grande Tour? Would it be a problem that I don't have Attitude?

How much Technomancer involvement are you looking for, or is that mostly backdrop?

[Aria]

This sounds really interesting. I have an idea for a Speakers Way I might like to try out, an Austrian elf. My posting gets a little erratic because of work but I'm sure I can manage one a week. There might be a few times longer than that, but I could let you know before hand.

Other than that, looking at the Grande Tour? Would it be a problem that I don't have Attitude?

How much Technomancer involvement are you looking for, or is that mostly backdrop?

The TM stuff is the backdrop - it will influence events but there's no need for the players to know any, or understand what they are about.

Attitude is mostly fluff stuff, feel free to generate your own names etc for your fashionista labels (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

The one a week is a target, less and games tend to frazzle, but I'm not going to throw anyone out for genuine RL reasons not to post...I know what work can do to a posting schedule (IMG:style_emoticons/default/nyahnyah.gif)

[almost normal]

This is a fabulously awesome idea.

[Aria]

This is a fabulously awesome idea.

Why thank you (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

I'd argue this claim, but it just means I'll be that much more useful! *looks up all of the "get stuff easier" qualities*

Black market connections quality? Or a group smuggler contact or similar?

[almost normal]

How would you feel about a high level Yak boss with a seat on a AAA corp?

[Aria]

How would you feel about a high level Yak boss with a seat on a AAA corp?

It was a bit beyond the scope of what I had in mind but if you think you can make it work with the points I've given you then you are welcome to try!

Given that this is primarily in Europe though the Vory or the Mafia might be easier to work in? Although I have no doubt that the Yaks have a foothold in parts of London.

An A or AA corp might be more in the bounds of the points? I imagine an AAA board member would have more than 400BPs in contacts alone!

[almost normal]

Could work. Figuring on the corp underperforming due to mob influence, so they sent my guy in to keep an eye on things.

[almost normal]

Going to go with the AA corp Yakashima, if that's allright.

[Mickle5125]

Black market connections quality? Or a group smuggler contact or similar?

among other things. bwahahaha.

[Aria]

Going to go with the AA corp Yakashima, if that's allright.

I found a brief mention of the corp in Augmentation, nothing in corp guide or the main rulebook...is there anything else I need to dig up? I've got access to most SR books I think...

Looks fine apart from that!

[almost normal]

Yakashima Technologies is a headquartered in Yokohama, Japan devoted to agribusiness, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, mining, and biotechnology. Yakashima's agribusiness side bought many of the European interests in cocoa and coffee bean crops in Africa and elsewhere during the 2050s, making them the number one producer of chocolate confectioneries and the fourth largest producer of coffee. Yakashima has also been known to deal with "free water-borne trade" (Corpspeak for pirates and smugglers) and even issue "letters of marque".
Yakashima was bequeathed the sum of 150 million nuyen in the Dunkelzahn's Will, to be used in "biotechnology research and development of products to benefit the people of the world".

Yakashima has a really bad reputation for its racist view of the Metahuman Races and its corporate culture openly following that view. They are often accused for their relations to Human Nation and are also hated on the Philippineas for the role they played during the Harpon's rule.

[fistandantilus4....]

Aria, is this intended to be more versus the other players, or more cooperative? Or solo? Trying to get an idea of what we're looking at here. For one, the character I had in mind would definitely have issues with someone from Yakashima, and I'd rather not start getting blood in the water before it even starts, unless that's the intention.

[almost normal]

Yakashima specifically, or any Jap/Yak entity? (Considering they're all pretty much xenophobic.)

[fistandantilus4....]

Any really, since what I was planning on going for was an Austrian elf, which already faces a fair deal of that from Austrian nobility. Not to say that there's anything wrong with rivalry. Just trying to get an idea of what the GM is looking for.

[almost normal]

Yeah, I dunno. I imagine if it was directly competitive, there'd be tons of private messages sent back and forth, and actual posts would be much less interesting to read.

[Aria]

Aria, is this intended to be more versus the other players, or more cooperative? Or solo? Trying to get an idea of what we're looking at here. For one, the character I had in mind would definitely have issues with someone from Yakashima, and I'd rather not start getting blood in the water before it even starts, unless that's the intention.

I want you to be able to cooperate to a certain degree – I certainly want you to be able to interact with one another. You don’t have to like each other however (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) . You will share common ground in that you all belong to the Ordo together…and you will be thrown together by the mysterious hand of fate (err, that’s my hand). In upper class circles it isn’t done to be obviously rude to people (very bad taste!) so I’ll leave that challenge in your hands (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

Yakashima specifically, or any Jap/Yak entity? (Considering they're all pretty much xenophobic.)

Can you think carefully about your involvement in the Ordo? They tend to take nobles first, rich people second with a general bias towards Europeans. I know that the Yaks are spread throughout the world and I’m sure you can lay claim to some noble blood if you look hard enough!

Any really, since what I was planning on going for was an Austrian elf, which already faces a fair deal of that from Austrian nobility. Not to say that there's anything wrong with rivalry. Just trying to get an idea of what the GM is looking for.

Rivalry is fine, normal in fact…

Yeah, I dunno. I imagine if it was directly competitive, there'd be tons of private messages sent back and forth, and actual posts would be much less interesting to read.

I want to avoid most (although by no means all) PMs for this game – the posts need to be interesting to read. There may be things you want to conceal from your fellow players but I expect people not to take direct advantage of things they read IC that their character couldn’t possibly know. In that vein I tend to insert the odd segue scene with mysterious NPCs discussing things about the ongoing plot – that’s for you the players, not the characters! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[fistandantilus4....]

I think I could make a go of the character I had in mind with those guidelines. I'll throw together a rough draft kinda thing to give you an idea of what I'm looking at and send it your way in the next couple of days. Only debating between Speaker's Way or the much more complicated Mystic Adept.

[Mickle5125]

Hmm... What should I specialize in procuring?

[almost normal]

Fortune and glory kid. Fortune and glory.