First Time For Everything! Options

[Xahn Borealis]

Running Food Fight for a friend of mine, she's new to RPGs and I'm new to GMing. This will be the start of something beautiful, I think. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

Characters:

[ Spoiler ]

Name: Keira Stark
Alias: Strife
Metatype: Human

Bod 2
Agi 2(6 for arms)
Rea 3(4)
Str 2(6 for arms)
Cha 4(6)
Int 3
Log 3
Wil 3

Edge 2
Init 7
IP 2
Matrix Init 6
Matrix IP 3
Essence 0.8

Skills: Blades 5, Longarms 5, Unarmed Combat 4, Pistols 4, Computer 2, Pilot Ground Craft 3, Athletics (Group) 3, Stealth (Group) 3, Influence (Group) 4

Knowledge Skills: English N, Japanese 5, ST: SOTA Augmentations 4, ST: Ares Corporate Rumours 3, ST: Yakuza Territory, IN: Wines 3

Contacts: Dr. Henry Manfield (Street Doc, L3/C2)

Enemies: Kenran-kai (Yakuza Gumi, I4/C11)

Cyberware: Datajack, Dermal Sheathing 2, Skillwires 3, Cybereyes 3 (Image Link, Eye Recording Unit, Low-Light Vision, Thermographic Vision, Smartlink, Flare Compensation, Vision Magnification, Eye Light System), Left Full Cyberarm (Synthetic, Customised, Agility 6, Strength 6, Spur, Retractable Climbing Claws, Fingertip Compartment, Holdout Pistol), Right Full Cyberarm (Synthetic, Customised, Agility 6, Strength 6, Spur, Retractable Climbing Claws, Cyber Safety, Cyberlimb Smuggling Compartment)
Bioware: Tailored Pheromones 2, Synaptic Accelerator

Weapons: Spurs (6P), Barret Model 121 Sniper Rifle (9P, AP-4, 5 14-Round Clips, Caseless Subsonic Ammo, Internal Silencer, Bipod, Smartgun System, Vision Enhancement 1, Vision Mag, Cyber Safety, Advanced Safety, Electro Shocker, Electronic Firing Mechanism), Berretta 101T Light Pistol (4P, 10 12-Round Clips, Regular Caseless Ammo, Smartgun System, Integral Silencer, Electronic Firing, Advanced Safety, Cyber Safety), Cyber Holdout Pistol (Capsule Rounds, Laés/Cyanide Dosage)

Armour: Bike Racing Armour w/Helmet (5/9)

Commlink: Novatech Airware (DR 3)

Programs: Analyse 3, Data Bomb 3, Encrypt 3, Track 3

Gear: Fake SIN 4, Maglock Passkey 4, Cellular Glove Molder 3, Grapple Gun, 200m Stealth Rope, Catalyst Stick, Gecko Tape Gloves, Miniwelder, Glue Sprayer, Glasscutter

Vehicles: Suzuki Mirage Bike (Handling +2, Accel 20/50, Speed 200, Pilot 1, Body 6, Armor 4, Sensor 1, Rigger Adaptation, Motorcycle Gyro Stabilisation)

Lifestyle: Cozy Apartment (Comf 3, Ent 3, Nec 3, Nei 2, Sec 3, Friendly Neighbours, Household Gremlins 1) 2 months, 4400¥ p/month

Positive Qualities: Martial Arts 2 (Ars Cybernetica), Restricted Gear (Cyanide), Restricted Gear (Barret Model 121), Deep Cover (uncontrolled), Born Rich
Negative Qualities: Enemy (15), Vendetta, In Debt (15000)

Martial Arts Advantages: +1 Blades DV, Reduce "Attacker in Melee Combat" Ranged Combat Modifier by 1
Martial Arts Maneouvres: Two Weapon Style, Set-Up, Multi-Strike, Finishing Move

[ Spoiler ]

Name: Ben Kirche
Alias: Church
Metatype: Troll

Bod 6 Astr Bod 3
Agi 2 Astr Agi 3
Rea 3 Astr Rea 3
Str 6 Astr Str 3
Cha 3
Int 3
Log 3
Wil 3

Edge 1
Init 6
IP 1
Astral Init 6
Astral IP 3
Matrix Init 6
Matrix IP 3
Essence 6
Magic 5

Skills: Arcana 2, Assensing 2, Biotech (Group) 4, Conjuring (Group) 3, Counterspelling 3, Intimidation 4, Spellcasting 6
Knowledge Skills: LN German N, LN English 4, AC Anatomy 4, PR Magic Background 4, ST Euro Politics 3, ST Saeder-Krupp Heavy Industries 3

Spells: Heal, Antidote, Detox, Cure Disease, Prophylaxis, Stabilise, Resist Pain, Sterilise, Flak, Increase Body, Mana Barrier, Stunbolt

Spirits: Spirit of Man (2 services), Spirit of Earth (2 services)

Foci: Health Spellcasting Focus (Force 1, bonded)

Armour: Lined Coat (9/6, SecureTech PPP Forearm Guards, Shin Guards, Form-Fitting Body Armour Shirt)

Commlink: Novatech Airware (DR 3, Analyse 3, Command 3, Encrypt 3)

Gear: Medical Shop, Cybertechnology Shop, Fake SIN 4, Rating 2 Sunglasses (Image Link, Flare Compensation), Ultrasound Sensor, 3 Biomonitors, 3

Rating 6 Medkits, 10 medkit supplies, Forensic Thaumaturgy Kit, GloWand, Magical Lodge 5, Conjuring Materials 5, 5 Neuro-Stun Gas Grenades, 10 Rating

4 Stim Patches, 10 Trauma Patches, 10 doses of Dopadrine, 10 Disposable Syringes, Spellcasting Focus (Force 1, Health Spells)

Lifestyle: 3800¥ per month, 2 months (Com 2, Ent 2, Nec 3, Nei 2, Sec 3, Workplace, Ambusher's Delight)

Positive Qualities: Magician (Shaman), Mentor Spirit (Bear), Latent Dracomorphosis
Negative Qualities: Condition Geas (Unwounded), Bad Rep (Falsely accused of murder), Compulsive (Mild, cleanliness), Pacifist, Low Pain Tolerance

Contacts: Dr. Fiona Martin (L2, C2, Pharmacist/Adept), Eddie Chain (L2, C3, Fixer)

Introduction:

[ Spoiler ]

Sanctuary

Keira Stark was always attracted to trouble. Or maybe trouble was attracted to her. Growing up in Detroit, she was an Ares kid. She chose to interpret that as Ares the god of war, not the megacorp. As a child, she fought with other kids, winning over older kids and looking out for those who couldn't defend themselves. As a teenager, she would spend her weekends sparring with virtual instructors and cutting down her opponents in games of martial skill. Her father enrolled her in a Knight Errant training program to channel her aggression into a more profitable outlet, like security. She went along with it, finding the skills they taught her and the implants they gave her to be very rewarding. Yet somehow, she felt there was more to gain. Age 21, she started to diversify, learning the critical art of bodyguarding. She elected for several concealed implants that would allow her to surprise any who dared to attack her client. Dermal sheathing, tailored pheromones, a synaptic accelerator; Ares turned her into their weapon, at her consent. Publicly, she seemed exactly what she appeared to be. A young, attractive human woman who could blend into a crowd, or draw attention away from her client if need be. But any who tried to engage her were quickly cut down by her concealed blades, with not a single drop of blood spilled anywhere near her charge. She was content.

But like every other dream in the Sixth World, it had to end. The Crash 2.0. A year before the event, her father confessed he'd been making a deal with a Yakuza gumi in the area, selling off corporate secrets for protection from their thugs. The revelation destroyed her fragile worldview. Overnight, she realised that any corporation can be undone by its employees, corruption reaching down to the core. Outwardly, she condoned her father's actions, accepting his excuse that it was to protect himself and her mother. But she couldn't deny that he'd profited greatly from his betrayal, showing off his shiny new Toyota and other toys. She kept up the lies for twelve months, before resolving to report her father to her superiors. But it was too late. He had given the Yakuza a passcode for a vital financial host, in return for a promised extraction somewhere else in the country. But when the Yak deckers were unable to get into the grid, they blamed him. The Crash had brought down the entire Matrix, scorching the deckers and trapping several online. Those that weren't trapped ended up flatlined. So they came for Keira's parents to exact revenge for his 'trick'. They took his wife's fingers right in front of him, demanding the code as he sneered at them, while civilisation collapsed around them. When Keira found them, her mother was dead and her father in the hands of the Yaks. She cut them down in rage and confronted her father who professed innocence. She cut him down too, then threw her forearm snap-blades down in disgust, leaving her home in tears to watch planes fall out of the sky.

Months later, she found herself in Seattle, the shadowrunning capital of the world. Her old job at Ares was finished, her SIN lost in the Crash. As the world began to rebuild itself, she did the same. If not for the Yakuza. They found out who was responsible for the deaths in Detroit and tracked her down for retribution. A mage restrained her with a spell as they began their grisly work. They were ordered simply to end her life, but took the opportunity to inflict their sadistic whims upon her first, to send a message to those who would strike down a Yakuza.

***

Keira was bound tight with magic as she lapsed in and out of consciousness. Her arms lay in front of her, along with her fingers and hands, then her forearms. It was all she could do to hold her head up with all the blood she'd lost, not to mention the dull ache throughout what was left of her limbs. Her kidnappers had left her with little more than stumps from her shoulders. Already they had given her a trauma patch to keep her awake. The mage was working hard to keep her alive too, sealing up the horrific wounds with a spell. She couldn't speak, but could understand what her captors were saying as they decided what to take next. She was all but hopeless, unable to so much as wriggle out of the binding spell as they looked over her like a piece of meat. There was only one thing Keira could do now. She closed her eyes, and started to pray. Before she could so much as murmur the first word, a distant roar sounded throughout the small warehouse she was held in. It sounded animalistic and enraged as the mage gasped and gestured at nothing in particular over their heads. The air shimmered and wavered into a translucent form, that of a tall woman with wispy legs, draped in clouds. One man fired into the apparition and gave a cry of despair as his shots had no effect. The wind woman surged into the man, knocking him to the ground as a towering mass of stone materialised in the air and joined the engagement alongside the airy woman. The roar sounded again, echoing through the empty room before a door at the opposite end slammed open. A heavyset man stood there and glared at the remaining Yakuza before charging into the melee like a wild beast. Keira was on the edge of passing out from the pain, her eyelids slowly closing over her cybereyes. The last thing she saw before the darkness engulfed her was the wild man walking over to her, revealing his troll's horns and faintly glowing eyes.

***

Keira awoke with a start surrounded by darkness. She instantly recognised the familiar state of her eyes in standby and mentally triggered them to display vision. A stark white light greeted her and she unconsciously blinked as her eyes instantly adjusted. She lifted her head and took a look over her body, expecting the worst. As she lifted the sheet covering her to peek under, she gave a gasp at the hand holding the sheet. It was the same colour as her skin and matched her body perfectly. But it wasn't hers. She lifted her arms and looked over them, closely examining the shoulders where she saw a cyberlimb anchor joint. Someone had given her new arms, with synthetic skin covering. A doctor came in as a nearby autodoc drone reported she was conscious.
"Ah, hello, miss Hastings. How are you feeling?"
She continued staring at the new prostheses, noticing the fake name he'd called her. "My... arms... what happened?"
"You were in a a terrible accident, it seems. Luckily for you, a good Samaritan brought you in, a shaman apparently. He did his best to keep you alive and we finished the job. You'd be dead if not for him, you know." The doctor gave her his best reassuring smile.
"Where am I?"
"You're in a DocWagon hospital, in Downtown Seattle, to be exact. You're wearing the very latest in customised cybernetic prosthetics. Spinrad Industries SuperDec model, I'm told. You're a very lucky woman, miss Hastings. Your employer clearly cares for you a great deal." He gave another smile and she could hear the jealousy tinge his voice during that last sentence.
"That shaman's still here, if you'd like to thank him. Shall I let him in?"
She took a moment to absorb the information and nodded. The doctor left without another word and left her alone for a few minutes. She tried to remember what had happened to her and noticed the date on her image link. June 20th, 2068. She'd been unconscious for days. The last thing she saw had been a bear of a man throwing Yakuza mooks around like they were pillows. He even roared like a grizzly. She looked up as that same man walked in now, ducking his head under the doorway. He was huge. She sized him up and guessed he must be nearly 3 metres tall. His thick arms hung down to his thighs and his thin black hair was parted by short horns that curled around his ears. All the features you'd expect from a troll. She spoke first, "I owe you my thanks. You saved my life. What's your name?"
He walked over to the bed, offered his surprisingly slim hand and gave a warm smile, speaking in a European accent, "My name is Ben Kirche. It means.... church."
She took his hand in her new cybernetic one and returned the smile.
"Church. I'm Keira. Keira Stark," she thought for a moment before continuing,
"It means... trouble. It means... Strife."

***

The daughter of war and the giant with a bear in his heart. It's more than a job to them.

It's a way of life. It's survival. It's revenge. It's atonement.
It's what they do.

Posting structure to follow, once I figure out what exactly I'm doing. All comments kept to PMs, please.

~

[Xahn Borealis]

Church is a German doctor, born in Essen, the throne of Saeder-Krupp with every aspect of his life taking place under the wings of Lofwyr. At first it was enough for him to make a living as a healer and surgeon, running a little street clinic for German runners. Then one of his patients exploded while under the knife. Church's reputation took a nasty hit, it was rumoured that he went berserk during the operation and tore the man apart. Nothing could be further from the truth. As a Bear shaman, Church does everything he can to protect his charges. He couldn't help the fact that this particular runner had a cortex bomb. He fled. He came to Seattle. He found an up-and-coming gillette who called herself Strife. They got to work.

[Berry Punch]

The story of Keira Stark isn't one of happiness. She was an Ares child born in Detroit who often chose to interpret that as Ares the god of war, not the megacorp, getting into fights with other children, older ones. Often defending others from bullies. As she grew up her father urged her to go into security for Ares to better channel her aggression. As the years went by she found the job rewarding not to mention the implants that came with it. After finding out her father had betrayed company secrets to the Yakuza out of pure greed things took a turn for the worse. After a deal had gone badly they had decided to take vengeance upon her family, brutally torturing her mother as her father watched. As Keira happened upon the scene of her dead mother, murdered by the Yakuza thugs she went into a rage, slaughtering all of them including her father whom she knew was to blame for it all. She found herself in Seattle months later looking to rebuild her shattered life. But as it turns out nothing is ever easy. The Yakuza tracked her down and tortured her mercilessly, seeking retribution for what she had done in Detroit. As her life started to fade she was miraculously saved by a troll named Church. They have been runners together ever since.

[Xahn Borealis]

=IC Posting Rules=

Speech to be "cyan colour and in speech marks", text messages to be in [yellow and in square brackets], subvocal comms to be "violet in speech marks" while actions are simply described. Scene descriptions will be in italics, and dice rolls are to be spoilered. All names to be bolded.

It’s the great equalizer. It’ll stop a troll the size of car as easily as the smallest dwarf or the thinnest elf. It ain’t a weapon, spell or even a dragon—it’s hunger. When it’s time to eat, you just gotta get the stuffers into your stomach before you go berserk. What are stuffers? They used to be called junk food or munchies. They’re probably just as good for you as nutrisoy and krill-filler, regardless of those ads from the Nutrition Council. When the pangs hit, there’s only one place to go (especially when the sun rises in about an hour) to find that kind of chow. It’s the place everyone loves to hate: Stuffer Shack.

Church arrives with Strife at the Stuffer Shack, hungry for frankfurter hot dogs, his favourite.

[Berry Punch]

Stark turns to Church with a look of slight disgust on her face, obviously annoyed that she was dragged to such a place.

"Ben, i'm getting tired of these trips to this god awful hole in the wall. I don't know why you always insist on coming here to eat when there are plenty of other places nearby that don't cause people to hurl 30 minutes after leaving..."

[Xahn Borealis]

The place isn't really that bad. It's just not that good either. If convenience stores could roll off assembly lines (and with the rate of advances in nanotechnology, that point isn't really all that far off), then this place did. The only thing to identify it as a Stuffer Shack in Seattle, as opposed to, say, Tenochtitlán, is the ever-present dim murk hanging overhead, threatening to pour acid rain over you like a 5th Grader with a wooden stick. There's better options. But not for you. And certainly not at 0300.

"Keira. I'm hungry. Can we argue later?" He heads straight for the door, eyes already searching the aisles for his prize.

[Berry Punch]

Stark rolls her eyes in annoyance, following closely behind her much larger friend before parting ways once inside. She tries in vain to find something she'd consider to be even remotely edible before heading back to the aisle she knows he will be at.

"Find your dog food yet?"

[Xahn Borealis]

Church gives a low growl, lumbering on through the aisles, grinning to himself when he finds what he's looking for. Processed soymeat tubes. He just can't help himself, and starts piling them into his arms.

[Berry Punch]

Stark smirks, having annoyed Church with her comment. She raises an eyebrow at the sight of him taking so many of the disgusting "food" tubes.

"I seriously hope you don't expect any help from me in paying for all of that junk. Now hurry up, Ben, I have other things to do. Like, you know climbing out from this debt i'm in."

[Xahn Borealis]

"Ja, don't worry, Keira. I'm sure we'll find some more werk soon. Bear is a very good hunter in the wild, you know." Church takes his catch over to the counter, giving the cashier a big toothy grin before--

An explosion rips through the front of the store, shattering the windows and scattering shards through the first few aisles. The cheesy muzak is cut off, and the lights flicker. The whole front side of the Stuffer Shack now has a new front door, spanning 15 metres long. There's no telling what caused the explosion, or even if the store will stay standing.

But that baby really needs to stop crying.

[Berry Punch]

"Whatever you say, Ben, I just think we need t-"

Stark is cut off by the the explosion. She tries to shield her face from any debris. As the smoke settles she looks around the now destroyed Stuffer Shack. Immediately snapping into action she activates her arm blades and looks around for Church.

"And I thought this was just going to be another boring trip that ends in you stuffing your face. You still with me, Ben?"

[Xahn Borealis]

The Bear is woken. "What was that?! Scheisse!" Church picks his way through the toppled aisles, donning his Matrix-capable shades and opening his senses to the Astral. He casts his Sight around, looking for survivors.

[ Spoiler ]

Assensing 2 + Intuition 3 (5d6.hits(5)=0)

Church's spirit... falters. Unable to stop himself, he inadvertently astrally projects, his body falling limp on the debris-strewn floor of the Shack, crushing his sausages.

[Berry Punch]

Searching the debris filled store Stark ever the cautious one searches for the source of the explosion, making her way towards the front of the store.

"Ben, talk to me, you see anything? Whoever made this new door definitely isn't here to buy some of your dog food."

Stark looks back and notices Church lying limp on the ground. With a look of sheer horror she retracts her blades and rushes over to him.

"Ben!!! Ben!! Are you alright?! Come on, talk to me!"

Fearing the worst, she draws her Berretta 101T Light Pistol and prepares to slaughter whoever did this to her friend.

[Xahn Borealis]

Church wanders the astral plane, cut off from his meat body. Dazed, he looks down at his talo-- talons? No, I have paws. I am Bear. Paws. Hands. Hands. Yes. He sees his body and makes his way over, touching his astral form and re entering the big hulk of meat on the floor with a breathy gasp.

"Keira! Keira, they're coming! Gangers!"

As if on cue, three offensively attired creatures supposedly known as people saunter in, brandishing weapons. One has a grubby cyberarm clutching an Ares Predator IV in an equal state of disrepair. The next holds an AK-97 Carbine, resting it against his hip like some smug sheriff. The third has yet to draw the small pistol at his hip and glances around the store like a fidgety rat. The cybered one speaks up in a cigarette-scoured voice, "'Ey! Brandeen! Come on out, or we bring the whole place down on yer!" He slaps the ratty man on the shoulder with his chrome limb, jolting him with a quiet yelp. From where you are, the 'gangers' cannot see you.

[Berry Punch]

Stark surprised to see that Church is up and moving again lets out a sigh of relief before putting her index finger to her lips as the thugs enter the building, whispering to him.

"Shhh...they haven't noticed us yet. We might be able to flank them so keep quiet, Tiny.....and don't do that again, I thought you were dead."

She holsters her pistol and once again activates her blades, slowly making her way around the store trying to keep quiet as to get the jump on the thugs.

[Xahn Borealis]

Church nods his assent and whispers back. "Jawohl." Mentally, he searches within himself for the link to his bound spirits. Earth and Man. He asks of the Spirit of Man that it watch over him and Strife and keep them Hidden.

The Spirit of Man uses its Powers of Guard and Concealment on Church and Strife.

"The spirits watch over us, Keira. Do what you will now."

[Berry Punch]

[ Spoiler ]

Reaction 4 + Intuition 3 + 6 13d6.hits(5)

[Xahn Borealis]

[ Spoiler ]

Surprise Tests for Three Grunts (7d6.hits(5)=4, 5d6.hits(5)=1, 6d6.hits(5)=3)
All Grunts are Surprised by Strife and cannot react.
Surprise Test for Church (6d6.hits(5)=0)
Church is completely surprised by everyone and cannot act during this first Turn.

[Xahn Borealis]

[ Spoiler ]

Initiative Test for Church. Add hits to Initiative Attribute for Initiative Score during this Combat Turn. (6d6.hits(5)=2)
Church's Initiative Score for this Turn is 8.

[Berry Punch]

[ Spoiler ]

Initiative test for Stark. Add hits to Initiative Attribute for Initiative Score during this Combat turn. (7d6.hits(5)=1)
Stark's Initiative Score for this Turn is 8.

[Xahn Borealis]

Strife ambushes the Goons, Surprising them completely. They are all unable to react to her, but they do notice Church and are able to react to him. Church is Surprised by everyone and cannot act at all during this Turn.

[Berry Punch]

Stark charges the goon with the AK-97, using the blade on her right arm she attempts to cut him down in a single swift strike.

[ Spoiler ]

Stark uses her free action to run and charge the goon and her complex to melee13d6.hits(5)

[Xahn Borealis]

Strife's spur slashes straight through Crank's arm, severing it at the elbow. He drops the AK and begins shrieking in agony, blood spurting over the floor.

[ Spoiler ]

The Goon is unable to react or defend due to Surprise. Strife's Spur inflicts 6P damage +5 hits = 11P. The Goon, Crank, resists with Body 5 + Impact Armour 4 and gets one hit. Damage is reduced to 10P, and 10 boxes are filled in on his Physical Condition Monitor.
Damage Resistance Body 5 + Impact Armour 4 (9d6.hits(5)=1)

[Berry Punch]

Strife grins as she takes the would be thug's arm clean off. Her new AK might fetch a nice price. Clearly these idiots don't know what they've gotten themselves into. This is going to be fun.

[Xahn Borealis]

[ Spoiler ]

Goon Stooby has Init Score 8
Goon Joeby has Init Score 9 but let's just pretend he got an 8 too because I fucked up >_>
Initiative for the two remaining grunts (yes I forgot to do it at the start of the turn, let's just roll with it >_>) (7d6.hits(5)=1, 6d6.hits(5)=3)