Misanthrope's Masterplan Recruitment

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Misanthrope's Masterplan Recruitment, 4e Game

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Mulcarn View Member Profile	Nov 3 2019, 04:59 AM Post #1
Moving Target Group: Members Posts: 379 Joined: 1-June 17 From: Hell, USA Member No.: 209,326	Hail and well met strangers. Starting in about 1-2 months I'll be trying to restart an old campaign of mine using the 4th Edition ruleset of Shadowrun. The game will take place in Seattle set somewhere between the year 2072 and 2075. Haven't decided entirely upon which year and what time exactly but I think I'll figure something out. This might just be a one-shot mission or it might become an overarching campaign lasting about ten chapters or so. That depends entirely upon the players more or less. The basic premise behind it involves a team of runners going against the machinations of a toxic cult, supposedly led by a mad dragon. Which consists of making harrowing journeys into Glow City, braving the worst of what Redmond has to offer. Rusted Stilettoes and Halloweener alike will seem humane in comparison to the horrors that lie at the heart of the city's blight-lands. That's not all however... Delve deep enough and you'll uncover the most racist and transhumanist plot that'll threaten all of the inhabitants of Seattle as a whole. For character creation you'll be using the 4th Edition 20th Anniversary book of Shadowrun plus a few others as follows below. For the time being, only these afore mentioned books are game legal. 4th Edition Core Book Arsenal Augmentation Digital Grimoire Gun Heaven Runner's Companion Sim Dreams and Nightmares Street Magic Unwired Way of the Adept Char-gen rules. 1. Special Attributes don't count towards the 50% BP/Karma Limit. 2. Free Contact points equal to Charisma X 2. 3. Free Knowledge Skill points equal to (Logic + Intuition) X 3 4. Essence loss only lowers maximum Magic/Resonance. 5. No Meta-Variants. 6. Outside of the above, all standard rules of Char-gen apply. (Max Avail is 12, Only 1 non-special Attribute can be raise to Metatype Maximum, Only 1 skill can be raised to 6 while the rest stay at a max of 4 or lower/ Only 2 skills can be raised to 5 while the rest stay at a max of 4 or lower) House Rules. (So far) 1. Physical melee and ranged attacks will be defended against with Reaction + Dodge. (This includes Indirect Combat Spells) 2. Full Defense tests will be Reaction + Dodge + Dodge. 3. Physical Direct spells are defended against with Body + Body. 4. Mana Direct spells are defended against with Willpower + Willpower. 5. Elemental Combat spells have their Drain Code lowered by 2, making them F/2 +1 for single target and F/2 +3 for area effect. 6. Only two Magical Traditions are allowed at Char-gen, Hermetic and Shamanic. 7. Hermetic Magicians lose access to the Mentor Spirit Quality, but instead gain access to the Elemental Focus Quality. (see below) 8. Shamanic Magicians may take the Spirits of the Flame Quality. (see below) 9. Initiation/Submersion no longer increases the Maximum cap of Magic/Resonance. (Hard cap of 6 placed on both Magic and Resonance, determined by Essence) Elemental Focus Cost: 5 BP Most mages take a balanced approach to the four elements of earth, air, fire and water. Others align themselves with a single element and become elemental mages, gaining +2 dice for spells and spirits of that element. The penalty for such specialization is that the mage suffers a -1 die for spells and spirits of the opposite element (fire opposes water, earth opposes air). A fire mage, for example, has +2 dice for combat spells and fire elementals, but applies -1 die for illusion spells and water elementals. Elemental mages may develop personality traits commonly associated with their element. For example, earth mages are often characterized as materialistic and practical. Air mages are seen as cerebral and thoughtful. Fire mages are willful and aggressive, while water mages are intuitive and emotional. Though these are stereotypes, elemental mages will show these characteristics to some degree. Like a totem or mentor spirit, the alignment chosen for an elemental mage is permanent. Only a full hermetic magician can choose this quality. Spirits of the Flame Cost: 0 BP Some shamans have learned to summon a type of nature spirit that represents the more active and primal element found throughout the natural world. Most commonly, these shamans are capable of conjuring spirits born of heat and fire known as salamanders, or spirits of the flame. This fundamental change can only happen at the cost of the ability to conjure spirits of man. Traditionally, flame spirits are known to dwell within places of great heat or fire, such as active volcanos or arid deserts, and in cultures where fire is especially honored, like the kahunas of Hawai'i or the elven magical paths of Tir na nOg. This quality is only available to full shamanic magicians.

Gilga View Member Profile	Nov 3 2019, 05:42 PM Post #2
Dragon Group: Members Posts: 4,859 Joined: 12-June 16 From: Israel Member No.: 200,423	Welcome back friend!

Mulcarn View Member Profile	Nov 3 2019, 07:25 PM Post #3
Moving Target Group: Members Posts: 379 Joined: 1-June 17 From: Hell, USA Member No.: 209,326	Yeah, been down and out close to 2 years now. Life has a way of throwing a monkey wrench into what plans you set into motion. Glad to see all is well for the most part.

Koekepan View Member Profile	Nov 4 2019, 11:03 PM Post #4
Neophyte Runner Group: Members Posts: 2,067 Joined: 19-May 12 From: Seattle area Member No.: 52,483	I'm provisionally interested. Would you like me to post a proposed sheet, or do you prefer private messages? I can send a courier, but they cost extra.

Mulcarn View Member Profile	Nov 5 2019, 12:27 AM Post #5
Moving Target Group: Members Posts: 379 Joined: 1-June 17 From: Hell, USA Member No.: 209,326	Either works it up to you. Also, you can use the BP System starting with 400 BP or the Priority System. I recommend using the 750 Karma Buy System since you get cheated less on the advancement costs and its the most flexible.

Koekepan View Member Profile	Nov 8 2019, 05:47 AM Post #6
Neophyte Runner Group: Members Posts: 2,067 Joined: 19-May 12 From: Seattle area Member No.: 52,483	Sorry it took so long, but I have a proposed character: Summary and qualities [ Spoiler ] George "Robodoc" McCarthy Race: Dwarf Qualities Murky Link, Magic Resistance 4, Sensitive System, SINner, Analytical Mind, College Education Attributes [ Spoiler ] Body 3 Agility 3 Reaction 3 Strength 4 Charisma 2 Intuition 3 Logic 5 Willpower 5 Edge 1 Essence 6 Magic 0 Skills Groups [ Spoiler ] Biotech Group 4 Electronics Group 4 Mechanic Group 4 Athletics Group 1 Cracking Group 1 Influence Group 1 Outdoors Group 1 Active [ Spoiler ] Pistols 2 Longarms 2 Gunnery 2 Locksmith 2 Dodge 2 Pilot Ground Craft 2 Pilot Watercraft 2 Pilot Aircraft 2 Pilot Anthroform 2 Artisan (plumbing) 4 Armorer 3 Chemistry 3 Knowledge [ Spoiler ] Academic Knowledge (Engineering) 2 Academic Knowledge (Cybermedicine) 3 Professional knowledge (Engineering) 3 Lifestyle [ Spoiler ] Comforts Low Entertainment Low Necessities High Neighbourhood Low Security High Qualities Homegrown Farming Workplace This isn't Big Bob's Autos Monthly cost 5000 Facility type: Cyberclinic/ware/drone maintenance Transport and Drones [ Spoiler ] Toyota Gopher 1 Shiawase Kanmushi quadruped 3 MCT Fly-spy 3 Contacts UW Faculty Group Contact [ Spoiler ] Low loyalty, but they're a group with varied knowledge and skills Local street scum The local scum don't want a no-questions-asked street doc to get hassled Fixer The fixer knows he has skills and broad views on morality Portable medical supplies [ Spoiler ] Biomonitor 3 Medkit 6 (2) Medkit supplies (4) Stim patch 3 (20) Tranq patch 3 (25) Trauma Patch (5) Personal effects, weapons, clothing [ Spoiler ] Colt America L36 ( 2 ) Ruger Super Warhawk Ruger 100 Remington 990 Bipod for the Ruger 100 Concealable Holster (2, for the Colts) Imaging Scope for the Ruger 100 Quick-draw holster (for the Super Warhawk) Speedloader (4, for the Super Warhawk) Spare magazines (4, for the Colts) Regular ammo, light pistol (500 rounds) Regular ammo, heavy revolver (250 rounds) Regular ammo, hunting rifle (250 rounds) Regular ammo, shotgun (250 rounds) Actioneer business clothes Armour vest Lined coat Clothing Electronics and software [ Spoiler ] Meta Link (10) Vector Xim (10) AR Gloves (1) Subvocal Microphone (1) Datachip (100) Analyse 1 Browse Data 1 Command 1 Edit 1 Encrypt 1 Agent 3 (3 copies) Other gear and cash [ Spoiler ] Optical binoculars Micro trid cameras (5) Endoscope (2) Goggles 6 + Flare Compensation + Image Link + Ultrasound Starting cash 2000NY Personal summary [ Spoiler ] George is outwardly a relatively upstanding citizen. He teaches occasionally as an adjunct at the UW, in the medical school's cyberware and bioware classes, or sometimes in the engineering school. He learned early in life that he had a sensitive system, which is why he has no cyber. He also learned that he's not magical, and that magical medicine doesn't seem to work too well on him, so with that in mind, and fairly good native smarts, he set about learning about these things. He has parlayed this interest into nontrivial knowledge of medicine as well as mechanics. He went to college, getting lots of courses in all the basics from anatomy to trauma management, before a few stints in various medical institutions doing internships and learning his chops. Lots of bodyshops and cyberclinics were happy to have an extra hand for a franchise, so it wasn't hard for him to pick up clinical hours. Eventually, he got enough cash to build his own squat, and live his own vaguely antisocial life. He doesn't watch a lot of trid, except for things like machine shop instructional skills. His one hobby is urban farming, because the automation required for it without a lot of hands-on involvement is highly compatible with cyberware construction skills (pumps, filters, servos and so on). The fact that this also gets him fresh fruit, vegetables and animal protein is just a nice bonus. Unlike his early employers, he's not really interested in constantly swapping out eyeballs and joints, so instead he went into occasional adjunct work in academia, and does what a tax attorney might call unregistered charity work on the street. It pays more in kind than it does in cash, but that suits him fine too. The local gangbangers know that he will patch up anyone with a minimum of questions asked, and install and repair cyberware with even fewer questions asked. His one rule is: his place is neutral ground, and anybody who doesn't like that can go bleed in the gutter. The fact that he'll also help birth the kids of the local girls, and do immunisations for a song and a dance helped make sure that the last slot to try ripping off his place got mysteriously vanished except for a recognisable head stuck on a chunk of rebar down the street, and so nobody got that stupid recently. The one major annoyance is that somehow his place's ID is right alongside that of an autotaxi dispatching service. This ensures that his residential links mostly get ignored. As a shadowrunner, he's mostly a hardware and wetware fixit man, but he has a lot of useful chops when it comes to planning runs, interpreting schematics, and running legwork. He knows perfectly well that he's not equipped to run with the big boys on the Matrix, so when he has to crack something he prefers to haul it away and bash at it at his leisure, using throwaway commlinks and AR. This is why he has plenty of tiny, cheap commlinks and datachips. He has a similar attitude to drones, but he's more inclined to customise them. He can't be a cranial plug rigger either, so instead he pilots things when he has to, and uses autopilot when he can. The fact that he's occasional adjunct faculty means that he actually knows quite a few professors and other high muckamucks in the academic world, so while they have no real loyalty to him, they'll answer questions and generally give him the time of day out of professional courtesy. Two weird things about which he picked up a good chunk of knowledge are locksmithing at a level something above a casual hobby - his introduction to it was small scale machining - and plumbing - to match his hobby farming habit, and fix his dwelling and facility in the bad end of town. In this cause, as well as medical and cybernetic purposes, he makes good use of his endoscopes and micro trid cameras. He runs the shadows because he barely gives a rip for the rules of society. He's not quite an anarchist (or neo-A) but in his book society is a rotten system, and so the one real law is: don't get caught. If that means that he can help a team by planning an infiltration through plumbing systems and air ducts, wait by the extraction point with a rifle, help them tear apart some widget for Johnson, and help patch up a street sammy that got his chrome bent? As long as it pays, he's on board. Let's see the credstick, chummer.[/spoiler]

Mulcarn View Member Profile	Nov 8 2019, 04:08 PM Post #7
Moving Target Group: Members Posts: 379 Joined: 1-June 17 From: Hell, USA Member No.: 209,326	I like the char concept of a Medic/Rigger but I feel like he's stretched a little to thin when it comes to both his Attributes and his Skills. Consider condensing his skill list a little more, that'll free up some BP/Karma. Also, he lacks any kind of Augmentations. Even something like a Control Rig, Datajack, Reaction Enhancers and maybe some Cybereyes will go a long way for him and really complement his Rigging potential. For inspiration and a general guideline, look at the Drone Rigger and Smuggler sample characters in the SR4A core book.

Koekepan View Member Profile	Nov 8 2019, 06:04 PM Post #8
Neophyte Runner Group: Members Posts: 2,067 Joined: 19-May 12 From: Seattle area Member No.: 52,483	Cool, I'll build another character. (Can't see adding major cyber to a guy with sensitive system, and without sensitive system I'm completely changing the concept, so might as well start fresh.) I'll try to be a little faster this time.

Mulcarn View Member Profile	Nov 8 2019, 06:17 PM Post #9
Moving Target Group: Members Posts: 379 Joined: 1-June 17 From: Hell, USA Member No.: 209,326	It's cool, no rush man. I noticed the Sensitive System quality and how that played a part in the guy's background, but in my opinion it's kinda of a trap quality similar to Bad Luck. It's a quality meant more so for Magicians, Adapts and Technomancers. The kind of Archetypes that don't need or would never use Cyberware and Bioware.

Thanee View Member Profile	Nov 8 2019, 10:36 PM Post #10
jacked in Group: Admin Posts: 9,036 Joined: 26-February 02 Member No.: 463	Hey there! It looks like you could still use new players here, so let me voice my interest to join. I would probably make a street shaman, most likely human or elf. I do have a few questions. 1) Is Initiation okay during CharGen? I understand it won't help with Magic, but some of those metamagic techniques are pretty sweet. 2) "No Meta-Variants" -- does that mean only the standard five metatypes are available, or are some of the other options from Runner's Companion (that are not Meta-Variants) also valid? 3) House Rule #8 "Shamanic Spirits" -- is that set in stone? I really like Spirits of Man, and they also seem rather thematic for an urban shaman. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) 4) And last, but not least... since the little pretext sounds rather bleak... any insight about how much Background Count is to be expected? Bye Thanee

Mulcarn View Member Profile	Nov 9 2019, 01:27 AM Post #11
Moving Target Group: Members Posts: 379 Joined: 1-June 17 From: Hell, USA Member No.: 209,326	First off, welcome! Secondly, thanks for showing an interest. 1. Yes, but only once and you can't take an Ordeal to lessen the cost. 2. Just the standard 5 metatypes for the time being. Although, you may run the risk of becoming an Infected PC if fate wills it. 3. I'll make it more of a provisional rule in that case. Fire Spirits may replace Man/City/Hearth Spirits for Shamanic Magicians. 4. Expect a 1-4 Background Count, but only for certain rather... Nasty spots. I'm gonna rule BGC as a DP modifier for all Magic related tests and for Drain tests instead of a reduction in Force/Magic. Less annoying that way.

Koekepan View Member Profile	Nov 9 2019, 01:54 AM Post #12
Neophyte Runner Group: Members Posts: 2,067 Joined: 19-May 12 From: Seattle area Member No.: 52,483	I'm weighing options. Can you explain the Elemental Focus quality?

Thanee View Member Profile	Nov 9 2019, 04:12 AM Post #13
jacked in Group: Admin Posts: 9,036 Joined: 26-February 02 Member No.: 463	Cool, thank you! As a follow-up question to 2): What about SURGE? Also... QUOTE 3. Physical Direct spells are defended against with Body + Body. 4. Mana Direct spells are defended against with Willpower + Willpower. Is this just for Direct Combat spells? Bye Thanee

Mulcarn View Member Profile	Nov 9 2019, 05:01 AM Post #14
Moving Target Group: Members Posts: 379 Joined: 1-June 17 From: Hell, USA Member No.: 209,326	@Koekepan - Yeah, glad you asked. Elemental Focus Cost: 5 BP Most mages take a balanced approach to the four elements of earth, air, fire and water. Others align themselves with a single element and become elemental mages, gaining +2 dice for spells and spirits of that element. The penalty for such specialization is that the mage suffers a -1 die for spells and spirits of the opposite element (fire opposes water, earth opposes air). A fire mage, for example, has +2 dice for combat spells and fire elementals, but applies -1 die for illusion spells and water elementals. Elemental mages may develop personality traits commonly associated with their element. For example, earth mages are often characterized as materialistic and practical. Air mages are seen as cerebral and thoughtful. Fire mages are willful and aggressive, while water mages are intuitive and emotional. Though these are stereotypes, elemental mages will show these characteristics to some degree. Like a totem or mentor spirit, the alignment chosen for an elemental mage is permanent. Only a full hermetic magician can choose this quality. Spirits of the Flame Cost: 0 BP Some shamans have learned to summon a type of nature spirit that represents the more active and primal element found throughout the natural world. Most commonly, these shamans are capable of conjuring spirits born of heat and fire known as salamanders, or spirits of the flame. This fundamental change can only happen at the cost of the ability to conjure spirits of man. Traditionally, flame spirits are known to dwell within places of great heat or fire, such as active volcanos or arid deserts, and in cultures where fire is especially honored, like the kahunas of Hawai'i or the elven magical paths of Tir na nOg. This quality is only available to full shamanic magicians. @Thanee 1. I'm half and half on SURGE at the moment, but I might lean against it. 2. I'm not a big fan of single Attribute only tests so that rule will apply to most if not all Spell/Power Resistance Tests. Examples spells/powers being but not limited to - Manabolt, Powerball, Control Thoughts, Fear, etc. The second Attribute may vary depending on the Spell/Power in question. (at Gamemaster's Discretion)

Koekepan View Member Profile	Nov 9 2019, 05:32 AM Post #15
Neophyte Runner Group: Members Posts: 2,067 Joined: 19-May 12 From: Seattle area Member No.: 52,483	Thanks, Mulcarn. OK, provisional plan (and I'd like Thanee's take on this as well): I'm thinking a hermetic mage right now. I'm fifty-fifty on the elemental focus, because I'm still solidifying the concept. If I do, it might be earth or water, but no promises. I'm thinking dwarf again for no other reason than that I think our squat cousins don't get enough love, but human is still on the cards. So, Thanee, should we be the magical Gimli/Legolas odd couple of Mulcarn's twisted Redmond nightmare? Until one of us dies horribly, of course.

Mulcarn View Member Profile	Nov 9 2019, 07:18 AM Post #16
Moving Target Group: Members Posts: 379 Joined: 1-June 17 From: Hell, USA Member No.: 209,326	I don't plan on pulling my punches so much as telegraphing my blows. The Sixth World is a deadly and apathetic place. Between the soulless corporate machine of triple-A companies that govern the world combined with the existential threat posed by the dragons and metaplanar horrors, death is always right around the corner. Don't forget the seemingly endless amount of heartless criminals who'll gladly shoot you in the face for a quick buck. That being said, I believe in fairness and balance when it comes to games like Shadowrun. I'm not going to try to intentionally kill you at every turn imaginable, nor will I go out of my way to save you for that matter. It's why I want to GM a game with the house rules I have in place so far. There is no right or wrong. No black and white. Only cause and effect. The takers and the taken. I'm only here to set the stage and put the actors in their place. The narrative, at least as I view it, will be written by you. More specifically, by the choices your characters make and the actions that follow suit. So in essence, yeah, there is a chance you'll die horribly. Probably even in the first mission. But fret not, the challenges that presents themselves won't be impossible to overcome. Only just that, a challenge.

Thanee View Member Profile	Nov 9 2019, 09:34 AM Post #17
jacked in Group: Admin Posts: 9,036 Joined: 26-February 02 Member No.: 463	QUOTE (Mulcarn @ Nov 9 2019, 06:01 AM) 1. I'm half and half on SURGE at the moment, but I might lean against it. I will first have to come up with something more concrete, anyways. But it would likely not be too wild. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) QUOTE 2. I'm not a big fan of single Attribute only tests so that rule will apply to most if not all Spell/Power Resistance Tests. Examples spells/powers being but not limited to - Manabolt, Powerball, Control Thoughts, Fear, etc. The second Attribute may vary depending on the Spell/Power in question. (at Gamemaster's Discretion) Yeah, that is what I thought at first, but that "Direct" in there made me wonder. Bye Thanee

Mulcarn View Member Profile	Nov 10 2019, 04:28 AM Post #18
Moving Target Group: Members Posts: 379 Joined: 1-June 17 From: Hell, USA Member No.: 209,326	For further clarity, Spellcasting is subject to Visibility Modifiers for all line of sight based spells, including area effect spells. Poor visibility affects the spellcaster's ability to create the mystic link needed to channel mana into another person/point in space. Indirect Combat Spells are the only spells that can be used without LOS, but suffer the -6 Blind Fire penalty. Cover provides extra DP to the defender/target of a Combat Spell. (I think Cover applies to all spell defense/resistance tests but i'm not 100% sure atm) For Direct Combat Spells, the target would roll Body/Willpower + Body/Willpower (+ Partial/Good Cover, Counterspelling if available) to resist the incoming attack. For Indirect Combat Spells, the target would roll Reaction + Dodge (+Partial/Good Cover if available) to defend against the incoming attack, followed by Body + 1/2 Impact Armor (+Armor mods and Counterspelling if available) to resist the damage incase the defense test failed. One work around for poor/zero visibility is to use Astral Perception to target your friends and/or foes.

Thanee View Member Profile	Nov 10 2019, 02:17 PM Post #19
jacked in Group: Admin Posts: 9,036 Joined: 26-February 02 Member No.: 463	QUOTE (Koekepan @ Nov 9 2019, 06:32 AM) So, Thanee, should we be the magical Gimli/Legolas odd couple of Mulcarn's twisted Redmond nightmare? Until one of us dies horribly, of course. Sorry, havn't replied to this, yet. If anything, my character will be more Tauriel than Legolas, just not as good with the bow... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif) Bye Thanee

Koekepan View Member Profile	Nov 10 2019, 07:12 PM Post #20
Neophyte Runner Group: Members Posts: 2,067 Joined: 19-May 12 From: Seattle area Member No.: 52,483	Outdated version of character [ Spoiler ] Kathy Gilroy - Dwarf - Female - 23 years old - thermographic vision, +2 on tests to resist pathogens and toxins Contacts - Talismonger (she works for him, informally) - Fixer (she might work for him, deniably) Positive qualities - Astral Chameleon - Murky Link - Magician Negative qualities - Gremlins 4 Attributes - Body 4 - Agility 2 - Reaction 2 - Strength 3 - Charisma 2 - Intuition 3 - Logic 5 - Willpower 6 - Edge 1 - Initiative 5 - Essence 6 - Magic 6 Skill groups - Conjuring 4 - Sorcery 4 ( see individual skills) - Close combat 1 - Outdoors 1 - Stealth 1 Individual active skills - Dodge 2 - Assensing 4 - Astral combat 4 - Arcana 4 - Enchanting 4 - Artisan (Fabric crafts) 4 - Spellcasting 6 ( raised from sorcery group with karma) Languages - English (Native) Knowledge skills - Music theory 1 - Games of chance 1 Property - Combat axe - Knife - Survival knife - Leather jacket - Clothing - Commlink (Meta Link with Vector Xim OS) - Glasses (with flare compensation and magnification) - Industrial disposable earplugs (box of 500 pairs) Lifestyle - Entertainment - Street - Comforts - Squatter - Neighbourhood - Squatter - Security - Squatter - Necessities - Low - Lifestyle qualities _ - Green Plan (solar panels, iffy delivery) _ - Poor Condition (worn-out insulation and ill-fitting fixtures) - Prepaid for 3 months Spells - Combat _ - Powerbolt _ - Stunball - Detection _ - Detect magic - Illusion _ - Invisibility - Health _ - Antidote _ - Cure Disease _ - Detox _ - Heal - Manipulation _ - Magic Fingers _ - Ignite _ - Mana Barrier _ - Armour Kathy Gilroy is a dwarf hermetic mage from the streets. She was born to dwarf parents in the late '40s, back when a lot of politics made her parents think that dwarf separatism might be a thing. The practical result is that she's SINless. She doesn't really resent this, and is herself sympathetic to the distant notion of dwarf separatism, without it affecting her daily life much - she just doesn't feel as if she should be a UCAS citizen. Her major gripe about the result of being SINless is that she lives in a disused coffin hotel, and it's a gripe because the other inhabitants are skeezy, and there's no maintenance that the inhabitants themselves don't supply. On the other hand, a dwarf girl with her own combat axe and knives can definitely make her preference for personal space known, and a dwarf girl with a decent line in magic usually gets as much privacy as she asks for. Her way of life is modest, but so are her tastes. Her education hasn't been terribly varied, but she gets by. Early in life she was spotted as having magical talent, so a local talismonger let her work in his shop for modest cash, plus all the knowledge she could absorb. For him, it's a hell of a deal. A full mage as a talismonger's shop assistant? Excellent. For her it's a hell of a deal too, because she got a practical education far beyond what some other slots pay for, and pay big. It might have sounded like a setup for him to catch some hot dwarf action, but that was never on the cards. She likes dwarf men because she can look them in the eyes and hug them without ribs cracking, and he likes tall, leggy waifs. It's strictly biz. Well, maybe friendlier than that, because who else you gonna chitchat with when biz is slow? But that's all. In terms of her magic, besides a broad base of skills in things like enchanting, she picked up formulae for a wide range but concentrating on healing and manipulation as just being the most useful. In terms of conjuring, her favourite choice is watchers. They're an easy, fun augmentation to personal security. Contrary to the dwarven stereotype, she and technology just do not get along. The practical result in her eyes is that she spends less on fancy crap than everyone else. Her combination of ultravision and a dwelling with patchy access to electricity means that she has found occupations that keep her entertained without it. This has led to her creating her personal grimoire in a scroll of cloth, written in cross-stitch. As a result, it's waterproof, which is useful in this landscape. Her commlink is usually in a pocket of her cargo pants, but almost invariably off. She generally only even turns it on when checking for messages when things are really slow. Kathy runs the shadows as an extension of her street-oriented life, around talismonging. Politically, she's friendly with the rather scattered remnants of the neo-anarchists in her area, but didn't sign on to any movement or anything like that. In another place and time she might as easily have been a homesteader, a gun-totin' survivalist, or a goldbug. Her personal style is pretty basic, with stylishly short hair, boots, cargo pants, flannel shirts and a leather jacket. Her axe goes pretty much everywhere that she does, for reasons cultural as much as practical. Against the weather, she likes broad-brimmed hats. Between her baggy clothes, hat and glasses, it's hard for facial recognition cams to draw a bead on her, but in these days of gait recognition that probably makes less difference than one might think.

Thanee View Member Profile	Nov 10 2019, 08:09 PM Post #21
jacked in Group: Admin Posts: 9,036 Joined: 26-February 02 Member No.: 463	You might want to think about a Sustaining Focus for Manipulation, so you can get that armor or barrier up without hindering yourself too much. Also, I think, getting Edge to at least 2 or 3 is not very expensive and highly useful (for those times, that surely will come, when you really botch some important rolls (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) ). Bye Thanee

Mulcarn View Member Profile	Nov 10 2019, 09:20 PM Post #22
Moving Target Group: Members Posts: 379 Joined: 1-June 17 From: Hell, USA Member No.: 209,326	Adding on to what Thanee had said, I'll make a numerical list of things to drop/add (if you want to that is (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) ). 1. Strength and Agility can be dumped entirely. 2. Astral Combat and Banishing aren't bad per se, just entirely obviated by direct combat spells like Manabolt and Stunbolt. Consider only leveling Counterspelling, Spellcasting, Summoning and Binding to free up some extra BP/Karma. 3. Close Combat, Outdoors and Stealth can all be dropped. Grab Improved Invisibility to replace Invisibility to sneak past metahumans and sensors. 4. Drop Detect Magic and Ignite to pick up any of the following spells, (all are good so it doesn't matter) Firebolt, Fireball, Lightning Bolt, Ball Lightning, Combat Sense, Mind Probe, Analyze Truth, Increase Reflexes, Influence, Control Thoughts, Physical Barrier and Levitate. 5. Cram and Psyche are a magician's best friend. Really strong and good drug cocktail.

Koekepan View Member Profile	Nov 11 2019, 12:37 AM Post #23
Neophyte Runner Group: Members Posts: 2,067 Joined: 19-May 12 From: Seattle area Member No.: 52,483	My thinking was that Strength and Agility have some use when the mage at least has to keep up with others to some extent - and this goes double for short-legged dwarves. Banishing has its uses when dealing less violently with things you don't exactly want to tackle head-on. I definitely also want ritual spellcasting to keep options open. Besides, it makes sense that someone who learned by way of a de facto apprenticeship in a talismongery would have learned those skills as a part of the business. I could drop stealth and outdoors I suppose, but I think that a street dwarf with a difficult relationship with technology would definitely have some rough-and-tumble, slash-and-stab skills if only at the basic level. Detect magic is way too useful. Ignite I could drop, improved invisibility is OK (but again, more drain). I could switch around combat spell choices, but I don't see that getting the whole collection buys me much. Mind probe and analyze truth were on my shortlist, so that's worth considering. I just ended up running against the chargen limits of how many I could use. I'll reread the sheet and see where makes sense to drop and add things. I might be able to do a little shuffling. I realise belatedly that I forgot to roll for her cash on hand anyway.

Mulcarn View Member Profile	Nov 11 2019, 01:02 AM Post #24
Moving Target Group: Members Posts: 379 Joined: 1-June 17 From: Hell, USA Member No.: 209,326	Not sure if a DP of 3 for melee and Stealth tests will be worth the early game resource sink. While I do agree that ritual sorcery can do some neat things, for char-gen purposes I'd say dropping it for now. You also don't have any rituals learned 😉. For combat spells, you only need 1 direct and 1 indirect, anything beyond that is more icing than anything (except in the case of combat spec based spellcaster). Consider learning a spell in limited form to help deal with Drain. Levitate coupled with Imp. Invisibility will supplement most if not all obstacles a shadowrunning mage/shaman might face. They entirely replace the need for the Athletics and Stealth skill group (more or less). Anyway, it's all food for thought. Play the Character you want to play.

Koekepan View Member Profile	Nov 11 2019, 03:10 AM Post #25
Neophyte Runner Group: Members Posts: 2,067 Joined: 19-May 12 From: Seattle area Member No.: 52,483	OK, I did some adjustments to sort things out. (I think you meant not having a lodge, rather than not having memorised rituals? Anyway...) I added sensitive system to this character as well for the points (what the hell, this time it's a mage anyway) as well as some other tweaks. I'd really have liked to get more spells, but I'm already hard up against the limit. For combat, I have one plausibly lethal and one non-lethal, so as a less combat oriented mage, that works for me. Anyway, here goes... Basics [ Spoiler ] Kathy "Can Opener" Gilroy, Female dwarf, 23 Thermographic vision, +2 on tests vs toxins and pathogens Contacts: [ Spoiler ] Talismonger employer Fixer Qualities: [ Spoiler ] Positive Inspired Astral chameleon Murky link Magician Negative Sensitive system Gremlins 4 Property: [ Spoiler ] Combat axe knife survival knife leather jacket clothing Meta Link with Vector Xim glasses with flare compensation and magnification A big ol' box of industrial earplugs 40NY in her pocket. Lifestyle: [ Spoiler ] Squatter level, except Low necessities and Street entertainment. Green plan (unreliable solar power) Poor condition (the breeze blows through and leaks drip) 300NY/month, prepaid for three months. Spells: [ Spoiler ] Powerbolt Stunball Magic fingers Mana Barrier Armour Antidote Cure Disease Detox Heal Detect Magic Analyse Truth Improved Invisibility Attributes: [ Spoiler ] Body 4 Agility 2 Reaction 2 Strength 3 Charisma 2 Intuition 3 Logic5 Willpower 6 Edge 2 Initiative 5 Essence 6 Magic 6 Skill groups: [ Spoiler ] Conjuring 4 Sorcery 4 Close combat 1 Languages: [ Spoiler ] English (native), Wiz lingo specialisation Active skills: [ Spoiler ] Dodge 2 Assensing 4 Astral combat 4 Arcana 4 Enchanting 4 Spellcasting 6 Artisan (fabric crafts) 2 Artisan (brewing) 1 Etiquette (commercial) 3 Knowledges: [ Spoiler ] Music theory 2 Games of chance 2 History 2 Literature 1 Philosophy 1 Sixth world politics 3 Current affairs 3 Reagent sources 4 Parazoology 4 Parageology 4 Astral environment 3 UCAS magical groups 3 Magical threats 2 Magical traditions 2 Magical goods suppliers 2 Mage poseur aesthetics 2 General commentary [ Spoiler ] Kathy Gilroy is a dwarf hermetic mage from the streets. She was born to dwarf parents in the late '40s, back when a lot of politics made her parents think that dwarf separatism might be a thing. The practical result is that she's SINless. She doesn't really resent this, and is herself sympathetic to the distant notion of dwarf separatism, without it affecting her daily life much - she just doesn't feel as if she should be a UCAS citizen. Her major gripe about the result of being SINless is that she lives in a disused coffin hotel, and it's a gripe because the other inhabitants are skeezy, and there's no maintenance that the inhabitants themselves don't supply. On the other hand, a dwarf girl with her own combat axe and knives can definitely make her preference for personal space known, and a dwarf girl with a decent line in magic usually gets as much privacy as she asks for. Her way of life is modest, but so are her tastes. Her education hasn't been terribly varied, but she gets by. Early in life she was spotted as having magical talent, so a local talismonger let her work in his shop for modest cash, plus all the knowledge she could absorb. For him, it's a hell of a deal. A full mage as a talismonger's shop assistant? Excellent. For her it's a hell of a deal too, because she got a practical education far beyond what some other slots pay for, and pay big. It might have sounded like a setup for him to catch some hot dwarf action, but that was never on the cards. She likes dwarf men because she can look them in the eyes and hug them without ribs cracking, and he likes tall, leggy waifs. It's strictly biz. Well, maybe friendlier than that, because who else you gonna chitchat with when biz is slow? But that's all. In terms of her magic, besides a broad base of skills in things like enchanting, she picked up formulae for a wide range but concentrating on healing and manipulation as just being the most useful. In terms of conjuring, her favourite choice is watchers. They're an easy, fun augmentation to personal security. Contrary to the dwarven stereotype, she and technology just do not get along. The practical result in her eyes is that she spends less on fancy crap than everyone else. Her combination of ultravision and a dwelling with patchy access to electricity means that she has found occupations that keep her entertained without it. This has led to her creating her personal grimoire in a scroll of cloth, written in cross-stitch. As a result, it's waterproof, which is useful in this landscape. Her commlink is usually in a pocket of her cargo pants, but almost invariably off. She generally only even turns it on when checking for messages when things are really slow. Kathy runs the shadows as an extension of her street-oriented life, around talismonging. Politically, she's friendly with the rather scattered remnants of the neo-anarchists in her area, but didn't sign on to any movement or anything like that. In another place and time she might as easily have been a homesteader, a gun-totin' survivalist, or a goldbug. Her personal style is pretty basic, with stylishly short hair, boots, cargo pants, flannel shirts and a leather jacket. Her axe goes pretty much everywhere that she does, for reasons cultural as much as practical. Against the weather, she likes broad-brimmed hats. Between her baggy clothes, hat and glasses, it's hard for facial recognition cams to draw a bead on her, but in these days of gait recognition that probably makes less difference than one might think. No substantial text changes, but she's a better rounded individual with a slight change to chosen spells, a little more edge, and the background to make better sense of her place in the world and the world's activities around her.

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