New Run Series, "May you Live in Interesting Times" Options

[Ronin Soul]

Hi all.

I've currently got an idea for a story (or campaign if you will) that I wouldn't mind running on Dumpshock. However because it's a bit more unusual than others I thought I'd put up a lot of the details now to see if anyone is interested.

This will consist of a series of 5 chapters, starting at chapter 1 (duh) entitled "Three Sisters". I mention this because due to the chapter structure some railroading will occur. Not much (I hope) but those that prefer their full autonomy this may be irritating.

The whole series will actually begin with some railroading as you will start in the middle of a run. So I"m just warning you.

This series will be much more epic than normal, actually pretty big stuff (of which I do not say). Anyone who likes a street focus will be disappointed. The characters will be getting involved in events that could change the world. Also I will be breaking some parts of canon. Purists need not apply.

One new mechanic I will be using is the Destiny Pool. Characters begin with a Destiny Pool (DP) of 5. This pool can be used to buy successes at the cost of 1 a success, re-roll all your dice for the cost of 1, cancel a wound at the cost of one per step (from serious to medium etc.) or to make an unarmed attack or stunning melee attack do physical damage (at the cost of 1 again). DP points can also be used to pull off an impossible stunt at the cost of 1 (think the sort of things they do in Hong Kong action movies. And before you ask no you can't dodge bullets).
Once spent the point is gone until the whole pool is refreshed so be warned. That happens only periodically. Extra DP points can be earnt through achieving major goals or fulfilling big things.

As you can see this campaign has a much greater "epic" feel to it, less gritty than your standard run and much more larger-than-life.

This is open for six characters, determined by best character backgrounds. All characters are useful but mage types in particular will come in handy as the campagin progresses. That said there will be something for everyone.
Character creation will be 140 points. Initiation is not allowed but extra cash can be purchased past a million as the scale gets "reset" ie. you can buy along the money scale again (2 million would be 60 points for example I think). Metatypes are allowed as are albinos (unusual characters can apply, just not too unusual). I will allow *one* shapeshifter or ghoul character made with the standard rules. Drakes no as I don't hve the rules. I also don't have Rigger 3 or SOTA: 2063 so anything coming from those will have to be explained to me. And don't take all of that as an excuse to munchkin. As larger-than-life this campaign is, it's for role-playing. So there. :P

Apart from that go wild. I want characters with lots of plot hooks that I can make use of. The characters are a part of this series in every way, so make it so.

Like I said, this is mainly to get things rolling. As I have tests in about a month I won't be able to post as much then. Apart from that I should be keeping this thing running pretty regularly.

[Herald of Verjig...]

So, destiny pool is like an extra karma pool that you dish out as you please?

Can I play a magical Satyr using Bull's rules for the satyr? Are Sphynx's rules available, or not?

What is your view on SURGE?

*begins pondering a SURGEd magical satyr...*

[Ronin Soul]

[Herald of Verjig...]

I intentionally picked questions that could potentially disrupt the nature of your game, the line seems to be: good background, official magic rules, don't go overboard. Nothing too limiting.

[Dashifen]

Hello,

What about a magician's way adept? You're not allowing initation, so what about the 20 karma per point rule; is that in effect to allow advancement of the magician's power or other powers? I've had a strange idea about someone who always wanted to be a mage -- grew up trying to cast spells but never succeeded. He was disheartened and went into the medical profession (he wanted to be a magical healer, but settled for a traditional medicine). Then, years later halfway through med. school he "awakened" into the adept's magical path and realized he could cast spells but not in the same way as others.

I haven't decided on skills yet, but definately biotech which is what he was studying as well as others. I haven't decided why he's running the shadows, but I'll decide that after you answer the two questions above.

-- Dashifen--

[Ronin Soul]

[Herald of Verjig...]

I'm interested, I just have to determine a good character and history.

[Ronin Soul]

[Digital Heroin]

Question... would it be too much to have a character who has tapped into the Big D's will? *has a concept, one with a unique (for SR) power, would spend big for it*

[Ronin Soul]

[Herald of Verjig...]

Digital, just be sure to include the kleptomaniac satyr your character met in the woods who followed you to the city and helps on runs in exchange for "cool toys". :D

Not my final character, but it is a thought.

[Digital Heroin]

Well, upon reading the Big D's will... I got to thinking about how much the foundation could do for one they granted a wish, and I got to realizing that they have a lot of hidden knowledge... the character in question was a Psyad working security for Ares, in charge of a counter-runner squadron... when the will came out, her SIN was listed upon it (I need to re-read the will for that exact SIN) detailing that if she went in she would receive a wish... she held off for a while, until her boss (an ex-lover) tried to burn her on a mission... she went in seeking a new start after cutting her ties from Ares, and came out with a unique little talent... already able to see dragonlines (mana/ley/feylines), she was taught a technique by which she could travel them... basically she steps in one section, and steps out another (the drain'd be a bitch tho)... she's since then entered the shadows herself... becoming what she used to hate, and quite bitterly...

[Ronin Soul]

[Digital Heroin]

*g* Very cool... mind you my books are in New York, and I'm on Vancouver Island... but I've got the character somewhere accessible... would just need a touch of tweaking... *nod*

[HMHVV Hunter]

I have a character that I'd love to play (he was being used in another game here, but the game got cancelled).

He's a former military man that ended up being equipped with a boatload of cyberware in a half-assed effort by Ares to create the ultimate soldier. He's kind of a Wolverine-esque tortured soul kinda guy.

How's it sound so far?

[Ronin Soul]

[HMHVV Hunter]

Nah it was another game.

Lemme find the file.

Also, how do I PM you?

[Ronin Soul]

[Cursedsoul]

Howdy. I'm curious if you're willing to take on a newbie, namely me.

Its not that I'm new to SR or anything, just RPing. No one around here plays, and the only stores that cater to it went out of business.

The other online games I've tried here have fallen through, and the only good bit of experience was in a verteran AD&D3e group for about 8 months.

DM of 20+ years experience, at least two people with a decade behind them, a couple others who were so-so, and another newbie (moreso than myself).

As for books I've read, they include Sr3 main, CC, MM, a decent chunk of MITS, and SRComp. Its been about a year or so since I've given them a good read but it won't take long to refresh myself, especially if you say yes...because I have until next thursday to do this, at which point I head back to school.

So if you're willing to let me tag along (and I figure a group of 6 shouldn't prove a problem here) I'll give you a background concept in the next couple days. I've been toying around with a concept for the past couple days, so I don't think it'll take long for me to give you something.

[Dark Scrier]

Is there still room for one more? If so, what do we have so far?

[Ronin Soul]

[HMHVV Hunter]

I'll try to give Gray Fox (my name for the character) a little more distinction in terms of personality and role-playing. I can't really quantify it in words right now, but I think I can make him more gripping than the archtypal (sp?) samurai.

[Ronin Soul]

[HMHVV Hunter]

Yeah, it wasn't the "street sam" label that prompted that post, but the term "archetypal" used to describe him.

Just clearing that up.

[Ronin Soul]

One additional thing I forgot to mention because it's how I usually play.

I encourage the dramatic. When the game does start make your descriptions of events interesting and dramtic, even if they do push the bounds of realism. I want a game of epic dramatic action, not a game of gritty realism.

What this amounts to is that I give bonuses (in the form of bonus dice usually) for actions that are memorable or dramatic as opposed to what is sensible. If you're going to disarm someone I would prefer it done with some really fancy move as opposed to the more conventional "I grab it". I would grant bonuses for the first, not the second. This applies to all things, firing guns, stealth, athletics, even social and technical things could get these bonuses.

If you're familiar with the RPG Exalted then this is along the lines of stunt dice.

Just so you know.

One other thing (grrr). I'll be awarding karma at a much larger scale than usual, probably around double the standard amount plus various bonuses for excellent RPing, best stunt, MVP award, stuff like that.