Living in the Shadows: OOC, never relax... Options

[Kurukami]

As per my list of priorities that Cheng mentioned in the IC world thread...

[WinterRat1]

Kurukami- were you planning on having the Camo utility by the meet? If not, I'll get working on it while the meet is playing out, when I have a little more time.

All- Just fyi, by and large Tisoz and I will only be posting when GM action is needed/planned. Using Sedna's posts as an example, she is doing a lot, but none of it requires our involvement. So feel free to advance your story in a similar manner. Basically, we will post when either the plot or the mechanics of the game are involved with your post. Otherwise, feel free to entertain us all while moving things forward in your life, if not necesarily your shadowrunning career. Everyone follow?

Projects- Sedna and Kurukami, would you two mind working together on the project 1?

[Kurukami]

Nah, I'm figuring that the program plan will be done by then, but she'll have just done the first steps (the first day of eight needed to code it) by the time of the meeting. I'm just putting things in motion. :D

And Sedna and I are already corresponding on just that.

[Sedna]

Ditto Kurukami.

To the other point, I'll entertain you all you like :D but I hesitate to go too far with NPC actions, especially as they might relate directly to the PC and to the wider world. As one example, today's posting will have the distinct possibility for violence, or (ideally and very much preferably from Hobbes' -- and really from everyone's -- pov) for diffusion of violence: but, well, accidents happen. I know how everyone involved would prefer it spun out, and I could just write that -- but being primarily a PC, I feel I'd be overstepping. It's an interactive RPG after all, not a story I'm authoring.

Could you give a guideline as to the degree of flexibility -- and limits -- you'd like us to use in describing NPC actions?

[banditf50]

Since Virgil has lived in the barrens his entire life and spends most of his time working at an outreach center that sends dontaions and volunteers to many barrens shelters . . I believe that he might have some passing knowlede of the "Open Arms" soup kitchen and it's supervisor Siser Perkins. Before he puts the word out to some other contacts I thought I could make an ettiqutte roll to see what Virgil can recall from his own dealings.

1. Reputation of the Open Arms soup kitchen. Does St. Margret Mary outreach send any help their way?
(ettiquette) 9, 1, 4, 2

2. What about this Sister Perkins lady? Where is she from? Does she seem a legimate down-in-the-trenches outreach worker? Has Virgil ever met her?
(ettiquette) 5, 7, 2, 14

[banditf50]

This post goes along with the post to IC that I just made.

1. Asking Father O'Grady about Sister Perkins and the Open Arms soup kitchen.
(ettiquette): 8, 2, 4, 4

2. Virgil is searching the rectory library for information pretaining to historical or modern individual who have displayed similar signs to those shown in Julia. Seeing tears of blood and latin prayers just seems too much like a mark of the saints for this not to be worth the effort. I do not know what skill applies to this the most since it is simple library work. Below I present the rolls of an intelligence test and a magic backround test.
(magic background): 2, 5, 10, 2, 7

(int): 11, 1, 4, 3, 1, 4

[WinterRat1]

OK, this is going to be a bit difficult to answer. As a general guideline, if the plot of the world is affected by the actions of the NPCs, or if any sorts of mechanics are necessary, then you should allow the GMs to post. So I suppose it depends on what your intentions are. Consider the following three scenarios springing from Sedna’s most recent post.

In scenario 1, if this is simply an incident that illustrates the dangers of the city, then regardless of how it ends, in violence or otherwise, it’s perfectly fine to end it how you like.

In scenario 2, if she had intentions of it being a prelude to a mob war or something, then that is not appropriate, because the plot is affected.

In scenario 3, if she plans on getting directly involved, then the mechanics of the game are affected, and that is not appropriate.

Note that if you want to place yourself in a situation where mechanics may occur, that is ok, depending on how you do it. In general though, try to stay away from situations where this may occur in your posts, unless you clear it with your World GM first.

Additionally, if a GM introduces a character or situation to you, assume that plot and/or mechanics are involved, and only write your character’s response.

If you introduce a character or situation, you may run it as you choose, but be aware a GM may step in at any moment, and you may find yourself in a situation or with ramifications that you did not plan on. If it is necessary, we will collaborate to edit your original post to accurately reflect events, but ideally no one will proceed that far ahead of themselves. Consider this to be the case in Sedna’s most recent post.

And the golden rule: If you aren’t sure, ask. We’re more than happy to collaborate with you to create stories you’re interested in seeing played out. Almost anything you come up with is a possibility for being used, so don’t be afraid to be creative. So feel free to ask us about any situations you have in mind. I will add that player creativity is what creates stories and fleshes out the world, so don’t stifle yourselves because you’re worried about crossing any lines.

In general, if we don’t say anything, you’re doing fine not involving the plot or mechanics, and proceed apace. At whatever point we feel you’ve crossed the line, we’ll just discuss it with you, collaborate where appropriate, and make whatever changes necessary to get things back on track. How is that for clarification?

[Sedna]

Perfect, exactly what was needed. Thank you.

It can be difficult to describe continued PC actions without touching significantly upon NPC choices, both existing within a broader series of events that do touch upon the location and the individual. In fact, I didn't see how I could do it. This represents a good compromise.

The three scenarios you described were those I had seen, with the primary intent here to illustrate the nature of the place and difficulty of keeping reasonably good relations with widely disparate and -- non-harmonious -- elements of society ... but I wasn't sure if you wanted it even as illustrative. So the next post will jump a bit in elapsed time, this particular trigger point has been neutralised for now, and you can consider the overall situation diffused or not as suits your purpose.

Consider that the absolute widest afield I will ever go then, and most times not even that far: strict canon as it could apply to a specific place (New Seattle 98), sometimes with the possibility (at your discretion) that the situation might expand -- but always with the definite intent and hope that it does not -- and with the constant understanding that you might wish to "make something of it" at any given point :D

[Kurukami]

So WinterRat, am I going to get an answer from Finch regarding whether the employers are looking for a rigger or a decker?

[WinterRat1]

Everyone- Sorry posts have been a little slow. In addition to trying to catch up after a nearly two week hiatus and planning the run, Tisoz and I have been working on transferring some characters to him. As you may have noticed the players under his domain have not posted in World IC. My character, Dragon, has been tied up in a nearly dead run. The rest of the players have posted nothing in World IC and have shown us no interest in posting in World IC. As such, we’re removing them from the list and transferring some of my players to Tisoz.

In case you're wondering, Bandit, Kurukami, Shev, and Sentinel are being transferred. Those four plus me give Tisoz 5 players. I will retain Bearclaw, Paul, Madda, and Sedna.

In regard to sub-game 3, Salvation, I count 5 of you (Shev, Kurukami, Paul, Bearclaw, and Sedna) who have shown an interest and been invited. That’s a little short-handed, and you have ZERO muscle. If any of you know anyone else who’d be interested in getting involved in this campaign world, feel free to invite them. If they can get something to me relatively quickly, I’ll work them in. Otherwise, I’ll try to scale it a bit to who we’ve got.

Finally, I will be bumping the World IC time to the time of the meet at about 1am, Wednesday, Aug. 25 Eastern Time. At that point in time I will post the IC and OOC threads for Salvation and the opening post. If any of you have anything you want your characters to do between whatever time you’re currently at and then (2300 Jan 4 2063), please post a summarized, story like version of what they’ve been up to. Assume it’s been a relatively quiet few days for all of you, and you basically did what you’ve been doing. The only exception to this quietness might be Bearclaw; the rest of you have generally been pursuing things that don’t really need GM intervention.

For those who are wondering how it works, basically, post your characters showing up exactly as you would (time stamp and all) except in the Salvation thread. From that point on, anything related to Salvation directly or indirectly will take place in the Salvation IC and OOC threads. Anything not related to Salvation will still be posted and handled via the Shadowland or World threads. That about covers it I think, again, sorry for the slowness, once we get this transfer handled things will pick back up and return to their usual smoothness.

[Kurukami]

So as for us being handled by Tisoz rather than you... basically, that'll just mean that although we post in the same thread overall, questions are to be submitted to him instead?

[Kurukami]

As for muscle in the Salvation game... I have a character that's running in another online thread that might fit. He's a troll and a Seoulpa enforcer, and if what you've indicated about the mission being a breakout from a Japanese internment camp in CFS is accurate, he'd probably be up for it. Drop me a PM if you'd be interested in my bringing him in -- I've already got all the background files and whatnot prepared, so there'd be no lag-time.

[WinterRat1]

Kurukami- Don't worry about it, if you guys feel its necessary I'll have NPC muscle. you're doing a great job with your character, and I don't want you to switch just for a run.

All- Everything is the same, except in regards to which GM will respond to your posts, and who you should direct your questions to.

[Sedna]

I'll have to check against MitS for the # of day-hour details and it's your judgement call as to cross-compatibility, but if you'll allow those posts as access, she's starting the attempt to learn and/or adapt this specific formula -- something that will most likely interweave with the run. (The watcher ritual, on the other hand, will fall flat again.)

[Kurukami]

There are a couple of things Cheng would like to get her hands on prior to the meet at Paradigm Shift.

1. A complete blueprint of the club. This kind of thing needs to get filed at the County Records office before a place goes into business, I'd expect, so there should definitely be a record of it somewhere. Basically, she wants something that'll tell her where various staircases, exits, and corridors go, should things by any chance go sour. She wants to know the place before she ever steps inside.

2. A map chip of the surrounding environs, at least as much as one can get such a thing in the chaotic Zero Zone that is the Redmond Barrens. Something that includes streets, alleys, and the nearest highway on-ramp if a quick getaway is needed.

Yeah, I know, getting paranoid before the run's even begun, but... well, Cheng's methodical that way. :D Do you want me to actually make some Etiquette rolls to track these things down, or will they be available with a bit of decking into the proper hosts?

[tisoz]

1. You deck and find the original blueprints from when the building was constructed, and 10 more sets of blueprints for the various remodels. One of them looks like a scan of a napkin and the lines indicating the walls are not even straight.

2. You can download a street map from several public sites.

[WinterRat1]

Salvation is up. I set it an hour early so you guys have a chance to do stuff beforehand, if you want.

Remember, if you wanted your characters to do/finish anything before 2200 Jan 4, just post what you’ve been up to in a story format, otherwise we will assume that nothing of note has happened and that everything is as it stood when we left. Although a short summary, at the least, of what you’ve all been up to is highly recommended, especially for those of you who were involved with stuff these past four days (which is nearly all of you).

Finally, the transfer of players has been finalized, the lists will reflect the modified player assignments.

[WinterRat1]

Karma Awards (Tisoz will assign karma to his people from here on out)

Sedna, Kurukami, Bandit, Sentinel- 3pts each (quantity, quality, and a bonus for keeping the game going while I was out and not letting it drag. Thanks!)
Madda, Paul- 1 pt each

[WinterRat1]

Sentinel, are you posting as Ninj now?

[Sedna]

[SentineloftheMou...]

[banditf50]

Summoning the city spirit outside of Tommy Chong's . . .

6 dice allocated from conjuring skill. No totem modifiers. Force 4 city spirit.
4, 1, 8, 4, 1, 9: 4 successes which means 4 services.
Use one service to have Dragon concealed on the steet adding +4 to the TN of any perception tests to detect him.

Drain: six dice from charisma against 4M (stun) drain
1, 3, 4, 2, 4, 8
4 successed means drain is staged completely down.

Spirits last task as I leave the city domian is to use it's fear power on anyone entering the alleyway adjacent to my shop.

[WinterRat1]

Tisoz will handle the Julia situation. He's getting caught up to speed right now, so just have a bit of patience. He'll be on it shortly. Just wanted to let you all know we're not just ignoring it, we'll get on it soon. Thanks for your patience!

[Sedna]

Just in case anyone needs it, here's the calendar link for 2063. (I had to hunt it up for the Grail post.)

[tisoz]