 What to do when the fixer screws you over. |
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 Sep 13 2004, 09:19 PM
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#1
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Neophyte Runner  Group: Members Posts: 2,073 Joined: 23-August 04 Member No.: 6,587  |
What to do when the fixer screws you over.
First run of a new game. We are in Perth, Western Australia. My fixer sends me a message asking me to pull together a teem for a trip north along the coast to render magical healing to a injured dragon. I just met an otaku (pc) so I have him do a matrix search to find me local runners we can use. We get a mouse shaman and a driver (other PCs) I make initial contact with them. I then go to my fixer (with the otaku because it is his fixer to) and he is very abrasive. He demands that I do this job for him and acts like I should not need any real money. He says that he will cover expenses but they had better not be unreasonable and makes very thinly veiled threats against me if I don’t do the job. And vague illusions to the possibility of there being somebody up there that will give me another job. So I am left for no guarantied payment taking responsibility for the costs of the run myself. The run involves spending 2-3 days in mana storm country and dealing with a dragon. His idea of compensation for this is the possibility that there is a job waiting for me up there but I am thinking I don’t necessarily want it the way this guy operates. Have I been spoiled in pervious games with fixers that at least nominally take care of there runners (not do anything to deliberately piss them off) or is this kind of drec normal. If it doesn’t change soon I am thinking I tell my other contacts I am looking for a new fixer/agent to work with in spit of the risks inherent to letting information roam that freely. Edward |
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Sep 13 2004, 09:32 PM
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#2
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Resident Legionnaire Group: Dumpshocked Posts: 2,136 Joined: 8-August 04 From: Usually Work Member No.: 6,550 |
Does this fixer belong to a new GM?
Sounds like an A-hole. Give the job a shot but make "contingency plans". I.E. How to get you out safely if it's a bust, and how to take care of the fixer who screwed you over, whether you made it out or not. |
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Sep 13 2004, 09:47 PM
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#3
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Ain Soph Aur Group: Dumpshocked Posts: 3,477 Joined: 26-February 02 From: Montreal, Canada Member No.: 600 |
Injured dragon, eh? So maybe it's just kinda lying there... Bring C4. Blow up the dragon, and mail the head to the fixer. That'll teach him not to fuck with you.
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Sep 13 2004, 09:50 PM
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#4
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Moving Target Group: Members Posts: 109 Joined: 28-October 03 From: End of Earth 2mi. Home 4mi Member No.: 5,764 |
If the dragon is so f'ed up that it needs your help healing itself then why not haggle with it? Or since I would assume the dragon contacted your fixer you can always try to convince the dragon to give up on that fixer. That should hurt the bad fixer's buisness.
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Sep 13 2004, 09:52 PM
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#5
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Moving Target Group: Members Posts: 260 Joined: 20-March 04 From: That really good state. Yeah, you know the one... Member No.: 6,177 |
Here are a few ideas to get you started... :evil:
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Sep 13 2004, 10:09 PM
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#6
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Manus Celer Dei Group: Dumpshocked Posts: 17,006 Joined: 30-December 02 From: Boston Member No.: 3,802 |
Levitate in the center of a large room. Leave the door unlocked, and just leave them hanging. Check on them every so often so they don't throw their shoe away from the door and slowly float to it.
If you can afford to leave them there for a week or more, go for it. Maybe a tiny drop of water from the ceiling onto their head so they have to twist to get any, and it hits them regardless. If you've got the cash to blow and the mage-muscle, insert monowire at various points in the person's arms and legs and then heal the wounds closed. Then tell them that they have to be extremely still or they'll remove some of their own limbs. ~J |
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Sep 13 2004, 11:14 PM
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#7
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Beetle Eater Group: Dumpshocked Posts: 4,797 Joined: 3-June 02 From: Oblivion City Member No.: 2,826 |
I wouldn't take the job without enough cash up front to pay the hired hands especially after being threatened. If the fixer is a contact, you should be able to ask the GM about previous experiences with him; if not, then have the otaku do some deep digging. If you can find something to hold over his head, or he is know for a bad bark but good word, then go ahead with the job (provided you get enough to pay the Shaman and Driver).
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Sep 13 2004, 11:22 PM
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#8
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Shooting Target Group: Members Posts: 1,840 Joined: 24-July 02 From: Lubbock, TX Member No.: 3,024 |
If it's a new GM, maybe the guy just doesn't know how to subtly hint to the players that he really really wants you to take the job and not walk.
I know I've lost game sessions to some player getting a hair up his butt and walking away. :D |
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Sep 13 2004, 11:25 PM
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#9
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Chrome to the Core Group: Dumpshocked Posts: 3,152 Joined: 14-October 03 From: ::1 Member No.: 5,715 |
Sometimes it's the character. Sometimes it really is the GM. If it's a new GM, explain to him/her about proper hiring techniques and what can happen to those who threaten runners. If he/she still doesn't get it, go into pure character and do what they would do (which is probably walk right then and there, at least). Continue ad nauseum. If the GM never gets it, politely ask them to not go about hiring that way, or politely tell them that you have a new GM and that they should consider playing for a while before GMing again. |
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Sep 13 2004, 11:26 PM
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#10
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Traumatizing players since 1992 Group: Dumpshocked Posts: 3,282 Joined: 26-February 02 From: Las Vegas, NV Member No.: 220 |
Turn down the run. It's setting off my bullshit alert from an IC point of view.
1) Johnsons are coming to you for a service, abrasive johnsons that dont want to pay runners are amateurs, shills or plants. 2) You Shadowrun to get paid. If you dont get paid, you DONT SHADOWRUN FOR THIS ASSHAT. 3) Rule three here, just like on the streets is "Never deal with a dragon". There's a reason for that. It's not just hyperbole. 3) If there is an injured dragon theres no reason on god's green earth for any healing to happen this way. This smells like a setup, and a very implausible one. 4) You Shadowrun to get paid. If you dont get paid, you DONT SHADOWRUN FOR THIS ASSHAT. 5) did I mention the pay? ---------------------- Just walk away. |
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Sep 13 2004, 11:30 PM
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#11
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Manus Celer Dei Group: Dumpshocked Posts: 17,006 Joined: 30-December 02 From: Boston Member No.: 3,802 |
Small cuts, warm bath. Let him bleed out significantly. You know how you feel after you've given blood? Keep him like that for a few days, maybe longer.
Incidentally, never use my techniques on someone you're going to leave alive. They don't foster goodwill. ~J |
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Sep 13 2004, 11:57 PM
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#12
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Resident Legionnaire Group: Dumpshocked Posts: 2,136 Joined: 8-August 04 From: Usually Work Member No.: 6,550 |
paralyze his ass.
throw him in a tub. turn on faucet to slow drip. let him watch as it slowly slowly fills up and eventually drowns him. |
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Sep 14 2004, 12:08 AM
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#13
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Traumatizing players since 1992 Group: Dumpshocked Posts: 3,282 Joined: 26-February 02 From: Las Vegas, NV Member No.: 220 |
anyone here notice that the Johnson hasn't even screwed him yet? He's screwed himself for taking a crap job.
If someone comes up to you and says "hey, do something for me, and I may think of paying you, but maybe not" You say no. |
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Sep 14 2004, 01:19 AM
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#14
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Target Group: Members Posts: 83 Joined: 12-February 03 Member No.: 4,083 |
Not just no--Hell no!
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Sep 14 2004, 07:05 AM
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#15
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Manus Celer Dei Group: Dumpshocked Posts: 17,006 Joined: 30-December 02 From: Boston Member No.: 3,802 |
I noticed. I'm just giving suggestions for when they don't spot it beforehand :) ~J |
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Sep 14 2004, 08:42 AM
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#16
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Moving Target Group: Members Posts: 157 Joined: 26-February 02 From: Perdition Member No.: 108 |
Injured dragon that can't heal itself? There's your payment, right there. You'd probably be able to make more money off the carcass of the dragon than this fixer will ever see in his lifetime. Dragon bodily fluids, dragon scales, dragon hide, dragon bones, dragon muscle, dragon brain tissue... Good lord, you're set for life, man! Get up there and get that dragon! :-) Actually this sounds like a GM who doesn't quite know what he's doing. You might want to sit down before the next game session and make it clear to the GM that he's essentially sending you to heal what would be millions of nuyen worth of telesma. If you had decided to take the fast cash, the campaign would be over... your characters are now living on easy street. New campaign. |
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Sep 14 2004, 09:53 AM
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#17
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Target Group: Members Posts: 32 Joined: 9-September 04 Member No.: 6,639 |
I agree that this entire scenario smacks of GM problems rather than Fixer problems. However, if the GM actually has some interesting plot twists in mind, I would just turn down the job. Generally, when I GM and the group has established itself and everyone is comfortable with the rules I'll toss in a job offer that the players are supposed to turn down (there will be clues about this, of course). Surviving on the streets takes enough smarts to know when to fold 'em.
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Sep 14 2004, 11:36 AM
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#18
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Moving Target Group: Members Posts: 541 Joined: 2-August 04 From: South Africa Member No.: 6,531 |
New Campaign, Heal a Dragon. IS your Fixer that confident? Personally if I was some Cybermacy Psycho, Yea maybe.
Rule One. Never deal with a Dragon. Rule Two. Never deal with those who know a Dragon. If some fixer who is not a reputable contact on my address book or checks out with a friend of a friend. I will spend my hard earned Nuyen and put a contract on his head. Favour for a friend well, I could go the route but he would have to be my eyes on the back of my head. He would tell me everything I need to know. The first signs of a Dead Rat, he will have a bullet with his name on it. Get details negotiate and interrogate his answers. VSA works well if you have the interrogation skill or cyberware. Reason for his arrogance maybe he doesn't want you to do the run, but he is being black mailed for some thing shadey. Hence the arrogance. Maybe his life has been threatened and you are the Target. |
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Sep 14 2004, 12:24 PM
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#19
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Ain Soph Aur Group: Dumpshocked Posts: 3,477 Joined: 26-February 02 From: Montreal, Canada Member No.: 600 |
I still think you should run with it, but totally screw over your fixer. I also smell the stink of a bad GM, so use this run as a lesson to him. Hopefully, he'll realise something. Then you can go back and say that run never happened, just use it as a learning experience.
But Blow up the dragon and sell his parts. I just can't get the image of a dragon blowing up out of my head. Anyone ever see that clip of a contractor that decided to blow up a beached whale rather than drag the body away? Man, C4 + Dragon = great (and profitable) party. |
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Sep 14 2004, 01:09 PM
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#20
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Midnight Toker Group: Members Posts: 7,686 Joined: 4-July 04 From: Zombie Drop Bear Santa's Workshop Member No.: 6,456 |
While the profit in selling dragon parts is absurdly high, anyone who sells dragon parts is not going to have a long life-span. practically every dragon on Earth would be happy to eat a Dragonslayer, especially one who sells the organs of his victims. The GM have to house rule a new level of the Hunted flaw to represent how completely and totaly dead the PCs involved are. There's also one other thing to consider, there is a wounded Dragon in a Mana Storm. Considering how severe his wounds must to be, he probably can't communicate himself, which would mean someone hired the fixer for him. It could be a good samaritan, but that is unlikely. On the other hand, it could be whoever sent the dragon into danger in the first place. Its not a good idea to anger dragons. It is certainly not a good idea to anger someone who gives orders to dragons. My assumption is that the GM is trying to set up an fairly intricate plot. Weather the fixer's atitude is bad GMing or good RPing I won't judge without further information. Both are possible. |
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Sep 14 2004, 01:36 PM
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#21
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Chrome to the Core Group: Dumpshocked Posts: 3,152 Joined: 14-October 03 From: ::1 Member No.: 5,715 |
Good call on the Hunted bit. The moment your name gets out about selling Dragon bits and pieces, you're dead. Even if you fence it first. The fencer will spill everything to a Dragon. The fencer dies, you die, your family dies, your dog dies, your pet iguana dies, your favorite bar blows up, your best friends all die, so on and so forth. They say to "Never deal with a Dragon," and I'm pretty sure they aren't joking. |
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Sep 14 2004, 01:38 PM
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#22
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Manus Celer Dei Group: Dumpshocked Posts: 17,006 Joined: 30-December 02 From: Boston Member No.: 3,802 |
I was going to suggest that earlier, but the existence of the module Dragon Hunt pretty much makes it clear it isn’t true.
~J |
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Sep 14 2004, 01:47 PM
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#23
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Chrome to the Core Group: Dumpshocked Posts: 3,152 Joined: 14-October 03 From: ::1 Member No.: 5,715 |
Consider this: I have three modules, none of which are Dragon Hunt. :P (Basically, I don't count most modules. They're silly.) |
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Sep 14 2004, 01:59 PM
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#24
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Traumatizing players since 1992 Group: Dumpshocked Posts: 3,282 Joined: 26-February 02 From: Las Vegas, NV Member No.: 220 |
And no offense to anyone here that was involved in writing Dragon Hunt, but it was the most implausible silly module ever. It was the SR equivalent of an 80's B movie. |
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Sep 14 2004, 02:09 PM
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#25
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Manus Celer Dei Group: Dumpshocked Posts: 17,006 Joined: 30-December 02 From: Boston Member No.: 3,802 |
I wouldn’t know; I’ve never read it :grinbig:
~J |
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