Streets of Sorrow, Street level campaign Options

[WinterRat1]

His problem is that he has nothing to work with at ground zero, so to speak, no way in. He couldn't even find the bunraku parlor without James's help, and he needed the help of the 7 Serpents connections with the Yakuza to get an audience with the owner, because he doesn't know the proper channels. He wouldn't know the first thing about finding a fixer, or getting in on a run, or getting introduced to organized crime.

In order to convince the 7 Serpents to help him, since he had nothing to offer (except money, which he needed to buy Cassandra's 'contract'), he offered really the only thing he had, his skills as a physical adept and a peculiar sense of detachment from the world which is a thin lime away from a complete lack of practical application of morals.

Sure, he'd like nothing better than to take Cassandra and James out of this life for good, but he can't. He's not dumb enough to try to renege on his responsibilities to the gang, so if he's in, he's in. At least until such time as he can walk away without incurring a death sentence on his head from the rest of the gang.

And at its core, that was really what I was shooting for in my concept: A guy who really has absolutely no business being in a gang, has somehow found himself in a gang out of necessity, and yet has the skills to survive and even thrive in one. Think of a 'what if' kind of scenario.

Did that help clear it up? Incidentally, if the background doesn't seem to support this, please let me know so I can reexamine it for consistency.

[Sandoval Smith]

I made an edit to my previous post, while you were writing this one. That part makes it seem like being in a gang would go completly against his nature.

[FlipShow]

I like the idea of having a character with a conscience around, if not two or three. It sort of sounds like the crazy life has been a path of least resistance for him and he was sort of drawn in by fate. That's cool. All sorts fall down.

As for not liking bullies or those who act too big for their shoes, I could see that causing some decent RP. It might make him sort of an oddball among the 7S, but I don't see it from precluding from participation.

If someone were to make an idle claim around some our characters, wouldn't they call that person on it? At knifepoint?

Idunno, maybe he sees the gang as a necessary evil in his path toward freedom, kinda like how I look at my cubicle.

[HobbeGoblin]

WinterRat you have very valid questions/concerns.

To start can someone usurp power or are the NPC's too powerful or needed? Yes it can be done. I will quote a basic law of the universe...every action has an equal, or opposite reaction.

Is the story completely NPC/plot drive? I will afford the PC's every oppurtunity to venture out and follow their own paths of development. This medium affords us some leway..ie we all arent at a table trying to out shout the others to get a question answered or are we completely worried about time constrants. To cap on your oppurtunities for character development...every action has an equal, or opposite reaction.

Is this a convention of bad-asses? to quote a Jedi master " there is always a bigger fish" and.....here it comes.....every action has an equal, or opposite reaction. The gang is a collection of very tough people who have the " PC GLOW" If the PC's are not thinking, just destroying everything then [ see the universal quote] I have stated from the beginning that although violence is a fact of life for the gang it isnt my intended direction for the campaign...there are very violent dangerous people in the gang (remember you're one of them). Everyone is "using" the gang for their own puroses'. Some as a family/pack they belong to, some as a way into organized crime, some for protection from the other gangs, some because they just dont fit in anywhere else, and in those puposes for being there is the story of the gang.

Alot of the players are PM'ing eachother or corresponding here on how their characters know or relate to eachother, The big powerhouse of a Troll is friends with the scrawny, natty dreadlocked, pot smoking rastafarian.There is interaction and roleplay going on and that is my focus.

Damn!!! how'd that soap box get under my feet again.

All very good concerns WinterRat and i assure you that a. I have the tools to keep things from degenerating into chaos and b. I'll give a PC enough rope to hang himself with it. All this is because i Know the.....say it with me now.....[ insert the universal rule here] ....can i get an amen

[HobbeGoblin]

Sandoval sorry i didnt mean to imply that a sub role such as say legions leather clad gimp or anything.

And who joins the gang? Some Military brats out of Ft. Lewis, Locals to the area who want to belong, or look tough, have street cred.

and now a side note... I see WinterRat's character as a Samurai of old. Duty and Honor before self.( kind of tragic, neh?) He is holding his word of honor although doing dishonorable acts.Is it a paradox? yes and no.

[HobbeGoblin]

I hope i've answered your questions and relieved your concerns WinterRat. I also hope to see you play so, that you can see how i will quide the campaign. If you have further questions or concerns please let me know. I dont mind answering questions....it's what a GM does.

[Mugzy]

Is this one still recruiting? I really like the gritty, street level stuff. If I can get in on ground floor, that would be great.

Who do you have so far that has expressed interest, If I may be so bold as to ask?

[HobbeGoblin]

Yes i am still recruiting Mugzy

I have Cydlexia, Fukoh, Sandoval, Kiedo, Flipshow and possibly WinterRat1 interested.I dont think i've missed anyone but i dont have my list with me.I'm not sure if you've read all the posts but alot of questions have been asked and answered ( at least i think i answered them) about the setting and characters.

Character types are...a Big Troll, A klepto, A wolf Shifter, A street level Face, oh and a dope smoking rastafarian shaman, and a possibly a psyad.

[fuhok]

it fuhok you should know this since you learned the beginning with me

[HobbeGoblin]

sorry...i actually didnt see that...thought it was some sort of abreviation to go f' off

[fuhok]

no I have more cooth than that

[HobbeGoblin]

really

[fuhok]

no not really
you know me so I can see how you expected that

[HobbeGoblin]

The rasta is hooking up his van pretty pimp

[fuhok]

sweet Dale will help him fish bowl it

[HobbeGoblin]

Dale or Dane?

[Mugzy]

Very very nice.

I have to say, Im attracted to a serious biker kind of guy in this setting.

A guy who's slicker than dog snot on his bike; maybe a courier or something. He may not have the BEST bike, but god damn can he ride. Maybe even work as far as acrobatics on the bike.

I dont want to do a Phys-Ad, or a mage, so perhaps a VCR1 would be appropriate.....along with a balance augmenter!

Im at work right now, so I cant work a total character out, but I have good ideas for his background forming. Give me a little bit today and I'll get this background put together.

If anyone has any other ideas I can stack on this base concept, let me know!

[fuhok]

Dane but they call him Blacky after the incident with the blackjack in the store room

[HobbeGoblin]

are you going to buy tools for vehicle repair....ie a shop?

[fuhok]

yes i havent bought much yet I'll bring what i have with me

[HobbeGoblin]

Mugzy....thats a good idea, your bike skills give you some respect....an aspect no one has hit on yet.

[fuhok]

I thought that as well

I also want to make him a thief of sorts

[HobbeGoblin]

I've got some stuff in the SOTA book that you can use.....also cars are easier to break into in the game than is really thought. Especially people with the proximity alarms.....just use a scanner and a decryption module to get access, or follow the owner around till he uses his remote access and bingo.....you have a way inside the vehicle.

[fuhok]

sweet we'll work on it later

[HobbeGoblin]

Mugzy...it isnt neccessary to install a VCR and i'm using your Bike skill with modifiers for Bike stunts.If youre doing tricks that require you to jump up on the bike then the connection may get broken.If the wires are too long then they get tangled in the chain, sproket etc... not trying to disuade you just giving you something to think about