[Recruitment] Bug City, Alternative Reality, An Infested Chicago Options

[mallet]

I haven't spent any money on the bar yet. All I am saying is that I have some money set aside to spend on it, once I know how much things will cost. I don't expect to pay the full 700,000 on it. If I have to, then I will, but I'd rather have some money left over for gear, contacts, etc...

[HeySparky]

[Jrayjoker]

I'll read this string over a little more in depth tomorrow. Here is JJ as he stands now.

Concept: Mexican (not Azzie, 4th generation UCAS-Mexican thank you very much) kid from a blue colar neighborhood in Chi-town. Conjuring adept with a big posse of summoned friends, force 4-6 (7 friends in all)

He's concerned that a lot of his extended family are missing recently, and he doesn't want anything to happen to his mama, whom he loves dearly (just don't ask him to admit it out loud to her).

Hrer's the vitals:

[ Spoiler ]

Breakdown (128 Build Points)

Attributes: 27
Skills: 34
Resources: 200000
Race: Human (0 points)
Magic: Adept (25 points)
Edges/Flaws: -/+4

General information

Real name: Juan Jimenez
Street name: JJ
Archetype: Conjurer
Age:30
Height: 5'4"
Weight: 230 lbs
Race: Human
Sex: Male

Contacts:

Darke Lourde Gang Boss Poser with a posse Human Male Goth lord. Really not quite the loser you think he is. He has a whole lot of goth losers who do his "bidding" blindly. He is really a gang boss with his inner circle running his drug/protection/smuggling action from The Church's basement.
location: The Church - Goth Club. 5554445 1

Mr. Hooper Former Company Man Shopkeeper Human Male. You can tell he was in great shape a while ago, but time has gotten the better of him. He is balding and has a beer belly, but runs the general store like a tight ship.
location: Hooper's General Store. 5554444 1

Finances: 2548¥ on personal credstick (rating 2)
Lifestyle: Low, permanent. His mom's basement in blue collar chi-town. Typical Wayne's World style basement with ratty hand me down furniture and posters in lieu of art and sci-fi novels and RPGs strewn around. He has to keep it down or his mom will come downstairs, though. You will notice after a while that there is no computer terminal or comlines coming to the basement.
Initiate grade: 0
Karma pool: 1
Good karma: 0
Total karma earned: 0

Attributes and Pools

BOD: 2
QUI: 5
STR: 2
CHA: 6
INT: 6
WIL: 6

Reaction: 6
Initiative: 1d6

Essence: 6.0
Bio-Index: 0.0
Magic: 6
Armor: 4/2

Combat Pool: 8
Spell Pool: - 6
Astral Pool: -

Edges/Flaws

Resistance to toxins
Toughness
Computer Illiterate
Light Compulsion to always look over his shoulder when talking with someone.


Skills

Pistols [2]
Edged Weapons [2]
Stealth [4]
Etiquette [3]
Conjuring/Summoning [5/7]
Conjuring/Banishing [5/7]
Centering [6]
Legerdemain/Card Tricks [2/4]
Bike [2]

Local Neighborhood(KNO) [4]
Scrounging(KNO) [3]
Current Affairs(KNO) [3]
Conjuring(KNO) [4]
AC:Art(KNO) [4]
SW:Magic(KNO) [4]
SW:Paranormal Animals(KNO) [4]
Disguise(KNO) [2]
Goth Subculture(KNO) [2]

English(LAN) [4]
English(LAN) (RW) [2]
Spanish(LAN) [5]
Spanish(LAN) (RW) [2]

Equipment

X = Wearing/carrying

X:Fine Clothing - - -
[5]Ordinary Clothing - - -
X:Secure Long Coat B4/I2
X:Handset Cell Phone @sr3.287 -
Conjuring Library Rtg. 6
Watcher Conj. Materials 3
Elem. Spirit Force 4->Fire Spirit
Elem. Spirit Force 4->Air Spirit
Elem. Spirit Force 4->Earth Spirit
Elem. Spirit Force 6->Rocky
Elem. Spirit Force 6->Zephyr
Elem. Spirit Force 6->Sparky
Elem. Spirit Force 5->Agua

Dodge Scoot
Type of Vehicle: Scooters
Handling Speed/Accel Body/Armor Signature/Autonav Pilot/Sensor
3/4 60/3 2/0 5/0 -/0
Cargo/Load Seating
1/10 1m
Features:
Gridlink



Backstory

My back story? Sure, I got time. (looks over shoulder)

I been here my whole life. You know, born and raised. My great grandpapa was a brasero. You know, a laboroer, back when the word had a lot of bad conotations an' drek. Yeah, he worked his ass off and bought his wife a nice little house, had a few kids who had a few kids, who had me eventually. I gots cousins all over the place in here: Jimenezes, Hernandezes, and Zapateros. Pretty much anyone with those last names within 6 blocks of here is my cousin. I just don't know what the hell happened to most of 'em.

Lessee. You know, a lotta drek has gone down while I was around. When I was a kid I went to grade school right over there (looks behind himself) my best friend got killed by a devil rat pack. That freaked us out for a while. I took the magical aptitude test there in the 6th grade. I guess I got some of the magic, but not much, I can call on the spitits, but I ain't no brujo. I met Darke Lourde then too. We din' hang or nothin', but we're cool.

I went goth in high school, I figured I needed an angle, bein fat and shit. Didn't help none with the ladies, but I kinda got used to it, so I am as you see. I get a lot of cred for talkin to spirits and shit too, so that ain't all bad.


20 Questions

Background

1. Where is your character from? Right here in Chicago's Little Mexico


2. Does your character have a family? The only family I know of is mi Mama. All my tios and cousins and stuff are around, but I don't keep good track alla time.


3. Does your character have an ethnic background? I'm Mexican and damn proud....No drekhead, I said Mexican, not Azzie (hijo de puta, mariposa...)

Appearance

4. What does your character look like? Short spiked black hair and Blue eyes. just about as wide as he is tall. doughy though, not solid.

5. What does your character dress like? Dresses Goth, lots of black and pale make-up when he is at The Church, but just black when he's relaxing.

6. Does your character have any physical quirks? He looks over his shoulder a lot, like he's nervous. Maybe it is a result of his sensing of spirits before he learned he was magical.

Skills, Attributes, and Resources

7. Where did your character learn their Active Skills? Hangin' on the streets in the bario man.

8. Where did your character learn their Knowledge Skills? High school and art classes at the museums over the summers. One of his cousins had a little studio where she'd let him draw and paint.

9. Where did your character get his goodies? Scrounging and saving from little courier runs for Darke Lourde. No one knows he has a big posse of elementals at his beck and call, and he hasn't had to use them yet.



10. Where does your character live? In his mama's basement.

11. Who are your character's contacts? See above.

12. Who are your character's enemies? Pretty much every Goth basher and schoolyard bully will pick on him. Maybe thats why he is always looking over his shoulder...He hasn't been around the shadows enough to actually have enemies yet.

13. How did your character learn magic? Through a school sponsered course at the University of Chicago, but he only knows how to conjur.

Personality

14. What are your character's likes and dislikes? He loved to read and research sci-fi, art, animals, and card tricks.

15. What is your character's moral code? Typical for a lower class kid on the move. If it ain't nailed down its fair game, if I can pry it loose it ain't nailed down. He has never had to use his ace in the whole (the posse of big bad spirits) to get out of trouble, instead he relies on appearing not to be a threat and being unremarkable.

16. Does your character have any goals? Find out what happened to his extended family recently, move out of his mama's basement, and to be a "real" mage.

17. Does your character have any personal beliefs? He's Catholic in the same way he's goth. He does it now with little introspection or faith.

18. Does your character have any personality quirks? Seems to nervously look over his shoulder a lot. Wears a lot of black, and never uses a computer. Hell his cel phone barely works half the time, but his mom wants him to have it.

Running the Shadows

19. Why does your character run the shadows?
Hey, I was just on the wrong side of the fragin' wall when it came down. I don't have any choice, but I sure as hell ain't lettin' mama get hurt while I can help it.

20. How does your character view his/her role as a shadowrunner?
What shadowruns? I'm just tryin' ta keep me and mi familia breathing til this all blows over. Sabe?

Feel free to tweak me, I figure I could live near the bar/pub, and the basement appartment he has could be a fallback place. I can chip in spirits for astral security, etc. He's not very min/maxed except for inteligence and summoning/banishing.

[scoundrel]

[Reign Maker]

Just a little side note. I actually did grow up in Chicago so....I am really looking forward to this. Since our old GM wouldn't even think of running a bug city campaign he hated the book.


Oh and gel packs.... where is the sense of style.... they just look bad and I dont want the extra chance of knockdown or my quickness and combat pool affected. Not to mention how many BIG guns the bugs really gunna have.....wait dont answer that :sleepy:

[HeySparky]

[scoundrel]

Oh, I know. Although fangirldom is usually an honor (?) reserved for men, I submit that it is very possible for a woman to have fangirls.

Plus the joke sucks the other way around. :D

[nick012000]

lesbian fangirls? :eek:

[HeySparky]

Hey, whatever, it's always nice to turn a head. :D

[scoundrel]

[HeySparky]

Reign: If you've got your ears on, can you list off a few seedier/more dangerous parts of Chicago? And some nice ones too? And where is jazz in the city (or is it all over)?

I've read up on Chicago a bit in the Shadowrun Wiki, but a native's perspective would be nice.

Thanks!

EDIT: Hey - I'm open to be good buddies with any of the characters in here - I've got an idea for hooks for anyone at all interested. PM.

[HeySparky]

Ana Elise Thompson
"Nine" or "0b1001"
Infiltration expert extraordinaire

Background:

[ Spoiler ]

A very brief sketch of her background as such.
Born in Chicago to first generation elves (maternal grandparents suffered UGE, paternal grandparents were a mix - one UGE and one born an elf). Maternal grandsparents live in Chicago in a nursing home - grandfather's mind is gone, he's a husk, grandmother is alert and active.

Father worked electronics retail/repair, mother was a translator. Mother and father divorced when she was a young teenager - mother had an affair and split. Father remarried not too long after - a human woman - a dancer who tried to bond with Ana and focus her stepdaughter's natural grace and coordination. Ana liked the thrill of performance, but lacked any special talent for it. She didn't appreciate the efforts her stepmother was making.

Ana fell in with a borderline legal art-performance troupe of cybered-dancers and acrobats. She fell for one of the choreographers and eventually agreed to be cybered and joined the troupe as exotic set decoration. She didn't make the cut for center stage. An impromptu performance in a bad part of town went horribly wrong with the performers being attacked and a vicious brawl starting. Ana froze. Her friend and lover was killed. Ana discovered that she was pregnant. She quit the troupe. Young and unskilled she moved back in with her father and step-mother.

Grew to appreciate her step-mother and rediscovered her love for language (in spite of her lingering distaste for her natural mother). Pregnancy was difficult. She had to take immune suppressive drugs so that her body didn't attack the fetus and the drugs permanently altered her immune system, for the worse. When the baby came, she made the difficult decision to give him up and go to school. Had to drop out of classes - language and business - for financial reasons - grandfather had taken a turn for the worse and required more money than the family could muster.

She recontacted the dance troupe, hoping to rejoin them, but they were struggling and couldn't take her on. A friend suggested an alternate means of income. Running. She took odd jobs and earned a reputation for surviving one bad turn of events after another. Some called her a jinx. Others blessed. She earned the name Nine, a sideways reference to her cat-like temperment, reflexes and ability to always land on her feet.

She loved her shadow-life, feeling alive as she slipped effortlessly, unseen and unheard past progressively more and more dangerous security systems. Data theft, burglary, espionage, counter-intrusion. In the few years since she started running she's taken off. She finished her degree and is a freelance journalist for a number of magazines, writing music columns that focus on jazz and the jazz scene of Chicago. She likes thinking on her feet, and jazz's improvisational nature appeals deeply to that sense of her.

She likes the finer things in life, and loves to pamper herself or be pampered, but she wouldn't dare do so when her family is struggling. A health emergency with her father in the past month made her decide to see if she could track down her baby, now a very young child.

She is at Hennesy's place, meeting a fixer who had done the legwork for her to find the child's name when the trids light up - blazing with news of attacks and the death of the world as she knows it. And the birth of the new one.

Welcome to the CZ.

Sheet:

[ Spoiler ]

Attributes
-----------------------------------------------------------
Strength: 4
Body: 4
Quickness: 11
Intelligence: 5
Willpower: 5
Charisma: 8

Reaction: 9(11)
Initiative: 5d6
Essence: 1.50
BodyIndex: 2.60

Skills
-----------------------------------------------------------
Athletics: 6
Electronics: 5
Electronics B/R: 6
Etiquette: 3
Pistols: 4
Stealth: 6

Knowledges (Pick 30 points worth)
-----------------------------------------------------------


CyberWare
-----------------------------------------------------------
CyberEyes
- Image Link
- Electronic Mag x3
- Low Light
- Thermographic
- Flare Compensators
CyberEars
- Dampeners
- Balance Augmentators
- Hearing Augmentation
Olfactory Boosters x6

Datajack
Datajack
Knowsoft Link

Balance Tail
Boosted Reflexes x3
Retractable Climbing Claws
Magnetic System
SmartLink-2
- RangeFinder

Bioware
-----------------------------------------------------------
Muscle Toner x4
Synaptic Accelerator x2

Merits/Flaws
-----------------------------------------------------------
Aptitude (Athletics)
Combat Paralysis
Weak Immune System

Gear
-----------------------------------------------------------
Secure Coat
- Thermal Dampeners x6
FormFitting Body Armour
Transducer
Ares-Predator III
- Silencer
- Quick Draw Holster
- Spare Clip
- 50 rounds, Regular Ammo
Ruthenium Cloak
- 6 Scanners
Electronics Kit
MicroTransciever
Pocket Secretary

Need to get Knowledge skills squared away (am probably going to take several languages - a matter of background and you can ID chip speakers a mile away :P ) and a few expensive knowsofts, and some better contacts and some more gear... Let me know how much to set aside for the Base.

[Sphynx]

Reign: You paid 2,000 to Dikiote then? If so, that's correct.

Scoundrel: Aptitude is allowed (as shown on ES_Sparky's character), but not for combat or magic type skills.

Gobogen: Ok. ;)

Jrayjoker: I'll PM a proposition to you......

Note-1 to others: I'd recommend (from a min-max point of view) that you look into Muscle Aug/Toner instead of Muscle Replacement. More user friendly.

Note-2 to others: Careful with Used, I do indeed use Stress Points with Used Cyberware. And in games I run, which are ALOT more combat oriented than other games, I assure you, once you start having Stress, it only gets worse. To decide what your starting stress is, take the BASE Essence Cost of the cyber, and round UP to the nearest whole number, to a maximum of 3. That's your starting stress. Cyberware can never, in my games, be healed below 3 stress points, so even if it only starts with 1, it can't be repaired until it hits 4, and never repaired below 3.

Sphynx

[Fortune]

Character coming soon™! I just found out about the game, and haven't even had a chance to think about it yet. If you need it within the next 10 hours or so, then I'll probably have to bow out. Otherwise, you know I'll get one posted as soon as I can.

[nick012000]

I paid for 500cm^2 for the Dikote, so I spent 5000 :nuyen: dikoting my spurs.

No Aptitude on Combat Skills? Too late. I can edit it out, but won't be happy. Besides, given that the Edges that grant modifiers to all vehicle or social skills cost much less, I would think that Aptitude (which grants a modifier to any one skill) costs so much precisely because it can be applied to Combat and Magic skills.

[Sphynx]

As per the description of Aptitude, GM is not allowing Combat or Magic skills with Aptitude, because it unbalances the game (something the description itself agrees with). Sorry I didn't notice your character had it earlier, I'll get time to do a serious run-down on all characters this evening and officially post any 'problems' as I see them.

Sphynx

[Jrayjoker]

I am in the process of reworking my character with regard to initiation at chargen. I will probably get JJ back in place and in working order ina few hours.

Thanks for the input.

[Sphynx]

Ok, evaluation on a per-character basis.

Eric Graves

[ Spoiler ]

Character approved as-is, the following are purely recommendations.

Spells, too few, too low force. I'd seriously consider the spell list (you and I discussed this already, but thought I'd post so everyone could see where my concernes laid).

I'd lose the Athletics and Stealth entirely. 4 karma later you can have them both at their current levels anyhows, raising some of your higher skills later though would cost alot more. I know, it's min-maxxing, but your character just seems a bit too weak right now, and trying to help. Purely your call though.
You'll likely lose the Day Job once the game starts, you can work out where those flaw points move to ahead of time

Gnat

[ Spoiler ]

Are you SURE you want to be allergic to Weapon Foci as an Adept?
What is a level 3 FormFitting Body Armour? That suppose to mean the full-body version?

Nick Hagvas

[ Spoiler ]

No Reflex Trigger?
Other than that, looks good.

Mike Hennesy

[ Spoiler ]

Seriously consider MuscleAug/MuscleTon over Muscle Replacement.
Home Ground can include the neighborhood that your place will be at (grounds are usually more than a single building)
You'll likely lose the Day Job once the game starts, you can work out where those flaw points move to ahead of time

John Jocke

[ Spoiler ]

Please change your CyberCombat to Unarmed, maintain the specialization with CyberSpurs though. I forgot to mention that in the char-gen rules, I don't use Cybercombat as a skillset.
Already mentioned the Aptitude to a combat skill, I don't allow it as a GM.
You might consider a transducer instead of the sub-mike and speakers, works nicely with a datajack or as a direct implant.
Also, since you have a smartlink, you might consider an Image Link so you can do more than just see crosshairs, your call (you might not always have the helmet)

Juan Jiminez

[ Spoiler ]

I sent you rules to Initiate at char-gen for being a pure)conjurer.
I'd recommend doing Shaman instead of Wujen, finding a source of element strong enough to summon elements can be a bit tricky.

Anna Thompson

[ Spoiler ]

Nice character, looks cool so far. ;)

Sphynx

[Reign Maker]

[Reign Maker]

Sphynx

[ Spoiler ]

Didn't even think of a reflex trigger, but if you suggest it Ill break the bank I had 26,983 on cred sticks and 2,600 from the ammo I took off so I guess Ill go with an alpha grade reflex trigger Also i noticed i forgot a cybe choke for the franchi spass 22 I am spending the 100 :nuyen: for that too, and start with a measley 3,483 :nuyen: Also just to clarify the shops and facilities I purchased are not at my home right there for the group base once we start... that was my assumption.
My final starting essance would now be 1.01... YEAH go me lol.

[Frater Inominatu...]

Sphynx,
Here is the revised Eric Graves

[ Spoiler ]

Eric Graves

Race: Human (0)
Magic: Full Magician (30)
Attributes: 27 points (54)
Skills: 19 points (19)
Resources: 1,000,000 (30)
128 points

Name: Eric Graves
Street Name: Graves

Attributes
Body: 4
Quickness: 5
Strength: 3
Charisma: 4
Intelligence: 6/8
Willpower: 5
Essence: 5
Bio-Index: 8
Magic: 6 (4 without geas)

Skills
Sorcery: 5
Conjuring: 5
Aura Reading: 2
Demolitions: 5
Electronics: 4


Knowledge
Established Safehouse Locations 2
Engineering 6
Physics 2
Chemistry 2
Geology 1
Philosophy 2
Economics 2
Metahumanity 1
Magic 6
Esoteric Trivia 6

Language
English 4 R/W 2
German 2 R/W 1
Italian 2 R/W 1
Spanish 1




Spells - 25 Points
Mana Bolt – 4 (Exclusive –2)
Analyze Device - Force 4
Heal - Force 4 (Exclusive –2)
Lightning Bolt – Force 4 (Exclusive –2)
Stealth - Force 2
Armor - Force 6
Levitate - Force 3
Astral Barrier – Force 4

Geas 1 - Talisman: An onyx disc with a complex Celtic knot inlaid in gold in one side and an infinity symbol inlaid in platinum on the other.
Geas 2 - Incantation: Words of power to perform most his powerful magics

Edges & Flaws
Common-Mild Allergy (-3): plastic
Dependents (-3): Wife, son, daughter, mother

Astral Chameleon (2):
Focused Concentration (2)


Purchases
Cerebal Booster II - Bio-Index: .8 Cost: 110,000
+2 INT, +2 Task Pool For INT Based Skills
Mnemonic Enhancer III - Bio-Index: .6 Cost: 45,000
+3 Dice to Language Tests, -1 TN When Defaulting From Knowledge To INT, +1 Die to all Knowledge Tests, -1 Karma To Learn/Improve Skills
Encephalon II - Beta Grade - Essence Loss: .9 Cost: 460,000
+2 Dice Task Pool For INT Based Skills, +2 Hacking Pool, +2 to INT When Learning New Skills
Data Jack - Delta - Essence Loss: .1 Cost: 8,000
623,000
Cougar Fine Blade, Long - Cost: 1,500
Savalette Guardian - Cost: 900
Spare Clips X5 - Cost: 25
Silencer - Cost: 500
Quickdraw Tactical Holster - Cost: 100
Quickdraw Conc. Holster - Cost: 150
100 standard Savalette Rounds - Cost: 200
Franchi SPAS-22 - Cost: 1,000
30 Bola Rounds - Cost: 300
50 Standard Rounds - Cost: 100
Demolitions Kit - Cost: 500
Electronics Kit - Cost: 1500
4 Months Middle Lifestyle - Cost: 20,000
Table Top Computer w/ 100mp - Cost: 100
Binoculars - Cost: 100
Flashlight, Pocket X5 - Cost: 25
27,000
Rating 10 Library (Sorcery) – Cost 100,000
Rating 10 Library (Conjuring) – Cost 100,000
Enchanting Kit – Cost 10,000

Conjuring Materials
- Force 6 Earth X2 Cost 12,000
- Force 6 Fire Cost 6000
- Force 6 Water Cost 6000
- Force 6 Air Cost 6000

890,000
CASH FOR “FORT” = 110,000



Twenty Questions
1. Where is your character from?
Chicago
2. Does your character have a family?
Wife, a son, a daughter, father died so mother lives with us, In-Laws and grand parents live in the neighborhood
3. Does your character have an ethnic background?
Father’s family is of German descent, Mother’s is Italian.
4. What does your character look like?
1.9 meters tall, 110 kilograms, Dirty blonde hair kept neat and short, Dark green eyes, skin looks lightly tanned but is natural, Angular face, strong jaw line…
5. What does your character dress like?
At the high end of normal: Slacks, button up shirts, dress shoes, analog, wind-up watch,
6. Does your character have any physical quirks?
Conscientious of the time, looks at his watch a lot.
7. Where did your character learn their active skills?
Magical skills from DIMR, Demo & Elec. from the Bomb disposal unit during military service
8. Where did your character learn their knowledge skills?
College, DIMR
9. Where did your character get his goodies?
Military installed cyber ware, Gear purchased from pay
10. Where does your character live?
Chicago (I do not know enough about Chicago to know where he lives, I will leave it to you to decide, he lives in a middle class neighborhood)
11. Who are your character’s contacts?
Fixer - Met through a contact in Seattle. When he moved back to Chicago he needed money to supplement his income working as a freelancer for the Chicago Bomb Squad.
Father-in-Law - Chicago PD officer, know that Eric runs the shadows, doesn’t condone it but, after talking about it, understands his need to provide for his family.
12. Who are your character’s enemies?
None to speak of…
13. How did your character learn magic?
At thirteen his abilities manifested. He was given a full scholarship by the U.C.A.S. military in exchange for four years of service (of course they wanted more but he wasn’t interested in re-enlisting)
14. What are your character’s likes and dislikes?
He isn’t squeamish about killing he isn’t interested in it as a profession.
15. What is your character’s moral code?
Dicodomic: Honest, Law-abiding citizen by day, criminal by night (part-time, of course)
16. Does your character have goals?
To own a farm in the country where his family can live in peace.
17. Does your character have personal goals?
Get his Ph.D in Magical Theory, Buy a farm with 80 acres, see his children grow up, normal stuff
18. Does your character have personality quirks?
Laconic

19. Why does your character run the shadows?
To maintain his current style of living, keep his children in private school, put back enough money to buy 100 acres and build a life.
20. How does your character view his role as a shadow runner?
A necessary evil.

[mallet]

Man, it's been so long since I made a "street sam" type character I forgot all about bioware! Didn't even cross my mind to buy it. Some changes are now being made to Mike Hennessey, not in style/personality, etc... just in augmentations.

I'll edit my sheet that I posted earlier with the changes when I am done, and post to let you know that it has been changed.

[Reign Maker]

Frater Inominatus


Just a thought you have no libraries spell, or conjuring and no conjuring materials..... But the charecter is definatley better I'll be more than happy to catch a few bullets and bugs for you.

[Frater Inominatu...]

Thanks, I don't know how I over looked that...

[gobogen]

Thanks for letting me in kind of late like this.

I'm working on my char sheet right now and a few questions are coming up:

[ Spoiler ]

1) Precisely what weapons are allowed: sniper rifle? assault rifle? I'm assuming SMGs or shotguns are definitely allowed.

2) What about the day job flaw for three points? My character certainly has a job taking at least 40 hours of his time, but it won't really come up in game, I'm guessing...

3) Do you mind the idea of having adept powers and refusing to see it as magic from the point of view of the character?

Here's some background for now:

[ Spoiler ]

Josef Steven Gordon

Born human May 14th 2029 in Michigan State, Joe was raised in a family of farmers. His father was a great fan of hunting and fishing, and he would regularly bring his 5 sons to hunt game and other kinds of animal as well as fishing at the lake. Joe was the one who enjoyed hunting the most and he turned out to be quite a marksman even at a young age. He really hated school but his parents forced him to go and do well anyways. What he really enjoyed was the shooting contests and training for those. At age 14 he won a national junior championship for 18 year-olds or less and it became obvious that he had more than just a natural gift; he was told that his enhanced abilities came from ‘magic’. Joe couldn’t care less about magic and he always saw that as complete bull-drek. He was just damn good at shooting and that’s all. After completing high-school he enrolled to become a police officer. He was of course recruited to become an elite sniper for the corporation and was moved to Chicago in 2049.

There, in Chicago, Joe made a career for himself, started up a family and went about a normal life. His wife Connie Gordon is a sweet and loving mother and housewife. It was Joe’s greatest joy until more happiness came into his life 8 years ago when he become the father of Charm Gordon, his only child. 5 years ago, Joe was promoted from sniper to shooting instructor in recognition of his undeniable talent.

Throughout his life, Joe has always had a special love for firearms and weapons of all kind, and that’s mostly all that he’s good at. He’s a good father and husband and always takes responsibility for the safety of his household which he is proud of. The rest of his activities are just the regular stuff like trideo movies, having a beer or watching sport. He’s also an accomplished baseball player and still plays with his co-workers in a league on weekends.