While the book talks of many important facts that have to do with 'runners, perhaps a look at the mundane and everyday would also open up a few options for runners in several ways. In addition, its ways interesting to pool our knowledge to see what comes of it.
What say we first deal with how the Matrix 2.0 affects both skilled and unskilled labor and services?
Full Version: Lifestyle and Economics in 2070
I think this is in some of the books, but I can't find it in 4E. I want clothes other than the vending machine clothing. What is reasonable to pay for nice stuff. I want my next character to have a high lifestyle with some cash, but be faking it when it comes to wealth. A cool place to live, nice clothes, cute escorts (just for being seen with, not necessarily for sex), luxury suites and occasionally picking up the tab at fine restaurants. But no car! I take taxis and rent limos when I want to make an impression. Fake it 'till you make it. If I do it right, even my teammates would have no idea . . . Then when I get the money I will buy a sweet sportscar. I will make a big show out of not needing financing. 
I could pay the 2 BP to get a car, but I don't want to look like a bum. Magicians used to be poor, now they are just like other characters. I should be able to act nouveau riche if I want.
I could pay the 2 BP to get a car, but I don't want to look like a bum. Magicians used to be poor, now they are just like other characters. I should be able to act nouveau riche if I want.
An "average" professional-grade Talismonger makes about 2 successes in a gather components test. Rital components are now priced at 500 
each, and thus a professional grade Talismonger makes 125 an hour when working for the man.
Although interestingly enough, the talismonger contact in the BBB no longer has the requisite skills to gather magical components and can only act as a middle man.
-Frank
each, and thus a professional grade Talismonger makes 125 an hour when working for the man.Although interestingly enough, the talismonger contact in the BBB no longer has the requisite skills to gather magical components and can only act as a middle man.
-Frank
| QUOTE (FrankTrollman) |
| Although interestingly enough, the talismonger contact in the BBB no longer has the requisite skills to gather magical components and can only act as a middle man. |
Maybe his Magical Background skill of 8 (?!?) covers it.
SR3 core has prices for things like that, theres also the lightly armored clothing in cannon companion. And generally, it assumed to be part of your lifestyle cost, but I know what you mean. Its nice to know those little details, if only for roleplaying or simple amusement. 
I was thinking something along the lines of how people work. Are some skilled and factory jobs still "work from home" or are they more "work from comlink"? It would seem that for some, they could wander around the city all day and still be working. Programmers, graphic artists, and a number of others. Obviously for unskilled and some highly skilled labor and services they would usually have to be in a certain place to work.
In the portable work place examples, a hacker could likely subvert the lower security comlink or terminal and logon as a legitimate user. In the portable work place example (for extractions perhaps) your hacker could follow the datatrail and behavior and find the easiest place to shove the guy into a car.
I was thinking something along the lines of how people work. Are some skilled and factory jobs still "work from home" or are they more "work from comlink"? It would seem that for some, they could wander around the city all day and still be working. Programmers, graphic artists, and a number of others. Obviously for unskilled and some highly skilled labor and services they would usually have to be in a certain place to work.
In the portable work place examples, a hacker could likely subvert the lower security comlink or terminal and logon as a legitimate user. In the portable work place example (for extractions perhaps) your hacker could follow the datatrail and behavior and find the easiest place to shove the guy into a car.
| QUOTE (FrankTrollman @ Oct 16 2005, 10:40 AM) |
| An "average" professional-grade Talismonger makes about 2 successes in a gather components test. Rital components are now priced at 500 each, and thus a professional grade Talismonger makes 125 an hour when working for the man. |
How are you arriving at that? Where are the SR4 rules for gathering and refining materials? I thought it was all just abstracted away in the gear list price?
That doesn't even really sound like the old SR3 rules. I seem to remember it taking days to gather and refine the stuff? Though i never had a character that bothered with it, so i don't really know much about those rules other than you didn't need to be awakened to do it, the skill was a Knowledge skill, and it was a 2-stage process of gather/refine.
| QUOTE |
| Although interestingly enough, the talismonger contact in the BBB no longer has the requisite skills to gather magical components and can only act as a middle man. |
Given that he has skills that would help him assess handiwork but no Artisan skill himself it is quite possible he is largely a middleman.
P.S. An awakened journyman pro creating 125
of product / hour sounds roughly about right once you consider retail mark-up, possible costs for tools/supplies, and costs associated with limited access or distant locations to find materials. Especially if the time/day a talismonger could spend ends up being limited in some way (magic cycles, draining work, etc.)
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