Announcement:

Living in the Shadows is now accepting applications for new players! If you’ve ever wanted to play in a living, breathing Shadowrun world with a character that you’d love to play for a while (possibly a long while: some of our current characters are coming up on their 2 year anniversary in game) then we are looking for you.

We are a highly character focused, background based and story centered campaign. This isn’t a linear plotline or single run so much as it is a story that is still being written and played out with you, the other players and the GM staff as the writers. Where your character goes is up to you and your GM.

So if you were ever curious about playing in the Living in the Shadows (LitS) campaign, this is the thread in which to ask how to go about doing it. It’s not entirely accurate to call this a recruitment thread though: because we’re not really looking for anyone to post character details or even character concept within this thread. After all, in a fully interactive setting, much of that information is supposed to be private between player and GM. Rather, think of this thread as a place where you can test the waters, ask questions about our guidelines, see what LitS is all about and whether it’s right for you.(Read the Guidelines and the LitS threads first!)

This isn’t your typical recruitment thread in another major way: we are not looking for anyone to jump into this thread with completed legal character sheet and 20 Questions ready to e-mail and expect immediately to play. Because LITS is an intensely player-driven campaign-style thread and not just an isolated run, it is absolutely essential that you take the time to fully flesh out the one character you really want and are eager to play for months and maybe years to come. We’ll gladly work with you for as long as it takes to help you develop that ideal starting PC. Having a character that you would absolutely love to play, whose story you want to see unfold, will provide a much more rewarding experience for all of us.

This thread is for the purpose of questions, comments, clarifications, and general issues related to LITS recruitment. Character specific questions and submissions will be handled one on one with WinterRat1 and your Player GM via email and/or PM outside this thread.

As you may notice from the updated Guidelines thread, LITS is now an SR4 game. However, we’ve had to make some departures from strict SR4 canon in order to allow for our existing player base as well as for additional sourcebook expandability. The mechanics are outlined in detail in the Guidelines thread, but here’s a basic rundown:

It was determined among the GM staff that the primary storyline event needed to update the world of SR 3 to the world SR 4 was the Crash that led to the creation of the Wireless World. In our world, the Crash has not happened yet. While this may limit and change certain things from canon Shadowrun history and rules for a time, the GM staff feels that the continuity maintained with the current storyline is essential to the integrity of LITS. Furthermore, we are already moving towards the events that set the Crash in motion, and we believe the opportunity for you to experience, impact, and perhaps even alter the things that shake up the Shadowrun world like few events have before is worth the trade off.

If you are interested in playing with us, please submit a completed character (instructions found in the Guidelines thread) to WinterRat1, the LITS Universe Coordinator, at alexwong945@yahoo.com or PM me.

We cannot stress enough, please read through the Guidelines and double check to make sure you have everything completed before submitting anything for review. The closer you follow the Guidelines, the easier it is on the GM staff to review, and the faster we can process your character. We like to think of it as a win-win situation.

Finally, although we will be raising this thread at regular intervals, recruitment to LITS will never be closed, because life in the shadows is ongoing. We are always willing to consider applications for new LITS participants.

Please note that while we do have a perpetually open recruitment, the number of available GM staff limits us at times. Our staff works very hard to keep LITS running smoothly, and we want to provide our best GM skills for everyone involved with LITS. If you have previously submitted a completed character to WinterRat1 per the Guidelines thread, but for whatever reason are currently not on the roster, rest assured he has not forgotten you, and submissions from those players for this recruitment will be evaluated accordingly.

We look forward to seeing all your submissions and working with the latest group of players and characters to experience Living in the Shadows!

Lots of views, but no questions? We must've done a better job of explaining things this time around.

I am *definitely* interested. I signed up for another forum game here, but it got put on indefinite hold. That gave me a lot more time than I had planned on to think about the character I intended to play -- and the more I thought about him, the more I liked him, and the less I wanted to see him confined to a series of disjointed single runs. LitS is just what I think this character needs to fully develop.

Right now, I'm reading through the linked threads (guidelines and LitS). I'll post or edit when I've read through those threads, by then I should have more specific questions. I just wanted to let you know that I was certainly interested.

Okay, here's a question. The Living in the Shadows thread is currently 73 pages long. Are there some specific areas that you would highlight as good places to start reading? That's a lot for any new recruit to plow through at once, so some specific examples would be helpful.

I'd recommend checking out this link here: LITS Story Index

It's found on all the major LITS pages, and contains the characters' individual stories in order, as a story. It's a great way to focus on a particular character and get a feel for what the game is like. Check out a couple of the links, because all the characters are very different, and their stories reflect that.

Like life, the LITS universe has lots of different things happening at any given time, so focusing on one person's journey through the shadows will probably give you a clearer idea of what your indvidual gameplay experience will be like. After you're more familiar with the LITS-verse, you can try reading through everything in chronological order. Let me know if that helps!

Just bumping, so people don't forget we're here.

If there are still openings, I'm interested.

Yes, there are still openings. LITS is a perpetually open game; as long as we have sufficient GM capacity to give our players the quality of game that we strive for, we will continually accept new players. Feel free to examine the Guidelines and ask any questions you may have, and if you're still interested, by all means send a submission my way.

Always room for one more! See above for guidelines.

-S

OK so... a few questions....

1) are we supposed to start as a noob runner? with their own life that has turned to running, and is just getting his feet wet and experiencing all the shadows has to offer? or... does it not matter?

2) I'm assuming (since we're not introducing chars. to each other) that we are our own seperate entities? like no roommates, family, or close friends of PCs when our chars start?

3) Do we have a forced starting location, area, etc...? (i.e. Seattle)

4) Are metahuman variants being allowed? from SRcomp of SR3 (Oni, Nightelves, etc...)

Basically, we are looking for you to submit a character that you are interested in bringing to LIFE. While there are runs and action, LITS is also about examining the small moments that make up a runner's day.

I would suggest you read a few pages (or all, if you have time) of the LITS IC threads to get a better idea of what we are looking for in a character.

Rokur,

Thanks for your interest! Scrapheap is correct in that there is no better way to get a feel for what LITS is all about than reading some of the stories. If you would like to focus on some of the individual characters' stories as opposed to reading through the threads (which are roughly in chronological order), this link will be very helpful for you:

LITS Story Index Page

Beyond that general advice, here are some (more) specific answers to your questions:

Heh, well, I was looking for a game, and this would theoretically work out well in that intent. Less likely to crash if it's been going this long. XD

I've read the guidelines (as far as being a player goes) and while I don't have the eyes for it right now, I guess I should look into a few storylines too so I can get more understanding of things.

I would also think that, with technomancers at a bit of a disadvantage right now, mage-types are in a bit of a surplus. Shame, I was going for some 'guy in funny coat' feel with a mage or adept. I might still, but doing it with a mundane can be real fun at times.

So I guess that's me saying I'll look into more and see what making someone.

I'm officially going to make a character for application to LITS. Finally. Who he she or it will be I have no idea. I'm running down those ideas now.

*cracks knuckles* All righty... where to begin...

I was going to post, but my sleep deprived brain can only think about newborn diapers and 2am feedings. Oh the joy of father hood.

I've read through and definately interested in a character building type of play this offers for my concept of a down and outter gangmember (ex-ganger quite possibly).

We'd love to have you. If you read through everything then you know where to find me and what I'm looking for, so I'll be looking forward to seeing what you've got for us.

Ok.... I've decided to officially apply so I can get back to actually do some IC writing (most of my games are now mostly tactical and combat oriented... and IC writing is fun)

My application concept: (old char that I had and loved and lost her sheet so I gotta re-make her) (side note: Some of you may even recognize her, as she has been on the Forums before in a game with Cosmo herself... ha!)

Player: Rokur
Name: Phoenix
Real Name: Jennifer Gau (Gau Shu Lien is her chinese name)
Archetype: Mage
Race/gender: Female Chinese Elf
Profile: She is a believer in the ancient and powerful being of the Phoenix, which she uses as a focus to channel her own abilities. She now currently specializes in social situations and infiltration/conning. She hates fighting but that doesn't mean she can't defend herself.

Brief Background (gonna revamp it a bit since I lost the old one):


Mechanical questions of conversion from SR3 to SR4:
1) Mentor Spirit: Since there is no Phoenix, should I just use Fire-Bringer stats for Phoenix?
2) Spells.... 3 Spells are no longer available that are more defining spells for her, just need a ruling of allowed or not allowed and we can maybe work out the drain and hits mechanics later?
listed below are the spells and the old definition and how they worked
a) Makeover - creates a complete makeover for a subject including hair, makeup and others. Successes determine how much "style" the makeover can be... the only major factor is the changes are PERMANENT.
b) Fashion - Instantly tailors clothing into any design. Weight and basic amount of fabric is unchangeable. Limited by Armor (in SR3 the spell could only change up to armor rating < Force)
c) Steamy Mist - This was a created spell. Phoenix was able to focus her magic directly into heating the air. Her magic would create excess moisture in the air and it would heat immediately becoming a steam. This impeded vision much like a thermal smoke grenade.... In SR4 there is a similar spell (Shadow) however it creates darkness, was thinking maybe just use that spell and increase the drain value and then it can act as a thermal shadow spell?

Needless to say, I know I'm asking a lot... and Maybe this should have been a PM to someone...

Also, if these spells don't work out... I'm always ready to create another life.

This is like old home week. Cosmo, Ivan, and Pheonix, we just need Blitz and Gabriel.

Rokur and Grendel -

First, I am presuming you already read the Guidelines, so you are aware of what we are looking for in the initial submission. That doesn't sound like it will be a problem for Phoenix, since she is a previously developed character, albeit one that needs to be remade. Nonetheless, from what I saw I think she's fascinating, and I really like a lot of the gutsy decisions you made in her background. I would very much like to see her in her entirety.

In case you did not delve into this in detail in your previous background of the character, I will tell you in advance that I will want to know (among other things) very specifically Jennifer's reaction to her rape, her rationale for the murder of her assailants, and her response to the murders and subsequent flight from home.

I will treat this topic will all the seriousness and respect it deserves, but such a sequence of events is undoubtedly one of the linchpins of her life, and I think that much of the character development (both in the backstory and the game) will hinge upon your explanation and interpretation of how these events affected Jennifer.

The reason I tell you this now is because they are such powerful subjects (rape and revenge), I want to give you advance warning and time to consider them carefully, so you can work through the details and come up with a satisfactory understanding of these events in Jennifer's life prior to submission.

In a nutshell, I respect your writing such a difficult subject into your character, and I want myself and your future GM to be able to do the character and the subject justice, and that means we need a thorough understanding of where Jennifer is coming from in relation to the topic.

Specific Replies (I realize Grendel already replied to your initial questions, he and I are discussing them and these constitute the 'updated' replies):

Thermocline/steamy mist - It's not the MOST important spell in her arsenal.... but it was merely a cool extension over her mastery of manipulating fire with magic.
I don't mind using the Thermocline spell currently there, while the Shadow spell would not fit her "style" and thus won't be taken most likely. Thus Thermocline would probably be very rarely used. Unless we made Shadow into another spell called like smoke which would be maybe heating dust particles of the air to cause excess black smoke which impedes sight like shadow.... hmm....

Makeover spell - Each time the spell is used I assumed it would replace the old Makeover... it's an SR3 spell and was used that way. And I think the charisma bonus would only last as long as the subject didn't shower, sweat alot, or otherwise do anything that would change her appearance. If the spell would work without the charisma bonus, that would be fine... since she will use the spell to look grungy at times to "blend" with crowds....

Also about the specific history between Ivan, Cosmo, Phoenix, and about 6 others... they only worked together on one run currently... the specifics of which are very hazy.... as a matter of fact, I believe GRENDEL gmed that game??? and maybe could help with the specifics... All I remember is going off to some distant armory, levitating over a fence and changing Blitz's clothes into "sexy" which was an interesting situation for Blitz needless to say... Unfortunately I believe there was a part 2 to the game... but RL reasons did not allow me to partake

And about the Background... I'm writing it out again now since I've given up on finding it. I'm trying to write it as cinematic as possible... and will be made VERY clear on what emotions, thoughts, and feelings she had and why she felt she had to do what she did.

Yeah it was one run, but it was a bonding experience, at least for Ivan. The reason being, and I wish the jive forums were working so that you could read it, with all seven runners int he room, and Blitz, a psycho mage whos name I can't remember, cast mind control (or tried too) on Blitz. Needless to say this wasn't savvy with Ivan and he was ready to go Banzai on said mage. The player felt that he could take everyone in the room out with out breaking a sweat. I belive Gabriel (played by BGMFH) ended up putting a jacket over the guys head so he couldn't see. And that ended the negotiations. It was pretty intense.

The run after was pretty cool, and alas the second part never really got off the ground. Because of that run though there are certain players, and characters I have always felt attached too. Hell it was like 4 years ago?

WR:

Any chance you've gotten Lana's first stab at a sheet? Or did it not reach you?

Well, like Rokur said, only Ivan and Cosmo participated in Eyes of Long Knives, and then Ivan for only a little while longer than Cosmo due to her having to drop out and the run overall grinding to a halt. So I don't actually count that since none of my evil plans were given time to come to fruition.

Yep. I have to say again how much I am glad Grendel is not my GM. I think I would be into my second or third character right now.

Where's the fun in killing someone right away? I hear Grendel likes to play with his food runners before he eats kills it them.

Oh ok. Evil plans not coming to fruition = run not counting. Understood.

And I like how our 'evil GM trademark line' has become Grendel's infamous, "Move along, nothing to see here citizen." How utterly appropriate.

I just know this is going to get me killed, but has Grendel ever acutlly killed anyone? In game I mean...

Not on the forums. Yet.

I'm a dead man now arn't I.

Actually, the question you have to ask is: will the character suffer more if I let him live? Or will it suffice to have him die in a spectacularly painful manner?

...



Thats not funny.

WR: No biggie, just wanted to make sure it didn't get lost in the digital universe somewhere. I think I have the sheet hammered out and almost done with gear. Still fleshing out the background as much as possible.

Might have it to you by the end of the night if things go my way.