The Prince
He's the golden boy that's done it all. He spent his early days on the streets with his poor mother but grew up in a life of luxury with his aunt and her wealthy husband. In spite of his cultured upbringing he never lost his street smarts. After graduating college he joined the Air Force and became a skilled fighter pilot. When his service ended he joined one of the few remaining city police departments. He served his department with distinction as a narcotics officier and saved countless lives by defeating several amok drones. He transfered to the UCAS Buearu of Magic Enforcement and stopped two interplanar wars from spilling over into the material plane. Currently, he serves the President as a menber of the Secret Service tasked with investigating and stopping unusual threats.
His skills make him a useful contact but his many political connections make him invaluable. In some metaplanes (located in lockers) he is worshiped as the Lightbringer. He is highly charismatic and always has something witty to say.
Connections: 4 or 5
Skills:
Influance Group 4
Automatics (light pistols) 7 (+2)
Gunnery 4
Pilot Aircraft (fixed Wing) 4(+2)
Pilot Ground Craft (Wheeled) 4 (+2)
Politics 3
Spirit politics 3
Witty quips (violent) 7 (+2)
Rap 5
CHA should be maxed out.
NYPD, that stands for kNock Your Punk-ass Down.
Full Version: Contact Ideas
The Gossip-monger:
If there is any rumour about anyone this guy (or gal) will know it. Lives for gossip, could be an elderly lady or a street bum.
If there is any rumour about anyone this guy (or gal) will know it. Lives for gossip, could be an elderly lady or a street bum.
| QUOTE (hyzmarca) |
| The Prince He's the golden boy that's done it all. He spent his early days on the streets with his poor mother but grew up in a life of luxury with his aunt and her wealthy husband. In spite of his cultured upbringing he never lost his street smarts. After graduating college he joined the airforce and became a skilled fighter pilot. When his service ended he joined one of the few remaining city police departments. He served his department with distinction as a narcotics officier and saved countless lives by defeating several amok drones. He transfered to the UCAS Buearu of Magic Enforcement and stoped two interplanar wars from spilling over into the material plane. Currently, he servies the President as a menber of the Secret Servicce tasked with investigating and stopping unusual threats. His skills make him a useful contact but his many political connections make him invaluable. In some metaplanes (located in lockers) he is worshiped as the Lightbringer. He is highly charismatic and always has something witty to say. Connections: 4 or 5 Skills: Influance Group 4 Automatics (light pistols) 7 (+2) Gunnery 4 Pilot Aircraft (fixed Wing) 4(+2) Pilot Ground Craft (Wheeled) 4 (+2) Politics 3 Spirit politics 3 Witty quips (violent) 7 (+2) Rap 5 CHA should be maxed out. NYPD, that stands for kNock Your Punk-ass Down. |
Will Smith?
Independent Matrix Cartoonist
In a day where the media arms of the Big Ten pretty much rule the animated entertainment world, there is still room on the matrix for the little guy. His trademark may be biting sarcasm, clever word play, a retro art style, or just the ability to bring a smile with wry observational humor. This is a contact you may never meet in person, but his message board and email box are constantly full of comments and suggestions from people all over the world, so he hears lots of things and may pass them on. Of course if you know something that just has to get out this may just be your outlet, but don't spam him with ridiculous inanity or you may be the next target in his ongoing virtual roast.
In a day where the media arms of the Big Ten pretty much rule the animated entertainment world, there is still room on the matrix for the little guy. His trademark may be biting sarcasm, clever word play, a retro art style, or just the ability to bring a smile with wry observational humor. This is a contact you may never meet in person, but his message board and email box are constantly full of comments and suggestions from people all over the world, so he hears lots of things and may pass them on. Of course if you know something that just has to get out this may just be your outlet, but don't spam him with ridiculous inanity or you may be the next target in his ongoing virtual roast.
| QUOTE (stevebugge) |
| Will Smith? |
How did you guess?
Map Maker
A master of demographics and statistics, with a side helping of trend prediction and computer sciences, the map maker draws the lines of our political and social lives. He's the person who tells the Stuffer Shack what to stuff and where, not to mention partitioning the partisan polling to insure solid voting blocks. Direct marketers, retail outlets, medical services, and insurance agencies, just to name a few, usually have a map making staff, but independents do exist - mostly in the world of politics and academia.
"I have more control over Congressional elections than any champaign or constituent and more influence over public policy than a million nuyen bribe."
A master of demographics and statistics, with a side helping of trend prediction and computer sciences, the map maker draws the lines of our political and social lives. He's the person who tells the Stuffer Shack what to stuff and where, not to mention partitioning the partisan polling to insure solid voting blocks. Direct marketers, retail outlets, medical services, and insurance agencies, just to name a few, usually have a map making staff, but independents do exist - mostly in the world of politics and academia.
"I have more control over Congressional elections than any champaign or constituent and more influence over public policy than a million nuyen bribe."
| QUOTE (Kanada Ten) |
| "And the demon shall bear a nine bladed sword. Nine bladed! Not two, or five, or seven- but NINE! |
Nice Fifth Element reference there.
Roadie
One part mover, one part world traveller and all crusty grumpy lovable teddy bear, the roadie is still a staple of musicians on tour.
"Yeah, I was in Metrople with Deirdre when the carecas rushed the stage and tried to pummel past security. What a riot that was. The skinheads were tossing bottles at the changlings she had singing backup and generally screaming bloody murder. Gunshots rang out, causing a panic, and they managed to trample over the security guys. Me and a few of the boys had to run out and beat them back until reinforcements arrived. After the show, Deirdre came back to give me a smile and a kiss on the cheek. The kiss was great, don't get me wrong, but it's her smile that I really remember... Of course, that wasn't the first time a fight broke out in a concert. There was this one Jet Black show in Denver..."
One part mover, one part world traveller and all crusty grumpy lovable teddy bear, the roadie is still a staple of musicians on tour.
"Yeah, I was in Metrople with Deirdre when the carecas rushed the stage and tried to pummel past security. What a riot that was. The skinheads were tossing bottles at the changlings she had singing backup and generally screaming bloody murder. Gunshots rang out, causing a panic, and they managed to trample over the security guys. Me and a few of the boys had to run out and beat them back until reinforcements arrived. After the show, Deirdre came back to give me a smile and a kiss on the cheek. The kiss was great, don't get me wrong, but it's her smile that I really remember... Of course, that wasn't the first time a fight broke out in a concert. There was this one Jet Black show in Denver..."
| QUOTE |
| Nice Fifth Element reference there. |
Actually, it's a direct "Life of Brian" quote. Man, now I feel like I missed something in the Fifth Element...
| QUOTE (hyzmarca) | ||
How did you guess? |
I actually used to watch the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, so the early part of the story was the give away. Of course not a lot of people remember his Dj Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince recording days either.
| QUOTE (stevebugge) | ||
Will Smith? |
Ooooh. Someone do Bruce Willis next!
| QUOTE (Kanada Ten) |
| Roadie One part mover, one part world traveller and all crusty grumpy lovable teddy bear, the roadie is still a staple of musicians on tour. |
Travis W. Redfish?
Mary Sue
She can do anything, knows everything, and is either an orphan who rose above her origins or the runaway child of nobility; she forgets which. She insists that she's the last remaining member of a race nobody has ever heard of but has apparently been hunted to extinction. Any man will instantly fall in love with her only to be scorned like the unworthy little worm he is.
Skills
7's. All of them.
She can do anything, knows everything, and is either an orphan who rose above her origins or the runaway child of nobility; she forgets which. She insists that she's the last remaining member of a race nobody has ever heard of but has apparently been hunted to extinction. Any man will instantly fall in love with her only to be scorned like the unworthy little worm he is.
Skills
7's. All of them.
| QUOTE (stevebugge) | ||||
I actually used to watch the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, so the early part of the story was the give away. Of course not a lot of people remember his Dj Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince recording days either. |
I remember it well. My parents just didn't understand.
Worm Farmer
When his grandfather evacuated the old farm, now in NAN lands, they decided to take the whole business with them, loading up their compost heaps into a couple confiscated dumptrucks. The family's formula to growing awakened worms (L. anthrotrogoninae) remains a secret, and the worms have high demand from fishermen seeking the big catches of the day. The worms make a dangerous harvest, as well. Constantly following the rain, the armada of trucks has grown to several dozen, all lumbering with biodiesel smoke piping from their rusted exhausts. The stench of rot seems to attract lean dogs and other creatures, but they stay well back, hoping to catch droppings when the trucks rattle on.
"Get that rope around his neck, goddamn it! Come on, come on. Pull, you gutless bunch of heathen gutterscum. Put your god damn backs into, you toothless trogs! That's it; we got 'em; we got 'em boys - for the love of Jeezus, pull!"
When his grandfather evacuated the old farm, now in NAN lands, they decided to take the whole business with them, loading up their compost heaps into a couple confiscated dumptrucks. The family's formula to growing awakened worms (L. anthrotrogoninae) remains a secret, and the worms have high demand from fishermen seeking the big catches of the day. The worms make a dangerous harvest, as well. Constantly following the rain, the armada of trucks has grown to several dozen, all lumbering with biodiesel smoke piping from their rusted exhausts. The stench of rot seems to attract lean dogs and other creatures, but they stay well back, hoping to catch droppings when the trucks rattle on.
"Get that rope around his neck, goddamn it! Come on, come on. Pull, you gutless bunch of heathen gutterscum. Put your god damn backs into, you toothless trogs! That's it; we got 'em; we got 'em boys - for the love of Jeezus, pull!"
| QUOTE (Kanada Ten) | ||
Actually, it's a direct "Life of Brian" quote. Man, now I feel like I missed something in the Fifth Element... |
The last sentence is spoken with the same intonation about the stones by Zorg.
The Fonzie
The Fonzie is the epitome of cool. He is suave, he is confident, he is strong, and he is capable. Everything he does he does well and he does whatever the heck he wants to do. His take-no-prisoners attitude quickly arns the adulation and adoration of all around him.
You could have sworn that he was just a secondary NPC but lately every plot revolves around him kicking ass and taking names and the PC are left the cheerleading roles.
The Fonzie is the epitome of cool. He is suave, he is confident, he is strong, and he is capable. Everything he does he does well and he does whatever the heck he wants to do. His take-no-prisoners attitude quickly arns the adulation and adoration of all around him.
You could have sworn that he was just a secondary NPC but lately every plot revolves around him kicking ass and taking names and the PC are left the cheerleading roles.
Until he jumps a shark, at which point the campaign dies a slow death.
Slow is right. There were one-hundred and sixty-one After-Shark episodes of Happy Days.
With what, about 6 good ones?
Mnemonic Courrier
The mnemonic courrier facilitates the transfer of information via a headware storage device. You never know when his skills might come in handy (just don't ask about his parents).
Skills:
Hacking 4
Firearms Group 3
Knowlage, Gormet Cusine (Hotel Food) 2(+2)
Equipment:
Everything but a cumputer. He needs a computer.
Military Experiment
A dolphin in a tank. You don't know what makes him useful, but he sure can make some funny noises.
Skills:
Microwave Death-Ray 4
The mnemonic courrier facilitates the transfer of information via a headware storage device. You never know when his skills might come in handy (just don't ask about his parents).
Skills:
Hacking 4
Firearms Group 3
Knowlage, Gormet Cusine (Hotel Food) 2(+2)
Equipment:
Everything but a cumputer. He needs a computer.
Military Experiment
A dolphin in a tank. You don't know what makes him useful, but he sure can make some funny noises.
Skills:
Microwave Death-Ray 4
| QUOTE | ||
Are you Blackjack by any chance? |
Wow, I've just been mistaken for Blackjack!
No, not at all. Anyway, here's a few new ones.Piotr Nikolaivitch, human fixer. This charming, gargantuan man with a thick Russian accent is one of the most respected generalist fixers in Seattle: he is most notable for his old-style Marxism (though it doesn't keep him from taking corporate jobs) and his ability to maintain contacts in the Mafia, the Yakuza, and the Triads without torquing any of them off.
Nakahira Fujisama, elven adept. Leader of a street gang called the Shinobi who seriously attempt to imitate every aspect of the legendary ninja: despite admission from a wide variety of ethnic, national, and metatypical boundaries, many are actually extremely competent at stealth and armed and unarmed combat, and a good deal of them are adepts. Amusingly, they have been recently targeted by a *real* ninja clan.
Nakahira himself is particularly notable for his mastery of an insanely wide range of unarmed martial arts: he holds black belt equivilents in Capoiera, Wing Chun Kung Fu, Akido, Savate, Escrima, Judo, Shotokan Karate, Muay Thai, Tsui Pa Hsien Kung Fu (drunken boxing), Pentjak-Silat, Hapkido, Jeet Kune Do, Tai Chi Ch'uan, American wrestling and boxing, and Russian and Israeli military styles- as well as actual Ninjutsu.
Josh Greenberg, Orthodox Jewish decker. An obcessive collector of ancient religious artifacts, he is the current holder of a section of the Dead Sea Scrolls. He sculpts the Matrix to resemble an archialogical dig, with paydata as valuable artifacts and IC as looters, obstructive government officials or natural obstacles.
Bucky The Psychic Dog, Force 8 free ally spirit. Bucky was the ally spirit of a delusional magician who believed himself a superhero, and is entirely taken with that idiom. He takes the form of a huge, talking German shepherd with a cape, and is in the unusual habit of staying materialized unless requested not to. He will invent names for the runners that sound like something out of a Golden Age comic book, thinks of morality in black-and-white terms, and calls his spirit abilities 'superpowers': however, if the runners indulge him in his eccentricities he can make an extremely powerful ally.
The Dishwasher
The dishwasher spends his days hopping from rooftops and cleaning satellite dishes, a can of NERP It! his only weapon against the corrosion and tacky resin left behind by pollution and rain. The field of employers is narrow and fickle, mostly those comm services operating in a less than legal manner. Using street kids to make the rounds ends up cheaper than the cost of drones, but they don't all stay in business long enough to payout.
Dishwashers consider themselves free agents, in competition with one another. Every other dishwasher is a lost opportunity, so rookies don't usually last long. Of course, accidents are common and sometimes fatal. Hospital stays generally kill a career, as well. After even light rains, the dishwashers will be out in their blue parkas and sticky boots, wiping away the residue. Snow removal - and deicing at the higher elevations - make up their work in the winter.
"Me and a few of the crew play Miracle Shooter on the job. I'm not braggin' when I say I'm pretty good..."
"Sure, I know a shortcut to Glowcity, but you gotta be a light foot. Alright, twenty nuyen, up front. Yeah, let's do it!"
The dishwasher spends his days hopping from rooftops and cleaning satellite dishes, a can of NERP It! his only weapon against the corrosion and tacky resin left behind by pollution and rain. The field of employers is narrow and fickle, mostly those comm services operating in a less than legal manner. Using street kids to make the rounds ends up cheaper than the cost of drones, but they don't all stay in business long enough to payout.
Dishwashers consider themselves free agents, in competition with one another. Every other dishwasher is a lost opportunity, so rookies don't usually last long. Of course, accidents are common and sometimes fatal. Hospital stays generally kill a career, as well. After even light rains, the dishwashers will be out in their blue parkas and sticky boots, wiping away the residue. Snow removal - and deicing at the higher elevations - make up their work in the winter.
"Me and a few of the crew play Miracle Shooter on the job. I'm not braggin' when I say I'm pretty good..."
"Sure, I know a shortcut to Glowcity, but you gotta be a light foot. Alright, twenty nuyen, up front. Yeah, let's do it!"
You can always use the boring old vanilla contacts and just dress them up a bit.
Example: my rat shaman Algernon had his standard magical go-to guy (general knowledge, scuttlebutt, talismongery, etc). However, the contact was also the leader of the Shadowrun MMO guild Algernon belonged to. The membership was restricted to real-life mages; joining required the recruit to actually project and meet the leader on the astral. Voila! A little flavor made a standard contact memorable and (according to my GM) loads more fun to play.
Example: my rat shaman Algernon had his standard magical go-to guy (general knowledge, scuttlebutt, talismongery, etc). However, the contact was also the leader of the Shadowrun MMO guild Algernon belonged to. The membership was restricted to real-life mages; joining required the recruit to actually project and meet the leader on the astral. Voila! A little flavor made a standard contact memorable and (according to my GM) loads more fun to play.
Air Traffic Controller
The Air Traffic Controller is a tremendously useful man to know for those times when you're flying your heavily-armored panzer in the vicinity of a major air lane (or major metropolitan area) and aren't especially fond of anti-aircraft fire and government interceptors.
The Air Traffic Controller is a tremendously useful man to know for those times when you're flying your heavily-armored panzer in the vicinity of a major air lane (or major metropolitan area) and aren't especially fond of anti-aircraft fire and government interceptors.
Taxidermist
One part artist, one part surgeon, and one part embalmer the Taxidermist is one odd duck. Dealing in the long term preservation of dead animals is a vanishing art, but one still in moderate demand with Big Game Hunters, Critter Hunters, and Sport Fishermen. In short he knows plenty of people who have the time and money to pursue these hobbies. He also has the leftovers from there work, which he carefully preserves for sale to those needing certain unusual materials, magicians mostly. A few of the less scrupulous members of the trade have been known to do work on metahuman corpses, either disposal or preservation....
One part artist, one part surgeon, and one part embalmer the Taxidermist is one odd duck. Dealing in the long term preservation of dead animals is a vanishing art, but one still in moderate demand with Big Game Hunters, Critter Hunters, and Sport Fishermen. In short he knows plenty of people who have the time and money to pursue these hobbies. He also has the leftovers from there work, which he carefully preserves for sale to those needing certain unusual materials, magicians mostly. A few of the less scrupulous members of the trade have been known to do work on metahuman corpses, either disposal or preservation....
| QUOTE |
| A few of the less scrupulous members of the trade have been known to do work on metahuman corpses, either disposal or preservation.... |
"You walk into the dragon's study, and he motions for you to sit. Above the fireplace is a mounted troll head. You can tell the dragon spared no expense on the taxidermist; the troll still looks spitting mad, ready to jump off the wall to kick somebody's ass."
| QUOTE (Kanada Ten) | ||
"You walk into the dragon's study, and he motions for you to sit. Above the fireplace is a mounted troll head. You can tell the dragon spared no expense on the taxidermist; the troll still looks spitting mad, ready to jump off the wall to kick somebody's ass." |
Yeah that should give a lot of runners a reason to be concerned.
| QUOTE |
| Yeah that should give a lot of runners a reason to be concerned. |
I'm a little more worried about Hestaby's order of fifteen stuffed teddy trolls... Sure, she claims that it will help the brood learn affection for metahumans - but, really, how well has that worked for us and bears?
What's the problem? Bears get a warm, crunchy, slightly metallic-tasting snack, and cops get target practice on a live creature.
It's win-freaking-win!
It's win-freaking-win!
Hasbeen
Once upon a simstar, the hasbeen was the top of the charts and on everyone's lips. That was weeks ago, however, but she clawed her way back to the bottom rung. Every producer has a few skeletons in the closet to rattle, and her list of male companions could fill a few commlinks. Appearing at the 2070's AR Awards and interviewing debutants with her decidedly cynical air, the hasbeen desperately wants to reach the top again, but the struggle just might kill her. At parties, she is often found playing off the corp princess and feeding gossip mongers the latest simdirt.
"Oh darling, you look simply fabulous. Tell me, is that real tiger fur sneaking up your bikini line? It is? Oh my, wherever did you have it done?"
Once upon a simstar, the hasbeen was the top of the charts and on everyone's lips. That was weeks ago, however, but she clawed her way back to the bottom rung. Every producer has a few skeletons in the closet to rattle, and her list of male companions could fill a few commlinks. Appearing at the 2070's AR Awards and interviewing debutants with her decidedly cynical air, the hasbeen desperately wants to reach the top again, but the struggle just might kill her. At parties, she is often found playing off the corp princess and feeding gossip mongers the latest simdirt.
"Oh darling, you look simply fabulous. Tell me, is that real tiger fur sneaking up your bikini line? It is? Oh my, wherever did you have it done?"
| QUOTE (stevebugge @ May 25 2006, 04:05 PM) | ||||
Yeah that should give a lot of runners a reason to be concerned. |
Assuming that it is actually mounted and not a live Troll with kinestics (for perfect muscle control) sticking his head through a hole in the wall.
| QUOTE (hyzmarca) | ||||||
Assuming that it is actually mounted and not a live Troll with kinestics (for perfect mucles control) sticking his head through a hole in the wall. |
As a player I don't think I would find that very comforting either.
Wall Troll
"That? Oh, it's just my Troll on the Wall." Yes, it's true, the radical renowned artist Adam Aloné has once again dumpshocked the world with his living masterpieces Troll on the Wall and An 800 Pound Sasquatch in the Room. Collectors the world over have commissioned him to duplicate the works, filling private studies and corporate offices with crafted specimen of H. sapiens ingentis and P. pilosis, though only the top tier can afford the latter...
"Hey, it's a job."
"Look drekpie, I only do the art thing from 9 to 5, so beat it."
"That? Oh, it's just my Troll on the Wall." Yes, it's true, the radical renowned artist Adam Aloné has once again dumpshocked the world with his living masterpieces Troll on the Wall and An 800 Pound Sasquatch in the Room. Collectors the world over have commissioned him to duplicate the works, filling private studies and corporate offices with crafted specimen of H. sapiens ingentis and P. pilosis, though only the top tier can afford the latter...
"Hey, it's a job."
"Look drekpie, I only do the art thing from 9 to 5, so beat it."
Glass Blower
A rare artisan in the 21st century the glass blower is both an artists and a craftsman. No one is quite sure where his inspiration comes from but his glass work is truly amazing. But like most artists he has to pay the bills, so if you need some unusual glass work done he might just do it for you, after telling you about everything in his gallery and how much he'll sell it to you for.
A rare artisan in the 21st century the glass blower is both an artists and a craftsman. No one is quite sure where his inspiration comes from but his glass work is truly amazing. But like most artists he has to pay the bills, so if you need some unusual glass work done he might just do it for you, after telling you about everything in his gallery and how much he'll sell it to you for.
The Ghost of the Cop who killed all those guys that time.
AKA: Died Hard
He started out as a Private Detective at a failing detective agency. He has several interesting adventures over the years but his agency was eventually closed down by the ABC television network. After this fateful failure he got married and became an NYPD detective. His wife, who worked in LA, was captured by terrorists and he blow up all the terrorists saving her. Later, he killed a bunch of terrorists at an airport and then he killed a bunch of terrorists in New York while trying to put four gallons of water into a 5 gallon jug.
All of this craziness led to a midlife crisis in which he hallucinated that himself as a child was pulled from the past to teach him a sappy lesson and he became a psychotherapist. Unfortunately, he was forced to quit this profession after one of his patients tried to kill him then committed suicide. Falling back on his law enforcement experience he became a security guard and learned that he has super powers. His old friend from New York tried to convince him that he was a comic book superhero but it turns out that his powers are the result of him being a spectre. He actually committed suicide several years earlier to protect a girl he rescued from a corrupt politician whose son he killed.
As a Spectre he possesses Immunity to Normal Weapons and several nonstandard spirit powers but His knowledge is what makes him most valuable. He is an outstanding psychiatrist and excellent police officer with all the knowledge and skills one would expect from those professions. As a detective he has few equals; as an ass-kicker he has even fewer.
AKA: Died Hard
He started out as a Private Detective at a failing detective agency. He has several interesting adventures over the years but his agency was eventually closed down by the ABC television network. After this fateful failure he got married and became an NYPD detective. His wife, who worked in LA, was captured by terrorists and he blow up all the terrorists saving her. Later, he killed a bunch of terrorists at an airport and then he killed a bunch of terrorists in New York while trying to put four gallons of water into a 5 gallon jug.
All of this craziness led to a midlife crisis in which he hallucinated that himself as a child was pulled from the past to teach him a sappy lesson and he became a psychotherapist. Unfortunately, he was forced to quit this profession after one of his patients tried to kill him then committed suicide. Falling back on his law enforcement experience he became a security guard and learned that he has super powers. His old friend from New York tried to convince him that he was a comic book superhero but it turns out that his powers are the result of him being a spectre. He actually committed suicide several years earlier to protect a girl he rescued from a corrupt politician whose son he killed.
As a Spectre he possesses Immunity to Normal Weapons and several nonstandard spirit powers but His knowledge is what makes him most valuable. He is an outstanding psychiatrist and excellent police officer with all the knowledge and skills one would expect from those professions. As a detective he has few equals; as an ass-kicker he has even fewer.
| QUOTE (Nidhogg) |
| Mnemonic Courrier The mnemonic courrier facilitates the transfer of information via a headware storage device. You never know when his skills might come in handy (just don't ask about his parents). Skills: Hacking 4 Firearms Group 3 Knowlage, Gormet Cusine (Hotel Food) 2(+2) Equipment: Everything but a cumputer. He needs a computer. Military Experiment A dolphin in a tank. You don't know what makes him useful, but he sure can make some funny noises. Skills: Microwave Death-Ray 4 |
Johnny wouldn't happen to be his name now would it?
"Paging Dr. Allcome, paging Dr. Allcome."
The Music Man
A con artist in spirit, the Music Man runs an Infomercial Syndicate. Once selling cure all gadgets and drugs, the modern pitch is virtual training programs promising to teach children whatever the direct marketing demographic parent's dream is statistically predicted to be at that moment. From musical greatness to magical "awareness", the Music Man is a chameleon of the commercial world. A variation is for an Awakened person to sell magical induction. They both simulate results in select individuals (often their own plants) to demonstrate their qualifications. If they do come across real talent, they can always sell the contract to the corps...
"Is your son or daughter weak and flabby? Do they spend most of their time online? Now, that spells something to me. Do you know what that spells? That's right: Trouble. These simple seventeen step programs will teach them the greatest tools of their lives. It will give them the ability to stand up in the face of laziness and say, 'No!' That's right, I'm talking about music. Music opens the soul and strengthens willpower. I have with me right here a world acknowledged doctor who can testify to it's power! Come on out here Doctor Halberstein!"
*I just realized that I stole the Prophet... It was strange because I had Monty Python's "Blandly Accurate Prophet" in my head and couldn't think of why. I did a quick Ctrl+F for Prophet in this thread and came up blank - thus thinking it was ok to post it... Sorry, Fool, I forgot about the Preacher (but that's obviously where the thought came from).
A con artist in spirit, the Music Man runs an Infomercial Syndicate. Once selling cure all gadgets and drugs, the modern pitch is virtual training programs promising to teach children whatever the direct marketing demographic parent's dream is statistically predicted to be at that moment. From musical greatness to magical "awareness", the Music Man is a chameleon of the commercial world. A variation is for an Awakened person to sell magical induction. They both simulate results in select individuals (often their own plants) to demonstrate their qualifications. If they do come across real talent, they can always sell the contract to the corps...
"Is your son or daughter weak and flabby? Do they spend most of their time online? Now, that spells something to me. Do you know what that spells? That's right: Trouble. These simple seventeen step programs will teach them the greatest tools of their lives. It will give them the ability to stand up in the face of laziness and say, 'No!' That's right, I'm talking about music. Music opens the soul and strengthens willpower. I have with me right here a world acknowledged doctor who can testify to it's power! Come on out here Doctor Halberstein!"
*I just realized that I stole the Prophet... It was strange because I had Monty Python's "Blandly Accurate Prophet" in my head and couldn't think of why. I did a quick Ctrl+F for Prophet in this thread and came up blank - thus thinking it was ok to post it... Sorry, Fool, I forgot about the Preacher (but that's obviously where the thought came from).
Cupid.
An elf with dwarfism implanted with a cybertorso and two HUGE custom cyberlimbs that allow him to survive a fall of any distance if given plenty of room for span and glide.
A mage with an array of Illusion, Detection and Manipulation spells, Cupid believes that he is... well... Cupid. And the fact is once Cupid is done finding what he considers to be a compatible couple, muddles with each of their memories, thoughts and emotions and micro-manages each of their dates with spells and spirits on overwatch the couple often ends up happily ever after.
Now and then Cupid might be persuaded to do requests, if the applicant's heart is true (and if the applicant's credstick is fat).
An elf with dwarfism implanted with a cybertorso and two HUGE custom cyberlimbs that allow him to survive a fall of any distance if given plenty of room for span and glide.
A mage with an array of Illusion, Detection and Manipulation spells, Cupid believes that he is... well... Cupid. And the fact is once Cupid is done finding what he considers to be a compatible couple, muddles with each of their memories, thoughts and emotions and micro-manages each of their dates with spells and spirits on overwatch the couple often ends up happily ever after.
Now and then Cupid might be persuaded to do requests, if the applicant's heart is true (and if the applicant's credstick is fat).
| QUOTE (hyzmarca @ May 26 2006, 10:55 AM) |
| then he killed a bunch of terrorists in |
There you go. All better.
But you also forget about the time between terrorists when he was a PI with the ex-quarterback in a horribly stupid plot involving a dead stripper, a Senator, the owner of a football team, eurotrash hitmen, and a plush cat that spat bullets.
Rave Promoter
With more connections than the average porn node, the rave promoter is a version of the friend collector who just really wants you to come to his party. There will be chicks, loud music, and a pharmacy. The rave can be meat world, virtual, and even astral, often combinations. Paying off local gangs and police, insuring the facilities, and providing the merchandise all fall to the rave promoter. The rave survives by creating a believable black market for "rebel music", concerts, and drugs, when it is actually corp sponsored as a test market for viral advertising and various products. The promoter usually doesn't care about that side, he just wants an awesome party... and a chick. You're coming, right?
"Dude, listen. Man. Picture, like, a ten meter speaker system here, resonating in the boiler. It'll be like, DOOONNGGGG. And then arrows displaying other parts of the party from bird's eye in the rafters. Man. I'm telling you, the vendors will be like staggered along these hallways, yeah. And I want a fucking hotdog cart going round. Oh, jeeze, I need to hire a couple more EMTs..."
With more connections than the average porn node, the rave promoter is a version of the friend collector who just really wants you to come to his party. There will be chicks, loud music, and a pharmacy. The rave can be meat world, virtual, and even astral, often combinations. Paying off local gangs and police, insuring the facilities, and providing the merchandise all fall to the rave promoter. The rave survives by creating a believable black market for "rebel music", concerts, and drugs, when it is actually corp sponsored as a test market for viral advertising and various products. The promoter usually doesn't care about that side, he just wants an awesome party... and a chick. You're coming, right?
"Dude, listen. Man. Picture, like, a ten meter speaker system here, resonating in the boiler. It'll be like, DOOONNGGGG. And then arrows displaying other parts of the party from bird's eye in the rafters. Man. I'm telling you, the vendors will be like staggered along these hallways, yeah. And I want a fucking hotdog cart going round. Oh, jeeze, I need to hire a couple more EMTs..."
| QUOTE (Toptomcat @ May 17 2006, 06:44 PM) |
| Marilith Millions, assasin for hire. A kidnapping run went pear-shaped on her a few years back, and she got stuck with a pathologically trusting eight-year old hostage that nobody would pay for. Two years later, she couldn't bring herself to just cut her losses and sell the poppet to organ-leggers. Stockholm syndrome kicked in with a vengeance, and Marilith now has herself an ten-year-old partner in crime. Sven, male human Scandinavian decker with a passion for bodybuilding. Has access through his uncle to some top-of-the-line programs, which help make up for his fair-to-middling unmodified CMT Avatar and only slightly above-average decking skills. Sculpts the Matrix to look like Valhalla. "Sure, I'll get you the files if you spot me at the gym next Thursday." Otto Von Brauchisch, last survivor of the Third Reich. The escaped testbed for the Leonization genetic age reversal process, Otto is over a hundred and fifty years old. He was there for the dawn of special ops, served actively in the Waffen-SS, and was the favored protege of the legendary special operator Otto Skorzeny. Still an unrepenetant Nazi- after all, what has fascism done that capitalism done wild hasn't already inflicted on the Sixth world five times over? Maestro, gunsmith/shadowrunner. A professional criminal for fifteen years and running, the Maestro understands that the key to succeeding at a job is having the right tool, and knowing how to use it. The subtle power of a narcojet pistol, the surgical precision of a sniper rifle, and the unfocused devastation of a claymore mine can all be powerful tools to apply to a run- and he can use them all with skill and confidence. If he can't find the peice he needs in his considerable arsenal, no worries- give him a week or two and he'll make it himself. His street name comes from a bizarre and unique weapon he has designed and made his firearm of choice. Cross-linking his smartlink with a musician's synthlink and extensively redesigning a gas vent with valves and precise tonal proportions, Maestro has transformed a standard Ingram LMG into an exquisite wind instrument that plays a requiem for his enemies as he guns them down. Dial-A-Cache, unique shadow service company. Founded by a pair of former runners who found their habit of scattering equipment caches across Seattle was very much appreciated by their teammates, Dial-A-Cache secrets guns, knives, ammunition, armor, and other bits of basic 'running equipment all across the city. Just call them up, and one clandestine credit transfer later, they'll tell you how to get to the nearest pile of their goodies. |
These caught my eye.
I like that you snagged Marilith from her webcomic.
I like Sven. Next time I get to run, I think I'll have to include him. I have the perfect NPC to pair him up with.
Otto's great. A real live Nazi for my players to kill!
Maestro's great. His gun alone is worth it.
Dial-a-Cache is a great idea. Similar to one a friend of mine has.
Adjunct Attache to the Athabascan Ambassador
Tribal nepotism at its finest, this third cousin of the ambassador's sister-in-law doesn't have much of a job description. Mostly, he picks up soyffee in the morning and recreational drugs in the evening. The decoy diplomatic pouch is his primary purpose outside the gopher role.
"You want me to stash this gun, fully loaded, in the Sioux Embassy on the 13th? Hm, ok, but I need you to..."
Tribal nepotism at its finest, this third cousin of the ambassador's sister-in-law doesn't have much of a job description. Mostly, he picks up soyffee in the morning and recreational drugs in the evening. The decoy diplomatic pouch is his primary purpose outside the gopher role.
"You want me to stash this gun, fully loaded, in the Sioux Embassy on the 13th? Hm, ok, but I need you to..."
Dentist
Useful For: Fixing you jaw after Mr. Bigg the Troll punches you in the mouth; getting corporate tracking devices out of your teeth; fencing and/or supplying gold; torture advice and equipment.
Places to Meet: Her clinic; high-class ice-cream shops; S&M clubs.
And you thought that these Yakuza "debt collectors" were born and bred sadists!
A dentist earns her cosy lifestyle by fixin' people's teeth, involving, of course, various types of very painful drills and pliers. Besides behind handy when you've lost several teeth to an angry troll, if you get on her good side she could also "launder" the gold you've stolen from some corp's safe or even let you use her chairs, drills and pliers to persuade an enemy to spill his guts (not literally - for that you'll need a proctologist contact
).
Useful For: Fixing you jaw after Mr. Bigg the Troll punches you in the mouth; getting corporate tracking devices out of your teeth; fencing and/or supplying gold; torture advice and equipment.
Places to Meet: Her clinic; high-class ice-cream shops; S&M clubs.
And you thought that these Yakuza "debt collectors" were born and bred sadists!
A dentist earns her cosy lifestyle by fixin' people's teeth, involving, of course, various types of very painful drills and pliers. Besides behind handy when you've lost several teeth to an angry troll, if you get on her good side she could also "launder" the gold you've stolen from some corp's safe or even let you use her chairs, drills and pliers to persuade an enemy to spill his guts (not literally - for that you'll need a proctologist contact
).
Bookie.
Useful for trying to increses a meagre pay check.
Maybe for my next character?
Useful for trying to increses a meagre pay check.
Maybe for my next character?
Parole Officer
This isn't a contact most runners get by choice, more often than not this is the result of the Lawyer contact not coming all the way through. You still have to go him once a week though. Like all parts of the modern legal system they range from straight shooters to pretty corrupt. Some even end up being low to mid range Johnsons for the Star and a few use their charges to run their own petty criminal syndicates. Whatever type you end up with just make sure to check in on time, because chances are he knows at least one Troll Bounty Hunter.
This isn't a contact most runners get by choice, more often than not this is the result of the Lawyer contact not coming all the way through. You still have to go him once a week though. Like all parts of the modern legal system they range from straight shooters to pretty corrupt. Some even end up being low to mid range Johnsons for the Star and a few use their charges to run their own petty criminal syndicates. Whatever type you end up with just make sure to check in on time, because chances are he knows at least one Troll Bounty Hunter.
The X
The sex was great; the fights were better, but the price of living with your X eventually grew to big for the both of you. She's still a ninja/hacker on her side of town, and when you meet the sword/code sparks fly. Yet, the X can be trusted in an odd sort of way: you know she might kill you - but she'll never sell you out.
"Is that a katana in your pocket, or are you just happy to see me?"
"You always were a sloppy coder..."
The sex was great; the fights were better, but the price of living with your X eventually grew to big for the both of you. She's still a ninja/hacker on her side of town, and when you meet the sword/code sparks fly. Yet, the X can be trusted in an odd sort of way: you know she might kill you - but she'll never sell you out.
"Is that a katana in your pocket, or are you just happy to see me?"
"You always were a sloppy coder..."
"Sister" Maria
Cage brawls are noted for their theatrical nature. Many brawlers, such as Ninja Ned, Crowbar Jack, and the Powerhouse, adopt colorful personae and exchange melodramatic dialogue with their opponents during the match. In a sport where pleasing the crowd is often just as important as winning the fight, a brawler's popularity is based on his showmanship and sense of distinctive flair as well as on his prowess in combat.
Maria is a powerful Adept and a rising star of the brawling scene, where she is known as "Sister Maria, The Flying Nun." Cage brawl fans love Maria for her flamboyant combat style, which incorporates spectacular high leaps and whirlwind strikes that both stun the audience (figuratively) and her opponents (literally). They also love her for her raw sex appeal, perhaps best exemplified by the costume she wears: a tight-fitting version of the traditional nun's habit, complete with a slit skirt to allow for maximum mobility.
"You've been a very naughty boy, Crowbar...but now it's time for some PUNISHMENT!"
"Yeah, I know Jimmy the Scumbag. Shows up outside my dressing room after every match, the pervert."
EDIT: When I came up with this idea, I had just read a volume of the manga Hellsing that featured a bishojo nun with a violent split personality, and the night before I had seen part of an anime show about bishojo nuns who fight demons. (What is it with the Japanese and nuns?) Anyway, I took the coincidence as a sign from God.
Cage brawls are noted for their theatrical nature. Many brawlers, such as Ninja Ned, Crowbar Jack, and the Powerhouse, adopt colorful personae and exchange melodramatic dialogue with their opponents during the match. In a sport where pleasing the crowd is often just as important as winning the fight, a brawler's popularity is based on his showmanship and sense of distinctive flair as well as on his prowess in combat.
Maria is a powerful Adept and a rising star of the brawling scene, where she is known as "Sister Maria, The Flying Nun." Cage brawl fans love Maria for her flamboyant combat style, which incorporates spectacular high leaps and whirlwind strikes that both stun the audience (figuratively) and her opponents (literally). They also love her for her raw sex appeal, perhaps best exemplified by the costume she wears: a tight-fitting version of the traditional nun's habit, complete with a slit skirt to allow for maximum mobility.
"You've been a very naughty boy, Crowbar...but now it's time for some PUNISHMENT!"
"Yeah, I know Jimmy the Scumbag. Shows up outside my dressing room after every match, the pervert."
EDIT: When I came up with this idea, I had just read a volume of the manga Hellsing that featured a bishojo nun with a violent split personality, and the night before I had seen part of an anime show about bishojo nuns who fight demons. (What is it with the Japanese and nuns?) Anyway, I took the coincidence as a sign from God.
| QUOTE (Kanada Ten) |
| The Music Man *snip* |
I can't resist any longer.
Does he come from down your way?
Out-of-Town Shadowrunner
What you do, he does- but somewhere else. If you've got Lone Star eating out of the palm of your hand, phone numbers for the leaders of the Halloweeners and the Ancients, and a red phone directly in the office of Vince 'Numbers' Ciarnello, that still doesn't do you jack when you get stuck with a job in Denver. Everywhere you go, the buzz is different, the employers are different, and the jobs are different, and it's very nice to have a local to get you up to speed.
Obscure Totem
Cat and Wolf rarely deign to associate with anyone but their shamans, but Toaster and Dodo can't afford to be so hoity-toity. Sometimes, they decide to watch over a mortal for no other reason than PR, to prove to the world that they exist- and hopefully garner a few more believers.
What you do, he does- but somewhere else. If you've got Lone Star eating out of the palm of your hand, phone numbers for the leaders of the Halloweeners and the Ancients, and a red phone directly in the office of Vince 'Numbers' Ciarnello, that still doesn't do you jack when you get stuck with a job in Denver. Everywhere you go, the buzz is different, the employers are different, and the jobs are different, and it's very nice to have a local to get you up to speed.
Obscure Totem
Cat and Wolf rarely deign to associate with anyone but their shamans, but Toaster and Dodo can't afford to be so hoity-toity. Sometimes, they decide to watch over a mortal for no other reason than PR, to prove to the world that they exist- and hopefully garner a few more believers.
Street Grifter
This guy has a new trick every couple of weeks, he's constantly reinventing himself, and if he had ever worked as hard at a trade, job, or skill as he does on his wacky confidence schemes he'd have made something of himself by now. Or has he? Whether it's street corner Three Card Monty, bait & switch discount merchandise, or selling phony vacations & cruise packages the Street Grifter has probably been mixed up in at some point in time. In the process he's acquired all sorts of personal information, ID's, account numbers, personal items, and gossip from his victims. Careful though he's pretty slippery and while he acts like your buddy to him you may be just another mark.
This guy has a new trick every couple of weeks, he's constantly reinventing himself, and if he had ever worked as hard at a trade, job, or skill as he does on his wacky confidence schemes he'd have made something of himself by now. Or has he? Whether it's street corner Three Card Monty, bait & switch discount merchandise, or selling phony vacations & cruise packages the Street Grifter has probably been mixed up in at some point in time. In the process he's acquired all sorts of personal information, ID's, account numbers, personal items, and gossip from his victims. Careful though he's pretty slippery and while he acts like your buddy to him you may be just another mark.
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