Help - Search - Members - Calendar
Full Version: OOC: Search for the Spirit Mask of Timbuktu
Dumpshock Forums > Discussion > Welcome to the Shadows
Pages: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11
Fenris
As a note to everyone else, recruiting for this game has already been done, and it's full.

Alright, this is where we'll be designing character and backgrounds.

Since I'm fairly new to the system, I'm going to try and keep things fairly low key. I'll be going with the basic 400pt build system, and I'll toss in an extra 30 karma. You all know the general premise of the game and the flavor I'm going for from my PM, so think along those lines when buying gear and such. Don't stunt your character, just try to keep the flavor wink.gif

Somewhere out there is an optional rule for free contact points based on your Charisma. I'd like to use it, so a free point of karma to the first person to explain it to me in detail in this thread biggrin.gif
BishopMcQ
Fenris--The optional (Houserule) thrown out by some of the people on the boards, is that characters receive Natural Cha*2 in free points for contacts. it's meant to simulate the fact that high charisma characters will know more people and have better relationships than low charisma characters, as well as, lean on the old stable of 2 free lvl 1 contacts from SR3.

Effectively if my character has a Charisma of 3 (human standard) I get 6 pts worth of contacts free.

2 contacts at 1/2, 2/1
1 contact at 1/5, 2/4, 3/3, 4/2 or 5/1
or 1 contact at 1/1 and another at 1/3, 2/2, or 3/1

My charisma 1 troll gets a free 1/1 contact.

Obviously the options for my Elf face with a charisma of 7 or 8 are much broader...

Cha*2 seems to be the acceptable standard, though some Dumpshockers have pushed for up to Cha*4....which is really just a bit out there, IMO.
Buddha72
So to start the ball rolling on throwing out character concepts....

I was going to do a msytic adept with a focus on swords and maybe throwing weapons. Going for the exotic orient feel with the character. I'll have a few utility spells but mostly a melee combant and physical skill monkey.

I would love to weave together a mutual history with the other characters so we start with some sort of group/team bond in place.

Can the other people throw up their rough ideas as well to help the group building?
Whizbang
Was going for a Dragonslayer shaman. He's a historian, and knows a good deal about spirits and the paranormal.
BishopMcQ
I'm going with an Occult Investigator--a few minor tweaks from the archtype most likely.

A hybrid between Marcus Brody (from Indiana Jones) and a Film Noir PI.
Fenris
As a quick question to the group:

How would you feel about adding one more player? There are both drawbacks and benefits, obviously. The benefits circle around not having to cover as many gaps with the existing group, having more actions in combat, access to more skills, spells, equipment, etc.

The drawback is mostly based around the medium. Anytime you have more then one player, things start to slow down a little, no matter who the player or players are, it's just due to the PbP situation.

I personally think 5 is still a very manageable group, and since I have personal emails or I know you IRL, I think I could keep things moving along. I'm leaving the decision up to you guys though.
Whizbang
Hmm...you have someone in mind, or you planning on holding auditions? I have no problem with a fifth player.
BishopMcQ
I'd be open to a 5th, but I like Whizbang am curious if this would be by invitation like the group or if it'd be an open call.
Buddha72
I would be open to another player if you or someone had some previous experience with them so we know that they are reliable and would join with the same friendly spirit.
Buddha72
Is anyone making a leader type character at this point? Someone who could easily step into that role? That seems to be one of the things that slow a thread down, the waiting for someone to take charge.
HeySparky
I'll take a crack at that, Buddha. Being the leader type. Or at least the, 'say, you're good at this, do your thang' type. smile.gif

Also... Howdy!

Checking in.


And - McQ - I'll see your Marcus Brody and raise you a Sallah! biggrin.gif Or maybe not. I'm still kicking around ideas.

Buddha72
Awesome so we have a leader type person!

So do we want to know each other from before? Do we want to be a tight knit group or professionals who all respect each other but are there to get the job done?

Sorry if I seem to be pushy but I really want to nail down this group and game. biggrin.gif
Whizbang
Would be nice to start off as a group for a change.
Fenris
And it would sure make it easier on me ;D

Yes, I have someone in mind, and it would be by invitation. Definitely into the same friendly spirit, as reliable as most posters here on dumpshock wink.gif
Whizbang
So....who is this mysterious someone?
HeySparky
I still volunteer to be the leader, but I'm kicking around a change of concept (not that I was totally concrete in the first place) that I'd like feedback on, because that may change just what 'leader' means.

Concept:
Guide and amateur documentary filmographer - possibly Adept, but a weak one. Signed on with the group a facilitator and guide and document their search for The Mask.

She will be well-rounded skillwise, some tech, some combat, some people skills - but is mostly a hands on sort of girl. Race undetermined, I'm currently favoring troll. As leader she'd have a good grasp on the operations of the team, of the team's strengths and a good knowledge of the area of operation (paracritters, political conflicts, languages, etc.).

Who she works for I'm not certain...
1. Herself
2. The team
3. A third-party private patron who doesn't want his/her money squandered by out-of-touch-academics-and-mystics
4. A corporation/government/entity with interests in the find
5. A semi-government watchdog association intent on not letting its treasures get looted

Could be anything. The easy choices there are 1 and 2, but I think that the more interesting RP (for her and the team) would be 3, 4 or 5.

Anyway. I'm game to for anything. Even a totally new concept if we need, say, a brick or something. If we need a brick, I'd be up for some sort of merc-type who would be the on-the-ground/tactical/operations leader, but let the academics work out where they were headed in a broader sense.
BishopMcQ
Re: Team Relations--Since we all know each other some what and get along well, I'd say that a group dynamic that builds on that would be best. Pre-existing group that is tight knit but professional. We all know that the job comes first, but will go to lengths to make sure that we have fun in the process.

I'd vote to push away from the traditional shadowrun model if people are up for it. Without wanting to step on Fenris' plan too much, I am pushing for us to be a legitimate group. If we work for an organization like the Draco Foundation or the Atlantis Project, something along those lines, it will be easier for us to travel and move around. There will occasionally be times when we don't want to tell Customs officials exactly what we are bringing, but a half-truth is easier to swallow than a complete lie.

Second idea for the group--If we go for a pre-established group, I'd suggest that we post our characters here. This will help us get to know each other's abilities and we can work at covering some of the gaps that get built.

Sparky--I like the idea of the documentary/guide, but by all means play the character that you want.

Blitz
Hi hi! I'm the mystery player that begged to get into this happy game smile.gif

I plan on throwing the character together tonight, but I could use some assistance. We recently repainted the office and somehow my SR4 book has been misplaced. Does anyone know where I can get a copy of the PDF version as band-aid?

As far as concepts go, there seems to be heavy magic support, so Im thinking of perhaps going as a weapons specialist/mercenary talented at all forms of combat as well as really comfortable with interacting with native populations and 3rd world cultures as a "jungle face" sorta. Rough and tumble type who looks at the search as more of a job and less as a quest...the person you bring along to keep the party relatively safe smile.gif

ES..I love your concept, but if you dont think it works as the leader type, I'd be happy to step up that route smile.gif (you definately have dibs though wink.gif)
HeySparky
I like the idea of being legit (It also helps support that there is an active documentary occurring - what shadowrunners would allow that?).

I also sort of like the idea of being a representative of 'the man' to the team. But one that puts herself between the parent organization and the capable, perhaps unruly or unorthodox individuals so that both are protected.

If we're gonna have a savvy tough in Blitz's PC, I may go more into the documentary filmographer route. Or more into the corporate face route (and less the generalist).

Or I may ditch all of that an make something else. It's CHARGEN! The world is my oyster. Wheee!

When are characters due and what are we going to specifically do to integrate our characters?

BishopMcQ
Blitz--Drive-thru RPG has a copy of the most recent version, and you get free downloads of each new version as they errata it. Also, if you are still a playtester, look back through some of Rob's posts and he tells you where to find one.
Buddha72
I am heading out of town for the weekend today and will be back late Monday but I will throw up my character in Tuesday so we can start making the group.

I like the idea as well of us not being shadow runners for this one. Working for Draco or the like sounds very wicked cool so there' s my two cents worth.
Fenris
I'll be out of town as well, but please don't let that stop the character creation ideas. The general timeline I've thrown up is to start the game in a week or so, but I honestly have no problems pushing that deadline back a little while if people need more time.
Blitz
YAY! Now I dont have to do a rush job! (people want characters so fast here usually smile.gif)
BishopMcQ
Hey folks--

Here's a rough sketch of my character...

There are still thing to figure out like karma expenditure, contacts and gear...but this should show you the skill base I'm building.

CODE
Character Name:  Mikael Klavitsnova
Profession:  Occult Investigator
Sex:  Male

Build Points Max: 400
Build Points Used: 400

Nuyen:
Build points spent on Nuyen(1)
Nuyen: 5000

Race:
Race:Human
Build points spent on Race (0)
Race Notes:
Human: +1 to Edge

Attributes:  
Build points spent on Attributes (230)
Attributes: (min/current/max)
Agility 1 / 3 / 6
Body 1 / 3 / 6
Reaction 1 / 3 / 6
Strength 1 / 2 / 6
Charisma 1 / 4 / 6
Intuition 1 / 4 / 6
Logic 1 / 4 / 6
Willpower 1 / 5 / 6
Essence 1 / 6 / 6
Magic 1 / 3 / 6
Resonance 0 / 0 / 6
Edge 2 / 3 / 7

Derived Attributes:
Initiative   7
Memory   9
Composure   9
Judge Intentions   8
Lift/Carry   5

Walking Rate (m/turn): 10
Running Rate (m/turn): 25
Swim Rate (m/turn):  5
Lift w/out test (kg/lbs): 20/44
Overhead Lift w/out test (kg/lbs): 10/22

Condition Monitors:
Physical Track: 11
Stun Track: 11

Active SKILLS:
Build points spent on Active Skills:(134)
Group: Electronics (Log) RANK 3 4 in group,  Computer,  Data Search,  Hardware,  Software
Group: Sorcery (Mag) RANK 3 3 in group,  Counterspelling,  Ritual Spellcasting,  Spellcasting
Group: Conjuring (Mag) RANK 3 3 in group,  Banishing,  Binding,  Summoning
Perception (Int)  RANK 3
Pistols (Agi)  RANK 3
Group: Stealth (Int) RANK 2 4 in group,  Disguise,  Infiltration,  Palming,  Shadowing

Knowledge SKILLS:
Build points spent on Knowledge Skills:(0)
academic Magic Theory and Traditions Hermetic RANK:4
language English Speak/Read/Write RANK:4
academic Archaeology by Era RANK:4
academic Magic Theory and Traditions Shamanic RANK:4
academic History by Continent RANK:3
academic History by Continent RANK:3
academic Literature by Genre RANK:1

Native Language:  (free)
Russian Specialization: Speak Ancient

Qualities:
Build Points spent on  Qualities (20)

Positive Qualities:
Magician Special Quality (15 points)
Focused Concentration (10) Rank 2

Negative Qualities:
Sensitive System (15) Rank 1

Spells:
Build Points spent on Spells (15)
Number of Spells Purchased: 5
Blitz
Did you type that out or do you have a template or character builder program?
HeySparky
That looks like ismodred's chargen app's summary output.

I should tell him in his thread that AGI and BOD are out of order.
Blitz
You have a link where I could pick that up?
HeySparky
Sorry, duh.

Here ya go.

It's pretty cool. Missing some bits, gear, adept abilities etc, but juggles numbers nicely for the rest.
Whizbang
That's a handy program....though those alarms are raining on my parade.... frown.gif
HeySparky
Yeah, I have a question. This chargen app gives you an alarm if you select the Exceptional Attribute quality - even though the points you spend aren't actually in that tab, just calculated there.

Any reading on that?

Example:

As a human, I've spent 200 BP on my attributes. I want to raise one of them to 7 eventually. I buy the quality that lets me do that. Does that break the no-more-than-1/2 of BP in attributes?

I would think not.
Fenris
So, I'd like to get the thread up and running sometime this week. How're characters coming along? I've only seen Stephen's in the thread, so I have no idea what's going on with everyone else wink.gif

Have you guys decided on a joined background yet? Individual backgrounds?
Whizbang
Here's what I have so far....still a work in progress...need to come up with my free knowledges, gear. hmm...then again...are the free knowledges point for point, or do they follow the 2 points per rank?

[ Spoiler ]
HeySparky
Concept percolating. Want to brainstorm with folks a little.

Fen - did you see my question above?

"As a human, I've spent 200 BP on my attributes. I want to raise one of them to 7 eventually. I buy the quality that lets me do that. Does that break the no-more-than-1/2 of BP in attributes?"
Fenris
Sparky: Sorry, I saw your question but was hoping someone a little more experienced in the system would answer first wink.gif

From what I understand, I don't think that would break the 200 bp on attribute limit.

Whizbang: The free points of knowledges are a 1-to-1. However, the normal limitations of only one knowledge skill at 6 or two at 5 still applies.
HeySparky
Cool, thanks. Still churning on my PC.
Blitz
Alrighty..here's the sorta base I've come up with. She's the tough, no nonsense girl who likes to prove to all the boys that girls are the tougher species. She's no genius, but knows enough to follow her intuition as it rarely fails her and she has a healthy dose of common sense. She would work well enough in that leadery type (think a female Jack O'neil from SG1) but will not be the brains of the organization wink.gif.

If ES-Sparky wants to do the leadership deal, I'll drop the Influence Group and beef up her weapons skills. No big deal either way. biggrin.gif

Im definately thinking Ex Military.

QUOTE
Character Name:  Elizabeth Dakota (goes by Dakota)
Profession:  Ex Military Mercenary
Sex:  Female

Build Points Max: 400
Build Points Used: 400

Nuyen:
Build points spent on Nuyen(19)
Nuyen: 95000

Race:
Race:Human
Build points spent on Race (0)
Race Notes:
Human: +1 to Edge

Contacts:
2/2 and 2/2 - haven't decided yet

Attributes: 
Build points spent on Attributes (200)
Attributes: (min/current/max)
Agility 1 / 4 / 6
Body 1 / 4 / 6
Reaction 1 / 5 / 6
Strength 1 / 3 / 6
Charisma 1 / 4 / 6
Intuition 1 / 3 / 6
Logic 1 / 2 / 6
Willpower 1 / 3 / 6
Essence 1 / 6 / 6
Magic 0 / 0 / 6
Resonance 0 / 0 / 6
Edge 2 / 2 / 7

Derived Attributes:
Initiative   8
Memory   5
Composure   7
Judge Intentions   7
Lift/Carry   7

Walking Rate (m/turn): 10
Running Rate (m/turn): 25
Swim Rate (m/turn):  5
Lift w/out test (kg/lbs): 30/66
Overhead Lift w/out test (kg/lbs): 15/33

Condition Monitors:
Physical Track: 10
Stun Track: 11

Active SKILLS:
Build points spent on Active Skills:(144)
Group: Athletics (Str) RANK 3 4 in group,  Climbing,  Gymnastics,  Running,  Swimming
Group: Outdoors (Int) RANK 4 3 in group,  Navigation,  Survival,  Tracking
Group: Influence (Cha) RANK 3 4 in group,  Con,  Etiquette,  Leadership,  Negotiation
Automatics (Agi)  RANK 5
Pistols (Agi)  RANK 4
Clubs (Agi)  RANK 2

Knowledge SKILLS:
Build points spent on Knowledge Skills:(22)
street Un-Organized Crime Mercenaries RANK:4
academic Military Theory & Tactics by Branch (air land etc) RANK:4
academic Archaeology by Era RANK:3
language Latin Read / Write RANK:2
language Spanish Speak/Read/Write RANK:3
language Arabic Speak/Read/Write RANK:3
language French Speak/Read/Write RANK:3
language German Speak/Read/Write RANK:3

Native Language:  (free)
English Specialization: Select

Qualities:
Build Points spent on  Qualities (15)
Considered Hacker in Regard to some Qualities? NO

Positive Qualities:
Ambidextrous (5) Rank 1
High Pain Tolerance (5) Rank 3
Guts (5) Rank 1

Negative Qualities:
Scorched -Non Hackers (5) Rank 1
SINner - Citizen (5) Rank 1
BishopMcQ
For my two cents, the quality exceptional attribute does not count against the 200 BPs limit. That being said, if you want to actually buy all 7 pts at character creation, then I'd think that it would count against the 200 point cap. As a general reminder, Special Attributes such as Edge, Magic or Resonance do no count against the 200 pt limit.

HeySparky
Okay.

Charlotte Victory Faust

Gonna get her a control rig and some other cyber and bioware.

Yeah, I know she doesn't have combat skills. I'm still looking for points. I suppose she doesn't have to be that good at flying... biggrin.gif

I'm not 100% on her knowledge skills, I may push her more into the para-botanist/zoologist type. Any suggestions here are welcome.

In case you were wondering, Bambara is a prominent language spoken in Mali and by extension Timbuktu. I was thinking that Charlie and others went ahead of the other folk to make arrangements and get the lay of the land and she picked up the local language - if that works. If not, I can put those points elsewhere.
Blitz
I went really heavy in languages, just to cover all the major bases, but language specialties such as that one are probably good ES. Also, can you let me know whether or not you want to step that character fully into the leadership role so I can finish up my character stats? I have no problem either way, but need a decision so I can finalize what path I'll be taking.
HeySparky
Go for the on-the-ground-tactical-leader role, Blitz. I'm gonna be more The Man sort of leader.

Revamping character... Fen, get used to this. Remember how I was with Alan... And if not, just ask McQ. wobble.gif

*sigh*

biggrin.gif
Chargen! My favorite part!
Buddha72
Ok I am totally lagging here but I can give a rough sketch of the character. I am going for a sword wielding fighter type. Think semi ninja, she will be a does not a thinker per say but will follow orders and work with the group.

I like the idea of her coming up against the group in the past, perhaps after the same item or some such. She would have been working as a sword for hire but the relic was more difficult to get to and she had to rely on the group to get her out alive. At that point she would have felt honor bound to stay and repaid the debt. I would like to have her be quietly in love with someone in the group, an atttraction that grew and now is full blown devotion. Something everyone knows but doesn't talk about to preserve her need for privacy and percieved strength. Any volunteers to be my love interes? It could be a man or a woman at this point.

So she now stays with the group because of that love and has come to trust/depend on the rest but she maintains the illusion that her "debt" keeps her around. So I would be the melee fighter type with stealth skills. She would have little to offer to the think tank but can provide a connection to the underworld/street when needed. I was going to take the gunslinger adept from the SR4 book and tweak it to be a melee focused fighter instead of guns.

Any input?
Whizbang
Hmm...could be interesting. My char is also honorable, and has his moments of strenght. Still plenty of opportunities for him to have to depend on her. (like when projecting, and when drain kicks his behind....) Might take a bit of work to get him to notice something that isn't an ancient artifact, though. smile.gif
Buddha72
Unless someone has any objections I am going to make Whizbang's character my tragic love interest for the moment. I reserve the right to change if someone else has a character that just screams for a love sick sword wielding adept.

Hopefully no one will fling heavy things at me for suggesting this but I think at this point we need a firm deadline to get this thing up and going. So Fenris save us from rewrite after rewrite and tell us when we have to be done. biggrin.gif
HeySparky
It will be interesting to work out the dynamics of a buried love interest with all these astrally perceptive folks around. Charlotte especially. smile.gif
Fenris
Alright guys, in an effort to spare you players, whom I love wink.gif, from the agony of continued character re-writes, I'm going to put the deadline for character creation on Wednesday.
Whizbang
Version 2.0...and I still feel like the points are squeeizng tight...argh

[ Spoiler ]
BishopMcQ
Whizbang--Do you think you could tackle all the conjuring for our team? I currently have Sorcery Group 3 and Conjuring group 3, but if you can handle it, I can redistribute some pts, maybe add a little Hacking to support my Electronics...
Whizbang
I should be able to manage. If it turns out that I'm short of the goal, you can always sink a bit of the weekly karma into it....assuming Fenris is one of those who does the weekly karma....
BishopMcQ
Sounds like a plan.
Buddha72
Did you remember to add the 30 karma after character generation? We get 400 bp then 30 additional karma as if we had played them.
This is a "lo-fi" version of our main content. To view the full version with more information, formatting and images, please click here.
Dumpshock Forums © 2001-2012