IMPORTANT

As most of you probably noticed, DS was offline for most of the past day.

In case you did not check out the admin page, it is scheduled to go down again around Saturday, and may be down for a few days. So just no one panic.

Hey I've tossed my ideas on the table.

But the 12/5 rule frightens me, especially now that I've seen how your mind can develop scary things like Grack

Soooooo...

Thoughts, suggestions...?

I don't want to leave this in Adamu's hands and all suddenly "wake up" disoriented in the back of some Wolverine transport van in shackles and blindfolded

BR, Vegas, MK (and Adamu)
So, here is what I can come up with, with the info we have.
The only obstacle between us and Zephyr is going to be the event's security staff, which can be divided in three assets:
1- Physical security (meatbags with guns and stuff)
2- Matrix and Electronic Security (locked doors, maglocks, cameras, detectors, etc...)
3- Magical Security (wards, barriers, elementals and mages)

The weak spots of 1 and 3 is that, in a certain way, they cannot be EVERYWHERE. The need to be flexible, and so, will move around to investigate distrubences.
The weak spots of 2 is that it's both hackable and editable. We can alter it.

Both Etain and Conall can be rather good at creating a commotion and/or distraction on both the physical plane and the magical one. Krait, I hope, can probably brute hack some of the security.

The way I see it, and how it usually is, is that the best plan is always the one which is the less complicated possible. The more steps you add to a plan, the more it has a chance of fucking up. I'm not saying we should just go in blasting; thats just bad. But we don't need to get all super elaborate, at least not for this one.

So, what we can do:
a) Conall and/or Etain can create some diversion, Krait hacks the checkpoint and Carla/Krait/Etain/Conall and or any combination can slip in.
b) Etain can pass as someone who has access to VIP and try to get either herself, or others in

Also, I know Etain has the skills to not only make herself pass as anyone, but also help greatly disguised anyone else.

Beside those two ideas, the other one I have come up with is pretty damn similar.
Etain has the Fashion spell. Which means that she can duplicate clothes. Once the spell as become permanent, clothes will look like the real thing with no "astral signatures". Once at the event, if she can get one good look at how the security people are dressed and then duplicate it. With a big engouh distraction, someone dressed as a Wolverine Sec guy can then slip in VIP.

OOOOKAAAY!!!!

Forward-looking IC posts and concrete OOC planning.

You have forestalled implementation of the dreaded 12/5 rule! (For now...)

12/5... thats saturday right?

Uh, actually I'm an American, which would make Saturday 5/12.

Good guess, but the 12/5 plan is more nefarious than a simple deadline. Best keep things moving, in order to avoid it....

That's the BIRTHDAY rule! *dreads*

Just a fair warning speaking of that... I will be officially turning a year older on Saturday which means most of my weekend will be tied up in birthday plans and various states of drunkenness. I will do my best to get on when and where I can but I make no promises till Monday 5/14 (or 14/5 for MJ and MK)

No worries - as noted earlier - DS will supposedly be down during that time anyway.

And Happy Birthday!

Heheh. Oh man, I needed to put my computer on american setting, because otherwise excell would scramble the data from that american program we are using at the lab

Anyway. I think the plans are solid. The one I have been coming up with, depends on wether the 2nd Floor Rest-Rooms are VIP only or not (but it would make no sense otherwise, after all those VIPs surely don´t want to pee with all those filthy fans ). If so, we could sabotage all the restrooms downstairs (spray some mildly irritating agent on all the toilet seats, door-handles, whatever - or if the toilets are all self-cleaning, we might have to do something else), then Etain could surely persuade a guard to let her into the restroom upstairs.
Anyway, I like the fashion!

BlueRondo (and Adamu)
Krait would have asked Carla for some more money. She mentioned that she still had some, when Conall offered his, but by now, that could have been spent on Conall´s roof over the head -or on Malibou-Stacy Dolls- for all Krait knows, or she might not be willing to front any more cash.

If I can get 500 (better yet 1.000) from her, I´d be abled to buy a Sniffer Utility from Mr. Chu, which would make the hacking much more easy, fast and elegant. Or was it book-price for a used item (20% less) Adamu?

If she sent me the money electronically, I´d have bought the Utility from Chu (transfer via com, collecting the datachip-copy another day). If she brought it in cash, we could still stop at a banking-machine and send it to Chu electronically, to get the software instantly.
If I don´t get enough money for Rating 3 (or even 2), I´d try to persuade Chu that he lets me pay the rest later (all I have left now are 500) - see roll below (unmodified that´d be 7 hits).

If nothing else works, I´d buy rating 1



EDIT: BlueRondo congratulations! & Vegas have a cool party weekend!

Here's a plan I was thinking of:

Etain would pose as an debuting pornstar who's trying to break into the business and make a name for herself. This explains why she's coming to the event (to meet people and make connections), but it also explains why she doesn't have VIP tickets (because nobody has heard of her yet.) The rest of the team would pose as her entourage (bodyguard, publicity agent, etc.)

So Etain would make her way around the party, trying to meet people and telling eveyone that she's looking for some jobs. She might even try to get in front of some cameras to get the media talking a bit. There are probably many other young ladies at the convention with similar goals, but I'm banking on Etain's good looks and charisma to be outstanding enough that she'll cause quite a splash, and when the big-shots hear the news, they'll all be eager to sign the first contract with this potential megastar. So at that point, the VIP's would be more than willing to invite Etain and her buddies into the VIP area, at which point she might get to speak with Zephyr. Throw in a line or two about struggling with eating disorders as a teenager to pique Zephyr's interest.

BR -

I like the plan... if we had hours to make it happen.. I mean realistically we've got like 45 minutes to get to the Convention Center. Then we have somewhere between 1 and 1.5 hours to get into VIP and that's just to make it BEFORE the awards start. That's not taking into account making Etain look like a porn star, or Conall look like a guard or whatever. OR actually TALKING to Zephyr. Because at Midnight when the awards start, I can't imagine she's going to be much in the talking mood and we'd stand out like sore thumbs trying to do so while the presentations started. Not to mention if she's a presenter or "wins" an award.

I kinda had a "Duh" moment however that might somewhat work for us.

If we make Conall (because he Looks the most like a security type) wear a Wolverine uniform, and Etain looks like one of the "actresses" or whatever that's causing a commotion... Our "boy in blue" could always come over and offer to "escort" her into VIP before the awards start... and if that doesn't work... well we could always fight our way in

I kid I kid!

Then again we could always make all THREE Of you look like Wolverine security. Safety in numbers and all that... and it doesn't exclude anyone from RP Or BR and MK could still be entourage/agents whatever... god knows that shit shifts from day to day now for celebrities.

I agree with Vegas, that we don´t have enough time for Carla´s plan (or mine for that matter). Finding a Star that is the same level as Zaphyr and not suposed to be at the event (or at least not arrived yet) won´t be that easy, I guess - Unless one of you has a p0rn-sims Knowledge-Skill 5 and knows one off the topof their head
Of course I can do some datasearches on the ride to Ft.L, but I guess Krait dos not have pictures of one that fits the bill right now!

Adamu

Fair enough. I won´t ask Carla for money before we are alone in a cab or somewhere. If we somehow don´t travle alone (i.e. Conall leaves his bike at Meg´s and we all share a cab) or Carla dosn´t want to give me 500 , I will just buy rating 1. If I get 500 or even 1000 from Carla (or she agrees to give it to me tomorrow or so), I´ll buy rating 2 or 3.
I´ll mention that IC, once we are on the way.

BlueRondo

I think we want to speed things up IC, once we are finally on our way to Ft.L, if you can say me now, wether Carla would give Frank the cash for a Sniffer Utility (and if she has it on her electronically right now), I can deal with the whole matter in one IC.
If she is reluctant, he will argue that this program would greatly decrese the risk of any hacking to open doors, etc. being noticed. He will also say that he would have hed enough time to get the money for the program himself, if she had decided to hit the show two days ago and if he hadn´t spent all day, to get them 3 tickets free of charge (which would cost 4.500 on the black-market) and that he´s even giving away the 4th ticket, that he had planned to use for something else.

MK

Normally Carla is reluctant about handing out cash, but she's willing to give him the money now that there's a tangible plan in place and she thinks there's a pretty good chance of finding Esmeralda. She can give Krait her credstick for the electronic funds.

BlueRondo

Ok, how much would that be, 500 or 1000?

However much Krait needs. Let's just say she gives him 1000 and expects him to return whatever he doesn't spend (if anything.)

MK

I disagree that it takes a massive amount of skills to get the info Etain's looking for. I mean shit with google if I know one stars name (i.e. Zephyr) I can type in "recent movies starring Zephyr" and get a list. From there it's just picking out one of the most recent and going to a site like imdb.com and finding out co-stars and from there using that name to find zillions of images. Really doesn't need a knowledge of Porn of 5 (God knows *I* don't have it).

Whether or not they've arrived yet was just an extra cautionary measure to try to save some hassle (in other words I was trying to play cover my ass) on arrival. But the more I think about it, we wouldn't have to do a whole red carpet entrance. Could even just mimic one of the stars on the carpet, even someone she's rumored to be in negotiations to work with (watching the "live" feed to match clothing/appearance) and go from there once we get inside legally with the tickets. My only thought was trying to get Etain to cast spells before/on the way to the event so that if there was any backlash from drain she'd have that much more time to manage it, but it could be cast inside the event but has the probability of drawing unwanted magical security attention.

But if you guys are sold on the catering idea... run with it. Just refresh my memory because I don't remember a "plan" involving it..

I just imagine an NPC reporter cornering Etain the way inside and asking her questions about an upcoming movie, a co-star, a personal relationship, or something like that. Yes, we could find lots of that information on the matrix, but there's not a lot of time for Etain to memorize it all and be able to make accurate responses off the top of her head (unless she has photographic memory, perhaps.)

So what do you mean Vegas, you don´t have the skill at only 5
The skill 5 comment was exageration of course. I don´t think the info is hard to find, but it takes some minutes, that I would rather spend on the way, then at Meg´s. That´s why I said he can do it on the way.
Still, BlueRondo I don´t think reporters will be much of a problem. It´s enough when Etain stears any conversation towards the persona´s biggest upcomming project (which is a small enough field to memorize some key details) and basically ignores all unrelated questions - or even dosn´t talk to the media at all. It´s not like we care much what the impersonated star´s pr-agent thinks about her media-performance.

Usually I am no friend of spliting up thegroup unless absolutely necessary, but getting in in two small teams might even work better with the improvised plans we have - and of course it has the additional advantage, that we have a contingency if one plan fails.

As for the catering-'plan', I basically thought the same as with guard-uniforms. We just look like catering, then sneak/hack/talk (I hope to get the key-code for the doors with the sniffer-utility) our way into the service-area. If somebody asks, we where sent from the service, to help out.

So, are we getting this show on the road?

Very appropriate comment, MJ.

For my part, I know exactly what time the cab will arrive at Meg's. I suppose there is nothing to stop you guys from getting a lot more bick...er...role-playing in during the intervening minutes.

On the other hand, if people want to spend the time studying pictures of porn stars or just say "they talked a while longer and finalized their plan" IC, while actually doing so OOC, then we can have time pass a bit more quickly, and you can spend time in the cab working on actual preparations for the plan you decide on.

I won't comment on your plans, but it seems like you have several on the table that vary only in terms of minor details. Both in RL and in terms of getting the game going, comes a time when you just to settle on a course and go for it. Nothing will stop you from adjusting as you go if that becomes necessary.

Just a few thoughts to encourage this to keep moving. Role-playing in a diner is fun - but EVERY scene that takes place will include role-playing, and there are vastly more stimulating settings and situations that lie ahead than Meg's.

The way I see it is it's really BlueRondo/Carla's call... she's the one running the show. I'm just playing along and playing the character

Moving forward would be nice. Regardless of what we choose.

Let's just do the time warp with this and see how it all plays out as we go.

Big ass roll post for all the spell slinging I'd like to accomplish before heading off to Ft. Lewis. Fleshed out descriptions of just what she's going for will be forthcoming... now comes sleep and the birthday weekend.

To EVERYONE
Anyone know how big SR's Seattle is km2 wise?
Wiki says current Seattle is something like 369,2 km2.

Vegas

Here is what New Seattle says (IIRC, Runner Heavens hadno such numbers).
Destrikt | km²
Downtown 468
Bellevue 242
Tacoma 570
Everette 207
Renton 259
Auburn 363
Snohomish 217
Ft. Lewis 197
Redmond 436
Puyallup 1008

Total Sea-Tac-Eve Metroplex 3967 sqare kilometers (not including Outremer and maybe not the Lakes & Council island as well).

BTW, as I said some time ago, I´d be good to go with a small time-jump.

EDIT:
So, what about the fashion spell? I think it was only mentioned OOC, but I was planning with it providing us with the caterer-outfits.
Also, we should agree on some meeting spot near the center, maybe the International House of Pancake. I´d do an IC, but don´t have the time right now.

MK

Somehow, I knew you would have an answer for MJ's question. Unfortunately, he is talking more about distance than square km....Like, I think he wants to know how many km from one end of the plex to the other.

Anyway, since you guys are in motion and ironing out last minute transport and spell logistics, I will tell you that the cab arrives at 22:09.

At this hour, if you use the freeway, You are looking at about an hour drive time if you go fairly fast.

HOUSE RULE

Just to let everyone know that from now on we will be using the rule suggested on p. 58 to limit Extended Tests.

To wit - you can only try a number of times equal to the dice pool being used.

This ruling will not apply to any Extended Tests currently ongoing in the game right now, but for all future Extended Tests.

That rule has bugged me from when I first read the book - it is a monster game-breaker, and the suggestion provided in the rules for controlling it is a good one.

Also, I would advise people to note the non-optional rule on Glitches and Extended Tests, which is also a very good brake on Extended Tests.

I hate to nerf things and rain on players' parade. The fact is that I still think certain Extended Tests are VERY powerful even with these balancing rules.

And like I said, this ruling does NOT apply to Extended Tests currently in play.

I always assumed the limited extended-test rule was in place anyway (probably because I fealt the same about it, when SR4 came out). Now I just need to find out what glitch-rule you are talking about. I dimly remember somerules, but I better go checking

Anyway, I thought MJ was asking about distance from one end to the other at first, too, but then saw the km2 and interpreted it as square kilometers. I´ll have a look at my 2nd Edition Metroplex map anyway, if I find the time.

MK

If Krait is going to get the caterer's uniforms then there's no need for the Fashion spell yes? If not then someone better speak up quick because I have NO intention of having Etain do anything but sustain spells while at the event. I don't need to draw any more of that kind of attention

Vegas
Well, yes, I was counting on Etain doing the fashion-mancy - preferably before we enter the center (covering a caterer-uniform with other cloths without sticking out should not be any problem, I guess). Thus I was taken a bit offguard, when the two of you just left IC.
What kind of 'material' would you need for the spell? Would any cloths (say some flats from a vendor-machine) suffice, or dos it have to be some special fabiric or collor, or whatever? I´d prefer not to change my Actioneer-Suit into a caterer uniform if possible (also IIRC, changing armored cloths is harder then unarmored stuff).

Do you think it would be too risky to enter the event with the tickets, kidnap a couple of caterers, and steal their uniforms?

We´d have to do that to make our plan work, if Etain can´t outfit us, but it would be A) more complicated, B) much more risky and C) probably as much or more work for everyone of us (maybe exceptEtain).
It would have it´s benefits to loot 2 actual caterers of course, but I´d much prefer we don´t have to do that. I really think it´s imensly more risky! If we could get at them before they enter the convention-center, it would be different, but we probably won´t have that benefit, given how little time we have left.

MK

There's no "difference" in difficulty when it comes to using fashion on armored vs. non-armored clothing. The only thing is you can't change its armor rating.

As for what she'd have to do, you'd have to have clothes (or flats) that are about the same amount of fabric as the uniforms. can't be more, can't be less. the example is you can't turn a long coat into a bikini I think some of it is up to interpretation however (or GM lawyering) as to just what is enough material or too much, etc.

If you want Etain to do it, might I suggest leaving Meg's and going after the twins since technically they haven't left yet? Part of that impulsiveness was to keep things moving I believe and not stall this out.... again.

My suggestion is this... let Etain and Conall speed ahead like demons on his bike to Ft. Lewis. Krait and Carla follow behind in a cab or whatever form of transportation they choose. Let Etain and Conall "scout" the location as suggested above to get good visuals of what the caterers AND the security teams are wearing THAT night (would really suck going off Krait's "photos" and having them have had a major upgrade in uniforms for this event or a special badge/band whatever) then we can meet up a distance from the convention center and Etain can do her thing on Krait and Carla without (hopefully) setting off any alarms

Adamu