I figured it was finally time that I broke out of my Player-Only shell and take a stab at actually being a GM for once. So here it is, in all its sloppiness and hopefully it will be intrigue and suspense filled enough to keep you all wanting to post now and again. This is really for me to get my feet wet GM’ing as well as trying to nail down my grasp on SR4 rules from top to bottom. I won’t promise it’ll be a smooth ride, but I’ll do my best to make it worth your efforts.

I have a decent plan as to how this is going to play out run-wise, but I really don’t want to tip my hand too much with too many details. I can tell you it'll be a standard type run, full of double-crosses, danger, and intrigue. I’d like to think depending on how the submissions go and who puts up what type of characters I’ll skew the run in one direction or the other, but the general planned “job” will be the same.

The Basics:
* SR4
* 400 BP
* Seattle Setting
* Will be accepting 4-5 characters for the run

Character Generation “Rules”
* 400 BP’s, standard chargen rules apply (Max 200 BP in Attributes), standard gear rating/availibility caps stand.
* Please NO Technomancers. (I’m not gonna rule out hackers, and if you can convince me to change my mind about TM’s give it a go, I’ll just warn you ahead of time, my matrix skills are limited at best and I can’t guarantee there will be a lot of matrix “stuff” to do this run…)
* Need to know the other 3-4 characters in a professional way (I.E. you've worked together before) and you will get “free” contact points to spend with a 3/3 cap in connection and loyalty. (I.E. you get 18-24 points to put towards ONLY teammates, but you do not have to use ALL the points).
* Additional 2 x CHA in “free” points towards contacts, connection rating limited to 4, loyalty is open.
* Detailed background in the format of your choosing (20 questions, freestyle, etc. just impress me)
* Possible “bonus” BP for outstanding character development and background.
* I’d really love for each character to have some kind of “deep, dark secret” that if it’s exposed could level/ruin/cause massive misfortune to the character. I’ll leave it up to each of you as to just what it is, but keep in mind I could use it in the run… Heh. Obviously these would be kept between the player and myself.

I will really let you guys decide amongst yourselves how you all know one another. Once you start getting character concepts together, start posting little character intros in the thread and you all can start plotting how you’ll know one another that way. Obviously it will depend on who the final 4-5 chars are to finalize your choices, but since those points are freebies anyway, I don’t see it being a problem.

You can email character sheets and concepts to me at ajainshadow [at] gmail [dot] com.

Any other questions, fire away or toss me a PM or email. I'll be updating this post in this thread as we move along with any specific details, submitted characters, etc.

***I'll be taking submissions until August 15th at Midnight CST after that I'll announce the characters who will do the run and post up the OOC and IC threads. ***

Edit 8/11/06 @ 2:51pm CST:
Characters Submitted:
ARKARY - CS and Backstory - Alpha
Cedric Rolfsson - Revised CS and Backstory - Apex
Thanee - Character Concept/Backstory and CS - Scarlet
TheOneRonin CS and Backstory - Julio
MisterJuan CS and Backstory - Jiro
Critias Character Concept and CS - Johnny
Venenum CS and basic backstory - Umbra
G.NOME Character Concept and CS - Mark
drunken_bamboo Character Concept and CS - Monk

Need I say more.

I have a character concept that I've been dying to get in a game, and this sounds perfect . I'll send a character sheet over soon. Right now I have it in excel format, would you want a text version?


Small edit: I already chose some contacts with my 400 BP, so does this CHAx2 free points mean I can stick those contact points back into gear and stuff?

I'm interested, post tomorrow morning.

I have a character from a game, that never really got over the introduction stage, which I would like to play.
She has hacking skills, but is not a primary hacker, so that should be very suitable.

I will go over the background and alter it to suit the outline above, and send it to you then.

Only E-Mail? Or is a forum PM ok, too?


Oh, and one small nitpick:

I'm assuming they're seperate: one 3/3 contact that connects us to the rest of the team, and free contact points with a limit of 4/open.

Thanee - PM's work too... whatever is easiest for you guys, I'm flexible.

As for the Team contact points vs. 2x Charisma:

You basically get 2x CHA free for all other contacts BESIDES your teammates.

For your teammates you basically get 18 to 24 points (depending on how many runners actually end up in the team either 4 or 5) to spend on your "connection" to them. Just because you get a 3/3 "Free" rating, doesn't mean you have to USE all the points, but I do want a bit of backstory (decided by you guys between each other) about how you came to know one another... Does that make sense? Idea being that you've worked together before on more than a couple of jobs and you guys "gel" well together now.

Ahh... ok, I see what you mean now.

I don't really know, though, is it a good idea to have the PCs as contacts with ratings?

It might actually be easier, if there was just a lose description of who is connected with whom in what fashion (the loyalty part), especially since that might change a little during the course of the game, leaving the 'connection rating' to the actual skills of the character.

Also, something to consider for the whole character submission/creation process... since the backgrounds are pretty much required to be connected to each other, it would be good to know which characters are in, before that can be done. It would probably work best to first collect submissions and decide on the characters and only when this is settled post short descriptions (what the others will know) of all characters and start with the background connecting then to finalize those.

Bye
Thanee

This sounds really interesting. I have a concept I'd really like to field, if there is an available slot. Do you have any particular archetypes that you would like to see, or is it just "the 5 best submissions get selected"?

Sent you a PM with a rough description and background information. Let me know, what you think.

Bye
Thanee

And I sent off an email.

So, I'm trying to understand, are the 3/3 team contact points meant for us to make the other runners as contacts? Or is that for a "mutual" contact that we all have?

The first.

Bye
Thanee

Did you want character concept posts here or all via PM?

Hey guys, I updated the lits of received characters/concepts in the first post.

I don't have a whole lot of time to reply right now, but I will get back to each of you by the end of the evening (I hope!)

You guys have thrown some pretty cool concepts at me so far, can't wait to see what comes next!

@ Cedric (and all)
If you want to post up a quick blurb about your char, a simple paragraph or details about them that would help others come up with ways to develop their "relationship" with your character that would be awesome!

Mystic- hermetic mage/investigator training

My guy comes originally from the Boston area based on his accent, lives in Redmond and is relatively new to the Seattle shadows. He's got just one really close friend, Frank Jennings, who is a much older occult investigator-fixer who is helping Mystic get his feet wet here in Seattle.

Scarlet, Elven Combat Hacker

Scarlet is an entirely new face in the shadows of Seattle. She has no history to speak of and there is only little known about her on the streets, and she does not like to talk about it either. When she speaks, it quickly becomes apparant, that english is not her native language, even though she speaks very fluently. She has a clear and articulate pronounciation, like someone who is using languagesoft or has used tutorsoft for training.

Scarlet is an elven woman in her late twenties. She is of average height (1.72m or 5ft.8in.) and has a lithe and slender build. Her shoulder-length hair is bleached blonde, almost white, and her eyes are emerald green. Although she might not look like a supermodel, most would find her attractive. Scarlet is extremely fast and agile, clearly cybernetically enhanced, to a level that your average street thug couldn't afford. She has keen eyes and seems to notice a lot of detail, likely with some modifications as well, although there is no visible sign for an eye replacement, they look perfectly natural. Scarlet also has a datajack, which is usually hidden beneath her hair. Her manners are very professional, while her equipment is pretty basic; everything you need, but nothing fancy. Even her commlink is just a standard model. Besides being a fairly good shot with her guns, Scarlet is mostly a computer and electronics specialist. She is a respectable hacker and gets things done in the matrix and she knows a lot about various security systems and how to get past them. Scarlet usually wears black leathers, which tightly fit her figure, and a loose-fitting leather jacket on top. Most of her equipment is kept in various small pockets around her belt and inside her jacket.

Julio (pronounced JEW-lee-o) [Street Muscle/Samurai/Enforcer]

Julio is a short (5' 8"), bald, caucasian human male that hales from Boston (could be a connection there, Cedric). He is rough, scathing, but exceedingly loyal. He might be a complete asshole one minute, only to turn around and brave a storm of lead to pull a teammate out of a bad spot. He'll give you plenty of shit, but will ALWAYS have your back. By the stories he tells, it's a good bet that he worked for the Boston Mafia, and might even be working for the Seattle mob. Julio is the definition of tough, and never quits or slows down. However, in his years on the streets (he's in his early 30s), he's learned to pick and choose is fights, and not get in over his head. He's always dependable, and always seems to be ready for anything.



I have his character sheet 95% complete. I'm working on putting his background in a format that makes sense (it's a jumble in my head), and I'll submit it as soon as I can.

Thanks guys for the continued submisisons You're gonna make it hard for me to decide!

Life (ok, work) is currently kicking my ass right now and I just might have to pull a double shift today (starting at noon, working till 11:30pm) but I'm hoping not. I will be sitting down with your cs's and bg's later tonight and nitpicking

Thanks again for all your hard work!

A friend of mine just pointed out to me that the name Mystic is just about the fastest way possible to set my character up as the guest of honor at your local "geek-the-mage-first" party. Therefore I'll be changing my character's name to Apex in the interest of survival.

The name's only a problem if you tell them before the sooting starts .

Anyway, here's mine:
Alpha- Human Street Sam/Spec Ops-type guy

Alpha is a fairly tall (just under 2m) caucasian male with a slight Russian accent. Although fairly slender and not too physically imposing, he's nevertheless quite capable. He' looks fairly young, though in this line of work you can never be sure. An ex-Renraku employee who left the company under... less than favorable terms, he's now in Seattle to start a new freelance life along with his Fixer, who incidentally happens to be his wife.

Alpha's a rather friendly and outgoing person, which is surprising given the fact that those who have teamed with him know he's heavily cybered. He'll cheerfully work with those he's teamed with and try to stay on their good side, since the last thing he needs is for someone to get ticked off at him and run the risk of his ex-employer learning where he is.

Is an online game or in person game? If its online, iwill submitt a character.

Stupid SR4. *shakes his fist*

C'mon Critas! Do it! You know you want to!

I dunno. Maybe I'll pick up a copy if I find it for super ninja cheap, at Gencon. But no one better expect me to like it!

Umbra (A.K.A. Dmitri ********) grew up in northern Russia. His family has a tradition of specilizing in warfare, so he choose to learn the art of the blade. Unknown to the rest of his family he was also awakened. To hone his arts he would travel away and practice his magic and combine it with the art of the blade. It was on one of these trip he met Frigus Rogus, a free fire spirit, who gifted him with a gauntlet and sword made of magicly hardened blue tinted obsidian. Little did he know what power they possesed. When halley's comet came around again he chanded slowly and painfully in to a giant horned beast(troll), unfortunetly his family had found out about his magic and his mutation so they tried to kill him. Unfornetly for the assassin who attacked him Frigus was visiting at the time the assassin died but the family also thought that Dmitri was dead. And so dmitri ran.

His last name is for the GM's eyes only im afraid along with some other information.

Yeah...my sentiments exactly...

I believe this will express my feeling better than words:

In case you got lost, the DND boards are that way------------->

EDIT to edit: Allright, nix all this. I'm not gonna play some assault rifle monkey, when there's cooler shit I could be doing. Threw together a new guy today, after that "practice run" with character creation. More later.

Edit to add: And, Venenum, it's not so much that it's over the top as that it sounds like a D&D character. Really. Except for the Halley's Comet reference, specifically, couldn't that be for someone's super cool horned-demon fighter/mage or something? Magical gauntlets, a powerful sword given to him by a free spirit, yadda yadda yadda. What about that character screams "I fit into professional criminal society," really?

"goooood goooooood" says the giant laser shooting firebreathing beetle.

You're not offensive. You also don't have to explain (not the least of which, you don't have to explain things like Halley's Comet because I know). It's just that it's a very D&D flavored background, dude, despite some (new) ties to the "russian mofia." I'm not trying to be a jerk, and it doesn't matter if I'm a jerk or not anyways, because it's not up to me to decide who's in or not, it's up to Vegas. If she decides you're playing, you're playing.

And, who knows, maybe your background is the coolest thing ever and we're just not appreciating it properly. It might help if you used the "spell check" button right here built into the DSF, it might help if you capitalized consistently (MFB, for instance, gets away with never touching his shift key, but he's predictable about it, and at least structures sentences properly, so we let it slide), etc, etc. As written, your background of "learned how to use swords, got a buddy that's a free fire spirit, got cool stuff from that free fire spirit, that free fire spirit killed assassins," etc -- comes off as a little rough around the edges, a little tough to read, and a little tough to take seriously.

So, because we can, we'll give you a little static for it.

Critias, i never meant anything about you being a jerk in any way. I have taken some of you suggestions in mind.

Hey y'all... I'm glad to see I"m still getting submissions of characters, and unfortunately some drop outs already.

I will give you all a heads up right now. Life exploded on me and I'm headed to St. Louis on Thurs. Aug 10th. I have printed out everything anyone has sent me up to this morning and will be reviewing it on the plane and in the airport and during my downtime over the weekend. I'll be updating the list in the first post soon, so if you're not up there in 10-15 minutes from this post, I haven't seen your goods or seen your post up here in the thread. I will *hopefully* have some access while I'm away, but if not I will push back the date of who's going on the run by a couple of days to give everyone a fair shot.

I'm getting stoked about the submissions and just for the game in general. Hell I'm even psyched about possibly converting Critias to "come to the dark side" and give SR4 a chance

Heh.

Be patient with me kids, I'll get this up and running ASAP and hopefully be making it worth your while!

General rules question (Vegas can answer, natch, if she gets here first, if not anyone will do) on Qualities. It says you can't spend more than 35 points on positive qualities, and you can't earn more than 35 points from negative qualities.

Does that mean you cannot have more than 35 of either (even if they balance out, exactly, so points are neither lost nor gained)? I mean, if I go hog wild and find 50 points worth of negative qualities that I like, can I only have 35 of them...or can I find 50 points of positive qualities I like, too, and keep them "in balance," and be okay?

Well, it seems like they can add up awful fast. I mean, shit, say I'm making up a character who was raised out in the boonies by his paracritter-hunting (and tour guide/safari guide sort of thing) dad, right? No real social skills, and a rough-around-the-edges education. Some corp moves in and buys their land, his dad gets killed as part of the corp land-grab, and now this "backwoods hunter Adept" (or whatever) decides to go to Seattle in order to take that corp down.

Just a random character made up right off the top of my head. Buckskin wearing tobacco-chewin' guy, lots of tracking and sneaking and long-gun skills, let's say. A dedicated shooter, the sort that gets left in the car for Meets, but praised and beloved by his team when the shit hits the fan. I got the idea (just now), from playing Gun on my X-Box.

And guess what? He can't even just have Antisocial and Uneducated, the two you might describe as his "defining characteristics." 40 points, just for those two. Too bad! Nevermind tossing in some amusing Incompetent skills for various Drive or Electronics, or Gremlins (to show he's just not used to newfangled stuff like that), or any sort of Allergy to Pollutants (etc, etc).

It really seems like you hit that 35 "ceiling" real quick.

Well, again, I could be wrong about my interpretation... but I would point out that you totally can take both of those flaws, you just won't recieve more than 35 points for them.

The idea of a character with 50 points in flaws reminds me of some of the characters you could make in SR3 (not so much in SR4) where, if you wanted to make a quadrapalegic, highly phobic, combat-innept blind pirate... you could but no self-respecting Shadowrun team would want to work with you.

I suppose two big flaws isn't terrible. You'd only have the two points of notoriety to start with - which, while regretable, doesn't end your career before it starts.

Allright. Thanks for the clarification.

Vegas -- character sheet and background/description sent, via PM. Have a good trip (in as much as a business trip can be "good").

General Rules question opinion:

I tend to agree with Thanee. I will outline why below.

SR4 P. 77 "Positive qualities have a BP cost, like everything else. A player may not spend more than 35 BP on Positive Qualities."

This language certainly seems to say that you may not spend more than 35 point on Positive Qualities. It does not say anything about loss, net loss, gain, net gain, etc. concerning the number of points. In fact it specifically states that Positive Qualities are 'like everything else.' so it would suggest that Positive Qualities are no different from Attributes or Skills in that regard. It states that a player may only 'purchase' 35 points worth of Positive Qualities.

SR4 p. 80 "Negative qualities provide bonus BP that may be used toward the cost of attributes, skills, qualities, and other resources and abilities. Characters may not earn more than 35 BP from purchasing Negative Qualities."

This language would appear to be equally clear, a player may not 'earn' more than 35 points by taking Negative Qualities, no matter what they are spent on. The language includes the purchase of 'qualities' as merely one of a list of possible uses for these points and makes no distinction between using those points for 'qualities' or using them for Atts., Skills, etc.

It would appear that while a character could take more than 35 points worth of negative qualities he would only be allowed a total of 435 BP to spend as a maximum under the standard Character Creation rules.

One of the standard 'rules of statutory construction' under American jurisprudence states that we read unambigious language to mean exactly what it says. If we apply that rule to the SR4 book then it would appear that 35 BP in Positive Qualities is the maximum (like 200 BP on Atts) that may be spent. 35 BP could be gained from the 'purchase' of Negative Qualities at most.

My humble opinion, disregard at your leisure.