Kurukami
Dec 12 2003, 12:25 AM
I'm pretty sure that persona ratings have to be at least 1. Additionally, you might want to consider having at least a somewhat decent Sensor rating for your combat agent -- because when someone else attempts a combat maneuver, your agent's Sensor rating is both their TN and the number of dice you get to roll against their Evasion. If you have a low Sensors, they'll give your agent the slip with a quick Evade Detection, position themselves for an attack, and hammer your poor frame to its constituent bytes.
For a non-combat agent, Bod would probably be less important. Masking is something you'd want high, Sensors medium-high, and Evasion medium-high. That way if your agent got ambushed, it could evade and attempt to continue its programmed mission while its opponent was still searching for it. Decent Sensors would allow it to notice things approaching it more easily as well, like IC or a hostile decker popping into the host's node.
For the scout, Sleaze is key. That high DF is vital while it's poking around looking for things on your behalf. Deception isn't bad either, particularly if you're sending your scout-agent off to check out a particular host. Browse and Analyze are the two primary utilities you'll want, at high ratings and possibly with the Sneak option to up the agent's DF while it's using them. Cloak is a good choice, to allow it to more easily escape the attentions of anything trying to bash it.
Everything else is negotiable. Read/Write, Decrypt, Defuse, Evaluate, Purge, Scanner, and the like all make for good items in your scout-agent's toolkit.
Kurukami
Dec 12 2003, 12:28 AM
| QUOTE (Doctor Funkenstein) |
From what I understand, it's 1 Karma per form regardless of the rating. But the rating determines the Mp, which determines programming size (one day per Mp base). So a Rating 6 complex form for a Multiplier 3 utility will cost 1 Karma and have a base time of 108 Days (108 Mp). Base time is divided by the number of successes on the Computer (Programming) test with a TN equal to the rating of the complex form.
Two years is 730 days. |
And keep in mind that, should you have successes on creating your program plan (from the appropriate Knowledge Skill), that'll lower your TN for the Programming test as well.
Ol' Scratch
Dec 12 2003, 12:38 AM
Much obliged, Kurukami!
Kurukami
Dec 12 2003, 01:42 AM
To add on to my earlier post -- certain options for programs will make them tremendously more effective, regardless of whether the utilities are used by you or your frame/agent. "Targetting" is one -- lowering the TN to hit an opposing icon by 2 is absolutely immense. "Stealth" is another nice one, but it pumps up the utility size like you wouldn't believe.
For non-agent use (like just the decker), "one-shot" can also be astonishingly useful. Carry one or two one-shot D-level high-rating Attack programs in your belt, and use them to soften up the opposition or get a quick kill in -- the fact that "one-shot" quarters the size of the program is fantastic. You can fire and reload somewhat powerful programs quite quickly, and for those monstrously large planet-killing Attack programs it cuts the size down to something reasonable.
Of course, the design size goes up, so programming them yourself can be a pain... but they're nonetheless quite useful.
Elfie
Dec 12 2003, 01:44 AM
Ok i'm sorry , but in light of recent news, I think some rewriting of character is in order. Give me a day or two and I'll have a new numbers sheet up.
@Dr. Funk: Good God, man, what a character!
Ol' Scratch
Dec 12 2003, 02:00 AM
Eh?! I haven't posted any details about my character yet and I'm already getting grief!
<flails>
Elfie
Dec 12 2003, 05:18 AM
NO, no, not grief at all, that was a good Good God! Hehe, that's the kind of thing my decker ASPIRES to
Glyph
Dec 12 2003, 07:42 AM
| QUOTE (Grey) |
| QUOTE (Glyph @ Dec 10 2003, 09:24 PM) | | With my commute, I don't have that much spare time/energy during the week - I have him all costed out and have the general concept, but I probably won't be able to get him typed out, polished, and sent until Saturday or Sunday (hopefully Saturday). |
I haven't really heard much from you in the way of what you are going to be playing. Can you fill me in a bit, because I don't know that I want more than five characters, which I've already got. I may let know more in, but I need to get a good idea of what your concept is.
|
Currently, he is a street punk who was taken in a bit later than most otaku, who still has a bit of an inferiority complex (hiding it with a cocky persona), even though he's progressed much since then. Actually, he secretly likes playing the role of "average guy who tries harder". Of course, he is comparing himself to other otaku, so his idea of "average" is a bit off.

He has some basic street survival skills, and is also a tinkerer - high electronics B/R and a few other B/R skills to represent that fact that he is the type of guy who sees something and wants to take it apart to see how it works. In the Matrix, he is well-rounded but oriented more towards decker dogfights and datasteals than information brokering or data tracing.
He is 15 or so, not a face but not as maladjusted as some of the other otaku (not as superhumanly intelligent, but not as near-autistic or naive, either). He is not looking forward to his inevitable burnout, but sees Hatter as proof that it's not the absolute end. It's more like having fins and gills and swimming in the ocean, then losing them and having to wear a scuba suit instead. Sure, you don't have the sense of oneness with the ocean, and you can't dive down to the deep, secret places any more... but at least you can still swim.
Shockwave_IIc
Dec 12 2003, 10:19 AM
| QUOTE (Doctor Funkenstein @ Dec 11 2003, 11:42 PM) |
| I'm pretty sure that's assumed when purchasing a utility. I remember seeing some discount somewhere for purchasing utilities without the code, but don't quote me on that. |
Page 94 matrix, bumped into it last night while looking for program options.
Oh my!! 730 Days worth of programing!! (or in my case hard thinking), Don't think i can fill it!
Got a provisional list going, pretty certain i missed something.
2 Attack progs (ones a Badass IC killer), a Blinder, Armour and Cloak out my arse, Along with the complusary Sleaze and a Medic to boot. All rating 8+
Did i miss anything big? Still got about 55 Days left.
@ Grey I'll send you completed list later on. Got a 19hr shift to do at work.
Dashifen
Dec 12 2003, 01:58 PM
I'll be building the whole character this weekend (whee!) so I'll have stuff up on Saturday evening or Sunday. My fiancee is going home for the holidays without me so I 'll have time to work on Thor.
-- Dash --
Grey
Dec 12 2003, 03:54 PM
Like I said, not a problem about you guys needing more time, just try to have it done by Sunday night, so that I can go over them when I get to work Monday morning.
I likely won't be around much to post over the weekend, I'll be busy at GenCon SoCal, but that may turn out to not be the case, cause as of last night, GenCon was a flop. We're hoping things pick up over the weekend though, so who knows.
Ol' Scratch
Dec 13 2003, 06:07 AM
Okay, well, I pretty much have everything for my character done. I threw up a quick website that gives a description of my character, his background, and even kept his attributes, skills, contacts, and resources on it, though I did keep a few other things hidden (like his edges/flaws, implants, and stuff like that) just to retain a bit of an air of mystery about him.

If you're interested in seeing what I cooked up, you can view the
Mad Hatter by following the link. Much like Elfie, I'm no poet... but his background and description should give you an idea of where I'm going with the character.
I still need to detail a few of his contacts and come up with the names on his fake IDs, but other than that... yeah, I'm pretty much done.

I can't wait to meet everyone else!
Elfie
Dec 14 2003, 03:47 AM
OK Grey, I'm sorry but finals are hitting me really hard now (4 in the next 3 days), so I can't play with my character until the 18th. Basically what I have uploaded is what I'm going to play, so use him for whatever you're planning :evilgrin: but I do want to play with that 2 years programming time, so I'm just going to tweak my programs on the 18th.
Shockwave_IIc
Dec 14 2003, 03:53 AM
Ok here's what you know of
Mo To Ti Vu. The spoiler tags is to keep the page small.
[ Spoiler ]
Name. Vu To Ti. Mo.
Mo original grew up with her parents in the China town part of Seattle, Like almost all Chinese families they were asked by the local triads to help them out and do some favours for them, which fearing the reprisals of the triads they did. Mo’s life as part of this families was not the best, being an albino and a metahuman born to human parents she was not treated as fairly as some. Always very sickly as well as suffering from brittle bones (which while correctable with bone lacing it can’t be given to a 5 year old that is still growing), that’s not to mention her extreme sensitivity to light. She had very little interaction with the other kids of her age and spent most of her time in the matrix playing online games and talking in chat rooms where her condissions would not effect people’s judgement of her.
One day while limping back for the local sweet shop her world was blown apart. The apartment building where she lived was destroyed in an explosion. Being a bright kid from the start she quickly realised she could not go back to the building so she ran as fast as she could (i.e. not very) out of the area and hid. She spent the next 8 or so months living of the street eating thrown out food (which did nothing to improve her already weak health, she’s close to always ill with something, though she has gotten used to having colds and such) and living at dawn and dusk hiding at night while sleeping a lot (being malnourished) during the day with nothing more than old thrown out armoured jacket to keep her warm. It was about this time when she as found by a group of kids about 5 years older than her. At first there was great difficulty in communicating with Mo for she only knew very basic English. Luckily one of the kids seemed to have a way with languages and in no time at all had learnt Chinese. It was at this point Mo found out that these kids had been told to find “her” by someone very important to them and they said that if she was willing to learn computers and the matrix they would help to look after her, well being that she used to live her life by the matrix and not truly understanding what they meant she agreed. After living with them for a year or so she learned more about computers and the matrix as well as more about this “person” that they called the “Deep Resonance”. Quite soon she started to ask them questions about this “Deep Resonance” and about the same time she started to suffer from dreams that were akin to nightmares (but only in the way that she didn’t understand them thus they scared her, but yet knew they were important). Not long after this she was taken to see a man who after a lot of persuasion she allowed to give her a data jack. Upon recovering (which took a lot more time than it should of) she was given her first real matrix experience and after being there for what seemed like an age she was asked to follow an image of one of the older kids. Where she went doesn’t really exist in the matrix as such, for only Otaku can get there. While there she experienced the Deep Resonance. What she experienced she doesn’t know. The only way she’s been able to describe it is like watching the worst possible 30 seconds of a film with out the sound. Not knowing what it’s about and having to make a judgement on the film, that if you got wrong, would kill you. Then you experience your moment of clarity and understanding of it all with no fear as what is to come. That moment of clarity is the Deep Resonance.
Fate it seemed had not finished with her, for it had one more card to deal her. While at the local stuffer shack get food and supplies for herself and the group (not that she can carry much). She over heard someone talking in Chinese now being that she now talks mainly in English for her friends benefit she was surprised to here the language again and stood there listening. Well it was not long before one of the three spotted her listening and said something to the rest of them. Without knowing why she realised that her life was in danger and started moving away from them as fast as she could. Miraculously she got away, but the three Chinese lads had seen her, not only that they recognised her and saw which building she had gone into. Her days where numbered.
Some weeks later she had been in the matrix snooping around (which is how she gets her money) when she came across information that someone was looking for her as well as asking questions about the building she went into. She mentioned this to the tribe and she decided that it would be safer for them if she lived on her own, but that she would still see them while in the matrix.
She used to live in the wall space between apartments in an apartment block downtown. She’d live off of one of the people that live there by sneaking in from the back of the airing cupboard and stealing food while they are out at work. For a while she thought they didn’t know, but she was caught asleep when the lady that lives there came home early. Mo had fell asleep watching the cartoons on the trid, when Silvia came in got the conformation she was looking for to explain where all the biscuits and juice had gone. So she stepped back outside her apartment and made a big effort about getting in so as to wake up Mo. When she came in for the second time Mo had disappeared. So Silvia started to buy a little extra food to accommodate her guest. Though the never talked to each other or actually met. Due to the amount of her time being in the dark she has gotten herself Eye lights as a retinal mod.
After a while she started to realise that she was wanting something more in her life, a more physical interaction of her own kind. So she took her things and made her way back to the tribe. It wasn’t the same as she left it, though she had interacted with the members while away, The tribe had changed, Though she knew about the Mad Hatter, seeing him again brought a tear to her eye at the sight of him needing a deck and at the fact see would end up the same in many years to come. She soon fitted in with the tribe, taking a role of older sister/ mother to some of the younger members (even though she not really older than them).
Being that she lived a while “on her own” she had a good idea as to what she and the tribe need to make there lives more comfortable, Thus she made it her job to get those things and in doing so started help other people as well, the local gangs etc. which in turn helped the tribe more. And now because of her and her efforts, she has brought a better (if only slightly) life to the tribe.
Now days, she spends her time on looking after the tribe, and making sure Silvia is living comfortable signing off her gifts to her “the uninvited guest”.
In the matrix she looks immaculately dressed in a black Chinese with red lettering, clean and well kept. While performing operations it’s like she asked the host or grid to do things for her, a ghost like form appears when she asks for things to be done, she doesn’t use complex forms as such nor attack ice, she ask’s the IC to stop, play dead, be quite or to wait and if she is successful in the operation it does.
Basic Apearance
Being 5’8” and very thin she looks a lot taller then she is at first glance, wearing dungarees that come to just below her knees, look like would of fitted when she was 8. The fact is it’s the same one from when she was 8. A striped sweater with her thumbs poked through the arm sleves that more hangs from her shoulders then is worn. When combined with dirty white trainers with holes. Give her a very common poor street kid look. Her skin is olive/ grey in colour which though it fits her small frame without looking stretched doesn’t hide her bones.
Well thats Mo.
Glyph
Dec 14 2003, 04:22 AM
I think I'll have to drop out. Between work and the holiday rushing around, I am drawing a blank on fleshing out the character background, plus I doubt I would have the energy to struggle through the matrix rules (normally, I would consider this a good opportunity to become more familiar with them, but right now it would be too much). You were a bit over the number you wanted in players anyway, so it probably all works out for the best.
Kurukami
Dec 14 2003, 07:26 PM
Well, here's the background page I've set up for Cheng.
Cheng's background.The formatting still needs a bit of work, but I'm content with the information presented there.
Dashifen
Dec 14 2003, 08:03 PM
| QUOTE (Kurukami) |
Well, here's the background page I've set up for Cheng.
Cheng's background.
The formatting still needs a bit of work, but I'm content with the information presented there. |
I like that page, Kurukami. I'm going to steal your basic layout and whatnot for my write up. I'll get that up in an hour or so after I get it all written.
-- Dash --
Kurukami
Dec 14 2003, 08:21 PM
| QUOTE (Grey) |
2. You won't be starting characters. I'd like you guys to use BeCKS if possible and I'm guessing I'll start you off with a minimum of 500 karma, but it may be more. |
I'm trying to use the NSRCG to put my character together, but so far the BeCKS gen-system is giving me headaches. How am I supposed to modify the "total karma available" to the character, so as to push it up to the 500 you've mentioned here?
Ol' Scratch
Dec 14 2003, 08:29 PM
It's in the Options at the top of the screen under Program Settings if memory serves. I didn't bother using it for that same reason (ie, the headache). It's easier to just do it manually.
Dashifen
Dec 14 2003, 09:56 PM
Rickard Svenson (Thor)There's the background for Thor. I'm going to start working on his statistics shortly and I'll have a character sheet up. His statistics are up, too. I have to check my math, but I think I'm okay. And I have a lot of programming time left! I'm not going to make any changes until I know about the 25 point bonus and whether or not I can get it. Also, I haven't done any of the knowledge skills but I will -- it's been seven hours of work today on this character.
-- Dash --
Edit: Notices problems -- edited complex forms to reflect MPCP (d'oh) as of 9:00pm EST on Sunday.
Shockwave_IIc
Dec 15 2003, 01:31 PM
Ok Im still wanting to play this. But i've been informed that it may take upto 4 weeks to reconnect me at my new address.
So as of appox 24hrs form this post i lose my connection. However i have friends with access who i'll be tapping. (one actually wants to see how shadowrun and RPG's in general play on line).
So with a bit of luck i'll still be around, just won't be able to sit on the thread when bored
Grey
Dec 15 2003, 04:02 PM
| QUOTE (Kurukami) |
| QUOTE (Grey @ Dec 5 2003, 11:08 PM) | 2. You won't be starting characters. I'd like you guys to use BeCKS if possible and I'm guessing I'll start you off with a minimum of 500 karma, but it may be more. |
I'm trying to use the NSRCG to put my character together, but so far the BeCKS gen-system is giving me headaches. How am I supposed to modify the "total karma available" to the character, so as to push it up to the 500 you've mentioned here?
|
Its under options. Also, you get 600 points, not 500.
Grey
Dec 15 2003, 04:16 PM
| QUOTE (Shockwave_IIc) |
Ok Im still wanting to play this. But i've been informed that it may take upto 4 weeks to reconnect me at my new address.
So as of appox 24hrs form this post i lose my connection. However i have friends with access who i'll be tapping. (one actually wants to see how shadowrun and RPG's in general play on line).
So with a bit of luck i'll still be around, just won't be able to sit on the thread when bored |
No problem Shockwave, just post when you can. Things should be a little slow starting off, it'll be a lot of role play and getting to know the setting. Things shouldn't heat up for at least two weeks or so, give or take a little.
Grey
Dec 15 2003, 04:26 PM
I talked things over with Large Mike this weekend at GenCon and we pretty much decided that doing the crossover between the two games would be too damn hard to make work.
So, the Brain Eaters live accross the street from you guys.
I'll be opening the IC and OOC threads today.
Kurukami
Dec 15 2003, 06:06 PM
*cudgelling his way through the BeCKs system* Gaahhh...
OK, I begin to see why you're saying "no cultured bioware" to start off with -- it tends to throw off calculations by a significant amount. Example -- assuming one had a mnemonic enhancer, where would the Karmic benefit to learning skills kick in? 425? It's indistinct... so that makes a bit more sense now.
However, the numbers for buying attributes seem a bit off. *shrug* It's always been my understanding, and that of the group I game with, that you buy Attributes up using the base number unmodified by racial bonusses or penalties -- rather than making it substantially more expensive (Karma-wise) for metahumans to approach what should be the "average" for their genotype.
Oh well. Back to work trying to muddle through this mess...
Ol' Scratch
Dec 15 2003, 06:09 PM
Mnemonic Enhancers are ignored using BeCKS. It's near the end of the character creation rules in the document. Bethyaga also chose to ignore racial penalties and bonuses to attributes, instead just raising their Racial Modified Limits and Attribute Maximums. Don't ask me why.
Grey
Dec 15 2003, 06:09 PM
BeCKS can be a bit confusing at first, but once you get used to it, you'll see how great it is. You get complete control over every aspect of character creation and can tweek the character to your liking. If you have any questions, feel free to ask.
One thing for everyone: Go ahead and start role playing your characters in the IC thread, even if you aren't done with the characters stats. The stats aren't likely to come into play anytime soon, so its no big deal.
Kurukami
Dec 15 2003, 06:24 PM
Will do. I'm so glad right now that I have Excel available to me on my computer, though...
Kurukami
Dec 15 2003, 06:49 PM
OK, so the mnemonic enhancer I had in mind for Cheng as a starting thing is straight out. Given the background I've proposed, though, would a cerebral booster and/or sleep regulator be that out of order? I would have thought, given the origin details I provided on
Cheng's background page (particularly with her corporate parents springing for implants to enhance her potential while pursuing her collegiate goals), that they might be acceptable (since they don't as directly impact advancement).
Ol' Scratch
Dec 15 2003, 06:56 PM
Just as a side note, you're free to have a Mnemonic Enhancer by the BeCKS rules (though Grey was showing some trepedation towards bioware). You just don't gain the -1 Karma bonus for skill improvements during character creation, even during the extended character creation phase.
Grey
Dec 15 2003, 06:59 PM
Kurukami - Check out my private message.
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