The Character Sheet

Once Upon a Time...

Celeste is a slightly disheveled, very grumpy, and grizzled frenchman who took refuge in the shadows of America after fleeing France. In Frace, he was part of a failed Humanis research project to create a superior strand of human, one physically better then orks, trolls, elves, or dwarves. He was an embryo selected from already gene altered stock, then twisted to the limit of modern genetics. He was able to slip through the cracks when the project collapsed, and now is a soldier of fortune... a task my difficult with all the chrome on the streets, and him with only twisted genes.

Dionysus was an exchange student from Tir Tairngire at University of Seattle, studying ancient drama. One day in 2061 (D was 23), the Policlub attacked the tenement building where he was staying, burning the building and subjecting their victims to BTL torture. The stresses associated with that event and the magical chaos surrounding Halley's comet turned him into an adept. He focuses on infiltration and assassination: he calls it the Way of the Fury. Dionysus is an expert on breaking and entering, and the silent, close-in kill. He's not virulently anti-human, but will probably never really trust a human again. Speaks fluent Sperethiel and very good English; reads both Latin and ancient Greek. He retained his passion for Seneca, and is often to be found in the University of Seattle library, poring over ancient plays. Rumor has it that he writes his own, but no-one's ever wanted to ask.

Shamus was born in the Redmond barrens, and spent a good portion of his adolescence running with street gangs. He was a born mage, slinging spells almost before he could talk. The other gangers feared him a little bit, but used his abilities to their advantage. When he was 19, a chaos mage spent two months unarmed in the barrens as part of an Ordeal. One night, Shamus' gang took a dare and attacked the mage; Shamus was the only one to survive. In retribution, the mage took Shamus into a sort of indentured servitude for almost a decade, teaching him about his powers.
Shamus is something of a conspiracy nut, and is mildly addicted to Zen(a habit he picked up from his mentor). He has a talent for detection spells & divination, and between runs spends much of his time trying to discern the hidden pattern underlying world events. He believes that there is a relatively small group of powerful men & women that control almost everything that happens on Earth, from politics to snowfall. He thinks that by looking for patterns in world events, both minor and major, he can begin to learn about the group.

Ventilator (nee Valentine) started working in her father's run down used electronics shop in the elven ghetto of Tarislar when she was eight. When the Crash hit, she was 20 and still working in the shop. Her mother had died of VITAS infection seven years earlier, and her father was barely functional. One night, she woke up shouting from a nightmare, and walked down into the repair shop to catch her breath. When she walked in the door, she saw the 'souls' of the machines floating up out of their cases and drifting through the walls into the street. She ran out into the street to follow them, into a sea of light. She wandered, tranced, through the streets until the vision led her off a bridge into Lake Washington just before dawn. Students from the University discovered her, almost drowned and completely unconscious. When asked, she couldn't remember who she was, where she was from or what she was doing in the lake in her pajamas. Upon further examination, she was diagnosed with AIPS and "enrolled"in the university research program. One year later, she used her new technomancer abilities to escape the university, and fell into the Shadows. She has a soft spot for machines of all types, and is often seen talking to her drones or any piece of hardware that will listen.

Tes was born to crime. He grew up among the Cascade Orks east of Seattle and his parents were both accomplished smugglers. His career in wealth redistribution came to an abrupt halt when a jury-rigged bridge gave way underneath him, ruining the cargo and nearly killing him. He did survive, but only with the loss of his right arm. He came to in a hospital, staring into the face of a Yakuza flunky. It seemed that the shipment Tes was running belonged to the Yaks, and they were less than happy to have lost it to the mountains. They volunteered Tes in absentia to be a cybered-up enforcer for them, until such time as they decided he had paid his debt. He got a new arm, a new head and the best sword training in town, but lived in slavery for almost a decade. One day, while escorting an oyabun to a meeting, his group was ambushed by a team of runners. Tes was the only member of the escort to survive, but he managed to keep the oyabun breathing. When the Yakuza backup team finally arrived, they found blood covering everything: the walls, the sidewalks; blood running thick in the gutters. The Yak boss staggered to his feet, gave Tes a slight bow, and told him he was free of debt. They left him standing in the alley, surrounded by his handiwork.

To Come Later

Background

1.Where and in what kind of environment did your character grow up?
Ludmila Søren, Ludi for the more intimate or those just in a hurry, is originally from Volgograd, Russia. Middle child of a family of 5 (2 boys and 2 girls), Ludi grew up in a blue-collar working class family. Her family was far from being fortunate, and bad luck seemed to lurk behind every corner. Early in her childhood, her father, the only source of income for the family, suffered a work related accident, which took his left leg, and a part of his right arm. Lacking the funds for cybernetic replacement, the Søren family quickly saw its list of options narrow down. The two eldest sons gradually went from petty crimes to full fledge felonies.

To support her family, Ludmila enrolled as a reservist in the Russian Armed Forces. When Ludi was finally 18, she was able to get into a small technical school just outside of Moscow, through an army-sponsored project. She studied electronics and mathematics for one year. The young woman also took keen interests in combat sports, especially boxing.

One year after she started school, one of her young sister, working as a streetwalker, simply vanished in the fog of Volgograd. Her oldest brother also fell victim to a Mafia related shooting. With two sources of income gone, Ludmila had no choice but to abandon her studies and move to full active duty in the army.

After washing out of Officer Candidate School, she went the enlisted men's route, and was assigned to an infantry platoon as a communication and electronic specialist. The hours and work were hell... but the paychecks helped her now deteriorating family get by. After a few combat assignments, she was brought back to Moscow as an Unarmed Combat instructor.

At 23, Ludi's father died of liver related problems... probably from his heavy drinking. The same year, her remaining brother was arrested and slapped with a life sentence for murder. Ludmila could see her family simple break apart, and she felt powerless. The only family she had was spiraling down to hell. There was simply nothing left to salvage. And so, Ludmila did what she thought was best: she buried herself in her work to avoid confronting reality. Cutting almost all ties with her family, she has only seen them sporadically since then. After a year spent “collecting dust� in a Moscow military academy, Ludmila was scouted and recruited by the FSB, where she worked for the Science and Technology Services at the National Cryptology Academy. But, true to herself, even though she was talented in code breaking and intelligence analysis, Ludmila was bored to death by it. She wanted to be back in the field. She wanted her boots to hit the pavement. She wanted to feel the rush of the fight. After spending some time at a desk job, she was transferred into a special task force that had been put on by the FSB Counterintelligence Services, who were trying to break the back of the Vory V Zakone. Spending some time in the field with the team, gathering intel, Ludmila proved to be quite a reliable operative. Not only was she smart, she also had a lot more combat experience than most FSB agents. It didn’t take long before she was moved full time to the Counterintelligence Services of the FSB, where she literally became what the Service calls a “proactive counterintelligence agent�. Truth be told; she is now one of those people the FSB sends in to “take out the trash�.

Ludmila worked for the FSB for about 6 years, growing slowly but surely desensitized about life. The FSB being a domestic security service, she saw, every single day, the worst not only of Russia, but of human nature. Infiltrating organized crime, investigating corruption in the intelligence community, tracking down foreign spies, cracking down terrorists cells. And all that for a still meager pay. Every day, she saw how people really were: greedy and backstabbing. Even though they still did “honest work�, Ludmila realized that many operations the FSB had running were heavily tied in with the current political party, running his own agenda, or simply working at the heels of whomever they could pay. Slowly, Ludmila was sucked into the world of corruption, pay offs and double deals: getting paid protection money from foreign services and groups operating in Russia. She simply couldn’t help herself… she had lost all hopes in humanity. She simply did not care anymore. But everything changed when, after a night of heavy boozing in a Moscow bar, Ludmila became pregnant. Her work wouldn’t allow her to keep the child, and she couldn’t bare bringing one into such a world… but she never made the final step. She couldn’t bring herself to take the life in herself. Maybe the child could succeed where Ludmila had failed. Maybe she could make a difference.

And so, Ludmila resigned from the FSB, well, it was more like she simply went rogue and never came back… simply working for whomever could afford her services. She is now staying with her aunt (from her mother’s side).

2. What are your character’s relations with their family? (Does your character keep in touch? Where are they now?)
Her mother should still be alive, but Ludmila has completely lost touch with her. For all she knows, she might be dead from the BTL she was hooked on. It isn’t that she does not care or love her mother… it is that seeing her and thinking of her simply reminds her of the strong woman she was once before. Now, she is but a broken and shattered shadow of who she was.

Her brother is still alive and doing his time behind bars. Even now, Ludmila tries to go and see him now and then, or at least contact him when she not in the country.

Her little sister followed Ludmila’s example and left the family home to move to the Russian capital, to pursue her studies. Whenever she can, Ludi sends whatever extra nuyen she has. She does all she can to support her, so she’ll be able to stay in school… instead of following her example further and falling in the shadows.

Ludmila also has a daughter, Lana. Ludi has done her best, with the help of her aunt Zina, to bring the girl up. She keeps the nature of her work as blurry as possible from the young girl. Lana’s father isn’t even known to Ludmila… when she fell pregnant, she was seeing two different men. Although it would take a simply and fast test to determined who’s the father, Ludmila simply never had the guts to go thru with it. Lana is the only thing that matters in her mother’s eyes.

Zina, Ludmila’s aunt, is a grumpy woman with a hearth of gold. Never having children of her own, she considers Ludmila like her own daughter. Even though she doesn’t support Ludmila’s shadowrunning activities, she understands how strong a mother’s love can be, and that the woman is simply doing the best she can to provide for them.

3. Does your character have an ethnic background? (Is it relevant to them?)
Full blooded Russian. The fact is that Ludmila did more or less runaway from the motherland. The emotional baggage that she associates with her origins are mixed. Because of her thick Russian accent, and the fact that her knowledge of English is sometimes lacking, it is rather difficult for her to hide her origins. She is indeed proud of who she is, and where she is from, and is deeply trying to convey that pride to her daughter (for example; she insists on her speaking Russian at home… something the girl doesn’t enjoy much). But, “being Russian� also makes her remember everything she left behind.

Appearance
4. What does your character look like?
Ludmila is about 5'9", 130/140lbs and keeps herself well in shape. Her body is well defined and toned; a habit she took from the army and something that hasn't left her. A bit obsessed about being in shape, Ludmila keeps her whole body toned and well defined with a daily routine of physical exercise and running. When she has the time, she adds swimming and gymnastic to the whole thing. Out of habit and practicality, she keeps her black hair short trimmed. Her upper left arm is entirely covered with a black inked tribal designed tattoo. Although probably not considered a "classical" beauty, Ludmila isn't all that displeasing to look at. She would probably be an attractive woman if she took care of her look and was less tough and ballsy. She has typical Russian features. She has a very tomboyish look and never wears any makeup. Ludmila also has numerous scars on her body… all reminders of the lifestyle she has chosen.

5. What does your character dress like?
Ludmila dresses like she looks: in a practical matter. She usually opts for slightly baggy pants, with as many pockets as possible. Long sleeves or t-shirts, thrown under a heavy jacket usually finishes everything. She, from times to times, will wear an old and battered urban camo jacket... the only trinket she keeps from her brief army days. Her tomboyish look is only accentuated by how she dresses.

6. What are your character’s physical quirks?
None

Skills, attributes, resources
7. What did your character always want to be? (How did they go about getting this job/position/ability/image? Did they succeed?)
At a very young age, Ludmila loved to taking things apart to see what make them ticked. At school, she excelled mostly in sciences, math and physics being her favorite classes. Because she lacked the money to go to college on her own, when she was 18, she enlisted as a reservist in the army. Thru a scholarship, she started a bachelor in Physics and Electronic Engineering. Her plan, at that time, was to work toward a Doctorate in Microelectronic Engineering. Since she was also very good at fighting, she joined the school boxing team, and sometimes dreamt of a career in the sport.

But soon, her life changed pace and she was trusted back in the army. Not being very keen on being bossed around by her superiors, Ludi decided that being at the top in the chain of command would be the best way to avoid that… but it is for that precise reason she washed out and was busted back down to Private. Although her rash temper made her a difficult soldier to order around, he determination and tough attitude also made her a very efficient member of the armed forces.

Lana birth changed all that. From a disgruntled young woman, Ludmila changed into a mother with hundreds of responsibilities. Now, she has to do whatever she needs to provide for her daughter.

8. Where and how did your character learn their Active and Knowledge Skills?
Beside her years spent in the Russian armed forces and at the service of the FSB, she has picked up bits and pieces of skills here and there. Once again, her knowledge skills come from her brief years of technical school, army training, and years spent working for FSB.

9. Where and how did your character get their major equipment and ‘ware?

10. Where and in what kind of place does your character currently live?
She shares a crummy apartment with her aunt and daughter, It is located right across the street from her aunt’s small beauty parlor.
11. Who are your character’s contacts? (How did they become contacts? Why do they still talk to your character?)




Lana Søren
Born in 2067, Lana doesn’t know her father. Fortunately for Ludmila, up to now, she never had explain her child why she didn’t have any father… but Lana has started school now, and will probably come up with the question one day. The truth is that Ludmila isn’t even sure who is the father. Testing for paternity would be simple, fast and easy… but Ludmila has (and still is) always been afraid of what the answer might be. Lana is five years old, and looks just like her mom: black hair, which are kept long and deep green eyes.

Up to now, Ludmila has also been able to keep her shadowy life a secret from the child… but knows deep down that she won’t be able to lie to her kid for her whole life. Lana is, quite honestly, Ludmila’s entire life. Everything she does, she ultimately does it for her. She is her drive; her will to live and survive.


Zina Søren
Zina Søren arrived in Seattle when she was in her early twenties. She had met a young and charming classical musician in Moscow, and had followed him back to his hometown of Seattle. They were shortly after married, and lived quite happy. But Zina’s husband died, about 15 years ago, of health problems. They had lived quite comfortably for their whole life, which was why Zina was so surprised when she ended up neck deep in debts.

It seems that they had, for many years, lived quite above what they could actually afford. The woman, now in her fifties, had to start working… for the first time in her life. With what money she had left, she opened a small beauty shop / salon.

Zina, now in her late 60ies/early 70ies, is Ludmila’s aunt, on her paternal side. An old grumpy woman with a hearth of gold, she has been like a mother to Ludi, since she first arrived in Seattle. She greeted her niece, who she had never met before, with arms wide open, and gave her her first job: cutting hair in her salon. Surprisingly, Ludmila enjoyed it. She still helps her around the shop whenever she can, using her hairstylist job as a cover. When not on a job, Ludmila can always be found cutting hair at her salon during the day. She is eternally grateful to Zina for everything she has done, and does, and does everything in her power to repay her. Zina is also like Lana’s grandmother.

She is a very conservative woman, who wouldn’t miss church on a Sunday morning for anything in the world. Holding all the traditional beliefs very close to her hearth, she has a very hard time accepting countless facets of Ludmila’s lifestyle. At first, her “teenage� attitude; the nights she spent out on the town; the men she took back home. After, it was her “masculine� behavior; the boxing, running the shadows. Now; the fact that Ludmila has a child and isn’t married… and that she is seeing a married man on the side. Even if she doesn’t accept all those things, she lives with it, and loves Ludmila like her own daughter. She would never admit it, but the main reason why Zina is so overprotective of Ludi… is because she remind her so much of herself at that age.


Varya Sevastyan
Varya Sevastyan is a Lithuanian immigrant. Ludmila first met her at Zina’s salon. It was her who taught Ludmila how to cut hair, and all the tricks of the job. A very outgoing person, she is Ludmila opposite in many ways. Very in touch with her feminine side, socialite, a real party girl… who’s a bit childish and shallow at times. But Ludi loves her like a sister.

Varya has also been taking care of Lana, from time to time, and is probably Ludmila’s only real friend. Up to recently, Ludmila was Varya’s faithful clubbing and concert partner. But since Lana’s birth, Ludmila has settled down a bit, taking things less carelessly than her friend. Varya is simply a carefree beautiful woman, with the mindset of an 18-year-old young woman.


12. Who are your character’s enemies? (How did they become your character’s enemies?)
Well, Ludmila wouldn’t go as far as saying she has enemies… at least, none she really knows of. But having killed many foreign agents for the FSB, it is quite possible some people might not like her.

13. For Awakened characters, how did your character learn their magic? For non-Awakened characters, how does your character feel about magic?
Although she accepts it as part of her life and the world she lives in, Ludmila isn’t all that thrilled about magic. During most of her life, everything concerning the Awakened was what the trideo was feeding her in the living room of her parent’s. While on duty in the Russian land forces, her unit saw brief combat close to the Chinese border. The mage in her unit summoned a spirit… who turned loose. In the midst of the firefight, it turned against the Russian troops, killing almost half of them before they could put it out of action. Since then, Ludmila has been feeling very uncomfortable around any astral entities. Mages and spells she can deal with… spirits and elemental, she can’t.

Personality
14. What are your character’s personality quirks?
Ludi is very single minded, and sometimes a bit overly aggressive about getting things done. Her straightforward attitude sometime makes her come through as a bit of a bully. She has some problem keeping her temper in check, and can be quite impulsive and explosive at times. She's also has a lot of pride, which is one of her main flaws: she takes failure quite harshly, and hates being vulnerable. It is because of this sort of temper and attitude she washed out as an officer in the army. Her military training is still engraved in her mind, and she tends to still behave, a lot of the time, like a soldier. She actually still considers herself a soldier... the battlefields; enemies, allies and missions have simply changed.

15. What are your character’s likes and dislikes?
She is a total sucker for rock music... any kind. Her favorite pass time is going to rock concerts, and seeing the recent groups play in packed clubs. Ludmila is also an avid amateur of hand-to-hand combat, mostly boxing.

16. What is your character’s moral code?
Now that Lana is born, Ludi tries to live her life as honestly as she can.... a very strange thing for her. She tries to be as true to her words as possible, and as straightforward as she can in the current situation. Having been in her share of fights, Ludi obviously had to take lives.... something she has grown dangerously unmindful of. She knows it is something that is part of her job. It is a mean to an end. Her military training is still engraved in her mind, and she tends to still behave, a lot of the time, like a soldier. Because of that, she still feels a strong sense of duty toward those who work with her.

17. Does your character have personal beliefs?
Devout catholic. She is convinced that she is going to hell... which is why she is doing her best for her daughter. She wants to shelter her as much as possible. Every Sunday morning, Zina, Lana and herself always go to the local church. Ludmila carries with her a small silver chain with a crucifix. Not one night goes by without her praying for her loved ones. Even though she tries to be as much as a good person as she can’t, her way of life and line of work get in the way of it quite often. Yet, she tries to find “loop holes� in her faith, and will always goes to confession whenever she can. No matter how much penitence she commits herself too, she has somehow accepted the fact that her soul cannot be saved. She is damned for her actions, and can simply try to be as good as she can so that God will at least accept her daughter. Whenever she can, she tries to lend a helping hand to the church she goes to; fixing the electric wiring, repairing broken windows, etc…

18. What are your character’s personal motivations?
Her main goal, for now, is to provide the best living conditions as she can for her daughter.

Running the shadows
19. Why does your character run the shadows?
Out of necessity… she must provide for her young daughter. She usually sees herself as a gun for hire, with wetwork being one of her best field. She probably wouldn’t admit it, but she misses her army days; the camaraderie, the feeling of being part of something larger and accomplishing something. The rush of simply running the shadows is also something big for her.

20. What would make your character ever leave the shadows?
Because she runs the shadows out of necessity, the main thing that would make her turn around would be if that necessity was gone: if she could get a “normal� well paying job. She’d also leave if her work ever got her daughter in real danger.

Ludmila’s Timeline
2039 - Ludmila Søren is born in Volgograd, Russia
2040 - Ana Søren is born
2043 - Laelia Søren is born
2057 - Joins the Russian Armed Forces, starts a bachelor in applied physics and electronics
2058 - Laelia, her youngest sister, disappears; she was only 15.
2058 - Dmitrii Søren, her eldest brother, dies in a mafia related shooting.
2058- Ludmila abandons her studies to enlist full time in the army. Because her vision and earing aren’t up to standards, she replaces her eyes and ears with cybered version. She washes out of Officer Candidate School. The cited reason is "lack of discipline". The woman is simply to brash, bold and balsy to be an officer.
2058 - Unit assignment: Norwegian Border
2059 - Unit assignment: Siberia. Promoted to Junior Sergeant.
2060- Unit assignment: Chinese Border.
2061 - Ludmila is brought back to Moscow, and assigned to an instructor position. She teaches Basic Hand-to-Hand combat, as well as Basic Electronic Warfare. She reaches the highest rank she will ever hold in the Russian Army; that of Sergeant.
January 2061 - Sergej Søren, Ludi's father, dies of a liver disease.
January 2061 - Miroslav Søren, her remaining brother, is arrested for murder and sentenced to life.
2062 –Ludmila goes to work at the FSB’s National Cryptology Academy
2062 – Ludmila is assigned to Task Force Pandora
2062 – Ludmila goes to work for the FSB’s Counterintelligence Services
2067- Lana is born
2067 – Ludmila goes rogue and leaves the FSB without consent from her superior

To Come Later

The boy who would one day be known as Oracle led a horrific childhood full of sleepless nights, uncontrollable visions, headaches, operations, genetic treatments, brain surgery, hospitalization, needles, and tests. Countless tests. Days filled with questions he couldn't possibly know the answers to. Tests that he never discovered if he had passed, or not. It was also a lonely childhood, although there were people around. Psychologists, doctors, and other scientists, spent hours studying him, questioning him, and probing him, but rarely did they treat him like a person. Somehow, he understood that it was going to be alright, that the people at the Paranormal Science Institute were going to be able to help him, and that confidence helped get him through it.

He felt most connected to the instructors, who he could please by quickly absorbing information or solving the puzzles they presented to him. It wasn't until his teens that Oracle's magical abilities fully manifested, and his schooling shifted directions to orient on the nature of his gifts. At first, he demonstrated the ability to see into the astral plane, and sense the auras and lingering psychic impressions left by others. He saw an immediate shift in the way he was treated. His instructors were no longer asking him to move objects without touching them, or describe the contents of closed containers. Instead, their questions revolved around the things he could decipher from the psychic impressions he felt about something or someone.

With effort, he learned to concentrate, meditate, and with a clear mind, he was able to answer questions he couldn't possibly know: people's emotional state, health and illnesses, and who among his instructors were like him - who shared his psychic gifts. Under the instruction of these individuals, Oracle formed a bond - a psychic connection that would aid in the development of his powers. With practice and years of tests and experiments, he became aware of connections between things that most people overlooked, and found himself subconsciously aware of immediate dangers.

By the time he reached adulthood, he was able to control his visions, and block them out most of the time. His premonitions extended much further into the future, and he was able to pick up impressions left from much farther in the past. It was also at this time that he was subjected to a series of painful invasive cybernetic procedures. He could see his aura was obviously weakened afterward, and knew his benefactors could sense this, as well. Still, they assured him that the procedures would help unlock unused portions of his mind, making his visions clearer, and easier to control. The operations made him less human, but as the nanites altered the interactions of his neurons and the way he looked at the world, including his interpretations of his visions, he began to see the logic in the decision that was forced upon him.

It was around the age of twenty that he was first called upon to use his special gift to change the course of history, but it would not be his last.

....

Today, Oracle puts his abilities to use for the Agency, as both a strategy consultant, and, occasionally, as a operative who can help gather information or make real-time decisions based on material links available only on-site. He has been crucial to the allocation of Agency resources, both metahuman and financial, and is consulted before most major missions - even if unofficially. Oracle tries to introduce himself to new members, and oversee meetings with clients, when he is available, and offer his guidance to those within the Agency willing to consult with him. He is still young, being in his mid-twenties, but his rare abilities afford him a (perhaps, undeserved) position of status within the Agency.

Not everyone in the Agency is thrilled with Oracle or his "psychic impressions," however. More than once, major decisions have been made that were believed to be heavily influenced by information obtained through various Agency members' private consultations with Oracle. Others question the accuracy of his visions, pointing out that it is often impossible to verify that, had the Agency not acted on this information, things would have played out the way Oracle predicted. Moreover, the fact that the Agency has been able to act on his intelligence in order to avoid a situation Oracle foresaw seems to be the most damning evidence that Oracle is not, in fact, glimpsing the future. What he does see, is the subject of some debate.

Rather than defend himself, or his abilities, Oracle seems to encourage logical and philosophical debate regarding the nature of his gift, and the appropriate and inappropriate times to act upon such information. He is personally quite interested in causality, paradox, and quantum entanglement - and, when his abilities are not needed for higher priority tasks, has begun performing psionic experiments in these areas.

On one occasion, after an agent went suddenly missing, a rumor began to circulate that Oracle had recently had a vision involving that agent. Some agents believed that Oracle saw some act of betrayal, and the Agency acted upon his information - preventing it before it could occur. The rumor was further fueled by the discovery of evidence suggesting the missing agent might have had ties to a rival Agency. The Agency denied the use of such tactics, of course, and took steps to reduce the (perceived) dependence on Oracle's guidance. However, the damage was done - whoever had started the rumor had successfully sown the seeds of distrust.

Many agents began to keep their distance from Oracle. Few disbelieved his ability, but many distrusted his motivations. They thought that if he were so inclined, he could point his finger at any one of them, and that many would believe his word, over theirs, if he said that they would be guilty of some terrible crime in the future. Even those with faith in his sound judgment understood that, even if they didn't think they would commit any crime against the Agency at this moment, they had no way of knowing what the future would bring.

In addition, most people, particularly mercenary Shadowrunners, have secrets they would prefer remain hidden. Needless to say, Oracle doesn't currently have a lot of friends. Many still come to him with questions, but most prefer to interact with him through VR.

Oracle's unnaturally pale skin, baldness, and bright blue eyes make him stand out in most crowds. His simultaniously insightful and cryptic way of speech adds to his eery demeanor. He has a mixed reputation within the Agency, painted by some as a miracle-worker who has saved the lives of dozens of agents, and by others as a charlatan or false-prophet who is secretly controlling the Agency, and using it to create the future of his liking. Most who work with him see that both representations grossly exaggerate his capabilities. Oracle spends a lot of of his time immersed in virtual reality, in a sort of astral sensory deprevation tank, and often has difficulty relating to other people. However, when he is needed, either for a mission or just a consultation, he is often the first one there, and usually the first one to know about it.

Metatype (0)
Human (0)

Attr (225)

STR 2 (10)
BOD 2 (10)
AGI 2 (10)
REA 3 (20)

CHA 3 (20)
INT 5 (40)
LOG 8 (85) (11)
WIL 4 (30)


Essence 4.05
Magic 6 (65) (4)


Qualities (5)
- Exceptional Attribute, Logic(20)
- Aptitude, Arcana (10)
- Adept (5)
- Combat Paralysis (-20) (Strong violent emotional situations tend to distract and overwhelm Oracle)
- Biosystem Overstress (-10)


Skills (98)
- Arcana 7 (32)
- Assensing 4 (Psychometry 6) (18)
- Perception 4 (16)
- Dodge 4 (Ranged 6) (18)
- Computer 1 (4)
- Data Search 1 (4)
- Negotiation 1 (Sense Motive 3) (6)


Knowledge (13x3=39)

Street
- Ares Macrotechnology 1
- Aztechnology 1
- Evo Corporation 1
- Horizon 1
- Mitsuhama Computer Technologies 1
- NeoNet 1
- Renraku Computer Systems 1
- Saeder-Krupp Heavy Industries 1
- Shiwase Corporation 1
- Wuxing, Incorporated 1

Academic:
- Parapsychology 6 (Precognition (7)
- Psionic Background 4
- Law 1
- History 1
- Economics 4

Professional:
- Business 1
- Corporate Politics 1
- Espionage 1
- Forensics 1

Interests:
- Gambling 3
- Philosophy 4 (Determinism 6) 5


Adept Powers
- Analytics 4 (1)
- Astral Perception (1)
- Enhanced Perception 4 (1)
- Combat Reflexes 2 (1)

Contacts (9 free points)
- Paranormal Science Institute (Psionic Initiation Group) (6/3)


Gear (50=342,750/350,000)
-Alphaware Encephelon 1 (60,000) [0.75x0.8=0.6]
-Alphaware Nanohive 2 (40,000) [1.0x0.8=0.8]
- - Alphaware Neocortical 3 (30,000) [-]
- - Alphaware Limbic 3 (30,000) [-]
-Alphaware Cerebral Booster 3 (60,000) [0.6x0.5x0.8=0.24] * 15 availability item
-Skin Pigmentation (white) + BioTatoos (1,500) [-]
-Genetic Optimization (Logic) (45,000) [0.2x0.5=0.1]
-Pushed (15,000) [0.1x0.5=0.05]
-Qualia (25,000) [0.4x0.5=0.2]

-Emersion Lifestyle (30,000)
-Fake SIN 4 (4,000)
-Extra Starting Cash +12 (1,200)
-Trodes (50)
-SimModule (100)
-Disposable Commlink (300)

-Armor
- - Armored Clothing (4/0) (500)
or
- - Form Fitting Body Armor, Half Suit (4/1) (900)
- - + SecureTech PPP Helmet (0/+2) (100)

Karma Expenditures (7 karma remaining)
- Magical Group (5)
- Grade 2 Initiation (8+10)
- - Metamagic Techniques
- - - Divining (Meditation Ordeal)
- - - Psychometry (Deed Ordeal)

Piece usually dresses corporate-chic - smooth and elegant armored business attire, usually black, with a stylish and similarly expensive longcoat. However, rather than coming off as a cunning and successful corporate shark, his toned and muscular frame, and somewhat dull wit, give the impression of a high-paid bodyguard, or corporate goon, at best. Piece prefers to pack as much heat as the situation allows. Within his longcoat, it is not uncommon for him to have a half-dozen firearms concealed, but within easy reach. He always keeps at least two taser-guns on himself, except when circumstances forbid it.

He is a skilled in both close-combat and ranged, and has blended the two together in a flashy-theatrical style heavily influenced by Ares Firefighting techniques, and the swift efficient maneuvers borrowed from various Armed Forces. His style is very cinematic, perhaps deceptively so. He dances, rolls, and flips through combat, using broad sweeping kicks as well as whatever weapons he has on him (or can improvise from items laying around, nearby). In typical Firefight form, he usually fights with a pistol in each hand, but unlike many Firefight artists, he is as likely to pistol-whip an opponent as kick them. His firearms have all been modified and hardened, such that they could be used to deflect away an incoming blade, or strike with the barrel, without risking damage to the internal firing mechanisms. He prides his style on its adaptability in combat, and has trained in a wide range of hand-to-hand weapons as well as one-handed firearms. He considers himself a jack-of-all-blades and master-of-none - though what he lacks in experience he has made up for, in cyberware.

Like any good street-samurai, there isn't much of him left, anymore. He looks human, and unaugmented, from the outside, but, inside, he has been made stronger, faster, tougher, and all-around deadlier than any normal human - which is to say, that he meets the minimum requirements of any street-sam hoping to make it in Seattle's shadows.

Attributes (225 BP)
STR 6/9 (40) + (18 karma)
BOD 4 (20) + (12 karma)
AGI 6/9 (65)
REA 5/7 (30)

INT 3 (20)
WIL 3 (20)
LOG 2 (10)
CHA 2 (10)

Advantages (35 BP)
Firefight (10) Reduce Attacker in Melee penalties by 2
Krav Maga (15) Draw Weapon as Free Action, Take Aim as Free Action, Reduce Attacker in Melee penalties by 1
Capoeira (5) +1 Gymnasic Dodge
Arnis de Mano (5) Deals Damage with Called shot to Disarm, or the Disarm Maneuver

Maneuvers (24 BP)
- Blind Fighting
- Break Weapon
- Disarm
- Groundifghting
- Ialjutsu (Weapon+Reaction (3))
- Kick
- Multistrike
- Off Hand Training
- Reposte
- Sweep
- Two Weapon Style
- Watchful Guard

Skills (100 BP)
- Close Combat 4 (40)
- Pistols 6 (Heavy Pistols (26)
- Automatics 2 (
- Longarms 1 (4)
- Gymnastics 4 (16)
- Armorer 1 (4)
- Intimidate 1 (Physical 3) (6)

Knowledge Skills (15 free)
- Interests: Martial Arts 5
- Interests: Firearms 5
- Professional: Military 3
- Language: Japanese 2

Contacts (8 BP)
- Arms Dealer (2/2)
- StreetDoc (2/2)

Gear (50 BP = 349,660 / 350,000)

Cyberware (110,000, total)
- Alphaware Muscle Replacement 3 [2.4] (30,000)
- Alphaware Titanium Bone Lacing [2.4] (80,000) (*Avail > 12)
Bioware (160,000 total)
- Synaptic Booster 2 [1] (160,000)


- Contacts [6] (50) (700, total)
- - Smartlink [4] (500)
- - VisionMag [2] (100)
- - Skinlink (50)

Forearm Snap Blades +Skinlink x2 (400)
Throwing Knife x10 (200)

Fake Cyberware License 4 [Muscle Replacement, Bone Lacing, Synaptic Booster] (400x3=1,200)
Fake Firearms Licenses 4 [Elanx2, Predatorx2, Slivergunx2, Warhawkx4] (400x10=4000)
Fake Weapons Licenses 4 [Forearm Snap Bladesx2] (400x2=800)
Fake SIN 4 (4,000) "Anthony Marks" (Ares Firefight-Trained Security)
High Lifestyle (10,000)
Leftover Money (1200) [+12 to starting cash roll]

Novatech Airware (3/3) (1250) (6,200 total)
- Iris Orb (3/3) (1000)
- Firewall 6 (3,000)
- SkinLink (50)
- Rating 3 Common Use Programs (6@150=900)
- - Analyze, Browse, Command, Edit, Encrypt, Scan

Vashoon Island Synergist Business Line (Longcoat, Slacks, High Collar Shirt) (6/3) (2,000)

Quick-Draw Holster (Bandoleer) x6 (600)
Defiance EX Shocker x6 (870x6=5220)
- 8S(e) -half SA - 4(m) (150)
- - Personalized Grip (100)
- - Melee Hardening (300)
- - Firing Selection Change (300)
- 4 Taser Darts (20)

Concealed Holsters (Boot Left/Right) x2 (150)
Morrissey Elan, Holdout Pistol x2 (450x2=1050)
- 4P/3P AP- SA RC0 5© (450)
- Plasteel Components 3 (Undetectable by MAD scanners)
4 Clips of 5 Hi-C Plastic Rounds (75x4=300) (Undetectable by MAD scanners)

Hidden Gun Arm Slide x2 (700)
Ares Predator IV x2 (1150x2=2300)
- 5P +1 SA - 15© (350)
- (1) Internal Smartgun System (-)
- (1) Personalized Grip (100)
- (1) Melee Hardening (300)
- (2) Silencer (400)
4 Clips of 15 Subsonic Ammo (60x4=240)

Concealed Holsters x2 (Lower Back Left/Right) x2 (150)
Ares Viper Slivergun , Heavy Pistol (1800x2=3600)
- 8P(f) +2AP, SA/BF, RC-4, 30©, 5R (500)
- (1) Personalized Grip (100)
- (1) Internal Smartgun System (500)
- (1) Melee Hardening (300)
- (2) Gas Vent 3 (400)
4 Clips of 30 Flechette rounds (1200)

Concealed Holsters x2 (Armpits Left/Right) x2 (150)
Rugar Super Warhawk, Heavy Pistol (1700x2=3400)
- 7P -3 SA - 8(cy) (250)
- (1) Personalized Grip (100)
- (1) Internal Smartgun System (250)
- (1) Melee Hardening (300)
- (1) Increased Cylinder (500)
- (1) Firing Selection Change (300)
80 Rounds of ExEx Ammo (800)

Hyundai Shin-Hyung (29,250)
- (17,000)
- Handling +2
- Accel 20/45
- Speed 160
- Pilot 1
- Body 10
- Armor 5
- Sensors 1 (STOCK)
- -Atmosphere Sensor 1
- -2 Cameras, Vision Enhance 1 (front and back)
- -2 Laser Range Finders (front and back)
- -2 Motion Sensors (front and back)
- -Radar 1
- Equipment
- Morphing License Plate (1,000)
- SpoofChip (500)
- Modifications (14)
- 1 - GridLink (750)
- 1 - GridLink Override (2,000)
- 2 - AntiTheft (2,000)
- 2 - Shielded Smuggling Compartment (ChemSniffer, MAD Scanner) (6,000)

Condition Monitor
-----------------
Physical 8 + BOD/2 = 10
Stun 8 + WIL/2 = 10

20 BP Ork
190 Attributes
30 Other Attributes
10 - 35 Qualities
8 Maneuvers
116 Skills
42 Gear
21 Contacts

20 BP Ork
--------------------
BOD 4/9 (13)
AGI 1/6 (9)
REA 1/6 (9)
STR 3/8 (12)
CHA 1/5 (7)
INT 1/6 (9)
LOG 1/5 (7)
WIL 1/6 (9)
INI 2/12 (18)
EDGE 1
Low Light Vision

190 BP Physical and Mental Attributes
------------------------------------
0 BP BOD 4
40 BP AGI 5 (+2)
40 BP REA 5 (+2)
30 BP STR 6
30 BP CHA 4 (+3)
10 BP INT 2
10 BP LOG 2
30 BP WIL 4

30 BP Other Attributes
----------------------
0 BP INI 11 (REA + INT)
0 BP Initiative Passes 1
30 BP EDGE 4
0 BP ESSENCE 6

10 - (35) BP Qualities
------------------------
(5) BP Scorched
(5) BP Weak Immune System
(10) BP Spirit Bane (Spirits of Beasts)
(5) BP Gremlins
(10) BP Insecticides Allergy (Uncommon, Moderate)
5 BP Martial Art - Tae Kwon Do
+1 on Attacks to Knockdown (If hit, then attacker’s
Strength + net hits to the defender’s Body.)
5 BP Martial Art - Aikido
+1 on Attacks to Knockdown

8 BP Maneuvers
----------------
Vicious Blow
Sweep
Full Offense
Kick Attack

114 BP Active Skills
--------------------
32 Social Active
16 BP Negotiation (Charisma) 4
16 BP Intimidate (Charisma) 4

44 Combat Active
18 BP Pistols (Agility) Semi Automatics 4 (+2)
26 BP Unarmed Combat (Agility) Martial Arts 6 (+2)

48 Physical Active
8 BP Perception (Intuition) 2
12 BP Infiltration (Agility) 3
8 BP Shadowing (Intuition) 2
10 BP Athletics Group 1
- Climbing (Strength) 1
- Gymnastics (Agility) 1
- Running (Strength) 1
- Swimming (Strength) 1

Technical Active

Vehicle Active
Pilot Ground Bike

Knowledge Skills ((LOG + INT) * 3=12)
-------------------------------------
French N
AK: Pacific Northwest 2
IN: Political Science 4
SW: Border Security 4
SW: Martial Arts Groups 2

Starting Money = 4D6 (+12) * 500

40 BP BP Gear (200000/200000)
-----------------------------

1200 Starting Money Roll Bonus + 12
10000 Lifestyle High 1 months

Cyber/Bioware (4.4 ESSENCE / 1.0 BIO) 117,750
-------------------------------------------------
6000 Skillwire Rating 3 Av/12 Ess/0.6 total ratings held is X 2 X rating
3000 Skillwire Expert System Av/8 Ess/0.1
32000 Wired Reflexes II Av/12R Ess/3 +2 reaction, +2 Init Pass
8000 Muscle Toner Rating2 Av/10R Bio/0.2
45000 Pheromones Rating3 Av/12 Ess/0.6 +1 dice to charisma/social tests X rating
2000 Commlink Av/0 Ess/0.2 actual commlink cost not included

100 Metalink
4000 Response 5
1000 Signal 5
3000 Firewall 6
3000 System 6
10000 Agent 4
2400 Analyze, Browse, Command, Edit, Encrypt, Scan 4
9000 Decrypt, ECCM, Exploit, Sniffer, Spoof, Stealth 3
50 Virtual Surround Music
3000 Empathy Software 6
3000 Lie Detection 6
150 Mapsofts

Linguasoft s (Rating 1–5) 2 Rating x 500
1500 Chinese 3
2500 English 5
2000 Spanish 4

Knowsoft s (Ratings 1–5) 4 Rating x 1,000
2000 SW: Magic 2
2000 SW: Pirate Gangs 2

3000 Pilot Ground Craft 1
3000 Pilot Aircraft 1
3000 Pilot Watercraft 1
3000 Gunnery 1
3000 Long Arms 1

4000 Fake SIN (Rating 1–6) (Rating x 3)F Rating x 1,000¥ - Marie duPais, bodyguard
400 Fake License (Rating 1–6) (Rating x 3)F Rating x 100¥ - Wired Reflexes
400 Fake License (Rating 1–6) (Rating x 3)F Rating x 100¥ - Muscle Toners
400 Fake License (Rating 1–6) (Rating x 3)F Rating x 100¥ - Smart Link
400 Fake License (Rating 1–6) (Rating x 3)F Rating x 100¥ - Concealed Weapon Permit

900 Armor Jacket 8/6 2
800 Nonconductivity — 6 Rating x 200¥

75 Concealable Holster — 2 75¥
75 Concealable Holster — 2 75¥
350 Hidden Gun Arm Slide — 4 350¥

100 EX-Explosive Rounds +2 –2 B 12F 100¥
100 Regular Ammo — — B 2R 20¥
60 Regular Ammo — — B 2R 20¥
80 Stick-n-Shock 6S(e) –half I 5R 80¥
60 Gel Rounds +2 (Stun) +2 I 4R 30Â¥
5 Spare Clips — 4 5¥
5 Spare Clips — 4 5¥
5 Spare Clips — 4 5¥

300 Colt Manhunter 5P –1 SA — 16 © 4R 300Â¥
300 Smartgun System, internal — 6R Weapon Cost
200 Silencer Barrel 8F 200Â¥
1000 Custom Look Level 2 - 1 slot
100 Personalized Grip - 1 slot
1000 Electronic Firing - 2 slots
300 Easy Breakdown - 1 slot
50 Skinlink

300 Colt Manhunter 5P –1 SA — 16 © 4R 300Â¥
300 Smartgun System, internal — 6R Weapon Cost
200 Silencer Barrel 8F 200Â¥
1000 Custom Look Level 2 - 1 slot
100 Personalized Grip - 1 slot
1000 Electronic Firing - 2 slots
300 Easy Breakdown - 1 slot
50 Skinlink

200 Flash-Pak Special — Special 4 200¥

1500 Lone Star iBall (Minidrone) +1 3/15 15 3 1 0 2 6 1,500Â¥
100 Camera Sensor
100 Thermographic +6
300 Vision Enhancement (Rating 1–3) +4 +(Rating x 100)¥
100 Vision Magnifi cation +2 +100Â¥

25 Sun Glasses
50 Flare Compensation +2 +50Â¥
25 Image Link — +25¥
500 Smartlink +4R +500Â¥
300 Vision Enhancement (Rating 1–3) +4 +(Rating x 100)¥
100 Vision Magnifi cation +2 +100Â¥

25 Monocle av/4
1000 Ultrasound +8 +1,000Â¥
25 Image Link — +25¥

10 Earbuds
300 Audio Enhancement (Rating 1–3) +2 + (Rating x 100)¥
600 Select Sound Filter (Rating 1–3) +8 +(Rating x 200)¥

25 Certified Credstick — 25¥

600 Medkit (Rating 1–6) — Rating x 100¥
500 Trauma Patch 2 500Â¥

8000 Horizon-Doble Revolution (Enclosed Monocycle)


21 BP Contacts
--------------
Fixer - - (L3, C4)
Hacker - - (L4, C3)
Sensei - - (L4, C3)

What people know about Cinzia Astarte
---------------------------------------------
At first this physically attractive and charming ork might appear
to be a teenage example of her metatype, but closer attention will
reveal that in fact she is a mature specimen in both appearance
and demeanor. Her precise North American English betrays it
origins in matrix learning of some kind, especially in contrast
with her native parisian. When not acting as a representative for
various parties in negotiations that are too risky for the
participants to involve themselves directly, she has been seen
acting as a professional escort to social events(most likely a
cover for her acting as part of a security detail), and
occasionally more explicitly as part of bodyguard teams.


Speed thrill addicted ork Eurotrash Socialist Socialite street sam babe.
The result of high class childhood indulgent political activism taken
to the active extreme. After the incident involving some embarrassing,
but profitable, simsense recordings hitting the the most popular euro
child education boards involving three education ministers and a few
members of a now ex communicated Greek Orthodox sect she's had to
renounce her name and abdicate her title and wander the world outside
of Europe. In the intervening years scrounging around for work, she's
begun to appreciate just how much she's given up in leaving the
world of regular cost of living payments from 500 year old trusts.

Snow Flower - Yukika Nakamura
Human Female Mystic Adept

Tea House/Gambling Hostess/Shinto Preistess

Condition Monitor
-----------------
Physical 8 + BOD/2 = 11
Stun 8 + WIL/2 = 10

BP
------
3 BP Female
170 BP Attributes
85 Other Attributes
(15) Qualities
108 Skills
2 Knowledge Skills
26 Magic
12 Contacts
9 Gear

3 BP Human Female Metatype
----------------------------
BOD 1/6 (9)
AGI 1/6 (9)
REA 1/6 (9)
STR 1/6 (9)
CHA 1/6 (9)
INT 1/6 (9)
LOG 1/6 (9)
WIL 1/6 (9)
INI 2/12 (18)
EDGE 2/7

170 BP Physical and Mental Attributes
-------------------------------------
10 BP BOD 2
40 BP AGI 5
20 BP REA 3
20 BP STR 3
40 BP CHA 5
10 BP INT 2
10 BP LOG 2
20 BP WIL 3

85 BP Other Attributes
----------------------
0 BP INI 7 (REA + INT)
0 BP Initiative Passes 1 ()
20 BP EDGE 3
65 BP MAGIC 6 (3 for spells)
0 BP ESSENCE 6 ()

(15) BP Qualities (+20/-35)
----------------------------
10 BP Mystic Adept
5 BP Mentor Spirit - Dragon (+2 Manipulation, +2 Negotiation, W + Ch (3) test to lose gracefully or follow others advice)
5 BP First Impression
(5) BP Astral Beacon
(10) BP Gremlins (2)
(10) BP Allergy (Uncommon, Moderate) Silver
(10) BP Allergy (Common, Mild) Sunlight

108 BP Active Skills
--------------------
Social Active
12 BP Con (Charisma) 3
8 BP Negotiation (Charisma) 2

Combat Active
16 BP Exotic Melee Warfan (Agility) 4
8 BP Gymnastics (Reaction) 2

Magical Active
16 BP Spellcasting (Magic) 4
8 BP Counterspelling (Magic) 2
14 BP Summoning - Spirits of Man (Magic) 3 (5)
6 BP Binding - Spirits of Man (Magic) 1 (3)

Physical Active
12 BP Perception (Intuition) 3
8 BP Palming (Agility) 2

2 BP Knowledge Skills ((LOG + INT) * 3=12)
-------------------------------------------
1 BP (* specialization) IN - Gambling Games (Traditional Japanese) 3 (5)
PS - Yakuza 3
1 BP (* specialization) IN - Religion (Shinto) 2 (4)
Japanese N
English 4

26 BP Magic
------------
Shamanic Tradition - Dragon mentor
1.5 Kinesics Level 3
0.5 Quickdraw - Warfan
0.5 Cool Resolve Level 2
0.5 Eidetic Sense Memory

Manipulation
3 BP Influence
3 BP Electrical Aura
3 BP Deflection
3 BP Gecko Crawl
3 BP Animate

Health
3 BP Heal

Detection
3 BP Analyze Truth
3 BP Catalog

2 BP Bond Weapon Focus

9 BP Gear 45,000/45,000
------------------------
20,000 Warfan Weapon Focus Rating 2

10,000 High Lifestyle, 1 month

1,000 Fashionable clothes

100 Commlink - Meta Link 1/2
200 OS - Vector Xim 1/1
100 Sim Module
50 Trodes

3,000 Rating 6 Shinto Lodge
3,000 6 Units of Spirit Binding Materials

4,000 Rating 4 Fake SIN - Miho Takada
25 Certified Credstick

20 Knife

350 White Noise Generator Rating 6

25 Monocle
25 - Image Link
100 - Vision Mag +2
300 - Vision Enhancement 3 +4A

10 Earbuds
300 - Audio enhancement 3 +2A
100 - Spatial Recognizer +6A

200 Micro Transceiver 1
100 Rating 4 Stim Patch
500 Trauma Patch

700 Lined Coat 6/4

800 + 8 to Starting Nuyen Cash ((4D6 + 8 ) * 500)

12 BP Contacts
--------------
Jimmy No, Golden Tiger Garden Bouncer L3 C3
Butterfly, Pearls of Heaven Manager, High Class Madam L2 C4

15 BP Free Contacts
--------------------
Drift, Human Neon Blades Go Ganger L2 C2
Natural, Human Talismonger L1 C2
Jake the Oni, Ork Cab Driver L2 C2
Patter, Human Drug Dealer L2 C2

Snow Flower has been in the clan since her youth, her parents were low level street thieves,
and she spent her time skipping school and running the streets entertaining herself in
various game parlors in Chiba. In her early teens she was sent to Seattle to serve in
a Tea House, and with her skills in games and with people she's quickly earned her
money for the clan and her parents retirement. For many years she's run the evening
shifts at the Golden Tiger Garden, a Tea House front for a yakuza gambling den. It's
an easy life, but lately she's grown in her powers through some ceremonial studies,
a fact which means she may need to leave the Tea House in service to the clan.

As someone who has studied to be a Shinto Priestess, it's a given that Snow Flower
knows something of the mystical arts, however, she keeps her the true extent of her
powers carefully hidden. Especially at work in the Tea House, where the knowledge
that the customer may be gambling against someone who can read minds and summon powers
from other worlds can lead to all sorts of problems. Accusations of unfairness must be
avoided. Of course, Snow Flower has no qualms of using her abilities to make all customers
feel happy and comfortable as they lose to the inevitable house percentages. She's quite
capable of generating an incredible level of tips for herself and her shift.

On a personal level, she doesn't think the gambling is real if she uses her powers to cheat.
On command, or to stop an especially hot customer streak, or if to stop other cheats, she
can exploit her powers in service of the clan quite well. Snow Flower is very scrupulous in
distinguishing between her personal gambling fun, and when she's doing it in service of the
clan.

Part of her training as a Hostess is to move gracefully, and as is traditional, she's chosen
a disguised art of protecting herself. It would alarm the customers unduly if they realized
that the supple woman in her traditional kimono and dancing fan was actually weilding a
razor sharp war fan and performing moves designed to cut open opponents vulnerable parts.
Adding the fact the war fan is a Shinto sanctified blade capable of inflicting wounds in
the mundane and spirit worlds would only make matters more uncomfortable for the customer.

Snow Flower prefers traditional gambling games that do not rely on modern computerized
mechanics, after all, who knows how they can be rigged. It's a lot tougher to rig cards
stones and dice. Or so the customers believe. However, for Snow Flower, she's noticed she
does disproportionately worse at any game that relies on modern technology.

As with her powers, Snow Flowers suffers from some discomforting allergies she takes extreme
pains to disguise. It's very shameful to have any kind of weakness, especially ones that
opponents could exploit.

Jimmy No is an experienced bouncer at the Golden Tiger Garden, an adept with the skill to
read Snow Flowers non verbal cues, which proves invaluable in handling matters discretely.
He's comfortable and not overly ambitions, and has actually saved quite a bit towards his
early retirement, which consists of a northern islands hot springs Inn to manage back home.

Butterfly manages the associated establishment which provides shills and entertainments
for the Golden Tiger Garden. While Snow Flower is not at all iterested in that side of
the business, she's supportive enough that Butterfly is aware fo the extra
revenue Snow Flowers ability to convince customers they've been given good service
can generate, and often asks Snow Flower to help resolve issues within the Pearls of Heaven
business.

Drift is a high rolling speed junkie member of the Neon Blades who has decided that the
path to acceptance into the clan lies through Snow Flower. Or so he jokes as he parties
as a regular a the "Temple" of his "Priestess".

Natural is a young Salish woman who comes the Metroplex to offload her telesma at
irregular intervals at the local market places. The natural selected offerings are ideal
for Snow Flower's needs, but the irregularity of available materials is a concern.

Jake the Oni is a umpteenth generation immigrant of japanese descent who serves as Snow
Flowers regular cab driver, and enjoys playing along with Snow Flowers act of sending
customers home in the care of her summoned "oni".

Patter stands on the street and talks and talks. Not so unusual, except that Snow Flower
can't figure out what he's talking to. There's no ARO or manifestations in the spirit world
that she can detect. He certainly thinks he's talking to someone. But that doesn't matter
so much as long as he's a reliable source of untainted electronic and chemical mind and
body benders.

Felix/Wraith was born Thomas Alexander Franklin with a government issued SIN. His parents, John, and Maria, were wage-slaves of the now defunct Titan Medical Equipment and Healing Magic Corporation. Titan was much larger than the mom-and-pop stuff but much smaller than the megacorps. It did a good bit of business with DocWagon but was not exclusive to any particular corp. Thomas was the middle child and only son. His older sister, Katrina, was a mage like his mom. His younger sister, Daphne, was a whiz kid with all things related to the Matrix. They all lived pretty well off as Dad was the manager for the security division in the company and Mom was an R&D Mage for the medical magic division.

Thomas went to school and daydreamed a great deal. He was well liked by his friends and even his teachers, although they wanted him to do better in school. His favorite person to talk to was Ricardo Alvarez, one of the security guards. His grandparents had moved to New Orleans before the Awakening and his parents went through the change. He was born a troll and didn't think anything of it. Thomas was always sneaking out of the condo to go visit Ricardo and his family in order to get to know them better. These unauthorized nightly outings gave him his first feel for freedom and the understanding that the corp life was very different from that of everyone else. This was never more apparent than at Ricardo's wedding when Thomas was sixteen. Less than half the people present were "human".

Life changed shortly after Thomas' seventeenth birthday. His mom was injured when an experimental spell that put her in a coma. She ultimately didn't make it. If Dad was depressed then Katrina went off the deep end. She idolized her mom. Things started to get back to normal when Dad started acting a little odd. He was quieter than normal and if possible, Thomas would say more secretive. But from whom was he trying to keep a secret? He came home one day to find a corporate "sponsor" (read: social worker) at home. He was told that his father had committed suicide while spaced out on BTL chips. The sponsor informed them that since Katrina was working for the corporation now, that they could stay with her until they graduated. Thomas was doubtful; however, Daphne didn't believe that for one minute. She had often been called "Child Prodigy" by the security spiders and now she put those skills to use. She found files marked for deletion that indicated that Mom did not end up in a coma because of magic gone wrong but because her lustful boss and his friends had raped her. Dad was negotiating a move to DocWagon's security team for better pay. The corporation misread his intent and had him removed before he could leak sensitive information. Then, due to the suspicious nature of his death and what happened to his wife, the corporation cooked up a story about BLT chips and a depressed man.

Daphne confronted her siblings with this information and was met with huge resistance from Katrina who said, "This simply can't be true. You have to accept that Mom and Dad are gone, and that Daddy just couldn't handle living without Mom." Daphne exploded and accused Katrina of being an ostrich - along with several other, less pleasant things. Knowing what she knew, Daphne wanted out. Thomas helped her get her corporate-issued, cutting-edge comm out of the facility and sent her on her way. When he didn't come with her to help her seek revenge and to force Katrina to see the truth, she turned heal and left. They have not spoken since. Katrina threw herself into her work and left Thomas alone to fend for himself.

At eighteen, Thomas found himself on the streets as he was persona non grata with the corp. He went to Ricardo who showed him the basics but couldn't afford to keep him in his house. Having a SIN was the only thing that saved Thomas. He could work and get an apartment. He started working in an electronics shop for rent and some money. While working, his eyes were opened to a darker world but one with more possibilities than get up, go to work, get a beer, go to sleep.

Thomas began to burglarize homes in the same area where his shop was installing locks and alarms. He never hit one of his own customers and so business was good. He almost got caught due to poor hearing one night. He decided to get his hearing permanently fixed and a few things added while he was at it. He also came to recognize that he would need a new identity. Thomas Franklin was no more - Felix Mendelssohn was born. He got the "Felix" from an old 20th Century movie he had seen and the "Mendelssohn" from his love of music and culture. Now, whenever he goes on a job, he doesn't take his past life, just his new one. He keeps his old life available should he need it. At least the SIN anyway.

Couple of years back, a hacker succeeded in opening a huge hole in Titan's Matrix security. With DocWagon and others able to see their research the little corp knew it was dead in the water. It closed for good Ricardo lost his job only to pick up a better one with Doc Wagon. Thomas, now Felix, lost an eye in a freak explosion of a maglock while on a simple little job. He opted for lots of gizmos with his new eyes. This made him consider more "augmentation" which he was able to procure easily enough when he became involved with a new "agency" that was looking for his talents.

Only his closest friends know that Wraith has a severe allergy to sunlight. Most just assume that being a cat burglar and art thief is a night job.

In physical appearance, Felix, (as he thinks of himself) is the sum total of "average". He gives no indication from the outside of being anything other than the kid from down the street - depending, of course, on where you live. He appears to be of oriental, specifically, Japanese, ancestry. He has dark hair and eyes and weighs approximately 170 lbs (~ 77 kg).

Human, Mundane

Stats (220 BP)
B: 3 (4)
A: 5 (6)
R: 5 (8 )
S: 3 (4)
C: 4
I: 4
L: 3
W: 4
E: 2

Initiative: 9 / 1 IP (12 / 3 IP)
Essence: 3.23

Qualities (+15 BP)
Blandness (10)
Allergy to Sunlight - (Common, Severe) (-20)
SINner (-5)

Active Skills (186 BP)
Influence Group - 2
Close Combat Group - 3
Stealth Group - 4
Electronics Group - 1
Pistols - 4
Locksmith - 5
Forgery - 4
Perception - 6
Pilot Ground Craft - 4: Specialization - Bike (+2)

Knowledge Skills (4 BP)
BK:Acting - 3
SW:Megacorporate Security - 4
IN:Cuisine - 2
IN:Conspiracy Theories - 1
IN:Gambling Card Games - 3
IN:Champagne - 1
IN:Classical Music - 2
BK:Disguise - 3
Language: English - N
Language: Japanese - 4

Contacts (5 BP)
Leothas - Elf - Fence - specializes in art) - L2/C4
Diedra Smalls - Dwarf - Star Dispatch Officer - L1/C2
Tiny - Troll - Bouncer at "Troc" a trendy nightclub - L2/C1
Antonio Raigoza - Mob Enforcer - L1/C2
Dazzle - Stripper - L1/C1

Resources (50 BP)
350,000 nuyen

Bioware
All Standard
Sleep Regulator - sleep 3 hr/day, or 48 hours awake w/no modifiers
Synaptic Booster Rating 2 - +2 reaction, +2 IP
Suprathyroid Gland - +1 body, agility, reaction, and strength
Symbiotes Rating 2 - +2 dice to healing tests
Synthacardium Rating 1 - +1 die to athletic tests

Cyberware
All Alpha
Rating 3 Cyber Eyes with:
- Flare Compensation
- Low-Light Vision
- Protective Covers
- Smartlink
- Thermographic Vision
- Vision Magnification
- Vision Enhancment Rating 2

Rating 3 Cyber Ears with:
- Spatial Recongnizer
- Balance Augmentor
- Damper
- Audio Enhancer Rating 3
- Select Sound Filter Rating 2

Gear (thus far)

Stun Baton 6S(e) - Reach 1 - AP (-half)
Sap - (STR/2+1)S
Yamaha Pulsar - 6S(e) - AP(-half) - SS - 4(m)
Hammeril 620S - 4P - SA - RC(1) - 6(c )
Sakura Fubuki - 4P - SA/BF - RC(1/stock) - 10(ml) x 4
Concealable Holster x 2
Actioneer Business Clothes - 5/3
Armor Vest - 6/4
Urban Exploer Jumpsuit - 6/6: with Helmet - 6/8
Lined Coat - 6/4
Chameleon Suit - 8/6 - Perception (-4) to see wearer
Subvocal Mic
Comm - Transys Avalon - Response 4 / Signal 4
OS - Novatech Navi - Firewall 3 / System 4
Junk Comm - Meta Link with Vector Xim R/S/F/S - 1/2/1/1
White Noise Generator (Rating 6)
Fake SIN - Felix Mendelson - Rating 4
Weapons Permit - Rating 4
Chameleon Suit Permit - Rating 4
Fake SIN - Bob Cuneo - Rating 4
Fake SIN - Joe Black - Rating 4
Autopicker - Rating 6
Cellular Glove Molder - Raing 3
Chisel
Keycard Copier - Rating 6
Lockpick Set
Miniwelder
Monofilament Chainsaw
Sequencer - Rating 4
Wire Clippers
Climbing Gear
Gecko Tape Gloves
Grapple Gun
Suzuki Mirage - +2 - 20/50 - 200 - 1 - Body 6 / Armor 4 - Sensor 1
3 Months - Middle Lifestyle

EDIT: I forgot lifestyle. How did I do that? Also dropped the Synthacardium from 2 to 1.
EDIT2: Removed all but one Availability 12+ item.

"Hey, Grandpa, tell us about how you got into the game back when the Matrix was called the Internet,” asked Meredith.

“Grandpa?!? Damn kids don’t show respect to anyone anymore. Alright, fine, I’ll tell you the story just don’t think that you are sitting in my lap anytime soon. Well, maybe you.” Antonio pointed to Meredith.

“I was born in 2015 so I was six when my brother changed into a troll while he was putting me to bed. Talk about nightmares. It took some time but I got to where I could give him a hug when they would let us go see him at the detention center. The Night of Rage is history for those of you who bother to read anything. For me, it was personal. My mom was attacked for protecting a so-called monster and my brother was killed. I was 24 at the time and vowed to get them all. I did. It’s amazing what a long-range rifle can do to the human skull.”

Grandpa’s eyes glazed over for a minute. A feat given that they were actually some whiz cyberware and not the real deal.

“Anyway, my “work” had been noticed by the local mafia don, who sent word through some intermediaries that my services could be used. I had never considered that line of work before but I decided to take it. One condition. I had to call my own shots if there wasn’t a job. He agreed. I found the shadows. Now, can an old man get a nap?”

Meredith answered, “If you were really that old, you wouldn’t mind us calling you Grandpa.”

Antonio smiled and heads toward his room when Meredith asked, “So, why is it that you don’t kill when you are on a run now?”

Wheeling around, Grandpa glared are her. “Why would I do that? Somebody might pay me to kill him later. Besides, if I ever got caught, they might let me get to trail before throwing me under a bus.”

“Can you really shoot a quarter out of my hand from 300 meters?” asked Meredith.

“If you mean 1000 yards, then yes. Any volunteers?”

Not seeing any, he headed back to his room for some meditation and preparation for tonight’s mission. Simple enough: kill the Senator’s escort. The media circus will have ensured that the Senator thinks he was the target while the Family gets rid of a snitch.

Emerging several hours later, Antonio, headed for the pantry and stopped cold when he saw one of the young recruits eating soyburgers. “Put it away before I have to hurt you.”

The young recruit complied with a curt, “Sorry, Grandpa. I forgot about your allergy.”

“Thank you. Now, what is the quickest bus route to the museum?”

“You could just look it up on your comm, sir.”

“Damn AR gives me a headache, I won’t use it or it’s kin if I can avoid it. You know that all my kills are without the benefit of that fancy smartlink system.”

Understanding that Grandpa is not a happy camper, the recruit backs off. “I would take the L in all honesty, sir. Much faster than the bus. The stop at 44th would be best. It’s a straight shot to the museum.”

“Thanks.” With that, Grandpa is gone.

-----

Antonio Michelangelo “Grandpa” Moretti has accumulated his ‘ware over his past 31 years in the shadows. Most of it came along when he decided that he was getting too slow (Move-by-Wire), too stiff (enhanced articulation) or non-competitive in some way. He hasn’t bothered retiring because he enjoys what he does and his success has allowed him to only take on the jobs he wants. The Agency has been good to him. Mostly, he trains the young nowadays but he is always ready to remove a threat if the need arises.

“Grandpa” – as the younger members of the Agency call him – is an older, distinguished man with a touch of gray at the temples and is normally seen wearing a crisp suit. He has an easy smile and seems like a gentle soul; however, his gray eyes belie a deep sadness – or perhaps it is something else.

Human, Mundane

Stats (220 BP)
B: 3
A: 5
R: 4 (6)
S: 3
C: 4
I: 4
L: 3 (4)
W: 4
E: 4

Initiative: 8 / 1 IP (10 / 2 IP)
Essence: 3.49

Qualities (+10 BP)
Photographic Memory (10)
Ambidextrous (5)
Allergy to Soy - (Common, Moderate) (-15)
Simsense Vertigo (-10)

Active Skills (176 BP)
Influence (Group) - 3
Stealth (Group) - 4
Longarms - 6: Specialization - Sniper Rifles (+2)
Pistols - 4
Dodge - 4 (5)
Perception - 4: Specialization - Visual (+2)
Unarmed Combat - 3: Specialization - Boxing (+2)
Exotic Melee (Monofilament Whip) - 6
First Aid - 2

Knowledge Skills (0 BP)
BK:Stealth - 4
BK:Rifles - 4
BK:Whips - 4
IN:Classical Music - 2
IN:Gambling Card Games - 2
IN:Meditation - 2
SW:Megacorporate Security - 3
Language: English - N

Contacts (0 BP)
Flash - Mage / Pimp (Worked together in the past. ) - L3/C3
Mariano - Fixer - L2/C4

Resources (44 BP)
308,000 nuyen

Bioware
All Alpha
Enhanced Articulation - +1 die to physical skills
Cerebral Booster Rating 1 - +1 to Logic

Cyberware
All Alpha
Move-by-Wire System Rating 1 - +2 reaction, +1 init pass, +1 dodge, Skillwire 2
Datajack
Fingertip Compartment

Rating 2 Cyber Eyes with:
- Flare Compensation
- Low-Light Vision
- Protective Covers
- Thermographic Vision
- Vision Magnification
- Vision Enhancment Rating 1

Obvious Cyberhand (right) with:
- Gyromount

Gear (thus far)

Monofilament Whip - Reach 2 - 8P - AP(-4)
Colt Manhunter - 5P - AP(-1) - SA - RC(0) - 16(c ) x 2 with two Silencers
Ranger Arms SM-4 - 8P - AP(-3) - SA - RC((1)) - 15(c ) with Silencer
20 Spare clips
30 Rounds: Gel Rounds - Damage(+2S) - AP(+2) - Impact
30 Rounds: Stick-n-Shock - 6S(e) - AP(-half) - Impact
40 Rounds: Regular - for Colt
100 Rounds: Regular - Sniper Rifle
Actioneer Business Clothes - 5/3
Lined Coat - 6/4
Chameleon Suit - 6/4 with Thermal Damping - Rating 3
Tag Eraser
Hermes Ikon - Response 4 / Signal 3
Custom OS: System 4 / Firewall 6
Certified Credstick x 4
Fake License - Colt Manhunter: Rating 4
Fake License - Colt Manhunter: Rating 4
Fake SIN - Ronaldo Lombardi: Rating 4
Lifestyle: High - 3 months
Savior Medkit with one extra package of Supplies
Activesoft: First Aid - Rating 2
Activesoft: Pilot Aircraft - Rating 2
Basic DocWagon Contract