So I was reflecting on how a proper Shadowrun team should double as a band when the natural mapping between a few major archetypes and their proper instruments hit me. For example, it's obvious that the streetsam is the lead guitarist; he's out there, showy and flashy, laying down the melody and getting things done. The Face, meanwhile, is obviously the lead vocalist—he's the one that people see and remember out in front, and even though his job isn't the most important, everyone notices it.

The rigger is on bass guitar, helping set the rhythm and holding everyone together.

As much as the idea of having the decker be on the synthesizer is appealing, I'd say he's actually the drummer, working along with the rigger to make up the rhythm section. It's actually the mage, with his ability to duplicate aspects of other roles when in need, who's working synthesizers.

The adept is a tougher cookie to place; he tends to have a lot of overlap with the streetsam, but to generally play second fiddle outside of a narrow specialty. Maybe second guitar and backing vocals?

I was initially thinking that the otaku might be the turntablist, a bit weird and rarely-used, but I think the effect a turntablist has on a production is too profound to reflect the otaku's role as a variant on the decker.

Any archetypes I've missed or other thoughts on the matter?

~J

I'd like to point out, that the decker isn't going to be the drummer. The drummer is the guy that keeps everyone else working together and in time.

Plus, he hit things. Deckers don't hit things, Sammies do.

Riggers are just Roadies.

With the exceptional case of Iron Maiden. Where the lead singer is the Rigger.

BlueMax

And the decker is the guy who keeps everyone moving along by making sure that, for example, maglocks get disabled, security systems shut down, that sort of thing.

He doesn't coordinate and synchronize people to the level of the rigger, but that's why I put the rigger on bass.



I had some trouble with this myself when coming up with some of these, but the goal is to reflect their role on the team, not the actual activities in which they engage, so I don't think these really apply.

~J

In imagining that the tween music market in 2050 is corporate controlled as ever, the 'shadowrunner by night' otaku rocker wannabe with the necessary charisma to be a Disney novastar would find it a difficult tightrope to walk.

The other archetype/bandmember roles seem reasonable so I wonder if the character's race would help define these niche roles?
Though, using Shadowbeat it seems that elf boy bands are where the nuyen is.

The adept has Enthralling Performance. It doesn't matter what instrument she plays, she sounds as if she belongs.

I don't know why, but the first thought I had here was Betty Cooper playing the tamborine in 'The Archies'.

Have you considered therapy?

But then I'd need to keep regular office hours. And I don't know if I have enough money to go back to school for my degrees.

I think the wizard is supposed to direct the Spirit background choir/dancers.


This takes me back to how my electro band in popomundo at some point had didgeridoos, violins, harps and harpsichords in it..

Put the adept and mage on horns and make them a ska band

But yeah, the adept is basically a specialist in whatever role he chooses, whether singing, guitar, even drums. He has the freedom to choose whichever role he likes. The classic adept is the stealthy ninja character, who would be in the background filling in the holes the party misses. I'd be tempted to put him on the synth, less in the spotlight, and put the mage somewhere else. Alternatively, the adept may be on the keytar.

I also wonder where the shaman would go. The idea of putting the nature-worshipping shaman on the electric synthesizer seems odd to me. That's the one I'd put on the tamborine.

We are clearly attuned in disturbing ways. That was another thought of mine.


I don't really see the shaman's role as being much different from the hermetic mage's, though the summoner might fall into that—but once we start getting into the sub-archetypes we're no longer building a band so much as an orchestra.

~J

the adept is Definitely on Banjo.


yea, D-definitely the banjo.

Mine was Stevie Nicks playing tamborine with Fleetwood Mac. I started wondering who's in the band, on the team, because they're sleeping with an actual member.