"It can be said that the purpose of our organization is the safeguarding of people from the tyrants and despots of the world. We believe in the balance of power - of fear. Fear that if they were to kill one American we would retaliate by killing ten of them. We grew great from our actions and yet they still came at us. How do you frighten those for whom fear is a luxury? You kill them all. VITAS was God and the devil. It was only later as we stood looking across the ashen wasteland did we understand that we had become that which we feared." AEGIS by Conrad Tyrell.
The paper, an invite for the book signing did not say more. No-one sent letters anymore, but this one had arrived. Hand delivered to your mail box with your name on the envelope.
Players will be playing characters who fit into a Conspiracy X /Shadowrun game. Characters are in accordance to the BBB rules of character creation. Runners Companion, Arsenal, Augmentation, and Street Magic. Characters are foremost atmospheric creations and quirky characters will certainly have greater advantages. Characters may belong to an alphabet soup organization (CIA, FBI, NSA, DIA, DEA etc.) - or not. Please also be aware that the campaign will be globe trotting, so while the game will be set in Washington D.C. locations during runs may change.
Conspiracy games are about unearthing secrets, or power and power plays. Degrees of tension are expected even inside teams. It also about wheels within wheels, of lies and conjecture becoming comforting truths. Characters will all belong to splinter cell of AEGIS. Some of them may have met professionally or during clandestine missions, some may be outside talent.
Information about ConspiracyX can be found here
Characters will be submitted in a form which can be read easily online. Google docs is acceptable. I use a character sheet under excel which is compatible with my resources excel sheet.
The game will be played as a play-by-post on the dumpshock forums. Turns are counted in weeks, where each Sunday I will then post a new round. Obviously if there is interaction going on I will delay the round. The purpose of the round is to keep the story moving.
"Hey Frank what's up?", said Louie the Shark his teeth gleaming as pearly white as the grips on his whore house shooter. His tie accentuating his greased curly hair in floodlights of the cars cruising past the flophouse windows.
Frank discovers a rabbit hole (i.e., does not answer for a week).
"Real silent aren't you?", Louie sneered picking up a cancer stick from his jacket pocket. "I got the information for you. Right here." He pats his breast pocket as he comes closer to you gun in one hand unlit cigarette in the other. "You always seemed bigger, but then again I am not on the ground like usual." He walks to the back of you and gives you a real hard kick in the leg. The leg buckles and the next thing you are is sprawled on the floor, discovering coins and dead rochaes under the sofa.
Louie throws the packet on Frank's body. "You won't say I haven't been fair.", he lights his cigarette and lets himself out of the apartment.
Character questions can be asked in this thread.
Full Version: Behind the Shadows
Are you looking for a noir feel?
Depends on the players.
Noir was just simply an easy option to use. Style is more X-Files than Raymond Chandler.
Noir was just simply an easy option to use. Style is more X-Files than Raymond Chandler.
I'd love to join in, I have Philip "warrior" an x-FBI ERT agent. Link to Character Sheet
thanks,
Brent
thanks,
Brent
Welcome to the team. Now 2-4 more players.
-Chrysalis
-Chrysalis
I have a signals intelligence guy i'd like to play (read that as Hacker) or just Joe the Merc, depends on the needs.
Very cool idea for a game.
Two questions, that other people may have, as well.
When you say each round is a week long, do you mean back-and-forth conversation type rounds, or combat-rounds? If the players were interacting mainly with one another, or minor NPCs (that do not require feedback from the GM to move forward) could more than one round of things happen each week?
Secondly, since you mentioned X files, a lot of paranormal stuff would be pretty ordinary in a world like Shadowrun where people know magic and dragons and vampires and junk exist. Would you lpan to focus more on the conspiricy-side of things? or the little grey men side of things?
Two questions, that other people may have, as well.
When you say each round is a week long, do you mean back-and-forth conversation type rounds, or combat-rounds? If the players were interacting mainly with one another, or minor NPCs (that do not require feedback from the GM to move forward) could more than one round of things happen each week?
Secondly, since you mentioned X files, a lot of paranormal stuff would be pretty ordinary in a world like Shadowrun where people know magic and dragons and vampires and junk exist. Would you lpan to focus more on the conspiricy-side of things? or the little grey men side of things?
I'm in!!!
A SigInt guy would be better than having a whole bunch of leathernecks.
To answer your questions BlackHat:
1. Combat will most likely be handled in one week rounds were your actions are over three turns instead of one (this is one thing that PbP sucks at and that is combat). I want more descriptive combat than a whole bunch of rolling dice. If you have ideas for this please tell me.
Speaking will be shorter in responses, but scene changes about once a week. Howvere, let's see how the flow goes. I want to keep the game relatively fast paced. In my experience slow and plodding is a deathknell to a play-by-post game.
2. I want to focus more on the conspiracy side of things. Things that go bump in the night are almost mundane in Shadowrun.
To answer your questions BlackHat:
1. Combat will most likely be handled in one week rounds were your actions are over three turns instead of one (this is one thing that PbP sucks at and that is combat). I want more descriptive combat than a whole bunch of rolling dice. If you have ideas for this please tell me.
Speaking will be shorter in responses, but scene changes about once a week. Howvere, let's see how the flow goes. I want to keep the game relatively fast paced. In my experience slow and plodding is a deathknell to a play-by-post game.
2. I want to focus more on the conspiracy side of things. Things that go bump in the night are almost mundane in Shadowrun.
I'll probably bring a Master of Disguise infiltration adept into the game. Just need to hack one out to acceptable conditions.
Do you have any house rules you'll be bringing into the game (IE: charismax2 free points in contacts)?
Do you have any house rules you'll be bringing into the game (IE: charismax2 free points in contacts)?
QUOTE (Chrysalis @ Feb 19 2009, 11:22 AM) 
I want to keep the game relatively fast paced. In my experience slow and plodding is a deathknell to a play-by-post game.
This is pretty much why I was asking. Trying to queue up declarations for 3 rounds, and go through them quickly each week is an interesting idea. I don't have any other strong suggestions, but I have seen a lot of PbP games die from things moving along too slowly, and it sounds like you have too.
QUOTE
2. I want to focus more on the conspiracy side of things. Things that go bump in the night are almost mundane in Shadowrun.
That is what I was thinking, too.
This all sounds very intriguing. I'll try to get something together. Was there a deadline for when you wanted submissions by?
I've got a few characters I'd like to play. I'm currently GM'ing two games, but I'm not playing, and weekly posting wouldn't be too heavy a commitment.
The first SR4 character I ever played was a radical and antisocial photojournalist/hacker/infiltration specialist named Blackie Pilger, orphaned and drug addicted, obsessed with "the truth", maintaining a photojournalistic blog specialising in corporate exposes and images of dystopian sprawl existence. I'd want to re-tool him, as he was pretty poorly built, as I was unfamiliar with the rules at the time. Following on from your mention of the X-files, Blackie is basically a one man Lone Gunman.
I would also be interested in re-using Beta for this game. Given the slew of houserules we used in that gmail game, I'd have to rebuild her, too, but her scientific aptitudes would make her a prime candidate for investigative work (forensics, chemistry, etc.), as well as her impressive hacking abilities (although, if we're not using Logic + Skill hacking, they won't be as impressive). You're probably pretty familiar with her cornucopia of character flaws and personality.
Both Beta Sykora and Blackie Pilger have fully fleshed out backgrounds, and I could post them in this thread if you'd like to go over them.
Although I haven't got a fully fleshed out character concept, I'm considering an investigative Owl magician.
Unfortunately, it's very hard to build a decent magician who is also half competent at being a shadowrunner. I've been trying to build this character over the last hour or two, and I keep falling short of the concept. This character could function as a face for the team, as well as a magician and investigator.
Alternatively, I could scrap the magician idea, and just create a mundane or perhaps adept investigator, with a similar personality, but without the use of spells.
I'm unfamiliar with Conspiracy X, will that be a problem? Would you be interested in playing together again?
By the way Mickle, just how many shadowrun games are you playing at the moment? There's my game, Dumori's merc campaign, another one I noticed, and now this one? However do you find the time?
The first SR4 character I ever played was a radical and antisocial photojournalist/hacker/infiltration specialist named Blackie Pilger, orphaned and drug addicted, obsessed with "the truth", maintaining a photojournalistic blog specialising in corporate exposes and images of dystopian sprawl existence. I'd want to re-tool him, as he was pretty poorly built, as I was unfamiliar with the rules at the time. Following on from your mention of the X-files, Blackie is basically a one man Lone Gunman.
I would also be interested in re-using Beta for this game. Given the slew of houserules we used in that gmail game, I'd have to rebuild her, too, but her scientific aptitudes would make her a prime candidate for investigative work (forensics, chemistry, etc.), as well as her impressive hacking abilities (although, if we're not using Logic + Skill hacking, they won't be as impressive). You're probably pretty familiar with her cornucopia of character flaws and personality.
Both Beta Sykora and Blackie Pilger have fully fleshed out backgrounds, and I could post them in this thread if you'd like to go over them.
Although I haven't got a fully fleshed out character concept, I'm considering an investigative Owl magician.
QUOTE (Street Magic)
Owl features in mythologies all over the globe as a symbol
of wisdom, prophecy, death, and as a guide to the afterlife or
spirit world. Owl maintains vigilance throughout the night and
has gleaned wisdom from the darkness. He perches between this
world and the next, able to foretell the future of man and guide
his spirit after death. Owl magicians are wise, quiet, and perhaps
a bit creepy, aware of secrets hidden in the darkness beyond.
Advantages: +2 dice for Perception and Assensing Tests,
+2 dice for spirits of man or guidance spirits (player must
choose one).
Disadvantages: –1 die for Combat spells.
of wisdom, prophecy, death, and as a guide to the afterlife or
spirit world. Owl maintains vigilance throughout the night and
has gleaned wisdom from the darkness. He perches between this
world and the next, able to foretell the future of man and guide
his spirit after death. Owl magicians are wise, quiet, and perhaps
a bit creepy, aware of secrets hidden in the darkness beyond.
Advantages: +2 dice for Perception and Assensing Tests,
+2 dice for spirits of man or guidance spirits (player must
choose one).
Disadvantages: –1 die for Combat spells.
QUOTE (Henry David Thoreau)
I rejoice that there are owls. Let them do the idiotic and maniacal hooting for men. It is a sound admirably suited to swamps and twilight woods which no day illustrates, suggesting a vast and underdeveloped nature which men have not recognized. They represent the stark twilight and unsatisfied thoughts which all [men] have
Unfortunately, it's very hard to build a decent magician who is also half competent at being a shadowrunner. I've been trying to build this character over the last hour or two, and I keep falling short of the concept. This character could function as a face for the team, as well as a magician and investigator.
Alternatively, I could scrap the magician idea, and just create a mundane or perhaps adept investigator, with a similar personality, but without the use of spells.
I'm unfamiliar with Conspiracy X, will that be a problem? Would you be interested in playing together again?
By the way Mickle, just how many shadowrun games are you playing at the moment? There's my game, Dumori's merc campaign, another one I noticed, and now this one? However do you find the time?
Lets keep things simple - no house rules. However, I would like to ban possession mages as the only thing that can harm in the game are missiles or tanks.
Sure you can play Sir_Psycho, just like everyone else. A tell-all photoblog journalist might be an interesting character (or then turn into a very dead one).
For the rest as well: You don't need to know anything about Conspiracy X, just a bit about conspiracies.
-Chrysalis
Sure you can play Sir_Psycho, just like everyone else. A tell-all photoblog journalist might be an interesting character (or then turn into a very dead one).
For the rest as well: You don't need to know anything about Conspiracy X, just a bit about conspiracies.
-Chrysalis
QUOTE (Sir_Psycho @ Feb 19 2009, 11:09 AM)
By the way Mickle, just how many shadowrun games are you playing at the moment? There's my game, Dumori's merc campaign, another one I noticed, and now this one? However do you find the time?
Erm... counting games that are dead or dying? 10, more or less.
I find the time, because I build massive amounts of character in my free time (I get ideas and need to hack them out in order to get them out of my head.), and often play the game in a reactionary state of mind. I let other people plan ahead, while my characters react to what's happening around them. Your game is the first where I'm having to actually think on my own, so yours has proven to be the most thought intensive.
btw, I'll work on a post for your game tonight, but I may not get it up until some time this weekend.
I like the antisocial photojournalist (In my mind I see Dennis Hopper in Apocalypse Now) that i'll remove my submission for the hacker spot and instead insert a bid for an Adept spot, invisible way .
Well, Philip is all squared away and ready to rock-n-roll. "Locked, Cocked, and ready to Rock!" Just waiting for the green light to jump.
Thanks,
Brent
Thanks,
Brent
It would be fun to play a Dresdan like character.
I've always wanted to play a spook though. A sort of hacker/adept who has little in the way of fighting, but knows everything and can get everywhere.
I've always wanted to play a spook though. A sort of hacker/adept who has little in the way of fighting, but knows everything and can get everywhere.
my master of disguise is almost done. Just need to hack out a gear list, contacts, and a couple other small things.
After reading more on the Conspiracy X literature, perhaps a Face type who is one of the 'spike babies'. Those elves born before the great awakening. He's an official, unofficial secret that gets his cover changed every few decades.
Just tossing that out there, even though its from out in left field.
Just tossing that out there, even though its from out in left field.
Do empathy software and emotitoys work as per RAW?
and you mentioned that we'll be a splinter cell of Aegis. Still gov't connected, or are we shadowrunners who work for Aegis?
and you mentioned that we'll be a splinter cell of Aegis. Still gov't connected, or are we shadowrunners who work for Aegis?
Yea, that was my question. Do we wear white hats more often than black?
Also, open source programs, or is unwired forbidden?
Count me in. I was thinking to take an inflitration mage. Have to build it tomorrow
I'd like in if there is still room. I worked on a Free Spirit character for another game that went nowhere that was based on exactly this sort of conspiracy theory stuff.
Obviously a Free Spirit is not what I'd want to play in a 400BP game but I'm sure I can come up with something else that fits if you give me a couple of days.
Obviously a Free Spirit is not what I'd want to play in a 400BP game but I'm sure I can come up with something else that fits if you give me a couple of days.
Lots of interest. It's looking like I won't have time to polish up a character until the weekend, so don't wait up for me. 
I'll try to keep tabs on this game, in any case.
I'll try to keep tabs on this game, in any case.
Comments:
chipheadCharley: If you do want to play a spike baby, you don't get the intelligence background. The reason is otherwise it's like have X-Files' cancer man on the team. Hard to have surprises if your character would have to know some of them.
Mickle: Emotitoys work as written as long as they look like Voight-Kampff machines. So no, you cannot have a furby which has better social skills than you do.
AEGIS is still a quasi-governmental organisation, like most secret organisations: AEGIS, like its counterpart blackbook, work in the cracks of the power triangle known as goverment, corps, and greed. When you work for AEGIS it shows in small rewards, before it was knowing you were serving your country - now it is mostly cold hard nuyen. Most of you will have ties with the shadowrunning community.
Dark Talon: AEGIS styles itself as a white hat organisation, but like in the blurb the end justifies the means.
Doctor, you can run your charts and your theories all you want. In the field, this is how it works: the good guys, that's us, we chase the bad guys. And they don't wear black hats. They are, however, all alike: they demand power, and respect, and they're willing to pay top dollar to get it.
- From the movie Peacemaker
Sir_Psycho: Let's avoid using Unwired as that is a rule set which I have little knowledge about. If there is someting you can give strong reasons to have (not everything got in the BBB). Send me a private message.
So far the tally of players is:
Players signed-up:
Players interested:
That is nine (9) players. Please send confirmation if you are playing. I would like it to be a maximum of six (6) players. The reason is that it keeps the team tight and means that those who are really enthusiastic will keep the game alive and there aren't people who drop out after the first few posts.
Players confirmed in no particular order:
Player character sheet Background
1. bmcoomes CS BG
2. Mickle 5125 CS BG
3. pbangarth CS BG
4. crizh CS BG
5. Sir_Psycho CS BG
Deadlines:
Confirmation of sign-up for the game: 22/02/09 STAGE 1 COMPLETE
Final drafts of character sheets: 25/02/09 STAGE 2 COMPLETE
Opening message of the game: 27/02/09
Questions?
chipheadCharley: If you do want to play a spike baby, you don't get the intelligence background. The reason is otherwise it's like have X-Files' cancer man on the team. Hard to have surprises if your character would have to know some of them.
Mickle: Emotitoys work as written as long as they look like Voight-Kampff machines. So no, you cannot have a furby which has better social skills than you do.
AEGIS is still a quasi-governmental organisation, like most secret organisations: AEGIS, like its counterpart blackbook, work in the cracks of the power triangle known as goverment, corps, and greed. When you work for AEGIS it shows in small rewards, before it was knowing you were serving your country - now it is mostly cold hard nuyen. Most of you will have ties with the shadowrunning community.
Dark Talon: AEGIS styles itself as a white hat organisation, but like in the blurb the end justifies the means.
Doctor, you can run your charts and your theories all you want. In the field, this is how it works: the good guys, that's us, we chase the bad guys. And they don't wear black hats. They are, however, all alike: they demand power, and respect, and they're willing to pay top dollar to get it.
- From the movie Peacemaker
Sir_Psycho: Let's avoid using Unwired as that is a rule set which I have little knowledge about. If there is someting you can give strong reasons to have (not everything got in the BBB). Send me a private message.
So far the tally of players is:
Players signed-up:
- bmcoomes
- Mickle 5125
- Sir_Psycho
- pbangarth
Players interested:
- ChipheadCharley
- BlackHat
- Dark Talon
- Marduc
- crizh
That is nine (9) players. Please send confirmation if you are playing. I would like it to be a maximum of six (6) players. The reason is that it keeps the team tight and means that those who are really enthusiastic will keep the game alive and there aren't people who drop out after the first few posts.
Players confirmed in no particular order:
Player character sheet Background
1. bmcoomes CS BG
2. Mickle 5125 CS BG
3. pbangarth CS BG
4. crizh CS BG
5. Sir_Psycho CS BG
Deadlines:
Opening message of the game: 27/02/09
Questions?
Sounds good, lets rock!
Thanks,
Brent
Thanks,
Brent
Man, you go away for a couple of days and the world leaves you behind.
Pleas add me to the list of wannabes, and here is a character background whipped up while I was away. Stats to follow.
Professor:
EDIT: Stats and background now in Cast of Shadows.
Pleas add me to the list of wannabes, and here is a character background whipped up while I was away. Stats to follow.
Professor:
[ Spoiler ]
EDIT: Stats and background now in Cast of Shadows.
PS. I will be away from my computer for a day, again, so if you make it through the list to me before I return tomorrow, please count me confirmed.
Bmcoomes and Peter are confirmed.
Please post your confirmations and preferably your link to your character sheet and background.
Please post your confirmations and preferably your link to your character sheet and background.
erm... dunno if that was aimed at me, but, just in case it was... I'm still in. Just trying to organize a few things in a neat and orderly manner before I fire it off to you.
No worries. I am just getting so excited about running the game, that I am getting impatient.
I'm confirming. No definite character yet, I'll PM you some ideas later today after I get some sleep.
Damn. I'm posting to confirm, but I'm also having some problems with viable character creation. Here's a draught, some help would be appreciated.
Here's Blackie's 20 Questions, to give you an idea of the character.
[ Spoiler ]
Here's Blackie's 20 Questions, to give you an idea of the character.
[ Spoiler ]
Confirming interest, Face type former Field handler for a government covert agency program(s). Like Williem Dafoe in Clear and Present Danger.
QUOTE (Sir_Psycho @ Feb 22 2009, 04:26 PM)
Damn. I'm posting to confirm, but I'm also having some problems with viable character creation. Here's a draught, some help would be appreciated.
...
However, that's the problem, I've gone over the 50bp limit on Resources. Would you mind terribly if I stayed within the 400bp limit but broke that particular arbitrary restriction?
My main problem is properly realising my character, who as you can see is an infiltration specialist who can also hack. The main problem is I need to throw serious cash at programs in order to be a half decent decker.
Another possibility could be the concept of program sharing between the team, although that's certainly not a RAW ruling.
...
However, that's the problem, I've gone over the 50bp limit on Resources. Would you mind terribly if I stayed within the 400bp limit but broke that particular arbitrary restriction?
My main problem is properly realising my character, who as you can see is an infiltration specialist who can also hack. The main problem is I need to throw serious cash at programs in order to be a half decent decker.
Another possibility could be the concept of program sharing between the team, although that's certainly not a RAW ruling.
You have to stay within the 400bp limit. How about cutting some of the programs down? They do not need to be all the maximum - give your character development possibilities. Also check your commlink so that it conforms with availability limitations.
You can also cut down on bio and cyberware as a way to save money.
I would also like to know the motivation on why this character would be recruited. He seems to have some solid leads, but I would limit down the fantastical elements of his parents death and his washing ashore in Japan. A short concept of the character would also seem to be helpful to you as well.
-Chrysalis
I'm confirming. Have a half drafted character. I'll post it after work tomorrow after I've finished the draft.
The Professor is posted in the Cast of Shadows thread in this Forum. I will post him on Google Docs as soon as I figure it out.
Chrysalis has my charsheet already and has approved everything
I've got the files on Google Docs, but as far as I can see I need email addresses to share files with people. People who are also on Google Docs?
So, I guess I can share with Chrysalis and fellow players that way if I can have your email addresses. Do we pmail these around, or is Cast of Shadows enough?
Also, Chrysalis, my STATS file there is in Word format. Is that OK, or do you want it in Excel?
So, I guess I can share with Chrysalis and fellow players that way if I can have your email addresses. Do we pmail these around, or is Cast of Shadows enough?
Also, Chrysalis, my STATS file there is in Word format. Is that OK, or do you want it in Excel?
QUOTE (pbangarth @ Feb 23 2009, 08:50 AM)
I've got the files on Google Docs, but as far as I can see I need email addresses to share files with people. People who are also on Google Docs?
So, I guess I can share with Chrysalis and fellow players that way if I can have your email addresses. Do we pmail these around, or is Cast of Shadows enough?
Also, Chrysalis, my STATS file there is in Word format. Is that OK, or do you want it in Excel?
So, I guess I can share with Chrysalis and fellow players that way if I can have your email addresses. Do we pmail these around, or is Cast of Shadows enough?
Also, Chrysalis, my STATS file there is in Word format. Is that OK, or do you want it in Excel?
Hi Peter,
Google word is enough. My email address is chrysalis70@gmail.com
I want to have character sheet and backgrounds in one central location. Google docs would be acceptable.
-Chrysalis
Hi Chrysalis,
You should be able to see the background and stats files for Professor now. Let me know.
You should be able to see the background and stats files for Professor now. Let me know.
After the immense dissapointment upon realising my character wasn't viable, I abandoned him for a few days. I used a combination of Daegann's SR4gen and our own Chrysalis' Excel gear document. After chopping out stuff from Unwired, I noticed my total in the excel document hadn't changed. I then proceeded to add it all up, and it came to 78,739:nuyen:.
I also shuffled a little more, reducing my Track and Sniffer utilities to rating 3, as well as chucking a few unimportant bits, to get to that 78,739.
I reduced my Encephalon to 1, chucked the Olfactory booster, reduced my select sound filter from 4 to 2, and changed my muscle augmentation from cultured to standard - lo and behold, I'm down to 50bp on resources. What a relief.
Nothing like a bit of min maxing to distract oneself from a painful break-up and a certain poodle's flea infestation.
I'm in the process of spending my final 11 or so BP on extra knowledge/language skills and maybe another contact.
Well, as for motivation, that's really up to you. There's a few possibilities that spring to mind:
-Aegis approaches Blackie with information on Meta Vaskiadis' death in exchange for service.
-Aegis approaches Blackie with information on who exactly inside MCT was responsible, and whether anyone inside the Awakened Liberation Front or Save Our Seas sold them out.
-Aegis offers Blackie information on conspiracies and corporate practices that pose them no risk
-Aegis blackmails Blackie in some way, probably with evidence pinning Blackie to one of his own photojournalistic exposes, a previous shadowrun, or even a crime he didn't commit. Blackie has worked all over the world, including south america, china, japan, korea, the phillipines, Israel and the greater middle east and europe. He's been involved with runs against a few megacorps, and while that's nothing special for a shadowrunner, he usually takes it upon himself to utilise opportunities for access to information and expose it.
-Aegis hires Blackie as a standard shadowrunner, and Blackie continues to work for them, his interest piqued by their conspiratorial nature. This would bring a "double-agent" factor into the game, where Blackie works for Aegis, while secretly compiling information and leads on them, saving them until he can release the story of a lifetime.
Personally, I like the first option, as it brings his own personal goal in line with those of Aegis. The main problem is that Aegis is obviously a clandestine organisation, probably more interested in concealing conspiracies than exposing them, which I think could be an interesting conflict. Blackie feels strongly about his beliefs, but that doesn't mean he isn't immune to coersion. I like the idea of Aegis as not only an employer, but as a target.
Is there really a problem with his history? I'm happy to fudge the details a little, but I think it's a valid backstory at the core. There are areas of flexibility, such as rather than simply washing ashore, Blackie may have been picked up by a Japanese fishing boat, or maybe even trid hackers/media snoops who showed up to watch the battle. When it comes to the circumstances of the parents death, I don't really care either, only that they died for their ideals and that left a lasting impact on Blackie.
When it comes to a short concept? Blackie is a radical photojournalist hacker and infiltration specialist, shaped by a radical leftist upbringing, orphanage, drug abuse and extensive cyber-modification. He devotes his being into the uncovering of truths obscured by a compromised and unethical media, a self-styled journalistic robin hood. Does that work?
Also, shadowrun canon already contains an organisation named Aegis, who are basically a private intelligence/espionage corporation. Are you amalgamating these two into one, or retconning the canon organisation out? Also, how much should we read about Conspiracy X?
I also shuffled a little more, reducing my Track and Sniffer utilities to rating 3, as well as chucking a few unimportant bits, to get to that 78,739.
I reduced my Encephalon to 1, chucked the Olfactory booster, reduced my select sound filter from 4 to 2, and changed my muscle augmentation from cultured to standard - lo and behold, I'm down to 50bp on resources. What a relief.
Nothing like a bit of min maxing to distract oneself from a painful break-up and a certain poodle's flea infestation.
[ Spoiler ]
I'm in the process of spending my final 11 or so BP on extra knowledge/language skills and maybe another contact.
QUOTE
I would also like to know the motivation on why this character would be recruited. He seems to have some solid leads, but I would limit down the fantastical elements of his parents death and his washing ashore in Japan. A short concept of the character would also seem to be helpful to you as well.
Well, as for motivation, that's really up to you. There's a few possibilities that spring to mind:
-Aegis approaches Blackie with information on Meta Vaskiadis' death in exchange for service.
-Aegis approaches Blackie with information on who exactly inside MCT was responsible, and whether anyone inside the Awakened Liberation Front or Save Our Seas sold them out.
-Aegis offers Blackie information on conspiracies and corporate practices that pose them no risk
-Aegis blackmails Blackie in some way, probably with evidence pinning Blackie to one of his own photojournalistic exposes, a previous shadowrun, or even a crime he didn't commit. Blackie has worked all over the world, including south america, china, japan, korea, the phillipines, Israel and the greater middle east and europe. He's been involved with runs against a few megacorps, and while that's nothing special for a shadowrunner, he usually takes it upon himself to utilise opportunities for access to information and expose it.
-Aegis hires Blackie as a standard shadowrunner, and Blackie continues to work for them, his interest piqued by their conspiratorial nature. This would bring a "double-agent" factor into the game, where Blackie works for Aegis, while secretly compiling information and leads on them, saving them until he can release the story of a lifetime.
Personally, I like the first option, as it brings his own personal goal in line with those of Aegis. The main problem is that Aegis is obviously a clandestine organisation, probably more interested in concealing conspiracies than exposing them, which I think could be an interesting conflict. Blackie feels strongly about his beliefs, but that doesn't mean he isn't immune to coersion. I like the idea of Aegis as not only an employer, but as a target.
Is there really a problem with his history? I'm happy to fudge the details a little, but I think it's a valid backstory at the core. There are areas of flexibility, such as rather than simply washing ashore, Blackie may have been picked up by a Japanese fishing boat, or maybe even trid hackers/media snoops who showed up to watch the battle. When it comes to the circumstances of the parents death, I don't really care either, only that they died for their ideals and that left a lasting impact on Blackie.
When it comes to a short concept? Blackie is a radical photojournalist hacker and infiltration specialist, shaped by a radical leftist upbringing, orphanage, drug abuse and extensive cyber-modification. He devotes his being into the uncovering of truths obscured by a compromised and unethical media, a self-styled journalistic robin hood. Does that work?
Also, shadowrun canon already contains an organisation named Aegis, who are basically a private intelligence/espionage corporation. Are you amalgamating these two into one, or retconning the canon organisation out? Also, how much should we read about Conspiracy X?
Chrysalis, do you want the players to stay away from that Washington D.C. material you are digging up in that other thread?
Wow, stripping Unwired from char-gen is hard work. TacNets, cracked skillsofts, nexuses, optical taps, etc, etc. There seems to be an un-ending stream of stuff I use without thinking about it that is in Unwired....
Making progress, I'll have some bare bones up shortly.
Making progress, I'll have some bare bones up shortly.
[ Spoiler ]
QUOTE (pbangarth @ Feb 23 2009, 05:56 PM)
Chrysalis, do you want the players to stay away from that Washington D.C. material you are digging up in that other thread?
Everything in the D.C. thread can be read. If I wanted it not to be seen I would have written in the by-line about it being not for players. All my evil plot ideas are in my head percolating.
It's Monday. Thank you for those who confirmed. Seven is a good number of players.
The top post on page 2 is my tally-sheet and commentary post. A lot of information is available on it, such as deadlines.
At the moment I am missing crizh's, ChipheadCharlie's and Marduc's character sheets and backgrounds.
The character's have few contacts and I would like to expand that. Those who have written a background for your character will get 10BPs to spend on a minimum of two contacts. The contacts are individuals in your character's background who you wish to highlight.
Those who have submitted your characters I have placed them in google docs. I would wish that in the future you make changes directly to them. It saves time and admin considerations when everything is neatly available and up-to-date.
Mickle, Peter, and Sir_Psycho have their google docs shared with me.
Questions, comments, cries for help?
EDIT: I noticed Sir_Psycho's very pertinent line of questioning.
Both organisations exist. They are just worlds apart. AEGIS is not exactly a publically traded company and having another organization for confusion helps keep things secret - smoke and mirrors. I recommend keeping to the website, as that seriously has more information than even GURPS Conspiracy X.
The top post on page 2 is my tally-sheet and commentary post. A lot of information is available on it, such as deadlines.
At the moment I am missing crizh's, ChipheadCharlie's and Marduc's character sheets and backgrounds.
The character's have few contacts and I would like to expand that. Those who have written a background for your character will get 10BPs to spend on a minimum of two contacts. The contacts are individuals in your character's background who you wish to highlight.
Those who have submitted your characters I have placed them in google docs. I would wish that in the future you make changes directly to them. It saves time and admin considerations when everything is neatly available and up-to-date.
Mickle, Peter, and Sir_Psycho have their google docs shared with me.
Questions, comments, cries for help?
EDIT: I noticed Sir_Psycho's very pertinent line of questioning.
QUOTE
Also, shadowrun canon already contains an organisation named Aegis, who are basically a private intelligence/espionage corporation. Are you amalgamating these two into one, or retconning the canon organisation out? Also, how much should we read about Conspiracy X?
Both organisations exist. They are just worlds apart. AEGIS is not exactly a publically traded company and having another organization for confusion helps keep things secret - smoke and mirrors. I recommend keeping to the website, as that seriously has more information than even GURPS Conspiracy X.
A little background on AEGIS:
AEGIS is an organization which exists as cells. There are parent cells and sibling or child cells. All the cells used to be controlled through the HERMES computer system. That died out in the 1980s as computing became more prevalent. Most agents in AEGIS are sleeper agents who are called up for specialist tasks. Very few are full-time AEGIS employees.
Black Book operates as a strong hierarchical system. The Core of Black Book is comprised of an oversight comittee. The rest are foot soldiers, with very little knowledge of any strategic levels.
AEGIS is an organization which exists as cells. There are parent cells and sibling or child cells. All the cells used to be controlled through the HERMES computer system. That died out in the 1980s as computing became more prevalent. Most agents in AEGIS are sleeper agents who are called up for specialist tasks. Very few are full-time AEGIS employees.
Black Book operates as a strong hierarchical system. The Core of Black Book is comprised of an oversight comittee. The rest are foot soldiers, with very little knowledge of any strategic levels.
Contacts added, both in Google Docs and in Cast of Shadows.
Are we as PCs going to know each other, or will we meet in game? If the former, will we be able to see each other's character descriptions?
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