Lain I just noticed you had non-conductive applied to your concealed holsters - could you explain that please? I am only checking - I haven't read every book cover to cover so want to make sure what piece of gear it is and how it works in the context of the game. Thanks!

Not sure if it has an in game use, I just found it when creating the character. Im thinking its a way to protect the weapons from shock/electric. Happy to remove if its not useful

Does it have a game reference? Since I use Mac computers I don't use any of the character generators out there. I would need to know where to find it in a book and a rating as well. Let me know - feel free to PM me the info.

@Buddha: Ok, I'll put up a message from Zerone to Dr. Huxtable.

@Fenris, Umaro, Emilio: Are we all traveling to the office together, or is this for when we scout the area?

@Buddha: Sorry for the barrage of questions, but I just want to make sure I play this right. Zerone has only a few residual memories of being in the cloning facility (always from the cloning tube, and usually from the astral). Since he was thrown away in the dump I don't think he would have much else to work from other than that they looked exactly like him, but their auras indicated that were successfully brainwashed into becoming hate-filled magical soldiers.

Would the DNA sequencing and description be enough to give Widget a starting point, or are these shots in the dark?

Starting point for sure.

Cool

Damn, bitches. Y'all are posting like mad. I'll try to get an IC tonight of Emilio agreeing to help w/ the recon. I'll also work on a heading-to-the-office.

Lain Arsenal on page 58 has Hardening for electrical protection of gear - take a look. Thanks for the information BishopMcQ.

Strangeglove will assist in sweeping the house, then do a thorough search of the outside, checking any locations with line of sight to the office.
However, I'm not sure how sweeping for ruthenium covered micro drones, or setting up listening stations works, so perhaps I'll assist someone who knows what tools to use, and what to roll, for counter-surveillance?

@JxJxA - It's all on what you ask for. I won't be personally traveling with you, but I'm happy to provide discrete and/or heavily armored transportation as requested.

Do you want a ride?

The experienced runner in me says "yes," but Zerone is pretty freaking naive and raw... I think it'll make sense if he walks through this one on his own for the first time.

As in literally walks through the Barrens?

No, he'll probably take a taxi or the bus.

JxJxA--They don't normally travel through there...it's a no man's land for civilized folks. Good luck though, it should be a hair raising experience.

Rolls for contacts:

Aideen: rating 3/3: 1d6=2

Davan: rating 3/3 decker: 1d6=5

Bakatari: rating 2/3 fixer: 1d6=5

Knowledge Skills (Not exactly on point)

Hangouts (Safehouses) (6d6.hits(5)=2)
Matrix Security (8d6.hits(5)=1)

Scanning for nodes (14d6.hits(5)=3)
13d6.hits(5)=4 -- 7
12d6.hits(5)=1 -- 8
11d6.hits(5)=3 -- 11
10d6.hits(5)=3 -- 14
9d6.hits(5)=1 -- 12
8d6.hits(5)=1 -- 13
7d6.hits(5)=3 -- 16

(That was just messy, but I guess it balances the 8 hits on 10 dice that Invisible Castle has given me before...)

No worries Budda, you've been great to me with all my questions. And I haven't read the Anniversary ed. I mean I glanced at it and enjoyed the short stories at the start of each chapter, but I was using "original" 4th ed Shadowrun book because it matches the physical copy I have. I'll update myself asap. And if I've any rules questions would you like them here, PMed or through email?

All Illusion thresholds set at hits (max Force of course). Check.

Manascape ruling processed. I'll be a bit at figuring what I've set it to.

All, should I jump in on legwork? I was figuring on waiting till after after the meet and roleplay at the new office so that I could get a feel for where and how to direct my character in legwork.

Bishop, you're totally right. Redmond is the Barrens (Runner Companion pg156) If so, maybe Q got lucky? Hope so. Though I'd taken it to be a Squatter level area and not Street when writing my post. Q's lifestyle is Squatter, thus my thoughts on his everyday persona blending in. And so that I've a better understanding of what these look like, would modern San Bernardino be Squatter or Low neighborhood? I live in the area and peg it as Low.

Lain, I hope you don't mind me presuming Jon giving an affirmative. Is this an ok level of character control? And if Jon has one of the various nose/scent upgrades, then Q smells friendly yet dominant.

Budda, how did I get introduced to this group and thier work. Did Widget contact me? One of my other contacts?

And can we assume that Strangeglove and Q have a conversation sometime when most of the group is gathered?

Lastly, I hope no one minds if I edit those posts to give him a British accent this evening.

Copperheed--modern San Bernadino is Low probably. Squatter would be living in a shelter or illegal tenements where there aren't utilities per se. Street is pushing your shopping cart, homeless on the street.

Howdy All! I'm back at home and playing catch up since this was an unplanned trip on my part so I will be doing meatier posts tomorrow but I have a few minutes to answer questions.

Copperheed You received an invite from Widget who said an employer requested your addition to a team of runners they were using on a regular basis. You all can set when your conversations happen with other PCs all that I ask is to make sure to do it in a way that doesn't cause confusion - throwing a stamp on the location or when/where it happened would be great to keep the timeline clean. Like this:

Early Morning at the Office
Q took a swig of beer and offered a can to Strangeglove.

As to rules questions you are welcome to ask me here or PM me - whichever you prefer. As to legwork I would wait till after the meet and greet is over.

All tomorrow I will throw out a timeline to show when everyone says they are arriving and push it to get everyone together. Thanks all!

Casting some spells and summoning some help before I head out:

Casting Increase(Willpower) at Force 4:
Magic(7) + Spellcasting(4) + Power Focus(3) = 14d6 for 5 hits, but only 4 count. Popping it into my Force 4 Sustaining Focus(Health).
Resist Drain: (4/2) - 2 = Min of 1S
Will(8) + Cha(4) + Centering(1) = 13d6 for 5 hits. No drain.

Casting Increase(Reflexes) at Force 3:
Magic(7) + Spellcasting(4) + Power Focus(3) = 14d6 for 7 hits, but only 3 count. Popping it into my Force 3 Sustaining Focus(Health).
Resist Drain: (3/2) + 2 = 3S
Will(8) + Cha(4) + Centering(1) = 13d6 for 7 hits. No drain.

Summoning Force 7 Fire Spirit:
Magic(7) + Conjuring(3) + Power Focus(3) + Mentor(2) = 15d6 for 3 hits. Uh...spending a point of edge for a reroll (don't want to kill myself before I actually get there...) for 3 more hits.
Spirit's Resist Roll:
Force(7) = 7d6 for 5 hits. Wow. 1 service.
Resist Drain: 5 hits for 10S
Will(8) + Cha(4) + Centering(1) = 13d6 for 2 hits. Spending my last point of edge to reroll misses for 3 more hits. Take 5S.

Healing Stun Damage by First Aid:
Logic(4) + First Aid(1) + Medkit(6) - Dmg(1) - Magician(2) - Condition(1) = 7d6 for 1 hit. Now at 4S. Looks like I'll be sleeping off stun at some point.

Healing Stun Damage by Resting:
Body(3) + Will(8) = 11d6 for 6 hits. Just need 1 hour before it is all gone.

Ok I am calling for a hold on posting for the moment - I need to address some issues that are happiening tibe IC thread before we move forward. I don't have time to put up a post tonight but I will tomorrow morning.

Thanks.

Morning all!

So I want to address a few things that are happening in the game thread that I want to avoid in my games. I am doing so here because for the most part I believe transparency builds trust between myself and the players. Everyone can see what's happening and its my hope that it avoids the whole process coming across as a personal attack or judgement. I may be over thinking this but I would rather be cautious to avoid misunderstandings or hurt feelings.

First, I feel like some metagaming is going on specifically with Zerone, who should have little or no idea what the Barrens is like. I am fine with him asking around the shelter but what I have a problem with is using NPCs to give him information he lacks - that's my role. I see players being responsible for their characters, histories, and providing me enough detail to play out their contacts in a believable and consistent manner to preserve the flavor of the game. I am fine with players doing RP with their contacts or people when it has little or no impact on the game or story. What I don't want is significant elements being run by the player. The truth is had he asked around he probably would have gotten much the same information - my issue is that crosses a line for me in my games - that's my role.

Second, several players posted their arrival at the locale without incident and again for me, that's my job. I would prefer for a player to post what they are doing and then they head out. It's then my job to take that information and place them at the next scene. In the past my threads have mostly been real life friends who have been long time players at my table top games so I think most of this was understood by them before joining my PbP games. I should have been clearer and I am currently in the process of defining how I want to run the game as you may have all noticed.

My proposed solution for now is to let things stand but to clarify so that when things are different later on there is no confusion. I believe very strongly in the consensual reality of RP games. A player needs to know how the world works if they are to have any hope of affecting it and achieving their goals. You cannot stroll through most of Seattle cloaked in active spells - not without something happening. Even with Masking there are rolls that need to happen so that the world we play in stays consistent. You don't just stroll through the Barrens on foot - something happens, whether that's your character darting from building to building avoiding packs of scavengers or having to put down a group of muggers with a well placed attack showing you're not prey.

I want to close by saying I am not angry or pissed off - I just want to be clear how I want my games to run and I completely understand that if this isn't what works for you that you can or may leave. No hurt feelings on my part - there are many kinds of games with just as many kinds of players so this wasn't a good fit if that's the case. As always I welcome any questions you all may have.

Fat Man is going to ward the vehicle that will be used for the astral scouting at force 6. This takes 6 hours of work, so he's going to do that, sleep off any drain for an hour, and then go to the meet at 5 pm (so he'll likely arrive on-time, not early like some other people). He's fixing the ward to the walls of the vehicle (I'm not sure exactly what we're using, but it should be under 300m^3 easily).

Check to put the ward up: Magic (6)+Willpower (6) + Power Focus (4) = 16d6, http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/3693785/ 6 weeks (note: Fenris, you can un-ward it anytime by moving the anchoring point to break it early, if you don't want to drive a vehicle with a ward up around later on).

Drain is 6S, using Centering 16d6, http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/3693790/ 5 hits, 1S taken.

Rest that off, Willpower (6)+ Body (11) = 17d6, http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/3693791/ 3 hits which is good enough.

IC post will be up shortly.

Buddha, if it's OK with you, I'm going to list the standard gear-sets Fat Man uses all together, and then just specify which one he's got at a given time. I'm going to call them Discrete and Obvious. I'm also listing the set of equipment he owns to give to Guardian Spirits, but doesn't normally carry, for ease of reference later.

Buddha: Also, a note: Fat Man is dual-natured, and so he normally uses Masking/Extended Masking to hide his aura as mundane because he can't turn it off. It's possible for people to see through this. If you would rather roll tests yourself, he would oppose Assensing+Intuition with Magic(6)+Intuition(6)+Power Focus(4)+Initiate Grade(4)=20d6. He also has active foci hidden by the same Extended Masking (because they let him make it harder to see through, and if he's busted he's busted anyways, foci or no).

Discrete
Magical Gear
Force 4 Power Focus [form: a brass ring with a square hole in the middle. He'll normally wear it on a metal band, over the FFBA but under his clothes] (active, hidden by Extended Masking)
x4 Force 3 Sustaining Focus [form: black bands around upper arms and legs, normally worn under clothing] (3/4 are active and hidden by Extended Masking)
Combat Fetish [form: large metal ring worn on thumb of left hand]
Detection Fetish [form: large metal ring worn on thumb or right hand]

Weapons
Telescoping Staff

Armor/Clothing
FFBA and PPP under full Vashon Island and Top Hat Helmet, Ramirez Linked Cloak, Scarf

Other Gear
MetaLink with Vector Xim and Skinlink, runs in public mode and displays fake SIN (turned off entirely when not in a place that requires broadcasting a SIN)
Modified Commlink rating 4 (runs in hidden mode)
Browse 4
Analyze 6, Optimization 2
Encrypt 6, Optimization 2
Agent Rating 3
Home Ground Autosoft 3

The agent’s routine is to stay in the commlink, maintain dynamic encryption, and Analyze any icons it sees. If it sees an unauthorized user, it will sound an alert and then contact Cypher with a pre-programmed message, or if it can’t, shut down the node.

Rating 4 Goggles with Image Link, Ultrasound, Vision Enhancement 3
Rating 3 Contacts with Image Link, Flare Compensation, Low Light Vision
Rating 3 Earbuds with Audio Enhancement 3
Betel x20

Obvious
Magical Gear
Force 4 Power Focus [form: a brass ring with a square hole in the middle. He'll normally wear it on a metal band, over the FFBA but under his clothes] (active, hidden by Extended Masking)
x4 Force 3 Sustaining Focus [form: black bands around upper arms and legs, normally worn under clothing] (all are active, 3/4 are hidden by Extended Masking)
Combat Fetish [form: large metal ring worn on thumb of left hand]
Detection Fetish [form: large metal ring worn on thumb or right hand]

Weapons
Telescoping Staff

Armor/Clothing
FFBA and PPP under SWAT Armor and SWAT Helmet with Simrig, Ramirez Linked Cloak, Scarf

Other Gear
MetaLink with Vector Xim and Skinlink, runs in public mode and displays fake SIN (turned off entirely when not in a place that requires broadcasting a SIN)
Modified Commlink rating 4 (runs in hidden mode)
Browse 4
Analyze 6, Optimization 2
Encrypt 6, Optimization 2
Agent Rating 3
Home Ground Autosoft 3

The agent’s routine is to stay in the commlink, maintain dynamic encryption, and Analyze any icons it sees. If it sees an unauthorized user, it will sound an alert and then contact Cypher with a pre-programmed message, or if it can’t, shut down the node.

Rating 4 Goggles with Image Link, Ultrasound, Vision Enhancement 3
Rating 3 Contacts with Image Link, Flare Compensation, Low Light Vision
Rating 3 Earbuds with Audio Enhancement 3
Betel x20


Guardian Spirit Equipment (for giving to Guardian Spirits, armor assumes Force 6)
SWAT Armor, SWAT Helmet, PPP Helmet, Ruhrmetall HMG on Gyrostabilizer, Holoprojector.

Fat Man is wearing his Discrete set to the meet.

That's fine, I assumed by your posting that we should be fine on the way there. I am deleting my IC post and I'll discard the casting rolls.

I can see that and agree - in the future I will make sure not to further confuse e issue with my posts. Please don't delete your posts - I had asked to leave things as they are and just make the adjustment going forward.

Oops, sorry, I'm posting via smartphone, so I missed that part.

Just to confirm Eklipse is heading there on his bike. He is running a little late so will push it (within reason / limits) to make up time.

Gear:
2 Commlinks: Novatech Airware + Novatech Navi OS + upgraded firewall 4 (Response 3, Signal 3, Firewall 4, System 3) + Sim Module (cold) + Trode net + Analyze 4 + Browse 4, 1 active with SIN Josef Schmidt (R1), one off with SIN Jakob Myers (R4)
Contact Lenses (R:3) with flare compensation and smartlink

Chameleon suit (non-conduct. 5, thermal damp. 4) 6/4
Top end bike helmet (image link, HUD, thermo, vision enh. R3, audio enh. R3) 1/2 + respirator R6
Form fitting vest 3/0
SecureTech forearm guards 0/1
SecureTech shin guards 0/1
Total armor: 10/8

Tote bag containing:
HK227X, smartlink, suppressor, retractable stock, RC 1(2), SA/BF/FA, 28c, conc. 0, 5P + chameleon coating + personalized grip + ceramic components (1) + 4 clips regular + 2 clips explosive
Katana (weapon focus +3) 5P, -1AP
5 Flash-Bang Grenades
5 Thermal Smoke Grenades
2 Expendable Jammers (R:1)
Medkit (R:6)
2 Plasteel restraints
Stealth Rope 100m
Grapple Gun
Rappeling Gloves
Survival Kit

UmaroVI I noticed your Power Foci was a tattoo - I know you can use tattoos for Anchoring but I haven't seen any example of foci taken that form. As I have said before there are books I haven't had the chance to read cover to cover yet - did I miss something?

It's been a while since I made Fat Man, but looking at it: I also can't find any examples of a tattoo focus, and I can't find any real rules about what can and can't be a focus anywhere in the books. SR4A just says "The physical representation of a focus can vary depending on the tradition of its maker."

I did dig up some semi-relevant stuff in the sorta-official FAQ:

"Can I have _____ as a focus? How much does it cost?

A focus can take any form: a ring, a dagger, a commlink, a cyberlimb, etc."

from the FAQ, and also (while it's not exactly the same)

"Can you enchant cyberware and bioware? What about nanotech or genetech?

You can enchant cyberware, but this must be done before it is implanted (after it’s implanted, it’s a part of you). Such a focus would be considered Mundane Telesma (pp. 83-84, Street Magic). Bioware is a living material and may not be enchanted.

Nanotech consists of a collection of nanites, and cannot be enchanted as a group; while enchanting a single nanite is theoretically possible, they are extremely fragile and would not last long (at most 1 week inside a metahuman body). Genetech consists of alterations made to the character at a fundamental level, and so do not have a physical basis for enchantment—and even if it did, it would still be living material and not suitable for enchanting."

Your call; I don't mind changing it if you don't like it. I myself take the FAQ with a grain of salt, but you could very reasonably argue that if you can't enchant implanted cyberware you can't enchant an already-finished tattoo, and you can't really enchant it before you make the tattoo either.

Budda:
Sorry about the presumption. I hadn't even realized that Redmond was the Barrens!. The book makes it quite known that the Barrens is a very dangerous place, but I never noticed them attaching it to Redmond except for Runner's Companion.

And I'll take note to be more careful in the future with my postings.

Thanks for being so forth right.

Copperheed no worries and I'm not perfect (ask my husband) but I strive to be fair.

UmaroVI I think I am going to say no for now - the other thing is how would you stop your regeneration? Make it out of silver? Everything in the game seems to suggest it is extremely difficult to make alterations to beings with regeneration (delta grade, special gear, etc) and they can't receive several alterations at all (genetech, etc). Let me know what form it is being switched to.

All I was going to post this afternoon but school/children issues have raised their ugly three headed acid spitting selves so it will need to wait. Please post yourself at the office if you have not arrived already. I would like to get the meeting going and then begin feeding information in from the rolls posted and contacts.

Thanks!

One more thing - thanks for putting up with me as I do some house keeping on the thread. I need to know from the Awakaened people (add to your gear list) what force your Lodge is and where it is located.

No problem. I'm going to go with: http://i639.photobucket.com/albums/uu117/y...ng/P7260016.jpg, it's a brass ring with a square hole in the middle. He'll normally wear it on a metal band, over the FFBA but under his clothes.

Forgive me if I'm doing something wrong, just posting to help move things along, I am not at home and don't have the books or the time at work to make sure I'm doing it correctly...

Concealed Gear
Palming to conceal the guns

Roll for "Thelma"
9d6 = 3 hits (Fichetti Security 600 w/ Hidden Arm Slide)

Roll for "Louise" (Ares Viper w/ Concealable Holster, I think that gives a penatly on perception tests?)
9d6 = 2 hits

Visible Gear
Armor Vest
Ceramic Knife strapped to his leg
Commlink
Back Pack

Inside Back Pack
Ammo: Gel Rounds (for both pistols)
Ammo: Regular Rouns (for both pistols)
Chisel
Glasscutter
Grapple Gun
Grenade Flash x5
Keycard copier rating 1
Lockpic set
Miniwelder
Monofilament Chainsaw
Plastic Restraints x10
Tag Eraser x3
Wire Clippers
Zen x3
Chameleon Suit

Dont know much about the car other than its slick looking and black.

@Buddha: Sure thing, I'll get something written up tonight. Zerone has a magical lodge of Force 6 set up in his apartment. I'll also put that info in my gear listing post.

OK a spare moment here - I would like to get an opinion poll - I was thinking of moving this game to new threads so that I could get the IC/OOC tags in them (I fucked up with the frist too and have gotten little response from board admin to edit the names)? Yes or No?

If we do move I think I would have everyone make their 1st OOC post their gear carried/worn list or would you all prefer to do that via PMs? Thread or PMS?

Thanks!

I vote new threads because you can always link back to old posts. Aria does it in his 2072+ game series, and it makes finding stuff so much easier.

Fat Man does not currently have a magical lodge.

I vote for new threads. I might actually get around to updating char sheet and gear list properly.

I'd also vote for new threads. Very little effort, and there's definite benefits.

I vote for new threads

Sure, new thread is fine.

All the same to me.

To Budda:
I've no significant position and will gladly roll with what you decide.

To Notsoevildm and Fenris:
I'm a bit confused where Eklipse and Fleet are. By Notso's post Eklipse seems to be at the door of the Japanese Safehouse in the bamboo shrouded clearing, while Fleet appears to be at the ruined estate in front of the path leading there. If I somehow missed something glaring obvious, my apologies.

And did Fleet bring an entire car show to the meet?

Probably best to assume we met up outside and walked to the door together. Time can be a bit funny in PbP. Also, that's sort of how I envisioned it. And yes, I do believe that Fleet has brought an entire fleet of vehicles to the meet.

Assuming that I can't actually drive the vehicles into the ruined building, safe to assume they're parked outside. Except for the bike

And yeah...Fleet. Seriously.

Happy Monday all!

So add 1 karma to your character bringing the current total to 150 thus far.

PLEASE READ CAREFULLY
I have started the new OOC thread for this game at:
http://forums.dumpshock.com/index.php?showtopic=37835

The new IC thread is:
http://forums.dumpshock.com/index.php?showtopic=37836

Please head over and read over the first post then create a post for your gear carried/worn entry and then wait for everyone else to post please so I can have all the info at the top of the thread. I am doing some magic GM hand waving and placing everyone at the office and together to get things going again with the reset.

Thanks all!