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J. Packer
This is the place for Team 2 (Kim, Klinktastic, Black Hat, SleepIncarnate and Zyerne) to post their out of character ramblings.

I will stick with the format I've seen used before -
[[]] and orange time/location stamp.
<<>> and yellow to indicate anything that's said by way of comms that's not being heard, either by typing or subvocal mic.
If it's in "" it's actually being said, regardless of color. Bold any character names.

Anything else I'm missing, let me know.

Please post a little about yourself, if you'd like, but I mean about *you* not your character. One thing in particular I would like to know about each of you is from which time zone you will be posting. It will make me less crazy if I'm waiting on a post from one of you, and I know that while I'm awake, it's 3am your time.

We'll start the IC posts once everyone is ready to start with the full campaign, with a description of you opening the door to the room you've been led to (ooh, nebulous!) and describing what you do. I'll give a general layout of what you see first, and then we'll go from there. Please take it in order, and describe your character as they are currently. No need to tell us anything we wouldn't be able to see being there. If someone has beaten you to the punch, you'll see them in the room, however they describe themselves (in a chair, leaning against a wall, whatever) when you arrive.

Useful links:
Team 2 Character Wiki
Team 2 IC Thread
Zyerne
I'm GMT and yes, it's 4am here. My times are weird.
J. Packer
QUOTE (Zyerne @ Dec 16 2010, 09:25 PM) *
I'm GMT and yes, it's 4am here. My times are weird.

Do you sleep odd hours then? I've got a GMT+1 in the first team. Maybe I should have asked this before I built the teams! smile.gif
Kim
GMT+1 for me too
klinktastic
I'm at GMT-6, or Central time. I'm an internal auditor, so I'm nearly always online. I'm 3 years out of college (26 yrs old) and on my 2nd job (by choice). More pay for less work is always nice. I had been playing soccer a couple times a week, but just tore my ACL 2 weeks ago and will be having surgery on it at some point too.
SleepIncarnate
Right now I'm at GMT +4:30 (yes, there's an actual half hour difference) while deployed in Afghanistan (I'm in the Air Force) for the next couple months, then I go back home to being at GMT-6 for a few more months then I get out and not sure where I'll be after that, probably GMT-8 or GMT-5, depending on if I get a job straight out from here or go full time back to school. And no, my character is not the only female part of me (chick gamers ftw).

And no worries about 3 in the morning for me, I work night shifts for now, so my sleep schedule actually aligns pretty close to American time (i.e. I've only been up about 30-40 minutes as I type this).
BlackHat
GMT-5 (Eastern). I work at a software company (work in AI research), so I'm almost always online during the day (although they occasionally want me to prioritize work over PBP RPGs). I also got a shiny new phone recently (my first smartphone, sad), so if my IC posts are particularly short, they are probably coming from that.
J. Packer
Okay, team 2, I've posted the IC thread. Please reply to it as your character enters the room. Pay attention to who has posted before you, as they will already be in the room.

The thread is here.
klinktastic
QUOTE (SleepIncarnate @ Dec 17 2010, 07:36 AM) *
Right now I'm at GMT +4:30 (yes, there's an actual half hour difference) while deployed in Afghanistan (I'm in the Air Force) for the next couple months, then I go back home to being at GMT-6 for a few more months then I get out and not sure where I'll be after that, probably GMT-8 or GMT-5, depending on if I get a job straight out from here or go full time back to school. And no, my character is not the only female part of me (chick gamers ftw).

And no worries about 3 in the morning for me, I work night shifts for now, so my sleep schedule actually aligns pretty close to American time (i.e. I've only been up about 30-40 minutes as I type this).


First of, thank you for you service to our country. I know we all appreciate it.

QUOTE (BlackHat @ Dec 17 2010, 07:42 AM) *
GMT-5 (Eastern). I work at a software company (work in AI research), so I'm almost always online during the day (although they occasionally want me to prioritize work over PBP RPGs). I also got a shiny new phone recently (my first smartphone, sad), so if my IC posts are particularly short, they are probably coming from that.


How dare they want you to priorize work over PbP RPGing? A happy worker is a productive worker!!!
J. Packer
QUOTE (BlackHat @ Dec 17 2010, 06:42 AM) *
GMT-5 (Eastern). I work at a software company (work in AI research), so I'm almost always online during the day (although they occasionally want me to prioritize work over PBP RPGs). I also got a shiny new phone recently (my first smartphone, sad), so if my IC posts are particularly short, they are probably coming from that.


I did my undergrad work in AI, actually, but I'm a little rusty by now. That was sixteen years ago. Are they still arguing over neural nets versus expert systems, and using genetic algorithms to grow your own code by fitness?

And is it still assumed that in five years, ten at the most, we'll have a real functioning AI model that can mimic human intelligence?
sabs
We won't have a real funcitoning Ai model that can mimic human intelligence until we have a breakthough in non-binary computing.
BlackHat
QUOTE (J. Packer @ Dec 17 2010, 12:13 PM) *
I did my undergrad work in AI, actually, but I'm a little rusty by now. That was sixteen years ago. Are they still arguing over neural nets versus expert systems, and using genetic algorithms to grow your own code by fitness?

I think some problems suggest a particular approach over another (although I haven't seen anything with neural nets since I used one in a project in grad school), and most scientists in the field seem to have their personal preferences. They haven't found one solution to rule them all, if that's what you're asking. In fact, the place where I work focuses on rule-based systems, and despite being a separate company is very closely tied to a nearby university that developed such a rule-based system. So, ya know what they say, "when your only tool is a hammer, every problem begins to look like a nail."

QUOTE
And is it still assumed that in five years, ten at the most, we'll have a real functioning AI model that can mimic human intelligence?

Sadly, yes. smile.gif I don't think it will happen, but I keep reading things like this, and think to myself "Yeah, but 10-15 years ago, people thought we would all have personal hover-boards and robot-butlers by now." wink.gif
BlackHat
Considering my IC post over lunch (first impressions are everything, after all - especially for a guy with the First Impression quality). smile.gif Should have something up soon, though.
J. Packer
QUOTE (BlackHat @ Dec 17 2010, 10:24 AM) *
I think some problems suggest a particular approach over another (although I haven't seen anything with neural nets since I used one in a project in grad school), and most scientists in the field seem to have their personal preferences. They haven't found one solution to rule them all, if that's what you're asking. In fact, the place where I work focuses on rule-based systems, and despite being a separate company is very closely tied to a nearby university that developed such a rule-based system. So, ya know what they say, "when your only tool is a hammer, every problem begins to look like a nail."

Human nature, I guess. I was an expert systems guy, my cohorts were mostly neural net people. Even more fun back then were the wars over which language to program in. the LISP people versus the C people versus the one guy who insisted upon hand-optimized x86 assembly!

And yes, sabs, I was definitely one of the people who wanted a full analog one-to-one neural mapping of the brain as I was sure that was the only way we'd be able to replicate human intelligence. I was in the minority then, I don't know if I still am.


QUOTE
Sadly, yes. smile.gif I don't think it will happen, but I keep reading things like this, and think to myself "Yeah, but 10-15 years ago, people thought we would all have personal hover-boards and robot-butlers by now." wink.gif

You don't even have to leave the AI realm to see, as far back as the sixties for sure, that they were claiming that "AI is just five years away. Ten at the most" and the window has moved steadily forward year by year. smile.gif
Zyerne
Before I post IC, can I have a NAN Customs roll on the authenticity of the Lodge?
J. Packer
QUOTE (Zyerne @ Dec 17 2010, 10:56 AM) *
Before I post IC, can I have a NAN Customs roll on the authenticity of the Lodge?

By all means. Fling me some dice.
Zyerne
NAN Customs (7d6.hits(5)=6)

I'd imagine that'll be enough smile.gif
J. Packer
QUOTE (Zyerne @ Dec 17 2010, 11:36 AM) *
NAN Customs (7d6.hits(5)=6)

I'd imagine that'll be enough smile.gif

Your buckskin is showing, NAN boy...

The artifice on the outside of the building may have been a blend of a few authentic pieces combined with knock off reproductions, but the room into which you find yourself sent is the real deal. The man that waits there may be in a suit, but he speak from a place of high authority. The mask he's wearing is that of Raven, and is fully authentic. Other than being in the basement of a bar in Denver, this would not have felt out of place anywhere in the Pueblo portion of the native american nations.
Zyerne
QUOTE (klinktastic @ Dec 17 2010, 07:17 PM) *
Analyzing the Ork, Riot noted the obvious cyber and that he guy had a native american flare to him.


What obvious cyber? His arm is synthetic and I can't think of anything else that would classify as obvious.
klinktastic
Opps, missed that one. Thought it was obvious cyberarm.
Zyerne
No problem. Probably the first time I've used a synthetic arm smile.gif
BlackHat
Cody will buy a couple of hits (with his 8 dice) on an etiquette roll to do his best to fit into the scene - despite not being a native American, or an ork, or really much of a Runner. Might only end up being 1 hit, assuming there is some situational penalty. biggrin.gif

As we wait (in silence?) for the others to arrive, he'll scope everyone out, just to see who/what he'll be working with:
Intuition 3 + Perception (Visual) 3 + Visual Enhancement 3 = 9 dice, and I'll just buy two hits (or more likely one after concealability modifiers)... if there is anything non-obvious that either of you think that would notice.
J. Packer
Your First Impression lets you come off as cool and collected, comfortable in an environment replete with native americans and orks.

I'll let the other two decide which features they wish to share specifically with you, given one hit after the warm smoke in the room and the awkwardness (to you, at least) of sitting on cushions.
klinktastic
You'd be able to see the stun baton in my biker's suit since I'm not actively trying to hide it. I have a backpack on, not too full. My biker's helmet is on the floor, off to the side slightly. The biker's gear that I have on looks pretty bad ass, or well it does if you think motorcycles and go gangers are intimidating. It's got Texas Rattlers' logos and emblems all over it, which is a pro Combat Biker team (which I think is in the PCC). Instead of eyes, or cyber eyes, he has a cyber eyeband, which is pretty crazy, since not too many people have those.

@J. Packer - would a scan roll detect passive commlink and ID's attached to those commlinks??

Pre-emptive Ettiquette roll

[ Spoiler ]
BlackHat
QUOTE (J. Packer @ Dec 17 2010, 03:33 PM) *
I'll let the other two decide which features they wish to share specifically with you, given one hit after the warm smoke in the room and the awkwardness (to you, at least) of sitting on cushions.


Sounds good. I figured there would be some penalty, somewhere, and he's not exactly a champion percept-er, either. smile.gif

That does remind me of a question I had though. In the rules for using stealth skills, it mentions that they're usually against intuition+perception of the viewer, but at the GMs descression a viewer skilled in the same stealth skill can replace perception with the stealth skill involved. (So someone good at tailing people might know what to look for if he's being tailed, himself or someone good at hiding might know the best places to look, if someone were hiding from him, etc).

I was curious if (in theory) Cody could replace perception with palming to use what he knows about hiding gear on himself to spot hidden gear on other people? I'm imagining it also being a useful part of eying a mark for what they might have that's worth taking before pickpocketing (otherwise his mediocre perception would have to suffice), but on a run it might be useful for him to notice concealed weapons or something. *shrugs* No biggie either way.
BlackHat
QUOTE (klinktastic @ Dec 17 2010, 03:38 PM) *
It's got Texas Rattlers' logos and emblems all over it...

I assume that logo is a rattlesnake?
Zyerne
Apart from a large kit bag behind him, there's not much to see as far as Wolf is concerned.
klinktastic
QUOTE (BlackHat @ Dec 17 2010, 02:44 PM) *
I assume that logo is a rattlesnake?



That's my guess. You'll have to use your imagination because I've never actually seen a logo. Hopefully it's cool looking, otherwise I look like a big douche....or a Packer fan. But then again, pretty much the same thing.
J. Packer
QUOTE (klinktastic @ Dec 17 2010, 01:52 PM) *
That's my guess. You'll have to use your imagination because I've never actually seen a logo. Hopefully it's cool looking, otherwise I look like a big douche....or a Packer fan. But then again, pretty much the same thing.


Being named Packer, and having lived in Milwaukee for two years, let me just say I feel that pain...

I would say that at this point a stylized rattlesnake makes the most sense to me.
klinktastic
Since I'm from Illinois, near to Chicago, I'm a Bears fan. The (fudge) Packers are the devil.
Zyerne
Because I'm from the UK, I'm a 'hawks fan.

Wait...
J. Packer
I'm afraid the three of you are going to have more time to goof around in the IC thread. We're waiting on Kim and Sleep, who're both several time zones away from me, and while Sleep hinted at an odd sleep schedule, she's likely off flying drones or whatever it is she does to keep us fat, safe and happy over here.
klinktastic
That's cool, I'm just bored because it's friday afternoon and I don't want to work anymore.
BlackHat
Ditto. smile.gif
J. Packer
QUOTE (klinktastic @ Dec 17 2010, 02:13 PM) *
That's cool, I'm just bored because it's friday afternoon and I don't want to work anymore.

I'm there too. Two days off, then two days on, and then twelve days off for me, so I'm really having a hard time staying motivated. Even though I do have one major project that absolutely positively must be finished by Tuesday afternoon, or I'm working during my vacation time.
Zyerne
I was holding off on posting again to give the others time. If you want more goofing off I can oblige though.
klinktastic
Probably shouldn't since we don't want to punish those in different time zones. Alas, I kind of want to....
J. Packer
Quick, one of you whip up a campaign for those of us that live in the lower 48 and have too much time on our hands! Stat!

Oh, and as for who's GMing? NOT IT!
Zyerne
Little busy here finishing off a smuggler. smile.gif
klinktastic
Well considering I'm in now 3 PbP games, all of which are active, I think I've hit my threshold for PbP. I am playing in an actual game of SR4A in the meat today. It's a fun group, but its like half knowledgeable and half not so knowledgeable SR gamers. It's more of a pizza and beer operation, but its fun. Want to try and get them playing more than once a month. Other than that, the only other gaming I do is a semi-month Battletech campaign set in the Jihad era. Loads of fun, but more of a strategy game than an RP game.
Zyerne
My tabletop group has almost finished char gen after several sessions. Last week was spent mostly coming up with OOC ways to deal with a pacifist dwarf. I'm hoping they'll get it all out of their system by the time we actually start play after xmas and won't actually mow down the first cop they see.
klinktastic
Yeah, fortunately everyone is pretty good at playing safe and smart. We do have an uncouth dwarf rigger who talks about his "equipment" and is a media junkie for porno, BTL or otherwise. I think he's getting really bored though, because he's probably our most talented RPer. An uncouth dwarf isn't really that challenging.
Zyerne
I've got 2 uncouths to deal with, one the aforemention pacfist dwarf, who's a bounty hunter with every non-lethal weapon the BBB or Arsenal could provide.

The other's a troll with a rotary grenade launcher and a cyberleg (someone elses) he uses as a club.
klinktastic
I hope that's a street level game, designed more for hilarity than serious 'running. Yeah, I don't think I'd let anyone use the Uncouth flaw in any of my games. Too annoying for the other PCs. So many other ways to get BPs that are much more engaging, like vindictive or vendetta combined with enemy and or lost loved one or big regret.
Zyerne
No, it's not street level but several of the players are new to SR. As such, I'll be allowing changes after we finish Season 0 before we start Season 1 and other 'real' runs.
klinktastic
Oh, you are GM'ing them. Wow! I mean, two uncouth characters is really impractical. Have you talked this out with your players? That's like two socially retarded people in a group of 5. That's not a realistic proportion. Uncouth people rarely like to be in social situations because they stay stupid things and get made fun of. I wouldn't take it easy on them. On top of that, cooperation is going to take a hit, since they won't recognize social cues. Additionally, probably fail every ettiquette roll, therefore driving their profits down. I'd rather be a paraplegic than uncouth.
klinktastic
amended my first post to make note of Kim, who was already in the room since she arrived early to the meet.
Zyerne
No, and I'm not going to right away. They've got, collectively, a severe case of silly season right now. Basically, I'll use Season 0 as an 'intro to Shadowrun' and let them build fix afterwards.

It's lifting a little from White Wolf games, which we play a lot of. In those, after the first series of play you can change you character incase what looked good when you put it together actually wasn't.
BlackHat
Actually, it might make more sense - if non-uncouth people want nothing to do with uncouth runners, they'd pretty much be stuck together. smile.gif

Edited my earlier IC post to include aknowledgement of the elf in the room too (Since kim's timestamp had her there before anyone else arrived).
Zyerne
Actually, what we did say last week was that during meets with Mr J (the ones they don't just kill him out of hand so he can't backstab them later) the dwarf and the troll can stand outside arguing while the rest conduct the meeting.
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