To really understand Joe, you have to understand mental illness. Joe has been running the shadows for a long time. A LONG time. And when he started it was all so easy. As one of a new generation of elves he had a natural advantage, an edge over the competition. But when something comes so easily, so easily you've taken it for granted, it can be hard to lose it. With increasingly advanced technology came the increasingly advanced shadowrunner, ones so full of 'ware that he couldn't keep up. He had to stay ahead, keep just ahead of the curve, or risk being lost in a sea of mediocrity. He started small, but the power he felt was undeniable. He was back on top. If such an insignificant advancement can make you feel like this, then what else is possible. It was all too easy to enter the spiral. Running to pay for more 'ware, buying the 'ware so he could run faster, more efficiently, more frequently. Nowadays his condition is a known one. At the time it was new, and no-one noticed the signs. Somewhere in the deep recesses of his mind their still exists part of the old Joe. The part that used to have a family, that used to have friends, the part that enjoyed things.

For many years now Joe has worked without a team. He's been placed in teams by enterprising fixers with big ideas, but it never lasts long. He's been accused of having a death wish, but that's not really fair. He has a nothing. No wish. No dreams. Just a compulsion to keep on running with no regard for anything other than his next objective. He doesn't even know why he does it. This part of him at least makes him perfect. What better quality can a Johnson look for than a compulsive need to relentlessly pursue an objective with no regard for personal safety.

As a runner he's intelligent. He understands people, knows how to use them, but as he analyzes their emotions with his empathy software he finds that he relates to them less and less each day. The emotions of people are so trivial. And easy to manipulate. Joe has been operating as a female for just over a year now. Originally a job required it, he saw it as his only way in. Now though he just finds it makes everything easier. It's disarming. Reading the emotions that come off people is fascinating. Men and women both trust him more, and he can get access to places he couldn't. He considers it one of his best Augs, but others have said this is what really pushed him over the edge. In truth, he was already gone.

Name: Jess
Age: Early 60's
Metatype: Elf (30bp)
Appearance: Currently a Scarlett Johansson-esque female human.

Stats: (200bp)
Body: 3
Agility: 4(6)
Reaction: 3(5)
Strength: 2
Charisma: 5
Intuition: 5
Logic: 5(7)
Willpower: 4

Edge: 3 (20bp)
Initiative: 8(10)
IP: 1(3)
Essence: 0.475


Qualities: (+5bp)
Trustworthy 20
First Impression 5
Magic Resistance 1

Augmentation Addict 10
Cyberpsychosis 10
Chronic Disassociation Syndrome 10
Compulsive 5


Skills: (102bp)
Influence Group: 3
Stealth Group: 2
Athletics Group: 1
Electronics Group: 1
Unarmed (Shock): 3(+2)
Perception: 1
Pistols (SA): 3(+2)


Gear: (50bp)(250,000¥)
Wired Reflexes 2; 3.0E; 32,000¥
Muscle Toner 2; 0.4E; 16,000¥
Sex Change; 0.3E; 20,000¥
Dietware; 0.1E; 2,500¥
Clean Metabolism; 0.1E; 2,500¥
Cerebral Booster 2; 0.4E; 20,000¥
Sleep Regulator; 0.15E; 10,000¥
Datajack; 0.1E; 500¥
Encephalon 1; 0.75E; 30,000¥
Vocal Range Enhancer; 0.1E; 12,000¥
DNA Masque; 0.1E; 25,000¥
Chemical Gland (Breathtaker); 0.3E, 35,000¥
Exhalation Spray; 0.1E; 5,000¥
Enhanced Pheromone Receptors; 0.1E; 15,000¥
Headware Commlink; 0.2E; 2,000¥+
Hermes Ikon w/Novatech Navi; 4,500¥
Skinlink; 50¥
Sim Module w/Hotsim; 250¥
Cybereyes 3; 0.4E [12]; 1,000¥
Smartlink; [3]; 1000¥
Flare Compensation; [1]; 700¥
Low Light Vision; [2]; 1000¥
Thermograph; [2]; 1000¥

Shock Gloves; 200¥
Empathy Sensor Software 4; 2000¥
Novatech Airwave w/Magnadyne Deva(External Commlink used for calls, SIN); 2050¥
Fake SIN 3; 3000¥
Form-Fitting Body Armour Shirt; 500¥
Fichetti Security 600; 450¥
Smartlink; 450¥
Skinlink; 50¥
Zoé Executive Suite Line;
Short Jacket; 750¥
Blouse; 400¥
Skirt; 550¥
Motel Lifestyle (11 Lifestyle points; 2,600¥/Month; Paid for 1 month)


Contacts: (3bp)
Current Fixer; Matrix Communication Only; (Loyalty 1, Connection 2)

== Info ==
Street Name: Mordred
Name: Riley Finn
Movement: 10/25, Swim: 5
Karma: 0
Street Cred: 0
Notoriety: 0
Public Awareness: 0
Human Male Age 25
Height 5'10'' Weight 175
Composure: 5
Judge Intentions: 5
Lift/Carry: 6 (45 kg/30 kg)
Memory: 8
Nuyen: 0

== Attributes ==
BOD: 3
AGI: 2
REA: 3 (5)
STR: 3
CHA: 2
INT: 3
LOG: 5
WIL: 3
EDG: 2
MAG: 6

== Derived Attributes ==
Essence: 6
Initiative: 6 (
IP: 1 (3)
Astral Initiative: 6
Astral IP: 3
Matrix Initiative: 7
Matrix IP: 2
Physical Damage Track: 10
Stun Damage Track: 10

== Active Skills ==
Animal Handling : 0 Pool: 2
Animal Training : 0 Pool: 2
Archery : 0 Pool: 4
Armorer : 0 Pool: 4
Artisan : 1 [Violins] Pool: 4 (6)
Automatics : 0 Pool: 4
Blades : 0 Pool: 4
Climbing : 1 Pool: 4
Clubs : 0 Pool: 4
Computer : 0 Pool: 4
Con : 0 Pool: 1
Cybercombat : 0 Pool: 4
Data Search : 0 Pool: 4
Demolitions : 0 Pool: 4
Disguise : 4 Pool: 7
Diving : 0 Pool: 2
Dodge : 0 Pool: 4
Escape Artist : 0 Pool: 4
Etiquette : 1 Pool: 3
First Aid : 0 Pool: 4
Flight : 0 Pool: 2
Forgery : 0 Pool: 4
Gunnery : 0 Pool: 4
Gymnastics : 4 [Tumbling] Pool: 9 (11)
Hacking : 0 Pool: 4
Hardware : 5 Pool: 10
Heavy Weapons : 0 Pool: 4
Infiltration : 5 [Urban] Pool: 12 (14)
Instruction : 0 Pool: 1
Intimidation : 0 Pool: 1
Leadership : 0 Pool: 1
Locksmith : 0 Pool: 4
Longarms : 0 Pool: 4
Navigation : 0 Pool: 2
Negotiation : 1 Pool: 5
Palming : 4 Pool: 9
Parachuting : 0 Pool: 2
Perception : 3 Pool: 6
Pilot Ground Craft : 0 Pool: 4
Pilot Watercraft : 0 Pool: 4
Pistols : 4 [Semi-Automatics] Pool: 9 (11)
Riding : 0 Pool: 4
Running : 1 Pool: 4
Shadowing : 4 Pool: 7
Survival : 0 Pool: 2
Swimming : 1 Pool: 4
Throwing Weapons : 0 Pool: 4
Tracking : 0 Pool: 2
Unarmed Combat : 5 [Martial Arts] Pool: 12 (14)

== Knowledge Skills ==
Ancient Mythology : 3 Pool: 8
Chinese : 3 [Cantonese] Pool: 6 (
Classic Literature : 3 Pool: 8
English : N Pool: 0
General Corporate Business Practices : 1 Pool: 6
Local Fixers : 3 Pool: 8
Martial Arts Schools : 2 [Awakened] Pool: 7 (9)
Media from the Late 20th and Early 21st Centuries : 4 Pool: 7
The Pendragon and Related Information : 3 Pool: 6
Magical Threats : 1 Pool: 6
Security Procedures : 1 Pool: 6

== Contacts ==
"Surt", shadowrunner, ascetic twisted adept (2, 1) (enemy)
Capt. Angela Fenwick, Knight Errant officer (5, 2) (enemy)
Morgan "LeFay" Senlis, technomancer, white hat in training (3, 6)
Nicholas Lui, former shadowrunner, adept martial arts master (2, 6)

== Qualities ==
Adept
Bad Rep
Day Job (20 hrs/week)
Dependent (Nuisance)
Mentor Spirit (Dragon)
SINner (Standard) (Ares)
The Warrior's Way

== Powers ==
Critical Strike Rating: 4
Improved Ability (Combat) (Unarmed Combat) Rating: 2
Improved Ability (Non-Combat) (Infiltration) Rating: 2
Improved Reflexes 2
Killing Hands
Mind Over Matter (AGI)
Mystic Armor Rating: 2

== Lifestyles ==
Low 1 months

== Armor ==
Clothing 0/0
Form-Fitting Full-Body Suit6/2
+Ruthenium Polymer Coating
SecureTech Forearm Guards 0/1
SecureTech Helmet 0/2
SecureTech Shin Guards 0/1
Vashon Island: Synergist High-collar Shirt1/0
Vashon Island: Synergist Short Jacket (Ensemble)4/3
Vashon Island: Synergist Skirt/Slacks1/1

== Weapons ==
Monofilament Sword
DV: 5P AP: -1 RC: 0
Morrissey Élan
DV: 4P AP: - RC: 0
Ruger Thunderbolt
DV: 5P AP: -1 RC: 2
Ruger Thunderbolt w/ Smartgun
+Flashlight, Infrared
+Flashlight, Standard
+Hidden Gun Arm Slide
+Periscope
+Silencer
+Electronic Firing
+Smartgun System
+Stock
DV: 5P AP: -1 RC: 3
Shock Glove
DV: 7S(e) AP: -half RC: 0
Unarmed Attack
DV: 8P AP: - RC: 0
Yamaha Pulsar
+Smartgun System, External
DV: 6S(e) AP: -half RC: 0

== Martial Arts ==
Firefight
+Reduce ranged combat 'attacker in melee combat' modifier by 1
Kung Fu
++1 DV on Unarmed Combat attacks
Muay Thai
++1 DV on Unarmed Combat attacks
Finishing Move
Kick Attack
Watchful Guard

== Commlink ==
Sony Emperor (2, 1, 1, 3)
+Suite: Basic User [Analyze 2, Browse 2, Command 1, Edit 2]
+Vector Xim
+Mapsoft (Current City) Rating 6
Transys Avalon (4, 3, 3, 4)
+Suite: Basic+ [Analyze 3, Browse 3, Command 1, Edit 3]
+AR Gloves
+Iris Orb
+Subvocal Microphone
+Mapsoft (Current City) Rating 6
+VR Game
+Trodes
+Sim Module (Cold)

== Gear ==
Ammo: EX-Explosive Rounds (Heavy Pistols) x35
Ammo: APDS Rounds (Heavy Pistols) x50
Ammo: EX-Explosive Rounds (Holdouts) x20
Ammo: Regular Ammo (Heavy Pistols) x50
Ammo: Regular Ammo (Holdouts) x40
Ammo: Silver Bullets (Heavy Pistols) x20
Ammo: Silver Bullets (Holdouts) x20
Ammo: Taser Dart (Tasers) x50
Autopicker Rating 6
Cellular Glove Molder Rating 3
Certified Credstick, Standard
Chisel
Datasoft (Classic Novels) Rating 5
Datasoft (Textbooks) Rating 5
Datasoft (Manga) Rating 5
Fake License (Pistols) Rating 4
Fake SIN (Spencer Lovett) Rating 4
Fake SIN (Roger Ellison) Rating 1
Gas Mask
Goggles Rating 4
+Vision Enhancement Rating 3
+Smartlink
+Image Link
+Vision Magnification
Contact Lenses Rating 2
+Thermographic Vision
+Flare Compensation
Headphones Rating 2
+Audio Enhancement Rating 2
Earbuds Rating 3
+Audio Enhancement Rating 3
Keycard Copier Rating 6
Lockpick Set
Medkit Rating 6
+Medkit Supplies
Miniwelder
Radio Signal Scanner Rating 6
Sequencer Rating 4
Tag Eraser
Tool Kit (Hardware)
Trauma Patch
Water Purification Tablet
Wire Clippers
Stimulant Patch x3
Gecko Tape Gloves
Glue Sprayer
Respirator Rating 6

== Vehicles ==
Yamaha Growler (Off-Road Bike)
+Off-Road Suspension
+Vehicle Sensor

It took a little work to piece together where this all started, and sometimes, I wish I'd never found out. The story begins with an elven shadowrunner named Nina Finn and Richard Senlis, the Mr. Johnson she met during a job in the UK. The two fell in love, but of course, their relationship could not last. Richard was engaged to a woman befitting someone on the fast track to an important management position in Knight Errant (and a rumored descendant of nobility besides). Nonetheless, they were together long enough for Nina to give birth to yours truly.

I'd rather not go into deeply what happened next, so please don't ask.

One night, my mother did not come home. I soon found myself sent across the pond for a colleague of hers, one Nicholas Lui, to look after. He raised me as best he could, and tried to give me a decent childhood, for which I'll always be grateful. Mornings were spent going to school at one of Seattle's less run-down public institutions. Evenings saw me helping him maintain what was a sports club in name, and a martial arts school for shadowrunners in practice. I longed to join them, of course, and follow in my mother's footsteps. But Nick told me I wasn't ready.

I wouldn't be until high school, after an encounter with a Humanis boot-stomper in training who took issue with the fact that my mother was an elf. The punk ended up with a broken arm. The punk raised by a shadowrunner fractured the bones in his hand. I was expelled, and when I got home, Nick imposed a punishment on me that would continue for the next ten years. After being accepted into another school, I settled into a different routine. The evenings were now reserved for martial arts lessons with my guardian. I broke my bones several more times learning to punch and kick correctly. I spent countless hours at the shooting range, practicing with a heavy pistol.

Yet, as Nick reminded me, my training was not complete. It wouldn't be until I Awakened and accepted the guidance of the black scaled dragon who served as mentor spirit to the school's students. If I Awakened. Until then, I could only master the mundane aspects of my godfather's eclectic fighting style.

Nick taught me discipline, technique, and courage. Responsibility, however, he let me discover on my own. I was still starting out as a shadowrunner when I encountered a couple of the master's old students. You may have dissonant technomancers, Morgan, but we have twisted adepts. The Johnson hired my team at the time to protect an executive from assassins. We succeeded in repelling the first attempt, although the hitmen got away. Being the proactive type, I followed them while my team stayed behind to guard our charge. I caught the assassins in the middle of a...disagreement. Evidently, two of them had hired the third for the hit, but were now unable to pay his fee. He ended the argument by killing his employers. Then eating them.

I would later learn this was a twisted technique used strengthening oneself at the cost of a victim. Of course, that didn't make the act less horrific in the slightest. Before he could notice me, I shot him to death. Can't say I regret doing so, but that murder would come back to haunt me. The cannibal had a brother. Another adept shadowrunner named "Surt", who confronted me one night with the intent of avenging his sibling. He almost did, too. Surt moved with a speed that was unreal, and attacked with equal strength. It didn't hurt (him) that his powers included the ability to burn with a mere touch. Guess that's where he got the name. You're not an only child, so obviously I survived that fight. Barely.

The next couple of days were spent in a hospital bed, trying to come to grips with the fact that I would walk with a limp and probably have to deal with coordination problems for the rest of my life. Until the dragon appeared. Nick's mentor spirit offered me power. Enough to make me a match for Surt. Enough to make my ambitions a reality. I hate the way the world is, Morgan. I hate that everything is run by self serving, corrupt executives and politicians. That people have to die because of how they were born. That to show compassion or basic decency is to invite trouble. And I'm going to do something about it. I accepted the dragon's offer.

Only for him to tell me I had the power I sought all along. Then I Awakened. I never felt as powerful as I did in that moment. The mana flowed through my body like a river, restoring me. I can't fully capture what becoming an adept was like in words. So I invite you to think back to your Emergence. All I can say is, when Surt returned to finish the job, I sent him packing, minus an arm.

As I began my training in earnest, I asked Nick about the students who had become twisted adepts. My guardian never tried to justify himself. He believed he was at least partially responsible for the destruction they caused, but he would continue to train students in the Awakened martial arts. To allow budding adepts to remain ignorant about their powers would be a far worse thing to do. What his students used their powers for was their decision. He could only warn them of the consequences, and eventually...stop them. With that, I had completed my final lesson. I was as prepared for the shadows as I ever could be. Ready, on the other hand, was a different matter. Incidentally, you now know why I play the part of the knight errant (pun intended). I've seen what I'll become otherwise.

There's not much to tell after that. I managed to survive a few years on the job. Then your father contacted me, claiming he wanted to welcome me back into the family, and we met.

I've showed you mine, now you show me yours. How did Morgan LeFay get where she is today?

Morgan "LeFay" Senlis (Technomancer, white hat in training)
Riley's half sister. Morgan gained her powers during the second Crash, when she was trapped in the Matrix. She was eight years old at the time. Being the only (or rather, youngest) child of a Knight Errant executive, much of her time is spent being tutored in the skills she will need to take over for her father Richard after he retires. The rest of it is spent behind the walls of the Senlis estate, under guard. Morgan's parents are determined to keep her abilities secret for her safety and the sake of the family's reputation (she is unregistered). Naturally, their daughter resents being treated like a burden. She is determined to prove she is not helpless. As a follower of the technoshaman stream, Morgan views the Matrix as another world, and the Resonance as a mystical force that technomancers can bend to their will. Her living persona takes the form of a witch in black clothing.

(I'm considering playing as her at some point, so here is her character sheet.)


Nicholas Lui (Former shadowrunner)
A martial arts master and adept. Nicholas was Riley's godfather, and later, his mentor. Lui was a highly capable shadowrunner in his youth. In his forties, he retired and opened what was nominally a sports club, but actually a martial arts school for the next generation of career criminals. Riley and his guardian became estranged after Nick took him on as an apprentice (neither of them could afford to let personal feelings get in the way of training). Nonetheless, they remain loyal to one another. The years have hardly slowed Nicholas down, and he remains a skilled fighter. He has a taste for the music from the 1920's, and has set more than one lesson to jazz.

Capt. Angela Fenwick (Knight Errant officer) (enemy)
An elf who follows the mentor spirit Phoenix. Having a flair for the dramatic, Riley describes the captain as his archnemesis. But the rivalry between them is more than intense enough to make the label fitting. Angela is a rarity for the age she lives in. She has a strong sense of morality, and has seen enough of the horrors of the sixth world that she wants to prevent anyone else from having to suffer them. An adept in her own right, Angela believes Riley and his colleagues are potential twisted (a fear that is not unwarranted). Their respective martial arts traditions are in the middle of what could be described as a blood feud. One that predates the awakening, if the captain is to be believed.

"Surt" (Shadowrunner, ascetic twisted adept) (enemy)
Enough of Nicholas Lui's former students have ended up as twisted adepts that his school has gained a level of infamy in the shadows. The man who calls himself Surt is among them. Mordred had killed his brother, and the twisted adept felt obligated to avenge the death. He nearly succeeded, too. Their first encounter left the boy almost crippled. Riley's awakening, however, changed things considerably. The next time they clashed, Mordred took his right arm. Surt has since retreated to lick his wounds.