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Combat Mage
@Chance359

I don't think the contact lenses work. Unless I'm missing something they have an availability of 6 + enhancements (So 10 already with smartlink and actually 16 with smartlink and thermo).

I had the same problem when building my character. So maybe spend the remaining 8k on some nice cybereyes (or get glasses wink.gif ).
Aria
May be a redundant question but I get the feeling there might be a degree of lethality in 300BP characters 'living it up' in Loveland. Might it be an idea to create a second character concept to write in to the game so that they are there if the worst should happen and our main character keels over? Avoids any 'group introductions' as they are already established as part of the group...at least in theory?!?

A
Propaganda
Aria's got a point, though it's also not that hard to believe that the gang would have a semi regular turnover of lesser gangers that either die or end up in prison (or possibly graduate to bigger things, the local syndicate say), and a core of members that through a mix of dumb luck and cunning have managed to survive in the gang for longer.

*dives back into the pile of notes that surround my desk*
Combat Mage
I'm finally finished with my character. To build a mage with 300 BP was an interesting challenge. He does have a lot of weaknesses but I guess that's kinda the point of a 300 BP character.

Description:
[ Spoiler ]


Personality:
[ Spoiler ]


Background:
[ Spoiler ]


20 Questions:
[ Spoiler ]


Sheet:
[ Spoiler ]
Red-ROM
Lets focus on getting the first round of characters killed.. I mean started. Then we can start to hint at the other shlubs hanging around.
Aria
I've been tweaking Scratch a bit, moving some power points around and I think I'll take the dependants quality at -5 and introduce a potential alternative character there. Will edit this post in a bit with her revised stats and some increased background info.

For now (here) is a character sketch.

A
Jimmy Falcon
I was born a Dwarf and have always been kinda an outsider. When I was little I enjoyed taking things apart I just sometimes had trouble putting things back together was the only thing. I have moved up to cars where I enjoy taking them apart and putting them back together. I am decent with guns but I only have a 1 and only a few rounds for it. Kinda more of a last ditch self defense weapon then anything else really.
Saint Sithney
Been a while since I've sat at someone else's table. I'd like to join up if you'll have me.

I've banged out a lieutenant of sorts for the gang. Heavy combatant with a bit of social graces.

[ Spoiler ]
Propaganda
With regards to the whole gang theme thing: I don't have any suggestions for new names, but I was watching Franklyn yesterday and I *loved* the mask design of the main character, Preest...which brings me to my actual point: What if, instead of gang colours the gangs signiature was that members all wore unique (yet stylistically linked) masks, like Mushroomhead or Slipknot?

Just a thought, anyway.
Branmac
Perhaps something like the masks Mexican wrestlers wear? That could be interesting. I rather like that idea.

Red-ROM
QUOTE (Propaganda @ Jun 5 2010, 07:08 PM) *
With regards to the whole gang theme thing: I don't have any suggestions for new names, but I was watching Franklyn yesterday and I *loved* the mask design of the main character, Preest...which brings me to my actual point: What if, instead of gang colours the gangs signiature was that members all wore unique (yet stylistically linked) masks, like Mushroomhead or Slipknot?

Just a thought, anyway.

not a terrible idea, but it doesn't work well for my character.also, I'm not a slipknot fan
Propaganda
QUOTE (Red-ROM @ Jun 6 2010, 04:47 AM) *
not a terrible idea, but it doesn't work well for my character.also, I'm not a slipknot fan


Honestly, I'm not either. It was mostly inspired by Franklyn and his steampunk vigilante thing. Also stuff like Rorscach. Anyhoo, like I said, just a thought.
Combat Mage
Would be kinda cool but I imagine it to be quite unpractical. Normally you show your gang colors all the time, but I certainly wouldn't want to wear a mask 24/7. But we could have normal colors and in addition the masks for special purposes like "official" meets with other gangs, or when we want to be noticed or send a message.
Saint Sithney
A gang all wearing specialized masks seems kinda Bleach to me.

That's not to say that I don't think the idea has legs. Eccentricities like that could be part of why their former associations have fallen apart during the post-tempo troubles. The masks wouldn't need to be uniform in design, and you wouldn't even need to wear it over your face all the time. Just having a mask design painted onto sleeves and jackets of cloting or worn sideways over the ear would be enough. Personal symbols could be a way to differentiate yourself, and furthermore that sort of differentiation could help prevent impersonation.

Last thing a small gang wants is to get set up to take heat for someone else.
Chance359
Not sure how I feel about masks. the Halloweener's all wear masks when on gang biz so we might get seen as wanna bee's.
Saint Sithney
Could do a Dirty Dozen thing and all wear some old-school G.I. gear. It would fit alright with the steampunk fashions of the day.

But, as to the masks, they wouldn't necessarily be Halloween masks. More like Venetian masks ala Eyes Wide Shut.
Combat Mage
I like the idea of venetian style masks with individual stylings. Preferably the ones who only cover the eye/nose area. It didn't occur to me that we wouldn't need to wear them on the face, but now that you mention it I think it's pretty cool.
Maybe we could theme our name to it if we decide to do this. As far as I understand it the gang name isn't set in stone yet.
Audious
Are you still recruiting at all?
Digital Heroin
Ok folks... seems like I've got some work to do, but as of this point, no new blood to the mix.

Anyone who has not posted at this point (save one guy who has still yet to register), is going to have to sit this party out.

As for everyone who has even expressed interest at this point, you're all in the pool, now I need to settle on a final number that'll be taken into play, and do some Q&A with everyone. That'll be occuring through PMs for the most part, so if I seem quiet, I apologize.

You all should be hearing more from me as the week progresses, I had some overnight work and a last minute road trip this end of week/weekend, so it's been slow post-wise for me, but things are starting to gel-out work/life wise so I'll be more regular... and post more too....
Saint Sithney
Black Hat's healer/rigger wearing a Plague Doctor mask would be pretty rad.
Combat Mage
Yeah who wouldn't wanna get patched up by a guy with a creepy, horror-movie-feeling inducing, raven mask, with a stylish hat to boot. smile.gif
Branmac
Hmmm, the gang symbol could be something like the Greek tragedy/comedy mask? And the venetian masks is a little more stylish, I like that idea as well. Or even the Guy Fawkes like in V for Vendetta.
Chance359
If I have to wear a mask, I'm going with this:
Skull Balaclava
Propaganda
Just in case anyone's wondering, this is where I got the idea. And if we do go for masks, THIS is the one I want.

Aria
QUOTE (Branmac @ Jun 7 2010, 02:13 AM) *
Hmmm, the gang symbol could be something like the Greek tragedy/comedy mask? And the venetian masks is a little more stylish, I like that idea as well. Or even the Guy Fawkes like in V for Vendetta.


Something that picks up on the large numbers of awakened that seem to be in the group might be good? A name based on Commedia dell'arte perhaps? Or the Deatheaters after some obscure turn of the century novel nyahnyah.gif

A
Aria
Hmmm...have looked over Scratch and decided that I messed up the maths badly...that'll teach me to check my excel file more carefully. Anyway, here's the latest (corrected) version with a slight shift in emphasis away from invisible adept to freerunner (thanks to AH for the PACKS, some real inspiration in there...) and she was originally too close to one of my other characters anyway.

[ Spoiler ]


A

Saint Sithney
Aria, you'd probably do better off taking two different Attribute Boost skills if we're going to be taking the power at it's RAW value. With Strength Boost 2 you'll be throwing 6 dice and resisting 2S. If you take Strength at 1 and Agility at 1, you'll still throw 5 dice for each, and only have to resist 1S every use. Also, the Dodge Skill isn't really needed. You've got Gymnastics for your ranged dodge, and your Blades skill will let you Parry up close. Furthermore, since both Gymnastics and Blades are tied to Agility, your best stat, you'll get more dice than with Dodge. Finally, you seem to be geared towards combat, those dodge points could serve you very well in the body stat. That Body of 2 is dangerously low. Alternately, you could soft-max your agility. Remember that Agility is your #1 stat with that kind of layout. It increases your chance to hit, and thereby your chance to increase damage, also it helps you stay undetected and it helps you gtfo, full-defense style, if you're in a bad spot.
Aria
QUOTE (Saint Sithney @ Jun 7 2010, 07:49 PM) *
Aria, you'd probably do better off taking two different Attribute Boost skills if we're going to be taking the power at it's RAW value. With Strength Boost 2 you'll be throwing 6 dice and resisting 2S. If you take Strength at 1 and Agility at 1, you'll still throw 5 dice for each, and only have to resist 1S every use. Also, the Dodge Skill isn't really needed. You've got Gymnastics for your ranged dodge, and your Blades skill will let you Parry up close. Furthermore, since both Gymnastics and Blades are tied to Agility, your best stat, you'll get more dice than with Dodge. Finally, you seem to be geared towards combat, those dodge points could serve you very well in the body stat. That Body of 2 is dangerously low. Alternately, you could soft-max your agility. Remember that Agility is your #1 stat with that kind of layout. It increases your chance to hit, and thereby your chance to increase damage, also it helps you stay undetected and it helps you gtfo, full-defense style, if you're in a bad spot.


Hmmm...max'd out on attributes so can't use the dodge points there, I take your point though, thanks for looking her over smile.gif I might use the points for an extra magic point and boost attributes that way!

A

EDIT: used the dodge points for an extra magic point - powers now look like this. I'm still a glass cannon but then my characters usually are
[ Spoiler ]
Combat Mage
QUOTE (Saint Sithney @ Jun 7 2010, 08:49 PM) *
Also, the Dodge Skill isn't really needed. You've got Gymnastics for your ranged dodge, and your Blades skill will let you Parry up close. Furthermore, since both Gymnastics and Blades are tied to Agility, your best stat, you'll get more dice than with Dodge.


If you use Gymnastics to dodge or Blades to parry you still roll reaction + skill not agility.
Saint Sithney
Oh, heh. Yeah..

By the way, is anyone else thinking that availability of 8 is a touch high for street level? If it was 6 we wouldn't have so much in the way of explosives and cultured bioware available to us. 8 still puts on top of the ganger pile. We're quite a collection of badasses as it stands.
Digital Heroin
I was contemplating that myself, how 8 seemed to be a lot, even given it's a 4 avail drop. It just seemed a bit of a jerk-move to change it this far into the process.
Propaganda
Honestly, I'm all in favour of lowering the Avail. cap, it did strike me as a bit odd that wired reflexes is accessible to a bunch of street level gangbangers.
Digital Heroin
I don't think it would be too damning, save for the heavier sam builds. Even then, second hand becomes your friend.
Branmac
I would have to agree, you still have an amazing range of gear/cyber/bio available at 8. Having that gear is nice, but it definitely pushes us towards the upper end of gang life. Maybe in a gang like the Cutters or Ancients it wouldn't be inappropriate, but for a smaller gang it sort of pushes the line. Not that I am opposed to having good gear, but if you are wanting a more street or low powered feel, it might be worth dropping availability to 6.
BlackHat
IMO, second hand almost never makes a difference, since availabilities are usually even.
Red-ROM
I've taken some Availability 8 stuff, but I've tried to stay in the spirit of Low level gangers. Some of us non-ork builds could use some decent cyber.

@saint sithney, I like your number crunching, you wanna look over my character?
Micky "Cocktails"

Social Infiltrator
[ Spoiler ]
Saint Sithney
Well, I'm willing to rewrite my biz if we want to go dirty dirty street level. But, we can still have a lot of fun where it is. Not many of the characters so far have been local hood rats. Besides a group of misfit transplants all stuck together would likely need a good deal of power to run off the locals and hang on to any turf.

Let me know what you decide DH. Perhaps a gentleman's agreement to try and keep things lower?
BlackHat
I'll go over my character tomorrow - as I recall, a lot of his gear ran at availability 8, but I was already thinking some of it was stretching the bounds of believability. It was tough to pass up obvious gear for a medic, but if availability went down to 6 or something, that might help keep the gear to the basics.

I'm thinking I'll name him: Benjamin "Grim" Graham (his street name would be "Grim" as a bastardization of his surname).
Red-ROM
QUOTE (BlackHat @ Jun 7 2010, 09:39 PM) *
I'll go over my character tomorrow - as I recall, a lot of his gear ran at availability 8, but I was already thinking some of it was stretching the bounds of believability. It was tough to pass up obvious gear for a medic, but if availability went down to 6 or something, that might help keep the gear to the basics.

I'm thinking I'll name him: Benjamin "Grim" Graham (his street name would be "Grim" as a bastardization of his surname).

Can I call him "the Thing"
Combat Mage
I'd be cool with rewriting the caracter for availability 8 if that's the consensus.
BlackHat
QUOTE (Red-ROM @ Jun 8 2010, 05:25 AM) *
Can I call him "the Thing"


Doh! Had to do a bit of googling to figure that one out. Let's make it Jacob "Grim" Graham, then, just to be on the safe side. wink.gif
BlackHat
QUOTE (Combat Mage @ Jun 8 2010, 06:12 AM) *
I'd be cool with rewriting the caracter for availability 8 if that's the consensus.

I'm pretty sure availability <= 8 was the rule from the beginning. DH is considering going lower, but doesn't want to make extra work for people.
Combat Mage
Yeah, that was a typo. I meant 6 of course.
Saint Sithney
I've made some changes to try and keep things a touch lower. So, basically no Grenade Launcher wink.gif

[ Spoiler ]


I left the Attention Coprocessor in there even though it's availability 8. It's unrestricted cyber, so I don't understand why it would be hard to come by anyway. Probably just a matter of finding a good surgeon, which didn't seem out of place with the character concept.

If it's a problem, I'll nix it too.
Everything here should be final.
Combat Mage
I editet my sheet too. Kicked the power focus and shifted some points around. Still have some avaibility 8 but if Digital Heroin decides to drop the limit to 6 I'll edit again.
crizh
I don't recall ever seeing a reply to the question of Restricted Gear.

I've kinda' been sitting on my hands for a while waiting for rules questions like that to be answered before I made the alterations to my character that are going to be necessary.

Similarly restricting Avail to 6 is going to result in a lot of changes. Not that I care one way or the other, it's just that it's going to be a lot of work and I don't have a lot of time at the minute to piss about doing the same work two or three times.
BlackHat
I took a look at the gear, and I could go to availability 6 without too much extra work - and it *would* make the character a more believable street-level character. If we still have a while, I'll take a few minutes to reallocate the points tonight - but he basically looses almost all of his cyber, his van, and one of his drones. He can probably replace the van, but there will still be a good chunk of points to reinvest in something non-medic related.
crizh
As an aside, whilst do-able for a demolitions type, Avail 6 is going to remove almost every type of detonator from play. I'd be limited to blasting caps with lengths of burning fuse sticking out of them.
Saint Sithney
QUOTE (crizh @ Jun 10 2010, 08:35 AM) *
As an aside, whilst do-able for a demolitions type, Avail 6 is going to remove almost every type of detonator from play. I'd be limited to blasting caps with lengths of burning fuse sticking out of them.


Wick-burning pipe bombs? Sounds street to me.
You can still do ANFO jobs, yeah? Maybe cook a little Cram or Betameth? cool.gif

Or were we mainly going to focus on auto retrieval activities?

As an aside, since this is all taking place during the transition from LS to KE, how awesome would it be for me to buy up some used Crysler-Nissan Patrol-1s on the cheap? A bunch of hoods making their daily rounds, driving around in auctioned-off cop cars, all "Blues Brothers"ed out. Everything 100% legal and above board...
I wonder if I'd have to buy insurance...
crizh
ANFO will indeed be available one way or the other. Cooking or any other form of Chemistry is probably off the table.

You can expect a base of operations full of devious and deadly booby traps and maybe some pipe-mortars and the like down the road.
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