Topic: Shadowrun 4th Edition Campaign - [registration closed :( ]

[Sophina]

This is going to be an espionage and corporate intrigue-focused campaign. Infiltration, investigation, escape, and evasion will constitute a lot of the gameplay. Combat should not be neglected, but skills will probably work out to be a hair more valuable in this game.

If you are interested, please feel free to post a character concept or sheet below. We're using the standard point-buy system with 400 BP. No trolls, but all other races are allowed. My only real rule with characters is that I request people abstain from min-maxxing or otherwise twinking: this is supposed to be fun for everyone, and powergaming usually isn't a whole lot of fun for everyone else. Other than that, use your creativity and have fun!

A few notes about our campaign
Nothing here effects what you can or can not do, this is just some information and friendly suggestions for players to consider.

• The group will initially come together on a single contract from a corporate contact- it seems as if she needs outsiders to get something done. Therefore, be careful about writing in strong pre-existing allegiances with other corporations- the contacts you derive from such might help you, or it might hurt you. Either way the politics of the situation are murky at best, and it might be safest to try and retain neutrality until you and your teammates have a better look at the big picture.
• Knowledge is power here, and you never know what kind of knowledge will come in useful. Your group will find themselves thrown into a lot of uncertain situations with a ticking clock counting down the hours (or minutes!) until an objective becomes unobtainable, and the more flexible and capable of improvisation your team is, the happier they will be. I'm not suggesting everyone become a glass-cannon or a nerd, we'll need a lot of more-ahem-applied skills too, but if you're looking at a couple of left-over BP toward the end of chargen, you could do worse than buying yourself some random Knowledge in an area you think might be useful.
• There will be quite a few vanilla humans in the places you will find yourselves in, at least at first. Players who wish to play as dwarves, elves, ghouls, orcs, or anything else (besides Trolls) are completely free to do so, they should just be advised that they might find themselves having to work harder on disguises or face extra diligence from bystanders that might effect their ability to sneak away or do something nefarious in plain sight.

And that's about it. If you want to play, please post a short character summary and/or a character sheet with your character's backstory. If you have questions, comments, or criticisms feel free to post them here or PM me!

[Kunoichi]

Absolutely. ^^ It's not something that gets run often around here, so you should find plenty of people willing to sign up.

[Sophina]

Oh good! I've been itching to run one for a while, so it would be great if we have enough interest. ^^

[Kolbrandr]

I'd be interested sure, depending on the notion for the campaign. You should probably get a fair bit of interest here anyway.

[Sophina]

Regarding the notion, I was thinking that the game will begin with a corporate espionage plot, and while there's room for it to expand in different directions depending on what the party does, it will largely focus on corporate conspiracies, betrayals, and generally filled with paranoia. ^^

[Kolbrandr]

Sounds fine. Were you thinking to starting characters in over their heads and pulled about in the dark? Elite operatives who can be mired in the corporate world more fully and interact with the fullness of a conspiracy? Other?

[Kunoichi]

Hmm.  I do have a Street Sam character I've been wanting to play...  Assuming standard 400 BP char-gen and that you don't mind a Ghoul character, said Street Sam is pretty much ready to go. ^^;

[Sophina]

Well the manner in which they'll be pulled into things will differ a bit depending on the party's eventual makeup and I obviously want to keep some things secret, but in general I was thinking of starting on an innocuous mission that quickly spun out of control, and depending on how the party handles it either results in their being outright fugitives who need to work out what's going on while on the run, or in their becoming part of the conspiracy.

And Kunoichi, that should be fine! I'm absolutely using 400 BP for all characters, and I don't mind a Ghoul, just be advised that as the party will be interacting with a lot of humans there's a chance that you'll  be of limited usefulness should a mission require infiltration. However, no race (other than perhaps Trolls) is inadvisable- just keep in mind that some will have to worker at some junctures than others. ^^

[Hikari]

I wouldn't mind playing a magician or a hacker, depending on what ends up being more immediately needed.

[yuna0417]

This sounds fun, though i've never played Shadowrun before.  I am more familiar with Cyberpunk 2020 from R. Talsorian, so any assistance in making a character would be greatly appreciated.

[Sophina]

Hikari, both would be welcome! Right now you might find that a Hacker would end up being more useful to the group, but I'll make sure that either one has stuff to do!

And Yuna, you're more than welcome to play! I'll PM you to help with character creation ^^

[yuna0417]

Thanks!

[Ashes]

If you're still looking for more players and don't mind someone new to the forums and playing by post I'd be interested. I know a bit about the setting but I don't know the rules. An adept would be fun but I could try something else if the group needs something else.

[Sophina]

You're perfectly welcome! And yes, this will be play-by-post, but I will most frequently be using the rules to do skill, physical and perception checks and the like, and to run combat, so I don't think your lack of familiarity will be a problem.

I would be fine with an Adept, I would just recommend that you take care to give her a couple of non-combat powers if that's the route you take, since this campaign is going to be very heavily focused on skills.

Do you know enough to make your character? I'm happy to help via PM if you'd like some assistance. ^^

[Ashes]

I would be fine with an Adept, I would just recommend that you take care to give her a couple of non-combat powers if that's the route you take, since this campaign is going to be very heavily focused on skills.

Do you know enough to make your character? I'm happy to help via PM if you'd like some assistance. ^^

It won't be a problem having some non-combat powers. I should be able to do a first rough draft for the character but any advise or assistance is always welcome.

[Sophina]

Alright, that sounds good then! The only real advice I would have (and this is only advice- feel free to ignore it!) would be to consider adding some skills to make your character into a greaseman of sorts: gymnastics, climbing, swinging, rappelling, that sort of thing. I could imagine the party running into some situations where having a mobility expert would really simplify their problems.

[ReijiTabibito]

Yes!  More SR, and I've had a pair of characters that I've been wanting to run out and try...

Soph, what do we have so far, in terms of character concepts?

[Sophina]

People are still free to change their minds as we're pretty loose, but right now we tentatively have a street samurai, a hacker or magician, an adept, and I'm working with Yuna right now to nail her concept down but it's looking like she'll be our demolitions expert, either a gunslinger or a rigger.

[ReijiTabibito]

Well, I'm very familiar with Kuno's Ghoul Street Sam (we've known each other a while), and I know she's been dying to play her, but all the GMs have been "Ghoul!  Yeep!" and such.

I currently have a triad of character concepts that I've been wanting to play.

1 - An Adept Weapons Specialist, street name Ghost.  I've had chances to test him in an RP situation, and he's kick-ass.  Can pull quadruple duty: combat heavy, combat medic, group weapons monkey (he has an Armorer shop, and a Firearms specialty, plus an Arms Dealer contact), and part-time wheelman.

2 - A Changeling Street Doc, street name 'Doc.'  Also an Adept, but his powers focus more on boosting his non-combat capabilities (he took the Analytics power, for example), but he's capable in a stand-up fight.

3 - Human Technomancer.  Only real problem I find with Technos is that, without the advanced ruleset for them, it's much easier to play a mundane Hacker, since you can just buy most of what you need from the get go, and then do so more later.

[Kunoichi]

Alright, now that my dental appointment is finished and I've got some free time, here's my character sheet:

Karma: 0/0

Notes:
1.55m Height, 82.3 kg Weight


*Notoriety: 3

*Street Cred:

*Street Name: Dancer
*Age: 32
*Metatype: Human -0

*Condition Monitor
-P [ ][ ][ ][ ][ ][ ][ ][ ][ ][ ][ ][ ] ~ [ ][ ][ ][ ][ ][ ][ ]
-S [ ][ ][ ][ ][ ][ ][ ][ ][ ][ ][ ]

*Body: 7 -20
*Agility: 5(7) -40
*Reaction: 7(9) -40
*Strength: 4 -0
*Charisma: 3 -20
*Intuition: 3 -20
*Logic: 3 -20
*Willpower: 5 -20

*Essence: 5(0.775)
*Magic: 1(0) -0
*Initiative: 10(12)
*Init. Passes: 1(3)
*Edge: 4/4 -20


*Maneuvers: -4
Full Offense: +2 dice pool modifier on the next attack test, but may not defend against any melee attacks until her next Action Phase.
Kick: +1 Reach on Unarmed Combat tests when making a Kick Attack.

*Positive Qualities: -60
Biocompatibility (Cyberware)
Ghoul
 -Powers: Enhanced Senses (Hearing, Smell), Natural Weapon (Claws: DV STR/2+1P, AP 0)
 -Weaknesses: Allergy (Sunlight, Mild), Dietary Requirement (Metahuman Flesh).  Ghouls can only digest raw meat; cooked meat makes them sick and causes Nausea (see p. 245, SR4).
Made Man (Tamanous)
Martial Arts (Capoeira; +1 die for Gymnastics Dodge)

*Negative Qualities: +35
Astral Beacon
Bad Rep (Organlegger)
Dependents 1 (Local Ghoul Den)
Poor Self Control (Combat Monster)
Incompetent (Swimming)
Infertile Infected


*Active Skills: (-114)
[Agi] Blades 3
[Log] First Aid 1 (+6 Medkit)
[Agi] Gymnastics 4 (+3 Synthcardium, +1 Gymnastics Dodge)
[Agi] Infiltration 1
[Agi] Palming 1
[Intu] Perception 2 (+3 Visual Enhancement, +2 Enhanced Hearing/Smell)
[Rea] Pilot Ground Craft 1
[Agi] Unarmed Combat 3
~[Agi]Firearms 4~
-Automatics
-Longarms
-Pistols
~[Cha]Influence 1~ (+2 Emotitoy)
-Con
-Etiquette
-Leadership
-Negotiation

*Knowledge Skills: (18 Free Points)
~Street Knowledge[Intu]~
-Local Area Knowledge 2 (+2 Ghoul-Friendly Meeting Spots)
~Academic Knowledge[Log]~
-Anatomy 2 (+2 Pricing)
~Professional Knowledge[Log]~
-Organlegging Procedures 3 (+2 Tamanous)
~Interests[Intu]~
-Dance Styles 2
-Ghouls 3

*Language Skills:
English N
Spanish 3


*Contacts: -14
~Hazmat(Street Doc)~
-Connection 3
-Loyalty 4

~Moreau(Fixer)~
-Connection 4
-Loyalty 3

~Tamanous(Organlegger Syndicate)~
-Connection 2
  -Membership +4
  -Area of Influence +2
-Loyalty 4


*Gear: -43 BP (215,000 - 215,000 = 0 ny)
Combat Axe [Reach +2 | DV: STR/2+4P | AP -1] -600
Shock Glove [Reach -- | DV: 5S(e) | AP -half] -200

Hammerli 620S [4P | AP -- | SA | RC 1 | 8(c)] -650
-Extended Clip [1] -500
-Improved Rangefinder [1] -1,000
-Silencer [2] -400
-Skinlink [1] -50
Concealable Holster -75
5 clips Regular Ammo -105
5 clips Stick-n-Shock Ammo -345

FN P93 Praetor w/Electronic Firing [5P | AP -- | SA/BF/FA | RC 5(6) | 50(c)] -850
-Additional Clip [2] -250
-Gas Vent 3 [2] -400
-Lanyard

• -10

-Skinlink [1] -50
-Integrated Smartgun System [1] -850
5 clips Regular Ammo -525
5 clips Gel Ammo -775

Walther MA-2100 [7P | AP -3 | SA | RC (1) | 10(m)] -5,000
-Lanyard

• -10

-Personalized Grip [1] -100
-Silencer [2] -400
-Skinlink [1] -50
50 Regular Ammo -100
50 Gel Ammo -150
30 EX-Explosive Ammo -300

Armor Vest [Bal/Imp 6/4] -600
Lined Coat [Bal/Imp 6/4] -700
  -Rating 2 Chemical Protection -500
  -Rating 2 Insulation -300
-Form-Fitting Body Armor (Full-Body Suit) [Bal/Imp +6/+2] -1,600
  -Rating 5 Nonconductivity -1,000
  -Rating 6 Radiation Shielding -1,200
-Helmet [Bal/Imp +1/+2] -100
-Securetech PPP System Forearm Guards [Bal/Imp +0/+1] -200
-Securetech PPP System Leg and Arm Casings [Bal/Imp +1/+1] -350
-Securetech PPP System Shin Guards [Bal/Imp +0/+1] -150
-Securetech PPP System Vitals Protector [Bal/Imp +1/+1] -200

Novatech Airware Commlink [R3/S3] -1,250
-Iris Orb OS [S3/F3] -1,000
-Skinlink -50
-Basic + Common Use Program Suite -400
  -Rating 3 Analyze
  -Rating 3 Browse
  -Rating 1 Command
  -Rating 3 Edit
Rating 4 Fake SIN (Alex Klein) -4,000
Rating 4 Fake SIN (Alex Fisher, Bounty Hunter) -4,000
Rating 4 Fake License (Bounty Hunting, Alex Fisher) -400
Rating 4 Fake License (Combat Axe, Alex Fisher) -400
Rating 4 Fake License (Concealed Carry, Alex Fisher) -400
Rating 4 Fake License (Dermal Plating, Alex Fisher) -400
Rating 4 Fake License (Hammerli 620S w/Modifications, Alex Fisher) -400
Rating 4 Fake License (Muscle Toner, Alex Fisher) -400
Rating 4 Fake License (Shock Gloves, Alex Fisher) -400
Rating 4 Fake License (Smartlink, Alex Fisher) -400
Rating 4 Fake License (Wired Reflexes, Alex Fisher) -400

Certified Credstick -25
Rating 2 Emotitoy (Clipped to Commlink) -200
-Skinlink -50
Micro Sensor Package (Clipped to Commlink)
-Geiger Counter -50
-Skinlink -50
Rating 6 Medkit -600
4 Metal Restraints -80
Monofilament Chainsaw -300
Rating 6 Respirator -150
10 Scent-Masking Cigarettes -100
Voice Mask -500

Fiberoptic Hair -450
Datajack -500
-Skinlink -50
Radar Sensor (Alphaware) Rating 4 -24,000
Cybereyes Rating 3 -1,000
-Eye-Recording Unit
-Flare Compensation -750
-Image Link
-Low-Light Vision -1,000
-Smartlink -1,000
-Thermographic Vision -1,000
-Vision Enhancement Rating 3 -4,500
-Vision Magnification -1,000
Dermal Plating Rating 2 -10,000
Wired Reflexes (Alphaware) Rating 2 -64,000

Clean Metabolism -2,500
Synthacardium Rating 3 -30,000
Sleep Regulator -10,000
Muscle Toner Rating 2 -16,000

Thundercloud Contrail [Handl +1 | Accel 20/40 | Spd 180 | Plt 1 | Bod 6 | Arm 4 | Sens 1] -5,000

Advanced Infected Lifestyle: 2 months (2,600 ny/month) -5,200
-Comforts: Low
-Entertainment: Low
-Necessities: Low
-Neighborhood: Low
-Security: Medium
Positive Qualities:
-Easy-Going Landlord [+1]
Negative Qualities:
-Crash Pad [-1]
-Worse Neighbors (Ghoul Den) [-1]

[Anathanasia]

If there's still room I'd love to get in on this as well (I see a few names in here I'm at least somewhat fond of playing with, for one thing... ).

My Shadowun is very rusty, like Yuna CP2020 was always a bigger draw in my gaming circles, and I've only ever glanced at the 4e version of it, but at least I'm familiar with the world. I'm not entirely sure what I'd like to play, though maybe a physcial adept if such a thing still exists in 4e? Something hand to hand focused, at any rate. I'm really digging on the melee lately!

So, still got room for one more, Sophina?

[Sophina]

I do Anathanasia! I think I'll have to close the doors after you, since this is about as big of a group as I think I can manage, but welcome to the party!

Physical adepts do definitely exist, you might want to include at least some social skills in your character. We have some hackers, a street sam, a magician, and a demolitions expert, but we're very sparse on the social side of things and while a pure Face isn't necessary, I'm thinking the party might find some things easier if they used social engineering.

Of course, that is only a suggestion- if you all want to run, gun, and boom your way through the mission like there's no tomorrow, that is perfectly fine! ^^ It will just attract more attention, and probably require some fancy footwork to keep away from the law.

[Sophina]

You're looking good Kunoichi! I love the concept, and I think she'll fit perfectly into the game. ^_^

[Ashes]

Alright, that sounds good then! The only real advice I would have (and this is only advice- feel free to ignore it!) would be to consider adding some skills to make your character into a greaseman of sorts: gymnastics, climbing, swinging, rappelling, that sort of thing. I could imagine the party running into some situations where having a mobility expert would really simplify their problems.

Humm, it's an interesting concept. It's a shift in what I was thinking but I'll try that with a Mystic Adept with a mentor spirit (idealy a racoon, so I think trickster for that?), if that's an ok way to go.

[Anathanasia]

I do Anathanasia! I think I'll have to close the doors after you, since this is about as big of a group as I think I can manage, but welcome to the party!

Physical adepts do definitely exist, you might want to include at least some social skills in your character. We have some hackers, a street sam, a magician, and a demolitions expert, but we're very sparse on the social side of things and while a pure Face isn't necessary, I'm thinking the party might find some things easier if they used social engineering.

Of course, that is only a suggestion- if you all want to run, gun, and boom your way through the mission like there's no tomorrow, that is perfectly fine! ^^ It will just attract more attention, and probably require some fancy footwork to keep away from the law.

Ah, hrmm, okay, I'll try to find some rules online and see what I can sort out, but I could even perhaps make a proper Face (I was steering away because I figured someone more up do date on the setting might be better suited to that role). I'll see what I can do.