[Shadowrun] The Third Great Matrix Crash

[Zazaq]

Game Name The Third Great Matrix Crash

Game System Shadowrun 5th edition

Theme A small team of noob runners trying to make a name for themselves

Flavour Heist planning, sandbox themes, growing in power/wealth, and a hint of post apocalypse.

Plot Summary So you wanna be a shadow runner? You, why? Hungry for glory or just hungry hungry? You know what? I don't give a frak, just so happens I do have something for ya. Now since, I assume, your broke suppose I'll be throwing you this bone pro-bono. That means I get 25% of whatever you make, down payment, tip, everything. Hell every Nuyen you find on the sidewalk between starting this job and finishing it, I get a cut of. Believe me I'll know if you try and stiff me kid, and I know a lot of folks who are a lot scarier then you. Here. Be at the dive on the corner of Mulberry and 8th street tomorrow morning. Its a good spot. Close enough to a pig pen to make anybody think twice about shooting but still sleezy enough that people will mind their own business when your talking care or yours. You know what, actually come to think of it, I don't think there was a down payment! Knew there was a reason they'd accept you. Gotta start somewhere kid.

Game Information I'm not looking for a big group, two or three players who can make at least one good post a week. Quicker if its just dropping a sentence or two to continue combat or a conversation. As for the characters its street level play, I'd like your characters to know each other and to have zero experience. I am starting you with a mission but I'm aiming for more of a sandbox style, to that end your probably gonna want at least one fixer in your contacts. I'm pretty eager to get started so I'm probably just gonna grab the first 2-3 applications that really stand out to me. Though I'll leave recruitment open at least a week, ending on 11/07/18. Also no deckers or technomancers for reasons that I assume are obvious from the game name.

Applications Name / Alias: Metatype: Intended Role: Description: Background: Two major things I wanna know. Where'd you get your gear and where'd get your skills? Roleplaying Example(Optional):

[Jasontheswift]

which edition are you using for this game ?

[Silk]

I'm interested, still new to Shadowrun and only know 5th edition. Will think on a concept. Might do a magician or aspect magician this time as I haven't delved into magic that much yet. Or might try rigging...hmmm.

Just a question. I'm guessing with the Big 3.0 crash, Rigging will be somewhat problematic?

[Zazaq]

All right spoilers, basically the only thing going away is wireless communication. People can no longer use the matrix to interact with things that aren't physically present, so riggers should be mostly okay, you'd still be able to jack into your vehicle.

And we're using fifth addition, thanks for reminding me I'll add it to the add.

[Ericg1s]

I think what he was asking was: How far can you control a drone from if the matrix is down or partially down?

That won't apply to me, but go ahead and ask.

Name / Alias: Richard Lee Rewarded/Stephen Cole
Metatype: Human (Priority E race)
Intended Role: Support Alchemist
Magical Type: Mage, Magic rating 4 (priority B magic.)
Spells focused on: Uses manipulation magic quite a bit. Does not start with any combat spells (but might learn some later.) Can astral project, but seldom does so.
Weapons used: Primarily uses a small pistol, not upgraded at first. Will have a weak magical knife focus for fighting magical foes, but will not start with it.
Description: He wears a biker jacket and rides a motorcycle. Will purchase a helmet once he has more money.
When the helmet is off, he face is VERY generic and forgettable. Appears to be middle-aged Caucasian male.
Cover Identity: Academic dabbler in strange arcane matters. Lives in a utility apartment.
Background: His family was working poor, until a sudden shift in the mega-corp internal politics saw them thrown aside with nothing.
He barely survived and was separated from his family-he doesn't know if they are still alive, and is reluctant to try to find out.
His SIN registration was somehow lost in all this, leaving him a permanent outsider. With no other place to turn, he sought out magical beings for assistance...
A man in ragged clothing stands just outside of a complex chalk symbol drawn in the floor of an abandoned building.
"Hear Me Hermes-Give me your wisdom!"
A large figure wrapped in chains appears in the center of the symbol.
'I will grant you knowledge, but you must assist others with it.
"Titan Promethius?"
'I am He, and Hermes, and many other things. I grant fire, and alchemy, and if you share your gifts, you will be richly rewarded.'
It is only 1 year later that the man attempts this symbol a second time...
"I have mastered the formulas you gave me. What now?"
'You will never be able to summon me again, but I will contact you to offer advice as I feel you need it. You will be able to summon lesser spirits, but only temporarily-you must never attempt to bind a spirit for long-term services, as doing so harms the spirits.
"I understand."
Six months after that, the man is in the back room of a run-down pawn shop.
"So, you can sell me whatever materials I need, and your partner can sell me magical ingrediants?
A second figure answers from behind a dark corner, where the lighting seems unnaturally muted, hiding the identity of the speaker.
`Yeah, but ya gotta pay in advance.`
"If I need anything, I'll order it through you. For now, I should just buy some things from your normal inventory. Once I figure out who I want to be, I'll order the ID's you are offering."

Roleplaying Example(Optional): Richard takes out a bit of artists' charcoal and a blank index card, and spends a few moments writing a magical symbol on the card. When he is finished, he feels a surge of mana as the temporary scroll becomes active. He carefully sets it down under the bench.
"Ok, I've got a healing charm ready for when things go bad. Withdraw here and pick it up if you get hurt. Let's get going."
He will then take his binoculars out and take up the lookout position assigned to him. From here, he can summon spirits and send them out if needed. He will not summon a spirit yet, but will be ready to if the situation warrants it.

[Silk]

Originally Posted by Ericg1s

I think what he was asking was: How far can you control a drone from if the matrix is down or partially down?

Ya, I was wondering that.
Also if you could set up some direct radio interface to pilot drones remotely. It's all curiosity right now as I decided to make me an Orc Magician. Maybe someone else will want to make a Rigger in a Matrixless environment

Edit: Forgot a question I wanted to ask:
Can you use Touch spells as part of unarmed combat? If you could, I'm guessing you would need to use the Multi-Attack option plus the Reckless Spellcasting ability...crap does the Reckless Spellcasting ability use up a Free Action like Multi-Attack does? Sigh if it does then the answer is no.
I can't find it in the book right now if it says Reckless Spellcasting uses a Free Action or not. Let me know if it does.(hmm it say's you can do two Reckless Spellcasting spells in the same action, just add +3 to the Drain Value for each spell...sooo maybe?)

The Orc Name / Alias: Torgot Hempen / Spinal Tap (or just "Tap" if your in a hurry) Metatype: Orc Intended Role: Combat Mystic Adept Description: Torgot is a muscle bound Orc of seeming little intelligence. Just another Orc in other words. When he walked away from his old man, Torgot had spiked neon green hair, several piercings, and some body tattoo's. As he got older, and decided to become a Shadowrunner, the piercings got sold. The hair spikes got shaved into a military flat top and died a bright white, but came out more of an off white. And, well, the tattoo's stayed. They are mostly on his arms and chest and one trap stamp that only his girl gets to see as it was for her in the first place. His gear is a mish mash of worn and used items that gives him a rugged look, but they still fire strait and protects his butt when needed. His cloths is also of poor quality. Positive Qualities: Mentor Spirit (Thunderbird Totem)[5 pts] Negative Qualities: Sinner (National)[5 pts], Dependents(long term girlfriend)[3 pts], & Gremlins (R1)[4 pts] Background: Several years before the magic crawled out of it's hole, an ancestor of mine legally changed his name to "Hempen" during the Medical Marinara boom in California at that time. Don't ask me why, who know's. Maybe he loved his drugs a little to much. Anyway, after the magic came, this ancestor went off and joined the Native American secession movement and died kicking the white man in the nuts as hard as he could. Honestly, I didn't know why for. The guy was more white then native american. Luckly, this ancestor of mine managed to knock up a local Indian girl that was more Indian and more traditional than he was. I bet she was surprised when the kid came out Orc. Hah! What is this ancestor's first name? Heck if I know and heck if I care. Your reading this because my strict old man shoved it down my throat so much, it's part of my backstory. Ya my old man was strict traditional A-hole of a smuggler. Ya, that's right. A criminal. I don't know how it became the family business but it's been that way for several generations. It's always kept in the family too. My old man has a saying, "Your ether born to it, or your a FED." Ya, he's suspicious as hell of anyone not named Hempen an in the direct family line. Heck, the business is limited by how many brothers, sisters, cousins, aunts, and uncles are in the family. I suppose it helps that the old man also manages a moderately sized Salish-Shidhe Council affiliated shipping business. Everyone in the family has a position in the legal shipping business to facilitate the smuggling side of things. Well except me. Ya, I'm the black sheep of the family. Was trouble to my old man for as long as I could remember. Don't remember my mother at all. She left shortly after I was born. Anyway, I was sent to my Uncle over here in Seattle at the Tacoma port and put to work when I was nine helping as a dock hand. I know, I know, nine years old is a little young even for an Orc, but remember, we Orc's mature faster then you breeders do, so I wasn't that young. Relatively speaking. Anyway, I stuck with it for two years, don't really know why, but that's when I became an Awakened. I'm actually one of the really rare Mystic Adepts. Me a frigging Orc that loves Acid Rock and would love to see the world burn was a Mystic Adept. Ya, that was never gonna turn out prity. I did a few things, impressed a few people, and next thing I know is my old man called via vid and told me to come home for a PR job with the legitimate family business. I was the first in our extended family to Awaken in fifty years and he want's to use me as a friggen PR agent? His reply that stated my IQ was not that good for anything else had me cussing up a storm and I let him know where he could put his PR job by mooning him. I was glad I didn't wipe so well that day. Now your probably thinking, an eleven year old Adept Mystic walks away from his family and became a hot damn shadowrunner, right? Nope. I hate to admit it, but my old man was right about one thing. I ain't too bright. For the next four years I had a blast while struggling to maintain low paying jobs and squandering my gifts. I even stole a few things here and there when I needed them to get buy. My favoret thing to do to unwind was to go to an Acid Rock Concert, and in Seattle and the Orc Underground, there were plenty of those to be had. I started to follow an all Orc band called the Chromed Tusks. Their lead singer was an Orc with black dreads down to her butt. And she was smoking red hot. Her name was Tenny. If she ever had a last name she won't tell anyone, even me. One day when I had a little to much to drink as the Chromed Tusks were finishing a set. I grabbed her butt and asked....something or other. I don't really remember as she broke her guitar over my head and I had a concussion. That doesn't really mater. What does mater is that we ended up screwing like rabbits in her van. And that started a beautiful relationship. At first we were just friends with benefits but as the weeks turned to months we became a couple. Our one month anniversary came up two months ago, and after rocking the apartment I was staying at we had a serious talk. Tenny didn't want children and neither did I. Hell I was 15 and she was 17, while adult age for Orcs we were still young. We had been using contraception's and she was on the pill but you never know. She said the band hand grown popular enough that they were heading out of Seattle and doing a tour next month. Tenny asked if I was serious about a relationship with her. Not marriage, just a relationship that might have kids sometime in the future. I knew she was putting money away for a rainy day and knew what she wanted. I said yes, and that I'll get my act together. You see, for the past four years I have barely scraped by to provide myself with a low rent apartment. And the idea that one day Tenny might want kids...with me of all people, kicked my but in gear. While I had a little saved up, it wasn't much. I had some skills thanks to my work with my old man's shady side of his business and four years of bouncing from one Bouncer job to another, and living in the bad part of town had taught me some something. However, while I had some skills to become a Shadowrunner, to live as one and support a possible family I needed some gear, and that cost money. For a month I did everything, from Bouncing at clubs to mugging drunks, but it wasn't enough for the gear I needed. On the last day before the Chromed Tusks left on their tour, Tenny gave me a credstick with what I needed to finish getting geared. Of course I plan to pay her back. And a month latter I finally got my break. A job as a Shadowrunner. Small time but I got a foot in the door. And my girl is coming home in a couple weeks. It may be raining out and the city may stink to high heaven, but a little bit of sunshine is pouring down on Torgot Hempen today! And maybe, just maybe, before I die Tenny might have a little orc growing inside her to take after me when I'm dead and gone like my ancestor did. Roleplaying Example(Optional): <<Forgot to introduce the Tunderbird, so here you go. Let me know if this isn't how spirits behave in this game>> Torgot was stomping down a side road in a foul mood, the people got out of his way or watched him march buy arguing with....himself? Some thought they saw a shimmering besides him, the very few who could see, just smirked and avoided the arguing orc and spirit. "I said no! What could I ever do with something like you?" There was a pause and Torgot thought about it, "Well, I'll give you that." He turned and pointed at the spirit, "I didn't ask for your aid and tend to punch people in the face who insist I take what they offer!" The troll in a power suit that he was pointing at through the transparent spirit, glared at Torgot. He rolled his eye's at the troll and said, "Not you! I'm talking to the spirit that's been hounding me all day." He turned and stomped off while muttering, "Everyone thinks I'm a crazy talking to myself like this." Suddenly their were screams and a screech as someone ran out into traffic in a panic. Torgot whirled around ready to dive for cover or run, depending on what had caused the people around him to scream. It only took him a little bit to realize the Thunderbird spirit that had been bothering him for the past hour, could now be seen by everyone. The Thunderbird looked around at the people it had frightened and clicked it's beak together in annoyance before saying, "Mundanes, how pathetic." It turned it's attention back to Torgot and eye'd him for a moment, occasionally clicking it's beak together in agitation. Idly, Torgot wondered how a beak made of pure lightning could make a clicking sound. His thoughts were interrupted as the Thunderbird spoke to him. "I will only say this one more time. I like the feel of your Aura, it glows like none I have seen in a long time and wish to bask in it's light from time to time, so you will have my protection." Torgot made to argue the point when the spirit interrupted him, "And there is noting you can do about it Torgot of Hempen." It then took off in flight, still visible to all.

[Beychaliban]

I think I have an idea for a sandbox runner. Just have to write it up.

[Jasontheswift]

- Name / Alias: Rick Hamslen/ Ironhide Metatype: Dwarf Intended Role: Adept tank with killing hands Description:   Iron-Hide appears unremarkable in a crowd, most will give him a wide berth however that stems from his obvious shadowrunner appearance. He is often seen wearing a black jacket that ends slight above his wrists, usually a loose t-shirt underneath and baggy cargo pants. Through his apparel Iron-Hide attempts to appear bland and unassuming however the cut of his jive makes it clear that he is no one to bother. His students from his failed martial arts club commented that he wore baggy karate pants with nothing else while in the "dojo", they among few others have seen his tattoo. Those from the alchemical background can notice this tattoo as a magical booster on the effectiveness of his strikes. Iron-Hide's tattoo begins on his right eye and stretches down too his right arm and across his back and on his left shoulder, it lights up white when he taps into his adept powers. Some even say that it continuously spouts steam when the tattoo is illuminated. Background: Two major things I wanna know. Where'd you get your gear and where'd get your skills? WIP   Iron-Hide got his name for being one of the few around who took a shotgun blast without armour and kept moving. Being one of those Roleplaying Example:   The sweat beaded off Iron-Hide after he had gone fourth round in the pits without any sign of stopping. They called a respite so those who'd won the nuyen could collect and place more bets, he'd beaten the current record of two rounds (the fighter against a gauntlet of others). He sat drinking some synthohol as the warmth of the fermented bean travelled down his throat the old Shadowrunner Slim came and sat next too him. A human man with a thousand wrinkles and a burn over his left eye. He pushed back his long gray rocker hair and said. "Iron-Hide, you're still at this ? What's the problem son ?" Iron-Hide stared straight ahead and said blankly. "No one's hiring at the moment, there's no handouts down here and most are keeping away from me." Slim patted the dwarven fighter on the back and suavely proclaimed. "Come on you have half of the people in these streets calling you on every day. People down here love you. Your problem is you've lived here for years and no one knows anything about you still." Iron-Hide looked back at Slim, as their eyes met Iron-Hide remembered another set of blue eyes that looked back at him once. To an onlooker it appeared that Iron-Hide was sweating so much it had gotten into his eyes but Slim saw clearly a tear fall from his face as Iron-Hide sniffed. The two sat together for a short while until the bets had been placed and the announcer called Iron-Hide too his next round. Slim stood with him and handed him a new set of wraps for his hands. The grazes and bruising had only begun to show themselves, Slim looked at Iron-Hide and warned. "You can't keep this up every night, you have people who rely on you. They will give you what they can and you'll get by come..." Iron-Hide interrupted. "I can handle things here Slim. Leave it to me. No one makes trouble in my streets and I won't take bread from a starving woman." Iron-Hide's eyes welled up slightly before his expression changed too aggressive anticipation. He turned away from Slim and walked back into the circle. As Slim turned to leave he heard the pounds of fist on flesh. One had fallen to the ground and those who had bet correctly cheered out for Iron-Hide. Slim shook his head at the ordeal and left hearing the familiar sounds of the downtrodden and frustrated. The rain had begun to fall upon the streets as Slim found his way back too his apartment, he looked down the street at the identical buildings and the numerous homeless that littered the streets, both stretched as far as his sight allowed. Above the stoic industrial jungle before him stood multiple tall skyscrapers lit up with countless lights. Slim strode back into his flat and laid down to rest as he pondered the cycle of life he'd come to regret.

[Jasontheswift]

@Zazaq, Just as an aside, I am yet to really play a Shadowrun game. I have a bit of trouble wrapping my head around character creation, mostly because I'm yet to be accepted. I just wanted to put that out there for consideration

[Silk]

I would suggest downloading the Chummer5a program if you haven't already. It really needs a "Guide for Dummy's" feature, but then so does the book Once I figured it out, I no longer had trouble making characters

[Zazaq]

Really great app Silk, and yeah I was thinking maybe switching drones to some sort of radio signal if a player really had their heart set on using them. Honestly kind of glad its a non-issue.

And Jason don't worry too much about character creation, its not as complicated as it looks at a glance. I'd made sure you understand the rules for checks and combat before you start on it.

[Silk]

I think I'm done with Torgot's background. I'll probably fool around with a character sheet if i'm board...which is likely

[Silk]

I hope more people add applications to this game. I really want to get a chance to play Torgot

[AximusLokar]

I have an idea for a character, I just need to read up on the new rules for 5e (I last played 4e). Fortunately I have a SR fanatic friend with every book that's been trying to get me to learn the new system so that won't take long.

[Beychaliban]

WIP Name / Alias: Emma White / Celene Metatype: Human Intended Role: Face / Musician Description: Emma is a little taller than average for a human woman and a little more muscular than one would expect on first glance. She wears her dark brown hair open so that it falls down to the middle of her back. More often than not she dons some makeup, mostly to accentuate the eyes and eyebrows. She appears to be friendly and open to everyone she meets. Emma likes to wear black clothing, especially attire that helps make her look like a part of the metal scene: black jeans, black leather jacket, black top - or a more ornate black dress when on stage. Background: For about 15 years Emma had been the well-behaved daughter of wealthy corporate middle management parents. She even had good grades at school without much effort, played the violin and took part in school theatre plays. It had been expected of her and until then Emma had been willing to play along. There had been few things, if any, she truly lacked, except maybe time with her parents. She had had few friends at school, mostly because she had little time for activities other than her violin lessons and theatre. Then she met Jason. A street punk musician and certainly not someone her parents wanted her to spend time with. He had been playing his guitar in a mall Emma had visited a few times and she instantly liked him, though she didn't know what exactly it was that made her want to talk to him. Trips to that mall had become more frequent, then hanging out with Jason and his friends in the afternoons (and neglecting theatre and violin for it), then she had stayed away from home over night. The more her parents tried to forbid the meetings, the more they spoke ill about life outside the corp community, the more eager Emma became to leave. Finally her parents threatened that if she left again, she would be on her own. Emma left, taking most savings her parents had made for her and her violin with her - to stay with Jason. It quickly became apparent, that life outside the corporate worldwas not only different and new, but also quite hard, but Emma was too stubborn to give in to her parents and finally found a job as a waitress at a cheap restaurant. She also joined Jasons band, though at first it felt strage to the boys to have a violin playing in their metal band. They shared a big dream: get their band to fame. Get to the big stage. They knew that everyone was quite good with his instrument, but they also knew that they needed connections - and a good deal of luck. For now it was mostly playing in malls and a very small gig every now and then, mostly for friends. But luck seemed to have found them one day, as an agent of "Star Music Enterprises" asked them for a demo of their songs and promised a good contract, time on the trid screen once he had showed the demo to his boss. Everything seemed to be great and no one wondered much when Mr Jackson asked for some upfront money to "get things rolling". Shortly after Mr Jackson was nowhere to be found, leaving the band with a big debt to some rather shady folks and a group of ugly goons with baseball bats convincing the band members to "better pay in time". The only way out seemed to be doing some small "favors" for a guy who called himself Mr Cortez, even though neither of the band liked that. To Emma it seemed like a practical way, knowing that they would not get enough money in time any other way - except maybe when asking her parents, but she felt that that road was already closed and she did not want to admit that she had failed that badly. Roleplaying Example(Optional): "Are you certain it's the right thing we're doing?" Jason asks, a frown creasing his brow. "I mean, sure, we are in debt and Cortez' guys are pretty mean, but... this was really dangerous!" I look at him with a wry smile. "I think we don't have any other options right now." The reason why Jason has doubts is pretty obvious to me, it has to do with the last 'favor' we did for Mr Cortez. It had looked quite easy at the beginning, just a briefcase to be brought to a certain location at a certain time, simple courier thing. The second 'favor' we had been asked for. But other had been interested in the briefcase as well and though they had been quite stupid, the guys had been eager to get their prize. A human and an orc, both armed and armored and ready to beat us down. Lucky for us Jason had spotted them and we had been able to run and play a game of hide and seek with them until we had finally lost them. We even had managed to bring our briefcase in time, though only barely. No one had been injured, we did a good job after all. But it had scared Jason, more than it had scared me. "You look damn calm to me", Jason says, "not at all like two goons have tried to kill you jut over an hour ago." I grin. "They did not even really try and they did a poor job following us. Or, rather, we did a great job getting away." Jason snorts. "That was luck, sheer dumb luck. We won't be as lucky every time." "No, but I think we will be done with all the things Cortez wants us to do before that happens."