Why not put a general errata to previous mission templates and change the current run template we use from this point forward. Instead of offering "nuyen each" you offer a flat fee that is calculated as "nuyen per pc at the meet." so you would change the way missions are written from.
She’ll offer the runners 4,000 nuyen each, plus 500 nuyen per net hit (max 4) on a Negotiation + Charisma [Social] Opposed Test.
to this
She’ll offer the runners (4,000 x PCs at the meet) nuyen, plus (500 x Pcs a the meet) nuyen per net hit (max 4) on a Negotiation + Charisma [Social] Opposed Test.
If you want less math then put in a small table that gives #PCs |Offered | Negotiated for 2-6 Pcs. Though I feel that math is unavoidable since this is Shadowrun.
Change the FAQ to match
From this:
Yes. However, Mr. Johnson will only pay out for the members of the team who were present for Negotiations. Further, characters with the Negative Qualities of “Did You Just Call Me Dumb?” and “Uncouth” can’t help but to speak up during negotiations and will always assist the lead negotiator in a teamwork test (forcing one if no one else is assisting). Of course, you could leave them in the van, too.
To this
Yes. However, Mr. Johnson pay based on the number of Player Characters who were present for ....
You are already editing and laying out the missions this would be a very minor increase on what layout does already. If your PC is not at a meet then since it is nuyen x PCs then the total offer would be less. The players can decide how the split goes then if someone refuses to show up. Want to bump the amount given then show up to the meet. If the PCs decide since you didn't bother to come to the meet that you should get nothing then that is their choice. Circumventing your negatives because you want to power-game/min-max should not be encouraged.
Change it or not, in Missions everyone in the shadows knows everyone else in the shadows, so hiring a patsy to go to the meet for you is a no go the Johnson would know who they are and would not increase pay and it would probably be a notoriety hit. "they thought they could pass off x as a runner,
" If they did get a runner to go to the meet he would probably charge them there share to show up, they don't get notoriety but they still don't get paid or at least they had to pay several thousand to get a runner to a meet that another runner didn't want go to. I know I would charge extra because it smells lake a trap. You could get a contact to go but it would still cost because they are not your errand boys/girls or your bullet shields and treating them as such should be a loyalty or notoriety hit.
To be honest I feel GMs should be allowed to give extra notoriety to the team if the PCs do things worth notoriety. Since this effects their Street cred and causes negative modifiers to social test that earn them pay it tends to cause players to shy away from wanting to get more of it. If a player at my home table is going to do something I feel is worthy of notoriety such as selling bodies for the cyber. I just tell them you can do that but it will probably give you notoriety for doing so and they decided not to do it.
If a PC feels like it is railroading, well not to be offensive, but the player made that choice. You decided to power game the system and put yourself on the tracks, so choo choo.