OK, so I gave in and went deeper with my character. I've decided to call him Thorn. Christopher Thorndyke is his given name, but his disregard for regulations and tendency to be an annoyance to anyone he dislikes earned him his nickname.
Link to a PDF and Chummer5 file for Thorn.
https://drive.google.com/folderview?id=0B-ODJXibwGUuYVY1d3VCdUFVeXc&usp=sharingThe background is too long to fit in this post. I wrote it to help me get a feel for this character, so you've been warned :p. It's probably 1-1.5 pages. Everything I wrote before should apply. Hes corp-born into Ares, and His parents slaved for their wages. He doesn't like the man from an early age, but he doesn't want to cause trouble for his parents so he doesn't become a problem child. He spent his first couple years working as a janitor once he came of age.
He awakens late, and is discovered to have great magical potential. He struggles under the typical Hermetic training, but with tutelage from unlikely sources (Matrix magic apps/spell tutorsofts and a Sioux shaman from HR) he manages to get just enough of a grasp on his magic to shine when it counted. He later develops a relationship with Raven whom he has already met without realizing it was his mentor spirit.
Chris is transferred to corpsec, and he makes it through a harsh year. Corporate reevaluates him again, and he is trained for Firewatch. He spends the remaining 7 years loving his life and position in Firewatch despite working for the man. Then the accident happens, and he finds himself in secret facilities with his corp life gone. Everyone believes he's dead. He's appreciative of what the Corp has done for him, so he gives them the benefit of the doubt. If the partner convinces him leaving is a good idea and he believes that Ares is no longer in his best interest, he will leave. (So 50/50 from a character standpoint, I'm personally ok either way, but I do think it'd be more fun to play from the corp side of shadowrun)
My character would also be a good fit for the third person, I believe. It would be a good way for Corp to more or less get him out of their hair, and they would have no reason to distrust Chris. He just wouldn't be willing to leave the company if he wasn't involved in the accident. It'd also let Chris vent some of his anti-man feelings. He wouldn't let these guys get exploited too much. They're brothers in arms, and above that human beings. I'd have to adjust his contacts and alter his story a bit, but overall I think he would still be the same character up until the explosion links the two characters together. After that he gets transferred in to keep an eye on them and to provide emotional support. Things he's very good at.
Edit: I assumed his position in Firewatch provided him with any necessary licenses he would need. If I was wrong I can go ahead and buy them. I didn't buy any to go with the fake SIN because he just uses it to meet with his contacts that shouldn't really know who he is.
Also, I took the liberty of changing his Art knowledge from I think Academic to Interest. He didn't take any classes on Art. He's gone to the museum, he's done matrix searches just browsing interesting pieces. He even owns a copy of The Starry Night. He's familiar with the different artists and their styles from the matrix and the museum, but he doesn't have any academic training in Art.
== Info ==
Street Name: Thorn
Name: Christopher Thorndyke
Movement: 10/20
Karma: 3
Street Cred: 0
Notoriety: 0
Public Awareness: 0
Elf Male Age 29
Height 5'5" Weight 159 lbs
Composure: 9
Judge Intentions: 10
Lift/Carry: 5 (45 kg/30 kg)
Memory: 9
Nuyen: 3339
== Priorities ==
Metatype: C - Human, Dwarf, Elf, or Ork
Attributes: B - 20 Attributes
Special: A - Magician or Technomancer
Skills: D (A) - 22 Skills/0 Skill Groups
Resources: E (C) - 100,000¥
== Attributes ==
BOD: 2
AGI: 5
REA: 2 (4)
STR: 3
CHA: 4
INT: 6
LOG: 4
WIL: 5
EDG: 3
MAG: 7
== Derived Attributes ==
Essence: 6
Initiative: 10 + 3d6
Rigger Initiative: 10 + 3d6
Astral Initiative: 12 + 2d6
Matrix AR Initiative: 10 + 3d6
Matrix Cold Initiative: 6 + DP + 3d6
Matrix Hot Initiative: 6 + DP + 4d6
Physical Damage Track: 9
Stun Damage Track: 11
== Limits ==
Physical: 4
Mental: 7
Social: 7
Ares Victory: Industrious [+1] (Only with appropriate corp, Must be visible)
Padded Leather [-1] (Must be visible, general public only; increase by 1 with gang members)
Vashon Island: Ace of Cups [+1] (Must be visible)
Astral: 7
== Active Skills ==
Animal Handling : 0 Pool: 3
Arcana : 2 [Spell Design] Pool: 6 (
Archery : 0 Pool: 4
Armorer : 1 Pool: 5
Artisan : 4 [Drawing] Pool: 10 (12)
Assensing : 5 [Aura Reading] Pool: 13 (15)
Automatics : 1 Pool: 6
Blades : 0 Pool: 4
Clubs : 0 Pool: 4
Computer : 0 Pool: 3
Con : 4 Pool: 11
Counterspelling : 9 [Combat] Pool: 16 (18)
Cybercombat : 0 Pool: 3
Demolitions : 0 Pool: 3
Disguise : 4 Pool: 11
Diving : 0 Pool: 1
Escape Artist : 0 Pool: 4
Etiquette : 1 Pool: 6
Exotic Ranged Weapon : 6 [Lasers] Pool: 11
First Aid : 0 Pool: 3
Forgery : 0 Pool: 3
Free-Fall : 0 Pool: 1
Gunnery : 0 Pool: 4
Gymnastics : 1 Pool: 6
Hacking : 0 Pool: 3
Heavy Weapons : 0 Pool: 4
Impersonation : 4 Pool: 9
Instruction : 0 Pool: 4
Intimidation : 0 Pool: 4
Leadership : 0 Pool: 4
Longarms : 6 [Long-Range Shots] Pool: 11 (13)
Navigation : 1 Pool: 7
Negotiation : 0 Pool: 4
Palming : 4 Pool: 10
Perception : 3 Pool: 11
Performance : 4 Pool: 9
Pilot Ground Craft : 0 Pool: 3
Pilot Watercraft : 0 Pool: 3
Pistols : 1 Pool: 6
Running : 1 Pool: 4
Sneaking : 4 Pool: 9
Spellcasting : 6 [Manipulation] Pool: 13 (15)
Survival : 1 Pool: 6
Swimming : 1 Pool: 4
Throwing Weapons : 0 Pool: 4
Tracking : 1 Pool: 7
Unarmed Combat : 1 Pool: 6
== Knowledge Skills ==
Art : 1 [Van Gogh] Pool: 7 (9)
Magic Traditions : 3 [Magic Adepts] Pool: 7 (9)
Magical Theory : 3 [Sorcery] Pool: 7 (9)
Religion : 3 [Christianity] Pool: 7 (9)
Security Tactics : 3 [Corporate] Pool: 7 (9)
Small Unit Tactics : 1 [Urban] Pool: 7 (9)
== Contacts ==
Li Fong (3, 2)
Lulu (3, 3)
Reuben Patel (5, 1)
Samson (5, 2)
== Qualities ==
Allergy (Uncommon, Mild) (Cats)
Exceptional Attribute (MAG)
Illness (Rating 1)
Low-Light Vision
Mentor Spirit (Raven)
Mystic Adept
SINner (Corporate) (Ares)
== Spells ==
(Tradition: Chaos Magic, Resist Drain with WIL + INT (11))
[Element] Wall (Fire) DV: F+2
Ball Lightning DV: F-1
Catfall DV: F-3
Chaotic World DV: F
Flamethrower DV: F-3
Fling DV: F-2
Levitate DV: F-2
Mana Static DV: F-1
Manabolt DV: F-3
Shape [Material] (Fire) DV: F-2
== Powers ==
Astral Perception
Cool Resolve Rating: 1
Enhanced Perception Rating: 2
Facial Sculpt Rating: 1
Improved Reflexes 2
Magic Sense
Motion Sense
Nimble Fingers
Traceless Walk
Voice Control Rating: 1
== Lifestyles ==
Street 1 months
== Armor ==
Ares Victory: Big Game Hunter 14
+Custom Fit
+Electrochromic Clothing
+Gear Access
+Liner - Chemical Protection (6)
+Nonconductivity 6
+Pulse Weave
+Radiation Shielding 3
+Holster
Ares Victory: Industrious 9
+Gear Access
+Tool Kit (Disguise)
Clothing ("Street Clothes") 0
Forearm Guards 1
Helmet 2
+YNT Softweave Armor
+Microphone, Laser Rating 4
+Audio Enhancement Rating 3
+Select Sound Filter Rating 1
+Microphone, Omni-Directional Rating 5
+Audio Enhancement Rating 3
+Spatial Recognizer
+Trodes
+Vision Enhancement Rating 3
Murder Armor 13
+Custom Fit
+YNT Softweave Armor
+Biomonitor
+Holster
+Tool Kit (Armorer)
Padded Leather 7
+Custom Fit
+Padded
Snake Mesh Socks 0
Vashon Island: Ace of Cups 9
+Electrochromic Clothing
== Weapons ==
Ares Desert Strike
+Guncam
+Imaging Scope
+Shock Pad
+Silencer
+Smartgun System, External
+Spare Clip
+Spare Clip
+Stock
+Tracker
Pool: 11 Accuracy: 9 DV: 13P AP: -4 RC: 2
Ares Lancer MP Laser
+Imaging Scope
+Peak-Discharge Battery Pack, Power Clip
+Peak-Discharge Battery Pack, Power Clip
+Peak-Discharge Battery Pack, Power Clip
+Peak-Discharge Battery Pack, Power Clip
+Peak-Discharge Battery Pack, Satchel Power Pack
+Sling
+Smartgun System, External
+Tracker
Pool: 0 Accuracy: 9 DV: 7P AP: -10 RC: 1
Ares Redline
+Improved Range Finder
+Peak-Discharge Battery Pack, Power Clip
+Peak-Discharge Battery Pack, Power Clip
+Smartgun System, External
Pool: 0 Accuracy: 11 DV: 5P AP: -10 RC: 1
Grenade: Flash-Bang
Pool: 4 Accuracy: 4 DV: 10S (10m Radius) AP: -4 RC: 1
Grenade: Flash-Pak
Pool: 4 Accuracy: 4 DV: Special AP: - RC: 1
Grenade: Fragmentation
Pool: 4 Accuracy: 4 DV: 18P(f) (-1/m) AP: +5 RC: 1
Grenade: Gas
Pool: 4 Accuracy: 4 DV: Chemical (10m Radius) AP: - RC: 1
Grenade: High Explosive
Pool: 4 Accuracy: 4 DV: 16P (-2/m) AP: -2 RC: 1
Grenade: Smoke
Pool: 4 Accuracy: 4 DV: (10m Radius) AP: - RC: 1
Grenade: Thermal Smoke
Pool: 4 Accuracy: 4 DV: (10m Radius) AP: - RC: 1
Mossberg AM-CMDT
+Flashlight, Low Light
+Gas-Vent 3 System
+Improved Range Finder
+Shock Pad
+Smartgun System, Internal
+Spare Clip
+Spare Clip
+Spare Clip
+Spare Clip
+Spare Clip
+Tracker
+Underbarrel Weight
Pool: 11 Accuracy: 7 DV: 12P AP: -1 RC: 6
Shock Gloves
Pool: 6 Accuracy: 4 DV: 8S(e) AP: -5 RC: 1
Unarmed Attack
Pool: 6 Accuracy: 4 DV: 3S AP: - RC: 1
== Commlink ==
Transys Avalon (ATT: 0, SLZ: 0, DP: 6, FWL: 6)
== Gear ==
ADHD Meds 1mo
Ammo: APDS (Sniper Rifles) x70
Ammo: APDS (Shotguns) x60
Ammo: EX-Explosive Rounds (Sniper Rifles) x70
Ammo: Flechette Rounds (Shotguns) x60
Ammo: Stick-n-Shock (Sniper Rifles) x70
AR Gloves
Biometric Reader
Biomonitor
Certified Credstick, Gold
Certified Credstick, Silver
Certified Credstick, Standard Rating 1
Chisel
Climbing Gear
Contacts Rating 3
+Flare Compensation
+Image Link
+Smartlink
Cram x10
Fake SIN (Johnathan Jones) Rating 4
Flashlight, Low-light
Gas Mask
Gecko Tape Gloves
Glue Solvent x2
Glue Sprayer x5
Gorepack x4
Grenade: Flash-Bang x5
Grenade: Flash-Pak x2
Grenade: Fragmentation x5
Grenade: Gas x5
+Neuro-Stun X
Grenade: High Explosive
Grenade: Smoke x2
Grenade: Thermal Smoke x3
Jazz x2
Kamikaze
Long Haul x2
Magical Lodge Materials Rating 7
Micro-Transceiver
Miniwelder
Miniwelder Fuel Canister x2
Mystic Cuff Rating 1
Mystic Jacket Rating 1
Mystic Mask Rating 1
Power Focus Rating 1
Psyche x2
Qi Focus Rating 1
Qi Focus Rating 1
Rapelling Gloves
Reagents, per dram x250
Restraint, Plasteel x2
Restraint, Plastic x20
Satellite Link
Sim Module
Slap Patch, Stim Patch Rating 6 x2
Slap Patch, Trauma Patch
Spellcasting Focus, Combat Rating 5
Subvocal Mic
Survival Kit
Sustaining Focus, Manipulation Rating 5
Telescoping Mirror on a Stick
Tool Shop (Disguise)
Tool Shop (Artisan)
Trid Projector
White Noise Generator Rating 6
== Description ==
Thorn is shorter than most, but he commands the area around him. You can't help but smile at his big grin. Perhaps his antics annoy you. The chances are he might just walk by you without you ever noticing his passage.
He has a kind face which he controls with ease. His grey eyes usually shine bright with kindness, but when necessary they can darken into an angry glare with ease. Only the most intuitive individual could discern the true feelings behind those eyes. Anyone who knows anything about Firewatch and HTR Corpsec knows that Chris has to have seen some drek, but the bad never shines through. Not if he doesn't need it to.
Thorn wears his dark hair buzzed. He doesn't wear facial hair, but he usually goes several days between clean shaves.
He has several different outfits should he need them, but he normally lounges about in an old Ares tee and jeans with a pair of broken in combat boots.
His go-to combat outfit is a tricked out Big Game Hunter. It may look a little out of place, but it's got protection from practically everything but fire. If he's ever lit on fire he can manage that himself. Plus, it looks snazzy combined with his helmet. The electrochromic feature lets him change cammo paterns as needed as a bonus.
Finally, no one expects the mage to be the one wearing cammo armor with a full loadout of weaponry. Thorn often tells his buddies that one nice thing about being an awakened sniper is landing a manabolt from 1500m out with no one ever finding out. If that's not enough, he'll tell them that a bullet between the eyes works almost as well.
== Background ==
Too long to post in its entirity (I literally ran out of characters), so check the link at top. The background is quite similar to what has been posted, but I've expanded upon it.
== Concept ==
Ares-born Elven Combat MysAd Firewatch member of the Chaos tradition specializing in magical detection and protection.
== Notes ==
Thorn's brand of Chaos:
He has a sleek, modern Sioux lodge. The central area has a desk which features trid and custom AR displays. The modern feel is contrasted by the traditional Sioux trappings. Its like he took a room he was comfortable with and then put all the Sioux culture he knew into it.
Google Cooper's office from the show mad men. It has a very Japanese feel to it, but it's still quite American. That's what I'm going for. I confess though that I don't know much about what a Sioux lodge would look like. The tradition description doesn't help much.
For spellcasting, I imagine him having a Sioux approach to it. First he finds a tutorsoft that makes sense to him. Then when hes had enough he contemplates the nature of magic and then when it feels right, he attempts the spell. If it works he refines his method until its perfect. If it doesn't work he mulls it over some more.
When he needs to use reagents he uses Christian reagents. Chris believes in God, so he asks Him to assist his spellcasting when he doesn't rely on his skills alone.