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"Lazy" Susan aka Queen of Diamonds aka Slick Vick -Gambling Face

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FST_Gemstar

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« Reply #15 on: <01-17-16/0109:33> »
Thanks Bush, Kyoto, Marcus, and Whiskey for the feedback!

I'll post one more version for now. She's a dwarf changling in point buy. Decided to give her some cyberware that looks legit enough (at least not restricted), so that if a mage assenses that she has less essence than the mage, the mage will be able to see the 'ware in question and maybe not give it more thought, instead of wondering why a seemingly 'wareless person has lower essence and start checking for signs of bioware. I also liked astral hazing for this regard, as it keeps her from being assessed as effectively. I brought her essence down below 2 so that astral hazing only has a 2 meter range, as to give a team's magician space to work if needed. She took Glamour/Distinctive Style, but could get by without it if it would bring too much attention. I figure she wins enough but is well liked enough in her more typical hangouts and would be recognizable anyway. Edge is decent for a dwarf. She'll have to pick up some skills post char-gen (etiquette and escape artist are up there). She'll also have to learn complex forms after char gen (or have her disguise skills wait till later) Most armor fitted with shock frills to stun folks who may try to apprehend her for anything illicit and give her a chance to make a getaway. Has drugs to use on runs if needed but she can only handle infrequent use. In all, she is able to use some edge for bigger social/palming/sprite rolls when needed, and still have some edge to help get her out of a jam. She can use Diagnostics to help sneak and for social tests when used on her various armor. Contacts/Knowledge Skills same as earlier.

[spoiler]
== Info ==
Street Name: Lazy Susan aka Queen of Diamonds aka Slick Vick
Name: Unnamed Character
Movement: 10/20
Karma: 0
Street Cred: 0
Notoriety: 0
Public Awareness: 0
Dwarf
Composure: 11
Judge Intentions: 10
Lift/Carry: 6 (45 kg/30 kg)
Memory: 12
Nuyen: 2275

== Attributes ==
BOD: 3
AGI: 3 (5)
REA: 3
STR: 3
CHA: 6
INT: 4
LOG: 3
WIL: 5
EDG: 5
RES: 2

== Derived Attributes ==
Essence:                   2.99
Initiative:                7 + 2d6
Rigger Initiative:         7 + 2d6
Astral Initiative:         
Matrix AR Initiative:      7 + 2d6
Matrix Cold Initiative:    4 + DP + 3d6
Matrix Hot Initiative:     4 + DP + 4d6
Physical Damage Track:     10
Stun Damage Track:         11

== Limits ==
Physical:                  4
Mental:                    7
Social:                    9
   Ballistic Mask [+1] (Only for intimidation, Must be visible)
   Glamour [+2]
   Mortimer of London: Argentum Coat [+1] (Must be visible)
   Mortimer of London: Berwick Dress [+1] (Must be visible)
Astral:                    9

== Active Skills ==
Compiling                  : 6                      Pool: 8
Con                        : 4 [Seduction]          Pool: 11 (13)
Disguise                   : 2                      Pool: 6
Negotiation                : 6 [Bargaining]         Pool: 13 (15)
Palming                    : 6 [Legerdemain]        Pool: 11 (13)
Perception                 : 4                      Pool: 8
Registering                : 6 [Machine]            Pool: 8 (10)
Sneaking                   : 3                      Pool: 8
Software                   : 3 [Resonance Veil]     Pool: 6 (8)
Unarmed Combat             : 2 [Touch Attacks]      Pool: 7 (9)

== Knowledge Skills ==
Bars and Clubs             : 2 [Casinos]            Pool: 8 (10)
Data Havens                : 6                      Pool: 12
English                    : N                      Pool: 0
Gambling Games             : 6                      Pool: 12
Math                       : 5 [Probability]        Pool: 10 (12)

== Qualities ==
Addiction (Mild) (Gambling)
Astral Hazing (non-Awakened)
Changeling (Class III SURGE)
Consummate Professional
Critter Spook
Distinctive Style
Friends in High Places
Glamour
Human-Looking
Impaired Attribute (BOD)
Impaired Attribute (STR)
Jack of All Trades Master of None
Metagenetic Improvement (WIL)
Nocturnal
Pacifist I
Photographic Memory
Poor Self Control (Thrill Seeker)
Prejudiced (Specific, Biased) (Wage Slaves)
Quick Healer
Records on File (Neonet)
Resistance to Pathogens/Toxins
School of Hard Knocks
Technomancer
Thermographic Vision
Vomeronasal Organ

== Cyberware/Bioware ==
Boosted Reflexes (Alpha)
Cyberfinger (Credstick) (Used)
Flex Hand (Alpha)
Mnemonic Enhancer Rating 2
Muscle Toner Rating 2 (Used)
Neuro Retention Amplification
Reception Enhancer
Smart Articulation (Alpha)
Tactile Sensitivity (Used)
Tailored Pheromones Rating 2 (Used)

== Armor ==
Armor Jacket                        12
   +Drag Handle
Ballistic Mask                      2
   +Respirator Rating 6
Chameleon Suit                      9
   +Drag Handle
   +Faraday Pocket
   +Shock Frills
   +Thermal Damping 5
Mortimer of London: Argentum Coat   4
   +Concealability
   +Custom Fit (Stack)
   +Faraday Pocket
Mortimer of London: Berwick Dress   8
   +Concealability
   +Custom Fit
   +Faraday Pocket
   +Shock Frills

== Weapons ==
Shock Gloves
   Pool: 7   Accuracy: 4   DV: 8S(e)   AP: -5   RC: 2
Unarmed Attack
   Pool: 7   Accuracy: 4   DV: 3S   AP: -   RC: 2

== Commlink ==
Living Persona (ATT: 6, SLZ: 4, DP: 3, FWL: 5)
MCT-3500 (ATT: 0, SLZ: 0, DP: 3, FWL: 3)
   +Fake SIN (Susan Bates) Rating 4
   +Fake License (Weapon License) Rating 4
   +Fake License (Concealed Carry Permit) Rating 4
   +Subvocal Mic
   +Micro-Transceiver

== Gear ==
Glasses Rating 2
   +Flare Compensation
   +Vision Magnification
Laced Lipstick
Novacoke x5
Polychromic Lens
Psyche x3
Smart Wig
Stimtouch Hosiery
Survival Kit
Tool Kit (Disguise)
[/spoiler]


I did also want to explore 6th world gambling/casino security, to help get better ideas of how to make a character, if not settings/contacts that have to deal with gambling/casinos.

I was looking for source material re: casino security, and all I found was some info in the  Plots and Paydata from the alphaware box (pg 54). There is some bits about gambling in the 2070s, but not much:

Looks like the cheaper casinos/gambling dens have soundproofed walls that are made with cheaper material. Without physical currency, security is less focused on burglary and more on cheating. Security includes cameras, security guards, a "centralized matrix security device" (I guess a host), but with each game running as its own device with its own Patrol IC. Astral security is probably lighter and probably provided by an offsite projecting mage who will materialize to the security team to let them know if there is any magic trouble.


This is a little different from what I had in mind. Here is what I was thinking re: Shadowrunner important security in 6th world legal casinos:


'Ware/Gear:
I was assuming that casinos and gamblers would be anti-ware, but at the same time, 'ware has a place in a lot of popular sports that people bet on and enough people are chromed that having a chrome free environment would seem too discriminatory if not unprofitable. So perhaps specific kinds of cyberware would be scanned for  with MAD and cyberware scanners and if detected, would be required to be turned off. Definitely illegal 'ware and restricted 'ware w/o a license would be a no go. I agree Kyoto Kid that Math SPUs would be frowned upon, as well as perhaps attention co-processors and skillsofts. I might think that Imagelink/soundlink, commlinks/decks, particularly implanted ones, would also be disallowed, but AR/commlinks are so commonplace and are so useful in casinos (AROs about big jackpots, more spectacular AR decore, etc.), they must be allowed in. I suppose cameras would be checking for any active use of commlinks for gambling advantage purposes, or maybe part of entrance with a commlink is that you invite a mark from security so they have more access to your matrix goings on (but this seems unlikely too). Would running silently be a giveaway? If 'ware/gear icons are supposed to be either off or easily spottable, a matrix perception test that comes up with icons running silently might alert security to a big issue. Any hacking done with a non-silent wireless device that fails a roll would have the host mark the device.

Security would also be looking out for illicit drugs, and perhaps some of the bigger tournaments would require drug tests. However, this feels odd to me too, as it is a way to get your DNA catalogued real easy and a big giveaway to anyone using a fake sin.

 Are there any other legal 'ware gear that would be questionable in a casino? How would casinos deal?

Matrix:

I assumed that each casino would run on a powerful host with game/devices slaved to it. As the access points to individual games would be protected (either by physical security/employees or remotely with camera), directly connecting with your datajack would be very difficult and wireless hackers would have to deal with powerful host defenses and probably many patrolling and worse IC. However, casinos might invite marks so patrons can access more of the cool AR content and matrix enabled games. This could get hackers, especially technomancers, entrance into a host where their sprites can then help with some dirty work. Skin link would be less conspicuous for things like slot machines where there is touch devices and may be a way to subvert matrix security. I presume a spider and other matrix professionals would be onsight to monitor network security, as well as IC.

As mentioned above, regular hacking of a casino house would be difficult, so a technomancer may have the best options for potentially doing casino matrix work with their Resonance powers and sprites. However, hacking potential may be more for hacking other patrons. Is someone's cybereyes/visionware hackable to see their hand in a poker game? That could be useful. Is checking people's bank account statements doable through their commlink? Perhaps knowing other gambler's pocket depth so to speak could also be useful.

Magic:

I thought casinos would have onsite magic security, but I suppose Magic really is supposed to be pretty rare and many places wouldn't bother with 24/7 onsite security. Patrolling astrally projecting mages/spirits would do the trick. These mages might also be able to detect previously missed cyberware, bioware, and potentially technomancers/geneware/nanotech. It seems assensing is a big no no, and any patron who slips into astral is going to be picked up by security. Spellcasting/spirits are going to be seen pretty easily too. Active foci are going to light up, but are there foci that are going to be helpful for gambling that security would be pissed about (perhaps eidatic sense memory? Super Perception?)? Passive adept powers would probably be ok. Is the only real workaround for magical security Masking or Flexible Signatures? I kind of liked the changeling negative quality of Astral Hazing here, it's rare, but any astrally projecting mage assensing nearby would get a dice pool hit to their assensing tests. Anything else to change a background count without raising too much suspicion?


Is there anything I'm missing about casino security? What about ways to do some more covert work not directly against the house, but other gamblers? How would less illicit casinos/gambling dens organize? Would magic/boosted 'ware be fairer game? What about for things like underground poker tournaments or sports betting?
« Last Edit: <01-17-16/1020:07> by FST_Gemstar »

Bushw4cker

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« Reply #16 on: <01-17-16/0538:33> »
Woot, finally feel those years working at casino was not all for nothing!!

On Casino security now.. First off, they take it VERY seriously. Cameras everywhere. You have an ID badge checked by security when you enter. It has your photo. You have to scan it at every door you use. The casino provides you with clothes. Pants have no pockets. You have to clear your hands if you touch money. (Clap, wave them to show they are. Empty.) Employees not allowed in Casino when not working. I went through same Background Check that police have to go through. The chips over $5 all have RFID tags. (Just call them RF tags where I was). I was always amazed by how quickly security IDed someone that had been Banned from Casino who was trying to gamble.

Example how tight security is: I got a write-up one time for not scanning my ID at the money room door.  The. Write-up had frame by frame pictures of me showing me not scanning in with my badge.

They keep track of everything. Even the Liqour (I was a bartender) There are some bottles, but the most popular and rail drink shots are measured out by a program in register linked to dispenser.

 Cheating.. No one steals from the Casino. But Players steal from other players all the time. The only players that actually make money at the casino,  are the poker players. Where you are playing against other players.

Casinos 2075...

I am going to think about this one. Some more then post again.

Initially I was going to say anybody with Astral Hazing Quality, would be asked to leave the Casino.

I would think almost all, but the smallest casinos, would have a mage and necromancer on staff at All times.  There would be watchers, spirits, etc. Patrolling at all times.


"Stupid men are often capable of things the clever would not dare to contemplate." -Terry Pratchett

Bushw4cker

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« Reply #17 on: <01-17-16/0559:56> »
Casinos 2075...

My brain hurts now trying to think of the Logistical nightmare running a Casino in the 6th World would be...

Need to lay down for a bit..

Will try to post soon...
"Stupid men are often capable of things the clever would not dare to contemplate." -Terry Pratchett

Bushw4cker

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« Reply #18 on: <01-17-16/1233:18> »
It Can't Be Done! Casinos don't Exist in 2075!!
"Stupid men are often capable of things the clever would not dare to contemplate." -Terry Pratchett

Bushw4cker

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« Reply #19 on: <01-17-16/1240:05> »
but if they did exist..

Anyone entering a Casino would have to have a Legit SIN, and they would have the best authenticating systems money could buy. Maybe the areas where the low bets are being placed you could get away with Fake SIN, but High-Roller areas, you would need Legit SIN.

Any patterns.. Like you winning a lot against the house... You would be marked... and everything you did would be looked at under a microscope, astral sight, techno vision (If they have that..Crosses fingers for next source book), ect..

If you won a jackpot at the casino I worked at, you would need Social Security Card or Passport and another ID to claim jackpot.

The more I think about it, as long as you're not stealing from the casino.. you could probably get away with more than you think.. with like magic, ware, ect..

As long as they are not losing money..

In 2075 your going to have a lot famous people, a lot of whom are going to have a LOT of ware (Urban Brawl Players, SImsense Stars).

NO Casino is EVER going to turn away anyone Famous.

Where I worked, they were treated like Royalty.
« Last Edit: <01-17-16/1254:24> by Bushw4cker »
"Stupid men are often capable of things the clever would not dare to contemplate." -Terry Pratchett

FST_Gemstar

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« Reply #20 on: <01-17-16/1315:32> »
Yeah... direct stealing from a casino is going to be a really tough sell for any shadowrunning team.

Anyone playing the system is going to have to win at more underground gambling dens (perhaps illegal ones that allow less legal forms of gambling [endangered paracritter fights, duels, super high stakes poker, etc]) with worse infrastructure and security, and/or focus on beating other gamblers through social skills, matrix work, or plain sneaking/stealing.

Technomancers might still have some tricks against the house, like resonance veiling results of SIN checks or 'ware checks. It is a dangerous game though. 

Bushw4cker

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« Reply #21 on: <01-17-16/1330:43> »
Watch Oceans 11.. if you haven't seen it yet.

It would actually be easier to steal someone's kid from a Casino (A lot of them have daycares.) Than it would be to steal a $5 chip from the Casino..

...and now I'm sad thinking about that.. :'(

Please check out a few of my other posts, I'm trying to get some feedback on a new game of SR I'm running with new players..
« Last Edit: <01-17-16/1336:37> by Bushw4cker »
"Stupid men are often capable of things the clever would not dare to contemplate." -Terry Pratchett

Bushw4cker

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« Reply #22 on: <01-17-16/2323:14> »
Actually anytime you saw a kid in the employees area where I worked, it was because some sad excuse for a parent left that kid in the car while they Gambled. Those people should be sterilized..
"Stupid men are often capable of things the clever would not dare to contemplate." -Terry Pratchett

Marcus

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« Reply #23 on: <01-18-16/1029:59> »
In general stealing from a casino is would not be the point. A casino mastermind plot is cool, and it could work for a couple games, but eventually it has to conclude. But for a more sustained game it should be fairly easy to come up with Casino related runs, that are not directly related to robbing whatever casino your looking at.


 
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CitizenJoe

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« Reply #24 on: <01-18-16/1133:35> »
All the chips are RFID tagged and valueless outside of their casino.  Forging chips would be comparable to forging SINs.

Casinos already don't allow smartphones at the tables. In Shadowrun, pretty much all electronics including cyber would be excluded from the tables at least, and likely the casino in general.  Private games could be set up with their own rules, but the House takes its cut regardless.

Also, no magic.  Casinos are big in the NAN, trust me when I say they know about magic cheating.

FST_Gemstar

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« Reply #25 on: <01-18-16/1151:58> »
The gambling den in the Plots and Paydata seems a little underwhelming in terms of security and doesn't seem so realistic. So legit casinos might as well be a run on Zurich Orbital for most shadowrunners. So gambling and gambling establishments in Shadowrunner range are probably going to be the not legal kind: Underground fighting tournaments, underground poker tournaments, underground racing (etc.), pop-up "casinos" that are more of a one night party than anything else, bars/clubs with  a secret backroom for gambling, maybe even "illegal"  or temporary matrix hosts for a Matrix locale (though I don't think hosts work like this...). These places would not be Corp run or govt. sanctioned, but more under syndicate or even less secure under gang control. There would be security, but it's not like they could bring in legal/corp enforcement. Security could be bought off, rules could be more flexible, etc. as long as the house still expects to win. Shadowrunners could excel more in these arenas, there may be more runs and missions that could involve them, and lots of politics/intrigue/fighting that could be potentially happening at any moment.
« Last Edit: <01-18-16/1424:14> by FST_Gemstar »

Marcus

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« Reply #26 on: <01-19-16/0454:18> »
If you wanna run the casino heist of course there is a way to do it. It doesn't matter where it is, this is Shadowrun, you can find a way rob it. There still have got to be traditional casinos in various places, and like I said that's totally cool idea for a couple games.
 
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