Shadowrun

Catalyst Game Labs => Official Announcements => Topic started by: JM_Hardy on <11-20-11/2342:41>

Title: Conspiracy Theories bring the crazy--it's out now!
Post by: JM_Hardy on <11-20-11/2342:41>
Conspiracy Theories is evidence that the Shadowrun writers do not need a whole lot of pushing to get nuts. Great dragon conflicts? Sure! Bug spirit rumors? Absolutely! Stories of strange relationships between humans and dragons? Well, why not? And that's only part of it.

The book is full of stories and rumors that range from the possibly plausible to the quite deranged, but the biggest challenge is figuring out which is which. It's also got plot updates, setting info for London and DeeCee, and some magic rituals that are not easy to cast but could have stunning effects--if anyone ever manages to get everything they need to cast them.

You can read a little more about Conspiracy Theories  (http://www.shadowrun4.com/?p=1408)on the blog, or you can check it out on Battleshop (http://www.battlecorps.com/catalog/advanced_search_result.php?keywords=conspiracy+theories&x=0&y=0) or DriveThruRPG (http://rpg.drivethrustuff.com/product_info.php?products_id=96872). Either way, enjoy!

Jason H.
Title: Re: Conspiracy Theories bring the crazy--it's out now!
Post by: CanRay on <11-21-11/0059:12>
*Looks at my budget and cries manly tears*
Title: Re: Conspiracy Theories bring the crazy--it's out now!
Post by: Crimsondude on <11-21-11/0132:12>
I think if there's anyone on this board that deserves some comp credit just for being a fan, it's you.

Not that I can do anything about it. Directly.  :-\
Title: Re: Conspiracy Theories bring the crazy--it's out now!
Post by: CanRay on <11-21-11/0138:15>
What?  For whining about my budget and calling everyone a bastard all the time?  :P
Title: Re: Conspiracy Theories bring the crazy--it's out now!
Post by: Crimsondude on <11-21-11/0141:37>
No, for the 4,605th post you'll make replying to this one.

This, my 666th. :P
Title: Re: Conspiracy Theories bring the crazy--it's out now!
Post by: CanRay on <11-21-11/0146:55>
Bah, I pad my post count.  ;D

And try to help some folks.  And other things.  If I can't play, I might as well help those who do.
Title: Re: Conspiracy Theories bring the crazy--it's out now!
Post by: Crash_00 on <11-21-11/0151:02>
I don't recall finding anywhere in the demo agent program stating that the players had to be...uhm....willing. Just get yourself a mini-unit, kidnap a few players, and rack up those pdf rewards*.  ::)

*Laws may vary, but this is very illegal, do not try this.

*looks at budget* I'll be waiting a while too.
Title: Re: Conspiracy Theories bring the crazy--it's out now!
Post by: JustADude on <11-21-11/0222:40>
I don't recall finding anywhere in the demo agent program stating that the players had to be...uhm....willing. Just get yourself a mini-unit, kidnap a few players, and rack up those pdf rewards*.  ::)

*Laws may vary, but this is very illegal, do not try this.

*looks at budget* I'll be waiting a while too.

Hey, if you want to double-up and run two sessions a week, I'd be game.  ;D
Title: Re: Conspiracy Theories bring the crazy--it's out now!
Post by: Crash_00 on <11-21-11/0231:34>
Oh I was talking to Can Ray, he's got no one to play with up in Canada I believe, or at least Shadowrunwise in his particular part of Canada. Now if we could just build a teleportation device we could solve these geographical RPing issues. Of course we'd have to keep it quiet or the governments would try to shut it down for safety reason or try to take it for use on "real" problems.

Out of curiosity are you on the old HOE listserv Can Ray?
Title: Re: Conspiracy Theories bring the crazy--it's out now!
Post by: Fizzygoo on <11-21-11/0324:30>
Greatly enjoyed the intro fiction.
Title: Re: Conspiracy Theories bring the crazy--it's out now!
Post by: Crimsondude on <11-21-11/0347:33>
Sweet. Thanks.


[spoiler]
And the lesson is ...


[spoiler]Do not fuck with FastJack.[/spoiler][/spoiler]
Title: Re: Conspiracy Theories bring the crazy--it's out now!
Post by: Fizzygoo on <11-21-11/0432:46>
Sweet. Thanks.


[spoiler]
And the lesson is ...


[spoiler]Do not fuck with FastJack.[/spoiler][/spoiler]

:D

[spoiler] [ Insert long winded, silly (and probably inappropriate), response that ends with "unless he brings the Viagra" here ] [/spoiler]
Title: Re: Conspiracy Theories bring the crazy--it's out now!
Post by: FastJack on <11-21-11/0836:14>
Sure guys, wait until the day when I've promised myself to truly focus on work and not get distracted to release the book I've been waiting a while for...

Ah, they won't notice if I just close the office door... right?
Title: Re: Conspiracy Theories bring the crazy--it's out now!
Post by: Mirikon on <11-21-11/0849:31>
Fastjack is the MAN!
Title: Re: Conspiracy Theories bring the crazy--it's out now!
Post by: FastJack on <11-21-11/0900:12>
LAUBENSTEIN.

That is all.
Title: Re: Conspiracy Theories bring the crazy--it's out now!
Post by: Digital_Viking on <11-21-11/0902:41>
Sure guys, wait until the day when I've promised myself to truly focus on work and not get distracted to release the book I've been waiting a while for...

Ah, they won't notice if I just close the office door... right?

The advantage of multiple boxes on my desk - 1) No one notices my personal laptop and 2) I can read PDFs without anyone being the wiser.
Title: Re: Conspiracy Theories bring the crazy--it's out now!
Post by: Prime Mover on <11-21-11/0922:26>
Just out of curiosity CanRay were in the big C do ya live? 

And point to Fastjack for random Laubenstein shout out.
Title: Re: Conspiracy Theories bring the crazy--it's out now!
Post by: Patrick Goodman on <11-21-11/0941:15>
Greatly enjoyed the intro fiction.
Wasn't that sweet?
Title: Re: Conspiracy Theories bring the crazy--it's out now!
Post by: CanRay on <11-21-11/1056:30>
Out of curiosity are you on the old HOE listserv Can Ray?
It's dead.  :(  The move to Savage Worlds and the lack of word on when/if they're going to move Deadlands:  HoE over to Savage Worlds has pretty much killed it.  If it "Goes Savage", it might become Harrowed.  Right now, I list it as the...  Third form of "Dead" my group figured out.  (Saw the body, but did nothing to prevent him from "Getting Better".).
Just out of curiosity CanRay were in the big C do ya live?
Winnipeg, Capital of the province of Manitoba (for folks that haven't learned Canadian Geography.).  We just broke a new record this year, most number of murders in a year for a long time, and still have a month and a bit to go.

And I moved here of my own free will.   :o
Title: Re: Conspiracy Theories bring the crazy--it's out now!
Post by: Digital_Viking on <11-21-11/1103:05>
Out of curiosity are you on the old HOE listserv Can Ray?
It's dead.  :(  The move to Savage Worlds and the lack of word on when/if they're going to move Deadlands:  HoE over to Savage Worlds has pretty much killed it.  If it "Goes Savage", it might become Harrowed.  Right now, I list it as the...  Third form of "Dead" my group figured out.  (Saw the body, but did nothing to prevent him from "Getting Better".).
Just out of curiosity CanRay were in the big C do ya live?
Winnipeg, Capital of the province of Manitoba (for folks that haven't learned Canadian Geography.).  We just broke a new record this year, most number of murders in a year for a long time, and still have a month and a bit to go.

And I moved here of my own free will.   :o

Also one of the colder places in civilized Canada - and that's saying something  8)
Title: Re: Conspiracy Theories bring the crazy--it's out now!
Post by: CanRay on <11-21-11/1121:09>
Also one of the colder places in civilized Canada - and that's saying something  8)
When I first experienced my first real Winnipeg Winter (The first year was mild), I heard this old couple with thick accents complaining for the Old Country and how warm and wonderful it was there in Winter.

I asked, politely, where the Old Country was for them.  "Siberia."

But we've gone massively off topic here.  How are you folks that jump at every PDF as soon as it hits the sites thinking about the new book?
Title: Re: Conspiracy Theories bring the crazy--it's out now!
Post by: Frankie the Fomori on <11-21-11/1143:08>
Good day all, I got it around 2130PST last night.... But was in so much pain due to army injury (had face shattered 5 years ago.... But having issues with nerve damage of all things) I could only scan for what was the final death total at watergate!

Now I downloaded it to my phone an I have to say that I am excited to get into reading it through the day.

So far I see some awesome upcoming products: best for me is the street legends supplemental :) but corporate intrigue and state of the art are just as wanted.

Thanks to the writers for for getting this thing ready for
Us. Will give feedback as I read over it.

Edit one: love the "mealtime killer" I will add random kill scenes into my runs just to confuse my runners lol


Title: Re: Conspiracy Theories bring the crazy--it's out now!
Post by: Patrick Goodman on <11-21-11/1207:36>
Edit one: love the "mealtime killer" I will add random kill scenes into my runs just to confuse my runners lol
Glad to hear it. More will be made of this in the not-too-distant future.
Title: Re: Conspiracy Theories bring the crazy--it's out now!
Post by: Tsuzua on <11-21-11/1219:17>
While I plan on checking out the book either way, how much crunch does it have?  Is it like Attitude and Spy Games where it's mostly fluff and a little bit of crunch at the end?
Title: Re: Conspiracy Theories bring the crazy--it's out now!
Post by: Bull on <11-21-11/1310:17>
While I plan on checking out the book either way, how much crunch does it have?  Is it like Attitude and Spy Games where it's mostly fluff and a little bit of crunch at the end?

Almost zero crunch.  I think the only crunchy bits are some Ritual magics in the back that are...  Well, lets just say gathering the materials needed for one of them will require a series of adventures by itself.

And yes, FJ., Laubenstein :)
Title: Re: Conspiracy Theories bring the crazy--it's out now!
Post by: Crimsondude on <11-21-11/1550:14>
CanRay will also appreciate that there are several Canadians in the DeeCee chapter, including the Vice President and former President Pritchard*. It didn't make it into the book, but the C5 Liaison to the UCAS is also supposed to be Canadian.


*I was re-reading it and just realized that I didn't get to make a crack about her trying for the trifecta: Speaker of the House, President of the UCAS, and Chief Justice of the UCAS.
Title: Re: Conspiracy Theories bring the crazy--it's out now!
Post by: CanRay on <11-21-11/1556:17>
Have to be pretty old to be "Canadians".  After all, after the UCAS was created, they would be UCASers...  Possibly the first real "Americans" born in Canada.

EDIT:  Like some of the old posters that insisted they were "Mexican" instead of "Aztlaners".
Title: Re: Conspiracy Theories bring the crazy--it's out now!
Post by: FastJack on <11-21-11/1643:54>
Plowing through the book pretty quickly. Although I think I'll have to re-read sections since the weekend was a non-stop run on its own and I feel like I could sleep for two days -- oh look! Turkey! ZZZZZzzzzzzzzzz.......
Title: Re: Conspiracy Theories bring the crazy--it's out now!
Post by: Crimsondude on <11-21-11/1656:41>
Have to be pretty old to be "Canadians".  After all, after the UCAS was created, they would be UCASers...  Possibly the first real "Americans" born in Canada.

EDIT:  Like some of the old posters that insisted they were "Mexican" instead of "Aztlaners".
Anyone over 43 would still be Canadian.

Besides that, I'm ruining the fun.
Title: Re: Conspiracy Theories bring the crazy--it's out now!
Post by: Fizzygoo on <11-21-11/1943:30>
But we've gone massively off topic here.  How are you folks that jump at every [some] PDF(s)as soon as it hits the sites thinking about the new book?

I'm about 43 pages into it and enjoying it quite a bit, to put it mildly. Dragons and bugs so far, mmmmm. And I like the Plan 9 - Snopes - Fianchetto trifecta intro. The second piece of fiction is great as well, Netcat and Pistons nude and kicking ass...okay, maybe not nude, but a hell of a lot of fun to read... like the intro fiction.

(Edited messed up strikethrough)
Title: Re: Conspiracy Theories bring the crazy--it's out now!
Post by: FastJack on <11-21-11/2124:25>
Page 49 and doing great!
Title: Re: Conspiracy Theories bring the crazy--it's out now!
Post by: Critias on <11-22-11/1227:15>
So how's it goin'?  Folks still diggin' it?
Title: Re: Conspiracy Theories bring the crazy--it's out now!
Post by: Mirikon on <11-22-11/1255:00>
YES! Love it love it love it! There's plenty of 'crunch' out there already. The only real crunch I could use would be rules to design your own weapons and vehicles/drones. But fluff, either in the form of modules (like the Horizon campaign) or world-building (like Spy Games) is ALWAYS good.
Title: Re: Conspiracy Theories bring the crazy--it's out now!
Post by: FastJack on <11-22-11/1323:28>
Enjoying it immensely!
Title: Re: Conspiracy Theories bring the crazy--it's out now!
Post by: nakano on <11-22-11/1339:15>
Bah!!!  Have to wait till Wednesday to pick up the download. 

Bah humbug!
Title: Re: Conspiracy Theories bring the crazy--it's out now!
Post by: CanRay on <11-22-11/1549:25>
Bah!!!  Have to wait till Wednesday to pick up the download. 

Bah humbug!
Careful, the 'Runners of Christmas Past, Present, and Future might visit you!

Bubba the Love Troll is the 'Runner of Christmas Future, BTW.  Apparently prison is in your fate if you don't change your wicked ways and do more Hooding Runs.  ;D
Title: Re: Conspiracy Theories bring the crazy--it's out now!
Post by: Bull on <11-22-11/1622:42>
YES! Love it love it love it! There's plenty of 'crunch' out there already. The only real crunch I could use would be rules to design your own weapons and vehicles/drones. But fluff, either in the form of modules (like the Horizon campaign) or world-building (like Spy Games) is ALWAYS good.

<plug>
If you're looking for more modules, please check out the Shadowrun Missions line of adventures.  While they're designed for the Missions Living Campaign, they are also designed and written to be used in home games as well.
</plug>

Bull
Title: Re: Conspiracy Theories bring the crazy--it's out now!
Post by: Crash_00 on <11-22-11/1723:44>
Quote
The only real crunch I could use would be rules to design your own weapons and vehicles/drones
While its not official in any way, I did a rough port of the old SR3 gun design to SR4A. Its over in the Gamemaster section.
Title: Re: Conspiracy Theories bring the crazy--it's out now!
Post by: Crimsondude on <11-23-11/0307:59>
My favorite quote:
Quote from: Conspiracy Theories, 140
> Isn’t that the point of magic? Doing what is supposed to be impossible?
> Sunshine
It's in my chapter, but Jason wrote it.


He may seem boring, but his writing can often have a great deal of panache. It compliments my ... eccentricity ... pretty well.
Title: Re: Conspiracy Theories bring the crazy--it's out now!
Post by: Grinder on <11-23-11/0712:35>
Who wrote the London chapter?
Title: Re: Conspiracy Theories bring the crazy--it's out now!
Post by: JM_Hardy on <11-23-11/1233:12>
Who wrote the London chapter?

Malik Toms and me.

And wait, did James just call me boring? Looks like I have some contracts to rip up.

Jason H.
Title: Re: Conspiracy Theories bring the crazy--it's out now!
Post by: Critias on <11-23-11/1235:00>
In fairness, he just said you seem boring.  So, uhh...there's that, at least?

So, uhh, who gets his money and karma after you off him?
Title: Re: Conspiracy Theories bring the crazy--it's out now!
Post by: JM_Hardy on <11-23-11/1240:37>
In fairness, he just said you seem boring.  So, uhh...there's that, at least?

So, uhh, who gets his money and karma after you off him?

According to RPG rules, whoever is closest to him and able to grab it first!

Jason H.
Title: Re: Conspiracy Theories bring the crazy--it's out now!
Post by: Patrick Goodman on <11-23-11/1244:45>
Geographically, that might be me...hmmmm. Might need to make a trip....
Title: Re: Conspiracy Theories bring the crazy--it's out now!
Post by: CanRay on <11-23-11/1248:34>
And who is going to replace him?

Hmmmmmmmmm, might have to plan a Shadowrun to drop my Resume onto the CGL HQ HR Department Desk...  And burn the other ones that got there before me.
Title: Re: Conspiracy Theories bring the crazy--it's out now!
Post by: JM_Hardy on <11-23-11/1303:54>
And who is going to replace him?

Hmmmmmmmmm, might have to plan a Shadowrun to drop my Resume onto the CGL HQ HR Department Desk...  And burn the other ones that got there before me.

No need for you to drop a resume … we already know who you are.  ;)

Jason H.
Title: Re: Conspiracy Theories bring the crazy--it's out now!
Post by: Crimsondude on <11-23-11/1351:54>
And wait, did James just call me boring? Looks like I have some contracts to rip up.
You can feed them to Mack for all the good that might do.

I stand by my statement. Crazy attracts crazy, so I'm pretty thankful that my boss isn't.


Geographically, that might be me...hmmmm. Might need to make a trip....
Actually, it's Mike.
Title: Re: Conspiracy Theories bring the crazy--it's out now!
Post by: MikeW on <11-23-11/1353:58>
Yep. That would be me. Being in the same city with James and all.  =)
Title: Re: Conspiracy Theories bring the crazy--it's out now!
Post by: Grinder on <11-23-11/1414:57>
And who is going to replace him?

Hmmmmmmmmm, might have to plan a Shadowrun to drop my Resume onto the CGL HQ HR Department Desk...  And burn the other ones that got there before me.

No need for you to drop a resume … we already know who you are.  ;)

Quite a compliment. ;D
Title: Re: Conspiracy Theories bring the crazy--it's out now!
Post by: Mirikon on <11-23-11/1419:43>
Unless it was meant in the "We already know you, and wouldn't touch you with a twelve foot pole" kind of way.

Just sayin'. ;)
Title: Re: Conspiracy Theories bring the crazy--it's out now!
Post by: Critias on <11-23-11/1419:57>
And who is going to replace him?

Hmmmmmmmmm, might have to plan a Shadowrun to drop my Resume onto the CGL HQ HR Department Desk...  And burn the other ones that got there before me.

No need for you to drop a resume … we already know who you are.  ;)

Quite a compliment. ;D
Or threat, depending on the smiley face used. 
Title: Re: Conspiracy Theories bring the crazy--it's out now!
Post by: FastJack on <11-23-11/1642:08>
In fairness, he just said you seem boring.  So, uhh...there's that, at least?

So, uhh, who gets his money and karma after you off him?

According to RPG rules, whoever is closest to him and able to grab it first!

Jason H.
Hell, I'm already driving out there. I'll call you in 30 when it's done. ;D
Title: Re: Conspiracy Theories bring the crazy--it's out now!
Post by: CanRay on <11-23-11/1716:38>
Unless it was meant in the "We already know you, and wouldn't touch you with a twelve foot pole" kind of way.

Just sayin'. ;)
Well, considering the fan-wank I've written and folks know about on the forums, probably less a 12' pole and more a three metre cattle prod that's been illegally modified.
Title: Re: Conspiracy Theories bring the crazy--it's out now!
Post by: Bull on <11-23-11/1823:35>
PAC round from 100 Meters.  That's about as much as I'm willing to do. :)
Title: Re: Conspiracy Theories bring the crazy--it's out now!
Post by: Crimsondude on <11-23-11/1921:30>
In fairness, he just said you seem boring.  So, uhh...there's that, at least?

So, uhh, who gets his money and karma after you off him?


According to RPG rules, whoever is closest to him and able to grab it first!

Jason H.
Hell, I'm already driving out there. I'll call you in 30 when it's done. ;D
Ha!

Joke's on you. I'm a freelancer. I have no money, and all my karma is Bad Karma. So unless you feel the need to jack your Notoriety score into the exosphere, you're out of luck. I don't think Real Life allows the optional cash to karma rule*.




*Not that people haven't tried for centuries to convince The GM differently.
Title: Re: Conspiracy Theories bring the crazy--it's out now!
Post by: FastJack on <11-23-11/1922:36>
In fairness, he just said you seem boring.  So, uhh...there's that, at least?

So, uhh, who gets his money and karma after you off him?


According to RPG rules, whoever is closest to him and able to grab it first!

Jason H.
Hell, I'm already driving out there. I'll call you in 30 when it's done. ;D
Ha!

Joke's on you. I'm a freelancer. I have no money, and all my karma is Bad Karma. So unless you feel the need to jack your Notoriety score into the exosphere, I don't think Real Life allows the optional karma to cash rule.
Have you SEEN my Rep? Do you think I worry about Notoriety??
Title: Re: Conspiracy Theories bring the crazy--it's out now!
Post by: Crimsondude on <11-23-11/1924:25>
Yeah, but that's on this board. My Notoriety score is universal.
Title: Re: Conspiracy Theories bring the crazy--it's out now!
Post by: Catadmin on <11-25-11/1459:47>
I'm about 43 pages into it and enjoying it quite a bit, to put it mildly. Dragons and bugs so far, mmmmm. And I like the Plan 9 - Snopes - Fianchetto trifecta intro. The second piece of fiction is great as well, Netcat and Pistons nude and kicking ass...okay, maybe not nude, but a hell of a lot of fun to read... like the intro fiction.

For a moment I got really confused. I was sure I remembered them having clothes on. Then I went back. Sure enough, I didn't really describe clothing, did I?

So they COULD be nude. If you really need that kind of entertainment. @=)

Glad you enjoyed the fiction. I had fun writing it.
Title: Re: Conspiracy Theories bring the crazy--it's out now!
Post by: CanRay on <11-25-11/1624:33>
Next time, Pistons and Netcat nude mudwrestling as part of a cover!  ;D
Title: Re: Conspiracy Theories bring the crazy--it's out now!
Post by: Mirikon on <11-25-11/1702:00>
Next time, Pistons and Netcat nude mudwrestling as part of a cover!  ;D
Toss Frosty and Kellan Colt in too.
Title: Re: Conspiracy Theories bring the crazy--it's out now!
Post by: CanRay on <11-25-11/1707:11>
Is /dev/grrl legal yet?  :P

All I know is that Butch and Kane will be in pervert's row placing bets.  ;)
Title: Re: Conspiracy Theories bring the crazy--it's out now!
Post by: Crimsondude on <11-25-11/1711:05>
It depends.
Title: Re: Conspiracy Theories bring the crazy--it's out now!
Post by: CanRay on <11-25-11/1716:41>
Yeah, good point.  Which country will this be happening in?  ;D  *Chuckles*  Damn, I must sound like a dirty old man now.

Without the old part.  Sorta.

...

GIT OFF MAH LAWN!
Title: Re: Conspiracy Theories bring the crazy--it's out now!
Post by: Fizzygoo on <11-25-11/1737:16>
For a moment I got really confused. I was sure I remembered them having clothes on. Then I went back. Sure enough, I didn't really describe clothing, did I?

So they COULD be nude. If you really need that kind of entertainment. @=)

Glad you enjoyed the fiction. I had fun writing it.

Woa, so I went back and did a close(r) reading of Shadowtown Showdown. Not only is clothing, for Pistons and Netcat, not mentioned, but neither is hair color/style, eye color, distinguishing features, etc. In fact, I would say the best (or at least most comfortably) dressed entity in the story is not even metahuman;

Quote
Shadowtown wore early morning like a weary child in bulky, oversized pajamas...
(CT pg 22).

And the only place where one can assume exactly what either Netcat or Pistons is wearing is when Piston is in all likelihood actually nude!:

Quote
While Pistons showered, Netcat checked her messages.
(CT pg 24).

Now I would say this is awesome on several levels. 1st, because by leaving out physical appearances of the two main characters the story becomes deeply character driven. At no point is the reader left feeling like they didn't know or feel for the two characters. Admittedly some of that is attributed to the fact that both Netcat and Pistons have a long (literary) history that, by its nature, is all about their thoughts as expressed through JackPoint quotes but in the context of the story itself their "characters" emerge through their dialogue with one another; their individuality deeply rooted from their inner selves rather than distinguishing surface facades of clothing (or lack there of) and make up.

Secondly, it's awesome because it's a sci-fi story that has two strong female leads that aren't sexualized. The only sexualization that I could detect in the story was in the description of some of the AR arrows, "Half-naked AR models stepped out of the signs, beckoning those who came within ten meters of the entrance." To which Pistons "snorts." (CT pg 22). And even in that description...it's gender neutral.

So the thesis title of the Shadowtown Showdown literary criticism paper would be something like "Dystopian Future Births Gender Equality" with lengthy extrapolations of the text showing two strong female leads who don't require a male to save them and are fully capable of solving their own problems.

Anyway, that's my quick Feminism read of the story, we'll have to try a Freudian or Marxist one next time or really delve into it with a deconstruction reading ;)
Title: Re: Conspiracy Theories bring the crazy--it's out now!
Post by: CanRay on <11-25-11/1747:28>
I particularly like the gender neutrality that comes into play in Shadowrun.  Very rarely do you have a female character (Or a male one for that matter) that's completely helpless and unable to do anything to extract themselves unless they live in a Corporate Enclave (And thus protected all their lives) or are children (Who still get a few kicks in.).  There is some sexuality that is brought into play, but I've seen almost as much beefcake as cheesecake.  (The description of Argent certainly comes close.).

Few people in Shadowrun are the "weak and helpless" types.  Even the Geek on the subway has a Colt Asp in the accessories section of his Cyberdeck Case.

Even societal norms can be turned on their heads and few people would notice or care.  An example is the overly buff Nas (Who is near ork sized despite being an elf) and his twink boyfriend Chava (a Night One) are a typical couple in a lot of ways.  But it's Chava cuddling Nas at night as he cries in terror at the dreams that come...
Title: Re: Conspiracy Theories bring the crazy--it's out now!
Post by: Crimsondude on <11-27-11/0600:12>
Actually, that brings up something I didn't even realize I did until recently. It seems that many, if not most, of the "players" that are mentioned in DeeCee are women: The President, Vice President, three senators, three Cabinet secretaries, Colloton's Chief of Staff, Director of UCAS Intelligence, two regional commissioners, several appointees, Vanessa Marconi (Who's supposed to have taken over as the Mafia's "ambassador" from her father), Corinna, Daviar, Pritchard, Roz Hernandez, the head of Z-OG Terrestrial, CCMA/GOD liaison, and Majia Wright.

Looking at the original list (which was almost as long as the Who Do You Know subchapter itself), there are a ton of women who didn't even get mentioned.
Title: Re: Conspiracy Theories bring the crazy--it's out now!
Post by: FastJack on <11-27-11/1227:13>
Actually, that brings up something I didn't even realize I did until recently. It seems that many, if not most, of the "players" that are mentioned in DeeCee are women: The President, Vice President, three senators, three Cabinet secretaries, Colloton's Chief of Staff, Director of UCAS Intelligence, two regional commissioners, several appointees, Vanessa Marconi (Who's supposed to have taken over as the Mafia's "ambassador" from her father), Corinna, Daviar, Pritchard, Roz Hernandez, the head of Z-OG Terrestrial, CCMA/GOD liaison, and Majia Wright.

Looking at the original list (which was almost as long as the Who Do You Know subchapter itself), there are a ton of women who didn't even get mentioned.
That's because all the men went to the CAS.

Oh, I'm going to pay for that comment.
Title: Re: Conspiracy Theories bring the crazy--it's out now!
Post by: CanRay on <11-27-11/1230:27>
*Sings in the key of off*  "All my exes live in Texas, that's why I live in Tennessee."
Title: Re: Conspiracy Theories bring the crazy--it's out now!
Post by: Crimsondude on <11-27-11/2117:34>
Actually, that brings up something I didn't even realize I did until recently. It seems that many, if not most, of the "players" that are mentioned in DeeCee are women: The President, Vice President, three senators, three Cabinet secretaries, Colloton's Chief of Staff, Director of UCAS Intelligence, two regional commissioners, several appointees, Vanessa Marconi (Who's supposed to have taken over as the Mafia's "ambassador" from her father), Corinna, Daviar, Pritchard, Roz Hernandez, the head of Z-OG Terrestrial, CCMA/GOD liaison, and Majia Wright.

Looking at the original list (which was almost as long as the Who Do You Know subchapter itself), there are a ton of women who didn't even get mentioned.
That's because all the men went to the CAS.

Oh, I'm going to pay for that comment.
Yeah, but now Jack Nicholson's comment about female superior officers in A Few Good Men is less fantasy and more of a plan of action.
Title: Re: Conspiracy Theories bring the crazy--it's out now!
Post by: Fizzygoo on <11-27-11/2139:53>
Actually, that brings up something I didn't even realize I did until recently. It seems that many, if not most, of the "players" that are mentioned in DeeCee are women: The President, Vice President, three senators, three Cabinet secretaries, Colloton's Chief of Staff, Director of UCAS Intelligence, two regional commissioners, several appointees, Vanessa Marconi (Who's supposed to have taken over as the Mafia's "ambassador" from her father), Corinna, Daviar, Pritchard, Roz Hernandez, the head of Z-OG Terrestrial, CCMA/GOD liaison, and Majia Wright.

Looking at the original list (which was almost as long as the Who Do You Know subchapter itself), there are a ton of women who didn't even get mentioned.
That's because all the men went to the CAS.

Oh, I'm going to pay for that comment.
Yeah, but now Jack Nicholson's comment about female superior officers in A Few Good Men is less fantasy and more of a plan of action.

"They're all them, though, all of them are them, if all the men are all in CAS then that just means, I mean it's obvious, right, like, all of them: they're all of them...what?! Like you don't know, of course you know, you all know, you know what they are, I can see it in your eyes, you know, you know, UCAS is just one big nest of mantis spirits, all of them, mantises, manti, bugs, oh, what do you mean mantis spirits don't build nests, you know they do...look at UCAS, it's just one big nest, a mantis nest, check and mate about the no nests hypothesis there chummer, Occam's following the blood trail for his lost straight edge on that one. Sheesh, and I thought you knew bugs. What? No, no! Don't let her in, what is she doing here, ahhhh! Mother get out!"
Title: Re: Conspiracy Theories bring the crazy--it's out now!
Post by: Crimsondude on <11-27-11/2158:18>
Goddamn it.

I totally would have tossed something like that in if I hadn't managed to outsmart myself.
Title: Re: Conspiracy Theories bring the crazy--it's out now!
Post by: Catadmin on <11-28-11/1735:47>
Actually, that brings up something I didn't even realize I did until recently. It seems that many, if not most, of the "players" that are mentioned in DeeCee are women: The President, Vice President, three senators, three Cabinet secretaries, Colloton's Chief of Staff, Director of UCAS Intelligence, two regional commissioners, several appointees, Vanessa Marconi (Who's supposed to have taken over as the Mafia's "ambassador" from her father), Corinna, Daviar, Pritchard, Roz Hernandez, the head of Z-OG Terrestrial, CCMA/GOD liaison, and Majia Wright.

Looking at the original list (which was almost as long as the Who Do You Know subchapter itself), there are a ton of women who didn't even get mentioned.
That's because all the men went to the CAS.

Oh, I'm going to pay for that comment.
Yeah, but now Jack Nicholson's comment about female superior officers in A Few Good Men is less fantasy and more of a plan of action.

"They're all them, though, all of them are them, if all the men are all in CAS then that just means, I mean it's obvious, right, like, all of them: they're all of them...what?! Like you don't know, of course you know, you all know, you know what they are, I can see it in your eyes, you know, you know, UCAS is just one big nest of mantis spirits, all of them, mantises, manti, bugs, oh, what do you mean mantis spirits don't build nests, you know they do...look at UCAS, it's just one big nest, a mantis nest, check and mate about the no nests hypothesis there chummer, Occam's following the blood trail for his lost straight edge on that one. Sheesh, and I thought you knew bugs. What? No, no! Don't let her in, what is she doing here, ahhhh! Mother get out!"

Seriously, Fizzy, STOP THAT.  :o You're giving me evil ideas and I don't think you want to see where I take a comment like that.

Unless, of course, you like the bugs... Is that it? You like bugs? You want bugs? I can give you bugs, Fizzy. Oh, yes I can...

Bwhahahahahahahahaha... ahem. I mean, stop giving me evil ideas, darnit!
Title: Re: Conspiracy Theories bring the crazy--it's out now!
Post by: Bull on <11-28-11/1803:51>
hrmm.  Brandie's off her meds again.  That, or she's possessed by a Bug Spirit.  I'd say it's a 50/50 toss up at this point.
Title: Re: Conspiracy Theories bring the crazy--it's out now!
Post by: Patrick Goodman on <11-28-11/1926:09>
Who says it can't be both?
Title: Re: Conspiracy Theories bring the crazy--it's out now!
Post by: Fizzygoo on <11-28-11/2148:07>
Seriously, Fizzy, STOP THAT.  :o You're giving me evil ideas and I don't think you want to see where I take a comment like that.

Unless, of course, you like the bugs... Is that it? You like bugs? You want bugs? I can give you bugs, Fizzy. Oh, yes I can...

Bwhahahahahahahahaha... ahem. I mean, stop giving me evil ideas, darnit!

Bugs? [munch, munch, munch], Oh yes, I like bugs. [munch, crunch, munch], They're very good. They are, [crack, pop, munch], better than hugs. [munch, munch, munch] But not better than hugs from [gulp] bugs. [toothy grin]

I GM, so bugs are good, case in point: http://forums.shadowrun4.com/index.php?topic=1417.msg16594#msg16594 (http://forums.shadowrun4.com/index.php?topic=1417.msg16594#msg16594)
Title: Re: Conspiracy Theories bring the crazy--it's out now!
Post by: CanRay on <11-28-11/2200:51>
I can just see a group of freaked out Runners going into a All-Night Hardware Store Chain, the Troll blocking the door with the largest thing around (Himself), while the rest of the crew corner the guy on duty, "We need your most potent, toxic, horrendous, illegal insecticide you have in the back room RIGHT FRAGGING NOW!"

"Um, dudes, why?  That stuff causes like cancer and stuff.  In minutes."  *Stares in horror as a Troll-Sized Cockroach beats against the shatter-proof glass*

"Right fragging now, man."

"Yeah, you can cut cancer out.  Can't cut out dead.  I'll show you were it is."
Title: Re: Conspiracy Theories bring the crazy--it's out now!
Post by: Fizzygoo on <11-28-11/2211:50>
"Yeah, you can cut cancer out.  Can't cut out dead.  I'll show you were it is."

Hehe, good merge, bad merge...can't cut the bug out either.
Title: Re: Conspiracy Theories bring the crazy--it's out now!
Post by: Patrick Goodman on <11-28-11/2218:01>
"Right fragging now, man."
This whole thing was beautiful. I needed that; thanks.
Title: Re: Conspiracy Theories bring the crazy--it's out now!
Post by: CanRay on <11-28-11/2220:16>
Welcome.  Glad to be of assistance.  ;D
Title: Re: Conspiracy Theories bring the crazy--it's out now!
Post by: Catadmin on <11-29-11/1624:56>
Seriously, Fizzy, STOP THAT.  :o You're giving me evil ideas and I don't think you want to see where I take a comment like that.

Unless, of course, you like the bugs... Is that it? You like bugs? You want bugs? I can give you bugs, Fizzy. Oh, yes I can...

Bwhahahahahahahahaha... ahem. I mean, stop giving me evil ideas, darnit!

Bugs? [munch, munch, munch], Oh yes, I like bugs. [munch, crunch, munch], They're very good. They are, [crack, pop, munch], better than hugs. [munch, munch, munch] But not better than hugs from [gulp] bugs. [toothy grin]

I GM, so bugs are good, case in point: http://forums.shadowrun4.com/index.php?topic=1417.msg16594#msg16594 (http://forums.shadowrun4.com/index.php?topic=1417.msg16594#msg16594)

Hmm. I wonder if Jason will let me talk publicly about Buggagedon and Gnats of Doom.

 :o Oh, wait. I didn't say that. There are no Gnats of Doom. Honest.  :-X
Title: Re: Conspiracy Theories bring the crazy--it's out now!
Post by: FastJack on <11-29-11/1627:00>
Why do Gnat spirits scare me more than Cockroach spirits??
Title: Re: Conspiracy Theories bring the crazy--it's out now!
Post by: Patrick Goodman on <11-29-11/1639:39>
Because there are so many more of them? And they fly? Just guessin' here....
Title: Re: Conspiracy Theories bring the crazy--it's out now!
Post by: Bull on <11-29-11/1704:40>
One of the scariest things I ever came across in Shadowrun was a Wasp/Troll bad merge when we were hip deep in Bug City.  the size and strength of a troll, boosted by the bug spirit, plus the chitinous armor and wings of a Wasp. 

Yes, the bugger could FLY.

Couple that with the Hive Mind/Shared Willpower ability bugs had back then and the fact that the Wasp Queen for this nest was one of THE biggest spirits in the city (Force 16, IIRC), and *shudder*  Give me Cyberzombies any day :)

Bull
Title: Re: Conspiracy Theories bring the crazy--it's out now!
Post by: CanRay on <11-29-11/1737:25>
Mosquito Spirits in Winnipeg scare me.  They're already big and mean enough to hold their own in a fist-fight with me.
Title: Re: Conspiracy Theories bring the crazy--it's out now!
Post by: Argent on <11-30-11/0010:03>
One of the scariest things I ever came across in Shadowrun was a Wasp/Troll bad merge when we were hip deep in Bug City.  the size and strength of a troll, boosted by the bug spirit, plus the chitinous armor and wings of a Wasp. 

Yes, the bugger could FLY.

Couple that with the Hive Mind/Shared Willpower ability bugs had back then and the fact that the Wasp Queen for this nest was one of THE biggest spirits in the city (Force 16, IIRC), and *shudder*  Give me Cyberzombies any day :)

Bull

You're gonna give me nightmares Bull. :P
Title: Re: Conspiracy Theories bring the crazy--it's out now!
Post by: Digital_Viking on <11-30-11/1039:39>
One of the scariest things I ever came across in Shadowrun was a Wasp/Troll bad merge when we were hip deep in Bug City.  the size and strength of a troll, boosted by the bug spirit, plus the chitinous armor and wings of a Wasp. 

Yes, the bugger could FLY.

Couple that with the Hive Mind/Shared Willpower ability bugs had back then and the fact that the Wasp Queen for this nest was one of THE biggest spirits in the city (Force 16, IIRC), and *shudder*  Give me Cyberzombies any day :)

Bull

SAMs, don't leave home without them.
Title: Re: Conspiracy Theories bring the crazy--it's out now!
Post by: CanRay on <11-30-11/1053:00>
SAMs, don't leave home without them.
Will a SAM lock onto a Biological?
Title: Re: Conspiracy Theories bring the crazy--it's out now!
Post by: Digital_Viking on <11-30-11/1108:44>
SAMs, don't leave home without them.
Will a SAM lock onto a Biological?

Give me time!
Title: Re: Conspiracy Theories bring the crazy--it's out now!
Post by: CanRay on <11-30-11/1110:56>
SAMs, don't leave home without them.
Will a SAM lock onto a Biological?
Give me time!
*Looks out the window and gives some covering fire*  You got about fifteen seconds.  At best.
Title: Re: Conspiracy Theories bring the crazy--it's out now!
Post by: Wakshaani on <11-30-11/1112:56>
You know, I was just looking over Universal Brotherhood the other day and, in it, there's a baby that's got a bugmerge, kindasorta. (The mom was preggers when the merge happened. In the name of Science! they carried it to term.)

And now I have a mental image of an orphanage, where the babies are given Merges. And you get to have creepy Japanese-style disjointed babies crawling on ceilings and chittiny scuttling because they're small enough to fit inside the walls, just waiting for you to let your guard down.

Nothing better than kicking things off by the team picking up an adorable little baby that goos ... then pops its jaws as a pair of mandables slides out and snaps in the air.
Title: Re: Conspiracy Theories bring the crazy--it's out now!
Post by: Digital_Viking on <11-30-11/1113:52>
SAMs, don't leave home without them.
Will a SAM lock onto a Biological?
Give me time!
*Looks out the window and gives some covering fire*  You got about fifteen seconds.  At best.

I'm a Marine, I only need 10  8)
Title: Re: Conspiracy Theories bring the crazy--it's out now!
Post by: Mirikon on <11-30-11/1119:46>
And this is why we have rockets that detonate on impact. Point and shoot, no need to worry about guidance systems.

As for ones that do have guidance, radar is iffy, don't know what the bug's crossection would look like. However, laser designated targeting systems work fine on bugs, and heat-seakers may work. And then there's always the Heimdall. A rigged missile.
Title: Re: Conspiracy Theories bring the crazy--it's out now!
Post by: CanRay on <11-30-11/1128:40>
Nothing better than kicking things off by the team picking up an adorable little baby that goos ... then pops its jaws as a pair of mandables slides out and snaps in the air.
"A face even a mother wouldn't love."  *Shotgun Blast To The Face*  "That's better."
Title: Re: Conspiracy Theories bring the crazy--it's out now!
Post by: FastJack on <11-30-11/1214:24>
Nothing better than kicking things off by the team picking up an adorable little baby that goos ... then pops its jaws as a pair of mandables slides out and snaps in the air.
"A face even a mother wouldn't love."  *Shotgun Blast To The Face*  "That's better."
"Listen, Rick. You can't just go around killing every kid (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2iCl0GTCjkE) you don't like the look of (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6LU5-4XUnG8&t=1m58s)!"
Title: Re: Conspiracy Theories bring the crazy--it's out now!
Post by: CanRay on <11-30-11/1509:51>
Nothing better than kicking things off by the team picking up an adorable little baby that goos ... then pops its jaws as a pair of mandables slides out and snaps in the air.
"A face even a mother wouldn't love."  *Shotgun Blast To The Face*  "That's better."
"Listen, Rick. You can't just go around killing every kid (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2iCl0GTCjkE) you don't like the look of (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6LU5-4XUnG8&t=1m58s)!"
"Fine, you do your talkie-talkie bit with the next one that tries to eat you.  Me, I'm doing gun control.  To me, that means hitting what you aim at."
Title: Re: Conspiracy Theories bring the crazy--it's out now!
Post by: Catadmin on <12-11-11/1724:04>
Well, I had to do it. I needed the laugh. The Gnats of Doom are officially (unofficially) statted up and on my blog if you're interested in stupid, silly, NPC bad guys.

http://brandietarvin.livejournal.com/40696.html (http://brandietarvin.livejournal.com/40696.html)

Enjoy.
Title: Re: Conspiracy Theories bring the crazy--it's out now!
Post by: Crimsondude on <12-22-11/0517:06>
I should probably finish that Anne Penchyk writeup, at least for internal consumption.
Title: Re: Conspiracy Theories bring the crazy--it's out now!
Post by: Grinder on <01-08-12/0511:57>
What bugs me aboutt he book is the "Bubbling to the Surface"-chapter: its introduction is written by Snopes, but the single theories aren't written with his voice all the time - should it have been that other posters like Plan 9 should have written them, but it just got mixed up?
Title: Re: Conspiracy Theories bring the crazy--it's out now!
Post by: Grinder on <02-18-12/0256:24>
What are HEADS? Mentioned in the DeeCee-chapter, but no explanation given (it's a common of pattern of James Meiers to use acronyms wihtout explaining them....).
Title: Re: Conspiracy Theories bring the crazy--it's out now!
Post by: Crimsondude on <02-18-12/0924:55>
Homeland Enforcement And Defense. Federal Law Enforcement Agencies info box. Page 122.

Title: Re: Conspiracy Theories bring the crazy--it's out now!
Post by: Critias on <02-18-12/1222:02>
I kind of wish Match had survived that bit of fiction.  I liked the silly bastard, the more I wrote of him.
Title: Re: Conspiracy Theories bring the crazy--it's out now!
Post by: raggedhalo on <02-19-12/0541:13>
I should probably finish that Anne Penchyk writeup, at least for internal consumption.

I always thought:

[spoiler]She was a Mantis Spirit post-Super Tuesday/Shadows of the Underworld, and that the Empowerment Coalition was just a posh front for such things, but I've never been able to find anything to that effect in Loose Alliances or whatever.  Did I just imagine the whole thing?[/spoiler]
Title: Re: Conspiracy Theories bring the crazy--it's out now!
Post by: Crimsondude on <02-19-12/0749:03>
She's still an ork in Shadows of the Underworld. Anyway, that's why she needed the writeup. There are questions about what the EC is doing, and what role the mantids play into it.
Title: Re: Conspiracy Theories bring the crazy--it's out now!
Post by: Grinder on <02-19-12/1026:33>
Homeland Enforcement And Defense. Federal Law Enforcement Agencies info box. Page 122.

D'oh! Read it, but didn't make the connection.  :-[
Title: Re: Conspiracy Theories bring the crazy--it's out now!
Post by: raggedhalo on <02-19-12/1153:24>
There are questions about what the EC is doing, and what role the mantids play into it.

In my previous home campaign, I used them as a network of politically-powerful women willingly possessed by Mantis Spirits.  One of the PCs had taken Amnesia, so I gave him the full Manchurian Candidate (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Manchurian_Candidate_%282004_film%29) treatment.  His mother was a UCAS Senator (based on Eleanor Prentis Shaw from the film, and Hillary Rodham Clinton), another member was a major Denver fixer, etc. etc.
Title: Re: Conspiracy Theories bring the crazy--it's out now!
Post by: Grinder on <02-21-12/0658:52>
(it's a common of pattern of James Meiers to use acronyms wihtout explaining them....).

Prime example for this:
Quote
The Annex is home to the Court’s SEC, Crisis
Coordination Committee, CCMA (including GOD), and other
offices.

I may have glitched on my data search test or it's just "too many acronyms".  :P
Title: Re: Conspiracy Theories bring the crazy--it's out now!
Post by: Mirikon on <02-21-12/0702:09>
Off the top of my head, I'd say that SEC would be Security Exchange Commission, CCMA would be the Corporate Court Matrix Authority, and GOD is Grid Overwatch Division. Corporate Guide has a bunch of info on the Court and some of its agencies.
Title: Re: Conspiracy Theories bring the crazy--it's out now!
Post by: Grinder on <02-21-12/0716:57>
See? I glitched. ;D Still I think it would be nicer if stuff like Corporate Court Matrix Authority would be written out once and used as acronym then.
Title: Re: Conspiracy Theories bring the crazy--it's out now!
Post by: Black on <02-21-12/1827:31>
I would have to concur.  Not everyone reads everything, and in my case, some of us have memories like sieves.

Just once, the first time, in a book. Then use the acronym afterwards.  For example, I learnt what GOD was from a discussion I read here in the foum... otherwise?