[ismilealot]

The old StarGate club has suddenly been given a new life. and the wait list for reservations is over two weeks. Up and coming Arcologist and elves from the Salishe Shidhe are down there to play and the newly revamped club advertises an environment that titillates and satisfies every single sense. And those that can afford it are making sure to be there every single night, Not bad for a club in the Barrens, even one on the Salishe-Shidhe border.

I'm looking for two players to add to an existing group of players and I've got some very strict requirements. First, you post a backstory AND I interview every potential player over Skype. If we get along I add you to the Skype group of players and you have up to a week to get your chara. sheet submitted. During that time you MUST talk to and get to know the other players. Anyone who can't get along with their future team mates before the game will be dropped. Period. Anyone who doesn't have a character sheet submitted BEFORE the drop dead date will be dropped. Period.  Game would be 5e. Street character creation rules. You MUST be able to post a minimum of twice a day. Yes, I work too and I post that much and more.
     Yes, you will absolutely need a few social skills because I run extremely heavy RP games. If your character can only grunt and shoot you're going to end up with not much to do for 90% of the game.  If you want in I need a backstory by Mar 7th and a chara sheet by Mar 14th. Game is STREET LEVEL CHARACTER CREATION plus 25k nuyen and 10 Karma.

[ShadowcatX]

A little knowledge about the team might be useful.

[ismilealot]

I'd rather you played something you really enjoyed and were excited to play than have you, "fill a hole".

[Imveros]

Twice a day seems like a tough hurdle, but i find myself looking forward to posting. Not only is the story well paced, but the friendly atmosphere the Skype group cultivates leads to a sibling rivalry type thing and no one wants to let the group down

If you must know though, we have a cowboy troll tank, a shape shifting adept infiltrator, a human wana be rigger/small business woman, a wizened old street mage, and an elven gunner with a sortied past

+1 to this game guys

[SgtBoomCloud]

Imveros, I love how your description of the party roles seems to be influenced by your character's experience with them.  Just saying

I'll also throw in my +1 to this game.  The posting pace is quite doable, and promotes quite an engaging roleplay experience, I've found.  Smiles knows what she's doing, that much has been proven, so if all you potential players wanna be in some awesome stuff, GO FOR IT.

Also to echo smiles, do not worry about what roles are in game.  It is encouraged to play something that can be enjoyed and played for the long haul, and our illustrious GM has also proven to make it work

[Herr Brackhaus]

I'd like to apply for this, though I do have some questions.

What kind of power level are we gearing towards (i.e. are dice pools of 12 average (Attribute 6 + Skill 6), or on the lower end of the scale)? In other words, what kind of Professional Rating opposition am I expected to go up against?

Is each character expected to be specialized (i.e. have a primary focus they are very good at, to the possible detriment of other skills), or generalized (just slightly above average but at a broader range of skills)?

As the game is (initially) set in the Barrens, is a SIN required and/or advisable, or are we likely going to be spending a far amount of time in the Barrens?

None of these questions influence the backstory of the character, however, so I'll polish up the background and concept and send it to you by PM by the end of tonight.

EDIT:
Since I'd like to play a decker, I'll also have some follow-up questions on potential host ratings and the like, but we can deal with that over Skype if I'm chosen.

[ShadowcatX]

I'd rather you played something you really enjoyed and were excited to play than have you, "fill a hole".

That's understandable, but being a second (or third) decker on a team wouldn't be especially enjoyable for anyone I don't think. When in doubt it is always good to have more information when making a decision than less.

[Herr Brackhaus]

ShadowcatX
If you're aiming to play a decker, I've got both a Physical Adept and a Face I'd like to play and you did express your intention before I did.

I actually really like the Physical Adept concept, so I'll work on that as well.

[ShadowcatX]

No, that's not my intention at all. I'm still learning the ropes here. The decker was just an example to clarify why I thought it important to know what the group consisted of.

[Imveros]

What kind of power level are we gearing towards (i.e. are dice pools of 12 average (Attribute 6 + Skill 6), or on the lower end of the scale)? In other words, what kind of Professional Rating opposition am I expected to go up against?

Is each character expected to be specialized (i.e. have a primary focus they are very good at, to the possible detriment of other skills), or generalized (just slightly above average but at a broader range of skills)?

As the game is (initially) set in the Barrens, is a SIN required and/or advisable, or are we likely going to be spending a far amount of time in the Barrens?

None of these questions influence the backstory of the character, however, so I'll polish up the background and concept and send it to you by PM by the end of tonight.

EDIT:
Since I'd like to play a decker, I'll also have some follow-up questions on potential host ratings and the like, but we can deal with that over Skype if I'm chosen.

All of my dice pools range between 10-14 before i pop my buffs which add 1-3 more dice. I was very successful at the few things i needed to acomplish

I don't know if it is necessary, but all of us have a specialization. Just don't forget to have at least one social skill. We learned last chapter to have the meat and potatoes be RP and have just a dash of combat as it slows things down on a PbP

I have a SIN but never used it. Though we all received SINS in our payment for the last chapter so i have a sinking suspicion we will need them for chapter 2

One thing to keep in mind if you are going decker

STREET LEVEL CHARACTER CREATION plus 25k nuyen and 10 Karma.

That's only 75k if you put your A into resources with 25k after to sweeten the pot up a little. Not that it cant be done. Its easy to get matrix attributes up with programs and the over clocker positive quality. Just something to be mindful of.

[Herr Brackhaus]

Imveros
Thanks for the heads up. Decker is looking tricky for sure, so I'm working on the physical adept as well. Want to get a feel for the backgrounds, see which feels right.

Basic SIN won't be a problem, but something a going to have to give if I play a Decker. With the cheapest deck at 50k, that's a lot of scratch in one place.

[Imveros]

but it may be interesting to do none the less. Street kid with dreams of matrix glory. Honestly this game is much more about story than crunch. Have an interesting story/hook and you'll have fun one way or the other

[ismilealot]

Blows kiss at Imveross

Thx Imveross for answering questions while I've been on vacation. You've answered them far more efficiently than I would have. Herr Braxkhaus danke for your backstory. It fits very well with the current flavor of the game. Brackhaus & Gilga I've replied to your PM's with me Skype name & avatar to help you ID me. And ShadowcatX, if I had 5 deckers in the group I'd just craft a story to keep them hopping in the matrix. The only thing I want you to play is something you have fun with. I regard my players as friends, and my role as the GM is the role of the holodeck arch. So pls, don't worry, if you're accepted it's my job to craft around you, and your job to have fun and cooperate with your teammates.

[Byte]

I'll give it a shot. I'm happy to fill a role if that's easier since I'm a newbie to this. I can make a backstory in a few minutes, so I'm not too worried about coming up with one on short notice.

I'll send a PM to ismilealot.

[gilga]

Hey there, I may play with you guys. Hope it will work out - I tried a skype with smiles a lot but it didn't work that good due to not hearing very well. anyhow - I came up with a nice twist of a mystic adept, with a cool story.  I hope you will find charm in such player - he fills the face spot with a tiny bit of stealth and utility magic and good social potential but with little social skills - high charisma, augmented by adept powers - but due to his back story he spent most of his time in a religious order. So, not too many real world skills.

The story:

Born to a catholic family, Jermy received religious education from the day he was born. Diagnosed as magically active from a young age, the church took him under their wing for extensive training. He was supposed to be a soldier of God, to serve his will and smite the enemies of faith.  However, things did not go out as expected...  Jermy indeed showed great passion to be the hand of god. However, it wasn't a about smiting the enemies of the faith - but rather about gentle type of hand. *Divine* - was the phrase used by some of his fellow priests to describe his capabilities.

After one too many sexual scandals, they decided to let Jermy go. He obviously could not commit to his vows. He was a terrible student - his spellcasting was reasonable, he also had a basic understanding on summoning - but he did not manage to learn counterspelling, arcana, alchemy and virtually any other magical skill.

He also refused to learn combat spells - saying that it is misuse of good mana. There was no point in them keeping him. He wasn't as talented as they once thought -  not worth the scandals. 

Jermy left the church with little experience in the real world. He has little to no real life skills.  He tried working as a wage mage but he wasn't disciplined enough.  He refused to study new spells and the ones he  did know were a poor match for magical security.

His second deed was an exclusive escort service. His magical spells were a good match for this kind of service. He could be virtually be anything his clients wanted him to be.


Just let me who you want me to be today... You already know - I can do any ethnicity, any metatype - it will feel a little wired but if you want to take a girlfriend out to party we can also do that...   So sweetie... what are we going to do tonight?

Actually... she paused ...  this night I have something special for you.
how does 4,000 sound like?

Money is boring... you are a regular I am sure you’ll pay... lets not worry and have fun. Any place specific you want to go? there is a great party down town...

She remains silent...

A moment passes... did you just offer me 4,000 nuyen? I am listening.


Well... Blacky - I have this issue that requires your skill set, it is a little bit illegal tough... are you interested ? I think you are wasted as an escort, there is more to this world than pleasing people.

This was his entrance to the shadows  - Shilla  Ranchaus - one of his regular customers became his fixer.

She took care of the initial arrangements, fake SIN and the rest.

Mechanically most of his contacts will be from church tough because I envision him as a very green runner in his first few missions. He'll be feel uncomfortable if any of you mention his 'day' job. But being a SINer he is not difficult to track down with a background check.



Initial Crunch:

== Info ==
Street Name: Jermy Emerson
Name: 'Blacky'
Movement: 12/24
Karma: 0
Street Cred: 0
Notoriety: 0
Public Awareness: 0
Elf Male Age 30
Height 165 Weight 65kg
Composure: 11
Judge Intentions: 13
Lift/Carry: 6 (45 kg/30 kg)
Memory: 5
Nuyen: -24570

== Priorities ==
Metatype: B extra - Any metatype (Elf (6))
Attributes: A - 24 Attributes
Special: B - Adept, Magician, or Technomancer (Mystic adept 4, 7 spells)
Skills: E - 18 Skills/0 Skill Groups
Resources: E extra - 6,000¥ (0)

== Attributes ==
BOD: 3
AGI: 6
REA: 5
STR: 3
CHA: 8
INT: 5
LOG: 2
WIL: 3
EDG: 5
MAG: 6

== Derived Attributes ==
Essence:                   6
Initiative:                10 + 1d6
Rigger Initiative:         10 + 1d6
Astral Initiative:         10 + 2d6
Matrix AR Initiative:      10 + 1d6
Matrix Cold Initiative:    5 + DP + 3d6
Matrix Hot Initiative:     5 + DP + 4d6
Physical Damage Track:     10
Stun Damage Track:         10

== Limits ==
Physical:                  5
Mental:                    4
Social:                    9
   Mortimer of London: Berwick Suit [+1] (Must be visible)
Astral:                    9

== Active Skills ==
Animal Handling            : 0                      Pool: 7
Archery                    : 0                      Pool: 5
Armorer                    : 0                      Pool: 1
Automatics                 : 6 [Machine Pistols]    Pool: 12 (14)
Blades                     : 0                      Pool: 5
Clubs                      : 0                      Pool: 5
Computer                   : 0                      Pool: 1
Con                        : 5 [Seduction]          Pool: 18 (20)
Cybercombat                : 0                      Pool: 1
Demolitions                : 0                      Pool: 1
Disguise                   : 0                      Pool: 5
Diving                     : 0                      Pool: 2
Escape Artist              : 0                      Pool: 5
Etiquette                  : 0                      Pool: 12
First Aid                  : 0                      Pool: 1
Forgery                    : 0                      Pool: 1
Free-Fall                  : 0                      Pool: 2
Gunnery                    : 0                      Pool: 5
Gymnastics                 : 1                      Pool: 7
Hacking                    : 0                      Pool: 1
Heavy Weapons              : 0                      Pool: 5
Impersonation              : 0                      Pool: 12
Instruction                : 0                      Pool: 12
Intimidation               : 0                      Pool: 12
Leadership                 : 0                      Pool: 12
Longarms                   : 0                      Pool: 5
Navigation                 : 0                      Pool: 4
Negotiation                : 1                      Pool: 14
Palming                    : 1                      Pool: 7
Perception                 : 1                      Pool: 6
Performance                : 0                      Pool: 12
Pilot Ground Craft         : 0                      Pool: 4
Pilot Watercraft           : 0                      Pool: 4
Pistols                    : 0                      Pool: 5
Running                    : 0                      Pool: 2
Sneaking                   : 1                      Pool: 7
Spellcasting               : 5                      Pool: 11
Summoning                  : 4                      Pool: 10
Survival                   : 0                      Pool: 2
Swimming                   : 0                      Pool: 2
Throwing Weapons           : 0                      Pool: 5
Tracking                   : 0                      Pool: 4
Unarmed Combat             : 0                      Pool: 5

== Knowledge Skills ==

== Qualities ==
Day Job (10 hrs) - Escort Service
SINner (National) (UCAS) - Cannot have a Day Job without SIN -  also according to back story it fits. (level 4 fake one is not allowed in street level).
 (10 Free karma adjustment)
Low-Light Vision
Mystic Adept

== Spells ==
(Tradition: Christianity, Resist Drain with WIL + CHA (11))
(for work )
Euphoria                   DV: F-3
Physical Mask              DV: F-1
Shapechange                DV: F-3
(just for fun... )
Heal                       DV: F-4
Levitate                   DV: F-2
Mind Probe                 DV: F
Mindlink                   DV: F-1 (I think this one makes cool IC - telepathy is really fun)


== Powers ==
Attribute Boost (AGI) Rating: 1
Cool Resolve Rating: 5
Facial Sculpt Rating: 1
Melanin Control

== Lifestyles ==
Middle Life Style  1 months

== Armor ==
Armor Jacket                        12
Chameleon Suit                      9
Mortimer of London: Berwick Suit    9
   +Custom Fit

== Weapons ==
Ares Crusader II
   +Gas-Vent 2 System
   +Smartgun System, Internal
   Pool: 12 (14)   Accuracy: 7   DV: 7P   AP: -   RC: 3
Unarmed Attack
   Pool: 5   Accuracy: 5   DV: 3S   AP: -   RC: 1

== Commlink ==
Hermes Ikon (ATT: 0, SLZ: 0, DP: 5, FWL: 5)

== Gear ==
Ammo: Regular Ammo (Machine Pistols) x50
Ammo: Stick-n-Shock (Machine Pistols) x50
Autopicker Rating 6
Chisel
Crowbar
Fake SIN (Jery Grinberg) Rating 3
Glasses Rating 4
   +Smartlink
   +Vision Enhancement Rating 3
Lockpick Set
Medkit Rating 6
Sequencer Rating 3
Tool Kit (Disguise Kit)

In short this one was super cool to build because I had what I wanted his day job to be and I designed around it, melanin control to do different ethnicity, physical mask to look like anyone, shape change - So he can change his body to be anything - I am not sure if 'human' is a valid shape but being a dog is also cool. I initially thought that it will allow him to even 'be' somebody else. (because it is manipulation spell rather then an illusion spell) but then I read online there is a heated debate asking if 'human' is a valid form - so never mind that


So whats going on? what do you guys playing? Do you think Blacky will fit in?
I am a big fan of Yelena, Mercy's IC are always fun to read (even without knowing the context).