[Stoneglobe]

I don't have 4th edition either so 5th works best for me (or 2nd  )

In terms of additional books I would suggest that if you can get a copy of Run Faster it would be really useful as it not only expands character creation options it also has a large section on contacts.

Obviously anyone wanting to play a magic user of some description would probably want access to Street Grimoire. Both Chrome Flesh and Data Trails have some useful stuff in them. Chrome Flesh is especially useful for additional drugs as I get the feeling that they could play quite a part in the gritty game type you're describing.

[Raven Runner]

Cool, thanks.  Yeah, we're definitely going with 5e at this point.

I'll give those books a look, run faster in particular seems like the 5e version of runners companion or what ever it was from 4e...that book was awesome!

Also...rules are here to help, not confine the game.  If there's something from an older edition (or a whole different game) or something you want for your character but there are no rules for it...whatever it is let me know and we can try and work with it. 

[Blueclaws]

Been stalking your thread for a little bit but I have been a little hesitant to post. I am pretty new to the game but I'd be interested to get in on a game.

[Beta]

One of the options for character creation in Run Faster is "life modules" which basically tracks your experiences so far in life (growing up, education, working life) and gives you certain attributes, skills, and qualities, then leaves you with some amount of karma (depending on the number and type of modules taken) to finish up the character. 

So far in playing with that system it seems to give characters with more knowledge skills, less specialized attributes (I seem to always end up with a lot of logic, whether my character needs it or not), and broader but lower skills (Even when trying to make something like a private eye, I always seem to end up with Chemistry).   From the little bit of playing that I've done so far, it seems pretty brutal on magic characters, as you have to buy up your magic stat with the left-over karma, which gets very expensive.

I'm just thinking that it may give you the sort of result that you are looking for.  But you'd need to get your hands on it, create some characters, and see.

[Stoneglobe]

One of the options for character creation in Run Faster is "life modules" which basically tracks your experiences so far in life (growing up, education, working life) and gives you certain attributes, skills, and qualities, then leaves you with some amount of karma (depending on the number and type of modules taken) to finish up the character. 

So far in playing with that system it seems to give characters with more knowledge skills, less specialized attributes (I seem to always end up with a lot of logic, whether my character needs it or not), and broader but lower skills (Even when trying to make something like a private eye, I always seem to end up with Chemistry).   From the little bit of playing that I've done so far, it seems pretty brutal on magic characters, as you have to buy up your magic stat with the left-over karma, which gets very expensive.

I'm just thinking that it may give you the sort of result that you are looking for.  But you'd need to get your hands on it, create some characters, and see.

Beat me to it Beta. Was going to suggest the same thing. Oh, and there's nothing wrong with having chemistry. Home made drugs, explosives, even thermite. It can be an incredibly useful skill 

[Beta]

. Oh, and there's nothing wrong with having chemistry. Home made drugs, explosives, even thermite. It can be an incredibly useful skill 

No disagreement there, was just using it as an example of the sort of 'off-character concept' skill that you end up getting.  Like I said, I've not played around with the modules much (and that mostly in Chummer, where I didn't know what I was getting with each item I chose until after I'd chosen it), but it seemed like most builds ended up with one or two points in chemistry.  Lots of people who know just enough to be dangerous ... 

[Raven Runner]

A little thermite never hurt anybody...right?  Hehehe...

Yeah, started looking through Run Faster, a lot to read there but awesome content!  The lifestyle build seems cool, and I can't imagine why it would be a problem to create characters with that system.  If anyone has a different system that they feel would better suite their character concept though, that's cool too, just let me know.

I had a few other thoughts: I'm not interested in dealing with sex or heavy drug use in game, there are some things I just don't want to GM.  Players can do whatever they want with each other, and if/when they need to get a room they can handle that off the threads   Some amount of flirting etc. with NPCs is fine, if it's going too far Ill let ya know.  As for drugs, they will certainly be part of the setting and characters are welcome to use them...and if it becomes too big a part of the game I might hit the breaks, but in that case I'll be sure to let you know.  Oh, and no weird stuff with kids...they will be in the game, but no sex or torture or anything super creepy.  This is just so we're all on the same page going in.

If anything ever comes up in game that's just too much for you, please let me know!  Different people have different boundaries and I'll respect that as best I can.

Also: some time this weekend or early next week I will create a new thread for rolling recruitment...anyone who ever wants to join the game can PM me or use that thread.  I will also create an OOC thread for game related "out of character" discussion, as well as a IC thread for "in character" discussion.  My working title for the game at the moment is "The Final Call".  It will probably seem like clever foreshadowing in hindsight...but I haven't gotten there yet   If any one has strong feelings about the name we use just let me know.

Cool everyone!  So stoked this is beginning to come together...thanks for all the interest, the PMs with character ideas, etc.  Keep it coming!

[Raven Runner]

Been stalking your thread for a little bit but I have been a little hesitant to post. I am pretty new to the game but I'd be interested to get in on a game.

I responded by PM.

[Stoneglobe]

One thing to note is that life module builds really don't work fully in Chummer yet so you have to do it externally.

[Raven Runner]

One thing to note is that life module builds really don't work fully in Chummer yet so you have to do it externally.

Gotcha, thanks for the heads up.

[Ravensoracle]

I will say I am not the biggest fan of Life Modules simpley because it seems so limiting to me. And I have to agree, It does not work well with Chummer.

[AJCarrington]

Very much liking the sounds of this...assuming you're still looking for players, might like get a spot at the table (virtual, though if may be ).

[Raven Runner]

Very much liking the sounds of this...assuming you're still looking for players, might like get a spot at the table (virtual, though if may be ).

Yes the game is still open.  I'm not really doing first come first serve any way, early next week I'll go through everyone's posts and see who we got.  Chances are everyone who wants to play will be able to...I would hate to have to cut people, and only will if absolutely necessary.

Char Gen: nothing is set in stone, and no one will be stuck using a system they don't like, no worries.  Once I get a clear sense of who's playing (again, should be early next week) then I will be in touch with everyone about characters and start sorting that stuff out.  Again, all character ideas/backstories/stats should be sent to me in a PM, that way no one will know each other when the game starts.

[Raven Runner]

Working on magic here...one thing I'm wondering about is if it could be possible to make the force of spells variable.  That way you never know how well it might work.  Not sure...it seems like the way it's written using magic is fairly straight forward and predictable...unless you roll a glitch.  I'd like to make it much less predictable but also more powerful to compensate for the downside of unpredictability.

Any ideas?

[Raven Runner]

So...to keep things a bit more organized I'm breaking up this discussion as follows...

Recruitment: if you want to join the game or have questions about joining go here http://forums.shadowruntabletop.com/index.php?topic=22652.0

OOC/Game discussion: if you are in the game I should have sent you a PM with a link to the OOC thread.  If you're not sure whether you joined or I forgot to send you the link drop me a PM.  The OOC thread isn't secret, it's easy to find, I'm just trying to keep that thread down to the folks who are actually playing together.

Other questions?  Send me a PM any time!

Reminder: all char gen is still happening through PM.