Shadowrun

Shadowrun Play => Gamemasters' Lounge => Topic started by: PiXeL01 on <06-26-15/2211:28>

Title: Tempo and spirit possession
Post by: PiXeL01 on <06-26-15/2211:28>
Just a quick question about Tempo.

I admit a read Ghost Cartels somewhat lightly so I'm not all to sure about it.
However, I do plan on using it.

So my question is: Does Tempo make a user Astrally active?

My plan is for my players to find an npc who has been possessed by a Shedim, that shredded his essence when he was flipping and then possessed his body. Is that a possibility lorewise?
Title: Re: Tempo and spirit possession
Post by: cyclopean on <06-26-15/2336:36>
I believe shedim only possess corpses, and can only be brought to the physical plane through an astral gateway?

But regarding tempo: it causes the user to sporadically pick up astral senses (like emotions and such), which causes a euphoric high and an increase in empathy. It's highly addictive and longterm use causes the user to enter into a dream pact with a free spirit. Basically the spirit takes the user's body joyriding while they are "asleep", which the user experiences as unexplained blackouts, etc. The spirit's force is added to the user's stats while possessing. I think the spirits in question were a specific amazonian cabal of free spirits, however, so not sure if shedim would be able to get in on that.

but after tempo got busted, they've been laying low it seems, so maybe some shedim found an unattended user and are joyriding?
Title: Re: Tempo and spirit possession
Post by: farothel on <06-27-15/0449:26>
I would say that Sheddim can't get in on that, as it's a specific pact between the host (how unknowing it was made, it's still valid) and one particular group of spirits.  So I don't think Sheddim can use that.  They can still possess the body of a tempo user, but it would have to be done the regular way for sheddim (killing the host is always a good way).
Title: Re: Tempo and spirit possession
Post by: Herr Brackhaus on <06-27-15/0859:22>
In SR5, Shedim have the following base power: "Possession (Dead or Abandoned Vessels)". This means they can posses corpses and, more importantly, bodies of magicians who are astrally projecting.

Tempo, if I remember correctly, only gives users astral perception, and a limited form of it at that. So Shedim would not be able to possess a Tempo user because they would not have projected out of their bodies, so to speak.
Title: Re: Tempo and spirit possession
Post by: Reaver on <06-27-15/1520:47>
as I recall, it also gave the assensing skill at 1... allowing the tempo user to read auras to a degree, often drawing the wrong conclusions....
Title: Re: Tempo and spirit possession
Post by: cyclopean on <06-27-15/1843:19>
Fun! I'd not realized that shedim could jump into projecting mage's bodies. That's a whole awesome nightmare to spring on my players someday...
Title: Re: Tempo and spirit possession
Post by: Herr Brackhaus on <06-27-15/1928:49>
Yeah. Shedim fit into the "Oh shit!" category of Shadowrun evil to my mind.
Title: Re: Tempo and spirit possession
Post by: PiXeL01 on <06-27-15/2202:46>
Guess I just have to arrange for his demise while under the influence or at least make it appear as if tempo's to blame.

Thanks for all the help !
Title: Re: Tempo and spirit possession
Post by: cyclopean on <06-28-15/1752:17>
Yeah! Shedim are super fun/terrifying- my player's have had a few runs in with a reaaal creepy UCAS military-connected shedim black ops team, and are properly freaked out. Every time they run into some armored-up strangers acting weird now, the first thing they do is assense to see if they're shedim. And then the 2nd thing they do is freak out about CFD. It's great. I love instilling player paranoia.
Title: Re: Tempo and spirit possession
Post by: PiXeL01 on <06-28-15/2004:05>
Ran the Shedim segment of my run yesterday and the players freaked out (fresh minds are great to toy with!). They firmly believe or at least suspect Tempo (or the Rainbow Dust and patches) are to blame. At least that's what they are investigating.
Title: Re: Tempo and spirit possession
Post by: cyclopean on <06-29-15/0025:57>
Nice! Have fun!
Title: Re: Tempo and spirit possession
Post by: Lighthouse on <06-30-15/2146:14>
Let us know how it turns out.