[Panzergeist]

I think command has to be activated by you, so giving me something I can use has to be a touch trigger.  And putting it in a bag or bottle should work. 

[Serafina]

@ Contact Preparations:
Page 281: "Choose the Target" states "Touching a Target through clothing, armor or a layer of paint is acceptable" in regards to targeting Touch-Spells. Assuming that the same rules apply to Contact Triggers is hardly a stretch, since the mechanics are named the same throughout the entire chapter.

Metaphysically, those things probably don't count since they are part of the targets aura (and thus can't be targeted separately by spells). Using insulation that isn't part of your aura should thus prevent activation, so giving out Contact-Preparations should be viable.


Now, flavor-question:
My current plan is to stick with the "Hand of Glory"-theme. Is it viable for me to shoot some pigeon or other small animal, cut off its feet and turn them into an Invisibility-Preparation, then drop them into a plastic bag and hand them out, to be activated when needed by taking the foot out of the bag?

[Scarecrow71]

I'm all about story over mechanics, and you've given precedent regarding the use of touch spells.  But I'm gonna do you one better here by pulling from my vast knowledge of 2E AD&D for this one.

I like the idea of a contact trigger that doesn't go off as soon as someone just inherently touches it when we're talking about group-friendly stuff like increased reflexes or invisibility.  So I'm gonna allow the use of command words on the contact thing.  As in, you not only have to touch it physically, but utter some useless word that actually triggers the spell contained in the object.  Sound fair?

As far as shooting some nameless pigeon for its feet...ew.  Can't you just walk into Chinatown and buy one of them chickens from some korean vendor? 

Of course I'll allow it because it's cool to the story.

[Serafina]

Yay 

Well, in that case, i can go for the traditional representation of a Hand of Glory - of course, with modern magical research and computing, it's no longer necessary to use the hand of a murderer, or to ignite the hand at all if you instead use proper electrical circuitry.

Preparing three Improved Invisibility Contact-Preparations, Force 4:
Alchemy 6 + Firebringer 2 + Magic 5 (limit force 4) vs. Force 4. Drain Resistance Logic 7 + Willpower 5=12. Drain=Force 4-1, +1 Contact Trigger
5 successes vs 2 successes = Potency 2, Force 4
4 successes vs 1 success = Potency 3, Force 4
3 successes vs 0 successes = Potency 3, Force 4
Drain Resistance: 5, 1, 4 Successes. Take 3 stun damage.



Oh, and since it's been pointed out that a Physical Mask spell that only lasts a few minutes, i'd like to swap my preparation for it out.
Either for an armor preparation.
Or make it a spell instead of a preparation, so that it can be maintained as long as needed.
I'd definitely have liked to have it as a preparation because it'd be stylish (use makeup to magically conceal your appearance), but within the shadowrun ruleset it's not really useful.
If swapping it is not okay, *shrugs* i can live with that.

[Panzergeist]

Awesome.  Which preparation did you hand me?  And should I assume the command word is written on it, or you told me the command word?

I'm headed out of town for the weekend, will do my scouting Sunday night most likely, unless I find some time and internet access tomorrow. 

[Serafina]

You get a Potency 3, Force 4 Preparation.
Potency does three things:
The Preparation remains at full Potency for (Potency x2) hours, so in this case 6. After that, it loses 1 per hour.
It replaces Spellcasting to determine the effects of the spell, while Force replaces Magic (so this one has 7 dice).
And last but not least, the spell is maintained for (Potency) minutes, so this HoG burns for three minutes.

Since the command word is part of the spell-circuitry (just like a computer program needs command phrases), it is written on the HoG, yes. Unfortunately, Jennifer's OPL (occult programming language) is High Enochian, so that's propably not much use to you. But as stated, you can just ignite it with an ordinary lighter to the same effect.

If that's not for you, tell Jennifer and she'll include an easier command phrase. You are free to include a line to that effect in your post to save time.

[Panzergeist]

Alright, I'm making a circuit around the McHugh's to look for back entrances, exterior security systems, fire escapes. 

Perception (searching): 4 hits. 

Not sure what to roll for acting natural, or if that needs a roll.

[Serafina]

The most likely would be Etiquette ("Etiquette is about blending into the social fabric. Skilled characters can move through a social situation without anyone realizing that they don’t belong."). So, an Etiquette + Charisma (Social) roll, opposed by Perception + Charisma (Social).
Composure (Charisma + Willpower) would be a distant second, but that's more when you are under extreme stress and try not to show it, i wouldn't say that applies here.

GM's call obviously, especially whether a roll is even required.

[Scarecrow71]

Ok, so over the last week my free time has taken a serious hit.  I am now working 12+ hours a day, and am actually in the office as opposed to working from home.  That seriously limits the amount of time I have to post.

On top of that, when I get home, I cannot ignore the wife or she'll kill me.  I mean, I could probably play if I'm dead, but I don't want to try that.

Unfortunately, I don't know when this is going to let up.  The project I'm on is just ugly (for lack of a better word), and I've got next to no time to do this.  I'm sorry guys, but I have to kill this game.

If someone else wants to take over, by all means do so.

[Panzergeist]

How long do you think you'll be this busy?  I could wait. 

[All4BigGuns]

I just know that I can't run Play-by-Post. I can only run when face-to-face, and I don't particularly enjoy doing so even then.

[dragonfire]

That's too bad. No problem dude. I'm already running one PBP, so not really up to running another one.

[Serafina]

Well, bummer. Not up for running a game either sadly.