[HydroRaven]

First time GM looking for players for a campaign. I have "GM-ed" before in other games (namely AD&D), but have been on the other side of the table exclusively for SR. Here's what I'm looking for:

- As I'm not too familiar/comfortable with things for a high-level Matrix game, things related to the virtual world will be low-key. That is not to say that I don't want anybody using the Matrix; I just want everyone to be clear that I will need help and guidance.

- Standard 400BP for creation, core books (books referenced in the master index of the 20th anniversary core book) are fair game. 2X Cha of free contacts. Above all, characters should be fun and entertaining. I will take a character with interesting flaws over a superman any day of the week. Give me something I can work with and I will try my best to make the story interesting for both you and your character.

- Game will start in Tokyo, but may move to other cities, depending on where things take us.

- Frequent posts are mandatory. I'm here every day, but don't expect posts to be made on a daily basis. I want to keep this game moving, but do understand that life happens. If you warn me in advance of an absence then everything will be cool. Unexplained, long (a week or so) absences rub me the wrong way. I'm looking at the long-run here, so if players inexplicably phase in and out, they will be dropped.

A bit more info about Japan:

http://shadowrun.wikia.com/wiki/Japanese_Imperial_State

I intend to run the JIS as a Big Brother country. Most Japanese will be xenophobic, but not openly vocal about it. They won't give looks to an Orc walking down the street but won't sit next to him/her on the subway. Changelings and the like will get refused entry at most businesses and the ones that don't will overcharge.

There are cameras on every major street/intersection, meaning any non-Japanese looking person will sometimes get chosen for "random" verifications. Gunshots are a big deal (we're talking evening news big deal here). Just showing a firearm (handguns, SMGs, and automatics will be tightly monitored by law-enforcement and incur a +4 to availability, rifles and shotguns being the only firearms socially accepted) will get you all kinds of unwanted attention.

The Yakuzas are (obviously) the dominant crime syndicate. It is rumoured that too many politicians are in business with them, but nothing you see on the news will hint at that. The Japanese Megas have a big say in Japanese politics as well, and they are well regarded within the population. That's not to say that the shadows don't know how things are really run.




I'm looking for backgrounds and character bios, so you don't need to have a full character on hand yet. Whatever inspires me the most will get picked. This game is open to anyone that can commit to frequent posts and has a character background that will catch my attention. I'm looking for about 4 runners that can complement each other and I have already had 3 ninja concepts PM-ed to me, so try to be original guys (and girls).

[Necrogigas]

Name: Michael Fischer
Alias: Pipebomb
Team Role: Demolitions (main), Infiltration (secondary)
Nationality: California Free State
Ethnicity: German
Metatype: Elf
Background: Born in 2048, to Californian insurgents operating in San Francisco, Michael Fischer has always known two things; guerilla warfare and hatred for the Japanese. He spent his entire life helping his parents carry out their operations to force the JIS, and Saito after the '61 withdrawal order, out of the Bay Area. Both his parents were killed in '67 a little over a year before CFS forces deposed Saito and retook the territory Japan had stolen over thirty years earlier. For the first time in his life, Michael found himself lost. His only goal in life had been accomplished, and now he had no clue what to do next. Being a lifelong insurgent, it wasn't long before the Shadows found him, and he was a natural fit for the lifestyle. The work was only work though, it did not fill him with the sense of purpose that he desperately longed to rekindle. It eventually came to him though, the Japanese scourge had been driven out of the Bay Area, but not from the face of the Earth. When that little light bulb came on, he knew what he had to do and began making plans. A few months later he was in Neo-Tokyo, stepping off a smuggler's ship, planning some payback.

[Chrona]

I'd like to put forward a character I made a long tim ago but never go to play, he's a mage called J.
J is okay at what he does but he's not the best. Running will likely teach him this isn't good enough.

Name: Conrad Johnson
Alias: J
Race: Human
Sex: Male
Nationality: UCAS (Of Japanese ancestry but he doesn't know)
Lifestyle: Street
Karma Spent: 0/0
Physical Description: A tall, slender man, with rather attractive features behind a thick beard, he doesn't shave unless he has to. Brown hair, blue eyes and usually a severe expresion of thoughtfullness thats often mistaken as scheming. His foci are two rings on his left hand, left to him by his dad.
Personality/background He had a good gig going. Was part of magical security for the main SK-P building in Tokyo, using their fiber wire system to cast spell far from harms way. He dealt with runners sometimes too, so he's heard the old "bottom line wasn't hit bad so let 'em live" line before. His magic wasn't the flashiest but it got the job done, he was about to get his firearms training too. That all fell apart when his own Father was caught on camera in a maximum security lab, then vanished. All forensic evidence pointed at his father, even Conrad was forced to admit the astral signature was his father. "But how!?" He'd pleaded, "He's a fisherman, he's not even awakened!? How'd he get in!?"
Something important was stolen, something that hit the bottom line too hard and Conrad was laid off. With all his corporate bridges burned from suspicion he was lost.
Luckily he bought the right man a drink recently and the conversation quickly turned to making money. Good thing too, he just got evicted and living out of a bag is rough and he isn't used to being this close to danger.

Attributes

Body	Agility	Reaction	Strength
3	3	3	2
Charisma	Intuition	Logic	Willpower
5	4	3	5
Edge	Magic/Resonance	Essence	Initiative/Passes
2	5	6	7/1

Positive Qualities
Magician 15BP (Shinto but only because that's how his magic has all ways expressed itself, it isn't his religion.)
Mentor Spirit (Tsukuyomi: Moon Maiden +2 Illusion Spells, +2 Negotiation, -1 Combat Spells) 5BP
Restricted Gear 5BP
Negative Qualities
Moderate Allergy (Gold) 10BP
Lost Loved One 5BP (His Father disapeared after being accussed of breaking into the SK facility J worked security at.)
SINner 5BP
Bad Rep 5BP
Records on File (SK-P) 10BP

Active Skills

Summoning	3
Binding	3
Spellcasting (Illusion)	6(8 )
Counterspelling	4
Assensing	4
Gymnastics	3
Perception	3
Blades	2
Etiquette	1

Knowledge Skills ( 24 free points)

Magical Theory	4
Spirits	4
Local Area	3
Magical Security	6
Corporate Knowledge	3

Language Skills

English	N
Japanese	3
German	1

Spells and Programs

Combat Stunbolt Type:M Range:LOS Damage:S Duration:I DV:(F÷2)–1 Health Heal Type:M Range:T Duration:P DV:(Damage Value)–2 Increase Reflexes Type:P Range:T Duration:S DV:(F÷2)+2 Illusion Improved Invisability Type:P Range:LOS Duration:S DV:(F÷2)+1 Trid Phantasm Type:P Range:LOS(A) Duration:S DV:(F÷2)+3 Physical Mask Type:P Range:T Duration:S DV:(F÷2)+1 Programs Analyse R.2 75¥ Command R.1 75¥ Edit R.2 75¥ Browse R.2 75¥ Gear Power Focus R.4 100,000¥ Health Sustaining Focus R.3 30,000¥ Magical Lodge Materials R.5 2,500¥ Erika Elite with Iris Orb OS (Response 3, Signal 4, Firewall 3, System 3) 3,500¥ Subvocal Microphone 50¥ SIN R.3 (Arthur Jones) 3,000¥ Glasses R.4 (Image Link, Vision Enhancement R.3, Flare Compensation, Low Light) 550¥ Earbuds R.3 (Audio Enhancement R.3) 30¥ Lisences R.3 (Awakened, Magical Security) 600¥ Urban Explorer Jumpsuit Armour 6/6 (Fire Resistance R.1, Chem Protect R.2) 1,100¥ Nodachi Reach:2 (Str/2+4P) AP-2 2,500¥ Contacts Contact C/L Fixer (Someone who could get him the first job who he could have met at a bar) 3/1 SK-P Firearm's Instructor, Colin Mack 1/1 Homeless Joe, a native Japanese man and full-time bum who is teaching J how to get by on the streets of Tokyo. His name isn't Joe but until he finally tells J his name, Joe will do. 2/2

[/spoiler]

[HydroRaven]

Alright, I got a few profiles with magic and a brawler or two, but only one person submitted me any sort of Matrix character. I know I said the Matrix aspect will be toned down a bit, but having someone that can hack will be useful in its own way. It doesn't have to be the main focus of the character; a street sam that can edit the camera feed will do the job.

[Karrth]

I'd love to try this. I'll get right to making a character for you!

[Lumen]

After a short chat with the DM I'll be submitting a Investigator/Hacker later for consideration.

The basic description is JIS native former MP turned freelance PI.

[HydroRaven]

Just a little more info: swords in general and more specifically katanas are considered restricted dangerous and lethal weapons. People seen carrying them around will probably be stopped and asked for their papers/permits. That is nt to discourage you from buying weapons at all: it's just part of the Big Brother state.

Appearances are very important in the JIS. Anybody that has a middle lifestyle or higher will be known by their neighbours and will be expected to have courteous interactions with them. Bringing work home is a great way to get the authorities called on you. A second ID is thus highly recommended. Remember: in the JIS, it's all about appearances.

[Chrona]

Oh? The JIS has been LESS restrictive about blades than say, Seattle, in my previous SR experience. Oh well, the Katana is tied to his real SIN from when he was still corpsec anyway.

[HydroRaven]

That may be, but I'm modelling my JIS after modern-day Japan. But like you said, if it's connected to your SIN, it should be fine.

[Chrona]

That may be, but I'm modelling my JIS after modern-day Japan. But like you said, if it's connected to your SIN, it should be fine.

No problem, It was just why a homeless guy with a sword didn't seem like a problem at first ;P

[Crossbow]

Sent you a bio, hope it ain't too late.

[HydroRaven]

Not too late, but let me just break down what the team would need to be well-rounded:

- Magic support
- Some form of Matrix proficiency
- Muscle
- Face
- Wheelman
- Demo expert
- Infiltration
- B&E
- Shadowing

Also, knowledge of the underworld, politics and the Megas would be useful. Of course, I expect any character with the aforementioned skills/knowledge to have a good reason for them.

[HydroRaven]

Also, just a quick question: who would rather play in the 5th edition rather than the 4th?

[Necrogigas]

Just a little more info: swords in general and more specifically katanas are considered restricted dangerous and lethal weapons. People seen carrying them around will probably be stopped and asked for their papers/permits. That is not to discourage you from buying weapons at all: it's just part of the Big Brother state.

THE RIGHT TO BEAR ARMS
Japanese citizens are forbidden to privately own firearms; only the police, the military, and megacorporate security have such privileges, and even they rarely wear firearms. However, in the interests of public safety, adults may bear any form of bladed weapon so long as it is not concealed (this includes cyberimplant weapons).

In many circles, it is considered quite chic to wear a tanto at your belt, and many people don’t blink at seeing a cheap katana banging against a wageslave’s knee. Of course, owning a weapon and knowing how to use it are two completely separate things, and most Neo-Tokyo citizens bearing a blade would be more of a danger to themselves than a potential attacker if they actually drew their weapon.

Obviously I'm not trying to tell you how things in your game should be, but the cannon makes it clear that no one in the JIS would bat an eye at someone carrying a katana. Though I doubt gaijin would enjoy the same privilege. How different will your JIS be from the one portrayed in the cannon?

[HydroRaven]

No, you're right, people are allowed to carry bladed weapons and nobody would find it strange but the government wants to make sure they know who's carrying what. The locals won't get stopped nearly as often as foreigners will and if you have yakuza tattoos that's a great way to ensure the police will never stop you to check your carrying permit.