[Sendaz]

*Translation from clicking-and-clacking*

BUG 3: "Remember, it can't actually hurt us. Although we might get a little teary-eyed"

Well, when you have multifaceted/multiple eyes, that teary eyed bit can add up.

[Jame Rowe]

But my last post also reminded me, toss garlic up there. I could see it as being Uncommon (unless you're in Italy) since it does take more water to grow, but I could also see it as Common because the higher amount of water it takes can come from someone's laundry room (I've seen that done).

I would assume if Onion powder is common, then Garlic powder probably would be too.

Added to Common.

Come to think of it, I know someone who has an "oral allergy" to apples. That is to say, he has to actually eat the apples to be affected with it.
Again, how common apples are is up to the individual GM.

[8-bit]

Come to think of it, I know someone who has an "oral allergy" to apples. That is to say, he has to actually eat the apples to be affected with it.
Again, how common apples are is up to the individual GM.

Most allergies are up to the GM, this is just a starting point. I would rule apples uncommon though, mostly because that would fall under "real" food for me.

[BetaCAV]

What about being allergic to spirits/elementals? Bad for a shaman/mage, worse when they try to initiate or go on an astral quest.

Allergy to Sprites is a bit weirder, and would mostly only affect deckers and (really gimped) technomancers.

Being allergic to Noise (or Background Count) could be appropriate, although it's a pretty horrifying concept.

[8-bit]

What about being allergic to spirits/elementals? Bad for a shaman/mage, worse when they try to initiate or go on an astral quest.

Hmm, I'll rule that as a mystical allergy to Astral beings. That one is definitely uncommon.

Allergy to Sprites is a bit weirder, and would mostly only affect deckers and (really gimped) technomancers.

I'm just trying to figure out how that one would work, and I think it would be safer to go with an allergy to Simsense/Matrix immersion. That would be pretty harsh, as going into VR would trigger an allergy. I'll put it in there, but that seems a little out there; who knows, maybe someone will come up with something creative.

Being allergic to Noise (or Background Count) could be appropriate, although it's a pretty horrifying concept.

Noise is covered by Wi-Fi Sensitivity, in my opinion, and background count would be ... interesting. Perhaps Astral Sensitivity?

Thanks for your suggestions!

[Red Rivka]

I'd think tobacco before nicotine, but I'm not an allergist by any stretch.

One that I came up with tonight for my smuggler character (who may actually run into them!) is bovines: cows, bulls, real meat and leather. For a Low lifestyle runner of the city this doesn't really come up except from half a mile away on a field. And a Luxury living runner could just buy friends who don't eat meat or wear leather. You do mention dairy, but, eh. I don't know if you can actually be allergic to them generally, but hey, future.

The Drugs section in CRB says that drugs like cannabis (marijuana/pot), cocaine and the like are still around, just not as addictive as the new stuff. (They say 'popular', but I think they mean addictive.) So you could be allergic to pot, maybe so mild that you don't smoke it, maybe so severe that you can't drop in on a college party or a reasonably cool concert in a closed environment. Whether it's common probably depends on your surroundings, I guess.

Corn could be a real bad Common allergy to have - they don't mention it in canon much but it's cheaper and easier to manipulate than soy in some ways, so there's no reason it wouldn't play a role in sprawl cuisine.

I'm not sure what they make synthahol out of but it would be interesting to try to live in the shadows while only being able to drink (or kiss people who just drank) real alcohol. i.e. allergic to synthahol.

Whatever they make synth-leather out of, that would suck to be allergic to.

That 'New Car Smell' chemical. Inconvenient for a rigger.

Something they put on circuitry, like flux or industrial glue?

Personally I have a real sensitivity to pineapples (mouth gets a cut-up feeling and feels acidic in a terrible way) and walnuts (itchy), and can barely make out similar feelings from similar fruits/nuts. I'm not sure if tropical fruit or real nuts come into play for most runners, but some probably get them.

You mentioned sulfites, the preservatives that come from fruit skins, but what about sulfates, the shampoo/conditioner additives? I've been off those for years and have felt less itchy and bad, and I know there's a significant market out there for people like me in that regard.

This is a little complex but an interesting allergy to RP would be the flavoring they use to simulate your favorite food. You'd look like a snob when really you just need the real stuff every now and then (like the alcohol thing above).

Rubber? Are people allergic to that?

There could be an industrial chemical they use to make DNIs/cable/cyberdecks/?? that the PC is allergic to.

Pool cleaner?

Some sort of bathroom cleaning chemical that they use at all the corporate offices?

Your medication!...

I guess the possibilities are endless!

[8-bit]

I'd think tobacco before nicotine, but I'm not an allergist by any stretch.

Neither am I. I would think "real" tobacco would be pretty expensive in 2075, but who knows. That one is going under Uncommon, I think.

One that I came up with tonight for my smuggler character (who may actually run into them!) is bovines: cows, bulls, real meat and leather. For a Low lifestyle runner of the city this doesn't really come up except from half a mile away on a field. And a Luxury living runner could just buy friends who don't eat meat or wear leather. You do mention dairy, but, eh. I don't know if you can actually be allergic to them generally, but hey, future.

Interesting. I mean, real meat and real leather would definitely be Uncommon, but it's something.

The Drugs section in CRB says that drugs like cannabis (marijuana/pot), cocaine and the like are still around, just not as addictive as the new stuff. (They say 'popular', but I think they mean addictive.) So you could be allergic to pot, maybe so mild that you don't smoke it, maybe so severe that you can't drop in on a college party or a reasonably cool concert in a closed environment. Whether it's common probably depends on your surroundings, I guess.

I have no idea whether to make that Common or Uncommon. My instinct tells me Uncommon, but the slums might be covered in residue and smoke from those drugs, so I don't know.

Also, yeah, they aren't as addictive. Some things are just sort of hyped up versions though.

Corn could be a real bad Common allergy to have - they don't mention it in canon much but it's cheaper and easier to manipulate than soy in some ways, so there's no reason it wouldn't play a role in sprawl cuisine.

I agree.

I'm not sure what they make synthahol out of but it would be interesting to try to live in the shadows while only being able to drink (or kiss people who just drank) real alcohol. i.e. allergic to synthahol.

I think they make it out of Soy ... I truly don't know.

Whatever they make synth-leather out of, that would suck to be allergic to.

No kidding. That one is going to be Common.

That 'New Car Smell' chemical. Inconvenient for a rigger.

Uncommon though. Unless it's brand new, or someone who cares about that sort of thing, most cars won't have that.

Something they put on circuitry, like flux or industrial glue?

Uncommon, for sure.

Personally I have a real sensitivity to pineapples (mouth gets a cut-up feeling and feels acidic in a terrible way) and walnuts (itchy), and can barely make out similar feelings from similar fruits/nuts. I'm not sure if tropical fruit or real nuts come into play for most runners, but some probably get them.

I feel like fruit, especially real fruit, covers that one.

You mentioned sulfites, the preservatives that come from fruit skins, but what about sulfates, the shampoo/conditioner additives? I've been off those for years and have felt less itchy and bad, and I know there's a significant market out there for people like me in that regard.

I think the Cosmetics thing covers that decently well. I've personally never noticed it, but someone else suggested that people can be allergic to stuff in Cosmetics; I assume that's what you are talking about.

This is a little complex but an interesting allergy to RP would be the flavoring they use to simulate your favorite food. You'd look like a snob when really you just need the real stuff every now and then (like the alcohol thing above).

Hmm, interesting idea. That would make you allergic to pretty much everything unless you have a High Lifestyle (by then you can pick and choose). Common it is.

Rubber? Are people allergic to that?

Yes, I know some people who are allergic to it. Not sure whether to put it under Common or Uncommon. It will be Uncommon, for now.

There could be an industrial chemical they use to make DNIs/cable/cyberdecks/?? that the PC is allergic to.

I understand where you're going there, but I don't know what they would use and how/if it would apply to anything else.

Pool cleaner?

For those Shadowrunners who frequent rich people's houses, stay away from the pool! Just kidding, adding that to Uncommon.

Some sort of bathroom cleaning chemical that they use at all the corporate offices?

Makes sense. I'll say that's Common; it's probably used in all bathrooms.

Your medication!...

Covered by Drugs/Antibiotics etc.

I guess the possibilities are endless!

They are, and really, you can use anything and you don't have to follow this list. It's just a nice starting point for people who want to add a little something different or who can't think of an idea.

Thank you for your ideas; I've added them to the list!

[Marzhin]

As silly as it might seem, I'm allergic to tomato.

[8-bit]

As silly as it might seem, I'm allergic to tomato.

Not silly at all. It's in there already.

[Red Rivka]

You're welcome, and thanks for integrating my suggestions as appropriate.

Never knew that about Red dye, but it doesn't surprise me. I can definitely add that to the list, although I can't imagine what kind of nightmare a GM would have deciding what does and does not have food dyes. It could be probably fixed by purchasing a High or better Lifestyle.

Everything has dyes. I'm in the US: some of my medicines and, I'm sure, a ton of my food (and I eat relatively natural and healthy) have dyes that are dangerous to health, allergy or no, to the point where they've been banned by less corporatocratic governments like in Scandinavia, etc. If the US got even more corporatocratic, the result would be food dyes are completely unavoidable without an upgrade in lifestyle costs (similar to a dependent?) and some seriously awkward shadow social scenes. You may have to fight a bouncer just to eat something you brought in that won't make you sick. Taking those little plastic shot bottles around instead of buying drinks at the bar--and you can't get the right brand at every Stuffer Shack, so you better have diverse tastes or a real good shopsoft. Getting picked on by the team for having so much expensive food on you...getting it stolen by your buds who then offer you food in return that would poison you...facing the stigma of an alcoholic without even being one...until they drive you up the wall and you realize you've been downing those little bottles faster and faster.

I had this thing with a vegan who also had other dietary issues, who would go to immense trouble to procure, cook, season and stock up food for herself, only for her roommate to consistently steal her food and offer her chicken and fish and suchlike in return. The roomie just could not see the problem with this exchange. But if you've been vegan for years, especially if you have other health problems related to food, there's a good chance you'll be miserable on (or facing) the toilet for a while after you eat meat. To the roomie, though, it wasn't part of her life so it wasn't real. You deal with sociopaths everywhere but it's especially soul-grinding when you can't escape them flagrantly stealing your shit at home.

[sidslick]

I'm British and there's been quite a few dye-related allergies over here too - most recently the Sudan I red dye - along with cancer scares, links to autism and ADD/ADHD, and all sorts.  My eldest son is also seriously allergic to peanuts in all forms (which is surprisingly pervasive in food - flavourings and peanut oil especially), which kinda brings me onto my next point; treatment.  Real world treatment for most serious allergies is adrenaline and antihistamines.  Would this be reflected in Shadowrun rules if applied in time?  I know adrenaline epipens are bloody expensive and have a limited shelf-life.

[8-bit]

You're welcome, and thanks for integrating my suggestions as appropriate.

Never knew that about Red dye, but it doesn't surprise me. I can definitely add that to the list, although I can't imagine what kind of nightmare a GM would have deciding what does and does not have food dyes. It could be probably fixed by purchasing a High or better Lifestyle.

Everything has dyes. I'm in the US: some of my medicines and, I'm sure, a ton of my food (and I eat relatively natural and healthy) have dyes that are dangerous to health, allergy or no, to the point where they've been banned by less corporatocratic governments like in Scandinavia, etc. If the US got even more corporatocratic, the result would be food dyes are completely unavoidable without an upgrade in lifestyle costs (similar to a dependent?) and some seriously awkward shadow social scenes. You may have to fight a bouncer just to eat something you brought in that won't make you sick. Taking those little plastic shot bottles around instead of buying drinks at the bar--and you can't get the right brand at every Stuffer Shack, so you better have diverse tastes or a real good shopsoft. Getting picked on by the team for having so much expensive food on you...getting it stolen by your buds who then offer you food in return that would poison you...facing the stigma of an alcoholic without even being one...until they drive you up the wall and you realize you've been downing those little bottles faster and faster.

I had this thing with a vegan who also had other dietary issues, who would go to immense trouble to procure, cook, season and stock up food for herself, only for her roommate to consistently steal her food and offer her chicken and fish and suchlike in return. The roomie just could not see the problem with this exchange. But if you've been vegan for years, especially if you have other health problems related to food, there's a good chance you'll be miserable on (or facing) the toilet for a while after you eat meat. To the roomie, though, it wasn't part of her life so it wasn't real. You deal with sociopaths everywhere but it's especially soul-grinding when you can't escape them flagrantly stealing your shit at home.

Thinking about it, I would definitely agree with you. So much stuff has dyes in it.

My condolences for your friend. That sucks, especially as that roomie just didn't respect her choice to be vegan.

I'm British and there's been quite a few dye-related allergies over here too - most recently the Sudan I red dye - along with cancer scares, links to autism and ADD/ADHD, and all sorts.  My eldest son is also seriously allergic to peanuts in all forms (which is surprisingly pervasive in food - flavourings and peanut oil especially), which kinda brings me onto my next point; treatment.  Real world treatment for most serious allergies is adrenaline and antihistamines.  Would this be reflected in Shadowrun rules if applied in time?  I know adrenaline epipens are bloody expensive and have a limited shelf-life.

Well, it depends on the severity of your allergy. And they might have better stuff in 2075, but I assume that you can use normal methods. I mean, it's mostly your immune system reacting to something that is harmless.

Mild - Treated with Antihistamines and being away from the Allergen.
Moderate - Treated with Antihistamines and maybe some sort of treatment like special cream or something; basically the same as Mild but worse symptoms.
Severe - Treated as Moderate, but when in contact with the Allergen, it causes physical harm to the body. So, remove the Allergen and hope for the best? I don't know, this one seems hard to pinpoint how bad the reaction is.
Extreme - This is where you need the adrenaline, as the Allergen sends the person into analphylactic shock.

I have no idea if other treatments are available, but that's how I would work with it. Probably a good idea to have a brainstorm with your GM on it.

[pixiesunbelle]

How about an allergy to chocolate?


As to what was mentioned with onions, keep in mind that even something as innocuous as ketchup has onion powder in it. Go through some of the stuff in your cabinets, and you'll probably be surprised how much stuff has various dyes (also suitable for allergies) and things like onion in them.

Chocolate is a good one. Adding that to Uncommon.

I see your point with Onion, I'm just not sure in the world of Shadowrun (where so much stuff is synthetic) how much real food would be included in the diet of a Middle lifestyle or lower (Middle lifestyle does have some real food, but that's uncommon, normally they still eat synthetic food). I don't know enough about the cuisine of Shadowrun to really know whether it's Common or Uncommon.

Thanks for your suggestions!

I think most food allergies would consist of synthetic properties in certain foods then if most people encounter them that way.

In the real world if you have a wheat allergy, you pay a pretty penny for substitutes which would mean those allergic to different synthetics would have to take a higher lifestyle or have the option to alternatives. I would think that in a world that could make synthetic food would have options though. Also, it would be totally possible for someone of a higher lifestyle to eat synthetic food if they are allergic to everything real...

[8-bit]

Most food allergies are hard to pin down in a game that's an abstraction of the real world. Ultimately, it's up to the GM when something triggers, or what foods would triggers a specific allergy.

I agree that it would cost more to avoid your allergies. That is usually settled by taking a High Lifestyle or better. And yes, a High Lifestyle can eat entirely synthetic food, if they are allergic to everything real. It would be strange, but possible.

[Spooky]

Black mold is a problem the CDC has articles on, including the effects of exposure and methods of removal. Google black mold and you'll find it.