[All4BigGuns]

I am a bit tempted depending on what's needed, but I will admit that I am a little leery given the ruling that prompted the last drop-out--happen to disagree with it.

I appreciate the interest, and your opinion has been noted. However, it doesn't change the mentality that I plan to use when GM'ing a campaign. There may be tweaks to how certain rules are interpreted in order to make the game fun and to keep it interesting. I make up rules all the time when I don't see any good way to make a spot decision. I don't view this as GM-versus-player. It's GM taking enough of an interest in the player to keep them challenged and engaged. The GM is the *storyteller*, not the referee.

If a player comes to the game with a super-powerful character, a good GM will try to exploit at least some of their weaknesses while also letting them shine with their strengths. If a character is awesome at everything, the game is boring as hell for everyone involved. This includes the player, the other players in the game, and the GM.

I'm not about to badmouth the player who left. It became apparent that we weren't going to see things the same way and that it was only going to get worse. If I had to change anything I would ask that players remember the immense amount of time it takes to run a good campaign, and that when they leave suddenly it leaves everyone (GM as well as other players) feeling a bit salty.

Long story short, if you are a rules lawyer, this isn't the game for you.

Glad you're not gonna badmouth him. He's about the closest I'd come to calling anything close to 'friend' that I've found on these forums. That said, the ruling in question isn't exactly 'deal breaking' for me--I'd just avoid frenzy or berserk style abilities, though I would like to see some other common rulings you make on various things that come up in games to see how things would mesh up. Could you possibly list some for me? I've kept up a bit, but not much on ruling stuff--just enough to tell the sort of area ya'll are in, and a hacker seems like a bad idea in the back-of-beyond like that area.

[Sentinemodo]

What do you mean about hacker? I did not understand. 

[Thermo]

Me either. I wouldn't worry about it. This game already has a hacker/rigger named Jerry who is doing a great job.

All4BigGuns, I'm not sure what you're asking. You want me to list off every possible ruling I have made or might make in the future where there was a grey area in the rules? You're free to read the OOC and IC threads to your heart's content and see for yourself.

There are no perfect characters except those that are fun to play and have good roleplayability. You can't get around the fact that the GM sets the challenge level to match the strength of the characters. Make sure you have an interesting, capable, multifaceted character, and everything else will work itself out.

[All4BigGuns]

Me either. I wouldn't worry about it. This game already has a hacker/rigger named Jerry who is doing a great job.

All4BigGuns, I'm not sure what you're asking. You want me to list off every possible ruling I have made or might make in the future where there was a grey area in the rules? You're free to read the OOC and IC threads to your heart's content and see for yourself.

There are no perfect characters except those that are fun to play and have good roleplayability. You can't get around the fact that the GM sets the challenge level to match the strength of the characters. Make sure you have an interesting, capable, multifaceted character, and everything else will work itself out.

Thought about it, and the question did seem like it was asking a bit much. I'm sorry about that. I will say though, for the most part, except in a few cases, I do prefer to build and play the character while letting background and stuff kind of form naturally as I play--part of that is that I get writer's block really easy.

What sorts of background count are in that area of the world?

[farothel]

Thought about it, and the question did seem like it was asking a bit much. I'm sorry about that. I will say though, for the most part, except in a few cases, I do prefer to build and play the character while letting background and stuff kind of form naturally as I play--part of that is that I get writer's block really easy.

What sorts of background count are in that area of the world?

It's Lagos for starters, and it's bad there.  As I'm native I'm used to it, but only up to a point.  Some areas are very toxic (corps dump just about anything in Lagos).  If you have the book, read the chapter on Lagos in Feral Cities.

[All4BigGuns]

Thought about it, and the question did seem like it was asking a bit much. I'm sorry about that. I will say though, for the most part, except in a few cases, I do prefer to build and play the character while letting background and stuff kind of form naturally as I play--part of that is that I get writer's block really easy.

What sorts of background count are in that area of the world?

It's Lagos for starters, and it's bad there.  As I'm native I'm used to it, but only up to a point.  Some areas are very toxic (corps dump just about anything in Lagos).  If you have the book, read the chapter on Lagos in Feral Cities.

I don't have Feral Cities, so that's kind of out for me. Is it so high that a mage or adept would be practically screwed if they're not native?

[Eleven]

I'd offer to jump in.  Character is Doc T (below).  He's a Mercenary Combat Medic/Bodyguard who has a plausible reason to be in the hangar with the party.  If you like him, and you're willing to let a person new to Play by Post gaming jump in, I'd be pleased to join this run.


== Description ==
Doc T has the look of someone who's seen it all and no longer cares. He's never quite clean shaven, and his hair is often in need of a trim. He doesn't look like a wreck, but depending on your perspective you'd either say he was "rumpled" or "rode hard and put away wet". While his equipment may be used, it is always in tip top shape. He has the "gift of gab" often striking up conversations with anyone he meets. He is quite friendly, particularly when he's had a few drinks.

== Background ==
Doc T performed his military service like most Israeli teenagers. He was a corpsman in the Israeli Army for a year before college. During College he was a pre-med student. In his first year of Med school he developed a drinking problem and could no longer keep up with the coursework. When the Dean suggested that he take a leave of absence, Doc T realized that he had to get his drinking under control. Doc T decided that he had been most disciplined and successful when he was in a more controlled environment. He decided to take a job with the Israeli equivalent of Docwagon where he worked for a year and was able to get a handle on his drinking problem (from severe to mild). By his Mid-twenties his skills as a combat medic were recognized by several mercenary groups and he received a job offer for significantly more money to work in the "private sector" military. At the same time, a family friend who worked for the Mossad (his Mr. Johnson) had recognized that his bi-lingual upbringing (mother was Lebanese, Father Israeli), facility with languages, and generally outgoing personality might be an asset to the state. This Mr. Johnson strongly encouraged Doc T to join a Merc Company, to learn as much as he could, and to occasionally report back what he was up to, and where he was doing it. Doc T has worked as a bodyguard and mercenary in Africa, Europe, and the Middle East and he has always helped out his Mr. J.

Most recently, in Lagos, Doc T took a job as a personal bodyguard and Medic to a local upper level Narcotics Trafficker. After the third time Doc T performed lifesaving procedures on a prostitute after the drug boss was done with her, Doc T decided to get the heck out of Lagos. Ideally he could catch on with MET 2000, or another company. He returned everything he had received from the Drug boss and slipped out the back two days ago. He just completed the purchase of a ticket (and unfortunately used up almost all of his remaining nuyen) when the bush pilot's head exploded in a pink mist from a stray round from the Igbo shooting at the shark/dragon/elf/swordguy/mage/ice elemental. Now he has no money because the transaction cleared, no ride (because the pilot's dead), and Igbo shooting at him. It's a "bad" situation. Even worse the tricked out battlebuddy he had clipped to his shoulder also caught a round and is several thousand nuyen worth of broken plastic.

== Concept ==
A combat Medic/Bodyguard

== Notes ==
I've tried to make a character that could join this campaign "in medias res" with a valid explanation for being in the airport hangar with the other party members. He doesn't have any equipment that he isn't carrying on his person.

== Info ==
Street Name: Doc T
Name: Tal Ehud
Movement: 10/25, Swim: 5
Karma: 0
Street Cred: 0
Notoriety: 1
Public Awareness: 0
Human Male Age 30
Height 5'10" Weight 175lbs
Composure: 5
Judge Intentions: 5
Lift/Carry: 7 (45 kg/30 kg)
Memory: 7
Nuyen: starting roll to be determined

== Attributes ==
BOD: 4
AGI: 5 (7)
REA: 4 (7)
STR: 3
CHA: 2
INT: 3
LOG: 4
WIL: 3
EDG: 3

== Derived Attributes ==
Essence:                   2.6
Initiative:                7 (10)
IP:                        1 (2)
Matrix Initiative:         5
Matrix IP:                 1
Physical Damage Track:     10
Stun Damage Track:         10

== Active Skills ==

Armorer                    : 1                      Pool: 5
Automatics                 : 4 [Assault Rifles]     Pool: 11 (13)
Demolitions                : 4                      Pool: 8
Dodge                      : 3 [Ranged Combat]      Pool: 10 (12)
Etiquette                  : 2                      Pool: 4
First Aid                  : 5 [Battle Injuries]    Pool: 9 (11)
Infiltration               : 4                      Pool: 11
Medicine                   : 2                      Pool: 6
Perception                 : 1                      Pool: 4
Pilot Ground Craft         : 2                      Pool: 9
Pistols                    : 5                      Pool: 12
Throwing Weapons           : 1                      Pool: 8
Unarmed Combat             : 3 [Martial Arts]       Pool: 10 (12)
Outdoor Skill Group:  1
Athletics Skill Group: 1

== Knowledge Skills ==
Arabic                     : N                      Pool: 0
Biology                    : 1                      Pool: 5
Chemistry                  : 1                      Pool: 5
Combat Tactics             : 3 [Urban]              Pool: 7 (9)
English                    : 3                      Pool: 7
French                     : 1                      Pool: 4
German                     : 1                      Pool: 4
Hebrew                     : N                      Pool: 0
Medicine                   : 5                      Pool: 10
Mercenary Companies        : 3 [Met 2000]           Pool: 8 (10)
Yoruba                     : 1                      Pool: 4
Igbo                         :1                        Pool: 4

== Contacts ==
Armorer (2, 1)
Fixer (2, 2)
Mr. Johnson (Mossad) (4, 4)

== Qualities ==
Addiction (Mild) (Alcohol)
Allergy (Uncommon, Moderate) (Bee Stings)
Bilingual
College Education
Linguist
Media Junkie (Mild)
Records on File (MET 2000)
SINner (Standard) (Israel)

== Lifestyles ==
House in Bad Neighborhood  1 months
   Comforts:      Low
   Entertainment: Low
   Necessities:   Low
   Neighborhood:  Street - Z-zones/Barrens
   Security:      Low
   Qualities:     Rough Neighborhood [-1LP]
                  Trigger-Happy Landlord [-1LP]

== Cyberware/Bioware ==
Cyberears Rating 1
   +Ear Recording Unit
   +Sound Link
   +Damper
   +Spatial Recognizer
   +Audio Enhancement Rating 1
Cybereyes Basic System Rating 3
   +Eye Recording Unit
   +Image Link
   +Low-Light Vision
   +Flare Compensation
   +Smartlink
   +Thermographic Vision
   +Vision Enhancement Rating 2
   +Vision Magnification
Muscle Toner Rating 2
Reaction Enhancers Rating 2
Skinlink
Wired Reflexes Rating 1

== Armor ==
Armor Vest                6/4 (worn when being a Merc)
Form-Fitting Half-Body Suit4/1
   +Nonconductivity 6
Lined Coat                6/4 (worn when being a bodyguard/casual) (peacoat)

== Weapons ==
Ares Viper Slivergun
   +Smartgun System, Internal
   +Firing Selection Change, Small Mod (FA)
   +Folding Stock, Powered
   +Personalized Grip
   +Skinlink
   +Sound Suppressor
   +Underbarrel Weight
   DV: 8P(f)   AP: +5   RC: 3
Colt M23 ("CQB Carbine")
   +Gas-Vent 3 System
   +Shock Pad
   +Smartgun System, External
   +Underbarrel Weight
   +Barrel Reduction
   +Folding Stock, Powered
   +Personalized Grip
   +Skinlink
   DV: 6P   AP: -1   RC: 6
Colt Manhunter
   +Smartgun System, Internal
   +Laser Sight
   +Personalized Grip
   +Skinlink
   DV: 5P   AP: -1   RC: 1
Morrissey Élan
   DV: 4P   AP: -   RC: 0
Unarmed Attack
   DV: 2S   AP: -   RC: 0

== Martial Arts ==
Krav Maga
   +Take Aim as Free Action

== Commlink ==
Sony Emperor (2, 2, 2, 3)
   +Renraku Ichi
   +FTL Matrixware Net Wizard [Analyze 3, Browse 3, Command 1, Edit 2, Purge 3]

== Gear ==
Ammo: EX-Explosive Rounds (Assault Rifles) x90
Ammo: EX-Explosive Rounds (Heavy Pistols) x30
Ammo: Flechette Rounds (Heavy Pistols) x90
Ammo: Hi-C Plastic Rounds (Holdouts) x10
Ammo: Regular Ammo (Assault Rifles) x200
Ammo: Regular Ammo (Heavy Pistols) x50
Ammo: Regular Ammo (Holdouts) x10
Concealable Holster x3 (Elan is always in a concealed holster, otherwise for the manhunter and slivergun when being casual)
Fake License (Firearms) Rating 4
Fake License (Enhancements) Rating 4
Fake SIN (Main Fake ID - Abdullahi Mohammed) Rating 4
Medkit Rating 6
Medkit Supplies x2
Quick-Draw Holster x2 (for Manhunter and Slivergun when being obvious)
Smart Pouch System, Ammunition Pouch x3
Smart Pouch System, Combat Load Vest
Smart Pouch System, Ration Pouch
Smart Pouch System, Smart Canteen
Spare Clip (M23) x6
Spare Clip (Slivergun) x2
Spare Clip (Manhunter) x3
Spare Clip (Elan)
Stimulant Patch Rating 6 x2
Trauma Patch
Rucksack
Fatigues
Jeans
Slacks (wrinkle free)
Oxford shirt (wrinkle free)
Combat boots
Dress shoes
toiletries
undergarments
several pocket knives, scissors, and other typical medical supplies.
Two hip flasks (one empty, one Ouzo)
Bottle of local rotgut

Attributes 200 BP + Edge 10bp + Positive Qalities 20 BP - Negative Qualities 35 bp + Contacts 11 BP (+4 free contact BP/ total 15 BP) + Nuyen 17 BP (one BP unspent) + Skill Groups 20 BP + Active Skills 156 BP + Knowledge Skills 1bp
 

edit - this group appears to use the Cha x2 free contacts, so I upgraded one of his contacts and used a BP to add Igbo language, and kept a BP for gear. 

[farothel]

I don't have Feral Cities, so that's kind of out for me. Is it so high that a mage or adept would be practically screwed if they're not native?

Not really.  At least from what I know.  Thermo will have to tell you how he sees it, but I see it more like you have a -1 or -2 in parts of Lagos.  Much more in areas like Surrelere and the Badagry slums, but no sane person would ever want to go there (my character is native and any briefing for an excursion in Surrelere would start with the words 'after the strafing runs are completed,...').  Lagos Island will not be much of a problem (it's kept clean for the corp VPs and such).  Maybe a couple of hotspots left and right, and that should be it.

[Sentinemodo]

I've heard legends on this campaign though to have really high background count. Not sure what a 'really high' is but I would expect 3 or 4.

[All4BigGuns]

I've heard legends on this campaign though to have really high background count. Not sure what a 'really high' is but I would expect 3 or 4.

That would be really high. There goes that idea. Not touching Awakened in count like that, as they're completely boned.

[Sentinemodo]

Point is, that this campaign is supposedly about artifacts. with iceblade suicide we won't be able to tell an artifact even if it hit us in the face. so a mage or. shaman. would be nice.

[eighth circuit]

Would an adept/face with assensing be helpful? I could play a native character. Has power nerfing been a problem for the adept in the campaign?

[farothel]

Would an adept/face with assensing be helpful? I could play a native character. Has power nerfing been a problem for the adept in the campaign?

So far not (I play an adept), but we haven't made it past the airport yet, so it might still.
BTW: I already have assensing, but someone with knowledge skill in the artefact area might be more useful in recognising them.  The way I see my character unless the artefacts in question light up like a football stadium on the astral, she won't know if they hit her in the face.

[Sentinemodo]

My thinking exactly. Still a medic is also more than welcome (specially by Jerry) we are probably going into lagosian jungle where toxins, diseases are more common than ant within anthill.

[eighth circuit]

Right, I was thinking of an artifact-hunter/arcane scholar. Probably be useless in combat, but along with arcane knowledge the face qualities should come in handy. Since I was never able to find anyone to play Call of Cthulhu with me, maybe I'll make a Call of Cthulhu-style character for Shadowrun....