[Neongelion]

The concept I have in mind is a Face named "Aceman" who seems to have it all; he's Globally Famous, his Lifestyle is a hybrid between High and Luxury, so why on earth would he be a shadowrunner in the first place, and how effective of a disguise can he get so he won't be immediately recognizable by anyone?

So far for disguise I have some Latex Face Masks and a Voice Modulator, along with a secondary commlink (might even get a tertiary 'link), but I'm not sure if I could improve on this since I'm still new enough to Shadowrun to be unfamiliar with what kind of neat gear there is. 

Motivation is something I'm really struggling with though. You guys have any suggestions why a rich globally famous person would be running in the shadows? Money could certainly be a factor but not a major one; to him, earning 50,000 a month is enough to maintain his more or less comfortable lifestyle. And although he's unusually ethical for the shadows (minor Pacifist quality) he's not necessarily looking to be Batman either.

Here's the character stats. This is one of my first Shadowun characters, so it probably needs improving definitely.

...Just realized, First Impression gives me a point of Notoriety? 
== Info ==
Street Name: Aceman
Name: Kazuhiko Westgate
Movement: 10/25, Swim: 5
Karma: 0
Street Cred: 0
Notoriety: -1
Public Awareness: 0
Human Male Age 27
Height 6'8
Composure: 10
Judge Intentions: 9
Lift/Carry: 5 (30 kg/20 kg)
Memory: 9
Nuyen: 17,000

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

== Derived Attributes ==
Essence:                   5.74
Initiative:                7
IP:                        1
Matrix Initiative:         8
Matrix IP:                 2
Physical Damage Track:     10
Stun Damage Track:         11

== Active Skills ==
Animal Handling            : 0                      Pool: 3
Animal Training            : 0                      Pool: 3
Archery                    : 0                      Pool: 1
Armorer                    : 0                      Pool: 3
Artisan                    : 0                      Pool: 3
Automatics                 : 0                      Pool: 1
Blades                     : 3                      Pool: 5
Climbing                   : 0                      Pool: 1
Clubs                      : 0                      Pool: 1
Computer                   : 1                      Pool: 5
Con                        : 4                      Pool: 9
Cybercombat                : 0                      Pool: 3
Data Search                : 1                      Pool: 5
Demolitions                : 0                      Pool: 3
Disguise                   : 4                      Pool: 8
Diving                     : 0                      Pool: 2
Dodge                      : 0                      Pool: 2
Escape Artist              : 0                      Pool: 1
Etiquette                  : 5                      Pool: 10
First Aid                  : 0                      Pool: 3
Flight                     : 0                      Pool: 1
Forgery                    : 0                      Pool: 1
Gunnery                    : 0                      Pool: 1
Gymnastics                 : 0                      Pool: 1
Hacking                    : 0                      Pool: 3
Hardware                   : 1                      Pool: 5
Heavy Weapons              : 0                      Pool: 1
Infiltration               : 0                      Pool: 1
Instruction                : 0                      Pool: 4
Intimidation               : 0                      Pool: 4
Leadership                 : 4                      Pool: 9
Locksmith                  : 0                      Pool: 1
Longarms                   : 0                      Pool: 1
Navigation                 : 0                      Pool: 3
Negotiation                : 5                      Pool: 10
Palming                    : 0                      Pool: 1
Parachuting                : 0                      Pool: 2
Perception                 : 0                      Pool: 3
Pilot Ground Craft         : 2 [Car]                Pool: 5 (7)
Pilot Watercraft           : 0                      Pool: 2
Pistols                    : 4                      Pool: 6
Riding                     : 0                      Pool: 2
Running                    : 0                      Pool: 1
Shadowing                  : 0                      Pool: 3
Software                   : 1                      Pool: 5
Survival                   : 0                      Pool: 4
Swimming                   : 0                      Pool: 1
Throwing Weapons           : 0                      Pool: 1
Tracking                   : 0                      Pool: 3
Unarmed Combat             : 0                      Pool: 1

== Knowledge Skills ==
Cantonese                  : 2                      Pool: 7
Combat Bike Schedule       : 3                      Pool: 7
English                    : N                      Pool: 0
European History           : 3 [French Rev/Napoleonic Era] Pool: 7 (9)
Wine            : 3                      Pool: 7
Fine Resturants            : 3                      Pool: 7
French                     : 2                      Pool: 7
German                     : 2                      Pool: 7
Italian                    : 2                      Pool: 7
Japanese                   : N                      Pool: 0
Korean                     : 2                      Pool: 7
Russian                    : 2                      Pool: 7
Spanish                    : 2                      Pool: 7
Urban Brawl Schedule       : 3                      Pool: 7

== Contacts ==
Arms Dealer (2, 2)
Club Owner (3, 6)
Corporate Secretary (1, 3)
Fixer (5, 1)
ID Manufacturer (2, 4)

== Qualities ==
Bilingual
Day Job (40 hrs/week)
Fame (Global)
First Impression
Linguist
Lost Loved One (Old college friend)
Pacifist (Minor)
SINner (Standard)

== Lifestyles ==
Green Point  1 month
   Comforts:      High
   Entertainment: High
   Necessities:   Luxury
   Neighborhood:  High
   Security:      Luxury
   Qualities:     Friendly Neighbors [1LP]

== Cyberware/Bioware ==
Datajack
Voice Modulator

== Armor ==
Armor Vest                6/4

== Weapons ==
Fichetti Security 600
   +Stock
   +Laser Sight
   DV: 4P   AP: -   RC: 1
Survival Knife
   DV: 2P   AP: -1   RC: 0
Unarmed Attack
   DV: 1S   AP: -   RC: 0

== Commlink ==
Novatech Airware (3, 4, 3, 3)
   +Novatech Navi
   +Sim Module (Cold)
   +Fake License (Fichetti Security 600) Rating 4
Transys Avalon (4, 3, 3, 4)
   +Iris Orb
   +Sim Module (Cold)

== Gear ==
Ammo: Regular Ammo (Light Pistols) x300
Analyze Rating 3
   +Copy Protection Rating 3
   +Registration
AR Gloves
Browse Rating 3
   +Copy Protection Rating 3
   +Registration
Certified Credstick, Standard Rating 6 x2
Edit Rating 2
   +Copy Protection Rating 2
   +Registration
Fake SIN Rating 4 x2
Glasses Rating 4
Latex Face Mask x10

== Vehicles ==
Mercury Comet (Sedan)
   +Vehicle Sensor

[RelentlessImp]

Have him be out of Los Angeles. His global fame is that of a shadowrunner solo act, broadcasting live on P2.0. He 'runs to make money and to keep his fans happy. His 'disguise' is actually his on-camera persona. To rake in more fans, he's moving to a new locale and getting a team together. Boom, instant motivation.

[Makki]

Batman is still a good approach. Celebrities tend to have this "Saving the world" agenda. But giving money to charity and adopting African orphans is only one way. The Eco-Terrorist approach is another...

[Neongelion]

Batman is still a good approach. Celebrities tend to have this "Saving the world" agenda. But giving money to charity and adopting African orphans is only one way. The Eco-Terrorist approach is another...

So, a dirty hippie?  I don't see him trying to save mother nature but I do hear what you're saying. Part of the backstory is that the yakuza took one of his good college friends as revenge for a wrong inadvertently did against them. He knows fighting the yakuza solo is a death wish, and even fighting with a team is little better. Perhaps he took to the shadows simply to get connections (anti yak connections perhaps?), improve himself as a person, or something among those lines.

Have him be out of Los Angeles. His global fame is that of a shadowrunner solo act, broadcasting live on P2.0. He 'runs to make money and to keep his fans happy. His 'disguise' is actually his on-camera persona. To rake in more fans, he's moving to a new locale and getting a team together. Boom, instant motivation.

This is an interesting idea. But the problems with this is that Aceman's skillsets might not get enough fans to be globally famous. He can't tear his way through a corp sec squad or engage in heart-pounding chase scenes. His exceptional charisma and his ability to fit in to nearly any social circle is it. Or maybe I don't give the people of 2073 enough credit, maybe there are a good chunk of people that would prefer 'runner exploits that aren't necessarily explosions and furious melee...

The other problem could be that I don't think there's a lot of runners and Mr. Johnsons willing to hire such a high-profile runner. Or did you mean that he's going to this new locale not under his on-camera identity?

[markelphoenix]

Character seems...underwhelming for someone who would have Global-Fame...figure someone with that kind of prestige would have more....oomf.

Any who, keep it separated. I agree with you that running the shadows is shadowy, and thus would flee rapidly from anything that shone light on it. Your day-life = Famous, your Runner life = Incognito. You can definitely tie the Yakuza hook into the char concepts reason for running the shadows. Could also be a personality quirk. Likes being the uber-celebrity by day and being able to successfully disguise himself and be a normal human, actually experience 'real life', not filtered through paparazzi, rabid fans, and people looking to mooch off his celebrity status.

The real question is, how do you manage to keep it separate given the time requirements. 40 hours a week + Running the Shadows + Maintaining believable disguises and reasons for being in different places at different times.

[Mystic]

Character seems...underwhelming for someone who would have Global-Fame...figure someone with that kind of prestige would have more....oomf.

Any who, keep it separated. I agree with you that running the shadows is shadowy, and thus would flee rapidly from anything that shone light on it. Your day-life = Famous, your Runner life = Incognito. You can definitely tie the Yakuza hook into the char concepts reason for running the shadows. Could also be a personality quirk. Likes being the uber-celebrity by day and being able to successfully disguise himself and be a normal human, actually experience 'real life', not filtered through paparazzi, rabid fans, and people looking to mooch off his celebrity status.

The real question is, how do you manage to keep it separate given the time requirements. 40 hours a week + Running the Shadows + Maintaining believable disguises and reasons for being in different places at different times.

Ask Kat O' Nine-Tails....

[Glyph]

Maybe he is incredibly jaded by his lifestyle, and runs the shadows because ordinary pleasures have become stale for him.  Maybe he is addicted to that rush of adrenaline and danger.  Maybe shadowrunning seems intense and "real" to him after dealing with the artificial world that he has to spend most of his time in.

By the way, First Impression actually subtracts a point of Notoriety.

[Neongelion]

Maybe he is incredibly jaded by his lifestyle, and runs the shadows because ordinary pleasures have become stale for him.  Maybe he is addicted to that rush of adrenaline and danger.  Maybe shadowrunning seems intense and "real" to him after dealing with the artificial world that he has to spend most of his time in.

"Thrill of the hunt", eh? Definitely something to consider. It doesn't help that both his parents were successful and wealthy people themselves, so he was surrounded by this glitter all his life.

By the way, First Impression actually subtracts a point of Notoriety.

Yeah, I noticed that. Is there an explanation behind that?

Character seems...underwhelming for someone who would have Global-Fame...figure someone with that kind of prestige would have more....oomf.

Do you mean oomf in abilities, gear or something else? What would you suggest I add or change?

The real question is, how do you manage to keep it separate given the time requirements. 40 hours a week + Running the Shadows + Maintaining believable disguises and reasons for being in different places at different times.

That's a good point. Although maintaining the disguises shouldn't be too big a problem, although again I'm not sure how to improve it beyond what I have now, ie the Latex Face Masks and the secondary commlink.

[markelphoenix]

Maybe he is incredibly jaded by his lifestyle, and runs the shadows because ordinary pleasures have become stale for him.  Maybe he is addicted to that rush of adrenaline and danger.  Maybe shadowrunning seems intense and "real" to him after dealing with the artificial world that he has to spend most of his time in.

"Thrill of the hunt", eh? Definitely something to consider. It doesn't help that both his parents were successful and wealthy people themselves, so he was surrounded by this glitter all his life.

By the way, First Impression actually subtracts a point of Notoriety.

Yeah, I noticed that. Is there an explanation behind that?

Character seems...underwhelming for someone who would have Global-Fame...figure someone with that kind of prestige would have more....oomf.

Do you mean oomf in abilities, gear or something else? What would you suggest I add or change?

The real question is, how do you manage to keep it separate given the time requirements. 40 hours a week + Running the Shadows + Maintaining believable disguises and reasons for being in different places at different times.

That's a good point. Although maintaining the disguises shouldn't be too big a problem, although again I'm not sure how to improve it beyond what I have now, ie the Latex Face Masks and the secondary commlink.

Well, you could probably round out with more 'ware. For example, Tailored Pheromones for a Face type. Also, thought of a spin. Your famous personality is actually your disguise appearance. You were originally a Shadowrunner, saved the life of a reality-show producer, and made a bargain. He helps maintain your Fake Famous SIN ID, with all scenes and public appearances being done while using some form of disguise, while you continue your runner life.

Also, if you want to get Twinkie, you can make a Face Adept and get him up to 20+ in negotiations pretty quick. 25-27 if you go Glamour/SURGE

[Dinendae]

As others have mentioned, rich people (especially those that have riches and fame) get bored easily. Look at all the wealthy today that do things like take trips into space or try to sail a balloon around the world. The character doesn't really need any more motivation to do it, other than they can do it! Just look at Richard What's-his-name? The guy that owns Virgin.

[ArkangelWinter]

Richard Branson, who spends his wealth replicating Jules Verne stories, building space ships, and taking improbably dangerous solo sailing expeditions.

[JustADude]

By the way, First Impression actually subtracts a point of Notoriety.

Yeah, I noticed that. Is there an explanation behind that?

First Impression is people liking you on sight... you're the kind of person that has that certain je ne sais quoi that grabs everyone's attention when they walk into a room.

So, essentially, If people like you on sight, they're less likely to spread bad rumors about you.

[Neongelion]

By the way, First Impression actually subtracts a point of Notoriety.

Yeah, I noticed that. Is there an explanation behind that?

First Impression is people liking you on sight... you're the kind of person that has that certain je ne sais quoi that grabs everyone's attention when they walk into a room.

So, essentially, If people like you on sight, they're less likely to spread bad rumors about you.

Oh. OH...Well that makes sense. I had things reversed...positive numbers mean less notoriety, negative numbers=bad. I was thinking "wait, I gain Notoriety for having First Impression?

[JustADude]

By the way, First Impression actually subtracts a point of Notoriety.

Yeah, I noticed that. Is there an explanation behind that?

First Impression is people liking you on sight... you're the kind of person that has that certain je ne sais quoi that grabs everyone's attention when they walk into a room.

So, essentially, If people like you on sight, they're less likely to spread bad rumors about you.

Oh. OH...Well that makes sense. I had things reversed...positive numbers mean less notoriety, negative numbers=bad. I was thinking "wait, I gain Notoriety for having First Impression?

Heh... yeah, no. But I can see where you'd make that mistake, since it's a DP penalty.

[Dizzy]

I was thinking of doing a globally famous character too, though my idea was a little different.

I was thinking of doing a martial arts adept who's a famous fighter. All of his BP would be sunk into martial arts, from adept powers to manuvers.

And he'd have a sort of badass image to maintain. Breaking the law and doing jail time and appearing in court and such would only increase his notoriety.

The trouble would be finding people who would actually work with him.