kmmarsh
Junior Member
Anybody have suggestions for awesome gear or cyberware for my hacker?
Conspiracy Theories (OOC Chat) [Making Friends and Influencing People]
- Thread starter rcuhljr
- Start date
Sheltim
New Member
Are you a hacker that works from the getaway car, or one that comes into the target building with us?kmmarsh said:
Sheidowdragon
New Member
Well poop... I was thinking it just dropped my max.... Currently I had bought up to Mag 5, then 1 point of essence loss (mix of bio and cyber), 2 points converted to Phys Ad because the character style required Assesing and thus an extra point for astral perception.Feantari said:
From Phys Ad: Astra perception, +1 to all social tests (Kinesics), and the ability to throw my voice and mimic others (Voice Control).
From Cyber - eyes (low light, +3 perception, magnification, smartlink), Internal Comm (so I can check stuff mid meet with a Johnson without pause or notice)
From Bio - Tailored Pheromones (+2 Cha/social) and sleep regulator (so I can be a night person).
I forgot that I only get half essence loss for the lesser of the 2, so I could pick up more.... if I had enough money.
I'd really like both for character design and both sides have fun tools... but while I could live with an effective magic of 3 for casting... 2 is a bit low.
I'm guessing I'll drop the Phys Ad, but I'll have to figure out where to pull 5BP to get Magician
Sheidowdragon
New Member
Can we do that if we're not the same type of shamanistic traditions?Sheltim said:Sheidow, another thing to consider is initiation: care to work together for the group discount?
rcuhljr - can I use the 16 bonus karma to learn spells? The Nuyen cost isn't and the only other requirement is a magical lodge (currently don't have, but my character is new to the Seattle area).
rcuhljr
Member
Let me reread the section on initiation and see what street magic has to says regarding lodge sharing. Regarding spells, the nuyen cost isn't what? but I'd probably allow it, especially if you had a possible lodge somewhere.
Regarding essence, a nice pair of sunglasses and external com and you can have all your tasty essence back
Regarding essence, a nice pair of sunglasses and external com and you can have all your tasty essence back
Sheltim
New Member
Technically, maybe, since not all groups contain a single tradition. For instance, the Brotherhood of the Iron Crescent (SM p70) is a multi-tradition group. In fact, I think quite a few of the groups are tradition-agnostic (or at least generally flexible).Sheidowdragon said:
There are three factors to consider: mentor spirit, tradition, and group.
Right now, my character is:
Bear mentor spirit
Generic shaman tradition from the core book (but I'm considering using one of the traditions in SM [or making my own per the rules])
Haven't decided on a group yet
If you're really interested in initiating together, what mentor spirit and tradition are you? Are you maybe up for joining the custom tradition I make (or heck, as a face you could lead it!)? We can use those as starting points for determining a group.
A few groups that jumped out at me as possible candidates (though we can always found our own):
BENANDANTI XXV (SM p70)
Pathfinders (SM p73)
The Rat Pack (SM p74)
=> Most of the current groups are very strict, the GM should look into this and consider rolling a few more to give us some better options
Oh, and this all builds towards a good way for our characters to know each other, and a reason for us to share a place. I also checked and the core book, p168, says magicians of the same tradition can share a lodge. However, based on reading the Street Magic text on groups I bet this also applies to magicians of the same group.
The core book (p189) seems to imply that you can initiate, not into a group, but into your tradition. In other words, a shaman may initiate by going on a vision quest and seeking guidance from their mentor spirit, but not be in a group. SM implies you can (or must?) initiate into a magical group. Seped, your ruling?
Feantari
Water Sprite
You guys can think up an alternate group without actually having to be the ones to create it.
Sheidowdragon
New Member
The Nuyen cost of spells (assuming I learned them after character creation) isn't much, but I can probably also take that from the starting money (ie, what you roll based on lifestyle. I currently don't have a lodge as I'm new to Seattle, but I'm assuming I had access with my old 'group' (still working on that backstory). Not even sure that's what I'll spend the 16 karma on yet. Might end up banking some of it.
1 point of essence loss doesn't bother me that much. Just stacked with the 2 points 'spent' on the adept powers makes the magic rating weak. The point of the cyber eyes and internal is concealment (though anyone worth their salt will be using detection/scanners) and convenience. Besides, I pick up a nice +2 to social tests
and I think I'll get the data jack which opens up access to any language knowledge skill I might need (prep in advance). Probably enough essence left over to pick up Ortho Skin, abut that's hella expensive.
Shelt, Yeah, I think I'll pick up Heal so you can focus more on combat. Now that it looks like I'm going to be dropping the phys Ad Voice Control power, I probably won't pick up the Mask spell. That would have been fun.... listen to a guard or random worker for a bit, wait for them to go on a break, knock them out, then assume their Identity with Mask and voice mimicking.
Currently planning on getting:
Heal, Chaos (maybe the area version instead), Imp Invis, Silence, Influence, Levitate
Also, I'll probably be playing a female elf - so I'd probably not be rooming with you any time soon. Sharing a lodge might be doable though. For initiation, yes, you can solo it but the advantage of joining a group (besides the social contact benifits) is the reduced karma cost (SR3 rules) and the potential instructor access. I just skimmed that section since I can't start off with it. I also need to go there add on book as well. My mentor spirit will be the Moon Maiden which I doubt you'll want.
1 point of essence loss doesn't bother me that much. Just stacked with the 2 points 'spent' on the adept powers makes the magic rating weak. The point of the cyber eyes and internal is concealment (though anyone worth their salt will be using detection/scanners) and convenience. Besides, I pick up a nice +2 to social tests
and I think I'll get the data jack which opens up access to any language knowledge skill I might need (prep in advance). Probably enough essence left over to pick up Ortho Skin, abut that's hella expensive.Shelt, Yeah, I think I'll pick up Heal so you can focus more on combat. Now that it looks like I'm going to be dropping the phys Ad Voice Control power, I probably won't pick up the Mask spell. That would have been fun.... listen to a guard or random worker for a bit, wait for them to go on a break, knock them out, then assume their Identity with Mask and voice mimicking.
Currently planning on getting:
Heal, Chaos (maybe the area version instead), Imp Invis, Silence, Influence, Levitate
Also, I'll probably be playing a female elf - so I'd probably not be rooming with you any time soon. Sharing a lodge might be doable though. For initiation, yes, you can solo it but the advantage of joining a group (besides the social contact benifits) is the reduced karma cost (SR3 rules) and the potential instructor access. I just skimmed that section since I can't start off with it. I also need to go there add on book as well. My mentor spirit will be the Moon Maiden which I doubt you'll want.
Sheltim
New Member
Seped, I've got a rating 3 Sustaining Focus which I'd like to upgrade to rating 4. Are you ruling that the cost to do so is simply the difference? Eg: rating 3 is 6 karma, rating 4 is 8, so I pay 2 Karma to upgrade it? I'm looking at page 191 in the core book.
EDIT: Is there a nuyen cost for that upgrade? I didn't see one in the book, but it seems like there should be (10k based on the trend in the character creator).
EDIT: Is there a nuyen cost for that upgrade? I didn't see one in the book, but it seems like there should be (10k based on the trend in the character creator).
Don't forget it costs 5 Karma per spell you learn after creation, in addition to the (small) nuyen cost.Sheidowdragon said:
Looks good. I've got (sustained) Increase Reflexes, Lightning Bolt, Manabolt, Powerbolt. Any suggestions on other spells I should get? I was considering Armor, but the "glowing field of magical energy" seemed like it'd make me a target more than it would help.Sheidowdragon said:
I'm not picky, after all I put up with Kire (kidding!). On a more in character note, it's a Medium Lifestyle, so there's enough room for two people - but I'll probably just downgrade to a Low Lifestyle and not share.Sheidowdragon said:
rcuhljr
Member
I'll get some decisions up in the next day or so. I'm thinking maybe difference + 2 for improving things. Frankly I dislike paying full price to upgrade things, however I need to balance it against the rate at which I'm giving out kharma. I don't think being able to upgrade a focus to rank 4 should cost significantly less then one session (back when we played live). I'd like to continue to give you guys something to do with karma for a reasonable length of time.
Sheltim
New Member
The cost is so low only because it's a Sustaining Focus - the other Foci are roughly twice as expensive.rcuhljr said:
Sheidowdragon
New Member
I'm not as worried about the cost of foci. Really - what else do you spend money on as a mage? A little bit for ritual stuff, but you don't need new guns, ammo or upgrading cyberware. Might as well save up for those nicer foci, though it sucks that you also have to spend the karma to bond it (not that I'm saying you shouldn't considering how much of a bonus it gives you).
Sheltim
New Member
I'm pretty sure just my Summoning + Spellcasting Foci cost as much as the rest of my gear put togetherSheidowdragon said:
Sheltim
New Member
I did some reading and I think I'd confused myself with respect to traditions. The core book defines two traditions: 1) hermetic and 2) shamanic. Regardless of mentor spirit, we're both the same tradition. Now, Street Magic expands the concept a bit by redefining what was in the core book as the "Native American" shaman tradition, and adding alternate traditions (p35: Aboriginal, Aztec, and so on). Since we both use mentor spirits from the core book, I think it's safe to assume we're both of the Native American shaman tradition.
This would be a good time to point out that if you're interested in switching up your drain attributes, or the spirits you have access to, picking a Street Magic tradition is a good way to do it.
This would be a good time to point out that if you're interested in switching up your drain attributes, or the spirits you have access to, picking a Street Magic tradition is a good way to do it.
Feantari
Water Sprite
Mentor spirits technically have nothing to do with traditions unless you make a tradition that is restricted by has x mentor spirit. Some of them seem to fit in better with certain traditions, but they aren't actually linked in any way. Heck, there are plenty of people that don't have mentor spirits. My adept, for example, didn't spend BP to get one.
So feel free to pick whatever tradition/mentor spirit combo fits your character.
So feel free to pick whatever tradition/mentor spirit combo fits your character.
Feantari
Water Sprite
Do we have any sort of ETA on sheets or a goal for when we want to get started?
Sheidowdragon
New Member
Now with elven avatar....
I know Colin's going to be out visiting Noth until Sunday, so no earlier than that. I should probably glance as the street magic book and talk to Rob before I finalize mine, but I'm 60% done. Just need to flesh out contacts and the like.
I know Colin's going to be out visiting Noth until Sunday, so no earlier than that. I should probably glance as the street magic book and talk to Rob before I finalize mine, but I'm 60% done. Just need to flesh out contacts and the like.
rcuhljr
Member
I was out at a con all labor day weekend. I think my goal is for character sheets by friday, checked over and approved by monday. I plan on rolling with our current 5 for now, and we'll see how it goes regarding to moar recruitment. (Although I do have a line open to wyuli if he ever answers his email. if not we can probably con Shawe into joining us)
Sheidowdragon
New Member
Ok - Loree's in and will be playing the most awesome character ever. A orc bartender who will be running the bar "One Eyed Trogg". Probably lots of low level contacts and tons of knowledge skills. Other than that... we don't know.
Looks like I'm going to probably drop my bio ware in favor of more skills and contacts.
Looks like I'm going to probably drop my bio ware in favor of more skills and contacts.
Kiyoshi1
New Member
I'm going to let you know right now that I probably won't have my character done before Friday. It'll be done by Sunday. I'll try and get it on here by late Friday though.rcuhljr said:
rcuhljr
Member
Well still waiting on Shawe to get access to the forums. I'll begin looking over characters in detail and counting up points and such now.
Sheidowdragon
New Member
I was wondering, what was the frequency of posting you had in mind? Would we still have a 'night' for playing, or would it be spread out over a week or so at a given pace?
rcuhljr
Member
I'd just like to keep an even posting speed, but I think we'll just see how it turns out. Share now had board access, yay! so I'll finish up character inspections, you guys can fix last minute things, and I'll look to start things up sunday/monday hopefully.
Sheltim
New Member
Sheltim said:
Rob, any decisions on this? Go post it in the House Rules threadrcuhljr said:
Sheidow, any thoughts on magical groups? Us initiating into the same group would be nice I think.Sheltim said:
BENANDANTI XXV
+ No dues
+ Base in Prague has lodging, ritual buildings, enchanting shops, magical lodges (rating 9)
- Can be requested to do missions/deeds
- Material link
Pathfinders
+ No dues
+ All branch "offices" have Rating 8 lodges
+ 30% discount on magical goods acquired through the Pueblo government/contractors
- Can be requested to do missions/deeds
- Oath (defend Pueblo nation)
The Rat Pack
+ No dues
- Group is organized around smuggling
- No lodge, goods, or discounts
After looking them over again, I'm not a big fan of any of them... Maybe making our own would be easier. We can either found it or, if Seped agrees, assume it already exists and join it. Here's my suggestion:Feantari said:
Seekers of Knowledge and the Way
* Purpose: Magic is apolitical. Magic knowns no race, no age, no boundaries. Magic simply is. The Seekers are devoted to the spiritual study and development of magic and the growth of its members. However, the group actively opposes those who seek to damage the fabric of magic itself, or twist it to unnatural means.
* Members: 50 (20 in the main chapter, 5-10 per local chapter)
* Strictures: Fraternity, Service (teaching), Limited Membership (shaman only), Oath (uphold the group's beliefs)
* Resources/Dues: High. Dues currently 200 nuyen per month. The Seekers operate out of a storefront in Seattle, where the group possess a Rating 8 lodge and enchanting shop; local chapters each have a Rating 6 lodge. Magical supplies and goods are provided at a 30 percent discount.
* Description and Customs: While mostly consisting of Snake [p194] and Owl [p182] shaman, the Seekers do not exclude anyone that wishes to join, shows a desire to learn and share, and undergoes the initiatory rites. The Seekers are a society of shaman dedicated to the study of the mystical arts. While favoring an apolitical and spiritual approach to magic, the group upholds the view that some forms of magic are harmful to the very nature of magic [Toxic is fine, necromancy is not, mana ebbs and domains are fine, mana voids and warps are not, etc]. The group also holds the view that magic learning must be shared to promote further exploration and learning. Accordingly, the Seekers teach classes open to all that are interested. Despite its generally contemplative nature, the Seekers have been known to go out of their way to seek out and demarcate voids and hunt down users of forbidden magics.