| From: | Rune Fostervoll <runefo@***.UIO.NO> |
|---|---|
| Subject: | ANNOUNCE: PBEM campaign |
| Date: | Sun, 20 Apr 1997 23:58:42 +0200 |
do
not intend to begin the campaign right away; instead I’ll start a few =
minor
runs first to collect the group. To that purpose, I’ve written the =
following
as an introduction to the first one… (also, the campaign will be tailored =
to
the players - it’s not prepared or ready yet - after all, I have to =
consider
backgrounds in it.).
Intro:
The bar was noisy. ‘The State of Art’. White Noise was playing; one
of the Industrial Grunge bands. They sounded like huge machinery with a
rhythm, a purpose, the screeching voice of the orc vocalist melding into it
all like sand into well - oiled machinery. Strobe light flashing made the
scene look like a home - made stop motion picture. Many of the clients were
runners. Some were even there for the fun, but most were renting. And like
most merchandise, they preened and displayed their wares. Unless they were
connected, known. Had a rep. Those sat by their tables, in their corners,
waiting, watching. You notice a man entering, a female by his side. His =
looks
screamed ‘Mr Johnson’. He wore an Armani suit, severe, black, elegant. =
He
wore a white china shirt, and had a gold ring in his left ear, set with =
onyx.
He had black, wavy hair, a black goatee and a cold smile. The girl at his
side was not so easy to determine; either a bodyguard or expensive company -
or both. A platinum blonde in a white dress. Two wannabees tried to block =
his
path, telling him how great they were, that he had to hire them. They were
not samurai, but they had some chrome; they also sported obvious weaponry. =
He
said something, dismissing them politely. They were professional enough to
take a no for a no; they might be real pros in a few months or years. The
Johnson was known - he had been a runner himself, a few years back. Known to
be totally merciless, very professional. Suddenly you remember - =
‘Marquis’
was his street name. Some had called him ‘Dr. Napalm’ though, something =
o do
with a diversion. He walks slowly through the locale, speaks with the
bartender, named, of course, Joe. He’s a friend of yours, at least =
tonight;
he points in your direction. The Johnson nods, walks towards your table. In
the background the White Noise starts another piece - crashing noises, then
drawn out sounds like metal straining, groaning as it breaks. The vocals
start, a poetry piece;
‘We’re watching each other
My eyes, open wide, see
The new human eye - Zeiss Ikon, latest model
We watch each other, perfect,
the week’s fashions of form,
the week’s fashion of mind,
in chrome we mold our bodies
in chemicals we mold our brains,
Flesh no more,
we see a world of steel
We are watching the end of flesh
We are watching the end of weakness
We are watching the end’
Marquis puts a hand at the chair at your table, waiting for an invitation.
You straighten up, waves him down. Informality but not casual, not careless,
might be appropriate. He sits, putting a black box on the table, activates
it, and the place is suddenly quiet after a few flutters of noise. The girl
stands behind him, caressing his shoulders. She looks real expensive. A
‘mindlock’ logo is at her temple; she won’t remember a thing of this =
night
tomorrow. You lean forward, waiting. He starts, the opening gambit, =
‘I’m Mr.
Johnson. I need the services of a good runner.’. A job, perhaps. You need =
the
money, well enough. ‘Then you’ve found one. But before I sign the dotted
line, I need to know what the pay is.’. A sign of the times, perhaps. A =
year
ago you’d have asked what the job was first. He smirks. No dotted line =
around
for miles. ‘100K, split on each in the team - I expect three or five =
ways.’.
‘Do you want him liberated, killed or maimed?’. He chuckles. ‘It’s =
Just an
escort job.. Lara Croft. She’s in need of some muscle for a few =
weeks.’. Oh
god, you think, being ornaments for a spoiled brat.. Hey, wasn’t the name
familiar? Must have seen it in the society papers. Ok. ‘When and where =
do I
begin? ’. He smiles, blandly. ‘How fast can you get to Jordan? That’s =
when
and where. Now, here’s more accurate information (he hands you a chip) =
and a
little in advance (He hands you a certified credstick (5000) ) for taking
your time to consider the job. Check out the info, and get back to me within
eight hours. I’ll want to know if you are still interested; we’ll also
discuss pay then, depending on how many goes.’. He rises, pockets the =
whisper
box, and moves to another table.
Intro over.
Okay. The plan is that you send in your comments somewhere between Monday =
and
Tuesday; I’ll have a reply ready between Friday and Sunday - at least in
theory. We all know we have other things to do, and also that we might be
interested in more active playing occassionally.
I’m not going by the official timeline - I do not plan to tie in any
‘official’ SR events. Characters should be balanced against each other
somewhat; I’ll check each and give comments. I do not want more than one
mage; also, be warned that decking will not play a major part. Also, while =
I
like a lot of the stuff in SR Companion, I’ll not include edges and flaws =
as
starting options. I *MIGHT* but do not assume so - you need a good reason.
Also, limit yourself to <=6 availability gear as far as possible; no =
starting
bioware but cyber from shadowtech, cybertech, SSCII and SRII is OK. Also
alpha and beta ware, but not delta. If you have beta you need an ok RP =
reason
for it in your background. If you want one high-availability item (Hi, Mr.
Rigger) just ask - it’s to weed out most munchkin stuff, not to prevent
people from making the character they want. (Also so that the characters
start with stuff they can conceivably get their claws on, of course). =
Well…
anything else? The optional rules about layered armor, armor degradation and
customizing weapons is not in effect. There’s a few house rules I’d =
like to
play by, but they can be discussed. I’ll post a bit about that… =
secondly,
check if you have access to a talkdaemon. It might be useful, occassionally.
I’ll expect to check mail on a semi-daily basis. I’m starting this for =
two
reasons.. first, my regular group is no longer available. Secondly, I think
it will be easier to make a story this way. I’m an experienced GM, but =
not so
experienced at PBEM; we’ll see how it goes. Serious applicants preferable;
any house rules you like, run them by me and we’ll see.
Also… only starting characters. *PONDER* Does that cover it? No, but =
it’ll
have to do…
Rune Fostervoll, runefo@***.uio.no
----------------------------------
ADVICE, n. The smallest current coin.
-Ambrose Bierce
