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Message no. 1
From: "Boyd Stephen Smith, Jr." <gilmeth@*********.COM>
Subject: Character Help
Date: Mon, 19 Jan 1998 11:42:13 -0600
Normally I GM so, It has been a while since I created a character. To tell
the truth, last time I created a character I was still in my "Munchie Phase"
(I'm seventeen).

Well, now I'm in a PBEM game and I'm in the middle of writing my character
history. He's supposed to be a young (just out of college), smart, Okay but
not cocky decker. I'm going good on the history but, I'm trying to lay down
some number and they aren't coming out right. Here's what I want:
Body, Str, Quickness, Charisma all average : 3
Intelligence very quick and smart : 5
Willpower stronger willed but not a "Tower of Iron Will" : 4
That's only 21 points so I had to go to B attribs but, I gotta spend 3 more
pts. so I boosted Cha, Body, and Strength up a pt. I guess the extra points
don't bother me that much but, it wasn't what was intended.

Okay, I decided the best resources that went with the background was C it's
not much for a decker but, this guy is young, indepentdent, etc. He doesn't
really have/need that much cash. I haven't "bought" anything yet but I'm
imagining it all to go into a deck.

I've got A on skills but, I'm having trouble spending 40 skill points. So
far I've got:
Computer, Computer B/R : 5 (self-taught [kinda] but, he's been at it since
he was 13)
Computer Theory, Stealth (this skill -- very iffy, might scrap it), Matrix
Ettiquette : 4
Street Etiquette, Unarmed Combat : 3

So far, that's 28 skills. Computer IS his hobby althogh I really need for
sake of color/interest add another. I need to either burn 12 more pts. or
maybe do the alternate thing I'm thinking and assign Skills, Attribs, and
resources to B (Something I allow characters in my own campaign to do) --
this means I just got to use 2 more pts. skills and then spend some extra
resources. Even If I do that, I stilll will put it in his deck 'cause this
guys only resource I would be increasing would be the time he can use to
make his deck.

What should I do here. I know it sounds like I'm still thinking numbers (ala
munchie) but, I'm just rying to make numbers I can fit into/around/etc. my
story.
Message no. 2
From: Damon Harper <nomad74@*******.COM>
Subject: Re: Character Help
Date: Mon, 19 Jan 1998 09:54:56 PST
>What should I do here. I know it sounds like I'm still thinking numbers
(ala
>munchie) but, I'm just rying to make numbers I can fit into/around/etc.
my
>story.
>
I'm assuming he's a shadowrunner. A firearms skill of some kind
would hurt, negoiations skill. If you don't want to go that way, you
might want to go back and switch Resources and Skills as priorities(a
decker is only as good as the deck he uses). But if you are just
looking for more skills, I'd also go with Electronics(esp for
Maglocks)...

-Vagabond (nomad74@*******.com)
¹vag·a·bond \va-ge-bänd\ adj. 1: wandering, homeless
2: of, characteristic of, or leading the life of a vagrant
or tramp 3: leading an unsettled or irresponsible life

²vagabond n: one leading a vagabond life; esp : tramp


______________________________________________________
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Message no. 3
From: David Buehrer <dbuehrer@******.CARL.ORG>
Subject: Re: Character Help
Date: Mon, 19 Jan 1998 11:31:06 -0700
Boyd Stephen Smith, Jr. wrote:
/
[snip: making a balanced character]
/
/ I've got A on skills but, I'm having trouble spending 40 skill points. So
/ far I've got:
/ Computer, Computer B/R : 5 (self-taught [kinda] but, he's been at it since
/ he was 13)
/ Computer Theory, Stealth (this skill -- very iffy, might scrap it), Matrix
/ Ettiquette : 4
/ Street Etiquette, Unarmed Combat : 3
/
/ So far, that's 28 skills. Computer IS his hobby althogh I really need for
/ sake of color/interest add another. I need to either burn 12 more pts. or
/ maybe do the alternate thing I'm thinking and assign Skills, Attribs, and
/ resources to B (Something I allow characters in my own campaign to do) --
/ this means I just got to use 2 more pts. skills and then spend some extra
/ resources. Even If I do that, I stilll will put it in his deck 'cause this
/ guys only resource I would be increasing would be the time he can use to
/ make his deck.

Knowledge skills, hobbies, and special skills. Don't forget all of
those basic classes they make you take in college, like history,
english, math, psychology, speach, etc.

Hope that helped. :)

-David
--
"Who dares nothing, need hope for nothing." - Johann von Schiller
--
http://www.geocities.com/TimesSquare/1068/homepage.htm
Message no. 4
From: "Boyd Stephen Smith, Jr." <gilmeth@*********.COM>
Subject: Re: Character Help
Date: Mon, 19 Jan 1998 14:07:48 -0600
From: David Buehrer <dbuehrer@******.CARL.ORG>

>Knowledge skills, hobbies, and special skills. Don't forget all of
>those basic classes they make you take in college, like history,
>english, math, psychology, speach, etc.
>
>Hope that helped. :)


Yes, I had wanted to do something like that. However, I would think
"simple", general information would be included in the intellegence
attribute. Others he may or may not have, he started chaging his grade in
high school around the time he was 14, whats to stop him in college. Of
course, then you have to think, why even goto college? Computer Theory,
Athletics/Unarmed Combat (PE and electives)
Message no. 5
From: "Boyd Stephen Smith, Jr." <gilmeth@*********.COM>
Subject: Re: Character Help
Date: Mon, 19 Jan 1998 14:03:26 -0600
> I'm assuming he's a shadowrunner. A firearms skill of some kind


Well, actually, he's not per se. He's never done a professional run. The
most "professional" run he's done so far, is getting free books from the
library or changing grades (both for others, for pay). He's just breaking in
to the Biz.

>would hurt, negoiations skill. If you don't want to go that way, you


Firearms and Negotiation are good skills but, I can't think of any reason
for him to actually have them, Well, maybe negotiation, actually, that's a
good idea. Firearms though, I just don't see this character with it.

>might want to go back and switch Resources and Skills as priorities(a
>decker is only as good as the deck he uses). But if you are just


Yeah, but, this person really doesn't have those resources, he's never
worked for a corp and never pulled "real" paydata.
Message no. 6
From: "J. G. du Chatinier" <chatin@*******.NL>
Subject: Re: Character Help
Date: Mon, 19 Jan 1998 22:50:02 +0100
At 11:42 19/01/1998 -0600, you wrote:
>Normally I GM so, It has been a while since I created a character. To tell
>the truth, last time I created a character I was still in my "Munchie Phase"
>(I'm seventeen).
***So, what's age got to do with it? It's just a matter of how long you
play... IMHO.

<<KASNIP!>>

Well, so you got points left 'eh?

Well, whaddabout driving skills, either car or bike.. I mean, if he's out
of college, maybe he thought it'd come in handy to be able to drive a
car/bike. He might not have one now.. but if he's young and ambitious, maybe
the first thing he'd do is buy a nice and flashy sports car. "It's a hit
with the babes y'know.";)
Also, whaddabout unarmed combat. Maybe just skill 1, or 2. Learned through
hard experience when somebody wanted to rov him from his lunchcredstik....
And, what about athletics? Gym lessons and all...
Hmmm, maybe even History? As a second course he has taken on college? He is
smart after all...

Just my .02...

Jod
chatin@*******.nl
http://www.euronet.nl/users/chatin/page.htm
IDM
Male
Message no. 7
From: David Buehrer <dbuehrer@******.CARL.ORG>
Subject: Re: Character Help
Date: Mon, 19 Jan 1998 15:12:52 -0700
Boyd Stephen Smith, Jr. wrote:
/
/ From: David Buehrer <dbuehrer@******.CARL.ORG>
/
/ >Knowledge skills, hobbies, and special skills. Don't forget all of
/ >those basic classes they make you take in college, like history,
/ >english, math, psychology, speach, etc.
/ >
/ >Hope that helped. :)
/
/ Yes, I had wanted to do something like that. However, I would think
/ "simple", general information would be included in the intellegence
/ attribute.

Nope. I can't remember where it says it (either character creation
or skills) but intelligence is not a direct reflection of knowledge.
Your character can have basic knowledge of subject for free, but
he'll have to default from intelligence if he has to make any skill
tests.

If you want the character to have more than basic knowledge on a
subject, then take a skill in that subject.

/ Others he may or may not have, he started chaging his grade in
/ high school around the time he was 14, whats to stop him in college. Of
/ course, then you have to think, why even goto college? Computer Theory,
/ Athletics/Unarmed Combat (PE and electives)

He could have started college if he had career aspirations (gotta
have a degree if you want to have any chance of advancing in a
corp). Maybe during his second year he'd had enough encounters with
corp suits that it didn't look appealing anymore. Then he's
recruited by Johnson and the fun begins.

-David
--
"Fortune favors the brave." - Terence
--
http://www.geocities.com/TimesSquare/1068/homepage.htm
Message no. 8
From: Aaron Jones <aaronj@******.COM>
Subject: Re: Character Help
Date: Mon, 19 Jan 1998 21:41:10 -0500
>From: David Buehrer <dbuehrer@******.CARL.ORG>
>
>>Knowledge skills, hobbies, and special skills. Don't forget all of
>>those basic classes they make you take in college, like history,
>>english, math, psychology, speach, etc.
>>
>>Hope that helped. :)
>
>
>Yes, I had wanted to do something like that. However, I would think
>"simple", general information would be included in the intellegence
>attribute. Others he may or may not have, he started chaging his grade in
>high school around the time he was 14, whats to stop him in college. Of
>course, then you have to think, why even goto college? Computer Theory,
>Athletics/Unarmed Combat (PE and electives)
>
Well, a couple of things that seem popular with students include:
rock climbing, skydiving, lazer tag variants (see, a good excuse for a
firearms skill!), and motorcycles. (Hey, I know some weird people...)


Aaron (Still looking for a SIG) Jones
aaronj@******.com
Message no. 9
From: William Gallas <wgallas@*****.FR>
Subject: Re: Character Help
Date: Tue, 20 Jan 1998 09:43:25 +0100
>Normally I GM so, It has been a while since I created a character. To tell
>the truth, last time I created a character I was still in my "Munchie Phase"
>(I'm seventeen).
>
>Well, now I'm in a PBEM game and I'm in the middle of writing my character
>history. He's supposed to be a young (just out of college), smart, Okay but
>not cocky decker. I'm going good on the history but, I'm trying to lay down
>some number and they aren't coming out right. Here's what I want:
> Body, Str, Quickness, Charisma all average : 3
> Intelligence very quick and smart : 5
> Willpower stronger willed but not a "Tower of Iron Will" : 4
>That's only 21 points so I had to go to B attribs but, I gotta spend 3 more
>pts. so I boosted Cha, Body, and Strength up a pt. I guess the extra points
>don't bother me that much but, it wasn't what was intended.
>
>Okay, I decided the best resources that went with the background was C it's
>not much for a decker but, this guy is young, indepentdent, etc. He doesn't
>really have/need that much cash. I haven't "bought" anything yet but I'm
>imagining it all to go into a deck.
>
>I've got A on skills but, I'm having trouble spending 40 skill points. So
>far I've got:
> Computer, Computer B/R : 5 (self-taught [kinda] but, he's been at it since
>he was 13)
> Computer Theory, Stealth (this skill -- very iffy, might scrap it), Matrix
>Ettiquette : 4
> Street Etiquette, Unarmed Combat : 3
>
>So far, that's 28 skills. Computer IS his hobby althogh I really need for
>sake of color/interest add another. I need to either burn 12 more pts. or
>maybe do the alternate thing I'm thinking and assign Skills, Attribs, and
>resources to B (Something I allow characters in my own campaign to do) --
>this means I just got to use 2 more pts. skills and then spend some extra
>resources. Even If I do that, I stilll will put it in his deck 'cause this
>guys only resource I would be increasing would be the time he can use to
>make his deck.

To create a character the more adapted to your background, I think the
points based system is better (but that's my opinion :)
Anyway, I see other skills that your character could have developped :
* Physical science : If he did go to university, I think he should have
some points in this skill. He wasn't necessarily a crack but he surely has
kept some scientific culture. I would say he has something like 2 or 3.
* Depending on his origins, he sould have etiquette:corp insteed of
etiquette:street. He could as well have a bit more in etiquette:matrix. If
he has 6 in computer, this seems even more appropriate.
* Did he do some sport at school. If so (and it's probable 'cause he has 4
in strength and body and 3 in unharmed combat), he should have athletics at
1 or 2.
* Now, he seems to have built his computer. Perhaps he could have some
electronics. As a shadowrunner, it could be useful. Give him around 4.
* Did he fired firearms? Because, he doesn't seem to have gone in the army,
it isn't necessarily appropriate. But anyway, he could have for a 1 or 2.
* Does he drive a car? If so, it makes a 1 or 2 in car.

Well... That gives some extra points to spend. Perhaps your character isn't
adapted to priority A in skills. He's quite young and has not as experience
as many adults. Perhaps you could this : C in attributes, B in skills and A
in ressources. These ressources will give you some contacts (he has
encountered many people in the matrix) and a hefty deck with good programs.
Decks cost a lot and ressources represent the time he spent in building his
deck.
If your DM doesn't want you to have a priority A in ressources (some do
that), use B as ressources and continue with A in skills. In such a case,
raise a bit the skills and/or give him a hobby (with a value of 4). This
gives some color to the character and some GM (I do that) try to make your
character use this skill. Even the slightest skill can prove important at
some time.


Cobra.

E-mail adress : wgallas@*****.fr
Quote : "Never trust an elf"
Message no. 10
From: s c rose <scrose@****.COM>
Subject: Re: Character Help
Date: Tue, 20 Jan 1998 10:22:13 -0600
Boyd Stephen Smith, Jr. wrote:
>
>
> I've got A on skills but, I'm having trouble spending 40 skill points. So
> far I've got:
> Computer, Computer B/R : 5 (self-taught [kinda] but, he's been at it since
> he was 13)
> Computer Theory, Stealth (this skill -- very iffy, might scrap it), Matrix
> Ettiquette : 4
> Street Etiquette, Unarmed Combat : 3

Spend the skill points on any of the following or other related skills
A vehicle skill how about bike 3
Raise the street etiquette up a little
Give him Atheltic skill at 3 (your choice on which)
Armed combat edged weapons.
The list goes on but those are make him less of one shot wonder.

> What should I do here. I know it sounds like I'm still thinking numbers (ala
> munchie) but, I'm just rying to make numbers I can fit into/around/etc. my
> story.

Not at all I would have to see the story to be sure my ideas fit with
what you want.
I tried to give you some nice general skills that would fit into any
character.

--

Get a shot off fast. This upsets him long enough
to make you make your second shot perfect.
Message no. 11
From: "Simon.M" <Simon.M@**********.COM>
Subject: Re: Character Help
Date: Tue, 20 Jan 1998 22:16:40 -0000
Electronics skill is a good idea i guess.
Also, how about giving him:

Bod:3
Str:3
Qui:4
Cha:4
Int:5
Will:5


it's a bit too Tower of Iron will, but who knows?

Hope it helps.
Message no. 12
From: Robert Watkins <robert.watkins@******.COM>
Subject: Re: Character Help
Date: Wed, 21 Jan 1998 08:33:27 +1000
Simon M writes:
>Will:5
>
>it's a bit too Tower of Iron will, but who knows?

Speaking as a person who writes computer programs as a living, if a decker
didn't have a willpower of at LEAST 5, they'd give it up out of sheer
frustration... especially if the documentation is still of the same
standard.

--
.sig deleted to conserve electrons.
Message no. 13
From: Les Ward <lward@*******.COM>
Subject: Re: Character Help
Date: Tue, 20 Jan 1998 17:44:23 -0500
"Boyd Stephen Smith, Jr. <gilmeth@*********.COM> wrote:
> I've got A on skills but, I'm having trouble spending 40 skill points.

Electronics.
Some form of basic vehicle skill.
Athletics (or some specialization thereof) ?

Depending on the world, a certain level of firearms skill may be
beleivable, either through hunting growing up or basic self-defence. Most
SR campaigns feature guns as part of society, much more so than present day.

I know a bunch of Computer Science people, though not many I would consider
hackers. For some reason, a pretty significant percentage of them have what
in SR terms would be Biotech skill. Mostly pre-meds that gave med school a
miss in favor of sculpting electrons.

You might want to spend your resource money first, because I'll bet you're
going to find that it isn't enough. Based on the background you mentioned,
you might want to move Attributes to C and resources to B. The will
probably closer to (though lower than) your desired Attributes and may give
you more money than you wanted. I would spend excess money on
contacts/buddies, which sounds reasonable for the background you mentioned.

Wordman
Message no. 14
From: Adam J <fro@***.AB.CA>
Subject: Re: Character Help
Date: Tue, 20 Jan 1998 16:31:41 -0700
At 08:33 21/01/98 +1000, you wrote:

>Speaking as a person who writes computer programs as a living, if a decker
>didn't have a willpower of at LEAST 5, they'd give it up out of sheer
>frustration... especially if the documentation is still of the same
>standard.

And if they have to WRITE the documentation... <g>

-Adam
Who is dreading that step.
Message no. 15
From: Paolo Marcucci <marcucci@***.TS.ASTRO.IT>
Subject: Re: Character Help
Date: Wed, 21 Jan 1998 08:46:41 +0100
> At 08:33 21/01/98 +1000, you wrote:
>
> >Speaking as a person who writes computer programs as a living, if a
decker
> >didn't have a willpower of at LEAST 5, they'd give it up out of sheer
> >frustration... especially if the documentation is still of the same
> >standard.
>
> And if they have to WRITE the documentation... <g>

Is this a far reference about me? :)
Message no. 16
From: shadowrn@*********.com (Ahrain Drigar)
Subject: Character help
Date: Wed Oct 24 11:00:01 2001
First of all I am happy to say that I will be PLAYING (instead of GMing)
Shadowrun again soon for the first time in years. YEAH!!!!!!
ahem.....sorry....that out of the way,

The character I am going to play was (originally) inspired by the image of
Dante Sparda from Devil May Cry P2 game. Now that I have played the game I
was wonder how I would make a character SIMILAR to him (exactly I don't
think is possible or suggested). I have my ideas (Adept), but I was hoping
to get a couple new ones, maybe some power suggestions even.
Message no. 17
From: shadowrn@*********.com (Darque Katt)
Subject: Character help
Date: Wed Oct 24 12:20:02 2001
----- Original Message -----
From: "Ahrain Drigar" <Ahrain_Drigar@*******.com>
To: <shadowrn@*********.com>
Sent: Wednesday, October 24, 2001 10:58 AM
Subject: Character help


> First of all I am happy to say that I will be PLAYING (instead of GMing)
> Shadowrun again soon for the first time in years. YEAH!!!!!!
> ahem.....sorry....that out of the way,
>
> The character I am going to play was (originally) inspired by the image of
> Dante Sparda from Devil May Cry P2 game. Now that I have played the game
I
> was wonder how I would make a character SIMILAR to him (exactly I don't
> think is possible or suggested). I have my ideas (Adept), but I was
hoping
> to get a couple new ones, maybe some power suggestions even.
>

I suggest you build your character yourself, if not I will tell your GM that
you are cheating. lol
Message no. 18
From: shadowrn@*********.com (Valeu John EMFA)
Subject: Character help
Date: Wed Oct 24 13:30:01 2001
>> First of all I am happy to say that I will be PLAYING (instead of GMing)
>> Shadowrun again soon for the first time in years. YEAH!!!!!!
>> ahem.....sorry....that out of the way,
>>
>> The character I am going to play was (originally) inspired by the image
of
>> Dante Sparda from Devil May Cry P2 game. Now that I have played the game
>>I
>> was wonder how I would make a character SIMILAR to him (exactly I don't
>> think is possible or suggested). I have my ideas (Adept), but I was
>>hoping
>> to get a couple new ones, maybe some power suggestions even.

>I suggest you build your character yourself, if not I will tell your GM
that
>you are cheating. lol

I was thinking the same thing, but only as an ally NPC for the players,
someone to help give Scale a run for his money.
I think Dante is a bit much overpowered for a game like SR (I dunno,
something about surving taking a sword through the chest. Not once but
twice) My friends used to play BESM and they had to tone down D to use him
in their game. Dante is a lot more powerful.

But if you want to:
Start with the guns. Custom made dual hand guns and Double Barrel Sawed off
Shotgun.
Get a sword (Western style will do in this case).
Adept is probably the way to go, but you'll need to invent some new powers
(like Anime Jump).
And of course, take a bias (bug sprits or gouls. Notice how Dante only took
jumps against devils?)

It's a start in the right direction...
Have fun.

EMFA John Valeu
-AKA- TimeKeeper
"Don't put off tomorrow what you can do today, because it's just a
matter of time."
Message no. 19
From: shadowrn@*********.com (Ahrain Drigar)
Subject: Character help
Date: Wed Oct 24 14:00:02 2001
----- Original Message -----
From: Valeu John EMFA <ValeuJ@*************.navy.mil>
Subject: RE: Character help


> I was thinking the same thing, but only as an ally NPC for the players,
> someone to help give Scale a run for his money.
> I think Dante is a bit much overpowered for a game like SR (I dunno,
> something about surving taking a sword through the chest. Not once but
> twice) My friends used to play BESM and they had to tone down D to use
him
> in their game. Dante is a lot more powerful.

"Flock off feather face, or stick around and find out..." lol

That's why I wrote SIMILAR to him, not exactly. Exactly like him in the
game would not be possible by the book, and also not suggested.....though it
would be interesting. : )

I know it's not that original an idea, but I'm hooked. Can't help it. It's
all my GM's fault too. He started downloading trailers and taunting me with
them. He has a P2, I don't though he did let me borrow it....sigh. ; )

> But if you want to:
> Start with the guns. Custom made dual hand guns and Double Barrel Sawed
off
> Shotgun.
> Get a sword (Western style will do in this case).
> Adept is probably the way to go, but you'll need to invent some new powers
> (like Anime Jump).
> And of course, take a bias (bug sprits or gouls. Notice how Dante only
took
> jumps against devils?)
>
> It's a start in the right direction...
> Have fun.

Can do without the shotgun personally.
But on the topic of too powerfull, what about "Nightmare" : P

Those were my thoughts too, but I thought I'd ask for any others.

Ahrain

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