Back to the main page

Mailing List Logs for ShadowRN

Message no. 1
From: chaos@*****.com (Steven Ratkovich)
Subject: Chewing Gum and other strangeness
Date: Wed, 25 Sep 1996 01:51:44 -0500 (EST)
>>Not so much as cowards as characters with a high self preservation factor...
>>Unfortunately, Bull has yet to develop one...:)
>>
>No, you didn't see them, that wasn't self preservation, high or
>otherwise, it was pure road runner yellow streak. They ditched some of
>their kit, and ran like dogs.
>
>OK, the things didn't show up clearly on thermal, optical mag and low
>light didn't make things much clearer (tattered rags with hoods etc),
>other forms of detection didn't reveal too much, just a bunch of
>stooped, shuffling humanoids moving stealthily from tree to tree. Not
>really something to run away from 8-)
>
Ummm, no, not if you're me... But then, we're friends with the ghouls...:)

>{snip]
>>>>strange. And also why I tend to make oddball comments from time to
time...
>>Not a gun, GUM, as in the stuff you chew? This was a vague subplot for
>>about six months before we finally were able to find anything out. Drove us
>>nuts...:)
>>
>Sorry, *GUM*, erm, as in the stuff you chew?????? Huh??? You had a
>vague sub plot for six months about chewing gum!! No, I don't want to
>know, all sorts of horrible thoughts are springing into mind, regarding
>microspots, microchips, microbes, diseases and all sorts of wierd
>things, and please don't tell me it was because it was the last piece of
>Wrigley's in the World. 8-(
>
<grins> Things get strange.
A MAge NPC had travelled back in time via ritual and lost some gum that he
was always chewing. Another mage in the past got ahold of it (long story as
to how) and started casting ritual spells through the material link of his
saliva. The effects of the spell travelling through time were driving him
crazy...:)

>>Been there, done that... Really scares the mundanes, know what I mean? :-)
>>
>
>Been where?? An alternate reality inside your own mind, whilst
>confusing the poor souls who don't play this wonderful game - or
>MacDonalds????? 8-)
>

Both, and let me tell you, they are horrible and frightening places...;-)


#######################################################
# -Bull, aka Chaos, aka Rak, aka Steven Ratkovich #
# chaos@*****.com #
# Order is Illusion! Chaos is Bliss! Got any fours? #
#######################################################

"You do more damage out of simple irritation than most
men can do in a towering rage."
-David Eddings, "Demon Lord of Karanda
Message no. 2
From: Pete Sims <petesims@********.demon.co.uk>
Subject: Re: Chewing Gum and other strangeness
Date: Thu, 26 Sep 1996 01:41:07 +0100
In article <199609250651.BAA19877@***.ncweb.com>, Steven Ratkovich
<chaos@*****.com> writes
>>>Not so much as cowards as characters with a high self preservation factor...
>>>Unfortunately, Bull has yet to develop one...:)
>>>
>>No, you didn't see them, that wasn't self preservation, high or
>>otherwise, it was pure road runner yellow streak. They ditched some of
>>their kit, and ran like dogs.
>>
>>OK, the things didn't show up clearly on thermal, optical mag and low
>>light didn't make things much clearer (tattered rags with hoods etc),
>>other forms of detection didn't reveal too much, just a bunch of
>>stooped, shuffling humanoids moving stealthily from tree to tree. Not
>>really something to run away from 8-)
>>
>Ummm, no, not if you're me... But then, we're friends with the ghouls...:)

I can safely say (at the moment, because my players aren't on the list)
they weren't ghouls. :-)

>
>>{snip]
>>>>>strange. And also why I tend to make oddball comments from time to
time...
>>>Not a gun, GUM, as in the stuff you chew? This was a vague subplot for
>>>about six months before we finally were able to find anything out. Drove us
>>>nuts...:)
>>>
>>Sorry, *GUM*, erm, as in the stuff you chew?????? Huh??? You had a
>>vague sub plot for six months about chewing gum!! No, I don't want to
>>know, all sorts of horrible thoughts are springing into mind, regarding
>>microspots, microchips, microbes, diseases and all sorts of wierd
>>things, and please don't tell me it was because it was the last piece of
>>Wrigley's in the World. 8-(
>>
><grins> Things get strange.
>A MAge NPC had travelled back in time via ritual and lost some gum that he
>was always chewing. Another mage in the past got ahold of it (long story as
>to how) and started casting ritual spells through the material link of his
>saliva. The effects of the spell travelling through time were driving him
>crazy...:)
>
I read the explanation in the Nerps list, devious, really devious. Not
fair at all, I can sympathise with the poor guy this happened to. I
really feel sorry for him. :-) (not).

I can safely say I would not do this to my players. (vbg>. But then, I
run a very low magic campaign. The infrequency of magic and magical
interference allows me to use it as a point of mystery and fear for the
players. The Mage that plays in the game, lives in London, and only
physically arrrives at eight week intervals, sort of a guest star.

>>>Been there, done that... Really scares the mundanes, know what I mean? :-)
>>>
>>
>>Been where?? An alternate reality inside your own mind, whilst
>>confusing the poor souls who don't play this wonderful game - or
>>MacDonalds????? 8-)
>>
>
>Both, and let me tell you, they are horrible and frightening places...;-)
>
I prefer my own mind, I make more sense to me there. :-)

As for McDonald's, brrrr, scary place. It's just not natural to have
chimps dressed as humans serving - well - whatever that stuff is that
they stuff in the cardboard buns.

Pete
--
Pete Sims
Civilisation advances by extending the number of important operations which we
can perform without thinking about them.
Message no. 3
From: chaos@*****.com (Steven Ratkovich)
Subject: Re: Chewing Gum and other strangeness
Date: Thu, 26 Sep 1996 13:07:31 -0500 (EST)
>>>Ummm, no, not if you're me... But then, we're friends with the ghouls...:)
>
>I can safely say (at the moment, because my players aren't on the list)
>they weren't ghouls. :-)
>
Can I ask what they were, then? Out of curiosity? Just squatters?

>><grins> Things get strange.
>>A MAge NPC had travelled back in time via ritual and lost some gum that he
>>was always chewing. Another mage in the past got ahold of it (long story as
>>to how) and started casting ritual spells through the material link of his
>>saliva. The effects of the spell travelling through time were driving him
>>crazy...:)
>>
>I read the explanation in the Nerps list, devious, really devious. Not
>fair at all, I can sympathise with the poor guy this happened to. I
>really feel sorry for him. :-) (not).
>
>I can safely say I would not do this to my players. (vbg>. But then, I
>run a very low magic campaign. The infrequency of magic and magical
>interference allows me to use it as a point of mystery and fear for the
>players. The Mage that plays in the game, lives in London, and only
>physically arrrives at eight week intervals, sort of a guest star.
>
<laughs> We tend to allow magic to be slightly more ommon,as that is one of
the things that makes the game interesting to me, as well as the fat that we
always have at least one player playing a mage/shaman/voodoo/priest of Elvis
in every geam...:) Hard to keep magic rare, then...:)

>>>Been where?? An alternate reality inside your own mind, whilst
>>>confusing the poor souls who don't play this wonderful game - or
>>>MacDonalds????? 8-)
>>>
>>
>>Both, and let me tell you, they are horrible and frightening places...;-)
>>
>I prefer my own mind, I make more sense to me there. :-)
>
>As for McDonald's, brrrr, scary place. It's just not natural to have
>chimps dressed as humans serving - well - whatever that stuff is that
>they stuff in the cardboard buns.
>
Hey now, they aren't chimps, they're ghouls... And I won't go into what
they're serving... Let's just say look at the workers...

<GM gets sudden evil idea for future game>



#######################################################
# -Bull, aka Chaos, aka Rak, aka Steven Ratkovich #
# chaos@*****.com #
# Order is Illusion! Chaos is Bliss! Got any fours? #
#######################################################

"You do more damage out of simple irritation than most
men can do in a towering rage."
-David Eddings, "Demon Lord of Karanda
Message no. 4
From: Loki <loki@*******.com>
Subject: Re: Chewing Gum and other strangeness
Date: Thu, 26 Sep 1996 11:55:22 -0700
Steven Ratkovich wrote:
<Big SNIP>
> >As for McDonald's, brrrr, scary place. It's just not natural to have
> >chimps dressed as humans serving - well - whatever that stuff is that
> >they stuff in the cardboard buns.
> >
> Hey now, they aren't chimps, they're ghouls... And I won't go into what
> they're serving... Let's just say look at the workers...
>
> <GM gets sudden evil idea for future game>

Actually it's slightly of the topic and not near so sinister, but I came
up with a chance of fast-food joints for my game called "Psychic Sals",
each chance has a series of mind probe style spells anchored around
there doorways, enabling them to have your order ready by the time you
reach the counter. Talk about fast-food. ;o)

It may not completely make sense under anchoring/game-mechanics, but
it's mainly for role-playing and comic relief. Those who quibble about,
"What if I don't know what I want?" I answer with, you always have some
idea of what sounds good in the back of you conscious, you are allowed
to change your order but then they don't have to keep to their
two-minute service guarantee. Also, I figure anyone going in is a
voluntary target, and corporate policy will only only surfacing probing
for your order...

@>-,--'--- Loki

CLARKE'S THIRD LAW:
Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic.

*********************************************
Poisoned Elves
http://www.netzone.com/~loki/
*********************************************
Message no. 5
From: bluewizard@*****.com (Steven A. Tinner)
Subject: Re: Chewing Gum and other strangeness
Date: Thu, 26 Sep 1996 16:08:13 -0500 (EST)
>Actually it's slightly of the topic and not near so sinister, but I came
>up with a chance of fast-food joints for my game called "Psychic Sals",
>each chance has a series of mind probe style spells anchored around
>there doorways, enabling them to have your order ready by the time you
>reach the counter. Talk about fast-food. ;o)

Cool!

>It may not completely make sense under anchoring/game-mechanics, but
>it's mainly for role-playing and comic relief. Those who quibble about,
>"What if I don't know what I want?" I answer with, you always have some
>idea of what sounds good in the back of you conscious, you are allowed
>to change your order but then they don't have to keep to their
>two-minute service guarantee. Also, I figure anyone going in is a
>voluntary target, and corporate policy will only only surfacing probing
>for your order...

Oh I LIKE this!
You could have all sorts of fun as suits go in to order at the new "IN"
restaurant, only to discover that good ol' Psychic Sal is stripping their
brains of important data!
Sal could be a very useful NPC contact (until th corps discover her trick
that is!)
Neat idea!
Message no. 6
From: chaos@*****.com (Steven Ratkovich)
Subject: Re: Chewing Gum and other strangeness
Date: Thu, 26 Sep 1996 16:09:06 -0500 (EST)
>Actually it's slightly of the topic and not near so sinister, but I came
>up with a chance of fast-food joints for my game called "Psychic Sals",
>each chance has a series of mind probe style spells anchored around
>there doorways, enabling them to have your order ready by the time you
>reach the counter. Talk about fast-food. ;o)
>
>It may not completely make sense under anchoring/game-mechanics, but
>it's mainly for role-playing and comic relief. Those who quibble about,
>"What if I don't know what I want?" I answer with, you always have some
>idea of what sounds good in the back of you conscious, you are allowed
>to change your order but then they don't have to keep to their
>two-minute service guarantee. Also, I figure anyone going in is a
>voluntary target, and corporate policy will only only surfacing probing
>for your order...
>
> @>-,--'--- Loki
>
Loki, I love that idea...! It's terrific. And I always say that if the
rules get in the way of gameplay, get rid of the rule...:) Who cares how it
works, just say that it does, and go with it!

Mind if I borrow this one? It'll really throw some players for a loop...:)


#######################################################
# -Bull, aka Chaos, aka Rak, aka Steven Ratkovich #
# chaos@*****.com #
# Order is Illusion! Chaos is Bliss! Got any fours? #
#######################################################

"You do more damage out of simple irritation than most
men can do in a towering rage."
-David Eddings, "Demon Lord of Karanda
Message no. 7
From: Loki <loki@*******.com>
Subject: Re: Chewing Gum and other strangeness
Date: Thu, 26 Sep 1996 22:20:12 -0700
Steven A. Tinner wrote:
>
> >Actually it's slightly of the topic and not near so sinister, but I came
> >up with a chance of fast-food joints for my game called "Psychic Sals",
> >each chance has a series of mind probe style spells anchored around
> >there doorways, enabling them to have your order ready by the time you
> >reach the counter. Talk about fast-food. ;o)
>
> Cool!
>
> >It may not completely make sense under anchoring/game-mechanics, but
> >it's mainly for role-playing and comic relief. Those who quibble about,
> >"What if I don't know what I want?" I answer with, you always have some
> >idea of what sounds good in the back of you conscious, you are allowed
> >to change your order but then they don't have to keep to their
> >two-minute service guarantee. Also, I figure anyone going in is a
> >voluntary target, and corporate policy will only only surfacing probing
> >for your order...
>
> Oh I LIKE this!
> You could have all sorts of fun as suits go in to order at the new "IN"
> restaurant, only to discover that good ol' Psychic Sal is stripping their
> brains of important data!
> Sal could be a very useful NPC contact (until th corps discover her trick
> that is!)
> Neat idea!

Just realized how quickly I typed all of that, excuse the typos (i.e.
chance=chain, and only only surfacing probing = only allow surface
probing). But it looks like you get the idea. :o)

@>-,--'--- Loki

CLARKE'S THIRD LAW:
Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic.

*********************************************
Poisoned Elves
http://www.netzone.com/~loki/
*********************************************
Message no. 8
From: Loki <loki@*******.com>
Subject: Re: Chewing Gum and other strangeness
Date: Thu, 26 Sep 1996 22:23:16 -0700
Steven Ratkovich wrote:
>
> >Actually it's slightly of the topic and not near so sinister, but I came
> >up with a chance of fast-food joints for my game called "Psychic Sals",
> >each chance has a series of mind probe style spells anchored around
> >there doorways, enabling them to have your order ready by the time you
> >reach the counter. Talk about fast-food. ;o)
> >
> >It may not completely make sense under anchoring/game-mechanics, but
> >it's mainly for role-playing and comic relief. Those who quibble about,
> >"What if I don't know what I want?" I answer with, you always have some
> >idea of what sounds good in the back of you conscious, you are allowed
> >to change your order but then they don't have to keep to their
> >two-minute service guarantee. Also, I figure anyone going in is a
> >voluntary target, and corporate policy will only only surfacing probing
> >for your order...
> >
> > @>-,--'--- Loki
> >
> Loki, I love that idea...! It's terrific. And I always say that if the
> rules get in the way of gameplay, get rid of the rule...:) Who cares how it
> works, just say that it does, and go with it!
>
> Mind if I borrow this one? It'll really throw some players for a loop...:)

Enjoy! It's just an idea I came up with in the midst of game play when
the group wanted a public parking lot for a drop, they asked if there
was a fast food restaurant near by, I'd had too many Jolt Colas and cold
pizza slices and POOF I was hit by the idea of Psychic Sals. If you want
to use it in your game, go for it...I like the idea of my creations
spreading out and living on. :o)

@>-,--'--- Loki

CLARKE'S THIRD LAW:
Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic.

*********************************************
Poisoned Elves
http://www.netzone.com/~loki/
*********************************************
Message no. 9
From: Pete Sims <petesims@********.demon.co.uk>
Subject: Re: Chewing Gum and other strangeness
Date: Fri, 27 Sep 1996 03:34:50 +0100
In article <199609261807.NAA05864@***.ncweb.com>, Steven Ratkovich
<chaos@*****.com> writes
>>>>Ummm, no, not if you're me... But then, we're friends with the
ghouls...:)
>>
>>I can safely say (at the moment, because my players aren't on the list)
>>they weren't ghouls. :-)
>>
>Can I ask what they were, then? Out of curiosity? Just squatters?
Nope, not squatters, I can't really say exactly what they are, as I
received a phone call today, and I believe one of my players has just
joined the list, he's bought a new modem (28,800) and has decided to
take the plunge into this group, so I'll hold off for the moment on
explaining... Of course, people could always speculate, I'll let you
know when you get it right :-)

[snip gum and spell bit]
>>I can safely say I would not do this to my players. (vbg>. But then, I
>>run a very low magic campaign. The infrequency of magic and magical
>>interference allows me to use it as a point of mystery and fear for the
>>players. The Mage that plays in the game, lives in London, and only
>>physically arrrives at eight week intervals, sort of a guest star.
>>
><laughs> We tend to allow magic to be slightly more ommon,as that is one of
>the things that makes the game interesting to me, as well as the fat that we
>always have at least one player playing a mage/shaman/voodoo/priest of Elvis
>in every geam...:) Hard to keep magic rare, then...:)
>
I agree about the magic making the game interesting, that was what first
interested me in Shadowrun, the combination of technology and arcane
mysticism. It seemed more fun than a straight blat game like CP2020.

The only thing I've done, is to take FASA's comment on the rarity of
Mages and make it a bit more so. It means that the Mage who is with the
team, is more repsected, and not just used as long range artillery, and
it adds a little extra to their fear and paranoia when they suspect that
magic is involved in whatever they're up against.

>>>>Been where?? An alternate reality inside your own mind, whilst
>>>>confusing the poor souls who don't play this wonderful game - or
>>>>MacDonalds????? 8-)
>>>>
>>>
>>>Both, and let me tell you, they are horrible and frightening places...;-)
>>>
>>I prefer my own mind, I make more sense to me there. :-)
>>
>>As for McDonald's, brrrr, scary place. It's just not natural to have
>>chimps dressed as humans serving - well - whatever that stuff is that
>>they stuff in the cardboard buns.
>>
>Hey now, they aren't chimps, they're ghouls... And I won't go into what
>they're serving... Let's just say look at the workers...
>
><GM gets sudden evil idea for future game>

Word of advice, don't even think about it. I did, I ran it, and I got
into a lot of trouble over it. My players still won't go near
McDonald's or anything similar, and when they do, it's with itchy
trigger fingers, can't blame them I suppose, they were almost the main
course. :-)

Pete
--
Pete Sims
Heroes or Fools? That's a determination others will make in hindsight. But by
being here now, we make that determination for ourselves, and it's neither.
Lt.Col.T.C.McQueen
Message no. 10
From: Pete Sims <petesims@********.demon.co.uk>
Subject: Re: Chewing Gum and other strangeness
Date: Fri, 27 Sep 1996 03:38:53 +0100
In article <324AD19A.3F6D@*******.com>, Loki <loki@*******.com> writes
>Steven Ratkovich wrote:
><Big SNIP>
>> >As for McDonald's, brrrr, scary place. It's just not natural to have
>> >chimps dressed as humans serving - well - whatever that stuff is that
>> >they stuff in the cardboard buns.
>> >
>> Hey now, they aren't chimps, they're ghouls... And I won't go into what
>> they're serving... Let's just say look at the workers...
>>
>> <GM gets sudden evil idea for future game>
>
>Actually it's slightly of the topic and not near so sinister, but I came
>up with a chance of fast-food joints for my game called "Psychic Sals",
>each chance has a series of mind probe style spells anchored around
>there doorways, enabling them to have your order ready by the time you
>reach the counter. Talk about fast-food. ;o)
>
>It may not completely make sense under anchoring/game-mechanics, but
>it's mainly for role-playing and comic relief. Those who quibble about,
>"What if I don't know what I want?" I answer with, you always have some
>idea of what sounds good in the back of you conscious, you are allowed
>to change your order but then they don't have to keep to their
>two-minute service guarantee. Also, I figure anyone going in is a
>voluntary target, and corporate policy will only only surfacing probing
>for your order...

Oh what??? Love it, what a wonderful concept. With your permission I
will borrow this, I have an idea that is really going to frag with my
players minds (One of them is already under suspicion of suffering from
some sort of mind manipulation, and this will really throw a spanner
into the works. I feel all cozy inside, a new toy to "screw the
players" with.

Now, how to work it in so that it's totally innocent, while appearing to
be extremely menacing..... Ah, yes, that'll do it.....

:-)

Pete
--
Pete Sims
And when I shall die, take him and cut him out in little stars, and he will make
the face of heaven so fine, that all the world will be in love with night, and
pay no worship to the garish sun.
Message no. 11
From: Loki <loki@*******.com>
Subject: Re: Chewing Gum and other strangeness
Date: Fri, 27 Sep 1996 22:27:53 -0700
Pete Sims wrote:
>
> In article <324AD19A.3F6D@*******.com>, Loki <loki@*******.com> writes
> >Steven Ratkovich wrote:
> ><Big SNIP>
> >> >As for McDonald's, brrrr, scary place. It's just not natural to have
> >> >chimps dressed as humans serving - well - whatever that stuff is that
> >> >they stuff in the cardboard buns.
> >> >
> >> Hey now, they aren't chimps, they're ghouls... And I won't go into what
> >> they're serving... Let's just say look at the workers...
> >>
> >> <GM gets sudden evil idea for future game>
> >
> >Actually it's slightly of the topic and not near so sinister, but I came
> >up with a chance of fast-food joints for my game called "Psychic Sals",
> >each chance has a series of mind probe style spells anchored around
> >there doorways, enabling them to have your order ready by the time you
> >reach the counter. Talk about fast-food. ;o)
> >
> >It may not completely make sense under anchoring/game-mechanics, but
> >it's mainly for role-playing and comic relief. Those who quibble about,
> >"What if I don't know what I want?" I answer with, you always have some
> >idea of what sounds good in the back of you conscious, you are allowed
> >to change your order but then they don't have to keep to their
> >two-minute service guarantee. Also, I figure anyone going in is a
> >voluntary target, and corporate policy will only only surfacing probing
> >for your order...
>
> Oh what??? Love it, what a wonderful concept. With your permission I
> will borrow this, I have an idea that is really going to frag with my
> players minds (One of them is already under suspicion of suffering from
> some sort of mind manipulation, and this will really throw a spanner
> into the works. I feel all cozy inside, a new toy to "screw the
> players" with.
>
> Now, how to work it in so that it's totally innocent, while appearing to
> be extremely menacing..... Ah, yes, that'll do it.....
>
> :-)
>
> Pete

As I've said to a few others on the list. Enjoy! As long as my drivel
made sense. I saw the few typos after I'd sent the message, but the idea
is still there.

This was just the product of a silly, feverish GM's mind...and it's
posted as public domain.


@>-,--'--- Loki

CLARKE'S THIRD LAW:
Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic.

*********************************************
Poisoned Elves
http://www.netzone.com/~loki/
*********************************************
Message no. 12
From: chaos@*****.com (Steven Ratkovich)
Subject: Re: Chewing Gum and other strangeness
Date: Sat, 28 Sep 1996 02:08:24 -0500 (EST)
>>Can I ask what they were, then? Out of curiosity? Just squatters?
>Nope, not squatters, I can't really say exactly what they are, as I
>received a phone call today, and I believe one of my players has just
>joined the list, he's bought a new modem (28,800) and has decided to
>take the plunge into this group, so I'll hold off for the moment on
>explaining... Of course, people could always speculate, I'll let you
>know when you get it right :-)
>

This is in Chicago,right? I'm half assuming from an earlier comment (I
think) that the shamblers weren't bugs... Ghosts, maybe? Although would
they shamble? Maybe a gang pretending to be ghouls to scare the norms. I
really don't know what else would fit in bug city, otherwise... BUt then,
you may have changed things a bit...:)

>>>As for McDonald's, brrrr, scary place. It's just not natural to have
>>>chimps dressed as humans serving - well - whatever that stuff is that
>>>they stuff in the cardboard buns.
>>>
>>Hey now, they aren't chimps, they're ghouls... And I won't go into what
>>they're serving... Let's just say look at the workers...
>>
>><GM gets sudden evil idea for future game>
>
>Word of advice, don't even think about it. I did, I ran it, and I got
>into a lot of trouble over it. My players still won't go near
>McDonald's or anything similar, and when they do, it's with itchy
>trigger fingers, can't blame them I suppose, they were almost the main
>course. :-)
>
<evil grin>
That's the point...:) Paranoia is a wonderful thing...:)


#######################################################
# -Bull, aka Chaos, aka Rak, aka Steven Ratkovich #
# chaos@*****.com #
# Order is Illusion! Chaos is Bliss! Got any fours? #
#######################################################

"You do more damage out of simple irritation than most
men can do in a towering rage."
-David Eddings, "Demon Lord of Karanda
Message no. 13
From: Pete Sims <petesims@********.demon.co.uk>
Subject: Re: Chewing Gum and other strangeness
Date: Sat, 28 Sep 1996 17:06:18 +0100
In article <199609280708.CAA13571@***.ncweb.com>, Steven Ratkovich
<chaos@*****.com> writes
>>>Can I ask what they were, then? Out of curiosity? Just squatters?
>>Nope, not squatters, I can't really say exactly what they are, as I
>>received a phone call today, and I believe one of my players has just
>>joined the list, he's bought a new modem (28,800) and has decided to
>>take the plunge into this group, so I'll hold off for the moment on
>>explaining... Of course, people could always speculate, I'll let you
>>know when you get it right :-)
>>
>
>This is in Chicago,right? I'm half assuming from an earlier comment (I
>think) that the shamblers weren't bugs... Ghosts, maybe? Although would
>they shamble? Maybe a gang pretending to be ghouls to scare the norms. I
>really don't know what else would fit in bug city, otherwise... BUt then,
>you may have changed things a bit...:)

I have changed things a bit, but not much, primary changes are outside
the CZ. You're on the right track, but no cigar yet. :-)

>
>>>>As for McDonald's, brrrr, scary place. It's just not natural to have
>>>>chimps dressed as humans serving - well - whatever that stuff is that
>>>>they stuff in the cardboard buns.
>>>>
>>>Hey now, they aren't chimps, they're ghouls... And I won't go into what
>>>they're serving... Let's just say look at the workers...
>>>
>>><GM gets sudden evil idea for future game>
>>
>>Word of advice, don't even think about it. I did, I ran it, and I got
>>into a lot of trouble over it. My players still won't go near
>>McDonald's or anything similar, and when they do, it's with itchy
>>trigger fingers, can't blame them I suppose, they were almost the main
>>course. :-)
>>
><evil grin>
>That's the point...:) Paranoia is a wonderful thing...:)

Paranoia is one thing, but when the players are suddenly scared of every
Shadowrunners staple food supply (stuffer shacks and Fast food
restaurants), it becomes more than just paranoia, there's the distinct
possibility of starvation and other unpleasant results as well. And
they can't really trust the soup kitchens too much, not seeing as most
of them are run by the UB, and the players still have some nasty
suspicions about them, regardless of Government discalaimers to the
contrary. :-)

TTYL
Pete
--
Pete Sims
Heroes or Fools? That's a determination others will make in hindsight. But by
being here now, we make that determination for ourselves, and it's neither.
Lt.Col.T.C.McQueen
Message no. 14
From: The Jestyr <s421539@*******.gu.edu.au>
Subject: Re: Chewing Gum and other strangeness
Date: Mon, 7 Oct 1996 08:57:00 +1000 (EST)
> >I can safely say I would not do this to my players. (vbg>. But then, I
> >run a very low magic campaign. The infrequency of magic and magical
> >interference allows me to use it as a point of mystery and fear for the
> >players. The Mage that plays in the game, lives in London, and only
> >physically arrrives at eight week intervals, sort of a guest star.
> >
> <laughs> We tend to allow magic to be slightly more ommon,as that is one of
> the things that makes the game interesting to me, as well as the fat that we
> always have at least one player playing a mage/shaman/voodoo/priest of Elvis
> in every geam...:) Hard to keep magic rare, then...:)

Hmmm... not inviting flames here! Just wanted to say that we tend to have
very magic-rich teams. For example, our regular team consists of a
Sorceror Adept, two PhysAds, a Physical Snake Shaman and a hermetic mage.
(We tend to explain it away by saying the magically active people
congregate together cause no-one else understands us :) )


Lady Jestyr

------------------------------------------------------
A titanic intellect... in a world full of icebergs
------------------------------------------------------
Elle Holmes s421539@*****.student.gu.edu.au
http://www.geocities.com/TimesSquare/1503
------------------------------------------------------
Message no. 15
From: Pete Sims <petesims@********.demon.co.uk>
Subject: Re: Chewing Gum and other strangeness
Date: Mon, 7 Oct 1996 02:32:04 +0100
In article <Pine.SOL.3.91.961007085529.5783B-100000@*****.student.gu.edu
.au>, The Jestyr <s421539@*******.gu.edu.au> writes
>
>> >I can safely say I would not do this to my players. (vbg>. But then, I
>> >run a very low magic campaign. The infrequency of magic and magical
>> >interference allows me to use it as a point of mystery and fear for the
>> >players. The Mage that plays in the game, lives in London, and only
>> >physically arrrives at eight week intervals, sort of a guest star.
>> >
>> <laughs> We tend to allow magic to be slightly more ommon,as that is one of
>> the things that makes the game interesting to me, as well as the fat that we
>> always have at least one player playing a mage/shaman/voodoo/priest of Elvis
>> in every geam...:) Hard to keep magic rare, then...:)
>
>Hmmm... not inviting flames here! Just wanted to say that we tend to have
>very magic-rich teams. For example, our regular team consists of a
>Sorceror Adept, two PhysAds, a Physical Snake Shaman and a hermetic mage.
>(We tend to explain it away by saying the magically active people
>congregate together cause no-one else understands us :) )

Funny, I do that with my NPCs, the few magicians that I have in my game
world congregate into groups (magic clans or schools for want of a
better phrase) and though these are few and far between. The ones that
are known are highly respected in the shadows and used for information
and sourcework on magical paraphernalia. Anything the players find that
is magical or oriented in that direction goes towards these groups, this
allows me to offer a certain amount of magical support to the team (if
only by remote) and also to keep magic as a mysterious and powerful
"unknown" factor.

I've had two Shamans (dead) and one Combat Mage (still living and an
original character from three years ago). Because I only have a
"smallish" group of players, and keep magic to a background level rather
than a driving force, it is infrequently that they are interested in
playing a Mage, I also think that where we're all long term ex-AD&D
players, we all overdosed on Mages playing that game, and are glad to
see the back of the buggers. As I said above, I like to use magic as a
point of fear and mystery, the players respect mages and shamans, and
will deal with any adventure involving them with caution and care,
they've never got "casual" around them. The one time they came across a
Mage (this was the first time for one player) one player shot at him
twice, with a Predator. The bullets stopped and dropped to the floor,
this created a lovely incident in the game, with the player staring at
me in amazement with his mouth on the table top, doing a goldfish
impression (he was really proud of his predator :) ). He now has a very
healthy respect and fear of mages, (he never got over that encounter).
And if he finds out he's up against a Mage, will do everything he can to
find a way of beating the guy without going head to head.

It also allows me to create an almost X-Files atmosphere when i involve
magic.

Pete
--
Pete Sims
Heroes or Fools? That's a determination others will make in hindsight. But by
being here now, we make that determination for ourselves, and it's neither.
Lt.Col.T.C.McQueen

Further Reading

If you enjoyed reading about Chewing Gum and other strangeness, you may also be interested in:

Disclaimer

These messages were posted a long time ago on a mailing list far, far away. The copyright to their contents probably lies with the original authors of the individual messages, but since they were published in an electronic forum that anyone could subscribe to, and the logs were available to subscribers and most likely non-subscribers as well, it's felt that re-publishing them here is a kind of public service.

Thwap!