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Message no. 1
From: "David L. Hoff" <DLHOFF@****.WISC.EDU>
Subject: HARLEQUIN'S BACK
Date: Sat, 14 May 1994 21:42:00 CDT
Ahem. If I may have your attention please...

According to the 1994 GenCon Game Fair catalog, _Harlequin's Back_ is to be
released at the con.

Thank you for your attention.

--Dave
dlhoff@****.wisc.edu
Message no. 2
From: Erik S Jameson <esj@***.UUG.ARIZONA.EDU>
Subject: Harlequin's Back!
Date: Wed, 9 Nov 1994 18:30:59 -0700
IT'S OUT!!!!!! IT'S FINALLY OUT!!!!!!! Sorry, but the adventure we have
all been waiting for has finally showed up. I haven't had a chance to do
much other than look it all over, but it looks incredible. Dealing with
astral quests or something like that. I'm not really sure though.

Erik, a.k.a. the Whistler
Message no. 3
From: Tim Skirvin <tskirvin@***.UIUC.EDU>
Subject: Re: Harlequin's Back!
Date: Wed, 9 Nov 1994 20:19:01 -0600
> IT'S OUT!!!!!! IT'S FINALLY OUT!!!!!!! Sorry, but the adventure
> we have

Guess where I'm going tomorrow...

--
Tim Skirvin (tskirvin@***.uiuc.edu)
Message no. 4
From: Nightfox <DJWA@******.UCC.NAU.EDU>
Subject: Re: Harlequin's Back!
Date: Thu, 10 Nov 1994 09:42:46 -0700
>IT'S OUT!!!!!! IT'S FINALLY OUT!!!!!!! Sorry, but the adventure we have
>all been waiting for has finally showed up. I haven't had a chance to do
>much other than look it all over, but it looks incredible. Dealing with
>astral quests or something like that. I'm not really sure though.

YES!!!! - Now I just have to find it up here and buy it!!!

I gather you fond it at things-for-thinkers?

Nightfox
Message no. 5
From: Erik S Jameson <esj@***.UUG.ARIZONA.EDU>
Subject: Re: Harlequin's Back!
Date: Thu, 10 Nov 1994 11:20:57 -0700
On Thu, 10 Nov 1994, Nightfox wrote:

> YES!!!! - Now I just have to find it up here and buy it!!!
>
> I gather you fond it at things-for-thinkers?
>
> Nightfox

Naturlich, mein Freund! The only place in the Old Pueblo to buy gameing
materials!

Of course, now I'm waiting for Prime Runners (should have been out
already) and of course, BUG CITY!!!!

Erik, a.k.a. the Whistler
Message no. 6
From: "The Kumquat <smirk>" <CRF_BROWNJT@***.CUIS.EDU>
Subject: Harlequin's Back!
Date: Wed, 16 Nov 1994 19:38:06 -0600
If you don't wan't to know about HB, then please delete this message now.. I
may not reveal any real spoilers, but I WILL be discussing it.

WARNING

WARNING

WARNING

WARNING

WARNING

WARNING

WARNING

WARNING

WARNING

That should be fine... I just got it and I have one word. Wow. In my
campaign...(heavily magic, elves, etc. oriented) THIS IS PERFECT. This module
has opened many new avenues for non-magically active characters to perform
astral quests.... I love it! The only thing that may pose a problem is the
"genre" parts of the module, ie Victorian Times, Wild West, etc... And I will
really enjoy freaking the players out with the foreshadowing section.... First
running Harlequin, then HB, with my own scenarios!!! Yay! Should make up for
trying to run Celtic Double-Cross. I thought that one had potential, but its
turning out to be a real dog.... Well, I must return to reading HB! My
advice... If you like magic, and are sick of big guns in abandoned warehouses
and confusing decking rules.. BUY THIS IMMEDIATELY... seriously strange stuff.

Just My Two Pence.
The Kumquat.
Message no. 7
From: "Blair A. Monroe" <bmonroe@******.FSU.EDU>
Subject: Harlequin's Back
Date: Wed, 2 Aug 1995 16:56:31 -1812
I will be starting Harlequin's Back with the group I GM for in a couple
weeks and was wondering if any players who've been through it or GMs who
have run it have any constructive comments or suggestions?

Blair A. Monroe |bmonroe@******.fsu.edu
Grad Student - Florida State University |blairm@******.com
Tallahassee, FL. |
Message no. 8
From: Mike and Jill Johnson <mnj@******.NET>
Subject: Re: Harlequin's Back
Date: Wed, 2 Aug 1995 17:01:00 MDT
>I will be starting Harlequin's Back with the group I GM for in a couple
>weeks and was wondering if any players who've been through it or GMs who
>have run it have any constructive comments or suggestions?
>

Read it through several time and become very familiar with it. Plan ahead
on what the "Dweller on the Threshhold" is going to hit the runners with.
Also make sure to drop all the subtle hints that are mentioned in the
beginning of the module.

I just started this module last weekend and we are having a blast with it.
However my wife's charactor is rapidly begining to hate Harlequin both from
the first module and now from this one. In fact her one of her better
quotes, said while in the mini-van with Harlequin was "Can I slit his throat
now?"...

Needless to say she just loves the guy.

mnj
Message no. 9
From: Eve Forward <lutra@******.COM>
Subject: Re: Harlequin's Back
Date: Wed, 2 Aug 1995 17:02:57 -0700
>>>However my wife's charactor is rapidly begining to hate Harlequin both from
the first module and now from this one. In fact her one of her better
quotes, said while in the mini-van with Harlequin was "Can I slit his throat
now?"...<<<<

I hate him too. Goddamn little pointy-eared painty-faced immortal knowitall
snide bastard! Tell your wife's character, from my character, that we ought
Message no. 10
From: Eve Forward <lutra@******.COM>
Subject: Re: Harlequin's Back
Date: Wed, 2 Aug 1995 17:08:48 -0700
>>>However my wife's charactor is rapidly begining to hate Harlequin both from
the first module and now from this one. In fact her one of her better
quotes, said while in the mini-van with Harlequin was "Can I slit his throat
now?"...<<<<

I hate him too. Goddamn little pointy-eared painty-faced immortal
superimportant snide bastard! Tell your wife that if she ever wants to
have a bitch&snarl session about him, feel free to mail me and we can
discuss all the creative ways we'd enjoy killing him assuming he ever
drops from demigodhood....

I think a lot of it is in how your GM plays him. Adam Getchell does a
fuckin' *annoying* Harlequin... which is very true to the role, I gather.

And you H-fans can save all your "oh he's such a poor misunderstood guy
and he just wants to save the world and he's just wonderful and k00l"
comments; heard 'em all, ad nauseum.

-E
Message no. 11
From: "S.F. Eley" <gt6877c@*****.GATECH.EDU>
Subject: Re: Harlequin's Back
Date: Wed, 2 Aug 1995 23:22:33 -0400
> >>>However my wife's charactor is rapidly begining to hate Harlequin both
from
> the first module and now from this one. In fact her one of her better
> quotes, said while in the mini-van with Harlequin was "Can I slit his throat
> now?"...<<<<
>
> [. . .]
>
> I think a lot of it is in how your GM plays him. Adam Getchell does a
> fuckin' *annoying* Harlequin... which is very true to the role, I gather.


How tough would it be to get a feel for the second Harlequin adventure
without having played the first one? I'm hunting down the original
Harlequin now, but I think FASA really shot themselves in the foot by
letting it go out of print and THEN releasing a sequel without reprinting
it.

(Incidentally, this is the PERFECT sort of question for the new ShadowGM
list.. *hinthint*) >8->


Blessings,

_TNX._

--
Stephen F. Eley (-) gt6877c@*****.gatech.edu )-( Student Pagan Community
http://wc62.residence.gatech.edu| "I wish those who unsettle you
My opinions are my opinions. | would mutilate themselves!"
Please don't blame anyone else. | - Galatians 5:12, RSV
Message no. 12
From: Luke Kendall <luke@********.CANON.OZ.AU>
Subject: Re: Harlequin's Back
Date: Thu, 3 Aug 1995 14:20:16 +1000
Mike wrote:

>>>However my wife's charactor is rapidly begining to hate Harlequin both from
the first module and now from this one. In fact her one of her better
quotes, said while in the mini-van with Harlequin was "Can I slit his throat
now?"...<<<<

Eve concurred:

> I hate him too. Goddamn little pointy-eared painty-faced immortal
> superimportant snide bastard!

Hmm. Seems to be a common reaction by female characters. My character -
after having promised not to kill anyone without asking permission 1st -
actually had a go at it. (_She_ thinks it failed only because it took so
long for everyone to remember what the code phrase `Can I tell him a secret?'
meant.)

But far worse is Puck. (I assume that Puck is part of the FASA background,
and not our GM's own evil inspiration...?)

luke
Message no. 13
From: Mark Steedman <RSMS@******.EEE.RGU.AC.UK>
Subject: Re: Harlequin's Back
Date: Thu, 3 Aug 1995 08:50:15 GMT
> From: Luke Kendall <luke@********.CANON.OZ.AU>

> Mike wrote:
>
[about HB]
>
> But far worse is Puck. (I assume that Puck is part of the FASA background,
> and not our GM's own evil inspiration...?)
>
i don't know that name so i suspect the GM, have fun :)

> luke
>

Mark
Message no. 14
From: Mark Steedman <RSMS@******.EEE.RGU.AC.UK>
Subject: Re: Harlequin's Back
Date: Thu, 3 Aug 1995 08:56:54 GMT
> From: "S.F. Eley" <gt6877c@*****.GATECH.EDU>
>
> How tough would it be to get a feel for the second Harlequin adventure
> without having played the first one?
It is no real problem, FASA included enough notes on Harlequin in HB.
There are a few things in HB effectively 'especially for those that
played Harlequin', but you don't even need to know whats in it. I
have actually read both but the group that is about to finish HB have
not done Harlequin (though some of the players have done it with
different characters and another GM)

> I'm hunting down the original
> Harlequin now, but I think FASA really shot themselves in the foot by
> letting it go out of print and THEN releasing a sequel without reprinting
> it.
>
They got away with it though a note on the back to say Harlequin was
not required to play would be sensible. A quick 'for the gM' list of
the tie ins and plot summary of Harlequin would also have helped. I
managed easily enough though having read the origonal means a few
extra th9ings make sense. (if you have not read Harlequin just ignore
the refs they don't affect HB).

> (Incidentally, this is the PERFECT sort of question for the new ShadowGM
> list.. *hinthint*) >8->
>
Probably, i don't have time to write up the stuff you suggest for it
on a regular enough basis though. I could make a more explicit,
(included some examples) post though if i was sure no HB players
would read this.


>
> Blessings,
>
> TNX

Mark
Message no. 15
From: "Lindblom Fredrik, Training" <fredrik.lindblom@*******.TELIA.SE>
Subject: Re: Harlequin's Back
Date: Thu, 3 Aug 1995 09:58:00 PDT
>But far worse is Puck. (I assume that Puck is part of the FASA background,
>and not our GM's own evil inspiration...?)

???????
Uh...you got me. I never heard of any Puck anywhere. But then again I only
have about 80% of all the SR material FASA ever published...maybe in prime
runners?

Could be twisted GM imagination at work here...:)


MxM
Message no. 16
From: Mark Steedman <RSMS@******.EEE.RGU.AC.UK>
Subject: Re: Harlequin's Back
Date: Thu, 3 Aug 1995 09:09:57 GMT
> From: Mike and Jill Johnson <mnj@******.NET>

> >I will be starting Harlequin's Back with the group I GM for in a couple
> >weeks and was wondering if any players who've been through it or GMs who
> >have run it have any constructive comments or suggestions?
> >
>
> Read it through several time and become very familiar with it.
You will never stop reading this thing, by the time you have finished
the first bit you will have forgotten reading most of it.
Be very careful of the layout, FASA tended to group all the 'tell it
to them straights' page jumping therefore tends to be required, my
copy has pencil all over it noting the 'GO TO' points so i don't
forget to include things, sections that appear to read striaght as
one scene but during which something detailed over the page occurs
are a read bind!! However FASA were probably having problems so with
careful reading and commenting it probably is not too bad.

> Plan ahead
> on what the "Dweller on the Threshhold" is going to hit the runners with.
> Also make sure to drop all the subtle hints that are mentioned in the
> beginning of the module.
>
The three 'vital' hints at the end of the list are very very useful,
i handed them out and have watched players having all sorts of
problems those answered had they remembered them.
The questionaire also poses problems as you need the full truth on
this, but the way FASA suggest did not work despite my dropping some
heavy hints 'Write the TRUTH' i think a GM YOUR CHARACTER PUTS DOWN
THE TRUTH might be needed here, as i don't blame SR players for
parinoia.

> I just started this module last weekend and we are having a blast with it.
> However my wife's charactor is rapidly begining to hate Harlequin both from
> the first module and now from this one. In fact her one of her better
> quotes, said while in the mini-van with Harlequin was "Can I slit his throat
> now?"...
>
Harlequin can get a bit annoying, particularly one can understand
such reactions from hardened shadowrunners presented with the start
of this adventure.

Mind you my players decided to have a party fued right in front of
Harlequin, and killed one of there own number.. what a mess to sort
out. [ no i'm not typing the story in right now]

You do need players prepared to put up with the setting of HB, the
background power level is a bit!! high.

Be ready to cope with players doing some odd things, especially the
first two 'main' sections are very freeform, and PC's can easily do
things FASA never dreamed of them doing.

> Needless to say she just loves the guy.
>
> mnj
>

Mark
Message no. 17
From: P Ward <P.Ward@**.CF.AC.UK>
Subject: Re: Harlequin's Back
Date: Thu, 3 Aug 1995 12:47:26 BST
> But far worse is Puck. (I assume that Puck is part of the FASA background,
> and not our GM's own evil inspiration...?)

Puck? heh heh, shall I tell him or not?

Probably not. After all, I ouldn't want to spoil the surprise for you...

Phil (Rengade)

Now, don;t no one else tell him either, at elast not in public :-)
Message no. 18
From: Cugel the Clever <cugel@**.NET>
Subject: Re: Harlequin's Back
Date: Fri, 4 Aug 1995 01:36:51 +01.0
On 3 Aug 95 at 14:20, Luke Kendall wrote:
> Eve concurred:
>
> > I hate him too. Goddamn little pointy-eared painty-faced immortal
> > superimportant snide bastard!
>
> Hmm. Seems to be a common reaction by female characters. My
> character - after having promised not to kill anyone without asking
> permission 1st - actually had a go at it. (_She_ thinks it failed
> only because it took so long for everyone to remember what the code
> phrase `Can I tell him a secret?' meant.)

What do you mean by female characters? Dammit, everybody in my group
hates him, heck I'm the GM (and male :) and even I hate the bastard. Look
at all the really interesting sourcebooks, when Big D wants to reveal
something, who sticks his I'm-better-than-thou nose in it and shuts
the dragon up? Yeeeees, pesky Harlequin who thinks that we are to
stupid to understand it all!
Darn, I'm the GM, I *should* know it all! :)

Martin Steffens (Cugel@**.net / bdi05626@***.rhij.nl)
Geek Code v3.0:
GLS d-(+) s+:+ a?(26) C+(++) U P? L? E? W+ N++ K? w+ O- M- V? PS+ PE-
Y+ PGP t+(--) 5? X++ R+(++) tv b+++ DI? D++ G+ e++ h+(!) r y+
Message no. 19
From: Gurth <gurth@******.NL>
Subject: Re: Harlequin's Back
Date: Fri, 4 Aug 1995 19:29:08 +0200
>>But far worse is Puck. (I assume that Puck is part of the FASA background,
>>and not our GM's own evil inspiration...?)
>
>???????
>
>Could be twisted GM imagination at work here...:)

I think it's a reincarnation of that Real World 3 guy :) If he is, I agree
he must be far worse than Harlequin :)


Gurth@******.nl - Gurth@***.nl - http://www.xs4all.nl/~gurth/index.html
You want to but you can't, and if you do, you wish you hadn't
GC3.0: GAT/! dpu s:- !a>? C+(++) U P L E? W(++) N K- w+ O V? PS+ PE Y PGP-
t(+) 5 X R+++>$ tv+(++) b+@ DI? D+ G++ e h! !r(--) y? Unofficial Shadowrun
Guru :)
Message no. 20
From: Mika Nikolic <MNik@***.COM>
Subject: Re: Harlequin's Back
Date: Fri, 4 Aug 1995 16:06:55 -0400
In a message dated 95-08-04 13:37:15 EDT, you write:

>I think it's a reincarnation of that Real World 3 guy :) If he is, I agree
>he must be far worse than Harlequin :)

the Real World 3 Puck was the best one on that show.
Message no. 21
From: TopCat <topcat@**.CENCOM.NET>
Subject: Re: Harlequin's Back
Date: Mon, 7 Aug 1995 20:39:39 -0500
(snipped Eve's commentary)

Go Eve!

I hate the munchkin lord as much as anyone I know and (until this) found
myself the only one who did despise the creature. The module seems to be
written stright out of a cartoon, except with more plot holes. "You find
yourselves in a van. Harlequin is driving." What genius came up with that
start? If I presented anything to any players that I know landing them in
the middle of a world-shattering plot with that kind of start, I'd be strung
up at high noon or (worse) laughed out of the building. But throw Harlequin
in it and everything is ok *sigh*. Anyone else kinda feel like the
character is a bit much?

-- TopCat
Once again, thank you Eve :^)
Message no. 22
From: Eve Forward <lutra@******.COM>
Subject: Re: Harlequin's Back
Date: Mon, 7 Aug 1995 21:18:03 -0700
He (Harley, or That F*ckin Bastard, as we like to call him) reminds me
of the typical NPC you find in certain games; typically the retired,
munchkinny, all-time favorite character of the GM. He can do anything,
is surprised by nothing, gods and dragons lick his boots and the characters
are supposed to be trembling in awe at the mere sniff of him. He is
deus ex machina extreme. Many times the players end up going, "Why do
-WE- have to save the world? Lord High Fenelric can do it on his lunch
hour." And the excuse the GM comes up with it, "Well, he doesn't want to,
because it's beneath him. So you have to."
Message no. 23
From: Gurth <gurth@******.NL>
Subject: Re: Harlequin's Back
Date: Tue, 8 Aug 1995 11:36:11 +0200
>He (Harley, or That F*ckin Bastard, as we like to call him) reminds me
>of the typical NPC you find in certain games; typically the retired,
>munchkinny, all-time favorite character of the GM. He can do anything,
>is surprised by nothing, gods and dragons lick his boots and the characters
>are supposed to be trembling in awe at the mere sniff of him. He is
>deus ex machina extreme. Many times the players end up going, "Why do
>-WE- have to save the world? Lord High Fenelric can do it on his lunch
>hour." And the excuse the GM comes up with it, "Well, he doesn't want to,
>because it's beneath him. So you have to."

Though I like H, I must agree that Harlequin's Back has a bit of a dubious
background idea. Harlequin is better IMHO, because here there's a good
reason why you're doing all these strange runs -- the rules of the game say
H can't do anything directly. It makes a lot less sense in HB.


Gurth@******.nl - Gurth@***.nl - http://www.xs4all.nl/~gurth/index.html
Wicked mental dope
GC3.0: GAT/! dpu s:- !a>? C+(++) U P L E? W(++) N K- w+ O V? PS+ PE Y PGP-
t(+) 5 X R+++>$ tv+(++) b+@ DI? D+ G++ e h! !r(--) y? Unofficial Shadowrun
Guru :)
Message no. 24
From: Dave Stone <dstone@******.DREAMSCAPE.COM>
Subject: Re: Harlequin's Back
Date: Tue, 8 Aug 1995 07:09:10 -0400
On Mon, 7 Aug 1995, TopCat wrote:
> up at high noon or (worse) laughed out of the building. But throw Harlequin
> in it and everything is ok *sigh*. Anyone else kinda feel like the
> character is a bit much?
> -- TopCat

Not really. He's supposed to be from Earthdawn, and ED has a lot
more magic and stuff...hell, there's a spell there that creates an
eclipse...(illusion, 20 mile radius, to be exact...;) ED is supposed to
be where Shadowrun's magic is going...it's increasing constantly. Thus,
if Harlequin was from there, he has a lot of hefty knowledge on it;)

Dave

| David Stone -- dstone@******.dreamscape.com |
| "Five ride forth, and four return. Above the watchers shall he |
| proclaim himself, bannered across the sky in fire..." |
Message no. 25
From: Dave Stone <dstone@******.DREAMSCAPE.COM>
Subject: Re: Harlequin's Back
Date: Tue, 8 Aug 1995 07:18:56 -0400
On Mon, 7 Aug 1995, Eve Forward wrote:
> He (Harley, or That F*ckin Bastard, as we like to call him) reminds me
> of the typical NPC you find in certain games; typically the retired,
> munchkinny, all-time favorite character of the GM. He can do anything,
> is surprised by nothing, gods and dragons lick his boots and the characters
> are supposed to be trembling in awe at the mere sniff of him. He is

The reason Harley(or that f'ing bastard;) is from Earthdawn, which
is a lot more magically powerful. This explains his power.

Dave

| David Stone -- dstone@******.dreamscape.com |
| "Five ride forth, and four return. Above the watchers shall he |
| proclaim himself, bannered across the sky in fire..." |
Message no. 26
From: Eve Forward <lutra@******.COM>
Subject: Re: Harlequin's Back
Date: Tue, 8 Aug 1995 05:35:09 -0700
>> The reason Harley(or that f'ing bastard;) is from Earthdawn, which
is a lot more magically powerful. This explains his power.<<<

I -KNOW- that. Sure, that "explains" his power... it doesn't *justify*
it. The Munchkinny favorite character of the GM example I mentioned is
perfectly easy to "explain"; hell, he's 300th level/1000 points whatever,
he's been played for 5/10/20 years, he owns every magic item and knows
every skill in the book, blah blah blah blah.
This doesn't give him a reason to be the Star Of The Show -now-.
The game is run, by the GM, for the enjoyment of all. It's not just a
chance for the GM to keep playing his favorite character and making
all the other characters feel worthless in the process. Whether he's
from Earthprawn or Earth or Mars or Valhalla makes no difference.
My other main gripe for HB is that it's basically a big beautiful
frame to put the Favorite NPC (H) in. H is the star and the Hero, and you
players get to carry the towels. I'm not saying H doesn't -do- anything;
on the contrary, he does almost too much. The module was written to show
off H and his awesomeness.

Sheesh, "He's from Earthdawn!". I -KNOW- that. I think -everyone-
knows that. So what? that just makes him more ludicrous.
"Oh, yeah, he's immortal too!" Sweep the f'in clown up to the skies
in a bright chariot and lets just have the whole population convert
into to the Church of the Almighty Painty-face F*cker.

*snarl*
Message no. 27
From: Dave Stone <dstone@******.DREAMSCAPE.COM>
Subject: Re: Harlequin's Back
Date: Tue, 8 Aug 1995 10:11:21 -0400
On Tue, 8 Aug 1995, Eve Forward wrote:
> Sheesh, "He's from Earthdawn!". I -KNOW- that. I think -everyone-
> knows that. So what? that just makes him more ludicrous.
> "Oh, yeah, he's immortal too!" Sweep the f'in clown up to the skies
> in a bright chariot and lets just have the whole population convert
> into to the Church of the Almighty Painty-face F*cker.
> *snarl*


Excited much? If you hate him that much, kill him and get it
over with... You don't have to follow FASA, after all -- I don't. :)

Dave

| David Stone -- dstone@******.dreamscape.com |
| "Five ride forth, and four return. Above the watchers shall he |
| proclaim himself, bannered across the sky in fire..." |
Message no. 28
From: "S.F. Eley" <gt6877c@*****.GATECH.EDU>
Subject: Re: Harlequin's Back
Date: Tue, 8 Aug 1995 12:28:36 -0400
Eve Forward vents:

> Sheesh, "He's from Earthdawn!". I -KNOW- that. I think -everyone-
> knows that. So what? that just makes him more ludicrous.
> "Oh, yeah, he's immortal too!" Sweep the f'in clown up to the skies
> in a bright chariot and lets just have the whole population convert
> into to the Church of the Almighty Painty-face F*cker.
>
> *snarl*


So, Eve, how do you REALLY feel about Harlequin?


Sheesh. Really. I've seen FASA pull some fast ones, but that doesn't mean
you have to put up with them. It's a game. Change the rules. If you're
the GM, you're perfectly free to munge up the adventure any way you want..
I haven't seen HB yet, but there has to be a way to subvert the plot and
write Harlequin out, or introduce some vulnerabilities into his character.
If you're a player, there's nothing to stop you from politely saying "Frag
you" to the real run, and going off and doing something else instead. The
consequences may be catastrophic, but then, you seem to feel Harlequin is
too. >8->

*extricates foot from mouth and drops .02 =Y= into jar*


Blessings,

_TNX._

--
Stephen F. Eley (-) gt6877c@*****.gatech.edu )-( Student Pagan Community
http://wc62.residence.gatech.edu|
My opinions are my opinions. | "Somewhere, just out of sight, the
Please don't blame anyone else. | unicorns are gathering."
Message no. 29
From: Marc A Renouf <jormung@*****.UMICH.EDU>
Subject: Re: Harlequin's Back
Date: Tue, 8 Aug 1995 13:59:11 -0400
On Tue, 8 Aug 1995, Eve Forward wrote:

> Sheesh, "He's from Earthdawn!". I -KNOW- that. I think -everyone-
> knows that. So what? that just makes him more ludicrous.
> "Oh, yeah, he's immortal too!" Sweep the f'in clown up to the skies
> in a bright chariot and lets just have the whole population convert
> into to the Church of the Almighty Painty-face F*cker.
>
> *snarl*

Don't hold back, Eve. Tell us how you *really* feel. ;)

Marc
Message no. 30
From: Eve Forward <lutra@******.COM>
Subject: Re: Harlequin's Back
Date: Tue, 8 Aug 1995 15:34:53 -0700
>>Excited much? If you hate him that much, kill him and get it
over with... You don't have to follow FASA, after all -- I don't. :)<<<

Maybe you don't, but my GM does. And it's my GM's version of H that
is so friggin' annoying I want him dead.
I don't GM Shadowrun, so I don't have a version of him to kill.

-E
Message no. 31
From: Eve Forward <lutra@******.COM>
Subject: Re: Harlequin's Back
Date: Tue, 8 Aug 1995 15:52:11 -0700
I gather a *lot* of you people have never heard of the term "humorous
exaggeration". Do I really need to tag a whole bunch of little colon-
parenthesis after every sentence to stop from getting a whole bunch of
"gee, calm down" kinda posts? Do you really, seriously, think I have
nothing better to do with my life than complain about a made-up character
in a -game-, for heaven's sake? (Yes, I have quite an extensive life at the
moment, thank you.)
If the language in my posts offends you, then say that. If you
love the character that much and feel offended that I don't, well, I have
to say: tough. I'm discussing my opinion of a published FASA product. I'm
doing it in a certain "overemphasis" because I feel that's more amusing.
If it's not, then maybe it's you who need to lighten up, not me.
And flames for my spelling at this point would be silly.

Still, obviously, if this sort of thing is the response I'm going to
get, then I'll gladly drop the whole thread here and now. I just have
to say I'm disappointed in you.
Message no. 32
From: Dave Stone <dstone@******.DREAMSCAPE.COM>
Subject: Re: Harlequin's Back
Date: Tue, 8 Aug 1995 20:34:36 -0400
On Tue, 8 Aug 1995, Eve Forward wrote:
> Maybe you don't, but my GM does. And it's my GM's version of H that
> is so friggin' annoying I want him dead.
> I don't GM Shadowrun, so I don't have a version of him to kill.
> -E

I think he's supposed to be. He certainly was for my chars. So,
Black Feather killed him. Messily.

Dave

| David Stone -- dstone@******.dreamscape.com |
| "Five ride forth, and four return. Above the watchers shall he |
| proclaim himself, bannered across the sky in fire..." |
Message no. 33
From: Mike and Jill Johnson <shadow@******.NET>
Subject: Re: Harlequin's Back
Date: Tue, 8 Aug 1995 19:39:00 MDT
>deus ex machina extreme. Many times the players end up going, "Why do
>-WE- have to save the world? Lord High Fenelric can do it on his lunch
>hour." And the excuse the GM comes up with it, "Well, he doesn't want to,
>because it's beneath him. So you have to."
>
>
Yea but I have players that would say "oh well" guess its time to start over
anyway....

Mike
Message no. 34
From: Mike and Jill Johnson <shadow@******.NET>
Subject: Re: Harlequin's Back
Date: Tue, 8 Aug 1995 19:39:00 MDT
> The reason Harley(or that f'ing bastard;) is from Earthdawn, which
>is a lot more magically powerful. This explains his power.
>
>Dave

Assuming that he is from ED and thats where he gets his knowledge of magic
isn't the level of magic in SR supposed to be low?

Mike
Message no. 35
From: Mike and Jill Johnson <shadow@******.NET>
Subject: Re: Harlequin's Back
Date: Tue, 8 Aug 1995 19:39:00 MDT
>Sheesh, "He's from Earthdawn!". I -KNOW- that. I think -everyone-
>knows that. So what? that just makes him more ludicrous.
>"Oh, yeah, he's immortal too!" Sweep the f'in clown up to the skies
>in a bright chariot and lets just have the whole population convert
>into to the Church of the Almighty Painty-face F*cker.
>
Actually theres a member in my group thats ready to start that cult...

Mike
Message no. 36
From: Paul Jonathan Adam <Paul@********.DEMON.CO.UK>
Subject: Re: Harlequin's Back
Date: Wed, 9 Aug 1995 01:10:49 GMT
"S. F. Eley" wrote:
> Eve Forward vents:
> > Sheesh, "He's from Earthdawn!". I -KNOW- that. I think -everyone-
> > knows that. So what? that just makes him more ludicrous.
> > "Oh, yeah, he's immortal too!" Sweep the f'in clown up to the skies
> > in a bright chariot and lets just have the whole population convert
> > into to the Church of the Almighty Painty-face F*cker.

> So, Eve, how do you REALLY feel about Harlequin?
> Sheesh. Really. I've seen FASA pull some fast ones, but that doesn't mean
> you have to put up with them. It's a game. Change the rules. If you're
> the GM, you're perfectly free to munge up the adventure any way you want..

Yeah, the way my Coyote shaman went? She ended up immortal after Harlequin.
The GM reads Neil Gamain's "Sandman" and Quinn fell into "Men Of Good
Fortune".

So Ehran could play the game on *her* now. Ouch.

Quinn survived and kicked his ass (metaphorically), more by blind luck and
Coyote humour than through skill. (Also, Harlequin thought it was unfair
that someone as old as Ehran picked on a "young" immortal like Quinn... or
maybe he just thought the similar names meant she deserved some help. Or
most likely he just thought it was funny to get at Ehran.)

> I haven't seen HB yet, but there has to be a way to subvert the plot and
> write Harlequin out, or introduce some vulnerabilities into his character.
> If you're a player, there's nothing to stop you from politely saying "Frag
> you" to the real run, and going off and doing something else instead. The
> consequences may be catastrophic, but then, you seem to feel Harlequin is
> too. >8->

Quinn being a hilarious NPC since her immortality, my GM dropped HB on me
and I ran my (nearly retired) Wolf shaman. Good thing too. If it had been
Lynch, he would have suffered terminal puzzlement... "But it's a bridge,
right? So we get a couple of 155s in here, and fifty rounds of HE and
it isn't a bridge any more, it's wreckage at the bottom of the ravine..."

We've had PCs go completely off kilter during runs (most notably Divided
Assets, <suck> <suck> <suck>) and it was far more fun than the run would
have
been. When I read Divided Assets post-run I was shocked... but that's another
story.

--
When you have shot and killed a man, you have defined your attitude towards
him. You have offered a definite answer to a definite problem. For better
or for worse, you have acted decisively.
In fact, the next move is up to him.

Paul J. Adam paul@********.demon.co.uk
Message no. 37
From: Gurth <gurth@******.NL>
Subject: Re: Harlequin's Back
Date: Wed, 9 Aug 1995 12:42:16 +0200
>Maybe you don't, but my GM does. And it's my GM's version of H that
>is so friggin' annoying I want him dead.
>I don't GM Shadowrun, so I don't have a version of him to kill.

Tell him "Hey, Adam [your GM was Adam Getchell, right?] I've got this SR
adventure I'd like to GM some time..." I think you know where you can make
this lead to *grin*


Gurth@******.nl - Gurth@***.nl - http://www.xs4all.nl/~gurth/index.html
Wicked mental dope
GC3.0: GAT/! dpu s:- !a>? C+(++) U P L E? W(++) N K- w+ O V? PS+ PE Y PGP-
t(+) 5 X R+++>$ tv+(++) b+@ DI? D+ G++ e h! !r(--) y? Unofficial Shadowrun
Guru :)
Message no. 38
From: Jason Salem <jsalem@********.NET>
Subject: Re: Harlequin's Back
Date: Wed, 9 Aug 1995 09:04:57 -0500
>I gather a *lot* of you people have never heard of the term "humorous
>exaggeration". Do I really need to tag a whole bunch of little colon-
>parenthesis after every sentence to stop from getting a whole bunch of
>"gee, calm down" kinda posts? Do you really, seriously, think I have
>nothing better to do with my life than complain about a made-up character
>in a -game-, for heaven's sake? (Yes, I have quite an extensive life at the
>moment, thank you.)
> If the language in my posts offends you, then say that. If you
>love the character that much and feel offended that I don't, well, I have
>to say: tough. I'm discussing my opinion of a published FASA product. I'm
>doing it in a certain "overemphasis" because I feel that's more amusing.
>If it's not, then maybe it's you who need to lighten up, not me.
> And flames for my spelling at this point would be silly.
>
>Still, obviously, if this sort of thing is the response I'm going to
>get, then I'll gladly drop the whole thread here and now. I just have
>to say I'm disappointed in you.
>
>
Well, you hit a sensitive nerve. We Love Harlequin. We need him. He is
the best tool we have for advancing plots, and assisting in bridging those
areas that we simply don't have the creativity to overcome on our own. H is
simplay amazing enough to do all this really hard thinking for us!
pfft.
I actually find it rather amusing how they play up the tragedy, the pain, of
his Immortality. I really feel for the guy. That 10000 year lifespan would
be just horrible. All that power, magical and otherwise, would be so onerous.

<fer the record, there was some sarcasm floating around in there...>

jds
Message no. 39
From: Dave Stone <dstone@******.DREAMSCAPE.COM>
Subject: Re: Harlequin's Back
Date: Wed, 9 Aug 1995 08:45:33 -0400
On Tue, 8 Aug 1995, Mike and Jill Johnson wrote:
> Assuming that he is from ED and thats where he gets his knowledge of magic
> isn't the level of magic in SR supposed to be low?
> Mike

According to the ED Companion, magic can only be created if the
magic level is high enough. Once created, they can be used as long as
the world is magic-active. So, Harlequin remembers the stuff from ED,
and since the world is magic-active, can use it, though until it gets
more magic, he can't create anything more.

Dave

| David Stone -- dstone@******.dreamscape.com |
| "Five ride forth, and four return. Above the watchers shall he |
| proclaim himself, bannered across the sky in fire..." |
Message no. 40
From: Marc A Renouf <jormung@*****.UMICH.EDU>
Subject: Re: Harlequin's Back
Date: Wed, 9 Aug 1995 12:31:12 -0400
On Tue, 8 Aug 1995, Eve Forward wrote:

> Still, obviously, if this sort of thing is the response I'm going to
> get, then I'll gladly drop the whole thread here and now. I just have
> to say I'm disappointed in you.

Don't hold back, Eve. Tell us how you *really* feel about us.
<insert good-natured fun and teasing icon here>

Marc
Message no. 41
From: Tom Pendergrast <pendergr@***.EDU>
Subject: Re: Harlequin's Back...
Date: Thu, 09 May 1996 17:00:10 -0700 (PDT)
> > You're talking about Harlequin's Back right,
> it is accepted HB = Harlequins back.
>
> > where the PC's are sent an a
> > quest to some meta-planes where their equipnent is changed for each period?

> Overall HB is best suited to well skills rounded characters, armed
> combat is just 'slightly' handy.

((Unarmed combat is essential, as is a good mage...))


---Tom---
Message no. 42
From: Tom Pendergrast <pendergr@***.EDU>
Subject: Re: Harlequin's Back
Date: Thu, 09 May 1996 17:04:27 -0700 (PDT)
> I gotta admit on the first world i was in a world of unhappiness with
> a crossbow instead of a gun and was reduced to throwing rocks! that sucked.

We had an intetresting experience in that world... the party played up my
semi-cyber char to be great and powerful warrior... I didn't know how to
use a crossbow, but all I had to do is hit whatever I was shooting at,
while the invisible mage simultaneously blasted it with a
mana/powerbolt... sure he was hurtin' afterwards, but it was worth it by
gaining that much of an 'in' to the tribe...


---Tom---
Message no. 43
From: MENARD Steve <menars@***.UMontreal.CA>
Subject: Re: Harlequin's Back
Date: Fri, 10 May 1996 02:21:57 -0400 (EDT)
On Thu, 9 May 1996, Tom Pendergrast wrote:

>
>
> > I gotta admit on the first world i was in a world of unhappiness with
> > a crossbow instead of a gun and was reduced to throwing rocks! that sucked.
>
> We had an intetresting experience in that world... the party played up my
> semi-cyber char to be great and powerful warrior... I didn't know how to
> use a crossbow, but all I had to do is hit whatever I was shooting at,
> while the invisible mage simultaneously blasted it with a
> mana/powerbolt... sure he was hurtin' afterwards, but it was worth it by
> gaining that much of an 'in' to the tribe...
>
You'r mage actually got away with spellcasting without getting lynched?
I am currently GM that part, and it is well written that those people do
not like person who start bleeding for no apparent reasons!


----------------------------------------------------------------------------
--- |\_/| Still The One and Only Wolfbane! ---
--- |o o| " Hey! Why ya lookin' at me so weird? Ain't ya 'ver seen a ---
--- \ / decker witha horn ?" --- Scy, Troll decker with a CC ---
--- 0 Steve Menard menars@***.UMontreal.Ca ---
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Message no. 44
From: "Mark Steedman" <M.J.Steedman@***.rgu.ac.uk>
Subject: Re: Harlequin's Back
Date: Fri, 10 May 1996 13:21:31 GMT
MENARD Steve writes
> >
> You'r mage actually got away with spellcasting without getting lynched?

i think thats why they said their mage was invisible :)
you cannot get annoyed about something you don't know about.

> I am currently GM that part, and it is well written that those people do
> not like person who start bleeding for no apparent reasons!
>
>
Mark
Message no. 45
From: "Sascha Pabst" <Sascha.Pabst@**********.Uni-Oldenburg.DE>
Subject: Re: Harlequin's Back
Date: Fri, 10 May 1996 17:55:53 +0200
At 8:21 Uhr 10.05.96, MENARD Steve wrote:
[stuff of HB censored for reasons of GM security]
> You'r mage actually got away with spellcasting without getting lynched?
[important hint censored for reasons of GM security]

Hey! Could we PLEASE leave the spoilers/hints/comments about adventures
*out*of*sight*of*plyers*??? Please inform people when you insert spoilers, so
they'd have at least a chance Not To Read The Spoilers, Thank You Very Much!

Sascha (Going to GM HB, and happy none of my
players is on the list (I hope (*mail to listproc*)))

--
+---___---------+----------------------------------------+--------------------+
| / / _______ | Jhary-a-Conel aka Sascha Pabst |The one who does not|
| / /_/ ____/ |Sascha.Pabst@**********.Uni-Oldenburg.de| learn from history |
| \___ __/ | | is bound to live |
|==== \_/ ======| *Wearing hats is just a way of life* | through it again. |
|LOGOUT FASCISM!| - Me | |
+------------- http://www.informatik.uni-oldenburg.de/~jhary -----------------+
Message no. 46
From: Tom Pendergrast <pendergr@***.EDU>
Subject: Re: Harlequin's Back
Date: Fri, 10 May 1996 14:39:01 -0700 (PDT)
> > We had an intetresting experience in that world... the party played up my
> > semi-cyber char to be great and powerful warrior... I didn't know how to
> > use a crossbow, but all I had to do is hit whatever I was shooting at,
> > while the invisible mage simultaneously blasted it with a
> > mana/powerbolt... sure he was hurtin' afterwards, but it was worth it by
> > gaining that much of an 'in' to the tribe...
> >
> You'r mage actually got away with spellcasting without getting lynched?
> I am currently GM that part, and it is well written that those people do
> not like person who start bleeding for no apparent reasons!

They never really knew he was there... he would always stay
locked/invisible when they were around... they found out eventually, but
by then they needed our help too much, and they accepted him... the mage
was absolutely CRUCIAL in our success in that world...


---Tom---
Message no. 47
From: Robert Watkins <robertdw@*******.com.au>
Subject: Re: Harlequin's Back
Date: Sat, 11 May 96 20:52:09 +1030
>We had an intetresting experience in that world... the party played up my
>semi-cyber char to be great and powerful warrior... I didn't know how to
>use a crossbow, but all I had to do is hit whatever I was shooting at,
>while the invisible mage simultaneously blasted it with a
>mana/powerbolt... sure he was hurtin' afterwards, but it was worth it by
>gaining that much of an 'in' to the tribe...

It shouldn't have... The fact that the mage would start bleeding from a
thousand superficial wounds even if he didn't take any drain would give
away what had happened, and even if he's invisible, the blood stains
would be a _bit_ suspicious.

Besides, that entire tribe were Physads... _some_ would have Astral
Perception (call it Detect Invisibility, I guess)


--
Robert Watkins robertdw@*******.com.au
Real Programmers never work 9 to 5. If any real programmers
are around at 9 am, it's because they were up all night.
Message no. 48
From: "Phillip Menkel" <pmenkel@***.edu>
Subject: harlequin's Back
Date: Wed, 3 Jul 1996 13:14:08 -0500 (CDT)
Could someone look on the back of their copy of Harlequin's back book. I
need the ISBN code # so I can order the book. The number is 10 digits.
If it is not there it will be within the first 5 or 6 pages, near the
copyright date. PLEASE:)


Phillip Menkel
pmenkel@***.edu

P.S. Please email me the #
Message no. 49
From: "Gurth" <gurth@******.nl>
Subject: Re: harlequin's Back
Date: Thu, 4 Jul 1996 11:46:07 +0100
Phillip Menkel said on 13:14/ 3 Jul 96...

> Could someone look on the back of their copy of Harlequin's back book. I
> need the ISBN code # so I can order the book. The number is 10 digits.
> If it is not there it will be within the first 5 or 6 pages, near the
> copyright date. PLEASE:)

1-55560-248-7 is the number you're looking for. FASA's stock # is 7320, in
case you also need that.

--
Gurth@******.nl - http://www.xs4all.nl/~gurth/index.html
"You got all dizzy and then you started talking like a dumbass"
-- Butt-Head
-> NERPS Project Leader & Unofficial Shadowrun Guru <-
-> The Character Mortuary: http://huizen.dds.nl/~mortuary/mortuary.html <-

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Message no. 50
From: Fro <fro@***.AB.CA>
Subject: Harlequins Back
Date: Thu, 19 Dec 1996 22:45:16 -0700
Seeing the number of posts on this module/campaign has made me
wonder, exactly what is HB about? From what I can gather its a collection
of astral quests.. If somebody could toss a few more details my way it
would be muchly appreaciated. Not that my players will ever have
characters that capable :)

Fro-the-finally-home-for-the-holidays-assistant-fearless-leader
Message no. 51
From: "Larry D. Shepard" <bludhawk@**.NET>
Subject: Re: Harlequins Back
Date: Fri, 20 Dec 1996 02:18:12 -0600
We just got thru it last weekend. Its about saving the world as it is.
To tell you about the fun and difficulty of its got Harlequin in it and
he gets badly beat up.


>>>>>[ I thinks he deserves it too.]<<<<<

-- Double D <02:15:23/12-20-57>
Message no. 52
From: Fastjack <uc298@*****.ALUMNOS.UNICAN.ES>
Subject: Harlequins back
Date: Fri, 20 Dec 1996 11:20:27 +0100
To play this campaign is not neccesary have played Harlequin.

Is an astral quest,well is the astral quest of Harlequin,and of course
the PJ are the ones who need to make the quest for Harlequin.
The astral quest is to save the world,because...well is better i start again:
-2 worlds separated by an "abyss":our world and the "other side".In
the
past the worlds joined and occur a battle(yes H was there)and "humans" won.

-The problem now is that the Ghost dance make a "bridge" between the 2
worlds,and the earth isnt prepared to that battle.
The runners must destroy the bridge...

Sorry,my english is getting worse every day,but the main idea of HB is
aprox.what i wrote
Message no. 53
From: Gurth <gurth@******.NL>
Subject: Re: Harlequins Back
Date: Fri, 20 Dec 1996 12:14:23 +0100
Fro said on 22:45/19 Dec 96...

> Seeing the number of posts on this module/campaign has made me
> wonder, exactly what is HB about? From what I can gather its a collection
> of astral quests.. If somebody could toss a few more details my way it
> would be muchly appreaciated. Not that my players will ever have
> characters that capable :)

It's one, really big, astral quest that gets presented to the players as a
series of adventures in which they must retrieve items of importance in
holding off the Horrors. Each place on the metaplane has a different
setting, for example one is a sort of a steampunk, another is based on the
Arthur legend, there's one in a more or less post-atomic age (like Mad Max
without the technology), and so on.

--
Gurth@******.nl - http://www.xs4all.nl/~gurth/index.html
And then I realized I had 65,407,413 bytes of stuff in my
C:\Shadowrun directory...
-> NERPS Project Leader & Unofficial Shadowrun Guru <-
-> The Plastic Warriors Page: http://www.xs4all.nl/~gurth/plastic.html <-

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Message no. 54
From: Spike <u5a77@*****.CS.KEELE.AC.UK>
Subject: Re: Harlequins Back
Date: Fri, 20 Dec 1996 14:06:54 +0000
|
| Seeing the number of posts on this module/campaign has made me
|wonder, exactly what is HB about? From what I can gather its a collection
|of astral quests.. If somebody could toss a few more details my way it
|would be muchly appreaciated. Not that my players will ever have
|characters that capable :)

Basically, fate chooses the characters to go on an astral quest with
Harlequin (at first) to help stop the horrors from crossing the astral
bridge caused by the Great Ghost Dance....

They end up in some really weird places....

Not saying any more, 'cos I don't want to spoil it....
--
______________________________________________________________________________
|u5a77@*****.cs.keele.ac.uk| "Are you pondering what I'm pondering Pinky?" |
|Andrew Halliwell | |
|Principal subjects in:- | "I think so brain, but this time, you control |
|Comp Sci & Electronics | the Encounter suit, and I'll do the voice..." |
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
|GCv3.1 GCS/EL>$ d---(dpu) s+/- a- C++ U N++ K- w-- M+/++ PS+++ PE- Y t+ 5++ |
|X+/++ R+ tv+ b+ D G e>PhD h/h+ !r! !y-|I can't say F**K either now! >*SULK*<|
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Message no. 55
From: Fastjack <uc298@*****.ALUMNOS.UNICAN.ES>
Subject: Harlequins back
Date: Mon, 23 Dec 1996 16:38:50 +0100
Ah!and the main problem with Harlequins back is that the karma award is
at the END of the whole campaign...One of my plyers got 52 points...he
was the one who LESS karma won.The others:

-Warlock (assasin,elf):75
-Jack(human,mage):72(this is the one who had tons of foci and a very
powerful mage)
-Merlin(decker,elf):80 (this is the only PC from the original group we
made when started to play a lot of time ago)
-Raven(human,phys adept):83
-Trolminator(yes...troll):74
-Jack(dwarf,samurai):53


*SOBS*

take your favourite PC and say:"i have 83 karma points...what can i do?"

Ah!and all the karma is good karma,because finally we decided that the
top number of karma pool will be 15,so...83 karma to spend!!!!

Further Reading

If you enjoyed reading about Harlequin's Back, you may also be interested in:

Disclaimer

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