Logs for ShadowRN and Associated Mailing Lists

From:	Sam Bowley <BOWLEYSE@******.ROSE-HULMAN.EDU>
Subject:	Merits and Flaws
Date:	Sat, 28 Jan 1995 11:03:54 -0500

Message no. 1 Greetings All,

My players suggested that we initiate something like the merits and
flaws system into our campain. I would be very interested to hear any
opinions or comments.

Longbow

Message no. 2 What are they?

From:	Inquisitor <ESPD92MS@****.ANGLIA-POLYTECHNIC.AC.UK>
Subject:	Re: Merits and Flaws
Date:	Sat, 28 Jan 1995 16:14:00 GMT

From:	Marc A Renouf <jormung@*****.UMICH.EDU>
Subject:	Re: Merits and Flaws
Date:	Sat, 28 Jan 1995 11:21:27 -0500

Message no. 3 On Sat, 28 Jan 1995, Sam Bowley wrote:

> My players suggested that we initiate something like the merits and
> flaws system into our campain. I would be very interested to hear any
> opinions or comments.

By all means, do it. It can make for some wonderful background
stuff and some very interesting characters. One caution, however. Don't
let it get out of hand. Many of the "Merits" in the merits and flaws
system are not appropriate for Shadowrun. Also, you will find many
players will take options or flaws which basically either sell their soul
to someone else (corp, secret society, etc.) or result in them being
hunted by someone. Never, ever let them forget these. Bring them up
consistently and make them the absolute pain-in-the-ass that they are
intended to be.

Marc

From:	Jani Fikouras <feanor@**********.UNI-BREMEN.DE>
Subject:	Re: Merits and Flaws
Date:	Sat, 28 Jan 1995 17:35:11 +0100

Message no. 4 I still have the list Brian Angliss converted for SRII from the GURPS
advantages disadvantages. I'll post it tomorrow if I remember to bring it
with me.

--
"Believe in Angels." -- The Crow

GCS d>- H s+: !g p? !au a- w+ v-(?) C+++ UA++S++L+>++++ P-- (aren't we all?)
L+>+++ 3 E--- N+ K W(+)(---) M-- !V(--) -po+(---) Y+ t++ 5+ !j(-) R+++(--)
!G tv(++) b++ D+ B- e+ u++(-) h*(+) f+ r- n!(----) y?

From:	Dodger <uns016@*****.LANCS.AC.UK>
Subject:	Re: Merits and Flaws
Date:	Sat, 28 Jan 1995 17:10:28 +0000

Message no. 5 > What are they?

Check out White Wolf's Storyteller system - Vampire, Werewolf, Mage,
Wraith, and (soon), Changeling.

Dodger

-----===*===-----

From:	Gurth <gurth@******.NL>
Subject:	Re: Merits and Flaws
Date:	Sun, 29 Jan 1995 12:48:14 +0100

Message no. 6 > My players suggested that we initiate something like the merits and
>flaws system into our campain.

What do you mean by merits and flaws?

Gurth@******.nl - Gurth@***.nl - http://www.xs4all.nl/~gurth/index.html
De meeste dieren hebben ook een maandelijkse cyclus, behalve natuurlijk de
weekdieren -Herman Finkers
Geek Code v2.1: GS/AT/! -d+ H s:- !g p?(3) !au a>? w+(+++) v*(---) C+(++) U
P? !L !3 E? N++ K- W+ -po+(po) Y+ t(+) 5 !j R+(++)>+++$ tv+(++) b+@ D+(++)
B? e+ u+@ h! f--(?) !r(--)(*) n---->!n y?

From:	Jani Fikouras <feanor@**********.UNI-BREMEN.DE>
Subject:	Re: Merits and Flaws
Date:	Sun, 29 Jan 1995 14:27:53 +0100

Message no. 7 > What do you mean by merits and flaws?

A advantages and disadvantages system like the one found in Ars Magica or GURPS
as well as various other systems. Anyway I got the file posted on the list (I think)
a while back ...

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Well, since people haved asked, here is my character creation system with the
disadvange list made by Brian Angliss included. It tends to be a lot more
flexible then the original system and have a little higher 0 point values.

Character Generation table
Points Attritbutes Skills Tech/Force Magic
0 17 17 500Y/5 -
1 17 18 1000Y/7 -
2 18 19 2000Y/9 -
3 19 20 3000Y/12 -
4 20 21 5000Y/15 -

5 20 22 10,000Y/17 -
6 21 23 30,000Y/19 -
7 22 24 60,000Y/22 -
8 23 25 90,000Y/25 -

9 23 26 140,000Y/27 -
10 24 27 220,000Y/29 -
11 25 28 300,000Y/32 -
12 26 30 400,000Y/35 Adept

13 27 32 500,000Y/38 -
14 28 34 650,000Y/42 -
15 29 36 800,000Y/46 -
16 30 40 1,000,000Y/50 Mage

Other point costs
2 access to ShadowTech Bioware + Cyberware
2 access to Alpha Cyberware + Cultured Bioware (if Shadowtech is bought)
4 access to Beta Cyberware + Cultured Bioware (if Shadowtech is bought)
These are still all at their normal prices

All Metahuman Races have the same ability and special bonuses as normal.
Humans get +4 skill points and either 3 extra starting contacts , a buddy, a
gang or acces to shadowtech Bioware and Cyberware. Also a mage may ask for
something special and possibly receive it :)

A normal PC will run in the 35 point range, an NPC will run lower, while and
higher level character will run up to 46 points (rather powerful really)

All characters get their native language at int +2, and a further int points of
languages. They start off with 1 in there Karma pool and two contacts.

Characters may take allergies or disadvantages for more skill/attr points
Brian Angliss's Disadvantage System is included here as help if needed.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: Brian Angliss <angliss@******.PSU.EDU>
Subject: ShadowRun disad system-here it is, folks

As many of you asked that I post my SR modifications, here's the first. Use
it if you like it, ignore it if you don't. Comments and additions will be
taken in stride and flames will be doused.

ShadowRun disadvantages, based off of GURPS and Hero, but mostly GURPS.

The way I set them up is the character gets a certain number of points for
each disadvantage. These points can be used like force points, Skill points,
or stat points. These disads do not give extra money for any reason. I also
have a small and very incomplete list of advantages that can be purchased with
Disad points but nothing else. They are quite powerful and expensive. The
maximum number of Disad points I allow in my game is 20, but you can do as you
see fit.

Name: Point Gain: Effects:

Age: 1/10 years over -1Body, Quick, Str per 10 years
40
Odius Personal
Habit: 1-3 +1/3/5 Target Number for social rolls
(stuff like farting loudly in public)
Social Stigma: 1-3 +1/3/5 TN for social rolls(reaction
varies from person to person)
Albino: 4 Severe Sunlight Alergy, distinguishing
feature
Deaf: 4 Neural hearing centers are dead-cyber
won't help. player must use sign language too
Epilepsy: 6 +4 to all TNs when stressed and a
Will(11) roll to avoid spasams for 10-Will min.
Obese: 2 -1Quick, +1die swimming, -1 Chr
Giant: 3 +1Bod, +1 Str, -1 Quick, +1 TN for
social skills
Hemophilia 6 +1 box physical damage after even a lite
wound per minute until a coagulant is applied
Not usable with platelet factories--no Points!
Low Pain Threshold 2 +1 box stun damage each wound, +1 TN to
resist pain(like torture)
Mute 5 Like Deaf, the player can't talk either
Skinny 1 -1 TN to fit through small places,-1Str
Stutters 2 +2 TN for speaking/language skills, and
player must too in tight situations
Absent Minded 3 +4 TN all memory tests, +3 TN for
concentration tests
Alcoholic 3 +6 TN to resist taking a drink and
getting drunk(rate is up to GM)
Bad Temper 2 Will(5+) roll to resist insulting people
who stress him out
Berserk 3 Will(9) test NOT to fly into an all-out
attack of foe until foe is dead/unconscious.
Wounds are not felt until Rage wears off.
Bloodlust 2 Will only go for the kill, never attacks
to wound or maim.
Bully 2 will(4) test to not push people around
Code of Honor 1-3 This depends on the GM, but varies on
how restrictive the Code is
Combat Paralysis 3 in combat, make a will(8) test or suffer
a -2 to Reaction
Compulsive Behavior 1-3 GMs discretion, but off of frequency of
the behavior
Cowardice 2 make a will(5) test to not run from all
danger
Delusions 1-3 These vary, but the most common would be
of grandeur. They relate to severity
Dsylexia 3 Can NEVER learn to read. Period.
Fanatic 3 Self explanatory-cause can be anything
Glutton 1 Eats all the time, may or may not be
Obese too.
Greedy/Miserly 2 Hordes money/never uses it--this is
mostly a rollplaying thing
Gullable 2 +4 TN to detect Bull S__t
Honesty 4 will not break the law-ever. A real
kicker.
Illiterate 2 Cant read yet, but can learn. needs to
buy off this disad to learn to read
Impulsive 3 always rushes into things
Racism 3 self explanatory
Jealousy 2 always jealous of anyone who is better
than the character
Kleptomaniac 3 Must steal daily, +1 die any stealing
skill
Lecherous 3 makes passes at anything that moves
Overconfident 2 mostly a roll play device
Pacifism 6 Won't fight unless for self defense, and
won't ever kill
Paranoia 1 pretty normal in the world of SR
Phobias 1-5 this is based off the severity and type
of fear at GMs discretion
Pyromania 1 Loves to light fires. roll play it
Sadism 3 enjoys causing pain, +1die to torture
Masochism 4 likes feeling pain, +1 stun box every
wound, stun or physical
Shy 1-3 based off severity
Split Personality 2/person. This requires massive rollplaying and
also the skill of the character to be split
between the multiple personalities
Unlucky 1-3 Severity(level 3 effects everyone around
the unlucky person too)
Vows 1-3 How strong the person holds thier vows
Weak Willed 1/level +2 TN/level on all willpower tests
Dependant NPC's 3/person children, spouses, etc.
Distinctive Feature 1-3 Based on what it looks like, how easy it
is to hide, and the effect it has on others
Hunted and Watched 1-4 Based off of who wants you, how badly
they want you, what they want you for, and what
they want to do to you when they get you
Secret ID 3 dual identity, one as a real person with
a SIN and one as a runner
Rivalry 1-3 Romantic to professional to both
Vulnerablity 1-4 Extra damage to specific body parts, or
especially vulnerable to a type of attack

Powers to be purchased only with Disad points:

Name: Point Cost: Effects
Double Jointed 2 +quickness dice to contortionism, +1 die
to all build and repair, +1 reaction(like
Enhanced Articulation)
Ambidexterity 3 no modifiers for using two weapons at
the same time, can use 2 smartgun links too.
Eidietic Memory 10 Photographic memory-no memory rolls are
necessary
High Pain Threshold 2 -1box stun, -1 TN to resist pain
Astrally Insensetive 3/level -1 TN/level to resist all spells, +1 TN/
level for magician to heal character
Peripheral vision 4 -1 TN, +1 die all visual perception
Speed Healing 3 -1 TN for doctor tests and -1/3 base
time to heal

Well, i hope you like it.

Brian

--
"Believe in Angels." -- The Crow

GCS d>- H s+: !g p? !au a- w+ v-(?) C+++ UA++S++L+>++++ P-- (aren't we all?)
L+>+++ 3 E--- N+ K W(+)(---) M-- !V(--) -po+(---) Y+ t++ 5+ !j(-) R+++(--)
!G tv(++) b++ D+ B- e+ u++(-) h*(+) f+ r- n!(----) y?

From:	Nightfox <DJWA@******.UCC.NAU.EDU>
Subject:	Re: Merits and Flaws
Date:	Sun, 29 Jan 1995 15:33:52 -0700

Message no. 8 >> What do you mean by merits and flaws?
>
> A advantages and disadvantages system like the one found in Ars Magica or GUR
>PS
>as well as various other systems. Anyway I got the file posted on the list (I th
>ink)
>a while back ...

hhmmmphhh

and they didn't even keep my name in the credits.

Sigh

Nightfox - yes, I was the person who came up with this system.
and trust me when I say - don't allow them to have 46 points.

From:	Jani Fikouras <feanor@**********.UNI-BREMEN.DE>
Subject:	Re: Merits and Flaws
Date:	Mon, 30 Jan 1995 10:05:39 +0100

Message no. 9 > hhmmmphhh
> and they didn't even keep my name in the credits.
> Sigh
> Nightfox - yes, I was the person who came up with this system.
> and trust me when I say - don't allow them to have 46 points.

I believe you and I'll be sure to include it next time, sorry bout that.

--
"Believe in Angels." -- The Crow

GCS d>- H s+: !g p? !au a- w+ v-(?) C+++ UA++S++L+>++++ P-- (aren't we all?)
L+>+++ 3 E--- N+ K W(+)(---) M-- !V(--) -po+(---) Y+ t++ 5+ !j(-) R+++(--)
!G tv(++) b++ D+ B- e+ u++(-) h*(+) f+ r- n!(----) y?

Mailing List Logs for

Further Reading

Disclaimer