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Message no. 1
From: jhubert@***.de (JÃŒrgen_Hubert)
Subject: Shadowrun rules in other cyberpunk settings?
Date: Tue, 2 Mar 2004 18:53:28 +0100
I'm currently thinking about running a Cthulhupunk campaign (a mixture of
the Cthulhu Mythos and the cyberpunk genre). I've decided against using the
Shadowrun universe as the "surface reality" - the many fantasy tropes IMO
would detract from the horrifying nature of the Mythos. Somehow, when
everyone already knows that there are real-life magic users out there,
sorcerous cultists aren't as menacing anymore...

But since my gaming group is highly familiar with the Shadowrun rules, I
think I'll use those anyway - minus the supernatural elements, of course.

So I was wondering: Has anyone used the Shadowrun rules for other setting,
especially other cyberpunk settings? Have you altered the rules in any
significant way?

I think I'll also remove Essence loss as the absolute limit on how much
cyberware you can use in my campaign - the idea that once you implant enough
stuff in your body your soul will leave doesn't really mesh with a
Lovecraftian universe either (at least in my view). So I'll merely (a)
enforce the social penalties on excessive cyberware and (b) use a slightly
modified biosystem overstress system (see M&M78) - once total essence loss
and Bio Index exceed 9, the character will suffer from biosystem overstress,
whether he actually has any bioware or not.

Yes, that will allow characters to have more cyberware - but I don't think
it will be _too_ unbalancing. What's your opinion on this?

And finally, has anyone come up with (a) decent Sanity rules for Shadowrun,
and (b) a way to capture the feel of Mythos spells in it?


- Jürgen Hubert

Urbis - A World of Cities
http://juergen.the-huberts.net/dnd/urbis/index.html
Messageboard: http://juergen.the-huberts.net/forum/list.php?f=7
Message no. 2
From: loneeagle@********.co.uk (Lone Eagle)
Subject: Shadowrun rules in other cyberpunk settings?
Date: Tue, 02 Mar 2004 20:38:38 +0000
At 05:53 PM 3/2/2004, Jürgen wrote:
>I'm currently thinking about running a Cthulhupunk campaign (a mixture of
>the Cthulhu Mythos and the cyberpunk genre). I've decided against using the
>Shadowrun universe as the "surface reality" - the many fantasy tropes IMO
>would detract from the horrifying nature of the Mythos. Somehow, when
>everyone already knows that there are real-life magic users out there,
>sorcerous cultists aren't as menacing anymore...

Yes, getting the Lovecraftian feel is really hard work. I'm working in the
"Oh it's a mage... Oh it's a ritual... Oh - hang on - it's something
more... Bug Spirits!!! - No. Horrors!!! - No. Oh cr@*." mould with my foray
into this mix.

>Yes, that will allow characters to have more cyberware - but I don't think
>it will be _too_ unbalancing. What's your opinion on this?

I would use some form of cyberpsychosis system as well, my imaginings are
filled with terrifying visions of Titanium Bone Lacing, Dermal Sheath III,
Move-by-Wire IV types. Of course the full-body-borg option is opened which
is a good thing.

>And finally, has anyone come up with (a) decent Sanity rules for Shadowrun,
>and (b) a way to capture the feel of Mythos spells in it?

I've ignored Sanity completely, in rules terms at least, applying a
"touched by powers beyond the ken of mortal man" type effect, people treat
them differently, sometimes they may be seen as insane, sometimes they'll
have hallucinations, sometimes people will just feel really uncomfortable
around them, sometimes exactly the opposite. Some of the better RPers have
said that they think their character's going mad and may well go insane
thinking about it even if it isn't so.


--
Lone Eagle
"Hold up lads, I got an idea."

www.wyrmtalk.co.uk - Please be patient, this site is under construction

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