Back to the main page

Mailing List Logs for ShadowRN

Message no. 1
From: Dennis Steinmeijer dv8@********.nl
Subject: What kind of approach do you have to your SR game?
Date: Tue, 29 Jun 1999 17:50:24 +0200
Hail Runners!

A question for you all.

Here's the situation. My group and I just started playing SR, and I was
wondering what kind of scenario would suite our group. I started thinking
about all of the scenarios that would be possible (e.g. gutter-scenario,
high-tech scenario, we-against-the-corps scenario, etc) and I was wondering
what everybody else had as an approach.

To relate it to those who like movies;

Do you play a game like something out of the movie "The Warriors", the
players are thugs, with an exception here or there, and have little or no
resources and have to rely on the group and their fists to get by? Living in
the Seattle Barrens and fight over turf and buildings, raiding food supplies
and going up town every now and then to steal weapons and ammo. Letting them
scrounge the city dumps for spare parts and letting them build their own
cyberdecks?

Do you play a game where the runners are constantly in hiding, and scheming
to do as much damage to the Megas as they can, a la Conspiracy Theory/Enemy
of the State? Where characters are either plucked from the street and get
involved in things against their will, or the characters have a long
standing hatred for the Megas and will do anything to bring them down.

Do you play a game where technology runs high, somewhat like The
Matrix/Johnny Mnemonic? People all have State of the Art equipment and
cyberware, have enormous amounts of bioware and guns readily available.
Runners who just do whatever the highest bidder asks and go through life
acquiring even more weapons and cyberware.

Or do you play a game that is indifferent to any particular setting or
style? (Sorry, can't find a suitable movie) You just let the people play
whatever they want, all according to FASA's rules and regulations. In FASA's
world, equipment available according to the Availability given in the
sourcebooks.

I'm inclined to force a rule that the characters cannot own anything with an
availability of 6 or higher a the start of the game, and they are not
allowed to set Priority A on resources. If they bitch about that, then I'll
lower Resource Priority A to 800,000Y.
I want my players to start at the lowest form of game-approach, and fight
and scheme and steal and murder their way to the top. I think in the end it
will be more fun, and the characters start out with something to look
forward to.

Btw, all this originated from the fact that one of my players has started
with an essence of .01 (priority A) and now wants to know if he can get his
hands on Bioware (which I have restricted to a minimum, "officially it
doesn't even exist yet"-sort of thing). I see his development going nowhere
and basically that's my fault for approving the creation of such a
monstrosity.

Be gentle,...I'm still an inexperienced DM.

Dennis

"Abashed the Devil stood,...and felt how awful Goodness is..."
Message no. 2
From: Lloyd Vance ljvance@*******.edu
Subject: What kind of approach do you have to your SR game?
Date: Tue, 29 Jun 1999 09:13:24
At 05:50 PM 6/29/99 +0200, you wrote:
>Hail Runners!
>
>A question for you all.
>
>Here's the situation. My group and I just started playing SR, and I was
>wondering what kind of scenario would suite our group. I started thinking
>about all of the scenarios that would be possible (e.g. gutter-scenario,
>high-tech scenario, we-against-the-corps scenario, etc) and I was wondering
>what everybody else had as an approach.
>

<snip movies>

I have played all of those types of games, and they are all rewarding in
their own way. Personally, I kind of like the 'Payback' style game where
you start with nothing and work your way up. Much more fun than starting
out drek hot, and just flexing your godlike muscles.

>I'm inclined to force a rule that the characters cannot own anything with an
>availability of 6 or higher a the start of the game, and they are not
>allowed to set Priority A on resources. If they bitch about that, then I'll
>lower Resource Priority A to 800,000Y.

Go for it. One GM limited us to 500Y. Of course he got a magic heavy game,
so you might want to limit that as well. My current GM had us start as
SINned characters, justifying with our jobs and hobbies the types of skills
and equiptment we had. He also said only two skills at six (and no combat
skills at six), and the rest are a max of 4. He limited the powers of
physical adepts and mages by making them choose things that would be useful
for real people in real situations. Then we got set up by a corp, and
branded outlaws. From there we had to work our way out of the Barrens,
figure out who did this to us, and exact revenge. Not a bad game.


>Be gentle,...I'm still an inexperienced DM.
>

With a little ointment, the swelling will go down.

>Dennis
>
>"Abashed the Devil stood,...and felt how awful Goodness is..."


Lloyd Vance
ljvance@*******.edu
(530)752-5643
"To be an artist is to fail,
as no other dare fail."
--Samuel Beckett
Message no. 3
From: Mark Fender markf@******.com
Subject: What kind of approach do you have to your SR game?
Date: Tue, 29 Jun 1999 11:15:26 -0500
> Hail Runners!
>
> A question for you all.
>
> Here's the situation. My group and I just started playing SR, and I was
> wondering what kind of scenario would suite our group. I started thinking
> about all of the scenarios that would be possible (e.g. gutter-scenario,
> high-tech scenario, we-against-the-corps scenario, etc) and I was
> wondering
> what everybody else had as an approach.
>
> To relate it to those who like movies;
>
> Do you play a game like something out of the movie "The Warriors", the
> players are thugs, with an exception here or there, and have little or no
> resources and have to rely on the group and their fists to get by? Living
> in
> the Seattle Barrens and fight over turf and buildings, raiding food
> supplies
> and going up town every now and then to steal weapons and ammo. Letting
> them
> scrounge the city dumps for spare parts and letting them build their own
> cyberdecks?
>
> Do you play a game where the runners are constantly in hiding, and
> scheming
> to do as much damage to the Megas as they can, a la Conspiracy
> Theory/Enemy
> of the State? Where characters are either plucked from the street and get
> involved in things against their will, or the characters have a long
> standing hatred for the Megas and will do anything to bring them down.
>
> Do you play a game where technology runs high, somewhat like The
> Matrix/Johnny Mnemonic? People all have State of the Art equipment and
> cyberware, have enormous amounts of bioware and guns readily available.
> Runners who just do whatever the highest bidder asks and go through life
> acquiring even more weapons and cyberware.
>
> Or do you play a game that is indifferent to any particular setting or
> style? (Sorry, can't find a suitable movie) You just let the people play
> whatever they want, all according to FASA's rules and regulations. In
> FASA's
> world, equipment available according to the Availability given in the
> sourcebooks.
>
Yes. All of these types and more. For instance, my current game is set with
low-level ganger types trapped in Bug City. This will be followed by a
mercenary game placed in the wilds of Aztlan. This will be followed by a
corporate game set amongst the ruins of Fuchi. To be followed by a decker
game and a "Council of Wyrms" - type game. So, yes. You can play any and
every type of setting in SR. There's a lot of information in SR. And a lot
of types of settings, scenarios, etc. Check out Cyberpirates for such a
sample of a 'different' SR game.

> I'm inclined to force a rule that the characters cannot own anything with
> an
> availability of 6 or higher a the start of the game, and they are not
> allowed to set Priority A on resources. If they bitch about that, then
> I'll
> lower Resource Priority A to 800,000Y.
> I want my players to start at the lowest form of game-approach, and fight
> and scheme and steal and murder their way to the top. I think in the end
> it
> will be more fun, and the characters start out with something to look
> forward to.
>
Go for it. It's your game and no one said you had to be nice. In my ganger
campaign everyone started with 75 Build Points instead of the standard 100.
Talk about sucking. They've been bitching for months now about how their
characters suck.

> Btw, all this originated from the fact that one of my players has started
> with an essence of .01 (priority A) and now wants to know if he can get
> his
> hands on Bioware (which I have restricted to a minimum, "officially it
> doesn't even exist yet"-sort of thing). I see his development going
> nowhere
> and basically that's my fault for approving the creation of such a
> monstrosity.
>
> Be gentle,...I'm still an inexperienced DM.
>
Then I will gently point out that DM is a trademark of TSR and should not be
used on a SR discussion list. You have been chastened.

> Dennis
>
> "Abashed the Devil stood,...and felt how awful Goodness is..."
>
>
>
Message no. 4
From: Mockingbird mockingbird@*********.com
Subject: What kind of approach do you have to your SR game?
Date: Tue, 29 Jun 1999 11:22:18 -0500
----- Original Message -----
From: Dennis Steinmeijer <dv8@********.nl>
To: ShadowRN Mailing List <shadowrn@*********.org>
Sent: Tuesday, June 29, 1999 10:50 AM
Subject: What kind of approach do you have to your SR game?



<snip>

> Or do you play a game that is indifferent to any particular setting or
> style? (Sorry, can't find a suitable movie) You just let the people play
> whatever they want, all according to FASA's rules and regulations. In
FASA's
> world, equipment available according to the Availability given in the
> sourcebooks.
>

This is what I usually run, though I tend to let the players get pretty
liberal.

<snip>

>
> Btw, all this originated from the fact that one of my players has started
> with an essence of .01 (priority A) and now wants to know if he can get
his
> hands on Bioware (which I have restricted to a minimum, "officially it
> doesn't even exist yet"-sort of thing). I see his development going
nowhere
> and basically that's my fault for approving the creation of such a
> monstrosity.
>

This is your players fault, not yours. Just stick to your guns. He is
about to complain alot and very loudly about the bioware if I don't miss my
guess. Don't let him have it, if you don't want him to. Also, play the
disadvantages of a heavily cybered character. Have the Johnson hold the
meeting in a swanky restraunt that requires a certain dress code. No major
cyberware can be one of those codes. Or if it is mostly internal stuff,
LoneStar is trained in recognizing this kind of thing. If the players get
into a firefight with LS, then the cops are going to call for backup, see if
his cyberware can hold up against a CityMaster. Or, if they are fighting a
mage, have the mage send an elemental or two at him. All it takes is the
mage to do one astral perception to determine the dangers, mages with alot
of foci and people with very low essence tend to top the list in my book.
If (when) he starts complaining, explain that his character is seen as a
threat by the NPC's, and that this is how they react to threats. If he
doesn't like it, then explain that he is always free to make another
character. The other tactic I have used, is start doing high role-playing
adventures (hiring as a bodyguard is always good as the PC's have to
interact with people at say, a party).

Hope this helps,
Mockingbird
who once had a troll with .01 essence and a body index .1 points below his
body PC under him
Message no. 5
From: Dennis Steinmeijer dv8@********.nl
Subject: What kind of approach do you have to your SR game?
Date: Tue, 29 Jun 1999 18:27:45 +0200
Lloyd wrote:
> >Be gentle,...I'm still an inexperienced DM.
> >
>
> With a little ointment, the swelling will go down.

Whoehahahahahaha!!!

"Abashed the Devil stood,...and felt how awful Goodness is..."
Message no. 6
From: Dennis Steinmeijer dv8@********.nl
Subject: What kind of approach do you have to your SR game?
Date: Tue, 29 Jun 1999 18:30:39 +0200
Mark wrote:
> > Be gentle,...I'm still an inexperienced DM.
> >
> Then I will gently point out that DM is a trademark of TSR and should not
be
> used on a SR discussion list. You have been chastened.

Dennis walks backwards,...arms extended,...palms outward in an attempt to
show the listmembers he is concealing no hidden weapons. "Come on
guys,...everyone can make a mistake,...right? *gulp*"

"Abashed the Devil stood,...and felt how awful Goodness is..."
Message no. 7
From: Drew Curtis dcurtis@***.net
Subject: What kind of approach do you have to your SR game?
Date: Tue, 29 Jun 1999 12:43:25 -0400 (EDT)
I tend to run them tongue-in-cheek, ala Snow Crash by Neal Stephenson.

Drew Curtis, President, Digital Crescent, Incorporated
http://www.dcr.net (502) 226 3376 Internet and Software Design services.
Offering dial-up Access from Frankfort to Louisville and all points between.
Message no. 8
From: IronRaven cyberraven@********.net
Subject: What kind of approach do you have to your SR game?
Date: Tue, 29 Jun 1999 12:55:09 -0400
At 17.50 06-29-99 +0200, you wrote:
>Hail Runners!

I hate hail. Escpecially that stuff the size of pumkins that..... Oh,
"hail" as in "greetings".

>Here's the situation. My group and I just started playing SR, and I was
>wondering what kind of scenario would suite our group. I started thinking

Well, my first group was started by someone else, and we all rotated
GMing. Letting characters have whatever they want is BAD! I don't mind
starting bioware, but stuff like assualt cannons is for the birds. If the
players are dumb enough to light up the town with autoweapons fire, let
them. 1D6 LoneStar prowlers show up in 1D8 minutes, with the first airial,
armoured or tactical unit showing up 1D10 minutes after that. And since it
is the middle of a law enforement situation, Doc Wagon will not bail thier
buts out.

>high-tech scenario, we-against-the-corps scenario, etc) and I was wondering
>what everybody else had as an approach.

Well, except for the heavy weapons and lack of suitable reprecutions, we
mostly did a high-tech campaign with specialties in extractions and escort
missions.

>with an essence of .01 (priority A) and now wants to know if he can get his
>hands on Bioware (which I have restricted to a minimum, "officially it
>doesn't even exist yet"-sort of thing). I see his development going nowhere

You have two options. One, which I think you should lean to, never having
run SR, is don't let him get it. Two, let him get it- slap him with a
combat mage/bounty hunter breathing down his throat while he has been on a
run for three days and caught the Tir flu (the Awakened strain of
influenza). The mage will toast him without that essence, and the stress
of being sick and overtired should shread his body strain rating to little
pieces.
You also have the option of say (as I will be in the fall to some of
players), "No, that thing will not exist in my games, I don't care how much
you like that pile of numbers- it isn't a character". If you play
someplace were a small fire is almost acceptable, play wiht a cigarette
lighter while they are argueing with you, and just stare at his character
sheet.

>Be gentle,...I'm still an inexperienced DM.

Big deal. You are a GM or SM (Shadow Master) now. You no longer own your
soul to T$R and thier overliege WoC.


CyberRaven Kevin Dole
http://www.Geocities.com/Area51/Dimension/4151/welcome.html
"Once again, we have spat int he face of Death and his second cousin,
Dismemberment."
"Briar Rabbit to Briar Fox; I was BORN in that briar patch!"
Message no. 9
From: Number Ten Ox number_10_ox@**********.com
Subject: What kind of approach do you have to your SR game?
Date: Tue, 29 Jun 1999 09:50:23 -0700 (PDT)
Dennis Steinmeijer <dv8@********.nl> wrote:

> Do you play a game like something out of the movie "The Warriors"...
> Do you play a game where the runners are constantly in hiding, and
> scheming to do as much damage to the Megas as they can...
> Do you play a game where technology runs high, somewhat like The
> Matrix/Johnny Mnemonic?

What I've tried to do in my game is to create a 'story arc'. The
starting characters were all more-or-less victims of a fucked-up world:
the Troll street sam who grew up on the streets, the former wage mage,
the NAN shaman who was told to enter the Sprawl by her totem, etc. So the
first part of the arc was the characters getting a handle on the fucked-up
world: clawing their way to at least a semi-respectable position on the
ladder of shadowrunners. Gaining a measure of physical security.

The second phase is going into effect now, as the characters begin
to look around the world and go "Wait a second. *Why* is this place so
fucked up -- and what can we do about it?"

So sue me. I like heroic plots.

> Or do you ... just let the people play whatever they want, all according
> to FASA's rules and regulations. In FASA's world, equipment available
> according to the Availability given in the sourcebooks.

More or less: but I am lucky in that I trust my players not to
twink/munchkinize. Yeah, sure, the Street Sam is the most deadly thing on
two legs I've ever seen: but her Essence is 3.something, she has almost no
bioware at all, and she's just sunk half a million nuyen into purchasing
a bar -- instead of spending it on cyberware, bioware, or more toys. Why?
Because it was in character for her to do so.

(The Hermetic Mage bought up some land in Puyallup, cheap -- used
a couple earth elementals to level buildings -- and built a *garden* of all
things. Free seeds to anyone who'd show up and help take care of it. Which
reminds me, I gotta send a gang or something to stomp all over it.)

> I'm inclined to force a rule that the characters cannot own anything
with > an availability of 6 or higher a the start of the game...
That's already in the rules.

> and they are not allowed to set Priority A on resources.

That's not in the rules, but it is within your prerogative as a GM. If
you want to play a scum-of-the-earth game, like your first example, I
would suggest limiting it further: say "You may not have resources above
priority of D."

This will limit sharply the amount of starting cyber in the game, so
be sure to tweak the opposition accordingly. But by god, once they earn that
10,000 Y doing shit jobs, they can be justifiably proudof their brand
spanking new Wired Reflexes.


> Btw, all this originated from the fact that one of my players has started
> with an essence of .01 (priority A) and now wants to know if he can get
> his hands on Bioware (which I have restricted to a minimum, "officially it
> doesn't even exist yet"-sort of thing).

Tell him he's a munchkin. Tell him to create his character according to
the *theme* of your campaign. Tell him he can either do that or find
another gaming group. :)

And, just as a free hint from the GM who's still learning on the job...

... for goodness' sake, don't allow weapon damage to stage past D. :)

> Dennis

_________________________________________________________
DO YOU YAHOO!?
Get your free @*****.com address at http://mail.yahoo.com
Message no. 10
From: Scott Wheelock iscottw@*****.nb.ca
Subject: What kind of approach do you have to your SR game?
Date: Tue, 29 Jun 1999 14:51:51 -0300
"And now, a Channel 6 editorial reply to Number Ten Ox."
] But by god, once they earn that 10,000 Y doing shit jobs,
] they can be justifiably proudof their brand spanking new
] Wired Reflexes.

Wow...I'd be proud too, having fleeced that Street Doc like
that...10,000 nuyen for wires!
:)

-Murder of One
Message no. 11
From: Ahuizotl cuellare@***.telmex.net.mx
Subject: What kind of approach do you have to your SR game?
Date: Tue, 29 Jun 1999 12:08:21 -0500
> Hail Runners!

Hello Dennis

>
> A question for you all.
>
> Here's the situation. My group and I just started playing SR, and I was
...
> what everybody else had as an approach.

My advise is
depends on your group of players, if all are new to Shadow i will made
short adeventures with all kind of scenarios and at the end, see which
was the most pleasure. Maybe in the end of each game seasions ask the
players if they like it, and the why yes or why not and what they are
looking for his characters.

> To relate it to those who like movies;
>
> Do you play a game like something out of the movie "The Warriors", the
....
> scrounge the city dumps for spare parts and letting them build their own
> cyberdecks?

If youre question is if I have a Game group that play S_R like this the
answer is yes, if you wnat to know how to "change" the rules to made
this seating let me know and i will send you the little changes in priv.
mail.

> Do you play a game where the runners are constantly in hiding, and scheming
...
> standing hatred for the Megas and will do anything to bring them down.

Same as above. I had a good group on this one but I dont recomend this
for beginers (IMHO)

> Do you play a game where technology runs high, somewhat like The
...
> acquiring even more weapons and cyberware.

Also the answer is yes and the same if you want tips let me know nad i
will tell how we play it. The mayor change is that the treat is very
HIGH and is very easy to be dead in this kind of game unless you play a
BANG BANG I KILL ALL kind of game.

> Or do you play a game that is indifferent to any particular setting or
...
> sourcebooks.

Yes more or lest all my game groups end in a set like this. A mix up of
all of the styles and sometimes at the same time. A and you forget the
Heavy magic escenario.

> I'm inclined to force a rule that the characters cannot own anything with an
...
> will be more fun, and the characters start out with something to look
> forward to.

> Btw, all this originated from the fact that one of my players has started
...
> and basically that's my fault for approving the creation of such a
> monstrosity.

If i read this correct it looks to me that you have a munching problem,
maybe your players came from no experience or D&D (IMHO) if I was you I
do not change the priorities, my to cents will be, let them get cyber to
the teeths, donīt change the rules, change the stile of the game. Give
them social problems that need negotiation, knowledge and etiquette to
save the day. And give them lessons about it. Example He is Super Cyber
but have 0 nego. Let a NPC with big Neg. to take things from him,
because he cant respond correct with the task or let them destroy the
"fill the blank" let a corp security presents (lone star or what ever)
with anything that make fear in our players heart, Even t-bird, let them
suffer for some moments let they know there is no way out. (not the hard
way at least). If somebody want to made a "kill or die" out let him do
it and kill him. Then when thay beging to get desesperate let a NPC to
help them by pass the problem, with the apropiate social skill. This
made wonders in my game (isn't it morris :-) ). Let them know that its
more than one way to made things happend.

And the most important advise i can give you. ASK THEM FOR A GOOD
BACKGROUND.
Tha background of the characters is everything for me. It help you give
the character stories, interest, treats, emotions, and let the player
excercise his roleplaying muscules.
"ok you want to have (fill the bio, tech o magical idem her) ok good for
me how did you character (found/buy/recive it)", if the story is good
enought and give flaws that compensate the power the idem give the
character let him have it. Or the other hand" You want (what ever) ok i
will give it to you if you character have a wife and kids and your's
wife godfather is Chief of security of Aztechnology and the only reason
that made him dont kill you is that you made your wife soo happy". :-)
Evil gamemaster smile.

> Be gentle,...I'm still an inexperienced DM.

Not worry, you too be gentle I'm a inexperience English speaker.
Hope this help if dont let me know.
>
> Dennis
>
Ahuizotl
The day my friend and SR rol partner said to the gamemaster "Now I'm
going to play a homosexual troll" my roleplay style made a 360 degree
change.
Message no. 12
From: Starrngr@***.com Starrngr@***.com
Subject: What kind of approach do you have to your SR game?
Date: Tue, 29 Jun 1999 16:07:28 EDT
In a message dated 6/29/99 10:12:21 AM Pacific Daylight Time,
number_10_ox@**********.com writes:

> > I'm inclined to force a rule that the characters cannot own anything
> with > an availability of 6 or higher a the start of the game...
> That's already in the rules.

that is not correct. According to the gear section of SR3, its a RATING of
six, or an availability of 8.
Message no. 13
From: Ignacio De Lucas morrisjila@*******.com
Subject: What kind of approach do you have to your SR game?
Date: Wed, 30 Jun 1999 06:53:52 GMT
>From: "Dennis Steinmeijer" <dv8@********.nl>
>Reply-To: shadowrn@*********.org
>To: "ShadowRN Mailing List" <shadowrn@*********.org>
>Subject: What kind of approach do you have to your SR game?
>Date: Tue, 29 Jun 1999 17:50:24 +0200
>
>Hail Runners!
>
>A question for you all.
>
>Here's the situation. My group and I just started playing SR, and I was
>wondering what kind of scenario would suite our group. I started thinking
>about all of the scenarios that would be possible (e.g. gutter-scenario,
>high-tech scenario, we-against-the-corps scenario, etc) and I was wondering
>what everybody else had as an approach.
>
>To relate it to those who like movies;
>
>Do you play a game like something out of the movie "The Warriors", the
>players are thugs, with an exception here or there, and have little or no
>resources and have to rely on the group and their fists to get by? Living
>in
>the Seattle Barrens and fight over turf and buildings, raiding food
>supplies
>and going up town every now and then to steal weapons and ammo. Letting
>them
>scrounge the city dumps for spare parts and letting them build their own
>cyberdecks?
>Look my friend, I guess I like more of a combination of them all. But then
>again it is your choise. My GM has made us a world in which there is a
>flavor for very taste of gaming. For exmaple you can be a cybered to the
>bones character or an essense 6 mage and you still have lots of
>possibilities for rol play. For example I once started a character just
>like yours he had .1 Essense and some cyberware that would have made you
>and almost anyone turn, he had an instaled jetpack in his back, and you
>know what happened? It was worth squat, of course it was cool being able to
>fly but that was not what mattered, as for rolplaying is. He ended up
>falling in love whit a ?? my GM hasnt told me yet, and being a Spider
>Shaman, yes a spider Shaman whith an essese of .1. Figure that. Remember it
>is the rol they give to the character what matters not what they are made
>of, if they do not give their characters a life they are munchking
>charaters and they usually die, at least in my world. So they want to
>create monsters let them but if they just play hack and slash characters
>kill them.


ATTE el MORRIS


______________________________________________________
Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com
Message no. 14
From: Ignacio De Lucas morrisjila@*******.com
Subject: What kind of approach do you have to your SR game?
Date: Wed, 30 Jun 1999 06:57:21 GMT
>From: "Dennis Steinmeijer" <dv8@********.nl>
>Reply-To: shadowrn@*********.org
>To: "ShadowRN Mailing List" <shadowrn@*********.org>
>Subject: What kind of approach do you have to your SR game?
>Date: Tue, 29 Jun 1999 17:50:24 +0200
>
>Hail Runners!
>
>I'm inclined to force a rule that the characters cannot own anything with
>an
>availability of 6 or higher a the start of the game, and they are not
>allowed to set Priority A on resources. If they bitch about that, then I'll
>lower Resource Priority A to 800,000Y.
>I want my players to start at the lowest form of game-approach, and fight
>and scheme and steal and murder their way to the top. I think in the end it
>will be more fun, and the characters start out with something to look
>forward to.
>
>Btw, all this originated from the fact that one of my players has started
>with an essence of .01 (priority A) and now wants to know if he can get his
>hands on Bioware (which I have restricted to a minimum, "officially it
>doesn't even exist yet"-sort of thing). I see his development going nowhere
>and basically that's my fault for approving the creation of such a
>monstrosity.
>
>Be gentle,...I'm still an inexperienced DM.
>
>Dennis
Hey remember the golden rule "The GM is GOD" every rulebook in an RPG is
nothing but a gide, you can change everithing you want or dislike, just
remember the point of this is having fun, so as long as playing whith you is
fun there should be no alegations.

ATTE el MORRIS


______________________________________________________
Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com
Message no. 15
From: Ignacio De Lucas morrisjila@*******.com
Subject: What kind of approach do you have to your SR game?
Date: Wed, 30 Jun 1999 07:12:02 GMT
>

>
>If i read this correct it looks to me that you have a munching problem,
>maybe your players came from no experience or D&D (IMHO) if I was you I
>do not change the priorities, my to cents will be, let them get cyber to
>the teeths, donīt change the rules, change the stile of the game. Give
>them social problems that need negotiation, knowledge and etiquette to
>save the day. And give them lessons about it. Example He is Super Cyber
>but have 0 nego. Let a NPC with big Neg. to take things from him,
>because he cant respond correct with the task or let them destroy the
>"fill the blank" let a corp security presents (lone star or what ever)
>with anything that make fear in our players heart, Even t-bird, let them
>suffer for some moments let they know there is no way out. (not the hard
>way at least). If somebody want to made a "kill or die" out let him do
>it and kill him. Then when thay beging to get desesperate let a NPC to
>help them by pass the problem, with the apropiate social skill. This
>made wonders in my game (isn't it morris :-) ). Let them know that its
>more than one way to made things happend.


Yeah right laugh it up Chummer we will meet in MAGE. And yes, my first
characters were munchkings and so they died, since then every last one of
them has a more elaborate backround and lots more skills, nuyen is easy to
get, on the other hand KARMA no way.



And the most important advise i can give you. ASK THEM FOR A GOOD
>BACKGROUND.
>Tha background of the characters is everything for me. It help you give
>the character stories, interest, treats, emotions, and let the player
>excercise his roleplaying muscules.
>"ok you want to have (fill the bio, tech o magical idem her) ok good for
>me how did you character (found/buy/recive it)", if the story is good
>enought and give flaws that compensate the power the idem give the
>character let him have it. Or the other hand" You want (what ever) ok i
>will give it to you if you character have a wife and kids and your's
>wife godfather is Chief of security of Aztechnology and the only reason
>that made him dont kill you is that you made your wife soo happy". :-)
>Evil gamemaster smile.



> > Be gentle,...I'm still an inexperienced DM.
>
>Not worry, you too be gentle I'm a inexperience English speaker.
>Hope this help if dont let me know.
> >
> > Dennis
> >
>Ahuizotl
>The day my friend and SR rol partner said to the gamemaster "Now I'm
>going to play a homosexual troll" my roleplay style made a 360 degree
>change.

Yes the problem is that the troll had a crush on my sam.
IT WAS HORRIBLE

ATTE el MORRIS


______________________________________________________
Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com
Message no. 16
From: Alberto P fox_mulder_76@*****.it
Subject: What kind of approach do you have to your SR game?
Date: Wed, 30 Jun 1999 11:00:27 +0200 (CEST)
> Hail Runners!
> A question for you all.
> Here's the situation. My group and I just started playing SR, and I was
> wondering what kind of scenario would suite our group. I started thinking
> about all of the scenarios that would be possible (e.g. gutter-scenario,
> high-tech scenario, we-against-the-corps scenario, etc) and I was> wondering
> what everybody else had as an approach.

Hmmm... I'm in a similar situation, as I said some message ago. My project for
the first campaign is this : run a series of scenarios that may introduce the
players to a specific subject of SR background. For example, the first run would
be a story about the power of megacorporation (typical c-punk topic) and the
matrix development; the second run would be based on mobwar in S.Francisco (you
know, yakuza vs triad vs street gang ... and the PC caught in the middle !);
on the third scenario I would introduce some magic elements (a kind of lesser
critter, like a gargoyle). And so on ... In every scenario the players get a piece
of background, gradually. I've done this before, and it worked (at least in my
Conspiracy X campaign !).

> Or do you play a game that is indifferent to any particular setting or
> style? (Sorry, can't find a suitable movie) You just let the people play
> whatever they want, all according to FASA's rules and regulations. In> FASA's
> world, equipment available according to the Availability given in the
> sourcebooks.

Yes, I think that I wouldn't limit the types of scenario been played. I like the
"open-type" campaign, where you can run a day fightin' a megacorp, and the next
day you must help a ork gang vs yakuza mooks ! A world like this isn't more believable ?
Isn't it more funny that a series of "we against corp" scenarios ?
You can always "setting the mood" with NPC interaction, and background
events&news
(for example, I'll give the player newspaper articles about magic, new tech researc,
riots in the city, ecc.).

>> This will be followed by amercenary game placed in the wilds of Aztlan.

Great ! But I think it's better to have a "twilight-2k-like-game" in some kind
of jungle (India?
Vietnam?) I've a lot of ideas about mercenaries lost in middle of wildeness (you know,
things like

radios that doesn't work, poor supplies&ammo, tribal jungle warriors ...). Any
suggestion ?

> Be gentle,...I'm still an inexperienced DM.

Oh, yes ... and I'm a cruel Keeper :)


- Byez -

==--------------------------------------
Fox "Spooky" Mulder (Aka Alberto P.)

Everything you know can be a lie ...
--------------------------------------
______________________________________________________________________
DO YOU YAHOO!?
Il tuo indirizzo gratis e per sempre @*****.it su http://mail.yahoo.it
Message no. 17
From: Manx timburke@*******.com.au
Subject: What kind of approach do you have to your SR game?
Date: Thu, 01 Jul 1999 00:26:12 +1000
At 09:50 29/06/99 -0700 Number Ten Ox wrote
> (The Hermetic Mage bought up some land in Puyallup, cheap -- used
>a couple earth elementals to level buildings -- and built a *garden* of all
>things. Free seeds to anyone who'd show up and help take care of it. Which
>reminds me, I gotta send a gang or something to stomp all over it.)
>

That, my friend, is piss funny. I almost fell off the chair after reading
that.
I can't wait to hear the mage's reaction to the ganger's personal performance
of "Stomp".

__________________________________
Manx // timburke@*******.com.au // #950
"It's always funny until someone gets hurt
and then it's just hilarious." - Faith No More
__________________________________
Message no. 18
From: Number Ten Ox number_10_ox@**********.com
Subject: What kind of approach do you have to your SR game?
Date: Wed, 30 Jun 1999 12:57:05 -0700 (PDT)
---Scott Wheelock <iscottw@*****.nb.ca> wrote:
>
> "And now, a Channel 6 editorial reply to Number Ten Ox."
> ] But by god, once they earn that 10,000 Y doing shit jobs,
> ] they can be justifiably proudof their brand spanking new
> ] Wired Reflexes.
>
> Wow...I'd be proud too, having fleeced that Street Doc like
> that...10,000 nuyen for wires!
> :)
>
> -Murder of One

I was at work, and without my book. So sue me. :) :) :)

--Number 10.

_________________________________________________________
DO YOU YAHOO!?
Get your free @*****.com address at http://mail.yahoo.com
Message no. 19
From: Number Ten Ox number_10_ox@**********.com
Subject: What kind of approach do you have to your SR game?
Date: Wed, 30 Jun 1999 12:57:05 -0700 (PDT)
---Scott Wheelock <iscottw@*****.nb.ca> wrote:
>
> "And now, a Channel 6 editorial reply to Number Ten Ox."
> ] But by god, once they earn that 10,000 Y doing shit jobs,
> ] they can be justifiably proudof their brand spanking new
> ] Wired Reflexes.
>
> Wow...I'd be proud too, having fleeced that Street Doc like
> that...10,000 nuyen for wires!
> :)
>
> -Murder of One

I was at work, and without my book. So sue me. :) :) :)

--Number 10.

_________________________________________________________
DO YOU YAHOO!?
Get your free @*****.com address at http://mail.yahoo.com
Message no. 20
From: Number Ten Ox number_10_ox@**********.com
Subject: What kind of approach do you have to your SR game?
Date: Wed, 30 Jun 1999 13:05:18 -0700 (PDT)
---Manx <timburke@*******.com.au> wrote:
>
> At 09:50 29/06/99 -0700 Number Ten Ox wrote
> > (The Hermetic Mage bought up some land in Puyallup, cheap -- used
> >a couple earth elementals to level buildings -- and built a *garden* of
all
> >things. Free seeds to anyone who'd show up and help take care of it.
Which
> >reminds me, I gotta send a gang or something to stomp all over it.)
> >
>
> That, my friend, is piss funny. I almost fell off the chair after reading
> that.
> I can't wait to hear the mage's reaction to the ganger's personal
performance
> of "Stomp".

Knowing the mage? He'd likely repair the damage and then go after the
entire gang, to teach them manners.

Although that group is damned hard to predict. I threw "The Ubermen" --
an Adolf Hitler poser gang -- at them once. Thought it'd be a
nice cathartic shootout, no more than that.

The PC's got the drop on the gang with heavy magical mojo, and proceeded
to hold them at gunpoint while the troll went around and shaved
off their moustaches and forelocks. The (Jewish) dwarf decker filmed it all
on his cybereye, edited the film to substitute Dwight Eisenhower for the
troll's image, and dumped the finished product onto Shadowlands.

(Yeah, the Ubermen are wanting revenge. I'll wait another couple of
IC months and then drop a suitably beefed-up version of the gang on the
PC's. Figuring out who the Ubermen wenty to for mil-spec weaponry ought to
be an interesting followup. :))

--Number 10.
with violence
in mind.


> __________________________________
> Manx // timburke@*******.com.au // #950
> "It's always funny until someone gets hurt
> and then it's just hilarious." - Faith No More
> __________________________________
>
>
>
>

_________________________________________________________
DO YOU YAHOO!?
Get your free @*****.com address at http://mail.yahoo.com
Message no. 21
From: Manx timburke@*******.com.au
Subject: What kind of approach do you have to your SR game?
Date: Fri, 02 Jul 1999 00:22:19 +1000
> (Yeah, the Ubermen are wanting revenge. I'll wait another couple of
>IC months and then drop a suitably beefed-up version of the gang on the
>PC's. Figuring out who the Ubermen wenty to for mil-spec weaponry ought to
>be an interesting followup. :))
>
>--Number 10.

Damn I hate those Illoinios Nazi's......
__________________________________
Manx // timburke@*******.com.au // #950
"It's always funny until someone gets hurt
and then it's just hilarious." - Faith No More
__________________________________

Further Reading

If you enjoyed reading about What kind of approach do you have to your SR game?, 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!