From:	Chris Siebenmann <cks@********.UTCS.TORONTO.EDU>
Subject:	Re: On Essence
Date:	Sun, 4 Oct 92 18:33:59 -0400

| The way I look at it, there are at least three very real ways that you
| have game balance in SR with cyberware.
| 1) Cash Outlay
| 2) Difficulty in Finding
| 3) Illegality

But what about during character creation? 1 is only a minor problem
with a million nuyen to play with, 2 is inapplicable, and 3 is only a
minor concern -- shadowrunners are *already* in trouble if the law
catches up to them. The same thing for a 'regeneration' system; what
happens when someone wants to create the 10-year cybersoldier veteran?

Social distaste assumes that one flaunts the cyberware. I dunno about
you, but I classify the cybered into two general classes:
- the chromed muscle-boys: ostentatiously chromed, these people are
intimidators. The message is 'my boss spent a large sum of money to
make me into something that could snap your back without working up
a sweat, do you really want to piss us off?'
Typically has maybe 50k nuyen worth of cyberware, tops. Usually not
PCs.
- the cybered for effect: no chrome. not being noticed is a stock in
trade, and chrome eyes or bulging dermal armor are right out. These
people *use* their cyberware, and want to keep it hidden for that
extra edge. Most PCs. :)

You can shun the first type, but finding the second type is going to
be hard.

Note that the world also seems to assume that things like chipjacks
and datajacks are common augmentations for sararimen on the way up.
Hard to keep people with them out of the posh restaurants without
pissing lots of going-to-be-powerful people off.

- cks