Shadowrun - The Game

Discussion in 'Roleplaying Forum' started by Wolfsbane, Jan 27, 2014.

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  1. Wolfsbane

    Wolfsbane Well-Known Member

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    So Caesar has another mission. A certain person of the criminal persuasion is in possession of a data file that some people on the street are willing to pay a lot for (40K in total). The file is encoded, however, but Caesars people can probably hack it given time. Acquiring the cipher to that code would be a big bonus though (10K to be precise).

    The guy with the code is holed up in a private little fortress in one of the streets of the orcish ghetto. There should be a couple guards (one doorman included), an electric alarm and maybe then some. Not a problem if you got the right people.

    The file needs to be secured before it is moved to another location, which might happen at any time. Speed is key.

    Rookie lets Caesar know that she’ll take care of it, and starts going through her list of known associates. She messages some of them with an invitation to the usual bar at the usual time.
     
  2. ytzk

    ytzk Well-Known Member

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    Mister Beard appears as a very well dressed gentlemen, his black beard tied into a ponytail.

    The illusion is perfect, but beneath the spell is the distinct smell of a hobo.

    Also, he asks for a coffee and a sandwich as upfront payment.

    Count me in. If you can keep me from being shot, I can trick him out of that code, guaranteed. Omnomnom...
     
  3. Wolfsbane

    Wolfsbane Well-Known Member

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    (Well, I tried waiting for Zanza and Yuki. Let's proceed!)

    Cool. Glad you're enjoying the grub as well. Anyway, I know this guy who can sort out the eletrical part for us. He'll want a share, but I recon we can live without it if it means no nasty surprises. Also, he's got a sweet ride.

    Plan goes like this: we let my man, Spider, check the place out. Once he's done with the alarms, we "secure" the doorman and move inside. Once there we could try stealth or, and this one's my favourite, a more direct approach. We get the file, you get the cipher, we get the fuck out before the cavalry arrives. Thoughts or questions?
     
  4. ytzk

    ytzk Well-Known Member

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    Here's a plan, before we bother with doors or alarms, I astrally project over there and just check for people and magical defenses. If it's all mundane, I come back to my body, turn into a fly and buzz into the guy's office. When he's alone, I hypnotise him into walking out to the sidewalk and giving you the data, code and all.

    At best, it means the run takes less time than a drive through meal. At worst, I'll be completely helpless in there alone, without even a stitch of clothing let alone a weapon and probably a concussion from too much magic.

    So, how about we try the Drive-Thru plan, but if I signal you that it's not working, we go straight to kicking down the door?
     
  5. Wolfsbane

    Wolfsbane Well-Known Member

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    Rookie sits still, raised eyebrows and a silly expression on her face.

    Uh... Yeah... You can do that? Shit, I never bothered with magic before. But, if you think you're up for it, then go right ahead! Me and Spider will be 'round the corner if shit hits the fan.

    Later that evening, Rookie, Spider and Mr Beard are waiting in Spiders car, scoping out their target. Rookie turns to Mr Beard.

    Well, you're up I guess. Good luck!

    ***TACTICS***

    You go ahead and handle the bit with the magic. Searching the place for magical defences requires 1 success.
     
  6. ytzk

    ytzk Well-Known Member

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    Without his physical mask spell, Mr Beard is all hobo. He wears only a horrible old coat and an utterly unruly beard.

    He goes into a trance and leaves his body. (Go into astral space, one complex action.)
    His astral body is as distinguished as his illusion, but to Spider and Rookie it just seems like this stinking hobo fell asleep in their van.

    In astral space, invisible to all except spirits and those using astral sight, he flies quickly through the van's roof and over to the building.

    The colours and auras of astral space are a distraction, but he is able to locate the place.

    First, he must check for astral barriers, spirits, projecting mages or even the odd awakened-algae paint sometimes used to block astral incursions. As long as there were no other astral bodies, he could move freely and invisibly.

    Perception flip 2/3
    Anyone using astral sight or any astral bodies would be obvious.

    Stealth 0/3 anyone with astral sight would see him clearly.


    ***assuming it is all muggle, then this is what he does***

    Mr Beard attempts to float around the place, scouting out people and maybe astral walls. He moves around ten times faster than normal time, and acts four times faster. He cannot touch anything nonmagical in normal space, nor cast spells into normal space, but he can interact normally with spirits etc.

    In astral space, inside the structure, Mr Beard conjures a hearth spirit (nature spirit of a dwelling). This is invisible in normal space.

    Force 1
    Conjuring + 1 pool = 1/4 = 1 favour.
    Soak stun = charisma + 3 pool = 3/6 = 1 - 3 = < 0
    Save favour until later (spirit favours expire at twilight, dawn or dusk)
    Hello, how do you do? I'm just passing through but perhaps I might ask you to do a small favour later tonight? Thankyou so much.

    He dismisses the spirit and finishes his search before returning to his body. Time travels ten times faster in astral space, so he was only unconscious for a few minutes at most.
     
  7. Wolfsbane

    Wolfsbane Well-Known Member

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    Only one room is shielded from astral bodies. A small room at the top of the three storey building is impenetrable to astral sight and incursion. There seems to be some sort of spell at work in that room. Perhaps a barrier of some kind.

    Otherwise, Mr Beard is able to distinguish two people in the small garden inside the outer gates, and two more in a room on the second floor. Five visible people in all, doorman included.

    -

    When Mr Beard wakes up, both Rookie and Spider are watching him anxiously.

    Shit, man, you hardly breathed! Thought I was gonna have to call emergency services or something. Anyway, what did you find?
     
  8. ytzk

    ytzk Well-Known Member

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    Mister Beard relays his findings and scratches his head.

    We need a new plan.
    I could turn us both invisible and walk up to his door, for a start. Or maybe hypnotise the doorman and bring him into this discussion. He might have an idea, because I don't.
    Oh, wait, I know.


    *Casts physical mask to resemble one of the guards in the second floor room.*
    Force 2
    Sorcery 3 + pool 1 = 1/4 heads = force 2 + 0 = 2 successes to perception to notice.
    Soak willpower 3 + pool 3 = 2/6
    Stun = force 2 - soak 2 = 0

    He assumes the exact appearance of an orcish thug.
    He casts another physical mask on Rookie to make her appear like the other guard upstairs.

    with - 1 coins to all flips while maintaining his first spell.
    Force 2
    3+1-1=3/3 heads = force 2+2 = perception 4 successes to notice.
    Soak 2 - 3/5 = 0 stun.
    2 spells = -2 to all flips

    We can bluff our way in to his office. Then you hold him down for a minute while I magic his brains out.
    You make a convincing orc, young lady.
     
  9. Wolfsbane

    Wolfsbane Well-Known Member

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    I oughta punch you for that, don't I? Ah well, later. Showtime.

    Rookie, now looking like an orcish thug, gets out of the car and walks over to the foorman all casual like. The guard gives the two approaching figures a strange look and cocks her head to the side.

    Roach? Slide? What the crap are you doin out here? Ain't you supposed to be inside with Uncle?

    Rookie looks at the orc beside her, not sure if she's the bug or the toy, and feels her hands beginning to sweat.

    Testing Negotiation (I guess?) CHA 2 -1 (no skill) = 0/1 successes

    Uh, she grunts as orc like as she can, We were on an... errand. For Uncle. He told us.

    Judging by the perplexed expression on the guards face, Rookie surmises that her ruse hasn't worked. She looks to her orc-looking-bum-magician-companion for help.
     
  10. ytzk

    ytzk Well-Known Member

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    Their voices and faces are exact likenesses of the goons, but neither of them are going to get academy awards for this performance.

    Negotiation, (default to Charisma -1) = 2 (-2 all flips) = 0 coins for lying.

    "We just got wasted. Shhh."
    Mr Beard is preoccupied enough to seem intoxicated, so he's rather proud of this lie.
    "Just let us in and I'll hook you up later. Shhh."

    Flip Perception (Intelligence; no pool) = ? Requires 2 successes to penetrate illusion on Mr B, or 4 successes on Rookie.

    If he looks like he's about to radio for confirmation, or if he sees through the illusions, Mr Beard gets ready to act...
    If this doesn't work, I'm going for this 'Uncle' while armour-girl and van-man draw the heat. I can't keep this up all night.
     
  11. Wolfsbane

    Wolfsbane Well-Known Member

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    Uncle's gonna have your asses for this, I'm gonna have to tell him later. Just get back to your post and sober the fuck up.

    The doorman lets them through and into the small garden in front of the house. Two more guards are sitting there, playing cards. They look up at Mr Beard and Rookie, furrowing their brows, but fortunately they stay silent. From there it's a stair up to the second level (there's no visible door leading into the first). When the two of them have climbed the stairs, Rookie turns to Mr Beard.

    I thought I was gonna have to waste him, swear to the gods. I guess you gotta get some lucky breaks once in a while though. What's next?
     
  12. ytzk

    ytzk Well-Known Member

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    Mister Beard eases the door open and they sidle into the hallway, then he drops the spells.

    *whispers*
    Phew.

    Okay, let's just tip toe up to the third floor room and try our luck. Stealth 2+2 pool = ?/4

    Whatever happens, even if it gets loud, I need to lock eyes on Uncle before he sees me, so it's up to you to get that door open and him distracted.

    *to the hearth spirit, telepathic message*
    Hello, please help us sneak past these two guys, thanks.

    The simple hearth spirit could have concealed the pair in shadows, but it chose a different tact.

    Manifesting as a pigeon, it flew in to the room where the two real orcs sit, bounced off the windows and fluttered against the far ceiling. Force 1 spirit = 1 for all stats/spells.

    *whispers*
    Now!

    He attempts to sneak past the goons to the third floor. Reserves 2 pool for dodge.
     
  13. Wolfsbane

    Wolfsbane Well-Known Member

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    (You can flip your own coins, I trust you)

    The two ruffians in the kitchen look up as the pigeon crashes into the window, giving Mr Beard and Rookie a chance to get past them without violence. Rookie follows Mr Beards initiative and scurries after him, finger on the trigger in case of fuckup.

    Testing Stealth 1 + QUI 4 = 2/5 (1 required). Success!

    Huh, Rookie whispers, No problemo.

    Coming up the stairs, there's a single closed door leading into the only room on the floor. There's a piece of red cloth nailed to the boards on the door. It has a strange black symbol painted on it.

    Uh... Is that something magic? You said earlier that you couldn't scope this room. Could that have something to do with it?

    (I'm guessing Aura Reading (2 successes required) to uncover the symbols secrets)
     
  14. ytzk

    ytzk Well-Known Member

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    Stealth 2/4

    *telepathy to spirit*
    Heheh, well done, thankyou.

    When the two runners have snuck past, the spirit flies away again and evaporates, returning to its native plane.

    Aura Reading 2/3

    *whispers*
    Probably a sustaining focus for the barrier; we can ignore it on this plane. Just open the door nice and easy and I will get ready to cast the mindfuck while you draw his attention or punch him him in the face or whatever. Ready?

    But wait, what's this symbol? Hmm...
     
  15. Wolfsbane

    Wolfsbane Well-Known Member

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    The symbol is indeed a nexus for the astral barrier, however, it does serve an additional purpose. It seems to be a sort of universal magic dampener (in effect, this makes your spells require an extra success to succeed/or it gives you a -1 coin pool when performing magic, whatever's more in line with the system).

    Ok, so I rush the guy while you magic him? I can do that. Just signal when you're ready.

    (If you decide to go ahead with the plan, you can control Rookie while performing it to decrease the number of posts needed in response).
     
  16. ytzk

    ytzk Well-Known Member

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    Rookie bursts through the door, and into a commando roll.

    She stands and aims her rifle at the room's occupant. She surely has his full attention.

    This is it, the big gamble.

    Control Thoughts force 3
    Sorcery 3 + 3 pool -1 = 5 coins (first success is worth 3)
    = 2 heads = force 4
    Opposed Spell.
    Flip Target willpower coins (no spell defense pool due to distraction?) +/- bonus/penalties.
    3 or less heads = hypnotised.
    4 heads required to resist
    5+ heads = spell backfires.

    Soak stun 5 with willpower 3 + 1 pool -1 = 2 heads.
    Stun = 5 - 2 = 3
    - 3 coins to all tests for stun, (-1 for sustaining spell)
    seriously concussed but still standing.

    Stop! Wait! We're all friends here, right Uncle?

    You called us here remember? You're going to give us the data and the encryption code, you're going to help us get out secretly, then you're going to forget we ever came here.

    All part of the plan, remember?


    Mr Beard's ears start to bleed as he attempts to overcome his opponent's will...
     
  17. Wolfsbane

    Wolfsbane Well-Known Member

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    Uncles gaze is shifting from Rookie to Mr Beard. His mouth is open, but he isn't making a sound. There is fear in his eyes, but mostly confusion. Small beads of sweat are beginning to show on his forehead. He swallows audibly.

    Yeah, the plan, I remember, he says, We're cool. Just point the gun in another direction, ok?

    Mr Beard can feel his thought-tentacles getting a good grip on Uncles mind. The spell worked despite of the magic dampener.

    I've got the file on my computer right here, he continues, you just gotta download it. The code's on the bottom floor, though, so we've gotta go there to get it.

    We can do that, Rookie says and looks to Mr Beard, Right? Are you ok by the way? You're bleeding, man.
     
  18. ytzk

    ytzk Well-Known Member

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    Mr Beard nods, tight-lipped and pale.

    With a thought, he directs Uncle to download the file onto a chip, which he hands to Rookie, and then to escort them both covertly downstairs.

    Mr Beard leans heavily on Rookie for support.

    *target may roll willpower (4 heads needed) to resist every ten minutes or whenever he is compelled to do something especially self destructive, (like shooting himself or his allies, for example).
     
  19. Wolfsbane

    Wolfsbane Well-Known Member

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    The trio descends through the building without any fuss. Uncle takes them through a security door at the bottom floor and switches the light on as Rookie and Mr Beard enters the room. The sight that meets them is... upsetting.

    Holy shit... Rookie whispers, They've got kids down here, Beardie.

    12 children in various states of consciousness have been stuck in cages and stacked on top of each other in two neat rows in the far corner of the room. Some of them have evidence of recent surgery and/or torture on them. One of them looks up at the newcomers with tired eyes, but doesn't say anything.

    What the fuck is this for? Rookie demands, turning her gun on Uncle even though he's under the spell, What are you doing with these kids?

    They're part of the business, Uncle replies without hesitation. Spare parts and shit like that. They're just gutter rats anyway, noone's gonna miss 'em.

    Rookie looks at Mr Beard with murder in her eyes.

    I don't know about you, but I wanna waste this fucker... What do we do now?
     
  20. ytzk

    ytzk Well-Known Member

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    Mister Beard is stunned by the atrocity.

    Motherfuckers.

    Eyes glittering, he compels Uncle to retrieve the code which he gives to Rookie.

    I don't know what to do, Rookie.

    Uncle! Call your men and tell them to evacuate immediately. Tell them Lonestar has been tipped off and there's a swat team coming. Tell them to lay low until you contact them.

    Then, unlock these cages, hand over your weapons and comms, and sit in that cage. Do it!

    We can call Lonestar on our way out; they're going to need paramedics to move these kids. Let's move.


    *assuming that plan works*

    After relaying the message to his men, Uncle is locked into a cage with instructions to wait quietly for the police and then to confess his crimes (assuming he hasn't been killed by Rookie or the street kids by then).

    Once the other guards have left the premises, race out to Spider's van and burn rubber, putting in an anonymous call to Lonestar as they go.

    Mr Beard astrally projects back to the building to make sure the authorities arrive and the children are saved.

    Later, when the dust has settled...

    Maybe we should look at this data before handing it over? This job is starting to stink.
     
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