Joe Q. Public

There is a long and hearty mix of movies that exhibit the CP styling, just look in the post to find more.

To limit the Genre to one movie is close minded and please state that. If people are closeminded and try to play CP2020, well let's just say that it starts to look alot like 2nd Ed D&d where everyone I ran into was playing a pregenerated stereotype and it left nothing to the imaginations of the players.

Be Young, push the limits in your games, and always have the GM able to stay 1 step ahead of the players!

Considering that I have lived for a while in what one would call a 'low level safe house" (i.e. I could house traveling and runaway punks for a while until they could move on and such) I really think that if the option was played right it could open up a whole new place fro PCs to lurk and look for others to hide.  

Consider this:

Until 1995 I could hold up a person for up to 3 months (limited to the availablity of space and personality of the person) until they could get thier stuff straight and get themselves a fake ID that could run. The new 'shoes' would on average cost between $500-$2500 for the average guy and cold take as little as a week and as long as a month to acquire in Chicago (until the feds raided them in the fall of '95). During tis time I would set them up to either do day labor w/ connections I had in the food/construction industry so they could earn enough to buy themselves out or if it was a tragic cases of family abuse, they could work off the expense of thier food and such but doing chores and running earronds. I only had one person I had to kick out for not being decent, but then again the scene I was living in was pretty tight-knit and no one would rat out one of thier friends for the cops.

High level people and safe housing would have to have higher security and standards (prehaps all the way to having an armed solo escort for each customer) and therefore would have a higher cost in CP. But as with all things CP, if ya git ther bucks, we can help you.

Considering that the base rule is that anything that requires a BOD of 8  or less (most stuff) can be fired by anyone, I find the question of min. BOD to be moot. Heck I fired a Browning Highpower .44 Cal when I was 12 and although I would've made it my weapon of choice, I could still shoot OK w/ it.

Now, using a .50 Cal Desert eagle on  the other hand, let's just say it should be a BOD 9-10 for that bad boy...

I have a diverse and opulaent list of bioware to choose from from my PCs but as stated earlier, it cost quite a bit, and considering that my PCs are working thier butts off to stay one step ahead of the competion(nothing nastier than sending 2 team on the same job...) unfortunately they rarely get around to getting the stuff put in (takes alot more time for installation than metal does)

But, as they say, humanity is a wonderful equalizer for Bioware when it comes to cyberpsychosis.

Bioware still create the illusions of immortality and thus will still mess w/ the humanity issue, but not as much as having that unfeeling shrome arm at your side.

I love it, and my PCs have started to opt for it when they are of a caliber in which they can afford it, so I say MORE Bioware please! Let's give those Chrome Heads what for!

Considering that the CP2020 chromebooks and the like were written in the '90s, I think that the speed and scale of computer aided gear is totally out of touch w/ what it would really look like in 2020.

For example, the Comp Suite in a case from Chrome 2 was still working in MHz speeds. Considering that my PC, which was put together VERY cheap is at 1.2 GHz I think that the products are a bit outdated.

It also brings up the example of a Short story I'm reading in which minitureiization has come to the effect of Comp, run clothing and jewely.

For example: an earring translator for you businessmen, just install a micro-jack into you ear lobe and plug it in. Stylish and Functional considering the leap in nanomachines that is now available.

The Cyber suit that updates it's wearer of finacial and global news constantly on the corner of thier cyberoptic. It could be done using today's wireless update networks advanced another 20 or so years.

Functional Grist (to steal a term) that not only polishes your teeth and trims your beard (Chrome 3-4 I think) but imbedded into structures of tables and chairs to keep them clean and sturdy. All powered by limited range broadcast energy sources and phantom power commands and links (availiable in today's pro audio equiptment.

The list of new technological advances is staggering I know, but really, these characters are supposed to be on the EDGE right? and the fact that these micro units may have a high upkeep price and limited wervice life alos re-enforces the old stand by of

"sytle over substance" and "the future is disposable" and my own of "if it's cool and not disposable, it's gonna cost you in upkeep or orginaly purchase price.

Considering that I use the classic RTG Weapon skills (pistol, SMG, Rifle, Heavy Weapons) and don't let my PC's start w/ anything higher than a 5 unless the campaign calls for heavy hitters, I think the skills work as they sit.

Before I get the mountains of cat calls and stuff let me tell ya why.

Having shot pistols, SMGs and rifles (sorry nothing Heavy xcpt home-made cannons and Mortors) I can definatly say that if you are a good shot through pricatice, what makes you a good shot is the fact that you have a bit of natural ability, lots of on-time experience w/ your type of weapon, and the knowlegde of how the weapon of your type handles (at least w/ small arms). Therefore the sytem works unless your charcters suffer from some sort of had injury and lose that sort of skill. Autofire is pretty amazing the first couple of times you use it, but considering that I can spray a target in half (it was mannequin torsos for me) relatively effectively I can see it not being an issue w/ someone who uses it all the time. Now remeber I'm not talking 3" centers here but true spray and pray tactics do apply if you know and are comfortable w/ your firearm.

But, as said before, new weapon and the "how do I drop the clip in this SOB factor does definately come to play and the stress of acting under fire is defiantely a factor that a GM should keep aware of (that Aware/Notice roll is a bit hard when there is gunfire all about you, no?).

I leave the rule the way it stands w/ the caveat of if there is more than select 3-rd burst going on w/ your charcter, expect some negatives to hitting anything accurately (good luck calling your shots in other words)

Supressive fire is a genuine useful tactic, but let's be honest, when you are doing it, you really aren't expecting to hit anything. As the old Nam vets I knew would tell me (they were artillery gunners) if ya really want to kill the Gooks on the line, ya threw in a Special into the 105 cannon and wathced the flesh fly as it followed the big fireball.

If ya want to know what the Special was, Email me and I'll tell you, but let's just say here htat it DEFINATELY was against the Geneva Convention laws of weaponry...

"like a woman eh?' Soft and almost under her voice. Lets Will hit the doorjamb a bit (sexist pig!) and helps him regain his balance.

"Hey Po'er, let's pick him up, you gentlemen do have com units, right?" Looks at the boys as if testing just what caliber folks shes working with.

"Besides, I could use some REAL meat, and Willy here is ready to buy, let's pick his russian ass up and get something and go to bed, OK?"

No but really now folks, you out there has actually had to deal w/ this little bit of OMG nastiness.

BTW, have I found a device of destuction that actually dumbfounds the Mighty Phipps

...news at 11

It seem that the lovely US gov is hiring new students to do a major in Internet Security. It's being funded in a select few univeristies nation wide and it involves a background check, a 2 year commitment, and get this a manditory summer internship at one of several government instituions. The Program not only teaches it's people how to break into all the lovely encryption and passwords of your choice, but also how to glean info from packetized messages sent noline to various servers of your choice.

So... all of you who are interested, it is not only run by full ride scholarship but there is also a stipend of $1,000 a month plus housing.

Those of you who have incriminating things on your drive and a DSL connection, don't think that Firewall will help,

My best friend Bry was cutting through 4 key encryption at the tender age of 14.

Enjoy you feelings of security...

I'd like to bring up a bugaboo for many GMs I've met and the 4letter word that always gets a sick look on all thier faces is:

ORBITLLERY

Yeah, I know you all know what it is, and frankly coming from the world as an old Paranoia GM w/ the "you let them do WHAT!!! Why didn't-cha kill the bastards?!?!?! it never became an issue in my campaign.

But in this forum of Armament and "Nigga, you ain't gonna believe this..." gun smithing I'd like to see what do ya all think about the subject and if you've dealt w/ it, how? and more fitting my questions.... WHY?

Hey you ammo fan-boys out there I have the of Edge of the Sword Compendium 1 of Small Arms and it gives a diredt conversion factor for real ammo to the Interlock System as well as others.

Having an associate that owns a WW1 anit-tank rifle (38mm steel round) this book has come in handy.

And yes, it's a bolt action, single shot rifle made to be shot w/ the butt UNDER the arm (regular it will deifinately break something. and having seen it shot once into an armour car the SWAT team was practicing on and seeing it pass through the car lengthwise, through the sand hill backing the range and finally stoping in the engine block of the captain's squad car I can testify I've seen nothing like it one heaven and earth.

BTW: I am due to inherit it when my friend dies, and there's still about 60 rounds left!!!!!

Sorry to say it folks, but I've shot a 50 cal Desert Eagle hadgun. Yes, the rounds are a bit shorter(pistol sized) but still after shooting it and almost breaking my face w/ the recoil, I'd have to say that unless you are about 6'10" and 320 lbs.+ and can lift up the front of a squad car by yourself (the owner of this peice use all 3 of these -shutter!-) I wouldn't suggest laying down the $1500 for one of these sweeties. Besides who wants to pay 2 bucks a shot to get used to it?

I've fallen in love w/ corrigated card stock walls w/ half slits in them about evey 2-2.5 inches in them of varying size. Not only are the dirt cheap, they are very diverse and usable in a on the fly situation.

Besides, Geo-Hex is not cheap man, heck, what's it going for these days?

To paraphase the Ianus Games Dark Metropolis book:

Asylums can be very useful in a campaign when characters get into deep trouble w/ a corp or similarly powerful org. They are a social reaction to decreasing proltection from the police. Characters can hid out in one indefinatly (I use this to retire some PCs) and then resume campaign when they get out. Hopefully the reason that they went  in will no longer exist whe they leave.

They vary in this system by Size, Security Lvl, Secrecy Lvl,and Comfrt LVl.

The system is a good one for base numbers for quick generation and giving that all important diff factor to find (a must when GMing for 12-16hrs straight).

I love it, and if there is anything that you folks are using, I'd love to hear from you.

Asylum rules;

Do ya use them in your campaigns, if so, what is you basis of operation, if not, why?

Will expand on this later....

I always figured that Ripperdoc is a base stereotype (archtype if you will) and the availablitiy of unliscensed practictioners getting good equiptment being a problem, lets just say in NOW terms, if you can call the company, and have an office space (requardless of neighborhood) and can pay for your first equiptment purchases in cash, then you to can buyjust about anything your little heart desires as far as euiptment goes. Trust me, I am not a MD and I own a x-ray machine (no joke chombatta).

Now, if you're looking for just a patchman that works out of the back room of a whorehouse, well that's another story. But remeber (see the Intercourse Bar description and ask about running Asylums in you campaign if curious) that like all things cyberpunk, there is the Haves and the Gettings as well as Hoave Nots, who your characters choose and can afford to work w/ is up to you as a GM.

(PS. Hey Phipps what about the Lawyer Purge of 1996?)

"one momment William  my friend, a girl's got to um... freshen up first" steps to the john and washes her face quickly w/ some hot water and brushes her tongue a but to fight off the mouth funk of that nasty burrito. "I will be right there Will, reaches into her bag, pulls out the gold tumbler w/ the residue in it,(have to run through it later), checks the action on her gun (everything fine here) drop off her kit of medi-supplies on the bed and 'helps' Will out the door carring her piece and a quick patch kit,(just in case).

"Por'er, our friend here seems to have emptied his stomach and I too would love to see what passes for chinese here. Interesting, no?" smiles her 'you really want to do this' smile, "Where is Ivan and the truck, I now he could go for something to eat?"

Stops for a momment, looks around for Ivan, and goes back for her stuff (barring the tumbler) -what was I thinking leaving my livelyhood on this crappy bed? Bonks self onthe forehead.

Zips up medikit bag, unzips gun bag for access, turns to Will (he still standing?) and scans again for Ivan (that hunk of Russian love!)

Sorry Guys,

I really do not think that the capital expense thing is a problem at all, before you all rant on me, just think.

We have all seen the freestanding imaging centres that offer not only x-ray (at about $250,000 a room to set up) but ultrasound (at around $60-100,000 a machine and around $15,000 a probe) but also CT scanners (again about $400,000 a crack) and MRI (oh yeah!!! 1- 2 mil. a peice includeing the suite need to put them in).

Who owns and runs these places?  Doctors. Usually a group of 4-20, and they do it w/ a grin the size of Texas because.. now come on you can guess this one... They will recoup the money in about 1-2 years free and clear. Now this isn't just talking about the equiptment, but also the employees who run the bloody machines and the office staff to bill for all this lovelyness.

Freestanding cyberclinics w/ surgicentres stocked to the 9's, not a stretch at all brother, just look around you, look hard.

"Thanks for being frank Por'er, I will do what I can w/ Ivan, but I warn you if anythng happens to me, I have no problem just picking up and goingt." give a knowing look. "If you have anyway to get me a digital recorder, please acquire it, I can do side jobs of mnemonic couriering and will make real sure that if anyone tries to lie to us that they will experience the full spectrum of my distaste." Show the poser hoser in the bag.(discreetly)."plus, my friend it is... how do you amerikans say it.. colder than a witches tet in a brass bra and I need some clothing that will work in this environ, shaky hands do sloppy work, no?"(smiles devilishly)

Walks up to the room, waits for one of the gentlemen to let her in...(what do i see before stepping in?)

Carry a gun came w/ the job of carrying about 3-4grand in cash on the average weekend night and not wanting to lose it, as well as using it to make some money when i was a younger man and in need of some very fast cash to keep me 2 weeks ahead of the eviction notice.

G Blitz, hey man it happens. I buried 14 friends all under the age of 28 before I was 20 and now looking back it was luck alone that kept me alive through what I did. Sorry it was a family member, unfotunately more people are done by the lifestyle than do the lifestyle and live to tell.

Again, sorry for your loss, I think I may have a bit of understanding on that issue you deal w/.Peace out.

Yeah, it made me a crimminal, but hey, when you've got nothing left to lose but your life, crime doesn't look so bad...

I play because it gives me an out for my criminal and schemeing tendencies. Sociopathic, no... at least I hope I'm not, but until I met my wife, life was worth $4.25/hr and therefore was cheap on the whole. Thank God I lived to tell.

The edge is there my friends, but let me assure anyone wanting to try it as a way of life, it's real D#MNed Sharp! Alot never make it back the same, and it isn't really fun and games to live it.

I've had blue hair for 4 years.

I ran a punk rock promotion company from the age of 15 to 22.

I've been shot during illegal activity.

My jacket has 893 studs in it and I've slept in it more times than I should admit.

I can discern edible from non edible when picking my meal from a dumpster.

I've gotten rid of 2 handguns that had the numbers filed off.

I drive a dark tinted windowed van that is always playing a lot of great punk and industrial.

My wife thinks I am better off living cleanly, and that my old lifestyle would've eventually killed me.

I did own a pirate cellphone.

Most of my friends and associates were either criminals or cops(the line is narrower that you would think )

I've conducted business w/ a full sized shotgun under my 1941 black full grain leather trenchcoat.

I have a second set of ID papers ... just in case

I wear glasses for driving (I wish I had optics sooo badly!)

I've augmented several people's bodies for fashion or thier 'art'

I can freehand surgery w/ the near appropraite tools..

What do ya think?

Now Phipps, who actually only gets the semi auto gun when putting in the effort for a cybergun? Really if you're willing to eat that much humanity, why wouldn't ya want to go full auto.

I think that you misunderstood, i didn't mean that the lovely, supercorp cybergun developement was illiegal (and if it was, well that 5 bucks extra!) but the fact that these Joe 6packs are going out, and getting one installed into this metal arm (and just when did they decide to go w/ a metal one when cloning is easy). YOu got to think that to make this cognitive descion to get a cyberextremity one has to be pretty determined to use it. Not to metion 1 shot optics and slice n dices. let's just say that the voluntary removal of a body part and replacement w/ a killing machine is why the humanity cost is there and that cyberpsychosis is a fact.

but as all things, it's just a matter of style and opinion

Hey all!

I find the idea of riperdocs and the shadow clinic not at all far fetched considering that,

1.If ya get shot now in present times in the US, there is first stabilization then before the sutures even have a second to be cleaned there is Police presence there asking just how did ya get shot. If ya go to a doc-in-a-box in a less repreable side of town, its all care, no questions w/ the appropriate amount of cash.

2. Considering that the debacle of health insurance and reimbursment gets progressivly worse as i suspect (the average doc only gets about 50-60% of all thier accounts payable already) I have no strech seeing private docs opening up private surgicentres and such to take care of patients in all forms of surgery for cash on the barrel head. Heck, we already have working prototyes of stand alone Emergency rooms here in the states and I've personally worked for a for-profit surgicentre in Chicago a couple of times to do on the fly angiography during procedures.

3. Heck, considering that lovely cybergun you want was devoloped, tested, and set to be installed totally illegally why would you question the availablity of a doc just itching to take you cash, put it in, and drug you up to wake up in your friends apartment w/ a slight oozing wound.

Hey guys,

I know that everyone is trying to re-invent the wheel here, so Fuzion bites, Interlock is a basically good system if a GM can keep things under control.

Just remeber, the BOD stat is a bit beasty, but look to that if ya don't want PCs running around w/ a 12 in it, just don't make it available unless it's at a ferocous cost.  The tech in the Chrome books, etc. is great but considering that money doesn't grow on trees and surgery and cyber is expensive (see comments on Cyberware prices and What do Characters do w/ all this cash)

I know that it takes alot of info on the system and a bit of chutzpah to pull of running a game balanced for a long time, but to re-write all the rules yourself seems a bit unpractical to me as a GM. Heck, writting a good flowing story and making it diverse enough to run in w/o feeling led is hard enough.

But hey, if ya really want to re-invent the wheel, have fun, I hope it comes out great, and if it does, email me a copy

My players in the Chicago Campaign i left could be described as sharks in a pool full of Shoggoths...

But as a rule I like to keep the PCs starting in the middle of the road a far as skill goes, things that come too easy too quick are seldom appreciated..