Joe Q. Public

Hey again folks,

Considering that I think none of ya have been to the Windy City, I figured that I would supply a reference for a map of the area and the city, considering that it is a heck of a lot easier to descirbe how far things are if ya have something to scale to.

The link for the Chicago Metro area map(current) is

www.metrarail.com, provided from the good people of Metra and Amtrak

and a city bus/train map and schedule is

Considering that the map is little chaged as far as streets goes and I figure on only adding one major structure (the Unicom Arcology dowm in the SW side) I think it may be helpful to your players to become semi-familiar w/ the city layout.

If you need further info, weather, climate ETC, that will be provided by me, just ask, I'll be very detailed.

Where the large Cemetaries are in the toady map of Chicago in Melrose Park, There is a 20 level Arcology mall that is knwn as the Unicom Arcology. More details later, let's just say that it's chok full of good things, consumer and otherwise New Edison Mall (yeah I ripped it off, sue me!)

The New Edison Arcology is a expansive building shaped in an octogon when veiwed from above and consist of 50 levels, the first 20 are given to shops, resturants, spas and teh various thing that make you go "mmm" for the happy consumer.

the Various levels are denoteded mainly by thier stock and items for sale.

There is a L spur off the SW Blue line that continues into the 8th floor as wel as various landing bays for AV and vtol craft on the 30th. On the roof is limited access landing (i.e. "you are exactly who now?...) and all outlaying entrances are well maintained and armed accordingly. Parking is not free but easily validated by way of purcahse.

The AcroMall is run and owned in conjunction with UniCom corporatin and Amersham/ Theragenics RadioProducts, who maintains the supercollider that is set on some subfloor under the arcology.

The Alley is a punk rock mainstay in the Chicago area since 1977, and has readily supplied said group for almost 50 years now. It is known as both a wonderful cornicopia of goods ranging from clothes and the patented "$68 Biker jacket, to all sorts of footwear new and used.

In the last few decades it has been a repository for jacket that not only supply the Punk scene, but also the Chicago PD, having the reputation that was earned since 86 when they made the patented Chicago Police leather jacket and gave 20% discounts tothe boys in blue.

In the last 20 years it has also been an area that one could, w/ the right connection either buy, or find a person to buy from, the vast array of marginally legal good ranging from drugs, guns, melee weapons that actually can take the use, to ID's and fresh food.

It has been a place for all, and for none of the squeamish or pigheaded.

Entrance being on the alley off Belmont, W of Clark, it is well fortified VS gang rushing, and armed and partoled by all who shop there.Tranist map

Things to think of in generation:

SIN#, do you have it or are you a Zero? Make a choice and stick w/ it. IDs can be bought of varying quality but all cost money

Account Number: Think of a 11 digit # and send it to me w/ the bank system of your choice (choices below) and Have a Mother's Madien name to give for confirmation

The All Important $$$$

The formula is easy (and all munchkin abuse of it will disqualify your character in a new York minute)

Characters age -18 = yrs they've been a professional at thier job

(yrs working) X 12 X (Top of month Salary at SA level graduated from low to max 1 yr at the top level)X 0.2 = Starting cash for developement

Example, Jack Shitt, Fixer Streetdeal of 6 age 23:

4(yrs Pro) X12(months in a year)X 1500 eb X.2=14,400

PLUS

1(yr at top level)X12X 3000X.2=7,200

GIVES HIM 21,600EB to start his character with.

Considering that I am waiving surgery for implants and am a bit lienent on the purchase and acquisition of a cheap vehicle according to charcter background this should be enought to euqipt and provide you character w/ an address, some furnishings, and a real foot print in thier world. Addresses for apartments can be found on www.Apartmenthunter.com, click on Chicago IL, USA and use the today values and pass it one to me in a link on an email.

Well besides the obvious here are a few more

Additional Skills:

Archaeology(Int): Allows dating and identification of artifacts from past cultures and detecting fakes. Having thoroughly inspected a site, the user might deduce the purposes and way of life of those who left the remains. Expert Specializations would be n paticular cultures and periods.

Astronomy(Int): The user knows how to find out which stars and planets are overhead at a particular day or hour of the day or night, when eclipses and meteor showers occur, and the names of important stars. An academic might be able to calculate orbits, discuss stellar life cycles, or have a specialty such as radioastronomy.

Occult(Int): This skill will allow the PC to relfect a base knowlege of occult rituals and spellcraft as to what the basis of the spell/ ritual they observe being cast. It will help the player identify the historical validity and potence of said items and the outcomes that the caster intended.

Forensics(Int) The individual is skilled at gathering and interpreting evidence at the scene of a crime or accident. Special forensics equipment is sometimes need. The character learns to look for fresh blood splatters and footprints(+2), fingerprinting techniques(+4) Fibre and hair sampleing (+5) and DNA sampleing techniques (+7)

Linguistics(Int x2cost) This sill denotes the understanding of languages and language families, no the actual comprehension of other languages. Characters w/ linguistics can:

Understand sonething spoken in a dialect of a language they know(Avg), Undersand somethine explained slowly in a language in the same family as one they know(Diff), Identify the family of a language being spoken (Routine), Identify the exact language being spoken(Avg), Manufature a new language(v.Diff), Understand a completely foriegn language to one they know(EX.Diff).

Video Manipulation(Tech) : Gives the character knowledge in altering video footage. Note that while video cassettes can be altered, the altering of digital media is known by players of this skill (the prior being a expert specialization). Alteration is based on the level of change such as: Swithc one person's face w/ another- change the apperance of an item (20, add/ swithc one whole person w/ another(25), Erase the presence of one person entirely(30). The base time for forgery is one hour per 5 levels of difficulty, and for every hour less, +5 to the difficulty of the roll, -5 for every hour extra taken for completeion of the task.

Trashing(Tech): This is the skill of finding out information on a subject by going through the trash of that subject.

Well folks, if ya want anything cybery or biowarey, and ya can find the description and rules for it, chances are unless it's totally crazy, and you can pay for it w/ your starting cash, odds are that I'll let it fly BUT!

I use the rules out of Grim's Cybertales for calculating the actual response of the losses of humanity, so you may end up w/ a bit more than a minor tick for that pair of wild and crazy cyberwings you asked for.

Surgery cost will be waived on the most part for intial 'ware, but this will be reenforced at the start of game, choose wisely, choose well.

Armour: Frankly I don't allow armour layering. If your are concerned enough about your character's safety that you want to shuffle around like the Michelin Man, then maybe you shouldn't go parading aroundin a fire fight. If it's in the standard RTG supplements, Fine. If you have some earth-shattering idea, drop it. I figure w/ the leanecy that I am providing, amour should not be an over concern.

Eurostyle genetic stat raising will not be allowed in this campaign (it's just too broken)

Weapon availabity is limited to the RTG books except the Stormfront suppliments. Frankly I am not ready to allow ETE rifles in my game, sorry.

If you are looking into any weaponry that is availabity Poor or Rare to begin with, you better have one heck of a story of WHY you have it. 'Nuff said

Well too nice to newbies? No, I thnk you did just fine.

Fail, learn and remember is the order of higher learning afterall....

OK folks, just to see the rules in action... (no offense OK_

Who of you think that I am uncontrolably sexy?

I know you all have been admiring my genitals and thinking and hoping...

oh when oh when will I have a chance at the magic dick on The Public

Well this is your chances boys and girls of ALL ages!!!!

Step up tothe line and have you mommy or daddy pay the happy little elf in the front of the line, administer the lube that the elf gives you to the appropriate orafice and just see want Public Claus has hiding in his sack for you...

(OK CJ, that ought to be good for one warning)

Rule the Day

Harry, my nizzle... no need for the shizzle dizzle.

just throw it at my yahoo

public138@yahoo,

cuz life is just too short for the emptying of this pile of messages I have accumualted (that and I'm lazy as hell)

... just brush that dirt off ya shoulder dog...

Not to kick ya in the balls further 187 (cuz I think that's been done enough)

The issue of customizing a rifle into a poserhoser of sorts comes up very very often, Every GM should remember a few quick rules:

1. If it in intial generation, you should really get a good backup story. Things like this are unique and require at least that much effort from your players for justification.

2. Limit to the strength of the campaign. Too many GMs let player who sit around crunching rules and numbers override thier campaign w/ a cleverly devise munchitasic weapon or mod. Just don't let it happen

3. In game, make modifications count. Either through Weapoonsmith rolls and cash, or just finding the guys to do it and the oddles of cash and lead time that most weaponsmiths need. (IRL it really is a long time, now think about the demand in the CP2020 world)

4. If you give it up once, they will look for it again in the future.

This holds true w/ anything, just keep an eye on what you are giving the players to use, and be ready for them to try to twist it to death for thier advantage.

Well that's all from the mountain on this, although I'm sure others will chime in in kind...

Harry!!!

Hey ya silly old fart, You up tothe PUblic?

The public be up to you if ya are willing to give the details.....

Hit me baby, I'm due for a GM that will reply in a timely manner

To answer a question for Encata,

Bioware is like tailoreed pherome production by viral alteration of the glands (or the viral bone treatments for example) That and accessory organs that are grown

(If you played Cthulhupunk w/ me you'd see alot more of thise dynamic, among other bioware oddities)

Answer good enoug for ya?

For Johnny, it is a chemical trigger modified to set off a mechically set up construct inside the body (you may wanna look at the description again and give a bit more thought down this venue to see what I'm saying)

And to all;

Yes the line is blurry as hell, but that's what happens on the Edge right?

(In a low calm tone) "...or let you leave..."

Encata Baby!

Hey, thanks is always implied, but it's nice to hear it now and again too.

Thanks back at you

Thinking the situation over...

1. I got a warrant for my arrest in Poland, they will find me.

2. I don't have any idea who this b!tch is.

3. Everyone I don't know and is not introduced to me is lying.

4. I have a ganger at my feet, bleeding internally, and definately going to die at my feet.

5. Hmm... Media you say? maybe she can afford some nice 'ware... is she my size.

(Waits for que from the boys)

at the sound of Tradge's question, Renata looks up and gives her "I kill puppies for fun smile"

"Zhat, Tradge my young friend, is very unlikely. But is your gang and Ivan's body, well vote on it"

at which point she hears the invasion of the media and her unfortunate camerajock.  The look on her face goes from happy murderess to just plain East Bloc sour. No no boyus and girls, if ever there was a fright check in order, now would be that time.

"Errr" down low and visibly irritated "Everyone, if zhose people run, mow zhem down." Turns towards the two. Looks right at the camera man "If he raises the lens, kill him."

Stands upright and hand on her hip.

Looks right at the lady."You, who are you and vhy should I let you live?" knowing full well with the international warrant for her arrest, there is no way this couple is making it out of here alive....

Its cyberware (you need the upgrade in a Neural Interface to make it work, Basic book)

If it is not mechanically dependent (microbes, virus treatment, chemical treatment - all  w/o nanites) it is bioware.

If it is mechanically dependent, it is cyberware.

Distinct enough for ya?

To raise it, no. Raise the skills instead.

Is it innate, yes.

It is the born ablity to take apart, fix and generally be mechanically inclined. It is the little something that even folks not terribly mentally or physically inclined have that makes them able to make things work in a mechanical sense (kinda like Empathy and the social sense it works on)

No. Period. Not under any circumstance.

This is a question that has come up every now and then and it always ends up the same.

No.  If ya don't take the time to get it in generation, suffer to get that 1 or 2 the old fashioned way and deal with it.

This idea cheapens the GM, the player and the game.

(Sorry to rant, but I just wanted tosave alot of time redefending this poiint. Check the old forums on this topic for further reasoning)

The Public

OK, well here it is:

First, IP to freely gets PCs too strong too fast?

How often are you playing? That will determine how fast the IP scale works: Every weekend use the classic SkillX10 in IP to raise. Once a month, SAX10, SkillX5 in IP to raise, Once a year, reference the once a month level. Considering that it will allow them to pick up skills they have No proficentcy in fast, yes they will improve quickly, as far as raiseing what they already have quickly, well let's jsut say those rewards were for the WHOLE session, not an individual action. It really takes a long time on either occasion to raise those skills anywhere quick

Fast action: Make you NPCs ahead of time, as well as make a few generic stat bennies to throw into use when then time is needful. Other than that, Improvise thier gear and let it fly. Combat isn't that heavy in most games (happening more than 3 times in 5 hours of RL play is unusual for PC health) therefore, jsut improvise it and keep good notes.

#4: Never give your NPCs something that you couldn't handle a player having. NPCs die. Period. If they die around PCs, guess who gets thier stuff? 'Nuff said

#5. NO WHINING, NO CHEATING, NO GETTING EMOTIONAL. I have seen more GMs put up w/ these 3 things in order to 'save thier game' Whiners get good players to leave faster than rotten beer farts. Cheaters just suck, kick them out after thier first warning and reprimand. Characters dies/lose equiptment/ get shot and hurt real bad all too quick in CP, if you player blows up every time something bad happens to them, kick them out. They will kill your group or just make it an uncomfortable situation as you may mealy mouth thier character out of said situation. JUST DON'T DO IT.

6.Allow cinematic death saves. Yes PCs die, but run the dath saves to 15, it allows 3 important things. Players get to keep thier PC they have put al lthis hard work into, it takes away that hard earned cash fast to get a comrade that is more parts than whole back up and running, and finally (and most importantly) players DIG SCARS! The more metal they have HAD to put in than they OPTED to put in will be more thrilling and memorable to them.

7. Be Brutal, but Be Graphic. Anyone in CP can kill anyone else, but to do it w/ style shock and dare I say Horror, is the mark of a truly skilled GM.  If they had 20 damage put to thier arm in Hand to hand Grappling, rip it off and beat them w/ it.

Life is Primal, and so you should be too. Never forget that.

8. Give IP Freely. If you use this to reward player for everything from showing up and having thier character fail thier rolls(always bumbled it, give ya a 1 in that skill) to show up and kick @ss and take names (perhaps 3-5 in said skills) it will allow them to increase thier skills and give them a sense of accomplishment. Hell, let'em have it. It'll just give you that much more room to whack them later.

9. Actions take time, actions are amde in fast circumstances.

Initate the 5 second rule in combat. It will keep up a sense of urgency and make the player have to konw thier PC well enough to run them well. Play goes faster and combat moves at a good pace this way. If they him and haw, urgency and excitement will die and you and everyone else will be bored.

Actions can take a few seconds to a few days. Track this and amek sure that the world keeps moving.  Calanders and watches slow for no man. Make you world dynamic and have side things going down that have little to nothing to do w/ you PCs happening around them. Keeps it real.

10. If you players don't have a detail written down, let'em fake it and make it on the fly.

No one writes down thier SIN# at creation, mothers madien name, forget it, much less who thier PC does banking with or favorite foods and music bands. Just let if fly on the spot, make a note (your player should do so as well) and run it from there. Details make it cool, but makeing up those details at the beginning is jsut a hassle. (I know this goes against rule 2, but hey man, I am the GM right? See Rule #1)

Well there it is in a nutshell. PUBLIC's 10 commandment to GMing Cyberpunk 2020. Questions commmets? Well let just start by saying why:

They work, and have worked since 1990, fast and dirty runs to full on campaigns convorted enough to allow them to work in Cthulhupunk and beyond. Simple and to the point. YOu need dynamic to make thse rules work, gimme a holler and I'll help ya.

ENJOY!!!

The Public

OH yeah, here it comes, (I know you all have been waiting)

PUBLIC'S FAST AND DIRTY RULES TO GMING:

1-The GM is always right. Yes as many have said you will make mistakes (mismatched opponents, freedies to good tech, shorting/giving too much cash, or just rules mistakes). Yes we all do them, but to keep the plying of another rules lawyer's trade keep it simple. The GM is always right. There is NO reference by players in the middle of the run to books and reference sheets. That takes too much time and kills the flow, leading to #2

2-If you don't have it on your character sheet(and the appendices to said sheet) YOU DON'T HAVE IT! Keeps the searching through the notes down and makes the PCs actually write stuff down.(How thier tech works, where they have said items stored, what they are carrying (Which should be sent to the GM at the beginning of the session) and jstu what they have available:

Why so firm on these two ("I've never done them and have done fine" clause). Simple. IF your players are looking all around for info and don't   know how thier gear works it will commpound the ammount of time to do simple things and take the sense of urgency off thier actions when the heat is on. No sense of urgency, no sense of danger= Nothing to lose- which no cyberpunk should ever feel (It is the Edge you were looking for right?)

3. Have your world relatively put together. Find a location that you want to center your campaign (Nightcity, a RL city what have you) and have the basics already in place:

-Map-: If you use Nightcity, get the supplements and read them well enough to use them on the fly by referenceing anything you want in less than 10 seconds-(the average time you players will allow you w/o getting bored). IF a real city, use thier RL maps (PUblic transit in big cities provide the best material as well as a RL Yellowpages for businesses)

-NPCs-Get some flavor into not just the seedy types but also the shop owners and the homeless people. Use folks you have met in RL and thier personalities (and Names for that matter) but always remember WRITE THESE DETAILS DOWN, especially when you run them on the fly. It'll make you look alot better then you actually are if these names remain constant.

-scale-: Will it be cinematic or real grimey? Will it be hig profile big money or gutterpunk? Decide this w/ your playes BEFORE YOU GENERATE THIER CHARACTERS! Don't wait for them to decide, you are the GM and responsible for making everything fit so YOU DECIDE how you can generate this world. Talk to the players and what they will play and then to a full session of just character generation. It will not only let you think about you campaign (EVERY game SHOULD lead to a campaign when done well, don't let anyone tell you otherwise) but also allow you player to intertwine thier PC's stories for you (Beats all meeting ni a bar wondering who will be Mr. Black)

(More later)

Damn Tummp, that's freaking poetic man.

Thanks for injecting some reality of livin' to these hard street criminals.

Yet we keep landing on desert regions w/ our probes and landers.....?

Maybe they really don't want to know...

IN theory G, yes it is. In practice the issue comes down (at least here in the US) to the issues that kill 90% of new things before they get exposure.

1. Can I get a group of hospital admins to let me do this new (procedure/implant surgery) being that next to None of them have clinical experience that qualifies them to make such a descion.

2. If I can convince them to do it, who will be willing to be my first patient in said procedure (you usually end up w/ Assisting the first 3-5 to be certified by truly new to region technology by someone how has done at least 50)

3. (This being the #1 set back here in the US) Will my patient's insurance plan pay for this to be done (lord knows my patient can't.) This kills over 80% of new technology.

Take out consideration 3 and the other two are jsut up to persuasion and science, it just the big bad #3....

Never walk w/ your head in the sand, you'll miss the entertainment of the human race, crude tho it may be some days....

I love the fact that it's under the same headings, considering that I know from first hand experience how hard it is to get a new technology accepted by the medical world.

Got Near Orbit (don't however have Deep Space, does that date me?) and oh yes, there it is... I was just fishing for more material that's all. But thanks Mark....

So you ask...

I feel the urge to ask.

Why would you go hide at L1?

A controlled, packed and tightly closed environment.

Well, any of you who are familiar w/ teh cthullupunk campaign I started here a while back will remember that they were to retrieve a ring.

Well, let's just say that it was a 2 man team, and they didn't want to give it back (kinda Golem like at that point- oh the fumbles they rolled)

Considering that their patron wasn't Mr. O'Donnely, but a pre-clamed version of Nasty Nick Huskin, let's just say they asked,

"What is the first flight out of the area?"

"That would be to L-1 sir" watching the cash flow up...

Any questions....

Idea reappears inthe Publics head

"Oh yeah, I did have a date w/ the missus on Chinese New Year and her friends...

mmm, eating good tomarrow (being in the States and all)