[Shadowrun 5e] Don't Mess With Texas

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Lazy Bear: Feb 1, 2013; Never too lazy to dance with the angels

I plan on trying to piece together an Ork private eye, classic Noir style. Don't worry, he'll feel like a real person, just with a century-plus outdated style.

# ¿ Jul 30, 2014 02:56

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# ¿ Apr 25, 2024 23:45

Lazy Bear: Feb 1, 2013; Never too lazy to dance with the angels

Nuyen roll, different modifier. Pre-completed sheet. Just mark as created and save.

pre:

== Info == 
Street Name: Birdman
Name: Unnamed Character
Movement: 8/16
Karma: 7
Street Cred: 1
Notoriety: 3
Public Awareness: 1
Ork
Composure: 5
Judge Intentions: 7
Lift/Carry: 7 (45 kg/30 kg) 
Memory: 8
Nuyen: 5475

== Attributes == 
BOD: 4
AGI: 4
REA: 3 (4) 
STR: 3
CHA: 3
INT: 4
LOG: 4
WIL: 2
EDG: 1

== Derived Attributes == 
Essence:                   1.8
Initiative:                8 + 2d6
Rigger Initiative:         8 + 1d6
Astral Initiative:         
Matrix AR Initiative:      8 + 1d6
Matrix Cold Initiative:    4 +DP + 3d6
Matrix Hot Initiative:     4 +DP + 4d6
Physical Damage Track:     11
Stun Damage Track:         9

== Limits == 
Physical:                  5
Mental:                    5
Social:                    4
   Mortimer of London: Argentum Coat [+1] (Must be visible)
   Mortimer of London: Summit Suit [+1] (Must be visible)
Astral:                    5

== Active Skills == 
Animal Handling            : 2 [Avian]              Pool: 5 (7)
Archery                    : 0                      Pool: 3
Armorer                    : 1                      Pool: 5
Automatics                 : 2                      Pool: 6
Automotive Mechanic        : 1                      Pool: 5
Blades                     : 3                      Pool: 7
Clubs                      : 3                      Pool: 7
Computer                   : 2                      Pool: 6
Con                        : 3                      Pool: 6
Cybercombat                : 0                      Pool: 3
Demolitions                : 0                      Pool: 3
Disguise                   : 3                      Pool: 7
Diving                     : 0                      Pool: 3
Escape Artist              : 1                      Pool: 5
Etiquette                  : 2                      Pool: 5
First Aid                  : 2                      Pool: 6
Forgery                    : 0                      Pool: 3
Free-Fall                  : 0                      Pool: 3
Gunnery                    : 0                      Pool: 3
Gymnastics                 : 2                      Pool: 6
Hacking                    : 0                      Pool: 3
Hardware                   : 1                      Pool: 5
Heavy Weapons              : 0                      Pool: 3
Impersonation              : 0                      Pool: 2
Instruction                : 0                      Pool: 2
Intimidation               : 4                      Pool: 7
Leadership                 : 2                      Pool: 5
Locksmith                  : 2                      Pool: 6
Longarms                   : 4 [Shotguns]           Pool: 8 (10)
Medicine                   : 1                      Pool: 5
Navigation                 : 1                      Pool: 5
Negotiation                : 2                      Pool: 5
Palming                    : 3                      Pool: 7
Perception                 : 6                      Pool: 10
Performance                : 1 [Saxaphone]          Pool: 4 (6)
Pilot Ground Craft         : 2                      Pool: 6
Pilot Watercraft           : 0                      Pool: 3
Pistols                    : 6 [Revolvers]          Pool: 10 (12)
Running                    : 2                      Pool: 5
Sneaking                   : 3                      Pool: 7
Survival                   : 0                      Pool: 1
Swimming                   : 2                      Pool: 5
Throwing Weapons           : 0                      Pool: 3
Tracking                   : 0                      Pool: 3
Unarmed Combat             : 3                      Pool: 7

== Knowledge Skills == 
Area Knowledge: Dallas     : 3                      Pool: 9
Criminology                : 2                      Pool: 8
English                    : N                      Pool: 0
Law                        : 3                      Pool: 9
Music                      : 1 [Jazz]               Pool: 7 (9)
Parazoology                : 1 [Avians]             Pool: 7 (9)
Spanish                    : 4                      Pool: 10

== Contacts == 
Dr. Anna Mulholland, Street Doc (3, 3) 
Gerald Hyman, Fixer/Lawyer (4, 2) 
Lenny Gavitz, Pawnbroker (2, 3) 
tuZk3r, Blogger (2, 4) 
Vera Nguyen, Secretary (2, 3) 

== Qualities == 
Addiction (Mild) (Alcohol)
Analytical Mind
Bad Rep
Dependent (Demanding)
Guts
Low-Light Vision
Photographic Memory
Quick Healer
SINner (National) (Eugene Dufresne)

== Lifestyles == 
Merlin's Eye Detective Agency  1 months 

== Cyberware/Bioware == 
Cyberears Rating 2
   +Sound Link
   +Audio Enhancement Rating 3
   +Select Sound Filter Rating 3
   +Spatial Recognizer
Cybereyes Basic System Rating 2
   +Image Link
   +Vision Enhancement Rating 3
   +Flare Compensation
   +Thermographic Vision
   +Vision Magnification
Datajack
Mnemonic Enhancer Rating 2
Obvious Full Arm (AGI 9, STR 3, Physical 5) (Right)
   +Cyberarm Slide
   +Customized Agility Rating 6
   +Enhanced Agility Rating 3
Platelet Factories
Sleep Regulator
Wired Reflexes Rating 1

== Armor == 
Mortimer of London: Argentum Coat   4
   +Concealability
   +Custom Fit (Stack)
   +Electrochromic Clothing
Mortimer of London: Summit Suit     8
   +Concealability
   +Custom Fit
   +Electrochromic Clothing

== Weapons == 
Ares Light Fire 75
   +Silencer, Ares Light Fire 70
   +Smartgun System, Internal
   +Spare Clip
   +Spare Clip
   +Spare Clip
   +Spare Clip
   +Spare Clip
   Pool: 10   Accuracy: 8   DV: 6P   AP: -   RC: 1
PJSS Model 55
   +Shock Pad
   +Stock
   Pool: 8 (10)   Accuracy: 6   DV: 11P   AP: -1   RC: 2
Ruger Super Warhawk
   +Smartgun System, Internal
   +Speed Loader
   +Speed Loader
   +Speed Loader
   Pool: 10 (12)   Accuracy: 7   DV: 9P   AP: -2   RC: 1
Unarmed Attack
   Pool: 7   Accuracy: 5   DV: 3S   AP: -   RC: 1

== Commlink == 
Erika Elite (ATT: 0, SLZ: 0, DP: 4, FWL: 4) 
   +Browse
   +Edit
   +Encryption
   +Signal Scrub
   +Subvocal Mic
Radio Shack Remote Controller (ATT: 0, SLZ: 0, DP: 3, FWL: 3) 

== Gear == 
Ammo: Explosive Rounds (Heavy Pistols) x30
Ammo: Gel Rounds (Shotguns) x20
Ammo: Stick-n-Shock (Light Pistols) x80
Environment mod for suit and coat: Desert
Fake SIN (Harold Arterton) Rating 4
   +Fake License (Concealed Carry Permit) Rating 4
   +Fake License (Driver's License) Rating 4
Handheld Housing Rating 3
   +Radio Signal Scanner
   +MAD Scanner
   +Cyberware Scanner
Handheld Housing Rating 3
   +Omni-directional Microphone [Select Sound Filter 1] 
   +Directional Microphone [Select Sound Filter 1] 
   +Laser Microphone [Select Sound Filter 1] 
Handheld Housing Rating 3
   +Camera [Vision Magnification] 
   +Camera [Low Light] 
   +Camera [Thermographic Vision] 
Merlin Hawk
Tag Eraser

== Vehicles == 
Ford Americar (Sedan)
   +Sensor Array Rating 2
      +Motion Sensor
      +Ultrasound
      +Camera [Low Light] 
      +Radio Signal Scanner
      +Atmosphere Sensor
      +Omni-directional Microphone [Audio Enhancement 1] 
Horizon Flying Eye (Microdrone) ("Surveillance") 
   +Sensor Array Rating 3
      +Camera [Thermographic Vision] 
      +Directional Microphone [Select Sound Filter 1] 
      +Omni-directional Microphone [Select Sound Filter 1] 
Horizon Flying Eye (Microdrone) ("Reconnaissance") 
   +Sensor Array Rating 3
      +Camera [Vision Magnification] 
      +Directional Microphone [Select Sound Filter 1] 
      +Omni-directional Microphone [Select Sound Filter 1] 
Horizon Flying Eye (Microdrone) ("Sweep and Clear") 
   +Sensor Array Rating 3
      +Camera
      +Radio Signal Scanner
      +Olfactory Sensor

quote:

== Description ==
The Ork identfied as 'Birdman' carries a real 1950's flatvid feel to him, like he'd stepped out of The Maltese Falcon or something. Tall and broad, his green skin is lined with age, making him look just a little past his prime. His salt-and-pepper hair is usually hidden under a beaten-up brown fedora, and rumpled shirt, tie, and pants are often covered by a worn double-breasted tan trenchcoat. He carries the scent of cigar smoke with him... When he isn't actually smoking a cigar. If you're close to him, you can hear an occasional clicking sound from his left leg as he moves it. Generally, though, he holds an air of someone all but defeated, rumpled, threadbare, and tired. His right hand is chromed, a complete replacement of his original without any of the warmth or humanity.

== Background ==
Born and raised in a town not too far outside of Toronto, Gene was raised relatively normally. In high school, he Goblinized, which quickly killed his dreams of a career in hockey, a talent he'd been cultivating over most of his childhood. Instead, he fell back on his law studies.

He ended up getting a scholarship and placement in Aztechnology Security Forces, and jumped at the chance. After four grueling years of study, training, and augmentation in El Humo, he's placed in Seattle, protecting Aztechnology interests. He meets a woman, they get together, and the night he's going to ask her to marry him he stumbles across a murder. Some Elf he doesn't even know. By the time the Star arrive, the man's dead. The blame gets pinned on Gene, with evidence altered, erased, and in some cases even created to 'expedite' this 'open and shut case'. He's sentenced to 15 years in a medium security prison. His life is ruined.

It's during this time that he finds an egg, abandoned by its mother. He takes it in, and does his best to keep it alive. At the same time, he does his research to find out that it's the egg of a Merlin Hawk. And so he continues to read up on the bird as he incubates the egg. By the time it hatches, he's ready to ensure it stays healthy and grows up. This bird becomes the only reason Gene remains sane. And incentive to be a model prisoner.

Salvation comes almost a decade into his sentence, when Gene is contacted by a lawyer by the name of Gerald Hyman, who has found a number of inconsistencies in Gene's case and thinks he has a shot to not only be released early, but cleared of all charges. All he wanted in exchange was 'a favour'. A Jewish laywer for free? Gene jumped at it. Sure enough, all of the falsified evidence was brought to light and in less than a year Gene was released with an official apology from Lone Star and a hefty settlement to avoid the inevitable lawsuit that would have followed.

Of course, even with his release Aztechnology wouldn't take him back. There were a number of people who didn't agree with the ruling, and a number that just didn't like him and the adult Merlin Hawk that rested on his shoulder as he walked out of the prison. He would have brought too much bad press. So he was given his walking papers. Knight Errant wouldn't take him either. That settlement was put towards a small office in Dallas and apartment above. He'd put his knowledge of the law and his skills to work as a private detective.

It was a month after his release that Samantha showed up at his door. She was strung-out, her bony body more like a rack for the clothes that hung off her body. The thick makeup she wore didn't hide the sunken eyes. Or the track marks. Or the ten-year-old girl clinging to her hand. There was no ceremony to her visit. "This is Meredith, she's your kid, and she's your problem now. Don't call me." Just like that, dumping the kid on him and leaving. Not a word in ten years, and now a small, under-nourished, and scared child just dropped on him. One look at the little girl's scared, shaking eyes broke his heart. He filed the appropriate papers to obtain custody of the child wirelessly and immediately. It was approved in minutes. Apparently Samantha had been in quite a lot of trouble recently with the local Child Services.

That was a couple of years ago, now. The Merlin's Eye Detective Agency isn't exactly a cash cow corporation, but Gene has garnered a reputation amoung the people he's worked with as a bit of an old eccentric, but an effective detective. And of course, his mascots are hits... When they feel like showing. Midi's in that awkward early-teen phase where she's constantly craving attention but fearing judgement, and Alcatraz is... Well, he's Traz. Texas may not be his oyster, but it serves well enough.

It'd be a number of months before Meredith would say more than the absolute bare minimum to him. During this time, he'd found the pair of them a family doctor in the neighbourhood, a somewhat disgraced specialist that had been relegated to general practitioner by some scandals with experimental drugs not working properly on patients. He'd also made 'friends' with a local pawnbroker able to keep his ear to the ground. You'd be surprised the things that end up in a pawnshop. Like an *enormous* revolver. And the occasional box of ammo for said revolver.

He'd also been contacted by a... fan? tuZk3r is... eccentric. Gene and the blogger have never met face-to-face, but the grossly-exaggerated Ork avatar seems to know a rather great deal about Gene, and heralds him as a hero of Ork rights and whatnot. To be entirely frank, Gene never paid attention to such politically-charged things... And his confession of such has only served to spur tuZk3r on further.

Recently, after a rather interesting case in which he cleared a woman of blame for embezzling funds from a corp(pinning the rightful blame squarely on her superior), she showed up on his doorstep with a resume. Turns out, she got fired from her job and money was getting tight. He agreed to take her on, under the condition that she keep an eye on Meredith and Alcatraz, should he need to go on yet another long stakeout.

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Lazy Bear fucked around with this message at 08:01 on Aug 8, 2014

# ¿ Jul 31, 2014 03:27

Lazy Bear: Feb 1, 2013; Never too lazy to dance with the angels

ltr posted:

I don�t know what skills are necessary for deckers so someone else would have to help with fixing that.

Basically the skills under the Cracking and Computer skill groups. Beyond that... I'unno, fluff stuff, maybe Pilots if you wanna rig part-time, knowledges can be useful...

# ¿ Aug 3, 2014 00:43

Lazy Bear: Feb 1, 2013; Never too lazy to dance with the angels

Yamtaggler posted:

(All the brackets indicate price, because I didn't trust myself and counted. Had to downgrade to a Scoot, but I think I'll manage. Does Wired Reflexes add to Matrix Initiative?)

No. Matrix init is based on your Intuition, not Reaction.

# ¿ Aug 3, 2014 02:14

Lazy Bear: Feb 1, 2013; Never too lazy to dance with the angels

QuantumNinja posted:

Mr Tastee, a lot of these things are very good points, and strong things to consider when deciding if you want to free up the essence and/or money for wired reflexes or synaptic boosters.

Fixed it for you, seeing as they don't stack.

# ¿ Aug 3, 2014 21:19

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# ¿ Apr 25, 2024 23:45

Lazy Bear: Feb 1, 2013; Never too lazy to dance with the angels

QuantumNinja posted:

The Birdman - Lazy Bear

You're that PI, the one that can't get a break, huh? You're pretty chromed up for an ex-con; did that happen before or after you did yer stretch? More importantly, a family man like you, failing detective agency, why are you lookin' for work in the shadows? That's pretty heavy for a dude who is tryin' ta make a livin' as an investigator, and it's pretty much on the other side a' the law altogether.

The Ork straightens his tie somewhat, and then lights up a cigar. "S'no secret I got a kid." he says, and takes a puff. "But, you have any idea how expensive a thirteen-year-old is, let alone a girl?" He shakes his head, mentally pulling up a list.

"Lemme go over this. So, let's start with food. Thirteen years old, she's already worrying about her weight. So that's trimming out the high-cal soy, and the meat..." A wistful pause. "I miss meat. Anyway, so, diet food's a good 900 a month. Clothes, staying even close enough to trends that she isn't an outcast runs me anywhere from 600 to 1200 dollars every month. And of course she wants to go to the movies and go shopping, so she needs an allowance. I did my own research. Guess what? A hundred-fifty Ghost-damned dollars a week. A week. I'm lucky, she buys her own makeup, sometimes. When she doesn't, that's another couple-hundred. Add in allergy meds, extra-curriculars--And oh yeah, she just started menstruating so there's not only pads but condoms just in case. That doesn't count birthdays or Christmas, class trips, doctor's bills, and little extras. Always the fuckin' extras."

He sighs, flicking some ashes. "That's not counting me, the bird, or the rent. So, yeah, money's a factor. Besides, PIs work on a grey section of the law anyway. We do cop work when the cops are bein' fuckin' idiots, so obviously cops ain't my best friends. But I'll have you know the business ain't failing. S'just... Well, a little trim sometimes. And I gotta keep a house down." A shifty look. The Merlin's Eye was... Well, it was struggling. This was just to help him through a rough patch, maybe make some business connections. That's all. "But anyway, the point is that workin' one side of the law gives you an interesting perspective on the other. Not to mention the skills and tech necessary to do my job translate pretty well to the other end. Not much difference between tracking a missing kid and tracking a VIP on the lam." He lets the point sit. "But I'm sure you've got a legwork guy with over a decade of experience in the field, advanced tactical training, a degree in law, and a legitimate front that gets him past a lot of locked doors, right?"

A moment's realization. "The chrome's... Well, it's to replace some stuff from before the jail time. Rather not get into it." Last thing he needed to tell anyone at any time was that he worked for Aztechnology. Though, if this Texas Yellow gentleman didn't already know he was corpsec before the... incident, the fixer did a poor job of background-checking.

Lazy Bear fucked around with this message at 15:26 on Aug 8, 2014

# ¿ Aug 8, 2014 06:25

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