User:SMARF
WORK IN PROGRESS
About me
- Pronouns
- He/They
- Discord
- j.r.6415
- https://www.reddit.com/user/GamingHoople/
GM Style
Strengths & Weaknesses
I'll be the first to admit I'm a little rusty and the LC is giving me a chance to this system back up.
I'm fairly adept with all things awakened, from basic adepts up into Metaplanar stuff. I may not know the realm directly but with 2-3 days I can read everything that exists and extrapolate a run from it.
I'm tolerable with regular matrix and slowly getting back into understanding rigging. I just don't know how great of an ewar cat-and-mouse rigger/spider I am capable of presenting.
General sixth world themes and vibes I'm pretty great with, corporate court specifics less so. I've been playing for as long as the game has existed but I was never into the politics or high level corporate story until the D's will came out. Now I just can't keep up as well as I'd like.
Personal Preferences
I have a couple "hot takes" that I think it's worth putting on my Gm sheet.
I'm not super into the idea of Player Character operated Paramilitary Forces, or PMC's. In most of my preferred shadowrun fiction, the runners are the oddball specialists or disposable backup for the merc squads and specops teams they occasionally get hired in by. The thematics that I prefer tend to go in opposite directions of "Massive NPC organization backs up it's PC employees." so I prefer to avoid gming in that space, so I do not usually pick characters from the ranks of professional PMC's.
Second. This game comes hard boiled with plenty of negative qualities and hazards that can be "roll to disrupt the run for a bit." I recommend taking those if it is your playstyle. I enjoy roleplay and negative quality chaos as much as anyone, but every instance of it being pushed into a limited time format table is a potential time sink of 30-60 minutes and in some cases lead to major in game consequences. As such, I have a two part policy regarding this kind of thing.
1:If I , as the GM, am overlooking or not utilizing your negquals appropriately, I appreciate having them pointed out. However if I feel you are using a negative quality or mentor negative to repeatedly pull attention away from the focus of the run, I will likely ask you to take a break from the play space and I likely will not pick the character again in the future.
2: Similarly, If I feel the player needs to make a composure roll for things happening in the game state. I will ask for them. If you have an internal conflict about how your character will act in a given situation, I would ask that you settle that internally and make the decision for your character rather than adding "random actions and additional die rolls" into the play space.
Pick Policy
I tend to choose characters that I believe can bring something to the run, and fit the general themes and vibes I'm looking for. If a PC is clearly contrary to the stated goals of the run, I would prefer to only choose them if they're specifically looking for that experience and the majority of the table is comfortable with.
By "contrary to stated goals" I mean "Code of Honor: Mafia" when the job is clearly a mafia hit, etc.
I also choose characters who have a narrative tie in or fit to the run, even if they aren't particularly suited to the core of the run. (Inviting an Espionage Mysad to an Adept Initiation Brawl) for some background story and political happenings, for example.
To me, having a narrative goal can be as important, rewarding and fun as an actual mission goal. That said, if I feel the character will be back-seating during the run I will try to reach out on Discord directly to ensure the player is aware and comfortable with that role for the scope of the run.
Declining the Meet
Obviously, given the nature of LC runs it's easier to replace a character last minute, however if you think your character would decline the meet given the post, my first choice would be to ask the player to choose a Pregen, followed by trying to find a replacement player. If the goal is to show up just to play "Break the scene/shoot an NPC" than I would prefer to know that up front. I do run an occasional "bad day/everything goes wrong" style run but that's not usually what I want to cook into my sessions.
If you are going into the run with the intention to decline at the meet, please say so in your application post for the run.
Run Beginnings
I am not super excited about starting with multiple fixer calls and Sin checkpoints with vehicles so I will typically check that the characters are capable of making it to the meet as part of my run selection, and ask a little information about the character's day before arriving directly at the meet. Fixers can of course be used for information and checking out the J, but with seasoned characters and players particularly I will probably get right to the run.
Interfering with Run Objectives
It really depends, especially where things border on PVP. However is the team as a whole is "anti" a job, I am willing to spin things in another direction. That said, the run may be a bit more free form than I traditionally run if it goes this way.
If you are joining with the intention to go opposite the run objectives, please say so in your application post for the run.
Realism
I absolutely fall more into the Mirrorshades/Pink Mohawk side of the spectrum. I take inspiration from shows like Leverage and Burn Notice, as well as Shadowrun art and typical TV and Movie magic and science thriller tropes and vibes. This does lead to a sometimes bombastic shadowrun experience.
I am capable of, and do occasionally, run things in the uber gritty/realistic black trenchcoat style, but that tends to be more straightforward corporate opsec shadowruns, not my gang, street or random magic related stuff.
Ultimately I'm here to provide a fun session for everyone at the table and going against the job can REALLY facilitate that or go the other way, and I want to make sure the whole group is having fun.
Failure
Failure is an option on my runs and risk/reward/partial completion can matter in terms of RVP payout on a blown run. The consequences of failure are directly related to the runs threat level and actual threats involved. Could be as simple as "not getting paid" on a milk run, to enemies or long term after effects of burning edge, etc.
Obviously, 2 CDP will be given no matter what.
I will typically also offer Common Sense on blown jobs.
Runs
Contacts
Name Profession Active
PlayersConnection Samson Macalarry 0 1 Gamma Grey Street Gang Leadership 2 2 Barry Doorman 0 2 /Eugene Hunter 0 2 Elmo Stubitz Talent Agent 5 3 Fogerty Rogue A.I. 3 3 Vic Freelance J 1 3 Detective Lt. Rusty Chambers Detective Lt. Knight Errand-Seattle 2 3 Talon Johnson 0 4 Miss Hattie Talislegger 2 4 Clutch Ganger Lt. 0 4 Hamish Operations Manager: Underhaven Grotto Hotel 1 5 Ms. K Realtor 1 5 Theriot Guardian of Mardi Gras 0 7 Kirby Fangsbreath Mogul 0 7
Cities I've run in
Seattle
Los Angeles
Cleveland
Cara'sir
New Orleans
San Francisco