Runner's Companion.pdf - Free

Simon Wentworth (order #1132857) 9In practice, the face can also be the team’s private fixer ensuringthe best terms when negotiating payment, conditions, andperks. Consequently, she is also often responsible for other areasincluding managing subcontractors and procuring information orprocurement for the team beyond their usual contacts.On the GriftFaces need to be empathic, diplomatic, and sensitive to socialnuances. The Charisma attribute and the Influence skill group arethe basic tools of every Negotiator. Perception, Etiquette, andthe Intimidation skill are useful additions to the repertoire of anyface. Professional and Street Knowledge skills (or their skillsoftversions) allow faces to better fit in and establish a connectionwith their targets.Magic can be powerful in the hands of a Negotiator, allowingher to enthrall, influence, confuse, and outright command hertargets with subtle Mental Manipulation and Illusion spells. Thedownside of such manipulations is that they usually leave traces,and, when the target realizes what has happened, he may comelooking for reparation.Adepts of the Speaker’s Way are gifted with numerous powersthat make them incomparable empaths, seducers, and fast-talkers.Common adept powers in this role include Astral Perception,Commanding Voice, Cool Resolve, Enhanced Perception,Improved Ability (any Social skill), Improve Attribute (Charisma),Kinesics, and even Animal Empathy and Linguistics. Adepts canalso benefit from combining technological means with their magicalpowers.Of all the character roles on a shadowrun team, theNegotiation role is the one that’s most dependent on its contactnetwork to perform its duties. Faces should possess a wide array ofcontacts with a variety of backgrounds.Of course, the right weapons and armor can be equallyimpressive as an intimidation tool, for those characters opting tospeak softly but carry a big stick.TransportionThis oft-overlooked role is nonetheless of critical importanceto a successful shadowrunning team. It is vital in extraction, smuggling,and offensive operations and an important part of mostothers. You’re unlikely to escape a corporate security squad ordrones on foot, and some targets are just inaccessible without anappropriate vehicle. The Transportation expert is key to this role.Far more than merely chauffeuring other team members frompoint to point, this role ensures that personnel and material arewhere they need to be when they need to be there, that escaperoutes are laid out, and that vehicular and drone support is availablefor the team when needed.It also has a strategic aspect: the transportation specialistmust also be aware of geography, both static and dynamic.DutiesThe duties of this role include planning and coordinatingmovement from point to point for the team and its equipment.It also involves assuring that everything is where it needs to bewhen it needs to be there and providing security and fire supportshould it be needed.The analysis of geography and approaches is another duty,particularly in urban settings, often performed in conjunctionwith an Investigation or Infiltration specialist. The Transportationspecialist is also a getaway driver, responsible for getting the teamin and out of an operation in safety. Transportation experts arealso responsible for procuring the transport in the event that astolen vehicle or drone is necessary on a job.starting out . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Character BuildsMundane faces can rely on high skills and Charisma to performtheir duties. These can be further enhanced by a number ofpossible augmentations and technological aids (such as emotitoys).Some faces branch out beyond their niche by employing skillwiresto diversify their skill options.Magicians can use spells such as Analyze Truth, IncreaseCharisma, and many of the Mental Manipulation spells (thoughsome are too direct and blatant for this role, which is more aboutinfluencing others than controlling them directly). Social adepts(and to some extent mystical adepts) are amongst the most powerfulNegotiation experts, using powers that are both more subtleand provoke less resistance from their marks. Their magic-fueled,modified Influence skills in particular, when combined with highCharisma rating and technological boosts, can produce impressiveresults. Astral assensing can be a big help for both adepts and magiciansin assessing the emotional cues and motivations of others.Essential GearRecent advances have provided faces with numerous newtools. Emotitoys and sensors with Empathy and Lie Detectionprograms can make up for a lack of skill or boost the effectivenessof Negotiators. Privileged augmentations for faces includetailored pheromones, vocal range enhancer, genetic optimization(Charisma), and even certain biosculpting modifications.Runner’s CompanionBehind the Wheel/StickPilots of any kind benefit from a high Reaction attribute andat least one Vehicle skill (though ideally more). The central toolof this approach is the vehicle used, although a good specialistusing this approach can pilot just about any vehicle she cares to use.Less obvious is the Transportation expert’s need to be proficientin Cracking and Hardware skills to ensure his rides are protectedfrom Matrix-based attacks.The Transportation expert is also called upon to provide offensiveand defensive vehicular support in a number of situations,whether running interference or escaping a hotzone. Without him,the team is limited to man-portable weapons and defenses. In thisaspect of the role, combat drones are particularly useful.Character BuildsThe vast majority of Transportation specialists are augmentedmundane characters. Riggers using control rigs, orientation systems,and various reflex and Reaction enhancements to enhancetheir vehicular performance to inhuman levels are the archetypalTransportation experts.The magical approach to Transportation is typically to supplementtechnology with magical means. Adept powers can beused in place of most Essence-eating augmentations, particularlythe Improved Ability (Piloting skill) power. Adept Centering, andItem Attunement metamagic techniques can further improve the17