A thread for IC posts about life off the run.  Fill in backstory, introduce your new character, craft a cool NPC or antagonist or otherwise keep us entertained.  May occasionally be worth karma points...

"Hey, uh, Charles.  Ya got a minute?" Caduceus said over the phone to his contact.  He was currently pulled over on his motorcycle, trying to decide if he should actually eat the soyburger he just bought.  "I've been thinking lately about the many practical uses for levitation and wanted to try some things out."

The ork on the other end of the line grunted.  He was a snake shaman, like Caduceus, but a vastly different type of serpent.  If Caduceus was like a quick and deadly viper, Charles was like a strong, slow, deadly python.  Still, the two of them had a certain common bond that fostered a great deal of respect and trust.  Caduceus knew Charles well enough to know that that particular grunt meant to continue.

"So, to try what I want to try, I need to get my hands on a Sustaining Focus.  Doesn't have to be too powerful, but I'ld rather it be off the books, if you know what I mean."

Another grunt in reply.  This one inquisitive.

"Wouldn't you like to know," Caduceus teased.  "Just call me up if you manage to track one down, ok?"  Charles mumbled something unintelligible then hung up.  Caduceus took a bite of his burger then made a sour face.  He spat out his mouthful and tossed the rest into a nearby trashcan that was already overfull.  He revved his engine and took off down the road to find a food vendor who's food didn't make him want to vomit.

---

Later that evening Caduceus' phone buzzed and he answered.  "Found one," a gruff voice said.  "It's got a steep price tag though.  You sure it's worth it?" Charles used actual words this time.  Impressive.

"I'm sure we can work something out," he replied.

---

Sustaining Focus
Availability 2/48 hrs
Force x 15,000¥
Street Index 2

16:07, Today: Caduceus rolled 4 successes using 5d6 with the Shadowrun system with a target of 2 with rolls of 4,5,1,5,3.  Etiquette roll for Force 2 Sustaining Focus Availability.

48/4=12
It takes 12 hours to locate the focus.

Base street price is 60,000.  -5% per net success (or up to +5% for every net failure) in a two-way Negotiations vs. Intelligence test.

16:14, Today: Caduceus rolled 3 successes using 5d6 with the Shadowrun system with a target of 4 with rolls of 1,5,1,(6+4)10,4.  Negotiation (Bargain) vs Contact's Intelligence.

16:16, Today: Caduceus rolled 5 successes using 6d6 with the Shadowrun system with a target of 4 with rolls of (6+3)9,(6+6+6+5)23,5,(6+4)10,5,3.  Intelligence test vs Contact's Negotiation skill.

16:30, Today: Caduceus rolled 1 success using 6d6 with the Shadowrun system with a target of 4 with rolls of 2,5,3,3,3,3.  Magical Background as a complimentary skill for one of the tests, if allowed.

Let me know how much I owe!

"¥30k.  You wanna pick it up or should I come by?"

On an opposed test, you only need to roll once.  You target his intelligence, he targets yours.  Net successes apply to whoever gets more.  In this case, it was a wash so you pay base street price.

A few days after the run was finished, White Duck's comm buzzed.
"Hola, my well-dressed friend.  Have you given some consideration to my proposal?  I've got a few candidates lined up, but it appears the way this works, the more the merrier.  Obviously, only those we can trust and that would feel 'comfortable' in our neighborhood"

Julia had reached out to you a couple of weeks back about a new concept called initiation.  She was looking at starting up a group and had approached you to see if you were interested and whether you knew of any others who might make good candidates.

You have a choice - you can initiate with Julia and 3 other members she's found for the benefit of 4 extra dice on the roll, or you can ask for a copy of the materials to go through the process on your own.  That's less people to worry about messing things up (and less fun for me), but also less dice and may put you on the outs with your talismonger.

“Haii...” He says, stretching as he rolls out of bed and wanders through the curtain that divides his small apartment from his business and Julia’s adjacent living facility. “Shoulda woke me up sooner, Jules, didn’t know we were opened.” He says with a shrug, moving over to his spot behind th counter. His regulars were around as usual, but they didn’t really need any assistance. Kicking back, he smirks and lights up a joint. “Course I’m down for that thing. Part of the path of inner mastery and such. It’s gonna be like getting my own montage! You call that guy I was tellin ya about what might be interested?”

"I'll come grab it.  I've got the time."  He hung up, flushed the toilet, then headed out to pick up his new spell focus.

---

Later that evening, Caduceus spent a good two hours in his basement lodge bonding his astral signature to his new focus.  A corded necklace with a snake fang dangling at the front.  The process was one he hadn't gone through in a long time, and it felt good to get himself reacquainted with the ritual of it all.  In the end, he cast his levitation spell upon the item as he wore it around his neck, then willed himself to float toward the ceiling.  He smiled as his feet lifted off the ground.

Removed 30,000 from my available cash.  And yeah, the way you described the tests working is much less confusing than the way the book made it sound.

"Talking on the phone won't help me size him up.  I thought we could all get together tomorrow night.  Say 8-ish?  See how everyone gels, go over the expectations.  You can bring your friend and anyone else you can drum up.  They might need an escort to get down here.  I'll decide who stays and who goes and will let everyone know when we're going to try to hold the formation ritual.  Soka?"