Hi all,

I'm starting a Shadowrun campaign and I'm looking for 4-6 players to jump in with me.  What I'm looking for is pretty specific, so please read through the whole post and get in touch if you're still interested.

Also, we MAY be playtesting for Catalyst (depending on how my "audition" goes.)  What this would involve is, all the players and myself signing Non Disclosure Agreements and then running through various experimental rules and giving our feedback.  I would incorporate these rules into the actual campaign so as not to stop what we're doing to test something.  The only exception to this would be the first session, where I will run a one-shot adventure that will have nothing to do with the rest of the campaign.  It'd merely be used to get ourselves acquainted with each other, with the rules, and with the playtesting format.

Okay, so now I'll tell you a bit about what my campaign will be like and what I'm looking for in players.

The campaign will be long term and will start the players as low level "street operators"...you're not even on the corps' radar yet.  Throughout the course of the campaign, the characters will (hopefully) become more skilled and eventually start running with the big boys (and girls).  

I love Shadowrun for it's dark and gritty atmosphere, and I try to run my campaign that way.  It will be very dark and at times very gritty.  The people the runners will encounter are not going to be pleasant (and who knows, the shadowrunners may be the same) and it's for this reason that I need to warn potential players that things could get very "R Rated" so if that's not something you're interested in, this wouldn't be the campaign for you.

Here's what I AM looking for in players:

1.  Dependable.  Yes, I am more than understanding that emergencies do come up.  But for the most part I would like someone who can commit to regular game sessions.

2.  Someone who is "proactive" in game.  I like it when players take it upon themselves to find jobs or to do some in-character business without me having to guide them.  Ideally, I would provide missions, but the players would "fill out" the game sessions with other events that are strictly of their own initiative.  I am even open to running "one on one" or side sessions if a player has something they want to do that doesn't include the other characters.

3.  Players who will provide me with creative character backgrounds full of plot hooks that I could use to sprinkle into the game as I see fit.  Shadowrun used to have a "20 Questions" for players to fill out as they made their character and I would recommend something like that.  I love rich character backgrounds that give me plenty to work with.  Examples of "plot hooks" that I have used in character backgrounds....maybe a character THINKS they killed an arch nemesis off in their background, but in fact he's still alive and has been plotting revenge for years.  Or maybe the character is hiding the fact that he left his family behind to come to seattle...whatever, it doesn't matter, I'm just looking for things I could use to make the games more personal to the characters instead of just generic runs.

4.  Players who enjoy good characterization and role playing, rather than constant hack and slash.  This is not to say that there will not be combat in my games (quite the contrary) but my interest lies in good RP and interesting character advancement/plot progression and my games will reflect that.

5.  Someone who knows and understands the Shadowrun world.  This is not to say you have to be an encyclopedia of knowledge (I know I'm not) about shadowrun, but I'd like players to at least understand the fundamentals.  

What I am NOT looking for in a player...

1.  Rules Lawyers.  While a good grasp of the rules set is encouraged, I don't want to be bogged down in a back-and-forth about rules.

2.  Powergamers.  This would be anyone who is only interested in being the biggest and the baddest there is and only have the best of the best equipment so they can cause the most casualties without getting a scratch.  This also includes anyone who strives to find loop-holes in the rules to exploit.

That's really it.  If you have ANY questions about what i'm looking for, or what the game will be like or ANYTHING at all, please let me know.  I look forward to hearing from you.

You can reach me at aarongillespie@gmail.com or 319-331-8465.

Thanks, I look forward to hearing from you!

Okay, I have one player.  If we're going to try to playtest, I need at least 4.  We will need to meet at least twice a month.  Weekly is fine by me if it works for everyone.

So, are there at least 3 more people out there that like the sound of this?

Okay, so we've got two, possibly three.

Anyone else want to hop aboard?  We need at least 1 more.

What's the status of this game?
_________________
Lord Toruk will not be denied, and mortals have but one choice: slavery in life or servitude in death.

Hasn't started yet.

We've got 3 players for sure at this point.  I need one more for sure, but would be willing to go up to 5 players total.

Interested?

I am possibly interested. With my schedule it will mostly depend on when/how often you plan to meet.

I sent you an email last week. Did you get it?

e!
_________________
Lord Toruk will not be denied, and mortals have but one choice: slavery in life or servitude in death.

How's it going?  Any news on the game?
_________________
Please, attack my ideas!  That's how we learn.

"We, alone on earth, can rebel against the tyranny of the selfish replicators." - Richard Dawkins

no clue  
_________________
Lord Toruk will not be denied, and mortals have but one choice: slavery in life or servitude in death.

Okay, we've got 4 players and we're going to be starting soon.  

I'd be willing to take one more player, if anyone's interested.

No playtesting after all.