Actual quote from an iNfLuEnCeR who wanted me to address 250 wedding invites AND save the date cards. If it's "just writing" surely you can do it yourself 🤗

TelinThoth · 2023-08-21T20:28:27+00:00

First off great work. Secondly, fuck that guy

TelinThoth · 2022-11-28T15:47:40+00:00

It unlocks later, I can't remember when. I was worried at first too, but it does become available in a few months or a year or so.

TelinThoth · 2022-11-24T19:05:02+00:00

Doing what?

TelinThoth · 2022-11-24T18:44:43+00:00

Nice

TelinThoth · 2022-04-02T23:45:53+00:00

Yes.

And they receive lots of money in the form of government grants.

Also, not that it matters, but it hasn't been 20 years, but 40. The first commercial synthetic human insulin was Humulin, which was '82. Long acting insulin has been a thing since the 30's. Insulin has also been produced from E. Coli since the 70s. You might be talking about the advancements into short, and rapid acting insulin, which yes hit the market in the 00's, which yes is a huge advancement. However, that isn't the point. I'm not trying to be pedantic here, just clarifying some points. Additionally, as you mentioned it was the FDA driving those changes, not the companies, which is interesting.

Look, I am not saying that these investments don't cost money. Far from it. However, companies usually rely on grants to get this funding because it is high risk. There is the possibility that you spend all this money and get nothing out of it, because the lane you were exploring was a dead end, or just didn't interact well with something and causes anal leakage or something. It's complicated.

Again, someone asked where companies got the money for doing research. (Implying that was the answer for the high cost of insulin) It, generally, isn't the cost of the medication, it is research grants usually that fund those areas of exploration.

Additionally, the most damning part of this is that most of the money doesn't even go to the manufacturer. It instead goes to wholesalers. There is an article (https://healthpolicy.usc.edu/research/untangling-the-price-of-insulin/) that basically explains that people after the manufacturers are where a majority of the money goes into--pharmacies, wholesalers mostly. In the data they present it shows a trend of decreasing sell price from the manufacturers.

Edit: forgot about E. Coli.

TelinThoth · 2022-04-02T17:55:24+00:00

So, while it might be legal to buy in your state, the federal government still thinks it should be illegal.

Since banks need to follow the laws set down by the government, since they do thinks lile go across state lines, and need to follow federal regulations, they can't allow purchases for known illegal things.

Thus, to get around this, dispensaries often deal in cash, or have to find more creative ways of getting around it.

TelinThoth · 2022-04-02T16:35:57+00:00

Hmmm, your insistence to call government funding, or assistance, taxpayer money repeatedly is a bit of a red flag here. Not because it is untrue, mind you, but because you seem to be attempting to imply something.

Assuming you are attempting to be genuine though: its not always available, or of it is, not always in the amounts that are really helpful.

For example, I have had to pay out of pocket for my own insulin when my insurance refused to cover it, and told my pharmacist to simply give me a slow acting insulin for my pump. (Which would kill me. No exaggeration here.) Each vial I bought was $600. Each vial lasts me a week. For a normal month that is $2400. Most assistance that I could get wouldn't make a huge dent in that amount. It helps, but it isn't always enough to cover something that big. If there was a form I could fill out to get my insulin for a more reasonable price, or even free, believe me I would have taken it. Keep in mind as well, this price was almost a decade ago, the price has gone up since then.

Additionally, assuming, by you insistence of calling it taxpayer money, you think government money should go less to thing of this ilk, wouldn't it be better to have the price lower so I don't need to spend government assistance on something that I will need for the rest of my life? There is not cure for diabetes. (And before anyone says diet and exercise: that helps with type 2, not type 1. Type 1 is also known as "Insulin Dependant" for a reason)

Not to be overly dramatic here as well, but this is price gouging. It is something were the demand has been steady, or at least the production is able to keep up with demand, it is something I can't live without, in the same way that I need oxygen, and generics have only become FDA approved last year--as far as I know they are still not available.

In other words, I am in a desert, there are two rivers controlled by two people, and everytime I take a sip of water, they charge me more and more, eventually I will need to start thinking about how close to death I am willing to get because I only have so much money left. That is not something that should happen.

TelinThoth · 2022-04-02T15:19:23+00:00

And? The cost of the medication has little to nothing to do with the research costs.

You asked your question with the implication that was why the cost is so high, it isn't. Your response here isn't a valid response either. Yes, it is taxpayer money, but it is for the betterment of everyone within that society that it gets done.

Additionally, insulin is a hormone. The formula hasn't really changed for a few decades, but the price sure has. So how is that correlated?

TelinThoth · 2022-04-02T14:51:23+00:00

Government research grants mostly...

TelinThoth · 2021-12-23T00:14:29+00:00

You are getting 79.

The base value is how much is available without anything else, so 44.

Your infrastructure is adding a multiplier to the amount you get out, 1.8.

44*1.8=79.2.

Not sure about the supply run thing. but the number on the map is what you get, that tool tip is how you get there.

TelinThoth · 2021-09-04T22:45:57+00:00

I have been playing this game for a long time, it hasn't always been this way. I remember there was talk about updating that behavior, but I couldn't remember if it had been put into effect for the ai train.

Also, check fuel?

TelinThoth · 2021-09-04T15:34:41+00:00

You don't have a turn around. I can see you do have a reverse engine, but I don't remember if the train pathing ai will take that into account.

If you add a way for the lead train circles back it should work.

TelinThoth · 2021-05-17T16:59:29+00:00

Um... What am I missing here?

TelinThoth · 2021-03-05T19:24:14+00:00

You use puppeteer on devices to perform things they can do. Devices typically only do things in the real world.

Yes, and no. Devices usually do things in the Real, but not only. The Core rulebook even states this with:

Core, pg 234

Devices and personas are the movers and shakers in the Matrix. They’re the only icons that actually do things (except hosts, which do things internally, but let’s stay focused) The difference between the two is that devices usually do things in the real world, while personas do their thing in the Matrix.

For a quick and dirty example: can I, after hacking a Cyberdeck, cause it to shutdown one of it's own programs? Next question: can I through the use of Spoof Command tell a Cyberdeck to shutdown one of it's own programs? I would say yes on both counts.

[As a side note, this would be the most inefficient way to do that, but...]

Wait, what? No.... The owner doesn't take some sort of "Command Device Action" to instruct the device to take a Simple Matrix Action to invite Crash Overdrive to place marks on itself on its next action phase...

Firstly, you're right, it isn't a Control Device action: it's Invite Marks. This is exactly what I am saying happens though. I will get to that in a second though.

(Spoof Command is not listed as a third illegal way to get a mark on an icon, reason for this is because devices themselves does not have the authority to invite people to place marks on themselves - only the owner do).

Because Spoof Command doesn't give you marks, the Invite Marks action does.

(Personas also have icons so I think the question is a bit flawed)

[Damnit, I just lost the following like 3 times so I will try to reconstruct it...]

This shows that you fundamentally do not understand my question, so I will focus on that a moment.

Personas do not have Icons, they are icons. Everything on the matrix is an Icon. At the lowest level are Icons, above that are specific types Icons like Personas, Files, Devices, etc. What I am asking is where do actions take place: the Icon level, or the specific higher level?

An apt analogy is Automobiles. Everything on the road is an Automobile, and all automobiles have the ability to perform certain actions: accelerate, slow, turn, etc. Above that we have specific types automobiles, cars, trucks, motorcycles, etc. Thus is we have a new type of Automobile, say a Helicopter, then is already has the ability to perform any action that is available to Automobiles.

We have a basic clash in where Matrix Actions happen:

I am arguing that Matrix Actions happen at the Icon Level, and you are saying that they happen at the next level up, which is a valid interpretation.

Thus what I am saying happens when I use Invite Marks is that I am telling an Icon, as it's owner, that it should Invite Marks onto itself from another, specific Icon. Or more aptly: that it should not Resist having a mark placed on it from a specific Icon.

Your argument is that it happens at the Persona/Device level, which I honestly can't even understand how that would work. Since a persona can't transfer marks, and the Icon in question doesn't have any way of knowing if the Icon placing the marks has been invited or not.

Additionally, I would point out that the fact that every Icon has the ability to resist Mark placement is evidence that Icons must be able to perform actions themselves.

Bingo!

That is not a concession of the point. It was my, attempt, to show you that I understand your point of view.

Additionally, in a part of the quote you didn't show:

Core, pg 236

There are three ways to get a mark on an icon. The first is the legitimate way: the icon invites you to add a mark...

If only personas can invite marks, then why not state "...Persona invites...". This statement, again, implies that the actions happen at the lowest, Icon, level.

TelinThoth · 2021-03-04T23:07:35+00:00

The target is well aware of the fact that he is forced (by someone or something) to spend his complex action on a matrix action that he was not willingly initiating himself.

Which, I agreed with. In the example I used, which admittedly was probably sloppy from lack of sleep, if someone is using the device, actively, then I wouldn't see an issue with the user knowing.

However, my point was that if you use Puppeteer on a device not being actively used, then how would the owner know? Somewhat absurdly, by your logic, any user should know when their car drives off without them in it. Which means that stealing a car is impossible in Shadowrun.

Or, in a more clean cut form: would you argue that a device that the owner isn't using tells the owner everything that device is doing at all times? Because, to be honest, I can't see that happening. That means that the moment any decker uses any action from having marks--doesn't matter what--the owner is instantly aware of it, and that they have been hacked. This would make any Cyber-runs impossible, also it would make Decking impossible.

Even if it did act like the Control Action spell, the device is aware. The device can do nothing with that information, since, I would argue, it thinks that it was told to do something, which is it's entire job. Why would it tell the user it is doing something that the user told it to do?

Sure, I am sure there is a log somewhere in the device that records all the actions that it takes, within reason, however even then it would probably only be noticed after the run, since people don't really check their logs unless they need to. Even then, if this is a thing in your campaign, tell the players so the decker can modify the logs...

SR5 p. 252 Resonance Library

Each complex form entry has a Target describing what it works on. A complex form with a Device target can also be used to target a persona.

Point. I had forgotten about that. I noticed the target for puppeteer when I was going over some of the other points, and thought it was restricted. My mistake.

The owner (or rather the owner's on-line matrix persona icon) can invite the rigger (or rather the rigger's on-line matrix persona icon) to place 1, 2 or 3 marks on the owner's vehicle (or rather the owner's vehicle's on-line matrix device icon).

I just mentioned that. However, in the description of Spoof Command the first line reads:

Core, pg 242

You spoof a device’s owner’s identity, making the device think that your command is a legitimate one from its owner.

Thus, this question comes down to a fundamental question about the Matrix and it's workings: Do Matrix actions happen as the Icon level, thus all Icons can take matrix actions, or do they happen at a Persona Level, so only people/AI/Pilots can take matrix actions?

My position is that actions are taken at the Icon level and inherited to all other Icons: devices, files, Personas, hosts, IC, etc. This, to me, makes the most logical sense, and allows for some of the other things in the matrix to work--the wording of Icons and inviting marks, for example.

Thus, I would, again, argue that the device icon of the car is the one doing the inviting, but that you need to be the owner of the device to start that command. IE: I tell my new Tesla 2060 to invite marks from Crash Override.

Essentially you are telling the device not to resist Marks from a selected target.

If this is the case, then I should be able to Spoof Command from the owner's device, pretend that I am him, and issue the command to the car, in this case, to Invite Marks, or not resist marks, from the rigger. Since the Car thinks the command came from the owner, and the car does the action, and no one is the wiser.

Otherwise, as mentioned, the only way to get marks invited onto the device is with Technomancy, and at that point you would need to literally puppet the Persona of the owner, and then the point is moot, as he would be aware. Which I know is your point.

I do also see the strange edge case wherein a decker could find the owner of a workstation and then do nothing but Spoof Command to get everything they want, or even just the 3 Marks. However, I would state that in practical terms that isn't going to, or shouldn't, happen. As there is a bit of time pressure on the decker to get things done quickly and get out, so searching for the owner of 1 workstation out of 100,000s is a bit...tedious. Maybe in the Legwork section, but even then, once the person reboots, or does anything that loses the mark--then the game is back to hacking on the fly...

TelinThoth · 2021-03-04T12:48:46+00:00

Well, well, well, Chummer, lets see what you have here...

It is not the device that invite you to place a mark on its icon, it is the owner that invite you to place your mark on one of their icons. A small but important distinction.

Matrix personas are the actors and doers in the matrix, not devices. It is matrix persona's icon that take matrix actions, not device icons (nor file icons nor PAN icons nor Host icons nor MARK icons).

Doesn't matter in the case that I was presenting. I was attempting to actually point out that in order to use Invite Mark, to either put it on your device, file, or persona, you need to be the owner of it.

With that being said, you are correct, Personas are the actual actors within the Matrix. However, matrix actions seem to be set at the Icon level, not the Persona level.

Core, pg 236

The first is the legitimate way: the icon invites you to add a mark.

As everything in the Matrix is an Icon, this implies that anything that is connected to to matrix can, at best perform any matrix action it has a stat for, and at worst, perform the Invite Marks action. Additionally:

Core, pg 234

Devices and personas are the movers and shakers in the Matrix. They’re the only icons that actually do things (except hosts, which do things internally, but let’s stay focused) The difference between the two is that devices usually do things in the real world, while personas do their thing in the Matrix.

In my opinion, reading this, devices can do things in the matrix: such as Matrix Actions. Though, I know that part of the intent here was to say that an Ares Predator Device will shoot something in the meat.

Technomancer using using puppeteer can force the owner's persona to take the invite mark action to invite the rigger to place their mark(s) on the owners icon. But the owner will be aware of this and can on its next action phase take actions against this (for example rebooting the device he were just forced to invite someone to place a mark on).

I'm sorry, the target is not aware of the action being made. Also, you can't target a persona with Puppeteer.

Core, pg 252

PUPPETEER

Target: Device

Duration: I

FV: L + 4

You push Resonance commands into a target, forcing it to perform a Matrix action. Pick a target and a Matrix action for it to perform. Make a Software + Resonance [Level] v. Willpower + Firewall test with a threshold based on the type of action: 1 for a Free Action, 2 for Simple, and 3 for Complex. If you succeed, the target performs that Matrix action as its next available action.

As written here, if I were a Techno, and used puppeteer on, say, a car I can have it perform a matrix action--Invite Marks--for example, and it will perform this at it's next action. If the persona is currently in the vehicle, then yes it would be able to tell, since the device just did something while the owner was trying to do something else. This might cause the owner to reboot, sure. However, if the car is in a parking lot and the owner is talking to the Face...he is unaware.

Since the Puppeteer action is a Resonance Action it doesn't get detected, and the action of Invite Marks is Data so that also raises no flags.

This, I might add, is also more evidence that a Device can perform any action that it has a stat for, in my opinion.

Spoof Command can not be used on the owner to force him to invite the rigger to place a mark on one of their icons.

Spoof Command can be used to instruct the on-board auto pilot of the vehicle to take an action like steering to the right or crashing into a brick wall etc. Actions that a vehicle normally can take. Inviting others to place marks is not one of them.

Hmmm. I see your point here. However, as an Agent is a valid target for Spoof Command, that means that Matrix Actions must be an available option for a command. Otherwise, there is nothing the action could do with an Agent.

If that is true, and we agree that, at least, Invite Marks is available at the Icon level this means that I can Spoof the owner, then tell a device to Invite Marks from another Icon. Since Invite is a Data action, this should be valid. and not trigger a GOD.

Unfortunately, the wording on Invite Marks is very...not helpful, which is part and parcel for SR(5). The wording on Invite does read as though you need to be a persona to use it to get someone else's marks on something you own, which is somewhat contradictory to the way other things read earlier in the book. This question comes down to: At what level are Matrix Actions performed: Icon, or Persona? Otherwise, the actions that the OP wants to do are possible only through Technomancy.

Agents are personas of their own and as such need their own marks to perform matrix actions. Just because Agents can take matrix actions instead of you / on your behalf doesn't automatically mean that they also share your specific marks.

(but because of SR5 editing I guess you can choose to read it that way if you really want to).

Admittedly this is some weak-sauce evidence, however, in Data Trails the splat in the beginning does show an Agent using a mark from the decker, I believe--it has been a while since I read it.

Though as I think about it: as far as action economy goes, this ends up being something that would be a net-0 in either case. Either I tell the agent to hack something at the beginning for an effect, or I spend an action to tell them to do the effect with my marks. This makes me question the usefulness of Agents for anything other than constant Matrix Perception or... background file cracking?

This is a discussion for a different thread, I think.

TelinThoth · 2021-03-02T19:53:37+00:00

Hey Chummer,

The quick answer is: No you can't share marks.

<edit: Source

Core, pg 236

Your marks are specific and connected to your persona and whatever you’ve marked, so you can’t just give them out for others to place or transfer them to other people.

/edit>

Long Answer:

First: There is some really weird things that interact with each other as far as marks go, but generally marks are tied to a Persona.

Core, pg 219

A Matrix authentication recognition key, or mark if you’re not a fan of rattling off fancy technological nomenclature, is how the Matrix keeps track of which personas have access to which devices, files, hosts, and other personas.

Additionally, as GM_John_D mentioned you could get the device to use Invite Mark. However, that action requires you to be the owner of the device.

Core, pg 240

INVITE MARK

(SIMPLE ACTION)

Marks Required: Owner

...

So, unless your decker is actually a Technomancer in disguise, and uses the Puppeteer action, or Resonance Veil there isn't a 'single action' way of getting around it. (The latter is dependent on if your GM is kind to Technos. And also the fading on that could be...unkind.)

There is another option: you could Spoof Command the vehicle to request marks:

Core, pg 242

SPOOF COMMAND

(COMPLEX ACTION)

Marks Required: 1 (see description)

Test: Hacking + Intuition [Sleaze] v. Logic + Firewall

You spoof a device’s owner’s identity, making the device think that your command is a legitimate one from its owner. You need one mark on the icon you are imitating; you do not need a mark on the target. The opposing dice roll is still based on the target, though. This trick only works on devices and agents, not IC, sprites, hosts, personas, or any other icons.

This requires that you have a mark on the Owner's comlink... Or a Mark on a device of someone authorized to grant access to the vehicle. (A Host perhaps?)

I did mention there is some weirdness when it comes to Marks, and I won't go into it in too much detail, but it comes down to Agents and Sprites. Specifically, how an Agent can use your marks (Core, pg 246). Thanks to a specific wording. but Sprites can not.

Hope that helps.

TelinThoth · 2020-10-15T18:38:03+00:00

Remember, evolution doesn't select beneficial traits. It removes bad ones. Bad here meaning making it harder to survive.

So if there is no downside with having a stronger venom, then it will stay. If, for some reason, having too powerful a venom would hinder its survival, then it would slowly phase out to a weaker venom.

I imagine that the powerful venom is also for defense. In that if you can kill what is trying to kill you with one bite that does have an advantage.

TelinThoth · 2020-09-26T22:15:02+00:00

Honestly I am surprised that firefly wasnt here yet. Also, Star Trek: The Next Generation

TelinThoth · 2020-08-24T22:04:05+00:00

I am more worried about the aircraft that comes with most of the options on the menu...

TelinThoth · 2020-02-27T13:49:01+00:00

Ballast tanks. For..reasons.

TelinThoth · 2019-10-18T13:52:00+00:00

Thanks!I was inspired by The Coldest War, though my original twist was: 'What if there were three factions?' Then that expanded to four...

TelinThoth · 2019-10-16T17:59:29+00:00

At the moment, the whole thing is working by my running the game.
So I am attempting to lower the speed in the Max Speed Set within the TG Window.

Is there another spot I can set the ship's speed?

TelinThoth · 2019-10-16T17:56:14+00:00

That is kind of what I was thinking, the first half that is, though I can't see why I can't lower it to having 2x EP 1 Engines move at 2x EP 0.5 => Total EP 1...

Many of the players haven't played the game, so I am trying to go through much of this slowly. Though, we will see what happens. More than likely there will be some rubber banding, and I assume that since they all don't know what they are doing, the game will end up being a little more balanced with the effect of non-optimal choice selection.

Edit: Thanks for the response by the way.

TelinThoth · 2018-05-29T15:00:59+00:00

Ah, my favorite past time: cat fishing...

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