The Official Shadowrun Rule Book defines High Lifestyles as..."A High lifestyle offers a roomy house or condo, good food, and the tech that makes life easy. So what if the character does not have the same perks as the big boys, but neither does he have as many people gunning for him. His home is in a secure zone or protected by some good solid bribes to the local police contractor and gang boss. There is a housekeeping service or enough tech to take care of most chores. A luxury commuter car is at his beck and call. This is the life for the well-to-do on either side of the law: mid-level managers, senior yakuza, and the like. Cost: 10000 nuyen per month.

The Unofficial definition for a High Lifestyle is..."Total comfort for the shadowrunner. He has a safe home with every amenity he could want. He's got a car standing by to deliver him wherever he wants to go at any hour. His house is a multiroom structure or a plush townhouse. In either case, the home has a variety of security measures. Homes are secured by alarms and heightened police patrols. Perhap the neighborhood has hired their own security firm. Townhouses, apartment buildings, generally have their own on sight security. "

Employment opportunities for the Shadowrunner depend on one factor: "Did the runner start off rich, or did he earn it?" If the character is inherently wealthy, and turned to running for thrills chances are the runs will be either suicide jobs, or runs a squatter may get. If the character is lucky enough to be part of a Shadowrun Team, then he may get decent runs through them. If the runner worked his way into this lifestyle, then the runs are hand-picked or negotiated without the need of a Mr. Johnson. The runner has established rapport with certain clients, sometimes even corporate CEO's or high government officials.Some runners reputations exceed themselves and they become a demand in a world of shortages. A runner that has achieved this status usually only signs on for big nuyen or has found himself in a rut that will hopefully end soon, after all he's almost hit the big time..

Food is great. It may not be rare delecasies from the Far East, but it's real food. A person of this stature finds that he has fresh fruits and vegetables available at all times. Eating out is another choice. When dining out, the high lifestyle character opts for fine restaurant. Maybe not the overpriced restaurants, but at least ones with quality food.

Aside from the basic simsense entertainment center in his house, the character enjoys major sporting events and the theater. Live shows and gambling may be of some characters interest. At this point in a runners career he realizes that he can travel for the amusement of it. A high lifestyle character may have a legal passport and travel often. Hobbies and interests can and are pursued a this level. Perhaps the character has gone back to school.

People with money tend to know more people than your average person, thus I like to give people starting off with a High Lifestyle four additional contacts. This will give them a base for a past, or help them establish a good background.

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