November 6, 2032. Ten thousand people are taken hostage by the world's most popular commercial VMMORPG- if they die in the game, a microwave pulse will fry their brain, killing them instantaneously. The culprit: Programming prodigy and known cyberterrorist ENKI. Why he has done this, no one knows. The authorities have begun a globe-spanning manhunt for the genius programmer- a hunt which, so far, has turned up nothing. Tensions rise as the search continues, with several of the developers lynched outside of their homes.
This isn't their story, though.
No, this story begins in Seattle, Washington- at the headquarters of Steelhead Incorporated, a loose network of burnt-out hackers, cybernetic mercenaries and disgruntled wageslaves who will do just about anything for the right price. Yes, the (sometimes) brave and (often) unscrupulous men and women of Steelhead Inc. has just been offered a new contract. Their mission: Track down and kill ENKI by any means necessary.
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IMPORTANT STUFF:

Standard RP rules, you know the drill

We'll be using Risus as our ruleset. Don't worry, it's only only 4 pages

Make sure you have an Orokos account since we can't do dice.

Please don't make characters with more than 4 dice in a single cliche; it makes encounters go on forever and they're a nightmare to balance.

Keep things cyberpunk. Orbital colonies are fine, but no space aliens and shit like that.

Try to keep your posts fairly short, like two or three paragraphs maximum for regular dialogue and the like. Long posts are a sometimes thing.

Use proper grammar, spelling, and punctuation, please. I won't actually do anything if you don't, but I'll probably be super passive-aggressive about it.

If you're gone for more than a week without notifying me first there is a possibility that your character will die a gruesome and ignoble death.

The tone of this RP is (hopefully) going to be tipped heavily towards Pink Mohawk, so feel free to go crazy.

Name:
You should know what to do here.

Appearance:
Written or pic, I don't care; if it's big put it in a spoiler.

Cliches:
Your skillsets from before or during your employment with Steelhead Inc. Keep 'em appropriately cyberpunky, stuff like Hacker, Wheelman, Ex-Military, Chiphead, Razorboy/girl, Anarchist Revolutionary, Info Broker, Cyberfetishist, JUNKER, Replicant, Bunraku, Deliverator, Courier, Gambler, Mob Soldier, Yakuza, Corp Drone, Space Jamaican, Datavault, Urban Brawler, Fight Clubber, Fixer, Go-Ganger, etc.

How You Got Here:
Tell us how you joined up with Steelhead Inc. Are you a hostage whose ransom was never payed? A military officer on the run from his dark past? A hacker who pissed off the wrong people? Feel free to put extra stuff, but mostly I just want how you joined up with these guys.

Just going to reserve this 'cause I might need it later.

Calling a juicer right the hell now. A juicer is a supersoldier created via biochemical augmentation whose lifespan is tremendously reduced as a result, I'm gonna be a drug-made Hulk and you can't stop me.

RIFTS TIME.
Just so long as you aren't using a Glitter Boy because holy shit Space Canada makes some broken mechs.

Hey,

I'm new to this site but I'm interested in this setting. I'm checking out the rules system you're using as we speak.
What sort of things are or aren't allowed? Like could I be a synthetic human? Or a clone? Or a bio engineered super human?

Any sort of gene splicing? Other than aliens and crazy fantasy stuff what should we avoid?

Thanks

Well, if you want a general idea for tech level, look at Neuromancer, The Diamond Age, Snow Crash, Ribofunk, Shadowrun (the tech, not the magic), Johnny Mnemonic, Blade Runner, that sort of thing.
As far as genetech goes: Broadly speaking, you have two general types of augmentation, those being cybernetics and bioware. Cyber is more easily available, as it's much easier to install due to crazy nanotech and less rejection problems- it's the back-alley aug type, common within the working classes. Bioware, on the other hand, is made-to-order (and thus more expensive) because it's tailored to one's genetic makeup and the like, though the fact that it doesn't show up on metal detectors and you aren't, you know, covered in metal adds a lot to the appeal. Chrome is more cost-effective, but meat lacks the social stigma, obviousness, and need for maintainance.
Anyways, replicants, genemods, and the like do exist (they're a staple of the genre), though they generally stop short of UNSTOPPABLE ARYAN UBERMENSCHEN WHO CAN LEAP TALL BUILDINGS IN A SINGLE BOUND. Generally speaking, clones are either bodyguards for rich people, test subjects because they have no civil rights, creepy child surrogates for scientist dudes, or plot devices.

I'm rambling, but yeah sure you can totally play a weird genetic experiment/clone/replicant/whoever. Go crazy.

Interesting. Honestly I had the idea to play either an android attempting to pass as human, since I assume androids don't have rights just like a clone doesn't. Or a slightly altered human through genetic manipulation/gene therapy. Mostly free running based things. I'm pretty sure I'd like to be some sort of courier/parkour/urban brawler type guy.

An android/synthetic would be ideal for this in my opinion. Especially if I was also able to jack in and run datascans/hack terminals etc. Get in, grab what I came for, get out. Take down some guards if I have to.

I've been looking for something like this for awhile. And it's risus, too! I've been meaning to try that. I could use some feedback on the cliches, as I'm not sure whether they're supposed to be more of a reflection of the character's personality or their setting-applicable skills.

Name: Ilya

Appearance:


Cliches:
MGS-ripoff cyborg ninja(3), accomplished underwater basketweaver(3), foodie(1), tabla player(1), political theorist(2)

How You Got Here:
Before he was conscripted into UN military service, Ilya was part of an artists' collective in a co-op high-rise-turned-arcology in Vladivostok where he made a modest living selling artisanal wicker baskets and vegan mueslix. Needless to say, receiving a draft letter was a bit of a surprise for him. His service was mostly uneventful, save for the shocking experience of basic training. His most exciting engagement, stationed in Burkina Faso, involved a harmless pack of primary school kids and a stray bottle rocket. When his tour of duty finally came to an anticlimactic end, Ilya found himself wishing for some way to justify the time wasted learning procedures and techniques he'd never used. His desires led him to seek out work with Steelhead, where he found he could exercise his talents, make alright money, and still have time left on the weekends to sell baskets at the local flea market.

Stoppable Riot: I can dig it. You just do what you want, man. If there's anything that's super out of line with the genre we'll find a way to justify it in-setting.
Dave: Really, Cliches can be anything you want them to be. Also, fun character. He's kind of goofy, but justifiably so.

Clearly there is always that Jaded Detective who realized he cruel realities of a Cybernetic World... Buuut that doesn't sound as fun to play as an Cybernetic Anarchist Drug-Kingpin.

Name: Ash Godwin
Cyber Nickname: DragonForce Echo
Underground Nickname: Kiddy Kingpin

Appearance: Ash has a porcelain skin tone, and a completely metallic right arm, which is a dark grey and is painted over with flames. He has light blonde hair, with black highlights, that is perpetually spiked upwards. He also has light green eyes. Ash almost always wears a grey hoody, black pants and bright red sneakers that have a green glow under them. He also wears a necklace that depicts two silver snakes encircling each other.

Cliches: Underworld Drug Kingpin (4) Cybernetically Enhanced Anarchist (3) Cute Kid (2) Horror Movie Enthusiast (1)

How You Got Here: Ash Godwin is not the normal ten year old boy, he was also lucky enough to have been born to an English "Off the Radar" Cyber-Docs Compound. The boy was taken at an early age to get cybered up, which he was totally cool with as that meant he'd be like, an epic robot or something. These new cybernetic enhancements made him a perfect candidate for helping society like the compound intended. However Ash, like any ten year old, had more important things to do, like make loads of money and get rid of adults and their stupid rules. Ash knew he would and could totally stay up late at night and gorge himself on synthetic popcorn flavored paste and watch B-Horror Flicks! So he weaseled his way into the Drug Market as he violently got rid of rival drug operations, who messed in his territories. And he constantly goes to message boards to spread the ways of Anarchy. Due to these factors, and learning that Steelhead Inc would be helpful to him, (plus the most important fact that Steelhead Inc sounds like an AWESOME NAME! And like the coolest dudes to hang out with) he joined Steelhead Inc without a second thought ready to do fun activities with them. Namely ones that involve crimes and awesome explosions and stuff.

Well, here you go. I put the cliches up like that so I didn't just put in "warbot" and cover all that stuff in one go.

Name: Ultramax, formerly known as DW9K-U569

Appearance:
DW9K promotional image 1 and 2

Cliches (AKA the DW9K sales flyer):
-All-terrain heavy duty frame (4): DW9Ks are built to operate anywhere, survive extreme amounts of punishment and continue to flatten the enemy, though of course this all comes at the cost of speed and maneuverability.

-Integrated full-range arsenal (3): DW9Ks house a wide array of extremely deadly weapons in their body such as forearm-mounted lasguns, shoulder-mounted plasmacasters and mini-missile launchers on the back, giving them a large variety of options on the battlefield.

-Strategically decorated for psychological warfare (2): A striking skull and bones motif, painted stark white on a pitch black body, is meant to give DW9Ks an intimidating air, allowing them to win battles without firing a single shot. (disclaimer: effectivity not guaranteed)

-Freedom (1): The flyer reads "DW9K units possess semi-sentience designed to increase their battle potential. Unit may achieve full sentience if still functional past the approved service period. Destruction before the given date highly recommended". Ultramax retorts "ROBOTS SUPERIOR".

How You Got Here:
It's rare for an Acheron Enterprises DW9K unit to survive for long despite their fearsome reputation. After all, they're used for some of the most dangerous assignments and the ones that aren't destroyed on the battlefield are usually "retired" before they can achieve full sentience. DW9K-U569 was not and was thus entitled to live life as he wished under the Robbie-Baty Accord.

A warbot leaving military service was unheard of but the newly self-titled Ultramax decided he needed to try something new. It was tough. DW9Ks are simply not built for civilian life and eventually Ultramax decided that his lack of success in anything other than horrible violence was because normal humans, who he refers to as meatbags, were discriminating him for being a sentient robot. So the next logical step was to become a Robots' Rights Activist.

Of course, being an outspoken opponent of the "Meatbag Oppression against the Superior Machines" didn't really help him find a job anywhere. So, eventually, he wound up in Steelhead Inc, one of the few places with the right mixture of low enough standards and high levels of cybernetics required to accept Ultramax into their fold.

Very nice, both of you!

I don't have much experience with RP, but it seems pretty fun so might as well try!

Name:
Kwu Cho-Jao

Appearance:
Kwu is a well built man of Chinese descent. He keeps his black hair almost shaved. He almost always wears a black suit and tie, devoid of any ornaments, yet still of great quality. Whenever he takes it off, you can admire the full body tattoo of a snow white tiger roaring representing his old gang.

Cliches:
-Triad Enforcer (3): If you can intimidate a man into paying a protection fee, you don't need to break his legs so he understands. Of course, sometimes, a little roughing up and a few broken fingers serve as a great reminder of who runs the town.
-High risk driver (3): Kwu's years as the mountain chief's driver left him with experience of how to drive a vehicle in the most dangerous of situations: chases in dangerous terrain, while being attacked, are nothing new.
-Con artist (2): An honest man cannot be part of the Triads and Kwu is far from that. He has knowledge of how to swindle people into buying fake medicine and how to make them believe the most outrageous lies.
-Chinese Traditional medicine (1): Chinese medicine, while not as recognized as western medicine, does bring interesting things to the tables. Rumors talk about drugs that can kill a man outright, make another stronger than the biggest of bulls and many other strange things.
-Gambling (1): An essential skill and hobby of every triad member. Lives have been built and lost over dice and mahjong tables and sometimes, lady luck needs a little help to set the odds.

How you got there:
Crime can be very lucrative, especially when you are a member of the Báihǔ bāngpài, White Tiger Clan, one of the main triads of Seattle. Kwu Cho-Jao used to be one of the many members of the clan. He joined the gang early in his life, but rose in the ranks fast. His great driving skills made him to serve as driver to the mountain master, Yaong Qu-Ying. Seeing his rise in ranks as a threat, other lieutenants organized his downfall. They planted false proof of Kwu dealing with a rival gang and made it known to the master. Response was immediate and he sentenced Kwu to death by the five thunderbolts, as prescribed in the 36 oaths. Through shrewd argumentation and the lack of solid proof against him, Kwu was able to convince the master to banish him from the gang instead.

Having lost his family and work, Kwu searched for a place that would accept him. Steelhead was not the obvious choice, but the mismatched band of mercenaries reminded him of himself in an odd way and quickly enough, he found himself working there full time as a wheel man and soldier.

Between assignments, Kwu still searches for proof of the treachery he was victim. Not to join back with the White Tiger Clan, a broken oath being impossible to mend, but to regain his honor as a true member of the underworld and to enact bloody revenge on the traitors.

Intrigued. And. Very much tickled.

Aspiring for a CS by dusk.

Your intro's date is also, by far, exquisitely intentional and/or ironic.

Remember. Remember. The fifth of...

AerisFang: Looks great!
Gordian Nought: Looking forward to seeing it!
Stoppable Riot: Wondering if something came up! Hoping you're still interested!

Uhhhh so when can we expect some IC?
I'm new to the whole RP scene so I dont know what to expect.

Ah, I was waiting to see if Gordian Nought and Stoppable Riot were going to post their guys, but easy come, easy go and all that. Probably just should have started, in retrospect; working in new PCs is fairly easy.
Anyways I'm probably going to go to sleep in like an hour and I don't want to leave you guys hanging right from the get-go, so, uh, is it alright if I put the IC up at 4:00 GMT tomorrow?
I just really feel uncomfortable starting the IC right before bed, is all. Sorry.