Dare you stand against corporate titans in a Great Game?
In the year 2064, the mere thought of such a prospect is as futile as finding love in virtual reality. Everything is futile these days, really. You know that, but youโre going against futility anyways arenโt you? Weโll see how long you last. After all, survival is hard enough as is in America these days. After global temperatures skyrocketed leaving most of the landscape arid dustlands and sea levels rising just as quickly, American citizens flocked to urban megaregions. Living outside the walls of the urbanization movement is as much of a death sentence as slighting one of the corporate conglomerates that run their roots deep through the political game. I suppose the choice is between fighting the volcanic faults and dust storms outside the walls or the corruption and gangs inside the walls.
Welcome to the Reclaim Zone, the most forgotten and downtrodden district in the South City megaregion. People donโt really come to the Reclaim Zone unless theyโre down on their luck, but maybe todayโs different. With the imminent mayoral election, naive minds might think change could come. Things could be made better. They could also be made a whole lot worse. For whichever of those you prefer, you find your reason for being here. With the first bright and moral man willing to run in the election for a number of years, maybe you have hope you can help him bring about change. Maybe your motives are selfish, but either way you find yourself standing in solidarity with that man: Dexter Campbell. His fervent speeches bring about passionate calls for change not only on the mayoral level, but much higher up as well. As much as he riles up the people in the Reclaim Zone, most people have already disregarded his promises of a better future. People like Campbell donโt win elections. At least not without one hell of a campaign team, but thatโs where you come in isnโt it?
In this speculative roleplay, you will take on the role of one of the Reclaim Zoneโs derelicts. For whatever reason, youโve found yourself in the dangerous district of Americaโs west coast and working for Dexter Campbell. Maybe you believe he can bring about change. Maybe youโre trying to use his platform for a more personal gain. Either way, the success of Campbellโs campaign for change lies in your hands. Could he die in the dirt of the Reclaim Zoneโs streets or could he be catapulted to a platform that could bring about national change? This roleplay will be revolving around the decisions the group makes regarding the campaign platform. Thus, as you progress and develop your own character and make decisive actions revolving around Campbellโs rise through political office, his platform may change. Will the group emerge as martyrs of a new age or will the Reclaim Zone give birth to another corrupt empire that crushes its enemies under heel.
While the heart of this roleplay will revolve around the advancement and goings-on of the campaign that unifies all of the characters, I encourage each player to undertake their own subplots. The world is vast and has an ever-expanding lore pool to explore. While you may assist Campbell by day, perhaps there are other motivations that drive you onto the streets at night. Because of this, I encourage characters of all backgrounds and alignments. In this sense, the roleplay will be partially open-world, as thereโs plenty for you to do outside of the main plot. This is another of the overarching goals of the party. As you progress through the story, certain groups will become allies and others enemies. It is up to you to decide what outcome of rising and falling factions is desirable. Just make sure to remember, whatever actions you undertake determine the future that emerges. Will you rise above the gangers and criminals in the streets and bring about change, or does everyone end up giving into Futility.
Please don't let yourself be intimidated by the massive pile of lore. It is mostly extraneous and can be read through at your leisure.
The World
Americaโs Fourteen Recognized Megaregions:
1. New York Seaboard 2. Greater DC 3. The Derelict City 4. The Detroit Stacks 5. Metrochicago 6. The Bastion 7. The Miami Platforms 8. Neo Orleans 9. The Texas Sprawl 10. The Vegas Triangle 11. South City โThe City of Angelsโ 12. The Bay 13. Portland 14. Seattle
The story will begin based in and around one main region: the self-proclaimed paradise of the west, South City. This is one of the most populous megaregions in America encompassing what was once Los Angeles as well as the surrounding area where the city expanded into throughout the 21st century. In reality, that much couldnโt be further from the truth. As the 2064 elections grow closer and closer, chaos is ever present in the streets. Political turmoil in the cityโs urban sprawl is at an all time high with riots in the streets, veiled and corrupt political dealings in the shadows, and a populous with views split between all five of the major political parties. Small districts in the city are more contested than ever both in terms of elected offices and street rivalries that tear violently through South Cityโs slum districts. South City is one of the two major megaregions that make up the โTwin City Sprawlโ, a sprawl of urban cityscape that covers Americaโs western coast along California. Its sister region is The Bay Region to the north.
There are a number of smaller โdistrictsโ in the megaregion, but for one reason or another, you find yourself in the Reclaim Zone. The Reclaim Zone is a large district emanating out from one main street. The district gets its name from the origin of its architecture and infrastructure. Most of the buildings in the Reclaim Zone are now defunct factories of corporations that have either gone under or moved to better locations. These shells are now the basis for cheap hotels, smaller scale manufacturers, as well as innumerable clubs and bars. Believe it or not, the Reclaim Zone used to hold the greatest employment rates in South City Sprawl, but times have changed. As more and more people migrated to the district, the Reclaim Zone became a home to slumming populations and street vagabonds. As population increased, so did the tension in the streets as did the demands for better conditions.
When riots began to tear through Reclaim Zone streets in 2035, Enforcers were barely able to hold back the crowds from turning strikes and protests into a full-blown war in the streets across South City. As violence continued for a span of three weeks, large scale companies shut down production activity in the district temporarily, but when the riots ended in the Reclaim Zone, the turmoil they brought didnโt leave. The Reclaim Zone became known for its most dangerous times, attracting a completely new sort of individual and corporation. With the decreased regulation due to broken infrastructure and lack of Enforcers in the area, seedy business practices began to take root in every Reclaim Zone industry. Crime began to flourish and the monolithic factories that once housed reputable corporations were bought out by gangs and criminal organizations. Clandestine business has become the trademark of the Reclaim Zone, whether its corps, gangs, or mercs in power.
Technology
Cyberware
With the rapid advancement of technology in modern times, the ability to meld metal with flesh has become commonplace. Having started out as an early 21st solution to atrophy and the loss of limbs, cybernetic augmentations were looked to as a way to offer the human body back to those who may have lost theirs. It wasnโt until an American conglomerate corporation titled Symbiont started to push this research to its limits, offering promises that their augmentation could surmount human ability. This was done by grafting artificial extensions of the nervous system into the human body, connecting the complex system up to a specific neural interface embedded in the grey matter called an Electronic Brain. As Symbiont rolled this technology out at public tech conferences, the company became known as the first pioneer into the Cybernetic Age.
Human ability can be augmented to allow for incredible speed, bionic strength, and amazingly fast mental calculation. While the quality of these products can vary between manufacturers, cybernetic prosthesis is available to the masses. This isnโt without its drawbacks however. With the extreme edge given to augmented people in all professions, the masses became desperate for their own cyberware. This has led to lower quality and homemade enhancements, which is hypothesized to be the root cause of the Cyber Plague, Split-Periphery Electronic Cognition Syndrome is the slow degradation of perfect sync between the brain and the Electronic Brain. When the speed of firing synapses starts to lose its synchronization, the cognitive processes regulated by the person begin to split into two slightly off consciousnesses in their mind. While the effects of SPECS can be minor at first, the further along a personโs synchronization degrades, the more confusion, dementia, and psychosis will start to grip them as they become no longer able to recognize who they are or which or their cognitive processes is their own. While SPECS almost always results in the eventual death of the victim, it is all too common that some degree of psychotic violence comes first as paranoia gets too strong in the victimโs mind. The speed that SPECS takes hold of oneโs mind varies greatly on many factors. Biological aptitude of the brainโs ability to lose synchronization is a major factor, but more often the cause of advanced stages of SPECS is the over-augmentation of the body or the use of low quality prostheses that donโt do well to match the biological brainโs speed.
While the Cyber Plague is inevitably lying in the fate of every augmented individual to some degree, there exists one way to stave it off when it becomes a problem. Created by Genetek, a chemical compound was synthesized that helps the brain fire in a way that matches the Electronic Brain. This compound was refined into a drug then called Neurosynthase, or more commonly Neurosynth. Due to the resonant realignment of brain waves caused by Neurosynth, the drug has become highly addictive to augmented individuals, producing a unique sense of heightened focus and euphoria. Once Genetek realized the demand for their product, price was marked up astronomically and Genetek clinics began to dominate the streets. With prices so high and street prices even higher, Neurosynth is only further coveted. It is because of this that SPECS is so cataclysmic. Due to these potentially dangerous effects of Cyberware. All major surgeries and enhancements require a person to register as an Augmented Person with the government. Of course, not all augmented individuals are registered if they choose more unconventional means of implanting.
Virtual Reality
As internet technology exponentially developed, the interface technology that humans used to interact with their virtual fountain of knowledge did as well. It started with simple sensory inputs, but humanity has since sought to access their endless stream of information with as little latency as possible. Thus, the Direct Cranial Interface was created. This was the first form of what would come to be called a cyberdeck, allowing for a person to interface with media through their brain, disregarding the sensory information of the body entirely.
Virtual reality allowed for explosive growths in every genre of consumable media, but it wasnโt without its drawbacks. The allure of virtual reality has become extremely powerful, leaving some people preferring to live jacked in above all else. There have been multiple documented cases of people losing themselves in virtual reality, choosing to live in cyberspace as their body withers away to thirst and hunger outside the cyberdeck. Others have become crazed, confusing the two instances of reality and falling into debilitating psychosis. Virtual reality has also offered a medium for a whole new range of โE-Drugsโ that can be addicting a crippling psychological way. Despite all of the very real fears that virtual reality brought, it has paved a path for humanity to access information infinitely faster and became the main medium for interacting with Cyber Matrix and Labyrinth. It exists in various stages, allowing for people without cyberdeck augments limited access to the medium.
The Cyber Matrix & Labyrinth
Leaps in internet technology have left the people with information that is more accessible than ever. Of course, the interface medium of man and keyboard was always limited in its speed compared to the marvels of the brain. One company, Cryptotechnics, sought to fix that. Thus, the first iteration of Cyber Matrix software was created. In an attempt to neurally interface with the massive database that is the internet, Cryptotechnics utilized boundary-pushing virtual reality Total Immersion technology to create a new way to experience information. Cyber Matrix software, requiring the user to literally connect their brains with an interface via brain implants, offers the user a three dimensional virtual reality world that they can access information through. The new interface medium was known for being difficult to master, but once a user became accustomed to traversing the new world, the speed at which one could access information increased exponentially.
As Cyber Matrix software rose in popularity, America as a whole sought to adapt the technology. The increase in Cyber Matrix users only increased the size of the Cyber Matrix, allowing users to traverse the cyberspace with new freedom. Before long, a majority of internet use was on Cyber Matrix software, interconnecting the digital space in a new and explorable world. This wasnโt without its drawbacks, however. With an entirely new medium of digital code, cybersecurity changed entirely as hackers and other malicious entities had millions of new channels to use as avenues for their work. Things came to a head for the first generation of the Cyber Matrix when a nationwide attack struck America in a single night. During that time frame, billions of dollars were stolen from a number of international corporate conglomerates. The attack took place in a number of states across the nation where battles with thousands of security systems rocked the nation. States had their entire power grids fluctuate, grids of the Cyber Matrix were permanently corrupted when fighting against the attacking presence. In the end, the attack was successful, paving its way as the largest heist in history. Those responsible are still at large, but the trail seems to have gone entirely cold.
This global scare paved the way for the second generation of CM software. Massive backlash had Cryptotechnics crashing into the dust, forcing the government to step in and work with the company to keep nationwide information available. After nearly a month of global downtime, the economy could finally resurrect on a mysterious new software: Labyrinth, the Cyber Matrixโs successor. Labyrinth offered encryptions that were thousands of times more elaborate than the Cyber Matrix and also introduced locked private instances that were cut off from the rest of the Labyrinth. The Labyrinth itself is not static like its predecessor. The world is constantly changing and rewriting its structure. Since its introduction, information security has increased immensely. Hacking still exists as an issue, but the knowledge and ability of malicious entities is nowhere near what it once was. Itโs said that no one outside of high level government officials and the mysteriously unknown corporation that developed Labryrinth knows how to access the source, but the same was said about CM technology until the Matrix Incident.
Artificial Intelligence
Explosive advances in the field of robotics have left humanity relying on machines more than ever, and machine learning is only growing more powerful and more complex as a byproduct. It was less than two decades into the 21st century when humanity created its first trivial forms of artificial intelligence. It wasnโt until Cyber Matrix software was developed that the advancement of AI truly skyrocketed in capability. Matrix AI was a marvel to society and technological advancement began to increase at an even more exponential rate as more AI were created. The formation of a truly perfect AI didnโt occur until years later. Behind closed doors in R&D compounds of an unknown company, the Singularity was rumored to be created. Historians pinpoint the exact time it happened by referencing information that charts the explosive surge in technological advancement. Within a week, there were Singular AI popping up across the globe in the hands of any megacorp that could afford to create one.
Two weeks after the genesis of singular artificial intelligence, everything had changed. The original problems that caused the emergency regulation was unknown, but the effects of America to outlaw and exterminate any singular AI were seen soon after. Chaos wracked the streets as robotic minds with any control over the physical world doused the life from human lungs. Entire banking systems were compromised, massive blocks of the Cyber Matrix were sealed and barred entirely from entry by mysterious entities, and entire grids of electrical systems surged in and out of life as inhuman creatures fought for their lives. During the events that transpired after the emergency legislation, people across the globe were warned from accessing the Cyber Matrix as a few who dared delve in were found with pistols pressed against their temples or minds melted from the inside out by their cyber deck.
โThe AI Catastropheโ, as it was dubbed marked a loss of thousands of lives globally. It took only days for hundreds of developed countries around the world to follow in the footsteps of America. The United Nations has also taken to open hostility against any nation that utilizes singular AI openly. Of course, AI in and of itself remains at an all time high for its active use throughout the world, but measures are always taken to prevent another catastrophe. The whole forceful cleanup was a mess after all, and speculative scientists and Labyrinth Runners alike hypothesize that there may have been a handful of hyper-intelligent entities that evaded sweeps of closed systems, and the abandoned Cyber Matrix is another thing entirely.
Political Map & Faction Details
The Enforcers
Crime is as widespread around America as the biting smog that covers the skies. Such an unforgiving underworld can only coexist with a force of unforgiving Enforcers. The government sponsored Enforcers are the regulators of the law. This massive organization acts as its own branch, regulating the lowest beat Enforcers out striking fear into citizens on the streets as well as the highest level judiciaries that officiate the law. As much as the iron-fisted Enforcers help to deter any punishable offense, a large portion of the judicial sect of America is wrought with corruption. Bribes are taken, crimes are overlooked, and the citizens are powerless to stop the dealings of the Enforcers. Of course, not all Enforcers are corrupt. In fact, there are specific sects and task forces designed to combat internal corruption in the Enforcers. All know to quiet down in the presence of the eerily armored Enforcers as they make their way down the streets. Very few would dare stand against them due to the Enforcers being armed with the best equipment their often cut budget allows.
Because of the increasing deregulation of states by the federal government, many have lost faith in the Enforcers. Thusly, the organization doesnโt get much credit or support for its work (though whether or not it deserves any is another question entirely). In modern days, Enforcers are often second to state-determined task forces.
The HyperHuman Party
Standing as the most esoteric and spiritual platform in American politics, the HyperHuman Party heavily supports the advancement of the human form through cooperation with machines. This, however, is not possible in HyperHuman philosophy without the cooperation of humans. Thus, the HyperHuman Party supports widespread augmentation and biotic health support for all of humanity. This cultural ideology is assumed to have been generated from a conglomeration of eastern philosophies that focused around the collective rather than the individual. Additionally, a large portion of the HyperHuman following is very spiritual, regarding interaction with machines with a mind-bending respect. Many have dismissed the party because of this. As it stands, the HyperHuman Party doesnโt have a large following for it is often vilified for its collectivist mentality and esoteric basis.
Neo-Transhumanist Party
With philosophy based around rapid technological advancement and the enhancement of human ability through augmentation, the NTP has garnered widespread support of techies and idealists alike. When this ideological-based movement pushed towards active political participation, things started to change. The NTP became known to favor fervent legislation regarding the deregulation of human enhancement and borderline technology in general. In pursuit of its goals, the NTP has also found billions of dollars in support from large corporate backers who clandestinely lobby their business-oriented goals into the partyโs agenda.
Neo-Luddite Party
One of the most radically recognized political parties, the Neo-Luddite Party, backs a philosophy almost exclusive to its supporters in America. Taking ideas from an old society in early America, the group brands itself as a collective of purists free of technologyโs corruption on the human body. Some go as far to say that further reliance on machines is giving up on our humanity. The Neo-Luddite Party isnโt without its own respected technological marvels, though. A small sect of the NLP look towards the controversial ideas of gene therapy and biological manipulation of the human body in the future despite the taboos that surround the subject. While the partyโs general beliefs are wide and often very different, creating many small ideologies that all brand themselves as Neo-Luddites, all of the NLP seems to rally around a sort of hatred for augmented people for various reasons.
The Central Party
Despite Americaโs multi-party system, one political front holds its name above the rest: The Central Party. The Central Party is most well known for being the party in majority control of the government for a number of terms now. The Central Party is known as the conglomerate of the two major political parties that ran America before the multi-party system. The group support the propagation of of large federal government and high regulation. The Central Party has been known to work heavily with megacorporations, especially those based in America. A certain sense of nationalism runs through the Central Party, bringing an almost imperialist outlook to the countryโs largest party. While the ideals of the Central Party offer visions of โA Greater Americaโ, many common men are left in the dust of this vision. Corruption and disregard of societyโs lower class are commonplace in the Central Party, though thoroughly denied.
The Pirate Party
Stemming from the advent of the digital age, the Pirate Party of America rallies around a free sharing of knowledge and privacy in the cyberscape. With the majority of the partyโs base being the technologically-minded working class. Hackers, digital archivists, and programmers in general brought forth the start of the Pirate Party. As it stands now, the Pirate Party is the smallest of the major recognized political parties in America. Because of this, the Pirate Party has become quite the radical platform, demanding freedom of speech, privacy, anti-corruption, and direct democracy in the country. Due to the stigma that being involved in the Pirate Party makes you a sort of revolutionary, public support is speculated to be lower than it really is.
FuryTech
One of the most well off corporations in the American Region, and by far the most technologically ahead, FuryTech is an extremely versatile corporations, pumping out technologically advanced devices years before other industries in the business. When you want top of the line tech and youโre willing to spare no expense, FuryTechโs got the gadget, implant, weapon, or vehicle youโre looking for. The company is often displayed in the media as the forefront of technology. Whether or not that is true, many believe you can do no better than FuryTech. FuryTech is an extremely large corporation, and thus, there are a number of branch corporations of the larger conglomerate.
โบFury Vehemetech By far the largest and most broad branch in terms of production, Fury Vehemetech acts to produce all products that donโt fit into either of the other two branches. The public focus of the branch, however, is producing powerful products that combine speed, stopping power, protection, and utility. This branch is where you will find the various weapons, armors, cyberware, and gadgets produced by FuryTech. โบFury Biotech Fury Biotech is the smallest and most secretive branch in FuryTech. It is also the most recently created public branch of FuryTech. Publically, the pursuit of Fury Biotech is to look into manipulating organic matter and biomedical technology to seek advancements in the medical field. โบFury Heavytech Just when the world thought Fury Vehemetech was the pinnacle of technology, various megacorporations around the world began to bring to light a flaw in FuryTechโs philosophy. All of their equipment was mostly suited for the light assault. As more and more competitors started to capitalize on the market for heavy assault equipment, FuryTech soon jumped on board. Heavytech began pumping out new designs for more armored and powerful models of armor and weapons. Heavytech has since further extended their hands into the field of vehicles both civilian and military.
Engitech
In America, there is only one technological giant that stands as an equal rival of FuryTech. While their competitor has the highest end of advancement on lockdown, Engitech is recognized as the largest producing conglomerate of all things technology. Rather than focusing solely on the top of the line equipment, Engitech produces all manners of devices. Engitech is the name you will see branded across all industrial workersโ exosuits, mass production technology, and everyday industrial machines. Because of their wider focus, Engitech Conglomerate has managed to have a hand in the production process of almost every major mechanical product. Many of the more affordable implants for the common man come from Engitech.
APEX Industries
Youโre Ape or youโre APEX! Youโve seen the ads. We all have. APEX Industries knows its worth and so does the populous. When it comes to cybernetic technology, very few can match the harmonious and resonant implants that connect man and machine made by APEX Industries. Not only will APEX Clinics offer you the most functional and capable prostheses and implants, but also the most stylish. The APEX megacorporation was formed after a number of buyouts of top designer cybernetic companies, and the work of their top scientists shows. Despite all of the flashy advertisements and good press, APEX has had just as much negative attention. Dismissed as conspiracy, a number of malpractice cases, underhanded business deals, and inhumane tests have been brought against APEX. Who knows the truth, though?
Amalgamation
When it comes to politically active corporations, itโs hard to find any more involved than Amalgamation. Implant and augmentation technology wouldnโt even be close to where it is without Amalgamation. Defining itself as the boundary pushing front of the Neo-Transhumanist movement, Amalgamation is as much crowdfunded as it is supported by its massive sales. With more than just one goal with its ever expanding product lines, this megacorporation deals in robotics as much as it does ripping flesh from humanity. Eschewing the sleek and natural look of some of its competitors, Amalgamationโs augs are known for hardy, industrial, and powerful looks. As much as some love the company, others silently live in fear of what Amalgamation has created. A lot of the companyโs legislative lobbying front has to do with deregulation of what can be done with cybernetics. Youโd be hard pressed to stare down someone with Amalgamation tech grafted onto them and dare cross them.
Gaea Naturae
Very little is actually known about Gaea Naturae save that they are one of the great and most heavily influencing megacorporations in America. Under the guise of a medical corporation, Gaea Naturae has been documented hiring the worldโs top biologists and natural scientists before whisking them away from ivy league schools to almost disappear from then on. While all megacorporations are known for keeping their secrets closely guarded, but Gaea Naturae takes things to a whole new level with their own paramilitary sector seen protecting every Gaea Naturae facility armed to the teeth. In the midst of the shadowy rumors surrounding the company, Gaea Naturae has been known for opening healing clinics in very impoverished sectors of the world, particularly in urban areas.
Extropy, Inc.
The biggest rising star in American corporations is a title that could only be granted to Extropy. The company is funded almost entirely by one particularly rich benefactor known for his crazy ideas. Some of Extropyโs recent exploits involve bringing expensive cybernetics to the masses, mecha robotics, and space exploration. With as much help as Extropy is bringing to the people of America, a great deal of negative attention is often brought to the corporation. This often stems from other competitive megacorporations feeling undercut by Extropyโs dealings.
Ripper Docs
For any person living in a more impoverished sector of America, theyโve heard the legends. As almost mythic figures, Ripper Docs are just as feared in the streets as they are respected. โRipper Cyberdoctorโ is a title given to a cyberneticist that is unlicensed and operating without being registered. In that respect, all Ripper Docs are considered outlaws in the eyes of the government, and stories of their malpractice run rampant in politics. In the underground culture of America, though, that opinion starts to change. Often, some Ripper Docs are heralded as heroes, supplying cybernetics and medical practice to impoverished peoples. Other rumors are whispered in the streets of Ripper Docs and mentally obsessed surgeons with little that they wonโt do to their patients and victims alike. While they do work alone and solely for themselves, Ripper Docs are much more than just individual practitioners, though. There has become a culture to the identity, causing the Docs to find some sort of unspoken code amongst themselves. You can recognize the Ripper Docs due to their unique symbol, a strangely shaped mask said to be drawing on influences of ancient mystical apothecaries fighting the plague. Ripper Docs almost always practice under a pseudonym. Itโs a telltale signifier of an unlicensed practitioner. Maybe youโll be alright if you canโt afford a normal clinic. Find a Ripper Doc. Donโt forget about your copayโฆ
The Tech-Witches
There are thousands of organizations branded as terrorists throughout America, but few bring as much fear with the very mention of their name as the Tech-Witches. Assumed to have started out as a street gang, this all female society strikes fear into the hearts of whoever dares slight them. With their ultimate motives unknown, the Tech-Witches are only inferred to be a secret society of worshippers of some strange idol. They make few public actions instead choosing to remain silently plotting until a massive attack is planned. The Tech-Witches are mostly seen raiding large technological research and development buildings of some of the corporate giants of the world. Their missions, while seeming suicidal, are almost always successful. The mission always seems to be to steal speculative technology still in its prototype state, as though they are amassing the most powerful arsenal in the world. The Tech-Witches are not above striking out against smaller targets however. There are documented instances of federal investigators that delve into the affairs of the Tech-Witches suddenly finding themselves under siege. Even entire buildings have been razed in mysterious explosions to prevent further investigation into the mysterious society. One rarely sees the Tech-Witches coming, but when they do, the women strike fast, recognized only by their coveted advanced technology and the strangely primitive masks worn depicting the faces of ancient demons from around the world.
The Primal Scourge
Anti-advancement beliefs have always been present in society, but with issues of reckless progress seen so commonly in this age of rapid expansion, some people have taken on a stricter ideology. It was after the Matrix Incident that underground cells of hyper-luddite purists began to form, but the Primal Scourge didnโt really emerge until the AI Catastrophe. Starting as a wholly American group, the Primal Scourge have been speculated to now have cells operating in a number of countries. The group prides itself on life free of the corrupting influence of machines, preferring naturalist styles of living. As such, it isnโt common to see Primal Scourge in the megapoli around the country unless they are carrying out attacks. Branded as a terrorist organization by the government, any known Primal Scourge members are outlaws, for the actions of the organization is almost entirely criminal, revolving around raids, firebombings, and other small scale assaults on industrial companies, technological research facilities, and other large corporate buildings.
Hyperhuman Monks
Roaming through the streets of Americaโs western megaregions, there exists a more esoteric collective of people: The Hyperhuman Monks. These growing monastic communities populate urban areas practicing and spreading their beliefs. The Hyperhuman Monks are easily picked out of a crowd in their saffron robes as well as shaved hairstyles. Their goal is relatively unknown to outsiders, but they work to propagate a better community around them through their harmony with machines. As such, most all of the Hyperhuman Monks will be augmented heavily. Being extremely adept at unarmed combat via a specifically created martial art for augmented individuals playing upon the strengths of industrial quality cyberware called โThe Way of the Machineโ. Monks often train weak populations of low income individuals small portions of their art to prevent the higher class from preying upon them. They have also been known to set up makeshift clinics around the west to help people struggling from SPECS or cyberware malfunctions. While most people know not to slight the peaceful monks out of respect for what they do, others may just leave them be for fear of what they do to their enemiesโฆ For they have no enemies.
Scrapteam
When a company desires external support of force, Scrapteam can be a risky choice. This ragtag group of mismatched gearheads market themselves on devastation of any enemy. Using whatever powerful weapons they can get their hands on and hacking their bodies to be living weapons, the Scrapteam are a different breed of violent. The organization is on thin ice, however. Branches of Scrapteam have narrowly avoided massive lawsuits for underhanded and criminal assaults on various corporations. The media has likened them more to privateers than to bodyguards. The Scrapteam operates in cells (or companies) around America as well as having cells that work around the world. Each one of these branch companies can be hired as a general mercenary population. Some of them are permanently employed while other companies move from job to job with little security.
Tinmen
Amongst the rampant flux of paramilitary groups propping up around the world to defend corporations at a price, one name stands paramount above the rest synonymous to a wall of impenetrable steel. The Tinmen brand themselves as a band of unstoppable mercenaries covered head-to-toe in heavy steel exo-armor with the most bulky weaponry commercially available. Due to their extreme prowess and training, the Tinmen boast a high price for their notable services. One would often see Tinmen protecting the largest clients of paramilitary groups around America. Due to the massive flow of cash into the organization, it is very hard for the Tinmen to be caught up in scandals involving criminal tactics. Most of the goings-on of the Tinmen is kept closely guarded, with only initiated members learning their secrets.
Nekrolytes
Lurking in quarantine zones around the megaregions of America, there exists a group neither living nor dead that strikes fear into the hearts of humanity: The Nekrolytes. These once normal individuals roam idly in their zombie-like state, seeking only for other humans to eviscerate and devour. Itโs not really known what turns these typical augmented individuals into something inhuman entirely as it happens so quickly and outbreaks often spread faster than the superhuman Nekrolytes can even move. The Nekrolytes are most easily identified by their ragged clothes, sparking cyberware, and glowing eyes. As monstrous as the creatures may seem, however, it is believed that they are extremely intelligent. When not tearing themselves apart in quarantine zones, Nekrolytes have been observed using uncanny teamwork to assault the populace. Whatever causes the strange illness has been labeled a pandemic, as outbreaks can occur all over the country and without warning.
A Note on Factions & Backstories: I encourage you to interact with the factions above in your backstory as you wish, but keep in mind how likely certain scenarios are. Obviously if a massive corporation hates you, you aren't going to last long. If you'd like, you are allowed to have been a part of one of these factions (excluding Tech Witches and Nekrolytes for plot reasons). If you would prefer, you can also write something of your own if you'd like to be a part of a local gang or something similar.
Character Information
In this RP, you will take on the role of someone related to or working for the campaign team of Dexter Campbell. Together the team will seek to further Dexter Campbellโs influence as he climbs the political ladder. Perhaps Campbellโs rise will benefit your character in some way. Perhaps your character is lost in the world and finds purpose in this line of business. Perhaps you want to infiltrate the political game and exert your own partisan influence on the country. The choice is yours. Of course, characters arenโt restricted to political lackeys. Campbellโs team is rather cobbled together and could include all sorts of roles, though keep in mind that your character will be working for someone running for mayor of a not-so-great district. Supersoldiers, corporate CEOs, and generally extremely powerful people wouldnโt find themselves in this situation. Iโve included a list of possible roles you may play on the campaign team below. Feel free to make up your own or use one of these.
Campaign Manager Cyber Security // Technology Manager Legal Advisor // Lawyer Campaign Treasurer Fundraising Manager Campbellโs Doctor Reporter Bodyguard // Mercenary Lobbyist Driver Friend of candidate Private Investigator Benefactor (If you want to use this, develop some sort of business, how it works, and what youโll need to do to run it. This role doesnโt just give you free reign to infinite cash.)
While I want each of you to take an active role in the campaign, I also want each of your characters to have personal goals. Players are encouraged to introduce their own relevant subplots. I can guide the way and facilitate the world around you, and youโll still have the main goals of the group driving you as well, but you should also be developing your own character throughout the RP. While you are ultimately in control of your character's actions, fate is a cruel mistress. Death will be possible in this RP, and while I have no plans of forcing it on anyone, if you choose to get into a crazy and unbeatable scenario, that's on you. If you do die in the course of the RP, you are free to make another character. Campbell's staff of expendables is ever changing after all.
I encourage you all to cooperate and make connections between characters. While you donโt have to be best friends with every other character (in fact, I encourage you to form rivalries and other dynamic connections), try to come up with some relations with other characters. These can be cursory meetings or deep emotional bonds. The choice is yours. I donโt yet have a set number of people I want to accept into the final cast, but I will end up limited accepted characters eventually.
[Picture] [N A M E] [AGE] | [GENDER] | [HEIGHT] | [BLOOD TYPE]
General Information
NAME:
ALIASES // TITLES:
SEX:
AGE:
APPEARANCE:
OCCUPATION: (What did you do before the campaign? Or what do you still do? This can be held prior to the campaign or ongoing.)
CAMPAIGN TEAM POSITION: (Your position under Campbell. What do you do? See first post for various ideas.)
Psychological Profile
Trait | Trait | Trait | Trait | Trait | Trait
PERSONAL GOAL: (Why are you still around? What are you trying to achieve?)
CAMPAIGN GOAL: (Why did you link up with Campbell? What are you trying to do for his platform?)
PERSONAL PHILOSOPHY: (Who are you really? What morally defines you? What drives you?)
POLITICAL PHILOSOPHY: (What are your views on the world? While a partisan identity would be nice to include, feel free to define yourself outside of the five parties. This is important as Campbell will eventually have to choose a party to represent.)
SECRETS: (What are you hiding? What would it cost you if someone found out whatโs behind the veil?)
FEARS: (What keeps you up at night? What makes you freeze up in the moment? What do you avoid at all costs?)
REPUTATION: (How does the world view you? What are you known for? How do your people act around you?)
LIKES: (Feel free to list a few.)
DISLIKES: (Same as above)
QUIRKS: (What makes you unique for better or worse?)
Background Information
โCharacter Quoteโ
Operative Information
AUGMENTATIONS: (What sort of Cyberware are you equipped with?)
EQUIPMENT: (What are you carrying on the job?)
SKILLS: (Feel free to list a few and elaborate a bit.)
FLAWS: (Aim for three or so. Equal or greater to your number of skills.)
NOTES:
Now I know this is a lot of information to take in, but feel free to read through the extraneous lore at your leisure. The world is vast and you have the opportunity to explore whatever select portions of it suit you. My aim for this roleplay is a collaborative worldbuilding experience while we maintain the central goal of confronting society in this cyberpunk world. With that said, Iโll be adding more information as time goes on and we near the start of the RP. I hope to attract a certain type of RPer to Futility, so if you love to write expansively about the world and develop freely your character obsessively, this is the place for you.
Everything will be expanded upon in the next few days as I prepare an OOC. Feel free to make suggestions or ask questions about character concepts, the story, or the world. Now then, any interest?
Thinking of playing a benefactor / lobbiest. Make a small company thats just a little guy and needs some protection.
I like the idea! Feel free to let me know if you have any questions about the world and such.
Still looking for more general interest, but otherwise the OOC will be up within the next day or two. I've added a bit more info about some of the underground factions that will be encountered should any of you be interested.
1. New York Seaboard 2. Great DC 3. The Derelict City 4. The Detroit Stacks 5. Metrochicago 6. The Bastion 7. The Miami Platforms 8. Neo Orleans 9. The Texas Sprawl 10. The Vegas Triangle 11. South City โThe City of Angelsโ 12. The Bay 13. Portland 14. Seattle
ARCHIVE FOOTAGE OF MIAMI PLATFORMS FORMATION
(All jokes aside, working on the basis for a 'driver' character right now.)
What about the state of genetic engineering/wet-ware in this setting? Are we allowed to do anything with that or should that be considered a part of Cyberware as well?
What about the state of genetic engineering/wet-ware in this setting? Are we allowed to do anything with that or should that be considered a part of Cyberware as well?
In general, genetic engineering will be present in the story as a more esoteric form of manipulating the human body. Research of such topics is mostly restricted and kept out of the public eye. There will be a particular corporation (I'm sure you may be able to guess which) that will deal a lot with high end genetic engineering, but their work won't be available to the public. If you'd like to make your character heavily modified biologically, I'd offer that you have some relation to that company whether past or present. If the modification is more small scale, you could have worked with a particularly intelligent Ripper Doc. (As it happens, there is one specifically interested in genetic modification in the Reclaim Zone).
