CPRed: Carpe Noctem

Started by Hawkwood, January 26, 2021, 05:06:40 PM

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Hawkwood

Elevator Pitch
We're looking for a few more people to take the CPRed rules for a spin. CPRed is the setting that exists half-way between CP2020 and CP2077, and gives the setting a more post-apocalyptic feel.

You can find our OOC thread here.

If you have any concerns, questions, comments, complaints, or advice on how to paint white, please drop me a line.

Premise
Something dirty and street-level that should hopefully be more than just paramilitary semi-criminal shenanigans; I want to tell a story about life, growth, tragedy, and rock and roll.

Relevant Soundtrack is, of course, from the game.

Characters
Lots of people showed interest, and have now vanished or become non-responsive. The only definite statement is that we have a Rocker!

But I don't know anything about CPRed...
That's fine. We can teach you. I care more about fun ideas than I do about fully-written-up-sheets (Malk might bite you though).

What are my expectations?
Communication. I can't read your minds (probably for the best. Stop thinking about Ewoks like that - it's not right). And in order to tell a story / run a game that we all enjoy, communication is vital!

Patience. I get it; lockdown and so on is tough. I'm not a monster; if you have issues, concerns, or worries, drop me a PM.

I want to keep the story moving forward, meaning a posting rate of at least 1 post every 3 days!

Right! I'm interested. What now?
Have a look at the IC and the OOC thread, and then drop me a PM. Just remember that you're starting characters, meaning small fish in a big world.

Step 1: Concept
Step 2: Sheet (including lifepath)
Step 3: Background that ties the lifepath and the concept together
Step 4: ???
Step 5: Profit!
O&O

Malkavian

Looking forward to getting more people for this. My Rockerboy needs a crew to become legends with! 8-)

Endorphin

I’m keen to get in on some dirty, gritty, street-level Cyberpunk action! I hope you don't mind me posting here.

It’s been a while since I last had a game (around 12 years or so) but I recently got my grubby little mitts on the latest CP Red rules and they look good! The book is slick and much like I remember from CP 2020. I love everything about the system and I recall it being quite easy to get stuck into.

I’m happy to play just about anything if you’re willing to have me. Right now, I’ve got some ideas for a Tech, Solo and even a Medtech if the crew is big enough… but, honestly, I’m good to play just about anything that fits. Maybe I can work with Malkavian to generate a few ideas.
"The imagination is the spur of delights... all depends upon it, it is the mainspring of everything; now, is it not by means of the imagination one knows joy? Is it not of the imagination that the sharpest pleasures arise?" - Marquis de Sade

O&O   |   F-List

Doomblade403xxx

Pencil me in as interested...


Hawkwood

Malk said that she'd been talking to you, Endorphin. CPRed strikes me as being largely similar to CP2020 - they've just rationalised the skill-list a wee bit, and made the 'special' abilities a little more sensible. The premise, so far, is to put together an unlikely group of low-rank street-level folk in order to do a job. Yes, I realise, this all sounds very familiar and cliched.

I'm trying not to double-up on roles.
O&O

Hexed

Rockerboy crew huh? Gonna use them as cover for runs or are you wanting to focus more on band in punkland?

Hawkwood

QuoteRockerboy crew huh? Gonna use them as cover for runs or are you wanting to focus more on band in punkland?

That entirely depends on where the players decide to take things.
O&O

Outcast

I am very seriously tempted by this....  And I like the idea of a rockerboy being at the centre of the crew.  Who better to get things rolling and then help to keep a team together than a genuinely inspirational figure?  ;D

Is there anything that is particularly sought, by way of character roles?

Arcanist

#8
Definately interested in cyberpunk! I’m in!
Looking at the possibility of a netrunner (sound and special effects) or Fixer (anyone needs a manager or P.A.) but willing to work around.
Choice is but an Illusion. Consequences are however real.

Malkavian

#9
Quote from: Outcast on January 27, 2021, 11:07:08 AMI am very seriously tempted by this....  And I like the idea of a rockerboy being at the centre of the crew.  Who better to get things rolling and then help to keep a team together than a genuinely inspirational figure?  ;D

If you want blood... you got it. ;D

Anyone interested in knowing what kind of craziness you'd be getting into by associating with her, here's Roan's deets: https://elliquiy.com/forums/index.php?topic=328357.0

Outcast

Quote from: Malkavian on January 27, 2021, 04:21:53 PM
If you want blood... you got it. ;D

Anyone interested in knowing what kind of craziness you'd be getting into by associating with her, here's Roan's deets: https://elliquiy.com/forums/index.php?topic=328357.0

Wow.  I didn't realise that you had been so busy on her behalf!

Seshat

I would also like to voice my interest. Of the available roles a Solo would be my clear favorite, though I am pondering to go the anachronistic route and make her a Ki Adept Martial Arts specialist rather than carrying around half a dozen guns. If that is viable ... (In Shadowrun Returns it was, but then that was another game :) )

Malkavian

Quote from: Outcast on January 27, 2021, 04:36:56 PMWow.  I didn't realise that you had been so busy on her behalf!

Cyberpunk is my jam. :D 8-)

Doomblade403xxx

I like where this is at and was thinking maybe a corp {Low level record producer} for marketing and what not. Maybe a few surprise skills to make them a little more useful on the street. The important question is which method are we using for character creation?

Malkavian

Believe we all used the Lifepath and Complete method, but Hawkwood can confirm.

Doomblade403xxx

I just kinda have a picture of this grifter in my head trying to put himself in upper management with your talents and a little edgerunning on the side. Very flashy type. His gun looks like a solid gold pimp pistol, expensive suit, has a personal assistant. Gonna definitely work on this tonight.

Outcast

Malkavian: am I right in thinking that the PCs definitively not be part of Parabellum?

I'm considering trying my first-ever MedTech... and Tech's the stat to help with playing an instrument, so it set me wondering....

Seshat

Having the Rocker as the centerpiece of the group would give at least some plausible reason for the characters to cooperate. If that is the sort of campaign Hawkwood wants to run.

Malkavian

Quote from: Outcast on January 27, 2021, 06:09:43 PMMalkavian: am I right in thinking that the PCs definitively not be part of Parabellum?

Parabellum's members are already noted in the thread I linked above. :D

Outcast

*nods*  Just thought I'd double-check that there was no intent to have them adopted, or the like.

I'll see if I can turn out a suitably warped-by-the-Lifepath MedTech after I get some sleep. ;D

Malkavian

Looking forward to seeing all of these characters! Getting to work on my next post soon, so hearing about more characters is very welcome, chooms!

Doomblade403xxx

I'm just going to be a straight up corporate looking for a hustle. If the gm wants to hook me into a corporation that works for the game thats fine. Initially I thought I might want to be a corp trying to sign Parabellum for a record deal, however in hindsight the music business is cutthroat, but maybe not cutthroat enough.

Malkavian

#22
Quote from: Doomblade403xxx on January 27, 2021, 07:59:52 PMI'm just going to be a straight up corporate looking for a hustle. If the gm wants to hook me into a corporation that works for the game thats fine. Initially I thought I might want to be a corp trying to sign Parabellum for a record deal, however in hindsight the music business is cutthroat, but maybe not cutthroat enough.

Worth noting that Parabellum's anti-Corporate message is well known among those who know about them: it's one of the reasons they're gaining such popularity. Not sure if a Corp would want to try and sign them, save to undermine their message - and I can tell you now how any Corporation trying to buy them out will be received.

All up to the GM and yourself, of course, but that's my thought on them being approached by a Corp. I'd also advise it not be Arasaka that he's affiliate with (for obvious reasons), though again that's not my call (just my suggestion based on Roan's character and my not wanting there to be violent conflict within the crew).

Doomblade403xxx

Quote from: Malkavian on January 27, 2021, 08:07:54 PM
Worth noting that Parabellum's anti-Corporate message is well known among those who know about them: it's one of the reasons they're gaining such popularity. Not sure if a Corp would want to try and sign them, save to undermine their message - and I can tell you now how any Corporation trying to buy them out will be received.

All up to the GM and yourself, of course, but that's my thought on them being approached by a Corp. I'd also advise it not be Arasaka that he's affiliate with (for obvious reasons), though again that's not my call (just my suggestion based on Roan's character and my not wanting there to be violent conflict within the crew).

Arasaka is kind of a non factor anymore. President Kress banished them from north america pretty much making militech the only military/police game in the area. Of course I assume Arasaka is in fact operating in the shadows and making some folks lives miserable, It's likely on a much lesser scale than they once have. I didn't necessarily want a military corp either. Any corporation could use a street hustle for profit. Just wanna do the best fit for the group. The character wont exactly be a hot dog in a fight, but he has a lot of other ways to be useful.

Malkavian

#24
I know that Arasaka is back as the prominent company in Night City when it becomes independent (as shown in 2077), but wasn't sure when that occurs (still working through all the Red timeline shifts). Given that Roan's background ties into the company having a presence, this looks to be something that both myself and Hawkwood have overlooked (unless he has something up his sleeve for it).

That said, it could just be that Arasaka does still have a (subterfuged) presence in the city, controlling puppet individuals and companies to achieve ends there until it can re-establish a foothold. Not sure how this would work - only working off of my knowledge that they DO come back as the prominent power when the city goes independent, which would suggest they had a means of quickly elevating themselves over the competition already in place when the opportunity to return arose - but would rather not have to shift around an approved background/character if possible. (Yes I could change her parents to operating out of a different Corporation, but I love the Japanese ties/history/leaning of Arasaka, and would rather keep to it if that can be worked.)

Edit: Found this on the wiki. Looks like Night City is still independent, but that Arasaka didn't get it's headquarters and substantial presence back until post-2069, when the Arasaka supercarrier helped prevent the invasion of the city by the NUSA.

Quote2040s

Roughly two million people in the greater Night City region were left homeless due to the Bomb, either directly or because of the flooding from the liquefaction of the city's foundations. Survivors fled into overcrowded tent shanty towns in the surrounding suburbs of North Oak, Westbrook, Pacifica, Heywood, and South Night City.

The remnants of the Night City government turned to outside resources, calling in old markers and favors from a wide variety of Edgerunners. Recovery was lead by the Nomads of the Aldecaldos Clan and their allies in the StormTech Corporation. With a lot of experience in city rebuilding due to the Chicago project, StormTech and the Aldecaldos were uniquely equipped to construct extensive temporary housing from shipping containers.

Most of central Corp Zone had been destroyed. The wreckage was far too vast to dig up and cart to distant landfills, so the survivors used bulldozers and jury–rigged main battle tanks (abandoned by both sides) to shove the debris into the Bay. Most of Night City's in neighborhoods had already been razed to the ground in the ceaseless battles preceding the Fall of the Towers. The wreckage became the land that new mega–buildings and old cityscapes rose upon, once more ready to challenge the smog filled skies.

This ongoing rebuilding period had also cemented Night City's relationship to the outer world. Abandoned by President Kress and the "New" United States, Night City had no intention of ever going back to the failing American government's control. Kress's successors were in for a really long and ugly war if they wanted to take this particular Free Zone back into the fold; the city was even prepared to request aid of the Arasaka Corporation (who at the time was attempting to better it's relations with the U.S.). As for the European Theater; Night City council considered them pleasant trading partners as long as they didn't disrupt the harmony of the city. With all that happened during the War, and the result of it, Night City realigned their interests with Arasaka, rather than Militech and the "New" United States.

2060s - 2070s

In 2069, the New United States President Rosalind Myers started a federal rule designed to bring the Free States to heel by federalizing them under the pretense of strengthening the nation. A war then began between the NUSA and the Free States. Night City barely managed to avoid the conflict. Northern California had allied with the Free States while Southern California allied with the NUSA. The citizens of Night City held their breath as they waited for federal troops to invade.

As a division of federal troops were on the outskirts of the city, the then-Councilman Lucius Rhyne had used his decade long list of contacts to beg the long-shunned Arasaka Corporation to protect them. A few days after the councilman's plea, an Arasaka supercarrier appeared in Coronado Bay and hours later the NUSA retreated. The Treaty of Unification was signed in June 2070 because President Myers feared the increased presence of Arasaka could escalate the war. The treaty was unsatisfactory to all parties but was preferable then to continue the war and risking another global crisis.[5]

The treaty rededicated Night City as an international, independent city-state free of the governance of Northern California or the NUSA. However, the new freedom allowed the megacorporations to further increase their rule. Lucius Rhyne was elected mayor, and rewarded Arasaka with a seat on the City Council and allowed it to rebuild its American headquarters in downtown, where the old one was destroyed in 2023. The city felt prosperity again but it was not enjoyed by all.