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> Turn of the Century, A Cyberpunk RP, planning thread
Colonel Mustard
post Apr 23 2013, 09:35 PM
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Seeing as Sutch has petered out, and the Shivering Isles RP never really went anywhere, I figured I'd try a departure from the norm with a new RP idea. Pitch is below, let me know what you think.

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Las Vegas, 28th of November, 2099. As the city prepares itself for the biggest New Years party in history, one of the most powerful and importan men in Vegas is shot and killed on the street.

His name is Paulo Lazilli. For the past twenty years, he's held Vegas' underworld in an iron chokehold, undisputed king of its organised crime scene, a realm that, whilst bubbling with violence and corruption, has been contained and stabilised under his control. He controlled the casinos, the drugs, the hookers, the cybernetic smugglers, the cyberspace gangsters and Mob AIs. Now that he is dead, killed by an unknown assailant, his domain is threatening to unravel, and already there are flocks of vultures circling, ready to pick clean the corpse of this cancerous leviathan of criminality.

Vegas' other organised crime syndicates, sidelined for the past two decades, have scented opportunity and are muscling in; the Yakuza are on the move, surreptitiously shifting guns and men into Vegas with rumours abounding of one of their elite squads of cyber ronin visiting town, whilst the marginalised but vengeful Grove Street Gang have donned their green colours and are arming up for full scale war. The Mafia hunker down, preparing to weather a storm, but within their ranks Lazilli's most ambitious lieutenants are squaring up and plotting ways to take the throne. Outside of the gangs, corrupt corporate execs see this as a chance to help maximise profits, while the few good cops that remain see their chance to strike a major blow against organised crime. Vegas is a powder keg, ready to go nuclear at the slighest provocation.

Dancing on the fringes of this storm are the middlemen. Some are cybernetically-enhanced guns for hire, others hackers who can bust down firewalls and networks with a thought. Contract-thieves and assassins receive offers for work, getaway drivers are in constant demand and back-street doctors and augmen surgeons receive nightly visits. Of all the people in Vegas, some of them might just be what the gangs need to tip the scale in their favour.

It is the 1st December 2099 in Las Vegas, and as the city prepares for the biggest New Years party in history, somebody might just paint the town red.

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Okay, so the way this is going to work is that we're having a GM-run game (I am Game Master for this RP, for those of you unfamiliar with this, I will explain below). The setting is a futuristic Las Vegas with a dash of good old-fashioned Cyberpunk; cybernetic augmentions such as robotic arms or direct neural links to computers are relatively commonplace, organised criminals and powerful corporations all but run the place, there's a heavy Film-Noir aesthetic and the internet is god. If you're unfamiliar with the trapping of Cyberpunk, I recommend you read TVTropes' helpful outline article and then go and watch Blade Runner. Seriuosly, go watch Blade Runner, that film is amazing.

Anyway, quick note on my role as GM: I won't play a character, and instead I shall play the world, so to speak. I'll control NPCs and the setting as well as providing scenarios, obstacles and situations. As GM, I hold ultimate sway over the RP, but while I am an autocrat, I shall do all that is in my power to be a benevolent, fair autocrat, and my central concern is that everybody has fun, and will do my utmost to avoid the cardinal sin of GMing that is railroading. You are welcome to do your own thing, and I will reward intelligence, lateral thinking and solving problems through means beyond the simple employment of violence. However, if you are stupid, don't expect me to be merciful.

Character sheet is below. If people are interested, I'll put up a player's guide detailing the situation in Vegas in the next few days with information like major players and so forth.


Name:
Alias/nickname:
Gender:
Age:
Race:
Nationality:

Career:
Skills:
Gang affiliation (if any):

Equipment:
Cybernetics: [Note: for the sake of balance, due to biological complications the risk of random breakdowns of cybernetics increases the more of them a person has implanted in their body. With this in mind, yes, you can create a heavily augmented, bulletproof, car-throwing monster of a character, but that means that I'll be hitting you with one hell of a lot glitches, bugs, seizures, fits and attacks from hackers. Be sensible]
Weaponry:
Clothing:

History:

Misc info:

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At the start of the RP, your character recieves the following email:

Sent at: 04.53, 12/01/2099
From: frank.delorio@talknet.com
Subject: A proposition for our mutual benefit

Dear all

I'm messaging you now to make you an offer.

As you've no doubt heard, just a couple of days ago Paulo Lazilli got iced. The street's riled up and it's riled up bad, and as a former acquaintance of Mr Lazilli, I'm interested in seeing the status quo restored and for things to go back to the nice peaceful way they were. Now maybe you're thinking that you don't necessarily want things back the way they were, but before you delete this email let me tell you that we've noticed your skills and could use somebody of your talents, and we can offer a lot. Not just money, mind, though if you want cash we got cash, but we have favours and services we can offer, which nobody else in Vegas is going to be able to match. Name your price, and we'll pay it.

If you're interested, come to Mama Maria's Pizza Emporium on Radkovich Avenue for 12pm. Say you're here for lunch with Mr Delorio. Come alone, and only bring weapons if you want to piss me off. I'll give you more details if I see you there.

Frank
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Colonel Mustard
post Apr 29 2013, 08:26 PM
Post #41


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Well, considering that this is Cyberpunk, I think a hacker is kind of mandatory as well, though I think McBadgere's Gabriel character has an AI that can hack things so I guess that's covered.

Also, would there be any particularly loud objections to me sticking a GMPC up? Only I've got an idea for a getaway driver style character who I really like.

This post has been edited by Colonel Mustard: Apr 29 2013, 08:26 PM
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jack cloudy
post Apr 29 2013, 08:49 PM
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Well, I don't have a real problem. He could be a mystery cabbie/courier. "How come whenever I call a cab it is the same guy with his cryptic messages behind the wheel? I swear that ain't right."


I thought Elisabeth's fixer would do the hacking, but reading back I see she's supposed to be lowtech. And George never got his education and bloody well doesn't have a reason in his background for picking it up. So Gabriel's AI might be our best bet.


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Colonel Mustard
post Apr 29 2013, 09:18 PM
Post #43


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QUOTE(jack cloudy @ Apr 29 2013, 08:49 PM) *
Well, I don't have a real problem. He could be a mystery cabbie/courier. "How come whenever I call a cab it is the same guy with his cryptic messages behind the wheel? I swear that ain't right."


I thought Elisabeth's fixer would do the hacking, but reading back I see she's supposed to be lowtech. And George never got his education and bloody well doesn't have a reason in his background for picking it up. So Gabriel's AI might be our best bet.

Hah, now I've got this mental image of one of London's black cabs pulling up on a rain-slicked, neon-lit Vegas street veiled in fog and some cockney in a flat cap winding down a window and calling over to the characters; "You bunch need a lift?" tongue.gif

On the other hand, my getaway driver idea for a character has kind of evolved into a hacker, more, but she'd be the type who's pretty useless in a situation which doesn't involve computers so she could work quite well on the sidelines. Might go with that, if there are no objections.
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Elisabeth Hollow
post Apr 29 2013, 09:29 PM
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Whatever you want, dude.

I have to re-start my character profile since my computer decided to shut down and update and NOT save the file I had the CS on...


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McBadgere
post Apr 29 2013, 09:34 PM
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Removed...

This post has been edited by McBadgere: Jul 9 2013, 09:31 PM
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Colonel Mustard
post May 1 2013, 11:15 AM
Post #46


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Actually, after some thinking, I reckon I'll stick to pure GMing. It'll be easier for me, and RPing stuff when I know what's coming isn't actually all that fun.

I have, however, had an idea for a post order of sorts that I quite like, and I figure I'd run it by you guys. I'm basing this off the system of tabletop RPGs, and it's one that I'd apply in combat situations and any other scenarios where it might be necessary. In essence, it's a pseudo-turn-based system wherein each player posts up one action that their character does in combat (shoots at a bad guy, throws a flashbang grenade, tries to hack an automated gun turret).

Once all of the players have posted up their character's action (or a reasonable timeframe has passed and I don't want everyone to wait around) I post up the consequences of their actions (the goon gets grazed by the bullet and ducks down behind cover, the grenade detonates and blinds a room full of enemies, the turret's firewalls detect the intrusion and alarms start blaring) in my GM post, and then order resets once more; the players post their next actions, I post the consequences and reactions, and so and so forth until the situation is resolved. In keeping with the RPG tradition each 'turn' would occupy a timeframe of about six seconds, in order to keep things moving at a reasonable pace.

Your thoughts?
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Colonel Mustard
post May 1 2013, 12:22 PM
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Alright, part 3 of the world guide is up. Hopefully that should mean all the key detail is covered, but if there's anything that you're still curious about feel free to ask me a question and I'll answer it the best I can.



This post has been edited by Colonel Mustard: May 1 2013, 12:23 PM
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McBadgere
post May 1 2013, 01:31 PM
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*Thinks about what is possible in six seconds...*...

*Rubs hands with glee*... biggrin.gif ...

Yeah, I like that idea...Plus, with it being turn-based, the chances of us tripping over each other during combat is gone...

goodjob.gif ...Good idea...


I can see what you mean about the character thing, but Uleni was part of the Sutch one with that Ylenno, wasn't he?...You can still hang out with us playas... biggrin.gif ...



Loved the whole newest part of the world...Excellent stuff...

Absolutely loved the idea of the Cloud Cowboys...Means even Read (the A.I.) isn't safe... biggrin.gif ...Oh, actually...*Worried unsure.gif *...

OOooh, that reminds me...Is the smartbyote mandatory? It's just I've got Gabriel's comm thing in roughly the area you have the -byote...I don't mind, I was just thinking that any web searching would be done by Read and sent to Gabriel's wrist thingy if it's important...One less distraction for the assassin about town and all that... biggrin.gif ...

I'm intrigued to see how you use the memetics in the story... biggrin.gif ...Another amazing idea...*Applauds*...

This post has been edited by McBadgere: May 1 2013, 01:34 PM
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Colonel Mustard
post May 1 2013, 04:37 PM
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QUOTE(McBadgere @ May 1 2013, 01:31 PM) *

I can see what you mean about the character thing, but Uleni was part of the Sutch one with that Ylenno, wasn't he?...You can still hang out with us playas... biggrin.gif ...

<snip>

OOooh, that reminds me...Is the smartbyote mandatory? It's just I've got Gabriel's comm thing in roughly the area you have the -byote...I don't mind, I was just thinking that any web searching would be done by Read and sent to Gabriel's wrist thingy if it's important...One less distraction for the assassin about town and all that... biggrin.gif ...

I'm intrigued to see how you use the memetics in the story... biggrin.gif ...Another amazing idea...*Applauds*...

Tru dat, but as Uleni and I had shifts and so forth, it wasn't so difficult as generally we'd alternate between DMing and RPing.

A smartbyote isn't mandatory, but they're about as common in 2090s Vegas as mobile phones are in modern Vegas. Plus it's worth noting that the Smartbyote can be configured to switch between 'civvy' mode and 'tactical' mode, where things like ammunition readouts, IFF markers and miniature GPS maps can be displayed on his vision to help him out in combat, like the HUD you get in most FPS games.

As for the Memetics, well, that would be spoiling things.

This post has been edited by Colonel Mustard: May 1 2013, 04:38 PM
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jack cloudy
post May 1 2013, 09:29 PM
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I have no problems with the short round system. It should keep wonky timebending to a minimum. I've seen a few fight scenes that ended in epic duels, while everyone else was forced to go with "Well, Bob attacked Ted and they wrecked half the city, and Susie really wanted to stop them, but didn't get the chance. It was all over by the time she'd drawn her sword, somehow. All three hours of non-stop combat." biggrin.gif


Oh, and I'm going to stick with my old-time phone. I can just say that George's malformed skull would mean he needed a custom fit for his byote and he's a tad touchy about opening up his coffin. I mean, he smells and is horrible to look at in ways simple storeclerks aren't trained to handle.


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Elisabeth Hollow
post May 1 2013, 09:37 PM
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You'd be surprised at what we can handle XD
I mean...Speedos. nuff said.


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Uleni Athram
post May 1 2013, 09:38 PM
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Would it be possible if my character's glitch on his cybernetic arm could be wired to a Meme? Reading the third entry of the world, I just had that crazy idea! lol


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Colonel Mustard
post May 1 2013, 09:52 PM
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QUOTE(Uleni Athram @ May 1 2013, 09:38 PM) *
Would it be possible if my character's glitch on his cybernetic arm could be wired to a Meme? Reading the third entry of the world, I just had that crazy idea! lol

Having one living in there would be a bit of a stretch (they're literally made of internet, after all) but having one just randomly take over at intervals '4 teh lulz' would be kind of hilarious and pretty fitting with the character of most Memetics.

So are we all good with the turn system, then?
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Uleni Athram
post May 1 2013, 10:00 PM
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QUOTE(Colonel Mustard @ May 2 2013, 05:52 AM) *

QUOTE(Uleni Athram @ May 1 2013, 09:38 PM) *
Would it be possible if my character's glitch on his cybernetic arm could be wired to a Meme? Reading the third entry of the world, I just had that crazy idea! lol

Having one living in there would be a bit of a stretch (they're literally made of internet, after all) but having one just randomly take over at intervals '4 teh lulz' would be kind of hilarious and pretty fitting with the character of most Memetics.

So are we all good with the turn system, then?


I'm sure you- errr, the Meme would have fun messing around, particularly on serious and grave situations. tongue.gif

And yeah, the turn system seems fine. At least now combat wouldn't be so one sided on our part.

This post has been edited by Uleni Athram: May 1 2013, 10:01 PM


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McBadgere
post May 2 2013, 06:33 AM
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QUOTE(Elisabeth Hollow @ May 1 2013, 09:37 PM) *

You'd be surprised at what we can handle XD
I mean...Speedos. nuff said.


Oh well, at least they give you training for dealing with suspicious packages... biggrin.gif ...
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jack cloudy
post May 3 2013, 08:36 PM
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See, and that's why I don't work in retail. tongue.gif


So, how is everyone's character coming along?


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Elisabeth Hollow
post May 3 2013, 11:12 PM
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I...completely forgot to remake mine. O had mine halfway done and my computer restarted and didn't save.

Sigh.


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McBadgere
post May 4 2013, 04:04 AM
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You bad girl! You go to prisonnn... tongue.gif ...

I think I'm done... biggrin.gif ...

I also suspect that I will get my arse handed to me in terms RP-ing...As I have no idea what I'm doing... laugh.gif ..

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jack cloudy
post May 4 2013, 11:27 AM
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If your computer is unstable, how about building your character up in pieces right here in the thread? You could just post up the initial framework and then edit the post to add bits.

Or was it a forced windows update? I hate when those happen. Always when I'm working on something important. dry.gif


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Uleni Athram
post May 4 2013, 03:03 PM
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Still hammering..... *clang clang, Uleni curses as the unrefined RP character shoots ricochetting revolver rounds at him*

the finer details of my character.


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