Session 5 Synopsis -
(Note: Session was short due to Insane Snow)
The group decided to follow the light path offered by the dagger. After some discussion, they rented a boat under the corp that Silver had established, and headed toward Float Town, an anarchist refuge 20 miles from the target site in the middle of the Bermuda triangle. Along the way, the group pinged a rigger by the name of Banjo to do some work for them to take them to the site. They were attacked by some pirates, who they initially evaded. However the pirates got aboard Banjo's squid like sub and attempted to attack the party that way. It was an utter blood bath in which the party easily triumphed, and got a nice squid shaped sub in the interum (Details to be posted in the News as to the stats on the vehicle). It was capable of 100 mph and had an atomic engine allowing it to operate almost indefinitely without fuel. The group went early and discovered a strange chamber with a mountain that had four doors. The group was unsure of which way to go, but entered the door towards the mountain itself. There was a visible wind and they remembered the questions that they had been asked about directions. Inside of this chamber, they found a huge chamber that was filled with seven statues; an elf with a symbol that looked a bit like the royal seal of Tir'naog and Tir tain'gair but not quite, a dragon that looked like Dunklezahn with the symbol of a jewel, a human with the symbol of the Atlantean society, a differently dressed human with the symbol on the US dollar, a statue with a bunch of wheels with no visible symbol, a formless blob with a circle of stones as a symbol, and a black pillar with a black void of some kind as a symbol.
After playing around for a bit, the group temporarily empowered the human with the Atlantean symbol, until a human with five heavy hitters came in and demanded that they change it to the symbol with the all seeing eye. The group said, 'Screw that' (essentially) and changed it so that it favored no particular statue instead making a white light go toward the heavens. They instinctively knew that it empowered their faction; such as they actually had a faction. There was a brief firefight between the intruder and someone behind them, but the group has no idea who that was. There was a bright light and they all found themselves back on the Submarine with the knowledge that the chamber was still there, and with the Dagger of Ararchne, they could still change it.
Of course, theoretically, so could someone else, which suddenly makes the thing incredibly powerful and valuable. World altering valuable and powerful.
Notes:
A player can now earn up to 20 Down Time Points per session. You may have up to 30 saved up per session.
1 DTP - With things increasing in sophistication, I want to only have to do one of these per month, which means I'm having YOU GUYS write the synopsis. For writing a summary of the last session from your character's perspective and sending it to me within one week of the last session. This also requires you sending me an updated copy of your character sheet, complete with original written background. I don't want to always have to go and look things up.
3 DTP - Free. You get these regardless of what you do.
5 DTP - Quasi Free. As a result of this session, you now get these Down Time points just flat out free. This lasts until the setting in the chamber is changed.
1 DTP - Corporate Choice. You may earn a Down Time Point by 'puppeting' your corporate faction chosen in your chargen question.
10 DTP - Earned. You can do neat extra things to earn them.
Form: All DTP must be submitted using this form. If you change things, if you take another action or ask questions or such, I need you to resend the ENTIRE form. No more missing an email. No more slogging through the archives trying to find things.
Player Name:
Character Name(s):
Previous DTP:
Earned DTP:
Spent DTP:
Remaining DTP:
Earned: List how you earned. Include any attached files in one file. If you don't attach it with the master file, it isn't counted. This is only per particular month.
Spent: Outline how you're spending your DTP. You can also ask questions here but when I answer them you need to resend the WHOLE form.
Regular Time: How you are spending your 4-5 weeks of regular time.
***********************
Reposted for your reference:
Special actions come from abilities chosen by you.
Your characters have potent dreams, in which they are offered three choices. (You as player will choose only one. Your characters choose the same if you have two)
They are in a deep and long tunnel wherein they are offered a choice of a door. They may choose one door. There are ten doors, with the following symbols upon them:
A roman helmet.
A jade jaguar.
An icy claw.
A rising sun.
A blue diamond.
A sun at zenith.
A splatter of blood.
A ruby dragon.
An emerald set in agate.
A ruby lotus.
The second dream involves them being in a deep chamber. Within the chamber they are able to choose an object from a table. They may only choose one object.
A bear tooth.
A cat collar.
An onyx crown.
A dog leash.
A sword.
An eagle talon.
A lighter.
A moon rock.
Mountain climbing gear.
A rat tail.
A raven feather.
A glass of water.
A tube of lipstick
A shark tooth.
A baby rattle.
A car key.
A pair of dice.
A book titled "Sun Tsu, The Art of War."
A wolf skin coat.
A frowny face button.
A hammer
A stock market portfolio.
A pair of crocodile skin boots.
A dagger
A gold coin.
A baby bottle
A severed bird beak.
A deer horn
A saddle
A lion's tooth.
An acorn.
A stuffed owl.
A book marked, "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix"
A bible
A piece of paper marked, "I.O.U."
And a box of Raisin Bran Cereal.
In the third dream they find themselves on a tall mountain, and the wind is howling. Which way do they go to climb down?
Downtime Points (Updated)
------------------
Getting them: You automatically get three for free each month. Period.
You can also get them by doing the following:
A) Puppet Factions. Keeping track of ALL the factions in a game this hard is difficult.
I will allow you to puppet one country, one corporation and one miscleneous minor group like policlubs. Basically this can be detailed in terms of what they are planning that month or it can be as little as a paragraph. You can earn two DP's this way. One very detailed plan or three high level ones will earn two. A single paragraph can earn 1.
B) Flesh out NPCs. Up to 2. At least one must be one I can use in an encounter against the party. You can earn up to 2 this way.
C) Rumors. Plot seeds and rumors sent to me to make the game more interesting, and that I might use to speed things up. You can earn up to 3 this way.
D) Increase Darkness. I have will have a hidden timeline. Certain events will happen around the world including the ultimate destruction of the world as the 'darkness meter' increases. You can earn up to 2 this way.
E) Increase Regional Chaos. Every major region (North America, South America, Central America, East Europe, West Europe, North Africa, South Africa, Pacific Islands, China, South East Asia, Middle East, Other (Space/Antartica/Deep Sea Islands) has a chaos rating. As it increases, worse and worse things happen. You can earn up to three this way.
I am potentially open to suggestions of other ways to earn DP, but they should be along this vein.
Ways you can spend them.
Individually
1)Acquire Contact: Contacts are extremely useful because within their sphere of influence, they can achieve any of the other things that a DP can do for you at no cost to yourself. The downside of this, of course, is that if you use a contact, there is an increasing chance they will ask you to do something for them in return.
2)Upgrade Contact: You can increase either the loyalty or connection rating of an existing contact for each DP spent.
3)Research: Pretty flexible. You can spend a DP to research anything from a new spell, combat technique, item, technology etc. Vastly increased if you have the resources of your own lab or a university at your disposal. Each DP spent represents a month of your or someone else's time spent. You can thus accomplish several months of research at a much faster pace than normal.
4) Gather Information: You can gain a great deal of information on a wide range of topics. Naturally, if you have skills that are more suited for a particular topic, you will be more successful in this regard.
5) Craft Item: This involves making something, either commissioning it or having someone else do it, or making it yourself. This can be anything from your own journal to a play to a magic item. Unique items (besides magic items) will almost always have a beneficial result. Each DP spent represents a month of in character crafting time on your or someone else's part. You can thus accomplish several months of crafting at a much faster pace than normal.
6) Personal Mission: You can undertake your own micro quest. Establish a plan, and I will make rolls for you to determine the result. This can be quite flexible, but this also involves risk to your person; almost never death, but you could, for example, theoretically start the game with damage or loss of an item. Then again, the gains can potentially be quite exceptional as well. You can earn up to 20000 NY and 3 karma per mission MAX, and the more risky it is, the more wounds you start with at the beginning of the next session. You may only do 3 Personal Missions per session. If you all take part in a mission, the odds of success go up dramatically. I may also award information, 0 level contacts or other things depending on the role playing involved and the cleverness of the plan of the mission.
7) Acquire a Knowledge Skill. 1 point for each DP spent. You should never have to waste Karma on knowledge skills.
8) Misc: There are things you can try with DTP that have not yet been discovered.
Group
Everyone can contribute DP towards these.
1) Increase the stakes. For 5 DP's, everyone earns an additional 1 Karma per session. Then it goes to 10, 15, 20 etc etc. It increases the speed at which everyone earns Karma but also the toughness of the bad guys you face.
2) Vehicles. Each DP spent represents up to 10,000NY towards group modification, customization or acquisition of specific vehicles.
3) Bases and Resources. Each DP spent represents up to 10,000NY towards group modification, customization or acquisition of specific bases and group resources.
4) Group Edge Pool. For 5 DP spent, you get one group Edge pool which can be used to solve problems by majority vote at the table during the session. The cost of this goes up 5 for each one acquired 10, 15 etc).
5) Increase the group public rep. Also at a 5 DP increase cost for each spent. 5/10/15 etc.
6) Patron. You can establish a corporate, organizational, conspiracy or group patron. You spend DTP in two ways. The frame work cost is fibinaci - 1 DTP for 1, 2 DTP for level 2, 3 for 3, 5 for 5 etc. Each increase represents more that the patron is willing to do and the efficiency and TIES that the patron has. Shadowrun is all about this which is why this is a more efficient method of acquiring STUFF than using DTP on your own but the flip side is that you are tying the group to these outside factions. The second is spending DTP to actually get stuff. This will vary highly depending on what you want but the higher the 'Patron Level' the more return for DTP invested that you get.
7) Group Corp. This is somewhat new. So I'll list some specific costs.
National to Multinational (A): 7 DTP
A to AA: 15 DTP
AA to AAA: 50 DTP
Disassociation (Rating 1 through 10): 5 for 1, 10 for 2, etc.
Matrix Assets (Rating 1 through 10): 5 for 1, 10 for 2, etc.
Financial Assets (Rating 1 through 10): 5 for 1, 10 for 2, etc.
Shadow Assets (Rating 1 through 10): 5 for 1, 10 for 2, etc.
Magical Assets (Rating 1 through 10): 5 for 1, 10 for 2, etc.
Physical Security (Per installation) (Rating 1 through 10): 1 for 1.
Political Power (Per region) (1 through 10): 1 for 1.
Other special assets might include, Research and Development, Building and Craft Facilities etc.
The corp is HIGHLY visible and subject to attack by other corporations along a wide variety of fronts. The bigger you are, the bigger you can be hit. The group ownership of the corp can remaining largely hidden by the dagger as long as it remains only an A corp. After that, it depends on the Dissociation factor.
A: Max Rating 3
AA: Max Rating 6
AAA: Max Rating 10
The Dissociation Factor must be 1 higher than all the other ratings to retain the cloaking abilities of the dagger. Otherwise, the ownership of the group will become known and all that is associated with it. INDIVIDUAL GEAR bought from the corp (as compared to a Patron, Direct DTP or Nuyen) temporarily lowers the Dissociation factor and the shielding effect of the corp. GROUP GEAR depends on the mission specifics. A vehicle to get you to a mission probably won't. Things that you buy everyone ON the mission probably will.
Metaplot
1)Advocate Organization: All organizations are starting out with an effective 'matrix' in political strength of a certain strength. I will publish that in the first news post. I will track Corps, the 5-6 strongest nations, and other organizations I deem relevant for you to now about. For the first month you won't know what these faction ratings are.
2) Weaken Organization. The reverse of the first.
3) Lower the darkness rating .5. Thus it costs 2 DP's to lower it 1, wherein you can gain 1 DP by raising it one. This is currently defined but hidden.
4) Lower regional chaos. 1 for 1. I will not have the regional chaos score of an area visible.
5) Advance the Tech track. I will also be creating a hidden tech timeline with technological innovation occurring. This is currently undefined.
6) Advance the Magic track. Defined but hidden.
7) Advance the Reckoning track. There are a lot of scores to be settled and issues that need to be resolved. This will be a hidden track.
Bottom line: Send me your responses privately. You can discuss how to spend it amongst each other as much as you want, but when you actually decide how to spend it, I want "Official" somewhere in your subject line.
Sunday, February 21, 2010
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Blood of the Earth - Reference
This reference is considered canon for game purposes, except what the news has made mention of something different to this point. The news is considered dominant to anything mentioned here.
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Blood of the Earth - News February 2073
Stuff happening in the world - Febuary 2073
The cyber psychosis plague has continued, causing the cybernetics restrictions in most developed nations to increase. Licenses have become even more selectively given, and there is now a simmering tension between several of the more powerful nation states and corporations, who dislike the restrictions on such licenses. For now it is merely being blamed on bureaucracy and increased time in background checks, but it is not known if this will cease on its own.
Tir Taingaire got some relief as a temporary truce was called between the two factions of the civil war amongst the Royal and Republic factions, though there are substantial rumors that the shadows in the area are white hot between the two with all courtesy being on the surface only. Neighboring NAN nations have withdrawn all troops from the conflict and are laying down substantial trenches and defenses in case the chaos spills over to their areas.
Atzlan pulled its troops from the Amazonian border, which grew much calmer. It then shifted these troops rapidly by rail in a major move to push an attack on the beleaguered California Free state. The California Free State was unable to put up any kind of a substantive resistance with Atzlan advancing and taking the southern third of the country before a desperate CFS turned to the UCAS. Apparently secret reintegration talks were under way which were fast tracked.
The UCAS and CFS formally signed a merger agreement, pending acceptance by the UCAS senate, formally reuniting the CFS with its former neighbor. UCAS has established a major naval presence off the coast the Panama Canal and are currently in talks with Atzlan. Very large air/sky spirits have been seen working in conjunction with UCAS military train maneuvers in Seattle. Similar large water spirits in the harbor have many convinced the UCAS has considerable underwater assets nearby as well. Atzlan has been threatened with immediate war if it does not halt its attacks.
Atzlan has ceased major movement but has not formerly called for a cease fire. Reactions from the other North American nations has been mixed, torn between great concern over the aggression of Aztlan and the danger of a fully reintegrated UCAS. Sources indicate that the UCAS is in negotiations with the NAN to allow heavy troop movements through their territory in exchange for favorable trade treaties while the NAN is offering substantial technological and economic incentives to keep them neutral in the conflict.
Public perception has begun to turn against Atzlan, with multiple entertainment companies portraying them in an increasingly dark light. Strangely this negative publicity has not affected the popularity of Aztechnology in the slightest. This shift in public opinion causes speculators to believe that most other NorthAM nations will eventually decide in favor of UCAS, despite their reservations. In fact, the only thing probably keeping the NAN and other NorthAM nations from forming an outright alliance against Atzlan are the formal announcement of talks (talks only at this stage) of reintegration between the CAS and UCAS as well. Such a merger would pose a considerable threat in the minds of the NAN and other nations, which have not forgotten the horrors of the internment camps at the beginning of the 21rst century by the former American Empire.
Meanwhile, Amazonia has NOT moved its troops from the border with Atzlan and it is suggested that there may be more major logistical movements underway to allow for a major offensive. Whether or not this is true is extremely difficult to confirm due to the secretive and impenetrable nature of the arcane country. Part of this posturing is believed to be the startling revelations now made by several independent micro journalists that the Vitas IV-like outbreak in Caracus was an Azlan test of a blood magic enhanced weapon, and one more provocation from Azlan to Amazonia. Azlan denies this but the proof that they are guilty is, in the words of one expert, ‘irrefutable.’
Renraku has been formerly acknowledged by the Corporate Court to have AAA status, with substantial backing from Amazonia and several other South American countries. The corporation has made remarkable, almost perfectly timed stock market gains and many believe that they have perfected some kind of powerful divination magic.
The VITAS IV plague was stopped in the nick of time, with a massive vaccination effort, led by Renraku in the area. Rumors abound of a powerful Prime Runner team that single handedly took down a Great Spirit Hive that was threatening the area. Several independent journalists have begun to look into the incident but reports from the area are that finding any clues is proving surprisingly difficult, beyond even the difficulties found in the terrain and the shadows in general. The only tangible clue that they have gathered thus far is a link between the runner group and Renraku, possibly attributable to their success of late.
The radioactive cloud in Micronesia has rained massive amount of atomic waste, causing an enormous amount of toxic water and island spirits to manifest. It is believed that no less than four giant spirits of Force 14 or larger have been created as a result and are hanging around the focus of the atomic blast. Distance readings indicate that the background count on the island is the single highest ever recorded, and that it may impossible for the magically active to go anywhere near the island without madness or death.
General hatred of ghouls was sufficient to cause a massive national militia to round up and mow down all of the ghouls causing problems in Australia. Metahuman rights activities sympathetic to ghouls are appalled and attempting to organize an international boycott. Their efforts have thus far been unsuccessful.
CAS investigators shut down a massive blood cult setting up shop in Birmingham Alabama. The effort is widely hailed as a perfect example of law enforcement, and one sheriff was quoted as saying, “We ain’t going to allow no Chicago down here.”
The Oriculcum Rush in Pakistan has resulted in full out warfare between tribal, corporate, criminal and individual factions. The entire region has devolved into what is probably the most militarized zone in the world, though rumor has it that it is extremely profitable for business.
*A powerful great spirit in the Gobi desert has begun sucking the life force from caravan travelers. There are some who believe that this is a free spirit that has found a way to draw karmic life force without voluntary compliance. Word is whispered in the shadows that there are a great many powerful free spirits that would like to know about how the Great Desert Spirit is doing this and a great many powerful magical anything else that is scared witless about this ability and willing to prevent others from learning it. It is believed by some scholars that this spirit was released when the Volcanos near the Three Gorges erupted.
*An unusually large number of the dead are coming to life in the areas around Poland. Many believe this is some kind of new hyper colony of Shedim. The creatures only surface briefly but when they do manifest in the physical world, they cause all kinds of havoc. Thus far they are only seen in a few outlying villages.
*Diamonds have begun exploding at random in South Africa. The cause of this is unknown but work in all forms of diamond minds has drawn to a halt. The effect has also hit several jewelry stores however, and even in a few rare cases wedding and engagement rings. Thus far the effect seems localized to South Africa but shares of diamond mines around the world have plummeted out of negative anticipation.
Metaphalis has just recently been announced by EVO to produce almost unlimited amounts of oxygen and nutrients for a surprisingly low cost. Economists estimate that it has made the cost of living in outer space essentially free from an environmental perspective, though of course there are still many other prohibitive factors. Evo has also developed a line of cheap, biodroid bodies that will allow AI's to interact with and pretend to be human with relatively low cost.
Analysis of some samples taken from the Pakistani site reveal that there is a new alloy found from the Oriculcum that seems to have powerful new metamagic properties. Exactly what they are is unknown at this time but it is believed to have something to do with spirits or Deep Astral planes.
Rumors
Shiwase is about to release new biotech that will make the owner
unconscious and totally unresponsive, and alert corporate HQ, in the
event they are possessed by a spirit.
Watcher spirits in Yucatan have begun randomly attacking anyone astrally
active nearby at the time when their service is ended. this has
included the person that originally summoned them.
UCAS has freed shadow runners in jail for offenses in return for their
assistance in California Free State.
Arthur Pendragon is gaining power in England and is soon to become King in a Coup de Etat.
A powerful ring of light has surrounded the toxic island trapping all of the spirits inside of it.
The two factions of the Elven Civil War in Tir Taingaire are close to reconciling their differences.
Tir’Na’Og and Tir’ Taingaire’s Royal House are discussing an alliance via marriage between their royal houses.
Saeder Krup is about to make an absolute killing based on a technology that was found by a group of runners near the CFS/Tir border.
Amazonia has discovered an extremely potent magical weapon which offers them protection against blood magic.
A powerful assassin is after the heir of the royal house of Tir’Na’Og.
A conglomeration of corporate interests is about to bring major reinforcements into Pakistan to turn the Oriculcum War there to their favor.
The Great Desert Spirit is a gigantic hoax foisted upon the world by an entertainment conglomerate.
Negotiations between the UCAS and CAS are going extremely well.
The NAN are considering entering into a free trade arrangement with the UCAS as a way to appease their increasing might.
Chili is increasing in military might and economic power and is due to see the largest growth in their nation’s history.
The Great Desert Spirit’s name is written in a 20th century comic book, which if decoded will allow for easy control and binding.
But there is only one copy of the comic book and it has been bought by an unknown party and has not been seen for 70 years.
A conference of powerful free spirits is gathering in Western China to learn from the Great Desert Spirit.
The great toxic spirits in the toxic island hold great animosity for each other and desire to attack each other.
The four toxic spirits near the island have begun to spread out, each targeting a separate city for destruction.
The extremely high background count at the Monster Island has begun to grow larger and shows no sign of stopping.
Status and Stuff:
Dennis: 0 Stored DP
Anarch: 0 Stored DP
Brooks: 7 Stored DP
James: 12 Stored DP
Liv: 3 Stored DP
New Character: 420 Build Points
Group Edge: 1. Cost to Increase: 10 DP
Accelerated Karma: 2 Per Session. Cost to Increase: 15 DP (5 toward)
Darkness Index: 0.8/5 (Effect/Countdown)
Magic Index: 4
Tech Index: 4
Group Assets: $10,000 Vehicle Harbor in Seattle
GMC Bulldog step van with $15000 in improvements including Chameleon Coating, Shielded Components and A Hard Point.
Base outside of Atlanta. This is a major facility, stealthed and quite nice. It has repair gear and a moderate medical bay. Has a Virtual Programming Environment
Corporate Patronage: Renraku – Level 1. By spending 1 DTP the group can pay up to 100,000 NY to get up to 1 Avail 16 item per character. This represents using the Book of Life to benefit Renraku.
Knowledge of Location of Aztechnology Base (Tijuana) that has highly secretive anti astral tracking magic along with a local criminal contact about how to obtain the data.
B Level Corp (Name Unknown) based in Atlanta GA. Capable of generating SINs and legal licenses of up to Avail 10 gear.
Book of Light – Possession of the Book allows one to predict the next target of the greatest opportunity for the Allies of Life, through the Dagger of Arachne.
First of Seven Rituals (Unlocked): There are up to six other 'streams' that you can unlock in the dagger that point to the location of interest. These will be revealed when the Dagger is activated on its primary day. To anticipate the location on each lunar cycle, the master tome of each stream must be found. The dagger can be ordered to point to the location of the master tome instead of the location of each groups next position of opportunity.
Book of Darkness – Can be read for 1 DPT to give knowledge of Blood Metamagics (as outlined in Street Magic)
Possession of the book allows one to predict the next target of the greatest opportunity available to the Foes of Life through the Dagger of Arachne.
You learn the first of seven rituals within this book that will reveal the presence of all but the most powerful Shedim or Shedim agents within a 10 feet as attached to the dagger or any other vessel upon which you wish to invoke the ritual. It costs a DTP and seven animal sacrifices to create. (None currently made)
Dagger of Arachne
*The dagger is tied to a powerful Ally Spirit (which you already knew). You can make a spirit pact with it. (Which you didn't.)
*The dagger can be bound to an infinite number of mages, however the effects only apply to anyone within a fifty foot radius of the wielder.
*The dagger is beyond doubt Atlantean in origin. It is difficult to determine but you believe it to be essentially indestructible. Furthermore, you learn that there is a distinct astrological tie of some kind to the cloaking effect, though what that is not yet discernible. It does seem to be a 24 hour window on the Second Saturday of every month.
A E D G T F S
+2 +2 +5 +4 +3 +3 +2
The owner of the Great Ghost Dance journal is Laughing at Crows, widely regarded to be the third ranking amongst the NAN members who completed several of the great rituals. It is primarily a journal that describes the horrific conditions and injustices that they received at the time, but it also contains extremely valuable and hither to now unknown insights into exactly what the meta magic process was that they used. Through a combination of ley lines, star signs and powerful meta spirits, they were able to achieve these extremely powerful magic effects. It also involved a powerful meta magic similar to blood magic but that involved voluntary sacrifice instead of involuntary sacrifice. Anyone reading it gains +1 Arcane Theory KS, +1 NAN History KS, +1 Meta Magic KS and ½ Xp cost toward their next rank in Arcana.
Digital Copy of the Journal is worth 50,000 base per modified by negotiations.
Journal worth 100,000 at base price per modified by negotiations.
(Research on White Book location)
Targets:
Allies of Light: Middle of the Ocean near Bermuda.
Research conducted by Steel: This area is in the middle of the ocean. A quick study reveals that it in the middle of the Bermuda Triangle and believed by many to be one potential location for the lost city of Atlantis. Some investigation reveals that the Atlantean society has indeed discovered a large number of interesting artifacts in the area, though their investigations are over several regions and many believe Atlantis to be just as likely in the Eastern Mediterranean or Northern Atlantic. There are three nearby oil platforms, one of which has a small floating city by it within 20 miles of the primary site which can potentially be used for resupply. The first of the oil platforms is owned by Ares, another by BP and another by Exxon. There are two oriculcum processing facilities (underwater) within 10 miles and a small island resort owned by an eccentric billionaire 10 miles north of the triangulated area. The billionaire’s name is Lance Hunt, and he designed several pieces of high tech weaponry, including Stick and Shock Ammo.
Allies of Dark: Southern Iraq
The cyber psychosis plague has continued, causing the cybernetics restrictions in most developed nations to increase. Licenses have become even more selectively given, and there is now a simmering tension between several of the more powerful nation states and corporations, who dislike the restrictions on such licenses. For now it is merely being blamed on bureaucracy and increased time in background checks, but it is not known if this will cease on its own.
Tir Taingaire got some relief as a temporary truce was called between the two factions of the civil war amongst the Royal and Republic factions, though there are substantial rumors that the shadows in the area are white hot between the two with all courtesy being on the surface only. Neighboring NAN nations have withdrawn all troops from the conflict and are laying down substantial trenches and defenses in case the chaos spills over to their areas.
Atzlan pulled its troops from the Amazonian border, which grew much calmer. It then shifted these troops rapidly by rail in a major move to push an attack on the beleaguered California Free state. The California Free State was unable to put up any kind of a substantive resistance with Atzlan advancing and taking the southern third of the country before a desperate CFS turned to the UCAS. Apparently secret reintegration talks were under way which were fast tracked.
The UCAS and CFS formally signed a merger agreement, pending acceptance by the UCAS senate, formally reuniting the CFS with its former neighbor. UCAS has established a major naval presence off the coast the Panama Canal and are currently in talks with Atzlan. Very large air/sky spirits have been seen working in conjunction with UCAS military train maneuvers in Seattle. Similar large water spirits in the harbor have many convinced the UCAS has considerable underwater assets nearby as well. Atzlan has been threatened with immediate war if it does not halt its attacks.
Atzlan has ceased major movement but has not formerly called for a cease fire. Reactions from the other North American nations has been mixed, torn between great concern over the aggression of Aztlan and the danger of a fully reintegrated UCAS. Sources indicate that the UCAS is in negotiations with the NAN to allow heavy troop movements through their territory in exchange for favorable trade treaties while the NAN is offering substantial technological and economic incentives to keep them neutral in the conflict.
Public perception has begun to turn against Atzlan, with multiple entertainment companies portraying them in an increasingly dark light. Strangely this negative publicity has not affected the popularity of Aztechnology in the slightest. This shift in public opinion causes speculators to believe that most other NorthAM nations will eventually decide in favor of UCAS, despite their reservations. In fact, the only thing probably keeping the NAN and other NorthAM nations from forming an outright alliance against Atzlan are the formal announcement of talks (talks only at this stage) of reintegration between the CAS and UCAS as well. Such a merger would pose a considerable threat in the minds of the NAN and other nations, which have not forgotten the horrors of the internment camps at the beginning of the 21rst century by the former American Empire.
Meanwhile, Amazonia has NOT moved its troops from the border with Atzlan and it is suggested that there may be more major logistical movements underway to allow for a major offensive. Whether or not this is true is extremely difficult to confirm due to the secretive and impenetrable nature of the arcane country. Part of this posturing is believed to be the startling revelations now made by several independent micro journalists that the Vitas IV-like outbreak in Caracus was an Azlan test of a blood magic enhanced weapon, and one more provocation from Azlan to Amazonia. Azlan denies this but the proof that they are guilty is, in the words of one expert, ‘irrefutable.’
Renraku has been formerly acknowledged by the Corporate Court to have AAA status, with substantial backing from Amazonia and several other South American countries. The corporation has made remarkable, almost perfectly timed stock market gains and many believe that they have perfected some kind of powerful divination magic.
The VITAS IV plague was stopped in the nick of time, with a massive vaccination effort, led by Renraku in the area. Rumors abound of a powerful Prime Runner team that single handedly took down a Great Spirit Hive that was threatening the area. Several independent journalists have begun to look into the incident but reports from the area are that finding any clues is proving surprisingly difficult, beyond even the difficulties found in the terrain and the shadows in general. The only tangible clue that they have gathered thus far is a link between the runner group and Renraku, possibly attributable to their success of late.
The radioactive cloud in Micronesia has rained massive amount of atomic waste, causing an enormous amount of toxic water and island spirits to manifest. It is believed that no less than four giant spirits of Force 14 or larger have been created as a result and are hanging around the focus of the atomic blast. Distance readings indicate that the background count on the island is the single highest ever recorded, and that it may impossible for the magically active to go anywhere near the island without madness or death.
General hatred of ghouls was sufficient to cause a massive national militia to round up and mow down all of the ghouls causing problems in Australia. Metahuman rights activities sympathetic to ghouls are appalled and attempting to organize an international boycott. Their efforts have thus far been unsuccessful.
CAS investigators shut down a massive blood cult setting up shop in Birmingham Alabama. The effort is widely hailed as a perfect example of law enforcement, and one sheriff was quoted as saying, “We ain’t going to allow no Chicago down here.”
The Oriculcum Rush in Pakistan has resulted in full out warfare between tribal, corporate, criminal and individual factions. The entire region has devolved into what is probably the most militarized zone in the world, though rumor has it that it is extremely profitable for business.
*A powerful great spirit in the Gobi desert has begun sucking the life force from caravan travelers. There are some who believe that this is a free spirit that has found a way to draw karmic life force without voluntary compliance. Word is whispered in the shadows that there are a great many powerful free spirits that would like to know about how the Great Desert Spirit is doing this and a great many powerful magical anything else that is scared witless about this ability and willing to prevent others from learning it. It is believed by some scholars that this spirit was released when the Volcanos near the Three Gorges erupted.
*An unusually large number of the dead are coming to life in the areas around Poland. Many believe this is some kind of new hyper colony of Shedim. The creatures only surface briefly but when they do manifest in the physical world, they cause all kinds of havoc. Thus far they are only seen in a few outlying villages.
*Diamonds have begun exploding at random in South Africa. The cause of this is unknown but work in all forms of diamond minds has drawn to a halt. The effect has also hit several jewelry stores however, and even in a few rare cases wedding and engagement rings. Thus far the effect seems localized to South Africa but shares of diamond mines around the world have plummeted out of negative anticipation.
Metaphalis has just recently been announced by EVO to produce almost unlimited amounts of oxygen and nutrients for a surprisingly low cost. Economists estimate that it has made the cost of living in outer space essentially free from an environmental perspective, though of course there are still many other prohibitive factors. Evo has also developed a line of cheap, biodroid bodies that will allow AI's to interact with and pretend to be human with relatively low cost.
Analysis of some samples taken from the Pakistani site reveal that there is a new alloy found from the Oriculcum that seems to have powerful new metamagic properties. Exactly what they are is unknown at this time but it is believed to have something to do with spirits or Deep Astral planes.
Rumors
Shiwase is about to release new biotech that will make the owner
unconscious and totally unresponsive, and alert corporate HQ, in the
event they are possessed by a spirit.
Watcher spirits in Yucatan have begun randomly attacking anyone astrally
active nearby at the time when their service is ended. this has
included the person that originally summoned them.
UCAS has freed shadow runners in jail for offenses in return for their
assistance in California Free State.
Arthur Pendragon is gaining power in England and is soon to become King in a Coup de Etat.
A powerful ring of light has surrounded the toxic island trapping all of the spirits inside of it.
The two factions of the Elven Civil War in Tir Taingaire are close to reconciling their differences.
Tir’Na’Og and Tir’ Taingaire’s Royal House are discussing an alliance via marriage between their royal houses.
Saeder Krup is about to make an absolute killing based on a technology that was found by a group of runners near the CFS/Tir border.
Amazonia has discovered an extremely potent magical weapon which offers them protection against blood magic.
A powerful assassin is after the heir of the royal house of Tir’Na’Og.
A conglomeration of corporate interests is about to bring major reinforcements into Pakistan to turn the Oriculcum War there to their favor.
The Great Desert Spirit is a gigantic hoax foisted upon the world by an entertainment conglomerate.
Negotiations between the UCAS and CAS are going extremely well.
The NAN are considering entering into a free trade arrangement with the UCAS as a way to appease their increasing might.
Chili is increasing in military might and economic power and is due to see the largest growth in their nation’s history.
The Great Desert Spirit’s name is written in a 20th century comic book, which if decoded will allow for easy control and binding.
But there is only one copy of the comic book and it has been bought by an unknown party and has not been seen for 70 years.
A conference of powerful free spirits is gathering in Western China to learn from the Great Desert Spirit.
The great toxic spirits in the toxic island hold great animosity for each other and desire to attack each other.
The four toxic spirits near the island have begun to spread out, each targeting a separate city for destruction.
The extremely high background count at the Monster Island has begun to grow larger and shows no sign of stopping.
Status and Stuff:
Dennis: 0 Stored DP
Anarch: 0 Stored DP
Brooks: 7 Stored DP
James: 12 Stored DP
Liv: 3 Stored DP
New Character: 420 Build Points
Group Edge: 1. Cost to Increase: 10 DP
Accelerated Karma: 2 Per Session. Cost to Increase: 15 DP (5 toward)
Darkness Index: 0.8/5 (Effect/Countdown)
Magic Index: 4
Tech Index: 4
Group Assets: $10,000 Vehicle Harbor in Seattle
GMC Bulldog step van with $15000 in improvements including Chameleon Coating, Shielded Components and A Hard Point.
Base outside of Atlanta. This is a major facility, stealthed and quite nice. It has repair gear and a moderate medical bay. Has a Virtual Programming Environment
Corporate Patronage: Renraku – Level 1. By spending 1 DTP the group can pay up to 100,000 NY to get up to 1 Avail 16 item per character. This represents using the Book of Life to benefit Renraku.
Knowledge of Location of Aztechnology Base (Tijuana) that has highly secretive anti astral tracking magic along with a local criminal contact about how to obtain the data.
B Level Corp (Name Unknown) based in Atlanta GA. Capable of generating SINs and legal licenses of up to Avail 10 gear.
Book of Light – Possession of the Book allows one to predict the next target of the greatest opportunity for the Allies of Life, through the Dagger of Arachne.
First of Seven Rituals (Unlocked): There are up to six other 'streams' that you can unlock in the dagger that point to the location of interest. These will be revealed when the Dagger is activated on its primary day. To anticipate the location on each lunar cycle, the master tome of each stream must be found. The dagger can be ordered to point to the location of the master tome instead of the location of each groups next position of opportunity.
Book of Darkness – Can be read for 1 DPT to give knowledge of Blood Metamagics (as outlined in Street Magic)
Possession of the book allows one to predict the next target of the greatest opportunity available to the Foes of Life through the Dagger of Arachne.
You learn the first of seven rituals within this book that will reveal the presence of all but the most powerful Shedim or Shedim agents within a 10 feet as attached to the dagger or any other vessel upon which you wish to invoke the ritual. It costs a DTP and seven animal sacrifices to create. (None currently made)
Dagger of Arachne
*The dagger is tied to a powerful Ally Spirit (which you already knew). You can make a spirit pact with it. (Which you didn't.)
*The dagger can be bound to an infinite number of mages, however the effects only apply to anyone within a fifty foot radius of the wielder.
*The dagger is beyond doubt Atlantean in origin. It is difficult to determine but you believe it to be essentially indestructible. Furthermore, you learn that there is a distinct astrological tie of some kind to the cloaking effect, though what that is not yet discernible. It does seem to be a 24 hour window on the Second Saturday of every month.
A E D G T F S
+2 +2 +5 +4 +3 +3 +2
The owner of the Great Ghost Dance journal is Laughing at Crows, widely regarded to be the third ranking amongst the NAN members who completed several of the great rituals. It is primarily a journal that describes the horrific conditions and injustices that they received at the time, but it also contains extremely valuable and hither to now unknown insights into exactly what the meta magic process was that they used. Through a combination of ley lines, star signs and powerful meta spirits, they were able to achieve these extremely powerful magic effects. It also involved a powerful meta magic similar to blood magic but that involved voluntary sacrifice instead of involuntary sacrifice. Anyone reading it gains +1 Arcane Theory KS, +1 NAN History KS, +1 Meta Magic KS and ½ Xp cost toward their next rank in Arcana.
Digital Copy of the Journal is worth 50,000 base per modified by negotiations.
Journal worth 100,000 at base price per modified by negotiations.
(Research on White Book location)
Targets:
Allies of Light: Middle of the Ocean near Bermuda.
Research conducted by Steel: This area is in the middle of the ocean. A quick study reveals that it in the middle of the Bermuda Triangle and believed by many to be one potential location for the lost city of Atlantis. Some investigation reveals that the Atlantean society has indeed discovered a large number of interesting artifacts in the area, though their investigations are over several regions and many believe Atlantis to be just as likely in the Eastern Mediterranean or Northern Atlantic. There are three nearby oil platforms, one of which has a small floating city by it within 20 miles of the primary site which can potentially be used for resupply. The first of the oil platforms is owned by Ares, another by BP and another by Exxon. There are two oriculcum processing facilities (underwater) within 10 miles and a small island resort owned by an eccentric billionaire 10 miles north of the triangulated area. The billionaire’s name is Lance Hunt, and he designed several pieces of high tech weaponry, including Stick and Shock Ammo.
Allies of Dark: Southern Iraq
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