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 Neighboring NAN nations have withdrawn all troops from the conflict and are laying down substantial trenches and defenses in case the chaos spills over to their areas.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