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
Sunday, January 17, 2010
Blood of the Earth - Session 4 Synopsis
The group met in Atlanta trying to decide what to do. In the end, they decided to take a job with one of Rain's contacts in Renraku, currently in Amazonia. Mr. Tanakata offered the group 300,000 NY a piece for a job that was essentially suicidal. However, he knew (thanks to the images from the Book of Light that had been sold to him) that the group would be uniquely qualified to take on the assignment. The job was to take out a Great Hive in the middle of the jungle. Divination had told Mr. Tanakata that the Roach spirits were planning on spreading Vitas IV all over the world in Caracas on the night before the vaccine was going to be distributed.
Thus, the group only had 24 hours to prepare, which they used to buy a large quantity of insecticide and explosives. They were somewhat limited by the fact that they would be traveling through the jungle on foot. Still, they got the job done.
The group was flown to within 50 clicks of the hive via stealthed VTOL. The air was even more hot than usual due to the pending war with Aztechnology on their border. Much to their surprise, the group had to do a low altitude parachute jump. Remarkably, almost no one was injured. They then traipsed through paranormal critter infested jungle, but did so remarkably freely. They managed to make it to a river and made a raft, using an air elemental to pull them along.
Once the group got to the hive, they came up with a plan. They ringed themselves with explosives and tried to get the Roach spirits to come to them. The first two that were guarding were shot to bits before they even approached the group. A single weak Roach spirit was sent out as a probe which they shot to smitherines. A short while later, four more attacked them but were likewise blown to bits before the group was able to set off the explosives. They waited some time but none of the roach spirits were coming out. Fearing the worst, the group decided to enter the tunnels. They first placed a titanic explosive down a deep hole on top of the mound which didn't do anything except explode at the bottom. Then they entered one of the small cramped tunnels where two of the stronger remaining soldier spirits emerged and mortally wounded Silver and Steel, who were only saved with a great deal of luck and timely intervention from Mustang.
At this point, the group withdrew and simply planted explosives around the mound. Fortunately for them, they had killed the last two available soldier spirits, and destroyed it all just before the Queens finished their ritual. Unfortunately, they had spent so much time in the jungle, that there was almost no chance that they would make it to Mexico City in time for when the dagger would activate.
Furthermore, when the natural cloaking powers of the dagger deactivated, they were in a dangerous Amazonian DMZ and only barely managed to escape into the jungle. They rode a large spirit and Shadow through the jungle to a waiting stealthed VTOL. They got some much needed rest since they had been awake for almost two days with no sleep. Chartering the fastest jet they could find, the group found themselves in Mexico City but this time around kept a much lower profile than they had hithertonow done. They followed the dagger to an ancient spanish fort, with a well in the bottom. With a great deal of stealth, they managed to destroy 12 aztechnology mages trying to unleash and destroy the powerful Ally spirit bound to the Dagger of Arachne. The group barely managed to destroy the Aztechnology mages and escape Aztlan, vowing that they would take no more jobs before they had investigated where the dagger was sending them.
Thus, the group only had 24 hours to prepare, which they used to buy a large quantity of insecticide and explosives. They were somewhat limited by the fact that they would be traveling through the jungle on foot. Still, they got the job done.
The group was flown to within 50 clicks of the hive via stealthed VTOL. The air was even more hot than usual due to the pending war with Aztechnology on their border. Much to their surprise, the group had to do a low altitude parachute jump. Remarkably, almost no one was injured. They then traipsed through paranormal critter infested jungle, but did so remarkably freely. They managed to make it to a river and made a raft, using an air elemental to pull them along.
Once the group got to the hive, they came up with a plan. They ringed themselves with explosives and tried to get the Roach spirits to come to them. The first two that were guarding were shot to bits before they even approached the group. A single weak Roach spirit was sent out as a probe which they shot to smitherines. A short while later, four more attacked them but were likewise blown to bits before the group was able to set off the explosives. They waited some time but none of the roach spirits were coming out. Fearing the worst, the group decided to enter the tunnels. They first placed a titanic explosive down a deep hole on top of the mound which didn't do anything except explode at the bottom. Then they entered one of the small cramped tunnels where two of the stronger remaining soldier spirits emerged and mortally wounded Silver and Steel, who were only saved with a great deal of luck and timely intervention from Mustang.
At this point, the group withdrew and simply planted explosives around the mound. Fortunately for them, they had killed the last two available soldier spirits, and destroyed it all just before the Queens finished their ritual. Unfortunately, they had spent so much time in the jungle, that there was almost no chance that they would make it to Mexico City in time for when the dagger would activate.
Furthermore, when the natural cloaking powers of the dagger deactivated, they were in a dangerous Amazonian DMZ and only barely managed to escape into the jungle. They rode a large spirit and Shadow through the jungle to a waiting stealthed VTOL. They got some much needed rest since they had been awake for almost two days with no sleep. Chartering the fastest jet they could find, the group found themselves in Mexico City but this time around kept a much lower profile than they had hithertonow done. They followed the dagger to an ancient spanish fort, with a well in the bottom. With a great deal of stealth, they managed to destroy 12 aztechnology mages trying to unleash and destroy the powerful Ally spirit bound to the Dagger of Arachne. The group barely managed to destroy the Aztechnology mages and escape Aztlan, vowing that they would take no more jobs before they had investigated where the dagger was sending them.
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Blood of the Earth - News January 2073
Synopsis of Session 3
The group took a job in Poland to take out a known arms dealer. It paid very well. While there were some initial complications, they were able to tail him when he left his compound to conduct his business. They were able to take on his caravan en route and finish the deed. They were promptly paid and then went to a small town in the middle of nowhere. At first, there was nothing unusual but a lot of teams began showing up, none of which seemed to notice the group until the day the book predicted, after which all hell broke loose. The group went down into a well and found a book of darkness, which they took with them back to the states.
Stuff happening in the world - January 2073
The number of cyber psychosis cases has gone up world wide. So far, it is primarily those who are extremely heavily cybered but it appears that the 'threshold' for the essence point that is considered 'human' is slowly going down. Scientists are baffled as to what may be causing the phenomena. This is not instant death but rather random fits of madness at times of extreme stress.
A New Great Mandarin has been chosen. The gangs of China have stood down and the chaos that was reining during their war has slowly ended. This was not in time to stop the new magically active volcano near the three Gorges from erupting, covering the entire area in molten lava and ash.
Two major factions are now fighting in Tir Taingaire, at the same time while incursions at their borders are taking place with the Salish and the Ute Nation. The city of Portland was saved from a massive battle at the last minute by intervention by the local corporations appealing to the two factions to move their fighting elsewhere. Saeder Krupp is now openly backing one of the two factions and supplying them with a wide variety of weaponry. Corp Employees have overrun the royal palace and are beginning to make their presence known throughout the area. However, this has been countered by an alliance between Tir Na Og and Tir Taingaire. They engaged in a powerful magical assault with some of the largesst spirits ever seen to manifest. The background count of the entire region has gone up slightly.
Open warfare has broken out between Aztechnology and the California Freestate. The California Freestate is losing. Badly.
Concern over another VITAS plague has caused a huge number of nations and corporations to donate as many people as they could spare. The result has been what promises to be a successful vaccine, eliminating all concern that it will break out in the Amazonia region.
The Great Dragon Hephaustus has killed the swarm of locusts in South Africa. The locals are extremely pleased and praised his actions.
*Explorers inadvertently set off a discarded nuclear weapon in Micronesia, causing a radioactive cloud to appear over the area. It is unknown where it will spread. People are concerned.
*There is a major ghoul infestation in Australia. Their numbers are increasing rapidly, and no one is sure why. People are concerned.
*A magical rift has opened up near the city of Birmingham Alabama. Scientists are studying it. An unknown corporation has bought up all of the land around the area.
*Scientists have discovered a new source of Orriculcum in Pakistan. A large number of private individuals are heading toward the area to begin mining it.
There is a major gang war in Poland right now due to the loss of a local arms dealer. Several corporations are expanding their territory as a result. Armed conflict has also broken out again between both Polish Factions and it is believed that the Russians may be sending in a major arms shipment soon.
Someone had indeed stolen the journal of one of the original journals in the Great Ghost Dance. He was last seen wandering around in the border lands between Salish Sidhe and Tir Taingaire, however he was intercepted by unknown assailants.
Lone Star continues penetrating deep into the shadows in Seattle. Life is becoming very hard for the runners there, thought the best can still find work if they work at it hard enough. No one has discovered much about the chaos that occurred a month ago however.
The Aztechnies have something new. Something powerful that lets them avoid being traced as easily with magic. This has been independently confirmed by several sources and it is slowly turning the balance of power with several of their more magical neighboors. They are winning the war in the Yucatan and tensions with Amazonia are increasing.
Rumor
Renraku has restarted the Seatle Archology research and testing in a new base in Samoa.
A new great hive has been established in Amazonia.
The Vory have started distributing a new drug that temporarily gives one access to the astral plane.
A number of European nations are in discussions about strengthening the EU.
A fungus has been discovered which makes life in outer space significantly easier by generating oxygen at a remarkably low rate.
Powerful Elven sorcerers from the Irish Tir na Noq have arrived in Tir Taimgiere. A new treaty between the two Tirs have ended old fueds in the face of anti-elven attacks.
Visitors from the Native American nations to Tir Tamgiere have begun to undergo more screening that in the past, and licenses for previously possible equipment are not supported as much for the non-elven.
The royal family of Tir Taingaire have all been made blood sacrifices.
Very large air/sky spirits have been seen working in conjuction with UCAS military train manuvers in Seattle. Similar large water spirits in the harbor have many convinced the UCAS has considerable underwater assets nearby as well.
Evo is developing a line of cheap, biodroid bodies that will allow AI's to interact with and pretend to be human with relatively low cost.
The Vitas IV-like outbreake in Caracus is an Azlan test of a blood magic enhanced weapon, and one more provocation from Azlan to Amazonia.
A titanic shedim has been spotted beneath the London Sewers.
UCAS and California Free State are negotiating California's return to UCAS.
The CAS and the UCAS are also talking about a merger.
The number of Wyrms are on the rise and significantly increasing.
Status and Stuff:
Dennis: 0 Stored DP
Anarch: 3 Stored DP
Brooks: 7 Stored DP
James: 9 Stored DP
Group Edge: 0. Cost to Increase: 5 DP
Accelerated Karma: 2 Per Session. Cost to Increase: 15 DP
Darkness Index: 2.2/4 (Effect/Countdown)
Magic Index: 2
Tech Index: 1
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.
A E D G T F S
+1 +1 +4 +2 +2 0 +3
The book informs the group that the next 'location of significance' on January 9th, 2072 will be Mexico City.
Starting Character: 415 BP.
The group took a job in Poland to take out a known arms dealer. It paid very well. While there were some initial complications, they were able to tail him when he left his compound to conduct his business. They were able to take on his caravan en route and finish the deed. They were promptly paid and then went to a small town in the middle of nowhere. At first, there was nothing unusual but a lot of teams began showing up, none of which seemed to notice the group until the day the book predicted, after which all hell broke loose. The group went down into a well and found a book of darkness, which they took with them back to the states.
Stuff happening in the world - January 2073
The number of cyber psychosis cases has gone up world wide. So far, it is primarily those who are extremely heavily cybered but it appears that the 'threshold' for the essence point that is considered 'human' is slowly going down. Scientists are baffled as to what may be causing the phenomena. This is not instant death but rather random fits of madness at times of extreme stress.
A New Great Mandarin has been chosen. The gangs of China have stood down and the chaos that was reining during their war has slowly ended. This was not in time to stop the new magically active volcano near the three Gorges from erupting, covering the entire area in molten lava and ash.
Two major factions are now fighting in Tir Taingaire, at the same time while incursions at their borders are taking place with the Salish and the Ute Nation. The city of Portland was saved from a massive battle at the last minute by intervention by the local corporations appealing to the two factions to move their fighting elsewhere. Saeder Krupp is now openly backing one of the two factions and supplying them with a wide variety of weaponry. Corp Employees have overrun the royal palace and are beginning to make their presence known throughout the area. However, this has been countered by an alliance between Tir Na Og and Tir Taingaire. They engaged in a powerful magical assault with some of the largesst spirits ever seen to manifest. The background count of the entire region has gone up slightly.
Open warfare has broken out between Aztechnology and the California Freestate. The California Freestate is losing. Badly.
Concern over another VITAS plague has caused a huge number of nations and corporations to donate as many people as they could spare. The result has been what promises to be a successful vaccine, eliminating all concern that it will break out in the Amazonia region.
The Great Dragon Hephaustus has killed the swarm of locusts in South Africa. The locals are extremely pleased and praised his actions.
*Explorers inadvertently set off a discarded nuclear weapon in Micronesia, causing a radioactive cloud to appear over the area. It is unknown where it will spread. People are concerned.
*There is a major ghoul infestation in Australia. Their numbers are increasing rapidly, and no one is sure why. People are concerned.
*A magical rift has opened up near the city of Birmingham Alabama. Scientists are studying it. An unknown corporation has bought up all of the land around the area.
*Scientists have discovered a new source of Orriculcum in Pakistan. A large number of private individuals are heading toward the area to begin mining it.
There is a major gang war in Poland right now due to the loss of a local arms dealer. Several corporations are expanding their territory as a result. Armed conflict has also broken out again between both Polish Factions and it is believed that the Russians may be sending in a major arms shipment soon.
Someone had indeed stolen the journal of one of the original journals in the Great Ghost Dance. He was last seen wandering around in the border lands between Salish Sidhe and Tir Taingaire, however he was intercepted by unknown assailants.
Lone Star continues penetrating deep into the shadows in Seattle. Life is becoming very hard for the runners there, thought the best can still find work if they work at it hard enough. No one has discovered much about the chaos that occurred a month ago however.
The Aztechnies have something new. Something powerful that lets them avoid being traced as easily with magic. This has been independently confirmed by several sources and it is slowly turning the balance of power with several of their more magical neighboors. They are winning the war in the Yucatan and tensions with Amazonia are increasing.
Rumor
Renraku has restarted the Seatle Archology research and testing in a new base in Samoa.
A new great hive has been established in Amazonia.
The Vory have started distributing a new drug that temporarily gives one access to the astral plane.
A number of European nations are in discussions about strengthening the EU.
A fungus has been discovered which makes life in outer space significantly easier by generating oxygen at a remarkably low rate.
Powerful Elven sorcerers from the Irish Tir na Noq have arrived in Tir Taimgiere. A new treaty between the two Tirs have ended old fueds in the face of anti-elven attacks.
Visitors from the Native American nations to Tir Tamgiere have begun to undergo more screening that in the past, and licenses for previously possible equipment are not supported as much for the non-elven.
The royal family of Tir Taingaire have all been made blood sacrifices.
Very large air/sky spirits have been seen working in conjuction with UCAS military train manuvers in Seattle. Similar large water spirits in the harbor have many convinced the UCAS has considerable underwater assets nearby as well.
Evo is developing a line of cheap, biodroid bodies that will allow AI's to interact with and pretend to be human with relatively low cost.
The Vitas IV-like outbreake in Caracus is an Azlan test of a blood magic enhanced weapon, and one more provocation from Azlan to Amazonia.
A titanic shedim has been spotted beneath the London Sewers.
UCAS and California Free State are negotiating California's return to UCAS.
The CAS and the UCAS are also talking about a merger.
The number of Wyrms are on the rise and significantly increasing.
Status and Stuff:
Dennis: 0 Stored DP
Anarch: 3 Stored DP
Brooks: 7 Stored DP
James: 9 Stored DP
Group Edge: 0. Cost to Increase: 5 DP
Accelerated Karma: 2 Per Session. Cost to Increase: 15 DP
Darkness Index: 2.2/4 (Effect/Countdown)
Magic Index: 2
Tech Index: 1
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.
A E D G T F S
+1 +1 +4 +2 +2 0 +3
The book informs the group that the next 'location of significance' on January 9th, 2072 will be Mexico City.
Starting Character: 415 BP.
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Blood of the Earth - News December 2072
For a brief moment on December 1, 2072, all of the water on earth had a brief oily texture to it. The effect only lasted for 1.4 seconds, but many researchers are concerned because it seemed to affect even otherwise secure locations. Some are saying it is a symptom of a larger problem, others are saying that it is a symptom but not directly related to anything. Most of the world doesn't pay attention to it one way or other other.
Damage has largely been repaired from the storms that hit South America and South Africa. A massive effort of good will on the part of multiple nations has managed to get things to improve. The cause of the freak weather is not known but people are glad it is gone.
The Great Mandarin has died. Massive combat has begun to erupt all across Asia with the largest amount of gang violence seen in the last 20 years. Various warlords roam the countryside ravaging resources and various corps are feeling the hit the most. A rare exception to this are the Kilasu enclaves, whose automated weaponry are proving highly successful against the rabble.
Details of the Naraxin Conference have finally leaked out, and there are reports that a new discovery has been made, potentially explaining magic within the field of physics. It is not known for sure if the theory is correct, but if it is, it may prove possible to allow FTL travel at some distant point in the future.
All hell has broken lose in Tir Taingaire. What started as minor factional fighting has erupted into total chaos. It is not known for sure who started it, but the news feeds report at least seven different proxy battles between various factions and fronts. Right now a four nation war is going on in the borders between Tir Taingaire, Salish Sidhe, the California Free State and the Ute.
A viral plague has been unleashed in Caracas. Sources are still unclear but it is believed to potentially be VITAS IV. It has scientists all over the globe scrambling to determine what is causing it and what they can do to counter act it. Some mages also believe it may be magically active.
While the power loss might have been fixed in South Africa, the damage has been done. Several special agricultural chemicals were spoiled due to lack of refrigeration so a swarm of locusts has begun to eat much of the food crop. The government is attempting to buy food abroad for now.
A new volcano has appeared near the Three Gorges. Geologists think it is probably fine, but it is not known at this time if it represents a larger problem. They are studying and requesting more funds in their research.
Rumors
Someone has stolen journal of one of the original journals in the Great Ghost Dance. He was last seen wandering around in the border lands between Salish Sidhe and Tir Taingaire.
The shadows are still burning hot in Seatle. Lone Star is taking advantage of the fact to begin setting up a lot more deep cover agents to nose in on everyone's business.
Deus has been seen in Atlanta, “alive” and well.
Lone Star is instituting a new program in Seattle with drones that are not wired into the maxtrix, but instead record all they see, and plug into a location to upload images every few hours.
The Aztechnies have something new. Something powerful that lets them avoid being traced as easily with magic.
Aztechnoligy has perfected weather control through blood magic and they are causing the electrical storms to extort concessions from Amazonia.
The Yakuza have moved into the chaos of China to take territory from the Triads. The Triads have resorted to hiring shadowrunners to attack interests of the Yakuza outside of China in addition to normal responses.
UCAS is planning to invade Tir; squadrons of black helicopters were seen landing in the Redmond district.
Saeder Krupp is helping the elves by proxy and is directly behind the chaos that is going on in North West America.
The Fae are growing increasingly active in Europe. More and more abductions are taking place ona regular basis.
A member of Mitsuhama upper management was kidnapped off the streets in downtown Seattle and Lone Star was unable to prevent it. The businessman turned up dead later, and even though there were witnesses, Lone Star denies this happened.
Dark shapes have been seen in the skies of Australia by the awakened community. Many think that this is an omen of some kind, but no one knows for sure.
The police corp in New Orleans has greatly enhanced their magical enforcement assets which was revealed for the first time by how they stopped a well planned bank robbery The organization has declined to provide the officers names who valiantly fought because confidential the best protection for them
Dennis: 0 Stored DP
Anarch: 0 Stored DP
Brooks: 4 Stored DP
James: 6 Stored DP
Group Edge: 0. Cost to Increase: 5 DP
Accelerated Karma: 1 Per Session. Cost to Increase: 10 DP
Darkness Index: 1.6/2 (Effect/Countdown)
Magic Index: 1
Tech Index: 1
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.
A E D G T F S
+3 +1 +3 +2 +2 0 +1
The group gets 300,000 from selling the documents of the images to the Atlantean Foundation. For each of the PC's that is technically 60,000 apiece.
The book informs the group that the next 'location of significance' on December 12th, 2072 will be in Poland.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C5%81obudzice,_Zdu%C5%84ska_Wola_County
Damage has largely been repaired from the storms that hit South America and South Africa. A massive effort of good will on the part of multiple nations has managed to get things to improve. The cause of the freak weather is not known but people are glad it is gone.
The Great Mandarin has died. Massive combat has begun to erupt all across Asia with the largest amount of gang violence seen in the last 20 years. Various warlords roam the countryside ravaging resources and various corps are feeling the hit the most. A rare exception to this are the Kilasu enclaves, whose automated weaponry are proving highly successful against the rabble.
Details of the Naraxin Conference have finally leaked out, and there are reports that a new discovery has been made, potentially explaining magic within the field of physics. It is not known for sure if the theory is correct, but if it is, it may prove possible to allow FTL travel at some distant point in the future.
All hell has broken lose in Tir Taingaire. What started as minor factional fighting has erupted into total chaos. It is not known for sure who started it, but the news feeds report at least seven different proxy battles between various factions and fronts. Right now a four nation war is going on in the borders between Tir Taingaire, Salish Sidhe, the California Free State and the Ute.
A viral plague has been unleashed in Caracas. Sources are still unclear but it is believed to potentially be VITAS IV. It has scientists all over the globe scrambling to determine what is causing it and what they can do to counter act it. Some mages also believe it may be magically active.
While the power loss might have been fixed in South Africa, the damage has been done. Several special agricultural chemicals were spoiled due to lack of refrigeration so a swarm of locusts has begun to eat much of the food crop. The government is attempting to buy food abroad for now.
A new volcano has appeared near the Three Gorges. Geologists think it is probably fine, but it is not known at this time if it represents a larger problem. They are studying and requesting more funds in their research.
Rumors
Someone has stolen journal of one of the original journals in the Great Ghost Dance. He was last seen wandering around in the border lands between Salish Sidhe and Tir Taingaire.
The shadows are still burning hot in Seatle. Lone Star is taking advantage of the fact to begin setting up a lot more deep cover agents to nose in on everyone's business.
Deus has been seen in Atlanta, “alive” and well.
Lone Star is instituting a new program in Seattle with drones that are not wired into the maxtrix, but instead record all they see, and plug into a location to upload images every few hours.
The Aztechnies have something new. Something powerful that lets them avoid being traced as easily with magic.
Aztechnoligy has perfected weather control through blood magic and they are causing the electrical storms to extort concessions from Amazonia.
The Yakuza have moved into the chaos of China to take territory from the Triads. The Triads have resorted to hiring shadowrunners to attack interests of the Yakuza outside of China in addition to normal responses.
UCAS is planning to invade Tir; squadrons of black helicopters were seen landing in the Redmond district.
Saeder Krupp is helping the elves by proxy and is directly behind the chaos that is going on in North West America.
The Fae are growing increasingly active in Europe. More and more abductions are taking place ona regular basis.
A member of Mitsuhama upper management was kidnapped off the streets in downtown Seattle and Lone Star was unable to prevent it. The businessman turned up dead later, and even though there were witnesses, Lone Star denies this happened.
Dark shapes have been seen in the skies of Australia by the awakened community. Many think that this is an omen of some kind, but no one knows for sure.
The police corp in New Orleans has greatly enhanced their magical enforcement assets which was revealed for the first time by how they stopped a well planned bank robbery The organization has declined to provide the officers names who valiantly fought because confidential the best protection for them
Dennis: 0 Stored DP
Anarch: 0 Stored DP
Brooks: 4 Stored DP
James: 6 Stored DP
Group Edge: 0. Cost to Increase: 5 DP
Accelerated Karma: 1 Per Session. Cost to Increase: 10 DP
Darkness Index: 1.6/2 (Effect/Countdown)
Magic Index: 1
Tech Index: 1
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.
A E D G T F S
+3 +1 +3 +2 +2 0 +1
The group gets 300,000 from selling the documents of the images to the Atlantean Foundation. For each of the PC's that is technically 60,000 apiece.
The book informs the group that the next 'location of significance' on December 12th, 2072 will be in Poland.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C5%81obudzice,_Zdu%C5%84ska_Wola_County
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Blood of the Earth - Session 2 Synopsis
Nov 2072
The cast –
Silver and Steel (played by Brian)
Rain and Mustang (played by Dennis)
Shadow (played by Brooks)
The headed home to Seattle . This also coincided with the direction the dagger was pointing them. Upon arrival, Steel got a call from one of his contacts asking him to do a simple recovery job for 5000 nuyen apiece for the group. The details were extremely vague, almost annoyingly so, but it was from a trusted contact and Steel was assured that more details would be forthcoming upon completion. Meanwhile, Shadow, a tiger shifter physical adept with amnesia who had been trying to find out about his past (all while avoiding people who have been trying to kill him) got a call from a trusted contact of HIS asking him to do exactly the same job. They all headed downtown.
While they were on their way, Rain saw that Shadow was connected to the dagger, but because of Mary Sue, wasn’t sure if it was a good connection or a bad connection. Both groups headed towards the drop off, but Shadow saw that they were both headed there first. Using his superior knowledge of the terrain, Shadow beat them and picked up the package. When he called his contact, his contact did not answer. Meanwhile, Rain saw him driving off and followed in Astral Form.
Confusion reigned as Shadow went first to his house and then to the location of his contact, only to find a smoking crater in the ground. Steel’s contact did not answer his phone as well. Rain and a team of watchers kept track of Shadow as he moved from place to place, but eventually the two groups met up. Rain explained how they were united by the dagger, whereas Steel was more concerned with the package. Shadow feigned ignorance of the package, and didn’t know what to make of the dagger. He agreed to call them tomorrow and then went home.
While the main group rallied, Shadow tried to figure out what to do. Silver did some research into Shadow and found out a bit about his past. Shadow called the group the next day, but while they were on their way to meet each other, they all got phone calls from their highest and most trusted contact telling them that there was a 210,000 NY bounty on Shadow’s head and to let them know if they had any information. Huge amounts of lone star, elementals and other groups began gathering together, both looking for Shadow and to find the package.
The group united near the Spindle and once Rain told Shadow about the dagger, the massive manhunt vanished almost as soon as it had appeared. They had strong reason to believe that the same group that Mary Sue had belonged to was somehow using the dagger against Shadow, but once he was made ‘part of the group’ he was protected by the nastier effects. Not knowing what else to do, they broke the seal of the package and found three items. A transmitter which (had they not prepared) would have notified someone that it had been breached, a data chip with images of a scanned ancient mayan book and a key.
The book spoke about an ancient cycle of doom and rebirth. The first part was a prophesy. The second part was a chronicle of the last segment of the great cycle. The third part spoke about the doom to come and the lessening of magic. The fourth part spoke about tactical advice for the Shards. It spoke of Shards and Threads, all linked to the Dagger of Fate which had been crafted by the ancients as a weapon against the doom that continually threatened metahumanity. They also noticed that there was a section of the book that was missing.
They decided to go to New Orleans to investigate. The first place they checked was the bank that belonged to the key. After several elaborate preparations for disguises, they found that the bank’s security had been more elaborate and saw them on the astral plane. Rain simply went in as herself to open an account and learned that by presenting the key they could potentially gain access to the box that was linked to it. Just as they were about to return to the bank a second time and do so, however, there was a titanic explosion. They found a group of Shedim and accompanying mercs breaking into the bank to try and steal the actual physical book. There was a massive fight, but all of them were killed. But not before the SUV was mangled quite a bit and before Aztechnology showed up to cause problems. At one point the Shedim summoned a nasty of spirit of some unknown origin, perhaps a toxic spirit, but Shadow made short work of it. Rain channeled massive spell power risking physical damage each time she did so. Steel and Silver unleashed massive amounts of gun fire, while Mustang ran over the Shedim with the SUV, trying to stop them from getting out of the hole that they had made. He also took a few shots from the window while it was moving. Towards the end, Rain was also casting enhanced reflexes on the rest of the group until they just simply moved faster than anyone else.
After defeating the bad guys, the group took the book and got the hell out of dodge. It looked like the book had a missing fifth section, which they now had thanks to having it in their possession. It seemed to work as a predictor, doing the same thing as the dagger but up to a month in advance, allowing the group to predict where they were going next. Though learning to use it would require a bit of research. There was also a lot of discussion about whether or not to sell the images of the book to someone, since the group had expenses and hadn’t gotten paid by anyone for all of this saving the world crap thus far.
Karma Earned: 21
New Starting BP Total: 410
NY Earned: Bumpkiss
The cast –
Silver and Steel (played by Brian)
Rain and Mustang (played by Dennis)
Shadow (played by Brooks)
The headed home to Seattle . This also coincided with the direction the dagger was pointing them. Upon arrival, Steel got a call from one of his contacts asking him to do a simple recovery job for 5000 nuyen apiece for the group. The details were extremely vague, almost annoyingly so, but it was from a trusted contact and Steel was assured that more details would be forthcoming upon completion. Meanwhile, Shadow, a tiger shifter physical adept with amnesia who had been trying to find out about his past (all while avoiding people who have been trying to kill him) got a call from a trusted contact of HIS asking him to do exactly the same job. They all headed downtown.
While they were on their way, Rain saw that Shadow was connected to the dagger, but because of Mary Sue, wasn’t sure if it was a good connection or a bad connection. Both groups headed towards the drop off, but Shadow saw that they were both headed there first. Using his superior knowledge of the terrain, Shadow beat them and picked up the package. When he called his contact, his contact did not answer. Meanwhile, Rain saw him driving off and followed in Astral Form.
Confusion reigned as Shadow went first to his house and then to the location of his contact, only to find a smoking crater in the ground. Steel’s contact did not answer his phone as well. Rain and a team of watchers kept track of Shadow as he moved from place to place, but eventually the two groups met up. Rain explained how they were united by the dagger, whereas Steel was more concerned with the package. Shadow feigned ignorance of the package, and didn’t know what to make of the dagger. He agreed to call them tomorrow and then went home.
While the main group rallied, Shadow tried to figure out what to do. Silver did some research into Shadow and found out a bit about his past. Shadow called the group the next day, but while they were on their way to meet each other, they all got phone calls from their highest and most trusted contact telling them that there was a 210,000 NY bounty on Shadow’s head and to let them know if they had any information. Huge amounts of lone star, elementals and other groups began gathering together, both looking for Shadow and to find the package.
The group united near the Spindle and once Rain told Shadow about the dagger, the massive manhunt vanished almost as soon as it had appeared. They had strong reason to believe that the same group that Mary Sue had belonged to was somehow using the dagger against Shadow, but once he was made ‘part of the group’ he was protected by the nastier effects. Not knowing what else to do, they broke the seal of the package and found three items. A transmitter which (had they not prepared) would have notified someone that it had been breached, a data chip with images of a scanned ancient mayan book and a key.
The book spoke about an ancient cycle of doom and rebirth. The first part was a prophesy. The second part was a chronicle of the last segment of the great cycle. The third part spoke about the doom to come and the lessening of magic. The fourth part spoke about tactical advice for the Shards. It spoke of Shards and Threads, all linked to the Dagger of Fate which had been crafted by the ancients as a weapon against the doom that continually threatened metahumanity. They also noticed that there was a section of the book that was missing.
They decided to go to New Orleans to investigate. The first place they checked was the bank that belonged to the key. After several elaborate preparations for disguises, they found that the bank’s security had been more elaborate and saw them on the astral plane. Rain simply went in as herself to open an account and learned that by presenting the key they could potentially gain access to the box that was linked to it. Just as they were about to return to the bank a second time and do so, however, there was a titanic explosion. They found a group of Shedim and accompanying mercs breaking into the bank to try and steal the actual physical book. There was a massive fight, but all of them were killed. But not before the SUV was mangled quite a bit and before Aztechnology showed up to cause problems. At one point the Shedim summoned a nasty of spirit of some unknown origin, perhaps a toxic spirit, but Shadow made short work of it. Rain channeled massive spell power risking physical damage each time she did so. Steel and Silver unleashed massive amounts of gun fire, while Mustang ran over the Shedim with the SUV, trying to stop them from getting out of the hole that they had made. He also took a few shots from the window while it was moving. Towards the end, Rain was also casting enhanced reflexes on the rest of the group until they just simply moved faster than anyone else.
After defeating the bad guys, the group took the book and got the hell out of dodge. It looked like the book had a missing fifth section, which they now had thanks to having it in their possession. It seemed to work as a predictor, doing the same thing as the dagger but up to a month in advance, allowing the group to predict where they were going next. Though learning to use it would require a bit of research. There was also a lot of discussion about whether or not to sell the images of the book to someone, since the group had expenses and hadn’t gotten paid by anyone for all of this saving the world crap thus far.
Karma Earned: 21
New Starting BP Total: 410
NY Earned: Bumpkiss
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