So, to start with I'm going to just say that the following is a concept I may or may not open to Bay12 at large depending on the success of the test games I'm running it through to put it through the paces and decide if it's workable.
To start for the benefit of anyone who doesn't know or isn't sure.
What is Shadowrun?
Shadowrun is a tabletop RPG set in in a future where old word magic and creatures have emerged into an era of advanced technology. If you've wanted to fight a dragon with a retractable chainsaw set into a cybernetic arm then this game gave you that option, and I feel that this sums it up best:
'Magic is no longer just for fairy tales. It’s real. While technology has merged with flesh to challenge the strength of old world sorcery. Now people are more than just people; after an unexplained genetic event, some of them have developed traits that have left them labeled as elves, dwarfs, orks, and trolls. And dragons aren’t just in picture books–they’re very real, and they’re running nations and some of the biggest corporations in the world.
People call it the Sixth World, and it’s not a friendly place. Mega corporations have ruthlessly consolidated power, and they make everyone, from the lowliest sage slave to the most powerful government leader, dance to their tune. Many people sell their lives to these megacorps, believing they have no choice. But there are a few who have the skills, the guts and the nerve to stay independent, finding a way to live in the gray areas of a world not built for them. They can survive–and if they’re real lucky–thrive in the corners and shadows of the world. They’re outlaws, but they’re tolerated by the powers of the world because they’re useful. They are called shadowrunners.'
I really can't give the game a better introduction than that ( Other than fighting dragons with chainsaws, has to be said at some point ). So onto the next.
What is Renraku Arcology?
Renraku ( One of the above mentioned Megacorps ) refers to a campaign setting known as the 'Renraku Arcology Shutdown' the Renraku Arcology is a self-contained shopping mall, factory and city. The ninth largest building in the world and home to over 90,000 employees and their families. The shutdown is an event that refers to an unknown entity taking control of the Arcology's systems and trapping all 90,000 people inside, and this is how it stayed for 2 years as Renraku attempted to reclaim their city. When they were finally able to enter many of the people trapped inside were the result of horrific and bizarre experiments with the survivors numbered at approximately 1,500.
Well, what role does a group play in the Arcology then?
This is why Renraku is one of my favourite settings. The group can be any number of things. Survivors trapped inside that attempt to relinquish control of the Arcology from the entity, the recon team that first opens the doors and uncovers it's horrors, clean-up teams. The setting is a GM's playground for ideas and beautifully written, some of my group's favourite adventures have taken place inside the Arcology.
What's this concept you referred to at the beginning?
This may sound ambitious on my part, but it's a game. I imagine you gathered this already, but I'm referring to a large game by comparison of the tabletop RPGs some may be used to. It's a campaign played by 2-4 seperate groups and segregated games. This is the ambitious part, the actions of one group will affect the campaigns of another/all. The Arcology is a massive building to comfortably house 90,000 people, it's not too far-fetched to assume that there would be more than one team sent in.
So what I mean by this, is that the groups enter the Arcology from different openings around the perimeter and find the inside locked down, as a shutdown will. Controls, circuits, electronics, computers, toying with one may result in a seperate part of the Arcology's systems being effected.
As an example: Group 1 locate a control room near the generators that affect power systems in specific parts of the Arcology, using the controls correctly may result in an area Group 2 are about to head into regains it's power, lights and doors are brought online, this may also result in automated security in that area regaining power. Many combinations in mind but this is the simplest I can bring to mind at this point.
Now, to move on. What makes Renraku's writing quite amazing to experience is that the story is revealed through survivors trapped in various parts of the city communicating through the city's Matrix ( Intranet essentially ) on a BBS board. This also plays a part in the campaign in how the groups communicate. They don't. Or specifically, can't ( May change depending on how the campaign runs ) other than specific terminals that allow them to view and send messages via these BBS boards.
This setup will likely result in about 3 games, for 3 groups of up to 4-5 people with either myself, or several GMs to run things. I've already written a large amount of the material required but it's taking up a lot of time to finish.
This thread is to garner interest for individuals looking to be players, aid in the GMing side ( I think this goes without saying, but .. Please, some experience D: I don't mind teaching, but it's a big thing to take on for someone new to this side of the fence. ), for criticisms, ideas, additional material, and to update this community as things go if you would like to see it happen.
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Topic: Shadowrun: The Renraku Arcology (Read 8265 times)