Hoi Chummers,
ich frage mich wer sich von euch für die neuen Missionsregeln von SRM-NeoTokyo interessiert und welche Infos ihr schon aus diversen Foren gezogen habt?
Ich werde hier mal beginnen die Infos zu sammeln.
NEO-TOKYO BACKGROUND INFO
(aus Shadowrun Missions FAQ ver 1.3 14 27 January 2019)
Where do Seasons 9-12 take place?
Missions Seasons 9-12 will take place in Neo-Tokyo, Japan from 2079 – 2082.
What are the plot hooks and themes for this Season?
The Neo-Tokyo story arc picks up amidst Emperor Yasuhito’s populist agenda, as described in Corporate
Enclaves. Right-wing nationalists had been holding power in Japan for the last six decades, advancing an imperialist
agenda which led to an expansion of the Japanese Empire while holding fast to a societal xenophobic superiority
complex and unabashed racism.
Rampant military spending left little to repair crumbling infrastructure at home and deregulation of business
created a more desperate working class. Japan looked to be an invincible economic juggernaut, but a disease was
festering within. The coming of Haley’s Comet and the rise of young Emperor Yasuhito in the midst of a family
tragedy indicated a shift in the tides of power.
Repealing sections of the Yamato Act, which gave broad power to Japanese megacorporations and empowered
military expansion, the Emperor brought Imperial troops back and set them to work restoring the beauty and glory of
Japanese cities. He completely abolished the act of ‘quarantining’ metahumans on Yomi Island. Further, he has
opened the possibility of foreign corporations to invest in Japan. In 2063, by Imperial Decree, Neo-Tokyo’s limits
were expanded, strengthening the might of the Imperial Household while weakening political enemies and detractors.
With the changes sweeping like a tsunami through the country, the Japanacorps-sponsored nationalists are
desperate to maintain their grip on power, extolling traditional virtues and labeling the increased number of foreigners
and metahumans in the streets of their cities as an attack against the identity of the country. Their success has been
limited and by 2079, foreign corporations have a foothold in Japan’s marketplace. Metahumans are nearly as common
a sight in Neo-Tokyo as in Seattle and the impact of Yasuhito’s changes are being felt at all levels of society. Despite
the animosity between the Diet’s reformists and Japanacorps traditionalists, there is no denying that the young
Emperor is popular with the people.
It’s this simmering stewpot that the runners find themselves jumping into. The instability created by the silent
war between the two ideals is a goldmine of opportunity for those shrewd and determined enough to navigate the
culture. Foreign runners may find themselves working alongside or at odds with native operatives. Tanaka-san (the
Japanese equivalent of Mr. Johnson) may be forced to hire assets he’d normally eschew in favor of someone with
rounder ears.
There’s a lot to learn in the shadows of Neo-Tokyo. It’s not the average sprawl and anyone used to running
wild in the streets is due for a rough ride. The corporate Tanaka-sans are never comfortable with unknown variables
and so their assets generally come with recommendations from their contacts in the streets. An unproven runner can
expect to spend the better part of a year shouldering the loads of the Yakuza who, incidentally, are not immune to the
shifting tides.
So pay your dues, save face, and employ nemawashi; you just may get to witness a new dawn over the Land of
the Rising Sun. Oh, and of course, just as you would in any sprawl across the world:
Watch your back. Shoot straight. Conserve ammo. And never, ever deal with a dragon.
Are there any special rules related to the Neo-Tokyo setting?
Japan is a country that is both steeped in tradition and at the forefront of progress. This has created a society
that operates at the cutting edge of technology but falls back on social norms that many feel were outdated at the turn
of the century. Even among the most progressive reformists, social values such as honor and face hold great meaning
and these principles guide all interactions. A shadowrunner who refuses to understand this and abide by those rules
doesn’t run the shadows for very long.
The following rules or considerations apply during Shadowrun Missions Season 9.
Noise Rating
Neo-Tokyo is a heavily commercialized sprawl with an abundance of AR Spam. The default noise rating in
Neo-Tokyo is 2.
Giri, Face, and Honor
The concepts of Giri, Face, and Honor are tightly interwoven into Japanese society. As shadowrunners work
their way through the streets of Neo-Tokyo, they will encounter actions that seem counter intuitive to the businessminded
and those who often deal in ‘bottom-lines’. These may be reflected in various Social Modifiers for metarace
or ethnicity. It comes up with the concept of nemawashi, or legwork, which is more nuanced in Japan than in the
various sprawls around the world. Residents and visitors will experience this at every level of society. They also do
not look the same on every person and those who adhere to traditionalist views will act differently than those who
embrace change.
In Japanese business dealings, it is expected that the best deal possible is offered upfront. Directly negotiating
with your Tanaka-san is an affront to their Honor. When working with your Tanaka-san, a gentle reminder of the
difficulties and the professionalism with which the task will be done may place them in a frame of mind to consider a
generous bonus. This is one of many ways that these concepts will make themselves known in Seasons 9-12. (It is
important to note that the system for Negotiating remains unchanged, though the result may not be revealed until the
end of the Mission).
Example of Standard Negotiations vs Negotiations in Neo-Tokyo
The team is offered 5,000¥ for a particular task.
Step One - Negotiator makes his case:
Negotiator, Standard Negotiation: “This task is going to be more dangerous than you imply and the
timetable is very compressed. I don’t think we can do this for less than 7,500¥.”
Negotiator, Neo-Tokyo Negotiation: “Ah, Tanaka-san, this we can do. The timetable is very compressed
and I see dangers at every corner, but I assure you that we are up to the task and that you will be exceedingly
pleased with the result.”
Step Two - Roll an opposed Negotiation Test:
Results indicate increase in payment of 1,500¥. GM can announce the result to the table.
Step Three - Employer responds to the Negotiator:
Mr. Johnson, Standard Negotiation: “Hrm… I see your point, but I won’t go over 6,500¥.”
Tanaka-san, Neo-Tokyo Negotiation: “Hai! You came highly recommended and I eagerly anticipate your
success!”
Step Four - Complete the Mission.
Step Five - Receive payment.
Mr. Johnson, Standard Negotiation: “Good job, as agreed here is the 6,500¥.”
Tanaka-san, Neo-Tokyo Negotiation: “Ah! You have indeed performed the task beyond our expectations.
Here is the compensation you were promised, and as a gesture of our appreciation to your professionalism
and skill, an additional 1,500¥ and our esteem.”
* Please note that this is not a script. The negotiator is still able to make all of the same negotiating points as before, the request for
additional pay is simply framed differently, in a manner that allows Tanaka-san to save face. This feature is meant to drive home the
flavor of shadowrunning in Japan, not as a means to trip up the player of the team’s face.