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Imagine a grim, grimey, corrupted society
where materialism, greed, and technophilia
infest almost every aspect of existance.
A world where justice is decided by who
has the deeper pocket, where its every man
woman and child for themselves. A world
ruled by rich megacorporations that make
their decisions around their bottom line
and the fluctuating prices of stock rather
than human interest.
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A kind of controlled Anarchy, where might
is right and strength is found in numbers
and money. But even still there are rules
of a sort, mostly determined by common sense.
When multiple powerbases have acheived a
degree of parity a certain unwillingness
or inability sets in to move against each
other. The horned dilemna sets in, for if
one powerbase expends resources attacking
an opponent they might weaken themselves
to attack from one or more other opponents.
If alliances have been made, the aggressor
might find themselves facing foes from unexpected
quarters. If a powerbase gets a reputation
for strongarm tactics, other possible allies
or neutral parties in new markets might
unify against them.
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Overt attacks become the exception in such
an environment, and where the overt must
be avoided, the covert rises to the fore.
Luckily Corporate spies, mercenaries, thugs,
and organized crime are all willing to do
unpleasant things on the low down for some
amount of money. Collectively the practice
of corportations and other power brokers
hiring outside help to do things with a
degree of deniability has become known as
"Running", and those who do these
things are called "Runners".
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It's quite the cottage industry, with a
slew of other opportunities arising for
those able to cater to the needs of a sector
of society that usually has expendible income
and needs things not easily attainable such
as weapons, modified vehicles, special equipment,
unofficial GSW treatment, and other such
amenities. Further, for added deniability,
a strata of obfuscating middlemen have arisen,
who are generally called "Fixers"
to enhance the anonymity of those paying
good money for bad deeds. |
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In the cut throat competitive world of Runners,
anything that can grant an edge is intrinsically
valuable, whether it be more prosaic alternatives
such as martial arts, honed marksmanship,
and special skills, or something more outre.
In true Darwinian fashion the most capable,discriminating,
and luckiest Runners survive while others
fail.
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Now inject working cybernetics, and further
rare people that are born with "metahuman"
powers such as the ability to fly, superstrength,
and even the ability to shoot blasts of
energy into the mix. Season to flavor, blend
to creamy smoothness, and drink it through
a straw. |
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That's the taste of the MetaCyber
setting. Welcome to it. |
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