2929. Union City, a sprawling megalopolis bathed in eternal moonlight. Located on the dark side...
Gumshoe (Quest)
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User Total Arcus 2
- Location
- in the trash
2929. Union City, a sprawling megalopolis bathed in eternal moonlight. Located on the dark side of the planet, it is many things. On one hand, it is a bastion of freedom and democracy, standing against the madness of the Golden City and the Networked Commune. A shining beacon of hope, a safe haven to the millions of refugees fleeing crumbling cities and shattered empires, a place where one might begin anew. It is a city of towering skyscrapers and glittering lights, of technological wonder and scientific marvel.
On the other hand, the City Under the Moon is also a place filled with darkness. Inequality, corruption and violence are all rife within Union City. For every district that prospers, another is mired in crime and decay. Everywhere, criminals and gangsters lurk in the shadows, while revolutionaries and agents of foreign powers plot to bring about the Silver City's downfall. Innumerable threats stand poised to tear Union City apart, if they were only given a chance.
With the police overtaxed, underfunded, and all too often corrupt, others have stepped in to help in combating the problems that plague Union City. They're not formally a part of the police, but associated with and sanctioned by them. Private detectives. Sleuths. Gumshoe. PI.
You're one of them.
Character Creation Part 1
Are you a human, the dominant class of Union City, or a servo, the city's downtrodden mechanical citizens?
[ ] Human
[ ] Servo
Origin (Pick One)
[ ] Born in the City
- [ ] As someone who's spent their entire life in the City, you've learnt to ignore the noise of other people's problems. (City Dweller)
- [ ] You were one of those lucky enough to be born into the wealthier classes of Union City. In this city, money can count for a lot, and you have more of it than most other people. (Moneyed)
- [ ] Actually, you were born dirt poor, on the streets or in conditions close enough to it. It's taught you how to save and scrimp, if nothing else. (Downtrodden)
[ ] Outskirts of Union City
- [ ] You used to be a farmer, until you decided you wanted a change of profession. You're strong and fit and you've got your old truck, so you should be good right? You're still not used to all the newfangled things in the City, though. (Farmer)
- [ ] You've grown up and survived the scorched, daylight hell that is the Frontier. Surely you can survive anything the city throws at you, as long as you have your trusty gun by your side. (Frontier)
[ ] Immigrant from the outside world
- [ ] You hail from some other place. Maybe Anglia, maybe Xian, maybe Merovineland, maybe some other place entirely? You only just arrived, so don't really know anyone around here, but you have a bunch of skills that you think should be useful. (Off the Boat)
- [ ] Anywhere has to be better than the war-torn, crumbling hellhole that was your last home. You only have the clothes on your back, but you're determined to survive here. You've certainly lived through worse, right? (Refugee)
- [ ] You immigrated here, but that was years ago. You've settled down and gotten a handle on the local customs and language, and now consider Union City to be your second home. (Lifelong Citizen)
- [ ] You were born in the City, but your parents were immigrants. You're very much a citizen of Union City, though you still know a bit of your ancestral language and customs. (Second Generation)
Arrange these areas in order of descending importance.
[ ] Physical
[ ] Mental
[ ] Social
----
Note: This quest is using @open_sketchbook's Hardboiled setting and rules. If you want to see another quest set in the same setting, you can check out A Sleuth's Quest or Gangster Squad, though both are currently defunct.
On the other hand, the City Under the Moon is also a place filled with darkness. Inequality, corruption and violence are all rife within Union City. For every district that prospers, another is mired in crime and decay. Everywhere, criminals and gangsters lurk in the shadows, while revolutionaries and agents of foreign powers plot to bring about the Silver City's downfall. Innumerable threats stand poised to tear Union City apart, if they were only given a chance.
With the police overtaxed, underfunded, and all too often corrupt, others have stepped in to help in combating the problems that plague Union City. They're not formally a part of the police, but associated with and sanctioned by them. Private detectives. Sleuths. Gumshoe. PI.
You're one of them.
Character Creation Part 1
Are you a human, the dominant class of Union City, or a servo, the city's downtrodden mechanical citizens?
[ ] Human
[ ] Servo
Origin (Pick One)
[ ] Born in the City
- [ ] As someone who's spent their entire life in the City, you've learnt to ignore the noise of other people's problems. (City Dweller)
- [ ] You were one of those lucky enough to be born into the wealthier classes of Union City. In this city, money can count for a lot, and you have more of it than most other people. (Moneyed)
- [ ] Actually, you were born dirt poor, on the streets or in conditions close enough to it. It's taught you how to save and scrimp, if nothing else. (Downtrodden)
[ ] Outskirts of Union City
- [ ] You used to be a farmer, until you decided you wanted a change of profession. You're strong and fit and you've got your old truck, so you should be good right? You're still not used to all the newfangled things in the City, though. (Farmer)
- [ ] You've grown up and survived the scorched, daylight hell that is the Frontier. Surely you can survive anything the city throws at you, as long as you have your trusty gun by your side. (Frontier)
[ ] Immigrant from the outside world
- [ ] You hail from some other place. Maybe Anglia, maybe Xian, maybe Merovineland, maybe some other place entirely? You only just arrived, so don't really know anyone around here, but you have a bunch of skills that you think should be useful. (Off the Boat)
- [ ] Anywhere has to be better than the war-torn, crumbling hellhole that was your last home. You only have the clothes on your back, but you're determined to survive here. You've certainly lived through worse, right? (Refugee)
- [ ] You immigrated here, but that was years ago. You've settled down and gotten a handle on the local customs and language, and now consider Union City to be your second home. (Lifelong Citizen)
- [ ] You were born in the City, but your parents were immigrants. You're very much a citizen of Union City, though you still know a bit of your ancestral language and customs. (Second Generation)
Arrange these areas in order of descending importance.
[ ] Physical
[ ] Mental
[ ] Social
----
Note: This quest is using @open_sketchbook's Hardboiled setting and rules. If you want to see another quest set in the same setting, you can check out A Sleuth's Quest or Gangster Squad, though both are currently defunct.
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Index of Updates and Useful Links
- Location
- in the trash
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Character Sheets
- Location
- in the trash
John McCormick, Sleuth
Isaac Bolt, Rat
- History and Basic Information
- Lifestyle
- Stats
- Augmentation
- Traits and Perks
- Inventory
Isaac Bolt, Rat
- Lifestyle
- Stats
- Traits and Perks
- Inventory
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- Location
- in the trash
Reserved
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Malbutorius
C'est le bien qui fait mal
[X] Human
[X] Outskirts of Union City
- [X] You've grown up and survived the scorched, daylight hell that is the Frontier. Surely you can survive anything the city throws at you, as long as you have your trusty gun by your side. (Frontier)
[X] Physical
[X] Mental
[X] Social
Let's be a cowboy.
[X] Outskirts of Union City
- [X] You've grown up and survived the scorched, daylight hell that is the Frontier. Surely you can survive anything the city throws at you, as long as you have your trusty gun by your side. (Frontier)
[X] Physical
[X] Mental
[X] Social
Let's be a cowboy.
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AZATHOTHoth
༼ つ ☀️_☀️ ༽つ
[X] Immigrant from the outside world
- [X] Anywhere has to be better than the war-torn, crumbling hellhole that was your last home. You only have the clothes on your back, but you're determined to survive here. You've certainly lived through worse, right? (Refugee)
[X] Physical
[X] Mental
[X] Social
Name: Riddick
- [X] Anywhere has to be better than the war-torn, crumbling hellhole that was your last home. You only have the clothes on your back, but you're determined to survive here. You've certainly lived through worse, right? (Refugee)
[X] Physical
[X] Mental
[X] Social
Name: Riddick
C-RO
I am thou, and thou art I.
- Location
- Thailand
- Pronouns
- He/Him
[X] A servo, the city's downtrodden mechanical citizens.
- [X ] You were born in the City, but your parents were immigrants. You're very much a citizen of Union City, though you still know a bit of your ancestral language and customs. (Second Generation)
Our parents will be the troubled immigrant scientists and us their project which they love like their real son! or daughter, is there a vote for that?
Also, GM, you might want to change the wording for the Human/Servo vote a bit. I think people are confused.
- [X ] You were born in the City, but your parents were immigrants. You're very much a citizen of Union City, though you still know a bit of your ancestral language and customs. (Second Generation)
Our parents will be the troubled immigrant scientists and us their project which they love like their real son! or daughter, is there a vote for that?
Also, GM, you might want to change the wording for the Human/Servo vote a bit. I think people are confused.
[X]A human, the dominant class of Union City
[X] Born in the City
- [X] As someone who's spent their entire life in the City, you've learnt to ignore the noise of other people's problems. (City Dweller)
[X] Physical
[X] Social
[X] Mental
[X] Born in the City
- [X] As someone who's spent their entire life in the City, you've learnt to ignore the noise of other people's problems. (City Dweller)
[X] Physical
[X] Social
[X] Mental
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- Location
- in the trash
Servos are mostly like normal squishy humans, just made of metal (they're still pretty fragile) They also suffer from what is totally-not space racism.
Basically, the vote is whether you want to be a shiny metal humanoid with lightbulbs for eyes, or a normal meatbag human (you can still have robot eyes though, b/c mechanical augmentations).
Advantages of being a servo include not dying from blood loss and being able to install augmentations easier (also you can just reattach your limbs if you have a skilled mechanic on hand). Disadvantages include a lack of self healing from injury, an inability to swim, and space racism (the Nazi analogue is attempting to genocide servos, the Rome/Italy analogue used them as slaves basically, the in the not-British Empire they're the commoners). In Union City, they're the blacks, and humans are the whites. (Racism based on skin colour? That's a preposterous concept!)
They also run on batteries instead of food, but this makes no difference really (your living expenses are still the same)
Basically, the vote is whether you want to be a shiny metal humanoid with lightbulbs for eyes, or a normal meatbag human (you can still have robot eyes though, b/c mechanical augmentations).
Advantages of being a servo include not dying from blood loss and being able to install augmentations easier (also you can just reattach your limbs if you have a skilled mechanic on hand). Disadvantages include a lack of self healing from injury, an inability to swim, and space racism (the Nazi analogue is attempting to genocide servos, the Rome/Italy analogue used them as slaves basically, the in the not-British Empire they're the commoners). In Union City, they're the blacks, and humans are the whites. (Racism based on skin colour? That's a preposterous concept!)
They also run on batteries instead of food, but this makes no difference really (your living expenses are still the same)
NephyrisX
Luck is my dump stat. And the dice shows.
- Location
- Singapore
[X] Human
[X] Born in the City
- [X] You were one of those lucky enough to be born into the wealthier classes of Union City. In this city, money can count for a lot, and you have more of it than most other people.
(Moneyed)
[X] Physical
[X] Mental
[X] Social
[X] Born in the City
- [X] You were one of those lucky enough to be born into the wealthier classes of Union City. In this city, money can count for a lot, and you have more of it than most other people.
(Moneyed)
[X] Physical
[X] Mental
[X] Social
- Location
- Ottawa
- Pronouns
- She/Her/Whatever
Oooh! I know nothing about this game or the universe, but colour me intrigued!
[X] Servo
- [X] Actually, you were born dirt poor, on the streets or in conditions close enough to it. It's taught you how to save and scrimp, if nothing else. (Downtrodden)
[X] Mental
[X] Physical
[X] Social
[X] Servo
- [X] Actually, you were born dirt poor, on the streets or in conditions close enough to it. It's taught you how to save and scrimp, if nothing else. (Downtrodden)
[X] Mental
[X] Physical
[X] Social
ThatGazzer
Minds Eye Bind
- Location
- PNW
- Pronouns
- They/Them
I'm with OS here, the man who is totally not the guy who made this game.
We're a Gumshoe in a 1920's super future, lets be gritty and depressing!
[X] Servo
- [X] Actually, you were born dirt poor, on the streets or in conditions close enough to it. It's taught you how to save and scrimp, if nothing else. (Downtrodden)
[X] Mental
[X] Physical
[X] Social
We're a Gumshoe in a 1920's super future, lets be gritty and depressing!
[X] Servo
- [X] Actually, you were born dirt poor, on the streets or in conditions close enough to it. It's taught you how to save and scrimp, if nothing else. (Downtrodden)
[X] Mental
[X] Physical
[X] Social
Karlito
Bzzzzzzzzzzzzz!
[X] Servo
- [X] Actually, you were born dirt poor, on the streets or in conditions close enough to it. It's taught you how to save and scrimp, if nothing else.(Downtrodden)
[X] Mental
[X] Physical
[X] Social
Yeah, let's do this one, if only to strike out in a different direction from Sleuth's Quest.
- [X] Actually, you were born dirt poor, on the streets or in conditions close enough to it. It's taught you how to save and scrimp, if nothing else.(Downtrodden)
[X] Mental
[X] Physical
[X] Social
Yeah, let's do this one, if only to strike out in a different direction from Sleuth's Quest.
- Location
- in the trash
Well, it looks like Servo and Downtrodden are currently in the lead, though it's rather close between Human or Servo right now.
MysteriousOldGuy
MOG is a good shorthand, as well.
[X] Immigrant from the outside world
- [X] Anywhere has to be better than the war-torn, crumbling hellhole that was your last home. You only have the clothes on your back, but you're determined to survive here. You've certainly lived through worse, right? (Refugee)
Name: Riddick
[X] Physical
[X] Mental
[X] Social
Riddick would be hilarious here, I can't resist that.
- [X] Anywhere has to be better than the war-torn, crumbling hellhole that was your last home. You only have the clothes on your back, but you're determined to survive here. You've certainly lived through worse, right? (Refugee)
Name: Riddick
[X] Physical
[X] Mental
[X] Social
Riddick would be hilarious here, I can't resist that.
- Location
- in the trash
[X] Immigrant from the outside world
- [X] Anywhere has to be better than the war-torn, crumbling hellhole that was your last home. You only have the clothes on your back, but you're determined to survive here. You've certainly lived through worse, right? (Refugee)
[X] Physical
[X] Mental
[X] Social
Name: Riddick
I'm assuming you two are voting for human?
>private investigator
>not maxing social for investigation
Does not compute
[X] human
[X] Outskirts of Union City
- [x] You've grown up and survived the scorched, daylight hell that is the Frontier. Surely you can survive anything the city throws at you, as long as you have your trusty gun by your side. (Frontier)
[X] Social
[X] Mental
[X] Physical
Hard boiled.
>not maxing social for investigation
Does not compute
[X] human
[X] Outskirts of Union City
- [x] You've grown up and survived the scorched, daylight hell that is the Frontier. Surely you can survive anything the city throws at you, as long as you have your trusty gun by your side. (Frontier)
[X] Social
[X] Mental
[X] Physical
Hard boiled.
- Location
- in the trash
Pfft. Sherlock Holmes does not need social skills to solve crimes. He has max brainpower.
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Malbutorius
C'est le bien qui fait mal
I'm sad now. Nobody wants to be a cowboy in the big city.
practically speaking, csi is only like, three tenths of crime solving. people commit crimes, and to solve crimes, you need to understand people.
what many seem to not realise is that 'social skills' is infact a rather broad range of volitions, many of which are highly dependent on certain 'brainpowers'. empathy for one, does not mean having a feeling evoked in sympathy with something, thats *sympathy* (a common confusion if there ever was one). to be empathetic is to understand, to better conceive the character of a person, their motivations, anticipate their reactions, and perceive their thought processes. all of this is a matter of imagination, genius in the true sense of the word, world formation capacity. people without such ability are conditional solipsists, not as any philosophical doctrine (though one tends to lead to the other), but because they are literally incapable of conceiving how certain things could work, such as other people besides themselves (or themselves as well).
the future is like a black box to such characters. being itself, appears as a nominalistic series of disjointed instances with no relation. such characters lack *agency* because of this lack of imagination, having little means of discerning any essential difference between one choice or another, of predicting the consequences of a choice, or even realize a potential choice all together.
also footinmouth disease is seriously annoying and makes any quest that involves people in any way more of a pain (which is pretty much any quest ever).
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Karlito
Bzzzzzzzzzzzzz!
Uhhhhhhhhh, I don't know exactly how closely Arcus is going to adhere to the Hardboiled rules (such as they are) with his quest here, but based upon what I know of them I can tell you've gotten the wrong impression. Half of what's considered social skills in Hardboiled is basically "who you know" - the friends you have in high (or low) places and the favors you can call in, with the rest being stand-ins for like, willpower and charm. Placing social last won't necessarily mean that Gumshoe has to be terrible at all of these things, nor mean that (s)he will be some kind of sociopath. Actually, I think that perceptiveness of others' behavior is actually covered by one of the mental skills.
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- Location
- Ottawa
- Pronouns
- She/Her/Whatever
There's also the fact that the default 0 in Hardboiled is actually considered "Baseline" rather than "Lacking", with negative numbers used for exceptional cases where people are legit terrible at stuff. 0 in social skills just means you've not spent any time cultivating your social connections or really working at learning oration and such, not that you are necessarily crippled in those areas, the same way a 0 in a physical stat is more "totally average representation of the average urban physique" rather than "Baron Harkonnen".
- Location
- in the trash
Uhhhhhhhhh, I don't know exactly how closely Arcus is going to adhere to the Hardboiled rules (such as they are) with his quest here, but based upon what I know of them I can tell you've gotten the wrong impression. Half of what's considered social skills in Hardboiled is basically "who you know" - the friends you have in high (or low) places and the favors you can call in, with the rest being stand-ins for like, willpower and charm. Placing social last won't necessarily mean that Gumshoe has to be terrible at all of these things, nor mean that (s)he will be some kind of sociopath. Actually, I think that perceptiveness of others' behavior is actually covered by one of the mental skills.
I'm using the system.
So yeah, as you said. You can still talk to people fine; persuading people via logic uses Intelligence which is a Mental skill. You just won't be so good at being slick and charming.
But yes, socials is important for who you know, and if you were the rich smug asshole Rival to the Sleuth you would have a lot of social.
Currently humans and Downtrodden are in the lead.
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