A place to pitch and spitball game ideas that you would either like to see run or would like to run.

Alternate Campaign Ideas that Appeal (i.e. I want someone else to GM)

Mercenary/Military
This one appeals mostly because it lets me create that full Deltaware cyborg.

DocWagon/Other High Threat Response
Playing the "good guys" for once.

Magical Threats/Bounty Hunting
A full mage group; can't go wrong there.

Final Idea
Using Shadowrun 5th rules for a Halo-esque game.
This message was last edited by the GM at 05:40, Thu 18 Jan.

One idea I have is to run a game where the PCs are a Shadow Ranger cell in Seattle. Shadow Rangers are all former Rangers, mostly of the Texas variety, but any Ranger can join whether it be California, Salish-Shidhe, UCAS Army Airborne, or any other Ranger unit from anywhere.
The unit would operate primarily out of a honky tonk in Seattle, but could travel occasionally to Phoenix, DFW, or wherever else Rangers need deniable assets.
The unit would primarily deal with Aztechnology/Aztlan, but sometimes, Colonel Castleberry gets word of folks needing trouble shooters, and he isn't above sending Shadow Rangers to shoot whatever the problem might be. That just builds fences and keeps Rangers doing what they do best, helping folks what need it.

I started a game that I'd like to finish at some time.

The players are all 'very long lived'. So house rule pixies are immortal like elves. Most are elves. Some other obscure races.

• The game is set in two main time periods: Earthdawn and Shadowrun.
• In order to resolve an awkward issue in Shadowrun time, the players have to go back to their youth: Earthdawn.

The story would wind through events and runs in Shadowrun to get things, which would then require them to remember what had happened in the past so we would flip to Earthdawn for a while.

And perhaps also some other times too in flashbacks. A Regency Ball, Hunting Tigers in The Raj, The Court of Elanor of Aquitaine...

I got one I want to toss into the pile:

A military or corporate strike team with the job of bringing in criminals who tend to have high(er) body counts.    Instead of being shadowrunners, you're the people who bring them to "justice".

Below is a draft of a campaign I'm working on.  Any suggestions are comments at welcome..  And yes it's 4e..


Title: Shadows of Fortune: A Shadowrun Mercenary Campaign

Setting Overview:
Welcome to the dark underbelly of the Sixth World, where megacorporations rule with an iron fist, magic coexists with advanced technology, and the shadows hide the secrets of power and wealth. In this dystopian future where governments have collapsed, and megacorps hold sway, mercenaries are the unsung heroes – or villains – of the streets.

In "Shadows of Fortune," players take on the roles of elite mercenaries navigating the treacherous waters of corporate espionage, shadow wars, and underground politics. Set in the sprawling urban sprawls of the 2080s, this campaign blends cyberpunk aesthetics with elements of magic, hacking, and high-stakes action.

Campaign Themes:
1. Corporate Intrigue: Players will find themselves embroiled in the power struggles of megacorporations, taking on jobs ranging from extraction missions to corporate espionage.
2. Moral Ambiguity: The lines between right and wrong blur in the shadows. Players will often find themselves making tough decisions where the lesser evil may be the only option.
3. Survival and Profit: In the cutthroat world of shadowrunning, survival is paramount. Players will need to balance their moral compass with the desire for profit to thrive.
4. Technological Advancements: Cyberware, drones, and hacking play a significant role in the campaign. Players will need to leverage technology to outsmart their foes and complete their missions.
5. Magic and Mystery: The return of magic to the world has brought with it ancient secrets and mythical creatures. Players may encounter magical threats alongside high-tech adversaries.

Key Locations:
1. Seattle Sprawl: A sprawling urban jungle controlled by megacorporations like Renraku and Aztechnology. Seattle is a hub of shadow activity, offering lucrative opportunities for mercenaries.
2. Neo-Tokyo: A city of neon lights and towering skyscrapers, Neo-Tokyo is a melting pot of cultures and a hotspot for corporate intrigue.
3. Berlin Free City: Once divided by the Berlin Wall, the Free City is now a haven for anarchists, mercenaries, and those who seek to escape corporate control.
4. Amazonia: A vast jungle teeming with ancient magic and hidden dangers, Amazonia is a wild frontier where mercenaries must navigate both natural and supernatural threats.
5. Dubai Arcology: A towering megacity built by Renraku, Dubai is a shining beacon of corporate power in the desert sands, but beneath its gleaming exterior lies a dark underbelly of corruption and vice.

Campaign Structure:
The campaign is structured as a series of interconnected missions and story arcs, each offering opportunities for players to earn wealth, reputation, and influence. The overarching narrative revolves around a shadowy conspiracy that threatens to destabilize the fragile balance of power in the Sixth World. As players unravel the mystery, they will face formidable foes, forge alliances, and make choices that will shape the fate of nations.

Whether they're hacking into corporate servers, battling rival mercenaries, or delving into ancient ruins in search of forbidden knowledge, players will need to use all their skills and resources to survive in the shadows. But in a world where everyone has a price, who can they trust? And when the dust settles, will they emerge as heroes, villains, or something in between?

Welcome to the Shadows of Fortune, where survival is just the beginning.

Character Creation Requirements…

Rules
• Character must be made by the controlling player (help is allowed)
• 4th Edition Core Rule Book Only (Recommend using Herlab)

Skills
• Street: Mercenary Groups
• Street: Mercenary Hangouts
• Street: Mercenary Identification

Negative Qualities
• Day Job, 5BP

Social
• Identity: 1 Real, 1 Fake
• Lifestyle: 1 Real, 1 Fake
• License: 1 Real, 1 Fake
• SIN: 1 Real, 1 Fake

CommLinks
• Renraku Sensei Commlink, w/Renraku Ichi Operating System

Background for the mercenary company


Nightshade Mercenary Solutions

History:
• Foundation (2050s): Nightshade Mercenary Solutions was founded by Marcus "Shade" Blackwood, a former Lone Star detective turned shadowrunner. With a team of like-minded individuals, Shade established Nightshade as a small, independent mercenary outfit specializing in covert operations, extractions, and asset retrieval.
• Early Contracts (2060s): In its early years, Nightshade took on contracts from various sources, including shadowy corporations, wealthy individuals, and even government agencies. They earned a reputation for professionalism, discretion, and getting the job done, no matter the risks.
• Expansion (2070s): As Nightshade's reputation grew, so did its roster of operatives. Shade recruited skilled shadowrunners, ex-military personnel, deckers, riggers, and mages, forming a diverse and adaptable team capable of handling a wide range of missions.
• Corporate Conflicts: Nightshade became embroiled in the corporate conflicts that define the Sixth World. They took contracts from megacorporations seeking to sabotage rivals, steal valuable data, or eliminate troublesome individuals. This brought them into conflict with other mercenary outfits, corporate security forces, and even other shadowrunners.
• Reputation and Specialization: Over time, Nightshade developed a reputation for specializing in high-stakes extractions and retrieval missions. They became known for their ability to recover valuable assets, whether it be corporate data, kidnapped individuals, or stolen prototypes.
• Alliances and Enemies: Nightshade forged alliances with select fixers, runners, and even some corporate contacts who valued their services. However, they also made enemies along the way, from rival mercenary companies seeking to eliminate competition to vengeful corporations they had crossed in the past.

Operatives:
• Marcus "Shade" Blackwood (Founder/Leader): A former Lone Star detective with a no-nonsense attitude and a knack for strategy. Shade is a skilled combatant and a natural leader, respected by his team for his experience and integrity.
• Isabelle "Viper" Cruz (Second-in-Command): A former UCAS Army Ranger turned shadowrunner, Viper is Nightshade's second-in-command. She's a master of stealth and infiltration, specializing in covert operations and close-quarters combat.
• Jack "Rook" Thompson (Decker): A decker with a knack for hacking into even the most secure systems, Rook is Nightshade's resident matrix specialist. His skills with computers and technology make him invaluable on data theft and infiltration missions.
• Elena "Spectre" Kovac (Mage): A talented mage with expertise in illusion and manipulation spells, Spectre provides magical support to the team. Her abilities to deceive and distract enemies often prove crucial in missions requiring stealth and subterfuge.
• Alex "Wraith" Chen (Street Samurai): A former Red Samurai turned independent contractor, Wraith is a deadly combatant with cybernetic enhancements and expert marksmanship. He's Nightshade's muscle on the ground, capable of taking on heavily fortified targets with ease.

Contracts:
Nightshade Mercenary Solutions takes on a variety of contracts, including:
• Corporate espionage and sabotage.
• High-profile extractions and kidnappings.
• Data theft and recovery.
• Counter-terrorism and security.
• Specialized protection and escort missions.