Slice of Life Cybapunk
Posted: Sat Jun 10, 2023 8:22 am
My SoL idea for Cyberpunk constantly puts it in Japan, for whatever reason. Maybe anime has rotted my brain or Night City might just be a tad too much for the average students to handle.
To start off with a bit of lore. The year is 2025, Japan has handled their technological boom well, but things are slowing down considerably. Yet, none of the Japanese-based corporations seem to care one bit as they're stuck in their money ways. On the bright side, few people really go hungry and healthcare is free. The Yakuza tends to stick to the shadows and gangs are rare aside from the delinquent kind. Guns are also quite rare, so whenever anyone is trying to fight they use fists, martial arts, whatever they can find, and sometimes tantos or katanas. Although, none of that really matters to you-- you're just trying to stay afloat in this city, maybe even make it big one day! Just some high school student or a jobber spending what little money you got after paying for rent.
Stat Points: 54 (Appearance begins at 3.)
Skill Points: 40 + Pick Up + Background Skills (max of 3)
Special Ability: 1-5
Reputation: 1-3
First off, you should use the Lifestyle stuff in Pacific Rim! I recommend choosing instead of rolling to create a character that best fits you. For anything that says 1d6/2, just roll a 1d3 on a computer program or go 1-2 = 1, 3-4 = 2, 5-6 = 3.
Personality Traits
1 - Dandere - The quiet, anti-social type.
2 - Tsundere - The aggressive on the outside, but gentle on the inside type.
3- Himedere - The OHOHOHOHO~ type.
4 - Yandere - The sweet on the outside, rotten on the inside type.
5 - Kuudere - The cold type.
6 - Bakadere - The idiot type.
7 - Kamidere - The god-complex type.
8 - Hajidere - The shy, nervous type.
9 - Utsudere - The depressed type.
10 - Goudere - The faithful, loyal type.
Disaster Strikes!
1d10
1 - Financial Loss/Debt: Roll 1d10x100 in Eurodollars (times it by 200 afterwards if you wanna get Yen). This is how much you owe a person, organization, or Corporation. Maybe you broke something highly expensive, needed to get some sorta high-tech item so everyone else doesn't call you a loser, or borrowed some money from the yakuza to pay rent! You can minus this out of your current cash now or try to work it out. Keep in mind that ever month (or even week...), the debt collector will come. Roll 1d10: 1-2 Friend, 3-4 Parent (or closet thing to it), 5-6 Bank, 7-8 Yakuza, 9-10 Corporation
2 - Imprisonment: You either went to prison for 1d6 months, if an adult, or forced to go to some summer camp or academy to "help" you if you are a student.
3 - Illness: You suffered a terrible illness that kept you bedside for a month or so! Reduce your BODY or REF by 1.
4 - Betrayal: Someone decided you to stab you in the back for whatever reason-- it could be to fit in with the "cool" crowd, feed their addiction, or to make money off of your naivety. On a d10: 1-3, Someone you thought was your friend. 4-6, A friend. 7-8, Family Member. 9-10, Best Friend/Lover.
5 - Accident: You were involved in some sort of accident. Roll a 1d10: 1-4 Thankfully, it was minor and you were just shaken up by it. 5-6, The accident scarred you, reducing your attractiveness by 1. 7-8, it was terrible, leaving you hospitalized for 1d6 months! Reduce ATTR, BODY, COOL, or REF by 1. 9-10, you were in a coma for 1d10 months and lost some of your memory. Reduce EMP or INT by 1.
6 - Lover/friend/relative killed: Someone you cared about died. 1-4, they died from an accident. 5-6, it was suicide. 7-9, they were murdered, but their killers have been punished. 10, they were murdered and the killers haven't been caught yet.
7 - Mistaken Identity: You've been mistake for someone else! Roll 1d10: 1-8, you spent some time laying low or working it out with the party. It was a scary time, but you made it out. 9-10, you still haven't worked it out with them, so they're still hunting you! Roll 1d6: 1-2 Corporation, 3-4 Police Officers, 5-6 Yakuza
8 - Mental Breakage: Some event happened that gave you a mental disorder or phobia. Roll a 1d10: on a 1-3, this is a mental disorder. On a 4-10, this is a phobia.
9 - Dragged in: You were minding your own business when suddenly you found yourself in the middle of something you really don't wanna be. Roll 1d6: 1-2, a friend or family member is begging you to help with their debts. 3-4, you got dragged into an investigation! This could be a white-collar crime, thievery, or even something like murder. 5-6, you witnessed something you shouldn't have and the yakuza, or some other gang, are watching you.
10 - Addiction: You became addicted to something! Roll 1d10. On a 1-4, it's alcohol. On a 5-8, it's cigarettes. On a 9-10, it's a hard drug. If you don't get what you want, depending what you're addicted to, the GM may start you tweaking out, being depressed, or being grouchy at people.
You Get Lucky
9 - Local Yakuza Family likes you. You can call upon them for 1 favor a month, equivalent to a Gang Rank Special Ability of +2, but don't push it.
Keep in mind that the EB to Yen conversion is 1 = 200.
Guns are quite rare, with only really the police having handguns while SDF soldiers may have rifles (although rarely just walking around with them). Rifles can be bought for hunting or sport, but every round bought and used is recorded! Increase non-automatic rifles by x1.5 their cost, everything else will be x2 their cost since they have to be bought from the Black Market. Especially dangerous weapons, such as grenades, machine guns, and rocket launchers, could go for x3 their price.
Data Systems
Laptop Computer... 400-2,000eb
Laptops are like regular computers, but are easy to carry around. However, they utilize batteries and most be plugged in to keep on. They are also not as powerful as computers. The most expensive laptops may even run complicated programs and even Netrun, but with a -2 penalty.
Pocket Computer... 100eb
These are handheld devices that are similar to smartphones, but have plenty more functionality and can maybe make a call. They tend to be a bit bigger in size, so businessmen might carry one to record schedules, read books, or watch movies.
Personal Computer... 800-3,000eb
A computer that comes with monitor, keyboard, and mouse. Higher-end PCs can play games with realistic graphics or run advanced programs! They also tend to glow, for whatever reason.
Communication
Fliphone... 80eb
A simple device one can use to make calls, receive text messages, take pictures, and even browse the internet in a somewhat limited format. Still fairly popular in Japan thanks to a larger population of older folk.
Smartphone... 200-500eb
A more complicated device that can do everything a phone can, but more by installing applications on it. Some are simple, others may be dual-screened or have highly complicated cameras.
Entertainment
CD/Chip Rental... 4eb
Lifestyle
Cell Phone Bill... 100eb per month
Wifi Bill... 60-160eb per month
Satellite TV... 40eb per month
Streaming Service... 10eb per month
Watch only what you want instead of spending all your money on Satellite TV! Although when most media services now offer subscription services, it most start to cost more than Sat TV...
Housing
There's no Combat Zones in Japan!
To start off with a bit of lore. The year is 2025, Japan has handled their technological boom well, but things are slowing down considerably. Yet, none of the Japanese-based corporations seem to care one bit as they're stuck in their money ways. On the bright side, few people really go hungry and healthcare is free. The Yakuza tends to stick to the shadows and gangs are rare aside from the delinquent kind. Guns are also quite rare, so whenever anyone is trying to fight they use fists, martial arts, whatever they can find, and sometimes tantos or katanas. Although, none of that really matters to you-- you're just trying to stay afloat in this city, maybe even make it big one day! Just some high school student or a jobber spending what little money you got after paying for rent.
Stat Points: 54 (Appearance begins at 3.)
Skill Points: 40 + Pick Up + Background Skills (max of 3)
Special Ability: 1-5
Reputation: 1-3
First off, you should use the Lifestyle stuff in Pacific Rim! I recommend choosing instead of rolling to create a character that best fits you. For anything that says 1d6/2, just roll a 1d3 on a computer program or go 1-2 = 1, 3-4 = 2, 5-6 = 3.
Personality Traits
1 - Dandere - The quiet, anti-social type.
2 - Tsundere - The aggressive on the outside, but gentle on the inside type.
3- Himedere - The OHOHOHOHO~ type.
4 - Yandere - The sweet on the outside, rotten on the inside type.
5 - Kuudere - The cold type.
6 - Bakadere - The idiot type.
7 - Kamidere - The god-complex type.
8 - Hajidere - The shy, nervous type.
9 - Utsudere - The depressed type.
10 - Goudere - The faithful, loyal type.
Disaster Strikes!
1d10
1 - Financial Loss/Debt: Roll 1d10x100 in Eurodollars (times it by 200 afterwards if you wanna get Yen). This is how much you owe a person, organization, or Corporation. Maybe you broke something highly expensive, needed to get some sorta high-tech item so everyone else doesn't call you a loser, or borrowed some money from the yakuza to pay rent! You can minus this out of your current cash now or try to work it out. Keep in mind that ever month (or even week...), the debt collector will come. Roll 1d10: 1-2 Friend, 3-4 Parent (or closet thing to it), 5-6 Bank, 7-8 Yakuza, 9-10 Corporation
2 - Imprisonment: You either went to prison for 1d6 months, if an adult, or forced to go to some summer camp or academy to "help" you if you are a student.
3 - Illness: You suffered a terrible illness that kept you bedside for a month or so! Reduce your BODY or REF by 1.
4 - Betrayal: Someone decided you to stab you in the back for whatever reason-- it could be to fit in with the "cool" crowd, feed their addiction, or to make money off of your naivety. On a d10: 1-3, Someone you thought was your friend. 4-6, A friend. 7-8, Family Member. 9-10, Best Friend/Lover.
5 - Accident: You were involved in some sort of accident. Roll a 1d10: 1-4 Thankfully, it was minor and you were just shaken up by it. 5-6, The accident scarred you, reducing your attractiveness by 1. 7-8, it was terrible, leaving you hospitalized for 1d6 months! Reduce ATTR, BODY, COOL, or REF by 1. 9-10, you were in a coma for 1d10 months and lost some of your memory. Reduce EMP or INT by 1.
6 - Lover/friend/relative killed: Someone you cared about died. 1-4, they died from an accident. 5-6, it was suicide. 7-9, they were murdered, but their killers have been punished. 10, they were murdered and the killers haven't been caught yet.
7 - Mistaken Identity: You've been mistake for someone else! Roll 1d10: 1-8, you spent some time laying low or working it out with the party. It was a scary time, but you made it out. 9-10, you still haven't worked it out with them, so they're still hunting you! Roll 1d6: 1-2 Corporation, 3-4 Police Officers, 5-6 Yakuza
8 - Mental Breakage: Some event happened that gave you a mental disorder or phobia. Roll a 1d10: on a 1-3, this is a mental disorder. On a 4-10, this is a phobia.
9 - Dragged in: You were minding your own business when suddenly you found yourself in the middle of something you really don't wanna be. Roll 1d6: 1-2, a friend or family member is begging you to help with their debts. 3-4, you got dragged into an investigation! This could be a white-collar crime, thievery, or even something like murder. 5-6, you witnessed something you shouldn't have and the yakuza, or some other gang, are watching you.
10 - Addiction: You became addicted to something! Roll 1d10. On a 1-4, it's alcohol. On a 5-8, it's cigarettes. On a 9-10, it's a hard drug. If you don't get what you want, depending what you're addicted to, the GM may start you tweaking out, being depressed, or being grouchy at people.
You Get Lucky
9 - Local Yakuza Family likes you. You can call upon them for 1 favor a month, equivalent to a Gang Rank Special Ability of +2, but don't push it.
Vanguard
A rare sight in the streets, these types of warriors prefer the up close and personal lifestyle. Blades, axes, sledgehammers, anything. This, naturally, means they are quick to be gunned down, but some do become the stuff of legends-- "Neo-Kenseis" some would call them. They gain the special ability of Samurai Spirit, adding it to their melee damage and Awareness, and half of it to their Initiative and Melee.
Samurai Spirit | Intimidate
Melee or Fencing | Handgun
Brawling or Martial Arts | Dodge & Escape
Awareness | Athletics
First Aid | Resist Torture/Drugs
Endurance
Use Solo for pay.
Samurai Spirit | Intimidate
Melee or Fencing | Handgun
Brawling or Martial Arts | Dodge & Escape
Awareness | Athletics
First Aid | Resist Torture/Drugs
Endurance
Use Solo for pay.
Convenience Worker
Throughout the world, there are people who work and even run shops away from the large corporations or another chain of their franchise. While they may not seem that important, those who are motivated for the job may see themselves promoted to store owner in no time! they gain the special ability Service! Half of Service is added to any Empathy skill when dealing with customers. This can also apply to other types of jobs like Maids, who would apply it while on-shift.
Service | Awareness
Persuasion | Education & General Knowledge
Accounting| Interview
Human Perception | Expert: (Choose one that makes sense!)
Personal Grooming | Wardrobe & Style
Driving
Use Corporate -500 for pay.
Service | Awareness
Persuasion | Education & General Knowledge
Accounting| Interview
Human Perception | Expert: (Choose one that makes sense!)
Personal Grooming | Wardrobe & Style
Driving
Use Corporate -500 for pay.
Appropriate Roles
Bounty hunter, Shinobi, Tatsujin, Japanese SDF Officer, Vanguard
Runner (Driver), Aerojock (Pilot)
Techie, Medtech, Marien Biotech
Fixer, Info Broker, Sleaze, Loan Shark, Talent Scout/Agent/Manager, Negotiator, Smuggler, Trader, Owner, Fence, Convenience Worker
Corporate, Adminstrator
Media, Reporter
Lawyer, Attorney
Rockerboy
Cop, Private Investigator
Prowler, Con Man, Dancer/Prostitute, Scavenger
Streetpunk (Yakuza)
Runner (Driver), Aerojock (Pilot)
Techie, Medtech, Marien Biotech
Fixer, Info Broker, Sleaze, Loan Shark, Talent Scout/Agent/Manager, Negotiator, Smuggler, Trader, Owner, Fence, Convenience Worker
Corporate, Adminstrator
Media, Reporter
Lawyer, Attorney
Rockerboy
Cop, Private Investigator
Prowler, Con Man, Dancer/Prostitute, Scavenger
Streetpunk (Yakuza)
Keep in mind that the EB to Yen conversion is 1 = 200.
Guns are quite rare, with only really the police having handguns while SDF soldiers may have rifles (although rarely just walking around with them). Rifles can be bought for hunting or sport, but every round bought and used is recorded! Increase non-automatic rifles by x1.5 their cost, everything else will be x2 their cost since they have to be bought from the Black Market. Especially dangerous weapons, such as grenades, machine guns, and rocket launchers, could go for x3 their price.
New Cybernetics
Dynalar Sandevistan Mk.1 (M * ) (OS) When activated, allows the ability to dodge fast moving objects like cars, bullets for. Adds +2 to Dodging melee, Parrying, and Attacking vs people without it. Lasts for 1d3 turns, 6x per day. 6,000eb 3d6 HL
Dynalar Sandevistan Mk.2 (M * ) (OS) When activated, allows the ability to dodge fast moving objects like cars, bullets for. Adds +3 to Dodging melee, Parrying, and Attacking vs people without it. +1 to dodging bullets and other fast-moving objects. Lasts for 1d6+1 turns, 8x per day. 10,000eb 3d6+3 HL (1d6 HL if upgrading)
*Has a difficulty of Trained (20). Considered military grade cyberware.
Dynalar Sandevistan Mk.2 (M * ) (OS) When activated, allows the ability to dodge fast moving objects like cars, bullets for. Adds +3 to Dodging melee, Parrying, and Attacking vs people without it. +1 to dodging bullets and other fast-moving objects. Lasts for 1d6+1 turns, 8x per day. 10,000eb 3d6+3 HL (1d6 HL if upgrading)
*Has a difficulty of Trained (20). Considered military grade cyberware.
New General Gear
Data Systems
Laptop Computer... 400-2,000eb
Laptops are like regular computers, but are easy to carry around. However, they utilize batteries and most be plugged in to keep on. They are also not as powerful as computers. The most expensive laptops may even run complicated programs and even Netrun, but with a -2 penalty.
Pocket Computer... 100eb
These are handheld devices that are similar to smartphones, but have plenty more functionality and can maybe make a call. They tend to be a bit bigger in size, so businessmen might carry one to record schedules, read books, or watch movies.
Personal Computer... 800-3,000eb
A computer that comes with monitor, keyboard, and mouse. Higher-end PCs can play games with realistic graphics or run advanced programs! They also tend to glow, for whatever reason.
Communication
Fliphone... 80eb
A simple device one can use to make calls, receive text messages, take pictures, and even browse the internet in a somewhat limited format. Still fairly popular in Japan thanks to a larger population of older folk.
Smartphone... 200-500eb
A more complicated device that can do everything a phone can, but more by installing applications on it. Some are simple, others may be dual-screened or have highly complicated cameras.
Entertainment
CD/Chip Rental... 4eb
Lifestyle
Cell Phone Bill... 100eb per month
Wifi Bill... 60-160eb per month
Satellite TV... 40eb per month
Streaming Service... 10eb per month
Watch only what you want instead of spending all your money on Satellite TV! Although when most media services now offer subscription services, it most start to cost more than Sat TV...
Housing
There's no Combat Zones in Japan!