Documenti di Didattica
Documenti di Professioni
Documenti di Cultura
STAFF&CREW
JlJ.WILDSIDE
FIXERS ...........................................................................................................................................................................7
Streetdeal.........................................................................................................................................................8
ComRIications...............................................................................................................................................17
Creating a Fixer.......................................................................................................................................39
Forming a 8usiness................................................................................................................................41
Fitting"Fixers In .......................................................................................................................................45
Tech Effects................................................................................................................................................74
APPENDICIES .......................................................................................................................................................89
AppendiX C - StreetslaQg...........................................................................................................93
WILDSIDE.
J!lWILDSIDE
WIlDSIDE J4t.
Michienne Dixon (order #4512541) 6
JAiWILDSIDE
In
2020, corporations and conglomerates influence sometimes hire whole Nomad
compete to direct the cash flow of packs to back a client's contrdCt.
In any line of work, people are a Fix
entire populations, governments strug
er's most valuable commodity. A Fixer's
gle to maintain their uneven influence, contacts and allies can form a potentially
and crime waves wash back and forth across the vast web of information, intrigue and
cities. While not exactly utopian, this chaotic situa coercion, allowing him to pull strings
tion provides an ideal environment for freebooting without acting directly. Through this
entrepreneurs; shady characters such as smug network a Fixer can buy and sell favors
and make connections in any kind of
glers, freelance negotiators, organizers and infor
business, deal or even political group.
mation brokers. In Cyberpunk parlance: Fixers. Fixers are ubiquitous characters; they
A Fixer is a power broker of the Eventually, a successful Fixer moves buy into hot nightclubs, smuggle mili
Street, a man whose mission is to make out of the nickel-and-dime stuff into big tary-surplus weapons onto the street, and
things happen in the semi-legal swamp time action. Most Fixers settle on a par play negotiator between sides if a corpo
that is the cyberpunk's world. A Fixer ticular racket, such as smuggling rate war is going down (with a definite
needs to know many people and have a there's big Euro to be made moving eye on the main chance).
lot of information; that way, he can bring illegal weapons over the border. Out of Fixers are, by nature, ruthlessly profit
the right talent and resources together necessity, any Fixer worth his salt has a oriented, but it is not entirely unheard-of
and accomplish something. Perhaps he's strong talent for making his own oppor for a Fixer to do a good deed . A Fixer can
trying to run a successful drug ring; per tunities. If you can't break into the gun hide someone who needs to get the heat
haps he's putting together a black ops running scene, you might try creating a off, get people housing when there isn't
team-it doesn't matter. Smart business demand which you can supply, such as any, or bring food into blockaded neigh
is what a Fixer is all about, because busi stealing and reselling medical supplies borhoods. Perhaps these uncommon Fix
ness means money. from the corporations. ers like the idea of helping people in
Most Fixers have a less than glorious While stealing and selling is good need, but it doesn't hurt that these people
past. They commonly start out as small work if you can get it, the true center ofa will be in the Fixer's debt, and if they can
time punks; little different from the Fixer's power comes from his contacts, pay for services rendered, well that's even
assorted muggers, streetgangers and so it's only naturdl that many Fixers find better, isn't it? In a the socially fragment
Solo wannabes. However, the true mark their calling as skill brokers-acting as ed 2020's, Fixers often bridge the gaps
of a Fixer is a certain knack for figuring an agent for talented people. Any major that the proles can't cross on their own.
out what other people want, and how to city has a pool of high-priced Solos and Fixers stand apart from the rest of the
get it for them, a~ well a~ a willingness to Netrunners who need representation. desperate population of the Cyber/Junk
do this only if the price is right. Agent-type Fixers with wide-reaching world by their special ability, Streeldeal.
WILDSIDE .Ill
Jll WIlDSIDE
:.:.:.
#
,
•
., j'
..."
,.,
, \
Q
/
#
?
I - , -. \....
~ .k
Y
~
",
-}.,
~ ...
I
WILDSIDE JlJ..
vices, the grapevine, etc.) . One extra roll Contact~, as full-fledged NPCs, may
cost~ a base of 4 poin t~ , doubled for each idiot." be any type of character. An expensive
extra roll after; therefore, two extra rolls contact would be a high-ranking corpo
cost~ 8 point~, and three extra rolls cost~ -An Unk:nown rate executive, while a cheap contact
16 point~, four extra rolls would cost 32 would be a streetkid who is always high on
point~, and five extra rolls would cost 64 Euro-Fixer 'Dorph. Whoever or whatever the contact
point~. These co.~t~ impose two limit~ on is, they are there to prOvide the Fixer with
the possible number of roles: firstly, no something, be it fake IDs, illegal weapons,
one can make more than six rolls, since cheap thrills or information . Since the
no player can have 128 Network Poin t~ . player pays point~ for his contact~, it is
Secondly, Level 1 Fixers cannot afford to assumed that the contact will be on rela
get ANY extnl rolls, since they're just too tively good terms with the character (of
lowly, Tough luck, guys. able to find buyers), 4 point~ into Forged course, in Cy1wr1)unh it's a bad idea to
As an example of the Hot Stuff sys Documents (so he can make his sales REALLY trust anyone). However, they will
tem, we return to ou r old friend Mad seem legal), and 4 points into Police usually want something in exchange for
Man Mandel (the cyberware Black Mar Information (so he'll know when they're their help; it may be money, it may be
keteer with a COOL of 8 and a Streetdeal coming after him). He has no leftover drugs, it may be a favor, but we all know
of +8), who has 64 Network Point~ (8 x 8 point~, so he's all set, but odd Streetdeal nothing's free . Right, gato?
= 64). Mad Man Mandel's player, at the levels will grant another odd number The type of character the contact is
time of character creation, must decide when squared, so some of you are bound will determine what they can provide for
how he wants to allot these points. He to have 1 point left over. One point is of the Fixer. An inventory manager at the
could dump all 64 point~ into cybenvare, no llse to YOll since it won '[ buy any extra local Part~ N' Programs won't be much
granting hirr. five extra rolls, but that rolls . Too bad. Life.iust ain't fair, is it? help with money laundering services, but
.JlS.. WILDSIDE
Michienne Dixon (order #4512541) 6
he'll be very useful for new cyberware. what the contact can actually DO. • Reputation 0-2: This contact is
However, even very powerful contacts When making use of a contact, the ref involved with a very narrow field with
have their limits. A member of Congress eree secretly rolls IDIO and adds the in his occupation. An organized
can be quite handy in many situations, contact's Capability Number. This crime contact would be involved only
but he sure won't be much good in get number stands in for the contact's with one of his family's racket~ (such
ting you custom-designed aphrodisiacs. It applicable Stat+Skill totals in h is area a~ protection), a police con tact would
all depends on what the contact's own of expertise (that is, his occupation). be involved only \vith one project
capabilities are. Each contact will have The referee compares the result of (such as infiltrating a particular
their own resources and skill levels, which IDIO plus the contact's Capability to crime family), and a corporate con
are determined when the contact is the difficulty he has aSSigned to the tact would only be involved with one
bought from the Fixer's Contact Points. task to find out if the contact will be of his corporation's department
Before any Contact Points are spent, able to help the player. There are five (such as accounting). Cost is xO.5
the contact's occupation must be decid levels of Capability, as are listed below:
ed. This need not be one of the Roles
from the Cyberpunk rules, although it • Reputation 3-5: This contact is
can be. The descriptions should be limit • Snitch: (you meet a lot of people involved with a typical field within his
ed to one 'Job," or lifestyle. Perhaps the that are 95% useless in the "scene," occupation. An organized crime con
contact is a Corporate, perhaps another but when they do manage to do tact would be acquainted with most
Fixer. Perhaps a Cop, Media or Nomad. something for you, you cultivate of his family's operations, a police
Maybe they are a homeless person or an them) Capability of 5+1DIO. Cost contact would be involved with a
organized criminal. Other options is 5 points whole department (like homicide),
include government employee or official, and a corporate contact would be
private investigator, musician, prostitute, knowledgeable with most of his cor
club owner, gang member, dock worker, • Incapable:The contact has a Capa poration 's a~pect~. Cost is xl.O
thief, construction worker, lawyer, scien bility of 10+lDlO. Cost is 10 point~.
tist, soldier, librarian, terrorist, college
professor, mercenary, or an orbital char • Reputation 6-8: This contact is
acter of some kind. The options are infi • Capable: The contact has a Capa involved with a wide field within his
nite, but some kind of occupation must bility of 15+1DIO. Cost is 15 point~. occupation. An organized crime con
be specified. Then the contact is priced. tact would be acquainted with all of
The cost in Contact Points for each his family's operations and those of
NPC contact is ba~ed on their level of skill • Very Capable: The contact has a the other families in the city, a police
in their occupation, the amount of access capability of 20+1DIO. Cost is 25 contact would be involved with the
and/or influence they have in their given point~. entire local police force, and a corpo
area of expertise, as well as their availabili rate contact would only be familiar
ty and reliability. AJI of these determining with all of his corporation 's aspect~
factors are subject to opinion, so the • Super-Capable: The contact has a and those of other businesses in the
proces~ of buying contact~ should be car capability of 25+1DIO. Cost is 40 same industry. Cost is xl.S
ried out with your referee. The list of points.
potential contacts is virtually unlimited, so
the descriptions listed below are rather • Reputation 9-10: This contact is
generdl in their na ture.
Contact Reputation involved with an expansive field with
in his occupation . An organized
This covers the amoun t of influ crime contact would be fully aware of
ence and access the contact has within every single aspect of his family's
Contact Capability his particular area of specialization. operations and knowledgeable of
The capability ofa contact within Once it has been decided what the organized crime around the world , a
his occupation determines the base contact's Capability is, it must be police contact would be involved with
cost of the contact. Once the contact's decided how important they are in an entire national police force (such
occupation has been decided, their their field. This translates directly into as the CIA, Interpol or Netwatch),
level of competence and talent in that their reputation score . Contacts who and a corporate contact would be
occupation is bought with Contact are not very well-renowned in their one of the inner circle of an entire
Points. A very capable contact will be field will be cheaper, as their reputa industry (perhaps a corporate pres
more expensive than a sub-standard tion will tell you how well-connected ident or chairman) . Cost is x2.0
one, so the varying costs determine they are.
WILDSIDE.
J!l WILDSIDE
ters (read: plot devices) and an effective contacts. IP affects your game capabili
roleplaying aid for both the Fixer and ties only when you have gone up a full
the Referee. level; 3 IP won't buy you one more little
contact. Once you have enough IP to
move up a full level, you can increase
Which Is Which? your abilities. It is assumed that when
you go up a level of Streetdeal, you have
The three systems for dealing with a managed to make a big enough score
Fixer's contacts are interchangeable. that your name has become more well
Whatever system you choose to use when recognized. In making a big enough
creating your character, you can always score (or enough big scores), you now
move to one of the other systems if your have a better rep and thus more people
game calls for it. If you have a Fixer who will be willing to deal with you . Remem
plays in The Big League, and you decide ber that your Reputation is equal to 1/ 2
you want (0 use her in a one-night pick your Streetdeal, so if you go from a 5 to a
up game , you can simply shunt over to 6 in Streetdeal, your Rep will go up from
the Down and Dirty system. Or, if your a 2 to a 3. It has always been true on the
referee doesn't want to deal with all the Street that your Rep is more important
complexities of the Big League, you can than your credit rating(as any Fixer will
compromise with Hot Stuff. Even if you tell you).
create a Fixer with the Down and Dirty
method, after a few sessions she is bound
to interact with several NPCs who would
qualify as contacts of various calibers.
Information
Should you want your Down and Dirty Everybody knows that information is
Fixer to graduate to The Big League,just power. Well, gato, information can also
figure out what kind of Contact Points be free. There are a lot of things you can
these NPC~ would be worth, and spend find out if you know where to look... or
what you have left as you see fit. Then who to ask. Fixers, as people who know
you're all set. people (who know more people), have
Whatever system of contact~ you use, plenty of associates who they can ask for
there are two complications which you information. Even if the contacts do not
WILL encounter. The first is that you will have the information the Fixer wants,
no doubt make new contacts during the the contacts can ask their own contacts.
course of a game, even though you did The process may take some time, but is
not pay any points for them. That's fine . bound to grant result~. In fact, time is an
The systems offered above are designed important aspect of information-gather
simply to give your character a boost at ing. The longer a Fixer (or anyone, for
the start of game play. If you have a mere that matter) spends seeking out informa
level 1 in Streetdeal, and you somehow tion, the better the chances are of suc
establish a relationship with the CEO of cess. If you're looking for a streetgang's
WorldSat, go with it. You may not have secret hideout, an hour-long search is
paid any points for him, but he's there not going to be as fruitful as a day-long
for you now.Just remember that a tried or week-long search . In essence, the
and true contact is more than a simple amount of time spent looking for a par
acquaintance, it is someone with whom ticular piece of information modifies the
you have a symbiotic relationship. The difficulty number. In other words, the
second type of complication is the issue referee should base the difficulty of the
ofImprovement Point~. A~ you play, you task (to some extent) on the amount of
will amass IP in your special ability, time spent on the task; learning the loca
which will eventually raise you to a new tion ofa gang's secret hideout in an hour
level of Streetdeal. In the Down and would be Nearly Impossible (Diff=30), in
Dirty method , you get a bigger bonus; in a day would be Very Difficult (Diff=2S)
Hot Stuff, you get another roll (maybe); and in a week would be Difficult
in The Big League, you can afford more (Diff=20). This also works in reverse
•• ~ •• •• ~ •••• 3 ••• ••••• • •• ••• ~ ••••••• ••••••••• • • •••••••• •••••••••••• ••••• • • ••••••••• • • •••
WILDSIDE Jl
Michienne Dixon (order #4512541) 6
the higher the Fixer's Streetdeal roll, the ware. Does he have a gold-plated hand
less time his information quest takes (for with Scratchers? Well , that's another
every 5 points that the roll exceeds the story ...
Diff. Rating, reduce the time factor by This is a moderate scenario, with a
one catagory). These rules also apply for good amount of skill-rolling and room
other players usi ng Streetwise and Private for plenty of roleplaying. Once again, it
Eyes using their combined Streetwise and all depends on your ga me . However, the
Research (see 'VWlen Gravity Fails, page 45 Fixer's ability to get information is useful
46) . In fact, Fixers operate somewhat like not only to himself, but also to other play
Private Investigators, spending time on ers in the party, as well as the referee. Fix
the streets, in bars and clubs, on the ers are useful for picking up clues, which
phone a nd in the Net trying to dig up helps move any adventure along, and
whatever information they are looking that makes players and referees alike
for (but Fixers can use the added bonus happy. If Fixers are well-connected
es of the Down & Dirty or Hot Stuff sys enough, and cultivate the right contact~,
tems, or use the connections of their they can dig up secretive information .
contacts in The Big League). This may be for the good of the party, or
Info rmation gathering is a case for their own advantage-they may even
where a Fixer's specialization becomes get dirt on other player charactersl
important. If you are an information-ori (Blackmail, anyone?) By tapping the
en ted character, you will get good bonus grapevine and accessing the under
es to finding things out. However, your ground information network, Fixers are
information is only as good as your con excellent at "environmental reconnais
tacts, so the referee must be careful in sance," that is, gathering information
judging the results of any information about the things happening around you.
related Streetdeal roll. A Fixer may use A Fixer lives longer if he knows what the
his Streetdeal to find important clues or latest rumors are; a few of them may turn
goods-take Mad Man Mandel as an out to be truel If you heard a rumor that
example. the Mob was going to move in on the
If Mad Man Mandel were looking Yakuza, you might do well to steer clear
for a gold-plated cyberhand with built-in of Little Italy andJapantown . You'd feel
Scratchers for a client, he could start by pretty dumb getting gunned down in a
checking what news is floating around mob war crossfire, wouldn ' t you? With
on the grapevine. He'll hear several their access to information , Fixers
rumors, most of which will be worthless become exceptionally useful game ele
to him, but if he makes a good Streetdeal ment~, making them attractive as a char
roll (or roleplays well , or isjust lucky) he acter choice for players, attractive to play
may hear something useful. Maybe er groups as useful a~set to the team, and
there 's a rumor that a nearby cybernetics attractive to referees as scenario motiva
warehouse was raided. Mad Man Mandel tors. It is generally advisable that the gath
smells Biz now, and he decides to talk to ering of information be roleplayed rather
some of his contacts and see if there is carefully, as a reckless roll of the dice
any news about the robbery of the ware taken out of context can sometimes
house . Another high Streetdeal roll, reduce an adventure from a quest across
good rolepl aying, or luck, could result in country to a chat on the cell phone. Play it
one of Mad Ma n Mandel's contacts out, but the roleplaying should be com
telling him that the thieves fenced the plemented by an appropriate Streetdeal
goods with a major black marketeer in roll. A~ long a~ referees are careful not to
town. The enterprising Fixer decides to let this get out of hand, a Fixer's informa
put a rumor on the Street that he's look tion-gathering powers should be most
ing for new cyberware, and if things go helpful. A final note: always cross-check
his way, his Streetdeal / Rep is powerful info from different sources! This is espe
enough to grant results . Mad Man Man cially important when dealing with multi
del gets a call on his cellular phone from ple contacts of questional reliability.
Jimmy The H, who has the hot cyber- (When weren't they?)
J&l WILDSIDE
WILDSIDE
• WILDSIDE
WIlDSIDE J:Il
Michienne Dixon (order #4512541) 6
..... ,:: .:'" .. ::~ :'.
:.:: :.::: ~ :::.: ."
The grapevine, publicity and advertising actlvl tIes, consist.~ of such notorious
are all very closely related, and being groups as the Mafia (from Italy), the
known is not always an advantage. It may Yakuza (fromJapan), the Chinese Tri
bring in customers, but it also makes it ads, the Sudams (from the Spanish word
easier for "the enemy" to find you. The for South Americans), the Union Corse
more attention you draw, the more pea (from France) as well as newcomers like
pie line up to take a swipe at you; for per the Jamaican Posses and the Organit
sonal and official reasons alike. Once skaya (Euro-Russian gangs). Every large
again, PCs who are closely associated city in North America has strong repre
with a well-reputed Fixer are corre sentation by some (if not all) of these
spondingly more likely to be easily locat groups, and each city is divided up into
ed. territories controlled by particular
Even if a Fixer is not exceptionally groups with strictly-enforced bound
well-known, the grapevine has the curi aries. Wherever a Fixer operates, he will
ous nature of spreading word around be hard pressed to find a ba~e of opera
whether you like it or not. They say word tions which is not on someone's turf. In
travels fast, and in the underground general, the Mob will ignore the really
information network, data gets shuffled small-time operators (those with a Street
around at light-speed. There are always deal of less than 5) and concen trate on
young, ambitious, amoral individuals out the big fish who look like they are actual
there who would be more than willing to ly taking money away from the Mob's
roll over an established Fixer and hijack business. Those who do attract the Mob's
all his wares. Fixers are often security attention will find that the way they are
minded to an extreme, investing in elec approached will depend on which
tronic security, bug-stompers, and well group's territory they are violating. The
armed bodyguards. Even this is not Jamaican Posse will most likely murder
guaranteed to dissuade the criminal ele offending privateers outright, the Yakuza
ment from making attempt~ on a Fixer's would more likely force indie Fixers out
life, stealing his property, hijacking his of their turf, and the Mafia often attempt
supplies, invading his netwoI"k and gen to induct private entrepreneurs into
erally being a pain. Once again, anyone their own organization. These situations,
who hangs around with a high-powered even if initially resolved in some way, will
Fixer long enough is very likely to get probably crop up again and again as
caught in the crossfire during such an Mob treaties alter the boundaries of
event. These raids are particularly suited their territories, the leadership and tem
to Fixer-oriented campaigns. Entire sub perament of the local Mob changes, and
plots can be generated around rivalries Fixers expand their operations into new
between Fixer organizations, the shifting dimensions. Pressure from the mob is
attitudes of local gangs as their leader another excellent theme for creating
ship changes, and the ever-present subplots in Fixer-oriented campaigns,
threat of BIG organized crime muscling and very prominent NPCs can be made
in on your private little enterprise. out of local Mob bosses. These charac
Mob takeovers are a constant thorn ters may be feared threat.~ to the Fixer's
in every Fixer's side. In any modern organization (and life), annoying pests
Cyberpunk city, there are numerous Fix who are constantly trying to intimidate
ers who start up their own racket.~, such the Fixer's Facemen, or even allies who
as gambling, prostitution, smuggling, will support the Fixer in times oftrouble.
and assorted black marketeering. Very Having an Organized criminal as a con
few of these indie Fixers ever make it to tact (or even better, a~ a lifepath person
the big league because the Mob doesn't ality) can be a great boon to any Fixer.
take kindly to small-time operators using From the point of view of shunning the
their "territory." The Mob, which is a Mob, a high Streetdeal can be more of a
blanket term used to describe the power liability than an a~set.
ful organized crime groups which con Fixers who work for the Mob do not
trol a large part of any city's criminal have to worry about takeovers and terri
• WIlDSIDE
:.;.:
.... : .
torial pressures, but they have other than their fair share of them-it's almost
problems. When working for the Mob, a impossible to know when you're selling
Fixer has someone he has to answer to, to the wrong person. While department
rules he must live by, and a stereotype to stores have customer complaint win
which he is permanently mated. The dows, Fixers are islands unto themselves,
cops are always a concern, since being a and if a customer gets ticked off due to
member ofa crime family makes a Fixer something they paid a Fixer for. .. well,
more visible to the authorities, and the they know exactly who to blame, don't
ever-present threat of Mob warfare they? Many a Fixer has been blown away
looms above. Having to schlep out and by a vengeful customer; sell someone a
fight a running gun battle for your 90 faulty Minami-lO and the next thing you
year-old Oyabun can really put a kink in know they're chainsawing their way
your business schedule. through your front door, looking for
Be they Mob or indie, player-charac payback.
ter Fixers will find that there is one final One way around such troubles is to
drawback to having a potent Streetdeal: operate in rackets which are not quite as
other player characters are always trying high-risk as gunrunning. To cover their
to get your services for freel Player-char butts, Fixers usually choose a field of
acter Fixers who are part of a group or expertise at which they know they can be
team during ajob will find that they are successful. I n terms of profi t margi ns,
expected to act as some kind of free sup the more narrow your field, the better
ply shop for the party. Referees and your chances are of becoming the best at
Fixer players alike should do their best to your profession. There are all sorts of
keep this from happening-such behav markets, both legitimate and illegiti
ior leads to extended "shopping runs" mate, which are ripe for exploitation by
which take up precious game time and ambitious Fixers. In terms of Cyberpunk
skew the balance of power in favor of the character roles, each Fixer must choose
players. PC Fixers would be poor role such a field of expertise; this procedure
players to be so gracious as to provide is referred to as specialization.
free resources to anyone, and any Cyber
punk referee worth his salt will confound
such attempts anyway. Just because a
group includes an Arms Dealer as one of SPECIALIZED
it~ player-characters, this should not lead
to the players becoming mobile weapons
platforms. Fixers think in terms of
FIXERS
money first and people second (usual In Night City, where the "haves" and
ly-this can depend upon the charac the "have-nots" are constantly dogfight
ter's personality, history, special circum ing, there are a few Fixers who everyone
stances or whatever), so players should has heard of-the Fireman, Bag Lady,
be charged just as much as any other cus and White Lion come to mind. Some
tomer. Fixers are very conscious of the times the corporates want to find some
laws of supply and demand, and prefer one who has gone to ground in the com
ential treatment of one group will cause bat zone . Sometimes a boostergang
resentment in other customer groups, wants the lowdown on the Police's patrol
leading to yet another complication: dis routes. Sometimes (often, in fact) a
gruntled customers. Street Samurai decides he won't be
A customer can sometimes be a Fix happy until he owns the newest milspec
er's worst enemy. Although Fixers, as assault rifle . It is at these times people
largely independent operators, have the seek out a Fixer who specializes in the
right to refuse any-damn-one they needed goods. Sometimes the Fixers
please, they would be unwise to do so on come to them . To maximize their exper
a regular basis. It's bad for business when tise (and thus their business), most Fix
you have no clients. There are all sorts of ers specialize in a particular field. The
crazies out there, and Fixers meet more most comfortable lifestyle is enjoyed by
••••••••••••••••• 3 •••••••••••••••• ••••••••• ~ •••••••••••••• • •• • •• • •••••••••• • •• • ••••••••
WILDSIDE
JIlL WILDSIDE
WILDSIDE . .
itics. Info. Bro.s usually lead intellectual pro.blem. The Dnly way o.ut is a cDmplete
ly stimulating but physically protracted change o.f identity, from co.smetic
lifestyles, so. they tend to. be anything surgery to. alteratiDn Df recDrds. This pro
from eccentric to. bizarre . This is a cedure is called "getting new sho.es," and
highly specialized and narro.w field, the Fixers who. provide this service are
sui ted to. a very specific type Df per kno.wn as ShDemakers. Also. calIed SIN
sDn-many Fixers sell infDrmatiDn, but Lifters, their business is SIN-surgery,
few deal in it exclusively. The biggest namely the meddling with the files
threat to' Info. BrDs is pDsed by thDse attached to. an individual's State Identifi
CDncerns abDut whDm he sells info.rma catio.n Number. Because it requires a
tiDn . White LiDn (CP 2020, pg. 213) tremendo.us amDunt Df cDntacts,
fDund this Dut the hard way when she reso.urces and mo.ney to. perfo.rm such
sold infDrmatiDn which led to. the drastic Dperatio.ns, the SIN-Lifter busi
dDwnfall Df a mDb family. She's still ness is very exclusive and is sDmetimes
hiding fro.m the cDntract they put Dut calIed "the PriesthDDd." ShDemakers
Dn her. generally deal with three highly illegal
services: the creatiDn, alteratio.n and
Information Broker era~ing Df electrDnic identities. All three
I Streetdeal Awareness Dfthese DperatiDns (grDuped tDgether a~
PersuasiDn Interview "Identity Fraud") are co.nsidered Prio.rity
FDrgery Library Search 2 crimes (Protect&Seroe, pg.66), and any
Interrogation Human PerceptiDn Dne asso.ciated with the business, from
Expert: EducatiDn & General the ShDemakers themselves to. their staff
(YDur chDice) KnDwledge and custDmers, is sure to receive hard
time in a high-sec blDck (if YDU mess
around tDo. much in gov't files, they may
even call it EspiDnage) . Shoemakers
need unusually high-pDwered contact~,
powerful members o.f the government
bureaucracy such as the CIA and Immi
gration, as well as many connections with
credit corporations, insurance compa
nies and banks. The quality of the identi
ty services provided by a Shoemaker is
directly related to his Streetdeal. This
fact , and the reality th a t Sho.emakers
Shoemater need such potent contacts (as well as a
great deal of money for computer equip
With the modem eVDlutiDn Dfthe Net, ment), demands that most Fixers start
the majDrity Df America's pDpulatiDn are out in some o.ther area , such as informa
registered in the systems Dfthe Net through tiDn brokerage, before gradua ting to the
their State IdentificatiDn Numbers (SINs). Priesthood. As far as staff concerns go.,
This number is the citizen's electronic life ShDemakers work very closely with
line, serving as their social security number Netrunners, who perfDrm the hazardous
and tied to. their driver's registratiDn, bank netruns which make SIN-surgery po.ssi
account numbers, emplDyee identification, ble. ShDemakers also have uses fDr
Net access code and even their phDne num Techies, who put together their comput
ber. While this system ha~ streamlined the er and informatio.n systems, and usually
principles of the e1ectrDnic highways, it can one or two. SDlos on permanent retainer
also. be used by Big BrDther to. keep an as bodyguards. During the cDurse Df
uncDmfortably c1Dse eye Dn YDU (see SINs of their dealings, SIN-Lifters Dften stDckpile
Identity, page 62). Fo.r criminals and identities like any Dther co.mmo.dity and
Edgerunners this system can be difficult, buy, sell and trade them with their cus
and when they need to. disappear fDr a to.mers (similar to the passport trade of
while, it becDmes a pDtentially serio.us old) . Low-level ShDemakers have very
.JIJt WILOSIOE
Shoemaker
Note: should be considered an NPC
specialty
Streetdeal Awareness
Forgery System Knowledge Drug-Lord type of Fixer may employ drugs. The pharmacological world of
Programming Library Search several Pushers, they will seldom work 2020 is so fast-paced and complex that
Bureaucracy Accounting together, or even know each other. pushers have the edge. Specifically-tai
Stock Market Education & There are exceptions, depending on lored amphetamine derivatives, syn
General Knowledge what is being sold, but pushers differ thetic endorphins, hallucinogenic
from the bigger-time dealers in that compounds and biological enhancers
Pusher these scum are generally not involved
in supply, only in sales. Pushers are
of all kinds flood the cities of 2020.
Depending on where they operate,
Despised by the authorities and the always being hassled by the authorities, some pushers can actually be legiti
general populace, drug pushers never and rely on their dealer bosses to bail mate businessman, thanks to the regis
theless continue to flourish in 2020. them out if they get bagged. It doesn't tration system (see Life on the Pharm,
Pushers are almost universally slimy always happen. Pushers are parasitic, pg. 81). Not all pushers are bad guys
characters, even those who gain the preying on incapacitated, helpless either-some sell the medicines and
money and power to rise above the addicts. Often pushers will demand combat drugs which Edgerunners con
scum and graduate to becoming a sexual favors from their buyers, some stantly need, and some simply sell over
major drug dealer (see Black Marke times leading to beatings, murders, the counter medicines and antibodies
teers). Although they are often supplied revenge shootings, and gang warfare. to the desperate poor who can't afford
by organized crime, they are not true The authorities despise pushers, but full price. However, in most of the
mobsters, and wield no power within an there are usually too many to be effec country (and most of the world) recre
organization; usually buying supplies tively controlled. Some pushers deal in ational drug use is heavily restricted if
and paying dues to some other type of designer drugs which are so new that not absolutely prohibited. This doesn't
Fixer of higher caliber. Pushers general they have not yet been ruled illegal, stop the drug scene from being popu
ly work on their own, only dealing with and some deal in widely-available lar and profitable. Be they JegaJ or
others when buying supplies or selling drugs such as stimulants and depres underground, drug dens and chemical
to customers. Although a higher-level sants, brain-boosters and memory parlors can be found in literally ever'f
WILDSIDE
Sleaze
Sleaze isn't really a profession, it's a
MONEYBAGS
state of mind. These types are the lowest Moneybags are those fixers who deal in
(and most common) breed of Fixer; a pure currency. Money in 2020 has an
close relation to the Vagrant class (in almost magical power (a lot like today,
When Gravity Fails). They occupy the actually). The mega-corporate economy
poorest economic niches in the Fixer has made money the greatest weapon
hierarchy, usually making their living as known to man: it can buy peoples' souls
runners, middlemen, snitches, inform and topple nations. Paper and coins,
ers, petty thieves and other lowlife pro electronic cash, extended credit lines,
fessions. Their business consist'> of expense account,>, personal checks, non
leeching money from the dregs of soci liquid assets, precious metals and jewels,
ety, so they seldom even enjoy support stocks and bonds are the bodily fluids of
from any criminal organizations. the capitalist organism which is the
Sleazes, if they get really lucky, may world in 2020. Clever entrepreneurs who
form the link between the assorted know how to manipulate currency can
underground organizations and the make out like bandit,> and get away with
general inner-city populace. Sleazes are murder. There are generally four types
simple street salesmen, peddling the of Moneybags: Factors, Fences, Loan
dirtiest wares and lowest services avail Sharks and Bookies, but they often over
able from the corporate center to the lap.
combat zone; petty crime is their forte
(keep in mind that a Sleaze differs from
a "thug"-type character, which would be Factor
a low-level Solo). Because they generally
lead miserably petty lives, most Sleazes Factors are big-time financial bro
spend their lives hoping for that elusive kers, and as such, are the most large
"big score" which will raise them above scale of the moneybags. Factors deal in
the filth, but such things rarely happen. such practices a'> money laundering,
It is most common that a Sleaze is a per forgery, ghost accounting and embezzle
son with Fixer potential who suffers ment. There are two kinds of Factor
from some disadvantage which prevents the rich and the jailed. The c1a'>sic defini
them from really going anywhere. They tion of a Factor is someone who is
may be illiterate, or drug addicts, or brought in by a company to resolve
simply very young people forced to fend inventory problems. This practice still
for themselves. Sleazes seldom have a happens in 2020. Sometimes companies
Streetdeal level above +4; if they do, find themselves threatened with immi
they usually graduate to something nent bankruptcy when they cannot sell
more profitable, such as Black Marke all of their inventory, and at these times
teering. Sleazes use the standard pack they employ a Factor. The Factor agrees
age of career skills from the Cyberpunk to buy all of the company's inventory at a
2020 rulebook. Although these skills reduced price, thus ensuring that the
were supposed to represent a generic company can at least stay afloat, and
.II!. WILDSIDE
WILDSIDE
.Jll WILDSIDE
WILDSIDE
~~
JIll WILDSIDE
WILDSIDE
ing of a commercial treaty between two With the advent of corporate domin
In 2020, increasing gaps between the Black Marketeers), or arbitrating a ma~ive ion, the breakdown of federal authOrity;
rich and the poor, inflamed tensions head-to-head clash between warring crime the resurgence of states' right~; the rise of
between racial groups, harsher confronta organizations or corporate competitors. free states, and the establishment of free
tions between multiplying political move The size of the conflicts a Negotiator is regu trade zones, commercial laws and econom
ments, deeper divisions between genera larly involved in is almost always proportion ics differ widely from place to place acm'i.~
tions, enhanced disparities in technology, al to the level of his Streetdeal. A small-fry this once-great nation of ours. The same
and new alienations in humanity itself Negotiator with a Streetdeal of 2 will get holds true for the va rious nations of the
(pure humans, cyborgs, exotics and full most of his work from individual clients and world: victimless crimes are legal in some
'borgs) have led to an almost hopelessly petty gang rivalries. A more talented Nego places, illegal in others. In some states you
fragmented society. Like the crossover from tiator may handle neighborhood distur can carry weapons openly, in others,
analog to digital technology, society has bances, student riots, workforces on strike, firearms are discouraged. Complex webs
been divided into smaller and smaller unit~, police reliability complaints, and racial dis oftariff~ and taxation divide the globe into
leaving no apparent links which "bind us all putes. An extremely talented Negotiator a maze which daunt~ most private traders
together." The resultant future shock has may handle full-scale warfare between and clears the way for corpOl'ate conglom
made it critical that there are professionals gangs, organized crime, corporations, or erates to control import and export. This
who serve as living interfaces between peo even civil wars. The trick for a negotiator is complicated environment is well-suited to
ple--these people are Fixers, and they are to remain neutral enough to be acceptable those Go-Between Fixers who specialize in
called Go-Betweens. Go-Betweens are to both parties and removed enough to not the art of smuggling. Smugglers take
experts at bridging the gaps between indi get assassinated by vengeful losers. Becau~e advantage of the variance in economic cli
viduals or groups, forging connections for of the potential risks involved in being a mates to tum a comfortable profit. If com
the Street with the Corporations and for the freelance arbitrator, these Go-Betweens puter intrusion software or cloned organs
nobodies with the Edgerunners. Whether often keep a careful eye on the progression are cheap and legal in one zone, and
Go-Betweens do this a~ a matter ofduty, ide of all sides in their "Conflict of Interest," expensive and illegal elsewhere, a tremen
alistic crusading or plain old greed is a mat ready to buddy-up with the likely winners dous amoun t of money can be made trans
ter of individual context, but the business is and thus guarantee safety from any losing porting these items from the first place to
undeniably profitable and fraught with dan side. Other Negotiators go nomad, picking the second place. The trick is not to get
ger. In terms of economics, Go-Betweens up their outfit and leaving to"Wl1 (or even caught doing itl Another interesting quirk
are ma~ters ofsupply and demand, smooth the country) after each job. A Negotiator's ofthis bmine.'i.~ is that smuggling is not con
ing the flow ofcommodities (goods, services contacts often include a lawyer (or parale fined to illegal wares. Substantial profit~
and information) around the numerous gal), some police officers or other authori can be made simply by transporting per
social and economic groups packed into a ties, and a media or two. The actual staff for fectly legal goods (such a~ liquor and ciga
Cyberjmnkcity. Go-Betweens know who's sell a Negotiator should be kept light, since they rettes) from one area to another without
ing, who's buying, and how to bring them are obliged to attend to the meat of their paying the tariff~ and taxes. Sometimes,
together. A~ with other Fixers, some Go business themselves, but a Negotiator can smugglers find themselves involved in such
Betweens deal in gray and black businesses use his Facemen (subordinates) for finding novel enterprises a~ bringing food into a
and others with those that are totally legiti new business, keeping track of the parties in neighborhood that ha~ been blockaded or
mate. There are five types of Go-Between , his Conflict of Interest, troubleshooting aiding political offenders in escaping to
each concerned with bringing people (and negotiation proceedings and keeping chan other countries. Some Smugglers insist on
products) together. They are Negotiator, nels open with contacts and old clients. handling only operations which are moral
Smuggler, Traders, Sniffers and Owners. Sometimes Negotiators are kept on perma ly supportable, but the great majority of
nent payroll by certain groups, such as the Smugglers are in it purely for the money; if
larger organized crime syndicates, certain someone inJapan w'ant~ Chinese-made M
corporations, and even the more enlight 9 a'i.~ault rifles or Filipino-made Black Lace
ened gangs. combat drugs, most Smugglers will ask no
These Go-Betweens deal in a commod questions and gladly accept full payment.
ity which is entirely non-material but is Negotiator Smuggler-type Go-Betweens generally
always in high demand: arbitration skill. Streetdeal Awareness require larger staff.~ than other types ofFix
With so many social sets, economic classes Persua~ion Oratory ers, because a Fixer who runs a Smuggling
and special-interest groups, there is always a Brawling Human Perception ring certainly isn't going to actually carry
conflict of one type or another which an Social Expert (field of choice) the goods across any borders himself.
accomplished Negotiator can tum to his Know Language Education & General These Go-Betweens usually have anywhere
advantage. Their skills may be applied to of choice Knowledge from one to a dozen Jockeys (vehicle
Jl!l WILDSIDE
.....;.:...:....;...:..:.:.:.....':.:.:..:.:.:.:....:.:........;.;..:.:...:................. .
:.:-:.::::.:.:.::::
experts, see the Runner role in When Gravi a Trader's business is to keep an eye on
tyFails, pg. 45) to make the actual runs, a fluctuations in the markets in which he
couple of reliable guards in the form of deals-- you have to know what a Trader is
Solos, and a Techie or two to design secre moving to catch him. For this reason,
tive containers for shipping and storage. Traders may be very finicky a~ to what
Smugglers find that politicians make very commodities they will trade, since com
handy contacts when it comes to dodging mon wares attract little attention, while
border tariffs and having a few friends in unlicensed AI components are compara
law-enforcement agencies such as the CIA tively high-profile. Traders make their
(which absorbed the FBI DEA in the early eventual profits by making wise decisions
2000's) is a big help when yourJockeys get in what they trade. A smart Trader can
caught A solid contact in the Mob can also exchange a truckload of generic food pre
go a long way, because smuggling opera packs for a building full of business work
tions are favorite targets of Mob takeover. stations. It's all in knowing who wants
The Mob itself runs numerous smuggling what If the people who have the worksta
rings, including weapons, drugs, organs tions are starving squatters occupying a
and any other commodities which would closed office building, they will gladly
in terest a Black Marketeer. The most diffi trade computers for food. The computers
cult smuggling operation-the covert can then be sold, put to use, or traded for
transport of wares to and from space-is a an even more profitable commodity.
field which is exploited more by the Mob Being a Trader requires a complete mas
than any independent Go-Between simply tery of bartering (see the Bartering sec
because only powerful organized crime tion in Money in 2020, page XX), and as
families have the resources and the means such must invest very heavily in informa
to get through the heavy security regula tion . Traders have to know who has what,
tions in LEO. Besides, who else but the who wants what, and how to get them
Mob can afford their own space-worthy together. Traders often rely heavily upon
delta~ and cutters? real-time computer models of citywide
inventories, and as such, most Traders
Smuggler have at least one Netrunner and maybe a
Streetdeal Awareness Factor on the payroll. The ever-present
Persuasion Know Language(s) Solos are useful for security at warehouses
Brawling Hide & Evade and drop-sites. Some cities run fully
Handgun Forgery or Basic Tech licensed "Barter Houses"; warehouses
Leadership Resist Torture & Drugs where customers can register their prod
ucts, figure out a relative value (based on
the current market value, minus a small
Trader transaction fee), and post a "want list" of
items they need. Almost every city has
Traders are a very particular brand of underground barter-houses, which use a
Fixer who deal not only in monetary wide number of code phra~es, false IDs,
transactions, but also in pure bartering. and pseudonyms to protect their cus
Very often Traders have an "Import! tomers. Most barter-houses are run by
Export" business a~ their front, using the Traders, allowing these Go-Betweens to
pretense of dealing in international work in a strictly legal capacity (in which
goods such a~ art or antiques to provide a case they become bureaucrats) or in a
perfect smoke screen for trading black more traditional black-market environ
market commodities through utterly ment. The mysterious "Agoras"_provide
untraceable handshake deals and mid useful tools for Traders, as gold is a suit
night drop-offs at waterfronts and base ably palpable commodity which still does
ment loading docks. By exchanging one not qualify as real money (see Agoras,
type of goods for another, Traders do not page 59) . Trader business is absolutely
have to deal in actual cash or credit; their riddled with Mob involvement since orga
operations are therefore much harder to nized crime is readily capable of procur
monitor and crack. The only way to trace ing large stockpiles of valuable com modi-
WILDSIDE.
.Ill WILDSIDE
WILDSIDE
bodyguards and hit men are Solos, while they get into your neighborhood . Staffing
other character types occupy the posi starts small and works it~ way up, and
tions of accountants (Factors), lawyers mostly consists of big, dumb Solos.
(Lawyers are a semi-legitimate role-see Becoming this kind of watchdog usually
Protect & Serve pg.70), computer expert~ requires swearing an oath of loyalty to the
(Netrunners) and doctors (Medtechs). syndicate, and perks include the recogni
However, there is only one character role tion and respect (read: fear) of being a
which fits the bill of the classic Mobster, member of the Mob in question. You
and that is a Fixer. There are no specific have the right to a~sociate with the family,
catagories of Mobster; the majority of Fix but you'd better follow orders. However,
ers employed by the Mob are Salesmen, the Mob looks after it~ own, and if you
Go-Betweens, Leeches and Moneybags. A need help you'll get it.
select group of Mob Fixers are those who The next step up is a gangleader
have been "Made" (as in the Mafia), or (Streetdeal 6), where you actually get to
"Taken In" (as in the Yakuza). The ba~ic lead other watchdogs and you have a
idea is that they have been inducted into small subgroup of the syndicate named
the hierarchy of the syndicate (some sort after you. By this point, Mobsters have
of initiation procedure is usually called been involved in syndicate operations of
for). These Fixers are different from the some import, so they are allowed to sit in
many other roles employed by the Mob in at meetings and even speak up once in a
that, instead of running a particular rack while if they have something really worth
et or operation, they serve the Mob lead while to say. Gangleaders can intimidate
ers, acting a~ the observers and managers local street~cum and low-level watchdogs
of other Fixers. A~ ha~ been stressed in the from rival syndicates, and they are more
other Fixer descriptions, the Mob respected and feared than before, a~ well
employs all breeds of Fixer to handle as drawing the animosity of law enforce
their rackets. Any kind of Fixer from Fac ment authorities. If attacked, a gang
tors to Black Marketeers can work for the leader can call on his gang's members to
Mob, the difference is that only "Made" help him get revenge.
Fixers are integral part~ of the organiza When a Mobster has moved on to a
tional structure. As such, a Mobster's spe Streetdeal level of 7, he becomes an
cial ability level serves as an indicator of enforcer-he is a respected member of
his rank within his syndicate, somewhat the syndicate, has authority over several
like the special abilities of Streetpunks, gangleaders and ha~ responsibilities to his
Corporates and (ironically) Cops. A Mob Mob organization as a whole. This
ster with a Streetdeal of I -5 is a typical includes the training of new members
wiseguy or watchdog, Streetdeal level 6 who will generally retain some loyalty, and
makes a Mobster a gangleader, level 7 the enforcement of the boundaries of the
represen t~ a serious enforcer, Streetdeal syndicate'S turf. An enforcer's opinions
of 8 is a sub-lieutenant, level 9 is a lieu are valued, but at this level the internal
tenant and Mobsters with Streetdeal 10 politics of organized crime dictate that
are full-fledged crime bosses. A Mobster's you watch your step. Most enforcers have
Streetdeal also functions as a sort of committed a few murders and done some
Resources skill, indicating how much of time in prison in their past careers (this
the Mob's resources the Fixer can definitely boost~ the Mobster's reputation
access-this facet of the skill is used like a and credibility) . Attacks against enforcers
persuasion skill with Mob superiors in are considered attacks against the "fami
accessing those resources. ly," and will certainly provoke a retaliatory
Most of the low-level Mobsters (level response, and enforcers who get arrested
1-5) oversee the cla~sic protection racket~ will usually have bail posted and legal sup
which sell "insurance" to members of a port provided by the syndicate.
community (sometimes that community With a Mobster's Streetdeal reaches 8
may even be the Net). Nice commodity, or 9, he has achieved the rank of lieu
that protection ... Racketeers are selling tenant or at lea~t sub-lieutenant. By this
something you may not even need, until time, the Mobster has probably been
JI! WILDSIDE
WILOSIOE
Prowler
Sneak Awareness
Hide/Evade Stealth
Pick Lock Handgun
Athletics Electronic Security
Disguise Melee
Con Man
Throughout the years, the Confi
dence Man has gone by many names:
Hustler, Rip-off Artist, Grifter, Scammer
and Sting Expert all come to mil).d. This
type of character uses his in terpersonal
skills to set up elaborate schemes acter role...except Cops. There are some materials, machinery, equipment, and
(stings) which fool his victims (marks) truly miserable facets to a Con Man's other object~ from junkyards, trash
into essentially giving their money to life-one is that nobody wants to deal dumps and the like. Scavengers must
him. Con Men have the COOL-based with a known Con Man; you have to sometimes scavenge restricted areas,
special ability of Con, which is the ability make an your own business. Another sad such as aircraft graveyards, biohazard
to separate a fool from his money, con fact is that once a Con Man is ex-posed sites, mass graves, natural disa~ter areas,
vince a mark to buy them drinks for as such, he has a very short life ammunition dumps, scrap yards, and
hours, or spend money on worthless expectancy. To compensate, Grif-ters demilitarized or corporate industry
trinkets (from When Gravity Fails, page lead the ultimate in mobile lifestyles, zones. Scavengers use the special ability
48). Con can be countered by Streetwise, traveling all the time with no steady of Scrounge, an INT-based ability which
since the more familiarity one has with home to call their own. A Con Men represents the knowledge of where to
the Street, the more likely one is to rec needs a high COOL over all else, but a find salvageable materials. The higher
ognize a scam when he sees one. For this high INT is very useful for figuring out your Scrounge, the easier it is to locate
reason, Grifters generally prefer to good scams, and a high MA is also a valu unusual and valuable parts. With a
choose out-of-towners (bennies) as their able asset. Pick Pocket and Sleight ofHand Scrounge of +2, you can locate such
marks because a smooth operator (a (REF-based, from Hardwired page 22) common junk as hubcaps, sheet metal,
gato) has a good chance of smelling a are strongly recommended as pick-up shell casings and recyclable garbage.
sting and turning on the hustler. Con skills. Con Men use the Media pay scale. With a Scrounge of +5 you could turn up
Men, more than any other type of street old computer parts, scrapped appli
operator, use a lot of slang. Another spe Con Man ances and other handy stuff. With a
cial a~pect of Con is that it is more than a Con Awareness Scrounge of +9 you can get a hold of
Persuasion/Lie skirl ) t is used to create a Disguise Persuasion/Fast Talk cyberware component~, half-full chemi
real-time illusion which draws the mark Streetwise Human Perception cal containers and used military equip
in, and if successful, should end with the Seduction Forgery ment. The trick with Scrounge is that, as
mark thanking the Con Man for taking Gamble Hide/Evade an INT skill, it only tells you where to
his money. This special ability is used fInd the salvageable materials, not how
only for the actual execution of a sting" to get your grubby little mitt~ on them.
the planning of profitable scams that Scavenger
The actual retrieval of the goods will
will actually work is up to the character's have to be roleplayed. Low-Ieve\ Scav
player. Con Men are usually indepen A Scavenger is an expert in finding engers lead desperate lives of squalor
dent operators, but they sometimes have uses for gomi Uunk). He knows what and solitude, living the life of the urban
partners for large, elaborate scams. people throwaway, and he knows what homeless but higher-level Scavengers
These partners can be virtually any char to do with it. He can be hired to salvage sometimes have large networks with
. . WILDSIDE
WILDSIDE
hen making a Fixer character [particu some careful thought. Although you
WILDSIDE
which would be useful to any charac with their markets and clients. Most
ter, but there are some that apply to fixers are decked out with all sorts of
Fixers in particular-these largely cellular phones, pocket radios, pagers,
depend on your specialty. newsdecks and even briefcase commu
Certain pickup skiIls are useful for nication suites. As far as cyberware
every Fixer. Human Perception is chief goes, all the electronic claptrap can be
among these, as very few deals in Cyber avoided with the implantation of a lit
punk are actually honest, and it's always tle enhanced cyberaudio wetware. A
to your advantage to know what the Voice Stress Analyzer function can be
other guy is thinking. Library Search can useful, but the corresponding humani
come in handy quite often, as 2020's ty loss is generally not worth the +2
information-based society calls for a b onus. Chipware is as useful for Fixers
certain amount of data-literacy. What's as any other character, so most Fixers
more, many Fixers find themselves in are more likely to have a set of plugs
the role of a Private Investigator who and chip sockets than cyberaudio .
sells things; spending a lot of time Other than chipware and/or cyberau
researching potential markets and dio commlinks, little cyberware is
looking up buyers. Expert: Ewnomics needed. In fact, due to the loss of
becomes more and more necessary as humanity (and thus Empathy, and in
your Streetdeal grows, since your orga turn Persuasion and Human Perception
nization, employees, and financial bur ski lis), the less cyberware a Fixer has,
dens wiII grow wi th it. An assortmen t of the better. However, Fixers are money
languages are very useful for touchy minded individuals and as such they
negotiations, sometimes Streetslang is are likely to stock up on all sorts of
too vague and translator programs can goodies. A common choice for Fixers is
miss a lot of nuances. Speaking to a a pocket computer, which, with the
client in his own language puts his addition of the right CompuMods
trust in you and impresses him to boot. (Chromebooh 2, pg.18), can serve all ofa
Another useful skill is Bureaucracy, the fixer's electronic needs, from a person
INT skill of maneuvering through gov al organizer and client database to a
ernmental red tape, which is most translator, drug analyzer and modem
handy for those Salesmen and Factors for the Net, to a portable voice stress
who find themselves involved in the analyzer and bug detector. A backup
wheeling and dealing of dirty politics pistol or other weapon is advisable
(see sidebar for more on Bureaucracy, a (just in case the hired muscle aren't
very useful skill). For those Fixers who enough), and some distinctive clothes
deal with the higher levels of society, go a long way. If you can afford it, get a
Social, and Wardrobe and Style skills are few good fake IDs and maybe even a
absolute necessities since the filthy full fake identity...and hope you never
rich don't associate with unfashion need to use it.
able, uncouth people. On the flip side, Once your outfit is complete, keep
those Fixers who expect to find them track of your contact'> -generate them
selves down in the middle of the action with care, and tailor them to your spe
on the street might be wise to choose cialty. However, don't forget that there
Stealth and/or Hide and Evade, just in are certain contacts who are useful to
case. And remember, don't skimp on any fixer- a contact in the local police
your Awarenessl department is always handy and a
One of the unique twists to creat major figure in the local organized
ing a Fixer character is you learn that crime structure is also a near-necessity.
you don't really need a lot of cyberware A corporate in the dominating compa
or equipment. A Fixer relies most heav ny of your area helps, and an Internet
ily upon his mind, his instincts and his executive or media-related contact is
greed . Communications gear is the also nothing to sneeze at. A few low
only truly necessary equipment for a level gofers or snitches who you can
Fixer, as they have to keep in contact control easily can be a boon, and then
• WILDSIDE
you want to, but don't burn your With any luck, your Fixer will be
bridges . Every person you meet there's a ·
successful enough to establish some
could someday need you, or you kind of business organization. Having
may need them. Favors and match
ups are the name of the game.
sic",
an organization requires planning,
foresight, leadership, personnel, and
messed-up
the ever-popular money.
First, determine who forms your
• Keep notes on every person and thing you
client base-you have to understand
group that you meet- you never who your buyers are, what they want,
know when they'll be useful, or can 00 t o
why they buy, and where they are . If
what you'll be able to use. You may you fence common items such as ciga
even be able to sell dirt you have yourself,
rettes, clothes and equipment, your
on them . Everyone has enemies at clients will generally be poor families,
one time or another. there's
gang members on supply runs and gen
eral down-on-their-Iuck types. If you
someone on
sell software, your clients will be stu
• Fixers are organizers- they make dents, Techies and (mainly) Netrun
things happen. They make
arrangements, oversee events, and
the Street
ners. If you perform financial miracles
such as money laundering, account
generally run things . A Fixer tries who's willing
doctoring and forgery, your clients will
not to get involved in gunfights, be very rich people with something to
but he is very good at setting up or to do it."
hide: scheming corporates, dirty politi
defusing such situations. cians and high-powered organized
-Mantis. Fixer
crime figures . Fixers who understand
their clients are more capable of fulfill
• Fixers exist to make situations less at-large
ing their needs, and that's good for
dangerous (for themselves at business. Don't be threatening to cor
least) . In some ways, they're like porates-you'll scare them away. Don't
underground politicians; cutting street chasing down your problem be patronizing to gang members
deals, getting information, and will reduce the difficul ty of solv they'll get mad and then your Solos
fast-talking their way out of trou ing it. will have to gun them down. Keep
ble. It goes without saying that Fix everything in context and keep your
ers are nonetheless big fans of get client~ happy.
ting other people into trouble . • Always ask yourself, "What can I Knowing your clients leads to a
get out of this?" Streetdeal allows knowledge of where the action is and
you to take a lot of disparate ele how to carry out the biz. A small-time
• lfyou have some downtime, don't ments and put them together so 'dorph pusher would do much better
waste it on braindance or naps. th a t you know how to get people in a ghetto area than in a suburban
Fixers should spend as much time what they want (or how to keep it mall. While a big-time information
WILDSIDE
broker might frequent the hangouts of establish a solid reputation and build a ness is an appropriate base of opera
high-powered edgerunners and sneaky full-fledged organization to support tions. A simple and effective definition
corporates, they could just as easily your business. of a "Base of Operations" is the place
"advertise" through the net, posting The process of forming and sus from which the money is controlled
cryptic messages on gray BBS systems. taining an organization is dependent and where new business can find you.
There are always certain areas where upon two things : its leadership and it~ Your base of operations must be suited
just about anybody can find action. In staff. The leadership handles the plan to the scale of your business, but there
a city this is usually "the Strip" (see The ning and the money, and selects the are an endless variety of choices avail
StrijJ, pg. 67). Video, Braindance and staff who will do the dirty work. Consid able to the enterprising Fixer. Likely
VR Arcades (or VRcades, as they are er your business goals, determine how options include: a street corner, a
sometimes called) are the home of lots many staff you will need and clearly booth in a bar or club, a van or other
of shady deals, and certain bars and delineate their functions. A stolen car vehicle, a s leep-cube, an hotel room, a
clubs are like second homes to certain chopshop will need car thieves basement, an apartment, or a particu
segments of the population. Sports (Prowlers) , mechanics (Techies), secu lar region of the Net (such as a BBS,
events, both institutionalized and rity (Solos) and maybe a Manager and virtual meeting area, or Net-scape
underground, are ripe with opportuni accountant (a lower-level Fixer or an landmark). Some of the more secretive
ty, as are racetracks and conference accomplished Techie). Determine a or paranoid Fixers prefer to carry out
halls. Casinos and other gambling system of keeping track of your all their business by proxy, always
houses have potential, and the Net is employees, because betrayal is com requiring voice-only communication,
full of special-interest BBSs, Virtual mon in the underground, and your video-conferencing, virtual meetings,
Mai'ls, meeting areas, and even sight staff can bleed a lot of profit if you and all transactions being made
seeing sectors which are full of don't watch your books. An accoun through middlemen. This method of
promise. Know your business, target tant, secretary, and maybe even a spy to carrying out business is easier for
your clientele, and seek out the action. watch the staff are all recommended. Information Brokers, Talent Agents,
Once the money start~ flowing, you can Also necessary for a successful busi and other such Fixers whose services
JIll WILDSIDE
and commodities are not of a solid, with Streetdeallevels of 1-5 make 1,500 which can feasibly be spent streetdeal
material nature (like drug dealers and Eb per month. This is fine in terms of a ing becomes uncomfortably tight. Play
fences). The legality or illegality of a player-character's starting funds, but er-character Fixers who are busy taking
Fixer's business will affect what his in terms of typical day-to-day business, part in an adventure have even less
available options are, as will the scope it's more than a little generous. To free time to sustain their personal net
of his operation . A simple cyberware determine how much Euro low-level work. They will be much too busy
salesman can operate comfortably out (l-5) Fixers make, multiply their undermining Arasaka's power base,
of the back of a van, but a big-time Streetdeallevel by 300 Eb to determine finding missing children, or shopping
cybernetics broker who bankrolls sev their monthly profits. This way, a small for big guns for the party's Solos. Real
eral black clinics, buys and sells in time street sleaze with a Streetdeal of istically, one would have a hard time
bulk, and has handshake agreements level 1 will not be making the same spending more than 12 hours out of
with half the gangs in the city requires amount of Euro as the typically well any day Streetdealing, so the cutoff
a large complex to cover all his opera connected Fixer with a Streetdeal level level for one-man Fixer networks sits
tions. Even more preferable would be of 5. This also becomes very important somewhere around Level 7 Streetdeal.
several small outlets, all tied in to one when you have to hire another Fixer to Those Fixers who are high-pow
relatively secret and secure base of support your own operations. Since a ered enough to have Streetdeal abili
operations. Fixer's profits are a direct result of the ties of more than 7 hire underlings to
The operating costs of running any efforts he puts into dealmaking, every take up the slack in their tremendous
business must be kept under strict con fixer is obligated to spend a certain Workloads . Only Fixer-class underlings
trol-sloppiness has killed more Fixers amount of time maintaining his net can perform this service, as only they
than lack of funds. A good Accounting work and thus ensuring a steady flow of have Streetdeal. This is the way
skill (or better yet, a good accountant) cash from his deals. This is a set tremendous illegal (and semi-legal)
should keep the business afloat, and if amount of time which must be spent, organizations are created, with several
you balance your operating costs with per week, actively networking and deal level 10 Fixers running the show and
your range of profit, you'II be fine . The making in order to maintain a Fixer's droves of lower-level Fixers serving as
key here is risk. If you play it safe, you'll current level of Streetdeal. Known as the lieutenants, sub-lieutenants and
stay where you are and eventually get the Workload, this time need not be enforcers who carry out their master's
swallowed up by a bigger fish . Fixers organized into any particular sched business at the street level. Setting up
have to take chances and score big if ule, but must be fulfilled each week , or such an organization takes some plan
they want to survive. Kill or be killed else the Fixer's reputation begins to ning, but for most player-character Fix
isn't the exclusive terri tory of Solos, drop. The Workload is determined by ers the task at hand will not be to form
y'know. the level of a Fixer's Streetdeal ability; an entire crime family , but rather to
your Streetdealleve1 plus two, squared, put together a small group of street
is how many hours per week must be wise dealmakers who work for that
Speating of Money... spent maintaining your network-car
rying out all those invisible little deals,
player-character. These underlings
(sometimes called "Facemen") may be
As is indicated in the Cyberpunk meeting with contacts, and keeping characters from the Fixer's lifepath or
2020 rules, Fixers earn a monthly channels open. [WORKLOAD: (Street may be contacts . They may be found
~salary" based upon the level of their deal+2 x Streetdeal+2)] Once a Fixer through other sources, such as those
Streetdeal ability. The term "salary" is starts burning his bridges, he has lost hired away from rival Fixer organiza
actually misleading, as most Fixers are the edge and his business will suffer. It tions, culled from the underground
independent operatives and as such is clear to see that after a certain point haunts of the city, or they might come
have no boss and no regular salary. A it becomes impossible for one man to to you if your reputation is solid.
better term would be "profits", because maintain such a vast network by him Okay, so hotshot Fixers need
a Fixer's monthly earnings come from self. There are 168 hours in a week, underlings. How do they figure out
the profits he makes on the countless and a Level 10 Fixer has 144 hours what to pay these guys? Each Faceman
deals, big and small, carried out in the worth of obligations per weeki This will have a presumably lower Streetdeal
course of a month. Fixers spend a great leaves only 24 free hours per week, into level than their Boss, and each will
deal of their waking hours scamming, which must be crammed 14 hours of expect to earn as much profit~ as their
planning, dealing and trading, and all sleep (minimum, with a sleep induc Streetdeal would normally afford
of these activities add up, granting a er), as well as eating, nature's ca ll, and them. If all their deals and all their
substantial amount ofEuro. random hassles. A clearly impossible profits are pooled to serve the Boss's
Well , maybe not substantial. The task. Once one includes time for sleep network, how do you divide the pie? As
Occupation Table on page 48 of the ing, eating, and having any semblance an example, let's look at "Sly the Fly," a
Cyberpunk 2020 rules says that Fixers of a private life, the amount of time level 8 Fixer who specializes in illega\
•• • ~ •• ~ •• ~~~ • •• • • ••••••••• A ••• ••••• Q • •••• ••• •••••• •• ••••••••• a • ••• •••••••••• •••• ••••• • •
WILDSIDE
that "Chip," a level 1 Fixer who sells 7,000 Eb of profits each month. To Fixers?
TABLE 1.
Faceman Original Increased Workload Monthly
Handle Streetdeal Streetdeal Assigned Pay
Chip 1 4 36 900Eb
Happy 1 4 25 450Eb
Fritz 1 4 25 450Eb
Bugs 1 4 25 450Eb
Totals NA NA 109 2,250 Eb
TABLE 2.
Hours of
Workload 169 196 225 256
Equivalent
Streetdeal 11 12 13 14
Profits in
Euro 12,500 Eb 15,000 Eb 17,500 Eb 20,000 Eb
.lit WILDSIDE
money generated will not match 2 treachery in an organization is 10% In any Cyberpunk game, there is a
weeks of work (288 hours). Instead, per month. For each point by which lot of competition between player
Week 2 & Week 3, covered by this the Boss' Leadership roll exceeded the characters. Sometimes this escalates
week's 200 hours of work, will generate difficulty number, the chance of into full-blown enmity and even civil
15,000 Eb (because 200 is close to 196, treachery is reduced by 1 %. For each war in the party . Fixers are by no
which is the workload for Streetdeal point by which the Boss' Leadership means beyond this with their superior
12, which gran ts 15,000 Eb per 196 roll missed the difficulty number, the access to information, resources and
hours) . chance of treachery is increased by 2%. influence being good cause for jeal
Week 4: Back to business as usual, When treachery occurs, the fate of the ousy among other players in a team.
144 hours put in by the end of the Fixer's organization is in the hands of However, Fixers can work very well
week. the referee: it is then time to roleplay with other character roles, each one
an organizational crisis. Anything goes, supporting the other's activities and
from a coup to a sellout. An adventure generally conducting good business.
The Big Paybact could occur where the referee creates
a plot which centered around the
Listed below is a breakdown of the
major character roles , each with an
Although it may seem that hiring treachery plotted by one of the Boss explanation of how they can interact
all these Facemen makes any Fixer's Fixer's Facemen. For this reason, it is with Fixers.
life easier and more profitable, it also advised that the Fixer's Leadership roll
carries a corresponding risk- treach be made secretly by the Referee, or
ery. Anyone who works for you can dou
ble-cross you. Fixers are constan tly
else the player-character Fixer will
know to expect treachery. Treachery
Rocterboys
watching their Facemen for all sorts of adventures are also a great hook for What's the difference between a
backstabs. They might try to embezzle getting a PC Fixer personally involved Rockerboy working with a Fixer and a
your funds, sell your contacts to other in his organization. Nothing gets a Rockerboy working without a Fixer?
Fixers, attempt to usurp your organiza Fixer more riled up than finding out An Audience. As a Rockerboy, you
tion, steal your goods or sell you out to that his henchmen is selling secrets to rely on your Talent Agent to get you
one of the big fish. For this reason, a competitorl new gigs or he can find you new talent
each Faceman has a "Maintenance for your band. If you don't have a
Time" attached to them which the Boss recording label yet, you need to get
Fixer must spend keeping in contact the attention of a Talent Scout. A
with them and checking up on them .
What's more, the higher the Faceman's
FITTING Loan Shark can keep your band afloat
in hard times, but beware-Mobsters
level of Streetdeal, the more personal
initiative he has and the more potential
FIXERS IN may run your recording label or even
use it as a front. Meanwhile, c1ub- and
he has for treachery. The hours of With all the information you have bar-Owners will be your temporary
Maintenance Time for any Faceman is read about Fixers, you may be gasping bosses from night to night. To give
1/3rd his Streetdeal, rounded up. So, for breath by now. "Okay, Okayl So direction to your career (once you get
for Sly the Fly, his four-man organiza what do I do with this stuff?" We hear one), your Manager will take care of
tion would require 4 hours of Mainte you . The previous sections covered your business needs . Pushers will get
nance Time. The total Maintenance what Fixers are, who they are and what you the drugs that give you the energy
Time of an organization is added to 5, they do-this section deals with what to keep on rockin' though interna
and this number is the Difficulty num they're good for. Whether you are tional tours. Info Bros will be able to
ber which a fixer must match or reading this book as a player or as a ref tell you who's buying your albums,
exceed with a Leadership roll. The eree, your questions are about to be and Black Marketeers can provide
Maintenance Time of an organization answered. Fixers can function equally chips of the latest trends in under
can be reduced in various ways: an well as team players, as referee aids, as ground music for you to keep up on .
organizer system such as a pocket com plot devices and as comic relief. This Finally, you may have to deal with the
puter or somesuch will reduce Mainte section explains how, and is guaran big wheels in the media-corporations
nance Time by 2 hours, and a dedicat teed to convince you that Fixers can be when you finally sell out and go Top
ed secretary will reduce Maintenance your best friends ... 40; a Go-Between comes in handy
Time by 12 hours (but of course, you there.
will have to pay the secretary's salary, ...or your worst enemies.
WILDSIDE
..til WILDSIDE
00
o 0
out for well-dressed Talent Scout~, who you specific equipment, parts, tools than a Fixer? Sleazes are born stoolies,
might try to hire you away to work for and even workspace. Fences can be a Pimps and their charges are a perfect
another company; and ifit happens, a good source of random odds and ends, way to have eyes and ears on the Street,
Negotiator can get you better contract and Smugglers can provide restricted and Info Bros are the best informants
arrangements. Negotiators also have components and transport your fin around (when they cooperate). In
the annoying habit of representing dis ished designs anywhere (no matter how addition to information, Black Marke
gruntled workers. Even in the middle illegal they are). Mobsters make good teers can get a Cop the hardware that
of cutthroat business deals, Fixers will employers, as well-they could hire you he needs but his department can't (or
show up, jockeying for profit and posi for anyone of a number of racket~ (like won't) pay for. If you need a quick bust
tion while fronting for your neighbor autobody shops or black cyberware to fill your quota, Pushers are always
in the office down the hall ... clinics), and if you're really good, a Tal good for a collar, and there is an ever
ent Scout might even hire you to work present enemy in the form of the Mob.
for the corps. If they do, hope you like If you're skilled, or the type to sell out,
Techies lab coats and clock-punch in' ... corporate Talent Scouts might try to
hire you away to a private security force
One good Fixer deserves another. (like Arasaka or Militech), but
Techies often rely on Information Bro
kers to tell them where to acquire
Cops beware-various Managers will often
try to control you. But then again, who
newtech components and Info Bros They say opposites attract. doesn't?
can also sell secret designs and blue Although Fixers and Cops are usually In conclusion, if a player-character
prints. To build those designs, you on opposite sides of the law, that does (or anyone else, come to think of it)
could go to a Trader, the best source of n't mean they can't cooperate. Every wants to get ahold of anything on the
raw materials, and the only character police officer has a few informant~ who following list, they will probably need
willing to trade new inventions for your keep him updated on Street news, and to talk to a Fixer (see sideliar, pg. 48).
WILDSIDE
CAMPAIGN
to put his best Faceman in charge of the
network temporarily while adventuring.
The first may seem unacceptable, but
Referees may feel some trepidation think about it- Streetdeal is such a wide
about including a Fixer character in their reaching, multi-level ability that level-4 or
campaign. Fixers need lots of support, a level-5 put.~ you on the same level with
don't like to do hands-on dirty work and leve1-7 Solos and Netrunners. Putting a
are generally a role with a complicated Faceman in charge for a while is easier,
background. These facts should not bar but it invites mutiny among the ranks. Ifa
Fixers from campaigns. A Fixer's com Fixer walks away from his operation for a
plexity makes him an asset. This character few weeks, when he returns he may find
role can function quite well in a "stan that the operation is no longer his I
dard" Cyberpunk campaign, and opens up Sniffers and Negotiators fit quite well
whole new gaming possibilities in the into a team, and with a little work almost
form of Fixer Campaigns. any type of Fixer can be worked into a
"Standard" campaigns may be an oxy "standard" campaign. However, the
moron in Cyberpunk, but what is meant by numerous specializations available to Fix
the term in this context is: a game which ers provide ample material for Fixer-ori
has a team of players, one of which is a ented campaigns. These Fixer Campaigns
Fixer, and all players have roughly equal are based around a Fixer's operations,
status and importance in the adventure . and need not be single-player games.
These campaigns can often involve a lot Fixer operations almost always require
of traveling around, double-crossing cor additional staff with varied skills. Each
porate employers and a healthy amount one of the Fixer specializations is cam
of combat. In such campaigns, Fixers with paign-ready, providing enough material
large networks, numerous employees, and adventure hooks to establish a solid
extensive obligations and poor (or base for an organization which can
nonexistent) combat skills do not fit in employ several characters. Black marke
very well. However, there are several types teering, information brokerage or run
of Fixers who do not fit this bill and there ning a nightclub are all possibilities. In
are ways around any Fixer's obligations. such campaigns, the Fixer is the "boss,"
Certain Fixers are well-suited to "stan and he employs all the other characters
dard" campaigns, particularly Sniffers or otherwise works with them to support
and Negotiators. As Go-Betweens, Snif his operation. For instance, consider the
fers and Negotiators are closely tied to possibilities in running a smuggling cam
people in general, but they have few paign . The Fixer character would be the
other limitations. They are fully mobile, brains of the operation, but he would
they do not run structured organizations, need to hire vehicle expert~ (Solos or
and both are capable of taking care of Vehicle Jockeys) , mechanics and electri
themselves. These two specializations are cians (Techies) for maintaining the vehi
ideal choices for player-characters in cles and coming up with creative smug
"standard" campaigns, a~ they can greatly gling equipment, computer expert~
add to the capabilities of any team. On (Netrunners) for altering computer secu
top of their Streetdeal capabilities, Snif rity and shipping manifest~, security thugs
fers bring the information-gathering pow (Solos) and he could also make use of
ers of a Private Eye to the team, and Nego Nomads for large-scale transportation
tiators are as good as having a PR firm, schemes. Even other Fixers such as Fac
ambassador and professional bullsh*t tors, Info Bros, Negotiators and Facemen
artist all in one team-member. To round could be hired to support the operation.
them out, these characters can amass The smuggling ring could be a Mob oper
more combat skills (or whatever is need ation, in which case a Mobster would be
ed) as pickups. To solve the problem of present, or the ring could even be a deni
network obligations, there are two able corporation-backed scheme to
JItl WILDSIDE
undermine a competitor, in which case a 177 in older printings), but the general be one of the greatest tools of a Cyber
Corporate or two would be around. The idea is that the edgerunner community of punk referee . Fixer NPCs can provide
smuggling ring could traffic in Brain America seems to be slowly organizing information, adventure hooks, employ
dance, Music chips or other entertain itself towards a clash with The Man-the ment, opposition and campaign organi
ment media, in which case Rockers and corporations, the government and the zation. Player-characters will meet Fix
Medias would also fit in. Such a campaign system in general. For players who wish ers who are acting as club owners and
would be a real challenge and a great deal they could do something about how dark bartenders, they will need to buy
of fun. The players would have to plan the Dark Future is (check out Home of the weapons and equipment from black
their operations, cultivate contacts with Bravel) , the Cyberpunk Revolution is best marketeers, and they will find employ
the authorities and payout a lot of bribes, motivation around . ment from Fixers of all kinds. Referees
have to contend with CIA LawDiv or can use these Fixers to introduce new
Interpol harassment, deal with competi characters (PC or NPC) into an adven
tors and find customers. This requires ture, or to get important information to
that not onJy the referee but the players "We're Robin the characters. Fixer NPCs can provide
need to have strong imaginations and all sorts of adventure hooks: temporari
show a lot of initiative. The adventures Hoods for ly hiring the players, being hired by the
would be generated as much by the play players, trying to get rid of them or even
er's actions as the referee's plans. While the good of ratting them out to "the enemy." How
this type of game is more involved and ever, the gimmick which makes Fixer
more difficult than "standard" cam the losers, NPCs most useful to the referee is their
paigns, it can be much more rewarding ability to bring player-characters
and original because the characters have the boozers, together. Remember, Fixers deal primari
a vested interest in deciding their own ly in people- player-characters includ
fates. the ugly, the ed. At the start of a game, adventure or
Motivation is the key to a Fixer Cam campaign, the referee can make use of
paign. There are generally two choices crazy, the a Fixer to actually make the player-char
for the motivation of a Fixer Campaign acters into a team. Talent Agents and
profit or cause. When profit is the motiva drunlcs, the Talent Scout~ are the best type of Fixer
tion, the characters are in it for the Euro. for this task, but any specialization will
In some ways this can be restrictive, perverts, serve, depending on the situation.
because the characters must always meet Remember, Talent Scout~ and Agent~
their quotas and keep ahead of the com the lazy..." don't have to work for a mediacorp,
petition. However, profit-motivated Fixer they don't even have to be "legitimate"
Campaigns can also be freeing in that - PopWiU Eat businessmen . They could represent the
they allow the characters to be of almost Mob, another big-name Fixer, or they
any disposition. Profit-mongers can be as Itself, could even be freelance, assembling
mean and vicious as they want since they special ops teams for private c1ient~ like
aren't trying to really prove anything. The
other motivational option is a cause. The
Preaching to blackmailed corporates, distressed
heiresses or even orphaned children
cause could be a political struggle, such as the Perverted (go ahead, pull their sympathy strings
trying to overthrow or even establish a it probably won't have any affect any
government, a revenge scheme such as way, knowing most cyberpunks). Also
destroying a powerful Mob family, or remember that Fixer NPCs wield the
even a heroic goal such a~ helping people power of Giri (see sidebar, pg. 16); this
escape or overcome religious persecu weapon can always be drawn on the
tion. A less common and broad-based players if they don't cooperate or try to
cause could be the promotion of a certain THE REFEREE'S
weasel their way out of an
philosophy or ideal, such a~ environmen adventure ... no player wants his charac
talism, anti-technology sentiment (Lud GO-BETWEEN
ter blacklisted out of existence. Heh,
diteism) or anarchy. However, perhaps heh, heh ...
the most interesting and inspiring cause Even if there are no Fixer player
for a Fixer Campaign is the Cyberpunk characters in your campaign, don't
Revolution. The idea behind this move write these entrepreneurs off. These
ment is outlined on pages 176-177 in the characters are too useful and too color
new printing of CyberJ)unk 2020 (pg.166 ful to leave on the shelf. NPC Fixers can
WILDSIDE
..that ........
~
everyone knows the score.
~~~&.~ .. ..
~
the any trade . as a person can be without being some
a • • • • » • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •• •• • • • • •
WILDSIDE
. . . WILDSIDE
WILDSIDE
checked) depends
on [he size of the
transaction, and a~
might be expect
ed, the larger the
transaction limit
the harder it is to
qualify for the
account. The
identification data
must be encoded
on the credchip
before the owner
can make the
transactions.
That's the law,
choomba. An
account which will
only cover transac
tions of 1000 Eb or
less qualifies as a
Standard account
and credchip and
only requires your
SIN; accounts and
cards which will
deal in up to
10,000 Eb are
Gold and require
your SIN and
cally protected by store-owners. Some thumbprint; Platinum account~ and
establishments actually charge a "pro chops will exchange up to 100,000 Eb
cessing fee" (about 2-5%) for dealing and require your SIN, a thumbprint and
with cash (the more things change, the a voiceprin t; the rarest and most coveted
more they stay the same...). type of account gets you a Black cred
chip- you can make transactions of
1,000,000 Eb and up and requires a
Credchips check on all identification types. Only
the filthy rich and mega-corporate
Almost universally preferred over powerbrokers ever qualify for Black
cash are Credchips: also known as accounts, but once in a blue moon a
Chops, IDs, Keycards, credit cards, cred Fixer can get you one which will hold up
keys, and expense cards. These electron for a little while. Maybe.
ic cash ticket~ store up to four different There are several heavily-advertised
types of identification (depending on advantages to using Credchips over cash
the level of security) which are encoded in 2020 's information society. Chops
on a liquid crystal matrix microchip: allow instant transactions to be made,
your Personal (or State) Identification without the trouble of counting change
Number (PIN), a thumbprint, a voice and other such "cash hassles ." Credit
print, and a retina scan . For each type of pays regular (though limited, about 7
identification medium, there is a corre 10%) interest. Credchips can be used
sponding account classification, transac for credit transfer through the net,
tion ceiling and credchip model. The phones, fax, DataTerms and also a llow
types of acc-ount and credchip (and access to ATMs (Automatic Teller
thus, the type of identification which are Machines). Internet ATMs can be found
• WILDSIDE
in millions oflocations across the world, below) which can achieve this. These money! A Face Bank will usually pay
and actual ca~h (should you need it) can data havens, accessible only through an interest rate of about 20%, but
be taken out by using your Credchip. secret, well-guarded channels, are dif there will be a 5% chance that your
The fact that every chop requires the ficult to find and don't work cheap. money will be unavailable when you
entry of your PIN (and sometimes other To create the detail and reliability need it (though you will be able to get
types of iden tification as well) before a necessary for a passable forgery usual it later) and a further 5% chance
transaction can be made makes it very ly winds up costing IDIO x 1000 Eb, (only one roll made secretly by the
difficult to use another person's half to be paid up front (the cost may referee is needed)that the bank will
account be modified depending on the afflu one day disappear with all your money
In cases where the user enters the ence of the buyer, the amount by in it. You can also get loans from Face
wrong PIN for the chop he uses, most which the buyer succeeds in his Banks easier than from regular banks,
Credit Transfer Devices (CTDs) in 2020 Streetwise task, or the time by which but the penalties for welshing on a
are equipped with verification programs the Credchip is needed). These false debt tend to be extremely severe (see
which will "interrogate" the chop's Credchips are usually 95% reliable Loan Sharks & Credsharks, pg. 26).
owner. The CTD will access the person's and are detectable only to the most
personal data on the chop's LC matrix sophisticated of CTDs.
and display a series of questions on its
display screen. If extremely large trans
Credit Transfer
actions are made, CTDs will often inter
rogate the chop owner automatically. If
Face Banks Devices (CTDs)
the user fails to answer the questions (Extrapolated from the Hardwired Present in almost all restaurants,
correctly, or if (in the cases of large Sourcebook for the CyberJJunk system.) stores, and banks, CTDs are perhaps
transactions with exclusive chops) the There is one other option open to the most instrumental hardware to
user's identification signatures do not those who can't meet the credit corps' 2020's information society (next to
match the Credchip's information, the stringent requirements, other than the basic computer). A CTD is a mini
CTD may deny the user's credit, melt keeping all their money in a wallet: a computer which can be connected to
the user's chop, or even contact the mis Face Bank, which is not legally sanc the Net via any phone jack or cellular
represented establishment's corporate tioned and doesn't ask so many link. A slot along the side or bottom of
police. It is a well-known fact that credit embarrassing questions. the CTD can read from the liqUid
corp police are also well-trained in Face Banks exist only in the Net, crystal matrices of modern Credchips,
"interrogation" techniques ... in which the money exists only as accessing personal data files, identifi
data. Face Banks usually begin as an cation prints, and credit history. Most
access code on a system, posing as CTDs are equipped with verification
Forging Credchips some small, innocent-looking busi
ness. You get the access code through
programs which can "interrogate" the
user if incorrect PINs are given
Since Credchips not only contain some acquaintance, and if you pass repeatedly. The CTD will access the
the user's current financial balance the bank's inspection (which is less users' personal data on the chop's LC
but also tell the verifying CTD where demanding than a corporate grilling), matrix and display a series of ques
to look for to confirm the existence of are then given a chop coded with a tions on the display screen. If incor
these funds, it makes forging a Cred PIN (Personal ID Number-not your rect answers are given, the CTD can
chip very difficult. Since both the SIN). Face Banks can be accessed deny the credit, melt the chop, or
Credchip and the financial institution through the Net, through phones, or even contact the corporate police of
holding the funds contain the verify by fax. However, Face Banks cannot the chop's credit establishment. Sev
ing information, the in-depth cross be accessed from an ATM, and do not eral different models proliferate in
referencing between the chop and the allow access to cash. Prices for transac 2020, varying from pocket-size calcu
institution will defeat most forged tions involving gems, precious metals lators to desktop computers.
IDs. and other non-credit/cash transac Pocket-CTDs are portable units
Since it would require the informa tions (as well as credchip forgeries) about the size of a large calculator,
tion pertaining to the forged chop's can be arranged at the referee's dis with a cellular link which is used for
false identity to be inserted into the cretion. Net access (functions in any city area
world's data storages, no character has Face Banks are usually run by with an established cellular network).
the capability to single-handedly forge some form of organized crime and These Pocket-CTDs cost about 100
a Credchip. There are certain shady pay a higher rate of interest than nor Eb, and are used by people and busi
organizations and organized criminal mal credit institutions. Sometimes nesses which usually do not see trans
elements (such as Face Banks, see they even disappear, along with your actions of more than 5000 Eb, such as
~ •• ~~~ •• ~.~ ••••••• ~ •••• P •••• P ••• • ••••• P •••• D •••••••••••••• • ••••••••••••••••••••• • ••••• »
WILDSIDE
., ".. ;..
' ..
restauran ts , shops, and small business detecting even the highest-quality
es. Pocket-CTDs are only capable of forgeries. Verification takes around
checking the patron's PIN, and have a one minute .
keyp ad for that purpose . Verification The Pocket-CTD has seen mass
is instantaneous, but they are less distribution by manufa cturers such as
secure since they cannot check other Okidata , L a ng, Kiyoshiru, and Radio
types of iden tification. Shack, and new versions are constant
Standa rd vendor-purpose CTDs ly being introduced. A popular CTD is
are about the size of a laptop or desk a Cybermodem add-on which allows
top computer, with ajack for connec transa ctions to be made directly
tion to the Net. Standard CTDs cost though the d e ck's interface (thi s CTD
around 1,000-2,000 Eb, and are used add-on sells for about 75 Eb, and can
by al most all busi n esses and corpora be installed to a deck with a Basic Tech
tions, where tra n saction s seldom roll of 15+). Even a cyberarm option
exceed 100,000 Eb . These types of ID type is available. All classes except
verification systems are commonly Pocket-CTDs require special vending
used by security and law-enforcement licensing to be purchased, and posses
groups for "spot-checks." These CTDs sion of unlicensed CTDs is
can check all types of identification, illegal. .. but a good cyberpunk knows
and have separate patron-fa cing key that anything can be found on th e
pads and ID sc a nners. Verification black market if you look hard enough.
takes from 5-10 seconds . Execlltive
CTDs are mor e powerful computers
which require high processing speed
a nd major access to Net systems. They
Hey. Wait a Minute...
cost about 5000 Eb, and are used by Smart cyberpunks who have re ad
elite corporate a nd priva te security this far are probably thinking ,
firms a nd government intelligence "There 's mor e going on here than
agencies, are capable of handling meets the e ye, isn't there?" Yes. Big
transactions of 1,000 ,000 Eb and up. brother watches us a ll, and the elec
They can a nd do cross-check a ny type tronic econom y brings him a lot clos
of verification wi th multi pie databas er to home . The following is a chapter
es . These systems are infa mous for from the disserta tion of Dr. Richard
.Jl! WILDSIDE
WILDSIDE
Jl!tl WILDSIDE
P·I Stil"
alongside Info Bros selling the most
precious commodity of all. The few o.
Agoras
Agoras, coming from the Greek
word for "Market," are the ultimate in
Black Markets. Believed to be found
ed by a radical Libertarian under Agoras. This serves two purposes: first,
large, organized Black Markets which tion for the clients (gold is not legal
are preferen tially referred to as "Free tender in the US, so they are in fact
which serve a private agenda and have the market for gold). Second, using a
their own subversive philosophy. Ago gold standard goes along with the
ras are always centered in some hid basic economic ideas behind the Ago
den location, and entrance to these ras of old, which were free markets
WILDSIDE
.JlJl WILOSIOE
~L~RJ(. M.
may accept each other's scrip, although grenades. It's not easy, and it's not
the exchange rate will be truly outra legal, but credit can be stolen, forged,
geous. and manipulated. It can be tailored
A Corporation's scrip value is through the underground to serve
dependent on a host of factors. What people instead of the system . And as
a corporation values its own scrip at everyone knows in 2020, with credit
only matters when buying or selling comes credibility.
cash within the company. The value of
a given "brand" of CorpScrip is influ
enced by such factors as the corpora
tion's economic power, the value of its
goods , its current relations with other
SINS OF
corps, governments and its own
employees, and even its public image.
IDENTITY
This makes CorpScrip one of the most The Net has been hailed as a boon
fluctuating markets of all. to humanity, the greatest tool for
intercultural understanding the world
has ever known . In some ways, this is
true . However, the potential for the
Net as a route to universal harmony
Freelance operatives and modern has been overshadowed by its
day privateers can still demand pay unmatched power to cater to special
ment in hard stuff...weapons, drugs, interest groups, serve the powers of
gold, microchips, data or 'wares of the big business, and make information
hard, soft, wet, or cyber-variety. Most the ultimate weapon. One of the
corporate employers don't mind creepier manifestations of this aspect
when the whole job is deniable any of the Net is the ability to track people
way. What's more, there are enough through their electronic identity. This
talented Netrunners and Factors out idea represents all the information
there to find loopholes in the credit collected on a person and stored in
corps' system-the Cyberpunk revolu various databases throughout the Net.
tions' weapons against the establish The information which makes up a
ment aren't limited to guns and person's electronic identity (or Skele .,' ...... '.' , .: . .... . .
~a3~~~ ~~$~ ~~& $~ ~~& ~~~ ~ ~~~~~ & ~~~~*$~~*~~~~~~~~~*~~~~ » &~~~ ~& ~~~ »~ ~~~»»~~~~~~~~»~~$~ ~~ ~~* »
WILDSIDE
ton, as it is called on the Street) starts rebuilt to suit their needs . Still others
and ends with a person's SIN (their want to lead double lives, and wiIl pay
State Identification Number). A per to have a second, possibly secret identi
son's SIN is tied to the governmental ty created for them . SIN-Lifters provide
files of their state of residence and these services, and this is how they do it.
includes all personal identification
and classification data, such as their
criminal record, known aliases,
degrees and qualifications, occupa
tion, height, weight, eye color, retina
SIN-SURGERY
pattern, and fingerprints (and on rare Altering a person's electronic iden
occasions, a voiceprint pattern and a tity takes a lot of work. You need to
DNA sample) . A person's SIN is some access a tremendous number of data
times used for state taxation purposes, fortresses (all weIl-protected), go
and without a SIN a person cannot though their files to find all material
register to vote, get a passport or dri pertaining to your client, change data
ver's license, apply for a (legal) job or in ways no one will notice, and create
even rent decent living quarters. The new documentation, chops and SINcar
SIN is also a necessary key to tracking ds. All of this is made a lot easier if you
down and accessing other parts of a have contact~ inside the organizations
person's Skeleton, such as military that run those data fortresses. Shoe
service records, corporate files like makers are the only people specialized
career histories and psychological enough to make all the right moves.
evaluations, medical records and par Sure, they may hire a lot of Netrunners
ticularly the person's credit history and Facemen to help them do the job,
(including records of all purchases, but they are the brains behind the
accounting and expenditures). operation and it is their contact~ which
This data, when collected into make SIN-surgery possible . For this rea
one block of information, can create a son, whenever a character contracts
remarkably thorough and accurate Shoemaker's services, the complete
profile of the person. A Skeleton ness and reliability of the new shoes is,
exists in the Net almost like a data for game purposes, based on the Fix
only clone of a real person, living its er's StreetdeaZ roll.
life exclusively in bank databases and Creating a satisfactorily complete
government records computers. identity alteration (creation, modifica
Knowing that this entity could be tion or deletion) is a Very Difficult
"interrogated" or even "kidnapped" Streetdeal roll-if you have the right
by a powerful criminal organization, contacts. Basically, for a Shoemaker it is
corporation or government can very Very Difficult, but for any other Fixer
easily make a person nervous. As the the task is Nearly Impossible (of course,
saying goes, "Forget Big Brother. if some non-Shoemaker Fixer has a
Everyone's watching youl" SIN-Lifter contact, then he can hire
When a likely person (such as an them and their Streetdeal...at cost) .
edgerunner) gets nervous enough, This reflects the Shoemaker's cultiva
he '11 want to start tampering with his tion of the right connections and
Skeleton and even his SIN. When the resources . If the character has not done
desire (or the necessity) arises, these this (particularly applicable in The Big
edgerunners seek out Shoemakers to League system), then it should be Near
perform their SIN-surgery. Sometimes ly Impossible for him, too. The greater
they want to be zeroed, having their the Shoemaker's success at the Street
SIN and all information pertinent to deal roll, the better the new identity,
their Skeletons completely purged and poorer rolls make weaker identi
from the Net. Sometimes they will ties. A base difficulty of 25 will grant a
want new shoes, altering their present Skeleton that is satisfactory, nothing
identity and getting their Skeleton more . The referee should make sure
.tAl WILDSIDE
WILDSIDE
..IAl WILOSIOE
~ ••~.:.:•••;.:.: ";~"." ".:••' ',:.:-'»% ••• :.: .~ .'.:.: ~. ,: • • •.,:.:.:••'.••:-.......::::.:...:.::.;••;;.•• :'.:::':-:':;': :.:::: ::;>•.:.:...; ;.;.;.:.;:.,. .....:.;.; ....;.;.:.;..;.: .. .;.;.:;.;.:.;.;; - '" ..........:.:. :.:. ::.:-: .:. ~;:-:. ::. :.;. ;';':':"': ...:::: .;.-::......
:. :.~ .' :.; .: . : : .:~. :.,
time period is up, there is a flat 5% new identity and contracts with
chance per day (cumulative) that black clinics for the surgery proce
the identity will be busted and dures (arra nged by the Shoemaker).
removed from the system. Dispos
able skeletons are usually designed
to be used with phony prints and
patterns (requiring the use of some
Secret Identity
fancy equipment -see New Shoes), This is a fictional "person" that
since the identity will be cracked, is used for actions and operations
and you don't want it to be traced which you do not want to be linked
back to youl Disposable skeletons to your "rea}" life. This isn't a Spare
often have a Watchdog-type pro
gram built into them, which will
place a phone call to the owner of
the identity, warning him when it is
cracked. For double the standard
price, a skeleton can be set up as a
"sleeper," only becoming active
inside the system with a pre
arranged signal. Because of the
complicated set-up involved in a
sleeper ID, the "active life" of the
identity is usually halved, or the
post-life discovery chance doubled .
Disposable skeletons usually cost
about 2,000 Eb, but this is modified
by the length of the "life" of the
identity and other circumstances.
New Shoes
Many times edgerunners need
to actually switch their identities,
which involves having a set of "new
shoes" created and having their
original identity zeroed. This is
heavy-duty SIN-surgery, and often
requires that the new identity be
based on completely new physical
ch aracteristics-your appearance
will have to be resculpted, and all
identifying aspects of your body will
have to be altered. Your finger
prints, retina l pattern, and vocal Skeleton or new s hoes. A secret
pattern will need to be nanotechno identity doesn't necessarily need
logically tweaked. SIN-Lifters are any false records backing it up (this
experts in providing new shoes, but depends on what you use it for) . You
it is very complicated, hideously don ' t need a Shoema ker to have a
expensive and super-illegal. Shoe secret identity-anyone who wants
makers and their clients usually to can say they're someone else .
receive life with no parole, or death Having a secret identity is not tech
sentences. The going rate for a pair nically illegal, but always be aware of
of new shoes is in the neighborhood the potential repercu ss ions if you
of 50,000 Eb, including zeroing, a are exposed I
WILDSIDE
:.:.:
E
the impossible, the Strip is where
bad section of town, a place where anyone they go .
can buy anything at anytime-that place is In a sense, the Strip is the center
the Strip. of any city's economy. While not
nearly as glamorous as the corporate
Whether it's High Street in Night impressive view, or any other area of towers, the streets of the Strip house
City, the Chiba district of Tokyo or that draws people can metamorphose the same kind of businesses. As a
the Minsk goods market, on the Strip into a Strip. The transformation sidewalk mall, the Strip presents
the action runs full steam around the starts with an increased presence of nearly infinite opportunities to sell
clock. This action, sometimes called common street vendors and the hus and buy all types of commodities. In
Biz, is pure, concentrated capitalism. tlers. As the Strip'S reputation grows, effect, every city needs a Strip
Funny thing about capitalism; being more and more people go there to because this is one of the few socialIy
a concept, it's not reliant on a physi move their wares. Eventually, the big acceptable places for the classes to
cal location . This means that Strips time Fixers move in, buying and seIl mingle (even if only for a short
are more of a mental state than any ing nearby property at greatly inflat time); on the Strip, Corporates and
particular physical environment. A ed prices. If they can, the Mob tries other wage-slaves can buy hand-craft
Strip could be a sprawling outdoor to move in and exploit the area for its ed goods made by families of Nomads
bazaar just as easily as it could be own purposes. Edgerunners start or squatters, view art videos made by
black market complex hidden in a hanging around, and a Strip is born. local street performers, and feed
secret .I ocation. Most commonly, a These market zones fall in and out of their various addictions. Occasional
Strip will manifest itself in a heavily fashion-the big ones rarely die, but ly, the exchange of goods goes both
trafficked part ofa large city. new Strips can burn themselves out, ways and a shipment of experimental
Howa Strip gets started is largely like fleeting stars. The remains of a corporate products will hit the
a mystery. Sometimes a Strip will dead Strip is a promenade of vacated Street. In addition, the majority of
spring up from the remnants of old shops and burnt-out husks ... the com any city's stolen goods re-surface
commercial zoning. Other times, it bat zone of tomorrow. within its Strip. Local merchants
seems like a sort of economic Bonsai No matter what shape the Strip seem to have an uncanny ability to
tree; someone cuts off several takes, there is always something to stumble upon the most interesting of
branches of a growing economy and buy and someone to sell it. Like the city's hot wares. Moreover, the
the Strip manages to develop with a sharks, Fixers prowl the Strip, search pawnshops that litter the alleyways of
mind of its own. However, the majori ing for an opportunity; they're rarely the Strip insure a constant recycling
ty of Strips are landmark-orien ted. A disappointed. The same holds true of all products, no matter who they
tourist attraction, a spot with an for those shoppers seeking rare originally belonged to .
••• _~~ ••••• ~ •• _~ ••• ~.~ •• • •••••• ••• • •• ••••• •• ••• • •••••• ¢ .~ •••• a ••• •• ••••••••• •• ••••• •• ••
WILDSIDE
..IA!l WILDSIDE
WILOSIOE
JIll WILDSIDE
WILDSIDE
.JIl WILDSIDE
WILDSIDE
upon arrest) ; Night City has promised a high enough to see if the person is going
civil suit in addition to criminal prosecu to suddenly change his direction. These
tions. defenses come in handy---crime, disea~e
and the occa~ional cyberpsycho make city
life interesting but hardly secure, unless
you make it that way.
UPSIDE DOWN The largest percentage of any city
population in 2020 is Street~cum (for a
TOWN full description of ci tydwellers, see Night
City Sourcebook pg. 39). While some
The Strip is just one urban location Streetscum filter into gangs or cult~, the
where the players may find themselves. majority of these indigents merely contin
Although the Strip serves as an excellent ue to live another day, scraping together
setting (especially for Fixer Campaigns), what they can to eat. In ci ty life, fla~hy
Cyberpunk action is by no means limited to cyberpunkers and chromed streetpunks
that one setting; the Edge is where you are rare exceptions, not the rule. Many
find itl A group of players might find more people are just struggling, but these
themselves on the Street, in a corporate ma~s poor have become the outcast~ of
boardroom or even in Low Earth Orbit. the modern era. In Cyberpunk games,
However, the "c1a'iSic" C)lberpunk setting is plenty of ''Yonos'' (poor) are always
the concrete wilderness of the city. In around, but a Cyberpunk character may
these types of "classic cyberpunk" cam not even notice their existence.
paigns, the Referee should constantly try A~ always, Street~cum tend to congre
to paint the players an image of the mod gate around ethnic-specific area~ like
ern cityscape. Combat Zones and ghettos. Names like
"Little [ethnic group name here)" or
"The [ethnic group name here) Quarter"
City Texture litter the unofficial maps of most cities. In
the 20's, this trend still holds true,
A city is more than just a place with although overcrowding ha~ caused the.5e
too many people in it. Cities have a type of ghettos to become inflamed. In 2020,
"texture." Whether it's the grainy feel of these ghettos and racial turfs can intersect
the street or the sewer-like smell, every and even overlap at some spot~, allowing
moment in the city is loaded with vivid minor incident~ to ignite racial tensions.
sensory input. Corporate skyscrapers Naturally, racial tensions are minor to the
block out the sun making it seem like twi true Cyberpunk societal divide---cla').~. Most
light even during the day... not that it mat turfs within the Combat Zone (except for
ters, since it's almost always overcast or those controlled by race-hate groups) are
raining anyhow. No need for streetlight~ at lea~t marginally open to all races, but if
though-the extensive use of neon illu a Beaver or Corporate enters the Zone,
minates all but the darkest alleyways. he'd better be packing.
Noise pollution has risen to the level ofa
science. Bars, movies and videoboards
compete for your attention; if not with
volume than with sounds designed to jar TECH EFFECTS
Jll WILDSIDE
The City
Never
Sleeps
WILDSIDE
. :;.
These people feel a lack of "life" in their diversions wouldn't work. Fixers are a
~ ~ ;~ e:to 1J. 2. .?;o ~ ~ *" *' -l1> $> 41 ~ » *' * *" »
~ J1) .v '* ~ » ~ tOo ~ » x. ~ '!} :'} ~ » .y q * :;, ~ Ii> .s' * ~ :;:. to .;. ~ *' ,:e. :-;.. ~ *- :::. *'
~:. ~ ~
~ ~ >Q.
k *' s:; ;.}
~ :;cJ ~ !':- & :.':<
:::- *' -;:,: 14- *
..;> ~ ~ j) ~ $' ~ ~ ~ .Il$,
WILDSIDE
WIlDSIDE
The Box is still uncommon (similar the planet they are. Only communica
to HDTV or DATs in 1993) but is rapidly tion out~ide of earth's orbit ha~ any real
growing in popularity, especially in the lag time (two to three seconds delay),
suburbs-it allows the locals of creating a slightly annoying telegraph
Beaverville to insulate their Jives even like conversation; "How's the weather
further. The easy access to such concen down there? ... [stop] ... O.K ... [stop] ".
trated mass media is drawing 2020's soci The preferred method for communica
ety into ever-greater depths of consumer tion with outer space is the use ofElec
culture, and has been linked to growing tronic Mail (usually under the trade
illiteracy rates around the world. Easily name Message Mail-see Night City
recognizable, standardized icons are SourceBookpg. 184), which is also used
replacing written communications when the other party isn't available for
entirely. Even more disturbing is the Virtual Conferencing. Public utility
potential for alienation and dehuman word-processors are available, for a small
ization- face-to-face, human interac per hour fee, to compose letters and
tion may soon be obsolete. However, if messages later sent by E-Mail. Other pub
The Box appeals to you, a typical lic utilities include: The Yellow Base
PDMUS costs about 2,000 Eb and is (basically, Net phone books), phone
about 2'x2'xl' in size; most have voice patches (allowing someone in the Net to
operation a~ a standard feature. call someone out~ide the Net on a cellu
lar or fiber optic channel), World Weath
er Info, and Translators. The last utility is
If This Is a Boot
only available to peoplejacked into the
Net. It allows near instantaneous transla
About the Street.
tion of languages among individuals in
the Net. The Net translates human
Why Are We Talking
brainwave patterns into machine lan
guage to operate in the first place; from
About the Net?
that starting point, it's ea~y for the Net to
interpret that data into whatever lan
Because the Net is only a video guage the other party understands
screen's distance from the Street. In (Translator gives the user an effective +6
CyberjJUnk information is the key to all language skill, but only with others in the
things, whether you're the president of Net). Privately owned utilities include
EBM or a common street thug. The Net virtual shopping networks, VRcades and
represents access to all forms of data, private Net schools. Of all the possible
instantly. Whether by use ofa DataTerm, uses of the Net, actual criminal Netrun
computer workstation, cyberdeck or tele ning is only a small fraction.
phone, almost everyone uses the Net on You don't have to be a Netrunner to
a regular ba~is. Regardless of the individ find out what time your hated enemy's
ual's choice of interface, the Net's icon Maglev get~ in. Much information of the
based system allows even beginners to Net is free access. The Net's designers
easily operate basic systems and to find wanted public data to be organized so
requested information nodes. In game that it would be easy to get at (although
terms, the virtual icon system gives every they didn't always succeed). How one
user regardless of experience a basic uses the information is what sets the
knowledge in the following skills: System powerbrokers above the world's gonks.
Knowledge and Libmry Search. (These
bon uses are the equivalen t to a +1 chi p
and do not add to any skills that the per
son may already have.)
The New Industry
The Net is used for all kinds of com Perhaps the single greatest econom
munication. Virtual Conferencing allows ic force to emerge from the Street is the
one party to communicate instantly with New Industry. Using rental autolathe
others no matter where on the face of technologies, many clever entrepreneurs
JIll WILDSIDE
WILDSIDE
WILDSIDE
WILDSIDE
.it WILDSIDE
WILDSIDE
. . . WILDSIDE
WILDSIDE
Thanks to the evolution of the Net sonal skills at a level higher than your
and universal communication stan language level. The interpersonal skills
dards, the global community shrank to affected by language are: Charismatic
the global village, and in 2020 it would Leadership, Credibility, Streetdeal (in terms
be more accurate to refer to it as the of dealmaking), Interrogation, Oratory,
"Global Apartmen t." The Net allows Interview, Leadership, Social, Persuasion &
access to any other part of the world as Fast Talk, any INT skill which would
if you were walking into another room. involve the translation of material from
Telephones and videophones long ago or into your language (ComlJOsition,
made face-to-face conversations a non Library Search, etc.), Teaching and
issue, while pagers and portable com Forgery"
links allow anyone to get connected and As important as knowing a lan
STAY connected. Fax and electronic guage is knowing that language's corre
bulletin boards allow unobstructed sponding culture. It is all too easy to
exchange of images, stories and ideas, offend someone from another culture
with online translator programs picking without even knowing that one has bro
up any inter-lingual slack which may ken any social taboos; for instance, it is
occur. Seemingly hyperactive courier decidedly unwise to order a hamburger
corporations have largely replaced gov in India, or for a woman to wear a
ernmental mail systems, so that auto miniskirt in Yemen . To deal with situa
mated Sphere Courier robo-vans ensure tions such as these, one uses the new
that daily visits from the neighborhood INT skill of Culture. Culture functions
postmaster are a thing of the past. Tran much like the EMP skill Social, but is
sit is no longer a chore or hassle, but an for use in unfamiliar cultures and is
expected part of one's day. SSTs make more broadly applicable. Remember
'Jumping the puddle" as easy as going that you do not have to leave the coun
across town, and with civilian AVs like try to need a Culture skill-it could
the Mach selling well, having lunch in a come in handy when you have to cut a
different time zone is standard for those deal with the local Tong in Chinatown.
who can afford it. With full virtual reali Culture is a skill which must be speci
ty and braindance systems readily avail fied, exactly like the INT skill Know Lan
able to the general populace, the novel guage. In fact, the rules in the sidebar
ty of actually GOING somewhere to on Page 39 of the CyberlJUnk 2020 basic
have a change of scenery has become rules for Linguistic Families apply here
obsolete. Why spend thousands on a as well; if you have Culture (Bantu), you
vacation to Bermuda when you can pay also have other African cultures at 1/2
5 Eb per hour for DPC's super-realistic your level, rounded down. So, on top of
Tropical Paradise & Harem Roml) person the limitations of language, there are
alized vacation package? In 2020, travel many times in which one will also need
and communication are the same thing; to make a Culture roll .
your only obstacle is the phone bill. The difficulty number of the cul
ture roll is determined by the disparity
between your own culture and (he cul
When in Rome... ture of the other party. There are four
categories into which all cultures can be
However, there are times when a grouped, and it is advised that the refer
simulation won't do. Whether you're a ee use his best judgment (and perhaps
Corporate with an international even a little research) in such matters.
lifestyle or an orbit-skimming Smug Using American culture as a standard
gler, you will have to interface with dif against which other cultures will be
ferent cultures and languages some judged (how typical!), the differences
time. To simulate language differences would break down as shown on the next
in game play, the blanket rule is that page in TABLE 2.
when are communicating in another This list is not meant to be compre
language you cannot use your interper hensive or definitive by any means; if
JAl . WILDSIDE
. ..... ...;':.:.:..:::':.:-.:.:.:.
'" ', :,:.;.:-::,; :.:; :.:.:;.;.:....:. ......
;.: . ;.: .~ . :.;.:. :.:...::.:-;....:.....;-;.:.;.;:.:.:;::.:.:. :.;.:.:.,: :.:.:;.:.:...... ";",:,:,::::,:,:,:,::,,.:.::::::.,
you are an anthropology major, feel deal -if the roll was failed by 7 or
free to use your own opinions. The best more, go to the Faux Pas Table. The
source for accurate inter-cultural com only way to remove the negative modi
munication rules is to try it out for your fiers incurred by a failed Culture roll is
self, but it may be difficult to find some to make another Culture roll which suc
one of Zambian heritage before your ceeds by the amount you previously
Thursday night game. So we suggest the failed by. Sometimes it's better to just
local library, under the reference sec give up ...
tion . Let's say that the American corpo
Culture rules are used in specific rate is meeting the Yakuza (who is
situations where one's behavior must be blackmailing the corporate) for the first
checked in order to see if it is accept time. He must make a culture roll, and
able within the cultural context. An since the Japanese culture is Alien to
example might be a meeting between the American culture, the corporate
an American Corporate and aJapanese must roll a 20 to maintain a pleasant
Yakuza. In this case, the American Corp atmosphere. However, with his INT of 8
would probably be trying to satisfy and his Culture (Japanese) skill of +4,
Japanese etiquette, but in many cases the corporate must roll an 8 to keep this
both parties might be trying to satisfy discussion comfortable. He rolls a 5, for
each other. Once one has decided a a total of 17, which is 3 less than the dif
Culture roll is needed, the roll is put into ficulty number, so he receives a -3
effect is by (I) determining the difficul penalty on all his dealings with this
ty number, (2) making an INT+Cul Yakuza, much like a failed facedown
ture+1DI0 roll, (3) checking to see if roll. If the difficulty number had been
the roll was successful, in which case failed by 7 or more, a roll on the Faux
everything is fine, or subtracting the Pas Table (TABLE 3,below)would have
amount the roll was failed by (up to -6) been required. For situations which
to any subsequent skill rolls used in the would require a Culture roll, see the
dealings, such as Persuasion or Street- sidebar.
TABLE 2.
CULTURAL SIMILARITY TABLE
SAME CULTURE (0) SIMILAR (10) DIFFERENT (15) ALIEN (20)
American Germanic Russian Highrider Culture
English French Israeli Zulu
Australian Finnish Jamaican Aboriginal
Canadian Swedish Columbian Japanese
TABLE 3.
FAUX PAS TABLE (IDIO)
1-4 = Minor error of etiquette. No real damage other than the -7 to your
Skill rolls.
5-7 = Obvious error. You come off ac; a Simple-minded foreigner. Not only do
you keep the -7 penalty to the Skill roil, but you also get an additional-l
to any further culture rolls made with the same party.
8-10 = Major insult! You totally blow it. In the mind of the other party, you are
a barbarian who absolutely cannot be dealt with. Don't even bother
making the Skill roll and add (-3) to any future Culture rolls.
Note: Sometimes there are extenuating circumstances. Ifthe corporate had the
only vial of the antidote to a poison hejust put in the Yakuza's drink, and the
Yakuza knew it, the meeting would go on no matter how offended the Yakuza wac;.
WILDSIDE
V" ~ ~. .. -, •
t. ....,tJ " '-1'... ..'" ~
I; :'. ' .. J•.
I··..
I .... .. -,. I.
,
I
I L. '- - 'f ~
'.
........ ......~ __ •
•
~..,
' l7;="",:~~."I·Y~~ . .. ,
!
'~~~ ~- ~ ~ ~
, '
.
, ,.'. ~ t.·
I
,
•• I '
. ... .:.
\ , . "
,,',
,
j • •
.'
••
~~~!.:~ .:~~
•• I ••• J "\I'
~~.£J",~~ ....."
D"p:e~t~~p~~U~~~~:,~i:m, ~.~
ing new dogmas. Those faiths that can't adapt often split. It
is in these fissures that many of the small cults take root.
Religion in America as found within Home of the Brave many
(pg . 33) covers most of the major religions and even a few people in the western hemisphere practice &
fringe groups . Included below are additional religions and Voodoo a nd related religions, such as Sante
some updated notes to tie some of the previously explained ria. Although Voodoo and Sante ria are based in Brazil,
gro ups more closely to the Street. other South American states and e ven Mrica , it<; influences
Q*
can be felt in modern cities around the world. These faiths
a re o ften based on concept<; of a spirit world controlling var·
ious aspects of nature and humanity . Ritual dances allow
Islam believers to ascend into a state fro m which Voodoo spirits
Islam has spread rapidly through many may enter and take over the dancer's body. Once contact
Ameckan dU". Howevec, it ,""ently faw a ed, these spirits are asked to perform services for their fo\
serious theological guestion which reaches to lowers, in the form of spells . As popularized in flat-reel
~ .~~ ~ ~~~~~.~ ~ ~.~. ~ • • • • a • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •• • • • • • a ~ .
WILDSIDE
fOU~:!~I~~~~~~~~i.t(~~~: ~d C.:.,]
It
Samn;,m
ha.~
;~n~~~~~~e:;on to the U.S.
been practiced in numerous locations
~
~ The Reall"'~~~~::IY ,mali cellglon II""
for years. Satanic worship is more of a rejec based on tightly connected small churches
tion of, or opposition to, Christianity than teaching of spread among many of the more technically
another dogma . In modern times, this faith has been advanced cities. Realist~ have one uniting doctrine: they all
espoused by both Boostergangs and Rockerboys. However, believe that the reality everyone takes for granted is actually a
no notable central church has ever been formed. Thus, huge, perfect Virtual Reality simulation and the "real" universe
most worshipers meet together in small cadres, each with is something entirely different. Realist sect~ are divided on
their own separate variation of Satanism. what exactly the "real" universe is, but many believe that all the
J&l WILDSIDE
religion's members are actually gods who are bored with their er their strength in their respective home states and spread
never-ending existence and have created this simulation just to their ideologies inter-state. Also, the national political parties
pass the time. can do united what the individual sta te groups can't do
alone, such as start media networks or influence Presidential
policy.
Malism The following are explanations of the largest of some
three hundred American politica l parties; the ones that make
Malism is a religion based on the concept the evening Screamshee l~ regularly.
that the world is perpetually evil. Everything is
evil. Humans were born in sin,live in sin and die ""31I1:!~:!!:::L.
in sin. In Mal ism, there is no redemption, no savior and no
afterlife. The Malist theology is steadfast in its perception of
The Big Two RepjJlicans and
the inherent evil of this universe to the extent that they actually
pray for Armageddon to end the suffering. Ironically, this reli
Democrats
gion is most widely accepted in Europe, although some splin The Republicans a nd Democrats parties are the
ter groups have made it to America. These sects embrace dinosaurs of old, still ever-present in federal issues. Howev
Nihilist gang members and desperate street scum. er, on the state level their names are usually a little less than
media-labels. Republicans in some states experiment with
Socialist theories, while the Democral~ of Texas are staunch
ly anti-gun control.
JIl WILOSIOE
The Vanguard is the strongest of the Communist political par Boga Vogue, that which is in-fashion (from the
ties drawing partial support from the Wyoming Senators. The Van Spanish).
guard has had little success pushing its agenda: conversion of the Bourgie or Common, low c1a<;.~ (adj., from bourgeoisie).
party given a chance to speak turns a simple introduction into a Bridge & Commuters.
twenty minute speech on the faults of capitalism. Reminiscent of the Tunnel Crowd
Russians at the height of the Cold War, the Vanguard often uses Chop Acredchip.
KGB-style intimidation techniques. These forty-year-old methods are Chopping The process of cracking a stolen credchip.
seriously outdated and often result in the unopposed arrest of the Chunking Eating on the run, eating a~ a secondary activity.
Sleaziness Expert.
Culture-Vulture A Media.
MATERIAL
Below is a partial list of sources for Fixers. the Street.
Deckhead
Dirty
A Netrunner.
Downtime Free time, time off the job (also Freetime and
Passtime).
The Fixer, Catch 22, operation Petticoat, The Third Man, Lethal Draga Expensive (from the Hungarian).
Weapon 2 (for Joe Pesci), Goodfellas (for Mobsters), the Godfather Edgezone A strip, a gray area, an area of potential cool
series (for Mobsters), Casablanca (for Owners), Wall Street (for Fac ness; Dinford's Edgezone Hypothesis defines
tors), Deep space Nine (for the character Quark, a Fixer through and an Edgezone a~ the area between two other
through), Other People's Money (for Factors), the Grifters (for Con area~ that touch.
Men), the Sting (for Con Men), Sneakers (for Prowlers), Dr. Detroit (for Facemman A sub-Fixer in the employ of a boss-Fixer, sup
Managers/Agent~), Reserooir Dogs (for Mobsters). Most of John porting the bo.<;.~' network.
Woo's Hong Kong Gangster films have a Fixer a~ main or supporting Fodder Fixer term for Solos.
character, with plot~ involving deals gone sour (and what to do about Gaijin Derogatory term for an alien, and out~ider
The first few chapters of Neuromancer, Hardwired, the 'When Giri Honor, duty, obligation (from the Japanese).
Gravity Fails 'series, Clavell's King Rat, Alongside Night (for the Ago Gomi Junk (from theJapanese).
ras), Crygender, Crying Freeman (a translated Japanese comic), Sanc Gonk An idiot, fool, schmuck.
tuary (another translated manga). Hard A flattering term, like cool, hip, def, tough, etc.
WILDSIDE
theJapanese) .
is relatively long, describe the following:)
"porcupine") .
~ Problems that may arise from tranportation- Traffic*,
arcade or parlor.
~ Music (Technoise*)
this more often,players will actually try and buy real food)
FEELING
Cyberpun~ games are made of....
~ Exhaustion,
nervous shakes, alcohol / drug-induced
reactions, Claustrophobia, the "denseness" and quality of
CyberjJUnk is a unique genre. It is not just guys with guns the air, etc.
who happen to have part') of their bodies replaced wi th cyber * Indicates that the subject mate rial is explicitly covered within
netic.'). Its a mood ...an attitude. In a good game, both the ref Wildside.
-"t WILDSIDE
1. Neon- In Cyberpunk, you just can't have too many 1. Riot, Protests or Rants
neon lights. 2. Really Bad Weather- such as Monsoons, Thunder
2. Solar panels-On every roof and windowsill, even on car storms, Earthquakes, and Tornadoes.
roofs. 3. Big Fires
3. Steam-Billowing from rooftop vents and rising from 4. Parades (Arasaka Appreciation Dayl?l)
grates in the street (or any other type of obfuscation, 5. Power outages and mass public technology failures
such as fog, cigarette smoke or smog). (perhaps a section of the Net, god forbid I).
4. Video screens-Advertising boards, commercial airships, 6. Spontaneous concerts or demonstrations
computer screens and TVs everywhere. 7. Drag Races- Usually at night, but one never knows...
5. Claustrophobia-Taking the form of crowds, sleeping 8. Gang recruitment drives and raves
coffins and traffic. 9. Corporation-sponsored events (Large street demos of
6. Internationalism-Everything comes from somewhere, new products and even an occasional ha nd-out or sneak
why not somewhere else? preview)
7. Brand Names-It's a corporate world and everything is 10. Street performances and Soap-Box Orators
copyrighted. New names are becoming increasingly
scarce as ideas are recycled for the umpteenth time. 'I
Can't Believe Its Not FruitJuicel™'
8. Squalor-From dirt to grease, rust, or garbage, and those
Things That Go Bump In the
who have to live in it. Cyberpunk ain't tidy.
9. Hyperactivity-Focused and unfocused energy formed
Night City
from desperation, always one nanosecond away from Use this random noise generator any time the action get'>
lashing out. slow; it's designed to depict one of the more annoying facet'>
10. Technology-"It's the technology, stupidl" That's been of city life. Wait for one of the pl ayers to start talking to anoth
our motto. er, and then abruptly interrupt him with .. .
WILDSIDE