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Life on the edge is an existence on the verge of excess. That’s where you live. In the paramilitary, quasi-legal, bleeding edge of realistic paranoia. Addictions, withdrawal, and physical damage are a small price for temporary invulnerability, enhanced perception, endurance, and strength. Walking the line of a personal code in a lifestyle that forces split second decisions of survival or sanity.
First is style, the outward look that keeps the dogs at bay. First impressions are based on style. Style screams, growls, or snickers that you are too dangerous, different, or unpredictable to be trifled with. As individual as its roots in punk, Style must also be reflected in the use of technology. A solid Style permeates both outfit and gear. The hardware is a must, cutting edge to push the advantage. The shades and black leather just aren’t the same without the low slung katana or the heavily worn bulge of a machine pistol with the deliberate calm of boosted reflexes to back it up. Appearance that sums up form, function, and intention is the core of Style.
Attitude is the next step. Where Style is the look, Attitude is the act. Gibson called it "proj"; the ability to believe something strongly enough that you can project it to others, in body language and behavior. Walk like the irresistible force, and crowds will part before you. It's about playing the role. They expect a bloodthirsty killer; you’re a bloodthirsty killer. They expect a cool professional; you’re a cool professional. Attitude is the act of believing and making it so.
Edge is a natural progression of Style and Attitude, a nearly indefinable component. In part the edge is the power and force of will to go against the grain and succeed. To do the unexpected and prevail. It is also the ability to work on instinct, at the primal level of what we are. Taking desire and impulse and turning them into intensity and victory. To take action and live in the moment. Living on the edge takes one part audacity, one part dedication and one part insanity. A desire to change the world so intense that it requires placing the objective before survival. It takes a motivation strong enough to wager the most valuable asset a person has on its success, their life. These principles are the essence of Cyberpunk. Look, do, and become.
Something must happen to the individual that snaps them out of the status quo and forcing them to live on the Edge. For you, that was the realization that the government and corporations that have become nearly indistinguishable from each other were never there for the people. Instead they grind them into a meaty paste that lubricates their profit harvesting machine.
The leaders and key players of the major local Posses are set to meet with the one group around the Metro that has more to lose to the OCB than they do – the Russian Mafia. Usually they’re quite happy to live and let die. After all, the Mafia benefits by a certain amount of attention being pulled away from them, and occasionally do business with the Posses that is, let’s say, mutually advantageous.
The place is an abandoned administration building on the grounds of Denver General Hospital. The Mafia boss has made it clear that no violence will be tolerated. Anyone with grav [power or influence] in the Metro will be there, even your enemies, but you can’t collect the price they owe just yet. You can’t afford to cover that tab with the Mafia.
The tone will be a dark near future, a sense of oppression, poverty, and corruption at all levels. The theme will be high anime action with the paradox of dark heroes of the street versus the overwhelming force of corrupt law enforcement and corporate interests. Character concepts should revolve around territorial street Posses; Outlaw, ex-military, engineers, drivers, and medics are encouraged. An emphasis will be placed on Reputation, GIRI, and Infamy. Remember this is the near-dark future of hard streets and harder realities, where your Reputation and Infamy will decide whether people take you seriously, meet with you, or do business. Favors are traded like currency and you will need GIRI in order to be truly effective within the Metro.
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