d20 Future: Satori

[Miyako]

Campaign Themes: Genetics, Cybernetics, Robotics, Evolution, Transcendence, Morality
Base Progress Level: 05 (entering PL 06)

General TechnologyThe absolute limit of technology is progress level 6, the cutting-edge. There are a few exceptions that do not exist, or are not feasible in this universe yet:

-Unicom -Neural Scrambler –Jetpack -Aquaconverter
-Morphic Disguise Kit -Violet Rations

Dominant Weapons: ballistics
Weapons Note: Ballistics has greater feasibility. Lasers are technologically possible as small-arms but, not widely accepted because there are too many risks and drawbacks. Using laser weapons is generally illegal. Some individuals have nonetheless found a way. Government agencies, such as militaries, can legally employ lasers under carefully regulated circumstances.
They are featured most prominently as spaceship weapons where their collateral damage is less noticeable.

Robotics TechnologyRobots can operate with PL 6 programming.
Frames: armature, biomorph
Locomotion: forced air, legs (multiple), propeller (air), propeller (water), rotor, stationary, track, treads, wheels
Manipulator: claw, jaws, pincer, probe, special-use gripper,
Integrated Armor: alumisteel, duraplastic, duralloy
Sensors: class 1 sensor system, class 2 sensor system, class 3 sensor system,
Skill Software: skill chip, language chip, skill progit
Ability Upgrades: strength upgrade, dexterity upgrade
Accessories: fire extinguisher, integrated cell phone, internal storage unit, loading mechanism, remote control unit, robolink, tool mount, vocalizer, weapon mount, magnetic feet, self-destruct system

Cybernetics TechnologyReplacements: artificial organ, prosthetic arm, prosthetic leg
Enhancements: anti-shock implant, external weapon mount, identity chip, injector unit, subcutaneous body armor, stabilizer

Genetics TechnologyHunter-Killers: Diseases are easily tailored to specific needs. This extends to semi-helpful retroviruses, too.
Medicines: Scientists can reliably make customized medicines.
Gene Therapy: Science can replace ‘defective’ genes, or thoselinked with specific diseases, with more benign genes. Artificially altering subjects using genetic therapy is possible, it is still in its formative stages. Only one gene can be modified during each procedure. No one is certain what will happen, and every treatment is unavoidably harsh on the subject.
Cloning: Scientists cannot create replacement organs. They can clone living organisms with an acceptably low failure rate. Genetic modification in the uterus is not yet feasible.
Mutations: Throughout human history, genetic ‘abnormalities’ have been witnessed. Generally they are too sparsely recorded to be accepted as fact. They nonetheless occur with alarming frequency, and are always in the shadows. No one understands them, and few study them. Those gifted or cursed are at the whims of destiny; they are unique in their potential. Many ostracize them as lesser beings, lacking a soul but, existence has shown that anything conceivable can exist.

Mecha TechnologySuperstructure: alumisteel, duralloy
Armor: alumisteel, duraplastic, duralloy
Flight Systems: in development
Sensor Systems: class 1 sensor system, class 2 sensor system, class 3 sensor system, enigma sensor suite
Defense Systems: bulwark tactical shield, basion tactical shield, LX-10 antishock array
Weapons: ax3 dragon flamethrower, m-9 barrage chaingun, m-53 firestar rocket launcher, m-55 crud rocket launcher, m-87 talon missile launcher, ps-15 panther claws, thunderbolt shock rod, warpath ‘recoilless’ rifle

Starship Technology

Engines: Thrusters, Fusion Torch, Ion Engine
Armor: alloy plating, polymeric
Defense Systems: autopilot (+improved), damage control (+improved), sensor jammer, chaff launcher, decoy drone, magnetic field, point-defense system, self-destruct system, and radiation shielding
Sensors: class 1 sensor array, class 2 sensor array, class 3 sensor array, targeting system
Comm. Systems: radio transceiver, laser transceiver, internal comm. system
Weapons: fusion beam, gauss gun, laser, heavy laser, fusion mine, CHE missile, KE submunition missile, nuclear missile, needle driver, rail cannon

Reactors: Starships utilize fusion reactors as a power source
Interstellar Travel: faster-than-light drives provide transit within same solar system
Gravitomagnetism: A unique mineral can be laced with a ship’s deck plating to achieve a gravity effect equivalent to Earth’s. It is a ‘supernatural mineral’ that defies scientific classification. It works, so it is exploited.



Recent HistoryBear, Bat, and Scientist
Kanji is a cloudy memory from a distant place, in terms of both time and location. Your most recent memories extend from the beginning of February, when you were left with no choice but to trust Arik Shadows with your lives. He gave you the chance you needed to escape, while being transferred to another facility.
Since then, he has also offered up his home-office as your home. It was only fair, without it, you would have no shelter and no means of obtaining simple dignity for yourselves.

The PI
Your investigative business has been very lucrative, but you've hit a moment of calm. Your investigation of the Kanji facility is ongoing. Your contact in the police is not convinced of your new guests' credibility. Amnesiacs?

Yeah, right. So Arik Shadows offered up his own place just for a while. The extra living expenses have made their mark on your finances. But you know what?

With the extra hands, you've got the manpower to take on more jobs. Now if only someone needed somebody with the manpower to take on more jobs...

[Miyako]

Global Region: East Asia Country: Nihon
Honshu Island, Kinki region, Kyoto prefecture
Kyoto City

Location
Kyoto City, southern Sakyo ward
Kuroiwato, Benriya-san

Month: March (03) Day: Monday (29) Year: 2100
Season: Spring Time: 05:00am Japanese Standard Time (GMT+9)

‘Closing of the harsh winter ice and snow, soft breeze of spring and peace of mind.’
Her voice was the perfect combination of helpless beauty and inspiring courage. She had the gorgeous face of a heavenly maiden, and a flawless form that made her breathtaking.
Behind her, a beautiful park; now it was full of people sitting on blankets enjoying picnic food. The TV idol went on after her poem to talk about Hanami, the cherry blossom viewing season.

Bored after the other six billion broadcasts about Hanami, your eyes collectively found better things to do. The television somehow went from Hanami broadcast, to a high school anime with magical schoolgirls fighting the forces of evil.
A special phrase flickered across the bottom of the screen. It was soon accompanied by a special phone number.
‘If you can tell us Majo-chan’s secret phrase, you win FIVE free tickets to her special movie viewing!’

Your mansion (it was a big condominium) was expensive, but you had expensive necessities. There were three multipurpose rooms, a dining room, kitchen, toilet room, and bath room, plus your entryway and balcony.
You had designated the spare rooms; bedroom, living space, and office.
Your bedroom was an austere place with three sleeping capsules, the kind you found in ‘capsuru hoteru’. One of them was much larger than the others. There was a big metal bar hanging from the ceiling, and a book shelf filled with bedtime reading material.
The living space was your collective den of inequity. It had a television, a gaming console, some floor cushions and other fixtures of bland relaxation.
When you weren’t either sleeping or relaxing, there was your meticulously organized office. There were three desks, two of them with laptop computers, and filing cabinets. Office supplies and an answering machine rounded the whole place out.

You were bored and had no surplus yen to spend on frivolous things. It was time to face the facts. There were four of you, living together under one small roof, none of you wanting to recall an ordeal too painful to remember.

You needed a bigger house, or you were going to go crazy.

Your house was a home business. You all worked as members of an organization called the Kuroiwato Benriya-san. Kuroiwato was the small neighbourhood you lived in. A Benriya-san was something like a ‘Convenience Agency’, if someone had a problem, any kind of problem, they called you.

You solved problems.

You were each going over your usual daily routines, doing everything you could not to kill your roommates (or contemplate seppuku) when the tone sounded. The volume on the answering machine was at full blast. And the sound of the needy young woman’s voice cut through the mist of boredom and apathy like a.. like a… rocket launcher blowing a tank to smithereens!

Woosh!

Yes.

“Beniya-san, you have to help us! If you don’t find well-mannered escorts to the company party, our partners will think we aren’t a worthy investment. Our reputation would be ruined. But do not concern yourselves. It is not as if our lives and the lives of our children are at risk of soon-to-be a lifetime of miserable poverty-related suffering or anything.”

She paused, and there was someone taking in the background of a busy-sounding office. She gave you all the necessary contact information, and a deadline to phone her back. Then she hung up quietly and politely. “We know we can count on you, Beniya-san.”

The job wasn’t a necessity. There were infinite ways to earn yen for the open-minded. Like by phoning children’s contests and selling the tickets off for lunch allowances. Or posing as a go-to caterer at a Hanami viewing area… were you above dressing up like a monk and trying to get alms?

Resources
Large Upscale Condo: Has three rooms, a two car shared parking garage. Purchase DC 32.
Television: Anime Channel, Porno Channel, Weather Forecast, Reality Show, Game Show, News
Capsuru Beddo: Rest (sleep) or just relax. You can rest for 6 hours, 8 hours, or 9+ hours.
Arik’s Truck: An old, cute looking truck with a canopy on it. Big enough to sit in -- as long as your passengers can fit in the back. Illegally. And without a seatbelt.
[b]Stereo: News, Tenchu FM, Gaijin Radio, Love AM, Office 3.5.7
Office Computers: Investigate, Internet Search, Watch Video, Write Novel, Translation Work
Kitchen: House controls, Cook meal
Toilet Room: Gardening, Scan room for something interesting
Bath Room: Soak in bath, Sing shower song, write initials with old lipstick on mirror
Misc. Actions: Clean, Answer the message machine, phone the Magical Girl contest

[Jesse Drake]

Arik Shadows

Arik casually mutters the word, no interest in winning the contest. That T.V. was always switched on. Arik liked the noise constantly running in the background- cause if it wasn't the television, it was some random radio chatter.

The days were all blended into one long memory, and the time without work has been painful to Arik, and, he assumed, the others. Or at least he assumed the others- they didn't seem to care for much other than playing his games, eating his food, and occasionally asking him to turn off the T.V.. Maybe Arik just wished they wanted to work. He could dream.

Like any other day, he drew his wrist laser out of his underwear drawer, and strapped it on. Then, for a brief second, he held it up to his head, and contemplated pulling the trigger- but that seemed rather pointless and childish, after he thought about it for a second. No, he wouldn't die today.

Then he heard the sound from another room. "Do you wish to delete the message?" He didn't know who it was, but he yelled out "Don't you dare!" And like that, he was out in the room with the machine. He took the message, but alas, it was just another escort job. Arik figured he'd consider it, maybe call her back after he eats and takes a shower.

Arik went to his kitchen and pulled out a box of cereal- it was empty, of course. The bear, no doubt, as it was his Honey Combs that were empty- his favorite. All that was left was some crunchy cereal that scraped the roof of Arik's mouth. He poured it and sat down.

As he flipped through the channels, he passed the adult entertainment channel and sighed. It's been too long since he's had a "visitor", and he wonders why he even pays for the channel. Maybe he could get the others out for a while- or maybe he'd just go and visit someone else. It didn't matter, at the moment at least.

While eating, he tries to figure how he'd get the others to look decent to go. I mean, he couldn't stroll in with a bear and a bat, and some really creepy old guy. But that could wait.

[tynger1234]

Douglas Langstrom

Douglas was enjoying a nap in the sitting room when the message started playing, completely catching him off gaurd he jolted awake. Silently he thought to himself I really need to invest in some ear plugs. He stretched and put his sunglasses on then leasurily strolled to the kitchen to find some food; I might aswell eat something before the bear comes in for one of his feedings and steals everything edible.

He walked over next to Arik with some freshly poured cereal and sat down.
"You thinking of taking that escort job?"

[AvianMalkavian]

Subject Ursa Major

The bear crawled out from under the dining room table, the sound of a message on the machine waking him up. His ears flicked a little and he groaned, getting to his feet and stretching. It wasn't exactly comfortable sleeping in the dining room, but there was only one bedroom and none of the bed were big, or strong, enough to support him.

After letting out a low yawn, the bear made his way from the dining room to the kitchen, looking at Arik and Douglas for a moment before going to the cereal. Grabbing the box of Honey Combs, he looked inside, sniffed, and then shook, hearing nothing. With a small sigh, he put the cereal box in the trash and then began to root around in the fridge.

[Jesse Drake]

Arik Shadows

Arik sighs. "Maybe. I mean... I don't know. We don't need the money, but I've been thinking, maybe we should expand the condo." He points to the walls, then stops. "I don't know, I'll discuss that later."

Arik reaches for his little black book. He needed a date soon- but that would require some spending money, which would push back any expansions even further. He tries to think on what he could do- there was Jeanine, and her freak friend who was into "furries"... Arik shuddered quite visibly. Renovations would probably be better.

Arik turns to Ursa Major. "Okay, well, I bought some more salmon cream cheese- just don't eat it all this time. There should be a few bagels in there."

Arik grabbed for his glasses and decided to skip the shower- for now. He muted the T.V. and started to focus. It was time to listen in on the police scanners.

To Miyako- Are there any crimes in the vicinity?

[industrious]

((ooc: do we have the items we purchased pre-game?))

Matthew Milverton

Memories. Years and years of memories and knowledge lost. Taken from him. Life really wasn't fair sometimes, was it? Staring into his reflection in the bathroom mirror, the engineer pinches open his eyelid, noticing that his eyes remained a solid unchanging black. No matter what part of his eye it was. His hair was white; purely white, for nearly as far back as he could remember. Unless he wore a wig in his earliest memories. Still, he didn't look old. It was just the hair.

He knew that he had an apartment somewhere in the city. He knew that he had a car parked somewhere as well. But she had taken that knowledge from him. If only he could remember it. Trapped in this small space with the others wasn't doing much for his sanity. They weren't bad people, but he had lived alone for far too long to change his habits.

Leaving the bathroom, he joins the others at the table.

"I haven't been to a party in ages. And if I could just remember where my old place was..."

[Miyako]

ItemsYes, this setup allows you to have all the items you bought.Police Scanners
Nihon is remarkable in its ability to be out of the ordinary. That was a good thing. The Police were doing an excellent job maintaining public order, peace and societal harmony. All the stuff on your scanner indicated that nothing was really worth your time. Just for the sake of trying it, you flip through the channels and run into a surprise.

Apparently there happens to be some kind of classy hacker perpetrating electronic crime at the little known e-teahouse in Kuroiwato. They’re having trouble because there happens to be a bunch of business-suit wearing men making a ring around the building. They refuse to be moved, and the Police are mobilizing riot squads to move them by force.

Television
The porno channel is just finishing a movie about the link between sex and blood type. Next up: Sadist Yakuza spanking, watch as Schoolgirls beat the law into sinister thugs, and pervert Salarymen! Zentai!

The Weather channel says that weather will not be cruel today. Expect only sunshine!
(A happy face is on the sun that bounces across the screen to a singsong tune)

Knock, Knock
An unobtrusive tone from the two-way phone-thing near the condo door alerts you to the presence of an early morning visitor. School students sometimes got up this early. None of you really knew any students, who could it be?Options
-Turn on the Video Camera
-Open the Gate
-Hit the button to accept the call
-Go outside and meet them at the gate without checking who it is
Note: You can do banking on your computer. You might also consider selling your condo and moving to a rural location, which would be much cheaper. The only way to expand the condo is to buy an adjacent condo.

[Jesse Drake]

Arik Shadows

"So you want to go to the party then Doc?" Arik says, who was waiting for something to sway him either way. "I mean- it sounded kind of urgent."

Arik turns to the others. "Well, either we all chip in and buy the neighboring condo, which could be quite expensive, or we have to move." He sighs. "And I kinda liked this place- but I'm adaptable, if nothing else."

He takes off his coat again- and looks at the machine. "Would one of you mind calling her back and seeing what the details are? I'm gonna take a shower now, and then we are heading to Kuroiwato."

[tynger1234]

Douglas will watch Arik leave the room and comply to what he asked. He has the phone re-dial the number that had just called. While he waits for an answer, he points to Matthew and Sata.

"Could one of you guys check the door please?"

[AvianMalkavian]

Subject Ursa Major

Ursa looked at Douglas for a moment, looking back at the little thing of salmon cream cheese, then Douglas before nodding and walking away. The salmon cream cheese could wait. And so the large bear lumbered out of the kitchen, through the door, and down and out of the condo to the front gate to see who was there.

[Miyako]

The Visitor (Subject Ursa Major)
The visitor has a blue uniform, a nice hat; he’s carrying a flashlight… policeman from the koban (police booth)!
Once every few months they made door-to-door visits to the people in their neighbourhood. They usually inquired about personal things, so they had an idea of who belonged there, and who did not; they could serve and protect their communities better that way. Many people were declining these visits now, but there were still many who kept the tradition alive.

“Dare ka (who’s there)?” The policeman’s light shines across your fur, and you get to relish the look of surprise that covers his innocent-looking young face when he sees something furry this tall.

“Ano…” His jaw hits the floor for about sixty seconds, and he wipes the slobber off while he calls on the radio. “There’s a GIANT GRIZZLY BEAR IN THE APARTMENT COURTYARD!?”

“…negative. Please repeat more slowly and quietly.” The radio chimes back in a calm, and disbelieving tone.

“THERE’S A GIANT FURRY BEAR BEHIND THE APARTMENT FENCE!” He breathes in the crisp, early morning air, which is not at all fouled by pollutants.
He seems to remember something important in the midst of his astonishment. “Kuroiwato, in the Sakyo Ward, the Beniya-san across from 7 & Sholdings convenience store. Officer is immediately requesting that you contact Kyoto animal control.”

“Hae, hae…” The radio finishes blandly. Through the thick bars of the metal gate, the officer makes a spirited ‘nice guy’ pose, kind of like in a manga; Nihon was a funny place.

“Junbi OK desu!” The Officer glares at you through the bars, with all the noble intentions of a Hero of Justice. The streetlights outline him in a halo bright electric sunlight.

Your imagination makes a little clock, and some scary ‘video game intense music’ comes to mind. The imaginary red digital numbers on a black background flash once. Then they start counting down.

Important Event Clock (Do not forget to click the link)
Beast Eater ETA: (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u4SFXIzNf1o) (07:00)

Douglas Langstrom and the Phonecall
The phone rings a few times, and a crisp, professional voice answers.

'Please enjoy this ringtone while we connect you! Have a nice day, thank you for using our service!'

An upbeat, perky anime theme song plays. (Douglas gets a +1 morale bonus to Diplomacy checks for 7 minutes.)

Someone answers, and gives a big, long yawn. As if they just woke up from a nice nap when they weren't supposed to be napping. "Chrysanthemum."

What was that? Some kind of family name? A Codename?

It sounded like a Self-Defense Forces agent answering an important phone call from their partner. Or a detective or something. The implication was that you were supposed to answer. But you could be rude and ask a question. Or just tell them you have the wrong number.

It was definitely a girl... was she just mumbling?

A) Answer with a Code Word
B) Hang Up
C) Ask about the Job
D) Be polite and introduce yourself
E) Make up your own reaction

Arik in the Shower
AGH! THE WATER IS BOILING HOT! Like someone BURNED ME TO DEATH IN THE VOLCANO that heats the plumbing in this apartment.

You frantically turn down the temperature, and flinch away from the terrible stream of doom. It might as well be liquid nitrogen!

You finally get just the right temperature. Aahh...

Someone left a note on the wall, and as you let the water from your detachable-hose-showerhead run over you, you decide to test yourself by reading it. No reason to waste a torn out page from a quiz book, right?

Food is to be eaten with the...?

A) Mouth
B) Esophagus
C) Soya Sauce
D) Chopsticks
E) None of the Above

Matthew Milverton
You catch yourself staring at the window, lost in thought. The more you knew, the more often you wondered about things. Tried to define things. Wasn't it strange...

Roads are like blood veins
Each cell doing just one thing
What if one did more?

With all your knowledge... how could you use it?

It seemed to you that knowing about things, and being able to apply them...

Knowing something could go fast, and being fast; part of living was understanding both at the same time. Why not try going to the gym?

You noticed an advertisement for a new place opening up in Kuroiwato. It wasn't very far from the condo.

[Jesse Drake]

Arik Shadows

The shower was too hot. That was a lucky curse, I guess. At least they left some hot water to scald him.

But that was nothing big. He was able to endure it long enough. For a moment, he considered flipping through the stations and looking for some music- but then he saw the quiz.

Food is to be eaten with the...?

A) Mouth
B) Esophagus
C) Soya Sauce
D) Chopsticks
E) None of the Above

"I love that stuff." He thinks.

[tynger1234]

A) Answer with a Code Word
B) Hang Up
C) Ask about the Job
D) Be polite and introduce yourself
E) Make up your own reaction

"Hello miss, this is Douglas speaking on behalf of the Beniya-san services you were requesting. I would like to know any of the details you would be able to give about said job."

[AvianMalkavian]

Subject Ursa Major

Ursa let out a sigh, having expected a similar reaction from whoever was outside though not expecting an authority figure who could cause him trouble. Moving closer to the gate, he did his best to stand tall and make it obvious that this bear was walking on two legs. One 'hand' touched the bars of the gate and he leaned in, looking at the man on the other side very carefully, studying him.

"We're not interested. But thank you for your time."

And with that, he turned around and lumbered back towards the condo.

[industrious]

Milverton's thoughts turn towards the newly opened gym. If anything, it would take his mind off his usual maelstrom of ideas and theories...and memories. Taking his lab coat from the coat-rack, he nods to his fellow roommates.

"I should be back in a few hours." Exiting the apartment, he begins to walk to the place, his mind wandering back towards some of his earlier memories, involving powdered wigs and powder kegs.

[Miyako]

Ursa Major
You imagine a giant albino bear, bounding across your eyesight, and shattering the little countdown clock in a savage fury of bloodshed. It doesn’t make sense, but it looks funny. The music is mangled terribly, like a bad DJ tune at a dance club. KU – MA!

The policeman seemed very composed when you left him. Just what you’d expect from someone like a Japanese Policeman! You quietly make your way back to the condo, and on the way you pass a pair of children. A boy and a girl, these two were siblings. They look up at you in admiration, and the boy bares his teeth at you. “Ra!”

The little boy was trying to show you his courage. His sister bows, and they both duck into their condo before you can really say anything. It was always nice to talk to children. They weren’t so judgemental. Or maybe you looked like a soft-hearted Kami.

Safely back in your shared condo, you dig into the salmon cream cheese. Oishii!
It is to your horror that you realize too late, the awful substance is cold, and somewhat sticky. It’s all over your face, stuck in your fur!

…and you know what? Not only is it stuck to your fur, you’re still hungry.

As you’re cleaning yourself up and combing your fur, Arik steps out of the bathing room. You look at him pointedly. A ‘This is not filling’ beam shoots from your eyes to Arik.

You sense an interesting odor. Do you want to follow it? Or maybe go knock on the door the children went through, with a present?

Arik Shadows
YOU FAILED!You aren’t so sure about your answer. Something about it just rubs you the wrong way. But it was still tasty, even if it came from soy, a hidden danger food.
Your shower ends up feeling substandard. You know you’re clean. But your imagination is telling you that you just washed off with dirty water. As you towel off and get dressed, it occurs to you that you’ve defaulted to a well known psychological trick.
When in doubt, pick the answer C. Teachers always make the answer, answer C.

It was nonsense, but that was what they said. Private Investigators thought about all kinds of funny things. Like how a metalloid could have the properties of a metal, or a non-metallic insulator depending on how you treated it. Not a metal, not a non-metal. That would make an awesome video game. Spies were awesome. You were awesome.

Ursa Major was just finishing with touching himself up when you got out of the showering room. That salmon cream cheese must have given him some trouble. Kyoto had a daily fresh fish market. It might be a good idea to go there later and buy some fish for him, later on.

It was time to see what that message was all about. Even though half your brain was trying to figure out what felt so funny about that quiz.
You notice the television is still on. A news feed superimposes itself over the show that’s currently on. The text says:

Police patrols are cracking down on cars that do not meet the new smog test standards. Violators will face a substantial fine, touted as ‘fee for the environment’. It is hoped these tough measures will help Nihon keep its commitment to its ‘Blue Earth’ policy. As always, remember to wear your seatbelt.

You took the Quiz book with you.

Question: What piece of literature is Imagawa Ryoshun famous for writing?
A) Answer the Question
B) Flip to something else
C) Offer the Ursa Major your Arm
D) ... ?


Douglas Langstrom
“Oh, they--
Some papers shuffle in the background. “Our company will pay you our standard minimum go-between fee. Depending on the quality of service our company receives, your own fees may be collected after the completion of the assignment. So be on your best behaviour.”

You can hear someone typing on a keyboard, as if there are multiple conversations happening all at once. The girl seems to have collected all the information she needs, because she mutters a heartfelt ’ganbaremasu!’ before she continues.

“The occasion involves a very traditional group of people. The kind used to having exactly what they want, at virtually any cost. White-collar workers, with backgrounds of very refined education; escorts would have to be knowledgeable.”

Chrysanthemum seems to be a little guarded. She probably expects you won’t be able to fulfill her expectations. It must be an unusual request.
“You see, we’re a very progressive group. We have many women in prominent positions. Contacts with Beniya-san usually tend to be housewife material with nothing better to do. We cannot simply phone a hostess bar, or our guests will think we’re rezubian whores.”

She seems to smile. She has a nice voice, the kind people would kill for. It’s hard not to picture this secretary with some old corporate executive, as a trophy wife. Or a sex slave dressed in a school uniform. If she wasn’t already in an ultra-progressive female company, you might have.

“We need competent looking, physically strong men to show that our women are far more respected and powerful. Then we would be seen as worthy partners for a business relationship. Do you have anyone like that?”

Matthew Milverton
Stepping through the building’s gate, you pass an edgy looking police officer. He sits quietly on the sidewalk, muttering to himself very insistently. “Bakemono…”

He shakes his head, blinking his eyes as if to suggest that he was asleep, and just waking up. The mental trick doesn’t work, and he stares at the street with a distant look on his face. He’s apparently given up on being poised and sensible.

He says, one more time in surrender, “Bakemono…”

You kept walking. He probably wouldn’t have heard you anyway.
The last person you passed on the way here was Ursa Major. The stroll is calm and relaxing. Dawn paints the world a new colour. Amaterasu was waking up. Invigorated at the thought of something new, you pick up the pace. Soon you’re at a fast walk, and someone comes fast-walking up to your side from behind you.

She keeps pace with you easily. It’s obvious she exercises a lot; underneath her wind pants and exercise jacket you can see a toned and sexy athlete. Too bad you couldn’t get a look at her face, hidden under a ball cap, worn a low to cover her eyes. She was shorter than you, too.

“Yo,” she offers, too busy with breath control to say anything else. Then she picks up the pace, kicking into something just short of a sprint.

a) Keep it going at a steady pace
b) Start running just as she does
c) Check her out in a tasteful way
d) Check her out in a sleazy way
e) Do something else
f) Say good morning and something else cordial.

[Jesse Drake]

Arik Shadows

Soy isn't that bad- though Arik supposes the answer should have been the mouth. And yet he's not changing his mind on his answer. He's never been one to give a straight answer anyways.

Seeing Ursa Major, Arik smiles. "Maybe you should have had a bagel Papa Bear." Then he looks a big disgusted- not at Major. "Man, I hate City Water." He clearly didn't have a fulfilling shower. But, that's not important.

"So, when's the job?" He puts his shades back on and asks another question. "And who was at the gate?"

[industrious]

Shrugging his shoulders, Matthew jogs the rest of the way behind her, albeit at a slower pace.


I won't have much internet access until about the 26th. Sorry, but if you don't hear from me in a while, know that I'm still playing.

[AvianMalkavian]

Subject Ursa Major

Ursa finished washing the cream cheese out of his fur, looking a bit sullen about it before glancing over at Arik, "Policeman. Census taker. Something like that."

"Job?"

[tynger1234]

Douglas just puts his hand up hoping that Sata and Arik will wait. and answers Chrysanthemum's question.

"Yes I do believe we some men like that, when is the job?"

[Jesse Drake]

Arik Shadows

Anger fills Arik's face. "Police!? What's up with that? I thought I told the local law officers that I liked my privacy." He reaches for his cellphone, and figured while he waited for Douglas to get the answers, he'd make a call of his own.

Directly to the chief of police. He'd like to know why there was an officer at his front gate- also, he'd like to have the forms sent to him for having his privacy moved, since that was probably what was going to happen.

[Miyako]

Arik Shadows
Ursa Major answers the query gruffly, obviously more than a little hungry. His stomach rumbles. His voice rumbles like his stomach. He needed to eat. To eat, he needed a job. Exactly what he said:

‘Job?’

Incensed by the notification of police interest, you take up your phone on a crusade of shadowy justice!

The receptionist isn’t impressed. “We apologize, we cannot contact our superiors directly for such a minor complaint. Officers are just doing their duty; we will always be present should you need us.”
He has a cheerful, calm voice, the kind that soothes a person on the hairsbreadth of killing someone.
“All citizens are welcome to deny officers the honour of a visit under these circumstances. We do everything in our power not to make anyone uncomfortable. Is there something else we can help you with, sir?”

Douglas Langstrom
She seems audibly excited, even hopeful. “You’ll be meeting us at a family restaurant in Kuroiwato, called the ‘Scales of Dragon Glittering-like-Stars’. We expect your hosts to be punctual, arriving fifteen minutes before 8:15pm, at exactly 8:00pm. They should be wearing corporate casual apparel (Business Outfit).”
Chrysanthemum goes into the details regarding your payment, which translates to +2 Wealth for each person involved as a host. She asks you all the standard background-type questions, trying to check you out to see if you’re legitimate.
The next one might be a job-killer, so you’d best answer carefully:

She gives you an e-mail address. “What kind of men should we expect as escorts? Would you be able to send photographs?”

Matthew Milverton
Much to your surprise, she deliberately slows down to chat with you. Whenever you pass under the shadow of a building, the air is cool. The sunlight is warm.
It’s a pleasant contrast, and the more you jog, the more comfortable you start to feel. Men were made for athletics. It was one of the joys of living. Feeling the air in your face, the different textures under your flesh, you may have had no idea how a girl felt about it – but this one could probably kick your… she moved with a subtle efficiency that told you she shouldn’t be messed with.

The odd thing, she was hiding it. Like she wanted someone to start trouble so she had an excuse…

A few cars pass you by.

“You look lost, Gaijin.”

[Miyako]

Does everyone hate me already? :smallfrown:

At least make it to the restaurant!? :smalleek:

[Jesse Drake]

[ooc-sorry, I missed your update]

Arik Shadows

Dissatisfied with his results, Arik hangs up the phone and sighs, extremely laudable. "Well, what's the news fellows? Who's going to host... and is there any chance you guys could do it? Or is this gonna lie on me again?" He smiles, and wonders if he should bust out the suit.

[Miyako]

Matthew Milverton, the Gymnasium
The jogger, instead of turning out to be a gangster, was actually pretty helpful.
She helped you find the gym, no small feat because buildings were always numbered in the order they were built.
That was what Police Koban were for, great places to ask for directions.

The new Gym was more like a total workout center.
Aerobics machines, weights, an athletics track, mountain climbing equipment, showers and changing rooms.
A swimming pool on the roof, an interior garden, and one hell of a lobby; who ever built this place was rich.

Membership was taking longer than you thought. Probably because you were Gaijin, nobody trusted foreigners.
Filthy, dirty little demons every one; certain precautions had to be taken.
Everyone was too kind and courteous to remind you that you were just a Gaijin, and no one said it to your face…
You were especially creepy.

You were used to the usual intolerance-mild-acceptance routine. You reminded yourself to come back later on. There was real potential here, when your membership came through.
Your new jogger friend vanished inside the Gym, and try as you might, no face came to mind.

You were bored memorizing the place’s name: ‘Hot Body’

Lucky for you, you got a phone call. A job.

Everyone
It took all day to get ready for work, given that two of you were better off staying out-of-sight.
You left early, knowing that traffic would be slow going.

Then you lied your way in, saying you were just four men. Two of you wore mascot suits because your employers had insisted on it.

Scales of Dragon-glittering-like-stars
Leaving your shoes at the Genkan, you were quietly seated in a private tatami-floored room tastefully decorated in Japanese culture.
It was clear this place was beyond fancy, one of those five-star ‘now it’s time to use your whole pay for a year’ kind of places.
The shoji behind you closed, leaving you alone with a single attendant wearing a visiting Kimono.

She spoke in English, an indication that she was highly educated. After a well-practiced, smooth bow, she said, “Welcome.”

The attendant moved to the shoji opposite you, and began to slide it aside with the help of another girl, on the other side. Eleven breathtaking Japanese women strolled in, dressed up so well, each would have stolen the floor if she had been alone.
Their eyes were cold and calculating, happy and sparkling, with everything else in between.
Ten of them arranged themselves around the four of you, looking with interest at their escorts.
You catch murmurs of interest and one very enthusiastic ‘Sugoi, a freaky pair of house pets!’
Chrysanthemum was definitely here.
The eleventh woman, dressed in what was probably a priceless Kimono, spoke softly from behind you. Her voice was clear and flowed smoothly over all others. This was the leader.
“You may address me as Taisho. Your instructions are simple; when our other guests arrive, just go along with it.”

The atmosphere was tense for a few seconds. It quickly eased up while the girls started small-talk. They hushed up when the attendants brought the other party in.
Elegant looking men in flashy suits rolled into the room with a walk that mimicked old-time Samurai. Punch perms, sunglasses, collar lapels and tattoos. Pointy shoes and ostentatious style wrapped around serious distilled badass.

They made their introductions, bowed according to their own hierarchy, glared at the four of you like they wanted to rip your intestines out.

A thin, scary looking man with a silver-colored crew cut spoke up. He said, “We are the Asagiri-kai.”

When you looked around for an explanation, all you found were the politely expressionless faces of your lady employers. Some of their eyes twinkled with happiness and innocence. Others were cold. A few were sly.

The attendants set down hot tea for everyone, very quietly.

The thin, scary looking man with the silver-colored crew cut set a briefcase down on the table. It was gray, metallic, heavy looking.

It had a complex looking series of electronic and mechanical locks.

Something very valuable was inside.

He said, “Do you have it?”

Some swords were on display. Suits of Samurai armor in glass cases looked especially fierce.
There was a coat rack on one side of the room, and a bar filled with drinks on the other.
The low Japanese eating table everyone had assembled around was in the center of the room.
There was a special area set aside for a small group of live musicians.
The lighting was bright, the interior welcoming.

The table, you were just now noticing, had a flameless grill in the center.
It wasn’t cheap.
You were supposed to grill food on it.
But you didn’t have any.

The grill was immaculate, clean.

On your left, Subject Ursa Major; and then Arik.
To the right of Arik, Douglas Langstrom sat.
After him on the far right, Matthew Milverton.

The ladies were just eye candy.

The other group was 15 men strong, clearly led by silver-hair-crew-cut. You could tell by the way they were sitting.

…was that a scratch mark there, on the grill?

Steam floated up from the hot tea and swirled between your group and theirs.

[Jesse Drake]

Arik Shadows

Arik sits quietly, a charming smile on his face. He's a bit unsure of what's going on, but he was a bit curious to find out. He tapped his ear- then, lowered his head, as if he were sniffing the tea- absorbing the steam.

He focuses around the building for any chatter on walkie-talkies. He's scanning hard for anything he might find.

[tynger1234]

Douglas tries to know everything that is happening in the room; listening on some of the conversations, watching some random movement here and there, I want to know if anyone is armed if my senses can pick that up.

OOC: I'm going to be playing Douglas as paranoid as possible. He also has blindsight for 120ft. and a listen +17, I will probably notice everything that is happening

[Miyako]

Private Notes (Radio), Arik-sanEerily, several happy-go-lucky voices bounce around in your skull. And this isn’t just ‘background noise’. You know how people always imagine a crazy killer would act, if those snuff films they sold in the video store were really real?

“It’s a half-and-half probability they will open the case. So we bet they would start treating it like a movie and say something like, ‘Open it’ or whatever.”

They were betting on your actions!

“Get this, all those girls are ex-JSDF Special Operations. Yen-sensei usually uses them as bodyguards, but she said if it seemed amusing…”

Special Forces (the creepy amoral kind who abandoned their government), those were your escorts?

“So, are the Yakuza on the take, too?”

As if you hadn’t been suspicious already…Douglas LangstromGata gata gata gata gata! Their heartbeats were racing, even if they looked awfully calm.
These Yakuza smelled something dangerous.
Beats of sweat were forming behind the collars of their shirts and jackets, in their armpits. Every time one of them moved the slithering of the cloth over flesh, more cloth, metal…

…a tiny little ringing sound; at least a few of them had something. They were career gangsters, after all. Knowing Nihon, it probably wasn’t a gun. Probably.

Not many people knew what it was like to hear the way steam wafted off hot liquid. Or the intense sound of irregular breathing, or what the contrast was between calm breath and edgy breath.

Your employers were either really ditzy and thought this was just a business partner, or they were more than fancy executives. None of them seemed as perturbed as they should have.
The near-invisible coating of dust the glass cases of Samurai memorabilia had were slightly displaced. Someone had been tampering with them recently..?

The electric hum of the lighting, bright spots, those were hard to look at. It made it so much easier to tell every minute detail about these people, how they had little ugly blemishes, scars.
How their pupil movements told you they were contemplating lies. Using the ‘creative’ part of their brains!

How some of their skin seemed a little too shiny; a spy wearing a plastic face mask or some contact lenses. The background noise of the restaurant, dulled by the walls, someone was talking about their financial troubles. Another person was remarking about how good the sushi was here.

The bar fridge even had its own tune. Someone was scratching. To relieve an itch, or maybe adjust a wire on some covert listening equipment!
There were little pinholes all over the room, in inconspicuous places.
No one else would have seen them.
If felt like a thousand people looking through a lens, watching you, staring at you while they took notes. Or maybe enjoyed the idea of playing supreme master of the universe.

Chrysanthemum was muttering something under her breath. The Japanese equivalent of:

“Nu, nu, nu, nu, nu, nu, nu, nu Batman…”Ursa MajorYou can smell the heat. Smell the sweat. Smell the droplets of germs in the air, coming off their breath. Some were just getting over colds.
The salty smell of sweat in particular is disgusting.
Some of them are wearing the cheapest perfume…

…the ladies aren’t wearing any. Strange…Matthew MilvertonOne of your employers was muttering a song to herself, too quiet to hear.
Arik Shadows seemed to be thinking about something, as always. Douglas Langstrom had his eyes darting all over the room, nothing unusual there.
Ursa Major was suppressing a sneeze. The Yakuza glared, and the girls looked ditzy.

There were all kinds of manners regarding how to eat and conduct yourself at meals or in life. Whose manners were right, and whose were wrong?
What determined whether something made you disgusted, or if you approved of it?
Was it as simple as being accustomed?

Was there an absolutely correct way to do something?

You sit at a table to eat, not carve meat. That was what they said about the superiority of chopsticks over knife-and-fork.

Every culture had admirable traits, and some not so pleasant. Was it so far-fetched to say that, as you became more experienced, you started to see that everyone had a small piece of the larger puzzle of Heavenly Perfection?

Given how you felt about the situation, one of the first things you noticed was that the table wasn’t going to save you. Better to throw it in their faces if the shooting started.

The bar could make you Molotov cocktails. Those swords were genuine, you could tell by the look. The armor was the same.

Having memorized the layout of the restaurant on your way in, you knew the walls of this room, though soundproof, were only partitions.
It was a clever arrangement of hallways and pillars that gave the impression of seclusion.
That made the entire space multi-purpose.
You were, in fact, surrounded by innocent diners.

[Jesse Drake]

Arik Shadows

Arik doesn't drink his tea now. He's concerned it might be drugged a bit. Then he gets an idea. He tries to do a dumbed down voice of one of the men he heard. He sends back to the radio "So, what if they do open it?"

[AvianMalkavian]

Subject Ursa Major

Ursa just sits quietly for the moment, not moving, almost seeming asleep as his chest slowly rises and falls. He sniffs the air a little, glancing around the room before relaxing again and waiting.

[tynger1234]

Douglas will be giving the occassional glance over to each camera, making it look like a nervous twitch or something else to look non-chalant. He look over at Chrysanthemem with a little smirk letting her know that he heard what she was doing.

[Miyako]

Radio-head“Kusa, who let the Gaijin have this channel…” Nervous laughter from someone else.

“That’s the best part,” Someone says. “We were going crazy thinking about it!”The Standoff
Some of the Yakuza seem awfully weirded out that they have to negotiate with a party containing a man in a giant bear suit (or is that really a bear?) and an edgy looking man with bat ears.

Good thing small silences were common in Japanese conversations. They probably suspected everyone was thinking of just the right thing to say.
When Douglas-san glanced at Chrysanthemum, she blushed a little and looked down at the floor. She looked completely harmless, it was very disarming.

Ursa major can’t really define (or did not want to) the smells, beyond pleasant stink.

It seems like someone should answer, though it might be best to defer to your group 'leader' this time. There was a time and a place, and no one should speak out of turn. Japanese people were very sensitive about manners and hierarchy.

[Jesse Drake]

Arik Shadows

Arik smiles, and approaches the hostess, extending his arm as if to ask for a dance. If she's with someone, he'll politely asks "Would you mind if I stole this little lady for a moment?"

He focuses for a moment, trying to get some sort of music on, if there isn't already.

While dancing, he'll speak quickly, and softly. "What's in the suitcase lady?" He'll start off with. "You know we have police affiliations don't you? Well, we can't exactly work with the Yakuza like this."

[Miyako]

Everyone is at a loss as to how they should react. This was supposed to be a formal meeting between mutually interested business partners. Instead, the Gaijin gets up and dances around like a fool, in the middle of a high-class restaurant?
Everyone shifts around uncomfortably. This was a major faux-pas, even for a Gaijin. The restaurant hostess looks around the room, imploring everyone for help.
She snatches her hand away and strolls out of the room, like something dirty and filthy has just stained her skin.

The Yakuza Leader looks at Arik. He does not smile, and seems completely confident that you will agree with him.

“We are in desperate need of yen. If it makes you feel more comfortable, remember that the contents of this briefcase are better in your hands, than they are with our other buyer.”

He closes his eyes. “As for the Asagiri-kai, we have no preference in our clients.”

Taicho’s keen eyes were discerning everything. “Does anyone have a remote control for the radio in this room?”

You want to find an excuse for why that just happened. Trust me. You can try a 'Bluff', or some other relevant skill check.
Taicho (the one wearing the Priceless Kimono, who is in charge of the girls) will oppose it.

Aside from that, there are lots of other options. This is a Choose your Own adventure, so be creative. IF your characters want to undertake a specific course of action, do it.

I will provide the details, not what is necessary for you to do something.

[industrious]

Relying on many years of experience with etiquette, Milverton smoothly covers for Arik's faux pas. While his experience is with more Western traditions, some rules did seem to crop up universally.

"Apologies for the insult; I assure you that none was intended by any here. We are all reasonable people, after all."


Diplomacy:[roll0]

[Miyako]

Diplomacy successful!
Old attitude, Unfriendly; new attitude is Indifferent. Silver-hair nods quietly, most of his menace turning into a more subtle disquiet. He looks on Milverton with approval, and seems to direct his attention on the Scientist instead of Arik.

“You are only Gaijin, after all.” He says that like you should be honoured to be in the presence of a Japanese person. He has deigned to risk his reputation by speaking with you. The others wait quietly.

The girls continue being innocuous. Taicho, their soft-spoken leader, watches each of you intently. She seems to think better of her idea, and dismisses you; knowing what to expect and clearly not disappointed. Everyone seems to have dismissed the radio as a freak case of Yurei possession.

The Yakuza leader speaks directly to Matthew Milverton. “We are all very tired, just give our group the fingers and we can conclude this meeting.”

ArikYou’ll have to be more careful about that…

You might:

Examine the Girls with Search or Spot checks
Examine the Yakuza with Search or Spot checks
Use Sense Motive/Bluff/Diplomacy to get more info out of everyone
Pour everyone a Drink
Admire the artwork to make it look like you're stalling, roll Knowledge checks to see if you can impress everyone to more favorable attitudes.

Be creative. I will work hard too. Act like you know what's going on, and you soon will. That's the point of the trick -- to throw you into a situation you weren't prepared for. Share your information with eachother.

Ruin the whole negotiation if you want, by blabbing your mouth off. Or stick with it so you can find out what the deal is with this Ominous Suitcase!

Hint:

If you want, accidentally do a Strength check, upend the table, and slide the briefcase into your hands. IF you feel bad about dealing with Yakuza.

What does he mean by fingers? Aren't you curious?

[Jesse Drake]

Arik Shadows-

Arik's a bit embarrassed with the whole situation. Major cultural differences here- back home, that'd have been seen as an act of power-

All that aside, he still takes time to search those he was around. The silver haired man and Chrysanthemum.

Sorry for the delay, I was trying to think of what to do in the situation.

[roll0] Search, Silver, [roll1] Search, Hostess, and for the hell of it, Spot [roll2]

[Miyako]

“We are finished now.” The sound of falling snow. “Our interest in this has waned.”
Taicho had a unique way of talking. She never tried to influence others. She never spoke above a level tone. There might have been a crowd speaking in a thousand different demanding voices, imploring what should not be ignored. Her voice was always the only one that mattered.
Few could match her talent.

Like a rolling mist, the ladies were settling around you in just such a way that it got on your nerves. There was nothing overt. Maybe it was just a negotiation strategy. They were just about draping themselves all over you. Nihon did not have a touched-based culture, as you had already seen.

Taicho, in her Kimono, was looking like the Queen of Tengu.

Yeah. She looked like the perfect innocence. And you know what?

No way in hell was someone like her completely innocent. Ever.You can try for a Sense Motive if you want. In fact, you probably should. Or you can try for something else, if you know what Miyako is getting at.

Please Note: Still here! Apologies for taking so long. After noting how everyone was responding to this, Miyako came up with this and made a different approach.The Yakuza were waiting quietly, Silver-hair smiled a little.

“Keep your dog under control, sensei.” He smirked at Milverton.Try a sense motive for him, too. Or try something else.

Arik could not search those who leave the room (Hostess walked out). His checks are otherwise not revealing anything else he does not already know.