20+ Questions for GM's

It is all well and good that the players answer 20 questions about their characters. But what about the GM? Inspired by Dandy in the Underworld and the work he did on his Galbaruc campaign, Mr. Black copied/created a similar set of questions for his Shadowrun campaign. These are intended to help players new to Shadowrun adjust to the milieu, and to help old hands grasp changes and what is different. Below you can find the questions and their answers. Mr. Black challenges you to answer a set of questions for your players...  

1. Who are our characters? Your characters are “entry-level” Shadowrunners. Your character has been doing street-level work, gaining experience and a modest rep. He or she has now come to the attention of Big Mack, a Fixer of some renown.
2. What is a Fixer? A “Fixer” is a broker for those in the Shadows. He or She finds you work, and can find almost anything else you need in the Shadows, for a price. For jobs, your employer (traditionally called “Mr. Johnson”, regardless of sex or race) pays the Fixers cut. Your character will pay the cut for anything else you need.
3. What will our characters be doing? The job of Shadowrunners! A Shadowrunner is an independent, free-lance mercenary who generally does acts of Corporate Espionage for both the Major Corporations, and for smaller but still powerful organizations. Your Fixer will set your characters up with Mr. Johnson’s who have jobs. You and the other players will have to figure out how to do that job (i.e., Come Up With A Plan), taking into account everything you can find out about your targets and principals (AKA Legwork), yourselves. Think about every caper film or TV show you have ever seen. Occasionally you will take jobs that pay little-to-nothing but help out the downtrodden. Other times you will do jobs that pay little-to-nothing but give your character the piece of mind that only bloody revenge always gives.
4. Corporate Espionage? That sounds boring. If this was 2014 mundane corporate espionage, I might agree. But in magical 2075, major Corporations (and that capital “C” is intended) have the power and reach of first-world nations of 2014. These Corporations do not wish to go to War (again with the capital letters) and thus a Cold War of sorts is ongoing. Really a Shadow War. Those employers are looking for acts as hard and violent as any that took place in Russo-American Cold War of the last century. Kidnappings, acts of destruction, theft of information and assets, assassinations and are all jobs Shadowrunners are hired for.
5. Where on Earth is the campaign taking place? The campaign takes place in Seattle, the Berlin/Lisbon of 2075. (That is to say, the urban espionage capital!) The only part of the United Canadian American States that touches the West Coast (and does business on the Pacific Ocean), Seattle is surrounded on all sides by enemy nations, and inhabited by every major player/power in the changed world. Seattle offers divers employment opportunities unavailable elsewhere. The levels of espionage and conspiracy in Seattle are truly Byzantine.
6. What are the important parts of Seattle? All of the districts in Seattle are important. However, 5 parts stand out. Downtown Seattle is a glimmering beast, home to almost all of the Big Ten, including the Renraku Arcology and Aztechnology’s Pyramid. Bellevue is home to the rich, where a studio apartment will set your back $10,000 a month. Redmond Barrens and Puyallup both live up to their reputations. Not even Knight Errant has made a dent in Redmond, and gangs and ghoul rule the roost there. And Puyallup is not much better, full of pollution, radiation and volcanic ash falls. Lastly is Snohomish, which is really farm country. Yes, Seattle has dairy farms. Seattle also has a huge port facility, the largest on the West Coast, and a major military base, Fort Lewis.
7. Where does my character live? That depends on your lifestyle. Living a Luxury lifestyle? Then probably in Downtown or Bellevue. Both of those also accommodate High, though that is a bit gauche for Bellevue. Everett also has a lot of High rollers, but Middle too. Tacoma, Renton, Auburn and Snohomish are all solid Middle lifestyle districts, with some Low areas. Puyallup is pretty much all Low, and Redmond is (in)famously a Z-Zone.
8. Who are the major players in Seattle? First there is the Big Ten, the most powerful Mega-Corporations. Each has a presence in Seattle, but none like Renraku and its Arcology or Aztechnology and its pyramid. Next is the Government; City, District, and National. That includes the Army down at Fort Lewis and the Navy up in Everett. After that are probably the criminal syndicates. The Mafia, Yakuza, Triads, Vory, Seuolpa Rings, and Koshari all vie for power alongside the Ancients and Halloweeners go-gangs.
9. What Religions are there? Can my character be a priest/cleric? Firstly, your character totally could be a priest or cleric. But there is no divine magick in Shadowrun. So unless you take a religious organization as a Contact/Dependant, it won’t mean much. As for religions, all of the major faith groups of the mundane now are still active in 2075, though most have taken a kicking because of the return of Magick. It is hard to stay faithful when your church believes you are going to Hell because you were born with the ability to handle Magick, or born an orc or troll. There are many, many more religions in 2075. Pick one, or not. Or go a little crazy and create your own. Just don’t expect any parishioners.
10. Where do we go to buy things? Well, just as today, you could visit stores, malls or the Renraku Arcology for most everyday things. For other items, your Fixer can get you most things or put you in touch with someone who can get what you need. You character can also have “Contacts”. These are non-player characters that are known to your character and can get him/her items and/or information.
11. Who is the most powerful Mage/Shaman in Seattle? This is a matter of some conjecture and debate. The Master of the Yellow Lotus Triad (the Chinese Mafia) is rumored to be a warlock of intense power and darkness. Both the Shiawase and Wuxing Corporations are known to have advanced Magi in their employ. The University of Washington is on the forefront of magical research, and many Magi are among their faculty. And the Angel of Seattle is certainly an extremely powerful mage. On the Adept front, the Triads again have many, many powerful Adepts. And the Shadowrunner known as Lobo Verde has been making a name for himself. However, many would go with Tyonicus “Thunder” Jackson, power center of Seattle’s own Sonic Booms Full Contact Basketball League. His electrifying and fully electric dunks have changed the FCBL forever.
12. Who is the most powerful Street Samurai in Seattle? This is also a matter of some conjecture and debate. However, most consider the legendary Mr. Black has the lead for this title. He is rumored to have run the Shadows of Seattle for over 20 years. His infamous execution of General Saito, ex-dictator of San Francisco, is one of the highest streamed sim ever on MeTube™. It is said he has killed dragons, brought down Corporations, influenced elections, altered crime families, that he has never missed a shot, and is the only true living Master of Mono-Manriki-Jutsu. Crazier stories say he assassinated Dunkelzahn and destroyed the Tir Council of Princes. Who knows? What everyone knows is that you don’t want him hunting you, and if it has gone bad, dealing with dragons bad, you want him backing you up. That is, of course, assuming you believe he exists/is still alive.
13. Who is the Drek-Hottest Decker in Seattle? Assuming we are excluding AI’s, the Decker MeTube Meme may be the best. Leader of the Honey Badgers, he has been tearing up Seattle’s Grid. Those of a sentimental mind might go with Bull, an Ork Decker who was a contemporary of Mr. Black. Others look towards Charles Boufante, a young Decker rumored to live in the basement of Elliot Bay Book Company, living off of bags of McHugh’s™ Cheez-a-lots™ donated by older, less-talented hackers. His icon is a cartoonish nerdy looking kid with huge glasses. Too many Matrix security professionals spend their times removing his Cheez-a-lots™ wrapper Marks off their nodes.
14. Who is the best Shadowrunners in Seattle? Again, a lot of conjecture and debate. But ShadowSEA helps to pin things down. Some will say the Redmounts. They recently extradited a scientist from a Mitsuhama Zero-Zone, without any team casualties. Others go with the Honey Badgers, a drek-hot group led by the Decker MeTube Meme. The newer team Nuyen Hot, led by Lobo Verde himself has many thinking he may lead it to the top. But most say the Devil Rats, an old school runner crew hiding out in the Barrens are Seattle’s top Team.
15. Who is the richest being in Seattle? Some might say it is Kenneth Brackhaven, ex-Mayor of Seattle and arch-racist. Others believe it is Sean Telestrian, the local head of Telestrian Industries and scion of the wealthy Telestrian family of Tir Tairngire. But the smart money is on the AI Glittergulch. He (She? It?) made its play during Crash 2.0 and has never looked back.
16. Where can I get healed? Well, 2075 Seattle has hospitals, so you could go there. But you would need money upfront or good insurance, and a good SIN, fake or otherwise. A Doc Wagon™ or Crash Cart™ (among others) contract rated Gold or higher would suffice. Otherwise a good street doc is needed. There are many small 24-hour clinics to choose from. For magical healing you would need a Platinum-rated Doc Wagon contract. Or one could visit the Bear Doctor Society on Council Island, on NAN land.
17. Where can I find experts/information? Your Fixer is your first stop. Otherwise try asking appropriate Contacts. But just as in our Fifth World, your Contacts can lead you to masters of esoteric subjects. Or just Google it.
18. Where can I hire mercenaries? There are many professional mercenary companies one could hire, such as HardLine, MET2000, Tsunami, 10,000 Daggers or Black Star. If you are looking for just a couple of guys for back up, try your Fixer. He could certainly rustle up some muscle.
19. Are there places where weapons are prohibited? What about magic? Anything else about Johan Law I should know about? Most businesses and government buildings prohibit weapons. Many will allow a light pistol, but most will turn you away if you are packing anything bigger. Egress into such buildings comes with metal detectors and chem-sniffers. A bulletproof Plexiglas box will lock you in while the guards check you for weapons/explosives (including ammo)/unauthorized cyberware. Magic requires a legal permit, and is thus prohibited everywhere without the proper paperwork. The Renraku Arcology Shopping Plaza restricts ALL weapons, and therefore is very popular with parents. It is also popular with Mr. Johnson’s for the same reason. On the streets, light handguns and some level of body armor are expected, as Seattle can be a rough town. But carrying heavier weapons will get you cop attention, even if you have (fake) permits. And do you want to test the limits of your fake SIN over an assault rifle?
20. What monsters are terrorizing Seattle that I would become renowned for slaying? Toxic and Insect spirit killing is always a path to fame. And if one claimed enough ghoul bounties or devil rat pelts, I am sure some sort of fame/infamy would be warranted. However, it is people that are the most lucrative target in the Sixth World. It is well known that Shiawase has a multi-million nuyen bounty on Mr. Black. Many corporations and less savory organizations want a piece of Chucky Boufante and are willing to pay for it. The trideo hounds would pay major nuyen for hard data on the Angel of Seattle. One could always go low rent and troll Knight Errant’s Bounty Boards™. Or you could go through Dunkelzahn’s Will. Word is that the Room 1835 has not been claimed, among others.
21. Are there any wars I could go fight? There is a semi-Hot War in Bogotá between Aztlan and Amazonia. And the international military testing ground called Desert Wars is always looking for recruits. But neither of these is local. Around Seattle, the OCO’s (organized crime organizations) are pushing for war. To the East and North of Seattle the NAN nations have an uneasy peace going.
22. Are there any secret societies with sinister objectives I could join? The very nature of such organizations means your character would be aware of them only once their actions affect the character directly. If you survive such an encounter, you could try joining them. That is if they haven’t forced you into subservience through dark ritual pacts, hoodoo-VITAS infection, blood sample storage, or vampiric pawn induction.
23. Are there any dragons or super-monsters nearby? The closest Dragon would be Hestaby, Queen of Shasta Mountain. That is in southern Tir Tairngire, far from Seattle. Or maybe the Sea Dragon, if she is visiting. If you are looking to hit their lairs for the score of a lifetime, you better bring an army. Like the entire UCAS military, plus Aztlan’s, and maybe a few more. Good luck with that, chummer.
24. Is there any special guild or society my Magus character could join to learn more magic/initiate? The fore-mentioned Bear Doctor Society and the Hermetic Order of the Auric Aurora have semi-open enrollments. Assuming your want your name and address on their rolls of course. But you could wine and dine your Talismonger contact, and she might come up with something.