Reactionaries and Resistance in the Sea of Stars (A to Z, R)

While some oppose the dragonrule, others have become quite comfortable in its embrace, many families have had their status enhanced and their positions solidified by their closeness to the ruling dragons and draconic houses.  These families tend to be the most visibly and vocally supportive of dragonrule, often more so even than the dragons themselves.

These families, usually already of long lineage before the dragons came, fully support the new new status quo and their place in it and will reflexively oppose any attempt to change things.  These people do not like change, change is likely to erode their position and status in the world, weaken their power, steal their birthright.  They will act to quash change and challenges to the existing order, preferably before word of such reaches their draconic patron and weakens their position in the eyes of their master.

These reactionary elements have considerable resources and employ secret police, spies, informants and infiltrators in their never ending quest to keep things just the way they are.  It is a difficult task as events, internal and external, especially natural disasters and wars, can throw society out of balance in an instant, which makes restoring the status quo even more difficult and costly.  Which, of course, only encourages the reactionary families to overreact to any potential threat.

It is dangerous to stand out in lands where these reactionary families hold power, as the saying goes, “The nail that stick up, gets hammered down.”

Notes: These are the other side of the coin to the rebels and revolutionaries that haunt the Sea of Stars.

Image Execution of traitors from BL Royal 20 C VII, f. 140. The British Library.  Public Domain Mark.

Campaign Stat Block – Star Signs (Shadowrun)

Inspired by the Planejammer Chronicles‘ Campaign Stat Block for framing a campaign, I made my own (comments welcome).  I have not done one of these for a while I thought I would adapt it for my upcoming Shadowrun sub-campaign.

Shadowrun – Star Signs

A group of runners new to the Seattle shadows have been brought together by the fixer, Star, to help them gather pieces of a puzzle involving the megacorps.  They will help you find your place in the shadows in exchange for help with their goal.

Setting: This will be set in the Shadowrun version of Seattle, starting in 2074.
•    Continuity: Episodic with arcs.
•    Rating: PG in general, some unpleasant situation may be touched upon but will not be the focus of the campaign.
•    Style: Adventure, investigation and crime with occasion social situations.
•    Tone: Action-adventure.

Rules: Shadowrun 5.

Characters: All Core metatypes, magic traditions and upgrades are available, if you want something from outside of core, let us talk first.  A zodiac/astrology theme is suggested for street names but not required.
•    Character History: A paragraph or two about who your character is and where they are from.  Characters will have worked together, at least a run or two, before the first game so I would like some PbtA style ties between all the characters.
•    Starting Power Level: Street Level, if you want to play a decker, rigger or street samurai, we will work out some extra equipment or ware for you.

Where do we Play?: Tyche’s Games, Thursday, 6-9ish PM.
•    Down Times: Players are welcome to have their character undertake tasks between games, communication via written note or email for such so it does not slow down our limited face to face gaming time.
•    Social Contract: Usual for our group.

Notes: Photo “Happy New Year from Seattle, Washington’s Space Needle, USA – pink and white” by Wonderlane is licensed under CC by 2.0.