Relationship issues in Shadowrun, new problems in the year 2070 Options

[kanislatrans]

my girlfriend surged, what do I do now? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/grinbig.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/grinbig.gif)

So this got me thinking, what other relationship issues would arise in an Awakened world ? I'm not talking sexual stuff, just the regular emotional, fiscal, day to day kind of stuff? I mean, there is alot of different relationship conflicts, from the over worked wageslaves , barely surviving barren rats to the problems of dating a shadowrunner.

Anyone want to take a shot at this?

[Fortune]

So, this is not a thread about having sex with Dikoted Ares Silvergun Ally Spirits? Bummer! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/frown.gif)

[hyzmarca]

I'm wondering if I can get one of these in kevlar with Class IV ceramic inserts. For when you can't find a babysitter in time for the run, or you're caught in an unexpected firefight. It keeps your baby secure when you jump between rooftops and protects your infant from armor-piercing bullets.

[Cang]

I see Shadowrun to be somewhat like Transmetropolitan where there is so much tech and so advanced that people who can afford to enjoy it get bored and disillusioned with the conventional relationships and lifestyles. Also, the folks that can't afford to live in the luxuries of the day are have strained relationships with the world and each other because the pressures of staying alive and the gap between them and the haves.

[apollo124]

Just imagine, the question "Bill, have you been sleeping with anyone other than me?" has almost no meaning anymore.

"Bill, have you been sleeping with anyone in real life, over the Matrix, chipping a sex sim, having sex in the astral plane, or visiting a bunraku parlor?"

"And just what kind of person have you been sleeping with? Male, female, both, neither, transgender in RL, transgender over the Matrix, non-metahuman?"

Imagine what kind of embarrassing charges could appear on the cred statement at the end of the month, or what would cause a sudden decrease in security rating for the family or "Is that Jack on 'Security Footage Bloopers"?

[Tyro]

I see the way Shadowrun culture has advanced (not corp culture, but the real people who don't live in arcologies or in Bellevue) as making "fringe" culture as we see it today more mainstream. When you can have sex with a troll, or with a spirit - make your dildo come to life! - things like polyamory and basic BDSM (both which I'm involved in, so I have some authority to speak on the matter) would become less and less of a big deal. You can see this trend today; taken to its logical conclusion, the 2070's should be even wilder than they're portrayed as, barring major cultural backlash.

[Sir_Psycho]

On one hand, I agree with Tryo. I think that some taboos will become mundane in the eyes of some, likely dictated by corporate controlled media. On the other hand, I see the sixth world as a fearful place, racked with mass hysteria stemming from the disasters and death tolls that the comet and the second matrix crash brought. This is why humanis is such a strong organization, it preys on and manipulates mainstream societal fears.

The sixth world's mainstream culture is dictated by corporate interest. I assume that by 2070 business interests will have realised that superfluous things like sexual orientation and preferences have negligible impact on the military-industrial complex. Two gay dads can still contribute to the workforce and consumer culture just as well as the traditional heterosexual nuclear family. It doesn't affect the bottom line how you like your bread buttered, what team you play for, or where you like to wet your whistle, as long as you still hire a corporate contracter to build that white picket fence, as long as your Aztechnology owned consumer goods are bought regularly from your local stuffer shack, that you choose NEOnet as your MSP, and that the shotgun and box of shells were purchased from a licensed Weapons World subsidiary.

[Rasumichin]

I could imagine that it's problematic in some arcologies to date somebody who does not work for the same corporation.
Corporate Enclaves suggests that at least some corps systematically arrange relationships for their employees.

Of course, the sixth world offers some positive developments as well.
The matrix and astral projection certainly take a lot of strain out of long-distance relationships.

[Ancient History]

Man, this reminds me of the Ask Ancient History thread. I swear to Ghost I had to write that "But they look metahuman" section in Runner's Companion because people have been watching too much Underworld and reading too much Laurel K. Hamilton.

[Rotbart van Dain...]

Just imagine, the question "Bill, have you been sleeping with anyone other than me?" has almost no meaning anymore.

"Bill, have you been sleeping with anyone in real life, over the Matrix, chipping a sex sim, having sex in the astral plane, or visiting a bunraku parlor?"

There has been a divorce over a Second Life affair recently.

[Ancient History]

Be fair, she was two-timing him with World of WarCrack.

[Wesley Street]

In the world of Shadowrun I imagine that the concept of the nuclear family is for the rare breed of traditionalist or the mid-level corp worker. The Awakened and Wired worlds provide new avenues to cheat on significant others ("What do you mean you've been sleeping with the spirit of my dead sister on the Astral Plane?!?") but I don't see infidelity rising. Traditionally marriages have either been patriarchal and contractual ("I'll give you five goats if you take my daughter off my hands") or patriarchal and faith based, like the Christian sacrament of marriage. Gender doesn't play as much of a role in the Sixth World in defining your place in life as it did for our grandparents. And Western religion is competing on equal footing with older Eastern faiths as well as the New and "Cyber" Age belief systems.

Your average "have" in the Sixth World is going to be a megaconsumer and his wants and desires are going to be shaped by the corporate controlled media. Whatever is hip according to Horizon, be it polygamy or getting yourself cloned ("Who needs a man anymore?"), is going to ripple through the culture. The "have nots" living in a Barrens type situation are outside the media influence but have a different set of problems. I'd think a strained relationship with one's babydaddy would be a low-priority issue when clean water is scarce.

[Platinum Dragon]

There has been a divorce over a Second Life affair recently.

The future is now!

[nylanfs]

The future is now!

Actually I remember reading about a divorce case about a year (or was it two) after Everquest came out that the two parties could decide on how to divide everything except the characters and items in the EQ account. If I remember right it went all the way to the judge to decide.

[Tyro]

Man, this reminds me of the Ask Ancient History thread. I swear to Ghost I had to write that "But they look metahuman" section in Runner's Companion because people have been watching too much Underworld and reading too much Laurel K. Hamilton.

Laurell K isn't so bad, but as much as I love Buffy, it annoys me to no end how human they made their vampires.

[Jaid]

i would say probably the biggest challenge would have to be that you can rather easily purchase a cheap (boy/girl)friend that is exactly how you want them to be. just get a virtual personality program on an agent (or pilot if you want to buy a drone), and you get exactly what you want in a relationship. you can tell them to go away when you don't want to talk without repercussions. they always want sex when you want sex (and will always enjoy it exactly as much as you want them to), they always agree with you, are always supportive, etc. if it's a virtual one, you can literally make it appear/disappear whenever you want, take on whatever form you feel like (within the limitations of your library of objects/forms... but then, it's probably way cheaper to get a huge library than it is to pay the costs of keeping a steady relationship going, particularly when you consider that pirated and free versions are likely available and probably not even very hard to find.) even a drone could have some basic shape alteration capacity (just use holoprojectors).

(note: just because no drone listed in the core book or arsenal is described as looking human, doesn't mean they aren't common, or cheap. several of the drones in arsenal could be reflavoured to fit the description, and shouldn't be terribly expensive either... the orderly, otomo, manservant, and falcon are all drones that could easily fit the mold, with the cheapest starting at 7k (IMG:style_emoticons/default/nuyen.gif) after modifications. honestly, i would assume these things are more-or-less mass produced, anyways, and reduce the price/availability accordingly if i was GM, but that's just me).

if porn is destroying relationships now by creating unrealistic expectations, i can only imagine the problem is hundreds of times worse in shadowrun 2070.

[Sir_Psycho]

Gynoids!

It's like skynet, but with a vagina.

[Hagga]

Man, this reminds me of the Ask Ancient History thread. I swear to Ghost I had to write that "But they look metahuman" section in Runner's Companion because people have been watching too much Underworld and reading too much Laurel K. Hamilton.

So you're the filthy bastard responsible for it.

It haunts my nightmares.

[Immortal Elf]

On a related note, I have looked through Augmentation on this little matter. The only thing I can find on contraception is a statement in the fluff that states to the effect of both boys and girls can now easily control their reproductive cycle with certain bits of cyber. These certain bits of cyber aren't listed in any of the sections that I can find. While an in game mechanic for them really isn't necessary, I as a GM have players asking how much it costs and as a player find myself asking the same. Is there something I'm missing?

[Naptown Wendigo]

Contraception in 2070 is most likely very cheap and very long lasting. I'm sure the megas have come up with a slow release enzyme that renders you unable to produce children for months on end or longer. I would consider it as part of your lifestyle costs unless you're at squatter. Even then it's still probably something you can pick up almost anywhere for a handful of nuyen.

[hyzmarca]

Gynoids!

It's like skynet, but with a vagina.

What we need is a Folger's Crystals style commercial. " We secretly replaced this mid-level corporate manager's Folger's Sexbot with the leading infiltration and assasination unit. Lets see if he notices."

-secretly recorded makeout session quickly degenerates into an incredibly gory bare-handed execution_

"Folger's Sexbots, guaranteed not to kill you. If you don't see the official Folger's brand seal, you're taking you life into your own hands."


Personally, I don't think that relationships will be very different. There will be more variation, sure, but the classics are classic for a reason.

[Arz]

On a related note, I have looked through Augmentation on this little matter. The only thing I can find on contraception is a statement in the fluff that states to the effect of both boys and girls can now easily control their reproductive cycle with certain bits of cyber. These certain bits of cyber aren't listed in any of the sections that I can find. While an in game mechanic for them really isn't necessary, I as a GM have players asking how much it costs and as a player find myself asking the same. Is there something I'm missing?

Spawns an interesting run idea. Transgender abuse group hires runners to locate hacker who is tampering with their reproductive cyber and making them fertile. DNA tracking isn't working because they seem to be using sperm/egg banks, of celebrities, for impregnation.

Bad run title = "Olson Twins Syndrome"

[Platinum Dragon]

i would say probably the biggest challenge would have to be that you can rather easily purchase a cheap (boy/girl)friend that is exactly how you want them to be. just get a virtual personality program on an agent (or pilot if you want to buy a drone), and you get exactly what you want in a relationship. you can tell them to go away when you don't want to talk without repercussions. they always want sex when you want sex (and will always enjoy it exactly as much as you want them to), they always agree with you, are always supportive, etc. if it's a virtual one, you can literally make it appear/disappear whenever you want, take on whatever form you feel like (within the limitations of your library of objects/forms... but then, it's probably way cheaper to get a huge library than it is to pay the costs of keeping a steady relationship going, particularly when you consider that pirated and free versions are likely available and probably not even very hard to find.) even a drone could have some basic shape alteration capacity (just use holoprojectors).

(note: just because no drone listed in the core book or arsenal is described as looking human, doesn't mean they aren't common, or cheap. several of the drones in arsenal could be reflavoured to fit the description, and shouldn't be terribly expensive either... the orderly, otomo, manservant, and falcon are all drones that could easily fit the mold, with the cheapest starting at 7k (IMG:style_emoticons/default/nuyen.gif) after modifications. honestly, i would assume these things are more-or-less mass produced, anyways, and reduce the price/availability accordingly if i was GM, but that's just me).

if porn is destroying relationships now by creating unrealistic expectations, i can only imagine the problem is hundreds of times worse in shadowrun 2070.

People have always had unrealistic expectations, pron is mostly just a scapegoat. I'm sure there will be people who will by drones as companions in SR, but I'm equally certain that most people will prefer the real thing. Relationships are exciting and interesting because neither party is perfect, because you can be surprised by your significant other. I imagine a lot of people will still be chasing that, no matter how far technology advances.

On a different note, will BTL sex sims and etc. be considered socially acceptable for people in a relationship? I'd imagine it would differ from person to person.

[Chrysalis]

From the relationshipadvice.com of 2070:

"My dad went through improve yourself surgery course and now looks like an eighteen year old cheerleader and is now not only stealing my clothes, but stealing my boyfriend. What do I do?"

"I suspect my husband is using some kind of cyberware on me. I used to know his secretary's name and face and now I can barely remember he has a secretary. Help?!"

"My younger brother recently discovered VR porn and now can't seem to stop masturbating. One day I looked in at his collection and he had put me in as his fantasy... I keep on watching the VR over and over - am I falling in love with my brother?"

"My wife gave birth to orc twins. She claims it must have been a SURGE, but I suspect that she has been two-timing me with the body building orc neighbor. How can I know for sure?"

[thepatriot]

Man, this reminds me of the Ask Ancient History thread. I swear to Ghost I had to write that "But they look metahuman" section in Runner's Companion because people have been watching too much Underworld and reading too much Laurel K. Hamilton.

OMG! AH! Heyas pal (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) thought all the old timers bit the big one.

I have been pondering this subject in my vignettes and shorts for a very long time. My most basic conclusion is that the rate of tolerance has been increasing exponentially since Martin Luther stirred up so much trouble back in c.1580. Now push the envelope from Betty Boop and Betty Page to the Mamas and the Papas, Marilyn Monroe, skin tights and legwarmers, Queer Eye for the Straight Guy, and etc... on up another sixty years. It's not hard to imagine that what we now consider to be "porn" will undoubtedly become commonplace. Sure, XXX porn may remain "underground", but it will not be immoral to people who's GRANDPARENTS may have been actors or actresses in such media.

In point of fact, the pendulum could swing either way, depending on the individual. Sex may not have been 'mainstream' during the Victorian era, but you can damn well be sure it was in earlier times... and remember that people kept having babies, even under Victoria's watchful eye. What makes this different is the media in which such things are transmitted. Instead of verbal tradition, we are dealing with things like the Matrix and Simsense.

The opinions and morals of a society in such flux may depend entirely on the hour in which one wishes to live. A high profile case of drunken rape against Mariah Mercurial might touch off a new Amendment... or get blown off the target by a larger caliber from another direction. The scream sheets and newsfax's could change opinions in a matter of moments or days.

Morals, on the other hand, will always be dictated by personality. A character's morality could be based entirely on religion or experience... or a combination of the two and many more sources. This is where back story becomes important. It's not so much a question of whether your cyberginzujuju CAN waste the rental cop, but whether you WILL use your cyberginzujuju against the rental cop.

Between the Resonance and other "child" phenomena, is there anything left of "innocence"?

Besides all this, since the product of an Elf-Troll union would not necessarily produce either Metatype, the taboo would have to be in the act, not the result. Taboos exist now and in the past based mostly on results (ie: Homosexuals produce no offspring, incest produces inviable offspring, addiction reduces productivity, etc...). What's to say there are any taboos at all in the Awakened world?

My games generally explore this concept in depth. The players may find themselves meeting Johnson in a nudist or body paint club... or going on a run to cover up an infraction against Corporate morals.

There really aren't "sides" here... I'd bet that anyone in the Awakened world will be able to find a guru to guide them to the limits of their choice.