London A to Z, From Cheapside to Whitechapel, what ought I know to run in London? Options

[WhiskeyJohnny]

Where can I find info about London, Great Britain, and the Shadows thereof? I'm joining a game based in London in a couple of weeks, and I know basically nothing about London in the Sixth World. So are there any books I should be reading (splats or novels) or websites I should be checking out before play begins?

Do they still not have guns in England? What's the government like - is Parliament still around, or the monarchy? How are England's relations with the rest of the world?

Thanks for the help, chummers!

[nezumi]

London Sourcebook and Shadows of Europe.

[Rasumichin]

Do they still not have guns in England? What's the government like - is Parliament still around, or the monarchy? How are England's relations with the rest of the world?

Gun laws are pretty strict and the same applies to magic, cyberware and technomancy.
The UK poses as a constitutional monarchy that's currently headed by Queen Caroline and governed by the Green Party that has close ties to the influential druidic movement, but the most important political power is actually the Lord Protector, who has turned the place into a de facto police state.
This will likely make running a good deal harder than in the UCAS.
The UK has always been a particularly gritty, bleak place in the 6th world (irradiated toxic wastelands everywhere, infected trolls that look like the elephant man down in the sewers, 38% of the population below the poverty line and so on).
Prepare for a mix of V for Vendetta and Snatch.

[Synner667]

Gun laws are pretty strict and the same applies to magic, cyberware and technomancy.
The UK poses as a constitutional monarchy that's currently headed by Queen Caroline and governed by the Green Party that has close ties to the influential druidic movement, but the most important political power is actually the Lord Protector, who has turned the place into a de facto police state.
This will likely make running a good deal harder than in the UCAS.
The UK has always been a particularly gritty, bleak place in the 6th world (irradiated toxic wastelands everywhere, infected trolls that look like the elephant man down in the sewers, 38% of the population below the poverty line and so on).
Prepare for a mix of V for Vendetta and Snatch.

You mean a proper dystopian cyberpunk setting...

[Rasumichin]

You mean a proper dystopian cyberpunk setting...

Well, yes, to an extend. My personal definition of dystopia is a bit stricter than that, but it's a damn proper cyberpunk setting for sure.

[WhiskeyJohnny]

Gun laws are pretty strict and the same applies to magic, cyberware and technomancy.
The UK poses as a constitutional monarchy that's currently headed by Queen Caroline and governed by the Green Party that has close ties to the influential druidic movement, but the most important political power is actually the Lord Protector, who has turned the place into a de facto police state.
This will likely make running a good deal harder than in the UCAS.
The UK has always been a particularly gritty, bleak place in the 6th world (irradiated toxic wastelands everywhere, infected trolls that look like the elephant man down in the sewers, 38% of the population below the poverty line and so on).
Prepare for a mix of V for Vendetta and Snatch.

Well, good thing one of the inspirations for this game is Snatch. What happened to cause the irradiated toxic wastelands?

[Stahlseele]

Nuclear Power-Plant(s) going boom, the North Sea falling over . .

[WhiskeyJohnny]

Nuclear Power-Plant(s) going boom, the North Sea falling over . .

See, the first thing I get, but the North Sea falling over?! What's the story there?

[hermit]

It's got a healthy dash of Split Second, too, what with parts of England underwater. Less than Rough Guide, though, which actually features Harley Stone as an NPC.

Is it true CGL has chosen to defile the setting in Spy Games?

[WhiskeyJohnny]

It's got a healthy dash of Split Second, too, what with parts of England underwater. Less than Rough Guide, though, which actually features Harley Stone as an NPC.

Is it true CGL has chosen to defile the setting in Spy Games?

I don't even know what most of that means.

[Rasumichin]

See, the first thing I get, but the North Sea falling over?! What's the story there?

Probably refers to the floods that happened shortly before the awakening and rearranged large parts of the coastlines of Germany, the Netherlands and the UK.
Given that terrorists caused massive toxic spills shortly before that, the flooded areas ended up being covered in poisonous sludge that's still mostly there in the 2070s.
I'm not even sure whether the Brits tried to remove it in the first place, it seems they have just given up their toxic zones completely.

Falling over could also be Stahlseele's literal translation of the German term "umkippen", which is a colloquial expression for the total ecological collapse of bodies of water. If there's a thick layer of dead fish floating on the surface and nothing living underneath anymore, the lake/river/sea is "umgekippt".
We had plenty of stuff like that in the 1970s and early 1980s and large parts of SR's depiction of Europe harken back to ecological apocalypse scenarios from that time. Everything surrounding the North Sea is basically a combination of several worst case scenarios that where brought up by the rising environmentalist movement in that era, with magic thrown into the mix for good measure.

Combine this with the astoundingly high failure rate of nuclear reactors in SR (where the UK suffers the most, with no less than 4 meltdowns occuring on their territory) and you get zones that are only inhabitable by a plethora of toxic antagonists, a few desperate squatters and some criminals trying to hide from the law in these hellholes.

[WhiskeyJohnny]

Probably refers to the floods that happened shortly before the awakening and rearranged large parts of the coastlines of Germany, the Netherlands and the UK.
Given that terrorists caused massive toxic spills shortly before that, the flooded areas ended up being covered in poisonous sludge that's still mostly there in the 2070s.
I'm not even sure whether the Brits tried to remove it in the first place, it seems they have just given up their toxic zones completely.

Hmm, I'll see if I can find a map - sounds pretty awful (or like The Clash were right - "A Nuclear Error/But I have no fear/'Cause London is drowning and I/Live by the River" and all that).

Falling over could also be Stahlseele's literal translation of the German term "umkippen", which is a colloquial expression for the total ecological collapse of bodies of water. If there's a thick layer of dead fish floating on the surface and nothing living underneath anymore, the lake/river/sea is "umgekippt".

You know, this is the great thing about the internet - so much knowledge at one's fingertips.

We had plenty of stuff like that in the 1970s and early 1980s and large parts of SR's depiction of Europe harken back to ecological apocalypse scenarios from that time. Everything surrounding the North Sea is basically a combination of several worst case scenarios that where brought up by the rising environmentalist movement in that era, with magic thrown into the mix for good measure.

Combine this with the astoundingly high failure rate of nuclear reactors in SR (where the UK suffers the most, with no less than 4 meltdowns occuring on their territory) and you get zones that are only inhabitable by a plethora of toxic antagonists, a few desperate squatters and some criminals trying to hide from the law in these hellholes.

Hmmm, well, V for Vendetta crossed with Snatch indeed. And it sounds a bit like Fallout, don't you think?

[Tiralee]

"...I don't want to set the world on fire..."

Although some people yes, without a second's hesitation.

Running England is VERY low-key.
Lots of sneaking/bluffing, magic can be quite difficult (unless they've Initatiated and have masking out the yinyang) and forget grabbing an assualt cannon and going commando on the opposition - the Lord Protector's kill teams (Read: Azzie Death Squad) are usually no more than 30 minutes away if you're in anywhere urban. (Unless your players start playing shadowgames with the security teams and start getting clever - stress the "Public-Eye TM" sensors and ever-present telepresence of various security forces.)

Physical and magical disguises are pretty much vital, guns are hard to get, and usually frenchware knockoffs of the more popular "gansta" models. Fashions will also trip you up - Auld Bighty is a bit of a stick in the mud, so your flash runner garb will add to their profile in a lot of areas, but should also increase your stock with a few of the more impressionable gangers. Chromed street-monsters are very thin on the ground, so again, get your players to think sneaky as hell.

A lot of the runs in England are like America, just harder, grubbier and with a lot more risk for a lot less reward. Also, if you're in the country illegally, all bets are off as you've provided them a perfect excuse to erase a nonperson. If legally, you'd better have bloody good fake ID's (Read London sourcebook for more infor on that) and if you're awakended, forget it. You're now Joe Wageslave with no hint of magic ability, unless you like having ritual samples taken from you at port of entry.

As to getting there - your best bet is to get in slow via Europe (Chunnel or ferry, traditionally the easiest for illegal entry) rather than fly in because all British international airport have a decent security rating (All the issues with the various anrgy mobs with guns/explosives/magic leads to a focus on not letting people with questional motives enter the country.)

Also - get a native to the area you're going to be stomping around in. You're outsiders here, the local wildlife will turn on you unless you're scary enough (and that brings in its own issues) or smart enough to realise you're a visitor and act accordingly. Be polite - it'll mark you as somewhat less of a berk.

Gangs: excellent cover if you get in tight with them. Burn them and they'll sell you out faster than a Johnson caught with his fingers in the discretionary fund.

WARNING: the Tongs in London are VERY nasty customers, often using kids as young as 10 as violent footsoldiers. Prefer to use kitchen knives and hatchets - can disappear into the streets with nasty hit and run attacks. Don't deal with them if you can help it. (GM- use sparingly, they're nasty bastards)

Hope this helps - most of this is off the top of my head - enjoy!

-Tir

[Makki]

I'm so thinking Sherlock Holmes is back. Nobody knows the London shadows better then him.

[WhiskeyJohnny]

"...I don't want to set the world on fire..."

Although some people yes, without a second's hesitation.

Running England is VERY low-key.
Lots of sneaking/bluffing, magic can be quite difficult (unless they've Initatiated and have masking out the yinyang) and forget grabbing an assualt cannon and going commando on the opposition - the Lord Protector's kill teams (Read: Azzie Death Squad) are usually no more than 30 minutes away if you're in anywhere urban. (Unless your players start playing shadowgames with the security teams and start getting clever - stress the "Public-Eye TM" sensors and ever-present telepresence of various security forces.)

What is the "Public Eye TM"? CCTV for the Sixth World? I take it I should be planning to play pretty mirrorshades, though, if I don't want the rozzers breathing down my neck all of the time.

Physical and magical disguises are pretty much vital, guns are hard to get, and usually frenchware knockoffs of the more popular "gansta" models. Fashions will also trip you up - Auld Bighty is a bit of a stick in the mud, so your flash runner garb will add to their profile in a lot of areas, but should also increase your stock with a few of the more impressionable gangers. Chromed street-monsters are very thin on the ground, so again, get your players to think sneaky as hell.

I should probably make it clear, I'll be playing in this game, not GMing. As far as fashions go, should I be fine with those armored suits from Arsenal? How hard will upgrading my chrome be? What will I have to do to keep from getting nicked for my 'wares?

A lot of the runs in England are like America, just harder, grubbier and with a lot more risk for a lot less reward. Also, if you're in the country illegally, all bets are off as you've provided them a perfect excuse to erase a nonperson. If legally, you'd better have bloody good fake ID's (Read London sourcebook for more infor on that) and if you're awakended, forget it. You're now Joe Wageslave with no hint of magic ability, unless you like having ritual samples taken from you at port of entry.

As to getting there - your best bet is to get in slow via Europe (Chunnel or ferry, traditionally the easiest for illegal entry) rather than fly in because all British international airport have a decent security rating (All the issues with the various anrgy mobs with guns/explosives/magic leads to a focus on not letting people with questional motives enter the country.)

Also - get a native to the area you're going to be stomping around in. You're outsiders here, the local wildlife will turn on you unless you're scary enough (and that brings in its own issues) or smart enough to realise you're a visitor and act accordingly. Be polite - it'll mark you as somewhat less of a berk.

Gangs: excellent cover if you get in tight with them. Burn them and they'll sell you out faster than a Johnson caught with his fingers in the discretionary fund.

WARNING: the Tongs in London are VERY nasty customers, often using kids as young as 10 as violent footsoldiers. Prefer to use kitchen knives and hatchets - can disappear into the streets with nasty hit and run attacks. Don't deal with them if you can help it. (GM- use sparingly, they're nasty bastards)

Hope this helps - most of this is off the top of my head - enjoy!

-Tir

Thanks! I'll be sure to keep all of this in mind.

I'm so thinking Sherlock Holmes is back. Nobody knows the London shadows better then him.

Have you seen the BBC's new Sherlock? Holmes is definitely back.

[Tiralee]

Ok - should have added a disclaimer, the info I use is from the London Sourcebook (Lots of wonderful colour, not too much mechanically and the full-page ad for the Universal Brotherhood gives me the creeps everytime I see it) and a dimly-remembered Shadows of Europe, so "grain of salt time".

2nd: we don't do 4th, so a lot of the other shiny stuff you guys have now may help or hinder your entry and progress around England.

To address some questions:

Every time you're out in public, assume you're being watched by at least 1 covert (Or overt, if you're in a touristy area) agency that has enough pull to make you disappear if they so wished. Magic users, be especially careful, the Lord Protector's pets aren't known for their sunny smiles and carefree natures. Cast from cover, avoid anything flashy and ignore how the Protector's Office Watcher spirits routinely violate your privacy.

Deckers & TM's are your friend here, as is a local with maps to the usual CCTV routine centres and some C4 liberated from the backpack of a Squaddie on Demolition training.

Now: Suits? If they're from Arsenal, they're likely to be cutting edge. See if you can get some gear from the older houses (Mortimer's of London, etc) and pay to have those fancy new rags of yours "aged" professionally into something a little more shabby (I'd argue "Custom tailoring" and a % increase in the suit cost with the GM - if they're smart, they'll realise you're trying to play it smart and reward you accordingly.)

Upgrading your chrome is a laughable proposition, at best. NHS owns the doctors and although some may "Practise Privately" it's not like you're in Chiba with the hottest wires being advertised on the street by hawkers. "Military-Grade" cyberwear is either deactivated or removed on discovery, at the discretion of the arresting officer in charge, the customs' officer or the Protectorate member.

If you've gone the way of chrome, have it skinned in the best "real Skin" TM you can afford and made sure it's not going to set off the scanners.
I don't know how they do it in 4th, but about the only things you could get away with were low-level skillwires, "medical assistance devices" and some non-offensive eyemods. Those wired reflexes had better be masked if the Raks run a wand over you after you get off the boat.

Previous editions, you could have a suitably skilled (ie: Expensive) doc fake up your chrome to make it appear legal, cover the obvious shinys and even do internal mods to hide anything dangerous. Ask your GM, make him aware or your efforts to cast a small shadow.

You alienness cannot be overstated (unless you make up a local character) so making good, firm contacts should be youre first mission, after you stow your gear and make a few safehouses for your stuff/team. How you go about making these people friendly is up to yourself and your GM.

Avoid sewers! London's got miles and miles of them, mostly filled with stuff that needs a good flame to make the world a cleaner place. The Tube's a good way to get around (Avoid cabs, wired for sound and Rock& Roll) and from memory, private vehicles aren't allowed into a lot of parts of London proper. Hire a limo, get a driver and make like tourists

So, why go?
1: A job's a job.
2: TransysNeuronet-related shiny loots is easier to get on their turf. Just don't go in via the matrix, use the meat world to open doors and scrag security.
3: Lotsa odd magical stuff, most of it escaping the grasp of the Protector's Office.
4: Blackmail and Other Profitable data-entry jobs
5: Be a tourist, get the GM a Lonely Planet guide, go and watch a real Football match, snipe the Team Captain and use the diversion to assault your target. Get creative.
6: MONEY - the more proper an establishment looks, the more luridly-evil their underbelly is. Respectable merchants run slavery rings, get raiding:)
7: Nobility: As inbred as they are, they DO control a lot of what's on. Don't expect them to save you and don't ever trust the bastards.

Go, have fun!
-Tir

[sgtbarnesKY]

No 4th huh, to bad, I guess then the PenDragon hasn't shown up yet, and along with the masses helped Queen Caroline disolve the office of Lord Protector, cause that'd make it a little easier to run in the UK. FREEDOM!!! Or at least LESS OPPRESSION!!! I say watch out for shifty Druids, try not to harm to much of their forest when your in it. Also, the shadows always seem to crawlin' with Night Ones, at least it they did when we used play 3rd Ed. The UK is cool though, don't forget to buy a rebreather either (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[WhiskeyJohnny]

No 4th huh, to bad, I guess then the PenDragon hasn't shown up yet, and along with the masses helped Queen Caroline disolve the office of Lord Protector, cause that'd make it a little easier to run in the UK. FREEDOM!!! Or at least LESS OPPRESSION!!! I say watch out for shifty Druids, try not to harm to much of their forest when your in it. Also, the shadows always seem to crawlin' with Night Ones, at least it they did when we used play 3rd Ed. The UK is cool though, don't forget to buy a rebreather either (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

So Big Brother got kicked to the curb? Nice. Why do I need a rebreather?

[Stahlseele]

Because the nice big domes that were supposed to shield London from the worst of nature have been destroyed by terrorists and now they have to breathe the thick london fog again.
Mixed with a good deal of chemicals and other unpleasant things.
Also, yes, i meant the umkippen thing.

[Aria]

Another thing is the 'wilding' of various parts of the countryside that isn't toxic sludge...lots of stone circles appearing, weird fey magic, the works! Of course you won't need to worry about that in London but if you go out to the sticks remember it is more or less the private reserve of the rich and their servants (got to keep a few peasants around to make you feel good about yourself...!)

[hermit]

I don't even know what most of that means.

Split Second is a cheesy 80s movie that had some influence on the portrayal of London in the London book, and even moreso in the (highly recommended, if you can get hold of a copy) Rough Guide to the UK, (1994, CP3281) for the Cyberpunk 2020 system, because you can use much of the details on the country to flesh out the rest of England barely touched upon by London SB. Also, for future developments,

I recommend Split Second if you like cheesy action movies. Besides, where else can you get Rutger Hauer stalk a satantist 40K Genestealer impersonating Jack the Ripper in a low-key cyberpunk/post apoc setting?

[Sengir]

Previous editions, you could have a suitably skilled (ie: Expensive) doc fake up your chrome to make it appear legal, cover the obvious shinys and even do internal mods to hide anything dangerous. Ask your GM, make him aware or your efforts to cast a small shadow.

That sounds like an interesting feature to adapt...any chance you remember where to find the rules?

[Stahlseele]

Yes, please, tell me, i need to find a way to smuggle my chrome by!

[Makki]

You would have to have made so much money by Running, that you're chromed up with Deltaware (hard to find) by the time you get hired for UK-based runs. Consequently runner teams operating in the UK are the crème de la crème of the world's runners. Magical characters would be required to have at least Extended Masking and probably Flux.

[Draco18s]

You just have to remember that at noon on a work day...
You can release a spinosaurus onto the streets and no one will be around to notice.¹ (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wobble.gif)

¹Episode 1 of series 4. There were 2 witnesses (the show made a point of having one of the characters confiscate the pair's iPhone).