Shadowrun

This page is for our California Free State Shadowrun game. A work in progress.

F.A.T.E.

The Federal Agency for Thaumaturgic Exploration, or F.A.T.E., is a division of the California Department of Homeland Security (CDHS) founded in 2069. It is responsible for the investigation of unexplained phenomena usually related to Awakened activity, advanced technology, or both. It is administered by J.P. Redman, a former U.S. marine and former Director of Intelligence of the California Intelligence Agency. The division is largely autonomous from the rest of the CFS government, though from time to time it enlists the help of the CDHS or CIA for additional manpower or investigative assistance.

Due to the highly important (and highly classified) nature of their work, their budget is largely a blank check -- however their source of funding is unknown.

Characters

• Anastasia Ellison (NPC)
• Dmitri (NPC)
• Kefeng Yau (NPC)
• Kumiko Nakamura (Player: Tony)

Minor NPCs

J.P. Redman

J.P. Redman (Human Male, 61)

J.P. Redman has been the leader of FATE since its creation in 2069. His career began in the USA Marine Corps as a special forces operative based out of Twentynine Palms, California. His unit followed California during its succession and was disbanded a few years later. He went to work for the California Intelligence Agency as an operative, eventually becoming Director of the organization from 2051 until his retirement in 2060.

He is an enigma to his employees; he rarely talks about his past or his private life. Despite his public service, little is known publicly about his tenure as CIA director or his combat service. He has earned the highest respect of veteran FATE members for his critical decision-making and unwavering support for his agents in the most dire circumstances.

Little is known as to why Redman came out of retirement to become FATE's administrator. Based on only a few subtle comments, veteran members speculate that he did not apply for the position -- that instead he was asked, persuaded, or somehow coerced into taking it.

Charles Ellison (Human Male, 49)

Charles Ellison is a wealthy businessman and politician and currently President of California Free State. In his career he has served on the board of directors of Apple Computer and Novatech until both companies were absorbed by Ares and NeoNET respectively. After the matrix crash of 2064 he went into politics and became a leading figure in California's Technocratic Party. He narrowly lost the 2066 Presidential election to the Green Party's Arthur Newman. In a bitter rematch, he was elected President in the 2070 election.

Evander (Van) Radcliffe (Dwarven Male, 31)

Van Radcliffe is FATE's resident grease monkey. He got his start at his dad's mechanic shop in San Jose. He could bring broken engines, transmissions, and other car components to life even if they were in the terrible condition. His family made a tidy profit utilizing his skills. Van still enjoys the mechanic's life in FATE, fixing up vehicles (among other things) for the agency. Dr. Yau even has some special projects for Van to work on.

Hector Radcliffe (Dwarven Male, 31)

Hector is Van's identical twin brother. He is also very technically adept, and is FATE's go-to rigger. Between Van's mechanical expertise and Hector's rigging expertise, the two make quite a team. While Van is soft-spoken and easy going, Hector's personality is more troublesome. He struggles with a BTL addiction and is known to have a short temper.

Setting

Current Year: 2072

Economy

• Agribusiness is largest industry
• Silicon Valley - no longer the tech capital of the world, but still prominent
• Ares Macrotechnology has lots of popular support and government influence
• Aztechnology is banned from CFS, though they are suspected of operating under a shell corporation called Pyramid Operations.
• Knight Errant security (a subsidiary of Ares) is used in most of California, with the exception of San Francisco. Lone Star is primarily used there (the Japanacorps aren't big fans of Ares running security in SF).
• 5 CFS dollars ($) = 1 nuyen (¥)

Prominent Corporations

• Ares Macrotechnology (CFS Divisional HQ: Cupertino)
  • Ares Arms California
  • Knight Errant of California (HQ: Sacramento)
  • Leviathan Technical (HQ: Scotts Valley)
  • Osprey Technical Publications (HQ: Los Gatos)
  • Silicon Valley/Apple Computer Products (HQ: Silicon Valley)
  • Owns Edwards AresSpace Base, north of Los Angeles
    • Largest spaceport in the world
  • Owns China Lake/Inyokern Test Range, north of Los Angeles
• Novatech (CFS Divisional HQ: San Francisco)
• Renraku Computer Systems (CFS Divisional HQ: San Francisco)
• Pyramid Operations (shell of Aztechnology) (CFS Divisional HQ: San Francisco)

The North

• Disputed territory with Tir Tairngire.
• Hestaby resides on Mount Shasta
• Redding is a Free City - that is, it does not pay taxes, is not represented in CFS government, and is left largely to its own devices by both CFS and Tir Tairngire.

Central Valley

• Relatively tranquil (the word relatively is key here)
• Sacramento is the capital
• Maglev service between Reno, Sacramento, Oakland, and San Francisco

San Francisco Bay Area

• San Francisco city proper is heavily restricted, much like Manhattan in the UCAS. Special clearance is required to entire the restricted area. South San Francisco, San Jose, and Oakland are the major population centers surrounding San Francisco. Though less segregated than in the past, there is still a lot of class warfare and racial tension in the region.
• The Yakuza and the Triads have a significant presence
• San Jose is now the largest city in CFS in terms of population, as many Californians from moved north when the PCC invaded southern California.

The South

• Los Angeles was annexed by the Pueblo Corporate Council in 2061.

Government

• Compared to the rest of the world, CFS has a fairly stable democratic system. Though under the guise of free elections is a world of backroom deals and corporate influence. Let's call it a pseudo-democratic corporatocracy.

Foreign Relations

• UCAS - very good relations, largest trading partner, strong ally. Many citizens would entertain the idea of rejoining the UCAS.
• Aztlan - hostile relations
• Pueblo Corporate Council - hostile relations
• Tir Tairngire - uneasy mutual distrust

Largest Cities

1. San Jose
2. Oakland
3. Sacramento
4. San Francisco
5. Fresno

Resources

• Active Skills List
• Blank Shadowrun Character Sheet
• Map of North America Circa 2070
• Map of Asia Circa 2070
• Dumpshock Forums
• Sixth World Wiki