SOUL & THE NEW MACHINE

As a Cyberpunk, you grab technology by the throat and hang on. You've got interface plugs in your wrists, weapons in your arms, lasers in your eyes, biochip programs in your brain. You became the car you drive, the gun you shot... With cyborged fingers you pick computer locks; with enhanced senses, you see into the Future.

The world of Cyberpunk is a violent, dangerous place, filled with people who’d love to rip your arm off and eat it. The traditional concepts of good and evil are replaced by the values of expedience – you do what you have to do to survive. If you can do some good along the way, great.

But don’t count on it.

Cyberpunk characters are survivors in a though, grim world, faced with life and death choices. How they make these choices will have a lot to do with whether they end up as vicious animals roaming a ruined world, or retain something of their basic humanity. Cyberpunk characters are the heroes of a bad situation, working to make it better (or at least survivable) whenever they can. Whether it takes committing crimes, defying authority or even outright revolution, the quintessential Cyberpunk character is a rebel with a cause. As a Cyberpunk role-player, it’s up to you to find that cause and go to the wall with it.

This is essence of Cyberpunk – playing your character with the proper disaffected, cynical-yet-idealistic style. Whether you’re a biker with leathered skin and metal claws, or a debutante in satin sporting the latest in designer cyberoptics, you’re going to need a certain panache – a certain flair, in portraying yourself. To achieve the essence of the 2000’s, you need to master three concepts:

1) Style over Substance

It doesn’t matter how well you do something, as long as you look good doing it. If you’re going to blow it, make sure you look like planned it that way. Normally, clothes and looks don’t matter in a adventure – in this world, having a leather armor jacket and mirrorshades is a serious consideration.

2) Attitude is Everything

It’s truth. Think dangerous; be dangerous. Think weak; be weak. Remember, everyone in the 2000’s is carrying lots of lethal hardware and high-tech enhancements. They won’t be impressed by you new H&K smartgun unless you swagger into the club looking like you know how to use it – and are just itching for an excuse.

3) Live on the Edge

The Edge is that nebulous zone where risk takes and highriders go. On the Edge, you’ll risk your cash, your rep, even your life on something as vague as a principle or a big score. As a cyberpunk, you want to be the action, start the rebellion, light the fire. Join great causes and fight for big issues. Never drive slow when you can drive fast. Throw yourself up against danger and take it head on. Never play too safe. Stay committed to the Edge.