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Imagine a grim, grimey, corrupted society where materialism, greed, and technophilia
infest almost every aspect of existance. A world where justice is decided by who
has the deeper pocket, where its every man woman and child for themselves. A world
ruled by rich megacorporations that make their decisions around their bottom line
and the fluctuating prices of stock rather than human interest. A kind of controlled
Anarchy, where might is right and strength is found in numbers and money.
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But even still there are rules of a sort. The horned dilemna sets in.
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When multiple powerbases have acheived a degree of parity a certain unwillingness
or inability to move against each other arises. For if one powerbase expends resources
attacking an opponent they might weaken themselves to attack from one or more other
opponents. If alliances have been made, the aggressor might find themselves facing
foes from unexpected quarters. If a powerbase gets a reputation for strongarm tactics,
other possible allies or neutral parties in new markets might unify against them.
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Overt attacks become the exception in such an environment, and where the overt
must be avoided, the covert rises to the fore.
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Luckily corporate spies, mercenaries, thugs, and organized crime are all willing
to do unpleasant things on the low down for some amount of money. Collectively the
practice of corportations and other power brokers hiring outside help to do things
with a degree of deniability has become known as "Running", and those
who do these things are called "Runners".
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It's quite the cottage industry, with a slew of other opportunities arising for
those able to cater to the needs of a sector of society that usually has expendible
income and needs things not easily attainable such as weapons, modified vehicles,
special equipment, unofficial GSW treatment, and other such amenities. Further,
for added deniability, a strata of obfuscating middlemen have arisen, who are generally
called "Fixers" to enhance the anonymity of those paying good money for
bad deeds.
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In the cut throat competitive world of Runners, anything that can grant an edge
is intrinsically valuable, whether it be more prosaic alternatives such as martial
arts, honed marksmanship, and special skills, or something more outre. In true Darwinian
fashion the most capable,discriminating, and luckiest Runners survive while others
fail.
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Now inject working cybernetics, and further rare people that are born with "metahuman"
powers such as the ability to fly, superstrength, and even the ability to shoot
blasts of energy into the mix. Season to flavor, blend to creamy smoothness, and
drink it through a straw.
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That's the taste of the MetaCyber setting. Welcome to it.
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