Shadowrun

Shadowrun Play => Gamemasters' Lounge => Topic started by: tcabril on <04-11-11/1952:31>

Title: Thinking of a cool location to base a Shadowrun game...
Post by: tcabril on <04-11-11/1952:31>
I used to play Shadowun 1st and 2nd edition (though never GM'd) and loved it.  Now that I am working on understanding 4th Editon (20th aniversary editon) I would love to run a game.

Odd as it may sound I love the new TV series Hawaii 5-0 (yes I know there was an old one  ;) ) and thought Hawaii woudl be an awesome place to run a game.

Just a quick question as I have not been able to locate the answer in any of the setting material I have so far read (or remember from 1st or 2nd edtion) - what part of the former USA is Hawaii now part of?  UCAS?  Its own country?  Does anyone know?

Thanks
TODD
Title: Re: Thinking of a cool location to base a Shadowrun game...
Post by: Walks Through Walls on <04-11-11/2048:18>
I believe it has been swallowed by the new Imperial Japan. I don't know if it has said it anywhere, but with California having a strong Imperial Japan presence it would make sense for them to have taken many if not all of the islands along the way.
Title: Re: Thinking of a cool location to base a Shadowrun game...
Post by: Tagz on <04-11-11/2210:33>
Acording to SWA (Sixth World Almanac) p180, Hawai is it's own nation.  I'll give you a few fun facts but I'm glossing over some.

It is a monarchy, capitol is Honolulu.  Population of 5,020,500.  Official Languages are Hawai'ian and English.

Sounds like an interesting place.  Higher then normal goblinization rate, about 35% of the population being orks, trolls 10%.  Astral shallows in coral reefs.  Hilo is the largest city with Wuxing, Renraku, Shiawase, and Evo all having a presence there. 

I'm sure there can be lots of ocean based runs, ships, etc.  Also the SWA mentions a site where human sacrifice used to occur.  Easy enough to have a plot seed where some mages are up to no good and revive the tradition in secret.  I can see a game location there.

I'd recommend picking up the SWA, it'll be good for more then just this entry.  Hawai'i is also a great stepping stone for runs all over the Pacific.
Title: Re: Thinking of a cool location to base a Shadowrun game...
Post by: Crimsondude on <04-11-11/2233:00>
There's a Second Edition book, Paradise Lost that is half sourcebook, half module, and all Hawai'i.

It's also written by Nigel Findley, so ... Bonus Points. He also reprinted a lot of the basic and tonal information in his last SR novel, House of the Sun.

Hawai'i is also briefly touched upon in Shadows of Asia (sub?)chapter on Oceania.

Findley throws the word plutocracy around with reckless abandon in the novel (not so much in the sourcebook, IIRC) because that's exactly what it was: An archipelago bought and owned by the Big Eight.

And in case you're wondering how they got to secede, it happened during the Ghost Dance and when the Navy sent the USS Enterprise carrier group back to Hawaii after everyone got pulled back to the mainland someone (Ares) "vaporized a million gallons of seawater off the bow of the USS Enterprise" using a barrage of Thor shots and the U.S. threw up its hands and said, "fuck it."
Title: Re: Thinking of a cool location to base a Shadowrun game...
Post by: CanRay on <04-11-11/2251:39>
It's also written by Nigel Findley...
*Pouts a 40 on the curb*
Title: Re: Thinking of a cool location to base a Shadowrun game...
Post by: John Shull on <04-14-11/1242:24>
We have a great adventure that ran through Hong Kong.  I did a great deal of research on it in the literature I could find.  It worked out great as a city of operations.  The Magical Lay lines, Triads, and culture of the city were great. 
Title: Re: Thinking of a cool location to base a Shadowrun game...
Post by: dashifen on <04-14-11/1329:33>
Hawai'i is also where the dwarf metavarient the Menehune is from (or Oceania in general) so that can offer an additional character creation opportunity in that setting.
Title: Re: Thinking of a cool location to base a Shadowrun game...
Post by: CanRay on <04-14-11/1428:10>
"Hey, why is Chinaman Charlie staying on the beach?"

"Oh, Charlie don't surf."
Title: Re: Thinking of a cool location to base a Shadowrun game...
Post by: The_Gun_Nut on <04-15-11/1416:43>
There is the added bonus of surfing when a run is done.  ;D
Title: Re: Thinking of a cool location to base a Shadowrun game...
Post by: CanRay on <04-15-11/1849:12>
Or during the 'Run.  Surf-By Shootings.  For gang turf on the beach!  With cyberguns!

...

I want to 'Run in Hawai'i now.
Title: Re: Thinking of a cool location to base a Shadowrun game...
Post by: Grimnahr on <04-18-11/1814:48>
Surf board drones anyone? ;)
Title: Re: Thinking of a cool location to base a Shadowrun game...
Post by: bigity on <04-18-11/2127:51>
There's a Second Edition book, Paradise Lost that is half sourcebook, half module, and all Hawai'i.

It's also written by Nigel Findley, so ... Bonus Points. He also reprinted a lot of the basic and tonal information in his last SR novel, House of the Sun.

Hawai'i is also briefly touched upon in Shadows of Asia (sub?)chapter on Oceania.

Findley throws the word plutocracy around with reckless abandon in the novel (not so much in the sourcebook, IIRC) because that's exactly what it was: An archipelago bought and owned by the Big Eight.

And in case you're wondering how they got to secede, it happened during the Ghost Dance and when the Navy sent the USS Enterprise carrier group back to Hawaii after everyone got pulled back to the mainland someone (Ares) "vaporized a million gallons of seawater off the bow of the USS Enterprise" using a barrage of Thor shots and the U.S. threw up its hands and said, "fuck it."

I remember this book, and also remembering being dissappointed when Dog the Bounty Hunter when on the air and they didn't running around saying 'haole' or whatever it was (an insult to non-natives).

He obviously also missed that everyone says 'bra' about a million times per 30 minute episode.
Title: Re: Thinking of a cool location to base a Shadowrun game...
Post by: John Shull on <04-19-11/0617:42>
There's a Second Edition book, Paradise Lost that is half sourcebook, half module, and all Hawai'i.

It's also written by Nigel Findley, so ... Bonus Points. He also reprinted a lot of the basic and tonal information in his last SR novel, House of the Sun.

Hawai'i is also briefly touched upon in Shadows of Asia (sub?)chapter on Oceania.

Findley throws the word plutocracy around with reckless abandon in the novel (not so much in the sourcebook, IIRC) because that's exactly what it was: An archipelago bought and owned by the Big Eight.

Nigel Findley and nis novels were the reason I started playing Shadowrun.  His work in the games and novels is the best.  His passing so early in his life was terrible loss.
Title: Re: Thinking of a cool location to base a Shadowrun game...
Post by: CanRay on <04-19-11/1012:43>
I ran out of 40s, or else I'd pour another one for him.
Title: Re: Thinking of a cool location to base a Shadowrun game...
Post by: The Seven on <04-19-11/1116:09>
There is the added bonus of surfing when a run is done.  ;D

Or during the 'Run.  Surf-By Shootings.  For gang turf on the beach!  With cyberguns!

...

I want to 'Run in Hawai'i now.

My group's face is an avid fan of Parachuting-by shootings. He's used it with success in a few occasions.