[Bonezy420]

Okay, I'm about to run a tabletop campaign using Chicagoland from Feral Cities.  I like running high powered games.  So I'm starting the character's off at 800 BP and am allowing almost any kind of character.  I know this is high, but I have a lot of Shadowrun GM experience and prefer to run the game this way.  I want to involve a lot of combat, but also include a healthy amount of character development and social play. 

The reason I'm using Chicago is that my last campaign involved a lot of tech and very little magic.  (I ran in LA, and the only player that built a magic using character turned out to be pretty bad at it.)  That, and I love the idea of so much of Chicago being devastated and without true authority.  I want to get into the bugs and the royal jelly later in the campaign, but want to spend some time early on developing the rest of Chicago.  I also like the idea of having to scrape for basic needs in Chicago. 

The question I have is does anyone have advice or thoughts on what the megacorps might be doing in Chicago besides the bugs.  I know that Ares has a heavy presence here, but I know that the other megacorps are here too.  I'd appreciate any advice or suggestions that you might have on plot or adventure ideas.

[GiraffeShaman]

The old SR novel Changeling was set there and gives a good in novel look at the Noose and the Shattergraves, two areas you are likely to have interest in for such a game. It's a great read too.

I think Chicago is in the Neo-Anarchist's Guide to North America. I can look it if up later if that is of use.

Definitely not a mage friendly area. Horrid background counts from the Sears Tower collapse, then the bugs. BTW, if you haven't heard, they happen to be setting Missions there this time around.

[Bonezy420]

Thanks for the advice.  The novel reference will really be helpful.  I know that Chicago isn't friendly to magic, but I'm also planning on incorporating Royal Jelly in the campaign.  Later on, this will allow the magic users to offset, and even capitalize on the mana ebb.  Until then, I can enjoy watching them squirm for a little while when in the zone.

[Ricochet]

Another thing to keep an eye out for.  Season 5 missions will all be set in Chicago.  Even if you don't use them, they should be good for some locations and plot ideas.