I've recently run a group through the adventure "On the Run". I loved it for being a sequel to one of my favorite adventures, One Stage Before.
Unfortunately, when running "On the Run" they handed over the disk immediately upon acquiring it. I didn't want to nudge them to figure out how to play the archaic format for fear of feeling like they are being railroaded. I settled for having Mr Johnson ask them "Are you sure it's the right disk?" when they called to arrange the drop. They didn't take the hint, and even brazenly 'confirmed' to him that Yep, they're sure it's the disk.
So, I figured I'd let them hand in the disk and Mr Johnson will (at least at the meeting) be happy about getting it. I figured I'd revisit the adventure later.
So I'm prepping that adventure. What I'd *like* to do is combine One Stage Before with the latter half of "On the Run" for uber JetBlack story fun.
Some hitches:
One Stage Before hinges on the runners hating the Johnson for this adventure
The cast of the Shadows has undergone some hard-to-reconcile-into-one-adventure changes between the two adventures.
One Stage Before wants you to interact with/fight alongside JetBlack; On the Run wants him to be a statless Force of Plot.
I'm looking to brainstorm some ways to combine the adventures.
One way I'm looking at it:
The rival Shangri-La Company Man from On the Run will learn of the original Johnson's difficulty with the disk since the encryption wasn't cracked. He'll approach the runners, since they're his best bet to gain the inside track on the material and force a deal.
I'm not sure what to do about Allenby/Caravan productions. Maybe omit the whole aspect of being framed for his murder. Or maybe combine that with the Carrion Studios scene, and Allenby ends up dead after the original Mr Johnson discovers the runners are again tracking info down about the disk. But why? To silence a potential loose thread who knows something about the disk & frame them for the murder? Seems flimsy, and won't really get them hating him like they'd hate Teague. Plus, if I'm going to use a Teague-analogue, I want it to be the Shangri-La Company Man.
Should JetBlack actually put in an appearance? I'm thinking the dénouement should have JetBlack and Marli agreeing to become idorus, so the players should likely meet him before them.
