The Devil's Toys

 • Power Gifts can be explained as Psionics - either obtained through a natural aptitude or bought from a Bounty Vendor - or Blacktech Bioware bought from a Bounty Vendor.

 • Legendary Artifact Gifts are Blacktech devices purchased from a Bounty Vendor. They may be implanted Cyberware or unique devices such as weapons or tools with special properties.

 • Consumable Crafting and Artifact Crafting gifts are Psionic abilities which allow you to conjure Blacktech.

 • Standard Cyberware can be obtained as Trophies. Genemods can be obtained as Battle Scars. Standard Bioware can be obtained as Conditions.

 • Most Blacktech devices are hackable. The Difficulty to hack a Blacktech device is equal to 6 + the Gift Cost of the device. Standard Cyberware can be hacked as with any electronic device unless otherwise specified. EMP devices can temporarily disable Cyberware and Blacktech devices.

The Devil's Rattles takes place in the United States starting in the year 2045. During the 2030's the United States transitioned from a flawed and sometimes rigged democracy to an oligarchy which provided an puppetshow democracy to maintain people's trust in the system. The rights of women and minorities were set back decades as technology advanced and reached a new point of no return. It became commonplace to implant electronic components into the body, which eventually became known as Cyberware. Poverty and unemployment rose rapidly as corporations gained total control over the state, continuing to value property and profit over human lives. Welfare was erased. The wealthy used Cyberware to become gods - immortal, untouchable, supremely powerful. 

What was once supernatural is now science and technology. What remains supernatural is that which the corporations don't want people to know about, and what they themselves don't even know. Corporations regularly harness technologies which civilians - and even other corporations - do not have access to or an understanding of. While typical Cyberware and Bioware function on standard physical principles the same as any highly-advanced computer or genemod, the same cannot be said for Blacktech. The origin and inner workings of Blacktech is unknown even amongst corporations, although some have the capability to produce and harness it. The same goes for psionic powers, and the Fiends. While Blacktech can be mass-produced, and is indeed wielded by all of the wealthy and powerful, Psions are incredibly rare and even less understood. Fiends are rarely seen, and living specimens are nigh-impossible to capture and study. The supernatural is rare, and its secrets are well-guarded by those in power. Many average civilians may believe in things like ghosts, demons, and spirits, but few take the supernatural seriously, and those who come into possession of proof of its existence often end up dying or disappearing mysteriously. 

The Fixers are not well-known, even by those in the know regarding the occult and supernatural. The people who hire the Bagmen to solve problems generally are under the impression that they and the Fixers they send in are greymen employed by a corporation. Prometheus Inc., Offr Inc. and Gennex Inc. are the only large organizations aware of the Meat Grinder, and they are known to offer exclusive services to Fixers.

World Vocabulary

Bagmen - The beings who recruit Fixers and host The Meat Grinder.

Bioware - Advanced applications of Biotech which provide the abilities of Cyberware without many of the drawbacks.

Blacktech - Technology which harnesses Psionics.

Borg - Someone with visible Cyberware augmentation.

Bounty - The reward a Fixer recieves for achieving victory in the Meat Grinder. Can be exchanged for Blacktech and Psionics.

Bounty Vendors - Secret markets, the locations of which are only known to Bagmen and Fixers. Provide Blacktech and Psionics to Fixers in exchange for Bounty.

Corpo - Someone who has a high position in a corporation.

Cyberware - Electronic implants used to enhance the body.

Extro - Someone with non-human but organic features such as a tail or extra arms.

Fiend - A supernatural being.

Fixers - People who take on the Meat Grinder in exchange for Bounty. The characters which the players controls.

Genemod - An intentional modification to genetic code, often used to change someone's appearance, cure genetic illnesses or enhance the body.

Gundogs - Armed enforcers of the police, a private security force, or a gang.

Meat Grinder - The missions which Fixers must undergo for Bounty.

Psion - Someone who possesses Psionics.

Psionics - Supernatural abilities which are not understood by even the highest ranking members of corporations.

The Corporation - Fixer slang for the entity or organization which the Bagmen work for. Almost nothing is known about The Corporation.