CyberpunQ was a campaign that used the Cyberpunk RED TTRPG game system, which began in November of 2022 and concluded at the end of August 2023. It streamed every other Monday on the Quelmar Twitch channeland was run by GM Jonathan. It can be found in its entirety on the Quelmar YouTube channel.
The campaign involves a crew of four Edgerunners trying to get by and score big in Echo Center. This campaign is also a spiritual successor to the ⮞Get Submodule campaign.
About
CyberpunQ takes place in Echo Center, on the island of Cof, near Kiston, in the year 304 CR. The people of Echo Center are technically, figuratively, and literally ruled over by the city of Echronia which floats in the sky high overhead, run by authorities from New Galik. Echronia is a high-end island vacation city for wealthy Galikites which also salvages the best abandoned tech from Echo Center and rest of Cof.
Echo Center was converted into a city from an abandoned underground settlement, for both shelter and discretion (i.e. to hide "undesirable" elements from the rich guests in Echronia). But the people of Echo Center prefer it this way, to remain separated from the "E-diots" above. The Security Force technically enforces the laws (that most people ignore), but for the most part, Echo Center rule is based on just one law: the Law of Strength. In other words, status is determined by access to and accumulation of desirable cybertech, sociopolitical clout, wealth (technically "Echronia Dollars" but universally referred to as E-Bucks or EBs for short), and physical prowess which is usually augmented by cybertech implants and enhancements.
Living in Echo Center, it can be a struggle to make a living, having to contend with the various Factions and rogue cybertech users (if not the tech itself), not to mention the threats of wildlife and the elements on the island outside of Echo Center itself. But living on the Edge between certain death and eking out a living, while doing it stylishly... that's where Edgerunners thrive.
Player Characters
- Beau, aka Beau DeLaRue, a Fixer, he/any (played by Leigh): The founder, co-owner, and runner of The Neon Garden, an entertainment establishment that caters to all peoples of Echo Center and prides itself on its neutrality and discretion while providing escapism, respite, and comfort. A wholesome himbo in a desperate place.
- OPeRA, aka Zair Steilisch, a Tech/Netrunner, he/him (played by Matthew): Part of the Technohemian artist colony and beach community. Dedicated to using himself and his body as his own canvas with extensive cybertech body modifications. A friendly, if misunderstood, artist that comes on strong. Because he is.
- Patch, aka Terra Trilby, a MedTech, she/her (played by Angela): Runs a discrete medical/surgical business in the Center. Has an extended family that takes on a wide variety of odd jobs throughout the city, though they tend to have fewer scruples than she does. Notably has no major cybertech enhancements, as opposed to just about every one else in Echo Center.
- Pixie, aka Pixie Margeaux, a Nomad, she/her (played by Ashley): part of the roving Nomad community via her found family the Margeauxs. This particular family has a stage magic act as a front, letting them travel to the various settlements on the island while conducting their actual smuggling operations. If it rolls, flies, or hovers, she can drive it.
NPCs and Factions
Notable major figures/factions include:
- Friend Computer: An AI found in an old Complex deep underground, now existing as an app on the team's agents (aka smartphones). Seems helpful to the team, in exchange for restoring its former security clearance privileges which got corrupted. For this team, there is some mystery surrounding Friend Computer's true origins and intentions, though they appear to come from the heyday of all the abandoned tech on the island. There are also some periodic glitches in its personality programming, which tends to cause strong shifts in its demeanor and communication, and usually comes with a new moniker from the team.
- The Technohemians: Hi-tech beach community just outside Echo Center that appreciates technology, both of the body and elsewise, as art – a reflection of beauty. Being able to change whatever you want to reflect how you feel. The fusion of internal and external to create a beautiful gestalt.
- The Nomads: A loose collection of scavengers, supply runners, transporters, and smugglers who tend to be experts of anything vehicle-related. More familiar than most with the layout of the island and its inhabitants and features. They uphold freedom at their core. United under one rule: watch each other’s back. Or at least don’t stab them in it.
- The Security Force: The official law enforcement of Echo Center, though they tend to only intervene in the interests of the Galikites, rather than protecting the people of Echo Center as a whole.
- The Galikites: Primarily live in Echronia. They are either rich vacationers from New Galik, or helping run said vacation destination. They look down on the "Grounded," those who live on the island itself. They are there to make money by charging the vacationers, as well as scouring the island for technology and other valuables. Referred to as "E-diots" by the people of Echo Center.
- The Naturalists: They believe in abstaining from the integration of body and technology when possible. They are not combative against those who do, but simply choose to eschew it themselves. Integration of technology is accepted if it is life-saving. There are a smattering of small communities of Naturalists across Cof.
- The Gainsaid: Radicalized offshoot of the Naturalist movement. Ecoterrorists who seem hellbent on destroying all major technology and preventing the proliferation of human cybertech enhancement. The origins of their extreme motivations are not fully known.
- The Emissaries of Tomorrow: Formally perceived as a cult comprised entirely of doomsayers (i.e. the people wearing sandwich boards that read "The End is Nigh"). Recently, they have gained more power and notoriety as they've tapped into the frustrations of Echo Center's populace toward the Galikites and Security Force. Their true motivations, if any, remain unknown.
The Story So Far
House Rules
The CyberpunQ campaign briefly dipped into the Dungeon World TTRPG system during an session that took place in a Braindance aka VR simulation.
Leading up to the finale, the campaign also took a detour into The Darkest House TTRPG system.
