You look over and see an older woman speaking to you. She's got a Level 3 Pin on her- she must be visiting. She's wearing a floral dress, a thick jacket, and has a gold necklace around her neck.

”I'm sorry young man, you just look so much like my Grandson.”
“Oh, haha, sorry to disappoint.”
”Oh no, I'm glad you're not him. I'd smack you upside the head if you were.”
“Wha- Why?!”
”Because I came to Level 5 to visit him- he's supposed to be showing me his WhiteMeat Parmesan recipe for dinner. If he was spoiling his appetite here- I'd kill him!”

You laugh, looking fondly over the old woman before glancing down at her jewelry.

”That's a beautiful necklace... to just wear out.”
”Oh, the Crucifix? Oh yes, my own Grandmother gave it to me. And tonight? I'm going to give it to my Grandson. Call it the family treasure.”
”...That's nice. He should treasure it.”

You don't want to be too negative, after all, this seems like a special day for her. You're not sure how things are on Level 3. After all, you're not allowed up there- only been there as a kid once or twice.

”...You know, I came by here to just pick up a coffee. And I have this coupon...”

File: CSQ post1.png (171 KB, 900x637)

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She pulls out a slip of printed plastic paper, with “one free meal” written on it. She smiles at you.

”It's for a free meal. I'd be a waste to use this on just a coffee. I want you to use it for you.”
”What? Oh no- I couldn't.”
”Please, I insist. After all, I'm just getting a coffee and I'm retired- young people could always use a free meal!”
”No no, it's for you. Just save it for later- or give it to your Grandson! I don't need any money- my UBI is more then enough. Please. I don't deserve it.”
”It expires tomorrow. It doesn't make sense to not use it! Young man, you don't need to “deserve” anything. It's not about the money. Sometimes, it's enough to just be there. Everyone deserves something nice to happen to them from time to time. Let me make you my good deed of the day.”

>Accept it
>Try to refuse

>>5826383
>SNNNNRRRRRRRRRRRT

>>5826383
>>Accept it
We already refused once, which is all the social contract requires. Let her do something nice for us.

>>5826383
>Accept it
Thank you. I'm very grateful for the meal.

>>5826383
>Accept it
>your solo-roleplaying session
so he's kind of weird

>>5826383
>Accept it

>>5826383
>Accept it

Look at this art, niiiiiice!

>>5826383
>Try to refuse

>>5826383
>Accept it

>>5826383
>>Accept it
It'd be incredibly rude not to.
>>5826403
>RP'ing in the post apocalyptic cyberpunk megacity in the first place
Oh yeah, this fucker's NEXT LEVEL autistic.

>>5826383
Ssnnrrtt her

>>5826462
Anon. You better not be trying to say what I think you’re trying to say.

>>5826383
>>Accept it

>>5826383
>Accept it

>UBI
>Segregation of poors and riches

Is that a Perfect World?

>>5826383
>>Accept it

>>5826383
>Accept it

I like how only after I posted this thread I realize I typed out "Cement Stratosphere" instead of "Concrete Stratosphere" like I first intended. I kind of like Concrete Stratosphere more, but I'll let you guys have some imput too.

Update is being worked on. This was the no-consequence starter post.

>>5826733
Concrete Stratosphere definitely sounds more eye-catching....

>>5826733
Cement stratosphere doesn't really make sense

>>5826383
>Accept it
Bananas is already updating, after all; so let's solidify the lead.

>>5826383
>Accept it
…the free meal is us, isn’t it?

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”Well... alright. If you insist.”
”See? It's not hard to let somebody spoil you once! Let me talk to the waitress for a minute, and then you won't have to worry about it for the rest of your day.”
”Thank you for the meal. I hope you have a good day too.”

You see the older woman leave your table and, kindly, pay off your meal with her coupon. She gets her coffee and gives you a wave as you leave, which you return. It's nice to have such a interaction- especially with a stranger. Most people in Level 5 keep to themselves- as evidenced by the other patrons of the diner absorbed in their own activities in their own booths and tables- some writing, some drawing, some listening to music- though personal electronics are rare on this level. You can honestly say you didn't expect something nice to happen to you today- and it's all thanks to her.

Enjoying your synth-sandwich in peace, you look back over your campaign materials with quiet satisfaction. You roll some dice and get ready intemperate the oracle- until you hear a strange quiet hush fall over the restaurant. What's wrong? You see others making themselves quiet- and you instinctively slink down in your booth, making yourself small and unnoticed. Looking outside you see the reason for the sudden quietness- Punks.

They aren't a gang or group, rather a general stereotype of a certain kind of unpleasant person who lives on level 5. Belligerent bullies- the Punks are a group of people nobody wants to mess with on level 5. They are your level's greatest criminal threat- a group of petty thieves who will beat up anyone who messes with them. While some are attracted to that sense of power and assertiveness- punks aren't people to look up to. They take what they want, intimidate, and threaten anyone who gets in their way. Worst of all, they will share around faces of people who mess with one of them- remembering those who dared stand up to them- and then spread pictures of them around. If you become targeted by the punks, they'll break your windows, loiter outside your apartment so you're scared to leave, poison your pets- or worse. They'll make your life hell.

Taking a chance to watch them through the window- the group of punks stop in the tracks, looking away from their route around the diner, and suddenly going the other way. Wait, why did they go that way? No- that's the way the old lady went! Don't go that way you fuckers!

Fuck!

God dammit. They just spotted their next victim. The old woman- she was walking alone by herself in the open street at just the exact wrong time. It's not even her fault- she was just going to visit her grandson. And even worse- you realize that the only reason they saw her at all was because of when she left the diner. If she wouldn't have spent that one extra minute doing something nice and paying for your meal, she'd be long gone and they never would have spotted her.

You could call the Peace Keepers- the police. But it would take them too long to get here- and there's not much they can do anyway. The PKs aren't allowed to apprehend or discipline criminals on suspicion, only if directly witnessing a crime. This is all due to anti-police brutality laws passed long before you were born. Your society believes in the reformation and rehabilitation of criminals. And the reason why they do is because it works. Every bit of evidence and social study proves it- time and time again. Any kind of violence, even violence experienced from a victim defending themselves, will only make it harder for a criminal to be reformed. And so, nothing will be done.

Shit, and you know they're going to target her. The moment they see that Level 3 pin on her chest, they'll be angry. Punks hate anyone from higher levels worst of all- a sense of jealousy. Oh no, and they'll steal that golden crucifix too, pawn off her family heirloom and sell it for a bit of cash. That could be quiet valuable to the poor of Level 5- like her grandson. Or in this case, some random punks.

You just wish there was something you could do. But you can't. It's too much of a risk- with the law, the harassment, punk culture- you need to just keep your head down. It just burns you up. All of this because of a good deed. Because she decided to be nice to a stranger, just once, and she will suffer for it. But nobody on this level dares stand up to the punks. The Peace Keepers can't interfere, and the punks will run free. They'll get away with it too. It's just something you will have to live with- another disappointing part of your life.

If only somebody would stand up to them. But nobody will. Nobody wants to take the risk or get themselves hurt- especially to stand up for a stranger. You won't do anything. Nobody will ever do anything.

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...Maybe. Maybe somebody could. Maybe it's time for you to do something.

>Fanged Mask
>Knight Mask
>Jester Mask
>Blank Mask

>>5827448
>Blank Mask
The mystery box option...

>>5827448
>Knight Mask

>>5827458
It's not mystery box though, there's no random element, it's just a blank mask

>>5827448
>>Jester Mask

>>5827448
>>Jester Mask
In a word, society.

>>5827448
>Jester Mask
hjonk

>>5826733
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z80xrQAcL5w
>>5827448
>Fanged Mask

>>5827448
>>Jester Mask
We shalll see.

>>5827448
>Blank Mask

>>5827448
>>Fanged Mask

Oh.

>>5827448
>Knight Mask
We will be the Iron Warrior

>>5827448
>>Jester Mask

>>5827448
>Jester Mask

>>5827448
>Blank Mask

>>5827448
>Knight Mask

>>5827448
>>Blank Mask

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“Hey, ain't you gonna stop and say hi to us? Come all the way down from level 3, and you just ignore me and my buddies? What, you think you're better then us?!”
”Who are you? I don't know you- get away from me.”
“Nice necklace! I'm pretty sure my granny had one just like it. In fact, I think you stole it.”
”Don't touch me! Somebody- help!”
“Give it here you bat!”
”HEY!”

You've got their attention now. They turn their heads to see you standing there, your mask on, your stance as intimidating as you can make it.

”Leave her alone! Or else!”

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“PFF-AHAHAHA!”
“Oh my GAWD!”
“It's a clown! A literal clown! Haha- let her go boys, we found someone more fun to play with!”

The three punks are still laughing, recovering from the surprise of your interruption of their mugging- but thankfully, she got away. That's the most important thing. Now you have a bigger problem- you're between them and their latest prey. They are getting closer now, fists balled up, grins on their faces. You aren't the biggest or most in-shape guy- but you have a certain feeling inside you. Some kind of righteous certainty. It doesn't matter that there are three of them- you know you're in the right. But something to tip the scales in your favor wouldn't hurt.

Next to you is one of the ubiquitous Upcycling Stations. Located all around level 5, these are places were trash and salvage from the upper levels are dropped every day. Other then clothes, food, and rent, which is all covered by your UBI, there is little income left over for other items or luxuries. Upcycling stations allow a craft citizen on your level to find useful tools, appliances, bits of furniture or fabric, and so on- reworking and scrapping them for valuables.

Scanning your eyes across the bin for a useful weapon- your eyes pick out a few things. First, you see a bottle of some kind of oil- a half-full type of slightly spoiled lubricant. If you splashed that in one of their eyes, you figure it would be tough to see. You could remove one of the punks from the fight early with that. Second, you see a length of cable with a small metal connector at the end- torn out from a wall socket- it looks useless for carrying a charge at the moment- but it could be useful as a whip or lasso of some kind. Third, and perhaps most promising, a leg of a chair or stool- useful now only as a small length of wood or perhaps a makeshift handle- now useful as a club. Finally, the heavy ceramic lid of a pressure cooker or some other heavy-duty appliance- a thick discus that could be thrown with great force, or maybe even a shield.

Which do you pick up?
>bottle
>cable
>leg
>heavy disc

>>5828612
Is it a glass bottle? If it's a glass bottle we could crack open one of them and then use the remains as a stabbing thing. Otherwise...
>Leg

>>5828612
>You pick the bottle and run.

>>5828612
>>cable

>>5828612
>bottle

>>5828612
>>5828615
+1

>>5828612
>leg

>>5828612
>heavy disc

>>5828612
>heavy disc

>>5828612
>>heavy disc
Shield OP

>>5828612
>cable

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Currently tired between chair leg and disc.

>>5829579
Chair leg because I don't wanna rip off captain america

>>5828612
>leg

>>5828612
>>5828615
Changing my vote to:

>>Run

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The truth is, you can't remember the last time you actually got mad.

Maybe when you were a little kid- throwing a tantrum when you didn't get your way. Maybe you lashed out once or twice after something upset you- and you certainly felt a boiling sense of anger whenever one of your few possessions was stolen. Such is the way of things on level 5, you replace it with something else and move on. Whenever you felt mad throughout your life- you always felt a bit silly and embarrassed afterwards, a bit guilty, like your tantrum was just self indulgent. You don't feel any of that here. You get mad, grabbing the leg of the chair and swinging it hard at the approaching thug- whose hands were up in a sort of mock-boxing style- as if they had no actual intention of hurting you beyond show. You swing again and again, even as the other two try to surround you, your wild flailing making you impossible to approach. You catch one on the hand, another on the arm, and you feel a great sense of satisfaction. Your anger doesn't feel indulgent now. These faces- these angry, scowling, thuggish, thieving, cruel faces- watching them screw up in pain is a reward. The more angry you get, and the more you fight back- fight back against everything you've experienced to be human evil- the more satisfying your anger is.

"How dare you steal from old ladies! Were you the ones who stole the little kid's bike on this block too?! You're a bunch of cowardly bullies! This is what you get bullies! Take it! THIS IS WHAT BULLIES GET!"

You smack one hard across the nose- the punk suddenly squealing as blood pours out. The other two back off a bit- your wild swings wheeling back and striking the wind out of one of them.

"H-Holy shit! This guy is crazy!"
"Watch out- PKs!"

The message doesn't get across to you quick enough. As the other punks recover and start to run- you- feeling elated in your sudden victory- only now hear the voices behind you barking requests for you to stand down. You suddenly hear and feel a spray of something spicy coat your upper body, some instantly getting into your eyes- and you realize you've been pepper sprayed.

"Ow! Fucccck!"
"Sir! Please drop the weapon! We'd like to talk about this- if you keep acting violent we will be forced to pepper spray you! Please come with us and we can calm you down!"
"Okay- Okay. I give up."

You have been arrested by the Peace Keepers. Any amount of violence is not tolerated- and these two officers just so happened to catch you beating up the thugs without any context. They are never around when you need them, and now, they are right here. That's just great.

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It seems your fight with the thugs was a little one-sided. Maybe they weren't expecting a fight, or maybe you just hit them fast and hard enough they didn't know how to react. Maybe they saw the PKs coming and you avoided getting the shit kicked out of you. Either way- your victory had a small price. Now you're handcuffed to a chair.

The Peace Keepers are the primary form of law and order on level 5, and they aren't very effective. Petty crime is basically never investigated, nor can they directly chase down or stop criminals. Most are never punished- only the ones who turn themselves in and ask to be rehabilitated. After all, that is what works.

Of course- getting violent in public, for any reason, even self defense, is a pretty serious crime. Even with Panopolis's soft handed approach towards criminality- getting violent like you just did would mean an immediate drop in the level of your habitation- if you weren't already on the lowest level of the city to begin with. And now, you're sure that you're going to get accused of being a violent psychopath. All because you wanted to help that little old lady- who only tried to help you out of the goodness of her own heart.

Good deeds never go unpunished, huh?

At this point, you pretty much feel about done with everything. The legal system- the city- the human species. What are you going to do? Your peaceful, simple, normal level 5 life is being upset all because you wanted to do the right thing. Was it the right thing?

You're waiting for your Counselor now, the person who is going to assign you to all kinds of gay anger management classes, give you the finger wag, while the thugs who assaulted you will get off scot-free, of course. What are you going to do now?

>Try to plead your case rationally & emotionally
>Fuck it all, try to escape

>>5829945
>>Fuck it all, try to escape

>>5829945
>Try to plead your case rationally & emotionally
The White man's way.

>>5829945
>>Try to plead your case rationally & emotionally

>>5829945
>Try to plead your case rationally & emotionally

>>5829945
>Try to plead your case rationally & emotionally
>Ask if they have any openings; perhaps they need someone to do their job for them?

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>>5829998
t. pic related

>>5829945
>>Try to plead your case rationally & emotionally
these bars cannot hold the great pagliacci for long

>>5829945
>Fuck it all, try to escape

>>5829945
>>Try to plead your case rationally & emotionally

>>5829945
>Fuck it all, try to escape

>>5829945
>Fuck it all, try to escape

Intentionally useless cops? Fuck em.

>>5829945
>Try to plead your case rationally & emotionally
Violence is necessary, but not here.

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You shouldn't do anything hasty. After all- you aren't expecting a serious punishment.

In your society, rehabilitation and counseling is considered the proper treatment for law breakers of all kinds- everything from traffic violations up to rape and worse. The one advantage of living in such a weak society? You will receive the same limp-wristed treatment. At the very least, you don't think they'll cut your UBI- though you might kiss any thoughts you had of advancing to level 4 in your lifetime goodbye if you have a bad record.

“Hello. My name is Cheryl. Cheryl Elmore. Peace Corps. I heard about you outburst today...”
”That's one way to put it.”
“Do you want to talk about it? Anger is a natural emotion, but taking it out on people is wrong.”
”Pfft... Why didn't you start with them first, instead of me? I bet all the witness said I just randomly went ballistic, none of them mentioned what happened just before- about the thugs harassing an innocent old lady.”
“That's funny. I received an anonymous tip from an older woman calling down from level 3 about a young man in a red hoody saving her from a group of punks.”
”...You did?”
“Yes. And according to my official responsibilities as a Peace Keeper and a counselor, I must advise you that such action is harmful for society and a serious crime.”
”What about unofficially?”

Cheryl doesn't answer. She gives you a knowing look, pulling up a chair. She undoes your handcuffs and sits across from you, getting down to your level and dispelling some of the discomfort in the room. She's beautiful, only a few years older then you. You can tell she's a well put together, professional woman- the slight bags under her eyes, once-over hairstyle, and hastily trimmed nails shows her long hours at the office and stressful work environment- especially for someone who gets emotionally invested in her cases as a Peace Keeper.

”...I really want to explain my side of the story about what happened. I don't want people to think this was gang related or-”
“I've already logged this in on your record. Public intimidation and threatening- an outburst or altercation. Misdemeanor. You have a clean record, so you won't be recommended any community service or counseling or anything like that- just a check up in one month.”
”I don't understand. That's not what happened.”
“That's what it is being logged as.”
”Oh... Thank you, Officer.”
“Cheryl is fine.”

Seems like you are being rewarded for your good deed after all. The misdemeanor she speaks of isn't a permanent black mark on your record- it won't hurt any future prospects of yours or anything like that.

To a degree, you aren't 100% sure if this is part of the “counseling” process or not. While Panopolis is very bureaucratic, you don't know if this is some kind of secret ploy to get you to open up more- but the more you talk to Cheryl, the more you trust her. She seems very honest- which is something most people in this city, especially among the Peace Corps, are known for. You talk with her for a while longer- at least an hour- about the city, about the incident, about the procedure... but also about small talk. Eventually- family comes up.

”...I just don't know how I'd feel if it was one of my parents or grandparents out there... I'd go ballistic.”
“I feel the same way.”
”Do your parents live on level 5 too?”
“No- I never met my mother. My father lived on level 4. He died a few months ago.”
”I'm sorry to hear that.”
“...It's weird, sorry if this comes off strange. You look just like him. Well, a younger him. My father. He was the same as you. He would yell at young guys cussing in public, or one time he scared the hell out of a kid who was keying someone's car, stuff like that. He had strong sense of right and wrong. One of the reasons I became a Peace Keeper.”
”Well, at least he sounds like he lived an exciting life. My parents are so boring, haha. My Dad will probably die of the most boring disease in the world.”

She gives you a strange look, almost like you just offended her.

”...I'm sorry, was that in poor taste?”
“No no... it's just... his murder is still unsolved.”

Oh jeez. What have you gotten yourself into? You're too socially awkward for this kind of thing. But now, what she's talking about, it starts to make more sense.

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“...My entire career has been based on the power of therapy and reconciliation. Both for criminals and their victims. The Peace Keepers are good at what they do. Almost fifty million people live in this city, and we get along smoothly enough. But there are some who just... they don't learn. They don't care to learn. Our number one priority, as Counselors, is to teach people that their actions have consequences and that their negative actions hurt others. We teach them empathy. But some people? They don't have empathy. They don't care about others. They never learn. I've seen a few in my career, and once they are released, they just do what they do again- getting better at hiding it.”
”...Should you be telling me this?”
“This isn't about the job anymore. I'm asking you, as a person. Sorry for trauma dumping on you but...”
”No- no it's okay. You have a right to. You must be going through a lot right now. You're spending all your energy on your job to take your mind off your Father's murder. I can tell.”

Your cold reading seems to be a success, as she looks at you with a greater sense trust.

“...Don't you think that if you kill someone, you should be killed? Isn't that Justice?”
”...”
“Because when I find the man who killed my Father- I'm going to kill him myself. Do you think that's wrong?”

>Yes
>No

>>5831163
Gotta be careful here. We're still being monitored, those shady figures in the window outside >>5831161
are likely listening in and evaluating our psyche.

>"He shouldn't have died. The Peace corps are a soft touch, and innocent people are suffering and dying because they can't stop the Criminals who need to be stopped before they act. Won't protect everyone who needs their protection. The Peace Corps need to show more empathy to the victims of crime."

>>5831163
>No
Fuck it, he should be growing some balls. Even if it's a trap and she's just acting nice to evaluate the psyche, it doesn't really matter.

>>5831163
>No
It was wrong of them to do so in the first place. If an animal cannot be leashed, it has to be put down.

>>5831188
+1

>>5831163
>>No

>>5831163
>No
>But as writer of old have put on paper, those who live by the sword die by the sword

>>5831163
>Yes

>>5831163
>>It's revenge to do that. Another name for revenge is reflexive honor. So the real question is this- what will shape the world better into a place you want to live? Love like we see now around us appealing to a better nature that may not be there in some, or honor and the enforcement of a set of values better known as law, by force?

>>5831163
>Yes

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An advertisement plays on Level 4, most notably as it is the lowest level were mass media and color television is ubiquitous. The commercial has been played millions and is only remarkable in how forgetful it is- after all, it's advertising a universal product that everyone already buys.

"Mom! Mom! I'm hungry- can we get something at the food cart?!"
"Sure dear- Oh, what do we have here?"

The seller of the stall is turned around, an unusually fat and hairless man in a colorful uniform and a paper hat on his head.

"Oh- I want one of those pork buns!"

With a sudden electric shock that knocks the hat off his head- the seller whips around to reveal an anthropomorphic pig man. He looks frightened, shivering and biting his fingernails in a exaggerated fashion.

"You wanna eat, what!?"
"Sweetheart! Don't say that! Say RedMeat instead!"
"But I thought RedMeat is made from neutralized, ethically sourced bio products!"
"It is- but saying the name of the animal or its meat is considered rude. You never know who could be listening."
"Oof. Sorry Mr.Pig."

The pig's expression changes to a big grin, giving a thumbs up.

"That's alright young man. RedMeat can be made from pigs, cows, deer- but all of it is highly processed and sanitized for ethical human consumption. Don't risk off brand sources of protein, or "whole food" sellers which can be full of parasites or disease."
"Yuck!"
"Just remember- when it comes to your protein- don't gamble. Always bet on red!"

Real update later

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”...No, I don't think it's wrong. You are not wrong to feel that way. It depends on the situation but, not everyone can be reasoned with. Sometimes the only just solution is... well, death. At whose hand- I couldn't say.”

She seems to like that answer. Cheryl beings the process to discharge you from the Peace Keepers- after all, your crime was recorded as only a minor incident, a misdemeanor, so you'll get to go home the very same night. She is finishing up some paperwork in the busy office as you sit by her desk quietly.

”Officer Jacobs- did you follow up on that case of the smuggling between levels 4 and 5?”
“Yes, Mam. The weapons appear to be coming from level 5 in the first place, so it only needed to pass thru one checkpoint- excuse me, are you finished with him?”
”Level 5-!? Sorry, here's your papers.” She says now, turning to you. She gives you a smile. ”Thanks for being honest and letting me vent a little bit.”
You nod. ”No problem. And I should be the one saying thank you.”
”Hold on, Max. I want to give you something.”

She pulls out a metal key. It gleams as she puts it into your palm.

”What's this?”
”It's a key to a little garage on the outskirts of Level 5. It belonged to my Dad.”
”Oh... Cheryl, I can't take this. This is yours. What if there is something important there? It could be valuable.”
”It's okay. I've already got all the baby pictures, the home movies, the house. I've never been there myself- it's just a place where my Dad put his sports equipment, some old tools, his calendars with the anorexic girls on them- you know, guy stuff.”
”Still, you can't just give me a valuable property like this.”
Cheryl shrugs. ”...I'm moving up to level 4. It's not going to be valuable to me anymore.”
”Oh. Congratulations. Are you sure-”
”Yes. I am. Think of it as a little reward. Now go home, and keep out of trouble, okay?”

It makes sense enough. Cheryl is moving up to Level 4. Most people only move up a level once in their lives, if at all- it's a big deal. Every level is divided by income and expertise in a career. Despite the high level of income disparity in the city- the levels are segregated. There are laws limiting investment and ownership between levels, so even though everyone in level 4 and up are much richer then anyone in level 5; nobody is buying up all the property and eliminating the possibility of a landlord class. Something you learned your ancestors had serious problems with- especially during the resource wars.

Cheryl gave your her Dad's garage since she can't keep it anyway. That's an excuse- but it's still unusually kind. People usually give their properties to family members on the same level, or sell them for market value. To just give it to a stranger is unusually generous. Well, here's hoping there is some valuable salvage there, at the very least.

After your extremely long day- you finally make it home. Like most people on Level 5, you live in a small apartment paid for by government assistance and your UBI payments. Everyone is in tonight- as is usual on level 5. Your window looks unusually dark from the street. You enter the flimsy security gate and head up to your room and finally get to see-

”Bartholomew! Come here boy! Good rat!”

Your pet rat- running into your arms as you cuddle. He must have missed you. Pet rats are the most common pet on Level 5- though there aren't many options. It's either rats or pigeons- unless you're one of those weirdos who raises bugs. Genetically modified- these housebroken rats are bigger then wild rats and much more domesticated. They hate the taste of plastic and wood, so they're way less likely to bite through a power cable and kill themselves. He clings to you with his little hands and starts to doze off as you look over your room.

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This is where you live, exactly like most people on Level 5. You live in a small, single room apartment with an attached bathroom and a closet built into the wall- no kitchen. There is a single window that lets in the smoggy city air whenever you leave it open. Your door has a few extra locks built in- something graciously added by the previous tenant. It's a meager existence, but something graciously provided by the city itself, and something you're grateful for.

Along the sides of the room are your side projects- several thrown away pieces of junk and salvage from UpCycle stations and trash bins. You have one of those automatic coffee makers that only half works- you tried to get the motor to spin so you can make a record player- but when you realized you had to get it to spin at just the right speed consistently you gave up. Then you have a few pieces of metal- something to file down to make useful tools around the apartment- as well as your solo roleplaying materials and little collection of notebooks with the used pages already torn out. You leave a few pages blank near the end of each just in case- so your novel manuscripts will have to remain unfinished or else you'll run out of room.

With the excitement of today fading- you get ready to unfold your bedroll and sleep with Bartholomew for tomorrow. Huh- it's gonna be the first tomorrow. What should you plan on doing?

>Collect your UBI stipend from the office
>Go to the Diner and see if you can get your stuff back
>Take a walk
>Work on one of your projects & play with your rat

>>5832800
>Go to the Diner and see if you can get your stuff back
>Collect your UBI stipend from the office

>>5832803
+1, It's not like either of these should take ridiculously long. Just a small trip to the office and then off to the dinar.

>>5832800
>Go to the Diner and see if you can get your stuff back

>>5832800
>>Collect your UBI stipend from the office
>>Go to the Diner and see if you can get your stuff back

>>5832803
+1

>>5832800
>Work on one of your projects & play with your rat

>>5832803
+1

>>5832803
+2

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You decide to return to the Diner to get your stuff back- and pick up your UBI check. Of course, since you have to walk everywhere, it won't be fast, but you should be able to squeeze in both trips today.

You go to the diner first. Speaking to the owner- he gives you a little box where he put all your campaign materials and masks. He also mentions something offhanded to you.

"Ehh- my favorite customer. I saw you run out yesterday leaving all your stuff here! Must have been a big emergency, huh?"
"Oh, uhh, yeah."
"And you put on a clown mask too?! That must have been some emergency!"
"Haha, yeah, it was uhh... some live action roleplaying stuff. Really off the cuff."
"Ahh. Well, you can do that kind of stuff if you want, I'd just prefer it if you didn't leave your stuff here!"
"Well, sorry... Speaking of, I had a pair of scissors with my stuff. It was a nice one too- sharp- like it was fresh from the factory. Do you know what happened to it?"
"Ehh-? Sorry bud. Somebody probably took it when you rushed out. That's how it goes. Maybe if I was a bit faster."
"It's alright. Thanks."

Well, sadly, you lost the scissors. Dammit. You should blame yourself for leaving them behind but... still, something about it urks you. Why would someone just steal it when left out like that? It's like they don't even consider other people at all- you just see something you want laying out and take it while no one is watching? That's the kind of mentality that most people in this city have- it's something that bugs you.

On top of this- the diner owners words also reach you in a different way. You realize that returning to places or speaking to those who saw you, even with a mask, may be a way to reveal your identity, which is something you don't want- you don't want those punks to know you were the one who fought back against them. Even just the one- you should try to lay low for a while. You even considered not wearing your red hoodie out today but...it's your only one so, you'll just have to avoid their normal areas. Speaking of which, time to go pick up your check.

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There are about four offices within nearby walking distance of where you live. The process also only takes a few minutes- though there is often a line- it isn't picking it up that takes time. It's avoiding the tax collectors. That can be an all day affair.

They are thugs who stand outside the UBI offices waiting for people to collect so they can fleece them of some money. Unlike more violent criminals however, these ones just take a little bit from everyone- and they get away with it- under the pretense of them charging for "protection" from the more dangerous ones. After all, losing just a bit of your money is better then some punk just beating you up and taking all of it. So most people just tolerate them, or pay them off a bit every month. So the game is to find a way to get in and out without paying. You could wait for them to take a piss but- this time there are two and they're on rotation. Damn. Well in that case, you'll have to be a bit clever...

>Wait for someone else to pay them and then go pick up your check
>Pick up your check and hide it in your box
>Stride in and just refuse to pay them anything
>Leave it

>>5833980
>Write in
Nobody cared who i was until i put on the mask.

There's probably some way to think of it.

Also, next time we should wear a different mask, or else we'll be instantly identified.

>>5833980
>Wait for someone else to pay them and then go pick up your check

>>5833980
>Look for some other people who are looking to collect and form up and stride towards the office.
One person is easy to bully, a group is harder.

>>5834152
Support

>>5833980
>>Wait for someone else to pay them and then go pick up your check

>>5834152
+1, if its 3 people the better.

>>5833980
>>Look for some other people who are looking to collect and form up and stride towards the office.

>>5834152
+1

>>5834152
Supporting

>>5834152
>+1
Seems like a sensible plan.

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Alone we snap easily but together we form a mighty faggot!

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Going in there by yourself is risky- you'll likely get stopped outside. But going in by a group isn't totally safe either- you don't know too many people around here, and besides more then once a group of “strangers” allow an extra to join them for safety in a collection before jumping them once they leave the office- most people try to avoid that kind of situation in the first place.

As luck would have it, your beloved neighborhood stooge, Nathan, is walking up to the thugs now! Nathan is a respected older gentlemen who is well known for paying off the local stiffs- and providing an excellent distraction in doing so! Everyone loves Nathan- he'll pay the tax collectors on the first of the month every month, you go pick up your own check, and then you split the difference with him- or at least buy him a beer. Of course, not everyone pays him back as fast or as often as they should, so he still loses out on his unique “service”, but he is a lifesaver for collecting your “paycheck”. Thanks, Nate!

After you get back home- you open up your envelope and inspect the cash- but notice it is tied off with a blue ribbon. Your heart sinks a little bit. That's the universal sign for the city government “checking” your account- usually given to people with an outstanding fine to remind them not to spend too much. In your case, it's because of your misdemeanor from yesterday. You're just feeling a bit taken aback by how quickly they gave you a blue slip of paper- you guess the news travels quick. Thankfully you know there's no fine associated, so you're free to use your small but still very welcome income on what you actually need- with a few warm meals or maybe a new pair of shoes thrown in as luxuries.

With your stuff reclaimed- you can finally continue your campaign! That's what you've been thinking about all day. Back to your roleplaying. You check over your notes and character sheet, mentally reminding yourself of your place. You're lucky nobody saw the value in stealing your matching two-dice set- another rare find in the upcycling stations. While it's only a d6 and a d20, those two die are more then enough to play a modified version of the Heroes system, your tabletop system of choice. Your campaign itself, named Days Without Mourning, is a tale of personal heroics and growth for your main character. Now let's see where you were...

Your main character, named Maximillion Lightwick, a Fire and Air magician of no small skill, follows behind your Bromble mercanary, Broadback, into the infamous Caverns of Carnage. If you can recover an artifact of great power from here, you could disrupt and stop the growing evil before it overflows this dark place and destroys the local village.

You consult the oracle- is there trouble ahead? Yes. What kind? Hostile force. Sounds like an enemy encounter. Are we surprised? Oracle divines a “no”, you decide Broadback and his keen bovine senses could smell them coming. He steps out ahead- as he has more health and better armor then you do.

”Step back-” He says, drawing his sword. You've already rolled on a random table to give him a random personality trait- and you drew overconfident as a flaw. You imagine the Bromble with a smile. ”-I'll handle this!”

You frown. You just rolled this guy on a random table- you don't want to lose another NPC companion before you can actually build up some personality and backstory with them! That's where half the fun of a long running campaign comes from. It always just feels like you being alone in a world made up of random numbers- you want some real connection in your game!

You roll on a random monster table- and get a group of orcs. That's a good fit- they are evil intelligent humanoids that could be the ones protecting the artifact. Since you aren't surprised- you decide they aren't either, and you roll for initiative...

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Rules
Roll a d20 to make a combat roll. Your roll may be an Attack or a Defend. You do not need to assign your roll until after you roll it. If you roll above an enemy's Toughness value, this will count as a strike and deal damage to them or defeat them. If you roll below an enemy's Attack value, this is considered a block and you will protect yourself from their attack.

In addition, you may roll a Bonus die. Bonus die are d6. Bonus die can be applied as a bonus to one roll, or may apply to a secondary objective if the encounter is resolved with normal rolls.

ORC x3
Attack- 8
Toughness- 12

BONUS
>Do you get any fat loot? (Percentile Roll x 4 of Bonus Value)

(You can roll by typing “dice+1d20” in the options field. You can also roll for bonus as “dice+1d6”)

Rolled 2 (1d20)

>>5836653
Let's see eh

>>5836688
Damn, I guess thats a block.

Rolled 5 (1d20)

>>5836653
rollem

>>5836832
A block, I suppose. Firewall Abjuration, go!

Rolled 12 (1d20)

>>5836653
Is there any limit to the number of rolls here?

Rolled 7 (1d20)

>>5836653
Joining the rolling. I assume this is just 'anyone can roll once', right?

Rolled 4 (1d20)

>>5836653
Attack

Rolled 13 (1d20)

>>5836653


>>5836993
a lesson in why not to declare what you're rolling for before you roll it

>>5837344
Attack

Rolled 3 (1d6)

>>5836653
Banana, is "meet it is beat it?" If not, rolling Bonus for turning >>5836838 into success.
Else, it will be a bonus for bonus' sake.

>>5836967
Setting as Defense/Block

>>5837344
or.. were we suposed to...? In that case, looool.

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You roll your dice- hmm, several high defense rolls, but few good attacks- not quite enough to beat the orcs back handily. You decide on the oracle- able to avoid taking any hits, but not able to move closer to the ancient artifact. The orcs will force you to retreat.

You roll for a complication- and use the power of your imagination to divine what happens next. You decide to use a powerful spell on your character sheet- but will have to lose something for the story and mechanics to make sense- but do you gain an item? How will you explain that if you roll under your bonus modifier?

”Broadback! Come back- I am conjuring a wall of Fiery Filiments- nobody can pass through without being burned- that includes you!”
”Grr- Never surrender!”

It so perfectly fits his character flaw- though this does mean you'll lose another companion. Maybe you can work him back into the evolving narrative. This does mean your PC is going to be alone... again. Seems to happen a lot. How are you supposed to work out these existing character bonds. No matter- you'll have to explore the rest of the dungeon and add your social contacts into the random table. How did the Kobold Thief from the town get there? Maybe he followed you seeking “magic shinies”? That's a good reason. You add him to the table and get your dice ready. You track your lost mana points and the loss of your companion- before ticking down your torch and mental stress tracker a tick- and then pull up your homebrewed table of encounters in the caverns.

Hmm- a trap. Worked into the rough stone? You'll have to think of that one a bit. So Lightwick moves down the stone hall, now very alone and without a stiff arm to protect his frail Wizardly body. Let's see, how can I generate a cool trap? Maybe something to do with the orcs? Let's pull up the oracle. Hmm, “Motherly Runes”, interesting generation. Maybe something to do with an ancient deity? And what element should this magic be? Since my character can sense Air and Fire magic, maybe Earth magic, since it would be less in his area of expertise? And then.... then...

...This isn't fun anymore.

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You flop down on the floor among your papers, looking up at the ceiling, feeling empty within.

Once, you'd spend all day like this. In fantasy land, living out lives and adventures in your imagination- doing good deeds and living the lives of the fictional heroes you adore. But now, something has changed. Ever since your encounter with the punks, and protecting that old woman from them, you've changed something deep down inside yourself. You thought maybe your life could just go back to normal. Everything of the past few days has been working towards just this- keeping your head down and living out your normal, unassuming life as a Level 5'er. But now, you see that won't work for you anymore. Like it or not, you can't go back to normal. You felt something different- it was much like you went through your life in a waking dream, and only now are you finally awake.

You now know what it feels like to make a real difference.

Within yourself, you realize this is not a passing sensation or a one-off surge of heroism. You want this life now. You mentally prepare yourself to accept this- you are no longer content to live an average life. From now on, starting today, you are going to be a different person. Everything in yourself must be aligned for this to happen, and the transformation overcomes you all at once within your mind. You are no longer Max Montagu- you are now a Masked Vigilante. You see the world no longer as a place that you must simply try to survive in and eek out what happiness you can. You must make the world a better place. And you will.

But the only question is... how?

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You take an electric GyroBus to the city limits- out the address of the garage, once owned by Cheryl's Father. The Elmore garage. It's a very surreal feeling- you don't think you've ever been out this far. It's crazy to you that at some point, the buildings just... end. You look over the vast expanse outside the city and feel a bit dizzy. Crazy to think there's just a whole world out there- but why would anyone need to leave Panopolis? Perhaps that's the whole point of building a city like this...

The garage is quite old now- minimal upkeep. Likely went out of business when the city was built up so densely and public transportation improved to the extent that private vehicle ownership simply vanished for the vast majority of people. You open the door and enter within- the metallic dividing walls and metal supports, once used for automotive repairs, now suddenly repurposed for... whatever Cheryl's dad used it for, you suppose.

You click the old lights on and look around. Despite a layer of dust and decay, it's a nice, cozy little place. You still feel a bit guilty that Cheryl just... gave you this place. Owning a building or parcel of land like this even just a few hundred years ago would have put you in the upper crust of society. But now? It's just a curious little place- used for storage it seems. Or perhaps recreation. Within the main room, you can see a couch next to a television, some boxes and various tools along a wall, and a few other fixtures. Saucy pin ups line the walls, with some old beer bottles dropped into a dusty wastebin that still has not been emptied. Looks like nobody has come back to this place since its owner was murdered. Perhaps you can find something useful for salvage- what should you check out?

>Whatever is under the white sheet
>Entertainment System
>The Safe under the worktable

>>5838136
>>Whatever is under the white sheet
our noble steed, a motorcycle?

>>5838136
>The Safe under the worktable
Something there might be valuable.

>>5838136
>>Entertainment System

>>5838136
>Whatever is under the white sheet
The safe will likely take a while to open, and even the entertainment system might take a little time to asses the capabilities. We can look under the sheet right here and now.

>>5838136
>Whatever is under the white sheet

>>5838136
>>Whatever is under the white sheet

>>5838136
>>The Safe under the worktable

>The white sheet

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No update for right now.

How are you all enjoying the Quest so far? The pacing is a little slower then I wanted, but it is kinda supposed to be an "origin story".

>>5839190
I'm interested on where it's going, though i have to admit it feels like there just aren't enough criminals. Like, there's punks, sure, but this is supposed to be the lowest level and all we have is some street thugs that mug people? It just doesn't feel like there's anywhere to go.

I mean, i like the idea of playing as a vigilante, i feel like there aren't enough quests about this and especially drawquests, but there just doesn't seem like there's anywhere to go up. And i don't mean it like 'Oh there's no supervillains', but like, there doesn't seem to be any gangsters or crime cartels or anyone big that could work as a greater enemy once we get past the 'beat up a bunch of rowdy losers' phase

>>5839192
;)

>>5839190
as other said, I really hope you're following the crapsaccharine world trope with tons of shady things in addition to the small imperfections already seen

>>5839192
We gonna beat the corrupt president and his embezzli-boys!

>>5839674
Well that's boring. I don't want to beat up some normal dude, i want to go full jacket and take out entire cartel strongholds alone.

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You decide to pull back the white sheet to reveal... a motorcycle! Not still in working order, you assume. But it looks pretty! It's shiny, nice and red- no scratches or dents as far as you can see. To be fair, you aren't too familiar with personal vehicles; Panopolis has such good public transit and urban design very few people even have them, and on Level 5, without the city LeyLine Systems to power electric vehicles, most people are relegated to bikes or scooters. Given the rate they get stolen, most people just call those “rentals”.

What's this big bulging part up here, near the handlebars? You tap on it to hear a hollow sound, and then open the lid- suddenly you smell a faint acrid odor. What- gasoline?! No no, it can't be. All gasoline vehicles were banned over one hundred years ago. Actually it could be something else- biodiesel. You know that Biodiesel vehicles exist- the type that are supposed to operate way out from the city limits where a flywheel energy system, like a GyroBus, couldn't support them at that range. But to actually have one? Extremely rare. Don't ask how you know that- you aren't quite sure either.

And it means something else too- with an independent power source, it means this bike could be used anywhere in the city or around it without relying on the power system. Normally, vehicles are locked to the specific level of the city they are meant for, and can only move on the streets paved with the LeyLine power system- avoiding people accidentally bringing them down pedestrian paths or taking them places they aren't supposed to go. The ability to just... drive anywhere it can fit is a big deal. Your mind suddenly blazes with possibility.

You've never driven one of these before, and the cost of such an artifact might be a little beyond your scope, but this is just too cool not to play with.

After a few minutes of practice in the parking lot and nearly falling down and crushing yourself, you ride your bike until the paved road ends, and then beyond, until finally... you're farther then anyone else you've ever known.

Wow. From a distance, you can see the whole city. All of Panopolis in its glory- the desolate landscape littered with trash and barely-recovering nature a real historic monument to the resource wars that plagued your planet before you were born. Almost nobody lives out here or farther away- all of humanity was cloistered in megacities not only to protect the environment, but also to protect themselves. You aren't exactly sure why; but the history books suggest something about the lack of threat of nuclear war meant that the nations of the world found the safest place to put their people was to clump them all together. History books mention great construction projects, you remember a textbook showing a massive hole in the ground that, only upon further inspection, shows its true scale when you saw the tiny ant-like people within. But your basic education didn't go into much more detail then that.

From way out here, you can even look over the entire city. It's strange to see its levels delineated so clearly like this- you didn't think it would be so obvious from the outside.

The city of Panopolis is divided into levels. Each level is a strata of society- with wealth and status being greater the higher level you are. Anyone can freely visit or travel to a lower level then their own- but you cannot travel to a higher level without some very special permission. Children are automatically assigned to the same level as their parents- though depending on early life behavior or success in school this can sometimes be changed. Many have critiqued this system- but its important to remember that, compared to the landlord class and general unfair capitalist system of the world before the megacities were built- social mobility is much higher today and the rich and powerful can actually be held accountable and demoted from their positions. It's not a perfect system, but it's a lot better then the way things used to be. Still, you have your own doubts about it.

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At the base and dominated by industrial machinery is Level 5, your home, and the bottom level of the city. It is the poorest level of the city, but manages the waste and recycles the trash, reclamation of water, produces the raw materials and manufacturing of all common goods in the city. It also provides the release valve for the city's hungry millions; a safe place where the unwanted and unfortunates of society can live in relative safety and comfort from the UBI system.

Above it is Level 4. For you, an unachievable Mecca, but for most in the city- the great center of commerce. Having as many offices as homes, this level of the city handles the transactions, selling and buying of goods, and marches its great capitalistic engine. Everything you've ever bought was on Level 5, but was probably advertised and sold to you from Level 4. The people there are incredibly busy, but much richer then anyone on Level 5.

Next is Level 3. This is the place of the artists, athletes, and academics of the city. Most of it is indoors and very beautiful, adorned with art and design, but it kind of creeps you out. You've been there a few times as a kid, you can't say you like it very much. It's also the place where sapiens, bio-implants, and all other sorts of high tech stuff is made. The people there are given a great deal of status over those on the lower levels however, mostly due to their lasting contributions to society.

Then Level 2. Even from here, you can barely make out the clean paved streets, manorial estates, and lush vegetation of the private boardwalks and topiary gardens... It's a paradise. Filled with luxury and high class people; level 2 doesn't even have Peace-Keepers, or so they say, as the people are so civilized and well behaved- neighborhoods can manage themselves. Everyone there is part of the city elite and upper crust- politicians and bureaucrats mostly. The only reason you have any idea about what is on this level is because of the once yearly Grand Ball, where random citizens from any level can win a lottery and enjoy a night at one of the estates. They say simply networking and party-favors from a single night on Level 2 can be enough to set you up for life.

Finally... Level 1, a place you know literally nothing about. Rumors about what is up there, at the very top of the city, abound- especially among the lower classes. Officially, it's the seat of power and government in the city- probably only for the mayor or chief executive officers that keep everything running. Some think its a money vault where the riches of the city are kept- but you think it's probably filled with computers. After all, something has to manage and watch over a hundred million people...

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You check the tank. Uh oh. It's about half full- and you drove out pretty far. You certainly do not want to have to walk back to the city out here, with no services or way to ask for emergency help or anything like that... No no, calm down, you're not stranded. You'll be able to get back to the garage at least but you don't really have a way to actually fuel this thing. Despite how cool it is to own a motorcycle that can just go anywhere, you really shouldn't be driving it around until you do. You can't just buy it either, not only does your income not support something as expensive as biofuel, you don't even think they sell it to random citizens like you. Until then, the awesome bike will have to wait.

Returning back to the garage before nightfall; you look over the workbench and the various tools and objects scattered around. Taking a long stiff bit of material, an idea suddenly pops into your head.

You were pretty lucky when you first fought those thugs- after all, they were too busy laughing their asses off to actually fight you properly. But if you get into another fight, you don't want to have to just come to blows undefended. You need a weapon. And last time, you were pretty successful with that random leg of furniture- a club or baton would suite you well, wouldn't it? You can keep the thugs at arms length- and give them a good wollop!

There is actually quite a lot of useful salvage in the garage- you see lots of interesting materials and high quality tools, if a little old and unused. Taking a bit of stiff material, you take your scrappy Level 5'er salvage know-how and start to think of what to make...

>Dual Tonfas
>Stun Baton w/ Battery Pack
>Expandable Rod / Staff

>>5840011
>Expandable Rod / Staff

>>5840011
>Dual Tonfas

Here's the reasoning.
>A Staff, even expandable, is good on 1V1 to keep people at a distance. However, we will often be in 1VMany.
We'll need to multi-task our fighting, blocking with one arm while striking with the other would prove a great asset.

>Tonfas are good against blade
Thug will have knife, axes and whatnot. Tonfas are really good to block those away

>Dual weapons are less prone to failure
A tonfa break will be less handicaping than a rod break. It also open the "throw in the face" option at lesser risk

>>5840011
>>Stun Baton w/ Battery Pack

>>5840033
While you have a point, i feel like using two weapons at the same time might be a mistake. It means your hands are always occupied, so you can't use them for anything else.

>>5840061
>Grab only one of them
There. Fixed.

>>5840098
That would be better, yes.

>>5840011
>Dual Tonfas

>>5840011
>Stun Baton w/ Battery Pack

The best self-defense option for stealth and brief encounters, which is the best route for survival.

Some goggles and a respirator mask to protect against peacekeeper pepper spray would be a good idea eventually.

>>5840223
The issue with a stun baton is that it can run out.

>>5840011
>>Dual Tonfas

>>5840444
The city is equipped with wireless power everywhere and a baton is still a baton, probably the most concealable option too.

>>5840781
Well, the most concealable is definitely the expandable staff.

>>5840936
If it is, I'd change my vote to that from the stun rod.

...You just had to go and make it a tie, huh?

>>5841285
Therefore, we should make an Expandable staff, but with a stun rod on one of the sides.

>>5841288
No, it's tied to the Tonfa.

Expandable tonfas?

>>5841294
That doesnt sound smart, especially if you're dual-wielding them.

>>5841295
the point is to make them compact and hideable for conceal-carry anon

>>5841285
I'll switch to the Tonfas then.

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After scrounging around the garage, you find some bits of artificial material- hard and reliable and nearly in the right shape. Adding some handles and shaving them down to the same size- you create two solid weapons- tonfas, or t-shaped nightsticks. The handles give you unparalleled grip, ensuring that they won't slip out easily, as well as giving you a good defense from blocks- but with few other features. After all, they're basically just a pair of sticks...

Over the next month- you begin practicing with your weapons. You also try to cut bad stuff out of your diet and add more protein despite the expense of WhiteMeat and RedMeat- and while your lifestyle isn't exactly athletic, it's healthy enough to support some muscle growth. You spend a few days a week at the garage, working on your new toys that you try to keep away from your normal life- making sure to feed Bartholomew whenever you're gone. After all, you have nothing better to do. With laser-like focus, you improve yourself for your eventual goal.

The metal support beam of the garage wiggles and rings out with each hit- a satisfying 'ding ting ting' becomes a rhythm. You are finally ready. You tuck your tonfas into two special sleeves you made out of some fabric and velcro that you strap to your arms- which can be hidden underneath your hoodie's sleeves. With a quick flick- you can bring the handles out to your hands and be in fighting form almost immediately. Of course, real criminals won't be as still as a metal support beam...

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There is one final element you're missing. Your mask. Your old mask, the clown, was made of paper and not exactly very durable- being soaked with pepper spray and being seized by the Peace-Keepers didn't help its longevity either. You need a new one- made of a more durable plastic. You prototype a few designs- which one do you think looks the best?

>Select a Mask (1, 2, 3, or 4)

Returning to Level 5 and immersing yourselves in the locale again, you feel somehow different. More like a predator- looking for trouble. You are no longer a bystander, but ready to right the wrongs. The low level thugs and punks here are still roaming free and unmolested- unchallenged. With your hoodie up, people avoid you instinctively- exactly as they would if you were an unidentified criminal. The people here are afraid, knowing they are ruled by the ruthless who care not for authority, the rule of law, or even common decency to their fellow man. It's time to change that.

What do you do?
>Look for suspicious characters
>Try to protect the most vulnerable people
>Put a stop to the "Tax Collectors"

>>5841974
>2
>Put a stop to the "Tax Collectors"
Wait, we aren't going to wear our red Hoodie when going to do vigilante work, right? Please don't tell me we are that stupid. It would be uncritically better to wear the fucking tarp as a cloak than to go with the red hoodie.

>>5841974
>4
>>Look for suspicious characters

>>5841974
>Just observe, try to figure out who owns what areas or grifts and info about chains of command. All warfare is based on deception and you will take full advantage of the element of surprise to stalk your prey. You bring notebooks and conduct area studies to map unexpected routes around the city and points of interest you can use, too.

>>5842014
>Mask #2

>>5841974
>1
>>5842014
+1

>>5842014
No write ins are allowed.

>>5841974>>5842014
>>5842015
Mask#2
>Look for suspicious characters

Thanks for the clarification Bananas

>>5842026
Switching to
>Try to protect the most vulnerable people

>>5841974
>Mask 3
>Put a stop to the "Tax Collectors"

>>5841974
>1

>Put a stop to the "Tax Collectors"

>>5841974
3.
Put a stop to the "Tax Collectors"

>>5841974
>4
>Put a stop to the "Tax Collectors"

>>5841974
>2
>Put a stop to the "Tax Collectors"

>>5841974
>2
>Put a stop to the "Tax Collectors"

Should we consider a mask that isn't clown-theme at all, though? We've already been caught under the clown theme and no doubt profiled and identified.

>>5843153
Well, two looks like the least clowney-one.

But this reminds me, as mentioned in >>5841995 we should probably get some other clothing when we go out to be a vigilante, if they don't recognize the clown mask they will definitely recognize the hoodie.

>>5843160
Leather motorcycle jacket, helmet, goggles, respirator... very 1950s pulp hero look, what do you guys think?

>>5843447
Nah, I don't like the whole goggles think. Eventually we should get a durable mask. Also, a leather jacket sounds very out of budget for a level 5 guy.

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You decide the first thing that needs to change around here... is to put an end to the "Tax Collectors".

The thugs and stiffs that take money from people every month from their UBI payments are parasites- draining away money from people who have no other options- and keeping it for themselves. It's something that happened to you before, and everyone else on this level- and you're not going to put up with it anymore.

On the first of next month, when everyone's wallet is feeling light, you go on a patrol to the normal haunts- and see Nathan again, talking to two big dudes.

"Hey guys- how long have we been doing "business" with each other? About five years, right?"
"...Yeah, sounds about right."
"Well, pretty soon it's my wife's anniversary. Instead of the normal hundred, how about this time, can we just do fifty?"
"What? No way, little man."
"Aww, come on. I've been reliable, haven't I? I've never tried to avoid you or rip you off. It's been five years of me giving you my money, for free, going out of my way to be punctual. I want her to have a nice meal this time- not just Calopuffs. After five years, can we just reduce it just this one time?"
"-No. And now that you ask, it's TWO hundred every month from now on!"
"Come on, that's not fair. Back me up here Ricky, you can't-"
"Shut the FUCK up you shrimp! You want me to crack your skull open!? Dumbfuck! Give me my money!"
"Aww... Come on man... please be reasonable- not the face."
"HEY!"

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You don't know how to put it into words, but something about the entitlement of these bullies- the type who only value strength- really ticks you off. It's time for them to learn a lesson.

However, the one on the right is a pretty big dude. Physical size is a big deal in a fight, and you need to have a way to deal with them. You've got your tonfas, but just trying to slug it out with them is not a good idea. What should you do when dealing with opponents bigger and stronger then you?

>Trip or trick them
>Use reach
>Grapple
>Avoid them

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>>5843509
>we used the red hoodie

>>5843518
Yes that's your super hero uniform. You have other clothes. Shut up already.

>>5843523
>Say that you would get recognized if you keep wearing the same clothes
>keep wearing the same clothes

>>5843509
>Avoid them
Bigger the dude the smaller the stamina.

>>5843509
I feel like you people are forgetting a crucial fact - we have a weapon, and they don't. As long as we don't let them surround us, there's nothing they can do. If they try to swing, we can break their fucking hand. If they try to tackle us, we hit them in the skull.

I'm not quite sure what this would be, though, but the trick is that we just use the fact that they're unarmed to keep them away. Even if we're weaker, the fact is, WE have a hard object and they do not. Your ever get your hand hit by a baseball bat on accident?

>>5843509
>Trip or trick them

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>>5843509
>Trip or trick them.
One good thing about Tonfas is it allows a reverse grip - check picrel on how it's relevant

>>5843509
>>Trip or trick them

>>5843509
>Trip or trick them

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When it comes to physical combat- size is going to be a big component. You aren't a short little guy either, but you aren't the biggest. And against someone bigger then you, any edge will be crucial.

Of course, you have practiced with your tonfas enough to know a few tricks. You smack the smaller of the pair with your weapon enough to stun, then knock him down. Reversing your grip on one of your batons, you slink low to grab around the big man's ankles and pull hard to knock him off balance. He falls to the ground and you follow up with a smash to the chest- stunning him enough that he has to concede and give up. The two are momentarily fazed- enough that Nathan can easily escape now. You hold your club up to make the defeated criminals flinch.

"Don't ever take anyone's UBI money again, understand?" They don't say anything but look afraid- afraid enough that they won't try this again.

You make your leave- but not before Nathan speaks to you.

"W-What was that for? Why are you helping me... how much do you want?"

>Give him a quip and then leave
>Say something heroic and then leave
>Don't say anything

>>5846261
>Say something heroic and then leave
"You've given way enough to everybody around. Thank you for your service."

>>5846291
+1

>>5846261
>Don't say anything
He'll recognize our voice.

>>5846261
>>Give him a quip and then leave

>>5846261
>Don't say anything

>>5846261
>Don't say anything
Only stupid vigilantes need cringe lines

>>5846261
>Give him a quip and then leave

>>5846261
>Don't say anything

>>5846261
>Don't say anything

>>5846261
>Say something heroic and then leave
>>5846291
Supporting this.

>>5846261
>Say something heroic and then leave

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You decide not to say anything to Nate, both because he might recognize your voice, and because you don't think there is much to say. He can figure it out.

"Hey! Wait! T-Thank you! What is your name?!"

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You leave the scene after beating up the big tax collector and his buddy- and for the rest of the day go track down and beat up a few more. Your hands ache from the vibrations in your tonfas, but you only receive a few minor blows here and there- your weapons are faster then the standard thugs fist- who rely on intimidation and bullying to get what they want.

It will take a little time to get it through their thick skulls, but over the next few days, you make sure to stop as many "tax collections" as you can. The word spreads quickly after that- only needing a few of the more notorious and comfortable tax collectors to get knocked down a peg before the less confident ones back off. By the time next month rolls around- there is a suddenly lack of the tax collectors all over town. There is a weird energy in the air- you see lines of people standing outside- even women and children walking to collect their UBI without issue- unthinkable even just a month ago. Everyone on Level 5 seems suddenly feels much more secure.

At the same time, over the next few days, you see people being more loose with money- in a good way. Couples eating at restaurants more, business is booming, people in nicer and less worn down clothes. You even had a bit extra- though some of it came from the valuable salvage from the garage, enough to buy a new hoodie. You get one a size larger, and hide your "crime fighting" equipment underneath it- sadly you think it's too risky to go about in your favorite bright-red hoodie as your civilian clothing anymore, so you opt for something more inconspicuous- a drab color to avoid too much attention.

Feeling suddenly inspired by the direct consequences of your actions- you can only think of what to do next. While the tax collection may have stopped for now, Level 5 still has a lot of issues. What should you do next?

>Rest on your accomplishment
>Continue training
>Protect at-risk people
>Look into the motorcycle

>>5850145
>Look into the motorcycle

What are the level 5 issues?

>>5850145
>Continue training

>>5850145
>>Look into the motorcycle

>>5850145
>Continue training
The motorcycle is cool but we're just not strong enough. We need to get /fit/

>>5850145
>>Continue training

>>5850145
>Protect at-risk people

>>5850145
>Continue training
I'd like to help protect at-risk people, but I feel we would need to be stronger first. And trouble will probably find us, anyway.

>>5850145
>>Continue training
Better to lay low after a first big victory. We don't want to take too much heat too fast.

>>5850145
>>Continue training

>>5850145
>Continue training

>>5850145
>Rest on your accomplishment

Taking a break is part of the job. Gives us time to get thrifty and creative too, which is important.

>>5850907
We can't rest so soon. We've been lucky so far because the guys we've met are small time crooks who weren't even armed. We are a slightly fit nerd with barely any experience. We need to become stronger so we don't fold the moment a guy who isn't a pussy shows up.

We need to become strong enough that we'd be able to beat those guys from the alley in the start in a few seconds with our hands alone. We need to LIFT

>>5850909
>We've been lucky so far because the guys we've met are small time crooks who weren't even armed.
Or until the leaders of that grift wanna fix the problem.

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You decide to take this opportunity and the instant results of your vigilantism to fuel yourself. With a few quiet weeks ahead as the punks lay low on Level 5, you have a little extra time to train and test your body.

Back at the garage, you decide to check out the entertainment system left behind from Cheryl's father. There is a big CRT television, with color, pretty advanced stuff- a VHS player built into the unit. Beneath it are several cardboard boxes filled with the black plastic tapes. It's pretty advanced stuff- the type that people on Level 4 regularly have access to. On Level 5? Not so much.

You spill out one of the boxes and read the names. "Iron Mike Tyson, Krav Maga, American Judo Championships 1999, UFC Kickboxing Fundamentals, Conor McGregor..." You only barely recognize these words, but they seem enticing to you. It seems Cheryl's dad had a thing for blood sports. You also realize these tapes are really old, probably copied over multiple times, and have some artifacts and grain left in them. The color correction is all off- just look at how weird everyone's skin color looks! But you can still parse the gist of the movements and what's being said over the static.

Following alone- and continuing your warpath against the tax collectors, you cut your teeth with your newfound fighting abilities. You even refrain from using your tonfas in order to train with your fist and feet. You have become significantly more skilled in hand to hand combat. While perhaps not at your natural limits, you have still become a force to be reckoned with- nobody of your same height and weight can touch you now, at least on Level 5.

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Already now, the whispers of what you've accomplished have begun to stir in the people of Level 5. Starting with the tax collectors first of course- but people have begun to notice and speak of a "masked vigilante". There's no name for you yet, but it's clear you're making a serious impact.

Level 5 is a place where most people live very simple, physical lives restrained by access to resources and useful goods. It's crime is primarily physical- muggings, tax collection, theft, and the unfortunate occasional sexual violence against women. This is the type of place where strength is most respected, and as such, your strength has the most ability to change it.

But you're starting to feel something else now- a great sense of loneliness. Up until now, you have not told anyone you know about your double life. It hasn't been very long, but you're already bursting at the seems wanting to tell someone- wanting to offload this pressure and maybe even bask a bit in the glory you are accumulating. Who should you confide in?

>Your Parents
>Nate (Friendly acquaintance)
>Cheryl (Peace-Keeper who already knows)
>Jason (Close, nerdy Friend)
>Tell no one

>>5852025
I'm tempted to go with no one, but I don't want to have a mental breakdown or something.

>Cheryl (Peace-Keeper who already knows)

>>5852025
>Your Parents

>>5852025
>>Cheryl (Peace-Keeper who already knows)

>>5852025
>Cheryl (Peace-Keeper who already knows)
If we're going to be Batman, we need our Commissioner Gordon onside. Plus, the whole 'already knows' thing.

>>5852025
>Cheryl (Peace-Keeper who already knows)
Cutey Police girl gets

>>5852025
>Cheryl (Peace-Keeper who already knows)
If she already knows...

>>5852025
>Cheryl (Peace-Keeper who already knows)

Kinda want to hear more about Jason. Also interested in that diner from the start, wanna poke around in there.

>>5852025
>>Cheryl (Peace-Keeper who already knows)

>>5852025
>Cheryl

>>5852025
>Cheryl (Peace-Keeper who already knows)

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Can't update right now again, will get back on it soon.

While we wait- do you think the explanation of a lacking police-force and civilization decline/ennui is enough to explain the lax law enforcement of a grimy "superhero" style setting?

>>5854407
It's a fair explanation, though I still feel like there isn't enough crime in level 5 given its supposed to be the worst one.

>>5854407
It's a fine explanation, but most often a grimy place has a lot of crime despite a large police force. The real reason is because people simply stopped caring about their community.

>>5854407
As other said, fair explanation, surprisingly chill city

>>5854407
Yes. Having lived in such a place I can say definitely you get gangs, you get cops that take 3 hours to show up to a reported murder in progress, and occasionally someone crazy enough the occasional person who is crazy or idealistic enough to challenge the status quo who usually ends up shot or with their skull smashed in.

>>5854407
It's fine. It's fiction, though, so I wasn't particularly concerned about needing "enough" of an explanation.

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You desperately feel the need to tell someone about your double life... despite the dangers. You don't know if you can keep everything in. You're a pretty anti-social person, most people on Level 5 are- both the honest ones and the criminals. Still, you can't help but feel like telling someone what you're doing is important. Maybe you just want someone to try to talk you out of this path, or maybe you want to bask in the praise and the glory that you're making a difference- a little self centered, sure, but just a little bit. Just enough to keep yourself sane.

You decide that Cheryl, the Peace-Keeper, is your best choice. Keep your friends and family distant- you don't want them to accidentally spill your secret. Besides, Cheryl already knows. While she may live on Level 4 now, she still has already proven she can keep a secret and is trustworthy. Plus, having an ally on the inside of the Peacekeeping force could be a great benefit to you. And at some point in the future, you may even be able to help her do something extrajudicial; whether you wanted to or not, you did end up having a lot of empathy for her and wanting to help her. Maybe you'll get a chance to return that favor she gave you.

You call Cheryl through one of the very limited phone requests that go between levels and she agrees to come visit you. You keep your conversation over the phone candid- just in case someone is listening. Safer to talk in person. While it is very easy for a person on a higher level to come visit a lower level- the opposite is not true, so she has to come visit you. You decide to go to the security checkpoint nearest you that goes to Level 4 and agree to meet up. You go without your tonfas, red hoodie, and mask- getting this close to official government stuff with cameras and scanners make you a little nervous. You'll keep the getup at home.

Unfortunately, midway there- you happen to come across a rather distressing scene. On level 5, only ones strength is truly respected among the criminals here- and there is none bigger then The Viking.

You have never seen anyone as tall as this guy. With a square jaw, huge shoulders and hands, and an absolutely imposing frame- he is the King of this level. At least as far as you know- he's the bully who other bullies bow to. You see him in person now, just as another face in the crowd, as he bumps into some poor, regular sized bystander. The Viking slaps him across the face, instantly causing a massive wound to appear on his eye, and the man to fall to the ground- nearly knocked unconscious from an open-handed blow.

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“Oof- Oh my! I'm sorry, Sir!”
”You're GONNA be sorry!”

Reaching into his bag, the massive man with his oversized goons flanking him draws a sword from his bag- a replica of some kind, but still sharp as any piece of metal can be. He stabs it in the fallen man's hand, laughing in cruel sadistic delight as he wrenches in pain.

“OooWWW! Ow- Please! No more! I beg you-!”

The Viking's name comes from his Nordic heritage- which is something he is very proud of. It's unusual to know one's own national or ethnic history in the city- most people have blended together and are just people, city-goers, for multiple generations now. But with the runes he wears, long blond hair, and great size- it is undoubtable he is proud and arrogant as his status as top dog of Level 5.

And there you are... doing nothing. But what can you do? You don't have your mask, your weapons, and you're hopelessly outmatched. You have to walk away from the situation. Though you are angry at the callous hatred and domination that that beast of a man inflicted upon that random bystander... what could you actually do? The Viking is huge. He's way bigger then you- both in height and mass. You're like a kid compared to him. Regardless of your training or how prepared you feel- you may have to some day admit you just won't be able to overcome a physical difference that great...

While still feeling helpless from the situation you just witnessed, you meet Cheryl at the checkpoint. At least she's cheery. Though you can't help but notice she looks a little tired.

”How goes it on your level?”
”It's alright... crime families giving us a lot of trouble. Really hard to make a case against anyone in particular- so much red tape. How about yours?”
”Alright. Though I can't say I've been dismantling any criminal organizations.”
”But you're actually helping people. That should be enough...”

Cheryl and yourself walk around Level 5 for a while, talking, and reminiscing. She's only been gone for a few months- but for her she still felt a little homesick. She shows you some of her favorite places- a few tucked away nooks and crannies- and one little spot on an overpass that shows the wasteland outside the city with a great view. You lean on the bars and look out. You can't feel the wind on your face- but it's still a nice vista.

”....The murder investigation isn't going well.”

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You don't say anything. She's venting.

”I thought once I got access to Level 4 case files along with Level 5 ones- if I put in the work- I could really isolate down and follow the cases. But it's not that simple. Turns out the same guy who murdered my father has killed a lot of people- and not just on level 4. There are bodies linked to his work on level 5 and even level 3 too- and I am not allowed any kind of information on those files. I just... I worked so hard to get here and I feel like I've hit a brick wall again.”

She sighs.

”I'm sorry to hear that. I know you're still going through a lot right now.”
”No, it's not fair to dump it on all on... it's just- I put all my hopes on this big promotion. Years of never calling in sick a day, years of brown nosing the bosses, office politics bullshit... and I just felt like it was all for nothing.”
”It wasn't for nothing. You're doing great things for the city.”

She shoots you a look. Was it a lie that obvious?

”Ahh yes, I went from writing up parking tickets for bicycles to writing parking tickets for cars. Big improvement. How am I supposed to catch my Father's killer like this?”
”Well- at least you live on Level 4 now. No more scrap appliances and reprocessed garbage food, right? Should be a big improvement.”
”Some ways its better, some ways... it's worse.”

You get the feeling she needs some encouragement right now. What should you say?

>Inspire her to stay positive
>Encourage her to be ruthless to get what she wants
>Tell her to take some time off and focus on herself and her own happiness

>>5856475
>>Inspire her to stay positive

>>5856475
>Tell her to take some time off and focus on herself and her own happiness

>>5856475
>Encourage her to be ruthless to get what she wants

>>5856475
>Inspire her to stay positive
If some dandy nerd like us can become a relative threat to the thugs of level 5, surely she can achieve her goals right?

Also, the viking proves another point, we gotta become stronger. Of course, it may be hard to do that with our shitty diet.

>>5856475
>Inspire her to stay positive

>>5856475
>Inspire her to stay positive
POSITIVE THINKING

>>5856475
>Tell her to take some time off and focus on herself and her own happiness

Its what her dad would probably want.y0y2wv

>>5856475
>>Tell her to take some time off and focus on herself and her own happiness

>>5856475
>Encourage her to be ruthless to get what she wants

>>5856475
>Encourage her to be ruthless to get what she wants

>>5856475
>>Tell her to take some time off and focus on herself and her own happiness

>>5856475
>Inspire her to stay positive
Don't want her to slack off, don't want her to get edgy.

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You care about Cheryl. She probably had to leave all her friends and work colleagues behind just to move up to Level 4 and a chance to investigate her Father's Killer- and when the trail went cold, she is starting to lose her hope. Feeling empathetic, you take her hands into yours, and you give her a soft smile. Above all else, she needs a friend right now- and you want her to be happy.

”Cheryl, you've already done so much to help me, and the people of this Level. And you're one of the few who managed to escape and move up- you should be proud.”
”...You aren't about to give me a “take some time off” speech, are you?”
”Far from it! You've already accomplished so much in such a short time. You're well on your way. You can't give up now- you need to stay positive.”

She gives you a look, and then blushes. She chortles a bit, pulling her hand away with a wave.

”Ohh listen to me- being all sappy and sorry for myself, and you're still trying to cheer me up. You've got something to be proud of. I've never met anyone as brave as you. If anything, I should be encouraging you to keep at it. You're actually making a difference.”
”As will you. Soon.”

You finish your date with Cheryl in not too much time- thanking her for meeting you. You can't speak too much on what she was thinking- but you feel like she was genuinely interested in what you told her about your exploits- maybe she is vicariously living through your own strength and outlaw-persona, you're essentially doing what she's dreamed of doing but never dared. She is too much on the straight and narrow. Then again, she seems idealistic enough to think that the system can be changed from within- and maybe she's right. You must admit, as someone who has never interacted with someone as “high rank” as Cheryl before, she seems incredibly hardworking and deserving of a break. You hope she can keep her spirits up until she finds what she is looking for.

As for what you're looking for, you just gotta listen for the sound of breaking glass.

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While on a patrol one night, you hear the sound of glass breaking in an apartment above. Not too uncommon- but the sight of two men roaming around a room through a window and the slightest hint of a scuffle raises your alarm. You gear up and head up the stairs to the small apartment- could it be a home burglary? An assault? If it's a domestic dispute, then it's really something you wouldn't want to be involved with...

However, coming to the front door, you see the wood around the deadbolt busted up and the chain dismantled. Peering in, you see two men looming over two shapes- a woman and a young boy, both tied up with duct tape (which is honestly pretty valuable stuff around here- you wince at the wasted adhesives), and hear them talking gruffly, but low- as if they don't want to alert the neighbors.

“Where is the UBI bonus, you dumb bitch!?”
“Did you check under the cabinet? Maybe it's hidden in the hot water kettle-”
“You liar! You were bragging on about the government giving you extra. Give it up or else I'll fuck you up. Or maybe, your son? Want me to cut one of his ears off? You think I'm playing with ya'?”

The woman shakes her head in panic as she turns her head, noticing you creeping up behind. Her eyes go wide at your sudden intrusion- you raise a finger to your mouth as the universal sign to not blow your cover- but you already know its too late. She will draw the burglars attention to you now- and you need to act quick.

One of the burglars has his hands on the hot water kettle, pouring out steam, and will likely try to use it as a weapon when he notices you- getting hot steam splashed in your face is not something you want to experience- blinding and staggering you. The other is armed with a boxcutter- a small blade that cuts shallow- but it can still cut. You only have enough time to take out one of the criminals before the other one will attack with their weapon. Which one should you take out in your ambush?

>Boxcutter
>Hot Water

>>5859335
>Hot water
We can’t afford to be blinded

>>5859335
>Boxcutter
We have a mask, and I'd rather get slightly burnt than stabbed.

Also, Cheryl a cute.

>>5859335
>Hot Water

>>5859343
Except while we're beating up the hot water guy, we might get stabbed. And we don't exactly have anything to defend from a knife, while we do have a mask to prevent ourselves from getting scalded. Plus, he has to grab the hot water and then TRY to throw it, as opposed to just sticking a blade between our ribs while we're beating his fellow robber