Trotting

Again, if you have not seen the Graveyard, this is Lightfinger writing this little plot up. All the explanations are over there about why I am doing this and not Digger.

Using the techniques presented over on the Graveyard article, here is an example of a fluff story being made into a Shadowrun:

In the year 1998, the Harlem Globetrotters played their 20,000th game. The year is now 2059, and things have changed in both the world, and within the Globetrotters ranks. Because of this, many different organizations, not the least of which being the Humanis Policlub, have decided to eliminate the ambassadors of racial goodwill once and for all.

Since the UGE, and especially since Goblinization, the Harlem Globetrotters has adapted to its continuing role of promoting racial harmony. Instead, however, of racial harmony meaning whites and blacks, in the era of Urban Brawl and Combat Football, the Globetrotters have evolved into a team consisting primarily of metahumans. Very prominent on the team are the large numbers of orks. A couple of elves, dwarves, and trolls are on the team, but the orks have become the focus and majority of the team. Note there are no humans on the team, but a human does coach the team from the bench.

The Clown Princes of Basketball are on another world tour. This time, they are set to arrive at the runners’ hometown and put on a week of basketball shows for different locations and groups. A couple of the more prominent members of the team are also invited to various rallies in support of metahuman rights.

The runners will be approached by a human Johnson, who will attempt to hire the runners on a per night basis. Knowing the hostility that they have faced before, the runners are to provide security for the team while travelling around town and at the different venues where the Globetrotters will be playing.

Of course, a number of groups want to take the Globetrotters down. This is where the gamemaster can develop different plans of attack, depending on who is making the attacks. Note, however, that the final game should be played in the biggest arena in the city. This should be the venue that will end in the largest firefight, and against Alamos 20K. Alamos 20K has tired of the Globetrotters and wants them gone, permanently. The only thing to stop them is the runners—and the Globetrotters getting involved by causing even more chaos and mayhem. Basically, have fun with the ending on this one, but keep most things serious up to this point.

Chaos can really reign at this if you so desire. Who loves comedy more than our favorite crazy Immortal Elf? Please use this option only if you have made Harlequin a major antagonist in your campaign. Otherwise, the effect this would have could be disastrous. (My players, who despise Harlequin, would lynch me if he showed to this, for example.)

In the end, the Globetrotters should survive, though maybe being worse for wear. Make sure to include in the final payment a set of autographed pictures and an autographed basketball.