Transhumanism?

So, reading on the forums and asking around IC, it seems like theres a serious lack of interest from staff on the impact of biomods and cyberware in their game. And frankly, I just don't get it. The moment I heard about this game, I thought, "Wow, I get to play a badass cyborg in a Shadowrun-style world?" And it just doesn't seem to want to enter in that direction. Theres an arbitrary '20%' rule in place to prevent customization in excess, even purely cosmetic ones. And I get it, Shadowrun has systems like 'Essence' that depletes and themes of cyber-psychosis that make too much customization cost-prohibitive, but you CAN do it with enough time and money. But if my impression is right, staff seem to think that this clashes with the theme they want to portray?

Transhumanism seems... pretty central to the very concept of cyberpunk, to me. An owned world, bought and sold by major corporations, and a class divide that reaches to genetics, the upper class being inherently better and largely artificial, because they can afford it. And yet being able to produce Adam Jensen style arm blades, or just low-tech prosthetics is considered... anti-theme? I don't get it. And there seems to be a bit of hostility to even discussing it. Thought I'd bring it up, because if I don't ever get to become a badass cyborg, I'm not even really sure why I'm playing. Let me get my damn Cyber Samurai on.

If a cyberarm isn't the first thing you think of when you think... well... CYBERpunk, I'm not sure what the point of the game is.

You have the wrong impression.

Cybernetics are somewhat restricted because they are powerful and require stat investment, biomods are bound by the 20% rule because staff wants to encourage themely designs and not turn Withmore into a furry convention. Both can do a ton and are awesome. Transhumanism absolutely comes into play as people with mods and cyborg parts set themselves apart from the mere humans around them.

Like others have said, you're mixing up the 20% rule for biomods with cyberware. Biomodification is cosmetic genetic manipulation. It carries through clones and does not serve a function beyond cosmetic. Tails don't move, fur doesn't bristle, skin doesn't give off light.

Cyberware consists of components that are added to the body like limbs, or neural processors or nanobots.

What no one has said is, this is not Shadowrun. When I think cyberpunk, I don't think of wares. I think of corporate oppression and a seedy underbelly. If you are very new then you haven't learned much about wares. Arm blades aren't available but, there are other things available.

Thanks, Crashdown. I'm not always up to date on the forums.

Even in a cyberpunk world, not everyone would likely want to go full 'borg. There will always be those who push the absolute limits and beyond in pursuit of enhancement, but others will choose a more subtle path or perhaps even reject cybernetics all together. This would be much as the lore states that many Christians do not like the idea of cloning.

Did I get this right?

1. Bio-Mods and Cyberware are regulated in different ways.

2. Bio-Mods a restricted by the whole 20% and not functional rule.

2a. Unless combined with the the new cyber-wagger device.

3. Cybernetics are limited by PDS and not the 20% rule.

4. Nanogenics are considered cyberware?

If I'm even close I think my biggest confusion is what classifies as a Bio-Mod and what is considered Cyberware. Some things seem very clear (Chrome Eye) while others seem less clear (Muscle Graft). This can all be worked out IC though.

Also, if I am close to being right, there is nothing stopping OP from cybering their character as far as they can. They will just have to work with other characters ICly to determine how best to support all the systems they want to have and face the consequences of being all chromed up

@Grey0

To the best of my understanding, you are correct in all of those. Biomods are a genetic mutation, and generally just for cosmetics, outside of having the controller to wiggle ears or wag a tail, etc. Nanogenics are also a genetic mutation, but give a functional IC effect, such as the Muscle Graft.

Here is a story set in SD that involves someone pursuing heavy levels of chrome. Damned good read. http://www.sindome.org/stories/welcome-to-withmore/

((subjectivity intensifies))

I'll give it a go though in a far less poetic or hip fashion. :-P

I think the Razorgirl is all about independence and competence. About the realization that power gives freedom and the desire to attain and keep freedom. And not just any power but one backed with a high level of physicality. The ability to rip the head off of anyone who would even consider imposing their will on the Razorgirl.

Of course, incredible combat skills are just the start. A launching point that leads to an attitude of confidence, directness and a certain kind of equilibrium. A tactical and strategic mind that is always planning and angling. Them embracing themselves as wholly as anyone can in a twisted world full of twisted people. But in the end it is all a matter of a driving need for freedom via independent power taken to an extreme level.