Dawn of the Artifacts: Dusk

58 Pages·2009·7.99 MB·English

®
TM
a shadowrun adventure
Sixth World scholars have long hypothesized the cyclical nature of magic.
For years corporations, collectors and other factions have spent fortunes
hunting down surviving relics of this mythical age. The shadows whisper
of lost lore and a secret history to the world. A privileged few have come
into possession of ancient items of great power and mysterious purpose,
artifacts from before recorded history. Now it’s your turn…
On the surface, the job seems simple: escort and assist Ms. Johnson as she follows
the trail of a man across the globe. The target? An agent of the Atlantean Foundation
tracking a priceless stolen artifact. And the trail? It leads to Lagos, the most dangerous
sprawl on earth, where simply surviving the day can be a run in its own right. Add
in the biggest black market auction of the century, a powerful African king, and a
plethora of the biggest players in the artifacts trade, from the Atlantean Foundation to
Aztechnology… well, welcome to the underside of the artifact business. If you survive,
there’s more work a-coming... and maybe even some answers to your questions.

Dusk is the first in a series of interlinked adventures that will take the runners to the far
corners of the globe on a quest to recover priceless artifacts. Exactly who wants these
artifacts, and why, are questions the runners will have to discover for themselves…
Under License from
©2009 WizKids, Inc. All rights reserved. DUSK: Dawn of the Artifacts, Shadowrun and WK Games
are registered trademarks and/or trademarks of WizKids, Inc. in the United States and/or other
countries. Catalyst Game Labs and the Catalyst Game Labs logo are trademarks of InMediaRes
Productions, LLC.

. . . TABLE OF CONTENTS . . .
INTRODUCTION 4 CREDITS: DAWN OF THE ARTIFACTS: DUSK
Preparing the Adventure 4
Adventure Structure 4 Writing: Jennifer Harding
Main Sections 4 Editing: Jason Hardy
Adventure SceneS 4 Development: Peter Taylor
Non-Player Characters 4 Art Direction: Randall Bills
BACKGROUND 6 Interior Layout: Alicia Heerdt
Th e Piri Reis Map 6 Cover Design: Matt Heerdt
Gamemastering the Adventure 6 Illustration: Florian Stitz
PLOT SYNOPSIS 7 Maps: Sean Macdonald
Inspiration:Welcome to Lagos by Lafaze
Th e Draco Foundation 7
Shout-Outs: Th anks to Chris Maley, the best GM in the world. His
Th e Dunkelzahn Institu of Magical Research 7
vision started this whole thing (now can I get some extra karma?).
Th e Atlantean Foundation 8
Playtesters: Andy Coen, Ross Cottrell, Geoff Edwards, Ronnee
Th e Mystic Crusaders 8
MEET MS. JOHNSON 9 Edwards, Craig Engle, Rachel Engle, Cullen Erbacher, Christopher
ARE YOUR IMMUNIZATIONS UP-TO-DATE? 11 Maley, Stephen McQuillian, Michael Nieder, James O’Laughlin
WELCOME TO LAGOS 15 Larry Stouder-Studenmund, Torrey Stouder-Studenmund,
WELCOME TO LAGOS, SCENE 1 15 William Stouder-Studenmund, and Jeremy Weyand.
CHARISMA-LINKED SKILLS 15 Proofreaders: Adam Bruno, Ben Burnett, Mark Dynna, Mason
WELCOME TO LAGOS, SCENE 2: 16 Hart, and Jeremy Weyand.
A ROYAL COMPLICATION 20
Copyright© 2009 WizKids Inc. All Rights Reserved. Shadowrun, Dawn of
TO CATCH A THIEF 25
the Artifacts: Dusk, Matrix, and WK Games are registered trademarks and/or
ALTERNATIVE ROUTES 27
trademarks of WizKids, Inc. in the United States and/or other countries. No
TO GET A TICKET 27 part of this work may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmit-
TRAFFIC JAM 30 ted in any form or by any means, without the prior permission in writing of the
AMBUSH TACTICS 33 Copyright Owner, nor be otherwise circulated in any form other than that in
which it is published. Catalyst Game Labs and the Catalyst Game Labs logo are
AT THE AUCTION 34
trademarks of InMediaRes Productions, LLC. Printed in Canada
FOLLOW THE MAP 36
HOME SWEET HOME 41 First Printing by Catalyst Game Labs,
AFTERMATH 42 an imprint of InMediaRes Productions, LLC
PMB 202 • 303 - 91st Ave. NE, G-701
Awarding Karma 42
Lake Stevens, WA 98258.
Awarding Contacts 42
LEGWORK 43 Find us online:
Contacts 43 [email protected]
(Shadowrun questions; please check the website FAQ fi rst!)
Searching the Matrix 44
http://www.shadowrun4.com
CAST OF SHADOWS 47 (offi cial Shadowrun website)
http://www.holostreets.com
Jane “Frosty” Foster 47
(subscription Shadowrun website)
Medjay 48 http://www.catalystgamelabs.com
Samriel 49 (Catalyst Game Labs website)
PLAYER HANDOUTS 50 http://www.catalystgamelabs.com/catalog
(online Catalyst/Shadowrun store)
2
Dawn of the Artifacts: Dusk
. . . DUSK . . .
T h e elf ’s s crea m w a s c u t s h o rt a s a b ro a d s w o rd slice d th ro u g h his
u p p er c h e st, th e r u n e s o n th e bla d e glo win g re d th r o u g h th e s p ra yin g
g o re. A r o u n d th e b a s e of a crim s o n to w er, o th er s olita r y a d v e n tu rer s
sla u g h tere d th e cita d el g u a rd. T h e d w a rf p ulle d his b ro a d s w o rd free of
th e c o r p s e, wipin g th e bla d e cle a n o n th e elf’s clo th e s. S eein g th a t his “ O n e of th e Eochair k’ailiu,” th e o r k s aid. “I d o n’t k n o w w h a t it
little co r n er of th e b attle fi eld w a s e m p ty, h e b e g a n sea rc hin g th e co r p ses. w a s d oin g in th e d ra g o n’s v a ults. I’m fairly certain n o n e of th e c hild re n
B esid e him, a glo win g r u n e - circle a p p ea re d a s a n o r k ‘p o rte d in. o n th e b o a rd k n e w its sig nifi c a n ce, th o u g h Ain a mig h t.”
“ W h a t a re y o u d oin g ? ” a s k e d th e o r k. “ Yo u s u s p ect h er ? ” T h e d w a rf pic k e d u p a r u n e - etc h e d bla d e
“It’s c alle d lo o tin g,” th e d w a rf re plie d, s h o vin g a h a n dful of g old fr o m a c o r p se, te stin g th e b ala n ce.
c oin s in to his p o u c h. “ Yo u s h o uld tr y it.” “ With h er histo r y — ”
“ D o y o u min d s te p pin g o u t fo r a m o m e n t s o w e c a n h a v e a “I thin k y o u’re ju m pin g a t s h a d o w s, old m a n,” th e d w a rf s aid,
re al c o n v er s a tio n ? ” fl ic kin g th e lo o te d s w o r d o v er to th e bla c k - h aire d o r k, w h o c a u g h t it
“ H ell, n o. T h e F all of th e C rim s o n To w er is in full s win g. We c a n e a sily. A n e w w a v e of sle n d er elv e s e m er g e d fr o m th e cita d el, s w o r d s
ta k e th e p oin ty - e a re d bot’turgma this tim e.” raise d hig h, s cre a min g h o rribly m a n gle d S p erethiel w a r crie s. T h e o r k
“ S o rr y t o in terr u p t,” t h e o r k m u ttere d, bitin g b a c k h a r s h er h eld his s w o rd in a g rip id e n tic al to th e d w a rf, mirr o rin g his m o tio n a s
w o rd s. “ S o m ethin g’s h a p p e n e d. We n ee d to talk.” th e y p a rrie d a n d sla s h e d.
“ T his is a s g o o d a pla ce a s a n y.” T h e d w a rf s witc h e d fr o m g u t - “I n ee d h elp lo o kin g in to t h e t h eft,” t h e o r k s aid, a s h e slice d
tu r al o r’z et to a la n g u a g e lo n g sin ce d e a d. “I’m h o pin g to le v el u p, s o th ro u g h o n e cita d el g u a rd. B e sid e him, th e d w a rf d ec a pita te d a sec o n d
m a k e it q uic k.” a tta c k er. “ S o m e o n e n o t c o n n ecte d. S o m e o n e d e p e n d a ble.”
“ S o m ethin g’s b ee n s tole n fr o m th e old w y r m’s v a ults,” th e o r k “ N o t in te re s te d.” M o re g u a r d s s u rr o u n d e d t h e m, a n d wit h
re plie d, n o t risin g to th e b ait. t h e e c o n o m y of y e a r s of p r a c tic e, t h e t w o w e n t b a c k - t o - b a c k,
“I did n’t d o it.” s w o r d s re a d y.
T h e o r k s h o o k his h e a d. “I did n’t thin k y o u did, o th er wis e this “I did n’t m e a n y o u. H er. Yo u r … a p p re n tice.”
c o n v ers a tio n w o uld b e in p ers o n. I’v e b ee n d oin g s o m e re se a rc h. I o v er - “Jo u r n e y w o m a n,” th e d w a rf g r u n te d. “ S h e’s g o n e o u t in th e w o rld
h e a rd Willia m s — ” a bit. N o thin g lik e g ettin g a little e x p erie n ce u n d er y o u r b elt. I c a n see
“ W h o ? ” th e d w a rf in terr u p te d. if s h e’s a v aila ble. S h e’s b u s y th e s e d a y s.” T h e o r k k n o c k e d th e fi n al
“ T h e A tla n te a n o n t h e b o a r d of t h e D u n k elz a h n In s tit u te of g u a r d’s bla d e o u t of lin e a n d t h e d w a rf s k e w ere d him t h r o u g h t h e
M a gic al R e s e a rc h.” T h e o r k fr o w n e d. “I o v er h e a r d Willia m s talkin g h e a rt. T h e d w a rf fl a s h e d his c o m p a nio n a g rin.
to a n o p era tiv e. Willia m s see m s to h a v e re a s o n to b elie v e A z tec h n olo g y “Ju s t lik e old tim e s, e h, E h r a n ? ” t h e d w a rf s aid. T h e o r k ju s t
w a s b e hin d th e th eft.” fl ic k e d a gla n ce a t th e re d s pire, th e n a n o th er a t th e to r n b o die s, cla d
“A n d this c o n cer n s m e w h y ? ” T h e d w a rf c o c k e d his h e a d, w a tc h - in g a u d y silv er a r m o r. M o re cit a d el g u a r d s w ere p o u rin g o u t of th e
in g s h a d o w s m o v e in sid e th e to w er’s d o o rs. re s p a w n alre a d y.
“ T hin k of th e ra mifi c a tio n s.”. “ W h a t is this ridic ulo u s c hild’s g a m e ? ” h e a s k e d, dis g u ste d, e v e n
“ Yo u h a v e n’t s aid w h a t w a s stole n y et.” a s h e re a die d his b o rr o w e d s w o rd.
“Dawn of Atlantis X: City of Spires,” th e d w a rf re plie d. “ G a m e
F a n’s F a v e R a v e fo r eig h t w ee k s r u n nin g. Ja n e y b o u g h t m e a s u b s crip -
tio n fo r C h ristm a s. K ee p s m y s w o rd a r m in s h a p e.”
3
Dawn of the Artifacts: Dusk
INTRODUCTION
acters off track. Of course, as any gamemaster knows, for every
Dusk is an adventure designed for use with Shadowrun, suggested scene and outcome, players will think of two or three
Fourth Edition While this adventure is not designed specifi cally alternative methods of getting to their objective. Dealing with these
with novice players in mind, it can easily be tweaked to suit a range unexpected detours is where a good gamemaster shines. Th ese al-
of player experience. ternative paths can be fun and enjoyable for both the players and
Players and gamemasters should be aware that only game- the gamemaster. In the end, aft er all, the point is to have fun. Each
masters should read beyond this point—the secrets and plot of the scene will have some gamemaster hints for keeping players on track,
adventure are revealed in the following text, and that knowledge or, alternatively, for expanding on the tangents they may take.
could reduce the enjoyment of running the adventure for players.
Dusk is the fi rst in the Dawn of the Artifacts four-part series MAIN SECTIONS
of interlinking adventures. Gamemasters and players who wish Th is book is divided into several sections designed to assist
to play all four adventures should keep in mind that the player you in bringing the adventure presented herein to your table:
characters’ actions and contacts in this adventure will have future
ramifi cations in the adventures to follow. • Preparing to Play: A plot synopsis, necessary background
information, and other useful details and data.
PREPARING THE ADVENTURE • Adventure Scenes: Th e adventure itself, broken down into
Dusk can be run with only the Shadowrun, Fourth Edition individual scenes.
rulebook. However, many of the characters presented in this ad- • Legwork: Summaries of information and data the player
venture draw from the additional core supplements such as Arsenal, characters might fi nd during their research.
Augmentation, Unwired, and Runner’s Companion. All rules in • Cast of Shadows: Profi les of the primary NPCs the player
this adventure are assumed to follow the core rules presented in characters will interact with during the adventure.
Shadowrun, Fourth Edition. A gamemaster can, of course, use any • Player Handouts: Information designed for players.
of the optional rules presented in any of the advanced sourcebooks
as best fi ts his or her game. ADVENTURE SCENES
Much of this adventure takes place in Lagos, a feral city on Th e adventure itself plays out over a series of interconnected
the West Coast of Africa. Lagos is a featured location in Feral scenes. Each scene contains some, or all, of the following subsections:
Cities. Gamemasters and players will fi nd a wealth of information, • Scan Th is: A brief summary of the events in the scene.
contacts, and additional plot hooks in Feral Cities that will bring • Tell It To Th em Straight: A text selection that can be read
the location to life for both players and their characters. For players directly to the players or paraphrased when the player char-
who have not read Feral Cities, several player handouts included in acters reach specifi c points in the scene.
this adventure provide a broad overview of the city. Gamemasters • Hooks: Descriptions of ways that characters might be en-
may wish to provide these to their players prior to the adventure, couraged to play a scene.
or alternatively, provide them as player characters research the city • Behind the Scenes: The mechanics behind each scene,
or interact with the various factions. including NPC motivations and any secrets or special in-
structions for the scene.
ADVENTURE STRUCTURE • Subplots: Secondary adventures—or red herrings—that
Dusk takes the player characters into the heart of one of the off er avenues for gamemasters to develop to make the adven-
darkest sprawls on the planet on the trail of an ancient artifact. ture less linear for players.
Getting the players to Lagos from their home sprawl is addressed • Pushing the Envelope: Suggestions for gamemasters on
in the section Are Your Immunizations Up to Date? Alternatively a altering the scene to challenge more experienced players or
gamemaster could have the characters start as natives of Lagos or more powerful player characters.
expatriate runners living in the feral city. • Debugging: Suggestions for getting the adventure back on
Th e runners are hired by Ms. Johnson on retainer for a pe- track if the player characters’ actions derail it.
riod of time to assist her in achieving the objectives of her mission, • Places of Interest: Locations featured in the scene, in-
protecting and aiding her on a trip well beyond the team’s home cluding descriptions and ratings for security systems and
turf. Th e mission goals can be accomplished through stealth, social Matrix systems.
interactions, force of arms, or any mix of the three. Th e adventure • Grunts and Moving Targets: NPCs in that particular scene.
as written should be seen as a guideline. Th e gamemaster should NPCs that are featured in multiple scenes are found in the
keep the plot moving forward by making adjustments and reacting Cast of Shadows.
to the runners’ choices and actions while providing opportunities
for them to exploit rather than “railroading” them from set piece NON-PLAYER CHARACTERS
to set piece. Since this can be challenging, each scene off ers sugges- Non-player characters (NPCs) are key to bringing any ad-
tions to address runners who decide to follow tangents or whose venture to life; they include the allies, enemies, and contacts the
actions cause them to skip certain scenes. characters will interact with during the shadowrun. Important
Th e adventure consists of a variety of connected scenes. While NPCs have relevant profi les, including stats, in the Grunts and
some scenes must occur for others to follow, there are several that Moving Targets section for each scene. Major NPCs who appear in
off er fun side-adventures, or “red herrings,” designed to lead char- multiple scenes are listed in the Cast of Shadows section at the end
4
Dawn of the Artifacts: Dusk

of this book. Gamemasters can and should GAMEMASTERING THE ADVENTURE
tweak the NPCs to make them more or less Dusk is an adventure designed for Shadowrun, Fourth Edition, and is the fi rst
challenging opponents (see Prime Runners, in the Dawn of the Artifacts series of adventures that will immerse characters
p. 284, SR4A). NPCs in groups of grunts in some of the greatest mysteries of the Sixth World. It is suitable for every
benefit (see Group Edge, p. 281, SR4A), level of player and gamemaster experience, even though it involves an unusual
while individual NPCs in this adventure backdrop and some hints of the secret history of the Shadowrun universe.
possess their own Edge stat to use. As with any adventure, however, there are a few suggestions that will make
the adventure, and gamemastering it, run more smoothly.
BACKGROUND
In the Sixth World, the term artifacts Step One: Read the Adventure
encompasses far more than simple rem- Reading through the adventure prior to introducing your group to it ensures
SK. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . napeSWnruraeeoncc dhrrhtelsaa d latnfi.errc tBotssmi mekffearsnio ncpdotmtaeswss s att an h rt c meoahu t biycl stpiottughrorr epibrecdoysuaa,;rsl ta itieannht gitceeoehl sn umseo sd ifAo na imsnwn ttg daahv g kuaepiel ncruSni iaitvqixhnbauttalgheeet. yTsSeohtenuisRpt k e ahTndrewo eilwnlopy :s t wd Ahwoehseh saaseetd n’sasvs n eyc tynooh tumgeura ri Amnepdg.laev dmyeeonarwtssun t(re ietnrh eteav kiltiena eba l aywn)r dcit oatmerene f aaudmpv eiwlniaittruh wr esio tahmn tdeh trehu iennn gitt i nrweo itst htpoorruey-t.
U
D collectors, entire organizations have formed any changes. You may decide it needs to be more challenging for your players, or
:TS with the goal of acquiring, deciphering, perhaps they form a specialized team (such as all mages) who will undoubtedly
AC guarding, and potentially using these arti- approach certain tasks in unique ways. You may want to switch certain NPCs with
F
TI facts and the lost magical knowledge. Th ree characters your players are familiar with in their game, such as a common fi xer or
R
A of the big players in the world of artifact gang contact. Assessing the adventure lets you make notes on how you want to
E
H collection are the Atlantean Foundation, customize the adventure to best fi t your game and your gamemastering style.
T
F the Draco Foundation, and the Apep
O
N Consortium. Th ere are a plethora of other Step Three: Know the Characters
W
A players, ranging from shamanic groups in You should have a copy of each character prior to running the adventure, so
D
the PCC to mysterious cabals hidden within you can assess their individual (and group) skills, contacts, and abilities. If a scene
government agencies. Even the megacorpo- calls for them to trek through a jungle and none of them have a survival skill, you
rations have entire departments devoted to may need to tweak the scene so they’ll still have a chance at success. If a character
using artifacts in arcane research to unlock is sidelined for parts of the story due to lack of abilities or skills, the gamemaster
new thaumaturgic lore. should consider adding scenes that play to the character’s strengths.
This adventure deals with one spe-
cifi c artifact, known today as the Piri Reis Step Four: Take Notes
map, although that fact isn’t revealed until Written notes help you keep things organized. You may want to jot down a
well into the adventure. It also introduces note to give a particular handout to players at a specifi c moment or highlight
shadowrunners to the world inhabited by important details about an NPC or combat scene. Taking notes helps you re-
collectors, relic hunters, and other more member characters’ actions during the adventure, which is useful in awarding
dangerous players. Karma and handling contacts at the conclusion. Since this is the fi rst in a series
of adventures, it is quite possible that the players’ decisions might come back
THE PIRI REIS MAP
to haunt them later!
The artifact known today as the Piri
Reis map boasts a long and troubled his- Step Five: Don’t Let the Dice Run the Game
tory, shrouded in mystery and controversy. Dice rolls normally dictate the outcome of events in a roleplaying game.
Denounced as a sophisticated hoax and writ- However, sometimes the dice fall in such a way that they interfere with the
ten off as an oddity, the map hides a millennial story. Remember, as gamemaster, you can always tweak the dice to enhance
secret that lay dormant until the Awakening. the story. As a rule of thumb, a gamemaster shouldn’t fudge the die rolls to
hurt player characters, but occasionally might tweak the roll to help them out
Known History or to help the story progress (softening a roll to seriously injure a player rather
In 1513, Piri Reis, a high-ranking of- than killing them is one example).
fi cer in the Imperial Turkish navy, allegedly
drew a mysterious mapa mundi based on a Step Six: Don’t Panic
collection of older maps, including some You’ll make mistakes. Everyone makes mistakes. You may forget a rule, mis-
that reportedly had survived the destruc- read a scene, or forget an important clue. Don’t worry. The reason you’re there
tion of the Great Library of Alexandria. is to have fun, and fun is far more important than a fl awless performance. If
Inexplicably this map depicted the coast- you or the players make a mistake, do your best to straighten things out, then
lines of the Americas, as well as an accurate keep moving forward.
portrayal of the Antarctic coastline, devoid
6
Dawn of the Artifacts: Dusk
of ice—surprising, indeed, since Antarctica wouldn’t be “discov-
THE DRACO FOUNDATION
ered” until nearly three centuries later. Even more mysterious,
The Draco Foundation (DF) was established by
researchers claim the last time the Antarctic coast was free from
the last will and testament of the deceased presi-
ice was likely 4,000 BC. Cartographers puzzled over the appar-
dent Dunkelzahn. Charged with administering his
ent use of spherical trigonometry, a technology that wouldn’t be
will and legacy (both the public and private sections),
available for three hundred more years. While Piri Reis claimed
this foundation controls the bulk of the late dragon’s
he drew the map from other, older maps, cartographers were be-
wealth. With such financial backing, it continues
mused by the fact that it appeared to be based off maps that not
to be a major infl uence in a variety of realms—from
only acknowledged the Earth was round, but had calculated its
boardrooms of AAA megacorps to the world of ar-
circumference within fi ft y miles of the true measure. For centu-
canoarcheology. It is a primary competitor to the
ries, the map remained an oddity, dismissed by researchers and
Atlantean Foundation in the world of arcanoarcheol-
cartographers as one of the many items that just didn’t fi t with DA
ogy and antiquities. With Draco Chairman and former W
their understanding of history. N
For years, the map remained under lock and key at the UCAS Vice President Nadja Daviar still missing fol- O
Topkapi Palace in Istanbul, where it was discovered in 1929. It lowing the Crash 2.0, Aina Dupree is now the acting F T
Chairman of the Foundation. The rest of the board H
remained there until the turmoil of the Eurowars swept through consists of Frank Hardy, Manuel Torres, Milo Czerda, E A
Turkey. Towards the end of the war, in 2034, the European forces RT
seized Istanbul from the disintegrating Alliance for Allah. In the Midori Kanematsu, and Gracie Friel. IFA
C
destruction and chaos that accompanied one of the most violent T
THE DUNKELZAHN INSTITUTE S
clashes in the Eurowars, many of the nation’s most valuable trea- OF MAGICAL RESEARCH D:
U
sures were lost—among them, the Piri Reis map. Most believed it S
The Draco Foundation was also charged with K
wOtinhuatrsoot d uoItegnhfsh teCrr eitohrahycaleieunt dhylda ,aw shtn ihoodoewfsn n aeo nvfif e rbere,lxs at chrceakepv -matmigoaeapnrd kaw pelalatys rc tlwoo oloelfea tteclhtdtheo a yrPns am,d lea eavcnneedn. ietnud a Nulpliyg p feaarslislaii—nngg eRdminseesatvstgaoietibtcauealrtidclsi poh hthn io(nesD n ghaIMo ingtmdhRh ee-n).en a DTnathd.iuo Te nnmh kDseae I ddMglzeiiracsReaihcg litn snro aearIstnsne esa diatrne irbtdc nyuheo tDp ameeun ninodndkfa s eetMtnlezutdaad bhgfyronioicnd miagnyl . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
his will, and include MIT&T, the Atlantean Foundation,
Adegoke, who would one day become the king of the Yoruba in
the NAN, Tír na nÓg, the University of Chicago,
the shattered Kingdoms of Nigeria.
CalTech, UCLA, the People’s University of Berkeley,
Unknown to Adegoke, or anyone else, Piri Reis did not actu-
the Langenzell Institute, Oxford’s Royal College of
ally draw the map—he discovered it. While history attributes it
Magicians, Loyola, and Tir Tairngire.
to him, it is in fact an artifact from a previous age. Imbued with
The fact that many of these institutions
protective magic by its original—and unknown—makers, it was
are fierce competitors, especially the Atlantean
still damaged by the passing years as its protective enchantment
Foundation and the DIMR, is something that keeps
slowly failed. By the time Piri Reis discovered the remaining frag-
the shadows of the archeological world hopping.
ment, it was little more durable than the fragile gazelle hide it
appeared to be. He embellished it with contemporary references
and referenced it in dozens of other maps he developed.
Aft er the Awakening, as mana returned to the world, the PLOT SYNOPSIS
map’s original enchantment regained strength. Without Adegoke’s
Within the vaults of the Draco Foundation resides a treasure
knowledge, the map in his vaults has been slowly returning to its
trove of items once owned by Dunkelzahn. Some of these items are
original form, which shows the entire world as it was six thou-
named in his will and held by the Draco Foundation until certain
sand years ago. When viewed in astral space, the map is not only
conditions are met.
clearly visible, but shows additional details, such as ley lines and
Early in 2072, the Dunkelzahn Institution of Magical
places of power … along with other, hidden aspects that appear to
Research (DIMR)—a group created under the aegis of the
be ghostly islands, mountains, and other sites not on modern or
Draco Foundation and Dunkelzahn’s will—requisitioned an
historical maps at all. A number of museums, occult groups, and
ancient artifact from the Draco vaults for hands-on study. Th e
private collectors have evinced interest in the map, but three of the
Sexton of the Worlds, an unclaimed bequest from the dead great
biggest are the Atlantean Foundation, the Apep Consortium, and
dragon’s legacy, was intercepted en route from the Foundation’s
the Draco Foundation.
vaults in Washington, D.C., to the DIMR’s labs in Boston. Th e
operation has the telltales of an inside job, though electroni-
cally back-tracking the requisition proves a dead end. Th e Draco
Foundation immediately steps in to fi nd the thieves and to recover
the item. While Aina Dupree conducts a discreet internal inquiry,
a climate of suspicion falls over the DIMR board, with each direc-
tor fostering his or her own theory on the theft .
7
Dawn of the Artifacts: Dusk
Lagos. Lagos is a dangerous city, however, and she wants the run-
THE ATLANTEAN FOUNDATION
ners to assist her in her investigation. (Meet Ms. Johnson, p. 9)
Created by Sheila Blatavska shortly after the
While in Lagos tracking down Samriel, the runners will learn
Awakening in 2012, the Atlantean Foundation
about an upcoming artifacts auction, a black-tie event hosted by
is a private organization publicly dedicated to
the Oni of the Yoruba tribe, Adegoke, on the secure Victoria Island
restoring the glory of the lost golden age of
enclave. According to the rumors, Oni Adegoke wants to fund a
Atlantis, a supposed Mecca of wonders and
new venture and has decided to raise capital by selling a portion
knowledge that disappeared into the mists of
of his collection at an exclusive auction. Since many of the items
time. More than just a group of eccentric his-
were acquired through less-than-legitimate channels, the auction
tory buffs and new-agers, it is an organization
itself is being held in Lagos, a feral city where international police
with branches worldwide, popular trid shows,
agencies have no power. Th e underground auction was announced
K. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . mcrmseehseony mn tooetffbhr rsealey,rn ss sn p ApweeoAwocn trcsselodloderwrpt estiocdderie raeas tnar iactnohinndsedt. oos cp.lho eItgar atibcstoa,e alms sd atiagstj osam,r lairelenlvisodeen lca sjaur cdosh-ft taAmmormeaa t gphflo i,eoc ni ac“tgluk sitishtnhueogemau ltl ,oplo data sL srb wtafriogeeinorsll ”sga a t utsaho c ar vtp ofiie oaurvrngyet h -ihichs dii uptginhsahcdte rep rPe—ereidirtc-a iecy mR heianaoernind-snoeg mele tdldhas (— peabm.n yAad mSl stsah eoamvonsetur roiageacbhllc’ vsg o iiprtouo aunhurstatplsysy)s.,
S to Oni Adegoke’s surprise, changed signifi cantly. It is still, how-
U THE MYSTIC CRUSADERS
:S D This paramilitary group is a secret order ever, recognizable as the Piri Reis map, and the Oni believes the
T additional mystery surrounding the magical artifact should only
C within the Atlantean Foundation, allegedly
A increase its potential value. (Welcome to Lagos, p. 15)
TIF organized around the precepts of an ancient Once they learn about the auction, Frosty and the runners
AR Atlantean codex. Part knightly order, part relic
THE hunter, they serve a variety of roles for the or- ntheee dit etom fis nodn ath wea dyo icnk. eTht feoyr athree aabulcet itoon g aatin O anni iAnvdietgatoikoen’s t poa vlaiecwe.
OF ganization, although they remain mostly the Frosty sends her employer a list of the items that Samriel has
N stuff of rumors even in the shadows. Rumors shown an interest in, once she realizes the DIMR’s stolen artifact
W persist that the Mystic Crusaders are fanatically
A is not present in the collection. Her employer redirects her; she is
D devoted to the organization’s charismatic leader
to acquire the Piri Reis map. Unfortunately for Frosty, she did not
rather than the Foundation itself, and largely au-
bring an appropriate “gift ” for the Oni, and he is reluctant to give
tonomous of the Foundation’s hierarchy. No one
her a ticket to the auction.
knows if they work for Sheila Blatavska or if they
While they—and several other interested parties, such as an
have their own, separate agenda that happens to
Azzie representative and an Apep Consortium rep—are looking
coincide with hers. For more information on the
at the artifacts, a small bronze statue with historical signifi cance
Mystic Crusaders, see p.73, Street Magic.
to the Yorubas is stolen from the palace. Oni Adegoke is furious.
Frosty sees this as a perfect opportunity. She asks the runners to
return to Lagos and fi nd and return the stolen item (and the thief,
In fact, one of the DIMR directors has reason to believe Mr. alive) for her to present to the Oni as a gesture of goodwill. If they
Casey Williams, the Atlantean Foundation’s representative, knows can do so, Oni Adegoke will be grateful and provide Frosty and the
more than he is telling. Th is director overheard Mr. Williams and runners with tickets to the auction. (A Royal Complication, p. 20)
a suspected operative of the Atlantean Foundation discussing If they choose not to find the statue and thief (or fail),
the possibility that Aztechnology is behind the theft . Th e direc- the runners will have to fi nd an alternative way to get into the
tor’s own investigations identify the elven operative as Samriel auction—since, aft er the theft , Oni Adegoke moves the items to
Lockwood and suggest he might be a member of the secretive the auction site. Th ey can do this by tracking down one of the
Mystic Crusaders. Shortly aft er, surveillance intercepts an en- other invitees and stealing their invitation and going in their place,
crypted missive from Williams sending the elf on an undisclosed by stealing a ticket directly from the palace, or by simply circum-
mission in Lagos, Africa. Suspicious, the director decides to hire venting the auction altogether and stealing the map. (Alternative
outside assistance, deniable assets, to follow Samriel, hoping that Routes to Get a Ticket, p. 27)
the operative will lead them to the missing artifact. At the auction, Frosty’s budget is quickly overcome by the
Frosty, a talented magician and sometime shadowrunner, fi erce bidding by other attendees. Th e fi nal winner is Medjay, a
is hired to go to Lagos to track down the Mystic Crusader, and representative of Celedyr, the great dragon who is the R&D di-
once there, recover the item he is aft er—which turns out not to be rector of NeoNET. Medjay takes the map and attempts to leave
the stolen DIMR artifact at all, but another item altogether: the Lagos. Th e runners, as well as the other disappointed losers of the
Piri Reis map. Although she generally works alone, Frosty realizes bid, will have a frantic race through Lagos to get the map. It won’t
she’ll need assistance in Lagos, both investigative and security. She be easy; a lot of others are interested in the map now that it has
contracts the runners, telling them she is a shadowrunner herself, come to light and are willing to do anything to get their hands on
hired to follow a man involved in a theft who has disappeared in it. (Follow the Map, p. 36)
8
Dawn of the Artifacts: Dusk