Fires rage during summer heatwave

Horizon

Date: 2082-08-05

August 5th Our field reporter bravely made way into Sophocles, where Knight-Errant has advised citizens to never venture to until the local gang and spiritual phenomena have been excised. Upon reaching the border of the gang territory, he was confronted with frighteningly well armed criminals who asked of his cause for approaching. After a minor pat down, he was surprisingly enough allowed to meet the gang boss himself, a colossal spirit going by the name of Pump King Jack! Jack spoke in depth about his purposes in the interview, explaining his desire to give the run-down part of Redmond called Sophocles some new life by making people's adrenaline rush with fear. According to him, the Sixth World is a wondrous place to be from a spirit's perspective and he wishes for it to not become destroyed by strife or cataclysms. Instead, he aims to give people's lives more meaning and content, to make even everyday life feel like an adventure. How he does this is telltale just by visiting the area, according to our field reporter: the very air oozes terror and insecurity. Every corner feels threatening, every shadow grows long as you look at it. The streets don't feel safe, even if they are according to Jack -- but this is all by design, the spirit says. While he admits that he sustains himself off karma, the experiences and souls of the residents, up until now he's drained the local residents of Sophocles without their consent. However, this cunning spirit has announced that he'll begin a yearly taxation plan, involving not nuyen but karmic debt, each resident in Sophocles stopping by to pay him what he claims to be a small and near-imperceptible tithe in return for his generous services to Sophocles and its people. Protection with the gang members' constant patrols, free health care, even therapy for those with traumas! Those that refuse to pay the tithe are refused these services and will not be protected in any way, but are allowed to live where they choose. Only time will tell how these defiant citizens will be treated. But while money comes and goes, your soul and your memories are irreplaceable. How much can you truly trust in the hands of this devious phantom? And wouldn't you rather deal with people just like yourself than with eldritch creatures whose agendas surpass that of mortal ken?