| From: | Bonnet Eric <ebonnet@*******.FR> |
|---|---|
| Subject: | NAGTTW : France Part 2 |
| Date: | Thu, 2 Oct 1997 21:56:00 +0200 |
- Major parties
. Parti Communiste (left-wing, extremist)
Yes. They still exist and they have always refuse to change their name.
They represent 5% of the votes. They
often have electoral alliances with the PS to win seats. As to their
program, it hasn't changed for a century so I think you all know it.
. Parti Socialiste (left-wing, moderate)
This party was created in the 1970s by Francois Mitterrand ( President
between 1981 and 1995 ) on the ruins of
the old PSU. It has always been a major force in the country and still
represents nearly 25% of the votes. Their program is social but with a
touch of realism.
. Parti pour le Renouveau de la France (center)
This party was created in 2014 by Laurent Dupre, the greatfather of
Herve. His goal is to give back to France
his 'natural place', it's to say to make of it one of the leading
nations. They helped Sartan to unify France, even if they don't really
like him. It looks like both of them know what the other wants to do and
don't approve it.They are secretly following the orders of the Rosecroix
and the Big Plan of Nostradamus. I think only the internal circle knows
the truth. They represent 28% of the votes.
. Union Pour la France (right-wing, moderate)
It's an union of two parties of the last century : Union pour la
Democratie Francaise (UDF) and Rassemblement
Pour la Republique (RPR). They have not won power since the Union
because of the PRF that refuses for his
own reasons to ally with it.
. Parti Populaire Francais (right-wing, extremist)
It's the legal side of the banned Front National. They are rabid racists
: they hate the mages, the metahumans,
the so-called color people, the government, nearly everybody in fact.
They represent 4% of the votes, mostly in
the south-east (Azur Coast). Their program, like always with these guys,
is extremely simple : all those that are not good Frenchs will be exiled
or killed and that will solve all the problems.
- Policlubs
. Humanis
They keep a low profile in France. They are only tolerated and can be
banned anywhen. They often work with
the PPF or the Front National but they do it discreetly. They are
closely watched by the Renseignements
Generaux (RG).
. Renouveau Celte
The celtic inheritance of France has always been important for some
freaks. With the reappearance of magic,
they became respected because they were the first druids, bards or
knights. With the help of Tir Na Nog, elves
have took over this organization to promote the ways of the Tir. Because
of the alliance, the government didn't
intervene but they asked the elves of the Tir to forget their
anti-nonelven stance in our territory. So far, they have agreed with
that.
- Secret Societies
. Front National
The FN was created in the last century by Jean-Marie Le Pen, a racist
and rich guy. He attained nearly 20% of
the votes at the turn of the century. With the Awakening, they become
even more extremist and finally they
openly asked for the extermination of the creatures of the devil.
Happily, when the Night of Rage swept the
country, they had lost much of their support because the families that
had a metahuman or a mage among them
didn't want their death. All the leaders were arrested and the party was
banned but it still exists. I heard it is a local associate of Alamos
20000. They are much less discreet than Alamos in their terrorist acts.
They are led by a charismatic and mad guy called Sebastien Salmon. It's
not his real name but I wasn't able to find it.
> Not surprising. In fact, the leader is a vampire who manipulates the FN. I don't know
what he wants but it is
certainly not for the greater good of humanity.
> Blade
. the Rosecroix
It is officially a bunch of freaks like the masons. They follow an
obscure philosophy that no one knows. In fact, they are a cover for the
Astrologers. Most of the members are only mundane that want to believe
they are
special. They follow a code based on the Templars' one and they are
happy. The leaders are the Astrologers and
their followers. They have three goals :
- They want to make of France a great power;
- They follow the Great Plan of Nostradamus. Don't ask me what it is, I
don't know. Apparently, in his real
foretellings, not the ones published, he said something that the
Astrologers don't want to happen. That's all I
can say;
- They seek the Secret of the Templars. The founders were old Templars
who had only a part of the secret. The
other organizations founded by the rests of the order certainly knows
also some parts. This secret is one of
power and wealth.
The order is headed by the Commanders, a council of 13 mages. Twelve are
linked to allies looking like the
zodiacal signs. The last is the Great Commander of the Rosecroix,
Jean-Francois Dupre. His ally look like an
iron golem. A rumor says he is in fact Nostradamus still alive but I am
sure it is false. He is only what he
claims to be, one of the most powerful French.
. the Order of the Scepter
The order is based in Bordeaux where it has a fortress with high-tech
defenses.
- Religious Groups
. the Cathari
The Cathari or the Albigenses reappeared shortly after the end of the
Eurowars. they were led by a Pierre
Trencavel who claimed to be a descendant of the line of Trencavel that
was supposed to be exterminated. It is
possible because a legend say two children escaped the fall of
Montsegur, the last fortress of the Cathari. The
true Cathari are called the Pures. They are the ones who are free of
this world : they don't work or make love or anything interesting. It
must be boring to be so pure. The others are people who can't live this
way but try to be dign of the blessing of the Pures that will enable
them to join the Pures in the Paradise. They despise wealth; that's the
reason why they left the Catholic Church in the Middle Ages. It seems
thet their purity gives them a resistance to magic.
. the New Templars
At the beginning, everybody thought they were only knights wannabe but
it seems they are really knights
adepts, all of them. They claim no direct relation with the old Templars
but say they follow the same rules.
They are based in Rennes-le-Château, an old Templar fortress in the
south. The treasure of the Templars is
supposed to be near this fortress. Rumors say that the founder of the
order discovered the treasue : a huge
amount of gold and many weapon focus. The Templars all have a weapon
focus while they shouldn't be able to
make one. They know about the Astrologers and are not too happy to see
they have a part of the Secret.
Strangely, themselves know more about the Secret than the Astrologers.
Now that I think about it perhaps a
part of this secret explains the weapon focus, who knows?
. the French Church
This church was created in 2015. It claims to be the only one that
really follows the real tradition of
christianism. The Pope Roland II says all the popes since the
displacement of the Holy See from Avignon to
Rome were betrayers and liars. During the chaos that followed the
Eurowars, they took over what was theirs in
the Middle Ages, it's to say the state of Avignon. They use magic and
technology without problems. They think
magic is a gift of God to metahumanity. The only real disturbing thing
is they believe that HMHVV and
VISTA are god-created, curses against the atheists, the false believers,
the pagans and the sinners. The diseased are marked by Satan and should
be killed rather than cured.
Foreign Relations
. Tir Na Nog
The Tir is the closest ally of France, mainly because of a common hate
for the Brits. Throughout the history,
the French and the Irish always had very good relations and that hasn't
changed. The only strain on this
friendship is the constant protests of Sartan and Dupre about the
treatment of non-elves in the Tir. The
philosophy of the Ways and Paths and the extreme racism underlying it
are shocking and disgusting. Of course,
the Danaan Mor don't do anything about it. A rumor says that some
Followers of the Ways and Paths are in
France for an unknown reason.
> They are in Marseille. They seek an elven renegade who made a baby to Bridgit
O'Toole. The old Seamus is
not too happy about it. Moreover, he took the baby with him. His head is
worth lots of nuyen. The Followers are
a Warrior, a Druid and a Follower of the righ. When they will find him,
and they will no matter how much
time they need, it will be a sad sight. And did I say that Seamus want
the head without the body?
> Scythe
. Germany
Germany and France are the major players in what remains of the European
Union. They have quite good
relations. Lofwyr helps, I guess.
. United Kingdom
Ah, an old ennemy. Relations had warmed in the twentieth century but
they are now worse than ever. Militaries
guard the Eurotunnel, forbidding its use by the other side. One day,
they will blow it up. It seems that both
sides are only waiting for a pretext to go to war, or perhaps I am too
pessimistic.
> Nope. We have a revenge to make. The rosbeefs will pay for everything they did
against us in the past. Our
mighty army will crush the pathetic remains of the British Empire.
> Dupont
> You're mad. The two countries can't afford a costy and risky war now. They haven't
recovered from
the last one. Only a fool could desire war and I don't think Sartan and
Dupre are fools ( but for the Brits, I don't know ).
> Blade
. Vatican
Between the French Church and the Cathari that treat catholics as
betrayers and sinners, the relations can't be
good.
. Japan
The economic restrictions on the activity of the Japanese corps (mainly
MCT) are the reasons of the cold
realtions with Japan. I guess the yaks don't like to be refused the
opportunity to make money.
. Aztlan
There are no relations at all. France don't even recognize the existence
of Aztlan. No Aztlaner or member of
Aztechnology has penetrated in the territory since 2041. No reason has
been given. Of course, the attempts on
Sartan's life don't help.
> In fact, French don't like the Yucatan rebels either. Unofficial sources say that
France would accept to help
the rebels only if they ban the use of blood magic ( well, this is
surely not probable ), and if Aztlan doesn't ban it (even less probable,
I guess ).
> Slicer
. Quebec
Strangely, Quebec is not liked here. French thinks Quebec is a fascist
state and they want to avoid being
associated with it.
. Amazonia
I don't know. There's a mutual defiance but why?
. Tir Tairngire
These elven fascists are not liked as their fascist brethren in Tir Na
Nog. Only one Prince has ever come to
France. Try to guess who.
> Too hard. Couldn't it be Ehtan the fuckin' Scribe? He comes regularly to see Sartan.
They are preparing
something together and seeing how much Ehran is liked in TT nowadays, I
guess it won't be too pleasant for
Surehand.
> Scythe
. CAS
The CAS are trying to convince France to ally with them. The war with
Aztlan is possible everywhen and the
help of any country of some importance could make the difference for
them.
. UCAS
France still has prejudices against the remains of the old USA, I think.
Well, you know what I mean : without
our help, they would still be a Brit colony and they tried to colonize
us with their culture and their economy.
You're surprised, no?
> No.
> Monster
> I guessed so.
> Anonymous
SECURITY
Military Forces
French army has more or less the same importance than in the twentieth
century, it's to say 250000 militaries
(ground forces 110000, air force 60000, navy 50000, Gendarmerie 30000) .
The government can ask all valid
men to take arms but will do so only if the territory is threatened.
France has one of the biggest stock of atomic weapons, including many
missiles targeting enemy cities like Londres (or Manchester, Birmingham,
most of
the important Brit cities) or Tenochtitlan. The army tend to prefer
using small quantities of very high-tech
tanks or planes or anything. They invent the product and Aldaran
produces it. Most of the militaries are
shunned by street people. They are arrogant and overproud but they know
their job, that's for sure.
Thanks to God, the only ones you can encounter in a standard run is the
Gendarmes. They have become a kind
of military police and replace national police. They think they have all
the rights ( and legally, it's nearly true ) and often use heavy
weapons. They are not the street cops : their job is to hunt the
criminals judged dangerous, to fight organized crime and to prevent
terrorism. Not all of them are elite killers but most are well-trained
and many are veterans.
The DGSE ( Direction Generale de la Securite Etrangere ) are the spies
and the assassins, the equivalent of the
CIA if you want but without bureaucracy and parliamentary control.
The DST ( Direction de la Surveillance du Territoire ) are the
equivalent of the DGSE in the territory : DGSE
is restricted to foreign countries.
The counterspying is the field of the dreaded Deuxieme Bureau. If you
meet one of these guys, you're certainly
already dead but perhaps you still don't know it.
> Right. They are certainly the meanest, sliest, worst sonofabitches I ever met. Street
people don't even know it exists so they can do what they want without bothering about
disturbing little unimportant things like laws or collateral damage. Their leader is Simon
Lefranc who used to run in Bordeaux under the pseudo of Mortis.
They are very few but they are all very dangerous. I would say no more
than 100 guys work for it but they can
use all the resources of the other groups. Avoid them.
> Blade
Last but not least, there is the Legion Etrangere, always as dangerous
and controversial. Most were criminals,
renegade soldiers of foreign countries, runners who all want to clean
their records. After a few years in the
Legion, they can have a normal civilian life but most prefer to stay in
the Legion. They are one of the best units of the world.
Internal Security
Most cities have contracted security to private security services,
except for the part that is the field of the
military forces. The two big companies are Knight Errant an Aldaran
Security Services. The latter is the most
important of course. You can expect to see the same level of efficiency
as for the Knight in Seattle.
Crime
. Mafia
Of course, the Mafia is the crime syndicate that dominates France. It's
omnipresent in the Azur Coast where it
controls gambling, racket, anything you want they got. They have bought
all the politicians of the region. They
own many hospitals they use to launder money. On the opposite, they are
more limitated in the rest of the
union. The Cathari despise what the Family can offer; Sartan and
Maerdynn don't like the idea of letting them
control a state and are trying to force them to leave the political
arena; the Basques don't like competition. The main families are the
Lombardi in Marseille, the Andreatti in Nice, the Combreoni in Toulon
and over all the Vanditti in Monaco. These four families control more or
less the activities of the Mafia in the country. Other families have
tried to take a part of that power but the extermination of the Scoldi
family in Cannes is an example of what happens to the disrespectful.
Here the tradition is the unbreakable rule.
> Last news. The dons met Sartan in Marseille last week. Apparently, they made an
agreement : the dons can
keep the control of the state but they are to submit to some demands of
Sartan. They already have been forced to give a big case to him. It
seems they had the greatest difficulties to find it and that Sartan so
badly wanted it that he accepted this deal.
> Slicer
. Yakuza
They haven't made a beachhead in France for now. Each time they try to
enter the market, the Mafia and the
gangs ally to hunt them. Moreover the Japanese are disliked and easy to
find in a country where they are so
scarce.
. Seoulpa Rings and Tongs
Street people don't even know these ones exist. They never managed to do
better than the yaks.
. Basques
The Basques from independantist organizations have become the dominating
criminal syndicate in the south-
west. From terrorists and racketers, they became smugglers, murderers,
kidnappers, anything that can make
money. The Pays Basque is a state of the Union but they are quite
despised by the other states. Everybody
knows that their government is in fact the leading criminal force. For
the moment, Sartan hasn't done anything
but I know that Maerdynn decided they have grown too much and start to
threaten Bordeaux where he doesn't
want these scum. So there will certainly be a big operation launched by
Aldaran to crush the ones that would
try to enter the city.
. Gangs
In spite of all the efforts of the security services, various gangs
manage to control a big share of underground activities. Like in North
America, the system of "if you can't beat them, contain them in sectors
no one is interested in". Our government try to make everyone believe
France is a paradise but we know better. The suburbs of the great towns
are often slums like the Barrens of Seattle. No on enters these sectors
without
weapons. The police never comes here. The best knowns are the Red Suburb
in Lyon (Vaulx-en-Velin), the
North Ward in Marseille, le Val Fourre near Paris...
The only gang you know is the Ancients. They have a chapter in Paris,
something like 50 elves. They are
certainly not as important as in the UCAS but they are still a nuisance.
They are led by the tallest elf I ever saw, le Loup Noir. They have the
same activities than in the UCAS, only less important.
The most important French gangs are in Marseille. They fight the Mafia
for their turf and are quite good at
that. They dominate the markets of prostitution, protection or fixing.
. Shadows
As for us shadowrunners, we are concentrated in the major cities of
course, always with the exception of
Bordeaux, where there are only very few elite runners. Paris, Lyon,
Toulouse and over all Marseille are the
main centers of activity. But if you aren't French and don't speak
French, don't think you'll be accepted in the community. Foreign runners
can be accepted as fellows if they speak French and don't act too
disrespectful of our culture and traditions.
ECONOMY
Foreign Corps
. Aztechnology
How many times am I to say it? No Azzie here. They are forbidden.
. Ares Macrotechnologies
Damien Knight has a special project with Aldaran. I don't really know
what but I suspect there's a link with
space capacity. Ares bought the NASA and Aldaran owns more or less the
launching base of Kourou. Knowing
the two corps, it is certainly a military operation : spy or laser
satellites, THOR, could be anything.
The most important subsidiaries in France are Ares Arms and Knight
Errant. Ares is considered as a friendly
corp and has a freedom of action that enables it to act unhindered, as
long as they don't threaten internal
security.
. Saeder-Krupp
Another alliance. Not surprising with Lofwyr in the board of Aldaran.
. Fuchi
Richard Villiers, it is a French name that so he must have French
ancestors. I fear that's the only reason why
Fuchi is liked in France.
. Yamatetsu
The last of the Big Eight that has not too much problems in France.
Aldaran has helped (discreetly and not
much) Yamatetsu when it tried successfully to become a AAA Corp.
Apparently, Maerdynn and Sartan plan to
do the same and I wouldn't be too surprised if they are trying to get
the help of these four.
. MCT, Renraku, Shiawase
They are all closely watched and can't do anything seeming a little
unlawful without having tons of problems
with the authorities. Even economically, they have lots of hindrances
and can't act normally. For MCT, it is
even worse as everyone knows they're linked to the yaks.
French Corps
There are three major corps in France. The others are little fish in the
international market.
. Aldaran Cybersystems Incorporated
Home Office Location Bordeaux
President/CEO Andre Sartan
Chairman of the Board Maerdynn
> Maerdynn has a strange story. I don't know everything but he seems to hate all the
elves with a passion. I
know there's no love between elves and dragons but this one can't see an
elf without killing him. He funds
missions against the Tirs. That is a strain on his friendship with
Sartan which refuses to abandon his relations with Tir Na Nog. If you
remember the Aztlan posting, the Big "D" talked about dragons being
hunted by elves. Perhaps Maerdynn has a revenge desire.
> Stryke
Corporate Status Public
Major Shareholders Maerdynn 40%
Andre Sartan 18%
Georges Lebrun 15%
Lofwyr 10%
> Two Greats in the Board! Must be funny when it's time to make a decision. Even if
Maerdynn and Lofwyr
seem to have good relations, they must have conflicts of interest. And
who is this guy Lebrun who owns 15% of
the stock while I didn't even know he existed?
> Slicer
> He's a mage and has been taught by Sartan so he has nothing to refuse to him. Sartan
didn't want anyone to
know how many shares of the corps he owned so Georges votes for nearly
half his stock.
> Renard
Net Rating 108
Major Interests
Aerospace 8
Agriculture 1
Biotechnology 6
Chemicals 5
Computer Engineering 6
Computer Science 6
Consumer Goods 4
Cybernetics 9
Entertainment 2
Finance 3
Heavy Industry 3
Mystical Goods/Services 8
Military Technology 8
Services 4
Operations
Fiscal 8
Intelligence 6
Management 7
Reputation 7
Security 7
Matrix 7
Magic 8
Physical 7
Military Light regiment, exceptional
Primary Business
Aldaran is certainly the biggest producer of cybertech. Its implants are
of the best quality, enabling it to
dominate the market though discreetly. It has also an important space
program. It is specialized in aggressive
business (military, cybertech, magic,..).
Corporate Structure
Aldaran has no regional structure. Each subsidiary has a central HQ in
Bordeaux and is divided in
geographical divisions : Europe (Bordeaux), North America (Atlanta),
South America (Kourou), Africa
(Johannesburg), Oceania (Canberra) and Asia (Calcutta).
Major Divisions
Aldaran was created in 2012 and made his first major coup when it bought
Airbus Industries in 2017, the
second plane constructor of the world, and Air France in 2019.
Arianespace, the society owning the launching
base of Kourou and the Ariane technology, followed three years after.
Arianespace and Airbus were
amalgamated in Aerospatiale, still one of the major money-makers.
Lyonnesse Cybertech is the most famous subsidiary of Aldaran. Lyonnesse
is the biggest producer of
cyberimplants. If you're a street sam, you certainly have at least one
of their products in your body.
Aldaran Security Services is a security provider, nearly as good as
Knight Errant but less expensive. These guys often use prototypes of
military weapons, field test you know.
Services Hermetiques Lebrun is the sudsidiary that controls the magical
operations : research, protection,
enchanting,...
Execs
Aerospatiale is headed by a guy who is called Professeur Devereaux. I
haven't even been able to find his first
name.
> This guy is mad. He's a genius, right; he has invented some of the new space
technologies, right. But he's
fraggin' insane. First, he's a sadist : when Aldaran has to torture
someone, they give the poor guy to him;
generally, he talks after few minutes but the prof continues until the
death of the man. He's closed in the HQ of Aerospatiale and hasn't left
for twenty years. Flame Lord, have you something to answer to it?
> Scythe
> Thought so.
> Scythe
Georges Lebrun, the shareholder, is the founder of Services Hermetiques
Lebrun. He's a mage of great power
and is indebted to Sartan, don't know why.
Philippe Depreux controls Lyonnesse Cybertech. He's not a scientist but
a retired Seigneur de la Flamme.
Security
Physical and Magical Security
Aldaran uses ASS, of course, but only the best personnel. The mages are
integrated in mundane sections and
have no distinctive differences. Knight adepts are very frequent and are
often the leaders. Many metacreatures
are used to protect the most sensitive sites : hell hounds, piasmas and
other drek. Of course, any mundane
security guard is cybered by Lyonnesse with the best implants and
equipped with the best military weapons. If
you are particularly unlucky, perhaps you'll meet a Seigneur de la
Flamme.
Matrix Security
If Aldaran had a security problem, that would certainly be the Matrix.
They are not so good for computers here.
Well, of course, that doesn't mean it's easy. They have not high-tech IC
but they have lots of reliable ones. They use frequently the chokepoint
strategy : it's to say they fill up an host with cascading IC or parties
and
everything interesting is behind.
Military Security
Aldaran has a private army called the Seigneurs de la Flamme. These guys
wear military armors imitating the
style of knight armors. They always have at least an assault rifle and a
monosword. But when they are on the
field, they often have more exotci equipment : lasers, particles
weapons,... They have the best equipment the
corp can make. Sartan created this army to be his personal guard but
finally it became such a force he decided
to share it with Maerdynn. I would say there is at least one mage and
two physical or knight adepts for ten
guys. The combat mages are famous for their use of fire spells.
Flame-throwers are also a favourite for the
mundane. Oh, and of course, the French army would probably help them if
needed. It helps when the CEO also
heads the army.
Extended Security
Aldaran uses black ops without problem. They have alleged renegades that
are runners and use them as fixers.
There are something like ten fixers that work secretly for Aldaran. They
tend to frag the runners less frequently than most corps.
. Javert & Cie
Home Office Location Marseille
President/CEO Charles Javert
Chairman of the Board Charles Javert
Corporate Status Private
Major Shareholders Charles Javert 30%
Didier Javert 25%
Nadine Javert 25%
Raymond Javert 20%
> It is a nice family corp. The Javert always controlled the corp. Thanks to the Urban
Brawl, they made a quick
fortune. They were quite young and small at this moment but they have
swollen very fast.
> Blade
Net Rating 89
Major Interests
Aerospace 1
Agriculture 1
Biotechnology 4
Chemicals 4
Computer Engineering 4
Computer Science 4
Consumer Goods 5
Cybernetics 6
Entertainment 10
Finance 3
Heavy Industry 3
Mystical Goods/Services 4
Military Technology 6
Services 7
Operations
Fiscal 7
Intelligence 5
Management 5
Reputation 4
Security 6
Matrix 7
Magic 5
Physical 7
Military batallion, over average
Primary Business
Javert & Cie dominates the entertainment industry in France and perhaps
in a big part of Europe.
Corporate Structure
Major Divisions
Javert's most important subsidiaries are Sports Internationaux, that has
a lot of influence in all the sports
federation, particularly Urban Brawl of course, and Medias Associes.
Execs
The execs are the Javert themselves. The family heads all the
subsidiaries. It's a big family and a closely knit one.
Security
Physical and Magical Security
Physical security is quite good, all veterans of Urban Brawl. On the
opposite, magic is something the Javerts
don't like nor understand. So you can bet you will find adepts, mostly
knights or physads but very little real
mages.
Matrix Security
Matrix security is violent. The Javerts don't like industrial spying and
use mainly black IC, sometimes
psychotropic, and tailored viruses. Some sensitive data are protected by
expert systems.
Military Security
Here also the Javerts use mainly Urban Brawl or other combat sport
veterans. They are heavily equipped but
often lack magical support.
Extended Security
The Javerts have very good relations with the gangs of Marseille. They
were the first teams of Urban Brawl and
now are often used to discreetly do black ops.
