A Feng Shui adventure in three
parts,
by Alan Krause.
[Editorial note: the rest of this was never posted, but I rather liked the initial setup.]
The Architects of the Flesh are experimenting in the contemporary juncture with a bio/arcanowave engineered substance called arcanoplasm.
There has already been a first, small scale test where the arcanoplasm has been introduced in a semi-controlled environment where its effects are currently being studied and noted. This is where the PCs should first get the idea that something is not right as they all somehow stumble upon evidence of the marginally successful test (e.g. corpses). Questions will abound, clues will be found and (hopefully) acted upon.
The second phase of the Architect's plan revolves around taking their observations, and then refining the substance's construction in the lab to modify it so that it acts more in their accordance. Also at this time, delivery methods will be considered. While the research is being supervised by Boatman, the actual work will be done here in the contemporary juncture by one of Boatman's bright, young and brilliant scientists - Dr. Nina Cheng. The research is being done at GeneTech's facilities just outside of Kowloon. The company is actually a front for the Buro's scientific operations. GeneTech should look extremely clean from the outside (very philanthropic, working on cutting edge gene research to help prevent deformities in children, etc.) but after a bit of poking around, the PCs should discover that as of yet, the company has no product which is marketable.
The third stage of the plan consists of the wide spread distribution of the substance throughout a larger test area and observe the consequences. This third stage test will then be followed by a ramping up in the production of the arcanoplasm for a massive delivery that will affect all of Hong Kong.
Obviously, the PCs need to stop this.
What is the substance, and what does it do?
The bio-arcanowave substance has been named arcanoplasm (or arcano-p) by its chief inventor, (mad) Doctor Nina Cheng. She began her career by joining the CDCA early on and helped to further arcanowave research and its relationship with biological organisms. Her most recent discovery has both shocked and delighted Boatman. Dr. Cheng is interested in possible methods to modulate the low and high end arcanowaves found in living organisms. If there was some way to control one (or more preferably, both) of the arcanowaves, the possibilities would be endless. No one (yet) knows what would happen if one or both arcanowaves were to be nullified. If it could be delivered by a biological vector, so much the better.
As a natural starting point, Dr. Cheng began her research by studying ARB related materials, and their effect when placed in various areas of test subject's anatomy. Her early (and crude) experiments determined that a relatively small of amount of modified ARB could produce (ahem) unique effects in her now somewhat less-than-human subjects. The results run the gamut from strange DNA mutations with accompanying ARB growths on the skin to apparently normal humans with not-so-normal psychological tendencies. CT scans of the test subjects which have shown no physical changes are now monitored constantly, while the physically altered test subjects are to be destroyed. It is at this point in the arcanoplasm's development that the campaign begins.
The basic virus was chosen as the delivery method due to its simplicity and the scientist's knowledge about them. The arcanovirus may be distributed in moist solutions (food and water being two primary examples) but does not fair well in aerosol form. At the start of the adventure, Dr. Cheng does not know the efficiency of either distribution method and has authorized tests using two mutated strains of the flu to find out the efficiency of both delivery methods.
Why are the Architects of the Flesh doing this?
The Buro has just recently discovered the contemporary juncture, and is trying to use its superior biological and arcanowave technology to its fullest advantage here. Dr. Boatman watched Dr. Cheng's early experiments with arcano-p with great interest, immediately realizing the significance of her work. He is also somewhat fearful of it's potential, and thus has placed Dr. Cheng and her research here in the contemporary juncture to increase his perceived safety.
Boatman is hopeful that if it is possible for the Buro to control the arcanowaves, it would then be possible to control who could and could not use magic and chi - allowing the Architects a near unsurmountable advantage in the secret war.
Last modified: May 12th, 1999; please send comments to durrell@innocence.com.