TNX:Faction - Black Hounds



= Description =


 * Name: Special Police "Black Hounds"
 * Type: Police
 * Subfactions: Ghost Hounds, Night Hounds
 * Headquarters: N◎VA, Chuo Ward

In the modern-day Deshima largely forsaken by Japan's administration, TOKYO N◎VA, the Black Hounds are the sole governmental police body. Their structure is typical of a municipal police service. Their main investigative units are the Homicide Unit, the Burglary Unit, the White-Collar Crime Unit, the Corporate Crime Unit, the Cybercrime Unit, and the Organized Crime Unit.

Though those units are tasked with the initial investigations of most crimes, special departments such as the Mobile Investigation Section, the anti-hacker Ghost Hounds, and the anti-astral Night Hounds also play important roles.

Other departments include the Office of General Affairs, the Office of Personnel, the Accounting Office, the Quartermasters Unit, the Equipment R&D Unit, and more. Somewhat independent from the rest of the organization, the Quartermasters supply the other units with all necessary equipment while the Equipment R&D unit develops specialty gear.

The Public Order Division specializes in anti-terrorism and internal auditing duties and is closely tied to the Japanese Army. It consists of Public Order Units One to Four and Foreign Affairs Units One to Four.

The Security Division protects important individuals and engages in riot control. The Security Unit researches and drafts large-scale plans to ensure public safety in TOKYO N◎VA. There also exist the Armored Countermeasure Unit and Special Assault Task Force. The Traffic Department, overseeing the Traffic Control Team and Mechanized Traffic Police, has authority over all laws related to transportation.

The Crime Prevention Division contains the Youth Unit, the Public Safety Unit, the Narcotics Unit, and other such teams. All of its units are considered cushy posts for those not seeking excitement.

Of course, there are also staff to manage the Black Hounds' detention and prison facilities.

Politically, the Black Hounds have three major factions. The dominant faction, following the example set by Administrator Inagaki, freely accepts bribes from the megacorps and criminal organizations to ignore crimes.

A second faction, centered in the Public Order Division, tend to be secretive, narrow and inflexible. They are strongly influenced by the Japanese Army in their outlook.

The final faction is relatively small, but has maintained its independence. Its heart is the Mobile Investigations Section, and it tends to be the key impetus behind solving violent crimes. The Mobile Investigations Section are among the only Black Hounds that directly intervene in ongoing cases, and while they face heavy resistance from elsewhere in the organization, they are known for their refusal to yield either to internal bureaucracy or pressure from the megacorps.

= Faction Items =

(Black Hounds: Body Armor) Gorilla Blue❈ [Buy: -/20] [Hide: 5/0] [Armor (S/P/I): 4/5/5] [Control: 0] [Hack: 15] [Slot: Muscles] - An artificial muscle implant that absorbs impacts and can be used as cyberarmor. While wearing it, you gain +3 to the wound reduction of Damage Reduction Skills.

(Black Hounds: Armored Gear) Cerberus [Buy: -/20] [Hide: -/0] [Armor (S/P/I): 5/7/6] [Control: 0] [Hack: 20] [Slot: Armor] - An Armored Gear designed for suppression, excelling at explosives handling and security. While wearing it, you gain +2 to the Result of Physical Attacks made with Armored Weapons.

(Black Hounds: Neurowear) Black Links [Buy: -/15] [Hide: 12/0] [Hack: 17] [Slot: Cerebrum] - A milspec combat assistance system. Use before playing a Damage Card. Treat the value of the Damage Card as if it were 10. Limit 1/Act.

(Black Hounds: Artificial Body) Eye of the Argos [Buy: -/8] [Hide: 14/0] [Hack: 18] [Slot: Eyes] - A cybereye especially for detectives, linked to a forensics database. While wearing it, you get +1 to the result of  and  Checks. This effect does not stack if used in a Combo.

(Black Hounds: IANUS) Smooth Hound [Buy: -/35] [Hide: 12/0] I'm not going to figure out the IANUS data card for one item. I'll come back to it if I translate IANUSes - An IANUS with a strengthened mental trigger system. Use before your Setup Process Action. You can use one [Category: Cyberware] Outfit that normally requires a Setup Process action to activate. Limit 1/Scene.

= Faction Skills =

BH Mobile Investigations Section Combo: Free Max SL: 3 Timing: Constant Target: Self Range: None Difficulty: None Versus: None This is a [Position Skill] that indicates you're a member of the Mobile Investigations Section. Your unit is known for its high degree of independence, and you might fall in with any manner of incident (and any manner of odd companions) in the course of pursuing justice. When you acquire this Skill, choose one Common Skill. You gain a +[SL] bonus to the Result of Major Action Checks made with the chosen Common Skill.

BH Special Inspection Office Combo: Free Max SL: 3 Timing: Constant Target: Self Range: None Difficulty: None Versus: None This is a [Position Skill] that indicates you're a member of the Special Inspection Office. You have wide authority to make sure no one oversteps the regulations. Mental and Social Attacks you make get +[The SL of your  Skill] to the Wound Rating (to a maximum of [This Skill's SL x 2].)

Professional Cooperation Combo: Free Max SL: 5 Timing: Constant Target: Self Range: None Difficulty: None Versus: None You've participated in an R&D agreement with other police organization and borrowed some of their latest gear. You can acquire up to [SL] Outfits exclusive to other [Type: Police] Factions. However, when you do, you must pay their XP costs.

Emergency Warrant Combo: Declare Max SL: 3 Timing: Minor Target: Self Range: None Difficulty: None Versus: None You acquire an expedited warrant for a dangerous individual. For Checks you make during this Main Process, when determining the effects of Style Skills, you may treat the target as if they are affected by a Social Wound. If the Wound Rating is necessary, treat is as 10. Limit [SL]/Act.

Detective Vision Combo: Free Max SL: 3 Timing: Major Target: Self Range: None Difficulty: Refer Versus: None You are an expert at surveying crime scenes, capable of detecting even the most subtle clue. If successful, the Director must give you some kind of clue or hidden fact you would be able to deduce from your surroundingd. The Difficulty is either that of the Information you are attempting to gather, or 10 if there is no associated Information.

PAN Jacket Combo: Free Max SL: 5 Timing: Setup Target: Self Range: None Difficulty: 10 Versus: None You always wear clothing suited to hiding weapons and other gear. From the most technophobic beat cop to the Ghost Hound whiz kid, every policeman can always use more pockets. If successful, choose up to [SL] Outfits. You can treat those outfits as if you brought them to the Scene, and can equip these items immediately.

Vicious Hound Combo: Free Max SL: 4 Timing: Constant Target: Self Range: None Difficulty: None Versus: None Your reputation as a hardboiled Black Hound serves you well at the negotiation table. Those who aren't at least a little intimidated by you are few and far between. Use after you make a Check. You get +[The SL of your  Skill] to the Result of that Check. Limit 1/Act. This Skill cannot be used during Cut Progression.

Locker Name Combo: Free Max SL: 1 Timing: Constant Target: Self Range: None Difficulty: None Versus: None You've been given a code name by your comrades the force, marking you as a true boy (or girl, or genderless being) in blue. When you acquire this Skill, choose a single Inu Style Skill with [Limit: Style Level]. Treat that skill as if it instead had [Limit: Style Level+1].