Plots · Discovery · Single-Storyline
The Mortuary Hotline
'What, never heard of it? I thought a young hacker like you would already know. Well let me tell you…'
Codex
Codex introduction
'I heard it through a friend of a friend, so I know as little as anyone. They say that there’s a website somewhere, no address, just an IP. Just a boring corporate website, the corp doesn’t exist of course.
If you get through the login, you will get on a betting page. You can bet there on all manner of things - sports results, elections, anything. You can even beth when will be particular children born, like six at a time for example. And you can bet on the death of someone.
It works like this: you bet a certain person dies in a certain timeframe - the longer, the more you have to pay of course, and whoever runs the website determines the stake. If you loose, the money stays in the jackpot. If you win, you get some bonus, and the whole jackpot.
So imagine you’re a gangster who doesn’t like a judge, and bet some money on his death. If he dies, you win, if not, the money stays and grows on the interest… and you can be sure somebody will notice, and take care of one day. And you know there’s plenty of killers out there who will work for a few dollars - or a few thousand, or hundred thousand.
They say that ShadWolf Three found the site, and got inside, that finding it was the harder part. They say he’s seen a long list of many politicians and businessmen, yeah, judges even, and the 'jackpots' listed with each. For some of the figures I’d be a killer, no doubt about it. Too bad the man vanished later… so maybe it’s not just a tale.'
Options
1. The website is real, founded by the ubervillain of the world, who provides this courtesy service to any who find use for it. The knowledge of it will spread, and as a gateway site, it will better connect the customers and their contract killers. As the 'jackpot' will grow with each bet, basically any publicly known figure (oops, that counts superheroes, too!) would sooner or later be profitable to kill.
Naturally, the website will have to move frequently, as every secret service and police force will hunt it and shut it down with any and all means at their disposal. Good luck with finding it - and more luck if your jackpot becomes high enough.
2. The website is a front for a CIA/NSA/FSB/Mossad/... (insert secret service of choice) operation that uses it for own assassinations, and to infiltrate contract killers and their employers.
Merely visiting the page will result in their subtle or not so subtle attention.
3. The website is an urban myth, a spooky tale for the young hackers, but it refers to actual websites of shadowy organisations that are strictly closed to the public. If you accidentaly hit upon one, beware.
Now if you happen to find the records of ShadWolf Three who did precisely that, you might just hack your way into their servers…
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Links to this article 1
- Hacker Stories manfred linked by manfred
Use alongside
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I certainly like this one! Imagine the fun when a PC finds his name on this one!
Wow, an excellent modern sub! It could of course easily be carried over to cyberpunk+ as well.
Nicely done!
Normally I don't read plots, but this one's tag line intrigued me.
This has potential. It is more of a single story/ character thing than much of a campaign plot line... as it applies only to your hacker most of the time.
Though you forgot an option, this could be a website from Hell. A lead of tempation. You can access your wrath. You can be led to temptation to murder. The only way you can get access to the site is to be given it by something infernal. So if you hack your way in, you are either 'special', already dammed, or on your way to be dammed.
Re valadaar: yes, any genre with Internet could take it over - but cyberpunk and the likes are probably the easiest route.
Re MoonHunter:
- You don't read plots? Shame, shame. :)
- Yes, it concentrates on the hacker type, hence the single-storyline. But any PC may find itself on the list, and be left wondering how to fight a website.
- Well, I considered for a moment a demon running the thing, but ditched it as too cliche. But a site from Hell directly... one could develop an entire cadre of websites that support damning behaviour. Ever wondered where all those porn sites are from? :D
I looked into this website, and found my name on it no less than three times! I am quite impressed by the thoroughness, but insulted by the low amounts offered.
A BRILLIANT version of this concept was reenacted onscreen, in Agatha Christie's, Pale Horse. In fact, you dont even need the internet to use this idea!
I am even familiar with a real-life bookie, who takes wagers on, well, I cant tell you any more...:)
Great concept manfred! (I will add to this comment when time allows...I have lots to add!)
Not Bad! I like the idea a lot, especially as a background plot, a constant distraction as the heroes try to run the 'Ubervillain' to ground. Do they continue to track the source of this evil website, or do they try to save the site's potential victims?
Very cool! Sounds like an authentic urban legend, like one they'd base one of those terrible horror movies on.
But much better, of course. :D
Wow, like all really good urban legends this almost believable and therefore very, very scary
I agree with valadaar, this would be ideal for a cyberpunk setting
It would also work well in a modern set CoC type setting
An idea method for getting rid of that annoying cultist who just won't die
Good stuff manfred 4/5
Great job, betting on death! Its a very sneaky way of killing someone.
Decent idea
BUMP (a reminder for me to share a fantasy twist/plot version of this idea!)
A BUMP/reminder for Muro... :)
Neat. Makes me afraid t log on.
:)
I knew I should have patented this idea!
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/underworld-exploitation-of-bitcoin-assassination-market-website-raising-the-online-virtual-currency-to-hire-assassins-that-target-key-us-figures-revealed-8950148.html