Okay - the bigee that I wanted to bounce off of everyone - the EM pulse. I ran across some info in Toxic Alleys while prepping a run recently. I'm guessing there will be a lot more in future releases, but I've not seen any info related to what I came across.
Once more ***Spoilers***Specifically to Toxic Alleys***
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Towards the end of the Toxic Alleys campaign, I ran across a description of a magical artifact. Specifically that it can be used to power a ritual that will "...trap their enemies. Magic will still work as normal, but all Matrix connections will be severed."
Further, it goes on to say:
"...Once anyone crosses the ritual's threshold,which extends approximately a quarter kilometer around the.. (redacted
)...they become trapped in that limbo, be they person, spirit, or other entity."
So, the artifact in question is a seal---which when used, at least in theory, implies that it may be able to control and affect the metaplanes and metaplane entities. In game effect, it causes a very high man ebb.
This is a bit of stretch, but what if whoever currently has the seal is using it to cause some chaos? In Toxic Alleys, if everything goes the players way, someone interesting ends up with the seal. I won't spoil that part - since it hasn't been implied in Cutting Black - but they have the resources and knowledge to be a player behind the scenes. That or someone else now has the artifact.
All speculation, but if someone - or a group of someones have been experimenting and testing on cities, it may be something bigger is afoot.
Thoughts:
* In Cutting Black there have been people in the Zap-Zone, that just disappeared - granted could just be your 'typical disappear', but it also could imply a limbo area at the center
* A location was used to amplify the seal; so it can affect larger areas
* Unless you were in the zap-zone, cyberware/electronics could be repaired
* No background count/not a typicaly EMP
* It is a seal - what WAS it sealing...
* Something seemed to get loose in Pennsylvania (a stretch on this one)
Anyway-just some random thoughts!
[edit - fixing my spelling
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