I’ll break this down as quickly as I can , fair warning, some muses converse with one another as their stories interlock. Either way, you have a plethora of interactions to kick off for cyberpunk friends.
Gōjo Itsuki: the oldest muse on the roster in general, comes from an elite family that has connections spawning generations back with Arasaka, graduated early with highly prestigious marks. He is not a prodigy but was considered ambitious, cunning, ruthless enough to fully integrate into pharmaceuticals. Very old method of corporate loyalty, never worked for any other organization, briefly had a stint after medical school of owning his practice yet quickly became bored. Notorious in NC for his ruthless nature, cares only for the final result, he has a hand in the production of the original relic & soulkiller’s beta version. Prefers anonymity using digital masks in order to conceal his facial features, augments his voice to be disembodied or tamper with audio equipment, if you need the very best in medicine or a surgeon with no ethics who can assure survival, he is the best & worse.
Gōjo Satoru: prodigal son, raised within the elite academy’s Arasaka owned, a runner that hasn’t been seen in years. Itsuki’s only child who would have inherited the family’s wealth, power, and social standing. Died relatively young, though, not to worry! His body is cloned, the vats are kept in the Badland’s certified by Biotechinca. First victim or trial runner of the relic prototype, when realizing Satoru’s body was off, he ran. Far into the net, far away from home, now he works in Kabuki selling cyberdecks in his own niche of Night City. A dead man that isn’t, his route conjoins with Phantom Liberty to enable access beyond the Black Wall. Satoru’s essences haunt NC’s landscape, a digital eldritch horror show that continuously breaks from the human experience to transcend higher. Xiomara the Starlet: former bar singer from Heywood, notoriously known in the community for her giving spirit, naturally a defiant woman that some would say was a rocker girl. Ended up marrying a record label CEO, after his death, she essentially went missing. Rumors emerged she ended up in a cult in Pacifica, or she just vanished, escaping the maw of NC. Her story is somewhat muddled as she returns five years later, fully chromed, contracted with a production studio that remains a subsidy to an entertainment conglomerate. Works alongside El Capitan in giving back those around her in an odd mannerism, known for her small but rabid following of fans, she’s had several major public scandals involving arguments with Lizzy Wizzy. Should you need bikes, medicine, or maybe a pet iguana - she is the woman to call. High earning jobs with high danger. Still a musician at heart, she is credited on various records under the alias ‘Sunny’ or ‘The Lady’. Taniguchi Isamu: Militech’s new PR representative, nefariously known for his flamboyance, alternative yet glamorous style, stripped away the over masculine persona the company relied on. Coined the term quiet elegance when one thinks of Militech, industrial, sleek, deadly efficient, constantly seen smoothing out any arguments between other corps. Known for his languid charisma, lazy nonchalant manner of speaking, don’t let that fool you. Lost his right arm due to his pension for adrenaline, seeking any vice, which included a few office affairs were his department was taken over in a hostile encounter. His arm is considered custom & specifically designed solely to fit his needs, reflecting porcelain while hand made by his father, Magnus. Rumored to burn off steam via illegal racing, far more easy going than he portrays himself to be, blessed with a silver tongue that gets him out of trouble. The most friendliest of the group, currently having an affair with Zenin Naoto that spawns over 10+, the two do not discuss it while keeping their meetings secret, except, they seem to hold identical mannerisms, tattoos, and similar aesthetics.
Stuart ‘2D’ Pot: former indie sleaze royalty, started out working at Cherry Blossom Market selling equipment for runners, BD enthusiasts, rare sodas from overseas. Persistently sought after by The House of Kong (subsidy of WNS) for their ethereal look that collided with their boyish nature, originally from Sussex, England. Came to Night City with their ex-girlfriend Paula on the pretense of becoming a vocalist, solo or in a group. Considered useless when it comes to netrunning, quick hacks, writing or breaking code, though a musical genius who had brief cameos in friends BD’s for their videos gaining a small following. They were slowly being groomed by the House of Kong in order to sign the contract, sought by a particularly odd relic of Johnny Silverhand’s era who posed as an agent, someone that cared for Stuart. Ends up in a multicollision car crash that breaks their neural structure, orbital socket, sustaining traumatic injuries. Vanished essentially for five months, the House of Kong paid for Stuart’s new optics, hence the all black eyes, slowly molded them into the image that is commonly seen, neon blue hair, tall, gaunt, thin wraith.
Stuart breaks up with Paula after finding her cheating, the argument is explosive outside of Club Riot, they finally sign the contract becoming locked in as the House of Kong’s ‘angel’. Indebted, captured, their fame rises dramatically in NC but is hardly seen due to the chronic pain they suffer, it’s easier to find them at night in synth music clubs, no pulsating bass, just a soft vibration like a heartbeat. Considered a heavy opioid user, wildly adored for the innocence, frailty, but punkish spit-fire mannerism that nonchalantly expresses disdain or disliking. Tends to ‘lag’ when they speak as their tech is considered two to three gens behind in order to not fry their neural pathways. Fixer commonly found at Dark Matter with an incredible amounts of street credit for reliability, high pay, friendliness, although most admit Stuart feels ‘cursed’ or ‘trapped'. Working with them is a one & done thing.
Zenin Naoto: Arasaka ‘eraser’ a fancy term used to merely imply one of many assassins. Runs his own division that collides with personal security, considered ruthless, smug, sharply elegant in all mannerisms. Modest but lucratively expensive tech that optimizes efficiency. The Zen’in Clan are historically known to breed bodyguards that tend to the Arasaka family’s inner mechanism, though they are dwindling in popularity due to their own in-fighting. Naoto was essentially snubbed to protect Hanako Arasaka a slight his family did not forget but cannot defend or attest considering their social status is everything, while it hangs on a threshold, Naoto often states to be done whatsoever with the hubris of his kin.
As he sits between the youngest & eldest child, he seems to hold far more autonomy over himself than the rest of his own. Perhaps the most efficient killer as he prefers stealth over brute violence & strength. Noted to appear older in personality despite his true age, constant dry wit, humor, commonly seen in Charter Hills or Watson during Isamu’s gigs or Totentanz. Even when disarmed, it is never advised to speak with Naoto in nonchalance, he is constantly searching for a weakness. Strangely, the most palatable Zenin one can run into. Mentions in passing his eldest cousin, Toji, works for Trauma Team though they have a strange understanding should the two encounter one another, instant death.
Fushiguro Toji: An anomaly that was scorned from the start, methodical in brute violence to the point it is nearly a secondary nature of speaking, left the family after his mother’s death. Worked as a parttime merc for sometime, though, the jobs were naturally those that included direct hits. Notoriously known for sabtouge & dealing with runners that believed their skills were above human experience. The third eldest of a plethora of Zen’in cousins, considered the nephew of Naobito, doesn’t bother with his older brother whatsoever. Tried to manage his life, ended up working Trauma Team particularly night shifts, somewhat of an enigma Naoto has pointed out is another better option when speaking to a Zen’in although, Fushiguro will flat out denounce his former surname. Noted to enjoy money, gambling, fighting, chaotic as he is free in every respect. Still can seamlessly fit into the living weapon stance, even delights in it, another former noble with subtle cybernetics.
