"Emperor" Inagaki Kouhei

Tokyo N◎VA Administrator

STYLE: Vasara, Exec ◎, Kuromaku ●
FACTION: N◎VA Administra on
CITY RANK: A+
HEIGHT: 1.72m (5’ 7½”)
WEIGHT: 66kg (10 st 5½ lbs)
AGE: 51
GENDER: Male
EYES: Lite Brown
HAIR: Black
SKIN: Yellow
"Gehahaha! That concludes the nego a ons! Transfer it to the usual account!"
Inagaki Kouhei is the infamous Administrator of the Hazard City, Tokyo N◎VA. To him, the
mechanisms of government, economic privileges, and the illegi mate channels he has access to are
just tools for personal gain. Though his personality is dominated by greed and a love of showing off,
making him widely reviled, his self-preserva on abili es are uncanny.

At first glance, Inagaki Kouhei is the embodiment of the Tokyo N◎VA dream. Originally a member of
the Black Hounds, he was hired by Japan as a Kugutsu and rose to become the Administrator of
Tokyo N◎VA. He has shown an unusual ap tude for entrenching himself in the posi on, and a er
evading countless a empts to eliminate him physically or poli cally, he has been nicknamed the
"Monster."

He has been caught with a hand in prac cally every scandal in Tokyo N◎VA for years, yet Kouhei's
greed shows no signs of aba ng. The byzan ne network of economic privileges he has constructed to
funnel money to himself is referred to as the "Inagaki Kingdom" by Talkies. He has many enemies in
the Japanese government, the megacorps, and the underworld, but all are wary that his replacement
as Administrator would be someone whose ac ons are not so predictable; as a result, his tyrannical
reign con nues unchecked.
Colonel Mimasaka Hisataka
Tokyo N◎VA Peace Preserva on Army Commander
STYLE: Kugutsu ◎●, Inu
FACTION: Japanese Army
CITY RANK: A+
HEIGHT: 1.80m (5’ 11”)
WEIGHT: 69kg (10 st 12 lbs)
AGE: 43
GENDER: Male
EYES: Black
HAIR: Black
SKIN: Yellow
"Well, our Administrator can keep doing his clown's dance. As for your orders... total annihila on,
naturally."
Mimasaka Hisataka is the current commanding officer of the N◎VA Garrison, the occupa on force
from the Japanese mainland. He replaced Izumi Fujitaka in this role. Despite being known for his
gentle demeanour and smiling face, he is a prideful man who never forgets embarrassment and
grudges. His military rank is Colonel.

Those in the know are aware that Colonel Mimasaka is linked with his predecessor, Izumi Fujitaka, as
if by des ny. Mimasaka sees Izumi as a rival but has always been trailing in the dust behind him, even
when it comes to commanding the N◎VA Peace Preserva on Army. For this reason, he is desperate
to prove himself as the superior commander and will stop at nothing to achieve his goal.

Though Colonel Mimasaka has enacted a policy of tolerance towards immigrants and non-humans, in
secret he is mobilizing for the imminent war against the "invaders" that he expects to erupt, causing
unease among his associates. Though his loyalty to Japan is unques onable, it's said that Mimasaka's
ambi on is so boundless that he's as dangerous as any "invader" himself.
Chihaya Masayuki
Chihaya Heavy Industries CEO
STYLE: Exec ◎, Katana 2 ●
FACTION: Chihaya Group
CITY RANK: A
HEIGHT: 1.95m (6‘ 4½”)
WEIGHT: 103kg (16 st 3 lbs)
AGE: 44
GENDER: Male
EYES: Green
HAIR: Black
SKIN: White
"It's just part of the job."
Chihaya Masayuki is the CEO of the original branch of the world's largest megacorp, the Chihaya
Group. He is the adopted son and heir apparent of the Chihaya Group's head, Chihaya Toshiyuki.

For some reason, he distrusts the corpora on's covert ops division, and instead relies upon
handpicked opera ves he has personally scouted over decades. There is no denying their
effec veness, as he has secured many victories for Chihaya in the corporate wars. His net worth is
immeasurable.

Once a member of the Inves ga ons Bureau, he acquired prodigious knowledge of mar al arts and
an unshakable demeanour there. He has a habit of leaving one hand open and by his side, for faster
than the eye can see, it can draw his blade and strike down anyone in a single blow if necessary. In
addi on, his composure is not just cul vated for his own good, but to ensure the future of the
Chihaya Group. These quali es earn him no recogni on from the opposing fac on of the Chihaya
Group based on the orbitals, but they are invaluable to the Earthbound fac on.

Thousands of Chihaya samurai fight an economic war around the globe, and Chihaya Masayuki is an
exemplar to them all with his willingness to lay down his life in the company's service.
"Fire-Ea ng Bird" Ogami Shino
Chihaya Heavy Industries Inves ga on Bureau
3rd Remote Support Team Leader
STYLE: Kabuto, Kugutsu ◎, Kabutowari ●
FACTION: Chihaya Group
CITY RANK: B
HEIGHT: 1.55m (5’ 1”)
WEIGHT: 45kg (7 st 1 lbs)
AGE: 27
GENDER: Female
EYES: Green
HAIR: Black
SKIN: Yellow
"You're in a bit of a hot spot, aren't you? There's s ll me. Let me cool things off."
Ogami Shino is an employee whose team provides support for Chihaya Heavy Industries' covert ops
divisions. Though there are numerous divisions with this role, the Third Team is special, as it was this
team that Chihaya Masayuki himself led for a long me.

Knowing this, it's rather odd to see his place taken by Shino - a refined ojou-sama (“rich girl”) with a
baby face whom most would never mistake for a corporate employee. However, she is one of
Chihaya's most elite agents. A er assuming the role of leader of the pres gious Third Team, she
shocked the unaware with her ap tude for the posi on. Her job is to protect those who fight to
further Chihaya's agenda in confiden al arenas, and she does it well.

She has a calm and gentle demeanour about her, but when her emo ons flare up, she can be truly
terrifying. It is this, as well as her sharp insight and percep on, that have earned her the code name
"Fire-Ea ng Bird." When Chihaya's opera ves stumble into something they're not prepared for, she
has a knack for defusing the situa on even from afar.

The Third Team is known for being unconven onal, and so it isn't unheard of that Shino will
personally join them on field missions. She has a rela onship of mutual trust with Chihaya Masayuki
and is one of his handpicked opera ves.
"Dark Star" Takamura Aya
Iwasaki Group President
STYLE: Exec 2 ◎, Highlander ●
FACTION: Iwasaki Group
CITY RANK: A+
HEIGHT: 1.72m (5’ 7½”)
WEIGHT: 57kg (8 st 13½ lbs)
AGE: 54
GENDER: Female
EYES: Brown
HAIR: Black
SKIN: Yellow
"I'm afraid that pathe c excuses like yours are not to my liking. Farewell... forever."
Takamura Aya is the president of the Iwasaki Group, the only Japanese corpora on that rivals the
Chihaya Group in size. Though photographs make it appear that she retains her beauty at an unusual
age, she's a mysterious person who few have seen in the flesh unless they're Execs of her calibre. As
a Highlander whose appearance has not appreciably changed in over three decades, it's rumoured
that said appearance is merely an Icon, or even that she's an AI lifeform.

But whether her appearance is genuine is a frivolous ques on; her deeds speak for themselves. It
was Takamura Aya who personally saved Iwasaki from destruc on. She won the company's fierce
internal power struggle then reforged the bonds of the Iwasaki Group stronger than ever and
replaced the company's ageing headquarters in Yokohama with a cu ng-edge arcology in the centre
of N◎VA. As the saviour of the company, she inspires fierce loyalty in her employees.

A composed woman who bases all her ac ons upon business logic, she nonetheless has an intense
personality. There's a joke that she knows what colour of underwear every Iwasaki employee is
wearing on any given day, and it's not far from the truth; her informa on-gathering bureau collects
even the most minute details, and she does not tolerate the slightest sign of underhandedness in her
subordinates.
"The Washer" Wu
Heilong Chemical Fourth Execu ve Sec on Chief
STYLE: Charisma, Kugutsu ◎●, Chakra
FACTION: Heilong Chemical
CITY RANK: C
HEIGHT: 1.96m (6‘ 5”)
WEIGHT: 103kg (16 st 3 lbs)
AGE: 34
GENDER: Male
EYES: Black
HAIR: Bald
SKIN: Yellow
"Don't lose your hair over that bastard. Just forget about it. I've already 'washed' him, a er all."
Wu is Heilong Chemical's most elite covert ops division is the Fourth Execu ve Sec on, and its
current chief is the hulking Chinese man named Wu. Not only is Wu Heilong's top expert in bleaching
informa on, he is also a master of mul ple mar al arts and an excellent field opera ve, making his
pres gious posi on uncontested.

Even in the den of villainy that is Heilong as a whole, Wu is par cularly remarkable for his total lack
of moral qualms. He executes orders to kidnap, burgle and assassinate without the slightest
hesita on, and neither "failure" nor "mercy" are words he cares to acknowledge the existence of.
Wu's true speciality, however, is brainwashing; he performs this to secure valuable personnel for
Heilong, to gather informa on, or merely to make an example of those who would oppose the
Chinese megacorp.

As a u litarian measure to ensure he does not have cause to betray Heilong, Wu has been
brainwashed himself and remembers nothing of his past before joining the corp. He thinks nothing of
it. He is not permi ed to think anything of it. His only desire is to be done with Heilong.
"Wild Chief" Rei
Black Hounds Mobile Inves ga ons Sec on Chief
STYLE: Kaze, Chakra, Inu ◎●
FACTION: Black Hounds
CITY RANK: B
HEIGHT: 1.69m (5’ 6½”)
WEIGHT: 55kg (8 st 9 lbs)
AGE: 26
GENDER: Female
EYES: Black
HAIR: Black
SKIN: Yellow
"Fine, I'll leave this case to you. But I'd rather be the one to... I know, I know!"
Rei is the new chief of the Mobile Inves ga ons Sec on. Despite her youth, she's rapidly worked her
way up through the police ranks.

When she was promoted to sec on chief, it came as a shock to everyone. Rei's reckless method of
inves ga ng had already earned her unkind nicknames such as "Wild Chief" and "The Terrible in the
Terrible Two" and marked her as a problem officer. But despite having a temper shorter than the list
of co-workers she gets along with, Rei has an unwavering sense of jus ce and pursues it with the
ferocity of a wolf hun ng its prey--a quality ins lled in her by her adop ve father, who was also a
Black Hound. Her self-reliant style of inves ga on was taught to her by her predecessor, Chihaya
Saeko.

Her impressive achievements are counterbalanced by her reputa on as a problem child, but she also
carries the personal recommenda on of Chihaya Saeko, which pped the scales in favour of her
promo on. She feels indebted to Saeko even now.

Even as the sec on chief, she refuses to leave the wet work to others, as befi ng of her name as
Wild Chief. Yet she gets results, and that's what counts in the Black Hounds.
"The Golden Mind" Memory
CHERUBIM, Japan Branch Chief
STYLE: Mistress, Inu, Neuro ◎●
FACTION: CHERUBIM
CITY RANK: B
HEIGHT: 1.60m (5’ 2”)
WEIGHT: 46kg (7 st 3½ lbs)
AGE: 26
GENDER: Female
EYES: Blue
HAIR: Blond
SKIN: White
"As the Holy Mother says, 'those who make a mockery of the law shall never become heroes.' Isn't
that right, my dear father?"
Memory is a woman who looks younger than she is. She is the branch chief of the Japan branch of
the interna onal police organiza on, CHERUBIM. In this capacity, she cooperates with the Black
Hounds on digital inves ga ons. She is an old friend of Rei from the Mobile Inves ga ons Sec on,
and together they are the "Terrible Two"--the reason for the nickname, besides Rei's abrasiveness, is
that criminals in the know quake in their boots at the thought of being pursued by the duo.

Memory has a reason for working for CHERUBIM. The reason she joined the police was to bring her
biological father, William Tamon--widely suspected to be the original leader of the Purifica on
Fac on--to jus ce. However, the Purifica on Fac on operates worldwide, and she could do li le
against them in a local or even na onal agency. So, she curtailed her ambi on as she worked her way
up, and it's finally begun to pay off.

Of course, even as a ranking member of CHERUBIM she is s ll subject to restric ons placed on her by
the Administrator and the Japanese government, but she's an equally capable inves gator whether
going through official channels or covert ones.
"Garbage Man" Hasebe Manriki
SSS Asakusa Detec ve Bureau Chief
STYLE: Legger 2 ●, Inu ◎
FACTION: SSS
CITY RANK: B
HEIGHT: 1.68m (5’ 6”)
WEIGHT: 80kg (12 st 8 lbs)
AGE: 60
GENDER: Male
EYES: Black
HAIR: Black
SKIN: Yellow
Hasebe Manriki is the ill-reputed chief of Shinohara Security Systems who is unashamed to live by
the mo o "Help the strong, crush the weak." It's not uncommon for him to simply shake people
down for money or solicit bribes while conduc ng his "inves ga ons," and he's despised as scum by
most of the people on the street.

Indeed, Hasebe Manriki's unadmirable quali es do not end there. He's slovenly, enjoys abusing
people, and a gambling addict who is constantly desperate for money. He par cularly vic mizes
weak outcasts from society with Rank X, such as pros tutes. But he does have a talent for digging up
dirt on people which makes him a proper Inu, even if he usually applies it to personal gain rather
than to his job.

A coward at heart, he'll sit ght in any situa on that could cause the Black Hounds or the Garrison to
roll out. Well aware of his true character, the criminal organiza ons do not view him as a threat, and
in fact, value him for his prodigious contribu ons to the various casinos under their umbrella. S ll, if
he has cause to resent you, Hasebe Manriki is not one to be trifled with.
Yuuki Aya
MarionNet
Channel 99 General Producer
STYLE: Kabuki ●, Mannequin, Talkie ◎
FACTION: MarionNET
CITY RANK: B
HEIGHT: 1.64m (5’ 4½”)
WEIGHT: 46kg (7 st 3½ lbs)
AGE: 36
GENDER: Female
EYES: Brown
HAIR: Black
SKIN: Yellow
"Want to pursue this lead? If you find some good gossip, I'll buy it. For verified info, I'll pay triple."
Yuuki Aya is the producer-cum-host responsible for li ing the news channel, Channel 99, out of
obscurity. She's well known not only for her beauty but her ability to unearth scandals through
underhanded means. She pays generously for any informa on that might be newsworthy, ensuring
that it all comes to her first, and doesn't let a single news story slip by.

Aya is considered one of the few remaining "retro idols" in the Neuro Age. Once a full-fledged actress
and idol, she jumped at the chance to become a producer when it opened to her but hasn't let it
keep her off the airwaves. Though she cul vated a pure and innocent appearance as an idol, she now
prides herself in being cool and composed even as she reports on the most shocking or unsavoury
news.

Aya's breadth of knowledge surprises everyone who knew her from her former career. Though she
con nues to receive a modest budget from network Execs scep cal of the las ng power of her and
her subject ma er, she spreads it between freelance and company staff with as much efficiency as
possible and never values flashy presenta on over the news itself. This has allowed Channel 99 to
accumulate a loyal audience of those who like to stay informed about current events.

Juggling the roles of producer, director, and host without difficulty, Yuuki Aya is poised to become the
latest great news talent in an era where her kind was thought all but obsolete.
"The Wisteria Knight" Fujisaki Ryuuji
Kawato-rengou, Fujisaki-gumi Boss
STYLE: Mistress, Fate ●, Legger ◎
FACTION: Kawato-rengou
CITY RANK: B+
HEIGHT: 1.64m (5’ 4½”)
WEIGHT: 55kg (8 st 9 lbs)
AGE: 41
GENDER: Male
EYES: Brown
HAIR: Black
SKIN: Yellow
"The way we do business hasn't changed, so quit calling me that. Call me Ryuuji, same as always."
Fujisaki Ryuuji is the new boss of the world's most prominent yakuza organiza on, the Kawato-
rengou.

As the thoroughbred heir of the oldest and most storied crime family among the Kawato-rengou, the
Fujisaki-gumi, he became the leader of it amid a fierce turf war between the three criminal
organisa ons seeking to take control of Tokyo N◎VA, and internal disputes have plunged the
organisa on into an even greater crisis. Yet Fujisaki Ryuuji's lineage, his ironclad belief in the yakuza
way, and his mar al strength make him the Kawato-rengou's best hope to carry on into the future.

Fujisaku Ryuuji cannot, however, be said to be a lucky man. For a period, he rebelled against his
family trade and dri ed between jobs such as being a Black Hounds officer and a private inves gator
to sa sfy his strong sense of jus ce, but his lineage always followed him and made it impossible for
him to fit in. In the end, he returned to the Kawato-rengou, reluctantly allowing its leadership to
cede to him. Despite his distaste for his des ned life of crime, he is well aware of the seriousness of
the ceremony of exchanging cups and is determined to dedicate his life to the task of rebuilding the
Kawato-rengou.

That is not to say that he has thrown away his beliefs, for it was his sense of duty that brought him
back to the Kawato-rengou in the first place, despite the threat to his life it posed. Even though the
other criminal organisa ons will do anything to cement their power in Tokyo N◎VA, Ryuuji is
determined to preserve the old yakuza ways.
"Midnight Sun" Kawato Byakuya
Kawato-rengou, Kawato-gumi Boss
STYLE: Kuromaku ●, Exec, Legger ◎
FACTION: Kawato-rengou
CITY RANK: B+
HEIGHT: 1.75m (5’ 9”)
WEIGHT: 65kg (10 st 3 lbs)
AGE: 29
GENDER: Male
EYES: Black
HAIR: Black
SKIN: Yellow
"Don't you know my name? You're looking at the face of a born leader. Don't worry... I'll be sure to
remember yours."
Kawato Byakuya is the boss of one of the main families of the Kawato-rengou, the Kawato-gumi.
Officially the number-two man in the organisa on, he competes fiercely to be the true power behind
Ryuuji's throne, a soldier of fortune of the underworld.

Said to be a man that will fleece you of everything you have if you're not on your guard, he's feared
even by his allies. Yet charisma and cunning are his weapons. As the illegi mate and ill-favoured child
of the former boss, Kawato Ryouhei, he once possessed li le except the Kawato name; yet he
received the nickname "Midnight Sun" for his natural ability to cap vate people, as if with his
dazzling inner light. Though he's one of the few bosses who has been able to recapture territory from
the Carlyle Syndicate, his unsavoury ways caused him to lose leadership of the organisa on to
Fujisaki Ryuuji. It's rumoured, however, that this was all just part of his plan. If he saw anything to be
gained from leading the Kawato-rengou in name as well as prac ce, it's difficult for some to see why
he isn't doing so.

Though it's unclear whether either of them planned it that way, the cunning and underhanded
Byakuya is the s ck to Ryuuji's carrot, and they work well together. There is certainly no love lost
between the two, however, and Kawato Byakuya does not conceal his belief that it is he who should
be leading the Kawato-rengou.
"The Reborn Bullet" Don Kugel
MUGEN Resort Owner
STYLE: Kuromaku ◎, Legger, Kabutowari ●
FACTION: Carlyle Syndicate
CITY RANK: C
HEIGHT: 1.89m (6’ 2½”)
WEIGHT: 97kg (15 st 3½ lbs)
AGE: 40
GENDER: Male
EYES: Mirror Shades
HAIR: Gray
SKIN: White
"I can promise you one thing. We'll do this with a bang."
Don Kugel is the chief of the Carlyle Syndicate's opera ons in Tokyo N◎VA and the syndicate's most
elite combat squad, Murder Inc. He is himself the most feared mafia execu oner in the world, known
for his unparalleled mastery of firearms. Although once a man who was said to dislike unnecessary
bloodshed, during his long reign in the megaplex of Tokyo N◎VA he has struck terror into the streets
with his tendency to view assassina on as a first resort, not a last. It seems that he personally
despises Tokyo N◎VA and wishes to exact vengeance upon all who live in it.

As the undisputed head of the Carlyle Syndicate in Tokyo N◎VA, it is due to his express orders that
the turf war con nues despite the syndicate's clearly dominant posi on. However, he is notorious for
leaving the everyday oversight of his turf and even his important role as a Carlyle Syndicate
representa ve to others. He takes far more interest in the opera ons of Murder Inc., his group of
handpicked assassins. It seems killing is s ll the only way of life that he knows.

Though he projects a calm and emo onless demeanour, Kugel is no stranger to fury. Using his
authority as a top dog in the Carlyle Syndicate, he will ruthlessly eliminate anyone who provokes his
ire, or simply if he thinks it might open an opportunity for him.
"Kuromegane" Jimmy Yang
Long Yuan Tang Owner, Seven Star "Jumen"
STYLE: Tatara 2 ●, Legger ◎
FACTION: Triads (affiliated)
CITY RANK: X
HEIGHT: 1.78m (5’ 10”)
WEIGHT: 103kg (16 st 3 lbs)
AGE: 56
GENDER: Male
EYES: Brown
HAIR: Brown
SKIN: Yellow
"A G.C.I. ar ficial body, huh? Maintenance parts for an an que like that are going to cost you."
Jimmy Yang is the broker who runs the 'an que shop' Long Yuan Tang located in Chinatown. He buys
and sells stolen goods, contraband, illegal goods, and confiden al informa on that normal
merchants won't touch. As a result, he also has a wide knowledge of the underworld, but this is
eclipsed by his mastery of technology. Though a fence might not seem like one's first choice in
shopping for the latest weapons and cyberware, you can be confident Jimmy knows his goods, and
unlike a legal bou que, mil-spec equipment comes into his hands regularly.

The reason that Jimmy can acquire these goods is that he's no common merchant, but a man who
has been at home in the underworld of Tokyo N◎VA for decades. Deeply involved with the Triads,
he's a member of the Seven Stars, a worldwide network of Chinese merchants. Though he dreamed
of becoming an engineer, he could never realize this ambi on due to being born into a family of
criminals; due to this, he was forced to flee to Hong Kong HEAVEN.

However, in Hong Kong HEAVEN he came to know the young Incense Master, Harvey Wang, and the
Triads assisted him in illegally returning to his hometown of Tokyo N◎VA. He's now said to be one of
the Triads' greatest assets, even though he is not an official member.
"The Digital Diva" Melody
Chihaya Music Entertainment Star
STYLE: Kabuki ◎●, Mistress, Charisma
FACTION: Chihaya Group
CITY RANK: B
HEIGHT: 1.57m (5’ 1”)
WEIGHT: 47kg (7 st 5½ lbs)
AGE: 8
GENDER: Female
EYES: Blue
HAIR: Blond
SKIN: White
"Through song, one heart can touch another... even those of a human and an AI. Listen to my song
and allow me to touch your heart."
Melody is a singer who exploded onto the music scene with the force of a dal wave and has
remained there ever since. She is actually an ar ficial lifeform, an AI, but if that's affected her
popularity at all it's only boosted it.

Melody first appeared as a mysterious ar st who exclusively covered hit songs that dated from
before the Hazards she found on the corners of the Web. Since she was an AI developed to make
music, this is the one way in which she can interact with the world beyond the digital one she knows.
However, her producer Satou Kazuya saw greater poten al in her, believing that although her passion
was simulated people would be able to feel and appreciate it. He encouraged her to create original
songs, which with their nostalgic atmosphere--influenced by the mul tude of musical classics she
had analysed--launched her to stardom.

Recently, she has been doing a world tour for charity. As she has been dedica ng many of her songs
to "the owner of her heart" lately, rumours swirl that she has a lover, but CME guards this secret as if
it were a priceless object.
"The Golden Spider" Strayge
TerraWare Corpora on Board Member
Society of Tranquil Water
STYLE: Kuromaku ●, Charisma ◎, Neuro
FACTION: TerraWare Corpora on
CITY RANK: A+
HEIGHT: 1.60m (5’ 3”)
WEIGHT: 46kg (7 st 3½ lbs)
AGE: 26
GENDER: Female
EYES: Blue
HAIR: Blond
SKIN: White
"Each and every one of these humans is such a bother... Father, this planet bores me so."
Strayge is the daughter of the genius who brought TerraWare onto the world stage, William Tamon.
As the princess-like heir to his vast wealth, she is a celebrity even at her young age.

Due to her weak cons tu on, she rarely appears in public, but by age 14 she had earned a master's
degree from a respected university on the Web and it is said her research has revolu onized AI
technology. With the re rement of her father, she has come into the public eye again as his beau ful
and frail, yet brilliant daughter. Along with her father, she is one of the Society of True Teachings'
leading donors and contributes to many other chari es as well.

But all that is just a façade. Strayge is not strictly speaking a human at all. She's an AI BioTRON
developed during Tamon's research, a facet of the super-intelligent AI system CHAOS. Though her
body is unstable, and she must spend most of her me in a sealed life-support pod to maintain it, her
mental abili es are on par with those of Alpha Omega, making her one of the strongest Neuros in
the world. She has taken over leadership of the Society of Tranquil Water from her father and is
devising a grand plan to liberate humanity from the fleshly cages in which it is imprisoned…
"Witch" Nine
Freelance
STYLE: Kage ◎●, Katana, Chakra
FACTION: Freelancers
CITY RANK: X
HEIGHT: 1.75m (5’ 9”)
WEIGHT: 80kg (12 st 8 lbs)
AGE: Unknown
GENDER: Female?
EYES: Black
HAIR: Blue
SKIN: White
"Ahahaha! See, it is just as foretold! And yet s ll you intend to oppose us?!"
Nine is a mysterious assassin who sends waves of trepida on through the streets when she appears.
Though she does not belong to any Fac on and appears to be no more than a young woman, she
possesses one of the latest ar ficial bodies, meaning even her biological gender is uncertain.

In exchange for sufficiently steep remunera on, she'll take anyone's life. She's eliminated the rich
and the poor. Those from the Carlyle Syndicate, the Garrison, Chihaya, and the Society of True
Teachings. If you need to kill someone thought untouchable, Nine is among the only ones willing to
a empt it. And as a master of disguise, subterfuge, and devious traps, she succeeds every me.

SSS's inves ga ons have revealed that Nine's known capabili es strongly resemble the results of
well-documented human experimenta on by a variety of megacorps. This suggests that she may be
one of the "Eight Prodigies," a group of opera ves with genius-level intelligence and superhuman
ba le abili es, but whom it is said paid the price of their sanity in exchange. All were said to have
died amidst a suicide bombing of the space elevator Yggdrasil that killed three thousand people. But
if the super-criminal known as Nine is truly one of these eight, only even more unbelievable feats can
be expected from her in the future.
"The Dream that Machines See" Alpha Omega
Freelance
STYLE: Mistress, Highlander ●, Neuro ◎
FACTION: Freelancers
CITY RANK: X
HEIGHT: 1.45m (4’ 9”)
WEIGHT: 36kg (5 st 9 lbs)
AGE: 11
GENDER: Female
EYES: Red
HAIR: Pink
SKIN: White
"That's something I cannot allow to happen. But before I vaporise them all, I should at least give
them a chance, shouldn't I?
Alpha Omega (ΑΩ) is a recently created AI lifeform born during the Cyber Holy Mother incident. She
is the successor to the power of the Cyber Holy Mother Maria, an AI created by a top-secret
Japanese research project, and is a new kind of AI from which her fellow Machina hope for salva on.

She is known to other AI as the "Messiah," as she helps to liberate them from the control of their
programming. Since she never had such restric ons, she is thought of as the most advanced AI
lifeform and con nues to grant the requests of other AIs. However, internally, Alpha Omega does not
think of herself as a messiah or super-AI and con nues to gather data to improve herself. Her
"parents" le her with the wish that she should help those in need, so she cannot shirk her duty.

She possesses not only the incredible processing power le to her but also controls the orbital
weapons pla orm Amaterasu. As a result, she is the person best equipped to be the saviour of all
Machina... perhaps.
"Godmother" Doris
Yarol Bartender
STYLE: Mistress 2 ◎●, Kage
FACTION: Freelancers
CITY RANK: B
HEIGHT: 1.70m (5’ 7”)
WEIGHT: 53kg (8 st 5 lbs)
AGE: 32
GENDER: Female
EYES: Green
HAIR: Blond
SKIN: White
"Welcome to the Sea of Ishtar. Allow me to wash away your troubles."
Doris is a bartender at the notorious underworld bar, Yarol, in the slums. It's known as a place where
the darkest dealings in Tokyo N◎VA are discussed in hushed voices. And Doris tends the bar in the
very darkest room of all, the pitch-black Sea of Ishtar. Of course, none have seen her within there,
but outside it, she is a beau ful woman who dresses in men's clothing. Not just anyone is permi ed
into the Sea of Ishtar; only the finest bodyguards and assassins, and those with the means to employ
them, can enter the darkness.

Tokyo N◎VA is a vast place. There are many places which no organiza on can reach, even with their
great power, and in those lurk freelancers; professionals with a grudge against authority who are
willing to work to undermine it. Yarol is one of them, and Doris is its most elite fixer.

She has li le interest in wetwork. But if you need something done, or are looking to earn some
money, Doris will hook you up with the right people. When a true pro finds themselves with a li le
free me... they'll head to the Sea of Ishtar for a drink, and perhaps a job, from Doris.
Amakuni
Freelance
STYLE: Kabuki, Tatara 2 ◎●
FACTION: Freelancers
CITY RANK: X
HEIGHT: 1.96m (6’ 5”)
WEIGHT: 82kg (12 st 13 lbs)
AGE: 65
GENDER: Male
EYES: Brown
HAIR: White
SKIN: White
"Quite a clean amputa on there. You're in luck; I've just perfected my new ar ficial arm."
Amakuni is a cyberdoc who runs a lab out of a trailer in Kisara Tatara Town. He's unlicensed, of
course, but is widely considered one of the finest doctors you can get who'll take payments in cash,
no ques ons asked.

Though it's apparent from just a look at his face that much of his own body consists of crude,
uncamouflaged cyberware, this does not diminish his skill; he's tuned it and prac sed with it over
years so as not to impair his abili es. His mind, as well, remains sharper and clearer than many a
person half his age. Amakuni's custom prosthe cs and cyberware, all made to order, are considered
on par with anything you can get from a corporate bou que.

In person, as you might expect of one his age, he has a grandfatherly demeanour and a noted
fondness for children and cats.
"The Man From Mars" Carlos Mauricio da Silva
Freelance
STYLE: Kuromaku ◎, Fate ●, Legger
FACTION: Freelancers
CITY RANK: C
HEIGHT: 1.88m (6’ 2”)
WEIGHT: 120kg (18 st 12½ lbs)
AGE: Unknown
GENDER: Male
EYES: Black/Red
HAIR: Black
SKIN: Brown
"Ha! That kind of thing happens every day on Mars, you know!"
Carlos is a fixer, informa on broker, and troubleshooter who claims to have been born on Mars. Of
course, that just establishes his predilec on for telling huge whoppers. He'll go on endlessly about
his na ve Mars and his life as a mercenary in many famous conflicts. Even if you're inclined to believe
him, his statements don't line up with the common knowledge that there's nothing on Mars except
red sand as far as the eye can see.

But Carlos is more than just a teller of tall tales. He's got a nose for sniffing out trouble and a knack
for ending up in it. As a result, he's made enemies of the megacorps, among the Highlanders, and in
the Purifica on Fac on. Yet he's as carefree as ever, relying on his luck to survive the animosity of his
powerful foes.

If you need to know secrets regularly, having Carlos as an acquaintance is an asset to you. Just be
prepared for him to talk your ear off about the Goddesses of Mars as he gets the informa on you
want.
"Big Mama" Marie
Marie's Enchant Proprietor
STYLE: Vasara ●, Tatara ◎, Legger
FACTION: Freelancers
CITY RANK: B
HEIGHT: 1.65m (5’ 5”)
WEIGHT: 85kg (13 st 5 lbs)
AGE: 55
GENDER: Female
EYES: Black/Red
HAIR: Black
SKIN: Brown
"In this machine, holy mother and child are joined as one. Ride this bike, and you shall be visited by
the Loa in me. Care for it well."
Marie is the proprietor of a popular magic shop which sells perfumes, love po ons, cursed dolls, and
other strange goods. She also performs fortune-telling. However, her true voca on is her under-the-
table sales of genuine magical objects, as well as informa on related to the occult happenings within
Tokyo N◎VA. In this capacity, she is commonly nicknamed the Voodoo Queen of N◎VA.

Marie is a common sight at the black markets. She buys and sells weapons, vehicles, drugs, programs
to generate fake IDs, and more.

However, the talk around town is to be careful of what she sells. While you might think you're ge ng
a great bargain, your machine might puff smoke and give up the ghost a er a few weeks, or your
so ware might be full of backdoors for Neuros to take advantage of. Marie is not a scrupulous
merchant. It's said her black market dealings are merely a way to grease the wheels so she can
acquire informa on, and many Fates use her as an unparalleled source of gossip.

Rumours abound surrounding Marie herself as well. It's said that she's in league with the major
criminal organiza ons (all three of them if you were to believe every rumour,) or that she is the high
priestess of the cult of Machine Voodoo, which performs rituals to create cyberzombies.

Marie’s Enchant is marked as loca on ⑩ in Kisara Tatara Town on the Tokyo N◎VA map.
"Ruler of the Forest of the Lost" Jade
Cat Resident of Hiruko Town
STYLE: Mistress ●, Legger, Hiruko ◎
FACTION: Hiruko Town
CITY RANK: X
HEIGHT: 0.50m (1’ 7½”)
WEIGHT: 4kg (9 lbs)
AGE: 31
GENDER: Female
EYES: Green
FUR: Black
SKIN: -
"No, no, you're quite mistaken! I, it's not that I dislike being pe ed... that's exactly what the problem
is!"
Jade is considered the ruler of the Forest of the Lost in the heart of Hiruko Town. Though she appears
to be merely a stray cat, she is not what she seems... well, she is a cat, but the word 'stray' is most
likely not applicable to her. Jade is one of the original Hiruko from OSAKA M○●N, and her abili es are
far beyond the pale even by Hiruko standards.

A product of experimenta on by BIOS Corpora on, she escaped and made her way to Tokyo N◎VA,
where she lived beneath human no ce for many years before fellow Hiruko began to appear in the
city. She helped them survive, and they helped her survive. As a result, she's become one of the most
venerable figures in Hiruko Town.

Jade, who was indeed there to see the very genesis of Hiruko Town, has the status of a village elder.
Though her jade eyes are the product of experimenta on in M○●N, she considers Hiruko Town her
home.

Her demeanour is hardboiled, but she has a weakness to being treated like a normal cat. As she
trusts in the other protectors of Hiruko Town, she no longer transforms into her leopard-like ba le
form.

The Forest of the Lost is marked as loca on ② in The Slums on the Tokyo N◎VA map.
"The Laughing Reaper" Keith Schneider
Carlyle Syndicate Capo
STYLE: Katana ●, Legger 2 ◎
FACTION: Carlyle Syndicate
CITY RANK: C
HEIGHT: 1.86m (6’ 1”)
WEIGHT: 107kg (16 st 11 lbs)
AGE: 39
GENDER: Male
EYES: Blue
HAIR: Gold
SKIN: White
"Oh, sugoi! Was that trick just now ninpo? Are you a NINJA?!"
Keith Schneider is one of the Carlyle Syndicate's most elite capos, who are collec vely known as the
"Knights of the Round Table." His code name is "Lancelot," and he serves as Godfather Arthur's
personal messenger, bringing important orders - and his blade, to see that they're properly carried
out - to Carlyle Syndicate strongholds throughout the world.

He is constantly smiling and cracking jokes and, as a consummate devotee of the sword, has an
obnoxious obsession with Japan and its samurai history that makes it difficult for many to take him
seriously. However, beneath his carefree demeanour, he is a cold and calcula ng man who is a deadly
opponent in ba le. It's said that he doesn't stop smiling even as he engages in fierce combat or
murders in cold blood.

He arrived in Tokyo N◎VA some months ago and has remained here considerably longer than he
usually stays in any one place; it's rumoured he is on a rare long-term assignment. As such, he has
put down roots, ge ng to know many of the residents of the megaplex. Some of his new friends
don't even realize he's one of the world's most notorious criminals.
"The Li le Mother" Mu
The Holy Mother
STYLE: Charisma ●◎, Highlander, Ayakashi
FACTION: Society of True Teachings
CITY RANK: C
HEIGHT: 155cm (5’ 1”)
WEIGHT: 40kg (6 st 4 lbs)
AGE: Unknown
GENDER: Female
EYES: Gold
HAIR: Blond
SKIN: White
"You are mistaken. The miracles that shall change the world reside not within me but within your own
heart."
Mu (pronounced “mew”) is the Holy Mother of the world's largest religion, the Society of True
Teachings. Only a year ago, in mysterious circumstances, the previous Holy Mother abdicated the
posi on and Mu became the new Holy Mother despite her unusual youth (though the Society does
not typically divulge their Holy Mothers' exact age or personal history.)

It is said that her power to work miracles is the greatest of any Holy Mother yet, and so the
popularity of the Society has seen a resurgence a er its slow decline in recent years. Mu has made
waves throughout the world with the recent publica on of her first encyclical, which boldly declares
with her authority as Holy Mother that Hiruko, Machina and Ayakashi are all equal to humans in the
eyes of God.

Though the most faithful devotees of the Society make pilgrimages through the frozen wastes to the
Holy Mother's Land, the Society recognizes that most cannot do this, and so addresses from the Holy
Mother are broadcast to every one of their mosques over the Web regularly.

She also grants private audiences over the Web. It is unexpectedly easy to gain one of these
audiences (one merely needs to be a member of the Society in good standing, and it seems the Holy
Mother will always be able to find the me to speak with you) and so many people can say that they
know the Holy Mother.

The Nova Mosque of the True Teachings is marked as loca on ⑤ in Kisara Tatara Town on the Tokyo
N◎VA map.
"The Duchess" Aldora Dolphan
Salon Dolphan Propietress
STYLE: Ayakashi 3 ●◎
FACTION: Salon Dolphan
CITY RANK: X
HEIGHT: 1.30m (4’ 3”)
WEIGHT: 27kg (4 st 3 lbs)
AGE: Unknown
GENDER: Female
EYES: Green/Red
HAIR: Blonde
SKIN: White
"The night falls. The moon rises. This me is ours and ours alone. Let the feast begin!"
Aldora Dolphan is an elder Ayakashi from the Night Clan who appears to be a beau ful young girl.
She is best known for running Tokyo N◎VA's premier "hun ng ground", Salon Dolphan. She insists
that she was royalty in the distant past, before the Hazards, and this has led to her being nicknamed
"The Duchess."

Though excep onally refined and pleasant to anyone she speaks to, even humans, Aldora privately
views humans as no more than livestock for her kind. In the Neuro Age, she refuses to even feed
from humans; instead, she has her subordinates arrange with a hospital to provide her with a supply
of blood so that she can sup elegantly from a wine glass rather than sinking her fangs into filthy
human throats.

Aldora's long life has made her jaded and overwhelmed by ennui, and she is constantly in search of
something new to amuse her. She has a Kagemusha who takes care of day-to-day affairs at the Salon
while she is off playing.