In conjunction with a good friend of mine, we decided to write a cyberpunk thriller story using the already created tabletop-RPG world of Shadowrun. How would it be written? Through a way that might never have been done before--via an online, Discord-based RPG game. The plan was to gather the characters, collect them on Discord, explain the world and rules and ideas, have them create their characters according to the Shadowrun official character sheets, then present them with the plot of the story, one piece at a time. The reactions of the characters, their dialogue, their creativity would then be translated into fiction and shared chapter by chapter on the Wattpad main profile. Everyone participating would be credited in an acknowledgments page.
The first plot is plotted, and the main quest sketched out. Dozens of other missions are available for later books, short stories, one-offs, or practice missions.
These are the Runners, and this is their story.
A criminal mastermind makes a bold move against a wealthy client to put himself in a position to retire in comfort. He has no idea what he's up against when a young widow, desperate to make ends meet, sets her eyes on earning the bounty set on his head.
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Newly widowed housewife Melody Scott needs to earn some major cash, fast. When her bright and busy children learn that a priceless ruby bracelet has been stolen and a six-figure reward is being offered, they convince her to try to do what the police, museum security, and the best private investigators have failed to do. Working against them is a notorious thief who has met people from around the world, but who has never once encountered a woman like Melody Scott. When the sweet innocence of the Scott family clashes against criminal forces more dangerous than they ever imagined, Melody is all too aware that a mom's got to do what a mom's got to do to protect her family.
The Widow, Melody Scott is a 2021 Watty Award Winner!
Content Warning: This story does contain depictions of stalking behavior.