🎸 Rockerboy
“My old man tried to do music back before the War. The Corps snapped him up, sucked him dry, and spit him out to die on the street. These days, it’s different. I write my own songs about every power-hungry suit who thinks they can control the world.” — Forty, Rockerboy
🎯 Identity
Play this if you want to be like… Johnny Silverhand • Rage Against the Machine • Banksy • A revolutionary with a guitar
You’re the rebel, the voice of a generation, the one who speaks truth to power through art. You might be a musician, poet, actor, or just someone whose presence inspires people to action.
The Proud Legacy
“Dylan, Springsteen, U2, NWA, the Who, Jett, the Stones—the legions of hard-rock heroes who told the truth with screaming guitars or gut-honest lyrics.” — Cyberpunk RED Core Rulebook
Not Just Musicians
Rockerboys aren’t limited to rock music. They could be street poets, political activists, underground DJs, graffiti artists, or cult leaders. What matters is your charisma and your message — you move people to action through force of personality.
💡 Character Concepts
- The Legend’s Shadow — You idolize Johnny Silverhand. Maybe too much.
- The Sell-Out — You’re famous, but the Corps own you. Time to break free.
- The Underground Voice — No one knows your face, but everyone knows your message.
- The Cult Leader — Art is just the hook. You’re building something bigger.
- The Survivor — You’ve already lost everything. Nothing left to fear.
- The Political Firebrand — Your speeches topple regimes. Your concerts start riots.
🎮 Role Ability: Charismatic Impact
Your presence inspires. You influence people through sheer force of personality — you don’t need to be a musician; you could be a cult leader, activist, or performance artist.
You can only use Charismatic Impact on Fans. Make non-fans into fans by rolling Charismatic Impact + 1d10 vs DV8 (single), DV10 (small group ≤6), or DV12 (huge group). On failure, you can’t ask the same fans again for a week.
Rank-by-Rank Breakdown
Ranks 1–2 — Small local clubs
- Single Fan (DV8): Small favor — buy a drink or meal, give a lift.
- Small Group (DV10): Fans ask for autographs; stop you in streets.
- Huge Group (DV12): N/A — you don’t have huge groups yet.
Ranks 3–4 — Well known clubs
- Single Fan (DV8): Major favor — go to bed with you, put in a good word.
- Small Group (DV10): Regularly hang out; provide booze, drugs, party favors.
- Huge Group (DV12): Strong local following; fans buy recordings and merch.
Ranks 5–6 — Large, important clubs
- Single Fan (DV8): Minor crime — shoplift, help in a fight.
- Small Group (DV10): Act as your personal “posse”; do favors, provide for your needs.
- Huge Group (DV12): Fans all over the City, strongly loyal, do major favors for attention.
Ranks 7–8 — Small concert halls, local video feed
- Single Fan (DV8): Willing to risk their life without question.
- Small Group (DV10): Minor crime — shoplift, help in a fight.
- Huge Group (DV12): Rabidly loyal — fight rival groups, strong info networks.
Rank 9 — Large concert halls, national video feed
- Single Fan (DV8): Major crime — steal expensive items, beat someone up.
- Small Group (DV10): Major crime for you.
- Huge Group (DV12): Cult-like following — will riot, destroy property, kill.
Rank 10 — Huge stadiums or international video
- Single Fan (DV8): Willing to sacrifice self without question.
- Small Group (DV10): Risk their lives as personal protection.
- Huge Group (DV12): Worldwide cult following — a private army based on charisma.
📘 How to Play
Roleplay Tips
Rockerboys live at the intersection of art and revolution. Your performances aren’t just entertainment — they’re weapons. Every song, speech, or piece of art is a statement against someone with power.
The tension comes from the contradictions:
- Do you stay underground and authentic, or go mainstream for reach?
- Do you use your fans as tools, or genuinely care about them?
- Is the message real, or just a gimmick that sells?
Common Situations
| Situation | Roll This | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Winning over a crowd | Charismatic Impact + 1d10 | DV depends on group size |
| Performing a set | TECH + Play Instrument | Or COOL + Acting for non-musical |
| Writing a song or speech | INT + Composition | Anti-corp anthems are a classic |
| Reading the crowd’s mood | EMP + Human Perception | Know when to push, when to back off |
| Talking your way out | COOL + Persuasion | Your silver tongue is your shield |
| Spotting corporate plants | INT + Perception | They’re always watching |
| Looking the part | COOL + Wardrobe & Style | In Night City, image is everything |
| Navigating the scene | COOL + Streetwise | Know who runs what, where to play |
Tactical Tips
- Build your fan base early. Fans are your primary resource — without them, Charismatic Impact does nothing.
- Your fans can fight for you. At higher ranks, a loyal crowd is better than a bodyguard.
- Composition creates leverage. A well-composed anti-corp anthem can deal more damage than a bullet.
- Always have a Solo friend. You make enemies fast. Have backup that shoots back.
- Persuasion is your combat skill. Talk before you fight. You’re better at words than guns.
🔑 Key Skills
🎤 Primary — Performance & Social
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🗣️ Social
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⚔️ Survival
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📋 Quick Reference
Recommended STATs
| Priority | STATs | Why |
|---|---|---|
| High | COOL, EMP | Presence and connection |
| Medium | INT | Message and meaning |
| Low | BODY | You’re the face, not the muscle |
Starting Gear
- Instrument (if applicable)
- Signature outfit — Style matters
- Agent — For your fans
- Light Pistol — The Corps don’t play fair
📜 Role Lifepath
What's your artistic medium?
d6 Medium 1 Hard rock / metal 2 Hip-hop / spoken word 3 Electronic / DJ 4 Street art / graffiti 5 Acting / performance art 6 Political speeches / activism
What's your message?
d6 Message 1 Anti-corporate revolution 2 Personal freedom 3 Social justice 4 Nihilism and chaos 5 Hope in the darkness 6 Pure entertainment (but you slip in truth)
Where do you perform?
d6 Venue 1 Underground clubs 2 The streets 3 Corporate-sponsored (sell-out or infiltration?) 4 Data streams and pirate broadcasts 5 Nomad gatherings 6 Wherever the fight is
Who's gunning for you?
d6 Enemy 1 Corporate exec you embarrassed 2 Rival artist 3 Government agency 4 Gang you pissed off 5 Stalker fan 6 Former manager/partner
🔗 Connections
Related Roles
- Media — Truth-teller with a different platform
- Fixer — Social network focus
- Exec — The enemy, or maybe a dark mirror
World & Lore
- Rockerboy Lore — History and details of Rockerboys in Night City
- Afterlife — Night City’s most famous bar, where legends are made