Play instrument (Cyberpunk RED)
Definition
Play Instrument is musical performance: technique, timing, and the ability to hold an audience through a set. It is keyed to TECH rather than COOL, which reads oddly until you consider that it measures the craft of playing rather than the charisma of being on stage. At the table it is the Rockerboy's working skill and a strong cover for everyone else. A musician has a legitimate reason to be in a venue, backstage, at a corporate function, or on a stage in front of the exact crowd the crew needs to reach. It also generates money and contacts, which for a street-level campaign is a genuinely useful engine that does not require anyone to be shot.
How it works
Tips
Frequently asked questions
Why is Play Instrument based on TECH?
Because it measures craft: technique, timing, control of the instrument. The charisma half of a performance is COOL and, for Rockerboys, the Charismatic Impact role ability.
Do I need to be a Rockerboy to take it?
No. Any character can play. What a Rockerboy adds is a role ability that converts a performance into influence over the crowd, which is a separate thing from playing well.
Can it make money?
Yes, modestly and reliably. Regular gigs supply income, a reason to be in specific rooms, and a steady stream of contacts, which is often worth more to a campaign than the eddies.