Hotspots for recreation, places for characters to meet others, sources for adventure, and areas of confrontation; nightclubs are often features in tabletop RPGs. This week’s column introduces a new possible option for dancing and dilemmas to your city: Abyssion.
The Nightclub
Abyssion is a popular new nightclub at the edges of the city’s more affluent downtown area. While it faces competition with other clubs it is still the youngest—opening only three months ago— and its selection of alcohol and entertainment features make it one the top spots. The club features high-end sound systems, lighted floors, private booths, and three separate bar areas. Additionally, some areas of the bar include TVs for special sports nights or so patrons can see the band (when one is performing) no matter how far from the stage they might be.
Entertainment
While primarily a dance club featuring EDM, Abyssion hosts live bands on Monday and Tuesday nights. Like the DJs the club hires, live bands and artists are typically in the electronic and synth-pop spectrum. The bar serves beer, champagne, and shots, keeping the menu simple and the wait to a minimum.
Security
Along with bouncers, Abyssion keeps its staff, equipment, and patrons safe with a team of security members stationed at the bar, stage, and by the bathrooms. While security has been directed to overlook use of recreational pharmaceuticals and the occasional display of exhibitionism, they are quick to step in at a moment’s notice with the goal of stopping trouble before it occurs. Because of the lighting, smoke machines, and privacy issues, security cameras are only present at the entrances, coat check, and in the office.
Owner: Devin Coates
Growing up on modest means, Devin Coates was able to attend college on a football scholarship, majoring in business administration. He proved adept at recognizing unusual revenue streams and kept a diverse portfolio. With some initial loans, Devin was able to grow his capital and became a self-made millionaire before the age of 35. He started Abyssion partially for his significant other (who loves the club scene) but also with the idea of building the club popularity and selling for a fast turn-around. He recognizes he puts in a greater investment than the next owner might, but is doing his best to set up the location and staff for growth even after he leaves.
Aspects: Financially Savvy; Bad Judge of Character; Ex-Jock
General Manager: Mickey Puttock
Mickey Puttock looks great on paper. The lanky Englishman has managed bar, clubs, and discotheques since the early 1970’s throughout London, New York, and LA. The “geezer,” as he calls himself, is a smooth-talking charmer who has connived his way into every job and out of almost every bit of trouble. And, despite the resume, Mickey always gets into trouble. He uses the venues under his purview to launder money, sell drugs, and skims enough off the profits to not quite be noticeable. Mickey seems to know when big trouble is brewing and has no qualms about leaving to start over again, often planting seeds of suspicion or discord on the owner or another employee so that they take the fall. To Devin, Mickey seems like a great hire, but Mickey has only started to put his standard nefarious operations into play at Abyssion.
Aspects: Fast-Talking Charmer; Selfish; Nose For Trouble
Club Booking: Choe Min
A second-generation American, Choe Min’s family emigrated from South Korea. Her parents are restaurant owners and Choe Min began working at the age of 10, helping in the restaurant. She helped pay for her initial college courses by bartending, but her talents for organization and her passion for music drove her into booking bands for a local dive. Choe Min moved to pursue her Master’s In Psychology, but continues to pay her bills booking bands; she fought to become the booking agent for the fledgling nightclub Abyssion, hoping to use its electronic music focus to also introduce more people to K-Pop—once she can start finding K-Pop bands to book.
Aspects: Ambitious Workaholic; Finger on the Pulse of Electronic Music; “Don’t Call Me Exotic!”
Tweaking the Setting: Urban Horror/Fantasy
In an urban horror/fantasy setting, Abyssion remains largely the same, but the character of Mickey Puttock might be dealing in more than illicit drugs; he might be helping the monsters in city find new victims—for a fee, of course.
Plugging in the Setting: Cyberpunk
In a Cyberpunk setting most nightclubs have a baked-in, seedier feel. Keeping Abyssion as a brand new club should make it feel eye-catching and unfamiliar. This would be an unusual place to meet a “Mr. Johnson,” but the freshness and untried atmosphere of the club could make give it the aura of more neutral territory… or give it the aire of something to claim.
Launching the Setting: Sci-Fi
In a space setting, Abyssion might be a new club on a popular space station. The nationalities of the managerial staff may be altered to different species. As it’s a new club that has clearly spared no expenses, security might be more impressive or deadly in a sci-fi setting and the nightclub could be a way to introduce new entertainment or security technology into the game.
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