Shoa Ling

Overview

Leader of The Piranhas — the gang the crew infiltrated and negotiated with back in Session 01, and their first source of Vilify. First encountered partially high on his own product; flagged at the time only as ”[?Brad / ?Shaolin],” name unclear. Confirmed by the DM as Shoa Ling in Session 05, in dramatically changed circumstances: badly wounded, heavily cybered, and fully assimilated into The Calling.

Appearance

Over seven feet tall, more metal than man. Both arms pop open to reveal grenade launchers (armor-piercing loaded, with incendiary and flashbang in reserve). A retractable cybersnake living in his mouth. Bloodstained, visibly battle-worn, all-new cyberware compared to his Session 01 appearance.

Known Facts

• Head of The Piranhas; handled the trade that got the crew out of the gang’s hideout without a firefight in Session 01
• Found in Session 05 deep in a second, more hidden sewer entrance alongside Martin Gorsky — badly wounded from Continental Brands’ assault on The Calling’s facility
• Fully assimilated into The Calling; speaks as “we,” credits the original Vilify sale to Broker as “the best deal we ever made”
• Healed by Golden Girl with Speedheal; given Mr. Zip’s last dose of Kenny’s synthcoke to steady him, which visibly helps
• Armed the crew for the coming fight against Continental Brands: lent two armor-piercing grenades from his own stock
• Session 06: led the frontal assault on Continental Brands’ South Town facility — manifested his cybersnake tongue attack (missed a guard, destroyed a door instead) and unloaded a heavy SMG into an enemy, killing at least one merc on-screen; nearly pushed into cyberpsychosis by Mr. Continental’s kill-tracker tactic before Kenny’s disinformation ploy diverted CB’s forces; survived, battered, alongside the rest of The Calling

Open Questions

• How much of the original Piranhas leader is left, versus the collective speaking through him?
• Does he retain any authority over the Piranhas as a gang, or is that structure gone now that he’s part of The Calling?
• How close did he actually come to cyberpsychosis in Session 06?

Appearances

• Session 01 — First appearance (unnamed/unclear name); led the Piranhas’ negotiation with the crew
• Session 05 — Found badly wounded and fully assimilated into The Calling; healed by the crew; armed them with grenades ahead of the Continental Brands confrontation
• Session 06 — Led The Calling’s frontal assault on Continental Brands; nearly pushed to cyberpsychosis by CB’s kill-tracker; survived the raid