#{emeril}

White Wolf Magazine #31, May/June 1992, $3.50 ($3.95 in Canada). 

Contains Batman Returns poster.

Specifically, this Batman Returns poster.

This art style is... something.

I’ve never been to New Orleans.

I almost went, once, in college.

For Mardi Gras, of course. The details are fuzzy, but I think the prospect of carpooling with 6 other smelly students in a cramped van to then spend two nights in a hotel with 6 other smelly students with only a slightly larger than usual chance of seeing naked boobs in public wasn’t worth it.

Bonjour a Nouveau France, mes amis.

Other than Mardi Gras, here’s what comes to my mind when you mention New Orleans.

The article itself is well-written, in the style of the “Seattle” chapter of the core rulebook, split into sections on

History

Facts At Your Fingertips

Entertainment and Tourism

Neighborhoods

Lagniappe (“Extras”)

Overall, they seem to give enough information to start a campaign there, though since I don’t know New Orleans, can’t say how faithful the translation to 2050 is. Of note are the neighborhoods, analogous to the Districts of Seattle. There is:

The Barrens – still probably nicer than Redmond.

The Bayous – home to dwarf fisherman, swamps, and these cute fellas

Corp Sector – the name says it all, though the article pointedly does not list any of the Shadowrun megacorps as having any presence (assuming for copyright reasons?)

Downtown – every town has a Downtown.

Lakefront – the Bellevue of New Orleans.

Orktown – like the Ork Underground, but Aboveground.

Riverfront – The Puyallup of New Orleans.

Zulu Nation – This one I had to do some background reading on, given, you know, how racist Shadowrun was early on. But, while increasing my understanding of New Orleans, I learned about “krewes” – social clubs that were responsible for putting together floats for Mardi Gras parades, and learned about the Krewe of Zulu, a predominantly African-American krewe that’s been around since 1909. Here, that organization has grown to become a semi-sovereign segment of New Orleans with a majority black population. Given that Seattle has labelled Chinese, Japanese, Elven, and Ork Districts, this isn’t a stretch.

Amara and Helena walk in laughing and talking.

Helena: No! No! It was fun, truly.

Amara: Are you sure?

Helena: Yes! You are very good with your sword.

Amara: Thank you, Helena.

Helena: Anyti-

Onyx and Emeril walk around them carrying a banner, going on their tippy-toes to get the banner over them. They end up hitting Amara and Helena in the face.

Amara: Hold on! Hold on! What are you doing?

Onyx: Decor! Fifteen days until Christmas.

Helena: Pardon me for asking but

Amara: Onyx...what exactly is Christmas?

Emeril: I don't either...But she said help and decorate in the same sentence so~

Onyx: Awww...Meril- You could have told me.

Emeril: I'm sorry.

Amara and Helena look at each other, before getting the banner and putting it up where Onyx wanted.

Onyx: Thanks, loves! I'll explain what it is. Sit, my children.

Amara, Helena, and Emeril sit down as she explains Christmas with flare, making them laugh.

Helena: Mmm...Okay, I think I understand.

Onyx: What have you learned?

Helena: Light the fireplace on Christmas Eve.

Onyx: No!

Emeril: Lock the refrigerator!

Onyx: No...Emeril...

Amara: Don't let strange men with thick moustaches and beards into your home. Specifically of the snowy white colour.