Bug City Blues

17 Episodes
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By: Connor Boesch

Welcome to “Bug City Blues,” an actual play podcast following a group of street-level Shadowrunners as they get in way over their heads out in the streets of Chicago. Join our talented cast as they navigate the treacherous underbelly of a corrupt metropolis ruled by mega-corporations and gang affiliations alike. Immerse yourself in a neo-noir narrative filled with thrilling missions, high-stakes heists, and haunting secrets. Listen as our runners confront ruthless corporate agents, rival factions, and the enigmatic forces that dwell in the shadows, all while struggling to survive in a city on the brink of chaos. Discover the intense cama...

The Chariot, Reversed
#15
Yesterday at 6:51 PM

Welcome back to Bug City Blues - where we follow a group of street-level runners as they get in way over their heads out in the streets of Chicago.

This week: After surviving their last escapade, the team slows down - but only slightly. With some well-earned nuyen burning holes in their pockets, they invest in upgrades, reach out to old contacts, and put pieces in place for the road ahead. But in Chicago, downtime is just another word for danger - and as shadows lengthen and alleyways whisper, threats stir beneath the surface. Who is watching...


The Chariot
#14
03/05/2025

Welcome back to Bug City Blues - where we follow a group of street-level runners as they get in way over their heads out in the streets of Chicago. This week: the gang joins in on the latest craze to sweep the CeeZee recreational scene - Death-Joust! We will put the pedal to the metal while charging directly in between two rival gangs trying to obliterate one another for leisure and profit. But not all is what it seems in the scrapheap-ridden roadways of Chicago - can our players uncover a larger conspiracy before they end up as streaks...


The Lovers, Reversed
#13
12/24/2024

Welcome back to Bug City Blues - where we follow a group of street-level runners as they get in way over their heads out in the streets of Chicago. This week: the gang splits up and heads out into the CeeZee to investigate their latest run. Mr. Johnson is willing to pay in order to have some community service done - and our team just so happens to specialize in cleaning up the streets. Lester Moore provides backup. Lockdown gets ready to drive. Mo fits right in. Panchetta keeps her head on a swivel. River Bear falls in with...


The Lovers
#12
11/30/2024

This week: It’s time to kick back and enjoy a cold one! As a part of a job well done, the team has earned themselves a night of drinks and a distillery tour in the Cee-Zee’s own Haven Brewery and Beer-Garden. Along pints and pitchers the crew also learns of an increase in car jackings leading to some in the community looking for nuyen to throw towards a solution. Fortunately for them - community service is what the gang does best! Lester Moore earns some good karma. Lockdown gets his tools out. Mo makes a phone call. Panc...


Ace of Coins Reversed
#11
09/13/2024

This week: The gang has finished the job - now it’s time to get paid. And with pockets full(ish) of Nuyen it is time to hit the markets! River Bear practices their enchanting. Lester Moore suits up. Mo feels confident in herself. Lockdown really, truly is a good driver - honest! Panchetta receives a message.

Join the discussion on Discord: https://discord.gg/vuce7g3KT3

Music Credits: Neon Laser Horizon Screensaver Dirt Rhodes Deuces Mesmerizing Galaxy Chill Wave Cold Funk Accralate Half Mystery By Kevin MacLeod (https://incompetech.com)

Licensed un...


Ace of Coins
#10
06/13/2024

This week: The gang takes on The Hierophant Nightclub. Not for nuyen, not for drugs, and certainly not for the show. Well, maybe some of us are here for the show. The crew is here instead to reach one Catherine O’Leary, who rumor has it has been sticking their hand too deeply into the company cookie jar and Mr. Johnson has taken notice. Now, it is up to our players to find a way to right this wrong. Their solution will be creative. Their safety will not be guaranteed. And, if all goes according to plan, they should fi...


The Hierophant, Reversed
#9
03/28/2024

This week: It’s showtime! Our players get ready to see Infernus Erectus live on stage at The Hierophant Nightclub. But the real show for our gang of Shadowrunners lies somewhere deep within the bowels of the club - where a high-stakes gambling game is all that stands in the way between the runners and a nice payday. Now it is time for the the runs first challenge: getting in to the venue without raising the alarm. River Bear gets a new shirt. Lester Moore has an active imagination. Mo meets the staff. Lockdown has done enough. Panchetta probes fo...


The Hierophant
#8
02/10/2024

Editors note: We ended up losing a player halfway through last session, and it didn’t seem right to meet the Johnson without the face. We do a little bit of a rewind to cover that, then the gang gets to work!

This week: Our players meet with a familiar Mr. Johnson. After learning about the job, the crew gets together, calls in favors from contacts and get a little bit of leg work in before the start of their next run. River Bear . Lester Moore calls a friend. Mo discusses her next shadowjob. Lockdown has a pl...


The Emperor, Reversed
#7
12/30/2023

Oh good. Now that all the holiday nonsense is over with I can finally get back to work. Let’s sneak one last episode in before the end of the year.

Editors note: We ended up losing a player halfway through this session and weren’t able to finish as strongly as we wanted. We might do a little bit of a rewind next week to include our missing team members.

This week: Our players finish their downtime activites when they each receive an invitation from their new colleague Desmond interested in repaying his debt of g...


The Emperor
#6
11/26/2023

The gang finishes their first job and heads their separate ways. The world reacts to their actions, and in turn they prepare how to best spend that well earned nuyen and karma. For most of them, this means crawling into bed as soon as possible! Later, the crew gets together and discusses how best to refine their skills. Lester experiences post-run clairty. Pancetta wants to spend time with the crew. Lockdown keeps tabs on the team. River Bear checks in and is checked out. Mo has a cactus. Interested to see what trouble our crew can get into next...


The Empress
#5
11/04/2023

The gang has infiltrated the abandoned FastFlesh Slaughterhouse and found their paydirt guarded by a large, intimidating troll. Just when the crew goes to make their great escape, things go from quiet to loud. The gangers were none too thrilled to be on the receiving end of a robbing for once. Now, lead will fly and rubber will burn as our heroes try to make it out in one piece! Will Pancetta get the quickdraw on the troll heavy? Can Lester get a leg up on his opponent? What sort of risks will Lockdown take with the team? Tune...


The Trailer - Breaking News in Bug City
10/31/2023

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The High Priestess
#4
10/05/2023

With Desmond safely secured in the back of the Goldleaf company car, our heroes reach out to their contacts and see who can provide some much needed emergency medical assistance. Though Desmond is (relatively) safe, the crew will need to gather whatever details they can and continue the search for a highly coveted briefcase full of BTLs. Can our team find the trail before it goes cold? Will Pancetta be able to infiltrate unseen? Can River Bear come up with a plan that doesn’t stink? Tune in to find out now!

Join the discussion on Discord: ht...


The Magician
#3
09/15/2023

In the midst of blaring alarms and a ticking timer, our intrepid heroes face a daunting challenge – grab the crucial data and skedaddle before the heat arrives. The rival gang lurking in the shadows is determined to thwart their mission, unleashing malicious lines of code, spectacular bursts of arcane magic, and some good ol’ fashioned muscle. It’s a showdown where survival hinges on skill, wit, and a dash to the restroom for poor Lester. Can our heroes outwit their adversaries? Will bladder control triumph over bravado? And can someone please remind the team that they’re not in a sound...


The Fool, Reversed
#2
08/17/2023

Welcome to your friendly neighborhood Stuffer Shack! These corner convenience stores found across Chicago metroplex and the rest of the UCAS. They operate 24-7, and sell food, clothing, and entertainment - all disposable. But this site holds more than just the latest flavors of Dragon Piss cola - a gang of ne’er-do-well’s seem to be occupying the store. And they appear to match the description of our next lead. Our gang will test their ability to plan an attack, but will it survive contact? Tune in to find out now!

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The Fool
#1
08/16/2023

In this, the pilot episode of Bug City Blues, our ragtag cast introduce their characters with which they’ll forge a new -and hopefuly lucrative- team of shadowrunners. Join in the campaign as Alex (Pancetta), Clinton (River Bear), Chris (Lester Moore), Nathan (Lockdown) and Nikole (Moira Goldleaf), led by narrator and game master Connor, delve into a new adventure. Watch your back, shoot straight, conserve ammo, and never, ever cut a deal with a dragon.

Join the discussion on Discord: https://discord.gg/5gJDB4QXJ (Somebody yell at me when this expires and I will update the li...


Session Zero: Sixth World Primer
08/11/2023

Join the discussion on Discord: https://discord.gg/5gJDB4QXJ

Hoi Chummer! So glad you could make it. Just a quick note, this episode is specifically a little different than the rest. If you’ve never heard of a Shadowrun or are just getting started this episode is designed to help hold your hand as we cover the history of the sixth world as well as define some commonly seen terms and lingo. So sit back and relax while we talk about the team, the world, and what we hope to see come from the project.

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