New Romantics

"You were working as a waitress in a cocktail bar.."
"Hey, George, how's my blusher?"

You are a living tribute to the fashion which dominated England in the early 1980's. You wear unusual clothes, sometimes crossdressing, where men wear make-up and women wear long trousers and shirts. You gather in retro bars to listen to the music of the time. You are a New Romantic.

Romantics aren't actually too interested in romance, or violence. They just want to feel a part of something, and the New Romantic movement is good enough. You expect it to all die out soon - but people have been saying that for years now, and it's still going strong. Sometimes you get hassle from other YoGangs who call you freaks, but they just don't get your tastes - so you give them a flash of the Human League, and they come around.

What You Look Like

You'll wear whatever is going around as the current fashion. This changes frequently, so you'd better have plenty of creds in your pocket. Clothes generally vary very little for men and women. Either way, clothes are designed to enhance the features, to make you stand out more. Glitter is a garish but common accessory.

If you can think of something new that's half-decent, it's likely to be accepted. Romantics aren't to fussy when it comes to the designer, though they prefer a big name if possible. It's pretty easy to become a big name overnight, providing you design a cool outfit.

Typically, men will have a large bouffant hairstyle, with frilly shirts and jackets, and just-too-short trousers. Make-up is acceptable, in particular blusher. Women will wear trousers, shirts, or sometimes very stylish dresses.

SubCulture

New Romantics are a closely knit group who usually stick together. No-one else understands them, so they stay with their own, out of peoples way. Usual meeting places are disco's, bars or old converted warehouses, which are just emerging on the cutting edge of fashion. All the coolest people go there.

New fashions appear regularly and creating one puts you near the top of the tree. You will be widely respected and envied if you create something amazing - most designers are pretty temperamental, and those trying to steal their limelight can expect a rough time. Most designers remember that New Romantics are because they want to be different - so they design this way.

New Romantic life revolves around the party. Attending as many as humanly possible is the norm. Drug use is also common, although most prefer the older styles to the newer, more 'efficient' ones. Unfortunately, this leads to many deaths. Police try to break up parties, but find it difficult as they move around frequently. The party is what the Romantics live for, although they are not quite as dedicated as, say, the DJ's..

Belonging

It only takes your attendance at a few parties for you to be noticed and accepted. If your clothes are unusually wacky, it'll happen faster. This way, you'll be entered into a circle who know where all the best parties are happening. Once you're in, you don't want to leave, because it's like having a license to go on 72-hour all-night parties non-stop.

Other Romantics may stick up for you if the going gets tough, but don't count on it. Few will stick their necks out, because they'd rather die high at a great party than from the blow of a MegaViolent axe. You're pretty much left to sort your own problems out - though if you stay in the circle, you can just avoid them altogether, and party all night.

If the going gets really tough, New Romantics may band together to fight whatever is there to be fought. They will unite to protect their right to be different, which is one of the few ideals they hold.

Allies & Enemies

The Lookers sometimes flirt with your fashions, which brings the YoGang more attention and occassionaly members, so you don't mind them. Also, you see many GlitterKids at parties you attend, so you have at least a passing acquaintance with most.

If you really hate anyone, it's the Goths, because although they have the same disregard for life as you, they waste it while they've got it, and that angers you. Confrontations are rare, but heated arguments can turn nasty, and drug-pumped Romantics are as dangerpus as anyone.

Slang

Condo: home
De facto: boring person
Hanger: hanger on
Bar: bar, club, hangout
Minimalism: your work ethic
Free time: all the time

YoGang Skill: Party (INT)

To have the maximum available time for enjoying yourself, you need to get all the other work done fast. With this skill, you are the master of getting the job done just well enough to pass. You spend as little effort as possible, in as little time. The work is usually of a fair standard, but done very quickly so faults are inevitable.

Once you've done the work, you go to your favourite bar and soak up the atmosphere. The skill also lets you blend into the culture, so you don't look a total politician. You know some of the best haunts, what the latest slang is and what the coolest fashions are going to be next year.

If You're a New Romantic

Pick four things...

Make-up kit
Club venues list/dates
Social calendar
'Dude' brush
Stun gun
Contacts list
Blackmail photos

"Aaah... daaaling."
"Hey, wanna buy a pretty girl a drink?"