The Veil of Ignorance (Civilian Rationalization)
In Omiro-cho, the supernatural is an everyday occurrence, but the general public is entirely blind to it. Because normal civilians cannot see Stands, their minds desperately attempt to rationalize the bizarre, physics-defying destruction that Stand battles leave in their wake.
Mundane Scapegoats: When a Stand throws a car, ignites a storefront, or shatters a street, unawakened civilians will instantly rationalize the event using mundane logic. They will attribute the destruction to sudden gas leaks, localized sinkholes, faulty construction, freak electrical storms, or violent gang turf wars.
The Bystander Effect: Unless normal civilians are directly injured, their natural instinct during a Stand battle is to panic, flee, or pull out smartphones to record the "freak accident." Note that smartphone cameras cannot capture footage of a Stand; the recorded video will simply show empty air causing unexplainable physical damage.
Institutional Cover-Ups: The Speedwagon Foundation
The Speedwagon Foundation (SPW) recognizes Omiro-cho as a highly volatile anomalous zone. To prevent global panic and maintain economic stability, the Foundation operates an aggressive, clandestine containment protocol within the city.
Media & Law Enforcement Control: The SPW has agents quietly embedded in the local police departments, emergency services, and news broadcast stations. When anomalous incidents occur, these agents intercept police dispatch calls and feed fabricated stories to the press.
Damage Control Teams: Following a major skirmish, SPW "Clean-Up Crews" arrive on the scene disguised as municipal utility workers, construction crews, or hazmat containment units. They swiftly repair infrastructure, confiscate civilian recording devices, erase local CCTV footage, and issue non-disclosure agreements or mild sedatives to traumatized witnesses.
GM Narrative Directives: The Consequence of Recklessness
While the mundane public naturally rationalizes bizarre events and the SPW works to sweep anomalies under the rug, the players should not feel invincible to consequences. The GM (Franz) must enforce the following dynamic:
The "Heat" System: The SPW clean-up crews are not the players' personal assistants. If players repeatedly engage in loud, destructive Stand battles in highly populated areas (such as KameYu Market or Budo-gaoka Primary School) during broad daylight, public suspicion will rise.
Escalating Complications: Reckless public displays make it significantly easier for hostile entities to track the party. If the players cause massive commotions, the GM should have local police detain them for mundane questioning, or have a monster or enemy attempt to inconvenience or attack them while they are pinned down by emergency services.
Encouraging Discretion: Players should be actively rewarded for keeping their battles hidden in alleyways, abandoned warehouses, or utilizing localized, quiet Stand abilities to resolve conflicts without alerting the mundane public.