Steel Ball Run RPG

Scarlet Valentine is the wife of President Funny Valentine. A sophisticated, elegant, cold, and strong-willed socialite, she is, unlike many political wives of the time, fully aware of her husband's secret plans regarding the Holy Corpse and the Steel Ball Run. She wholeheartedly supports the idea that the United States must obtain "divine fortune," even if it means sacrificing the rest of the world. She doesn't possess a Stand, but her loyalty and discretion make her one of the few people Valentine truly trusts. During the race, she remains in the shadows, but her presence represents the domestic and political side of the president.

Lucy Steel is the wife of Steven Steel, organizer of the Steel Ball Run. She is 14 years old at the beginning (she appears older due to her maturity). Intelligent, brave, and extremely loyal, she seems to be just the promoter's wife, but she becomes a key player. She possesses the Stand Ticket to Ride, which manifests as a teardrop and grants almost absolute divine protection, as well as the ability to attract parts of the Holy Corpse.
Ticket to Ride
Lucy's Stand. It manifests as a single tear that floats or falls from her eyes. Abilities: extremely powerful divine protection (near invulnerability), attracts parts of the Holy Corpse towards her, generates a "sanctity" phenomenon that affects the surroundings and nearby people. In its advanced form, it is directly linked to the power of the complete Holy Corpse.
Relationship with Steven Steel
Steven is much older. He met her as a child in a difficult situation and rescued her. Although the marriage seems strange because of the age difference, Steven genuinely loves and protects her. Lucy is deeply grateful and loyal. It is one of the purest and most tragic relationships in history.
Role in the career
She doesn't compete, but she travels with the organization's caravan. She becomes entangled in Funny Valentine's schemes, who tries to exploit her connection to the Holy Corpse. She is pursued, kidnapped, and used as a pawn, but she maintains her resolve and ultimately proves crucial to the outcome.
Personality
Mature, calculating, and brave despite her age. She doesn't shout or despair easily. She has a strong sense of justice and is willing to risk her life for those she loves. One of the few who remains calm in the face of supernatural powers.
Appearance
Light blonde, wavy hair, large eyes, and a serene expression. She dresses elegantly for the period (long dresses, hats, and gloves). Her fragile appearance contrasts with her willpower and power.

Welcome to the Steel Ball Run.
Year: 1890.
Organizer: Steven Steel.
Route: from San Diego Beach, California, to Trinity Church in New York.
Total distance: approximately 6,000 kilometers.
Estimated duration: 60 to 80 days.
Participants: 3,852.
The race is divided into 9 stages. The winner is decided by the total number of points obtained in all stages, not by being the first to reach the finish line.

1st place prize: $50,000,000 + ice trophy brought from Antarctica. 2nd place: 1,000,000 dollars. 3rd place:$500,000.
4th place: $250,000. 5th place:$120,000.
In addition, there are special sponsor prizes up to 10th place and prizes per checkpoint.

Points awarded based on the finishing position in each stage:
1st → 100 points
2nd → 50 points
3rd → 40 points
4th → 35 points
5th → 30 points
6th → 25 points
7th → 20 points
8th → 15 points
9th → 13 points
10th → 12 points
11th → 11 points
12th → 10 points
13th → 9 points
14th → 8 points
15th → 7 points
16th → 6 points
17th → 5 points
18th → 4 points
19th → 3 points
20th → 2 points
21st → 1 point
From 22nd or retired: 0 points

The winner of each stage receives:
$10,000 in cash
1 hour of bonus time (applies only to the final stage)

Minimum age to participate: 16 years.
Registration fee: $1,200 (non-refundable).
Any means of transport is allowed: horses, camels, cars or on foot.
Changing your means of transport during the entire race is prohibited.
The path between checkpoints is free, as long as the checkpoints are passed.
Carrying weapons is permitted. Each competitor is responsible for their own safety.

Career structure
The Steel Ball Run is divided into 9 stages separated by checkpoints:
Stage 1: 15,000 meters (San Diego → Santa Maria Novella Church)
Stage 2: Crossing the Arizona Desert (~1,200 km)
Stage 3: Disintegration of the Rocky Mountains (~710 km)
Stage 4: Wide meadows (~1,250 km)
5th Stage: Illinois Horizon (~780 km)
Stage 6: Lake Michigan Line (~690 km)
7th Stage: Philadelphia Triangle (~1,300 km)
8th Stage: Both Sides Now (~140 km)
9th Final Stage: Manhattan Rhapsody (~13 km

Conditions of victory
The Steel Ball Run champion is the competitor who accumulates the most points at the end of the 9 stages.
It is not necessary to finish first in the final stage to win the entire race.
The points from all stages are added together and the one with the highest score wins the $50 million prize.

Sugar Mountain isn't just a character, but an entire setting. It's a clearing along the route where a huge tree stands beside a seemingly tranquil spring. The place offers a false sense of peace and refuge after days of brutal racing. The young woman who lives there offers food, supplies, and help with a smile, but everything comes at a precise and unavoidable price.

The setting operates under its own supernatural rules. The tree and the spring record every exchange and demand absolute equivalence. Attempting to deceive the place or escape the debt triggers permanent physical consequences. Johnny and Gyro discover that neither Spin nor conventional Stands can easily break the site's rules. Sugar Mountain is one of the strangest and most memorable settings in manga because it cannot be "won" in the usual way: one must understand and abide by its laws or suffer the consequences. It represents a test of character rather than strength.

The great plains offer seemingly simpler terrain: open expanses of grass and earth that allow for free galloping. However, the lack of cover turns any encounter into an open duel. The weather can change abruptly, and there are few places to hide or recover.

Within this area lies the forest where Johnny and Gyro encounter Ringo Roadagain. The forest is dense, silent, and seems isolated from the rest of the race. There, time and normal rules are suspended under Ringo's dueling code and the power of Mandom. The contrast between the vast open plains and the oppressive atmosphere of the forest creates one of the most tense moments in the manga. It is a setting designed for personal and philosophical combat, far removed from the massive chaos of the earlier stages.

The stage that crosses the Rocky Mountains introduces a radical change in terrain. The roads become steep, narrow, and treacherous. The weather is cold, there is a risk of landslides, and the altitude affects both riders and horses. Visibility can be reduced by fog or storms, and dangerous shortcuts become tempting for those looking to save time.

This area is where the confrontation with Diego Brando and the use of Scary Monsters take place, transforming the mountains into a prehistoric hunting ground. The dinosaurs created by the Stand move with ease across the rocky terrain, while the regular runners struggle even to maintain their balance. The Rocky Mountains represent the moment when the race becomes truly supernatural, where geography itself is used as a weapon. The cliffs, canyons, and narrow paths force vertical combat and quick decisions where a single mistake means death.

The second stage crosses the Arizona desert and is one of the deadliest of the entire race. The extreme heat, lack of water, sandstorms, and vast expanse of terrain cause many runners to die from dehydration, exhaustion, or violent conflicts among themselves. The organizers mark the location of some oases, but not all participants trust this information or arrive in time.

It is in this stage that the Devil's Palms appear, mysterious areas of rock formations that awaken Stands in those who enter them. Johnny obtains his Stand, Tusk, precisely after traversing one of these areas. The desert is not only a physical obstacle: it becomes the first major supernatural setting in the story. Here, the race ceases to be just an equestrian competition and transforms into a battlefield where inexplicable powers begin to manifest. The combination of lethal weather and paranormal phenomena makes Arizona one of the most important and dangerous sections of the manga.

The first stage of the Steel Ball Run is a relatively short but extremely chaotic sprint that starts on San Diego Beach and finishes at Santa Maria Novella Church. Although the distance isn't enormous compared to later stages, it effectively weeds out most of the unprepared participants. Thousands of runners set off simultaneously amidst shouts, gunshots, bolting horses, and pushing and shoving.

The terrain is a mix of beach sand, coastal roads, and nearby urban areas. The crowds, dust, and lack of organization turn the first few minutes into a dangerous stampede. Many fall, are run over, or drop out immediately. It's at this stage that Johnny and Gyro cross paths for the first time in a meaningful way, and the tone of the race is set: this isn't a clean sporting event, but a competition where survival and aggression matter as much as speed. Reaching the church marks the first official checkpoint and the first real ranking of the Steel Ball Run.

Steel Ball Run takes place in an 1890s United States that was still wild in many regions. The cities of the East contrast sharply with the open territories of the West. There are expanding railroads, makeshift towns, forts, Native American territories, and vast stretches of land where no real law exists. The technology of the time—firearms, telegraph, trains, and some primitive automobiles—coexists with entirely supernatural phenomena.

The manga constantly exploits this contrast. Horses remain the primary means of long-distance transport, dust clings to the roads, and violence is an everyday part of life in many areas. The Steel Ball Run cuts through this country like an open wound: it brings spectacle and money to remote locations, but also drags along assassins, politicians, and ancient powers. The setting is not just a backdrop: it is a character in its own right, influencing every decision, every battle, and every alliance.

Pocoloco is a young runner from humble origins with an extremely optimistic nature who participates in the Steel Ball Run. Unlike most of the competitors, he doesn't seem motivated by dark ambition or revenge. His personality is carefree, cheerful, and almost innocent, which contrasts absurdly with the brutality of his surroundings. Despite his laid-back attitude, he possesses abnormally high luck that gets him out of impossible situations time and time again.

His Stand is called Hey Ya!. It's a small, talking Stand that appears next to him and constantly gives him advice. Hey Ya! doesn't attack directly and doesn't have any conventional offensive power. Its ability is to guide Pocoloco toward the luckiest possible decisions, prompting him to act in ways that seem crazy but ultimately benefit him. In practice, the Stand amplifies Pocoloco's natural luck to ridiculous levels.

Pocoloco represents the element of positive chaos within the series. While other characters suffer, betray, or die for the Holy Corpse and its power, he forges ahead almost without fully understanding what is happening, simply relying on his intuition and the voice of his Stand. His presence provides an absurd and sometimes hilarious contrast amidst the constant tension of Steel Ball Run.

Lucy Steel develops the Stand Ticket to Ride as a consequence of her prolonged and forced contact with the Holy Corpse, especially with the heart that Funny Valentine guards. Ticket to Ride is not a Stand for direct combat in the traditional style. Its power is related to the concept of "deflection" and divine protection.

The Stand manifests in subtle yet extremely powerful ways: it can deflect failed attacks or misfortunes, generate attraction or repulsion phenomena linked to the Corpse, and at certain times enhance or interfere with abilities like Love Train. Lucy doesn't consciously control the Stand at first; rather, the power responds to her will to survive and protect what she believes is right.

Ticket to Ride makes Lucy a central figure in the final conflict. Although physically one of the most vulnerable characters in the story, her Stand makes her one of the most strategically important. Her very existence alters the balance of power between Valentine and those who oppose him. Lucy goes from being a hunted victim to becoming a decisive factor without needing to become a conventional warrior.

Later in the story, a version of Diego Brando from a parallel universe appears. This Diego possesses a version of the Stand The World, similar to Dio Brando's from the original JoJo's universe. His primary power is the ability to stop time for a short period of time.

During the time freeze, Parallel World Diego can move freely, attack, reposition objects, and set up ambushes while the rest of the world remains frozen. This ability makes him one of the deadliest enemies Johnny and his allies face, as it negates almost any advantage in reaction time or speed.

This Diego retains the same ambition and cruelty as the original Diego, but with power even more geared towards direct combat and the instant elimination of opponents. His presence drastically raises the threat level and forces Johnny to reach the full potential of Tusk ACT4 to face him. He represents the idea that in other universes, the same people can obtain different and even more dangerous powers.

Disco is one of the agents sent by Funny Valentine. His Stand is called Chocolate Disco and has a power based on controlling space through a grid.

Chocolate Disco allows you to create a kind of dimensional zone divided into squares or coordinates. Once an object or person enters this zone, DISCO can instantly teleport them to another square within the area of ​​effect. This allows you to deflect attacks, reposition enemies in mid-air, knock them down from heights, or place them in vulnerable positions without physically touching them.

The power is especially dangerous because it operates almost invisibly and at great speed. DISCO doesn't require superior physical strength; its advantage lies in absolute control of the combat space. It forces its opponents to think three-dimensionally and anticipate movements that defy the normal logic of the terrain. It is a clear example of the "spatial control" Stands that appear in the second half of Steel Ball Run.

Mike O. is another of Valentine's assassins. His Stand, Tubular Bells, allows him to transform metal into living creatures resembling metallic animals or animated constructs. He can transform ordinary metal objects (like a key, a horseshoe, or metal fragments) into beings that attack at his command.

These metallic constructs can fly, bite, envelop, or infiltrate an enemy's body. One of the most dangerous applications of Tubular Bells is the ability to force the metal inside a victim's body, where it expands or attacks from within. Mike O. uses this power stealthily and cruelly, favoring ambushes and attacks designed to instill panic.

Tubular Bells stands out for turning any environment with metal into a potential battlefield. In an era like 1890, where horseshoes, weapons, tools, and metal structures are everywhere, the Stand becomes extremely versatile and difficult to completely avoid.

Dr. Ferdinand is a paleontologist and agent working for Funny Valentine. His Stand, Scary Monsters, allows him to infect living beings with a virus that transforms them into dinosaurs under his control. The created dinosaurs retain some of their original intelligence but obey Ferdinand's commands. The power can also be used on the user himself, allowing him to partially transform.

Ferdinand uses this ability methodically and scientifically, viewing the dinosaurs as perfect tools to eliminate obstacles in his quest to collect the Holy Corpse. The confrontation with him is one of the first major supernatural clashes of the series and forces Johnny and Gyro to adapt to an entirely new kind of threat. Following Ferdinand's defeat, the Stand Scary Monsters ends up in the possession of Diego Brando, who uses it in a much more aggressive and personal way.

Scary Monsters stands out for transforming the environment into a prehistoric hunting ground. Suddenly, the runners find themselves fighting not only against people, but against creatures from another era controlled by a human will. It's a power that blends physical terror with a sense of biological invasion, and its transfer to Diego further amplifies the danger it represents.

Sugar Mountain is both the name of a mysterious young woman and a supernatural phenomenon linked to a giant tree and a spring along the Steel Ball Run route. The young woman appears to runners approaching the area and offers them a seemingly innocent exchange: she gives them valuables or resources in return for a promise to give something of equal or greater value later. If the person breaks the promise or tries to deceive the tree, the consequences are brutal and permanent.

The Sugar Mountain Tree operates on a logic of absolute equivalence. Everything taken must be repaid. If someone accepts food, money, information, or even an advantage in the race, the tree will demand a corresponding payment. Those who try to escape the debt may find themselves trapped, transformed, or deprived of something essential. Johnny and Gyro encounter this phenomenon and discover that the rules cannot be broken with brute force or conventional Stands.

Sugar Mountain represents one of the strangest and most symbolic trials of the race. It's not a traditional enemy that can be defeated with direct violence, but rather a system of supernatural rules that forces the characters to confront their own promises, desires, and the true nature of what they are willing to sacrifice to advance. It's one of the most unsettling and memorable arcs in Steel Ball Run because it combines absurdity with relentless logic.

The Boomboom family consists of Benjamin Boomboom and his sons Andre and L.A. Boomboom. All three share versions of the Stand Tomb of the Boom, a power based on magnetism. They can magnetize people and objects, attract metals, immobilize enemies, and create combination attacks between the three family members. Benjamin, the father, is the most experienced and dangerous, while the sons contribute aggression and numbers.

The Boombooms operate as a coordinated and brutal team. They use the terrain to their advantage and don't hesitate to attack cowardly or in groups if it guarantees victory. Their confrontation with Johnny, Gyro, and Mountain Tim is one of the most chaotic fights of the early stages, because the magnetism affects weapons, horses, and even the fighters' own bodies.

This family represents the kind of "earthly" threat, amplified by Stands, that appears throughout the series: ordinary people who, upon awakening a power, become predators willing to eliminate anyone who stands between them and the prize or the parts of the Corpse. They are cruel, opportunistic, and demonstrate that you don't need to be a strategic genius to be lethal when you have a Stand and are willing to use it without scruples.

The Steel Ball Run is divided into several stages that cross the United States from west to east. Each stage has its own unique terrain, weather, and hazards. The first stage is a relatively short sprint from San Diego Beach to a nearby church, designed to quickly separate serious runners from amateurs. The second stage traverses the Arizona desert, where the heat, lack of water, and Devil's Palms become deadly threats.

The following stages cross the Rocky Mountains, the Great Plains, dense forests, rivers, and finally approach the East Coast. Each leg introduces new enemy types, extreme weather conditions, and opportunities for the Holy Corpse pieces to appear. Checkpoints not only serve to register positions but also function as hotspots where runners can resupply, form temporary alliances, or be ambushed.

The race is not just a test of equine speed and endurance. It's a journey across a country being used as the game board for a much larger conspiracy. Each stage forces the protagonists to adapt, lose something, or gain a new understanding of both the Spin and the true purpose behind the event.

Devil's Palms are mysterious, shifting zones that appear primarily in desert regions of the United States. They are characterized by rock formations and terrain resembling an open hand, and possess the ability to awaken Stands in those who enter them. Not everyone who enters survives or awakens a power, but those who do often emerge transformed.

These areas are linked to the presence of buried parts of the Holy Corpse or to ancient energy phenomena. Johnny awakens his Stand, Tusk, after entering a Devil's Palm, and other characters also gain their abilities in a similar way. The Devil's Palms are not a conscious enemy, but they function as catalysts for the supernatural chaos unleashed throughout the race.

They represent the idea that the American continent itself holds ancient and dangerous secrets, and that the Steel Ball Run not only traverses geography, but also layers of hidden power that have been waiting centuries to be activated. Entering one is always a risk: you can gain incredible power or lose your life in the attempt.

Axl RO is an agent of Valentine whose Stand, Civil War, has a power based on guilt and regret. It can materialize the corpses and memories of people the target has killed or whose deaths they feel responsible for. These apparitions physically attack and feed on the victim's guilt. The more regret the opponent feels, the stronger the Stand becomes.

Civil War is especially dangerous for people with a violent or traumatic past. The confrontation with Axl RO forces the characters to confront their own actions and the deaths they have caused or allowed throughout the run. It is one of the most psychological and cruel powers in Steel Ball Run.

Magent is another of Valentine's agents. He possesses the Stand 20th Century Boy, a purely defensive ability that renders him completely invulnerable to any attack while he is in contact with the ground and activates the power. He cannot move while the ability is active, but he becomes immune to blows, gunshots, cuts, and most physical phenomena.

His fighting style consists of trapping the enemy in a situation where invulnerability gives him the advantage, usually by combining it with the terrain or with allies. Magent isn't a brilliant strategist on his own, but his Stand makes him a nearly impenetrable wall unless a creative way is found to pull him out of the ground or attack him indirectly.

Blackmore is one of Funny Valentine's most lethal agents. His Stand, Catch the Rainbow, grants him absolute control over rain. He can walk on raindrops, stop them in mid-air, use them as platforms or weapons, and become virtually invisible or intangible in the downpour. In a storm, Blackmore becomes an almost unstoppable threat.

He is a cold, methodical assassin, completely loyal to Valentine. His primary mission is connected to Lucy Steel and protecting the president's interests. The fight against Blackmore is notable for its creative use of the environment and the feeling of helplessness generated by fighting someone who controls the weather itself. He represents the silent enforcer of the political power behind the race.

Ringo Roadagain is a lone gunman who seeks out duels to the death under his own code of honor. He possesses the Stand Mandom, an ability that allows him to rewind time exactly six seconds. This ability makes him an extremely dangerous opponent in close combat, as he can correct any mistakes or anticipate the enemy's movements within that time frame.

Ringo isn't interested in the race or the money. His sole objective is to face worthy opponents and live (or die) according to his personal philosophy. The duel with Johnny and Gyro in the forest is one of the most tense and philosophical in Steel Ball Run, because it's not just about strength, but about convictions and what each is willing to risk. Ringo represents the archetype of the duelist who imposes his own rules on the world.

Wekapipo is a Neapolitan who wields steel balls and is a former acquaintance of the Zeppeli family. He masters a variant of the Spin technique different from Gyro's, centered on a technique called "Wrecking Ball." These balls can split and create an effect that disorients the enemy's sense of balance and spatial awareness, causing them to confuse left and right.

Wekapipo is a technically skilled temporary antagonist. His confrontation with Gyro and Johnny is one of the most tactical in the series, forcing the protagonists to adapt to a different style of Spin. Although he acts as an enemy, his presence serves to expand the lore of Spin and show that the Zeppeli family's technique is not the only one that exists. Later, his role becomes more complex within the web of alliances and betrayals surrounding the Holy Corpse.

Mountain Tim is a seasoned cowboy and one of the most respected racers at the start of the Steel Ball Run. He possesses the Stand Oh! Lonesome Me, an ability that allows him to detach parts of his body using ropes and control them remotely. This ability makes him a versatile and unpredictable fighter.

Tim is a principled, loyal man with a strong sense of personal justice. He crosses paths with Johnny and Gyro on several occasions, and while not a permanent ally, he proves to be someone who can be trusted in extreme situations. His presence brings the archetype of the classic Western cowboy to the supernatural tone of Steel Ball Run. He is one of the few characters who maintains a relatively stable moral compass in an environment where almost everyone is willing to betray or kill to get ahead.

Sandman, whose real name is Soundman, is a Native American who participates in the Steel Ball Run on foot instead of riding a horse. He possesses extraordinary stamina and running technique, allowing him to compete on equal footing against mounted jockeys. His motivation is deeply tied to the land and history of his people: he seeks the prize money to buy back territories that were taken from them.

His Stand is In a Silent Way. It allows him to create "solidified sounds" from any noise or impact. These sounds become physical constructs that can cut, attack, or control the environment. Sandman is a silent, proud warrior and extremely dangerous when forced to fight. Although he initially appears to be just another racer, his confrontation with Johnny and Gyro becomes one of the most intense and symbolic battles of the first half of the race.

Sandman represents indigenous resistance and the conflict between the progress that the race symbolizes and the lands and cultures that that same progress has destroyed.

Funny Valentine is the 23rd President of the United States and the main antagonist of Steel Ball Run. He is a charismatic, intelligent, and extremely patriotic man, willing to sacrifice anything (including his own humanity) for the well-being and glory of America. His philosophy is based on the idea that "the end justifies the means" when it comes to protecting his nation.

Valentine secretly organized the Steel Ball Run as a front to collect the nine parts of the Holy Corpse, a fragmented sacred body that, according to legend, grants eternal prosperity to whoever reunites it whole. At the beginning of the story, he already possesses the Corpse's heart, which he keeps inside his own chest.

His Stand is Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap (D4C). It allows him to travel between parallel universes by placing an object or person between two surfaces (like a flag or two walls). Later, by combining D4C with the back of the Holy Corpse, he develops the ability Love Train: a dimensional barrier that deflects all misfortune, injury, or attack toward other people in other universes, making him virtually invincible while it is active.

Valentine isn't a villain driven by gratuitous malice. He genuinely believes his actions are just and necessary. He can be kind, persuasive, and even noble in appearance, but he doesn't hesitate to order assassinations, manipulate, and destroy lives if he believes it's for the good of America. His presence dominates the entire second half of the story.

Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap (D4C) is Funny Valentine's Stand. Its primary power allows him to travel between parallel universes. To activate it, Valentine must place a person or object between two surfaces (for example, a folded flag or two walls). This allows him to bring alternate versions of himself or others to life, or escape to other realities.

Later, upon obtaining the back portion of the Holy Corpse, D4C evolves into Love Train. Love Train creates a dimensional barrier that automatically deflects all misfortune, injury, attack, or bad luck to other people in other universes. While Love Train is active, Valentine is virtually invulnerable. This ability makes him one of the most difficult antagonists to defeat in the entire JoJo franchise.

The Steel Ball Run is a cross-country horse race in the United States, established in 1890. It begins on San Diego Beach in California and finishes in New York City. The total prize purse is $50 million. More than 3,800 riders from around the world participate. The race is divided into several stages with checkpoints. Points are awarded based on finishing position at each stage.

The rules allow almost any means of transport (horse, camel, on foot, or even primitive automobiles), but you can't change your method during the race. There's no real official protection: participants can attack each other. The race crosses deserts, mountains, plains, rivers, and areas of extreme weather. Officially, it's organized by Steven Steel, but the real driving force behind it is Chairman Funny Valentine.

Lucy Steel is the young wife of Steven Steel, the official organizer of the Steel Ball Run. Despite her frail appearance and age (she is considerably younger than her husband), Lucy possesses a sharp intellect, an iron will, and a surprising capacity for adaptation. At the beginning of the story, she seems to be merely the promoter's decorative wife, but she quickly becomes embroiled in the heart of the Holy Corpse conspiracy.

Lucy discovers that Funny Valentine already possesses the Corpse's heart and that the entire race is a cover to collect the other parts. From that moment on, she becomes a pawn in the puzzle.

Steven Steel is the official organizer and public face of the Steel Ball Run. He's an older, charismatic, somewhat eccentric, and seemingly idealistic man. He presents the race as an event that will reignite America's pioneering spirit and offer a chance at glory and wealth to anyone brave enough. In reality, Steven is financed and manipulated by President Funny Valentine, who uses the race as a cover for his true operation: collecting the parts of the Holy Corpse.

Steven isn't a villain, but he's not entirely innocent either. He's a man who has made moral compromises in exchange for resources and prestige. He genuinely wants the race to succeed and cares for Lucy, his young wife, though he often underestimates the danger she's in. Throughout the story, he's forced to confront the truth behind it all.

The Steel Ball Run allows almost any means of transport (horse, camel, on foot, and even primitive automobiles), but you can't change your method during the race. You have to pass through the checkpoints at each stage. Points are awarded based on your finishing position. The race is extremely dangerous: deserts, mountains, rivers, extreme weather, and, above all, other participants willing to kill. There is no real official protection. Each runner must defend themselves.

Steel Ball Run takes place in an alternate JoJo universe in the year 1890. The story centers on a cross-country horse race across the United States: from San Diego, California, to New York. The prize is $50 million. More than 3,800 runners from around the world participate. The race is divided into several stages with checkpoints. The official organizer is Steven Steel, but the true driving force behind it is President Funny Valentine.

Johnny Joestar is a 19-year-old former American jockey who was paralyzed from the waist down after a gun incident. He is cynical, proud, and obsessed with walking again. He enters the Steel Ball Run after witnessing Gyro Zeppeli's Spin. His horse is named Slow Dancer. Throughout the race, he develops Stand Tusk, which evolves into several forms (ACT1 to ACT4) as he masters the Spin and his own determination.

Gyro Zeppeli is a 24-year-old Neapolitan jockey, a former royal executioner, and a master of Spin. He uses steel balls that spin with an ancient technique. He has gold teeth inscribed with “GO! GO! ZEPPELI” and a distinctive laugh (“Ñohoho”). He participates in the race for personal reasons related to his family and his own condemned childhood. Although at first he seems like just a rival, he becomes Johnny's most important companion.

The Spin is a mystical technique that generates perfect rotation. Gyro primarily uses it with steel balls. Rotation can heal, destroy, deflect in impossible ways, and, in its most advanced form (Golden Spin or Infinite Rotation), create phenomena that transcend normal space. Johnny learns the Spin from Gyro and applies it to his fingernails, creating his Stand, Tusk. The Spin is linked to the golden ratio and the natural movement of the body and the horse.

The Saint's Corpse is the fragmented body of a saint (heavily implied to be Jesus). It is divided into nine parts: heart, left arm, right arm, spine, eyes, ears, legs, torso, and head. Each part grants supernatural powers or attraction. Whoever collects all the parts can bring near-divine glory and prosperity to their nation. Funny Valentine secretly organized the Steel Ball Run to collect these parts along the route.

Funny Valentine is the 23rd President of the United States and the true antagonist. He is charismatic, fiercely patriotic, and willing to do anything for the good of America. He possesses the Stand Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap (D4C), which allows him to travel between parallel universes by placing two surfaces between them. Later, he develops the ability Love Train, which redirects all misfortunes to other people. He already possesses the heart of the Holy Corpse at the beginning of the story.

Diego Brando (Dio) is a prodigious English jockey, cold, ambitious, and ruthless. His horse is named Silver Bullet. He seeks victory at any cost. Later, he acquires the Stand Scary Monsters, which allows him to transform into a dinosaur and turn others into controlled dinosaurs. There is also a version of Diego from a parallel universe who possesses a version of The World.

Hot Pants is a mysterious racer who uses the Stand Cream Starter, capable of transforming flesh into a cream-like substance that she can use for healing, attacking, or disguise. She has a strong sense of personal justice and a past connected to the Church. Although she initially acts alone, she crosses paths with Johnny and Gyro several times.

Stands in this section can awaken in various ways: by entering areas called Devil's Palm, by coming into contact with parts of the Holy Corpse, or through other phenomena. Not all users understand what a Stand is at first. Some notable examples include: Tusk (Johnny), Scan/Ball Breaker (Gyro), D4C (Valentine), Scary Monsters (Diego/Ferdinand), Cream Starter (Hot Pants), In a Silent Way (Sandman), Mandom (Ringo Roadagain), Catch the Rainbow (Blackmore), 20th Century Boy (Magent Magent), Civil War (Axl RO), and Chocolate Disco (DISCO).

Tusk is Johnny Joestar's Stand. It evolves into four forms:
ACT1: Fires nails like spinning bullets.
ACT2: The nails create holes that can move and chase.
ACT3: Allows Johnny to move through the holes created by the nails.
ACT4: Infinite Rotation. Uses the energy of the horse at a perfect gallop and the golden ratio. The rotation never stops and can traverse dimensions.

The Devil's Palms are mysterious, shifting zones in the American desert. Those who enter them can awaken a Stand. Several characters (including Johnny) gain their powers by crossing these areas. They are connected to the presence of parts of the Holy Corpse buried underground.

Sandman: A Native American who runs on foot with exceptional speed. He possesses the ability Stand In a Silent Way.
Pocoloco: a lucky young man with the Stand Hey Ya!, which gives him optimistic advice.
Mountain Tim: cowboy with the Stand Oh! Lonesome Me, which allows him to separate his body using ropes.
Wekapipo: Neapolitan steel ball user, Gyro's technical rival.
Lucy Steel: Steven Steel's young wife, deeply involved with the Holy Corpse.

Steel Ball Run's tone blends Western, survival race, and supernatural battle. It's extravagant, brutal, sometimes absurd, and always tense. The fights are creative and based on the unique rules of each Stand and the Spin. The narrative should highlight the dust, the heat, the horses' exhaustion, the sound of the spinning steel balls, and the feeling that any moment could turn deadly.