Neuromancy

by Stephen Ironside (5 May 94, revised 4 Dec 94)

[1] DataScreen: The Turing develops a kind of Heads Up Display upon which
data can be displayed from Online Storage as if on a computer monitor. This
manifests as computer text/graphics/etc overlaying itself on the real world
in the Neuromancer's field of view.

[2] Databurst: The character becomes able to transfer information to and
from Online Storage, either from her memory, or from a nearby eletronic
system. To perform the latter, the player must make a Perception + Computer
roll with a standard difficulty of 6. If there is a lot of interference or
distraction, this may get more difficult. Note that only data can be
transferred - programs are a slightly different matter, since they are
'platform dependant'.

Also worth noting is what information can be uploaded to Online Storage from
memory and senses. The rule is this: if the character can sense it, it can
be uploaded. Therefore, if the character has not got Auspex at level 2, she
cannot store aura information, even for later analysis by another Turing who
does. this is true for all 'extra-sensory' techniques.

[3] Interface: It becomes possible for the character to operate an
electronic device just by concentrating on it. If used with Databurst above,
it could, for example, allow a character to control a remote camera, record
the output into Online Storage, allowing her to replay it on her DataScreen
later. To make the connection requires an Intelligence + Computer roll. The
more 'intelligent' the device, the harder it becomes. To give a rough idea,
the remote camera would be around a 6, while a top-of-the-line workstation
would probably warrant an 8 or 9, depending on it's software.

[4] Upload: At this point the Turing become able to investigate the
electronic realm known as the Digital Web (At this point, the Digital Web
sourcebook for Mage becomes essential). All Disciplines, Attributes and
Abilities remain unchanged by the transition, and function as normal. To
make the transition requires an Intelligence + Computer roll against a
difficulty of 9, with three successes being required to enter the Web. Most
of the rules of the Web apply, with a few differences detailed later on. To
leave the Web requires another roll, this time for 'Download'

[5] Telecode: The Turing can 'write' a program into Online Storage, and
transfer it to an electronic device for execution. This can also be used to
write software 'on the fly' in the Web, where it resembles spellcasting (of
the vulgar type, but Paradox is not a problem - vampires are unaffected). To
write the code requires an Intelligence + Computer roll, where the
difficulty depends on what the program has to do, and to transfer it
requires at least one success on a Wits + Computer roll against a difficulty
of 9. Note that the Neuromancer does not actually write the program, but
visualises what it needs to do.

[6] Icon Mask: Similar to Soul Mask, this ability allows the Neuromancer to
present a false 'icon' to any program. More specifically, it allows a
character to beat an electronic security system. A roll of Wits + Security
is required, with the target being an indication of how easy it is to fool
the system.

[6] Multitask: While normally it is only possible for a Neuromancer to have
one telecoded program running at any one time, and it must finish or crash
before a new program can be executed. Upon gaining Multitask, though, the
character can run as many programs as she has points in Wits.

[7] Digitizing: Normally, it is impossible to take real objects into the
Web, and while certain objects can be simulated using telecoding (for
example, it is possible to create a pistol on the fly), sometimes it is
necessary to duplicate an exact object, for whatever reason. This ability
allows for that. The object to be digitized must be studied before Upload,
and an Intelligence + Computer roll must be made. The target will depend
upon how complex the object is. Upon Upload, the object will transfer with
the character. When leaving the Web, the item will download also. Any
special magickal properties held by the object will not be affected by it
being digitized. Note that this digitised object will not count towards the
number of running 'programs' that the Turing is carrying.

[7] Format: At this level of ability, the Turing becomes able to alter the
structure of the Web around her, allowing her to create sectors which
conform to her own paradigm. To begin the formatting process, the Turing
must spend a point of Willpower, and make a roll of Intelligence + Computer
against a target of 6, plus 1 for every format parameter already on the
sector (see Digital Web for an explanation of these terms). If the character
wishes to place extra parameters on the sector, she must expend another
point of Willpower, and make another Intelligence + Computer roll against a
difficulty of 6, this time adding 1 for every parameter wanted, with a
maximum of 10, of course, in both this and the previous case. Note that
making a sector Restricted requires at least one parameter, more if it is a
complex protection scheme.

[8] Bitstream: This gives the Turing the ability to convert raw data in the
Web to 'virtual' Blood Points. While these points are the same as Blood
Points, they do not survive Download, so it is important to note which Blood
Points are real and which are virtual. Also, it is impossible to have more
virtual points than Blood Points, they cannot be used for Thaumaturgical
rituals, and it is impossible to Blood Bond another vampire with them. Note
that virtual points will be spent before real ones, should a conflict arise.