Machinae

By John Duffin (poet@sharecom.ca)

Description

This Numina allows the partially Awakened to commune directly with machines, robots, and complex technological devices in general. The Garou claim that this communion is the result of a special affinity with the Weaver. Glass Walkers go further and maintain that a person with this Numina has a special connection to the Machine. Regardless of the source, this ability allows control and communication with and via machines.

* Physical Imperative

While contact at this level is difficult and cumbersome at best (it requires some physical contact and preferably a cyberjack of some kind even to talk to an ATM), it also allows interaction with high-tech cybernetics (magickal or otherwise) that might otherwise require a full Awakening. A character cannot take the Cybernetics background without having at least this level of Machinae. At this level, a machine's function and current operation can be ascertained. If there is some sort of natural interface function (for instance, if the object of this Numina is a computer), then the operations of its input devices can be imitated mentally. For example, a character with this Numina could type out a document on a computer at the speed of thought, save it, print it, and then do a bit of drawing without ever touching the mouse or the keyboard. This power cannot force a machine to do something that it could not normally do or was not designed to do.

** Mental Imperative

This level of Machinae requires only line-of-sight in order to work. Otherwise, it can do pretty much whatever Physical Imperative can.

*** Jam Technology/Machine Vision

It is possible to cause breakdowns and malfunctions in machinery to the point that hard disks can be erased, traffic lights flash at random or not at all, and car engines seize up. The psychic's degree of control over this effect is ruled by the number of successes on an Intelligence + Technology roll.

Machine vision allows the user to see exactly how a machine works, to the smallest detail, and to intuitively grasp every detail of its manufacture and function. Retention of this knowledge depends on the number of successes on a Perception + Technology roll. This does not usually work properly on techno-fetishes or Devices.

**** Ghost in the Machine

Many great machines have spirits. This level of Machinae allows the psychic to detect these spirits and converse with them. It also allows the creation of so-called techno-fetishes through compact with this spirits. The psychic has no power over these spirits, per se, and thus cannot compel them to serve as a Garou might.

Ghost in the Machine also allows Machine Vision to work on techno-fetishes.

***** Electron Blood

With the power of Electron Blood, a psychic can project his or her consciousness into a machine or along a phone line, thus allowing for the animation/manipulation of machines and computers all over the world. This requires several hours of preparation and purification rituals (Wits + Meditation diff 6), after which the psychic's soul leaves his or her body and roams the electronic highways and byways. The body is an empty shell at this point, and can easily come to harm if left unattended.

Cybernetics Background

This background is available to anyone, but is only really useful if the character has been Awakened or has some special affinity for machines. The Machinae Numina is sufficient for normal folk to use this background. Those who don't have an affinity of some kind will not be able to use the stuff.

Each dot in cybernetics gives a character either a built-in cyberfetish or a built-in Device. These are of the Rank 1 variety and may require expenditure of a Willpower point to activate. For instance, a cybernetic eye with built-in Forces 1 might allow a character to shift his perception along the entire electro-magnetic spectrum. These level one Effects are made static by the Machinae Numina. And no, you mages, they're not static for you.

Alternately, onboard weapons (rifles, etc.) or armor (remember the Dex penalties) can be put in for one point. Don't botch those rolls, now, y'hear?