Neuromancy

By Stephen Ironside, for the Turing bloodline.

* 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.

** Databurst

The character becomes able to transfer information to and from Online Storage, either from her memory, or from a nearby electronic 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 dependent'.

*** 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.

**** 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'

***** 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. Also, the program must terminate (either naturally, or be crashed by another user) before another program can be run. The Turing can crash a program he has run at any time, and anothers program on a successful Telecode usage (The Turing essentially writes a program designed to crash the required program).

****** 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.

****** 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.

******* 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.

******* 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.

******** 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.