Difference between revisions of "ExMod/ModernSolarComputers"

Latest revision as of 01:15, 6 April 2010

Computers is replacing Lore, splitting the ability in half. Or something.

Solar Computer charms focus primarily on performing improbable feats of computering- but improbable is the key. They don't make the computer's explode, nor do they merge with the computer itself- but they can do other things that may seem just as impossible.

Additional note- I envision a Drama system, not unlike basic combat, where the quality of hardware and software help directly influence the outcome. I'm tenetively putting the offensives stats of Speed (Net connection speed) and Processor (adds dice to hacking rolls) on the hardware and the defensive stats of Firewall (a constant difficulty to hacking the computer) and Encryption (a constant difficulty to tracing back the computer) on the software. - DariusSolluman

One With the Code
Cost: 1 mote / die
Type: Simple
Duration: Instant
Minimum Computers: 2
Minimum Essence: 1
Prerequisite Charms: None

Invoking One With the Code, the Solar enters a trance. They type at manic speeds, needing neither rest nor refreshment. They barely move beyond the twitch of eye and finger, but retain a normal awareness of the world outside the machine. The code they create or debug in this Zen state is remarkable- intuitive leaps, magic numbers and bizzare undocumented features are common, along with comments that only make the whole more befuddling. Remarkably, however, the code almost invariably works perfectly, the first time.

One with the Code allows a Solar to add up to their Intelligence+Computers in dice on a single task related to programming or debugging.

Blazing Hot Iron
Cost: 5 motes
Type: Reflexive
Duration: Special
Minimum Computers: 3
Minimum Essence: 1
Prerequisite Charms: One With The Code

Everyone needs a better machine. You can't fall behind in the upgrades race, or you might as well try and hack with a toaster. Luckily, such petty concerns are beneath you- your computer might not be the newest hunk of silicon on the block, but she can be reved up to wipe the floor with these newest set of losers.

For a number of Scenes equal to your Computers, any computer the Exalt uses acts as though it were overclocked, doubling it's Power and adding 2 to it's Firewall and Encryption. The machine suffers no long term damage for this.

Vaporware Meditation
Cost: 7 motes, 1 Willpower
Type: Simple
Duration: Instant
Minimum Computers: 4
Minimum Essence: 2
Prerequisite Charms: Blazing Hot Iron

Even the requirements of a machine are unneccesary for you, now. Through your will, should you desire it, you will have a computer. It'll rock, it'll be perfectly configured to your specs, and it'll have your MP3s on it. These Solaris Boxes (as they are sometimes called) last for only a brief time, but are faster than a bolt of light streaking from hell while they clock.

A Vaporware Machine is composed of pure essence, and perfectly matches it's user in temperment and need. The user has their Wits+Computer in points to distribute between the computer's Speed, Power, Firewall and Encryption. Each time the Vaporware Meditation is bought, the Exalt may design a new machine, freely summmoning a different one with each invocation of the Charm. Vaporware Meditation may be purchased a number of times equal to the Exalt's Permanent Essence. If an Exalt's Wits+Computers pool increases after buying Vaporware meditation, they may improve their old purchases up to the new pool. A Vaporware Machine lasts for one scene.

Password Guessing Technique
Cost: 3 motes / success
Type: Simple
Duration: Instant
Minimum Computers: 3
Minimum Essence: 1
Prerequisite Charms: One With The Code

It's a known fact that there's a list, a few hundred long, that comprises a significant minority of the passwords people use to encrypt their systems. However, through using this Charm, the Exalt gains a supernatural insight into this particular system and user. They know what they would and wouldn't use- from the barest clues, they can deduce out the precise attack to give themselves root.

Spend three motes per success you will buy with Password Guessing Technique, up to your rating in Computers. Then roll a Perception+Investigation, at a difficulty based on how well you know the target (Guessing a close friend's password is difficulty 1, while a total stranger who is careful to use a semi-random collection of letters is difficulty 5). Each success you roll on the Perception+Investigation roll is added to your attempt at hacking the target, up to a maximum of the number you purchased.

Rights and Privleges
Cost: 1 mote
Type: Reflexive
Duration: Instant
Minimum Computers: 3
Minimum Essence: 1
Prerequisite Charms: Password Guessing Technique

It's always dangerous when a cracker gets onto a system, but ten times so when the cracker is Exalted. A Solar with even base level access can tear through the most soophisticated security, leaving back doors and keytracers embeded through the system. It's usally just best to shut a box that a Solar's had his way with off- it's unlikely to ever be the same.

A Solar may perform an action on a system they don't have root access on as if they did have Root, for one mote per action. The Solar must have at least basic access privleges and be logged on to use Rights and Privleges.

Glorious Black Box
Cost: 2 motes, 1 Willpower
Type: Reflexive
Duration: Instant
Minimum Computers: 4
Minimum Essence: 2
Prerequisite Charms: Password Guessing Technique

The most frustrating thing about Solar hackers isn't how good they are at getting in- it's how hard they are to trace. They seem to move like ghosts, borrowing and stealing what they want at will, without a traceable signal at all.

Using the Glorious Black Box causes one attempt at tracing the Exalt to simply fail. This a perfect effect.

Data Mining Method
Cost: 3 motes / die
Type: Simple
Duration: One Hour
Minimum Computers: 2
Minimum Essence: 1
Prerequisite Charms: None

The Web is a vast resource of information, to those who know how to tap it. Exalts with the Data Mining Method can learn the most interesting things with a little digging- names, phone numbers and satelite images are at the ready hands of those who know the back doors to walk through.

Data Mining Method adds up to the Exalted's Computer in dice to an Investigation, Larceney, Occult or any other roll in which preparation and forethought would significantly aid, at a cost of 3 motes per die. Activating the Data Mining Method takes one hour- after that, the bonus dice persist until the roll is made and do not count against any dice cap.

Ghost in the Machine
Cost: 10 motes, 1 Willpower
Type: Simple
Duration: One Day
Minimum Computers: 3
Minimum Essence: 2
Prerequisite Charms: Data Mining Method

Reversing the tactics of the Data Mining Method, the Exalt meticulous cleans up their online trail and paperwork. Establishing multiple dummy identities, they greatly confuse any paper trail, and clever rerouting gives the appearance that everything is all good. The authorities have a hellva time tracking such Exalts, as they're usally long gone by the time they can sort through the paper trail.

Using Ghost in the Machine makes an Exalt virtually invisible to Computer-based means of tracking them. They can freely use their credit cards, check in to hospitals, and make withdrawls and deposits at the bank, without setting off any alarms. Ghost in the Machine does not help in the Exalt avoiding someone trying to trace their connection after a cracking attempt, however- only passive clues and paper trails are rendered useless.

Comments

Eh. Data Mining Method should branch off into more legit computer uses, but I'm tired and want to see what other people think of :) - DariusSolluman

I like it, just one idea, any Exalt who learns that one is going to really quickly think of ways to start reducing their own trail, or at least making it hard to find by accident, then better maybe. - haren

That's what the Vaporware Meditation and Glorious Black Box are for- both make it virtually impossible to trace el Solar :)

Heh, I know, but I mean, think reverse Data Mining Method. Why stop at making your computer usage hard to follow? Why should my character have to stop using her credit card just because she's wanted in 7 states. Why not just make the records "fall into the cracks". - haren

Ahh! So, something like Ghost In the Machine, then :) - DariusSolluman

• thumbs up* Yep! :) Oh, one question, when you get a better Wits + Computer, does the Vaporware get better also, like the Abyssal Charm, Resplendant Shadow Blade? - haren

Yep- that was the Charm I was basing it on.  :) (Charm Editted) - DariusSolluman

Just thought I'd say, these are hot. Makes me want to play ExMod. - FourWillowsWeeping