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technoMancers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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world. Paragons haven’t yet established a long-term connection to
metahumanity and originate from a computerized realm. Thus, their
behavior and nature should be non-human, abstract, alien, and less
passionate than metahuman “carbon-based” life forms or spirits.
SaMpLe paragonS
Each paragon represents some kind of archetype idolized in different,
often non-humanoid, personas. Since most of these concepts
are global due to the omnipresence of the Matrix, paragons are often
more uniform and are less subject to cultural or traditional differences,
unlike mentor spirits.
The paragons below serve merely as examples of different concepts
that exist and are far from a complete list. Players can always
work with their gamemaster to develop a paragon profile that fits their
character’s outlook best.
01
Zero-One is the beginning and the end, the alpha and the omega.
While some call it the Deep Resonance, for lack of a better word, it is
the consciousness of the virtual world that permeates everything, the
embodiment of virtual harmony, the essence of the code. Followers of
Zero-One tend to seek it for guidance and inspiration.
Advantages: +1 die for compiling and registering sprites of any type
Disadvantages: Zero-One is the perfection of the code and demands
the same from his followers, or at least teaches them a harsh lesson if
they fail. Zero-One technomancers must spend 2 points of Edge to
negate a glitch or downgrade a critical glitch.
alias
Alias is the spy of the Matrix, the embodiment of the changing
hacker persona or anonymous user. Alias is all about switching or
exchanging access IDs, codes, and places, both in the Matrix and real
life. Alias has no face. He becomes indistinguishable from other Matrix
users, fooling and impersonating other users by stealing their codes.
Advantages: +2 dice to Spoof Tests, +1 die for Crack or Sleuth sprites
(player must choose one)
Disadvantage: Alias technomancers cannot abide to pay for their
lifestyle and must therefore use their abilities to spoof their lifestyle
(Hacker’s Handbook, p. 80).
archivist
The Archivist is the embodiment of amassed information. As
the virtual chronicler, she hoards and sorts the history of man and
the world’s intellectual wealth and knowledge within the innumerable
archives in the Matrix, never losing track of how information
interconnects and cross-references.
Advantages: +2 dice for all Browse Tests, +1 die for Code or Data
sprites (player must choose one)
Disadvantages: Technomancers following the Archivist cannot
willingly destroy or corrupt data. The technomancer must succeed
at a Willpower + Logic (3) Test to purposely delete or corrupt data
(or order a sprite to do so).
architect
The Architect is the personification of ordered topography,
the creator of nodes and meshworks. Each node has a well-chosen
architecture of files, slaves, and subscribed devices that ensure functionality
and sorting of data. Actions must be precisely timed and
neatly controlled to run smoothly. Virtual chaos is anathema.
Advantages: +2 die to Edit Tests, +1 die for Data or Machine
sprites (player must choose one)
Disadvantages: –1 die to Crash Tests
Babel
Babel is the embodiment of universal language, whether it be
spoken, visual (in the form of glyphs and symbols), or programmed.
He is an instant omnitranslator, the archetype of an interactive program
or interface. Technomancers following Babel are open-minded
individuals who like to chat, blog, and communicate.
Advantage: +1 to online Etiquette and Language Tests, +1 die for
Courier or Tutor sprites (player must choose one)
Disadvantage: Secrecy is the bane of communication, so Babel
technomancers must make a Willpower + Logic (3) Test to encrypt
anything.
the Black Hat
The Black Hat is the personified essence of the hacker, who
works to exploit computer systems out of a certain self-serving
motivation. While some are just data thieves who steal and sell
data for personal gain and monetary interest, there are also those
who intrude on nodes just out of fun, curiosity, or personal fame
among the community of hackers.
Advantages: +2 dice to Exploit Tests, +1 die for Crack or Fault
Sprites (player must choose one)
Disadvantage: Black Hat technomancers have extreme difficulty
restraining themselves from hacking into a node that is interesting
in any way. The technomancer must succeed in a Willpower +
Charisma (3) Test to avoid hacking such a system when the opportunity
arises.
cryptome
Cryptome is the keeper of secrets. He is the preserver of
hidden data and a master of encryption, protecting paydata stashed
away in vaults, riddled with massive layers of protection. Knowing
all confidential and classified information, he is the embodiment of
cryptograms and cipher keys used to encrypt and decrypt data.
Advantage: +2 dice to all Encryption and Decryption Tests, +1
die for Courier or Data sprites (player must choose one)
Disadvantage: Technomancers who follow Cryptome don’t
surrender secrets easily and never to unreliable sources. The
technomancer must make a Willpower + Logic (3) Test to share
a secret or important information with someone he does not completely
trust … and such trust is rare.
daedalus
Named after the famous Greek inventor, Daedalus is the
embodiment of the machine tinkerer, the master of devices and
(sometimes dangerous) technical inventions. As Daedalus is the
personification of the constructor and innovator, technomancers
with a love of robotic machines, drones, vehicles, and electronic
devices feel especially drawn to this paragon.
Advantage: +2 dice to Hardware Tests, +1 die for Machine or
Fault sprites (player must choose one)
Disadvantage: Technomancers who follow Daedalus tend to interact
with the machines on which they are working in an even more
subconscious manner than usual. As a result, modifications they
Unwired
Simon Wentworth (order #1132857) 9