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Subject Interacts with the Matrix: Threshold
Constantly 4
Infrequently (a few hours a day) 8
Rarely (once a day) 12
Very rarely (less than once a day) 16
Complications Threshold Modifier
Subject’s most recent transaction/access was logged –1
Subject using Stealth during transactions +Stealth
SIN, commcode, MSP address known –3
transfer
The sprite grants the use of one of its powers to the subject.
The sprite does not lose the use of the power while the subject
gains it, and the sprite can grant a power to a number of subjects
equal to its rating. No character may gain more than one power
from a sprite in this way at a time.
free SpriteS
The Matrix also contains sprites that have become unlinked
from their technomancer operators. Free to roam cyberspace, these
sprites develop their own motivations, adapt to their new degree of
freedom, and rewrite their own code. Although some investigators
of Matrix metaphysics, synthetic intelligences, and technomancers
have compared their existence to the free spirits of the Awakened
world, because of certain similarities, others believe that these
parallels are just an evolutionary coincidence (following the
fundamental Theory of Everything) and that these free sprites
are a unique outgrowth of the machine world.
independence
Most sprites consider their independence a relief from
the strain of undertaking tasks for technomancers. Some even
view it as a liberation from an oppressive yoke, whereas others
view it as a separation from their intended purpose.
Whenever a sprite becomes uncontrolled (p. 236, SR4),
the gamemaster decides whether it becomes a free sprite, as it
fits her game and campaign. As a guideline, most registered
sprites with a rating greater than 6 become free, whereas lesser
sprites simply de-rez to code dust. Sprites with a long history
of association with technomancers or other online users, or
that are driven by some kind of motivation, tend to become
free more often. Unregistered sprites almost never go free
(probably as a safety mechanism of the Matrix).
To determine randomly if a sprite goes free, roll an Edge
(3) Test for the sprite. Success means that the sprite is now free,
with an Edge of 1. Every net hit increases the free sprite’s initial
Edge. If the test fails, the sprite simply vanishes (whether it goes
to a resonance realm is a matter of conjecture). Unregistered
sprites rarely go free and suffer a –4 dice pool penalty to the
Edge Test. Sprites that have had especially memorable or
frequent encounters with Matrix users (not necessarily only
technomancers) receive a +2 dice pool bonus, and may even
elect to burn a point of Edge to increase this bonus further.
Unwired
new powers
Whenever a sprite becomes free in
the Matrix, its “source code” is scrambled.
In game terms, this prevents the
sprite from being easily decompiled,
granting free sprites the power of Denial
(p. 160). Additionally, the jumbling of
the sprite’s code spawns a number of
new powers equal to its remaining Edge
attribute. Since it owes its independence
to chance, the sprite’s code development
is tied to coincidence and the probabilities
of the machine world. As such, a free
sprite’s powers only increase when its
Edge increases, enabling it to gain new
powers every time its Edge increases with
reassembling (p. 158). Note that if the sprite burns or otherwise
loses Edge, these powers do not go away; however, the sprite will
not gain new powers until its Edge exceeds its old level.
These new powers can come from the following:
• Any one of the powers available to sprites (p. 156 and pp.
236–237, SR4).
• Any of the echoes available to metahuman technomancers may
manifest itself as a free sprite’s power. Free sprites use Edge in
place of submersion grade. It is possible that the Reassembling
process produces echoes and powers as yet unknown to technomancers,
providing the gamemaster with the opportunity to
introduce new elements into his game.
• A unique power available only to free sprites, chosen from those
listed under Free Sprite Powers, p. 159.
Simon Wentworth (order #1132857) 9
157
sprites . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .