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The Undercity network is based loosly on the human brain, as such some diciplined individuals can interact with it directly with only minimal interface equipment. These 'Ghosts' do not require the virtual environment conversion provided by a 'Dreaming Module' that most people require to access the network.
The reasons for this are vague but many Ghosts beleive that an Undercity's central computer is based on a genetically engineered human brain. There are rumours amongst Ghosts that some have even met these conciousnesses and have been sent insane. There are other rumours that these Supercomputers manipulate the Government to do their bidding. The network is tied in some way to all systems, electronics, communication, droids and vehicles. It would be possible for a Supercomputer, say a 'Super Ghost' to spy on and manipulate an entire society to their will, many Ghosts believe this to be fact.
The reason the Network is completely tied together is unimportant to most Ghosts, it is this fact that gives them near magical powers once connected, the ability to control devices, to see thru security system cameras, to open doors, or to simply disappear into a virtual nirvana away from the stench of overpopulation and poverty.
In the Undercities those lucky enough to be employed as office staff work from home. Connecting to a virtual office from which they do their duties. To enter a virtual office a device places them in a dream like trace and their consciousness is projected into 'work'. Most devices in an Undercity are connected to this Virtual Network; corporations, security systems, toasters and general appliances everything is connected. It provides better productivity and it keeps the lowly workers out of the Core, an Undercities expensive corporate district.
The user through the use of a 'Dreaming Module' is placed into a dream like state. The users consciousness is the sent to a virtual room, an office in most cases, where they go about their normal employment. They may interact with others who are linked into the same virtual office and go about their duties normally. Real world devices like cameras, security systems, manufacturing machinery, accounts storage, printers etc. are all accessible via virtual equivalents. It is conceivable that if appropriate software is available a user could access their own body whilst in this dream like state but they are doing so in the third person. The task is so disorientating that most will wait till they awake from their 'dream' before they do so.
Being suddenly disconnected from the virtual will cause considerable disorientation and requires a sanity check (fumbles costs 1pt) It can take a while to process which belongs where.
The accuracy of the 'Dream' reduces the need for re-training and also protects mental health.
Ghosting is the direct interfacing into the Network without fully entering the dream like trace. Actions taking place almost in the consciousness, in a waking dream. This is a specialised skill that takes considerable practice to become any good at It still requires concentration but the switching between realities is easier. However being manually disconnected is still devastating to the psyche. (Sanity check or lose 1pt).
Ghosts do not need to have the computer skill. Once they are connected to the Network they interface with it the way a Wizard interacts with spirits, seeing each device as a personality. Ghosts connect directly into the network, naked, without the protection nor hindrance of a 'Dreaming Module' and its 'Virtuals'. The Ghosts own mind interpreting computer code directly and instinctively. This is possible due in part to the skill of the Ghost and partly the design of the Network which was based an organic mind.
Ghosts can be employed legitimately as highly skilled Programmers or to protect systems from other Ghosts.
The maximum distance between the 'device' and the Node, the access point Ghost is using, is based on skill level. (Use Magic Range Chart)
A Ghost may 'enter' a building and search it by 'moving' from device to device using the feedback to eaves-drop or even open doors to gain real world access.
They are called ghosts because whenever they interface directly with a device they are seen as if they were Ghosts in the virtual office controlling that device, the virtual offices interface computer misinterpreting them and displaying them to other users. (High Success Levels may make the Ghost invisible)
Anyone may use a Dreaming Module. Only those with the ghost skill may Ghost.
AI's must take the Ghost skill as this is their natural environment.
(To take the ghosting skill the character must first specialize specialize in the arcana field of Ghosting then the skill is taken at at least x2 multiplier See Arcana for more ).
A Node to plug into is is required and then the targeted device must be within the range of that Node (use Magic range vs skill chart). Contacting the targeted device requires a Ghost + intelligence check, each device has a Success Level that the Ghost must beat to gain access to. Once accessed what the Ghost does with the device might take another roll and depending on what, a higher Success Level. Eg looping back camera footage, (up to GM).
All devices plugged into the Network do so via a Node. Nodes also provide power to the devices. For this reason most Power Outlets are also Nodes. NB: Removing a device from its node may be required, this could raise suspicion. (A repair skill would be needed to piggy back directly into a device without removing it.)
When Plugged into a node the individuals location is marked, both in the 'net and in the real world. Any devices within range of that location become aware of the user, and the user aware of them. The user is identified by their own sense of being, so it is really their true nature. This leaves a virtual 'fingerprint'. Failing to provide a 'fingerprint' often sends the police to that location, either in the virtual or in reality. A manufactured ID may be used but these are eventually detected as not being 'dynamic', flagged and investigated.
When a device is accessed a 'ghost' appears in the Office that controls that device. These are not always noticed and most staff will explain these as glitches (which do occur any way). However to the trained Dreamer real 'Ghosts' are noticeable. (Check Int+Ghosting)
When plugged in the user's own being is on the line, all their memories, fears and thoughts are there for the taking. Also as the mind is bare connections to the users subconscious control of heart rate and breathing are possible, even control of a users physical body could be possible.
Attacks on the mind are either aimed at Sanity or Memories.
The roll is 'Opposed', if the attacker wins the loser loses a point of Sanity.
Both roll the one with the higher Success Level wins.
Similarly memories can be stolen, or skill points forcibly temporarily forgotten.
Attacks on the body can casue cardiac arrests, suffocation, muscle spasms or even fevers. Actual physical damage is possible. Ghosts may attack each other physically whilst in the netwok. In the virtual, they would be seen to fight, actually trading blows. Intelligence+Ghosting is used to attack the physical. In the real world suffocation, heart failures or muscle spasms inflict the damage to the body.
Manually unplugging to avoid detection or attack.
For Dreamers : Sanity check or be disorientated, fumbles cost sanity.
If the individual is actively Ghosting or defending against an attack the sanity check failure costs one sanity point, fumbles two.
May be uploaded and travel freely from node to node, the distance between jumps equal to their Range. Whilst in the Virtual they may not 'unplug'. They may travel between Nodes and be unloaded into devices at Nodes. They are attacked only to their Sanity, memories or skills. When stored in a device that device is their physical form and they may be unplugged etc.
NB :Some simple devices do not have the neccessary storage to contain an AI.
All street lights, pedestrian crossing, traffic lights, Security doors, automatic doors, taxi cabs, trains, buses, security cameras, Phones and Mobile Phones are connected to the Network. Every square inch of public land has a Security Camera aimed at it. Not all mobile devices/droids are connect to the network but most are for communication reasons. Totally Isolating equipment from the network is actually frowned upon by the authorities as they can not be monitored. SL is the Success Level that the Ghost must beat to gain entrance to the device. (Successful Roll + Computer + Ghosting)
Phones and Mobiles :SL 12
Security Droid :SL 23
Servant Droid :SL 20
Toy Droid :SL 18
Mining Droid :SL 16
Pay Phones SL8 (Most are View phones, with camera and screen)
Auto-tellers, SL 23 security Camera is 12
Standard power point. SL2
Any 'smart' device that plugs into a power point may be accessed. Computers, 'Cable' TVs, Some Radios, Some Fridges, cold storerooms, forklifts, etc.
Dumb devices may not be controlled but the power point they plug into may be switched.
Interface headgear: These allow normal actions in virtual offices. But -2 when Ghosting. Attacks by or at the wearer are at -2. Tech 8 Cost $500
Head Vice : This is an interface helmet but the wearer's head is placed in a clamp to locate the helmet. Not really portable. An early form of the technology, uncomfortable, but slightly more accurate than the standard interface helmet. (-1 when Ghosting, -1 to Attacks) Tech 7 Cost $200
Hardwire : Wiring that connects directly to the brain. Holes are drilled into the skull and transponders glued into the holes. Basically an implanted Interface helmet, due to better and more accurate positioning of the pickups and transponders. No penalties to attacks or ghosting. Legal surgery requires registration as Ghosting is illegal. Only computer professionals would legitimately need to be Hardwired. Tech 8 Cost $1800 + Surgery (3hours) Some Shanty town surgeons would only charge $20 an hour!!, but sterilisation and anaesthetic are an optional extras. (1 pt Merit)
Node : This is an access point to the Virtual. The plug in point. This is the location for determining what is within range. Most Nodes use a standard plug but there are some older and rare plugs that require adaptors, also some corporations use their own plugs. Tech 7 Cost $80 + Installation (1/2 hour)
Mobile Node : The preferred option. This provides a node where-ever needed. Range is taken from where ever the device is located, so long as they are within the Undercity, or certain parts of some shanty towns. Most mobile phones are capable of this. Alternatively they can be implanted with the Hardwire. (1pt merit)
Node Modem : Contacting one of these enable the user to use it as a basis for range. Most Dreamers would use one of these to 'get to work'. So rather than sit in the lobby of the building in question a ghost could use a 'workers' Node Modem.
NB:Some Shanty towns are linked into the mobile and land line telephone networks.
A.I. : Artificial Intelligence. A Character 'race' option. Effectively a sentient computer program. These personalities are often based on real people but can be completely fabricated or even made from several personalities and combinations.
Dreamer : A user who uses the dream like state to access virtual rooms.
Dreaming : the trace like state that users have to enter to enter a virtual office.
Ghosting : directly tapping into devices without entering a virtual office.
Ghost (1) : One who ghosts. i.e. Ghosting.
Ghost (2): The image that can be half seen in Virtual offices when that offices devices are accessed.
Guardian Angel : A ghost that follows a team opening doors and redirecting security etc.
Node: The plug in point.