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[HOE] New Librarian Reward - Feedback Wanted
Hey Folks -
Take a look at this and tell me what you think - it's inspiration is
obvious from the quote. I think I've balanced it, but would appreciate
some feedback before I go ahead and post it at the Shelter. I get the
digest version, so respond on the list or privately - whatever works for
you. Thanks in advance!
Matt Steflik
Gimme Shelter - http://www.geocities.com/grifflik
-------------------------------------------------------------
Download (New Librarian Reward)
"I know Kung-Fu!" - Neo
Over the years, a tremendous amount of data has been stored in the area
of the Hunting Grounds known as the Net. This data is comprised of a
dizzying array of diverse topics and subjects, its actual limits now
known only by the tech spirits that make the Net their home. Through
long term use of the Computer at the Grand Library, some Librarians have
discovered that, through intense concentration, they are able to open
their minds to the Net and, with the help of the tech spirits there,
actually download information on desired subjects, in effect
instantaneously learning a skill. This knowledge is fleeting, however.
Since the information is gained in the form of raw data through less
than conventional means, the skill fades over a relatively short period
of time. Also, the process of opening one's consciousness to the Net is
a delicate thing and not to be done lightly; the possible gains are
significant, but so are the dangers.
The Download reward is not available to Librarians until they reach the
rank of Librarian Proper. At this point it can be purchased with Bounty
as normal, assuming that the Librarian can get to the Grand Library at
Sacramento, can get time on the Computer and can be shown by another
Librarian of equal or higher rank (that has the reward already) how it
works. It can also be purchased during creation under the normal Reward
guidelines, provided the character has a Rank of 3 or higher.
In using the Download reward, the Librarian must spend an action, eyes
closed, in intense concentration. During this brief time, the Librarian
opens his mind to the Net and asks the tech spirits - specifically those
related to the electronic storage of data - for assistance in finding
the information on a specific subject. He then must make a Faith roll,
based upon his rank in the reward. If successful, the Librarian
instantly gains the information in the form of a mental or corporeal
aptitude on his next action. Duration of the newly gained aptitude is
one hour, plus an additional hour for each raise above the TN made on
the Faith roll. The number of dice in the aptitude is equal to their
level in the reward, while the aptitude's coordination is equal to their
own natural coordination in the related trait.
Rank - TN for Faith Roll
1 - 11
2 - 9
3 - 7
4 - 5
5 - 3
Using this reward is not easy, and it gets more difficult (and
potentially dangerous) each time the Librarian uses it without allowing
his mind to rest through sleep. Each time the Librarian Downloads per
day, he increases the TN for using the ability the next time by a step
(the player and marshal needs to keep track). This would mean that the
second time a Librarian with rank of 1 in the reward tried to Download
without resting, his TN on the Faith roll would be 13...the third time
15...and so on. A minimum of one hour of sleep is required for each use
of the reward in order to reestablish the original TN of the Faith roll.
Should the Librarian fail the Faith roll, something bad happened in the
process of Downloading - roll 1d6 and consult the following table to
determine the result:
Roll - Result
1 - System Crash - The Librarian asked the wrong spirit for help, and
receives a backlash of psychic energy. Take 2d10 damage to the head, +1
for each point he missed the TN by. The Librarian may not use Download
again until after a period of lengthy, uninterrupted slumber (1 hour per
use of Download that day x 2).
2 - Corrupted File - The Librarian has Downloaded some bad data that
affects his memory. The Librarian temporarily loses the use of ALL
attributes in the trait related to the attribute he was Downloading.
Duration for the memory loss is one hour for each point he missed the TN
by. The Librarian may not use Download again until after a period of
uninterrupted slumber (1 hour per use of Download that day).
3 - Lost Connection - The Librarian lost connection with the tech
spirit retrieving the data. No attribute gained, but the attempt was
strenuous - gain an additional step on the next Download attempt TN.
4 - Slow Server - The spirit the Librarian asked for help is taking its
own sweet time in getting the data. If the Librarian wants the data ,
he must remain in total uninterrupted concentration, maintaining the
connection for additional time until he receives it. This additional
time is equal to one minute for each point he missed the TN by. The
connection can be broken off with no penalty.
5 - Incomplete File - The information is received, but it's not quite
all there. The Librarian receives a -1 penalty for each point he missed
the TN by on all rolls using the newly gained attribute.
6 - Data Retrieved - It was a bit dodgy there for a moment, but the
Librarian received the desired information.
Example: Brigid the Librarian finds herself without her gun, facing a
mutant armed with a axe while exploring the ruins of a museum. The only
handy weapon is a sword resting on a nearby display case, but she's
never used one in her life. Grabbing the blade, she closes her eyes and
attempts to Download the information as the mutant advances toward her.
Brigid has not Downloaded yet that day, and has a rank of 3 in the
reward making her TN on the Faith roll a base of 7. Attempting to make
contact, she rolls a 13 - a success with a raise. Since her Nimbleness
(the related trait) is d10 and her rank in the reward is 3, she gains
the attribute "Fightin' Sword: 3d10" for the next 2 hours - definitely
long enough to take the mutie out.