ANDERS MAGE PAGE 2.0

Editor's Note: This piece refers to Manar, a Talisman listed on page 54 of Technocracy: N.W.O. (1995). New World Order field agents use it as a kind of radar that can detect magick.

The technology behind MANAR is based on resonant crystals. These crystals are grown in zero gravity environments by Void Engineer masters of Matter. They are composed of free Quintessence hardened into a solid state and subsequently exposed to dynamic (vulgar) Sphere magick causing them to resonate in quantum sympathy with Sphere magick. Resonant crystals can thus be calibrated to vibrate at linearly related frequencies when exposed to specific types and amounts of magick. It is possible to set a threshold for certain Sphere ratings.

The specific resonance effect prevents other sources of Quintessence from interfering with mana scans, a substantial improvement over the wide spectrum MANAR which was subject to signal interference from Garou Cairns, Nodes and powerful supernatural entities. Interference is still possible due to extraordinary levels of Quintessential discharge, Paradox storms and other forms of extreme reality alteration.

However, the greater number of crystals increases the production and operating costs of MANAR apparatus by an estimated 67.984% (twice as much Quintessence expenditure and one more dot in Talismans). Although requiring at least nine crystals to detect all forms of reality alteration with no interference, and even more to detect other sources of Quintessence, MANAR apparatus has shrunk in size due to improvements in crystal purity and nanoprocessor technology, enabling final product size to be at least ⅒ the size available only three years ago.

A typical MANAR apparatus now includes a wide spectrum crystal and several specifically resonant crystals connected to an Iteration X corresponding nanoprocessor. A standard display is color coded by Sphere/Quintessence type and appears on a flat screen. The display can be made three dimensional if Comglass or holographic display technology is utilized. Most larger MANAR stations now include Comglass to handle the spatial requirements necessary for the crystals to resonate, bypassing the need for a spatial nanoprocessor (but not for a non-spatial processor of some sort).

Technomancers have long known of resonant crystals which occur naturally as Tass near certain isolated nodes. Usually these Tass crystals displayed wide spectrum resonance unless exposed to a mage who used them in spell casting. The drained crystals became resonant with the type of magick they powered, if they survived intact. The first artificially resonant crystals were created in 1957 onboard Sputnik. These crystals were not recovered with Sputnik by Soviet Void Engineers and are presumed to have been destroyed by the pressures of atmospheric re-entry.

In an emergency situation, resonant crystals from MANAR apparatus can be kitbashed and utilized as a source of energy. This essentially ruins the apparatus by altering the resonance of the crystals. The crystals are not mana batteries and may shatter during use. Purifying and restoring the original resonance is a tedious and expensive process, crystals spoiled in this manner are typically recycled into raw materiel.

Project: Windchime was responsible for the improvements to MANAR, the project is still working on refinements to MANAR technology but has been the subject of severe cutbacks now that the initial goal of the project has been reached.

Game Mechanics

Specifically Resonant MANAR costs one dot more in the Talisman Background (from two to five dots, depending on size) than the cost in Technocracy: N.W.O. It uses two points of Quintessence per scanning duration (scene) and reduces the difficulties of the Arete activation and Perception + Awareness rolls by one.

The amount of information received by scanning with MANAR is still determined by Perception + Alertness, difficulty based on range, density of supernatural activity, etc.

With one success the Sphere used or type of supernatural entity and the general location of the disturbance can be determined. Nodes' locations are revealed exactly.

Two successes give the Level of Sphere/Blood Points spent, Gift level (werewolves), etc. and general location can be determined. A Node's exact rating is determined.

Three successes allow the level of effect and a specific location to be revealed (within 100 feet) giving a -1 difficulty to subsequent attempts to track. A Node's current level of Tass is determined. The current amount of Tass at a Node is determined.

Four successes allow a target lock on the subject and gives a -2 difficulty to track them. A Node's specific bent (whether it is a Cairn/Freehold/Haunt) can be determined.

Five successes locks on, as well as revealing exactly how much Quintessence/blood/Gnosis/glamour/pathos is present in the zone being scanned.