ANDERS MAGE PAGE 2.0

Editor's Note: This Net supplement was written in October, 1993. At that time only the 1st edition core book and the first Storytellers screen were published.

History

The Virtual Adepts began as a splinter of Iteration X, the information technomancers. Iteration X developed a faction in the early nineteenth century that was interested in information using machines. They invented a difference engine similar to Babbage's by the 1830s. Setting up a research facility in the Near Umbra near Bristol, they began improving the machine. By the time Babbage created his machine, they had vacuum tube machines. It was at this point that the idea of virtual reality began to spread among the sect. They realized that the universe could be viewed as a giant computer and all of reality was one big data set that could be manipulated by the appropriate changing of ones and zeroes. They allied with the Syndicate to promote the "invention" and spread of computers by the mundanes. By 1930, they had computers equal to the best known today [1993] among the mundanes. By 1950, the Virtual Chantry went online. In the seventies, the Virtual Adepts openly defected after Syndicate agents realized what the Virtual Adepts were doing but it was too late to halt the spread of computers. Now in the 1990s, the Virtual Adepts have access to computers that dwarf any known to the mundane world.

Goals

1. Open the minds of humanity to new experiences and ways of seeing the world.
2. Promote the spread of computer technology with the eventual goal of creating a virtual reality Net or something similar accessible to the non-Awakened.
3. Battle the efforts of Iteration X to warp humanity's bodies, of New World Order to warp its mind, of Syndicate to warp humanity's souls and of the Void Engineers to warp humanity's home (the Solar System).
4. Learn, learn, learn!
5. Break the grip of the static reality of modern science.

Philosophy

Reality can be viewed as a giant multi-dimensional matrix, in which each level of the matrix represents a level of perception or existence. Quintessence is the energy which flows through this matrix and keeps it connected and coherent. Most humans operate only at the level of mundane existence. An Awakened individual has learned to access data from the other levels. The spirit world, or Umbra is a data level that is parallel to that of the physical/mundane world. What we perceive as physical objects are actually multi-dimensional arrays of data. Once you learn to perceive a particular type of array, you can alter the data in it, by "flipping the bits". The ancient concept of yin and yang was right — the ancients merely misunderstood how it worked and how to make practical use of it — you simply interpret yin as one binary state and yang as the other; 0s and 1s. By flipping the bits, you can change an object's motion, physical state, composition, etc. This merely requires an act of will, once the appropriate data is perceived. This is easier with the use of a computer to help model the necessary changes for you. To move yourself or an object, you simply move the data to a different location in the array. By changing the level on which it is stored, you can move objects between the spirit and physical world, and so forth. By finding a level of the matrix that is not being used, virtual realities can be created by changing their data contents and then finding a way to enable people to access this level of the universal Matrix.

Each reality has its own operating system. This makes up the rules of that reality. The minds of its inhabitants are constantly rewriting the operating system. It is possible to bypass the operating system and monkey with the hardware but some operating systems have built in programs, known as paradox programs, that try to prevent this. Physical reality has very effective paradox programs but they can be tricked by deviating from the operating system's approved operations as subtly as possible. By masking your actions as an approved one, it is possible to evade the attention of paradox programs for long periods of time. One of our goals is to rewrite the Operating System of physical reality. This will require the cooperation of the Sleepers.

Spheres

Correspondence

Since the universe is a multi-dimensional array and all physical entities are merely collections of data in it, data need merely be copied or transferred to new locations in the array to achieve the effects of this Sphere. The technical term for this array is the Universal Matrix. Computers are especially good at this sort of task.

Entropy

The Universal Matrix contains random elements. However, these elements are only apparently random. They are actually the result of chaotic systems, which can be predicted to some degree. They are random within limits. By the proper examination of the Matrix, they can be manipulated and controlled by the proper manipulation of bits. Computer modeling can facilitate the use of this sphere.

Forces

Forces are one of the three primary data array types of the Matrix. They are the most dynamic data type. Their array of data is constantly in flux. By altering components of these arrays, energy can be summoned, channeled or removed. However, to create new energy, knowledge of Prime is necessary to channel the quintessence to create a new data array. Access to a source of electricity can facilitate the channeling of the quintessence, while use of a computer to model the energy flow can also aid the Adept in control of forces.

Life

Life data arrays are the second of the primary data array types of the Matrix. They are the second most dynamic data type. To create a new life data array requires knowledge of Prime to channel the quintessence to create a new data array. By manipulating the data stored in the array, the properties of a life form can be altered and by scanning their array, many things can be learned about the lifeform.

Matter

Matter data arrays are the third and least dynamic of the primary data array types of the Matrix. As with the other primary data types, alteration of properties can be done without knowledge of Prime but some skill in Prime is needed to channel quintessence to create a new data array. The use of a computer can facilitate analysis and alteration of a matter data array.

Mind

The mind of any creature is a computer in itself. Minds exist within the Matrix as a collection of data normally accessible only by the Will, which is similar to a CPU. Essentially, they are isolated systems that only interact with the outside world through the senses, despite being part of the Matrix. The mind gains its data from the senses, which fill the roll of I/O devices. However, to a trained VA, the mind can be accessed by outsiders and not just by the Will. The more complex the mind, the more difficult it is to access and alter. The effect known as astral projection or untethering does not really disconnect the mind from the physical data set that it is normally associated with but rather creates a virtual body that it becomes attuned to. Virtual bodies interact with each other but can ignore the limitations of the physical world. The virtual body remains linked to the physical body and severance of this link can have grave consequences. Computer modeling of the targeted mind can facilitate proper modification or analysis of the target.

Prime

The universal matrix is powered by the flow of prime, also known as Quintessence. By altering the flow of quintessence, one can store quintessence within your own "battery", create new data arrays in the Matrix, absorb Quintessence from naturally occurring batteries, known as Nodes, remove the Quintessence from a data array, causing it to lose properties, or increase the natural flow of Quintessence through a data array. The vast Computing power of the Virtual Reality Network(which is accessible through a computer) can facilitate this difficult task.

Spirit

There is a level of the Universal Matrix known as the Spirit realm, or Umbra. Creatures known as spirits exist primarily on the Spirit level of the Matrix and can only enter the physical level for brief periods of time. It is subdivided into Near and Far Umbral regions. Each Near region is separated by a construct known as a Gauntlet. This security construct attempts to prevent the passage of data between the physical level and the Spirit Level. It is weakest around nodes and Garou caerns. Training in this Sphere can enable one to sneak data past the Gauntlet into or out of the Near Umbra. A similar security construct isolates each near umbral region from the Far Umbra. This construct is called the Horizon. The Spirit level uses a different operating system from the Physical realm, and is much more easily manipulated. Defeating these security constructs can be quite difficult and can be facilitated by use of the V.A. VR network and a computer to access the network.

Time

One aspect of the Universal Matrix that differs from Computer systems under static reality, is that time is an accessible dimension of the Matrix as well as an experienced one. A properly trained Virtual Adept can access temporal levels of the Universal Matrix other than the one on which his consciousness currently resides. With enough skill, one can even transfer one's own data set into a different temporal level of the Universal Matrix. However, no one has ever returned from a trip into the "past" levels of the matrix, although it is easier to recover data from "past" levels than "future" ones.

Rotes

For Next Loop (Correspondence 4, Life 4, Forces 2)

see Mage 1st edition core book, pg. 220

Personal Compression (Corr. 5, Life 3)

see Mage 1st edition core book, pg. 220

Play Back (Corr. 2, Time 2)

see Mage 1st edition core book, pg. 221

Semi Auto CAD CAM (Corr. 5, Matter 3)

see Mage 1st edition core book, pg. 221

Remote Prime Link (Prime 3, Corr. 4)

VA version of Hymn of Beatific Harmony. See Mage 1st edition core book, pg. 226

Umbral Email (Corr. 3, Spirit 3)

VA version of Leap Sideways. See Mage 1st edition core book, pg. 227

Remote Picture (Corr. 4, Forces 2)

This effect enables the VA to cause an image to appear on any TV set or computer monitor that he knows of. It can be anything that fits on the screen and is within the capability of the system hardware to produce. With Forces 3 and Prime 2, you can even do it on a monitor or TV that is turned off or not plugged in — or even broken. You can do sound also, if the machine has sound capabilities.

Remote Power Feed (Corr. 4, Forces 2 or 4)

This Rote enables the mage to tap a power supply elsewhere to get lesser or greater forces to manipulate in some manner without having Prime 2. It can also be used to Feed forces away from the area the VA is in to some other area.

Pre-Timed Mailing (Corr. 3, Time 3)

This rote enables the VA to teleport somewhere (chosen when cast) at a pre-determined time (chosen at casting) regardless of the state of health/consciousness/desire of the mage. If Correspondence 4 is used, other people can be effected.

Portable Sun (Corr. 5, Forces 2)

This opens a portal to a location where the sun is shining and pipes through real sunlight under the mage's control. It can be used as a spotlight, to simply illuminate an area or to make Vampires run very fast.

Crash System (Corr. 4, Entropy 3)

This rote enables the adept to crash a computer that he knows of. The more successes, the more damage.

Virus (Corr. 4, Life 4)

This lets the VA make someone horribly ill as if they had a very bad virus. It does 3 levels of damage per success. Anyone the VA knows of can be effected with enough successes.

Remote Link (Corr. 3, Matter 4)

This enables the VA to remote access a computer that has no modem by creating a wireless modem hooked into the computer at the site.

Power Surge (Corr. 3, Forces 2)

The VA can wreck a computer by producing a power surge of electricity from a distance. Surge Protectors may force the need for extra successes and if it isn't plugged in, you can't do it.

Virtual Adept Factions

There are several approaches taken by the Virtual Adepts to the goals of the group. The major factions are the Hackers, NetExplorers, Programmers and Populists. The VA population is about 30% Hacker, 10% NetExplorer, 40% Programmer and 20% Populist. Populists tend to hold the leadership positions.

Hackers

The Hackers are interested in computer warfare. Their primary focus is on the war with the Technocracy. They develop new and interesting ways to break into, crash, alter and otherwise mess with computer systems. Mental Attributes are Primary, Physical second, Social third typically. Hackers especially focus on the spheres of Entropy and Forces in addition to Correspondence.

Hacker Disciple

Str 2 Dex 3 Sta 3 Cha 2 Man 2 App 2 Per 3 Int 3 Wits 4
Talents Alertness 2 Awareness 1 Intuition 1 Subterfuge 1
Skills Drive 1 Firearms 1 Research 3 Technology 4(Computer)
Knowledges Computer 5(Hacking) Cosmology 1 Enigmas 2 Investigation 2 Law 1 Science 2
Spheres Corr. 3 Entropy 2 Forces 2
Backgrounds Avatar 2 Arcane 2 Mentor 1 Node 1
Arete 3 Willpower 5

Hacker Adept

Str 2 Dex 4 Sta 3 Cha 2 Man 2 App 2 Per 3 Int 4 Wits 4
Talents Alertness 2 Awareness 1 Intuition 1 Subterfuge 1
Skills Drive 1 Firearms 2 Leadership 1 Research 3 Technology 4(Computer)
Knowledges Computer 5(Hacking) Cosmology 2 Enigmas 3 Investigation 3 Law 2 Occult 1 Science 3
Spheres Corr. 4 Entropy 3 Forces 3 Life 2 Matter 3 Mind 1 Prime 2 Time 2
Backgrounds Avatar 3 Arcane 3 Mentor 1 Node 1
Arete 5 Willpower 8

Hacker Master

Str 2 Dex 4 Sta 3 Cha 2 Man 3 App 2 Per 3 Int 4 Wits 5
Talents Alertness 2 Awareness 2 Intuition 1 Subterfuge 1
Skills Drive 1 Firearms 3 Leadership 1 Research 3 Technology 4(Computer)
Knowledges Computer 5(Hacking) Cosmology 3 Enigmas 3 Investigation 3 Law 2 Occult 2 Science 4(Physics)
Spheres Corr. 5 Entropy 4 Forces 4 Life 3 Matter 4 Mind 2 Prime 3 Spirit 2 Time 3
Backgrounds Avatar 4 Arcane 3 Node 3 Talisman 3
Arete 8 Willpower 10

NetExplorers

The NetExplorers are the architects and explorers of the Virtual Reality system the Virtual Adepts are building. They also are interested in exploring the Umbra. They are the mystics of the VA, seeing the Umbra as an example of the kind of reality the VA hope to create through Virtual Reality. Mental first, Social second, Physical third. They focus on Spirit and Prime.

NetExplorer Disciple

Str 2 Dex 2 Sta 2 Cha 3 Man 3 App 2 Per 4 Int 3 Wits 3
Talents Alertness 1 Awareness 2 Intuition 1 Subterfuge 1
Skills Drive 1 Etiquette 1 Firearms 1 Meditation 3 Research 3 Stealth 1 Survival 1 Technology 2
Knowledges Computer 3 Cosmology 3 Enigmas 2 Occult 1
Spheres Corr. 3 Spirit 3 Prime 1
Backgrounds Avatar 2 Dream 2 Mentor 1 Node 1
Arete 3 Willpower 5

NetExplorer Adept

Str 2 Dex 2 Sta 2 Cha 4 Man 3 App 2 Per 5 Int 3 Wits 3
Talents Alertness 2 Awareness 3 Intuition 2 Subterfuge 1
Skills Drive 1 Etiquette 1 Firearms 1 Meditation 4(focusing) Research 3 Stealth 2 Survival 2 Technology 2
Knowledges Computer 3 Cosmology 4(Near Umbra) Enigmas 2 Occult 2
Spheres Corr. 4 Matter 3 Mind 3 Prime 4 Spirit 4 Time 2
Backgrounds Avatar 2 Dream 2 Mentor 2 Node 2
Arete 5 Willpower 8

NetExplorer Master

Str 2 Dex 3 Sta 2 Cha 4 Man 3 App 2 Per 5 Int 4 Wits 3
Talents Alertness 2 Awareness 4(spirits) Intuition 2 Subterfuge 1
Skills Drive 1 Etiquette 1 Firearms 1 Meditation 5(focusing) Research 3 Stealth 3 Survival 2 Technology 2
Knowledges Computer 4(retrieving data) Cosmology 5(Near Umbra) Enigmas 3 Occult 2
Spheres Corr. 5 Entropy 2 Forces 2 Life 1 Matter 4 Mind 4 Prime 5 Spirit 5 Time 2
Backgrounds Arcane 1 Avatar 3 Dream 3 Node 3
Arete 9 Willpower 10

Programmers

The Programmers write the programs and design the hardware used by the Virtual Adepts. They are the most practical of the groups. Mental first, Social second, Physical third. They focus on Matter and Time.

Programmer Disciple

Str 1 Dex 2 Sta 3 Cha 2 Man 3 App 3 Per 3 Int 4 Wits 3
Talents Awareness 1 Expression 2 Intuition 2
Skills Drive 2 Etiquette 2 Firearms 1 Research 3 Technology 4(computers)
Knowledges Bureaucracy 2 Computer 4(Programming) Enigmas 2 Law 1 Occult 2 Science 3
Spheres Corr. 3 Matter 2 Time 1
Backgrounds Arcane 1 Avatar 2 Library 1 Mentor 2 Node 2
Arete 3 Willpower 5

Programmer Adept

Str 1 Dex 2 Sta 3 Cha 3 Man 3 App 3 Per 4 Int 4 Wits 3
Talents Awareness 1 Expression 2 Intuition 3 Subterfuge 1
Skills Drive 2 Etiquette 2 Firearms 1 Research 4(computer science) Technology 5(Computers)
Knowledges Bureaucracy 3 Computer 5(Programming) Enigmas 3 Law 2 Occult 2 Science 4(Physics)
Spheres Corr. 4 Entropy 3 Forces 3 Matter 3 Mind 2 Prime 2 Time 3
Backgrounds Arcane 2 Avatar 2 Library 2 Mentor 2 Node 3
Arete 5 Willpower 8

Programmer Master

Str 1 Dex 2 Sta 4 Cha 3 Man 3 App 3 Per 4 Int 5 Wits 3
Talents Awareness 2 Expression 3 Intuition 3 Subterfuge 2
Skills Drive 2 Etiquette 2 Firearms 1 Meditation 1 Research 5(computer science) Technology 5(Computers)
Knowledges Bureaucracy 3 Computer 5(Programming) Enigmas 3 Law 2 Occult 3 Science 4(Physics)
Spheres Corr. 5 Entropy 4 Forces 4 Life 1 Matter 5 Mind 3 Prime 4 Spirit 1 Time 4
Backgrounds Arcane 3 Avatar 3 Library 3 Node 4
Arete 8 Willpower 10

Populists

The Populists seek to bring computers to the people. They promote computer literacy, the development of cheaper and better computer technology and the idea of Virtual Reality. They are the front of the VA seeking to bring about change in the Sleeper population. Social first, Mental second, Physical third. They focus on Mind and Life.

Populist Disciple

Str 1 Dex 2 Sta 3 Cha 4 Man 3 App 3 Per 3 Int 3 Wits 2
Talents Awareness 2 Expression 4(Journalism) Intuition 2 Streetwise 1 Subterfuge 2
Skills Drive 2 Etiquette 3 Firearms 1 Leadership 3 Research 2 Technology 2
Knowledges Computer 2 Culture 2 Law 1 Science 1
Spheres Corr. 2 Mind 2 Life 2
Backgrounds Allies 3 Avatar 2 Contacts 3 Library 1 Mentor 2 Node 1
Arete 2 Willpower 7

Populist Adept

Str 1 Dex 2 Sta 3 Cha 4 Man 4 App 3 Per 4 Int 3 Wits 2
Talents Awareness 2 Expression 4(Journalism) Intuition 2 Streetwise 2 Subterfuge 3
Skills Drive 2 Etiquette 4(Business) Firearms 1 Leadership 4(Chantries) Research 2 Technology 2
Knowledges Computer 3 Culture 3 Law 2 Linguistics 1 Science 1
Spheres Corr. 4 Entropy 1 Forces 2 Matter 3 Mind 3 Life 3 Prime 2 Spirit 1 Time 1
Backgrounds Allies 4 Avatar 2 Contacts 4 Library 2 Mentor 4 Node 2
Arete 5 Willpower 9

Populist Master

Str 2 Dex 2 Sta 3 Cha 5 Man 4 App 3 Per 4 Int 3 Wits 2
Talents Awareness 3 Expression 5(Journalism) Intuition 2 Streetwise 3 Subterfuge 4(find weakness)
Skills Drive 2 Etiquette 4(Business) Firearms 2 Leadership 5(Mage Chantries) Research 3 Technology 3
Knowledges Computer 3 Culture 4 (Politics) Law 3 Linguistics 2 Science 2
Spheres Corr. 5 Entropy 2 Forces 3 Matter 4 Mind 5 Life 4 Prime 3 Spirit 3 Time 1
Backgrounds Allies 4 Avatar 2 Contacts 4 Library 2 Mentor 4 Node 2
Arete 5 Willpower 9

The Virtual Chantry

The Physical Hardware of the Virtual Chantry is located in Omaha, Nebraska. It is based in the basement of a wealthy Virtual Adept Homer "The Bard" Johnson, a Populist. He owns a chain of small computer stores: Home Computer Center, Inc. It is linked into the tangle of phone lines in Omaha and can be accessed by any Virtual Adept who knows its location or phone number. It exists as both a "scientific" Virtual Reality based in the mundane realm and a magical one based in the Near Umbra in a Realm fed by the Node Homer's house is sitting on. It contains a massive number of databases, virtual meeting places, a virtual university for Adepts and several experimental areas.

The Realm has ratings of:
Correspondence 5
Entropy 0 (mages are discouraged from using this for fear of disrupting the realm)
Forces 3
Life 5
Matter 5
Mind 3
Prime 5
Spirit 3
Time 3

Different sections of it have different themes. Different fellows of the chantry have constructed mansions, Escherite constructs, medieval castles, and spaceships as dwellings/workplaces. The access point from the Node places you in a construct that resembles the gate room (a closet, essentially) but the door opens out onto a level plain with stairs leading underground and many things floating in the sky connected by ladders and staircases. The realm has no innate gravity. You will it to pull you the direction you want to go. This realm is highly malleable to the human will. The Virtual Adepts hope to create a fully functional virtual reality that will enable even non-mages to experience what life under these conditions is like.

Virtual Adept Talismans

The Prodigy

This is a desktop machine with the processing power of a Cray.
Correspondence:5 Spatial Mutations
Correspondence:4 Remote Data Read (Allows the computer to read data from other computers and electronic storage media wherever they are. This effect is a joint effect with the Forces 2 power.)
Time:3 Time Dilation (Accelerate Time)
Forces:2 Remote Data Read (used in conjunction with Corr. 4, above)
Mind:1 Multi-Tasking

VR Goggles

These goggles enable the wearer to access a virtual representation of their current environment with different kinds of data available. Typically these goggles have a level 1 sensing power. Most are designed to resemble sun glasses.