Page 238 - Hunter - The Vigil

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What follows is a list of equipment that largely modifies — it makes messaging and Internet use a lot easier compared

rolls made with Mental Attributes or Skills. to a cell phone. It also allows a dedicated user to attempt most
Computer rolls, though at a penalty. Internet research and
Computers and computer use suffer a -2 penalty due to the small screen size and
Communications relatively slow cellular connection. A smartphone also offers
all the communications benefi ts of a cell phone.
Personal electronics form a spectrum from cell phones
to desktop computers and beyond. Just about every modern Portable Computers
phone can run small applications, snap photographs, access Durability 2, Size 1 to 2, Structure 2, Cost ••• to ••••
the Internet and take notes. Portable devices are of more im- The laptop/desktop divide is less important in the mod-
mediate use on the Vigil, but stationary machines have their ern age than that between portable computers and non-porta-
uses, hosting online communities and providing off-site back- bles. Smaller laptops and UMPCs (Ultra-Mobile PCs) allow
ups for mobile clients. a hunter to work wherever she can rest her computer; their
small frame and power requirements mean they don’t have
Cell Phone the same capabilities as larger machines. A portable computer
Durability 1, Size 0, Structure 1, Cost • adds its rating to most Computer rolls and, with a wireless
Modern cell phones have digital cameras and basic note- Internet connection, allows a character to make Academics
taking functions along with their phone and messaging capa- or Occult research rolls with no penalty.
bilities. A decent price plan (affordable with Resources • or While they’re portable, these computers can’t get an In-
higher) offers large numbers of free minutes — a boon to any ternet connection just anywhere — if a risen corpse doesn’t
hunter cell. Along with wired or wireless headsets, a confer- have a wireless Internet connection in its cave, a laptop’s
ence call allows all members of a cell to stay in instant com- useless for research. A local coffee shop, or the street outside
munication. When silence is of the essence, short messaging an apartment block, is still likely closer than a hunter’s base.
offers a viable alternative to voice. With a data card or a connected cell phone, she can get on-
In addition to allowing instant communication, modern line anywhere that has signal in the air. Laptops that give no
cell phones can access the Internet. While typing web ad- bonus (but no penalty) cost ••. A better model that adds +1
dresses and search terms on a phone keypad is a nightmare, to Computer rolls, as well as Academics or Occult rolls for
it can save the hunter a journey back to base. She subtracts research purposes, costs •••. High-end models cost ••••,
three dice from Academics or Occult rolls based on Internet offer the same bonus, and are only Size 1.
research, but can make those rolls while watching a cult con-
duct a blasphemous ritual. Desktop Computers
Durability 2, Size 3, Structure 2, Cost •• to ••••
Smartphone Desktop computers, and desktop-replacement laptops,
Durability 1, Size 1, Structure 2, Cost •• are what most people think of as normal computers. The only
Smartphones can run third-party programs in addition to restriction is cost — and for software, any hacker worth his
whatever the phone manufacturer bundles with it. While that salt can find less-than-legal copies. With an always-on Internet

doesn’t seem like much of a difference, it can be. Storing refer- connection, a hunter’s desktop becomes a place where he can
ence books on memory cards allows a hunter to carry around store and access information that he may need on his hunt,
an occult encyclopedia in his pocket, and search it in seconds. giving him access to useful research wherever he is. He can
One hunter developed software that turns a smartphone’s also host community web sites without any external agents get-
camera into a thermal camera. While staring at the screen of a ting involved — especially useful for sharing plans about killing
phone isn’t exactly acceptable behavior at a society dinner, it people with silver bullets or kidnapping a cult leader.
does allow hunters to spot the strange thermal pattern of vam- A cheap desktop computer (Cost ••) gives a +1 bonus to
pires in a crowded room. The latest version takes two pictures, all Computer rolls, as well as Academics and Occult research rolls
one in the normal spectrum and one thermal, adding two dice — and a character likely has more time available for extended
to any rolls made to identify a vampire for what it is.
Werewolves have a slightly higher heat signature; a
hunter using the camera can make a Wits + Occult GHOSTS IN THE MACHINE
roll to identify one for what it is. Another program
overloads the external speaker, producing high- A few online hunter communities bear
pitched noise designed to disorient werewolves and memorials to members who have died,
creatures with heightened senses. If a target with collecting all the information available
heightened senses isn’t expecting it, he loses his about their passing. These digital
next action, though using it more than three times graveyards can be very sobering, detailing
destroys the speaker and may damage the gadget’s the deaths of fellow hunters — but they
other electronics. can also contain very useful information.
Most smartphones have a QWERTY keyboard. How did she die? And where?
While not full sized — and thus not ideal for typing
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