Page 33 - Chronicles of Darkness

level can recall details about many different topics, ••• Experienced: The character has excellent training
and understands how to find more information and talent, or has been working with computers
on subjects that he does not immediately recall. for a while. A character at this level is extremely
adept at finding the information she needs, even
••• Experienced: Someone with an excellent general when someone skilled has taken steps to hide it.
education, and high expertise in one or two areas As a hacker, she can break her way into the files
(generally represented with Skill Specialties). She of companies that have solid security.
is a college professor or PhD, or someone who is
a voracious reader. •••• Expert: An expert in computer theory. The char-
acter can find extremely obscure information by
•••• Expert: A PhD at a prestigious school or an correlating data from many sources, and can track
acknowledged expert. Someone with extensive down just about any irregularity in a computer’s
knowledge and experience with conducting re- files. If she is a hacker, then she has the knowledge
search, or a self-taught polymath and genius. He and patience to get into government and even
can probably teach master classes on a number military systems.
of different topics, and is up-to-date on the latest
ideas within many different fields. ••••• Master: A character at this level is one of the best
in the world. She has worked with the absolute
••••• Master: One of the top minds in academia, the cutting edge in computer technology, and can
acknowledged expert in his field. A walking break into pretty much any computer system in
Wikipedia, with a fact for just about any occasion. the world. No information is safe from her.
The character’s memory and breadth of knowledge
are astounding.
Crafts
Computer The Crafts Skill represents a character’s knowledge of
repairing, designing, and creating things. It covers tasks like
Almost everyone in the modern day can turn on a rebuilding a car engine, laying a foundation for a house, or
computer, use the internet, and perform basic searches. sewing clothing. It also has some overlap with Expression
This Skill represents a character’s ability beyond that level. for purposes of creating paintings or sculpture. In general,
Having the Computer Skill allows the character to develop Crafts should be used when you are trying to make some-
programs, diagnose and repair major software and hardware thing that is accurate (a scale model, an eye-witness sketch,
problems, and perform more carefully focused and effective or a reconstruction of a damaged manuscript) or useful for
searches for data. It can also be used for things like digging a specific task, as opposed to something that is being created
into a file system, finding hidden or encrypted files, cracking to be beautiful or convey emotion.
encryption, hacking into computer systems, or sabotaging A character using the Crafts Skill will generally need
computer networks. specific tools and materials. They have the knowledge to
Sample actions: Hack into a computer system (Intelligence make something, but they usually cannot do it with their
+ Computer), Internet and database searches (Wits + bare hands. However, this generally should not cause them
Computer), Programming (Intelligence + Computer) problems unless they are in a situation where the tools or
Sample Specialties: Data Retrieval, Digital Security, materials are rare or difficult to access.
Hacking, Programming, User Interface Design Sample actions: Look for flaws (Wits + Crafts), Design
Sample contacts: AI Researcher, Hardcore Computer object (Intelligence + Crafts), Repair item (Dexterity + Crafts)
Gamer, White Hat Hacker Sample Specialties: Automotive, Carpentry, Jury Rigging,
Levels: Sculpting, Welding
Sample contacts: Automotive Engineer, “Makerspace”
• Novice: A character at this level has probably Enthusiast, Police Sketch Artist
used computers more extensively than the average
person. She has a basic grasp of programming, can • Novice: A character at this level can perform basic
handle complicated searches, and can find and automotive repair and maintenance like replac-
interpret files that were hidden or encrypted by ing brakes, oil, and belts. He can make simple
the average (unskilled) user. repairs and fix plumbing around the house. He
understands how to read and create blueprints or
•• Professional: The character could be an entry level design diagrams.
programmer or IT professional. The character has
a solid grasp of programming principles and can •• Professional: A character at this level can produce
perform more elaborate computer tasks easily. She high quality and professional blueprints and de-
can hack relatively unsecure networks and personal signs. She can perform extensive repairs of cars and
computers. other vehicles, work as a professional handyman,

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the face in the mirror-Characters