Cyberpathy

[Phsycodelic]

Cyberpathy

Psychic Sorcerers

While a cyberkinetic possesses the ab1liry to control electronic equipment, the cyberpath can read the data stored on the computer. Researchers believe that the method for reading magnetic patterns in a computer's memory or on a hard drive resembles the way telepaths read the electrical impulses of the human brain.

All uses of Cyberpathy require the psychic to be within sight of the computer. Characters using Remote Access do not have to be able to see the remote computers they are linking to, but they must be able to see the machine they're using as an entry point. In all cases, the difficulty depends upon the system complexity: difficulty 6 for standard desktop computers to difficulty 9 for heavily encrypted systems. This ability can also be used to read the data stored on diskettes, tapes or other digital media. Difficulty is 6 for ordinary storage media, 8 for encrypted data. Generally speaking, these powers take 10 to 15 minutes to use, though the cyberpath can use successes from the roll to reduce the time by a minute per success.

Roll: Perception + Computer.

Cost: None.

Modifiers: None.

Duration: Unknown.

Price Of Failure: Unknown.

[ 1 ] Analyze Structure ( XXX - Page X )

At this level, the cyberpath possesses the ability to examine the directory structure of the computer. He can see what files are stored on the hard drive but cannot access them. This can be useful to cyberpath hackers looking for a spec1fic piece of data

[ 2 ] Read-Only Mode ( XXX - Page X )

The cyberpath not only can travel the directory structure but can read the files. Simple text and graphics files are easy to comprehend. Additionally, he can grasp the functions of executable programs. Unscrambling encrypted files remains beyond him at this level.

[ 3 ] Download ( XXX - Page X )

The psychic can “copy” a file from a computer to his mind, writing the data in unused sections of his brain. While he can read text files, observe graphics or sound files and understand the nature of an executable program, he cannot “run” the program in his brain. With the Level Two Cyberkinesis power Link, the cyberpath can upload the data back onto another computer. The cyberpath can download one program or file into his mind for every dot in Mental Attributes he possesses. (Example: Sridhar has Perception 3, Intelligence 4 and Wits 3. He can keep up to 10 files in his head.) The Storyteller should decide how much data constitutes a single file. Some large files such as operating system kernels, large software packages or large movie files may take up more than one “file” in the cyberpath's head.

[ 4 ] Remote Access ( XXX - Page X )

With this power, the cyberpath connects to any computer that his local computer connects to. The cyberpath has no additional powers beyond the ability to treat a remote computer as if it were sitting on his desktop. For every “hop” between computers, the cyberpath loses 1 die off his pools. With ST Permission, this power might allow a Psychic to access the Digital Web.

[ 5 ] Decrypt ( XXX - Page X )

The cyberpath's understanding of computers progresses to the point where he can decrypt encrypted data. The data can be on a computer (either locally or one connected to via Remote Access) or Downloaded into the psychic's mind.