Skill
List.
Artificial Intelligence: There are a variety of
artificial intelligences scattered among the settlements of the
orbital community. They range from simple computers and devices using
fuzzy logic and heuristics to control simple devices, such as ship
temperature and power output, to rogue devices modeled on the neural
network of the human mind, installed in pre-Flash satellites, some of
which are still orbiting and able to defend themselves.
A character with this skill is able to understand how
artificial intelligence systems work, how they "think" and
"understand" the world around them, how to communicate with them and
how to reprogram them, either directly or by argument. Experts are
able to build and repair computer (50% base proficiency). Base
Skill: 30% + 5% per level of experience. Adds bonus of +5% to all
other computer skills. Requires: Computer Operations.
Computer Engineer:: The electronics of
computers involve engineers in design and manufacture of memory
systems, of central processing units, and of peripheral devises.
Foremost among the avenues, of central processing units, and of Very
Large Scale Integration (VLSI) and new computer architectures. The
field of computer science is closely related to computer engineering;
however, the task of making computers more "intelligent" (artificial
intelligence), through creation of sophisticated programs of
development of higher level of machine languages or other means, is
generally regarded as being in the realm of computer science.
One current trend in computer engineering is
micronization. Using VLSI, engineers continue to work to squeeze
greater and greater numbers of circuit elements onto smaller and
smaller chips. Anther trend is toward increasing the speed of
computers operations through use of parallel processors,
superconducting materials, Multi-tasking, etc. The main concern is
how to link humans to the machines. Currently they have been
connecting the brain waves of a human into virtual reality type
helmets to tell a computer what to do. This should explain how the
all of the Rifts mecha works. Base Skill: 20% + 5% per level
of experience. Requires: Computer Operation, Computer
Programming, Computer Language, Literacy,
and Writing.
Computer Hacking: This is a computer skill similar to computer programming; however, the emphasis of the skill is breaking computer access codes to gain illegal access to other computer systems and steal or sabotage its data. The character is an expert in tracing computer data, bypassing defense systems, and breaking ("hacking") codes; add a one time bonus of +5% to the cryptography, surveillance, and locksmith (electronic and computer controlled locks only) skills if the character is a hacker. Base Skill: 15% + 5% per level of experience. Requires: Literacy, Computer Operation, Computer Programming, and at least Math: Basic.
Computer Imaging: This skill deals with scanning images and enhancing them to the artist's whim, making soldiers more heroic, monsters more fierce, etc. Can also be used to parody and blackmail as well. The CS Department of Propaganda Ministries deals harshly with anyone using this ability against the CS, even in jest. Base Skill: 25% + 4% per level of experience.
Computer Keyboarding: This skill allows the PC to type at a keyboard at a good speed of 5 times their I.Q. without making a mistake. They can write at 6 times their I.Q. 80% mistake free. This skill is good for typing programs and transfer of data.
Computer Language: In Rifts there are
approximately 12,000 different computer languages. The character can
specify in only one. There are many languages that are used by the
military alone here is an example of some of them: Digital RAD (helps
in programming radar) Digital COM (helps in translating current
digital signal into audio and vise versa, for use in communications)
Digital COP (helps in scrambling codes and unscrambling codes), etc.
Civilian uses can be as many as 5,000 different languages COBOL,
Binary, Basic, Machine Language, Tech -Lang1 are just some examples.
GM's can create their own, but it has to do something with either the
Civilian population, or the military, high tech bandits, etc. Plus,
there has to have a purpose and doesn't have to be an outrageous
language, just something straight forward. It is impossible for a
character to be able to know all of the different languages, but not
impossible for a character to learn at least 100 or more different
ones, so keep this mind.
Another thing to remember is the actual spoken language
of the creator that has encoded computer language. There are
different programs for the various languages in the World of RIFTS.
Base Skill: 35% + 5% per level of experience.
Computer Networks: Getting information out of national and international computerized data networks is a job for a specialist. Characters with this skill can use their abilities to track down names, addresses, phone numbers, license plates, and just about anything else. Base Skill: 55% + 5% per level of experience.
Computer Operations: A knowledge of how computers work, along with the skills to operate peripherals like keyboards, printers and modems. Characters can follow computer directions, enter and retrieve information, and similar basic computer operations. However, this does NOT include programming or hacking. Base Skill: 40% + 5% per level of experience. Requires: Literacy.
Computer Programming: Advanced computer knowledge that includes designing, programming, debugging and testing computer programs and software. Hacking is possible, but at a penalty of -40% unless the character also has the computer hacking skill. Base Skill: 30% + 5% per level of experience. Requires: Computer Operation and Literacy.
Cyberjacking: Some computers allow their
users to go beyond the normal "interface" of a keyboard, joystick or
mouse, and to communicate directly with the computer via a socket
("dataplug" or "headjack") implanted in the back of their necks. This
means that the computer operator's mind effectively enters the
computer, seeing its memory and processors as a kind of virtual
reality. Once accessed, the cyberjack can alter data, add data,
change files, and redesign the computer's programs, all with his
mind. If the computer is linked to others in a network, such as the
Link that connects all the computers in and around the Freedom
station or the Matrix that connects all of the computers of Fort Knox
and the Armory, the user can communicate with other cyberjacks within
the network. If cyberjacking is used in conjunction with a ship's
weapons using a targeting computer, it will add +2 to strike.
Cyberjacking is much more direct and up to ten times
faster than normal computer programming, but not without its perils:
software bombs, viruses and trojan horses may lurk within the
computer's memory; other cyberjacks can ambush you or design programs
to trap your mind within the computer; and if the computer itself is
artificially intelligent anything might happen.
Characters must have the computer operator skill to take
Cyberjacking. Any player character starting with this skill
automatically has a dataplug implant. Others must pay for the
dataplug and its implantation later. Base Skill: 50% + 5% per
level of experience.
Neural Interface & Networks: This is the detailed information needed to effectively use the high tech computer systems that are controlled by the mental interactions of the operators brain. This is similar to cyberjacking but is a much more advanced and refined method. Instead of just "visualizing" the computer landscape and interacting with it by symbolically, this a direct connection to a characters brain and nervous system. This enables robots, vehicles and other computer controlled devices to react with the speed of thought. In some cases this will act like an autonomous response (like when a human dodges out of the way when something is thrown at them). This adds incredible bonuses when using Power Armor and other Ultra-tech machines. Base Skill: 25% + 5% per level of experience. Bonuses: When using "Man" size Power Armor, ALL the characters' hand to hand skills come into play. This means that if the character has PA Combat Elite, they would get those bonuses PLUS those of his own Combat skills. When using giant size robots the bonuses from his HtH combat skills are 2/3.
Supercomputers: These ultra fast, ultra expensive machines are so fast that they would melt without a constant flow of liquid nitrogen running through the system. They operate thousands of times faster than normal computers and are used for the most sophisticated problems Base Skill: 25% + 5% per level or experience.
VR/3D Systems: This is the technology to create computer generated virtual landscapes. The knowledge to create the physical interfaces such as VR/3D helmets that incorporate visual and auditory stimulus to a character. This is not as advanced as cyberjacking or Neural Interfaces so it is not a effective way to control any machines that require quick reaction times, but it also does not subject the character to the dangers of a connection to the nervous system. Thus protecting the character from damage from hostile computer programs designed to screw up the "software" of the character's nervous system. Base Skill: 40% + 5% per level of experience.
Next section Cowboy Skills.
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