VIRTUAL ADEPT TRADITION BOOK Primary author: John Walter Biles Additional authors listed next to contributions. Tradition Tome: Virtual Adepts 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 vaccum 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 among the mundanes. By 1950, the Virtual Chantry went on-line. 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 nets 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 in existence. 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 percieve as physical objects are actually multi-dimensional arrays of data. Once you learn to percieve 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 systems 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. How the Spheres work: 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 modelling 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, knowlege 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 recquires 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 accessable 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 analyisis 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 occuring 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 accessable 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 seperated 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: {To avoid Redundancy, Rotes in the Mage rules are simply listed with Page #} For Next Loop: Correspondence 4, Life 4, Forces 2 p. 220. Personal Compression: Correspondence 5, Life 3 p. 220 Play Back: Correspondence 2, Time 2. p.221 Semi Auto CAD CAM: Correspondence 5, Matter 3 p. 221 Remote Prime Link(VA version of Hymn of Beatific Harmony) Prime 3 Corr. 4 p.226 Umbral E-Mail(Va Version of Leap Sideways)Corr 3 Spirit 3 p.227 Remote Picture: Correspondence 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/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: Correspondence 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. Pretimed Mailing: Correspondence 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: Correspondence 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: Correspondence 4 Entropy 3 This rote enables the adept to crash a computer that he knows of the existence of. The more successes, the more damage. Virus: Correspondence 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: Correspondence 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: Correspondence 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. VR-5: Mind 4 Correspondence 2 by Rick Jones The VA calls the target on the telephone, then sticks the phone in a specially prepared acoustic modem cradle. Instead of translating into the Digital Web, the VA translates himself or herself into the mind of the target. The two enter a representative dreamworld created out of the target's mind. The VA can then "probe the mind" of the target, by interacting with the target in the dreamstate. The VA exits the dreamworld by finding an "escape key" in the dreamstate (usually something that represents escape, a door, a telephone, or some object very symbolic to the target). The target then forgets the dreaming, as it all took place in the subconscious. Telecommute: Correspondence 3 Forces 1 by Tex Arcana This rote allows the Virtual Adept to shift his location through All-space without having to be familliar with the destination first. It was created by a Virtual Adept out of San Antonio that goes by the handle of Tex Arcana. In order to accomplish such a feat, the mage must set up a physical connection with the location (usually by means of a modem, telephone or satellite link to a computer, telephone or television). Then, the Adept uses Forces to get a fix on the energy travelling between the locations, and Correspondance to tele-locate there by following the transmission. The mage appears at the other end of the connection, usually within a meter or so of the opposite link. Once he has arrived at the new location, he now has a point of reference for later, more conventional means of Correspondance magick. Obviously, a few restrictions occur. Firstly, there has to be a connection of some sort. A computer must answer the modem on the other line, someone (even an answering machine) must answer the phone, or a television has to be monitoring the broadcast. Secondly, while the familiarity with the location is not a factor, the quality of the connection is. A better, shorter connection (such as a local call) is much easier to trace than a long-distance overseas connection. One Success County Local call, radio transmission, UHF broadcast Two Successes State In-state long distance call, local cable station Three Successes Country Out-of-State Long Distance call, national affiliate Four Successes Continent Out-of-Country Domestic call, Telemundo Five Successes Planetwide Overseas call, CNN Lastly, the rote is not without it's hazards. If the roll fails to net any successes, the mage simply does not go anywhere. If too few successes occur, the mge travels to the limit of the applicable distance, then gets kicked 'offline' at the closest location (in otherwords, if a VA in Las Vegas was trying to follow a modem line into a computer in Seattle and only got 2 successes, he'd zap along the telephone line, but end up materializing somewhere in Reno or so). A botch is even worse, as the mage zips along the transmission wave, but ends up getting dumped in a -very- hazardous location (transatlantic cables, low earth orbit satellite, use your imagination) 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. 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 Stereotype: Disciple Str 2 Dex 3 Sta 3 Cha 2 Man 2 App 2 Per 3 Int 3 Wits 4 Alertness 2 Awareness 1 Intuition 1 Subterfuge 1 Drive 1 Firearms 1 Research 3 Technology 4(Computer) Computer 5(Hacking) Cosmology 1 Enigmas 2 Investigation 2 Law 1 Science 2 Correspondence 3 Entropy 2 Forces 2 Avatar 2 Arcane 2 Mentor 1 Node 1 Arete 3 Willpower 5 Adept Str 2 Dex 4 Sta 3 Cha 2 Man 2 App 2 Per 3 Int 4 Wits 4 Alertness 2 Awareness 1 Intuition 1 Subterfuge 1 Drive 1 Firearms 2 Leadership 1 Research 3 Technology 4(Computer) Computer 5(Hacking) Cosmology 2 Enigmas 3 Investigation 3 Law 2 Occult 1 Science 3 Correspondence 4 Entropy 3 Forces 3 Life 2 Matter 3 Mind 1 Prime 2 Time 2 Avatar 3 Arcane 3 Mentor 1 Node 1. Arete 5 Willpower 8 Master: Str 2 Dex 4 Sta 3 Cha 2 Man 3 App 2 Per 3 Int 4 Wits 5 Alertness 2 Awareness 2 Intuition 1 Subterfuge 1 Drive 1 Firearms 3 Leadership 1 Research 3 Technology 4(Computer) Computer 5(Hacking) Cosmology 3 Enigmas 3 Investigation 3 Law 2 Occult 2 Science 4(Physics) Correspondence 5 Entropy 4 Forces 4 Life 3 Matter 4 Mind 2 Prime 3 Spirit 2 Time 3 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. Disciple Str 2 Dex 2 Sta 2 Cha 3 Man 3 App 2 Per 4 Int 3 Wits 3 Alertness 1 Awareness 2 Intuition 1 Subterfuge 1 Drive 1 Etiquette 1 Firearms 1 Meditation 3 Research 3 Stealth 1 Survival 1 Technology 2 Computer 3 Cosmology 3 Enigmas 2 Occult 1 Correspondence 3 Spirit 3 Prime 1 Avatar 2 Dream 2 Mentor 1 Node 1 Arete 3 Willpower 5 Adept: Str 2 Dex 2 Sta 2 Cha 4 Man 3 App 2 Per 5 Int 3 Wits 3 Alertness 2 Awareness 3 Intuition 2 Subterfuge 1 Drive 1 Etiquette 1 Firearms 1 Meditation 4(focusing) Research 3 Stealth 2 Survival 2 Technology 2 Computer 3 Cosmology 4(Near Umbra) Enigmas 2 Occult 2 Correspondence 4 Matter 3 Mind 3 Prime 4 Spirit 4 Time 2 Avatar 2 Dream 2 Mentor 2 Node 2 Arete 5 Willpower 8 Master: Str 2 Dex 3 Sta 2 Cha 4 Man 3 App 2 Per 5 Int 4 Wits 3 Alertness 2 Awareness 4(spirits) Intuition 2 Subterfuge 1 Drive 1 Etiquette 1 Firearms 1 Meditation 5(focusing) Research 3 Stealth 3 Survival 2 Technology 2 Computer 4(retrieving Data) Cosmology 5(Near Umbra) Enigmas 3 Occult 2 Correspondence 5 Entropy 2 Forces 2 Life 1 Matter 4 Mind 4 Prime 5 Spirit 5 Time 2 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. Disciple: Str 1 Dex 2 Sta 3 Cha 2 Man 3 App 3 Per 3 Int 4 Wits 3 Awareness 1 Expression 2 Intuition 2 Drive 2 Etiquette 2 Firearms 1 Research 3 Technology 4(computers) Bureaucracy 2 Computer 4(Programming) Enigmas 2 Law 1 Occult 2 Science 3 Correspondence 3 Matter 2 Time 1 Arcane 1 Avatar 2 Library 1 Mentor 2 Node 2 Arete 3 Willpower 5 Adept: Str 1 Dex 2 Sta 3 Cha 3 Man 3 App 3 Per 4 Int 4 Wits 3 Awareness 1 Expression 2 Intuition 3 Subterfuge 1 Drive 2 Etiquette 2 Firearms 1 Research 4(computer science) Technology 5(Computers) Bureaucracy 3 Computer 5(Programming) Enigmas 3 Law 2 Occult 2 Science 4(Physics) Correspondence 4 Entropy 3 Forces 3 Matter 3 Mind 2 Prime 2 Time 3 Arcane 2 Avatar 2 Library 2 Mentor 2 Node 3 Arete 5 Willpower 8 Master: Str 1 Dex 2 Sta 4 Cha 3 Man 3 App 3 Per 4 Int 5 Wits 3 Awareness 2 Expression 3 Intuition 3 Subterfuge 2 Drive 2 Etiquette 2 Firearms 1 Meditation 1 Research 5(computer science) Technology 5(Computers) Bureaucracy 3 Computer 5(Programming) Enigmas 3 Law 2 Occult 3 Science 4(Physics) Correspondence 5 Entropy 4 Forces 4 Life 1 Matter 5 Mind 3 Prime 4 Spirit 1 Time 4 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. Disciple: Str 1 Dex 2 Sta 3 Cha 4 Man 3 App 3 Per 3 Int 3 Wits 2 Awareness 2 Expression 4(Journalism) Intuition 2 Streetwise 1 Subterfuge 2 Drive 2 Etiquette 3 Firearms 1 Leadership 3 Research 2 Technology 2 Computer 2 Culture 2 Law 1 Science 1 Correspondence 2 Mind 2 Life 2 Allies 3 Avatar 2 Contacts 3 Library 1 Mentor 2 Node 1 Arete 2 Willpower 7 Adept: Str 1 Dex 2 Sta 3 Cha 4 Man 4 App 3 Per 4 Int 3 Wits 2 Awareness 2 Expression 4(Journalism) Intuition 2 Streetwise 2 Subterfuge 3 Drive 2 Etiquette 4(Business) Firearms 1 Leadership 4(Mage Chantries) Research 2 Technology 2 Computer 3 Culture 3 Law 2 Linguistics 1 Science 1 Correspondence 4 Entropy 1 Forces 2 Matter 3 Mind 3 Life 3 Prime 2 Spirit 1 Time 1 Allies 4 Avatar 2 Contacts 4 Library 2 Mentor 4 Node 2 Arete 5 Willpower 9 Master Str 2 Dex 2 Sta 3 Cha 5 Man 4 App 3 Per 4 Int 3 Wits 2 Awareness 3 Expression 5(Journalism) Intuition 2 Streetwise 3 Subterfuge 4(Finding Weaknesses) Drive 2 Etiquette 4(Business) Firearms 2 Leadership 5(Mage Chantries) Research 3 Technology 3 Computer 3 Culture 4 (Politics) Law 3 Linguistics 2 Science 2 Correspondence 5 Entropy 2 Forces 3 Matter 4 Mind 5 Life 4 Prime 3 Spirit 3 Time 1 Allies 4 Avatar 2 Contacts 4 Library 2 Mentor 4 Node 2 Arete 5 Willpower 9 The VA population is about 30% Hacker, 10% NetExplorer, 40% Programmer, and 20% Populist. Populists tend to hold the leadership positions. 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 VA, 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 of the Fellows of the chantry have constructed Mansions, Esherite constructs, Medieval Castles, and Spaceships as dwellings/workplaces. The accesspoint 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. Addendum: Virtual Adept Talismans by ** Virtual Helmet (Life 1/Corr 1) The Virtual Helmet appears to be a headset with a small plastic square over one eye. It has the effects of Life 1 (Sense Life: "Genetics Scan",p198); Correspondence 1 (Immediate Spacial Perceptions: "Landscape of the Mind",p185). *** Virtual Glove (Forces 2/Forces 2/special) The Virtual Glove is a cloth glove with panels of circuitry on it. (Kind of like the old Nintendo Power Glove.) It contains two effets of Forces 2 : "Static Discrarge",p195; and System Havok,p195. Also, it has a Corr 1 effect to reduce the difficulty of Firearms rolls by 2 if linked to a Virtual Helmet. It can also store elctricity for a Forces focus. New Background by Tex Arcana Virtual Library This background can only be taken by Technomancers (including Virtual Adepts and Sons of Ether, although it tends to be limited to the Adepts and Iteration X mages); there are not enough members of the other Conventions and Traditions to provide the requisite feedback necessary to create a virtual library. A virtual library is essentially an online collection of notes, history, knowledge, rotes and the like. It doesn't exist as written information in tomes, as the standard library does, but rather as bits and bytes on massive bulletin board systems. The net effect of this is that there is always a new influx of material being added as time goes by, allowing a potentially unlimited source of knowledge. The normal Library background provides a finite amount of study points (5 per background point cost) to the owner. A virtual library is similar, but instead of being a finite collection of information, it provides a number of study points equal to the background point cost per month. Unused points from a month cannot be saved and are considered lost if not used by the end of the month. * 1 study point per month; local Virtual Adept BBS; a statewide online network ** 2 study points per month; a spoke BBS system; a multi-state online network *** 3 study points per month; a hub BBS system; a countrywide online network **** 4 study points per month; an originator BBS system; a worldwide online network ***** 5 study points per month; Crystal Palace BBS; the Digital Web The Biological Interface for the Virtual Adept by Mike Needham Description The chip is called the VI503. It is an implant which is basically a chip which is implanted into a virtual adept. It measures 2 inches wide and .75 inches deep. It has probes which go to the important centers in one's brain, vision, hearing, reasoning. It operates on the standard cellular or PCS frequencies using the wearer's body as an antenna. It functions as a terminal to link to a Virtual Adept's computer system. It replaces any VR apparatus that a Virtual Adept may have to carry on his person. In the wrong hands, it is an excellant means to tamper with one's mind, all you need is the proper frequency to communicate your intentions to the wearer's reasoning center. To the wearer, it is like the computer is all around him or her, kind of like being wholistic immersed in the digital web all the time without the magic. Background Edward, my NPC who tells the story in my games (a master virtual adept, mentored by Dante), got tired of carrying a bulky pack of his design and being pegged as weird by sleepers. He saw the plans for this chip in a top-secret computer file stored in the Technocracy's Iteration-X database which he hacked into. He built two prototypes and installed the first prototype in a captured HITmark IV. The second prototype, having been modified for bugs, is slated to be installed in himself for extensive testing. He calls them VI50X and VI50Xa. But the chip is the only functioning virtual interface chip in existence. In one of our adventures, he found that prototypes had been installed inside NWO officers (MIB's) and this is how they both communicated to their database and each other. Edward recognized the signature of the chip and rendered in useless in those individuals causing Quiet in the MIB's. His design has been many times generated and adapted to where his version, the VI50X-alpha, though in prototype form, is much more reliable and advanced than the original design he stole. He has enhanced his version to carry Quintessence and act as a talisman. It also gives the wearer the ability to produce items in thin air, magickally of course, from computer database records. For example, if I wanted a California State Driver's license I could produce the valid ID out of thin air and at the same time, it would be legitimate in the DMV's motor records. Credit Cards, Bank accounts, etc... the possibilities are only as limited as computer technology and the level of the sphere of Matter one has. System To use the interface for anything other than generally browsing on the digital web or "sleeper internet", it requires general computer knowledge and intelligence rolls. Magick rolls also apply. Use the matter generator capabilities wisely, Paradox always watches.