VAMPIRES AND CYBERPUNK NOTES
  by Hellhound <mcoulthu@ketch.nelpoly.ac.nz>


VAMPIRES AND CYBERWARE
Okay, so there is not a lot of cyberware that Disciplines cannot
cover.  I do agree that a Gangrel is unlikely to want to be encased
in steel but what about the subtler cyberware, such as vehicle and
weapon interfaces.  Also, cyberware is easier to get hold of than a
Discipline if you don't already know it.  The same would apply to
just about any vampire - disciplines for the most part, cyberware as
enhancements.

The installation aspect of cyberware is a point that was raised by a
few of you.  IMHO there is no reason not to have a Kindred ripperdoc,
catering exclusively to vampires.  The 'doc would be a useful contact
for any vampire and it could even be a whole storyline just trying to
find him/her.

VAMPIRES AND THE NET
On the aspect of art and Toreadors...In my cyberpunk world (NightCity
Megaplex: 2025), programming and netrunning are an artform as complex
and beautiful as any other.  The subtlties (sp?) involved in an AI
subroutine or an evasion program would dazzle the mind of any 'non-
initiated' character.  Since the net is a virtual world entered
through a neural interface, everything that happens on the Net is at
the thought of speed.  Just imagine a BBS such as 'The Hunt Club'
dedicated solely to NetArt.  This would be a natural gathering place
for Toreador (Toreador Sysop?) and other like-minded Kine - an
excellent place to find suitable prey.

Thought Patterns:  These is the rules I would use:
    Anyone trying to read thought patterns could do so using a
variant of any program designed to distinguish an AI from a human.
Because of the supernatural aspect of a vampire, the program would
give a non-standard reading.  Assuming that the user knew about
vampires, they could then mark the detected Kindred and backtrack
their signal to homebase.  In CP2020 this would require a
INT+Interface+1d10 roll with a difficulty of 25 to detect a vampire
by though patterns.  In V:tM it requires a Intelligence+Programming
against a target of 8, requiring 4 successes to detect the vampire.
A kindred who is aware of being scanned can make a similar roll to
avoid detection, the roll being applied similar to a Dodge.  Of
course, anyone who avoids a scan is automatically under suspicion -
whether they are a vampire or not.

Of course, the prospective Kindred NetRunner must first find a way to
get the neural implant OR have it before being embraced.

KINDRED AND KINE

The first thought I had about this topic was that mortals would no
longer be such a pushover in a fight: implanted muscle and cyberlimbs
to match the superhuman strength of a vampire; armour plating giving
them built in protection; reflex boosts making them as fast as a
frenzying Brujah; built in weapons providing the hitting power to
match any vampire.

The one area in which Kindred would remain totally superior to Kine
is the realm of the mind.  Even the most 'borged out mortal cannot
Dominate, or use the abilities of Animalism.

And, then there is Trauma Team.  As Eddie mentioned, his character
had a Lifescan transmitter.  Besides the cybered responses, there is
a card system which also calls Trauma Team.  Trauma Teams are
equipped with state-of-the-art medical equipment in a heavily
armoured AV-4 (a VTOL urban assault vehicle, similar to a flying
tank).  A newly Embraced vampire with a Trauma Team response could
find herself in dire straits, as could the Sire.  Trauma Teams don't
screw around when it comes to recovering clients.  The prospective
Sire had better have an incredible Dodge when those twin miniguns
open up. And don't forget those napalm cannisters...