Challenges
The following is a practical description of difficulty challenge targets with the Computer proficiency used as an example, as described by Nuku
1+ : A basic action that could be failed, but usually isn't
[Public] Nuku jingle bells, "Ok, someone puts a computer down, 'It won't turn on!', 1 success, 'You didn't plug it in!', you send poor computer unsaavy person away with a blush. You also succeed at checking email and installing a vidja game to enjoy. You are a master of basic computer functions with 1 success, woot :D"
3+ : A basic challenge
[Public] Nuku jingle bells, "Rolling 3+ at a computer. You succeed at identifying the computer has a virus and attempt basic means to get rid of it. You can plug in and remove parts that are compatible with the computer, including things like popping in CPU and hard drives and things and generally monkey around with the computer, so long as it's withing the specs of the computer. Customize the OS to your taste? You can do that. You can identify hardware failures, but can't do much about it other than replace the broken part if you have a spare. You could access a network the computer is a part of and other computers, provided they are powered on already."
[Public] Nuku jingle bells, "Important note, many 3+ actions can be completed with 2, but takes longer. So if you want to shove in some RAM and roll 2? You probably did fine, but it takes you hours where someone more skilled would have done it in minutes."
6+ : A Difficult Task
[Public] Nuku jingle bells, "Difficult Task, 6+, for a computer: Repair broken computer hardware without replacing it(Oh I'll just pry this harddrive open and replace this part inside and bam, working harddrive without lost information!), Defeat encyption/lockout procedures(password? Lame, I got this!), get incompatible computer parts to have a conversation, though they may still need help understanding each other, at least you'll get them to shake hands, be clever. Make your own programs of significant complexity(I am going to make the next Fallout, it'll be so ironic!)."
9+ : Exemplary task
[Public] Nuku jingle bells, "9+ success: Now you've left the realm of the average technical expectations. Countering a virus directly, making up your own cure for the bug where antiviral programs have all failed. Remotely compromise networked computers, making them just as much your slave as if you were sitting in front of them(+security is a good idea and lowers target by 2), coaxing a destroyed computer/data to at least cough up good chunks of its data through extreme methods(This hard drive is in two pieces... I'll see what I can do...). Get a computer to emulate a nanite server, provided you have the hardware to put out the signal."
12+ : Divine Challenges
[Public] Nuku jingle bells, "12 with computer: Important note, even attempting things so hideously complex is dangerous. In all cases, failing by 4 or more is likely to cause harm to the computer or other tools you're using, so it's pretty easy to explode a computer at this level. Overclock a computer to double its rated speed without overheating issues. Make a new nanomagic (You still need the OOC item, yo, but could be handy mid-RP). Awaken a damaged CPU across a network and pull data from it for the brief time it lives. Hack into Zephyr's payroll (you monster). Reprogram an angry robot to be your friend instead."
[Public] Nuku jingle bells, "12 is pretty damn hard. You will explode a lot of computers. Good thing those are replac.... nevermind."
15+ : Impossible Challenges
[Public] Nuku jingle bells, "15 computer: Turn your computer into a full bubble server with all the privileges therein, make your own nanite strain(requires +medicine). Make your own mutant power (+medicine+xeno). Hack Zephyr, all of it(+security)! Turn smashed bits back into a working computer with minimal data loss."
The following is a practical description of difficulty challenge targets with the Management proficiency used as an example, as described by Nuku
1+ : A basic action that could be failed, but usually isn't
[Public] Nuku jingle bells, "Management at 1: Not being rude to the guy in charge of your paperwork and ability to follow those signs that say to go here to get what you want."
3+ : A basic challenge
[Public] Nuku jingle bells, "3+ Knowing which person is having the best day so far to approach when given choices to get things done faster, if stuck with another, show some sympathy to keep those wheels greased. You fill out the form properly, even when it's a bit confusing, so you won't be waiting in line twice (ugh) or get busted afterwards for missing information when you thought you were done. You also managed to keep your employees straight and see to their issues, presuming their problems are manegerial in nature(Yes, susan, you can have lunch first)."
6+ : A Difficult Task
[Public] Nuku jingle bells, "6+ Management: Assemble a team from scratch with disparate skills in such a way as to promote genuine synergy(+1 to their rolls to get the task done, provided they follow your guidance), Let someone go without hard feelings (we're going in another direction...), Turn away an audit with quickly furnished proof of exact book keeping(+deceit if you have something to hide), Knowing obscure licenses for things most people just assume is illegal from the get go(doesn't get the license, but knowing it exists is the first step!)"
9+ : Exemplary task
[Public] Nuku jingle bells, "Management 9+: Get even bitter enemies working together like an oiled machine(+3 to all rolls for those who follow your lead). Cut in line in an extended matter of the law/licensing/etc, cutting the time by 75%(fail this by 4+ and you're getting in trouble, son). Notice someone skimming off the top just with a glance at the sheets done by someone with far less skill in the field of management."
12+ : Divine Challenges
[Public] Nuku jingle bells, "12 Management: Bypass the need for paperwork at all, instantly obtaining a license or other such thing with just a few select presses of your comm unit. Get your team working together as if they all shared one body(+5 to rolls, provided they follow your plan)."
15+ : Impossible Challenges
[Public] Nuku jingle bells, "15 management: You see the problems coming before they're even problems, and have your team in place to counter them before they even know what they're doing. No one knows exactly why you say what to do what you do, but they've learned to respect it(+10 to rolls, provided they follow your plan)."
Management Note
[Public] Nuku jingle bells, "Note that you can use management as leadership to buff your team. As I've been demonstrating."
[Public] Nuku jingle bells, "Important though, unless you roll way under 1, you won't -hurt- your chances. You do need at least 4 to (slowly) offer that +1."
[Public] Nuku jingle bells, "And rolling a 5 is slow +1, 6 is fast +1, 8 is slow +3, 9 is fast +3. For 7 you could slot in a slow +2, up to your storyteller"
The following is a practical description of difficulty challenge targets with the knowledge-based proficiencies - such as History, Theology, etc - used as an example, as described by Nuku
1+ : A basic action that could be failed, but usually isn't
[Public] Nuku jingle bells, "Knowledge 1+: Identify a book on the topic(Yep, that's a history book!, 1970 fashion to be specific). Make a 'common' inference on the topic (there were knights in the middle ages!), Identify common marks based on the topic (Why yes, that is a cross, clearly of the Christian variety)."
3+ : A basic challenge
[Public] Nuku jingle bells, "Knowledge 3+: Identify lesser known tools of the topic (That is a brush for delicate archeology, and that's a device for spreading holy water!), Identify a member of the given topic, such as religion spotting a worshipper of a dedication, or history a member of any long-standing organization."
6+ : A Difficult Task
[Public] Nuku jingle bells, "Knowledge 6+: Spot a moderately hidden member of the topic, such as someone who has gone out of their way to not reveal their dedications, or a subtly placed historical mark or entryway. Determine classic ways of bypassing a given problem (This sort of ward usually has an engraving, disrupt that! That kind of gate usually has weak hinges...). Those following your advice in bypassing it enjoy a +3 if they use your exploit."
9+ : Exemplary task
[Public] Nuku jingle bells, "Knowledge 9+: Spot a cleverly hidden member of the topic, such as a very well disguised member of a religion/dedication. Spot a critical flaw in something specific to your topic(+5 to bypassing if others follow your advice)."
12+ : Divine Challenges
[Public] Nuku jingle bells, "Knowledge 12+: Spot a Devestating flaw/technique in something specific to your topic(+10 to bypassing if others follow your advice)."
15+ : Impossible Challenges
[Public] Nuku jingle bells, "Knowledge 15+: Spot a Devestating flaw/technique in something specific to your topic(+15 to bypassing if others follow your advice)."
Knowledge Proficiencies Note
[Public] Nuku jingle bells, "Note that it's somewhat related to management, with one huge difference. Management can work for basically anything, and knowledge only what specifically relates. Theology ain't getting you past a locked door, son."
Failure Cases
[Public] Nuku jingle bells, "Fail by 1, do it slower, fail by 4+, you broke something."
[Public] Social Butterfly Rhennick lustily murrs, "what happens if you exceed the target by certain amounts?"
[Public] Nuku jingle bells, "Get it done faster! Up to the storyteller, depends on what you were doing."
Using Two Skills Where Appropriate
[Public] In The Night Miranai seductively yips, "If I might, perhaps put defeating encryption into computers+security? Only a thought."
[Public] Nuku jingle bells, "Sure, computer+security works fine by me. Though I'd actually drop the target by 2 if you used both together. So 4 for fast, 3 for slow if you use both. Synergy!"
[Public] Social Butterfly Rhennick lustily murrs, "how would one use two skills together?"
[Public] Nuku jingle bells, "By rolling them, just like that. roll skill1+skill2. The code will average them together."
Modifying the Target Number (TN)
Bear in mind that this will depend heavily on storyteller/scenario, but here are some general examples:
[Public] Nuku jingle bells, "Poor Lighting: +1 target number"
[Public] Nuku jingle bells, "Insecure footing(why is it raining?!) +1 target number"
[Public] Nuku jingle bells, "Pitch Darkness(does not apply to many uses of the sexual skill) +2 target number"
[Public] Nuku jingle bells, "In the middle of combat (for non-combatty skills) +2 TN"
[Public] Nuku jingle bells, "Negative TNs are much harder, because they're rarely as universal."
[Public] Nuku jingle bells, "Having a technical guide specific to the task at hand available: -1 TN"
[Public] Nuku jingle bells, "Taking your time and going slowly (x10 normal speed): -1 TN. Inherently less applicable for some skills"
[Public] Nuku jingle bells, "Have assistance(Assistant must declare before you roll and has to score at least -4 from the UNMODIFIED target): -1 TN. UNMODIFIED means without any modifiers, positive or negative - you either know enough to be helpful or not."
Notes: Rolling Odds
Rolling for challenges is done with the dice system, which uses your Proficiencies as input, i.e. your skill in a certain field/subject being tested
Example: roll computer to use your computer proficiency and generate a result.
Example: roll computer security to use both your computer and security proficiencies, when appropriate for the scenario. The system will take the *average* of your two skills, not add them!
The rolling system has a minimum of 5; if you have less than 5 in a proficiency, it will use 5 instead. With the Jack_of_All_Trades perk, the system will use 10 as the minimum instead. 60 is the maximum effective value that can be achieved through hero points, mako items, group perks and powers - anything higher gets reduced to 60 when rolling.
Link to see roll distribution for all possible proficiency ratings from 0 to 60: [1]
Notes: Proficiencies and Professions
You get to select 6 Professions to start, which determine your starting Proficiencies - i.e. your skill in a particular field/subject. Selecting Professions whose Proficiencies overlap can give you 10, 20, 30, or 36 in those Proficiencies to start.
Once your Professions are set to determine your starting Proficiencies, you can train to upgrade your Proficiencies for XP, Freecred and Reward Tokens. You can also increase your Proficiencies through certain powers, group abilities and mako items. Hero Points may be used for temporary increases to your proficiency rating.
20 in a Proficiency is considered "Bachelors" level
30 in a Proficiency is considered "Masters" level
40 in a Proficiency is considered "Doctorate" level
Note that these levels are 'degrees' in name only!
