AI IA: First Shot Sign Up

[Funka Genocide]

This thread will be for sign up, character sheet posting and general Q and A about whatever rules will be enforced for creation of the characters. Unfortunately I do not possess the time (or perhaps, the skill) to come up with a comprehensive list of powers. It would take me far too long, and so I will post an abridged version here and give simple rules for character creation. Dice related rules will have to wait, but it really won't affect the game so much.

First, here’s a little primer on the development of nexgen abilities.

On the nature of Human evolution

As far as can be surmised, the phenomenon known as next generation humanity was a naturally occurring event. No known methods exist or are known to have existed which would allow for the manufacture or manipulation of any human life into this state. Even with contemporary knowledge of genetics the nexgen genome is identical to humanity, no extra chromosomes or identifiable genetic traits are exclusive or common to nexgen specimens, from a genetic perspective they are indistinguishable from anyone else.

This odd coincidence has lead to a few prominent theories on exactly how the nexgen traits come to be expressed. The most widely accepted theory being an inability to observe energy patterns through the body with the necessary level of precision. More esoteric theories point towards the newly developing sciences of pseudo-spiritualism. Perhaps there is something inherent to a nexgen soul absent from the rest of humanity, or maybe everyone has the same potential and has subconsciously chosen to suppress it.

Whatever the cause, the effects are well documented. At it’s most basic expression the nexgen phenomenon is genius, all known nexgen specimens possess almost superhuman IQ levels. Educational development is unparalleled, necessitating the development of entirely new curriculum. By the age of 10 a typical nexgen child will possess the functional knowledge of a man thrice his age while still being fundamentally a child. By 12 or 14 most begin to develop superhuman abilities on their own, and with specialized training their capabilities become beyond human scope by their late teens.

In the early days of nexgen history these supernatural developments were very individualized expressions, development was a private affair and there was very little coordinated effort or communication. Indeed, there were so few nexgens in the world and there was so much controversy surrounding them that normal human interaction was a scarcity in their lives, let alone cooperation with their contemporaries. Besides the almost legendary Marcus, super human abilities were few and far between in the earliest years of the phenomenon.

Not until right before The War were nexgen training regimens developed. Experiments were codified and abilities were documented extensively, with the nexgen subjects themselves proving most beneficial to the process. Once a certain ability was successfully realized by an individual she would then develop a program to teach it to another. This proved highly reliable in reproducing abilities, and once methods and procedures were documented with enough detail the process could be repeated reliably even without a nexgen teacher. This was deemed a necessity by most nexgen development programs at the time, as having these potentially dangerous persons in contact with one another for prolonged periods was an unacceptable risk.

Many of these earlier experiments and documented training programs were of course, lost in the subsequent calamity that enveloped the world. Many have been emulated, perhaps in a better form perhaps in worse, and a few have been rediscovered. After the rebuilding era nexgen development went by the wayside, as almost all nexgens went to work eradicating the radiation threat, during the fierce, brief period of fighting before the nuclear war began many nexgen soldiers killed one another as well. Paradoxically, the most developed of nexgen powers were lost, as the most advanced were also the most likely to find application in military efforts.

In recent years nexgen development has been at the forefront of technological advance. The locating, education and utilization of nexgen children is a top government priority in all the main corporate-states. Methods range from mandatory enrollment in government funded special education programs (with prolonged absence from family, but not complete severance) to basic legal abduction of nexgen children. Education is typically handled by non nexgen educators and AI assistants. Non-nexgen professors are woefully outclassed in intellect relatively fast, but offer the necessary human experience necessary for proper psychological development, while android savants keep pace with the rapidly developing nexgen minds of these children.

Nexgen children eventually become adults, and all are considered something between government scions and corporate property. Nexgen operatives are typically used as singular solutions, one nexgen operative can accomplish some things that a hundred men couldn’t, some things that no amount of men could. Their talents are surpassing, and seldom is a problem found that could conceivably require more than one of these prodigies.

With one glaring exception, the employment of contra nexgen operatives. When arrayed against one another, the conflicts of nexgen operatives have the potential to tear apart any semblance of human control. Small teams of nexgens are commissioned mainly to counter the efforts of opposing corporations nexgen efforts. Even rarer are multi-corporate conglomerations constructed to accomplish incredible feats.

One such effort was the establishment of the Lunar Base of Commerce, where no less than 15 nexgen engineers, savants and various operatives from seven independent corporate-states combined efforts to construct a self sustaining human habitation on the lunar surface (as well as to ensure their interests had a stake in the commission, of course).

In theory, nexgen operatives are the final solution. A rare yet indefatigable resource used for the betterment of mankind. In practice they are a precious and volatile group of powerful individuals with earthshaking abilities. While a nexgen may seem unassailable in most circumstances all it takes is a bad day or a stray bullet unaccounted for to end their lives, despite their superhuman skills they have limits, and once reached those limits bring them crashing down to mere mortal status. If forced to push themselves too far, their attachment to reality begins to fray as their abilities begin to go haywire. There are few things as frightening as a nexgen pushed to her limits. She begins to hallucinate, to mistake reality for a waking dream, and her powers begin to fuel themselves from her very physical form, tearing her apart from the inside out while the world around her suffers the same fate. These facts are well guarded secrets from the public, and well known weaknesses to powerful people who wish to remain in power.

Here are some example powers, divided into the categories natural, general and faction. There are also individual powers, those developed by single nexgen users through experimentation and experience. Characters are free to develop their own powers with GM approval.

Natural powers are inherent to the nexgen condition, all nexgens possess them.

Perfect Health: The nexgen immunes system and cellular regeneration systems are incomparable in nature, a nexgen cannot be affect by any disease or infection. At worst a virulent pathogen will manifest as a day or so of flu like symptoms. From AIDS to malaria nexgen are immune to disease. They will never develop cancer of any sort either. They also live naturally longer lifespans than normal humans, typically reaching the age of 150 or so if not killed. As a consequence, nexgens will appear quite youthful well into their’ forties, and middle age won’t take hold until late fifties. Nexgen’s also recover faster from wounds and injuries than normal, healing at about ten times the normal human rate. They will not, however, regenerate limbs (without further training, that is)


Improved physical capability: Nexgens possess levels of strength, endurance and agility which outclass most normal humans. Even the clumsiest of nexgen brutes will be considered quite graceful by normal standards, and even the frailest appearing will be able to hold her own in a roadhouse arm wrestling contest. A weak nexgen has the strength of a large and physically fit male adult, a strong nexgen could rip a car door off with one hand. This is normal physical capability, certain powers will push these impressive abilities even farther. (note: this will be taken care of by stat bonuses in the final version, if it ever exists)

Incredible intellect: All nexgens possess at least genius level IQ’s. they are very bright and quick to pick up on even the most difficult or convoluted of concepts. This may present some challenges in role playing, but it should be subsumed into the characters abilities, as even a superhuman intellect might still find himself unable to express himself clearly, or get nervous and tongue tied around large groups of people. Don’t feel daunted by the nature of your character, they’re still human in their actions, just highly capable.

Nexgen field: a pattern of circulating energetic particles surrounds every nexgen at approximately skin level. When calm, there is no way to tell except to use special energy reading equipment. However, when the nexgen feels threatened these field will tend to present a barrier to physical damage at the point of impact, for example if someone were to take a swing at a nexgen geneticist they would react like anyone untrained in combat would, flinching and putting up their hands to avoid the damage, however their innate energy field would also react out of the instinctual response, producing a barrier to physical force. This would typically lead to the assailant feeling a shocking sensation of pain and the nexgen being unharmed. This field isn’t strong enough to stop a bullet, and if the nexgen doesn’t see the attack coming he’ll be caught unawares of course. This field is the basis of many nexgen abilities; with training it can be extended beyond the body to affect change at a distance.

Higher Mind: all nexgens possess the potential to access a higher level of cogitation than even their genius level intellects. This is known as the “higher mind” and allows for such miracles as faster than computer computation and multiple variable instantaneous analysis, giving many nexgens the uncanny ability to appear prescient or imperturbable in the face of even the most unforeseeable events.

General powers are so widely used and known that it can be assumed that any nexgen, regardless of faction could learn them. Rogue nexgens might develop the more basic one’s naturally.

Perfect memory: this ability allows a nexgen to recall exactly every detail of any event he’s witnessed, ever. The memories are considered to be “recorded” by his higher mind and accessed through a desire to recall a specific event or detail. Functionally this would allow any in game data the character witnessed, however briefly, to be recalled perfectly. Strangely enough, perfect memories will not be erased even if someone manages to hack the nexgen’s mind and erase memories, though the character will not remember to remember them unless reminded. (weird huh?)

Instantaneous data assimilation: This allows a nexgen to completely assimilate and understand any data they are exposed to. This data is stored in the higher mind and accessed as needed. At it’s most basic level this ability would allow a nexgen to read a book very fast (much like Johnny five in short circuit) or to understand complex mathematical problems by simply looking at a proof of them. Schematics and other such visual information can be completely understood and implemented. When combined with telekinetic abilities and higher data processing abilities, it would allow the nexgen to assimilate a library in an instant by simply standing in it’s center, sending out mental probes to scan the texts instantly. It could also be used to copy entire computer hard drives to the higher mind.

Direct Computation Link: This allows a nexgen to access any non organic data storage device instantaneously and to interact with the system through direct neural transfer. At it’s most basic level this requires a special implant in the cerebrum, however advanced knowledge of telekinesis allows for direct access of any network perceivable by the nexgen. (for example, if Ocius the Norther Intelligence operative really needs to read a email his corporate overseer is writing, but can’t see the screen, he can simply use this ability to remotely access the processor and observe digitally what information is being displayed. In a more involved application, he could use this ability to remotely access a military compounds security system, hack it and then take control of every system connected to it, all without so much as a mouse.)

Advanced data processing(first through third orders): These are standardized data processing powers, first order being generally equivalent to a powerful binary supercomputer, second order being equivalent to a quantum computer and third order being a transcendent data manipulation ability unparalleled in modern technology. By themselves, these abilities simply give nexgen programmers and hackers a “bigger gun” allowing faster and more reliable effects, they are however, prerequisites for many other powers.

Flawless Style Emulation: this allows a nexgen to completely internalize any style of art or design, This allows a nexgen composer to create a symphony in the style of Mozart exactly, or an engineer to build an exact replica of a theoretical engine proposed by a long dead engineer. Basically this allows a nexgen to instantly master the style of another craftsman or artist, including the ability to make unrecognizable forgeries.

Instantaneous Fault Deduction: This allows a nexgen to find and ascertain the reason for and solution to a problem in any system they are familiar with. A nexgen mechanical engineer might be confronted with a failed engine to his aircraft in mid-flight, and through mundane observation(ie the vibration, sounds and difference in performance as well as all conditions leading up to the fault) will understand not only what is broken, but how to fix it. Typically about five minutes of observation is necessary for this to work, however with second order ADP (advanced data processing) this is shortened to 10 seconds, and 3rd order ADP can get it done instantly. (several milliseconds)

Past reconstruction: this allows a nexgen investigator to reconstruct events which occurred in the past judging by available information. Looking at a crime scene for example, the nexgen might be able to tell exactly what happened by simply observing the layout of a room. This ability extends at most an hour into the past at basic effect, 2nd order ADP will take this to a week and 3rd order will move this back indefinitely considering no changes have been made to the scene after the most recent event. (GM’s call on what constitutes an event, an example would be looking at an ancient Egyptian artifact stolen and then deposited in a warehouse, by observing this item the nexgen investigator would be able to surmise how the item was placed in it’s container, how many people were around and any physical actions they took when placing the item in the container, he will not be able to recall when the item was stolen from it’s tomb, or when it was placed in it’s tomb thousands of years ago. However, were the same nexgen to enter an undisturbed Egyptian tomb himself, he could very well pierce the veil of eons and discern the last action that took place in the burial chamber.)

Clairvoyance: this allows a nexgen to predict likely future outcomes of particular actions. The scope of this power is limited to proposed actions and immediate effects. At basic level this allows a five minute theoretical window into the future. 2nd order ADP will improve this to an hour, 3rd order will move this to an indefinite period, however the farther in the future this knowledge goes the less likely it is to remain viable, as by simply knowing the likely outcome the nexgen will likely take an action to make it less likely. To observe is to change after all. (note that this is not the only form of precognitive ability a nexgen may possess, it is simply the most question-answer oriented version. For example, a nexgen wants to know what will happen if he goes down a certain hallway, his higher mind computes all known variables (some of which may not be consciously known, such as inaudible footsteps or evidence of foot traffic down the hallways, or air currents and pressure differences indicating movement, relative temperatures, and so on) and comes up with an answer, whether this is an image of the nexgen turning the corner and being shot by his unknown assailants or a simple worded answer in his head “you’re going to get shot” is a personal thing to each nexgen, he is after all, talking to himself.)

Perfect diagnosis: a nexgen physician can determine what’s ailing you, exactly detailing the particular injury or illness a living organism is suffering (if the nexgen user does not have any prior knowledge of the malady he will instead receive information related to treatment as pertains to all his existing medical knowledge, this means that even though a nexgen doctor may have never seen a particular strand of infection before, he will be aware of likely methods of treatment. This power require physical contact to be made with the target, it can also be used on the nexgen himself, though any illness he suffers will be of a very brief nature in any case.

Instantaneous physical repair: this ability allows the nexgen to repair biological constructs. So long as he understand the basic physiology of the target (by using a modified version of perfect diagnosis to completely understand the physical systems of his target instantaneously, for example) he can remove illness and speed up recovery of an injury. In effect this cures any disease the character is suffering from and improves the targets healing abilities. The target will recover at ten times normal pace for a week (note that this power has no effect on nexgen’s, as it is really an emulation of their own innate healing powers on a limited scale)

More to come, I need a break!