Editing Larp:House Rules Proposals/Fall 2024 (section)

===== Cybernetics =====

This is a futuristic setting. Cybernetic mods are a thing of the now. Users of cybernetics can gain abilities and powers that make them superior to their fellow creatures. But cybernetics come with a cost. They detach the user from themselves, and make one slightly less than human.

For humans and most supernaturals, getting a cyber implant is a matter of purchasing the gear and finding a person—whether a licensed doctor or a chop shop keeper— to do the surgery. Cybernetics are made to be one-size-fits-all to save on production costs; for this reason, cyber-harvesting is a growing trend in the underworld of cities everywhere.

Vampires can also use cybernetics; however, the process of joining the immortal body of a vampire to a cybernetic implant is painful and difficult. Attaching a new cybernetic requires contacting a special supernatural group called the Upgraders. 

Mysterious and dangerous, the Upgraders are a cabal of what appear to be mortals, who specialize in implanting cybernetics on Vampires. The process is painful, and the vampire suffers one point of Aggravated Damage per dot of Cybernetics purchased, which cannot be healed for a full two weeks. Getting a cybernetic implant also requires one downtime per dot purchased, which may be reduced by 1 with a Computers or Science action.

====== Types of Cybernetics ======

Cybernetics, or Body Mods are a new Background which may be purchased at character creation or with XP during downtimes as any other background. All Cybernetic effects must be approved by the storyteller before purchase. Generally, body mods fall into several categories:

* '''Cosmetic''' - Body mods which are related solely to your character’s appearance, and which offer no mechanical benefit, are perfectly acceptable. These are commonly used to excuse the way an avatar looks—ears and tails could very easily be cosmetic body modifications. These do not require any dots in Body Mods. A person with Computers could get one of these with a downtime, in the same way they might apply Stylish to an item.

* '''Buffs''' - These mods provide some benefit in a challenge utilizing a particular skill or ability. A pair of cybernetic eyes might enhance Awareness, or a fully-reinforced skeleton could give a bonus to Physical. Mods that give retests are also considered Buffs.

* '''Utility''' - These mods are made to perform a specific task. These mods usually work in specific circumstances to do a specific thing the character would not normally be able to do. Utility mods might include leg modifications that allow higher jumping, or a camera in the eyes that can take pictures on command. These mods may be able to mimic certain low-level effects of Disciplines

* '''Supernatural''' - Supernaturally-enhanced Body Mods are very rare. But rumor has it that they are being researched...

====== Cyberhumanism ======

The cost of having cybernetics is high for vampires. While garou and mortals risk cyberpsychosis if they replace too much of themselves with the artificial, vampires in particular struggle with the dehumanizing impact of artificial additions.

A vampire who has 3 or more dots in Cybernetics is treated as having additional beast traits equal to half their cybernetics dots, rounded down. To this end, the maximum cybernetics dots a Vampire on Humanity may have is 9, after which they suffer permanent frenzy.

Furthermore: 
* Vampires on the Path of Feral Heart and Path of Harmony may not have a Path Rating above 3 while they have any dots in Cybernetics.
* Vampires on Path of Metamorphosis or Path of power & the Inner Voice suffer one less beast trait from having dots in Cybernetics.

====== Example Cybernetics ======

All cybernetics purchases require narrator approval. The table below is a list of example cybernetic enhancements.

{| class="wikitable" 
|-
! Level
! Example effects
|-
| 
| • Cosmetic effects with no mechanical benefit.
|-style="text-align:center;"
| •
| style="text-align:left;" | • Provide a +2 bonus on a {{diff|add=specific type of}} mundane skill check {{diff|add=such as picking locks}}<br />• Provide a +1 bonus on {{diff|rep=all mundane skill checks using a skill such as using ''drive'' to elude a pursuer}}<br />• Perform a mundane, non-combat task in reduced time<br />• Provide a +1 bonus to initiative or defense<br />
|-style="text-align:center;"
| ••
| style="text-align:left;" | • Provide a +1 bonus on {{diff|rep=a skill, such as ''firearms''}}<br />• Provide a free retest on a specific kind of task once per scene<br />• Provide an extra Wounded Health Level<br />• Acts as a weapon that cannot be disarmed (arm guns/swords)<br />
|-style="text-align:center;"
| •••
| style="text-align:left;" | • Provide a +1 bonus on an Attribute<br />• Imitate the effects of some 1-point merits<br />
|-style="text-align:center;"
| ••••
| style="text-align:left;" | • Imitate a first or second level supernatural power
|-style="text-align:center;"
| •••••
| style="text-align:left;" | • Imitate the effects of some 2-point merits
|}

All cybernetics require Storyteller approval and not all cybernetics (particularly ones which imitate powers and merits) will be approved.