Annotated Skills

SKILLS IN MORE DETAIL

Intro

You may note some overlap in a few of the skills. This is by design and creates some redundancy in critical areas. The need for some skills freely cross domains, although they may approach the problem from a different angle. Consider skills such as AI, Robotics, Computers, and Networking: all deeply involve security, networking, computers, and hardware.

Artificial Intelligence is a pervasive layer of civilization in 2058. Transportation networks, logistics systems, industrial facilities, communications, and government institutions all rely heavily on AI oversight. AI skills allow characters to understand, predict, and influence these systems.

Skills inherited from prior versions are not explicated but are easily found.

The [Skills|other skill list page] omits the parent skill, but they are still grouped and the player has a 0 level in the sibling skills. So, for example, if a player has Engineer(Industrial)-1 he also has Engineer(Systems)-0.

The Skills

Administer

Similar to other 2d6 lineage games.

Advocate

Similar to other 2d6 lineage games.

AI General

General knowledge of AI history, behavior, treaties, motivations, and influence. Examples:

   • What does ATLAS generally care about?
   • Which AI is most likely to intervene here?
   • What happened during the Zurich AI Arbitration?
   • Why would an AI object to this proposal?

Quantitatively:

• Skill-0: Knows the major AI blocs and their basic functions.
• Skill-1: Professional familiarity.
• Skill-2: Recognized specialist.
• Skill-3+: Leading expert.

AI Liaison

The ability to align human goals with AI priorities. Something like Persuade applied to AI's. Examples:

   • Can I convince HELIX this plan improves social stability?
   • Can I persuade ATLAS to prioritize our cargo?
   • Can I frame this request so TERRA sees it as beneficial?
   • Can I obtain assistance without triggering intervention?

Quantitatively: Skill-0: Can interact with AI systems using standard procedures. Skill-1: Can obtain modest favors. Skill-2: Can routinely influence AI priorities. Skill-3+: Can shape outcomes others would not even attempt.

AI SPECIFIC SYSTEMS

Expert knowledge of a particular AI bloc. A character with AI General may understand AI broadly; this skill gives understanding at a deeper level. Specialties include the four major AI's

[HELIX]
[ATLAS]
[LUNE]
[TERRA]

and [SOLIPS]: A catch-all category covering localized, corporate, industrial, scientific, military, and habitat-specific AIs that exist outside the major AI blocs. These systems are often highly specialized, heavily firewalled, and occasionally eccentric. Knowledge of Solips AIs allows a character to understand and negotiate with the countless smaller intelligences that quietly operate much of civilization.

Examples:

   • What hidden assumptions is this SOLIPS using?
   • Why is TERRA flagging this route?
   • How will LUNE react to a beam-corridor disruption?
   • Which Atlas subsystem likely made this decision?

Art

Similar to other 2d6 lineage games.

Athletics

Similar to other 2d6 lineage games, but not broken down into categories.

Broker

Similar to other 2d6 lineage games. The affect of AI and the ability to accurately estimate shipping costs cause a shift towards commodities as opposed to differentiated markets, but this does not make the job easier.

Carouse

Similar to other 2d6 lineage games. This one never changes.

COMPUTERS

Computers governs software, digital systems, automation, and machine logic. Unlike Network, which focuses on institutions and permissions, Computers focuses on the machines themselves.

Programming

Creation and modification of software. Examples:

   • Writing automation routines. 
   • Modifying AI interfaces. 
   • Creating diagnostic tools. 
   • Repairing damaged software. 
   • Developing control systems.

Robotic Integration

The connection between software and robotic systems. Examples:

   • Integrating a mining swarm. 
   • Linking industrial robots to factory systems. 
   • Synchronizing spacecraft maintenance robots. 
   • Diagnosing robot communication failures. 
   • Configuring autonomous vehicle fleets. 

Computers often answers: "How does the machine actually work?"

Security

Deep technical security. Examples:

   • Breaking encryption. 
   • Discovering software vulnerabilities. 
   • Reverse engineering malware. 
   • Penetrating hardened systems. 
   • Auditing critical code. 

Deception

Compared to 2d6 lineage games, this adds the use of criminal/illegal software, hardware, or robotics. Note that in order to use this skill effectively in the electronic arenas, you need to be highly skilled in those areas already.

ELECTRONICS

Electronics governs the operation, maintenance, troubleshooting, and physical implementation of electronic systems. Many electronic systems are highly automated, but failures still occur. Electronics specialists keep civilization functioning when automation begins to break down.

Computer Operations

The operation and recovery of computer systems. Examples:

   • Restoring backups. 
   • Recovering crashed systems. 
   • Restarting habitat control systems. 
   • Managing AI support hardware. 
   • Diagnosing computer failures. 
   • Maintaining station operations centers. 

Sensors & Remote Operations

Using sensors and operating systems through robotic intermediaries. Examples:

   • Controlling inspection drones. 
   • Operating mining robots with communication delays. 
   • Interpreting sensor data. 
   • Conducting telepresence operations. 
   • Surveying damaged spacecraft remotely. 

Field Engineer

Practical repair and implementation. Examples:

   • Replacing damaged hardware. 
   • Repairing communications equipment. 
   • Restoring power systems. 
   • Fabricating temporary solutions. 
   • Diagnosing physical faults.