Difference between revisions of "Cryptopoly"

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Note that Illuminates will help mages from any order provided they use a code word or secret sign to indicate they are "enlightened" Pentacle mages, and provided they don't ask for anything that the conspiracies rulers wouldn't allow (''Silver Ladder'', p.60). Mages could take '''Allies (Cryptopoly)''' to represent this. The ruling Ladder caucus is, of course, always informed.
 
Note that Illuminates will help mages from any order provided they use a code word or secret sign to indicate they are "enlightened" Pentacle mages, and provided they don't ask for anything that the conspiracies rulers wouldn't allow (''Silver Ladder'', p.60). Mages could take '''Allies (Cryptopoly)''' to represent this. The ruling Ladder caucus is, of course, always informed.
  
−
= Benefits =
+
===OOC Note===
 +
Note that "Basic information about the kinds of merits that are within a character's cryptopoly is normally freely shared by and with all Thearchs in good standing." (Addendum: M:tA, section IV.5.). This page can be used to share that basic information (i.e. the list of assets available and which VST to contact to barter for them), but avoid revealing too much OOC information. Non-Silver Ladder PC's should consider this as out-of-character information.
  
−
The Silver Ladder have learnt the benefits of '''division of labor'''. Rather than each mage spreading themselves thin and taking, say, '''Resources''' {{2bdots}} + '''Contacts''' {{2bdots}} + '''Allies (Police)''' {{3bdots}}, those in the Silver Ladder have learnt to specialise and are more likely to take a straight '''Allies (Police)''' {{4bdots}} then take a free '''Allies (Cryptopoly)''' {{4bdots}} allowing them access to the network (whilst also sharing their allies with the network).
+
== Benefits ==
  
−
The Silver Ladder have also learnt about '''delgation of responsibility'''. Rather than directly taking something like '''Resources''' {{5bdots}} themselves, they are far more likely to take '''Retainer''' {{5bdots}} and have their minion start a new Cryptopoly conspiracy (with it's own name and the retainer as Illuminate). The Illuminate then gets 10 dot to spend on Allies, Contacts, Resources, Status and their own less powerful Retainers, allowing the character control of more resources (see ''The Silver Ladder'', p.60). These resources can also then be shared with the Cryptopoly.
+
The Silver Ladder mastered the skill of '''delgation of responsibility'''. Rather than directly taking something like '''Resources''' {{3bdots}} (for 12 XP) themselves, they are far more likely to take '''Illuminated Retainer''' {{5bdots}} (a simple cost merit -- see Addendum M:tA section IV.A.14.a., so only 10 XP) and build a Cryptopoly conspiracy that has 10 dots to spend on Allies, Contacts, Resources, Status and their own less powerful Retainers.
  
−
Even better, the Silver Ladder have also learned the wisdom of '''shared costs'''. While other mages pool their resources for powerful Sanctums, Hallows, Libraries and the like, the Silver Ladder have also learnt how to share the cost of their Illuminate retainers (see ''The Silver Ladder'', p.59). Characters can work together and contribute a few dots each to relatively cheaply add new retainers to the Cryptopoly, sacrificing direct control for broader reach.
+
At the cost of only indirect control this allows, for example, the Silver Ladder to get the benefits of an Illuminated Retainer with '''Resources''' {{5bdots}} plus '''Allies (criminals)''' {{5bdots}}.  
  
−
= Available Cryptopoly Resources =
+
Note that although the Illuminated Retainer may have multiple merits, you can only request them to use one of them per downtime (as you can only hand off one action to the Retainer).
  
−
Please contact the VST of the relevant city to access resources.
+
The other consideration is that the Retainer's merits also become part of the Cryptopoly and they may act on behalf of other Silver Ladder characters, although this sharing of resources is considered an overall benefit.
 +
 
 +
For examples of what types of things are possible at various levels of influence see the [[Sydney Influence Guidelines|Influence Guidelines]].
 +
 
 +
 
 +
== Available Cryptopoly Assets ==
 +
 
 +
'''Please contact the VST of the relevant city if you wish to barter for access to assets.'''
  
 
* Each occult conspiracy (cell) within the Cryptopoly is known by it's name (e.g. "Sisterhood of the Triple Moon", "Bunker Hill Boys", "New Jersey's Spiritual Housing Pact".). It will also have an ideology and practial and estoeric goals.
 
* Each occult conspiracy (cell) within the Cryptopoly is known by it's name (e.g. "Sisterhood of the Triple Moon", "Bunker Hill Boys", "New Jersey's Spiritual Housing Pact".). It will also have an ideology and practial and estoeric goals.
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!Description
 
!Description
 
|-
 
|-
−
|| Sisterhood of the Triple Moon || Resources {{4bdots}}<br/>Contacts {{2bdots}} (Essex Country's local governments) || Boston's Sisterhood of the Triple Moon is a neopagan conspiracy believes the Hierarch of Boston is a god who is prophesised to raise his servants to divinity. Its practical goal is to purchase valuable real rural estate, especially around ley lines and supernatural phenomena. ''(Its esoteric goal is to guard strange places for the use of mages alone -- not necessarily revealed.)''
+
|| ''Sisterhood of the Triple Moon'' || ''Resources {{4bdots}}<br/>Contacts {{2bdots}} (Essex Country's local governments)'' || ''A neopagan conspiracy that believes the Hierarch of Boston is a god who is prophesised to raise his servants to divinity. Its practical goal is to purchase valuable real rural estate, especially around ley lines and supernatural phenomena. (Its esoteric goal is to guard strange places for the use of mages alone -- not necessarily revealed.)''
 
|}
 
|}
  
−
== Armidale ==
+
=== Armidale ===
  
 
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:left;" border="1" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0"  
 
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:left;" border="1" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0"  
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|}
 
|}
  
−
== Brisbane ==
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=== Brisbane ===
  
 
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:left;" border="1" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0"  
 
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:left;" border="1" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0"  
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!Description
 
!Description
 
|-
 
|-
−
|| Threads of Destiny || Contacts {{3bdots}} (Occult, Criminal, New Media/Hacker) || Network dedicated to observing and reporting anomolous events to a database which members believes feeds an AI singularity. While other networks are for action; the Threads of Destiny practical goals are focussed on information gathering.
+
|| [[Children of the Earth]] || Resources {{5bdots}} <br> Allies (bureaucracy) {{3bdots}} <br> Allies (industry) {{1bdots}} || The Children are a philanthropic charity set up by an entrepreneur who made her money in the dot-com boom. It partners closely with government and businesses to deliver various programs “for the betterment of mankind”.
 +
|-
 +
|| [[Eve's Supplication]] || Allies (health) {{4bdots}} <br> Allies (high society) {{2bdots}} <br> Allies (legal) {{4bdots}} || Eve’s Supplication is an exclusive sorority and professional development group for women only. It recruits alumni from the best and brightest lawyers, doctors, and other high society professionals, offering a place where they can get encouragement and support from other likeminded females.
 +
|-
 +
|| [[Foundation for Rational Inquiry]] || Contacts {{5bdots}} (church, media, occult, police, street) <br> Allies (university) {{4bdots}} || The FRI is devoted to promoting scientific skepticism and resisting the spread of pseudoscience, superstition, and irrational beliefs. Currently based in the University of Queensland, its goal is to become Australia’s premier academic body for investigation of claims of the paranormal and set up research units in the other major universities.
 
|-
 
|-
 
|}
 
|}
  
−
== Melbourne ==
+
 
 +
=== Melbourne ===
  
 
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:left;" border="1" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0"  
 
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:left;" border="1" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0"  
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!Merits
 
!Merits
 
!Description
 
!Description
 +
|-
 +
|| [[Conscientia]] || Allies (Politics, Police, Occult, Religion) {{2bdots}} <br> Allies (University, Transport, Arts) {{1bdots}} <br> Resources {{4bdots}} <br> || Conscientia is an undergraduate secret society at various Universities in Melbourne, Australia. It is publically known as a networking group with very exacting standards. The society has the goal of connecting people in power with each other to build a better tomorrow, and its Alumni remain in close contact. Rumor has it that a lot of the positions of power were filled through the connections garnered via the group, and that occasionally favors are called back.
 
|-
 
|-
 
|}
 
|}
  
−
== Perth ==
+
=== Perth ===
  
 
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:left;" border="1" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0"  
 
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:left;" border="1" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0"  
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|}
 
|}
  
−
== Sydney ==
+
=== Sydney ===
  
 
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:left;" border="1" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0"  
 
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:left;" border="1" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0"  
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|}
 
|}
  
−
= Summary =
+
== Summary ==
 +
 
 +
For examples of what types of things are possible at various levels of influence see the [[Sydney Influence Guidelines|Influence Guidelines]].
  
 
Summary of Cryptopoly influence across areas:
 
Summary of Cryptopoly influence across areas:
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!Resources
 
!Resources
 
|-
 
|-
−
||  -
+
||  {{5bdots}} <br/> {{4bdots}}
 
|}
 
|}
  
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!Area
 
!Area
 
!Allies
 
!Allies
−
!Area
 
 
!Contacts
 
!Contacts
−
!Area
 
 
!Status
 
!Status
 
|-
 
|-
−
|| || - || || -||Academic || -
+
|| Bureaucracy || {{3bdots}} ||  ||
−
|-
 
−
|| Banks || - || || - ||banks || -
 
−
|-
 
−
|| City Hall || - ||  || - ||City Hall || -
 
 
|-
 
|-
−
|| || -|| || - ||Clerical Standing || -
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|| Church || {{2bdots}} || {{5bdots}} ||  
 
|-
 
|-
−
|| || - || big business || - ||Corporate Executive || -
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|| Finance || || ||  
 
|-
 
|-
−
|| || - || couriers || - || || -
+
|| Health || {{4bdots}} || ||  
 
|-
 
|-
−
|| Criminals || - || (criminals) || {{3bdots}} ||Criminal || -
+
|| High Society || {{2bdots}} <br> {{1bdots}} || ||  
 
|-
 
|-
−
|| || - || || - ||Diplomat || -
+
|| Industry || {{1bdots}} || ||  
 
|-
 
|-
−
|| || - || || - ||Licensed Professional (Private Investigator) || -
+
|| Legal || {{4bdots}} || ||  
 
|-
 
|-
−
|| || - || || - ||Licensed Professional (Lawyer) || -
+
|| Media || || {{5bdots}} ||  
 
|-
 
|-
−
|| || - || || - ||Licensed Professional (Building Contractor) || -
+
|| Occult || {{2bdots}} || {{5bdots}} ||  
 
|-
 
|-
−
|| || - || hackers || {{3bdots}} || || -
+
|| Police || {{2bdots}} || {{5bdots}} ||  
 
|-
 
|-
−
|| Hospital staff || - ||  || - ||Medical / hospital staff || -
+
|| Political || {{2bdots}} ||  ||  
 
|-
 
|-
−
|| || - ||  || {{3bdots}} ||Occult || -
+
|| Street ||  || {{5bdots}} ||  
 
|-
 
|-
−
|| Police || - ||  || - ||Police || -
+
|| Transport || {{1bdots}} ||  ||  
 
|-
 
|-
−
|| Unions || - ||  || - ||Union/Rotary || -
+
|| Underworld || ||  ||  
 
|-
 
|-
−
|| University Faculty || - ||  || - || university faculty || -
+
|| University || {{4bdots}} <br> {{1bdots}} ||  ||  
 
|-
 
|-
−
|| (Construction Industry) || - ||  || - ||  || -
 
 
|}
 
|}
  
−
= Addendum Rules =
+
== Relevant Addenda ==
  
−
''(Note that these are from the Nov 2012 addendum, so may change for the 2013 chronicle.)''
+
<blockquote>
 +
: I. ERATTA AND ADDITIONAL BOOKS
 +
:: '''X. Silver Ladder''' (WW40105)
 +
::: 2. All Cryptopoly cults require Approval from the lowest-level ST whose authority extends over the cult's entire scope of influence. Social merits for these cults require the same level of approval as Merits belonging to PCs. 
 +
: IV. MERITS
 +
:: '''A. Merits Affected by the Addendum'''
 +
::: 5. '''Cryptopoly''' [Silver Ladder]:  A Silver Ladder PC – Awakened or not - may consider any or all of his Social merits as part of his Cryptopoly. Other Silver Ladder PCs may barter for use of these merits, and he may barter for use of their Cryptopoly merits. Regularly denying such requests unless they are unbalanced or significantly disadvantageous is considered a Sin within the Order. Basic information about the kinds of merits that are within a character's cryptopoly is normally freely shared by and with all Thearchs in good standing.  
 +
::: 14. '''Illuminate Retainer''' [Silver Ladder]
 +
:::: a. Created as a ●●●●● Retainer using the alternative creation template on p. 63 of Silver Ladder. They do not gain any additional XP by virtue of being a ●●●●● Retainer. (Please note that PC Illuminated Proximi are generated as a normal character.)  However, the merit becomes a simple cost, rather than graduated cost merit. 
 +
::::: i. The PC can ask the retainer to take an action to use one of its social merits on their behalf per downtime. 
 +
::::: ii. All merits held by the Illuminate Retainer are held as part of a Cryptopoly, so can also be accessed by other PCs as noted above
  
−
* '''Cryptopoly [Silver Ladder]:'''
+
'''Note: The template on p. 63 is specifically for Illuminated Proximi; the details for regular Illuminated Retainers are on p. 60.'''
−
** A PC Illuminate may designate any of his Merit-based NPCs as part of his Cryptopoly.
 
−
** Allies: Cryptopoly may be used to access social merits that are part of the Cryptopoly up to the rating of the user’s '''Allies: Cryptopoly'''. This requires a Manipulation + Socialize + Allies (Cryptopoly) draw.
 
−
*** Accessing Allies within a Domain does not incur a penalty to the level of Allies. Doing so within a Region incurs a –1 penalty, within a nation a –2 penalty and between nations a -3 penalty.
 
−
*** If the merits sought are directly controlled by another PC, they may be accessed without a roll with the consent of the owning PC.
 
−
*** If the merits sought are directly controlled by another PC and consent is not given, they may only be accessed if the controlling PC is not actively using them at that time.
 
−
*** If more than one PC attempts to access the same particular merit, the most successes gain access.
 
−
** A PC may take Allies: Cryptopoly without an XP cost. This must be recorded in the database at Low Approval.
 
−
*** To do so, a PC must have at least one relevant social merit at the same level as their levels in Allies: Cryptopoly.
 
−
*** If a character has taken Allies: Cryptopoly without an XP cost, all their relevant social merits up to the value of their Allies: Cryptopoly are accessible as if they were part of the Cryptopoly.
 
−
*** If a PC takes free levels in Allies: Cryptopoly, and another character (PC or NPC) seeks to access their social merits, then the PC does not automatically keep control of his social merit, but must contest the draw with Manipulation + Socialize + [the social merit contested].
 
−
** Cryptopoly Merits held by NPCs not purchased with XP can also be accessed through use of Allies: Cryptopoly. It is High Approval to assign more than 20 points of social merits to an NPC-controlled Cryptopoly.
 
  
−
[[Category:Silver Ladder]]
+
[[Category: Silver Ladder]]
 +
[[Category: Cryptopoly| ]]

Latest revision as of 06:25, 26 August 2014

An important asset to achieve this is the Cryptopoly a network of affiliated occult organisations with influence throughout all spheres of sleeper life. The conspiracies that make up this network each have a different name, but all are headed by an Illuminate who reports to a Silver Ladder caucus. A Silver Ladder is not limited to their own Allies, Contacts, Resources or Status, but can access any of the resources available in the Cryptopoly -- provided they share their assets in turn.

Note that Illuminates will help mages from any order provided they use a code word or secret sign to indicate they are "enlightened" Pentacle mages, and provided they don't ask for anything that the conspiracies rulers wouldn't allow (Silver Ladder, p.60). Mages could take Allies (Cryptopoly) to represent this. The ruling Ladder caucus is, of course, always informed.

OOC Note

Note that "Basic information about the kinds of merits that are within a character's cryptopoly is normally freely shared by and with all Thearchs in good standing." (Addendum: M:tA, section IV.5.). This page can be used to share that basic information (i.e. the list of assets available and which VST to contact to barter for them), but avoid revealing too much OOC information. Non-Silver Ladder PC's should consider this as out-of-character information.

Benefits

The Silver Ladder mastered the skill of delgation of responsibility. Rather than directly taking something like Resources ••• (for 12 XP) themselves, they are far more likely to take Illuminated Retainer ••••• (a simple cost merit -- see Addendum M:tA section IV.A.14.a., so only 10 XP) and build a Cryptopoly conspiracy that has 10 dots to spend on Allies, Contacts, Resources, Status and their own less powerful Retainers.

At the cost of only indirect control this allows, for example, the Silver Ladder to get the benefits of an Illuminated Retainer with Resources ••••• plus Allies (criminals) •••••.

Note that although the Illuminated Retainer may have multiple merits, you can only request them to use one of them per downtime (as you can only hand off one action to the Retainer).

The other consideration is that the Retainer's merits also become part of the Cryptopoly and they may act on behalf of other Silver Ladder characters, although this sharing of resources is considered an overall benefit.

For examples of what types of things are possible at various levels of influence see the Influence Guidelines.


Available Cryptopoly Assets

Please contact the VST of the relevant city if you wish to barter for access to assets.

  • Each occult conspiracy (cell) within the Cryptopoly is known by it's name (e.g. "Sisterhood of the Triple Moon", "Bunker Hill Boys", "New Jersey's Spiritual Housing Pact".). It will also have an ideology and practial and estoeric goals.
  • The conspiracy will be headed by one (or more) Illuminates, who could be PC's (if Awakened), or otherwise Sleepwalkers or high Wisdom characters. They usually have at least Occult ••••.
  • The conspiracy will then be controlled by a local Silver Ladder caucus cabal, or even a powerful individual.

Example (from Silver Ladder):

Organisation Merits Description
Sisterhood of the Triple Moon Resources ••••
Contacts •• (Essex Country's local governments)		 A neopagan conspiracy that believes the Hierarch of Boston is a god who is prophesised to raise his servants to divinity. Its practical goal is to purchase valuable real rural estate, especially around ley lines and supernatural phenomena. (Its esoteric goal is to guard strange places for the use of mages alone -- not necessarily revealed.)

Armidale

Organisation Merits Description

Brisbane

Organisation Merits Description
Children of the Earth Resources •••••
Allies (bureaucracy) •••
Allies (industry) •		 The Children are a philanthropic charity set up by an entrepreneur who made her money in the dot-com boom. It partners closely with government and businesses to deliver various programs “for the betterment of mankind”.
Eve's Supplication Allies (health) ••••
Allies (high society) ••
Allies (legal) ••••		 Eve’s Supplication is an exclusive sorority and professional development group for women only. It recruits alumni from the best and brightest lawyers, doctors, and other high society professionals, offering a place where they can get encouragement and support from other likeminded females.
Foundation for Rational Inquiry Contacts ••••• (church, media, occult, police, street)
Allies (university) ••••		 The FRI is devoted to promoting scientific skepticism and resisting the spread of pseudoscience, superstition, and irrational beliefs. Currently based in the University of Queensland, its goal is to become Australia’s premier academic body for investigation of claims of the paranormal and set up research units in the other major universities.


Melbourne

Organisation Merits Description
Conscientia Allies (Politics, Police, Occult, Religion) ••
Allies (University, Transport, Arts) •
Resources ••••
Conscientia is an undergraduate secret society at various Universities in Melbourne, Australia. It is publically known as a networking group with very exacting standards. The society has the goal of connecting people in power with each other to build a better tomorrow, and its Alumni remain in close contact. Rumor has it that a lot of the positions of power were filled through the connections garnered via the group, and that occasionally favors are called back.

Perth

Organisation Merits Description

Sydney

Organisation Merits Description

Summary

For examples of what types of things are possible at various levels of influence see the Influence Guidelines.

Summary of Cryptopoly influence across areas:

Resources
•••••
••••
Area Allies Contacts Status
Bureaucracy •••
Church •• •••••
Finance
Health ••••
High Society ••
•
Industry •
Legal ••••
Media •••••
Occult •• •••••
Police •• •••••
Political ••
Street •••••
Transport •
Underworld
University ••••
•

Relevant Addenda

I. ERATTA AND ADDITIONAL BOOKS
X. Silver Ladder (WW40105)
2. All Cryptopoly cults require Approval from the lowest-level ST whose authority extends over the cult's entire scope of influence. Social merits for these cults require the same level of approval as Merits belonging to PCs.
IV. MERITS
A. Merits Affected by the Addendum
5. Cryptopoly [Silver Ladder]: A Silver Ladder PC – Awakened or not - may consider any or all of his Social merits as part of his Cryptopoly. Other Silver Ladder PCs may barter for use of these merits, and he may barter for use of their Cryptopoly merits. Regularly denying such requests unless they are unbalanced or significantly disadvantageous is considered a Sin within the Order. Basic information about the kinds of merits that are within a character's cryptopoly is normally freely shared by and with all Thearchs in good standing.
14. Illuminate Retainer [Silver Ladder]
a. Created as a ●●●●● Retainer using the alternative creation template on p. 63 of Silver Ladder. They do not gain any additional XP by virtue of being a ●●●●● Retainer. (Please note that PC Illuminated Proximi are generated as a normal character.) However, the merit becomes a simple cost, rather than graduated cost merit.
i. The PC can ask the retainer to take an action to use one of its social merits on their behalf per downtime.
ii. All merits held by the Illuminate Retainer are held as part of a Cryptopoly, so can also be accessed by other PCs as noted above

Note: The template on p. 63 is specifically for Illuminated Proximi; the details for regular Illuminated Retainers are on p. 60.

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