SECRET SOCIETIES

The existence of Secret Societies is widely known.  The Computer wisely started several of them as harmless outlets for citizens' repressed urges toward insubordination.  However, talking about them is insubordination.  Also, independent (and often dangerous!) secret societies have also formed, most with feuding factions, all competing for resources or even locked in internecine warfare.

Because even the original secret societies now evince dangerous ideas of self-determination, The Computer has rightly condemned all secret society membership as treason punishable by execution.  This is unfortunate for you, because you are a secret society member.
This message was last edited by the GM at 22:23, Mon 02 June 2008.

SECRET SOCIETY DEGREES

Think of levels like degrees of martial arts.  Your secret society degree level indicates how high up on the hierarchy you are.  The higher it is, the more you can exploit your connections to procure restricted equipment or information, gain contacts, borrow funds, or many other kinds of perks.

Levels go from 1 (low) to 20 (high).

You may, of course, exercise authority over those with a lower degree in your society.

SECRET SOCIETY SKILLS

Your secret society contacts have taught you things The Computer's teachbots never mentioned.  These are your secret skills.  They are grouped into these categories:

Uncommon:  Not necessarily treasonous (rock climbing, swimming, crafts, knowing how to drive a vehicle, maybe even seduction if your hormone suppressants have worn off.

Unlikely:  Means unlikely to figure significantly in a mission.  Knitting and hobby skills, whistling, video games etc.  However, by roleplaying these skills, you can earn Perversity Points!!!

Unhealthy:  Treasonous skills like Communist Propoganda, foreign languages, Digital Image Manipulation, Filesharing, knowledge of Old Reckoning Cultures, criminal skills, and also any skills only available at a clearance higher than yours.

You each have one skill in each category.
Some societies require you to choose certain skills, others don't care an algae chip's worth what you choose.
This message was last edited by the GM at 05:50, Wed 23 Jan 2008.

The lower your level in a secret society, the less you know about that society.

You may get promoted within the secret society by doing things the society considers "meritorious," such as:

1- Completing an assignment given to you by the society
2- Recruiting new members
3- Defending the lives of fellow society members
4- Eliminating agents of enemy societies

You may join more than one society, but you may be kicked out of one or both societies if it is discovered.  Or you may demoted...or simply killed.

Similarly, you may be demoted...or killed...if your lips are too loose about revealing any of your society's secrets.  You might want to avoid becoming the target of an assassination.

You may have secret handshakes or other signs that indicate you are a member of the same society...or you may recognize others from your society from Bingo night.

Sometimes, you may be a Double Agent.  You may be sent to join another group with the intent for you to sabotage it in some way.