The Cyber Realm
Source: Umbra: The Velvet Shadow, White Wolf Publishing; Book of the Wyrm, 2nd Ed, White Wolf Publishing; Werewolf Players Guide (2e), White Wolf Publishing
Below is a general synopsis of what the Cyber Realm is and what can be found there. For a complete picture of the Cyber Realm, its history, and the plethora of story ideas, it is advised to access the above source materials since the information is too extensive to cover here.
The Wilds of Cyberspace
Not unlike the Earthly dangers of the wilds, the Computer Web equally has its own dangers that can trap and kill the unwary Glass Walker who takes these risks too lightly. The Computer Web consists of two levels, a Macro Level and a Micro Level.
The web is composed of faintly glowing threads of spirit-data paths between information storage clusters. The shimmering lights are Informational Geomids and Net-spiders transferring and modifying data. The Net-spiders living here include Back Door, Orb-Weaver and Wolf Spiders. Virtual Odysseys (aislings into the Computer Web) begin one of these threads. At this level, Garou view the entire Computer Web. They might see clusters of Geomids, Net Spiders weaving new strands and other activity in the Web. Movement through the Computer Web is done by Mental Skill. To travel, a Garou concentrates on the direction she/he/they wants to go and arrives almost instantly at the speed of thought.
The Birth of the Cyber Realm: Spider City and the Computer Web
When humans first embraced the Weaver, a Near Realm dedicated to technology rose out of the Umbra. As humans developed more sophisticated devices, the realm grew, reflecting both the spirit and the direction of technological advances.
Today, in the age of information and sensory overload, these advances have spawned what the Glass Walkers call the Cyber Realm. The Cyber Realm has two parts. The first is a dark, futuristic, endless urban sprawl called Spider City by the Glass Walkers. Stench City is the least offensive of the Bone Gnawers names for it. Others call it the Sprawl.
Spider City is an endless tangle of steel, concrete, glass and plastic. Visitors view the Sprawl in different ways. For the Glass Walkers, it is the Near Realm where they have an edge over other Garou. The Shadow Lords consider ita place to attain might. The Red Talons want it destroyed at any cost. There are four levels in the Sprawl: the Pit, Old Town, Downtown and Uptown. The Pit is the lowest layer.
The second part of the Cyber Realm is the Computer Web. The Computer Web contains the spiritual reflections of every computer and telephone system on Earth. However, it is distinctly separate from networks operating on Earth. The Computer Web touches every computer, even computers that are turned off or disconnected from phone lines.
The Computer Web appears as a tremendous three dimensional spiderweb, like a web spanning the inside of a bush. Each strand of the Web glows and shimmers as if covered by countless droplets of morning dew.
Entering the Computer Web
The Computer Web may be accessed in one of four ways:
- First, if a Garou physically brings a computer into the Cyber Realm and links it to a Downtown terminal, he can use the Computer Web just like a normal network listed in the computer rules from Werewolf Players Guide (although it would be a vastly more powerful one). Those pages are useful for a complete understanding of some of the concepts in the Cyber Realm.
The other three ways involve a Garou sending his body into the Computer Web. Informational Geomids have connections to the Computer Web and can access it from anywhere in the Near Umbra.
2. If a Garou has an Informational Geomid bound into a Technofetish (such as a neural interface) and she can connect herself to the computer, she may shift into the computer using an ability resembling the Stargazer Gift: Astral Mind.
3. A Stargazer with Astral Mind may also project himself into the Computer Web from any computer with a modem.In the Sprawl, a Garou may enter the Computer Web by touching a computer screen and making a Gnosis roll. The difficulty is 4.
4. The Weaver has created a mini-Gauntlet between the Sprawl and the Computer Web within the Cyber Realm. Some say this is because the Weaver fears the Wyld has entered the Computer Web. Some webs spun by Orb-spiders lead into the Computer Web from Uptown or the Near Umbra. The Glass Walker Gift: Virtual Umbra (see Appendix) gives access the Computer Web from any Weaver domain.
Challenges of the Computer Web
Data clusters are difficult to recognize, and it is relatively easy for a less-experienced Glass Walker to slip into an open Micro Level Data Pocket and quickly lose their way. Often, Garou bring bound Weaver spirits with them as guides. Cockroach Gafflings make excellent guides. Gifts involving tracking can help Garou who are attempting to find their way in the Computer Web.
Storyteller's Note: At the Storyteller's discretion, Garou may roll Mental Skill + Computers (DIF: 80) to navigate through the Computer Web or to find their way out of a Micro Level Data Pocket.
Information can be found in Micro Level Data Pockets. These pockets can be shallow with just a few lines of information, code or other data, or deep chasms that quickly swallow inexperienced Garou whole into a virtual world of files, folders and random data. Reaching these Pockets is done by touching a doorway and concentrating on entry.
A Garou must make a Mental Skill roll to enter the Micro Level. The difficulty is determined by the Storyteller. If he/she/they succeeds, the doorway opens. The juncture expands and shifts into a more specific form, such as the Pentex ICS building. Connections to other data clusters vanish.
Computer Web Defenses
Garou immediately encounter daemons bound to the junctures as spiritual defense programs. Daemons are Weaver spirits bound to a data cluster. They have the same attributes as Weaver spirits. Daemons and the Micro Level environments are limited in form only by the imagination. However, these forms all look like computer art. Daemons scan Garou who enter their Micro Level cluster. They will allow access to Garou who provide proper pass codes.
If Garou do not give the proper pass codes, the daemons attack. Back-Door spiders can create connections to data clusters that avoid front door daemons. The interiors of data clusters are mazes of chambers and connections containing data, daemons and roaming Net spiders. These interiors could appear as anything. (Storytellers have full dramatic license.)
Data Clusters and Juice
Data clusters reflect the nature of their users. A Pentex data cluster is a sick dark oozing place, like a scene from a horror video game. All data in data clusters appears as a liquid of some nature. It may be milk, water, blood, etc. Garou take this "juice" to steal information. If a Garou imbibes the "juice," the data will download itself directly into the brain. If "juice" is transported to another juncture, the data is shifted there.
Data Security and Leaving the Web
Data is always guarded. Geomid daemons appear as stationary objects, such as flowers or furniture, until activated by intruders. Net-spider daemons move through a data cluster, taking the forms of security guards or monsters. To leave the Micro Level, a Garou travels through a previously made doorway or makes a new one. Exiting immediately transports Garou back to the Macro Level. A Garou leaves the Computer Web by returning to his entry point or finding another accessway.
Traveling the Computer Web and the Dangers Within
Travel through Computer Web has plenty of hazards. Weaver spirits fill the Computer Web. Guardian spiders, Netspiders and Attack Geomids make powerful opponents. Problems with Weaver spirits in the Computer Web spill over into the Sprawl (and vice versa).
Weaver spirits through the entire Cyber Realm search for discovered Garou. Rumor has it that at the center of the Computer Web lives a Weaver manifestation directing the entire Cyber Realm.
Viruses
Viruses are another problem. Viruses are mysterious sentient spirits capable of doing extreme damage to data clusters and anything else they encounter. The existence of viruses and the variety of forms found on the Micro Level lend credence to the theory that the Wyld has gained a foothold in the Computer Web.
Some stories have started about Wyld domains located in the darkness surrounding the Computer Web. Moon Paths lead to Old Town, but not to any other levels of the Cyber Realm. The Pattern Web has many strands attached to the Cyber Realm.
Moon Bridges and the Cyber Web
Moon Bridges, spirit paths and Spirit Gates may all be found leading to the Cyber Realm. The Cyber Realm has strong connections to Scar, the Weaver Reaches in the Aethereal Realm and the Glass Walker and Bone Gnawer homelands.
Pentex ICS
Only two organized groups directly access and utilize the tremendous power of the Computer Web. They are Pentex ICS (see Book of the Wyrm) and the Weaver herself. When Pentex first established its Umbral network, they did not realize that they had become part of the Computer Web. Only recently has Pentex begun developing the potential benefits of the Web. Pentex is tainting Net-spiders for protection and weaving purposes.