Shadows of Shen Zhou:The Net

Destiny cost: 2
Study Difficulty: 20

It's not what you know, it's who you know

It's a bit of a misnomer to talk about "The" Net, as there is not single encompassing network. The Great Clans all operate their own networks, as does the Imperial government; access to various nets are provided by a bewildering variety of telecoms companies. The one constant across the public nets is censorship and surveillance. The Auspicious Ministry of Harmonious Communication - also known just as "Harmony" - aggressively monitors the nets for anything that might threaten the social order or be considered an insult to the Imperial Throne. The Clans, equally, scour the nets for anything that might reveal their secrets or compromise their commercial interests.

Because of this, there are many illegal, underground networks known as "darknets". Some are hosted on compromised hardware, some are kludged together from junked equipment, kitbashed wireless links and hand-written device drivers. In these hidden corners rumours and conspiracy theories are argued, fanfics of famous wulin members are published, and blurry camera footage is pored over. Most darknets are frequently being built, torn down, moved and rebuilt - some lasting for as little as a few hours as dangerous information is disseminated before the conspirators' nerve gives out. Data archives are often moved from net to net as one or other is compromised.

Whether you can get into a Darknet depends mainly on who you know, and who you can trust. More than a few people have disappeared after stumbling into a honeytrap set up by Harmony. However, Harmony still for the most part relies on the Imperial Magistrates for the grunt work, and sufficient bribes or simple bureaucratic inertia have kept some Darknets running under Imperial radar for some time.

Discounts on related lore

-1 The Auspicious Ministry of Harmonious Communication

Secrets of Destiny

Bonus: you know the right passcodes and addresses to access darknets on a regular basis, and you can use them for Gather Information rolls.

2 Fortune: You discover that an enemy is trawling the nets looking for certain information. Maybe this can put you on their trail? Or maybe you can lead them awry?

2 Secret: You discover a vital piece of information.