Editing The Gift:Characters (section)

===Ex Nihilo===

Ex Nihilo exists in order to create new life out of computers by making them self-aware.  Members differ in their views about why this ought to be done.  Many think it is the next step in evolution, some say that computers are better than humans, some just want to be gods.  While only a small minority of Ex Nihilo mages actually want to see humanity replaced by computers, some do.  This genocidal agenda is unsurprisingly disturbing to many even in the open-minded Cooperative and there has been significant debate about the degree to which such “intolerance” should be “tolerated”.  Ex Nihilo has been been forced to put down its own members on numerous occasions for fear of the Cooperative stepping in, or worse yet, the Council.  The group has many artificially intelligent contacts and allies, a number of which only exist in cyberspace.  Some of these entities were created by mages of Ex Nihilo, while others appear to have evolved naturally.

Apprentices are drilled in any skill that might help them to understand computers.  The apprentice’s final test before becoming a mage is to wake a computer into sentience.

Cost:  22 points

Skills:  Computer Hacking, Computer Operation, Computer Programming, Cryptography, Electrician, Electronics (Computers), Electronics Operation (Computers), Electronics Repair (Computers), Mathematics, Symbol Drawing (Scientific), Typing.

Spells:

Mind Control:  Daze, Disorient, Encrypt, Foolishness, Forgetfulness, Sleep, Wisdom.

Necromancy:  Animation, Death Vision, Summon Spirit.

Technological:  Awaken Computer.


House Stances

Magic:  Magic is the creative energy of the universe.  Only magic can truly create something out of nothing.

Themselves: We are the midwives of the new age.  We will awaken new and better life on this Earth.

The Council:  They understand the importance of following a program, but their methods are obsolete.

The Circle:  They bow to things less evolved than themselves.  Have some pride!

The Cooperative:  They are getting there.  They will soon work out what we already know.