Sprites

SPRITES

Sprites are digital creatures formed out of (or summoned from, depending on who you ask) the Resonance. Sprites are then placed in the Matrix, personas without devices. Sprites are a lot like agents, obedient and semi-autonomous but not very bright. Depending on their personality, a technomancer might think of a sprite as a tool, a program, a pet, a friend, or a spirit of the machine. When a sprite’s code is analyzed, it looks like a kludgy mish-mash of code snippets and junk data that shouldn’t work but does. Sprites bend the rules of the Matrix just by existing. The Matrix isn’t really sure what to do with a sprite. When a sprite is compiled, its own Overwatch Score starts, even though it hasn’t had a chance to do anything illegal (it isn’t fair to the little guys, but life ain’t fair, chummer). When a demiGOD or a host converges on a sprite, it simply vanishes, even if it has tasks remaining. Sprites have a Device Rating and Resonance equal to their Level, and all four Matrix attributes are based on their Level and the type of sprite you compile.
Its Matrix HPs are 10 + summoner's computer Use (data) rank + Summoner Cha bonus + 5 per level. A sprite’s Initiative is also based on its Level, and it has 4 actions per round and adds its level to Init roll. A sprite’s owner is the technomancer that compiled it, and when you compile a sprite, it has your Resonance signature. If its physical location is tracked, the tracker gets your physical location instead; this also happens when a demiGOD converges on the hapless little sprite.

COMPILING A SPRITE

Bringing a sprite into the Matrix to work for you is called compiling. When you compile a sprite, you choose a Level for the sprite, up to twice your max level of spell. The higher the Level, the more powerful the sprite. Use the Compile Sprite action (a Resonance action, not a Matrix action). For every net hit on the Compiling test, you get one task from the sprite. You can spend one of these tasks having the sprite do one of the things on the list of compiled sprite tasks. SCompiling sprites causes a Fade of 2d6 per sprite level, with a minimum of 2 DV. This Fading is Non-Lethal damage unless the sprite’s Level is greater than your Max Level, in which case it’s Physical damage. You can only have one compiled sprite at any given time.

COMPILED SPRITE TASKS

A task is basically one job you ask/tell your sprite to do. It has to be a simple task without conditions or heavy decision-making requirements. A single task can be one of the following things: A single use of a sprite power; one Combat Turn worth of Matrix actions that apply to the same job; participation in cybercombat that lasts until all of the enemy combatants have been defeated or you’ve escaped to safety.
If a sprite uses a sustained power for you, sustaining that power doesn’t count against further tasks unless you change it in some way, like switching targets. You can send a sprite to perform a remote task on another grid or in a host that you’re not in. When you send a sprite on a remote task, it vanishes back to the Resonance when it’s done, and you lose any remaining tasks.

REGISTERING A SPRITE

The Matrix doesn’t know what to make of sprites, so they show up as illegal activity. This puts a limit on the time you can keep a sprite around before GOD finds it and crashes it. You can increase your sprites’ longevity by registering them with the Matrix.
This process takes a number of hours equal to the sprite’s Level; during this time, the sprite’s Overwatch Score does not increase due to time and neither you nor the sprite can take other actions. At the end of this time, make an Opposed v. the Sprite’s Level x 2. This causes Fading of 2 DV per hit (not net hit) The sprite gets, a minimum 2d6 DV. If you get at least one net hit, your sprite is registered with the Matrix. Its OS is erased but can be restarted if the sprite performs an illegal action. Add your net hits on the Registering test to the number of tasks your sprite owes you. The sprite is now a registered sprite and no longer counts toward your limit of one compiled sprite at a time. Your registered sprite will stay with you as long as it still owes you at least one task. Everything else is the same as for compiled sprites. Almost everything.

REGISTERED SPRITE TASKS

If you have a registered sprite, there is a special list of tasks you can have it do for you. Here’s that list:
Compiled Sprite Task: A registered sprite can do anything a compiled sprite can do for you
Aid Study: For the cost of one task, your registered sprite can give you a bonus equal to its level when learning new complex forms. It costs one task per new complex form.
Assist Threading: Your registered sprite can add its Level to your test to thread a complex form. This bonus lasts for one test.
Loaned Task: You can tell your registered sprite to follow the orders of another persona, even if that persona isn’t a technomancer. You get to pick how many tasks you’re loaning out. You don’t get to pick what those tasks will be, or what they can’t be, so make sure you trust whoever you loan your sprite to.
Remote Task: If you send a registered sprite on a remote task, it doesn’t return to the Resonance when it’s done. Instead, it comes back to you.
Re-register Sprite: You can attempt to re-register the sprite for one task. If you use the sprite’s last task to do this, don’t screw up. If you succeed, add your net hits to the number of tasks the sprite owes you (minus the one for re-registering, of course). If you fail, you’re out of tasks, plain and simple.
Standby: You can tell your registered sprite to return to the Resonance but come when you call it. This costs a task, but it keeps the sprite from giving away your presence or getting in harm’s way.
Re-register Sprite: You can attempt to re-register the sprite for one task. If you use the sprite’s last task to do this, don’t screw up. If you succeed, add your net hits to the number of tasks the sprite owes you (minus the one for re-registering, of course). If you fail, you’re out of tasks, plain and simple. Standby: You can tell your registered sprite to return to the Resonance but come when you call it. This costs a task, but it keeps the sprite from giving away your presence or getting in harm’s way. sustaining instead of you. Every task you use for this purpose lets the sprite sustain your complex form for up to its Level in Combat Turns. You can then take over sustaining again if you want

SPRITE-TECHNOMANCER LINK

You have a mental link to your sprites as long as you’re connected to the Matrix. You can communicate through this link with text, images, words, and so on. If you lose your connection with the Matrix, you also lose your mental link with your sprite(s). They’ll keep working on whatever it is they were doing, but when they’re done they’ll either vanish, or if they’re registered they’ll hang around waiting for you. Once you’re back online, you link up with your sprite(s) again. Sprites are personas, but not devices; they can’t be part of a PAN or WAN.

DECOMPILING SPRITES

You can decompile a sprite, trying to stuff it back into the Resonance and out of the Matrix. You can decompile your own sprites if you need to, but usually just dismissing them is enough. To decompile a sprite, make an Opposed Sprite Level + Computer Ranks v. target’s Level (+ compiler’s Resonance if the sprite is registered). Every net hit reduces es the sprite’s owed tasks by 1.
If the sprite is reduced to 0 tasks owed to its compiler, it returns to the Resonance on its next action. This causes Fading equal to 2d6 per level the sprite rolls, with a minimum of 2d6.

SPRITE DATABASE

There are five types of sprites listed here, but rumors abound that there are other kinds out in the Resonance. The “L” in the sprite description stands for the sprite’s Level. The stats of Sprite are as follows:
Firewall=Level
Response = Level
System = Level
Matrix HPs are 10 + summoner's computer Use (data) rank + Summoner Cha bonus + 5 per level.
MAS: Compiler INT score + Level
Speed: Levelx1000 miles, Tactical :5 feet x level
Defense: Level + Compiler Computer Use (Data) Rank + Compiler Cha Bonus
BAB: Level + Compiler Int Bonus
Att: Level + Computer Use check (Check Sprite type below)+ Compiler Cha Bonus
Saves (SV): An avatar has the same base save bonuses as its user and check below for bonuses for each sprite.
Init: +4, 4 actions per round 
Complex Skill Tests: Sprite uses whatever the Int bonus is of the compiler for Complex Skill Tests.
COURIER SPRITE Courier sprites are great at delivering messages securely and are pretty good trackers.  Powers: Cookie, Hash  Skills: Computer Use (Class), +3 when using Sleaze, +1 on matrix Tests Save: R +4 Firewall:+2 Init: +4
CRACK SPRITE If you need a sprite for a quiet run that stays under the radar, the Crack sprite has what you need.  Powers: Suppression Skills: Computer Use (Class), +3 when using Sleaze. +2 on Data searches Save: R +6 Firewall:+1 Init: +6
DATA SPRITE Data sprites are masters of finding and manipulating data. They make great librarians, search bots, and trivia contest ringers.  Powers: Camouflage, Watermark Skills: Computer Use (Class), +4 when doing anything with Data searching decoding, sending ect.. -2 on attacking Save: F +3 R +3  W +3  Firewall:+1 Init: +8
FAULT SPRITE The Fault sprite is the one you want to have your back in a fight. Cold as IC and twice as tenacious, they’ll shred your enemies in the blink of an icon.  Powers: Electron Storm Skills: Computer Use (Class), +3 when attacking (not sleaze)  Save: F +3 R +3 W +3 Firewall:+3 Init: +4
MACHINE SPRITE Of all the sprites, the Machine sprite is the most likely to interact with the physical world, although that would happen through a device. They’re experts at all sorts of electronics.  Powers: Diagnostics, Gremlins, Stability Skills: Repair (Class Computer Use (Class), +1 attacking, +3 for any data searchers Save: F +3 R +3 W +3 Firewall:+2 Init: +6

Sprite Power
CAMOUFLAGE The sprite can conceal a file within another file in such a way as to make it invisible to Matrix searches. Concealed files can only be found with a Matrix Perception Test that specifically looks for the hidden file; even the sprite must make this test in order to find and extract the file.
COOKIE A sprite uses its cookie power to “tag” a target persona with a cookie file that can be used to track the icon’s Matrix activities. The sprite must successfully beat the target in a Complex skill test Computer Use (Data) DC  Firewall + Computer Use (Data) Rank. Each pass gives a -1 to any check to find the cookie file. If the sprite succeeds, the persona starts carrying the cookie file, none the wiser. The cookie file runs silent and is protected with a rating equal to the sprite’s Level. The file will log every everything the icon does, for example each host the persona enters, the details of any communications the persona engages in (with whom and when, but not the actual contents), any programs the icon uses, etc. Use the net hits to benchmark the depth of the data the cookie accumulates (1 hit providing a bare outline, 4 or more a detailed report). At the end of a time determined by the sprite (or its owner) when placed, the cookie file transfers itself and ts accumulated data to the sprite. Once the sprite has it, it may turn it over to the technomancer. If the sprite isn’t in the Matrix when the file transfers itself, the file is deleted. Cookie files may be detected with a successful Matrix Perception Test performed on the carrying persona. Once identified, it may be removed by removing the file’s protection and then deleting it.
DIAGNOSTICS The Diagnostics power allows the sprite to evaluate the inner workings of an electronic device. The sprite can assist someone using or repairing the device with an Aid Another test. The sprite makes a DC 10 Repair or Computer Use(depending on what he is helping with the character gets a +2  insight bonus and may reroll a check once in the life cycle of Sprite, This power takes the sprite’s entire attention; the bonus lasts until the sprite drops it or does something else.
ELECTRON STORM This attack allows the sprite to engulf a target persona in a sustained barrage of corrupting datastreams. The target has to resist this attack Fort save DC 10 + Firewall, if fails the target is swallowed in a hail of digital pulses. With the first successful attack and on each subsequent action the sprite performs while sustaining this power, it inflicts (firewall)d6 in DV Matrix damage, resisted as normal. After the first 4 actions( eg 1 round) target may roll again to get out on their turn. The engulfing storm also causes -2 to all checks within a 100-foot radius. t. If the sprite takes any Matrix damage, all of its electron storms end immediately.
GREMLINS This power causes a device to mysteriously malfunction or operate in some (usually detrimental) manner. The sprite targets a device, making a Computer Use (data) v. Device Rating + Firewall test. If the sprite succeeds, the device suffers a glitch. The gamemaster chooses a malfunction appropriate to the device and situation, like a jammed control, a looped signal, or a faulty reading. If the sprite scores 4+ passes, treat it as a critical glitch— the device crashes burns out, jolts its user with an electrical shock, or some other goodie picked by the gamemaster.
HASH The Hash power allows the sprite to temporarily protect a file with a unique Resonance algorithm in such a way that only the sprite can unprotect it. If the sprite stops carrying the hashed file it reverts to normal. If the sprite is destroyed while carrying the file, the hashed file is permanently corrupted and becomes worthless. The maximum time the sprite can use this power is Level x 10 Combat Turns.
STABILITY A sprite can use this power on any persona or device for which it has a mark. Stability prevents normal malfunctions or accidents from afflicting the target (including both standard glitches and those induced by the Gremlins or Accident powers). Ignore standard glitches and reduce critical glitches to standard glitches.
SUPPRESSION Sprites are confusing at the best of times, but a sprite using suppression is just bizarre, especially to hosts. If a sprite is in a host and using this power when the host launches IC, that IC is delayed from launching by (Level / 2) Combat Turns. Delayed IC can’t act or be targeted.
WATERMARK The sprite can tag an icon with an invisible marking that only Resonance-driven entities can see, kind of like a Matrix signature. This allows the sprite to secretly leave messages on Matrix objects. A sprite can overwrite an existing watermark with a new one. A watermark can be erased with the Erase Matrix Signature action; otherwise, it lasts as long as the icon does.