Channels Revisited

Now that all the characters have lifepaths, it's time to talk about channels in a more specific and detailed way.

Channels are used to give characters information and tools regarding the world about them. Unlike Pop-Ups (when there are Pop-Ups) channels are in-play, which means characters can use them in-game as in-game information. For example, one of the channels of Zebulon is the Committee of Foreign Affairs, which sends regular e-mails and updates to important people abroad in the Galaxy. Unlike Pop-Ups, which are common information about the galaxy and so are pretty much cannon and all-around true, information gained from channels can be subverted, blocked, or even forged. In many ways it's like information received from NPCs in the game.

Number and Identity

Every character would have two channels, decided by me, rooted in some specific lifepath, either two different lifepaths or the same one. Of course, since you only get two, not every lifepath gives a channel.

You can ask to change you channels during the next session (session 13), and I'll change them without a problem. Every lifepath can be the source of various channels, that provide different information. For example, Hill's Astrominer lifepath gives him access to the Miners' Forums channel. He could ask to change that to Local Miners Network in a specific system, or maybe Miners on the Job, working for a specific pan-galactic company. There's very little limit on the channels you ask for.

After session 13, the channels won't be changed. You can create new channels via roleplay, and using the Resources attribute to aid you. Also, long periods of disconnection or extreme distances from your channel might cause you to lose the channel for periods of time. However, it requires something extreme to break a channel completely. For example, one of Powell's channels if his Offices. When he can't get e-mails and messages he won't get information from his channel, but unless he goes completely bankrupt, he won't break the channel.

Relationships and Affiliations, Push and Pull

Ideally, you would get new information every session, before or during the session, though if the sessions are short (a day or two) you might not.
It's important to understand the difference between channels and affiliations. Channels don't give any special bonuses when rolling Circles. They are means for an end, not a bonus, an aspect of your character that gives color and not bonuses. Furthermore, channels provide information even when you do nothing (me pushing information on you), while affiliations only provide information when you use Circles.

When pulling for information, meaning asking for something specific, you roll your Circles attribute just like in any other case. Channels allow you to ask more specific questions because you have access to specific NPCs who have the information that you might want. However, and this is important, channels always work both ways. The channels that provides you with information always receives information from you, and distributes that to its members. When asking questions, you might attract attention. When doing something important, or noisy, people would pay attention. The general rule is that the higher the obstacle, the bigger the chance your question or your activity would be noted.

You can always ask what your channel knows of you, and get a general answer from me.

Intersections and Specific NPCs

All channels have intersections: places that gather and distribute information. These are specific known locations. The further you are from your intersections, the less often you receive information. Almost all intersections would be attached to some specific NPC or NPCs. You can probably meet those people and ask for help. Like you know them, they probably can guess who you are, though you might know more about them then they of you. Some information you receive would be about specific NPCs (like what some specific Houngen did in New Orleans) and some might be general (like what "people are saying" about the Orange Beast).

The way to destroy, interrupt, or infiltrate a channel is through its intersections. Just like other people can do it to your channels, so you can do it to theirs. This is done, like everything else, via roleplay and applicable skills. Shake before use.

Hoped this was in anyway helpful. See you (those of you who are coming) on Saturday.

Greif.