Anne Croft (T2M): Difference between revisions

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Movement: walk 7m, run 18m, sprint 38m<br>
Movement: walk 7m, run 18m, sprint 38m<br>
Willpower: 5 (5)<br>
Willpower: 5 (5)<br>
Quantum Energy: 28 (28)<br>
Quantum Energy: 28 (25)<br>
Quantum: ●●●●<br>
Quantum: ●●●●<br>
Taint: ●●●●<br>
Taint: ●●●●<br>
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====Aberrations====
====Aberrations====
Unearthly Beauty – 1 XP
Unearthly Beauty – 1 XP<br>
Eufiber Rejection – 6 XP
Eufiber Rejection – 6 XP


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:Resources: ●●●●●
:Resources: ●●●●●
::Though not particularly materialistic she owns multiple patents and has various investments in stocks and bonds.
::Though not particularly materialistic she owns multiple patents and has various investments in stocks and bonds.
:Unspent: ●●
:Sanction (Utopia): ●●
::Anne Croft is well-behaved enough that she does get the extra leeway and benefit of the doubt.


===Flaws===
===Flaws===
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===XP Track===
===XP Track===
====XP Earned====
====XP Earned====
* Meet the Group, Meet the Press - 5XP
* The Wages of Sin - 4XP
* Mind-Rotting Pop Songs - 6 XP
* Planning the concert - 3 XP
* A rocking concert! - 6 XP


====XP Spent====
====XP Spent====
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==Lessons Learned==
==Lessons Learned==
* Teamwork is important! Be sure to keep it up!
* I am not mentally invulnerable. This is a weakness in struggles against mega-ints.
* To try to have improved audio-visual feeds on the rest of the team when we are "on the job." Because faulty communications can lead to failure.


==Background Story==
==Background Story==
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<br>
<br>
Once she had the chance to properly think (and publish various books) she joined Team Tomorrow with a view to making the world a better place. In particular by helping to make it less chaotic and more controlled, though she herself was not particularly interested in controlling it. As a result she wound up designing refugee camps, new cities, factories, and so on, as well as doing massive disaster relief programs.
Once she had the chance to properly think (and publish various books) she joined Team Tomorrow with a view to making the world a better place. In particular by helping to make it less chaotic and more controlled, though she herself was not particularly interested in controlling it. As a result she wound up designing refugee camps, new cities, factories, and so on, as well as doing massive disaster relief programs.
=Bibliography=
==Philosophy==
===A Critique of Anarchism===
The first of Anne Croft's serious books and one where she is still trying to write at a level that baselines can follow.<br>
<br>
The book goes into great detail using philosophy, mathematics and clinical psychology to demonstrate how unworkable it is in practise. Each major strand of anarchistic and minarchistic has its own section, if their specific claims need to be separately refuted.<br>
<br>
One of the more interesting claims is that far from being a freer system it is in fact inherently totalitarian since it is in reality all but impossible to defy group consensus. Further that coercion will naturally occur and often be far more brutal than in statist societies, but that it is consistently explained away by defenders of anarchism. If the end result of not doing what the group wants is that you are miserable, starving, imprisoned, or dead, then you are being coerced.<br>
<br>
<b>Notes:</b> Though an excellent book in its own right, it is often (rightly) seen as a precursor to the <i>A Critical Review of the Null Manifesto</i>.
===A Critical Review of the Null Manifesto===
This book is the most popular of her serious works, though most people flip open a few pages, give up, and place it on their coffee table. It contains large sections of full on symbolic logic and even the written sections often include symbols next to words to specify what precise meaning of the words she wants to indicate.<br>
<br>
Perhaps the most important part of the Review is a careful analysis of the Null Manifesto pointing out is-ought gaps (or ought-is gaps if any are applicable). In addition it draws attention to various hidden assumptions that are not necessarily properly accounted for. This part of the Review is often considered unbearably heavy and dry, however much of what follows heavily depends on it.<br>
<br>
The next part is a discussion of whether being a Nova <i>in itself</i> should be seen as imbuing you with more Dignity or Utility than a baseline human being. In this part it is argued that the sheer diversity of Nova abilities and types is such that it is absurd to put them all into a single category separate from baseline humans in terms of Dignity or Utility. A Mega-Intelligent or Mega-Sensory Nova would be just as superior to another Nova that lacked such abilities as they would to a baseline humans, and superior in precisely the same way. Nor does it seem likely that most Novas will ever gain Mega-Intellect as this would go against the theme of their eruptions.<br>
<br>
Going back to themes from <i>A Critique of Anarchism</i> she argues that Novas would suffer from precisely the same problems as anarchies would. Assuming a period of free association and anarchy in order to find out what sort of society Novas should have, why would they be able to decide on anything? Why wouldn't most of them simply use "choose your own morality and accept the consequences," as an excuse to do as you wish, with at most some primitive tribal anarchy to keep you from hurting other Novas. It also argues that the same hidden coercions will be at work in any actual Nova society, as opposed to a theoretical one.<br>
<br>
The conclusion (notable weaker than the preceding and following sections) argues that staying with baseline human society, even if it is flawed, is still the best course because it provides an environment where you can profit and be safe. Thus from a practical point of view it makes more sense to consider moral worth as something that accrues once you reach sapience. This category would then cover baseline humans as well as Novas.<br>
<br>
<b>Notes:</b> The Review is somewhat famous as one of those impossibly heavy books that supposedly prove that whatever makes you feel good is true. Most baselines and Novas are incapable of actually understanding the full line of argument, and are happy to just accept the conclusions. However there are several weaknesses: If Novas <i>could</i> all achieve mega-intelligence why shouldn't they be viewed as morally superior?; Even if the Null Manifesto society wouldn't work for everyone, why should the ones that could make it work be prevented from trying it? Indeed the same argument she used elsewhere (that Novas are so diverse) would dictate that there must be at least some that could make it work for them; How is rule by Novas any more arbitrary than rule by democracy?; Ironically the conclusion suffers (to a greater extent in fact) from the very is-ought issues criticized in the first section, and Anne Croft has no excuse she knew better; And why must a book wrestling with the Null Manifesto be written at a level that none of the baseline who read it can ever fully appreciate it?<br>
<br>
That said it is still one of the most respectable attempts by a non-Teragen Nova to intellectually engage with the Null Manifesto rather than just go "this is not for me".
===Moral Philosophy in the Nova Age===
Often called The Plus Manifesto. This is her best known book and to some degree responsible for her Fame, with many viewing it as the definite answer to the Null Manifesto. Despite being massively popular and actually comprehensible to Baseline readers it too is one of those books you have in the bookshelf or on the coffee table but never read.<br>
<br>
This book is in part a heavily simplified version of the Critical Review. In particular it goes into the argument that moral worth is something that accrues once you reach sapience. This category would then cover baseline humans as well as Novas. Both of which should naturally share the same society and work together in and for that society.<br>
<br>
Anne Croft's anti-Anarchic attitudes do show through where she argues that baseline humans and Novas should work in and for their shared society. Though she explains how society is made up of the people in it. A strong welfare state providing for everyone is the way to go, as well as an open society which does not exclude anyone.<br>
<br>
<b>Notes:</b> The book is heavily, heavily simplified compared to her other output. Indeed she received a teasing note from a certain contact saying "I am reading your latest book. I've reached the part where the cow goes moo, looking forward to the sheep going baah."

Latest revision as of 15:50, 29 September 2013

Anne Croft (Team Tomorrow)

Basics

Name: Anne Croft
Alias: Cornucopia
Eruption Type: Revelation
Concept: Mad Scientist
Virtue: Analyst: Regain 2 WP whenever you resolve a situation with rationality and logic.
Vice: Idealist: Spend 1 WP to take a course of action antithetical to your ideal. Regain 1 WP when staying the course does more harm than good.
Allegiance: Team Tomorrow

Description

Anne Croft is blonde and beautiful, but often described as cold looking; like she's more a work of art than a flesh and blood woman. Though she tends to dress reasonably well (with the help of her PR managers too) she can never quite seem to shake the ice-queen vibe.

Personality wise she is rational, though compassionate and genuinely concerned with the well-being of people around her. However the Quantum Taint makes her come off as somewhat cold and Vulcan-like.

Stats

Attributes/Abilities

Physical (3)

Strength: ●●

Brawl: 0
Melee: 0
Might: 0

Dexterity: ●●

Athletics: 3 ()
Drive: 0
Firearms: 0
Heavy Weapons: 0
Legerdemain: 0
Pilot: 0
Stealth: 1

Stamina: ●●

Endurance: 3 [free]
Resistance: 3 [free]

Mental (7)

Perception: ●●● ()

Awareness: 3
Gunnery: 0
Investigation: 1

Intelligence: ●●●●● ●●●●● (Bookworm) ●●●●● (Analyze Weakness)

Academics [Philosophy]: 5 (Deconstruction +3)
Academics [Psychology]: 5
Bureaucracy: 1
Computer: 1
Engineering [Civil]: 5
Engineering [Mechanical]: 5
Medicine: 1
Science [Mathematics]: 5
Strategy: 1

Wits: ●● ()

Arts: 0
Biz: 3
Intrusion: 1
Rapport: 0
Resistance: 0
Streetwise: 0
Survival: 0
Tactics: 0

Social (5)

Appearance: ●●●●● (Ice Queen)

Intimidation: 1
Style: 1

Manipulation: ●● ()

Interrogation: 0
Subterfuge: 0

Charisma: ●● ()

Command: 0
Etiquette: 3
Instruction: 0
Perform: 0

Other

Initiative: +4
Movement: walk 7m, run 18m, sprint 38m
Willpower: 5 (5)
Quantum Energy: 28 (25)
Quantum: ●●●●
Taint: ●●●●
Temporary Taint:
Soak:

Natural 6B/5L/2A
Danger Suit: 20B/22L/2A

Attacks

Basic Attack: Accuracy +2/0, 3B/7B + [5]
Block: d2
Dodge: d5

Health Levels

[ ]: Bruised, -0 x 5
[ ]: Hurt, -1 x 2
[ ]: Injured, -2 x 2
[ ]: Maimed, -4 x 1
[ ]: Incapacitated x 1
[ ]: Dead x 1

Nova Abilities

Mega-Attributes

Mega-Intelligence ●●●●● (Analyze Weakness)
Analyze Weakness: 1 QP for +5 dice to any roll dealing with weaknesses in a system.

Powers

Entropy Control (L3 + Entropic Selectivity): 5

Bioentropic Vortex (Stamina + Entropy Control)
Bioentropic Storm (Stamina + Entropy Control)
Entropic Front (Perception + Entropy Control)
Probability Corruption (Intelligence + Entropy Control)
Synchronisation (Intelligence + Entropy Control)

Augmentations

Superhuman Intelligence +5 – 15 XP

Aberrations

Unearthly Beauty – 1 XP
Eufiber Rejection – 6 XP

Background

Merits

Authority: ●● + ●●●● (Project Utopia)
Though she makes no attempt to gain power and authority for herself she has risen somewhat through sheer ability. The fact that she is a super-genius also means that people tend to pay attention when she is speaking out in her field.
Contacts: ●●
High ranking official in Project Utopia; An "independent" Nova intellectual; Assorted contacts in various aid groups.
Fame: ●●
Not one of the truly famous Novas, but she is still known for her humanitarian work.
Gadget: ●●●●●
The Danger Suit (see below)
Followers: ●●
Cornucopia has a devoted staff of researchers and staff, as well as a full time business manager.
Linguistics: ●●●
English (mother tongue); Mandarin, formal Arabic, French & Spanish. Mostly languages she picked up or found useful for work.
Resources: ●●●●●
Though not particularly materialistic she owns multiple patents and has various investments in stocks and bonds.
Sanction (Utopia): ●●
Anne Croft is well-behaved enough that she does get the extra leeway and benefit of the doubt.

Flaws

Secret: ●
Due to the high level of her philosophical and scientific writings Cornucopia has been forced to turn to less than savoury sorts to find someone to share her ideas with. Though this never amounted to more than polite discussion it would still be embarrassing if it got out.
Duties: ●●
As an active member of Team Tomorrow and part of the disaster relief team Cornucopia does have duties to attend to.

Equipment

Personal

Danger Suit

Now turned into a 15 NP 3 Quantum 35 Quantum Pool gadget based on a Stealth Suit with standard protective kit:

Armour (lvl 2 - Discrete) ●●●●●
Mega-Strength ●
Illuminate ●

Total Stats: 17B/19L, 3HL

Bookkeeping

Construction Track

Will 5: -2 BP
Merits +14: -20BP
Flaws +3: 3 BP
Attributes +6: -3 NP
Int +5
Charisma +1
Quantum 4: -20NP
Mega-Intelligence 5: -10NP
Entropy Control 5 (w/enhancement): -20NP
Augmentation: -1 NP
Additional Skill Points 10: -1 2/3 NP
Additional Merits +4: -1 1/3 NP
Permanent Taint +3: 12NP

XP Track

XP Earned

  • Meet the Group, Meet the Press - 5XP
  • The Wages of Sin - 4XP
  • Mind-Rotting Pop Songs - 6 XP
  • Planning the concert - 3 XP
  • A rocking concert! - 6 XP

XP Spent

XP Planning

Lessons Learned

  • Teamwork is important! Be sure to keep it up!
  • I am not mentally invulnerable. This is a weakness in struggles against mega-ints.
  • To try to have improved audio-visual feeds on the rest of the team when we are "on the job." Because faulty communications can lead to failure.

Background Story

Anne Croft was born into an intellectual family and more or less followed the family path. At first her life looked very promising, as she studied at a private high-school and got excellent marks. However things would not go as well, with her being diagnosed with a rare bone-marrow disorder which would probably cut her life short.

Attending college early she began studying psychology, while pondering going into hard sciences, partly due to being irked about the gender gap there. However as she went into her second year she was told that her family had died in a disaster in New York City. Heavily distraught she dove further into her work.

It was sometime during this period that she erupted, marked by a sudden massive spike in her grades, far above and beyond anything she had done since. Nor was she subtle enough to avoid detection so she went to an MR centre for help and treatment while she passed multiple majors over a period of a few months.

For the most part her time as a Nova has not been the kind to draw overmuch attention. As a mega-intellect she made several inventions and made a small fortune of course. Beyond that she spent a period exploring her abilities, travelling the world and meeting interesting people. Some of those meetings and contacts might be a little embarrassing now.

Once she had the chance to properly think (and publish various books) she joined Team Tomorrow with a view to making the world a better place. In particular by helping to make it less chaotic and more controlled, though she herself was not particularly interested in controlling it. As a result she wound up designing refugee camps, new cities, factories, and so on, as well as doing massive disaster relief programs.