Talk:Rose Brooks

Project Exemplar

Bringing Legend To Fruition

"On one hand, I like existing quite a bit. On the other hand, I'm not actually sure here. This seems to be about one step away from Etherite pseudoscience. Sure, a lot of these were probably touched by EDEs or other lifeforms which could do genetic modification, which would explain any or all 'legendary' attributes we have, but betting it on this instead of allegory is kind of out there. As is claiming the actual result is due to nature rather than the literal half-billion dollars each of us cost, when you consider all the failed ones."

-Ethical Compliance Agent Justin Cross, on EXEMPLAR.

Background

Exemplar is/was a Progenitor-led cross-Convention project to understand, as well as apply, the capabilities of legendary figures in history to combat an increasing level of threat from Reality Deviants. Led by Dr. Karen Altman (Progenitor) and Dr. Joyce Ambrose (former Etherdyne Engineer, defected during the 1940s), the project made use of these figures' genetics by melding them to high-end combat constructs. The previous project that EXEMPLAR was based on, Project RECOIL, used the same bodies and programmed attributes but had a high rate of failure. Ambrose theorized, under his questionably scientific belief, that the strength of psyche that the RECOIL volunteers and constructs had, based off of relatively primitive Victor/MiB braintapes or even human volunteers, was insufficient in all but a few cases.

All Exemplars were initially programmed with a simulated version of their historical figures' life, then had that programming erased. This meant that they would be a blank slate, useful for the fact that many of them would potentially have loyalty issues even to this idealized Order of Reason, but also create the strength and character needed to run a RECOIL-type body. The second stage of the upbringing was a proper Technocratic construct's upbringing, done by multiple lab technicians and assistants. All of them were carefully selected for their loyalty to an idealized and whitewashed Order of Reason that may probably not have existed. This led to EXEMPLAR operatives often being infamous and/or respected for their likelihood of putting moral considerations over mission efficiency. It has also led to a handful of notable EXEMPLAR defections, wherein such figures have created entire rogue constructs or in at least one high-profile case, defected entirely to the Traditions.

General Attributes/Abilities/Etc

An Exemplar probably has a similar Attribute and Ability spread to Rose/Cross. They are, after all, enhanced to similar template levels. Any notable departures or notable Abilities are stated in their own writeups.

Generation 1

Generation 1 likely had no supernatural influence, but used famous figures in history. Generation 1 ran from 1992-1997, producing a handful of clones.

Claude Smythe-EXEMPLAR-0-TEST

Based on theorist who coined the term "Technocracy", Claude Henri de Rouvoy.

Notable Attributes: Intelligence 5, Philosophy 5 (Political), Bureaucracy 4 (Politics), Construct Politics 5 (Ex-USSR Constructs)

Notable: Not actually an orthodox Technocrat. Suspected of involvement in Project Invictus and other unsanctioned 'anti-corruption' initiatives. Outspoken Socialist, has created a fake identity to "return meritocracy to the Western World" via political influence. Very outspoken against Syndicate economic viewpoints, has expressed sympathies with Russian Iterators. Reports imply the NWO is considering elimination if he takes it farther.

Generation 2

Generation 2 involved the use of outright legendary figures from history, who often had ties to the supernatural. Generation 2 was the majority of the EXEMPLAR project, running from 1998-2012, when the project was shut down.

Alexandra Stephenson-EXEMPLAR-2A-01

Proof of concept of EXEMPLAR project Generation 2. Used base genetic material attributed to Helen of Troy. Reason on record was "So we'll probably be able to figure out immediately if this actually works". Resulting success led to further exploitation of Generation 2.

Notable: Appearance 7, Legendary Appearance (special ability: Unless she takes hostile action directly against you, must roll Willpower against her Appearance to attempt to take any action with lethal intent against her). Style 4. Curse: Obsession

Arete 4, Mind 3, Life 3, Entropy 3.

Sankar Avininder-EXEMPLAR-2A-03

Possibly the greatest success of EXEMPLAR Gen 2. BGM for construct attributed to Rama of Indian legend. Although ferociously capable in combat, is generally reluctant to engage without severe provocation and prefers merciful solutions rather than killing, save in the case of Nephandi and Nephandi-aligned EDEs. Recently refused to work with non-Nephandi hunter combat Constructs, citing philosophical issues with the indiscriminate use of violence and the possibility that many of the targets who are eliminated may be potentially redeemed to work with the Technocracy. Considered the potential crux of an EXEMPLAR rebellion by NWO reports, due to the EXEMPLAR base programming. The problem cited with this is that elimination of Avininder is likely to create the very mass rebellion of high-grade combat constructs and sympathizers such an act is intended to prevent, as he is well-liked by almost everyone he has worked with.

Notable: Avatar 5, Charisma 4 (Compassionate), Etiquette 4 (Likable), Code of Honor (do all things with the utmost compassion), Higher Purpose (same), Prodigy (Firearms, Brawl, Martial Arts), Legendary Dexterity (cancels first 1 on Dexterity-based rolls, Dexterity is 8)

Arete 5, Forces 4, Correspondence 4, Life 3, Time 3

Jalal Bahadur-EXEMPLAR-2A-04

Political influence on 2nd Generation EXEMPLAR led to the besieged Middle Eastern Union members making a humble request for a method to turn the tide against Chorister influence. Building on the legend of the hero Saladin, Bahadur's deployment to the Middle East was met with very limited success, but all parties are willing to blame this on entrenched Reality Deviant influence and the significant level of religiosity in the area. Bahadur is a consummate leader but also an accomplished master of disguise, and has at the very least won the respect of several of his opponents via honorable conduct and his compassion for the Masses. It is unknown how they might react should they realize the blasphemy involved in his creation. Bahadur himself does not consider himself religious (or perhaps he considers himself pan-religious), but is something of an expert in theology.

Notable: Charisma 4 (Leadership), Manipulation 4 (Blending), Intelligence 5 (Tactics), Academics (Theology) 4 (Meaning Of Life), Leadership 4 (Military Tactics)

Arete 4, Mind 2, Correspondence 2, Entropy 2, Time 2

Alicia Merrick-EXEMPLAR-2A-05

DNA used is officially listed as unknown due to clone line tampering by unknown Technocratic sources. Involvement of Harbingers of Avalon was suspected, implying DNA is either King Arthur or someone of the Round Table. Original DNA donor was Joan of Arc. Went rogue one year in. Recovery teams have been dispatched to recover Agent Merrick due to her expense and potential usefulness to the Union, but in all cases the response teams were defeated or evaded, often with very minimal casualties on all sides. Agent Merrick is considered a high-grade memetic hazard and all recovery team survivors are required to

Notable: Destiny 5 (???!), Legend 5 (???!), Charisma 6 (Loyalty-Inspiring). Legendary Charisma (unknown special ability), Inner Knight, WP10.

Arete 4, Life 3, Prime 3, Mind 1.

Yu Linbo (Linbo Yu)-EXEMPLAR-2A-07

DNA based on scraps found on artifacts related to Guan Yu, ancient Chinese folk hero, warrior, and potential deity. Construction involved political interference by Chinese technocratic elements, demanding their own piece of the EXEMPLAR pie and was done under protest. The Shanxi-based Construct requesting the decanting and production in return filed a formal complaint accusing the project of racist inclinations. Settlement of this scuffle involved 25% of future EXEMPLAR-4 bodies being reserved for historical figures in the Chinese Technocracy.

Notable Abilities: WP 10, Brawl 5, Melee 5, Daredevil

Arete 4, Correspondence 4, Forces 3, Prime 2, Mind 2

Flaws: Stubborn

Zhou Junfu (Junfu Zhou)-EXEMPLAR-2A-08

Attempt by EXEMPLAR leaders to show reconciliation with Chinese influences in Technocratic Union. Based on He Qiong, one of the supposed Eight Immortals. Bionanotech integration created significant and aberrant vitality, including healing speed and resistance to harm. Moral qualms about killing reduce effectiveness as combat operative, but superhuman physical abilities and close-combat skills mean that she is not contraindicated for combat zone deployment. Currently on retainer to various Chinese field constructs.

Notable Abilities: Medicine 5, Biology 5, Intelligence 4, Brawl 4 (Disarming). Melee and Firearms of only 1.

Arete 4, Life 4, Matter 3, Prime 3

Merits: Font of Life, Legendary Stamina (ignores first attack which would have been a fatal blow in a scene).

Flaws: Lifegiver

Justin Cross-EXEMPLAR-2A-11

DNA basis used Trojan War hero Paris. Expert Damage Control sniper. Eventually seconded to Ethical Compliance due to unerring moral compass and immense personal composure.

Notable: Prodigy (Firearms). Potential for even further unsurpassed accuracy with firearms, but such mastery has not been currently attained.

Piero Dominici-EXEMPLAR-2A-12

Recovered DNA from legend and potential Reality Deviant Achilles. Scans indicated EDE interference in genetic map. Recovery was done by Void Engineer chronomancers, Dominici seconded to Void Engineer combat teams on request. Pinnacle of Generation 3 design. Iteration X provided total biomechanical integration. Dominici is, although an inexperienced Enlightened operative who is prone to fits of uncontrollable rage, an incredibly powerful weapon of mass destruction. Unlikely to be deployed Earthside due to massive and overwhelming risk of collateral damage. His rage and impulsiveness have made it hard for him to master the tenets of Enlightened Science, giving him another significant weakness.

As normal statline, but Piero has Exomuscle and primium skeletal weave complementing his physical structure enhancements, giving him 6 extra -0 HLs and bringing them to 7/7/8 Str/Dex/Sta, as well as 4d Countermagic and an extra 2d soak. Piero has Legendary Stamina, which converts damage down 1 level (from Aggravated to Lethal to Bashing), Legendary Dexterity, giving him the ability to spend 1 WP to take an extra action, and Legendary Strength, lowering the difficulty of all Strength-based rolls he makes by 2, including damage. This of course means he has 7 Permanent Paradox.

Flaws: Stress Atavism, Short Fuse. Arete 2, spheres are Forces 2/Life 2/Matter 2. WP of 6.

Generation 3

Generation 3 used people who were explicitly touched by the supernatural. The revelation of Generation 3 EXEMPLAR led to an ethics hearing in the Progenitors, which was resolved largely in favor of EXEMPLAR, although the project was indefinitely suspended and both leads censured. There are only 3 Generation 3s in existence. All have the Infamous flaw, due to their nature as completely unorthodox.

Henrietta Talbot-EXEMPLAR-3X-0W

Attempt to integrate EXEMPLAR with lycanthropic DNA. Partial success-total DNA integration successful, but failed Awakening. Clone DNA based on Wilfred Glendon, but due to suspicions of matrilineal inheritance of lycanthrope gene, clone was of female gender. Interaction with

Actually a werewolf, uses identical stats to Exemplar standard but lacks any magic. However, she does have werewolf shapeshifting. Has no Gnosis or Spirit charms, since she doesn't even know she can learn them yet. Just a ridiculously physical murder machine. She's also very reluctant to use this and lose control of herself to rage, so she actually is more of a pacifist. Just... don't poke the girl who has physicals of 10/8/9 in Crinos form. That never ends well.

Notable Abilities: Meditation 4 (Inner Calm), Animal Ken 4 (Canines), Primal Urge 3

Rose Brooks-EXEMPLAR-3X-0V

Integration of EXEMPLAR project with hemophage-modified DNA. Success is limited, as subject still suffers rejection of hemophagic xenografts, and lacks hemophagic abilities of her own. However, research has provided significant breakthroughs in hemophage biological processes and interaction. Testbed allowed for mass introduction of vampire xenografts to Damage Control operatives (see sub project CHEIRON for more details on xenograft use).

Notable: Has vampire xenografts.

Caspar Johann-EXEMPLAR-3X-0E

Direct EDE DNA integration, repayment for favors from Void Engineer chrononauts. Most expensive of the 3X project, and was the indirect cause of Ethical Compliance intervention when it turned out that the Void Engineer administrator in question was a barabbus, intending to use Johann as a host to house a powerful EDE and potentially bring about a Code: Ragnarok scenario. Given this, Caspar has been permanently seconded to an administrative and advisory role only, despite his potential combat ability.

Notable Attributes/Abilities: Charisma 4 (Convincing), Manipulation 5 (Silver Tongue), Appearance 4 (Innocent), Intelligence 5 (Clever). Abilities include Cosmology 4 (Hells) and various academic abilities. However, his combat skills have degraded from his relatively non-physical work (assume Combat Abilities of only 1-2), even if he has kept in shape.

Arete 3, Correspondence 2, Dimensional Science 3, Mind 3, Spirit ("Psionics") 2. Flaw: "Easy Ride" (possession difficulties reduced by 2).

Generation 4

If Generation 4 Exemplars are approved, the potential donors are legendary members of the Order of Reason. The suspicion here is that such bodies, exemplifying everything the Order of Reason built, would provide a next generation of enlightened (and Enlightened) leaders. In private, Dr. Ambrose suspects that such leaders would, in fact, allow the restoration of the Order of Reason to its Utopian ideals.

Of course, there is also the problem that he's literally resurrecting 16th century 'progressives', and that might backfire hilariously.