Talk:Syndicate IPO

Peel Magestorming

Rotes

• Enclose the Commons
  • Dimensional Science 2, Prime 4?

Primitive countries often have archaic social systems and institutions, particularly between human populations and the various aliens that prey on them. It is optimal for growth if physical, intellectual and spiritual capital can be placed in the hands of those best able to develop it - be they private companies or ministries of a responsible, non-ideological central government. An associate must survey the terrain and its possible business opportunities in all dimensions, then draw up new contracts to be signed by a relevant authority. Once this is done the region can provide a revenue stream from tourism, exploitation of natural resources, or other . Former inhabitants - human or otherwise - find themselves locked out, but such is the price of progress.

Effect: Node cap and gauntlet reinforcement, and weakening or severance of connections between the region in question and any spirits or horizon realms that rely on it.

Focus: Contracts, legal reform, copyright law, soldiers.

Notes: This is a powerful weapon in the Syndicate arsenal in developing countries. Similar effects can be achieved over the long term through mundane means, but this method is much faster. Due to weak institutions and poor understanding of property rights in such regions it is also one of the few Syndicate rotes regularly subject to paradox, manifesting as loopholes in contracts, failure to produce profits, collapse of the social or natural system or violent resistance from those dispossessed. Due to this it is typically only deployed during times of upheaval or as part of a coordinated shock offensive, when regions are ripe for radical change.

• Incentive Structure
  • Mind 2/Entropy 3, or Mind 3

People respond to incentives. By creating a proper incentive structure for personnel an organisation or endeavour can be ensured to work smoothly - or rapidly collapse. Whether rewards or punishments are favoured is up to the individual Associate.

Focus: Management consultancy meetings.

Notes: Associates skilled in the modelling of Time may be able to arrange for the collapse (or success) to happen at a specified point in the future.

• Consumer Profiling
  • Correspondence 2, one or more of Life/Matter/Mind/Time

People consume according to their preferences. By studying a person's purchases an Associate can build up a psychological profile, and also determine their probable state of health, possessions, mode of dress, location, and so forth.

Focus: Receipts, credit-card records, bank statements, etc.

• Prediction Markets
  • Time 2/Entropy 1

The Associate loads a description of the situation - or, in delicate circumstances, a carefully crafted analogous situation - onto one of the many speculative trading websites the Syndicate runs. The behaviour of the resulting market, properly interpreted, will reveal to him the likely outcomes of the situation and their relative probabilities.

Focus: The people betting, a properly crafted scenario/market structure

Notes: As this rote relies on the wisdom of crowds it is useless if kept private. Many mages (and others) keep tabs on the prediction markets to try to guess what the Syndicate is asking about, and gain access to their predictions. Canny Associates will disguise their questions using an Int + Subterfuge roll, opposed by an appropriate roll for the snooper. Virtual Adepts who favour crowdsourcing techniques also often use this rote.

Talismans

• TecEx Branch
  • Arete 5+
  • Correspondence 2, 3, or 4

TecEx is an exclusive private delivery firm almost exclusively used by Technocrats, though non-Union assets have from time to time been given access. By contacting a local branch you can arrange rapid delivery of objects to almost any location across the globe, with minimal fear of delay or interception. TecEx lists prices in Union Erg-Credits, thought they have a limited ability to extend credit to trusted members. Major branches are better equipped and can courier individuals or groups in the latest private cars or aircraft.

Shrike

Rotes

• Rational Actor
  • Mind 3, Entropy 1

This procedure applies sophisticated psychological modelling and subtle behavioral modification to an individual. Under the influence it adjusts their mental state so they approximate a Rational Actor; as such they become easy to predict and convince to do what is in their self-interest - generally, follow policies of the Union and reject nonsensical, irrational elements. As such it is often used to condition Providers or other unenlightened individuals.

Focus: Psychology, charts and graphs, convincing arguments

Notes: This is a long-term process compared to, say, a NWO neuralizer. It is, however, much more subtle and difficult to detect, as those under its influence do not display radical personality shifts.

• Information Overload
  • Mind 3

The unenlightened human mind can only process so much at once before it simply shuts down; this procedure directly attacks this psychological vulnerability. With a bundle of complex models, statistical data and other 'expert' information an Associate can overwhelm a target's psychological defenses and send them into depression or other negative state. This is often used as a softening-up tactic to cue them for follow-up procedures, in other cases used to divert the target to a desired policy. A Mind 4 variant is sufficiently effective to induce the target to engage in violence or suicide.

Focus: Imposing-looking authoritative bullshit and lots of it.

• Homo Economus
  • Mind 3, Life 3