Fringer: Fellowship of Cyber-Knights
A fringer group created by John Reavis.
“Cyberware users, this could be the organizartion for you…
“Read this pamhplet to find your direction…
“Hello my name is Jules E. Cavanaugh. Thank you for taking the time to read this brochure, I hope you will find it informative. However, Let me W& by telling you something of myself, As a child I was orphaned, and the orphanage I was assigned to found out that I had a genetic predisposition to a chronic degenerative bone disorder. – They did the best they could to find me a “normal” home, but my medical condition tended to disenchant any prospective adoptive parents. The orphanage did receive one inquiry, but they were hesitant to place me in the care of an obviously highly cybered individual. Then at the age of nine my bone disorder began to affect my skeletal system and, as I later learned, the initial cost of treatment was paid for by that same individual. This unsolicited donation convinced the orphanage that I would be well cared for by my benefactor, and Charles Cavanaugh adopted me. He taught me many, things and I have tested well beyond my contemporaries in all current scholastic endeavors suggested by educational authorities. In the years since my adoption members of the Fellowship of Cyber-Knights have adopted many orphans. These former orphans enjoy many privileges most often reserved for the elite of society, and one of the finest educations available. The Fellowship of cyber-Knights believes that you can..
“Be better than you can be…
“… with cybernetic systems. The former orphans however are not forced to join the organization if they are not comfortable with those beliefs. They are of course welcome to join, as is any sentient being.
“Training and the art of control are essential to the good and effective use of any cyberware. This training is accomplished in cyber-space, using some of the most sophisticated algorithms currently available on the open market. Additionally we employ some of the universes best psychologists to enhance the training methods enhance the individuals ability to control any cyberware and reduce the occurrences of cyber-overload. We also provide to our members some of the finest cyberware in existence. If this organization interests you, contact the nearest Cyber-Knight Fellowship Salle in your Sector.”
Fellowship of the Cyber-Knight
Beta-rank Jules E Cavanaugh
The fellowship was founded, after the Crom-Rittem era, in an effort to undo the sociological damage caused by the excesses of the Crom-Rittem.
Another goal, of the fellowship, is to reduce or eliminate Cyber-Psychosis by studying the individual in an attempt to determine the maximum amount of cyberware that can be mastered by that individual. This extension of psychology is known as cyber-psychology and is practiced to some extent by nearly all Cyber-Knights. Another aspect off this desire to eliminate Cyber-Psychosis is the advancement of all known cyberware to its ultimate capabilities and minimum cyber value.
Cyber-Knights believe that each sentient race must evolve, and this evolution is evident in the increase of psyonics in the population of each race. They also believe that the capability of that race to develop and master cyberware is an indication of another path for evolution. These beliefs are collectively known as the Cyber-Knight Faith. This faith in the individuals inherent evolution allows that individual to use the faith skill value to resist cyber-overload.
Acandidate for Cyber-Knighthood can enter the fellowship in one of two ways. The first, and most common, is as a Squire. The Squire is, at least nearly, an adult member of their species that has learned of the fellowship and wishes to join. This candidate is evaluated in cyber-space simulations to determine that individuals capacity for cyberware. The individual is then offered that amount of improved cyberware (less the cyber value of any cyberware previously obtained, unless the previously owned cyberware is “donated” to the fellowship) at a cost of one hundred and fifty percent of the cost of the ordinary cyberware. The Squire candidate has a faith skill add of one in addition to any other skills the candidate wishes to take upon creation. The candidate can purchase any combination of cyberware that has a total cyber value less than or equal to the candidates Cyber-Knight Faith skill value. The second way to enter the Fellowship is as a Page. The Page is a preadolescent of the species who, for one reason or another (must be stated in character background), has been “adopted” into the Fellowship. The Page has certain benefits and disadvantages over the Squire. Because of the early exposure to cyber-space and the equipment used to produce it, the Page gains two skill adds in Cyber-Knight Faith, and one skill add in each of the following skills cyber-tech, cyberdeck-ops, and computer-tech. The disadvantage of being a page is, because of being unable to interface with the rest of the universe as much as a normal preadolescent, the individuals charisma is reduced by one.
The Fellowship is ordered like the ancient British peerage system where an individuals rank is indicated by the title bestowed upon that person. This system is open to the inclusion of the ancient rank systems of other races. For most humans the ranks in descending order are Dukes, Marquesses, Earls, Viscounts, and Barons. The barons are the instructors within a Salle (a group of Cyber-Knights which gather to teach or learn the “arts” of the fellowship). The Salle is headed by a Viscount, and a group of five or more Salles is in the care of an Earl. The Group of Salles is called a march and each march is given a descriptive name. A Marquess is the titular head of a group of marches, but their true duty is to act as an attach6 for a Duke. The Dukes, in council, make policy decisions for the fellowship. An Arch-Duke is elected by popular vote of the entire fellowship to head the council of Dukes. There are two non-voting ranks and both are below the rank of baron. These ranks are the Baronet and the Knight Errant. The Knight Effant is a Squire or Page Candidate that has completed the training offered by a Salle and therefore must quest (for new members and accomplishments) in the outside universe. The Baronet is a Knight Errant who was the “best” in that training group. Another title, that of Comes, may be granted to a deserving individual who is not a member of the Fellowship. The title of comes is combined with the name of the Cyber-Knight bestowing it.
Any title may be reduced or withdrawn by a two thirds vote of the membership of any title one rank above or below that of the rank being voted upon. However, this reduction or removal of title must be done for “true and just” reason(s). These reasons must concern the policies of the Fellowship, and the title owner is entitled to a trial by peers (of the rank not a party to the two thirds vote) to determine the truthfulness of the charges.
Little known, which is the way the Fellowship wants it, is the fact that the fellowship of Cyber-Knights is not merely a martial association of individuals, it is, also, an association of Techs who are of equal ranks to their more martial fellows. The Cyber-Knight Techniciads rank is determined by achievements. These Technicians during the quest tend to seek employment with the major producers of cyberware, where any new developments in cyberware, by the Knight or the Fellowship, can be funded by that corporations asscets. These developed products are then purchased and further modified into cyberware for the Fellowships use. The only time this procedure is not followed is when the newly developed cyberware’s cyber value is likely to be beyond the control of the uninitiated.