Death and Rebooting
Injury and Frame Trauma
When a Runner hits 0 HP, they are seriously wounded, just managing to cling to life. They can move or take and action on their turn, but not both, until healed.
When a Runner is reduced below 0 HP, their Frame (body) dies. There is a 10% chance their Stem (mind) is broken as well. There's no way to tell if a Stem is damaged without removing it from the Frame. A character can cut the Stem out of a dead Frame as an action. When they do, roll d100. on a 91-100, the Stem is irreparably damaged: Real Death.
Rebooting
As long as a Stem is intact, it can be rebooted in a new, living Frame. If a Runner provides their own Frame, reputable neuroengineers will install a Stem for 300 Dosh. If a Runner buys a new Frame or receives a Corporate issued Frame, Stem installation is complimentary.
Whenever a Runner Reboots their Stem in a new Frame, the old Frame's stats are replaced with the stats of the new Frame, and the Runner loses access to any Chrome installed on their previous Frame.
Rebooting is a safe process that takes 24 hours to complete, when requested by an individual and handled by a professional. most people feel comfortable moving around in their new Frame within an hour of completing installation, mental discomfort can be longer lasting. Complications are common when the Stem experienced serious Frame trauma before being uninstalled and is surprised by its new body, or when installation is rushed. In these situations, roll on the complications table below.
| d8 | Complication | Description | Effect |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ego Death | Your Stem cannot identify with your new form. You are not your body, you are living data built from a sea of information. You never run your Stem in offline mode. | -10 on Logic checks to resist attacks on your Stem. |
| 2 | Delayed Reaction | Your Stem works, your personality is in tact, but your decision making time is slowed. | You always act after the enemies in combat. |
| 3 | Vice | You are constantly on edge, only feeling relief when you engage in copious drinking, recreational drugs, or meaningless sex. | After each job, you must spend 100 Dosh on your vices, or take a -5 penalty to all Checks on your next job. |
| 4 | Adjustment Period | You aren't at home in your new body. Every day it gets a bit easier, but it will take time. | Take a -5 penalty to all Checks. This penalty decreases by 1 after each Job, whether they are successful or not. |
| 5 | Soft | You're afraid to die, even if you'd come back. | When below half HP, you must make a Logic check or else spend your turn taking cover or fleeing enemies. |
| 6 | Cruel | Anytime you fight, all you can think about is dying. You'll do them in before they do you. | You can't make nonlethal attacks. Every attack you make is aimed straight at the Stem. |
| 7 | Data Leak | Your Stem can't properly store its data. Every day new memories leak away. | After a week, your memory is completely wiped, the GM takes control of your character. |
| 8 | Reckless | You feel invincible, and fight recklessly. Why stress about dying when you can come back? | Attacks against you have a +5 bonus. |
Helianthus Issued Frames
When a crime victim's Frame is killed, or when a Stem is released from its prison sentence, they are entitled to a free Frame (A prisoner's original Frame is usually sold off during their sentence). This Frame is assigned randomly based on what Helianthus has in stock. Stem installation in Helianthus Issued Frames is complimentary.
Helianthus Issued frames are made of synthetic flesh and have minimal features. They are sickly pale, hairless, and have no reproductive organs.
When generating a Helianthus Issued Frame, roll 5d6 and sum the results to determine each of its stats. Its motherboard has space for 4 pieces of Chrome.
A Helianthus Issued Frame can be purchased for 100 Dosh.
Helianthus Issued Frames are assumed to be owned by poor individuals or former criminals. Most people use a Premium Frame.
Premium Frames
For higher performance Frames, Helianthus medical subcontractors produce bespoke, customizable Frames.
Premium Frames are made of synthetic flesh as a rule. Skin color is customizable, but there's no removing the pallor of synthetic skin. Organic flesh frames are available, but their cost is doubled, and they require the Advanced Aesthetic Customization feature.
Premium Frames offer the following features:
Aesthetic Customization
Basic (300 Dosh): Choose the Frames Skin color and sexual features.
Advanced (1,000 Dosh): Full body customization, design exactly how the Frame looks.
Enhanced Motherboard
A stock Frame has 4 Motherboard slots to install Chrome into. A Runner can pay 500 Dosh for an extra Motherboard Slot, up to a maximum of 6.
Performance Customization
For each stat, a Runner can pay a premium for better odds of high performing Frame.
A stock Frame's Stats are generated by rolling a pool of 5d6 and summing the result. A Runner can pay 200 Dosh to add a d6 to a Stat's pool, up to a maximum of 10d6.
When a stat is generated with more than 5d6, roll all the d6s and sum the 5 highest results.