034: Token

ENTRY 034: Token

An infomorph heavily invested in a submissive lifestyle, Token is a rarity among transhumanity: sentient currency. Token lives to be traded and exchanged from one owner to another, marking each transaction. Most habitats frown on ego trafficking, particularly if the ego was coerced via behavior modification or forced into that position, but Token is outspoken and articulate about their lifestyle when the subject comes up, and so their existence as a debt-token continues and is generally recognized by many habitats. Their nominal value is stated to be ten thousand credits, but considering Token’s rarity Token is often evaluated at a much higher rate.

While most who meet Token see the, as extremely passive, in truth Token spends most of their time actively perceiving their environment, studying people from the vantage point of an object, and evaluating everything Token perceives. Most would be quite amazed at the depth and breadth of insight Token garners from even brief encounters with other egos.

COG	COO	INT	REF	SAV	SOM	WIL	MOX
15	15	20	13	14	13	20	-

Morph: Infomorph

Skills: Academics: Economics 65, Academic: Psychology 60, Academic: Sociology 60, Interfacing 55, Interests: BDSM 80, Interests: Currency 65, Kinesics 80, Language Native French 90, Language German 80, Language Chinese 50, Language Japanese 50, Perception 75, Persuasion 75, Profession: Appraisal 65

Disadvantages: Social Stigma (AGI, Submissive)

Using Token

Submission, dominance, and the ownership of sentient beings can be difficult to tackle in any game, and these are the issues that gamemasters invite when using Token. In their lifestyle, Token wishes to be treated as an object, to be valued, and to have this value expressed by being traded. Transhumanity has allowed them to achieve this state—but it is a voluntary lifestyle choice, one Token enjoys and wishes to continue, but can end any time. Just because Token chooses not to act does not mean Token cannot act, if the situation calls for it.

However players and player characters react to Token, it is good to remember there is no right or wrong response—player characters may try to buy Token or free Token, to argue or debate Token about their beliefs. Token should respond in accordance with their beliefs and lifestyle, and the PCs can deal with that or try to understand it as best they can. Gamemasters who are versed in submissive/dominance philosophy might enjoy discussing it through Token, but keep in mind that not everyone at the table has an interest in such things, or is prepared to debate it on game night. Ultimately, Token is about the players brushing up with an unconventional transhuman lifestyle, and the experience should be a little jarring, or at least interesting, but not derail the adventure. If things get too heated, don’t argue with the players about the right and wrong with it—have Token clam up and try to move on.

Seeds

• The player characters are hired to deliver a payment of rare earth metals and other goods from wherever they currently are at to a morph-dealer in Extropia; part of the payment is Token, giving them a chance to interact with Token.
• Token has fallen into shady hands, being used to finance sales of weapons and petals, and wishes to return to less criminal transactions. Through a third party, Token hires the player characters to arrange their escape—but it must be a legitimate currency transaction from their current owner.