====== Scanners ======

Scanners are special [[Devices]] that characters with the [[Professional skills#Scientist]] skill can use to find interesting phenomena, get more information about them, and take Samples for further study between events. Scanners can usually be purchased from the MegaCorp representatives in the hub area of events, or  may be earned as part of a [[groups#group income|group's income]] (especially a Scientific Group).

Scanners represent future tech multi-use devices similar to Star Trek's Tricorders - they can detect and analyse a wide range of phenomena, but rely on their user's skill to use them effectively. A scanner can be used by an Etheric Scientist to gather measures of [[Yurian Lattice Plasma]] in the field, by a Corporeal Scientist to analyse the weaknesses in an alien ruin, or by a Life Scientist to diagnose a strange illness contracted by a crewmate.

In many respects, Scanners work like other Devices - they are represented by a laminated card, require a suitable physrep and require Charges to use their abilities. There are a few differences that are specific to Scanners.

  * They require the [[Professional skills#Scientist]] skill to operate.
  * They can be used in one of three different Modes:
    * [[#Survey]] - to identify interesting phenomena in the local area.
    * [[#Examine]] - to gather detailed information about one phenomenon.
    * [[#Sample]] - to collect Exotic Substances or Samples from a phenomenon.
  * The Examine and Sample Modes use the [[Card Draw System]].
  * The Examine and Sample Modes make use of the user's [[Professional skills#Etheric Science]], [[Professional skills#Corporeal Science]] or [[Professional skills#Life Science skill]] ranks, but Scientists without specialisms can still perform these actions.
  * Multiple Scientists with Scanners can cooperate when Examining or Sampling.
  * Using a Scanner will usually require a Referee to be present.

Using any Mode of a Scanner requires the user to expend one Charge. You must also expend one Charge when you are assisting another Scientist performing an Examination or Sampling.

===== Survey =====

  * Sweeps the nearby area for hidden phenomena and Exotic Substance deposits.
  * Simple action, requires appropriate roleplay.
  * Requires a Referee to inform you of anything that is present.

Performing a survey informs the scientist about interesting phenomena that might be hidden from them in the immediate area (in a forest clearing, for example). A quick sweep with a scanner could reveal the presence of hidden minerals that can be extracted or used, or the presence of [[exotic particles]] in the atmosphere.

To perform a survey, indicate you are doing so to a Referee, and inform them of any relevant Mods or similar things that might affect the result such as [[Resonant Neutrons]] applied to your Scanner. You must roleplay scanning the area for about a minute, tearing the Charge required or handing it to the Referee. If there is anything of interest in the area reachable by your Scanner, they will inform you in broad terms - usually including the type of phenomenon ([[Exotic substances]], interesting anomalies, points of information, etc), where it is and what kind of Science area it falls under (Etheric, Corporeal or Life). It is generally not useful to perform a Survey in the main area at an event - there are too many energy signatures and things going on that it overwhelms the Scanners processors and does not return any useful information.

===== Examine =====

  * Gathers more detailed information about a phenomenon, character or item.
  * Uses [[Card Draw System]], can be performed as part of a team of other Scientists.
    * Characters without Science Specialties can Examine at the standard difficulty.
    * Extra Green cards conferred by your rank in the relevant Science Specialty.
    * Each success grants additional information, although there are diminishing returns.
    * Fairly low risk of catastrophe.
  * Requires appropriate roleplay.
  * Requires a Referee to confer the information gathered.

Examinations are used to gather more information about a specific object or scientific phenomena that is immediately present. For example, examining a force field blocking your path with Etheric Science might reveal that it rises and falls in timed sequences, or that it will go offline if its emitter is hit by a FREEZE call. Examining a strange mineral sample with Corporeal Science might tell you that it stores and converts incoming energy from energy weapons into waves of concussive force.

Examinations use the [[Card Draw System]]. An examination is usually fairly quick, with time between Card Draws being short. While any Scientist character can Examine any phenomenon, characters with a Science Speciality that matches the phenomenon gain an extra green card for each rank. Multiple Scientist Characters with Scanners can assist the Lead Character with their examination - each Scientist character who uses a Scanner to assist (tearing a Charge to do so) adds +1 Green Card to the examination. The risks of Examination are usually fairly low - generally ranging from injury to a mild [[Condition]].

Examinations tend to grant more information with a greater number of successes. The Lead Character can continue drawing cards until they get the number of successes they want, or stop. The amount of information that can be gathered about an object is not infinite, and after a certain point, they will get diminishing returns for each success.

===== Sampling =====

  * Collects measures of Exotic Substances or Sample Cards of a phenomenon.
  * Uses [[Card Draw System]], can be performed as part of a team of other Scientists.
    * Characters without Science Specialties can Sample at the standard difficulty.
    * Extra Green cards conferred by your rank in the relevant Science Speciality.
    * Each success grants one sample or measure.
    * Fairly low risk of catastrophe.
  * Requires appropriate roleplay.
  * Requires a Referee to monitor the action and provide the results.

Sampling Mode is used to take samples of materials from the environment. They can be used to extract usable measures of [[exotic substances]] that a crew might find on a tomb world, or extract a sample of a deadly virus that can be researched to find a cure. When you are sampling, be sure to inform the Referee exactly what it is you are trying to sample - you may, for example, want to capture a sample of an unknown virus in an NPC's bloodstream, rather than taking a sample of the NPC's DNA.

Sampling uses the [[Card Draw System]]. While any Scientist character can Sample any phenomenon, characters with a Science Speciality that matches the phenomenon gain an extra green card for each rank. Multiple Scientist Characters with Scanners can assist the Lead Character with Sampling - each Scientist character who uses a Scanner to assist (tearing a Charge to do so) adds +1 Green Card. The risks of Examination are usually fairly low - typically drawing a Red card will prevent further samples being taken.

Each success obtained when Sampling provides one Sample. For [[Exotic Substances]] this is typically one Measure of the substance. For other phenomena, typically the Referee will give you one Sample Card referencing what you just sampled.

{{tag>science rules devices}}