The Shadowjack is literally a wizard at getting computers to perform beyond their usual parameters. He knows the Internet the way taxi drivers know the streets of the city, and reads and writes code as naturally as a cat meows. No password protection, encryption, or guard dog programs ever seem to be enough to hinder him—the Shadowjack comes and goes like the wind. Shadowjacks have a unique perspective when it comes to quaint notions like privacy and personal property. It goes something like this: “If you didn’t want me to access it, then you wouldn’t have made it so easy to get to.”

Select this advanced class if you want your character to be an expert with computer programs and mixing technology with the supernatural.

The fastest path into this advanced class is from the Smart hero basic class, though other paths are possible.

To qualify to become a Shadowjack, a character must fulfill the following criteria.

Skills: Computer Use 6 ranks, Craft (electronic) 6 ranks, and Disable Device 6 ranks.

Base Attack Fort Ref Will Defense Reputation Level Bonus Save Save Save Special Bonus Bonus 1st +0 +0 +0 +2 Read/write code +1 +0 2nd +1 +0 +0 +3 Online presence +1 +0 3rd +1 +1 +1 +3 Bonus feat +2 +1 4th +2 +1 +1 +4 Shadowjack abilities +2 +1 5th +2 +1 +1 +4 Shadowjack abilities +3 +1 6th +3 +2 +2 +5 Bonus feat +3 +2 7th +3 +2 +2 +5 Shadowjack abilities +4 +2 8th +4 +2 +2 +6 Shadowjack abilities +4 +2 9th +4 +3 +3 +6 Bonus feat +5 +3 10th +5 +3 +3 +7 Virtual incantations +5 +3

The following information pertains to the Shadowjack advanced class.

Shadowjacks gain 1d6 hit points per level. The character’s Constitution modifier applies.

Shadowjacks gain a number of action points equal to 6 plus one-half their character level, rounded down, every time they advance a level in this class.

The Shadowjack’s class skills are as follows:

Computer Use (Int), Decipher Script (Int), Disable Device (Int), Forgery (Int), Gamble (Wis), Gather Information (Cha), Intimidate (Cha), Repair (Int), Research (Int), Search (Int). Skill Points at Each Level: 7 + Intelligence modifier.

The following features pertain to the Shadowjack advanced class.

Beginning at 1st level, the Shadowjack can understand both the nature of raw computer code and what the program is intended to accomplish when implemented. On a successful Decipher Script check (DC 10 + Computer Use skill modifier of the code’s author), the Shadowjack can determine both the function of the program and any bugs or potential weak points in the design. If weak points are found, the Shadowjack gainsa +2 insight bonus on Computer Use checks attempting todegrade the program.

Beginning at 2nd level, when attempting to use a Charisma based skill such a Bluff, Intimidate, Diplomacy, or Gather Information in an online situation, the Shadowjack adds any Shadowjack levels as a circumstance bonus.

At 3rd, 6th, and 9th level, the Shadowjack gets a bonus feat. The bonus feat must be selected from the following list, and the Shadowjack must meet all of the prerequisites for the feat to select it.

Alertness (Feat), Builder (Feat), Cautious (Feat), Educated (Feat), Gearhead, Lightning Reflexes (Feat), Low Profile (Feat), Meticulous (Feat), Renown (Feat), Studious, Windfall.

Beginning at 4th level, the Shadowjack gains the following abilities:

Electronic Empathy: The Shadowjack gains a +2 competence bonus when repairing or disabling electronic devices. This is in addition to any synergy bonuses for related skills.

Careful Progress: When the Shadowjack attempts to defeat computer security, the administrator is alerted only if the Shadowjack fails his Computer Use check by 10 or more.

At 5th level, the Shadowjack gains the following abilities:

False Trail: When covering his electronically tracks through the Grid, the Shadowjack can lay in a false trail. With a successful DC 25 Computer Use check, the Shadowjack imposes a –5 penalty on any attempt to trace him (as described in the Defend Security function of the Computer Use skill). If the trace fails by 10 or more points, the tracker follows the Shadowjack’s false trail to an innocent Grid location. If the trace fails by less than 10 points, the tracker realizes the trail is bogus and gives up.

Install Backdoor: After successfully breaking into a specific computer system, the Shadowjack can install a “backdoor” to the system. A backdoor is a piece of code that makes it easier for the Shadowjack to break into that particular system in the future. Writing and installing the program requires a Computer Use check (see chart below), but once successfully installed it automatically defeats that systems’ security upon return trips—the Shadowjack no longer needs to make Computer Use checks to enter that system.

Level of Security DC Minimum 25 Average 30º Exceptional 40 Maximum 45

It is important to keep backdoors hidden from the system administrator, who will always be on the lookout for such invasions. A backdoor automatically allows the Shadowjack entrance to a particular system, but every time he uses it he must make an opposed Computer Use check against the administrator. Failure means the backdoor is discovered and will be deleted before the next time the Shadowjack returns.

At 7th level, the Shadowjack gains the following abilities:

Improved Degradation: The Shadowjack’s attempts to alter and degrade existing programming get more insidious. The degradation is installed as normal (as described in the Degrade Programming function of the Computer Use skill). However, unless the Computer Use check to fix the degraded program exceeds the DC by 5, the degradation returns within 6 hours—this happens automatically, the Shadowjack does not have to make a second check.

At 8th level, the Shadowjack gains the following abilities:

Passfirewall: When the Shadowjack attempts to defeat computer security, the administrator is alerted only if the Shadowjack rolls a 1 on his Computer Use check.

Walking Database: The Shadowjack gains the nearly supernatural ability to recall vast amounts of information gleaned while traveling through cyberspace. He may spend an action point and then substitute his Computer Use score instead of a Knowledge score for the purposes of one check.

At 6th level, a Cybernaut’s avatars become even tougher. The Cybernaut’s avatars use a d10 instead of a d6 for Hit Dice. In addition, the massive damage threshold of his avatars increases by 3.

A 10th-level Shadowjack can perform complicated tasks without provoking attacks of opportunity from adjacent foes. During any round in which the Shadowjack uses the Computer Use, Craft, Disable Device, or Repair skill, he can first make a Concentration check (DC 15) to use the desired skill without provoking at-tacks of opportunity. Making the Concentration check doesn't cost the Shadowjack an action. He may take 10 on the Concentration check, but he cannot take 20.

To qualify to become a , a character must fulfill the following criteria.

Base Attack Bonus:

Skills:

Feats:

The following information pertains to the advanced class.

Hit Die: 1d

Action Points: + one-half character level, rounded down, every time the attains a new level in this class.

The ’s class skills (and the key ability for each skill) are:

Appraise (Int), Autohypnosis (Wis), Balance (Dex), Bluff (Cha), Climb (Str), Computer Use (Int), Concentration (Con), Decipher Script (Int), Demolitions (Int), Diplomacy (Cha), Disable Device (Int), Disguise (Cha), Drive (Dex), Escape Artist (Dex), Forgery (Int), Gamble (Wis), Gather Information (Cha), Handle Animal (Cha), Hide (Dex), Intimidate (Cha), Investigate (Int), Jump (Str), Listen (Wis), Move Silently (Dex), Navigation (Int), Pilot (Dex), Repair (Int), Research (Int), Ride (Dex), Search (Int), Sense Motive (Wis), Sleight of Hand (Dex), Spot (Wis), Survival (Wis), Swim (Str), Treat Injury (Wis), Tumble (Dex)

Skill Points at Each Level: + Int modifier.

The following features pertain to the advanced class.