A shepherd chip is a tiny microchip containing the bearer’s identification information. Most computers can read a shepherd chip and extract its information; all shepherd chips can be made to receive information from other shepherd chips by way of a handshake—once a mere method of greeting, the handshake becomes a permanent way to introduce and clearly identify yourself to another person. Of course, a shepherd chip can be made to not broadcast information in this way for privacy’s sake. The Nariac Domain is infamous for it's liberal and universal use of shepherd chips and nanobeacons.

Benefit: In addition to basic identification information, many people had their banking and credit information keyed to shepherd chips so they no longer had to use physical money or credit cards. Businesses loved this because it allows them to prevent shoplifting; if a person carries an item from the store, the item’s value was immediately deducted from his bank account. Shepherd chips can be linked to computers (particularly neural implants) so that more information than just identification can be transferred between two shepherd chips—a great boon to the espionage community because it allows for discreet information transfers. A black market for forged or stolen shepherd chips emerges as soon as the chips became widespread, making identity theft and falsification ever-present crimes in some communities.

Type: Internal.

Location: None.

Hardness/Hit Points: —/2.

Base Purchase DC: 12.

Restriction: None.

“I’m sorry, sir. According to your shepherd, you are Mr. Mendoza, and you’re no longer welcome here. Additionally, you’ve just been fined for violating the court order to stay at least 100 yards from this establishment. In another 30 seconds, you’ll be fined again. Thirty seconds after that, it’ll automatically pay for the ambulance I’ll order for you. You’ll need it.” —Moondog, Bouncer at the Seventh Heaven club