{"id":"shared/rule/system/cryptanalysis-and-codes","type":"rule","system":"system","line":"shared","name":"Cryptanalysis and Codes","sources":[{"source":"BoS","page":121}],"entries":["No sane person wants strangers rummaging through his stuff. The field of cryptanalysis specializes in studying the hidden","aspects of computer systems, crafting security measures to pro­ tect information, and then working around those measures so you can safeguard yourself while undercutting rival operators. In game terms, the {@ability Computer|V20} specialty Cryptanalysis helps your character size up potential threats and plans of attack, and the secondary Knowledge Cryptography helps her make and break codes for computerized systems.","Twenty-first century computing employs codes of inhuman complexity. Writing and deciphering those codes, even with a computer and badass cryptography programs, can take days, weeks, months, or more. Therefore, a character who’s trying to make a new code or break a complicated one could be at that task for quite a while. Cryptography almost always requires extended rolls – typically with 20 or 30 successes involved, and perhaps even more than that.","The problem is, security codes often require specific sorts of information… usually rather obscure information. Therefore, a skilled cryptographer needs access to research – systemwise, the Research Skill and Library Background, as well as research-based rolls as per the Dramatic Feats chart. The Esoterica Knowledge and its many specialties can be a huge help in that regard, especially when you’re dealing with mage-crafted codes. The Storyteller may allow, or require, complementary rolls with related skills (see Mage 20, p. 389) before a code may be written or broken to begin with. And if","the character doesn’t have access to the proper information, that code may prove unbreakable."],"_qa":{"flags":[],"parser":"headed_entries","confidence":0.9,"extracted":"2026-10-12","job":"bos-rules"},"rule_type":"system","_links":{"self":"/api/v1/records/shared/rule/system/cryptanalysis-and-codes","html":"/records/shared/rule/system/cryptanalysis-and-codes","parent":null,"children":"/api/v1/records/shared/rule/system/cryptanalysis-and-codes/children","sources":[{"abbr":"BoS","page":121,"folio":121,"title":"The Book of Secrets"}]},"_db":{"title":"Cryptanalysis and Codes","props":[],"parent_id":null,"level":null,"category":null,"summary":"No sane person wants strangers rummaging through his stuff. The field of cryptanalysis specializes in studying the hidden aspects of computer systems, crafting security measures to pro­ tect information, and then","tags":[],"children":[]}}