Helio (IB)
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| Starfox's Blades in the Dark hack |
The machine does not dream — until you do.
- — Spacer proverb
Helio Playbook
As a Helio, you are the interface between mind and machine — pilot, driver, and navigator. A HELIO— Heuristically Embedded Link Interface Operator — is properly someone who has the Neural Link special ability, but Helio has become a moniker for elite pilots in general. Through neural jacks, gesture loops, or deep-link rigs, you merge with your craft until the line between self and system blurs. You fly gunships through plasma storms, thread skiffs through collapsing debris, and ride the edge of control where instinct and software overlap. You might be a racer, a smuggler, a gun-runner, or the one who gets everyone home. Whatever you fly, you know its pulse — and you are its voice.
Touchstones: Kara “Starbuck” Thrace (Battlestar Galactica TV (2004–09)), Han Solo (Star Wars (1977)), Hoban "Wash" Washburne (Firefly (XXXX)), Pilot (Farscape TV (1999–2003)).
Special Abilities
- Neural Link: When driving or piloting a vehicle rigged for neural control, you gain improved Position.
- Ghost: When you Helm and Push yourself, choose one: engage or disengage at will — your vehicle is unharmed — avoid notice.
- Ace: When you inflict Harm on a vehicle or installation, you can describe the specific Harm within the given level. This allows you to target specific systems and decide which functions to penalize.
- Ironheart: You can ignore Harm penalties to a vehicle you are driving.
- Cold Start: You can avoid the warm-up period a vehicle usually needs. You can Helm to overcome locks and security that would prevent you from piloting a vehicle. You can drive an unfamiliar vehicle without introduction.
- Edgerunner: You can find an exploit natural hazards. When in an environment where a Natural Hazard makes sense, you can find and use them to increase the Effects of Helm to outmaneuver others and cause them to crash.
- Overclock: You can temporarily overclock your vehicle’s systems, gaining increased Effect but suffering one level of temporary Harm (“burnout,” “feedback,” or “system strain”).
- XXX: When there’s a question of which vehicle moves first, it’s yours (if both have XXX, you act simultaneously).
- XXX: When you Interface to spot or lock on to vehicles and installations, you gain extra Effect or suffer less Consequence, your choice.
Contacts and Enemies
- ˄ ˅ Bragg, a mechanic.
- ˄ ˅ Juno, a courier.
- ˄ ˅ Kade, a helio.
- ˄ ˅ Lira, a fixer.
- ˄ ˅ Sol, a naval officer.
Inventory
XP
- Every time you roll a Desperate Action, mark XP in that Action’s Attribute.
At the end of each session, for each item below, mark 1 XP (in your playbook or an Attribute), or 2 XP if it occurred multiple times.
- You addressed a challenge using speed or power.
- You expressed your beliefs, drives, heritage, or background.
- You struggled with issues from your Vice or Traumas during the session.
- You pointed out an established NPC whom the GM then brought into the action.