The most notable new technologies are cybernetics and limited human genetic engineering. Player characters should be human, but that is about the only limitation. However, the Game Master should closely monitor character backgrounds to insure that there is a believable way to bring the characters together with a common mission. Each character consists of ratings for nine mandatory traits, and any number of optional skills, gifts and faults. Attributes represent very basic qualities of the character, as well as the character's ability to improve skills.
Skills represent more specific areas of knowledge or ability and increase with experience.
The seven levels used to represent skills and attributes are as follows. Lowering the attribute regains 10 points for each level. Points are also spent to acquire skills. The skills listed in the sections below have three pieces of information with them - their primary attribute, their cost per level, and their default level. Every character starts with all skills at their default levels, and must pay the number of points listed for each level the skill is raised.