Cult of
Intelligrammers
Dark Conspiracy
1st-Ed.
Goals: Information Brokers
Methods: Shadows
Organization: Anonymous Alliance
Empathic Philosophy: Psionics
No Relations with ETs
Quality Assets, Medium Activity, Size: 150
Entry: Computer Operation 3+
Disguise 1
Stalking 2
Streetwise 1
Computer Operation 2
Computer Empathy 1
(if Empathy 1+)
Contact: One, Criminal or Specialist. Foreign on 0.
Special: You can only take this Profession for one term. On a roll of 0 when leaving, you must take Drifter or Prisoner next.
Less a cult, and more of a gang of paranoid, teen and YA bullies who harangue their victims using a tactic known as online gangstalking. Along with their ferocious online combat tactics, most of the members are nightmares to meet in real life too. The media calls them a cult, they operate like a gang, but Intelligrammers are formed as a nebulous collective, so they can be difficult to define.
Intelligrammers
gravitate toward, and originate from, an online service called
Intelligram™, a
popular social network which serves as their central means of
communications and recruitment. With billions in backing, Intelligram™
is synonymous with social media. Anyone can create a free account,
and shady Intelligrammers create multiple accounts they then use to
swarm opponents or perceived interlopers, including Law Enforcement.
The service disavows any knowledge of this gang, actively downplaying
all reports. The service has an uneasy alliance with the network, as
it receives some of its technology from them. The company will investigate crimes of a physically violent nature, especially against users also registered as Intelligram proles. However, even with video evidence of many of these crimes and crimes of a similar nature (see following), nothing serious has been done to the Intelligrammers as of yet.
Intelligrammers are a loose alliance of “insider” programmers who create their own languages, apps, and operating systems. They then use these to launch organized attacks against enemies, work clandestinely, and enjoy quality-of-life improvements through computing. Some of these enemies include private investigators, Law Enforcement, and media personalities who have investigated them. They have also launched attacks against Darklings, and actively worked against them, as well (though it is unknown as to what extent the Intelligrammers are Aware).
These very personal computer languages form a loose exchange of black market VR apps, progs, and platforms found nowhere else in the Dark Conspiracy world. These programming languages and apps are fiercely guarded as though they were trade secrets. The alliance is competitive and combative with outside firms, especially rivals in software development. Even casual members have found themselves the targets of the collective’s ire for leaking Intelligrammer technology to the outside world of “normies.”
The ubiquity of these individual programming languages and platforms leads to a semi-anarchic organizational state, as it forms pockets of individual cells within the larger alliance. This is similar to “online gamers,” who can be further divided by gaming platform and operating system choice, but may coalesce to oppose a perceived threat. These smaller Intelligrammer cells may engage in various activities for which they become known, such as vlogging, organized larceny, gaming, etc., and may even have their own names.
If the PC manages to infiltrate the network or list it as a Contact, he has some access to the alliance’s list of apps and programs. These may require learning specific Computer Programs, Operating Systems, and similar prerequisites to use. Some may even require specialized hardware. The GM is responsible for the creation and curation of this list of technology, but it should contain no DarkTek or ET tech; Shadowrun’s ShadowTech (1st-Ed.) and GURPS’ Ultra-Tech (4th-Ed.) are two good sources of inspiration, but any technology that is Human-made might be listed (DarkTek, p. 28), including Rare and Special Determination (GM fiat) items.
If not listed as a Contact, Intelligrammers may still be Persuaded into assisting the PCs at besting a foe or beating back The Dark, but they are not easy to manipulate (nor would they appreciate it, once they figure out they’ve been manipulated). If not listed as a Contact, this help will be fleeting, perhaps once only, and may come at a price. Intelligrammers make unstable allies, even if listed as Solid Contacts. Intelligrammers can be taken as a group Contact, or individually. Most are gnomes or wage slaves, although several are proles.
Intelligrammers are fashionistas who are known to “mug” the camera after their crimes. This is a brag and a taunt. They are also known to “mug” in their literal mugshots, and several have gone viral over the years. These images are considered property of Intelligram™.
Bonus: A form-fillable character sheet for Dark Conspiracy 1st-Ed. from Polyhedral Nonsense!
© The Weirding, 2026
