EVERYONE IS LOOKING FOR YOU
They Know Who You Are. The Question Is What They Plan to Do About It.
Each major faction tracks your crew separately. Heat runs from 0 to 6. At 0 you are unknown or forgotten. At 6 you are a priority. At 7 something arrives that does not negotiate.
"SecCorp had a file on him. Then they had a dossier. Then they had a dedicated unit. The unit lasted three days. Now they have a very thick file and a policy of observation-only."
Faction Heat Tracks
Track Heat separately for each faction. Use a d6 per faction, or mark on the character sheet.
SecurItalia Corp Heat
1–2: On file. Standard patrol attention. Bribes cost +100 lire.
3–4: Flagged. Checkpoints will detain for questioning (PRE DR 12 to talk out). Plainclothes surveillance possible.
5–6: Priority target. Active search. All bribes refused. Elite unit assigned.
7+: Shoot-on-sight authorization issued. No further interaction — only action.
Pharma-Vatican Heat
1–2: Noted. A Cardinal-Enforcer has your description.
3–4: Active interest. They know your addictions. They will use this.
5–6: Excommunicated commercially. No Sacraments available anywhere in the city. Enforcers on contract.
7+: The Vatican has issued a spiritual warrant. Everyone who helps you is complicit. This has teeth.
ARM (Android Resource Management) Heat
1–2: Administrative flag. Android characters face extra scrutiny at checkpoints.
3–4: Compliance team assigned. Legal proceedings initiated (can be countered with money or lawyer).
5–6: Deregistration order. Android characters are legally property. Anyone may collect them.
7+: Termination warrant. ARM-contracted hunters. Not subtle. Not negotiable.
Gaining Heat
| Action | Heat Gained | Faction |
|---|---|---|
| Bribe a patrol (accepted) | +0 | — |
| Bribe a patrol (refused) | +1 | SecCorp |
| Assault a patrol officer | +2 | SecCorp |
| Kill a patrol officer | +3 | SecCorp |
| Steal Vatican product | +1 | Vatican |
| Disrupt Vatican distribution | +2 | Vatican |
| Expose Vatican formula | +4 | Vatican |
| Harbor unregistered android | +1 | ARM |
| Destroy ARM property | +2 | ARM |
| Liberate registered android | +3 | ARM |
| Witnessed at crime scene | +1 | SecCorp |
| Major public incident | +2 | All factions |
Losing Heat
Lay low (full session avoiding faction territory): −1 Heat with that faction.
Change appearance (new face, new ID — costs 1000+ lire and a Surgeon): −2 Heat with all factions. Temporary. They learn eventually.
Do a job for the faction: −1 to −3 Heat depending on significance. They will ask again.
Someone else takes the blame: −d3 Heat, transferred to them. This requires setup and a person willing to be blamed, or a person not in a position to object.
Heat Interaction
High Heat with one faction does not automatically affect others — but factions share information. At Heat 5+ with any faction, there is a 50% chance (d6, 4+) that another faction is also notified each session.