Nanocel

A type of extremely small machine, using individual molecules as cams a primitive mechanical computer. The mechanism for creating nanocels is unknown, and was never taught to anyone outside the mysterious Arts Cabal. However, there are a number of relatively common assemblages, known as Serum, which can self-replicate in the presence of suitable raw materials, and which can then be reprogrammed into a form suitable for use in tattoos.

Although the method of creating new nanocels is unknown, there is a large volume of literature available on how to program them. Most of this information is found in the Book of Complex Designs, the Serum Formulation Grimoire and The Handbook. These detail how to use Nanocels to form homogeneous batches which can perform a simple chemical translation (known as Nanocel Assemblages), complex structures in which different groups of cels perform different tasks, almost like a miniature computer (most commonly seen in tattoos), and even advanced fractal structures made of large-scale nanocel groups, which in some (not properly understood) situations can be made to mimic the structure of neurons in an animal brain.

Each of these fields has their own 'rules', set down in the books. It isn't known how much of these rules are inherent to the nature of nanocels, and how many are imposed by the original scientists who created them - but it seems certain that the only way to get around these rules in any case would be to design an assemblage from scratch, and then figure out whatever arcane chemical mechanism was necessary to create them. At present, there is nobody that smart.

<ooc>In game terms, creating nanocels or equivalent from scratch would require 13+ successes on a Chemistry+nanocels or Forbidden Science roll. Without this, it will not be possible to override the rules set down by the Cabal (such as the "No invisible tattoos" rule)</ooc>