IOU Departments Copyright 1996 by cd skogsberg WUSE Department of Reality Studies This rather small department is involved with the study of alternate worlds - though this is also covered by C.T.H.U.L.H.U. the department (semi-successfully) argued with the ArchDean that C.T.H.U.L.H.U.'s jurisdiction was *time*, not alternate realities. It is rumoured that the discovery of a world populated by intelligent cats may have influenced the ArchDean's decision. Not too many explosions here, but the ones that occur are *weird*: one blew up in a half-sphere, leaving half a building uscathed and the other half rubble, and it's said that another (leaving no survivors) opened a gate *into* a supernova or a quasar core. There is some infighting between this dept. and the Gate department, but it's generally not too bloody. The fights between this and the C.T.H.U.L.H.U. Departments of Alternate History and Alternate Universes are fierce, and some rather gruesome thing involving otherworldly beasts have occured, as well as some involving remotely-opened gates. Skills taught here include Parachronic Physics, Electronics, Engineering, and Operation. A high IQ (14 or over) is helpful, as are Temporal Inertia, Language Talent, and a very open mind. Disadvantages like Klutz and Pacifism (Self-defense only) are common. Graduates generally become alternate-history writers, dealers in exotic goods, or just disappear somewhere after graduation, maybe (or maybe not...) returning years, or decades later. Typical courses: RS111 - Echoes and their uses, RS246 - How to find yourself, and what to do, RS439 - Basic interworld trading: Get rich quick, RS888 - Strange new worlds and their uses. COC Department of Laguages This department covers almost every form of (non-psionic or magical) communication known to sentient beings (and some non-sentients, too). There has been some feuds with the SASS, who claimed that since they had the English Department, it should have this one too. The COC won all of them. Skills taught here are Lingustics, Psychology, some Literature specializations, and languages. *The* most common advantage is Language Talent, but high IQ, Eidetic Memory, and Voice are also common. Graduates are spread around this (and other) world(s). Most become some kind of translators, but some become psychologists. Typical Courses: Lang122 - Japanese, Lang247 - Basque, Lang361 - Elvish, Lang444 - Kaa, Lang533 - Kyz!ynoa*, Lang696 - Insect Man, Lang785 - Fungi from Yuggoth, Lang882 - Hooloovoo. (The Kyz!ynoa*, Fungi from Yuggoth, and Hooloovoo languages are from other sources. Identify them for gift vouchers at the IOU bookstore!) CZS Department of Solipsism This is a philosphy department, and it seems to be even more deviant from common reality than the average CZS department. It has, however (weirdly enough), produced some of the greatest contributors to the IOU coffers. Classes here are quite surreal, with students and professor just sitting or standing in the classroom. All explosions doesn't occur, really. Trust me. Requirements include a high IQ and the Solipsist disadvantage[1]; some students gain the Arete and Spheres advantages from GURPS Mage: the Asenscion - they have gotten so adept at disbelieving reality that they can change it. The skill taught here is Philosophy (Solipsist). Graduates generally form some kind of religion around themselves, or enter a mental hospital diagnosed as sociopaths. Typical courses: None, really, since teaching here isn't really organized in courses - students turn up, but nothing really happens. Most of the time. Once a giant monster stepped through a crach in reality an ate one student whose roommate later told others the consumed had had nightmares recently. cd [1]: -20 pts, the person with the disadvantage believes he's (or she's) the only real thing in the universe, it's creator and (eventual) destroyer.