Fria Ligans forum

We had session zero yesterday for an upcoming campaign and I wanted to ask about something that came up.
It's for the Negotiator concept (on p37). 

Our Agitator character choose Lie Detector (CYB) as her talent. I said that meant that when we got to the gear section, she had to take the tabula at gear line 1 and that at line 4:

Lie Detector (CYB)   or   language unit

she had to take the Lie Detector and couldn't take the language unit, since it's either or and she had to take the Lie Detector (as that was her talent).

HOWEVER, one of the other players (more experienced in the game then I am) told me that in this instance, she should get the Lie Detector for free (since it's tied to the talent), and that since it's free, she should get the language unit, too...

I was adamant that this was not the case and we moved on, but I promised to clarify.

So did I do the right thing, or should the Agitator have started with 6 items of equipment (both items from line 4)?

CYB and BIO are both talets AND gear -- if you choose only talent or only gear, it will not going to work until you also spend (accordingly) birr or XP. (p. 77, 78 & 134).

CYB and BIO are both talets AND gear -- if you choose only talent or only gear, it will not going to work until you also spend (accordingly) birr or XP. (p. 77, 78 & 134).

Thanks, but I don't think my question was very clear...

At chargen, a Negotiator chooses the Lie Detector (CYB) talent. What gear can that player then choose from line 4 on the list?

4. Lie Detector (CYB)   or   Language Unit

I said that they got the Lie Detector (because that was the chosen talent) and so the Language Unit was not available. Another, more expierenced player challenged this and said that if you already have that CYB option, you also get the second option on the list. In other words, the Negotiator PC should have both the Lie Detector and the Language Unit. I don't think this is correct, and is what I am querying.

Another, more expierenced player challenged this and said that if you already have that CYB option, you also get the second option on the list

You get a single item per line and it is indeed possible to choose either the talent or the associated CYB item, and start out missing the other.

Edit: Redacted!

Lie detector (CYB) without Lie detector talent will be just an item. Most likely -- not even attached to the body. Like a box or a gift sertificate of shiny meat shop.

Lie detector (CYB) without Lie detector talent will be just an item. Most likely -- not even attached to the body. Like a box or a gift sertificate of shiny meat shop.

Actually, I don't believe this is correct. If you haven't chosen that talent, you cannot choose the corresponding gear item. You must take the alternative.

Lie detector (CYB) without Lie detector talent will be just an item. Most likely -- not even attached to the body. Like a box or a gift sertificate of shiny meat shop.

Actually, I don't believe this is correct. If you haven't chosen that talent, you cannot choose the corresponding gear item. You must take the alternative.

Yep, it's just an option for those who really want it.

Page 68 makes it clear you are right:

Cybernetics and bionics: Cybernetic implants and bionic sculpts are talents that some concepts allow you to pick from the start. Such a talent must be chosen both as a talent and as a piece of gear.

Thanks for all the feedback, the player has come round and now agrees with my ruling. Phew!