Spy Agency — Directorate of Intelligence¶
The spy career cannot be applied for — the Directorate finds you. You will never see it in the job menu. A mysterious contact approaches eligible characters between ages 22 and 46, roughly every 3 years, if your stats and background qualify.
Recruitment Requirements¶
| Requirement | Value |
|---|---|
| Age window | 22 – 46 |
| Smarts (minimum) | 65 |
| Fitness (minimum) | 55 |
| Criminal record | No violent convictions (assault, robbery, weapons, murder) |
| Best qualifying occupations | Detective, Senior Detective, Detective Inspector, SWAT Officer, SWAT Team Leader, Senior Bomb Disposal Tech |
| Also eligible | Any occupation with Smarts ≥ 80, Job Performance ≥ 80, Salary ≥ $60,000 |
| Recruitment chance | Detectives & SWAT ~16%/check · Senior Police ~10% · Others ~6% · +6% if Smarts ≥ 80 |
Rank Progression¶
You start as a Directorate Recruit and advance by years of service. Your public-facing cover occupation changes at each rank — only you and your handler know your true role. From Field Agent onward you are assigned a classified codename.
| Internal Rank | Cover Title | Years In | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Directorate Recruit | Government Analyst | 0 | $55,000 |
| Intelligence Analyst | Policy Research Officer | 2 | $72,000 |
| Field Agent | CODENAME (classified) | 5 | $96,000 |
| Senior Field Agent | CODENAME (classified) | 9 | $122,000 |
| Case Officer | CODENAME (classified) | 14 | $150,000 |
| Special Agent | CODENAME (classified) | 20 | $185,000 |
| Section Chief | Senior Intelligence Adviser | 26 | $230,000 |
| Deputy Director | Deputy Director | 32 | $280,000 |
| Director (offer) | Director of Intelligence | 32+ | $380,000 |
Your Codename¶
On promotion to Field Agent a classified codename is drawn from the Directorate's pool — NIGHTFALL, IRONVEIL, SPECTRE, OBSIDIAN, GHOSTLINE, PHANTOM, COBALT, SCARLET, ECLIPSE, CINDER, VIPER, ONYX, CIPHER, TEMPEST, RAVEN, MIRAGE, WRAITH, ORACLE, BASILISK, DAGGER, FOXHOUND, MERCURY, SHADE. It is based on your age, Smarts and Looks at the moment of promotion — permanent, and it appears in classified mission logs.
Agency Benefits¶
- Agency Safe House added to your properties — rent-free, zero maintenance, security system, encrypted comms, private gym.
- Agency Luxury Vehicle — no cost, no upkeep.
- Food & catering waived — the Directorate covers your meals.
- Your real occupation is hidden from the standard job display.
The Director Offer¶
At Deputy Director (32 years of service), the outgoing Director nominates you as successor:
- Accept — salary jumps to $380,000/yr; you run the entire Directorate.
- Stay in the field — remain Deputy Director. The offer does not repeat.
The Pension (20 Years)¶
After 20 years a pension popup appears, paying 60% of your current salary for life.
- Retire now — draw immediately; the agency house and car are reclaimed.
- Continue serving — pension vests but tracks your salary (always 60% of current pay).
- Draw anytime — once vested, a "Draw Pension & Retire" button appears on your Safe House card.
Career Events¶
Spies get a unique annual event pool. Most are choice events where stats decide success:
| Event | Key Stat | Stakes |
|---|---|---|
| Honey Trap — Enemy Agent | Looks ≥ 65 | Intel + bonus cash, or a performance hit |
| Feelings You Didn't Plan For | Looks / Smarts | Pursue or cut the asset — both risky |
| Enemy Agent — Romance or Risk? | Looks ≥ 70 | Play it out or report — wrong call = security review |
| Foreign Intelligence Approach | Job Perf ≥ 55 | Report or engage — delay damages trust |
| Black Site — Interrogation | Smarts ≥ 70 | Intel, or a blank report |
Danger
Spy missions can be fatal. Wrong choices in certain field operations can set health to 0 and end your character's life immediately.
Tip
The spy path is a secret bonus track — keep Smarts high and work as a Detective, SWAT Officer or Bomb Disposal Tech between ages 22–46 to maximise recruitment chances.