Investigation
(Academic, Forensic, Street, Conversation, Deduction, Surveillance)
Investigation is used by characters who are trying to find out information and use it to put together the bigger picture. Investigation includes not only gathering of information, but also the detailed analysis required to put that information into a usable form.
Academic
This specialization involves research through books, archives, and other academic sources to gather information. Characters use it when they need to track down rare knowledge or analyze written records.
| Description of the Check | Difficulty |
|---|---|
| Searching a well-organized library | Easy (9+) |
| Analyzing ancient or obscure texts | Hard (15+) |
| Researching a forbidden or lost subject | Very Hard (18+) |
| Compiling information from various sources | Average (12+) |
Possible modifiers:
| Circumstance | Modifier |
|---|---|
| Using rare or magical reference materials | (shift+1) |
| Working under time constraints | (flip-1) |
| Distracted or interrupted during research | (flip-1) |
Results:
- Success: The character uncovers valuable information relevant to their research.
- Failure: The character finds no useful information, but wastes time in the process.
- Failure by a Large Margin: The character misinterprets or overlooks critical information, leading to incorrect conclusions.
Forensic
Forensic investigation involves examining physical evidence, such as crime scenes, bodies, or artifacts, to uncover clues.
| Description of the Check | Difficulty |
|---|---|
| Analyzing a recent crime scene | Average (12+) |
| Determining the cause of death from a body | Hard (15+) |
| Uncovering hidden or tampered evidence | Very Hard (18+) |
| Matching a weapon to injuries on a body | Average (12+) |
Possible modifiers:
| Circumstance | Modifier |
|---|---|
| Access to specialized forensic tools | (shift+1) |
| Evidence is old or decayed | (flip-1) |
| Contaminated crime scene | (flip-1) |
Results:
- Success: The character uncovers crucial evidence or information.
- Failure: The character misses important details, but may still gather some less useful information.
- Failure by a Large Margin: The character contaminates or damages the evidence, rendering it useless.
Street
Street investigation involves gathering information from urban environments, often relying on connections with locals, informants, or navigating dangerous neighborhoods.
| Description of the Check | Difficulty |
|---|---|
| Gathering rumors or gossip | Easy (9+) |
| Finding a specific individual in a large city | Hard (15+) |
| Infiltrating a criminal organization | Very Hard (18+) |
| Identifying the location of a hidden meeting or event | Average (12+) |
Possible modifiers:
| Circumstance | Modifier |
|---|---|
| Well-connected in the area | (shift+1) |
| Area is unfamiliar or dangerous | (flip-1) |
| Target is actively hiding or on the run | (flip-1) |
Results:
- Success: The character uncovers useful information from the streets or local contacts.
- Failure: The character finds little to no helpful information, wasting time.
- Failure by a Large Margin: The character is misled by false information or puts themselves in danger.
Conversation
This specialization involves extracting information through dialogue, often using subtle questioning or leading conversations to uncover hidden truths.
| Description of the Check | Difficulty |
|---|---|
| Gleaning information from casual conversation | Average (12+) |
| Extracting secrets from a reluctant subject | Hard (15+) |
| Discerning hidden meaning or intentions | Very Hard (18+) |
| Navigating a conversation with multiple layers of deception | Very Hard (18+) |
Possible modifiers:
| Circumstance | Modifier |
|---|---|
| Subject is friendly or open | (shift+1) |
| Subject is hostile or suspicious | (flip-1) |
| Multiple people involved in the conversation | (flip-1) |
Results:
- Success: The character successfully uncovers useful information from the conversation.
- Failure: The character fails to gain any significant information.
- Failure by a Large Margin: The character inadvertently reveals more than they learn, or raises suspicion.
Deduction
Deduction involves piecing together various clues and information to form a coherent narrative or solution to a mystery.
| Description of the Check | Difficulty |
|---|---|
| Connecting obvious clues | Easy (9+) |
| Understanding complex or cryptic clues | Hard (15+) |
| Solving a mystery with sparse evidence | Very Hard (18+) |
| Weaving together multiple narratives or timelines | Very Hard (18+) |
Possible modifiers:
| Circumstance | Modifier |
|---|---|
| Plenty of time to work out the clues | (shift+1) |
| Clues are misleading or falsified | (flip-1) |
| Time constraints or under pressure | (flip-1) |
Results:
- Success: The character successfully deduces the correct conclusion or uncovers a vital truth.
- Failure: The character fails to connect the dots, leaving the mystery unsolved.
- Failure by a Large Margin: The character misinterprets the clues, leading to incorrect conclusions.
Surveillance
Surveillance involves watching a target or area over time to gather information, often while remaining unnoticed.
| Description of the Check | Difficulty |
|---|---|
| Watching a target from a distance | Easy (9+) |
| Tracking a moving target through crowded areas | Hard (15+) |
| Monitoring a location without being detected | Very Hard (18+) |
| Identifying patterns in the target’s movements or behavior | Average (12+) |
Possible modifiers:
| Circumstance | Modifier |
|---|---|
| Using advanced surveillance equipment | (shift+1) |
| Target is suspicious or on alert | (flip-1) |
| Crowded or chaotic environment | (flip-1) |
Results:
- Success: The character gathers valuable information or uncovers a key detail about the target.
- Failure: The character gains little to no useful information.
- Failure by a Large Margin: The character is detected by the target or loses track of them entirely.