Investigation
An investigation revolves around one more mysteries. Mysteries are composed of clues, and are resolved when you attempt a proof with clues you have found. You can get involved in a mystery through rumors, talking to denizens, or finding a cue or clue. Most activity for an investigation happens during deliberation, but you might find clues during an encounter. The key thing about an investigation is just figuring out the solution isn't enough, you have to prove it. Figuring out the solution early can help you find valid clues, but you don't get the reward until the proof is complete.
Clue
You may search for clues in any location. Clues are objects related to a mystery, and are treated like any other asset. There is no check to find clues, you simply find them if you look. If clues are inaccessible the referee instead notes that clues are present, but out of sight. A perception check may be required to find places where inaccessible clues may be (such as on a person, or locked somewhere out of reach), but even if the check fails you know clues are present somewhere in the location. A cue is similar to a clue, but is not a physical piece of evidence you may pick up and examine. A cue is not automatically detected, it is usually seen as the result of a perception check or gained as a reward. Examples of clues include journals, weapons used in crimes, or items of clothing with evidence on them. Examples of cues can include tracks in the area, overheard conversations, and subtle patterns.
Pointer
Once you possess a clue you immediately inspect it, and check against scholarship. If the check succeeds you gain a pointer from the clue. If the check fails you are blocked from trying again until you find another clue. Once you find another clue you may reexamine any clue you already have, and if it has another pointer a success will discover it. A success will also tell you if there are no more pointers to find for that clue. Pointers are small statements linked to the clue, and tag a person, object, or another location. A cue has only one pointer, and if you find the cue you automatically gain the pointer. Following pointers may lead to new clues, and the pointers themselves are used for the mystery's proof. Not every pointer on a clue will be valid for a proof. Some clues may have no valid pointers at all (misdirection), or pointers to different mysteries. Subtle pointers may have a penalty to find.
Proof
To solve a mystery and get the reward you must have proof. During a proof you must present a minimum number of correct pointers to an appropriate judge. The judge could be a law enforcement official, the victim, and sometimes even the perpetrator. If too few pointers are presented the proof fails and the investigation continues. If enough pointers are presented but any of them aren't valid for the mystery then the proof fails and the judge acts incorrectly, closing the investigation or arresting the wrong person. Romance tragedies may be re-purposed for a failed proof, if needed. You gain no reward so it is clear the solution failed, and you may try again if you can find another pointer. Rewards for a successful proof vary, but include goals, assets, or even clues to deeper mysteries. A standard mystery requires 3 pointers to solve. More complex a mysteries may require 5 or more pointers, but offer richer rewards as compensation.
Misdirection
You can use a project to create a fraudulent clue, called a misdirection, with a scam check. Your clue has pointers up to your success margin, plus one pointer back to yourself. If you fail, the margin is the number of witnesses that see you plant the misdirection. Forged documents are created in the same way.
Special Investigations
- Conspiracy. The reward for solving a mystery may be a clue to a deeper mystery. Conspiracies are usually made up entirely of such clues, so you have to successfully prove multiple mysteries to even have a chance at solving the conspiracy underneath. Finding an appropriate judge may present a challenge.
- Puzzle. The clues are all information about the solution of the puzzle, and using the correct pointers in the correct order will solve it. Puzzles will often have time limits, and may even occur during the rounds of an encounter.
- Trial. A mixture of investigation and a dispute. Each valid pointer counts as another person on your side, but each invalid pointer exposed incurs a penalty on all checks to argue the case.
See Also
Version 2.5.2
©2014 Frameworks Games
This is outdated content. Update Needed!
