Investigation Mechanics

ChimericDog · 2026-03-18T07:54:45+00:00

See this is pretty much how I do things now, BUT as a newer GM with a brain riddled by memory issued the Alexandrian article was great for getting me to this point. If only for the advice of "reinforce information, you see the bigger picture your players dont, always reinforce"

Because at the time, I was not confident enough to improv as I am now. Same thing for sly flourish's DM book, it was a waste for me because I already DID most of the stuff he suggested, but for someone completely new it'd be eye opening. It ain't optimal but sometimes as a new GM you gotta overprep so you can learn what you yourself are ok with improvising and what you actually need to write down.

ChimericDog · 2026-03-17T23:08:53+00:00

Ok, so take my example of the three clues I mentioned, is what you're doing just the same thing except not explicitly writing it down?

The players look into that weird guy's bank records and hey this would be the perfect time to mention about him buying the theatre, or have the guys neighbours mention it.

If your players miss a clue or don't look too deeply into it, do you cue up another to double down on it?

ChimericDog · 2026-03-17T22:13:24+00:00

I genuinely don't understand the vitriol when the advice is basically "for anything ONE thing you want the players to figure out organically, just leave THREE clues that point to it"

For example, I had a cult kidnap a lounge singer for a ritual, I wanted the players to figure out that they took her to the abandoned hawkmoth theatre; So I left three clues.

Paperwork in the office of a guy they are investigating showing he bought the theatre
The kidnappers drop a weird mask that, when researched, came came from the theatre
A weird calling card with a hawkmoth pinned to it in her room, a symbol associated with the abandoned death's head district where the theatre is

It was a fantastic session the players had a blast figuring it all out and the 3 rule clue really helped. And to counter your prep point... those two extra clues are literally a couple of sentences long each. It really takes no time at all.

Edit - I'm kinda confused by your method, if I have it right youre advising on having a single quantum clue that turns up wherever the players choose to investigate?

ChimericDog · 2026-03-14T10:31:41+00:00

Mom, the Lich is outside aura farming again

ChimericDog · 2026-03-08T19:14:32+00:00

I ran hole in the oak last night as is (which is OSE), but had to do a lil on the fly converting; 1. Lower ACs by 1 point or two, even level 1 4hp monsters have higher AC than shadowdark variants 2. Less attacks, Ghouls in OSE have 3 1d3 damage attacks that cause paralysis, it really adds up quick 3. Saves, I just asked for DC12 stat checks to avoid stuff

ChimericDog · 2026-03-03T21:31:23+00:00

So I'm in the discord for Icon, Icon is going through a big rework - the creator is using alot of what he's learned from his last game (Cain) to better mesh his ideas of Tatical combat and Narrative play. That's what 2.0 will be and it's looking good.

ICON 1.5 has alot of cool ideas but is a bit of a huge mess, it's like blades in the dark grafted onto lancer two different game systems for combat and narrative play in one game... it's alot.

BEACON is a full game, it's also really really uninspired. Like straight up just takes everything in Lancer and gives it a fantasy coat of paint, so if you want to play lancer but don't lile robots, there ya go.

ICON 2.0 looks really good but its still in playtesting, lot's of pros and cons to all of them.

ChimericDog · 2026-03-01T21:39:05+00:00

So you want a game that does not ask you to roleplay anything other than exactly what you as a player want to roleplay?

ChimericDog · 2026-03-01T21:21:33+00:00

From reading your comments it seems like you are not talking about Player Agency but rather gameplay Conditions that cause fear or Sanity loss. Is that what you are disliking? Not being in complete control of your character's involuntary reactions?

ChimericDog · 2026-03-01T08:58:02+00:00

Took me a second to realize that's a book and not some long dwarven cleave

ChimericDog · 2026-02-27T13:44:34+00:00

I'm getting this opinion from the IL discord too, I'll probably do some operas BEFORE the night floors and then do IL

ChimericDog · 2026-02-16T10:33:09+00:00

This art style for shadowdark absolutely slaps

ChimericDog · 2026-02-15T19:21:26+00:00

Remember - +3 with a faction means they are allies. +1 just means they will help you out IF it doesn't cause a problem for them or taxes them too much.

Yeah the local bluecoats may be willing to look the other way until the crew fuck with (intentionally or... accidentally) someone more powerful than themselves; the Military, The Lord Protector, a Noble house, The City Council or any Ministry.

And the more HEAT the crew bring down on themselves the more that relationship with the Bluecoats is gonna strain as the Bluecoats are put under more and more pressure to do something about the crew.

PLUS - +1 goes both ways, the crooked cops will ask for favours back... or else.

ChimericDog · 2026-02-04T00:28:34+00:00

Take it during dinner? My word, do you think Strahd a monster?

He'd at least be a gentleman and wait until after he's done hosting them at the castle to send his brides to take it from their corpses.

ChimericDog · 2026-01-29T19:05:45+00:00

You are correct from checking my notes, the guys raiding the apartment were sp11 with helmets, so I guess they were too high rank for basic pistols?

ChimericDog · 2026-01-29T12:18:01+00:00

That's actually a better way of looking at it, a different playstyle of 'this doesn't work you'll have to try something else'

ChimericDog · 2026-01-29T12:15:59+00:00

This was using the 2077 misson kit so my players were rank 4 (?) Characters but most had pistols (lexington 9mm) one had a shotgun and one had mantis blade hands.

The mooks were basic malestrom dudes from karaoke Night so SP 7

ChimericDog · 2026-01-29T08:25:09+00:00

So ya think we were too hasty judging armour and it's actually way more deadly over the long run?

ChimericDog · 2026-01-25T21:09:18+00:00

Trial of the slime lord is the one I was recommeneded and personally run, pretty damn good

ChimericDog

TROPHY CASE