research mechanics

Within the General Store, in the Law Dog Union Library & Research Center lies the accumulated research of the town, in a series of encyclopedias, journals, and collected writings from Survivors.  A volume of information about virtually any subject can be found here, provided you are willing to do the work. This persistant Library Research Zone of Mechanics allows players to interact with the lore and story of the world in a more concrete way than the book outlines.

Mechanics:

Basic Research - 20 minutes, 5 Mind per Question (once per event)

Once per event a character with an Education skill may spend 20 minutes roleplaying in this area conducting research by reading peer-reviewed sources, making maps, solving equations, or discussing the subject of their research with other characters. At the end of the 20 minutes the player may head to Ops and ask the Storyteller on duty one Yes or No question per level of Education they possess (up to FOUR questions total, counting Basic, Proficient, Master, and Sage), at a cost of 5 Mind points per question. Write this as “RESEARCH” on the back of your sheet.

• These questions must pertain to the lore, story, or a module from DR:TX. Please remember some information may be difficult or impossible to find via research alone. If your question can not be answered due to the nature of the question (the ST doesn’t know the answer, it is outside the scope of the local game, etc.) you may ask a new question, or get a refund of your 5 Mind points.

Research Request - 20 minutes, 1 Resolve (once per event)

Once per event a character with the Education skill may spend 1 Resolve and host a 20 minute research session involving at least 4 other characters.  A character with the Sage PFA may conduct this Research Request at no cost of Resolve, only expended time. Each Research Request can ask three questions per use.

As a result of this brainstorming session the characters may fill out a Research Request to gain insight or direction pertaining to an element of lore or information within the scope of the DR:TX branch. This information should be about particular NPCs, Factions or Society Memberships, local mechanics or content, or information regarding certain plots. Not every question can be answered by a Research Request, so please be reasonable. You will receive an answer to your Research questions sometime before the next event, as some questions may take time to develop an answer. If the questions cannot be answered, your Resolve expenditure will be refunded.