WoD Research

Topics

Topic Milestone Benchmarks

A good scale for these is to rank the Topic (the Rank system here is based on Spirit Ranks):

Rank 1: 5 successes Rank 2: 7 successes Rank 3: 10 successes Rank 4: 14 successes Rank 5: 20 successes

Each topic governs some piece of information that isn't commonly known off the top of the head. Each Topic is defined by a number of traits

• Skill: This is the Skill used to know about this topic. This determines what Skill is used in a Personal Knowledge Test (see below), and what Library is used in further Research on the topic.
• Obscurity: The rarity of the information, and the difficulty finding it. It determines the level of Library in that Skill necessary to research it. Obscurity 0 Topics can be started with Personal Knowledge Tests (see below).
• Milestones: All Knowledge Topics are by default extended rolls. The Milestones indicates what is known at different success totals.
  • Most Topics should have at least two Milestones, but can have as many as five. A good rule of thumb is to make sure it has a number of Milestones equal to (Obscurity +2).
  • Most Topics should likely "cap out" at 20 successes, and even then only if it's a particularly rare and grueling topic. To add additional depth to a Topic, it is best to unlock new successes, rather than load it up with too many milestones.

System

• Personal Knowledge Test: Any Knowledge Topic investigation with an Obscurity 0 should always begin with an appropriate Skill roll to determine what the researcher already knows. This is an Intelligence + appropriate Skill roll, with a penalty equal to the Obscurity of the Topic in question.
  • This is an instant action, but does count as the first roll of the research into a Knowledge Topic for the purpose of advancing Milestones, but not for the purpose of how many rolls may be made in Research. Teamwork may not be used in this roll.
• Delving Deeper: Once personal knowledge has been exhausted, further exploration into a Topic is handled through either interviews with individuals who might possess the knowledge, or through research.
• Interviews: Finding individuals who might know something can be handled through a Skill check, usually Wits + the Skill involved; Contacts and similar Merits may add to this roll. Getting them to agree to talk can be a Social test all on its own.
  • Generally speaking, knowledgeable individuals possess an "Obscurity Rating" and a certain number of successes of depth into the topic's knowledge.
  • Thus, an amateur folklorist might have Werewolf Lore • (4 successes), while a grizzled werewolf hunter might have Werewolf Lore ••• (12 successes).
  • These Traits are shorthand for Storyteller Characters only.
• Research: Use the Research Rules to further explore a topic through informational searching.

Topics Structure

• Topics should be built along a tree structure, with given milestones in the Topic giving information of some kind and unlocking additional Topics as they go.
• Basic information (aka "access" to the Topic) is usually rated Obscurity Rating 0 or •, and then the Topics that are unlocked with progress have higher Obscurity Ratings.

Research Rules

Research Roll Results

Exceptional Success: Add successes gained to the total, and choose one of the following options: Increase the limits on how many rolls can be made using that resource by one. Reduce Interval time by 25% for rest of extended test. Choose one of the following Conditions: Inspired, Informed, Steadfast Success: Add successes gained to the total. Failure: Choose between ending the Research roll or taking a Condition. If the roll is ended, then the character has reached the limits of their ability to perform the research on that topic using those resources. Alternately, choose from the following Conditions: Frustrated, Misinformed. Research may continue, though this roll does count toward the maximum rolls allowed in an extended test. Dramatic Failure: Research ends immediately. Additionally, choose one of the following Conditions: Misinformed, Obsession If you undertake research again on the same Topic, you begin the extended test with the Frustrated Condition.

• Extended Roll: Intelligence + Academics. Teamwork may be used in this test.
• Skill: This is the Skill that the topic falls under. A character needn't actually have the Skill to research information into it, but must have access to a Library of that Skill to do so.
• Equipment: Library Merit (+1-+3)
• Interval: The interval of each roll is based on the size of the Library being used for the research.
• Obscurity: This determines the rating of Library in the governing Skill necessary.

Topic Searching

• Sometimes, a researcher does not know the Topic he is searching for information for. An occult investigator that has seen strange phenomena or a medical researcher looking at a series of symptoms both qualify.
• Topic Searching is a standard Research roll, at a dice penalty of 2 + Obscurity of the Topic they are seeking.
  • If the Obscurity of the Topic in question is two or more points of Obscurity higher than the Library being used, the roll automatically fails.
• This penalty is reduced by one per tangible clue the researcher possesses.
  • If something is taken as a clue that is not in fact a clue, however, it causes the research to automatically fail the check (though the Storyteller should not announce this to the player making the check, of course.)
• On a dramatic failure, the researcher makes too many assumptions and guesses, and is given a Topic that is not the correct one.
• On a failure, the researcher discovers nothing.
• On a success, the researcher discovers the name of the Topic, and can begin digging appropriately.
• On an exceptional success, the researcher not only discovers the Topic, but the results of the Topic Searching test are counted as successes towards researching the Topic itself.