CoD Investigation

Step I: Scope

• Goal: The PCs should determine what the Goal of the investigation is, including what the "end game" of that investigation is.
• Clues Required: The Storyteller privately determines the number of Clues necessary to achieve that Goal.
  • This usually ranges from one (minor task) to five (consuming task), although investigations intended to extend past a single chapter may require many more than that.
  • The Storyteller does not reveal this number to the players.

Step II: Interval

• Time: The interval determines how much time is consumed for each investigation check.
• This is largely determined by the scope of the Goal, and where the characters are searching.
  • Investigating a single-room crime scene is different from trying to track down the serial killer operating in a major metropolitan area.

Step III: Dice Pool

• Skills: Determine the method of investigation, and what Attribute + Skill combination should cover that method.
• Restrictions: Some investigations may indicate they can only be discovered via certain Skills: tracking a hacker might only be done with Computers and Streetwise, while attempting to uncover a blackmailer in the governor's office may require Politics and Socialize.
• Investigation: Investigation is often a useful Skill, but not always the appropriate one for the job. It will always apply in Step IV, however (see below).
• Exhausting Possibilities: Each time the same Skill is used in an investigation, it inflicts a cumulative –1 penalty to additional checks with that Skill.

Step IV: Uncovering Clues

• The actual attempt to uncover a Clue is a Skill check, with the following Results.
• Clues & Elements: Clues function as "equipment" for an investigation, granting a +1 bonus to subsequent investigation checks that use them. Each such use is referred to as an "element."
  • Using a clue's investigation equipment bonus expends one element from that clue.
  • A basic clue has a single element when uncovered.
  • A clue found using an exceptional success has an additional element.
  • A clue found by a Specialist has an additional element. A Specialist is a character who uses a Skill of ••••+ to uncover the clue, or who uses a Skill with an applicable Specialty.
  • Clue elements can also be spent to gain an equipment bonus on any other type of applicable Skill test, beyond normal Uncovering Clues tests.
• Using Clues: When making an Uncovering Clues test, an investigator may use a single clue, though if a clue has multiple elements, they may use as many of them as they like.
  • An investigator with the Investigation Skill can use a number of clues equal to their rating in that Skill.

Results

• Dramatic Failure: In addition to imposing a negative Condition, one Clue from the investigation is a Tainted Clue.
• Failure: The investigator finds a Clue, but it is an Incomplete Clue.
• Success: The investigator finds a Clue. It has a single element, or two elements if the investigator is a Specialist.
• Exceptional Success: The investigator finds a Clue. It has two elements, or three elements if the investigator is a Specialist. The investigator also gains a Condition relevant to the clue or investigation.

Step V: Uncovering the Truth

• At any time after uncovering at least one Clue, the investigators may attempt an Uncover the Truth action.
• They do this by "spending" Clues. Spent Clues no longer provide Elements for non-investigation Skill checks.
• If the Clues spent equal or exceed the number required, the investigators achieve their Goal.
• If the Clues spent are insufficient, the Goal is partially achieved, with a single complication for each Clue they are missing. Complications include:
  • The culprit has plausible deniability.
  • The culprit has a viable escape plan.
  • The culprit has a hostage.
  • The investigators risk legal consequences if they pursue the culprit.
  • The investigators risk professional or personal consequences if they pursue the culprit.
  • The crime in question was a smokescreen for a greater conspiracy.