Handouts to support PC investigations
Posted: Thu 21 Sep 2023, 20:47
Hello folks,
Was hoping I could ask for your comments and suggestions about an idea I am considering implementing at the table to strengthen the investigative side of the experience for the players.
Ambria seems to take paperwork very seriously, and from time to time challenges involve PCs plumbing reports and archives to get some vital pieces of information allowing them to be better prepared to face a conflict. As I understand it, the test right now is a die roll, and perhaps RP discussion between the PC and a clerk to get access to the information.
I was thinking of taking the relationship a bit further and actually coming up templated dossiers that I could pass to the Archivist character (or whoever) for their to review and analysis at the table. If there were certain pieces of information that I really didn't want to fall through the cracks, I would draw the player's attention to them.
The first collection of documents I was considering was an application and validation for an explorer's license.
The form would be a template, and the applicant for the license would have needed to provide certain information, such as: name and residence of exploration leader, name and residence of exploration sponsor (if someone else was funding it and so might have first right of refusal to purchase or otherwise take control of any artifacts), expected area of exploration (which clan's lands), expected date of departure and return, what types of things are they expecting to recover, names and residences of other prominent expedition members (though probably won't need names of ogres and goblin support, because racism), whether the expedition has been approved by the Ordo or the Church, etc.
The license would be expected to be validated by guards at the time of both departure and return, to make sure that the assets leaving Thistle Hold seem consistent with the purpose described in the license. And deviations from expectations would be noted, along with details of any fatalities upon return. The license could also be validated by Queens Rangers, and their observations and comments added to the file containing the license application back in Thistle Hold.
I would be hoping to give my players a few different experiences. I would like to help them have the experience of "putting the pieces together" by making connections themselves between pieces of information; of solving a puzzle of sorts, of identifying consistent and inconsistent patterns. I would also like to provide hints to environmental dangers via the accounts of fatalities among previous expeditions. "Camped overnight by a swamp near the bridge. The next morning, five porters were overcome with fever and could not continue." Or perhaps provide hints of treasure to be recovered "Lost two fully laden mules down the slope rockslide." Or perhaps relationships with the locals, "Goblin tribe was very interested in such and such a product. Became much more friendly when we handed some over. Wish I had more."
Also possible that the paper trail could hint to some of the drama among the expedition sponsors and the antique market. Such and such antique market vendor always seems to work with the same expedition leader, or often sends expeditions to the same area, or is looking for the same type of object in different areas, or what have you.
So this is where I was heading. In addition to explorer's license I had thought that similar paper trails could be found among the Black Cloaks or Ordo when they recover artifacts from adventurers for study or sequestration.
Grateful for your thoughts.
Thanks
Was hoping I could ask for your comments and suggestions about an idea I am considering implementing at the table to strengthen the investigative side of the experience for the players.
Ambria seems to take paperwork very seriously, and from time to time challenges involve PCs plumbing reports and archives to get some vital pieces of information allowing them to be better prepared to face a conflict. As I understand it, the test right now is a die roll, and perhaps RP discussion between the PC and a clerk to get access to the information.
I was thinking of taking the relationship a bit further and actually coming up templated dossiers that I could pass to the Archivist character (or whoever) for their to review and analysis at the table. If there were certain pieces of information that I really didn't want to fall through the cracks, I would draw the player's attention to them.
The first collection of documents I was considering was an application and validation for an explorer's license.
The form would be a template, and the applicant for the license would have needed to provide certain information, such as: name and residence of exploration leader, name and residence of exploration sponsor (if someone else was funding it and so might have first right of refusal to purchase or otherwise take control of any artifacts), expected area of exploration (which clan's lands), expected date of departure and return, what types of things are they expecting to recover, names and residences of other prominent expedition members (though probably won't need names of ogres and goblin support, because racism), whether the expedition has been approved by the Ordo or the Church, etc.
The license would be expected to be validated by guards at the time of both departure and return, to make sure that the assets leaving Thistle Hold seem consistent with the purpose described in the license. And deviations from expectations would be noted, along with details of any fatalities upon return. The license could also be validated by Queens Rangers, and their observations and comments added to the file containing the license application back in Thistle Hold.
I would be hoping to give my players a few different experiences. I would like to help them have the experience of "putting the pieces together" by making connections themselves between pieces of information; of solving a puzzle of sorts, of identifying consistent and inconsistent patterns. I would also like to provide hints to environmental dangers via the accounts of fatalities among previous expeditions. "Camped overnight by a swamp near the bridge. The next morning, five porters were overcome with fever and could not continue." Or perhaps provide hints of treasure to be recovered "Lost two fully laden mules down the slope rockslide." Or perhaps relationships with the locals, "Goblin tribe was very interested in such and such a product. Became much more friendly when we handed some over. Wish I had more."
Also possible that the paper trail could hint to some of the drama among the expedition sponsors and the antique market. Such and such antique market vendor always seems to work with the same expedition leader, or often sends expeditions to the same area, or is looking for the same type of object in different areas, or what have you.
So this is where I was heading. In addition to explorer's license I had thought that similar paper trails could be found among the Black Cloaks or Ordo when they recover artifacts from adventurers for study or sequestration.
Grateful for your thoughts.
Thanks