As promised after the July Event, Dystopia Rising New York has made some changes to its local mechanics regarding research. Specifically, we’re changing the Library ZoM from play, and clarifying how to use our Research in Requiem local mechanic.
Changes to the Library ZoM
The “Insight” feature of the Library ZoM, which requires a character with the Sage PFA, remains unchanged. We removed the other mechanic, which allowed players to ask “yes” or “no” questions, as it tended to lead to confusion. With the Research in Requiem local mechanic, players can work towards an open-ended research goal, and this mechanic will be independent of the Library ZoM
Research in Requiem
As an alternate method of research, players may use the Research in Requiem local mechanic to ask the staff an open-ended question. To do so, a group of no less than four players may devise a research goal, go to Ops, inform the staff they’re doing “Requiem Research” and ask their question. Then, they role-play doing the research. For example, if players want to learn more about the gravemind, they might create non-mechanical sampling tools, then spend time role-playing observing and taking samples at the morgue. Afterwards, players should return to Ops and explain what they did. Depending on the nature of the research Ops might have information available within the next Twelves, or may ask players to submit an action request to receive information at a later date. The quality of information depends on the number of people involved, the depth of the role-play, and the skills, lores, and items used. Some questions might require multiple months of research.
Please note… the first step after you have four or more players assembled is to “devise a research goal.” This lets us know what you want to do. Also remember that you’re asking an “open-ended question,” which means that there will always be room for more information later.
Examples
Professor Science and Doctor Medicine have noticed strange goings on at the morgue. Zed are coming out of the morgue carrying terrible diseases. They decide to perform some research to get a clue to where this might be coming from. They invite Assistant Noteman and Nurse Ratchetstraps to help.
They decide their goal is, “to identify what’s causing the Zed to come out of the morgue with diseases,” so they inform Ops of their intentions. After discussing possible options they decide to create some non-mechanical Sampling Tools with Basic Artisan and pack up their Doctor Ottoman’s Disease Control Kit. They also bring along some Infectious Material and Psionic Crystals to compare to whatever they may find at the morgue. Making a trek out to the morgue they spend time observing, taking samples of the local infectious material and psionic crystals. Luckily encountering a zed they manage to dispatch it and begin a field autopsy, taking samples and observing growths and mutations on the body. Having taken notes on their findings and noted their applicable lores and PFAs they report to Ops with their information. They find out this research is fairly conclusive so they should have their information during the next twelves.
After the next Twelves, Ops gives them their research results, which include information about a contaminated site upstream of the morgue, which recently saw a spill of radioactive material. The spill occurred shortly before the zed started appearing, and the sorts of diseases they carry are very similar to radiation poisoning. The players can now investigate the site of the spill.