01-25-2017, 10:38 AM | #1 |
Join Date: Dec 2012
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Help stating a contact that gives a PC access to a library [MH]
I am going to be running a TL2 Monster Hunters game soon. One thing that I want is for the characters to have access to an occult library, but I don't think they will be able to buy it themselves and they probably will not have a patron. I was thinking of statting this as a contact for one of the characters, but I want them to have to do the research, not have someone do it for them. How would you stat access to something special like an occult library (they do not always have to have access to it either, but I want it to be relatively reliable access)?
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01-25-2017, 11:05 AM | #2 |
Wielder of Smart Pants
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Ventura CA
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Re: Help stating a contact that gives a PC access to a library [MH]
This tends to be a controversial statement, but my option is that Contacts are assumed to have special access to information or resources that the PCs otherwise don't (this is why they are contacts...), so this is just a contact with Occultism or Research.
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01-25-2017, 11:09 AM | #3 |
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Saskatoon, SK, Canada
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Re: Help stating a contact that gives a PC access to a library [MH]
I feel that, to make Contact/Contact Group actually useful for the points (compare the points put in to the advantage vs. just buying the skills themselves), that they must provide more than just something a skill roll could give. And note that the Contact description says that they can do favours for you too, beyond just information. So, for an occult library, I'd write it up as:
Contact Group (Library of occult and magical topics; Skill 18; 12 or less; Usually Reliable) [12] (the price increases to 16 if anyone in the library is actually a mage or similar who can access information using supernatural means). So whoever had the contact could ask questions and get answers on a roll of 18, and on a failure, they ask him to check back in 1d days. They can also provide access to the library itself, since that will generally fall into the category of a favor that's "nonhazardous" and "inexpensive". That last bit, of course, can change if the party brings fights to the library, but as long as that doesn't happen, they should be good. The librarians can probably also do Research on their behalf, but I think that falls into the existing mechanics of checking back after a few days on a failure of the original roll. Other favours they might reasonably be asked to do:
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01-25-2017, 11:48 AM | #4 |
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Meifumado
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Re: Help statting a contact that gives a PC access to a library [MH]
There's nothing wrong with the above-mentioned Contact options (except for my long-standing disagreement with the pricing of Contacts in general), but as an alternative, just call it a Perk: Has Occult Library Card.
Looking at RAW (Power Ups 2), it's not far off from: Better (Gear) - your library access is more Occult-y than normal Friend - a Claim to Hospitality from your librarian friend (this works well, actually) Permit - normally works for getting lower LC equipment, but this sounds similar. And a library card is basically a Permit... Secret Knowledge - written up more about access to secret skills, but this situation is along similar lines
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01-25-2017, 12:09 PM | #5 |
Join Date: Dec 2012
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Re: Help stating a contact that gives a PC access to a library [MH]
Thanks for the responses! I think I like claim to hospitality best as an option since I want the PCs to actually be the ones making the skill checks.
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01-25-2017, 01:56 PM | #6 |
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Yukon, OK
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Re: Help stating a contact that gives a PC access to a library [MH]
Yeah Claim to Hospitality is how I would go with this.
Contact or Contact Group limits you to one question per day. I generally avoid Contacts as a PC because asKelly pointed out your generally better off just buying the skill yourself. However they can save you time by offloading the time to get the answer on someone else. And the favors can be useful as well.
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01-25-2017, 02:26 PM | #7 | |
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Saskatoon, SK, Canada
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Re: Help stating a contact that gives a PC access to a library [MH]
Quote:
For the favours on Contacts, I'd actually recommend stealing most of the system from Social Engineering: Pulling Rank. Treat the Contact's Frequency of Appearance roll as the base number of the Assistance roll, and apply the usual modifiers for a particular type of favour. If it doesn't fall into one of the categories, apply a +5 bonus if it's all three of cheap, safe, and easy, +0 if it's two of three, -5 if it's only one, and -10 if none. |
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01-25-2017, 02:45 PM | #8 | |
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Yukon, OK
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Re: Help stating a contact that gives a PC access to a library [MH]
Quote:
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My GURPS publications GURPS Powers: Totem and Nature Spirits; GURPS Template Toolkit 4: Spirits; Pyramid articles. Buying them lets us know you want more! My GURPS fan contribution and blog: REFPLace GURPS Landing Page My List of GURPS You Tube videos (plus a few other useful items) My GURPS Wiki entries |
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01-25-2017, 04:23 PM | #9 | |
On Notice
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Sumter, SC
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Re: Help stating a contact that gives a PC access to a library [MH]
Quote:
That said there are other ways to model access to the Occult Library. Are there restrictions to its access? How is it accessed? How is it organized? How easy is it accessed? Does making use of the library require special skills? |
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01-25-2017, 04:23 PM | #10 | |
Join Date: Sep 2007
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Re: Help stating a contact that gives a PC access to a library [MH]
Quote:
I like the Pulling Rank idea. The PC can be a low-ranking member, even a 0-CP Rank 0 member, and still ask the organization for help. Or if the player likes the notion, perhaps they want to buy up their influence with that organization, which also makes for an adventure reward. High-ranking Library officials might act as patrons (as opposed to Patrons) to introduce some adventures, or The Librarians might show up on an especially tough but important case to help out :) |
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