Social implications of RPM

[Christopher R. Rice]

Originally Posted by VulpesFulva

Hmmm. Forensic Thaumatology with the precedent of dismissing "spectral evidence..."

For an Urban Fantasy Mysteries game... what sort of evidence does RPM leave behind?

Presuming split adept advantages (Consecration, Time and Link all separate), and rarity thereof... what are we going to find at "crime scenes?"

A carefully shepherded ritual to kill someone for insurance/inheritance by direct damage spell... what is left at the site of the deceased, and what's left at the site of the rite, and how obvious is the connection to someone who simply has investigative skills but no experience casting?

A Sherlock Scan by someone with Thaumatology-12 but no Magery, etc., say.

This is kind of my wheelhouse genre-wise, I've got two campaigns that are basically "Urban Fantasy Mysteries." That said, I use Criminology or Forensics with a required specialization of "Occult." Both have the Occultism skill as a prerequisite and Forensics (Occult) requires Thaumatology. Reading "spectral remains" and the like in the "aether" still requires a spell (Greater Sense Magic + Lesser Control Magic) that won't contaminate the area. But with a successful Forensics roll you can tell how long ago it was cast, who cast it (if you're familiar with them or you come across the same "scent" again), what it was supposed to do, etc. I applied a -1 penalty per 5 days that has past if it was cast using the adept times or 5 hours if using the non-adept times. Attempts to cover their tracks can add further penalties. Multiple spells cast in the area muddy the "atheric waters" and stack, but also include a further -1 penalty per caster. Other penalties are as assigned by the GM. That's just for magical evidence, if they've actually left physical evidence (charms, traditional trappings, grimoires, etc.) that's a whole other roll.