Fortean beta

Description

The truth is out there.

— — The X-Files

Whether a skeptic or a believer, your job is the same – observe, analyze, and uncover the truth. An investigator of the paranormal who doesn’t wield magic and doesn't face monsters head-on. Instead they rely on logic, sharp instincts, and years of fieldwork to piece together the inexplicable. Gather evidence, follow leads, and make connections that no one else has noticed.

When designing for a Fortean, remember that they thrive when faced with the unknown. Steep them in mysteries, conspiracy, and unexplained phenomena. Encourage exploration: give them opportunities to snoop around crime scenes, question NPCs, and break into secure areas. They have strong plot control, so give them plenty of space to theorize and make unexpected connections. Forteans are a highly social class, often relying on information gleaned from interactions with others. Therefore, it is important to provide them with ample opportunities to engage with non-player characters (NPCs).

The Fortean draws inspiration from both real-life and fictional investigators of the unknown, blending classic procedural detective work with eerie, unexplained phenomena.

Examples:

  • Fox Mulder (The X-Files)
  • Carl Kolchak (Kolchak: The Night Stalker)
  • Agent M (Men in Black: International)
  • Olivia Dunham (Fringe)
  • Dale Cooper (Twin Peaks)
  • The Atlantic Paranormal Society (Ghost Hunters)
  • Ghost Huntin' Distribution (Phasmophobia)
  • Mystery Incorporated (Scooby-Doo)
  • Athenodorus (Pliny the Younger, "Letter to Sura")

Challenge Level: High

Class by David Torres

Edition: Advent v1

Public: Yes

Owner: detour

Signature Gear

Base Gear

Trenchcoat

Base

a long black coat granting some environmental protection.

  • Pocketing an item will make it invisible.
  • After interacting with a local authority figure or faction, may make a Query about that person or faction.

Flashlight

Base

a heavy-duty flashlight.

  • May reveal vague traces of supernatural activity (visible to anyone nearby).
  • Catching someone by surprise by suddenly shining the light in their face will confuse them for a moment, if asked a direct question they may make an unexpected confession, disclosure, or concession. (Cooldown: Mid)

ID Badge

Base

a plastic ID badge with your face and name.

  • You may update the credentials it provides via Pitch, credentials you have seen are easier to copy. (Cooldown: Low).
  • Members of the organization you represent are weakly compelled to accept your presence, but claiming authority is likely to draw scrutiny.

Elective Gear

Frequency Analyzer

Elective

a handheld gadget that picks up on various frequencies.

  • Allows you to detect a source of communication you could not otherwise detect (magical, technological, or otherwise).
    • The type of communication is Pitched.
  • Signal detection is unstable. By fiddling with the machine you can hone in on the source, the longer you do so, the clearer your signal.

Voice Recorder

Elective

a compact but outdated voice recorder.

  • Record and replay audio.
  • On playback, you may Pitch something having been recorded that wasn’t heard at the time. Effectiveness of the Pitch scales with how strange/garbled/otherworldly the recording sounds.

Neural Disrupter

Elective

a pen-sized chrome cylinder.

Max Duration (single target)
Mid
Max Duration (small group)
Low
Cooldown
Mid
  • Activate to emit a flash that renders targets unable to recall anything happening out of the ordinary over the next several minutes
  • Targets must be nearby, non-aggressive, and sentient.

Abilities

It’s Happening Again

You recall a cold case that bears an eerie resemblance to the scene.

Essence Cost
Low
Cooldown
Mid

Paired Action: Briefly describe another crime, case, or event and the coinciding details with the current scene. E.g. “This is exactly like the Davenport disappearances, 10 years ago…”

  • Pitch a historical crime, case, or other event from your character’s past that bears an uncanny resemblance to what’s currently happening.
  • You may make a free Deduction based on details that you discover at the current scene which are congruent with your Pitched event.
  • On success, you may make a Query about the scene that would otherwise be undetectable.

Slip Through The Cracks

Expertly slip into and briefly through a restricted area, bypassing both mundane and supernatural detection.

Essence Cost
Low
Duration
Low
Cooldown
Mid

Paired Action: Time your approach carefully, observing the gaps in security, waiting for just the right moment before making your move.

  • You must Pitch the various ways in which you evade security or gain entry.
  • While active you are subtly ignored by all forms of surveillance.
  • Anytime you use a supernatural effect to obtain information, the duration of this effect resets.
  • Backtracking through an area you've already been through will cause the ability to immediately end.

Red String Theory

You make an outlandish connection between several elements – that somehow turns out to be true.

Essence Cost
Low-High
Cooldown
Low-High

Paired Action: Describe the available evidence aloud while gesticulating wildly, then plausibly connect seemingly unrelated things.

  • Pitch a connection between two or more elements of the mission. Conduit is encouraged to give Insights that suggest additional connections. You may repeat this once or twice, scaling cost/cooldown.
  • You must explain your theory out loud to someone and it must be based on evidence.
  • When this ability fails, gain Delerium.