Moe Lane

There was some stuff that needed a first draft generated, and now it has been. I’ll be having more talks about this with a layout guy this afternoon. Expect to see some Backerkit info coming up in the near future, in fact.

Again, first draft. I won’t need a polished version of this until January at the earliest.

What is this book?
The Fermi Resolution RPG is a standalone campaign book using the GUMSHOE rules. GUMSHOE is a games engine originally created by Robin Laws which has been designed specifically for investigative campaigns. While there are rules for combat, fighting is not the primary focus of a GUMSHOE campaign. Your players are more likely to be solving mysteries, exploring abandoned facilities, and interacting with other people for resources and information. All of which, admittedly, can sometimes require combat rolls.

No other books are needed to play in this universe, but check out Pelgrane Press (https://pelgranepress.com/2018/02/14/gumshoe/) for more GUMSHOE games, and my own site (https://books2read.com/ap/8V1GKr/Moe-Lane) for the original books. At the time of writing, the Fermi Resolution universe features three novels and two short story collections, with more works planned.

How do you play this game?
GUMSHOE is a game of information and resource management. One core principle of the game engine is that players should never have to rely on random chance to solve a mystery; having the right Investigative Abilities will automatically give them the Core Clues they need for their investigation. It’s still up to them to figure out what those clues all mean.

Players also have General Abilities which are used in situations where the degree of success or failure is important, like seeing how well someone disarms a trap, rides a horse, or swing a sword. The rating of an Ability determines its pool size; pools can be used to ensure success on a dice roll. Once spent, pool points can only be refreshed at certain points in the adventure. Determining when to spend pool points is a critical component of the game.

Finally, while the world of the Fermi Resolution is adventurous, it is also a dangerous place that is particularly dangerous to the solitary adventurer. GUMSHOE is not a system that rewards moody loners who are alienated from everyone, including the other party members. Part of the character creation process includes an explanation as to why player characters are out adventuring in mixed company, and the game encourages cooperative play and eclecticism.

GM Tips
The Fermi Resolution RPG mostly can be run like any other fantasy RPG, but there are some specific points that are GUMSHOE-specific:

1. Strictly speaking, there are no advantages or disadvantages in the game. Physical appearance, gender, social status, reputation, and other attributes are at the discretion of the player and the GM.
2. GUMSHOE rewards eclecticism, particularly in parties. Whenever possible, have the players design their characters with an eye to making sure that all Investigative Abilities have been taken by at least one character, and most of the General ones.
3. Player-characters start out competent. Even a rating of one in an Ability implies a decent amount of expertise. Uncontested or routine Ability use should not be subject to rolls.
4. There is a difference between an Ability’s rating, and its pool. The rating always stays the same, but the level of its pool fluctuates. Pool points are used to boost the chance of success in an Ability check, but the Ability can still be used even if the current pool is zero.
5. Investigative Abilities trigger Core Clues automatically. Their dice pools are used to get extra information, at the GM’s discretion.
6. General Abilities are for contested rolls. They can also sometimes be used as Investigative Abilities, if the GM decides that simply having the Ability is enough to achieve success.
7. Core Clues should never require a roll. This game engine was expressly designed to eliminate scenarios where a critical piece of information had to be denied the players solely because their dice hated them that night.
8. The rate at which Ability pools can be refreshed will have a direct effect on game pacing. If players know that they can count on regular refreshes, they will spend pool points freely. If they know that refreshes are few and far between, they will save their pool points for emergencies. “GM discretion” is usually a code phrase for “We couldn’t think up a rule for this,” but this genuinely feels like a situation where the GM and players need to decide which system is more fun.
9. GUMSHOE is an investigative game. When in doubt – and particularly when they are stuck – encourage the players to get more information.
10. It is perfectly fine to simply tell the players, “There is nothing left to find in this scene.” Some GMs recommend printing a sign, and waving it when appropriate.