Page 87 - World of Darkness

Example: Benoit is eager to uncover the secret behind Streetwise characters can gather information, make con-
Mike’s financial success, and takes him out for a night on the tacts, buy and sell on the black market, and otherwise
town, hoping that a few beers will loosen Mike’s tongue. make use of the street’s unique resources. The Skill is also
Benoit’s Manipulation is 3 and Socialize is 3, but he has no important for navigating urban dangers, avoiding the law,
special equipment to aid him in his endeavor. Mike’s and staying on the right side of the wrong people.
Composure is 2 and Empathy is 2. Benoit’s Stamina is 3 Possessed by: Criminals, gangsters, homeless people,
and Mike’s Stamina is 3, so they begin on an even footing, private investigators, police officers
each requiring six successes to win. On the first roll, Benoit Specialties: Black Market, Gangs, Rumors, Under-
gets three successes and Mike gets one. On the next roll, cover Operations
Benoit gets one success while Mike gets two. On the third
roll, Benoit gets three successes and Mike gets only two — Roll Results
Benoit wins with seven successes to Mike’s five. Mike tells Dramatic Failure: Your character completely misreads
Benoit (and anyone else within earshot) everything about his the situation, committing an error that could have fatal
financial dealings. Mike will regret it the next day — if he consequences. He might try to sell guns to an undercover
remembers at all. cop, he convinces a real gun dealer that he’s a cop, or he
flashes the wrong sign to the gangbangers on the corner.
If both sides achieve the required number of success
Failure: Your character has no luck hooking up with
simultaneously, no advantages are gained and the carouser’s any of his street associates, or of convincing the locals
efforts go for naught — this time. Another night on the that he’s legit.
town starts the process all over again.
Success: Your character hooks up with someone who
Roll Results can provide what he needs.
Dramatic Failure: Your character can’t hold his li- Exceptional Success: Not only does your character
quor nearly as well as he thought. He loses the contest find someone who can help him, that person turns up at
immediately. just the right time to provide something quick and cheap.
Failure: Your character keeps up with his partying
companions but doesn’t gain the upper hand over them. Working the Black Market
Success: Your character hangs tough and dares his Dice Pool: Manipulation + Streetwise + equipment
companions to keep up. Action: Extended (2-10 success; each roll represents
Exceptional Success: Your character pulls out all the one day of searching the street)
stops, leaving his companions reeling in his wake. Black markets thrive in every city across the globe,
Suggested Equipment: High-limit credit cards (+1), making money from illegal property such as weapons and
running tab at a bar (+1), expensive liquor (+2), know- stolen merchandise. Practically anything can be had on
ing attractive bar patrons (+2), various illegal drugs (+3) the black market if a buyer has enough money and time
Possible Penalties: Poor-quality booze (-1), ugly bar to find the right contacts and to secure a deal.
patrons (-1), unappealing bar (-2), limited funds (-3), bad When your character wants to turn to the black mar-
music (-3) ket to buy illegal items (or unload stolen goods), the Sto-
ryteller first determines how many successes are necessary
Streetwise to complete the task. That number depends on the size or
value of the items sought. Buying or selling handguns
There were four kids playing a pick-up game at the might require only three successes, while dealing in sto-
basketball court across the street from the tenements. Lisa len cars might demand six. Highly illegal, hard-to-find
eyed the neighborhood warily as Gabriel stepped up to the items such as military hardware might require eight or more
edge of the court. “How exactly is this supposed to help?” she successes. A successful series of rolls means your character
asked worriedly. finds someone able to trade, and a meeting is arranged.
“Chill out,” Gabriel said and turned. “Hey, Carlos!” All your character has to do is show up with the money
He raised his hand and waved at one of the kids. Carlos (or items to sell) and the deal is done.
stopped and tossed the ball to a friend before trotting over. Example: Adam is on the run and needs a car to get
out of town. He knows a few people on the street who deal
Lisa’s eyes widened. “Are you kidding me? This kid’s 12 in stolen cars, and starts hitting the corners. Adam’s
years old!”
Manipulation is 3 and his Streetwise is 2. He’s got some
“It’s not him we’re dealing with, it’s his brother,” Cuban cigars he can offer as gifts, to grease the wheels of
Gabriel whispered as the boy approached. “Carlos is the industry, which the Storyteller decides is a +1 modifier. The
cutout. We tell him what we need and he names a price. Storyteller also determines that it will take six successes to
Watch and learn.” arrange the deal. The first roll nets Adam two successes — a
Characters possessing this Skill know how life on the good start, but a full day passes and he’s got a long way to go
streets works and are adept at surviving by its harsh rules. before he can find someone to sell him a car. Can he do it
before his luck runs out?

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Chapter 3- SKILLS