Page 116 - Chronicles of Darkness

Putting it on Paper like to your players, here’s some media that handles not just
a death or missing person, but also the lives of the people
This step can also happen at any point; as soon as the around that person who is, otherwise, gone. Missing Person,
players need someone concrete around whom to anchor a as a chronicle starter, focuses on the vacuum a gone or dead
place or idea, create a person of interest. These can be lov- person leaves in the lives of those around them, and these
ers, siblings, or even the old ladies who watch everything the pieces of media reflect that idea in a few different ways.
characters do from a window across the street. Consider the variety of tones you can bring to this chronicle
Each player should volunteer at least one person of starter with the ideas below.
interest while creating this chronicle starter. Write down Stand by Me, movie, or “The Body”, short story by
the person of interest’s name on the map, and put a square Stephen King. The Body, as well as the movie that was based
around it. Consider this character’s relationship to the rest of on it, are both prime examples of using a missing persons
the information on the map. Draw a line from the person of case as a jumping-off point for a much deeper narrative. In
interest to any player character other than the initial player’s the story, a group of boys travel into the wilderness outside
own. On that line, the player of the second character should their small town in search of a “dead kid” of whom they’d
write down a one-sentence description of their relation- heard rumors among the other local children. It’s a powerful
ship to the person of interest. The player who volunteered slice-of-life story about boys, who are on the cusp of being
the person of interest should also draw a line between the young men, dealing with their demons. The titular body is
person of interest and the missing person. She can write a important, yes, but as a catalyst for growth rather than as its
statement of their relationship as it appears to the outside own event in the boys’ lives.
world, perhaps related to her character, perhaps not. As a Twin Peaks, TV. If your characters are likely to actually
final step, she should draw a dotted line from the person of investigate the missing persons case, Twin Peaks is an interest-
interest to either a location, a rumor, an authority, or even ing twist on the classic, more technical, police procedural.
another person of interest, symbolizing another connection. It focuses much more on the lives of the people around the
There’s no need for a description here; the dotted line is just dead girl, and examines what people thought of her as a
an implied connection that everyone can play off of later. person, versus who she actually was. It’s a strange story, too,
What the Questions Answer one not outside of the realms of possibility for a Chronicles
of Darkness game.
People of interest are not the entire population of your Pretty Little Liars, TV. This modern teen drama, cen-
chronicle, obviously, but as they spring up, they become tered on a missing persons case, exemplifies the idea that a
representatives of the population. As they are written, they relatively small town can be absolutely bursting with secrets.
may start off as stereotypes. Build out from that, adding Though the series’ primary mystery is “What happened to
depth and focus. Once the chronicle map is completed, a Alison DiLaurentis?” a multitude of revelations, romantic
Storyteller can and should make simple character sheets for entanglements, and plot twists occur throughout the series,
the people of interest. At least make sure to make note of casting suspicion on seemingly every character at some point
their names, whatever is written about them on the map, or another.
and give them each at least one strong Aspiration just as you The Killing (U.S. or Dutch version), TV. Like Twin Peaks,
would a player character. this show centers on a criminal investigation, but the lives of
the investigators and the people involved are very intimate
Media and Inspiration and intense. The pacing is slow, as one case takes up the entire
length of the series, so it matches the pacing of a tabletop
Just in case you need a little inspiration, or perhaps want game a bit better than a typical one-and-done episode of a
to send along some ideas of what a missing persons case is standard police procedural.

115
missing persons-creating your setting