Page 85 - Chronicles of Darkness

Storyteller determine Doors using the highest Resolve and
Composure scores in the group. She also determines three
Aspirations, a Virtue, Vice, and relative Integrity score for Chase Modifiers
the group. When resolving the influence, most members
will abide by the stated goal. Individual members may de- Circumstance Modifier
part and do as they will, but a clear majority does as your
player suggests. Opponent’s Speed is higher +1
than yours
Successive Efforts Opponent’s Speed is twice +3
yours
After opening all Doors and resolving the action’s goal,
your character may wish to influence the same person or Opponent’s Speed is ten +5
times yours
group again. If successful, successive influence attempts
begin with one fewer Door. If failed, or if hard leverage was Initiative modifier is higher -1
employed, successive influence attempts begin with two more than your opponent’s
Doors. These modifiers are cumulative. No matter what, a Initiative modifier is twice -2
character will always have at least one Door at the outset. your opponent’s

Chases Initiative modifier is three -3
times your opponent’s

territory
Chases are a common element of horror stories. Someone Your character knows the -1
or something chases, and with it comes death or worse. In Your character knows the -3
most action scenes, a character’s Speed trait determines territory intimately
how much he can move. This means that generally, you can
figure out who is faster without dice. However, these rules Size is lower than -1
opponent’s
let you turn the chase into the focus of the scene, and add
granularity and depth to it. Opponent cannot be tired +2
Set the Terms Environment is actively +1 to +3,
dangerous
Storyteller
discretion
First, determine the terms of the chase. Start with the
initial lead, as well as what it would take for either the pursuer Opponent starts with one +1
to catch her prey, or the prey to successfully flee. These traits turn lead
reflect the number of successes each party needs to either Opponent starts with two or +2
escape or catch their quarry. If there are multiple parties more turns lead
involved, they should each be defined as pursuer or prey for
these purposes.
The base number of successes for a given character to
prevail is five. Modify that with the following variables as
examples, but feel free to make up your own. Use only the scene. As the context changes from turn to turn, the character
highest modifier for a specific category. Also note that each with more ability to maneuver has the Edge, and can tempo-
character has his own target number here. rarily control the flow of the chase. In terms of the narrative,
Note that this target number can change from turn to that character has managed to manipulate the circumstances
turn. Smart players can manipulate their character’s circum- of the chase to her advantage. Her player should work with
stances in their favor. the Storyteller to determine what that means.
If the pursuer achieves the required successes, she reaches This is usually determined with relative ease. In a crowded
the prey and gets one instant action before moving into street, a character on foot has better ability to maneuver than
Initiative. If the prey reaches the required successes, he suc- a character in a car. In his cornfield, a farmer has better ability
cessfully evades his pursuer, and the chase ends. The pursuer to maneuver than a mysterious stranger. Often, preparation
will need to use other methods to rediscover the prey. can influence this; if you can choose the environment, you
can pick somewhere with an inherent advantage.
The Edge moment, make a contested roll. Usually, this will be based
If you can’t easily determine who has the Edge at a given

In a plain, open space with flat ground and full visibility, on Wits or Dexterity. The relevant Skill should relate to the
the character with the higher Speed will overcome in a chase. context. Often, this will be Athletics, Streetwise, Survival, or
However, this is rarely the case in the Chronicles of Darkness. similar. Don’t be limited; let characters lean on their areas
Environments shift. Weather changes. Obstacles pepper the of expertise when possible. In an abandoned factory, a savvy

84
infernal engines -dramatic systems