Basic Details
To prepare for a future mission/encounter, you can request one piece of information on one named character’s Desires, Dynamic, or Decorum.
Designed for Diplomatic gameplay. This is Specialist Equipment and can only be used by members of the DIPLO Division.
Usage
This item requires 1 Power to use (expended when initiating an information request).
Obtaining
This item is available at Character Creation and during the game from the Ardent’s Shop for 10 Credits.
Physrep
A tablet device, a book, or a folder. This item is intended for the user to roleplay storing physical notes they’ve received from A-COM, or waiting for a digital data download. It must have some form of screen or page to read from.
Description
The Background Dossier lets you request background information on a known character before an encounter with them. A-COM provides the information, which represents the Ardent calling on wider Alliance resources. One piece of information may be requested per Background Dossier per encounter – because this use is limited, players may wish to decide collectively what piece of information to request. Players have to specify which of “Desire”, “Decorum”, or “Dynamic” they wish to investigate; they then also need to specify a relevant question to ask.
Providing an answer to any one question might take time and is not guaranteed to work, depending on the target and question asked. Players can improve their chances of success by assisting the Alliance in information gathering, setting up intelligence networks and making contacts. If a question does not return the desired information, players are welcome to ask the same question again at a later point. A-COM may advise in advance whether a request is likely to succeed, especially for more esoteric requests. Players are also welcome to find out about targets’ “3Ds” organically, without using this item. Players may also ask for information that does not pertain to the 3Ds; such requests will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.
How To Use
- This item is used to prepare for a future mission/encounter. It should be used as far in advance as possible, since it may take some time to prepare an answer.
- It is possible to use directly before an encounter, but answers will be shorter and much more limited in scope.
- It is not possible to use this device outside of an Ardent base; it needs to wirelessly link up to the Ardent’s mainframe.
- Input (write down) your query, and expend 1 Power Cell.
- Specify one of: desire, decorum, dynamic.
- Specify the named character (or character’s rank).
- Specify a relevant question.
- Wait for the answer to process.
- The device cannot be used while it is processing.
- A-COM may advise in advance whether a request is likely to succeed.
- Getting an answer may take some time and is not guaranteed to work, depending on the target and question asked.
- Players can improve their chances of success by assisting the Alliance in information gathering.
- Get a response.
- If a question does not return the desired information, you are welcome to ask the same question again at a later point.
In-Game Use Examples
Zorgon the Warlord has demanded a meeting with the Ardent and is en route to the ship immediately. Diplomatic Officer Leaf puts in a hasty Background Dossier request: “Desire: What does Zorgon want out of this meeting?” The request is quick and successful; Zorgon is known to the Alliance and the request is specific. Leaf is told that Zorgon’s request in this case is likely purely transactional; they want technology from the Alliance and will have something to trade in turn. This is a relief to Leaf who mentally pivots away from conflict management and begins discussing tradable resources with the Taskminders.
Two days from now, Diplo will be introduced to Grom, secretive Baron of the cave-dwelling Worm Cult. They put in a Background Dossier Request: “Desire: what fundamentally motivates Grom to lead the cult?” This request fails: too little is known about the reclusive Grom, let alone such the answers to such a deep psychological question. Diplo are told they might be successful if they spend the rest of the day attempting to make contacts in the cult and then try again tomorrow; and perhaps that way they’ll find out without needing the Dossier at all…
Great Shell knows many secrets about the world, and Petty Officer Johnston intends to learn them. Johnston decides a good use of their Dossier call today is to find out more about this mighty, ancient creature, and puts in “Decorum: what would Great Shell consider a polite address?” The response is a little vague but still helpful: “Great Shell needs to be addressed respectfully, as an elder”. Armed with this knowledge, Johnston will still need to tread carefully but can now decide whether to butter up Great Shell, or whether to do the opposite to rile them up instead!
The Ardent’s Emergency Response team met with delegates from the remnants of the Bo Ko Liberation Front holed up in the ice fortress. It did not go well. The Ardent were polite and attempted to meet the Front’s desires half-way, but none of their attempts to persuade had the desired affect and they left frustrated. For the next encounter, they decide to expand their knowledge base with a Background Dossier request: “Dynamic: do the Front fear the Alliance’s power?” The response is curious: “No. They think they’re holding all the cards”. This is alarming: are the front blinded by arrogance and immune to reason? Or worse, do they know something we don’t? (And what are they building in that fortress anyway?)