[Scenario Seed/Gadget] The Companion’s Journal.
Apr 4, 2016 10:49:03 GMT
Marnal, Hedgewick, and 1 more like this
Post by Catsmate on Apr 4, 2016 10:49:03 GMT
The Companion’s Journal is a book that could be found in one of the rooms of a TARDIS; it started out as a perfectly ordinary (if rather cheap, it doesn't even roll up or include USB6) pocket diary from 2028. Combining erasable plas-paper and writable flex-screen technology it acts a diary, address book, limited encyclopaedia (it has a mere few terabytes of space and uses a dubious open-source reference), camera, calculator and a few other features. There’s a clip-in pen/stylus and photoelectric material on the covers to charge the internal battery (which is wearing out).
The thing that makes it valuable is that it was used by one of the Time Lord’s previous companions (Zachery). It’s potentially a mine of information for a new companion, though one with a few problems…
Unfortunately, the cheapness of the diary (it was an trade show freebie) means that it’s handwriting recognition, exacerbated by Zachery's awful penmanship, isn’t exactly reliable. Nor is it indexed. And the wireless-wideband is flaky.
It has a numerous entries, some just an account of the travels of Zachery, the Time Lord and other companions, some commentary and advice and a few that read almost as dissertations on some matter that caught his imagination or have been added from other sources entirely. Some entries bear an inordinate number of exclamation marks and capitalisation for emphesis...
Game uses.
For an inexperienced PC (especially a player who’s not that that au fait with the Whoniverse) the diary is a useful way to provide information and intriguing hints (Scottish Independence Day?).
There could be cryptic hints about an adventure to come, perhaps Zachery encountered the PCs in their future and is trying to help them, despite the Laws of Time. Are they destined to die? Can this be changed?
Why did Zachery hide the diary away? Is it genuine, or a subtle plot by the Black Guardian?
What happens when the PC misplaces the diary?
Comments? Suggestions? Ideas?
The thing that makes it valuable is that it was used by one of the Time Lord’s previous companions (Zachery). It’s potentially a mine of information for a new companion, though one with a few problems…
Unfortunately, the cheapness of the diary (it was an trade show freebie) means that it’s handwriting recognition, exacerbated by Zachery's awful penmanship, isn’t exactly reliable. Nor is it indexed. And the wireless-wideband is flaky.
It has a numerous entries, some just an account of the travels of Zachery, the Time Lord and other companions, some commentary and advice and a few that read almost as dissertations on some matter that caught his imagination or have been added from other sources entirely. Some entries bear an inordinate number of exclamation marks and capitalisation for emphesis...
- A review of popular models of handcuffs and how to escape from them with minimal pain.
- NEVER GO TO METABILIS 3!!! It’s not as peaceful as everyone claims.
- Always carry chocolate.
- Several pages of detailed instructions on how to treat laser burns using the contents of a nineteenth century kitchen.
- Aspirin is poisonous to Time Lords, chocolate is an antidote.
- 'A Traveller's Guide to Avoiding the Osaka Virus'
- Advice on walking on the moon, REMEMBER WHAT GOES UP COMES DOWN. HARD!
- A twelve page guide to removing Kartaran hookworm from various orifices, complete with diagrams and photographs
- NEVER WEAR GOLD ON VORTIS!
- Who really killed John Kennedy, complete with photos.
- Comparative reviews of running shoes including criticisms of several popular brand’s lack of acid and lava resistance
- Don’t hold your breath in vacuum, burst lungs hurt a lot.
- As a corollary to this it advises to always carry spare underwear and wet-wipes.
- Basic instructions on the TARDIS’s controls, enough to be worth an SP when consulted in an emergency
- An introductory guide to harmful flora and fauna of
Pyrrus that appears to have been scanned from another source. It’s
1,200 pages long. - A list of synonyms and translations of ‘Master’
- A quick guide to resisting hypnotic suggestion.
- Recognition notes on Dalek models, with advice on their vulnerabilities. It seems to have originated with the 'Spacefleet' and bears annotation by someone with a snarky sense of humour. There are references to 'the Professor'.
- Notes on various prominent figures in 1920s New York, complete with various skeletons and potential blackmail information
- Backdoor access procedure and passwords for UNIT's computer systems, organised by time period from 1985 to 2045.
- A list of contacts in UNIT to call when you're caught hacking it's systems.
- 'A Primer on Adapting Paper-clips Into Lockpicks'
- ADD ACID TO WATER, NOT THE OTHER WAY AROUND!!
- Common recognition code phrases used by undercover agents of Torchwood, the Parakon Corporation, Mossad, Zonal Security, IMC, and undercover Adjudicators
- Rules for, and tips on, playing Lanterloo
Game uses.
For an inexperienced PC (especially a player who’s not that that au fait with the Whoniverse) the diary is a useful way to provide information and intriguing hints (Scottish Independence Day?).
There could be cryptic hints about an adventure to come, perhaps Zachery encountered the PCs in their future and is trying to help them, despite the Laws of Time. Are they destined to die? Can this be changed?
Why did Zachery hide the diary away? Is it genuine, or a subtle plot by the Black Guardian?
What happens when the PC misplaces the diary?
Comments? Suggestions? Ideas?