Basic Fantasy RPG Forums

I am re-working an adventure I made into BFRPG and I have a question I am hoping you guys can help answer. I have an encounter that when the battle is over and if the body is searched a note will be found. This note references a Tavern in an another town as well as the first name of the Tavern owner.

I am trying to figure out how to handle if the characters a) know the name of the tavern and b) the Name of the owner. Normally I would do something like a DC check, If tier 1 is hit they only know the name of the tavern, if tier 2 is hit, they know the name of the Tavern AND recognize that the first name on the note is also the name of the guy that owns it.

Some of the ways I can think of handling it is
1. They won't know anything about the note, if the right NPC is asked he can tell them
2. Use the ability roll chart on page 141 of the BFRPG using Int as the modifier. Give them a +5 to hit tier 1, but no bonus on tier two, if they hit the number w/ the bonus they know tier 1, if the hit the number w/o the bonus the know tier 2.

I would use the ability check mechanic on p.141. Simple enough. Otherwise, just choose a character and say "you seem to recall such a location", another character might have heard the name, and then leave it to them to put the two together (or just give it all to the appropriate character(s)).

Players (in the metagame sense) cannot possibly have all the details of their supposed backgrounds mapped out where they can make recollections that matter... done via game mechanics or not. Best to plant the appropriate info where it can be used and move on with the story.

Split the difference. Have someone know the tavern, and roll to see if they recognize the name.

If possible, have the note reference back to another inn that they have been to before with a cryptic name on the note. When or if they go to that inn and ask around, they get pointed towards the inn you want them to go to. It is a longer, roundabout way of doing it but the rping makes up for it.

Use the ability roll chart but base the bonus on how often the players actually roleplay in town. If the PC's are hanging out in taverns wenching and drinking it up then they will be more likely to have either visited this tavern or have heard of it. If all they do is go into taverns to buy information then they won't be as familiar with that world. Of course this will only work with players the DM is familiar with. Unless you have a tavern interaction prior to this batlle.

Thanx for the feedback on this guys!