Working Grave - Confidential Informant

[crinklechips]

I have had some thoughts on the ‘Confidential Informant’ encounter in Working Grave.

This encounter is to gain information from an informant. The text tells you...

Take a Challenge:

#If you are Bent, it is an Easy Challenge.

#If you are a Straight Arrow, it is a Difficult Challenge.

#Otherwise, take a Normal Challenge.

Now, seeing as you are essentially talking to someone it should be ‘interaction on duty’ right?  Its definitely a conversation test.  So it made wonder why an unspecified challenge test was being called for?  My conclusion was that this is something that stands between you and your informant.  Its open ended so go wild!  For example I used my Gamemasters Apprentice cards to suggest ‘Pain & Reward’ I interpreted this as my character feeling ill.  His illness has slowed him down.  Will he make the rendezvous in time? Take a physical challenge.

Unfortunately that doesn’t explain it being easier for a bent cop or difficult for a straight cop.

I’d be interested in anyone else's thoughts on this...



 

[Mehman]

Maybe you have to get a little "hands on" with the Informant, which a Straight Arrow would find off-putting?

[stryderg]

I imagine there might not be a lot of trust between a CI and your PC (bent or not). Why is the CI willing to risk talking to the PC? Maybe the PC is holding evidence against the CI or has threatened to arrest him in the past. That would make getting info easier if bent. It would be harder for a straight arrow, who wouldn't stoop to such measures.

Also, a bent PC might be expecting to be lied to and may be able to tell if the CI is lying or not. A straight arrow might have a harder time telling and therefore fall for getting bad info.

[bigwalleye]

A bent cop is not necessarily bought, or on the take. Maybe he's just ambitious and more interested in closing cases than finding the guilty party. Maybe he's got a childhood friend who's shady and he wants to protect his pal. The main thing is that the bent cop is willing to do things that are immoral and illegal. The informant knows this, or believes it, which is good enough. That gives the bent cop more leverage to make good on a threat or a promise. The Boy Scout can offer to help his source, but he's not going to "lose" evidence or frame an innocent person.

The job of a cop is like that of a proctologist. Both know that most people are decent folks, but both only get to see them from one point of view.

[crinklechips]

Thanks guys. You’ve definitely thought more about this than me and probably watched more cop shows (I barely watch t.v. These days).

I would really appreciate the authors thoughts on the meaning of the mechanic of this encounter.

[Ed the Two Hour Wargames Guy]

Glad to see my rules inspires conversation.

[Mike T]

I was thinking that a bent cop would have a CI with better information, as if the CI were likely a bit bent as well. That, to me, means less effort required to get useful info.
Of course, a CI could be a perfectly straight whistleblower. I just didn't feel that would match my vision of New Hope City.

[crinklechips]

Feb 8, 2020 4:08:03 GMT Mike T said:

I was thinking that a bent cop would have a CI with better information, as if the CI were likely a bit bent as well. That, to me, means less effort required to get useful info.
Of course, a CI could be a perfectly straight whistleblower. I just didn't feel that would match my vision of New Hope City.

I didn’t consider straight whistleblowers.  Thats certainly something to bare in mind.  

I’ve finished my game and I’m in the process of writing up my AAR.  I’ll be discussing my conclusion to this within it...

[Ed the Two Hour Wargames Guy]

Feb 2, 2020 0:19:48 GMT Mehman said:

Maybe you have to get a little "hands on" with the Informant, which a Straight Arrow would find off-putting?

That was my thoughts. It's not a normal Interactions as if he gets ratted out from the conversation he could get killed.