Research

# Research System

The research system will be a resource available to the players allowing them to spend downtime days in order to seek out lore and knowledge about the world of Andora. Research downtime requirements will depend on the topic, the tier of the research , the prerequisites of researching that topic.

Research is submitted using this form, and checked weekly: **Research Submission Form**

## Rules

### Submission Rules:

* You must submit research using the research form.
* Research submitted on Sunday after the reset will not be approved until the following meeting.
* All research will have to start at Tier 1. Days may be reduced due to previous interactions (during games or NPCs) related to research. As such, these will be factored in when days are decided for research.

### Putting Resources into an Approved Research:

Once you are informed of your approval, you may start allocating resources toward your research.

You must choose between gold and DTD allotment. You cannot mix and match DTD and gold. The maximum you can put into research in a week is 7 downtime days (DTD) or "days" worth of gold up to the weekly cap for that tier.

For example, you can use all 7 DTDs toward a Tier 1 research or 350g in a given week for study.

For Tier 2 and 3, you can use up to 8 days worth of gold as indicated in their sections.

### Turnaround Times:

Typically, you will know if your research is approved Sunday evening or Monday. Sometimes it may take longer than a week for research to get approved. Council or Admin will inform you if that occurs. Turnaround time for research is counted based off the day you complete your research.

* Tier 1 Research
	+ Lore: 3 week turnaround to get your results
	+ Crafted items: 4 week turnaround to get your results.
* Tier 2 and 3 Research
	+ Lore: 4 week turnaround to get your results.
	+ Crafted items (including materials and soulbound): six weeks
	+ RP events and NPC interactions: 4 weeks
	+ Games and Play-by-Post (PBP): 8 weeks to prep, create, and set up.

### Additional Points of Note:

* Some research topics may require RP events or skill checks to determine the degree of success of research even after fulfilling the downtime requirements.
* Research Topics can unlock DnD missions and region storylines and further individual character stories.
* What type of content it will be (RP event, mission, or PBP) is determined by the staff or DM running your particular research.
* For tier 1 and 2 research, please do not expect any personal mechanical benefits for your character. Anytime there is a power-up, this is typically in the form of a feat, items, or other things that others can research or obtain through training.
* As of Chapter 2, subclasses, classes, and non-story related races are not allowed to be researched.

## Tier System

The Tier system separates research topics into 3 different tiers according to the subject and requirements. According to the Tier, research will have additional prerequisites to apply and downtime requirements to complete. Even if a Tier 3 research topic is submitted, it will start as a related Tier 1 and then can build up to the Tier 3 topic.

Players can access research one tier higher than their tier of play. AKA Players will have access to Tier 1 and Tier 2 research topics from the start as long as they meet the prerequisites.

### **Tier 1 (Low-level Research)**

Tier 1 research are minor topics of research that any players can seek out and try to obtain regardless of level or previous research topics. These research topics can range from something that was revealed in a DnD session, or something easily found in the world.

##### **Examples**:

* History of a town within a region
* Lore on an Enemy / NPC interacted with in a DnD session
* Identifying the history of a certain weapon or item
* Stories and Myths of a Region regarding a certain topic
* Finding suitable materials for crafting

##### **Prerequisites**: None.

**Downtime Days:** Average: 16 days; Minimum: 12 days; Maximum: 20 days

**Gold Allotment**: 70g per day (up to 350g per week)

#### Outcomes

The outcomes of this Tier 1 research can me:

* Purely Lore and knowledge regarding the topic
* Tier 2 research topic/topics that delve deeper and can give more info
* Gold/non-mechanical item
* Maybe a world encounter/1v1 mini RP event if the research result requires an in world interaction. But generally RP events only for Tier 2 and up Research topics.
* Up to uncommon crafting material

#### Examples of acceptable research (content and names have been changed due to possible spoilers)

* Lily Andoren is researching the trade routes of Navarre.
* Lily Andoren is researching possible rogue infiltration tools to help her in her missions. She also wants a possible magic item or crafting material if possible.(Note, we will ask if you want a mechanical item or if you want a magic item in this instance)
* Lily Andoren is researching who Joy Chancey is.

### **Tier 2 (Mid-level Research)**

Tier 2 research will be topics that have to do with lore and knowledge of a major area or region in the world. These topics are known only by a few and can be difficult to obtain. These topics may be impacted by story events and locked behind them.

##### **Examples:**

* Historical Lore about the entire region regarding a certain event
* Direct knowledge/interactions about a secret organization rather than just an individual from the organization

##### **Prerequisites**:

* A successful completed Tier 1 Research in a related topic that branches into this topic. Exception: If it has taken longer than 3 weeks to get your T1 results, then you are allowed to submit the tier 2 research for it. Please note that for your Tier 2 research submission.

OR

* A story mission that unlocked this knowledge through the mission completion that the player was part of.

**Downtime Days:** Average: 32 days; Minimum: 28 days; Maximum: 38 days

**Gold Allotment**: 80g per day (up to 640g per week)

#### Outcomes

* Specific Lore about the topic, more advanced knowledge
* RP event to play out the results; depending on the topic the RP event can decide the degree of success of the Research allowing for bonus results
* Possibility of a DnD mission or play by post developing out of the research result.
	+ This has to be a minimum of 35 days, as it requires major prep time to run a game.
	+ Because we have a limited number of individuals working in Andora, whoever volunteers to work on particular research, can choose the format of the game (either Foundry or play by post).
* Content Creation
	+ Mechanical item
		- Up to very rare crafting material
		- Soulbound items
	+ Feat
	+ Special DTD that players can use through research
		- E.g. Cave where they can obtain minerals and gold unlocked through Tier 2 research.

#### Examples of acceptable research (content and names have been changed due to possible spoilers)

* Lily Andoren is following up on her tier 1 research to find secret trade routes for a possible RP event, downtime boon, or mission.
* Lily Andoren is following up on her infiltration tools/or crafting item.
* Lily Andoren is following up on her information from Joy Chancey and wants to know. (Who her family is, how influential, etc.)

### **Tier 3 (High level Research)**

Tier 3 research will be knowledge and lore that impacts the entire region or multiple regions, along with knowledge that is entirely new to the world as the player uncovers it. These research topics can be difficult and dangerous to look into.

These topics will always be locked behind certain story events and might need certain circumstances to unlock availability for the research itself.

##### **Prerequisites**:

* A successfully completed Tier 2 Research in a related topic that led to the Tier 3 topic

OR

* Successful completion of a mission or RP event explicitly related to research.

**Downtime Days:** Average: 60 days; Minimum: 55 days; Maximum: 64 days

**Gold Allotment**: 160g per day (up to 1280g per week)

#### Outcomes

* Major RP event for the consequences and results of the research
* Unlocked DnD storylines/missions specifically for the research.
* Major mechanical upgrade such as a feat or item?.
* Up to legendary crafting material