Shadowing
Shadowing occurs when a character attempts to follow a subject without being detected. Rather than depending on fast reflexes to stay close, the pursuer engages in a game with his unsuspecting opponent, hanging back just far enough to keep the subject in sight while remaining unnoticed in the crowd.
When your character attempts to shadow a person, make a contested roll against the subjectÕs Wits + Composure + equipment. If the subject wins, he notices he's being followed. If the pursuer wins, he follows the subject without being detected. If this is a short walk, one roll may be sufficient. The Storyteller may call for a roll every half-mile for long trips.
If your character acquires a shadow, the Storyteller may secretly make Wits + Composure rolls on your behalf. If the rolls fail, neither you nor your character should know that something is amiss.
Failure: If the shadow's roll fails, he does not maintain enough distance from his subject and is probably noticed. If the subject's roll fails, he does not notice anyone dogging his every move. If both fail, re-roll.
Success: If the pursuer wins the contested action, he remains hidden from his subject and can follow up to a half-mile without requiring another contested roll. If the subject wins, he sees that he's being followed and can attempt to escape.
If both sides get the same number of successes, the pursuer doesn't give himself away completely, but gets close enough to arouse the subject's suspicion. Make a second contested roll to resolve the situation.
Exceptional Success: If the pursuer wins the contested action with five or more successes, he has found the perfect distance and cover to remain undetected for the duration of the trip. No further rolls are required regardless of the length of the walk, or until the Storyteller rules otherwise. If the subject wins the contested action with five or more successes, he not only detects that he's being tailed, he gets a good look at his pursuer.
Suggested Equipment: For shadow: Athletic shoes (+1), nondescript clothes (+1), small binoculars (+2), additional shadowers (+3 For subject: Shadow wears gaudy clothes (+1 to +3), tipped off (+4)
Possible Penalties: For shadow: Unfamiliar subject (-1), poor visibility (-1 For subject: Crowded area (-1 to -3), poor visibility (-1 to -3)
When your character attempts to shadow a person, make a contested roll against the subjectÕs Wits + Composure + equipment. If the subject wins, he notices he's being followed. If the pursuer wins, he follows the subject without being detected. If this is a short walk, one roll may be sufficient. The Storyteller may call for a roll every half-mile for long trips.
If your character acquires a shadow, the Storyteller may secretly make Wits + Composure rolls on your behalf. If the rolls fail, neither you nor your character should know that something is amiss.
Roll Results
Dramatic Failure: Your shadowing character does something to call attention to himself. Perhaps he crosses the street and into the path of a car. Your character is noticed automatically. If the subject of the tail suffers a dramatic failure, he is completely at ease. No further rolls are made to detect the shadow until the Storyteller rules otherwise.Failure: If the shadow's roll fails, he does not maintain enough distance from his subject and is probably noticed. If the subject's roll fails, he does not notice anyone dogging his every move. If both fail, re-roll.
Success: If the pursuer wins the contested action, he remains hidden from his subject and can follow up to a half-mile without requiring another contested roll. If the subject wins, he sees that he's being followed and can attempt to escape.
If both sides get the same number of successes, the pursuer doesn't give himself away completely, but gets close enough to arouse the subject's suspicion. Make a second contested roll to resolve the situation.
Exceptional Success: If the pursuer wins the contested action with five or more successes, he has found the perfect distance and cover to remain undetected for the duration of the trip. No further rolls are required regardless of the length of the walk, or until the Storyteller rules otherwise. If the subject wins the contested action with five or more successes, he not only detects that he's being tailed, he gets a good look at his pursuer.
Suggested Equipment: For shadow: Athletic shoes (+1), nondescript clothes (+1), small binoculars (+2), additional shadowers (+3 For subject: Shadow wears gaudy clothes (+1 to +3), tipped off (+4)
Possible Penalties: For shadow: Unfamiliar subject (-1), poor visibility (-1 For subject: Crowded area (-1 to -3), poor visibility (-1 to -3)
Dice Pool: Wits + Stealth + equipment (shadow) versus Wits + Composure + equipment (subject)
Action: Contested
Action: Contested