 March 25, 2009 - 9:44pm | This is in response to a query elsewhere (montoya) concerning city based and CSI style adventures: First off you can mine the treasure tables site, even though it has no new content what it already has is phenominal in breadth: http://www.treasuretables.org/ in particular this article was really good: http://www.treasuretables.org/2006/10/the-octopus-a-model-for-urban-campaigns or you could try the associated forum at "You meet in a Tavern": http://www.youmeetinatavern.com/ For running a CSI style game I would say watch CSI episodes and chart or outline the episode. since one episode has two murders, usually, you just drop one and use the other as an outline for developing an adventure. You'll need an NPC who hands out assignments and periodically talks to them about how their assignment is going. they could be a few other lab techs that they could consult of give evidence to to process especially if its outside their skill set. They'd play the field agents. You could run a whole CSI: Port Loren campaign. I'd give them a cool ride like CSI:Miami but not have it a mobile lab give them a whole lab in the star law building where they could consult the other NPC over evidence collected before going back to the field to collect more based off what they learned. This would be great opportunity to reinforce science that they are learning in school. Personally I'd run the game as a formula: 1. respond to crime 2. collect then process evidence 3. interview suspects 4. look for holes in their stories by finding evidence that confirms or contradicts their stories, 5. re interview and re consult evidence or reconfirm what it said and finally wrap up and have the big reveal or arrest. throw in at least one shoot out or car chase for excitement. a really good job could result in a letter of commendation for them. a change of pace could involve travelling to remote location to solve a crime on limited resources to do that star law has commandeered an assualt scout from the militia and then there is the op for a bit of KHs action too. You could locate the local boy scout "shop" in your area and buy a copy of the finger printing merit badge book, boy scouts was for ages 11-18 and the fingerprinting merit badge book taught finger printing on an 11 year old's level and had some projects. that material would help you add in fingerprinting to the adventure I would think. Maybe do some props: coat your finger in red marker and make a print on an index card and when describing a crime scene tell them they see a bloody print and when the say the take a copy of the print hand them the card. Then as they interigate NPCs through the adventure have other prints form different fingers for and one from the same one that was down in red but all these copies are in black. they can compare the prints to the bloody print to see which NPC it matches. the NPC it matches doesn't even have be guilty but thats up to you to decide how much of a twist to throw at your daughters. you could also put a little almond extract on a cotton ball in an old 35mm film canister and hand that to them during an investigation telling them that the substance they found smells like this.- cyanide smells like almonds. Good luck and keep us posted Jedion EDIT: there is a lot you could do with this that might "grab" your kids. a mystery involving invisible ink and revealing it by application of a heat source. the lab director NPC or another lab tech could explain the science behind it and say here try then you had materials and they get to try it be a little side track but i bet 20 years from now they'd still be talking about doing that with you even if they didn't remember the particulars of the adventure. Or look into some chemistry kits for kids for some chemical experiments that you could incorporate into the adventure. again they'd probably love doing it and it be fun even if they're learning at the same time. I might not be a dralasite, vrusk or yazirian but I do play one in Star Frontiers! |
March 26, 2009 - 9:03am | Just uploaded a map of the Star Law Crime Lab designed to be a floor of the Star Law building on the Port Loren Map. look in the Architecture project. Should get a morgue and interrogation and holding cells done soon too. enjoy Jedion EDIT: just added Star Law Offices- scratch that as the offices and the crime lab didn't have consistent grid square super-imposed. There is now a CSI Port Loren containing 3 maps with consisten grid squares. enjoy ooops EDIT YET AGAIN I figured out how to delete and reload the corrected maps for the CSI locations but just noticed that I left off the Dunjini medalion giving credit to the program. I'll have to redo the docs and reload them but I'll get to it latter tonight or tomarrow. so these maps are down but for 1 correction that I know of unless someone spots something else. I might not be a dralasite, vrusk or yazirian but I do play one in Star Frontiers! |
 March 26, 2009 - 2:00pm | Thanks. The info above is great. Looks like I have a big project to get ready for. I may (dare I say it....) cheat. I think I recall seeing some CSI game out. I don't recall if it was a board game or what. If it is, then perhaps I can pilpher both props and ideas. I am impressed with your suggestions. I am planning on taking them through the Dramune Run and thought that the Gullwind might make a nice mobile crime lab to work out of but I like the idea of keeping them planetside. I found a story idea online called "Do You Like Our Owls" (android animal bots programed to kill) so I changed it and used that as a way to introduce the girls to the Gullwind's captain as well as to the evil of the Malthar by terminating the crew. I looked at the images you made (except the morgue- came up not found) and they are very nice. I need to do some looking around to see what sort of equipment should be in there. I know somebody mentioned the enviro kit, and we used that to identify toxins and animal products. I suppose it might be a good idea to find counterparts for traditional tools. I don't suppose x-ray machines and ultrasound devices would change much except for their physical look. Safer x-ray procedure that doesn't take an entire room and a lead vest for the tech? I see that we have some professionals from many technical fields. Don't suppose we have anybody from a genetics lab or hospital technician? |
 March 26, 2009 - 8:33pm | I found a story idea online called "Do You Like Our Owls" (android animal bots programed to kill)... Sounds interesting. Do you have a link to this? |
March 26, 2009 - 8:53pm | @ Inigo: I deleted that file and re-uploaded it 6 times and every time i click on it to confirm it uploaded right and I get page not found. its even a totally new copy exported form the dunjini software and I guess either the site or my file doesn't like the other. however the CSI port loren PDF has a copy of the morgue in it. I might not be a dralasite, vrusk or yazirian but I do play one in Star Frontiers! |
March 27, 2009 - 2:06pm | I don’t recall where I found it at. I have gigs of purloined and pilfered material that will take me all summer to sort through. I can send you a copy through email though. It is a simple ‘hook’, but like they say, “it only takes a spark to fire the imagination”. I’ve been reading the old magazine articles regarding Star Law and I am not sure just where a CSI agent would fit in. It seems to be more of a Homeland Security than a traditional police organization. In the Dragon article “Freeze Star Law”, it lays out Ranks and duties or authorities, but none of those seem to fit a Crime Scene Tech or a Criminal Forensics Investigator. Their other article, “Careers in Star Law” also has little to offer. However the next years issue has “Star Law Returns" and it divides Star Law up into Departments; “Administrative, Penal, Intelligence, and Special Forces.” Penal deals with the daily business of correctional facilities and Intelligence is focused on the Sathar threat with corporate espionage and major pirate issues as an afterthought. It seems that there is no consideration for criminal investigation concerning less glamorous crimes. Should there be a 5th department like a Criminal Investigative Unit? Would they follow the same ranks as laid out in “Freeze Star Law”, or should they be Deputy Investigators and Chief Investigators? They would need to be tied into the current power structure so we know the chain of command. I wondered if this CSI group should even be Star Law or not. Shouldn’t this be within the planetary jurisdiction? But then I considered how easy it is to leave that jurisdiction and travel to another planet. It seems to me like this really should be Star Law. Then the question arises about the trial. CSI gathers evidence for trial. But what court system is used? Do the planetary governments choose the Judges and if so, what happens when the crime is committed in deep space? |
March 27, 2009 - 5:12pm | No Inigo you are right CSI doesn't fit in Star Law as Star Law would act more as a Federal police. they'd make do with the local medical examiners and investigatores if need be or could call in special unit if there was something big like an underground community of Sathar living and plotting in the sewers and they usurp authority form the locals- "OK we'll take it form here" CSI Port Loren would with out a doubt be the local police. as there is no way Star Law is going to get involved in the nitty gritty of community policing. Of course on a corporate owned planet CSI would be a little different- when the investigators start to get too close to a top exec in their investigation they'd get shut down. Could even see Merco being called in to freeze out the local Streel investigators. OR as 1/2 Vursk business model is a house focused on only one thing I could see a vursk house dedicated to investigation that hires out to mega corps and government. "Damn it! my job just got out sourced to the vursk!" Then their is NCIS and JAG models that could be explored. CSI is popular right now so and you likely have a Port Loren map so I suggest go with that. do up a rough map showing surrounding neighborhoods and industrial districts and the star port. and sketch up a few major NPCs significant police captains of different areas. plus a star law officer and a paramedic You dont even have to create everything a neighborhood with a name doesn't even need the Police captain yet till your adventure goes there- you can kind of create as you go along. What you may need is a Foil- the uber bad guy that comes and goes and they just can't quite nail as he manages to slip away time and again or a crime organization as a foil. This sort of thing will create interest and handled right they'll be biting their teeth hoping that this week is the week we get to nail them! I might not be a dralasite, vrusk or yazirian but I do play one in Star Frontiers! |
March 27, 2009 - 9:10pm | I don’t recall where I found it at. I have gigs of purloined and pilfered material that will take me all summer to sort through. I can send you a copy through email though. It is a simple ‘hook’, but like they say, “it only takes a spark to fire the imagination”.
Thanks. That would be great. pineappleleader(at)yahoo(dot)com |
 March 27, 2009 - 10:41pm | No Inigo you are right CSI doesn't fit in Star Law as Star Law would act more as a Federal police. they'd make do with the local medical examiners and investigatores if need be or could call in special unit if there was something big like an underground community of Sathar living and plotting in the sewers and they usurp authority form the locals- "OK we'll take it form here" CSI Port Loren would with out a doubt be the local police. as there is no way Star Law is going to get involved in the nitty gritty of community policing. Of course on a corporate owned planet CSI would be a little different- when the investigators start to get too close to a top exec in their investigation they'd get shut down. Could even see Merco being called in to freeze out the local Streel investigators. OR as 1/2 Vursk business model is a house focused on only one thing I could see a vursk house dedicated to investigation that hires out to mega corps and government. "Damn it! my job just got out sourced to the vursk!" Then their is NCIS and JAG models that could be explored. CSI is popular right now so and you likely have a Port Loren map so I suggest go with that. do up a rough map showing surrounding neighborhoods and industrial districts and the star port. and sketch up a few major NPCs significant police captains of different areas. plus a star law officer and a paramedic You dont even have to create everything a neighborhood with a name doesn't even need the Police captain yet till your adventure goes there- you can kind of create as you go along. What you may need is a Foil- the uber bad guy that comes and goes and they just can't quite nail as he manages to slip away time and again or a crime organization as a foil. This sort of thing will create interest and handled right they'll be biting their teeth hoping that this week is the week we get to nail them! First off, the FBI has CSI techs of their own, why not Star Law; especially when one of the goals of that organization is to learn more about the Sathar, and there would be at least one or two dead Sathar to autopsy(especially if PCs are involved, :))...Star Law's CSI would be part of Intel and called in when the local element is stumped on as to who done a particular person to death, how that being died, and/or why. CSI(a franchise I can't stand, for various reasons) Port Loren would definitely be local element(probably even separate from the police, like the LA County Coroner's Office[featured in Quincy M.E. and The Mission]), with occasional help from Star Law(or even a consulting detective/ forensics tech)to lend a hand with forensics and criminal profiling(leading possibly to a PC or NPC similar to Frank Black or the agent off Profiler). Looking to name your neighborhood...how bout the 12th(or 15th) Precinct, or even...Hill Street....:D (Don't forget the almost obligatory theme song courtesy of the Who....) "You're everything that's base in humanity," Cochrane continued. "Drawing up strict, senseless rules for the sole reason of putting you at the top and excluding anyone you say doesn't belong or fit in, for no other reason than just because you say so." —Judith and Garfield Reeves-Stephens, Federation |
March 28, 2009 - 5:03am | I was suggesting Local CSI rather than a Star Law lvl as that would give greater freedom as a GM for developing adventures- A star Law CSI team would have to have a reason for being at a particular crime scene- it'd have to be something big where as a local's only reason is because there was a crime. Its a matter of scope the local CSI deals with the small scope crimes that have no impact on the rest of the world or the universe but just maybe that innocent kid run over in the street is somehow connected to a bigger crime. Starting small in scope and then increasing it through the adventure is a technique that builds excitement and tension. But if you start big you cant go small only bigger. you could still have a seemingly small scope for a CSI star law adventure- the son of the commissioner has disappeared and some think he's just a run away but since the commissioner is Star Law, STar Law gets the investigation. and you can build it up from there. However I feel that the local CSI would be more sustainable and even make it easier to run quick one shot adventures as well as steal material from the dozen CSI shows on TV as well as the Quincy reruns I might not be a dralasite, vrusk or yazirian but I do play one in Star Frontiers! |
March 28, 2009 - 9:09am | The Quincy reruns more than the CSI shows, IMO. "You're everything that's base in humanity," Cochrane continued. "Drawing up strict, senseless rules for the sole reason of putting you at the top and excluding anyone you say doesn't belong or fit in, for no other reason than just because you say so." —Judith and Garfield Reeves-Stephens, Federation |
March 28, 2009 - 9:11am | (burp!) Excuse me, double post. "You're everything that's base in humanity," Cochrane continued. "Drawing up strict, senseless rules for the sole reason of putting you at the top and excluding anyone you say doesn't belong or fit in, for no other reason than just because you say so." —Judith and Garfield Reeves-Stephens, Federation |
March 28, 2009 - 9:10am | For a good example of how to blend sci-fi and good old fashioned urban cop drama, check out the series Alien Nation. "You're everything that's base in humanity," Cochrane continued. "Drawing up strict, senseless rules for the sole reason of putting you at the top and excluding anyone you say doesn't belong or fit in, for no other reason than just because you say so." —Judith and Garfield Reeves-Stephens, Federation |
 March 28, 2009 - 12:58pm | CSI isn't "Cop Drama" but "Realistic Mystery". Tho' I agree Alien Nation is well worth the watching time. (I rewatched the whole thing, series and movies, in Jan.) As a practical standpoint, mysteries are a problem in RPGs when they are the primary objective. Either you have to give them the clues, and let the players solve it, or abstract it, and not give real details, or somwhere in between (which always feels wrong to me). A mystery as an excuse to get characters moving is great; a mystery as the prima fascia target is bloody hard to run right. And CSI as a model makes me wonder how you're going to impliment the mysteries... Describe scene, let players specify where they go, make skill rolls to get clues... what happens when they don't get the clue? I've found that, when running mysteries, I have to have at least twice as many clues as I think will be needed, and almost every major clue needs a dual way to get it, to insure players will be able to obtain enough to make the leap. Even then, players don't aways make that needed leap.... And that's without the constraints of realistic law enforcement agencies... I've run mysteries in Judge Dredd (GW version), BTVS, Traveller, Dark Heresy, Star Trek, Crime Fighter... Star Trek was always the the easiest. Once they gathered most of the clues, they would expect the computer to spit a direction back at them, so I could guide them to the clues they'd missed. (Much like a certain Geordi-focussed TNG episode...) At a certain point, however, they feel like they don't matter to the mystery anymore. Crime Fighter was the hardest to run a good mystery... realistic limitations on investigation, and skills limiting the info gathered... in 4 cases, the right guy got arrested once. Also remember: What makes Good TV doesn't always make Good RPG... |
March 28, 2009 - 6:37pm | Actually this thread started from a comment by Inigo in another thread about his kids being into SF and that he didn't want to present a violent game. I still think a CSI model would work for that with these criterea: 1. if his daughters are really into CSI 2. end goal is an arrest and bad guys don't fight to the death: "Come out with your hands up" Could even abstract the heavy violence by having the SWAT team show up and say, "Stand back while we clear the building." 3. make sure the head of the crime lab is an NPC- Mac Taylor, Cane or Grissom who is portrayed as a wise mentor to the investigators or the PCs. periodically he could interview them and find out what they know and what they think about what they found then suggest new avenues of investigation or tell them to proceed as it sounds to him they're on the right track. 4. Include a cool factor in the adventure- some interesting sci-fi gadget, doesn't even have to be in the equipment list, like a Bap Bin proto type, orbital parachuting or some interesting alien or some particularly interesting SCi fi location, don't be afraid to rocket around the solar system or to the orbiting stations- it is an Sci-fi adventure game so it should deliver those elements. I might not be a dralasite, vrusk or yazirian but I do play one in Star Frontiers! |
March 28, 2009 - 7:05pm | CSI as a model makes me wonder how you're going to implement the mysteries... Describe scene, let players specify where they go, make skill rolls to get clues... what happens when they don't get the clue? The Gumshoe RPG rules try to ensure that this does not happen. If you need the clue, you always get the clue...one way or another. It looked like the referee was in for a lot of extra work to me. In any system where success or failure depends on a dice roll, you can always fail. Even very high skill level characters fail some of the time. In a mystery this can bring all progress to a screeching halt. One method to get around this is that the PCs always get some information, even if they fail the skill roll. This requires a lot of pre-planing by the referee, as all clues must lead to each other and form a chain to the solution - very work intensive to pull off without the PCs feeling railroaded. Being a master storyteller helps. |
March 29, 2009 - 7:45am | When I started the Volturnus campaign last year I added an extra layer to the onion so to speak with a Streel exec in bed with the pirates. that "mystery" is only revealed through clues dropped during the Volturnus adventure. The adventure still progresses even if the PCs dont connect the clues. and to drop the clues I'd say something like "You see a copy of Frontier Ordinance magazine half hanging out of a trash recycler with something hand written on the back do you wish to pick it up?" or they say we check the computer on the pirate ship and I respond with you find a file with your names and photos. they got the clues the thing is they never seemed to connect the dots that someone wanted them to fail or die which is ok as I could drag this process out for 3 modules and even then have an NPC connect the dots if I had to though they'd get no reward for it if an NPC does that. The main adventure still continues but the back ground mystery can hang in limbo even if the PCs just dont get it. I might not be a dralasite, vrusk or yazirian but I do play one in Star Frontiers! |
March 29, 2009 - 8:05am | This requires a lot of pre-planing by the referee, as all clues must lead to each other and form a chain to the solution - very work intensive to pull off without the PCs feeling railroaded. Being a master storyteller helps. True, but it helps that my PCs are 6 and 9 years old. I understand the points made and arguably, I will have a major advantage because the girls are so young and trusting of me as the GM (though that will change very soon <insert evil grin here>) A rule of thumb when testing for Depth of Knowledge in a student is that there should always be twice as many possible potential answers than you are asking for. If you want them to identify and describe 5 cultural similarities between two people groups, there should be at least 10 existing similarities to choose from. Translation: have more (x2) clues than you expect to need. I have always felt that I am a pretty fluid guy (probably because things for me almost never go according to plan) and I feel PCs can be led to clues without a sledgehammer. Many times key clues on these TV programs are pulled out of rectal cavities anyway. However, I am also a firm supporter of sledgehammers. If a PC is totally screwing up, their boss reaming them out may get them refocused. And I don't mind the realism of movies where everybody dies in the end...meaning the bad guy gets away. It will create the possibility for an intense rematch. I realize that this type of plot or storyline isn't everybody's favorite. I'd rather be running a game based off the Unit rather than CSI. But it is for the PCs and I'll give it a go until they either get fulfilled or get tired of my ineptness. Thanks for all the insight and discussion so far. |
March 29, 2009 - 8:20am | Also remember: What makes Good TV doesn't always make Good RPG... This is based on the assumption that the CSI franchise is good TV. Then again, good TV is somewhat of an oxymoron anymore, isn't it. A better—and more child-appropriate—model for a mystery-based RPG campaign(albeit mysteries of the more esoteric type)would be Eureka. "You're everything that's base in humanity," Cochrane continued. "Drawing up strict, senseless rules for the sole reason of putting you at the top and excluding anyone you say doesn't belong or fit in, for no other reason than just because you say so." —Judith and Garfield Reeves-Stephens, Federation |
March 29, 2009 - 8:27am | Many times key clues on these TV programs are pulled out of rectal cavities anyway. With the CSI franchise, that usually isn't the only thing being pulled out of rectal cavities.... <sick> "You're everything that's base in humanity," Cochrane continued. "Drawing up strict, senseless rules for the sole reason of putting you at the top and excluding anyone you say doesn't belong or fit in, for no other reason than just because you say so." —Judith and Garfield Reeves-Stephens, Federation |
March 29, 2009 - 9:05am | True enough Will. Personally, I am a bit anal (not to be confused with that cavity you were speaking of) about the reality of TV entertainment. In my games, I focus on logical correlations. The NPCs have to have realistic motivations for their actions and beliefs. PCs should as well. The more I get into other issues though, the more I accept suspension of disbelief. There is an aspect of everybody's game that is technically and realistically flawed...besides the fact that it is a made up universe. I noticed that we have some very educated and specialized individuals in this community (I feel out of place). For instance, I noticed that our friendly neighborhood astronomer has posted a lot of technical information regarding his field. I understand how he may get anxious about unrealistic issues in his field. Personally, I am good just to find the big dipper. I feel the same way when their is a flaw regarding something I am passionate about. I'd love to have a game that would be 100% realistic. But in essence, all I require is enough realism and logical progression that I can observe, process, and make productive decisions. While there are so many on the forum that have not just a great deal of knowledge, but professional experience, that enables them to get closer to perfection, it is my professional experience that allows me to let things slide from time to time....I'm employed by the state government.  |
March 29, 2009 - 11:09am | For instance, I noticed that our friendly neighborhood astronomer has posted a lot of technical information regarding his field. I understand how he may get anxious about unrealistic issues in his field. Oh, Tom(Terl Obar). Astronomy's his passion as well as his life and career(unlike me, who's just an amateur), but he's just as willing to accept suspension of disbelief as much as the next guy. Personally, I am a bit anal (not to be confused with that cavity you were speaking of) about the reality of TV entertainment. In my games, I focus on logical correlations. The NPCs have to have realistic motivations for their actions and beliefs. PCs should as well. We all share that trait, no probs. I noticed that we have some very educated and specialized individuals in this community (I feel out of place). Nah, don't feel out of place, Ranger, very few of the intellectuals on this site are snobs(and the one snob* who occasionally posts on this site is more of a sexual intellectual, if y'know what I mean, Vern). *That particular Tulsa native shall otherwise remain nameless Me, I'm a jack of all trades, master of none, and I study what interests me(which is almost everything)...but, in my real life, I'm just an average guy with a blue-collar job working ten-hour days so I can stay broke. So, all good, brother. Welcome to the site. (What State do you work for? And, what is it that you do?) "You're everything that's base in humanity," Cochrane continued. "Drawing up strict, senseless rules for the sole reason of putting you at the top and excluding anyone you say doesn't belong or fit in, for no other reason than just because you say so." —Judith and Garfield Reeves-Stephens, Federation |
March 29, 2009 - 12:00pm | I am pretty impressed with this site. That may be because of the maturity (at least physical) of the crowd. I get the impression that most of us are on the back side of the 30's if not older. Aside from Terl's expertise, I noticed we have several former (and current?) military members (with respects, btw) and apparently a lot of folks savvy with computers and talented with arts and graphics. I fit more into your description, Will. My personal skill set includes wasting time. Which I'd love to do by playing SF! But professionally I am an 8th grade U.S. History teacher...in the wonderfull state of Kentucky. Not a native, myself...I still have all my teeth and am currently wearing shoes. |
March 29, 2009 - 12:53pm | And your wife ain't your sister.... No worries, I'm originally from Georgia, and currently living an hour from Tulsa and 15 minutes from Muskogee in a medium-sized little town called Wagoner(I say medium-sized cos Wagoner a fair size bigger than my old hometown of Byron[like the poet], with 40,000 people and a Wal-Mart vs. 1,600, two Waffle Houses, and no Wal-Mart). My ex hates the fact it is a "small" town, but I kinda like it. Jobwise, I make shopping carts at a company called Unarco, currently the sole supplier of same for the Evil Which Is Lord Waldemart. As for the site: Most of us are 30 and up(I just turned 40, which is the new 40, which I think makes me the second-oldest member, after Shadow Shack), with Gergmaster(aka Greg Rapp)being our youngest member @18, I believe. RPG-ing is never wasting time, unlike teaching ( , only kidding, some of my best friends are teachers, while others....got better).In all seriousness, I have the utmost respect for teachers(more so now, than when I was in school), and history is one of my favorite subjects next to literature. "You're everything that's base in humanity," Cochrane continued. "Drawing up strict, senseless rules for the sole reason of putting you at the top and excluding anyone you say doesn't belong or fit in, for no other reason than just because you say so." —Judith and Garfield Reeves-Stephens, Federation |
March 29, 2009 - 5:40pm | As for the site: Most of us are 30 and up(I just turned 40, which is the new 40, which I think makes me the second-oldest member, after Shadow Shack), with Gergmaster(aka Greg Rapp)being our youngest member @18, I believe. I'm 54, so you are not so old.  Speaking of mystery TV Shows...there was at one time a weekly show called something like "Ellery Queen Mysteries", it stared Timothy Hutton, as the young Ellery Queen. Not very many of them were made. The first time each episode was shown, they stopped it about 3/4 of the way through and Ellery Queen would say something like, "You have all the clues that I do. Call in and tell us who committed the crime and why." You could win a prise of some kind. After they had a winner, the show continued and either Ellery or his father, Inspector Queen, would solve the crime and arrest the perpetrator. They gave you all the clues, but were not easy to solve, as you had to have the motive as well as the criminal. I seem to remember that most were murder mysteries. I remember them as being well done as period pieces set in the 1940s or early 1950s. If you could find and watch a few they might give you some ideas on presentation of clues. |
March 29, 2009 - 7:57pm | Me, I'm a few months shy of 40, and by profession, a substitute teacher. BA in history (emphasis on Russian Empire), on hiatus from a MA in Elementary Education. (Due to an at-work injury, no less. Need 2 classes and student teaching.) I have more than 60 undergratuate semester credit-hours in music, having washed out at start of senior year. I have an undeclared minor in Physical Geography (it wasn't offered as a minor at the time). And I've been an avid science junkie for years. Hobbbies include fencing, programming (Basic, C++, Python), music, and Games. Can we say "Too much academia, not enough real life?" I knew we could! As for CSI... it's good TV. Consistently fantastic, in the sense of having tech beyond the reach of real CSI units... but well written, enjoyable, and surprisingly believable, despite the science fiction tech. |
March 30, 2009 - 8:19am | Aramis, you sound a bit like me. Unable to grow up and move on with real life? Always staying the student? Will, I am safe. I don't have a sister...that I know of. Thanks Pineapple. I'll see if I can't track them down. One more thread related thought. Should I worry about creating an inventory of items, gear, supplies and equipment for CSI? The fingerprint powder and Luminal type stuff should be supplied by the department. What about centrifuges, scanners and stuff like that? No need to itemize? And one last thought...what about particular scanners (and enviro kits-like stuff) as possible robot gear? Bots that could process a sample of DNA, fiber analysis or toxicology report right at the crime seen? would that be worth creating some new gear/items for? Can anybody think of anything that should be listed? |
March 30, 2009 - 8:49am | A crime scene Bot that processes samples on site might be fun, especially if one of the Kids has to make a skill roll to correctly process the sample. If the roll is failed have the robot say something funny and let them try again. "Does not compute. Try again Slick." If the skill roll is failed three times in a row have the Bot process the sample anyway, but make silly comments. "I have to do all the work. Nobody appreciates all my hard work." If the robot says something silly and not too insulting it should be fun for the kids.  |
March 30, 2009 - 9:14am |
These might be helpful: Hogshead Publishing did a d20 series called Crime Scene. I think there were three books: Feds The Mob Police Investigation. NobleKnight.com has copies for sale. Check out: http://www.nobleknight.com/ViewProducts.asp_Q_ProductLineID_E_2137417388_A_ManufacturerID_E_29_A_CategoryID_E_12_A_GenreID_E_ |
March 30, 2009 - 12:47pm | Thanks for the heads up, Pineapple. They looked interesting, so I picked up all 3. I'll let you all know if they were worth it or not. I also found some kits for DNA, fingerprints, and such. I am considering them really just to get the girls both more acquainted with the science and to get there interest up. Just on a side thought; your 'bossy bot' gave me a mental image of an overachieving robot dusting an entire room for prints by jettisoning black dust out of a built in nozzle, much the same effect of discharging a dry powder chemical fire extinguisher, leaving everything coated in fine dust. |
March 30, 2009 - 2:53pm | As for the site: Most of us are 30 and up(I just turned 40, which is the new 40, which I think makes me the second-oldest member, after Shadow Shack), with Gergmaster(aka Greg Rapp)being our youngest member @18, I believe. I'm 54, so you are not so old. Cool, I'm young again. Speaking of mystery TV Shows...there was at one time a weekly show called something like "Ellery Queen Mysteries", it stared Timothy Hutton, as the young Ellery Queen. Not very many of them were made. The first time each episode was shown, they stopped it about 3/4 of the way through and Ellery Queen would say something like, "You have all the clues that I do. Call in and tell us who committed the crime and why." You could win a prise of some kind. After they had a winner, the show continued and either Ellery or his father, Inspector Queen, would solve the crime and arrest the perpetrator. They gave you all the clues, but were not easy to solve, as you had to have the motive as well as the criminal. I seem to remember that most were murder mysteries. I remember them as being well done as period pieces set in the 1940s or early 1950s. If you could find and watch a few they might give you some ideas on presentation of clues. Immediately after WWII, 1946, I believe, pineapple. John Hillerman's first TV role that I know of was as Ellery's rival, Simon Brimmer(sp?), who always ended up a day late and a dollar short with the clues and suspects in almost every episode but one. Awesome show. Personally, my favorite crime drama/mystery remains Due South. Only Paul Haggis could come up with a character as...unique, as Constable Benton Fraser, RCMP. "You're everything that's base in humanity," Cochrane continued. "Drawing up strict, senseless rules for the sole reason of putting you at the top and excluding anyone you say doesn't belong or fit in, for no other reason than just because you say so." —Judith and Garfield Reeves-Stephens, Federation |
Kudos on elementary ed. I wouldn't be able to handle it...too much energy for me. Do you fence through SCA by chance?