The Blacked Out Skill n Eureka: Investigative Urban Fantasy
Many RPGs incorporate elements of mystery and intrigue, but Eureka: Investigative Urban Fantasy puts it right on the character sheet!
The Blacked Out skill is one of the 19 core stats that all investigators have in Eureka: Investigative Urban Fantasy, but the difference is, it’s blacked out.
[Here it is as seen in the rulebook currently, and right below, the Technology skill so you know what a normal skill description looks like.]
Internally, this is referred to as “the blacked out skill” or “the [redacted] skill” as it’s been often coined by playtesters and fans.
During character creation when a player asks the GM “what does this skill do”, the spiel is that it’s a real stat that you can put points into or take points out of, but you don’t know what it does. If your character is the type of person to invest a bunch of points into a mysterious unknown skill, then do so. If they are the type to take points out of a mysterious unknown skill, then do so. You won’t know if you made the right choice until it comes up during play.
I know what it does, but you don’t. You’ll have to buy the rulebook to find out. You can get the prerelease version, along with a ton of other stuff, for just $5 on our patreon right now.
You can also visit our website to find the link to download the free demo version of the rulebook along with a free starter adventure module, and find the invite link to our TTRPG Book Club discord server where everyone nominates indie TTRPGs, votes on what to play, reads&plays them, and discusses!
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I've missed talking about my partner in Crime Solving on here so I'm gonna share the story of the one time @finlayholmes and I went on vacation and it turned out very badly. It is a long one but here's Part One for now. Enjoy!
Felton & Holmes: Murder in Paradise
"I can't believe you agreed to this!"
"I can't believe I said 'yes'."
Muttered Finlay Holmes, already regretting everything. After being very gently told they should take a break by Francis the butler, Liane had taken it upon herself to plan a vacation for her and Fin. No cases, no trouble, no worries. Except for the fact he was taking Liane with him, there was really nothing to worry about. Which only narrowed it down minutely. As they stepped off the plane in LAX, Liane squealed, lowering her sunglasses, almost knocking Fin over with her large sunhat.
"Could you perhaps not be a walking road obstacle to your fellow passengers?"
"Hey you were the one who wanted to fly commercial instead of calling My-"
"Let me remind you that we do not need Mycroft to get around. We got here perfectly fine on our own."
"Alright. Now cmon, we gotta grab a cab so we can get to our hotel!"
"Why didn't we bring Francis?"
"Because he needs a vacation too. Now relax! I can tell you're kinda nervous and whatever but I've been to LA tons of times, there is nothing to fear. A little sun won't kill you!"
Fin glared at her for that. He had spent the whole flight lecturing her about skin cancer and the dangers of UVA and UVB. He lowered his own sunglasses to emphasise his point. Liane rolled her eyes.
"Stop that. Okay so it could kill you but like if you're protected and yknow you don't just wallow in it then it can do you good! Vitamin D, freckles, and it helps keep acne at bay."
"Which magazine told you that?"
"...Cosmopolitan."
"Exactly."
"Finny! We just got here, just trust me for once." She said, holding out her hand to him, inviting him to join her. Reluctantly, he took her hand in his and a grin spread across her face and she pulled him through the airport excitedly, heading for the luggage carousel and picked up their bags. Liane's luggage came off the conveyor, all in white and gold with embossed lettering on the side. Meanwhile Fin pulled a dark duffel bag off the conveyor and tightened the straps of his rucksack as they headed for the taxi rank.
"Why did you bring so much stuff?"
"My luggage, my choice. There better be smart clothes in there if we go for dinner."
"There's A smart outfit in there."
"Good enough for me. TAXI!" Liane yelled, waving down a large cab as Fin clenched his ears.
----
Liane flopped down on her bed, sighing happily. She'd finally dragged Fin to the sunshine state. It felt good to win. She waited patiently for him to emerge from the washroom as she'd instructed him to change out of his usual attire in favour of actually feeling the sun on his skin.
Liane had arrived dressed for the weather, wearing a soft cotton playsuit in lavender purple paired with gold strappy sandals, a white lace cover up over the top paired with her enormous sunhat and her signature pink heart-shaped sunglasses, her large beach bag slung over her shoulder stuffed with sunscreen, drinks, money, snacks, makeup and her selfie stick.
"Cmon, show me! I wanna go to the beach!"
"Promise you won't laugh?"
"Fin!"
"Alright." Fin stepped out of the washroom dressed in black denim cut offs turned into long shorts, a faded ACDC tshirt, sneakers and had a grey bucket hat on his head. Liane squealed and hugged him tight, making him instantly regret everything and everyone. This was a common occurance for Fin, most often felt whilst with Liane, his trusty detective partner.
"You look great!"
"I don't love the hat."
"The hat stops your black-like-your-soul hair from burning. You. Are welcome."
"So, beach?"
"Beach! Venice beach to be precise."
"Can I bring a book?"
"Sure. But you are going in the sea at least once."
"Deal."
Fin grabbed a book from his book and also noticed Liane slipping a fantasy novel into her bag as well which made him smile. They left the hotel and headed towards the beach and set down towels on the sand to mark their territory. The sand was soft and golden meanwhile the skies were a bright blue, the skyline almost matching the sea as they approached the bay. Liane smiled, gazing around happily. Fin squinted in the sun and quickly set himself down on the sand by the rocks, leaning on the stone as he pulled out his book.
Liane didn't hesitate she tugged off her outerwear, revealing a white bathing suit and ran into the sea to let the waves lap over her before taking a swim. Fin watched her for a while before starting to read his book, glad to see her enjoying herself before settling on the sand to read. He had to admit it was rather pretty here, a little noisy but he could easily tune that out.
After having swam in the sea for a while Liane came running back, her blonde hair in wet curls on her shoulders as she approached Fin.
"Finny! It's so good in there, it's warm but it's also refreshing? Just one dip, I promise I won't splash you."
"Promise?"
"Promise. Cmon just get your feet wet! You won't melt."
Once again she was holding out her hand invitingly. There was something about that gesture that Fin just couldn't refuse. He sighed, putting down his book and followed her out to the sea, dipping his toes into the water. It was nice like she said but he wasn't going to admit that. She was smiling and that's all that mattered. As he waded in deeper he realised he was actually enjoying himself.
"I told you!"
"What?"
"Don't give me that, you like it! I knew it!"
"Alright fine. Yes I do."
"Yeeeee! This is amazing! I've finally got you to have fun my way!"
"Don't push it Felton, any splashing and I am out of here."
"I heard you the first time."
After they'd spent time in the water and Liane had resisted splashing Fin, they made their way back onto the sand laughing and having fun. Fin rarely let his guard down but now it was just him and Liane having fun together with no Sherlock, Watson or Mycroft he didn't feel that pressure to be serious and unfeeling.
As the sun started to lower in the sky and the tide was coming in, they packed up their things and headed back along the road towards the hotel, getting ice cream on the way. Fin offered to pay and bought them both soft serve in a cone to enjoy on the way back to the hotel, the sound of sirens coming from the distance.
But as they got closer the sounds of sirens got louder and they saw the police cruisers parked outside the hotel. Fin dropped Liane's hand and started towards the hotel a bit faster, his crime sense tingling. Or at that's what Liane called it. Liane called after him, chasing him in her strappy sandals as they approached the front entrance and saw what all the fuss was about.
Fin saw a body splayed out in the lobby, a pool of blood around their head as they lay there limply. Liane finally caught up and Fin held out his arm to keep her back as she approached the crime scene. He was deep in thought. Liane gasped, covering her mouth as fellow guests gathered, muttering and gasping in shock as they saw the body.
A woman cried out, running down the stairs to the body but was held back by police. Liane lowered her sunglasses, seeing the look in Fin's eyes. She could already see the gears turning in his mind as he examined the body. She had not planned for this scenario. But if you aren't the killer then you never really plan for a murder, do you?
"Looks like you got your wish after all, Holmes."
Thanks for reading!
Note: Finlay Holmes is an original character based on the BBC Sherlock series, the character belongs to @gcthvile. Liane Felton is also an original character that belongs to this blog and the creator @missstrawbs2001 who runs this blog. Do not steal these works or use their likenesses without permission.
Tagging: @jackiequick @gcthvile @cherrysft @blueboirick @meiramel @askstevella @ask-missparker @ask-starrk @therealdaydreamstark @thechoooooosenone @wizzzardofoz @finlayholmes @missstrawbs2001
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