2.2. Investigate

You can Investigate a Location to learn more about it. A Location is a distinct area, such as a room, a clearing, or the depths of a large pond, etc. When you Investigate a new Location, you will first choose if you are using Recon, Analysis, or Sensing to do it. The Perception Skill you choose will affect what types of questions you get to ask as a result. You can hold your questions, asking them after engaging with the Location in other ways.

The GM will respond to each question with basic, but accurate information. Answers gained from this Ability will generally never put you in danger or reveal you. You can gain further info by engaging with the Location, but that can put you in harms way or draw unwanted attention. Your deeper prodding into a Location may also require further Skill Tests.

Clarifying Questions are Free

If ever a GM's description of a room or area is lacking or confusing, feel free to ask clarifying questions. These questions will not count toward the number you get from the Investigate Ability, though the GM may require that you explore more before revealing the answer. If your exploratory actions carry with them a risk, like if those actions would be Loud, the GM should warn you of the danger first.

From the Appendix:

Investigate

Time: Action Target: Current Location
Test: Choose a Perception Skill (Recon, Analysis, or Sensing)
Effect: Knowledge

Each Location can be the target of this Ability once per Episode.

Your chosen Perception Skill's Score:

[..6] You don't get to ask any questions.
[7..9] You can ask 1 question below.
[10..] You can ask 2 question below.
[10!] You can ask a third question from any category below.

You can save questions, taking other actions between each question asked.

The questions you may ask depend on what Perception Skill you chose:

Recon
- What is the best way in or out?
- What sorts of creatures are here or nearby?
- What's one feature that holds a hidden danger?
- What seen threat is the biggest threat (to me or someone else)?
Analysis
- How does this mechanism or setup work?
- Is a given wall an internal, external, or boundary wall?
- What wear patterns do I see and which worn paths are most/least used?
- Is a specific item likely to be here and if so, approximately where?
Sensing
- Has magic been cast within the last hour and if so, where are the afterimages?
- Is there an invisible thing in this area?
- Is there an active magical effect or aura in this area?
- Is that item or feature magical?

Next Up: 2.3. Item and Inventory Abilities