A Matrix Search[1] is undeniably useful for gathering information, the lowest rungs of society may not be connected enough for their information to reach the Matrix and the highest of the high are connected enough to prevent that information from being found. While Legwork Contacts are useful to bridge that gap, the area they have actual knowledge of is limited. Sometimes a 'runner just has to pound the pavement and put their own legs to work.
A Social Search represents a character's efforts seeking their own answers. This could be a detective interrogating the cityblock for information on a suspect, the journalist exhaustively interviewing anyone they can for a glimpse of the truth for their story, or simply the humble wage slave asking around to figure out where a bus route ends. Many people are willing to talk, it is only a matter of finding the right person to listen to, and staying out of trouble while they're at it.
Pressing the Flesh
| Situation | Threshold | Time |
|---|---|---|
| General Knowledge or Public | 1 | 15 minutes |
| Limited Interest or Not Publicized | 3 | 3 hours |
| Hidden or Actively Suppressed | 6 | 12 hours |
| Secret or Protected | N/A | N/A |
When making a Social Search, the character or group (the Seeker) speaks to people in meatspace to gather that information or at least find someone they can manipulate to figure it out. The Seeker selects a topic or question as well as a physical location to ask around. The location must be somewhere the seeker has physical access to with people to talk to, and one with physical bounds that can be reasonably described — a neighborhood or borough, a few city blocks, a school campus, the lobby of an office building, ect.
| Situation | Modifier |
|---|---|
| Intricate or Specialized | -1 |
| Wrong Attire, Wrong Look[2][3] | -2 |
| Not in appropriate area | -2 |
Based on the nature of the information, the GM assigns a Threshold from from the Social Search Difficulty Table and the Seeker rolls a simple Socialize + CHA [Social] Test, modified by the Social Search Pool Modifiers Table. Multiple characters can contribute to a search using via a Teamwork Test[4]. Divide the time by hits in excess of the Threshould, but multiply it by an adjustments from the Social Search Time Modifiers Table. In the case of bribes, the Seeker can self-impose a reduced Limit equal to the Threshold — they know exactly what success will cost them, but won't get things any faster because they're too cheap to spread money around.
| Situation | Modifier |
|---|---|
| Small Area (Specific office building, single city block, etc) | Half Base Time |
| Vast Area (An arcology, a metroplex distrct, an entire town, etc) | Double Base Time |
| Bribery — 250¥ × Hits | Half Base Time |
| Illegal or Dangerous Information | Double Base Time |
Success on this test means they've conclusively found the information they're looking for (they've chased down a rumor and confirmed its validity, they've narrowed down the possibilities by process of elimination, they've gotten three sources to confirm their assumption, or some other similar contrivance as stated by the GM). Divide the base time by net hits upon success, similar to Matrix Search. Failure means the seeker could not find anyone who would give them the time of day or knew what they needed, wasting the modified base time associated with their test. Glitches should complicate things, getting in a fight, someone threatening to out the person unless they pay up, the person/entity they were gathering information about finding out, ect.
Digging for Dirt
Some information is too secret or too protected to be found by simple conversation. In these cases, the end result of a Social Search may instead point towards somebody who would know what they're looking for. Approaching this new, secific target will generally require a variety of Skill Tests, typically from the Stagecraft or Influence Skill groups.
References
- ↑ Shadowrun Fifth Edition Core Rulebook (p. 241)
- ↑ Shadowrun Fifth Edition Core Rulebook (p. 140)
- ↑ Dressing The Part
- ↑ Shadowrun Fifth Edition Core Rulebook (p. 49)