A Matrix Search[1] is undeniably useful for gathering information, the lowest rungs of society may not be connected enough for thier information to reach the Matrix and the highest of the high are connected enough to prevent that information from being found. While Contacts#Legwork 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 thier own legs to work.
A Social Search represents a character's efforts seeking thier 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.
Table:Social SearchA Social Search is initiated by someone seeking information.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 could be anywhere, assuming the seeker has physical ease of access to the location and there are people to talk to, but some locations are far better than others and they must have reasonable bounds (Surrounding city blocks, a school campus, the lobby of an office building, ect). The GM then selects a Threshold from the table, based on the availability of the information asked for, and the Seeker rolls a simple Etiquette+CHA [Social] test, spending the appropriate amount of time associated with the threshold they chose, modified by the table. All modifiers stack.
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.
Finding Secrets
Some information is too secret or protected to be found out so easily, as per GM fiat. If this is the case, the seeker may instead opt to look for someone who knows the information instead. The threshold and time associated with this test is GM Fiat, but generally should be “Limited Interest or Not Publicized” at least. Upon finding out who the character is, the GM may require using social skills such as Negotiation, Con, Intimidation, or some other solution to acquire the information. As per any social encounter, GM Fiat is the deciding factor at the end of the day.
| Situation | Modifier |
|---|---|
| Intricate or Specialized | -1 |
| You Don’t “Fit In” (SR 140) | -2 |
| Information Related to a Different Area | -2 or Not Possible (GM Fiat) |
| Very Appropriate Small Area of Search (Specific Office Building or City Block) | Halves Base Time |
| Vast Area of Search (Entire Arcology or District of Seattle) | Doubles Base Time |
| Appropriate Bribes (250¥*Threshold) | Halves Base Time |
| Asking About Illegal/Harmful Info | Doubles Base Time |
- ↑ Shadowrun Fifth Edition Core Rulebook (p. 241)