Crafting and Apothecary Research
What is research in the context of Wyld West?
Research is the system in which Apothecaries and Crafters can come up with their own Recipes and Schematics, using their own ideas to create something new and fantastic.
Who can do research?
To be able to conduct research, a character must be either an Apothecary or a Crafter.
| Role | Research Level |
|---|---|
| Professional Apothecary | Can research any level of Recipe, e.g. Elixir or Tincture |
| Professional Crafter | Can research any level of Schematic, e.g. Minor, Intermediate or Major |
| Hobbyist Apothecary | Can only research Tinctures |
| Hobbyist Crafter | Can only research Minor or Intermediate Schematics |
How can characters do research?
To conduct any research, a character must first come up with a 'Project'.
Projects can either be:
- An improvement or variation of something the character can already make
- Something entirely new, i.e. there is not currently a known Schematic or Recipe in the game
The Project idea should then be discussed with the Research Referee, who will give the Project approval and inform the player of the target number of research slots required to complete it.
Important Note:
The Referee may need to discuss the Project with other members of the Game Team before approval. Project ideas may need to be altered before being accepted. Some Projects may not be possible. For example, "I want to make a laser gun" will not be approved, as it does not fit the theme or lore of Wyld West.
What are Research Slots?
Characters have the following:
- 1 research slot per day for Apothecary Research if they have the Apothecary Archetype
- 1 research slot per day for Crafting Research if they have the Crafting Archetype
Research slots last 30 minutes and, once completed, count towards the character's current Project.
Research slots refresh every day and do not carry over. If a Friday Research slot is unused, it is wasted.
How many Projects can be done at the same time?
A character can have any number of active Projects per Archetype at a time (for example, 3 Crafting and 7 Apothecary).
To start a new Project, the character must discuss it with the Crafting or Apothecary Referee.
Starting a new Project costs 1 Research Slot, which counts towards the target for the Project.
Where and how to do Research?
The only place Research can be conducted is at a 'Research Station'.
The Research can be roleplayed however the player wishes. There are no requirements for it to exactly match the character's in-game goal. The Game Organisers may provide props, but players are encouraged to bring their own to enhance the collaborative roleplaying experience.
If a character has both Crafting and Apothecary Archetypes, the Research must be conducted separately, i.e. two 30-minute slots per day.
Can Research be done with other people?
Characters can only research their own Projects, but they are encouraged to roleplay with others.
It does not matter if one character is conducting Crafting Research and another is conducting Apothecary Research. Both can participate in the same roleplay while representing their own Research.
Other characters, even those who are not Crafters or Apothecaries, may also be involved in the roleplay.
Example: "Hey Bob, come over here and hold this test tube for a moment. Ok, now stay perfectly still, it is quite volatile."