Hi there. I have written a few missions for ECB, in Spanish though. If you are interested, you can take a look at https://davrivas.itch.io/memorandum-ignoti. If you prefer not to advertise third party projects in the comments feed, please let me know and I will delete this comment as soon as possible.
This is great! I have just added your missions to the Redacted Materials list I keep over on my storefront. Your missions all sound really cool! It's great to have some missions in Spanish too.
hi! A GM debrief sheet is mentioned in the book to keep track of PCs answers. I could not find it. Could you help me with that please? Thanks a lot and keep up the good work!
Hey monkeyEcho, thanks for bringing this to our attention! Turns out we never made that sheet, so I've just thrown something together and added it as part of the download packet here.
Let me know if you get a chance to use it in play! We hope it's helpful.
We finally had an opportunity to get ECB on our table and had a blast! A mix of experienced “Forged in the Dark” vets and someone starting from square one and it was still easy and intuitive to step into for all.
Despite walking in with a mess of clues the Theorize roll tanked which honestly made for a much more exciting experience!
Thanks for all your hard work on this and for keeping the Redacted Materials adaptation guidelines so flexible!
Hey, I’m struggling a little to understand how Clues are supposed to work. I assume they are information that is supposed to be fed to the players as they investigate. Should the GM be saying “this is a capital C clue” for these, for when it comes to the Theory Roll, or should the list of clues be played close to the chest?
I haven't been able to find a link to the "print-friendly character sheet". There's a fillable character sheet (ECB Character_Sheet_Fillable v2.pdf), but that's made for online use, as trying to print it out as is leaves some fields with the word "Select" when they should be blank. Nor is a character sheet included with the files after purchasing. Have I missed a link somewhere?
Hey weavejester, thanks for your patience this past month! We took kind of a long holiday break here at Mythic Gazetteer.
We didn't realize the fillable PDF creates those artifacts when printed. Thanks for pointing it out! I've just uploaded a fresh version of the character sheet that should print just fine. Pretty sure you'll get a product update about it but wanted to let you know personally too.
I really like the idea that the players are part of constructing the phenomenon. It takes a lot of work off of my plate as a GM, and it gives me the freedom to give the players a bit of what they're looking for. I hope that if I run this again, I get a chance to use the NPC's to greater effect.
So glad you had a fun time! The collaboration around the "canon" of the phenomenon is one of my favorite parts as well. And I feel like NPCs are a part of ttrpgs that always benefit from more time at the table. It takes a few sessions to get to know them but when you do? The payoff can be wonderful.
Good question! We're looking into this but we probably won't have anything ready before the end of the Redacted Materials jam. All the same... keep your eyes peeled!
I know it’s been a while since this request was tossed out but wanted to second it. Even just a PDF version of the template to fill by hand/form fillable would be great if that’s not too arduous a thing to assemble.
Hey there, I'm working on a horror-bureaucratic solo ttrpg and I'd like to include something based on your Paperworks and Obfuscate system. Would it be possible with proper credit ? Can we talk about it ? Don't wanna be a thief or a rude prick soooooo ^^
Hi! Love what I'm reading though I am confused about one gameplay element.
On page 39 it talks about paperwork and reprimands, and that when you get your fourth reprimand you're out of the bureau. How can one get to a fourth reprimand though if every time you complete paperwork you're bound to clear up one reprimand (and due to the nature pf the system it's very unlikely you'll have more than one reprimand)
Am I missing something important here? Are loose ends the deciding factor in getting 12 paperwork in one session?
Thanks for the feedback! It is difficult to get multiple reprimands but not impossible. If players leave paperwork hanging about and don't pursue the appropriate downtime actions, all it would take is a few bad die rolls and one bad mission to start racking up paperwork and therefore reprimands (which is also contingent on the preferences of the players, which consequences are dished out, what the genre is, etc). We also didn't want player characters to become unexpectedly unplayable due to office politics. Getting a 4th power is a much showier, dramatic exit from the game. But the threat of reprimands means there are consequences, no matter how rare they may seem.
Also being removed from the Bureau could just be a plot development that makes sense in the story of your game, or the result of a complication during an action roll.
Hi Myhic, the idea is really neat and it seems it will lead to hours of fun. However there are a couple of things missing:
A GM section that most PbtA and FitD games have. If the GM comes from another background they will be clueless on how to run the game (agenda, principles, moves, soft vs hard, etc) and how to organize opponents (fronts, threats, stakes etc).
More playthrough examples that clarify when the agency switches from the player to the GM.
Player aids booklet with concise moves and game structure, e.g. archetypes, departments, character creation checklist (again present in most games in the PbtA and FitD influence zone). Players push back hard against having to wade through 50 odd pages of a rulebook before making a move.
GM aids with agenda, principles and moves plus some sheets for stakes lists and clocks, and the lists of cryptid, names and other occult paraphernalia for tone.
Thanks for the feedback. This was a small project we did for Zine Quest this past year so a lot of what you're describing is outside the scope of our work. We love those kind of tools but our goal was to create something simple enough get by without them. That said, we're still working on a guide to hacking the game, which will include some of what you're looking for.
You should make it clear what is and what it not included / what level of experience is expected from the customer. If you're selling it for $5 and it doesn't have some of the above, it wouldn't bother me too much. But for $20, I'm expecting a complete game. I have BiD and a bunch of FiD hacks, but I haven't played or run any of them yet. This could have been the one I decided to try running as the setting looks really great, but with so much missing, as a new GM I have to start somewhere else. Reluctant pass. :(
Rest assured, argel1200, ECB is a complete game. Our playtesting process showed that it achieved our goals of being lightweight, easy to learn, and easy to run, so it's not the kind of game that requires a lot of supplementary material.
If you haven't already, I recommend checking out the ECB quickstart packet. It's a free look at the game with everything you need to play a one shot (or start a campaign, really). In particular, each character sheet has rules references within easy reach. You can find the quickstart here: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/u/2/d/1O_LNk3pV1qVn__n1l1TAVbLkf-ZYK__t4DQT...
I think this is pretty great! I love how well this boils down a lot of the concepts from FitD and uses only what is truly necessary. It's going to make picking up and playing with a group really fun. I personally can't wait to run a one-shot or two with this soon!
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Hi there. I have written a few missions for ECB, in Spanish though. If you are interested, you can take a look at https://davrivas.itch.io/memorandum-ignoti. If you prefer not to advertise third party projects in the comments feed, please let me know and I will delete this comment as soon as possible.
This is great! I have just added your missions to the Redacted Materials list I keep over on my storefront. Your missions all sound really cool! It's great to have some missions in Spanish too.
Are there mechanics in this game like the Crew and Turf mechanics from Blades in the Dark?
hi! A GM debrief sheet is mentioned in the book to keep track of PCs answers. I could not find it. Could you help me with that please? Thanks a lot and keep up the good work!
Hey monkeyEcho, thanks for bringing this to our attention! Turns out we never made that sheet, so I've just thrown something together and added it as part of the download packet here.
Let me know if you get a chance to use it in play! We hope it's helpful.
Thanks! Not sure if I can get my table to play it but I will let you know!
We finally had an opportunity to get ECB on our table and had a blast! A mix of experienced “Forged in the Dark” vets and someone starting from square one and it was still easy and intuitive to step into for all.
Despite walking in with a mess of clues the Theorize roll tanked which honestly made for a much more exciting experience!
Thanks for all your hard work on this and for keeping the Redacted Materials adaptation guidelines so flexible!
Huh. I had a similar idea for a game myself a long time ago. I guess great minds think alike!
Ran it systemless for my friends. Mostly based on the Laundry Files by Charles Stross and Warehouse 13.
Hey, I’m struggling a little to understand how Clues are supposed to work. I assume they are information that is supposed to be fed to the players as they investigate. Should the GM be saying “this is a capital C clue” for these, for when it comes to the Theory Roll, or should the list of clues be played close to the chest?
Backed on Kickstarter, super cool and a great way to play a supernatural setting
So glad you're enjoying it! Thanks for letting us know. Been on any cool missions?
Ah, already sold out at EF! Any chance you'll be printing more?
Hey. This looks great! Love it overall. Would it suit running Delta Green modules?
I haven't been able to find a link to the "print-friendly character sheet". There's a fillable character sheet (ECB Character_Sheet_Fillable v2.pdf), but that's made for online use, as trying to print it out as is leaves some fields with the word "Select" when they should be blank. Nor is a character sheet included with the files after purchasing. Have I missed a link somewhere?
Hey weavejester, thanks for your patience this past month! We took kind of a long holiday break here at Mythic Gazetteer.
We didn't realize the fillable PDF creates those artifacts when printed. Thanks for pointing it out! I've just uploaded a fresh version of the character sheet that should print just fine. Pretty sure you'll get a product update about it but wanted to let you know personally too.
Happy gaming!
- Eli
Hey, no problem. Thanks for the update!
I really like the idea that the players are part of constructing the phenomenon. It takes a lot of work off of my plate as a GM, and it gives me the freedom to give the players a bit of what they're looking for. I hope that if I run this again, I get a chance to use the NPC's to greater effect.
So glad you had a fun time! The collaboration around the "canon" of the phenomenon is one of my favorite parts as well. And I feel like NPCs are a part of ttrpgs that always benefit from more time at the table. It takes a few sessions to get to know them but when you do? The payoff can be wonderful.
Happy gaming!
will you ever give the option for a POD copy?
Books will be available in limited quantities soon.
Zine copies are available (and on sale today!) at Exalted Funeral: https://www.exaltedfuneral.com/products/external-containment-bureau-pdf?_pos=1&_...
Also, every digital purchase comes with a file that's ready to print at your local copy shop.
Any chance we can have the ECB Mission Template in a different type at some point? :o Like Indesign?
Good question! We're looking into this but we probably won't have anything ready before the end of the Redacted Materials jam. All the same... keep your eyes peeled!
I know it’s been a while since this request was tossed out but wanted to second it. Even just a PDF version of the template to fill by hand/form fillable would be great if that’s not too arduous a thing to assemble.
Hey there, I'm working on a horror-bureaucratic solo ttrpg and I'd like to include something based on your Paperworks and Obfuscate system.
Would it be possible with proper credit ? Can we talk about it ? Don't wanna be a thief or a rude prick soooooo ^^
Absolutely! We've got a license for just this sort of thing. You can check out the details here:
http://mythicgazetteer.com/redacted-material
Awesome, thanks !
Hi! Love what I'm reading though I am confused about one gameplay element.
On page 39 it talks about paperwork and reprimands, and that when you get your fourth reprimand you're out of the bureau. How can one get to a fourth reprimand though if every time you complete paperwork you're bound to clear up one reprimand (and due to the nature pf the system it's very unlikely you'll have more than one reprimand)
Am I missing something important here? Are loose ends the deciding factor in getting 12 paperwork in one session?
Thanks for the feedback! It is difficult to get multiple reprimands but not impossible. If players leave paperwork hanging about and don't pursue the appropriate downtime actions, all it would take is a few bad die rolls and one bad mission to start racking up paperwork and therefore reprimands (which is also contingent on the preferences of the players, which consequences are dished out, what the genre is, etc). We also didn't want player characters to become unexpectedly unplayable due to office politics. Getting a 4th power is a much showier, dramatic exit from the game. But the threat of reprimands means there are consequences, no matter how rare they may seem.
Also being removed from the Bureau could just be a plot development that makes sense in the story of your game, or the result of a complication during an action roll.
Thank you for the response it cleared things up!
Hi Myhic, the idea is really neat and it seems it will lead to hours of fun. However there are a couple of things missing:
Cheers!
Thanks for the feedback. This was a small project we did for Zine Quest this past year so a lot of what you're describing is outside the scope of our work. We love those kind of tools but our goal was to create something simple enough get by without them. That said, we're still working on a guide to hacking the game, which will include some of what you're looking for.
Let us know if you get a chance to play!
You should make it clear what is and what it not included / what level of experience is expected from the customer. If you're selling it for $5 and it doesn't have some of the above, it wouldn't bother me too much. But for $20, I'm expecting a complete game. I have BiD and a bunch of FiD hacks, but I haven't played or run any of them yet. This could have been the one I decided to try running as the setting looks really great, but with so much missing, as a new GM I have to start somewhere else. Reluctant pass. :(
Rest assured, argel1200, ECB is a complete game. Our playtesting process showed that it achieved our goals of being lightweight, easy to learn, and easy to run, so it's not the kind of game that requires a lot of supplementary material.
If you haven't already, I recommend checking out the ECB quickstart packet. It's a free look at the game with everything you need to play a one shot (or start a campaign, really). In particular, each character sheet has rules references within easy reach. You can find the quickstart here:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/u/2/d/1O_LNk3pV1qVn__n1l1TAVbLkf-ZYK__t4DQT...
Happy gaming!
- Eli
I think this is pretty great! I love how well this boils down a lot of the concepts from FitD and uses only what is truly necessary. It's going to make picking up and playing with a group really fun. I personally can't wait to run a one-shot or two with this soon!
So glad you're digging it! We really tried to make a lightweight game that uses our very favorite parts of the FITD framework.
Let us know how your game goes! Nothing better than hearing about folks playing our games.
The link in the demo is not clickable for me
Do you mean the Quickstart Keeper graphic? If you're having trouble with that you can try this direct link:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/u/1/d/1O_LNk3pV1qVn__n1l1TAVbLkf-ZYK__t4DQT...