This downtime activity allows a character to gather information about an individual or—potentially—a suspicious location in one of the DT safe zones. A character needs to be furtive and alert to gather information without being spotted or otherwise noted.
With DTDM agreement, Tailing and Scouting can be done anywhere there's a viable target.
Tailing and scouting requires 1 Light DTA slot and 10 gp spent on materials, bribes, gifts, and other expenses. The player may also choose to dedicate more time and resources to this activity, thus electing to spend 1 Taxing DTA slot and spending an additional 150 gp to increase their chances for success. The DTDMs might rule the activity impossible given special circumstances or increase the minimum downtime and/or gold required for an attempt.
The character declares the focus of the tailing or scouting - namely, a specific individual or place. At the end of the activity, the character makes a Dexterity (Stealth) check against the target Passive Perception or a set DC to be determined by the DTDMs based on the circumstances). You have a +3 bonus if a Taxing DTA slot is being spent. In exceptional circumstances (eg., access to a particularly knowledgeable informant), the DTDMs might award advantage on this check. On a failed check, you are caught in the act and must roll for a complication on the Stealth Check Complication table.
Once you have completed the Dexterity (Stealth) check, you may then make an Intelligence (Investigation) check to determine how much information you learn using the Tailing and Scouting Outcomes table. If a Taxing DTA slot was spent, the +3 bonus will also be added to your Intelligence (Investigation) check. Remember, some complications may affect how much information you gain.
Tailing and Scouting Outcomes
Check Total | Outcome |
1-5 | No information gained |
6-10 | Only minor or unverified new information is gathered on an individual or place |
11-15 | You learn one piece of information on an individual or place |
16-20 | You learn two pieces of information on an individual or place |
21+ | You learn three pieces of information on an individual or place |
Each piece of information is the equivalent of one true statement about an individual or place that can help the character further their objectives. The DTDMs—in consultation with the Kantas DMs and Worldbuilders—determine what information you learn. For an individual, the DTDMs might reveal routines, movements, or meetings. For a place, the DTDMs might reveal secrets about it, such as a hidden entrance, or the nature of a creature that guards the place.
Characters carrying out this DTA with a trained pet might gain extra benefits. See the commands descriptions in the Pet Training section for details.
The greatest risk in tailing and scouting is getting caught, whether by the target you are tailing or by someone else in the area. Getting caught might have immediate repercussions, or allow the character to be led astray, especially if the object of the tailing is another individual or an entity controlling a place. False information might be gathered in that case, or crucial information on the character’s plans might be revealed inadvertently.
In addition to the complications relating to Tailing a target, a character might run into other complications during their investigation. Downtime spent tailing a subject brings a 10% chance of a complication, examples of which are on the Investigation check Complications table.
Stealth Check Complications
d6 | Complications |
1 | The person or group you are tailing notices you and sets an ambush. You gain no information, and are beaten bloody. You need rest and cannot perform other DTA for your following 2 available DT weeks. |
2 | The person or group you are tailing notices you, taking note of your appearance and marking you down as a potential threat. You manage to slip away but now have a new Enemy. You gain no information. |
3 | The Local Watch or some other authority catches you tailing your mark and arrests you. You gain one less piece of information. You may also need to talk or bribe your way out of jail. Failing to get out will prevent you from carrying out other DTA in your next available DT week. The DTDMs to set DC for Charisma (Persuasion or Deception) roll or Bribe cost. |
4 | A local thieves guild takes notice of you, and attempts to blackmail you with knowledge of your activities. You can make a Charisma (Persuasion or Intimidation) check against DC 15. On a success, you convince the blackmailers to back down. On a failure, or if you choose not to make the check, you pay them 50 gp. |
5 | The person or group you are tailing notices you and begins trying to investigate you! You need to keep a low profile to keep them off of your trail, making your investigation more difficult. When making your Intelligence (Investigation) check, roll with disadvantage. |
6 | After a while, you lose sight of your mark and have to return to your lodgings. Upon arrival, you discover that someone has lightened your purse. You lose 2d10 x 5gp. |
Investigation Check Complications
d6 | Complications |
1 | You discover the person or group you were investigating was expecting to be followed and have set a convoluted system to prevent being discovered. |
2 | You attract the attention of another individual or group who is investigating your target. They might be persuaded to collaborate (for the right price), or they might want to get rid of a potential rival. |
3 | You attract the attention of local thugs and have to pay them off 10 gp to avoid blowing your cover. |
4 | A local thieves guild takes notice of you, and attempts to blackmail you with knowledge of your activities. |
5 | The person or group you are tailing notice you and manage to lead you astray. You make any future Dexterity (Stealth) checks for Tailing and Scouting against them with disadvantage. One of the pieces of information you gain, if any, might also be false. |
6 | One of your informants accidentally lets it slip you are tailing your target. People now know you are out investigating something. The next Intelligence (Investigation) check made as part of a DTA will be made at disadvantage. |