Malevolence uses the Research subsystem from the Gamemastery Guide, with some additions.

Some topics are too complex to get the full picture from Recalling Knowledge. And if the party wants to piece together what actually happened at Xarwin Manor, being knowledgeable (while certainly helpful) is not nearly enough--closely examining the evidence within the manor will also be required.

Research is typically an exploration activity requiring a few hours of work and a skill check. Library Lore or something like it, while hardly the only skill useful for research, may be a particularly useful Lore skill in this game.
Critical Success: Gain 2 Research Points.
Success: Gain 1 RP.
Critical Failure: You make a false discovery and lose 1 RP.

Research in this adventure will be split into a variety of topics that you can look into. Each topic will have multiple venues that can be used. Since the whole point is piecing things together, most venues can only provide a limited number of Research Points. This requires you to investigate multiple sources, although you can usually get started with Recall Knowledge checks. As you earn RP, you gain benefits--generally in the form of information.
I will let you know when you've hit the limit for a particular venue or earned all the RP available for a particular topic. Realistic? Perhaps not, but wouldn't it be frustrating if I didn't? In addition, since each research topic is a challenge, you'll earn XP for each one you fully complete.


You will likely discover additional topics, venues, and perhaps even strange new research methods as we progress. I'll keep track of them here for you.
This message was last edited by the GM at 07:03, Thu 23 Sept 2021.

Xarwin Manor (Topic 3)
Regional Lore (4/4 RP earned for this venue) This venue includes research done in a settlement or library, or even information that a PC might recall on their own. This means PCs can do a little advance research even before arriving at the manor. 3 RP earned
Research Checks (in ascending order of difficulty) Library Lore or other appropriate Lore (2 hours), Diplomacy (2 hours), or Society (to Recall Knowledge; 1 action)</s>

2 Research Points: The party has learned the precise location of Xarwin Manor, the date of its construction (4642 ar), and the date it was abandoned (4657 ar).

4 Research Points: Several of the workers who built the manor vanished soon after it was completed, and the manor's original floor plans were lost or destroyed.

Next breakthrough: 6 RP

Total Research Points Earned: 4
This message was last edited by the GM at 06:42, Fri 08 Oct 2021.

Paracount Ioseff Xarwin (Topic 5)
Regional Lore (3/3 RP earned for this venue) This venue includes research done in a settlement or library, or even information that a PC might recall on their own.
Research Checks Library Lore or other appropriate Lore (2 hours), Society (to Recall Knowledge; 1 action), or Diplomacy (2 hours)

3 RP: Ioseff Xarwin, a human man, was the first Paracount of the county of Ilverness and was married to the artist Asethanna. They had two children--twins named Marney and Mira.

Next breakthrough: 6 RP

Total Research Points earned: 3
This message was last edited by the GM at 06:42, Fri 08 Oct 2021.

Asethanna Xarwin (Topic 5)
Regional Lore (3/3 RP earned for this venue) This venue includes research done in a settlement or library, or even information that a PC might recall on their own.
Research Checks Library Lore or other appropriate Lore (2 hours), Diplomacy (2 hours), or Society (to Recall Knowledge; one action).

3 RP: Asethanna Xarwin, a human woman, was the wife of Paracount Ioseff Xarwin. They had two children--twins named Marney and Mira.

Next breakthrough: 6 RP

Total Research Points earned: 3
This message was last edited by the GM at 06:44, Fri 08 Oct 2021.

The Xarwin Caul (Topic 4)
Manor Facade (1/3 RP earned for this venue) The party studies the Caul, either by examining it physically or magically.
Research Checks Ghost (or similar) Lore (to Recall Knowledge; one action), Occultism (10 minutes), Religion (10 minutes), Arcana (10 minutes), or Nature (10 minutes).

Next breakthrough: 2 RP

Total Research Points earned: 1
This message was last edited by the GM at 06:25, Sun 21 Nov 2021.