WHISPER CARDS (THE MALL)
Whisper Cards were originally created for The Mall in order to replicate the unknown variables inherent within The Thing (whether characters have been replaced). This mechanic could easily be adapted to any scenario that deals with people being corrupted and changed, especially if there is a level of uncertainty as to whether it has happened or not.
WHISPER MECHANIC
The Whisper Card mechanic is designed to push characters to action and allow PCs to be REPLACED. The contents of the cards are kept secret from the Facilitator and other players, leaving the rest of the table to question and wonder. Each Whisper card presents two prompts to the player (search for contaminants or repeatedly check behind you / take a risk or be cautious / etc).
EXPLAINING THE MECHANIC
Note: If you were adapting this to your scenario, this framing would be different.
At the end of the scene when the Child of Ammon first appears and kills an NPC erupts from (DOOM 2), give each player a Whisper Card and brief them on the mechanic.
- These are Whisper Cards.
- Individual players will get them from different actions and situations.
- Whisper Cards can replace Stress for the acting character (and others in the party just receive Stress).
- Each Whisper Card has two prompts. Choose one and act upon it in the subsequent scene(s).
- Cards should be kept secret from other players.
- Some Whisper Cards will indicate that your character has been REPLACED. While they will outwardly look the same (for now), their drives have changed.
EXAMPLE TRIGGERS
Note: If you were adapting this to your scenario, some of these example triggers would be different.
- Taking Stress (only the most proactive player gets a card instead of Stress).
- Triggers noted in the text.
- Receiving Fallout.
- Direct contact with spores.
- Physical contact with fluids from a Child of Ammon.
- Killing another person.
- Touching the barrier.
- The DOOM Clock progressing.
- Complication for failing some saves.
- Approaching the Portal reveals a special card addressing both the human and REPLACED characters.
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