Burnt Matches

Summary

Burnt matches are charcoal-tipped matchsticks discovered in Session 11 in the pocket of one of the unconscious Underground Facility Guards. Initially appearing puzzling, the burnt matches prove to be a practical tool used by the guard to draw on The Wasteland Map. Erin deduces their purpose as makeshift charcoal for marking exploration routes and findings in the wasteland, an insight confirmed by Shawn. The party later repurposes these same burnt matchsticks as theatrical makeup implements for disguising Sucks.

Properties

The burnt matches are ordinary matchsticks that have been struck and used, leaving charcoal residue at their tips. Close examination of The Wasteland Map reveals markings made with this charcoal, indicating the guard used the burnt matches to draw axes and document locations. The charcoal from the matches transfers readily to surfaces, making them suitable both for map annotation and for applying makeup.

When Safia repurposes the burnt matchsticks, they prove effective for creating realistic aging effects on skin. The charcoal can be applied to create the appearance of facial stubble, simulating a five o'clock shadow, as well as crow's feet wrinkles around the eyes. This demonstrates the versatility of the burnt match charcoal as a drawing and marking implement.

History

Session 11

The burnt matches are discovered in the pocket of the third guard during the party's examination of the unconscious Underground Facility Guards. The guard appears to have kept the matches as personal equipment, as Shawn describes the map as "maybe this dude's personal map."

Erin makes the connection between the burnt matches and the markings on The Wasteland Map, asking: "Do you think that he was keeping the burnt matches because he uses them to. To draw the axes? Maybe that's like his charcoal." Shawn confirms this deduction, stating: "When Erin said that, I was like, whoa, that's really smart, actually. So I'm gonna say, yeah, that's exactly what he did. You can tell, looking at the map, he definitely drew up with the matches."

Later in the session, Safia finds a new use for the burnt matchsticks as part of disguising Sucks as an older guard. Safia takes the burnt out matchsticks and uses the charcoal to roughen up Sucks's appearance "as if he's got a five o' clock shadow," and adds "some crow's feet" to further the illusion of age.