Obviously my choices are related to my current campaign (a world travelling, issue driven espionage type of thing)

Of course we have to start with the CIA Worldbook http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/index.html for authentic detail on the various countrys of the world.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Main_Page Wikipedia just a great source of information (ok so a bit obvious but far to useful to leave out)

http://www.nisat.org/publications/armsfixers/default.htm an excellant source on how the black market arms trade works.

http://www.pbs.org/frontlineworld/stories/sierraleone/breakingnews.html a brilliant source on the arms trade including profiles of some of the real world players.

For getting a feel for countrys you have never visited http://www.travelblog.org/

http://intellit.muskingum.edu/index.html A bibliography of books on intelligence agencys also contains other info but overall unless you have access to a very good library probably not that useful

 

So what does anyone else have to add?

-Mark

Re: Some good research sources

 

Good links are always handy -- thanx!

 

I've often used the official sites of orgs like the FBI, DEA, and so forth to obtain basic background information. There's lots of good stuff out there to add verisimilitude details to a campaign or character background.

Re: Some good research sources

 

Some great GM Tools

 

Thanks

 

QM

Re: Some good research sources

 

A detailed look at the Aum Shinrikyo cults activities http://www.fas.org/irp/congress/1995_rpt/aum/index.html a good example of an apocalyptic cult just change a few details and instant villian for an adventure or two

Re: Some good research sources

 

http://www.comebackalive.com/df/

 

Robert pelton site for the dangerous places in the world and how to come back alive from them. Very useful. I have both of his books. Required reading for any modern espionage or war or merc campaigns.

Re: Some good research sources

 

CIA and UFOs, 1947-90

Re: Some good research sources

 

There's an adventure here somewhere

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coltan

Re: Some good research sources

 

Phases of the Moon, over 6000 years

 

Solar eclipses of historical interest

 

Real-world sky information Now includes (among other things) tables of daylight/darkness duration for any place on Earth, which might be handy for certain campaigns.

Re: Some good research sources

 

Buy that advanced weaponry perk, take those Equipment Resourse Points the GM gave you, and have fun writing up all of these pieces of military gear in Hero System.