Skills: Overview

   Skills are a broad scope of knowledge that encompasses many proficiencies. A proficiency is a narrow area of knowledge within a skill. Skills have a skill level. Proficiencies typically have a skill level associated with them. This indicates the recommended level at which the proficiency can be learned. If a player wants their character to learn the proficiency or attempt something related to it when their skill level is below the recommended level: they can. The difference between the recommended level and the current level acts as a penalty towards successfully learning the proficiency or attempting something related to it.

Each skill is broken down into six ranges. The names of these ranges may sometimes vary from skill to skill, but are numerically the same; some are broken down further as with martial arts. The ranges are used to indicate at what level certain things can be accomplished using that skill. The names of these ranges are also used for talking as the character. Since a character would never say: “I have an 85 skill in using a long sword”; rather they can say: “I’m adept at the sword.” This allows characters to compare abilities in conversation without letting the numerical system interfere in the game play.

The bonuses acquired from skills add to the required roll for the related checks. Skills must be practiced in order to maintain these bonuses. Otherwise, the skill level will eventually decrease over time. Five percent (5%) of the skill indicates the number of sessions or equivalent use that must be spent each game week to maintain the skill. Otherwise the skill level will drop by 1 point per week not maintained.

With any skill that involves making something, there is opportunity for bonuses and a chance for penalties. If the skill check fails, it does not mean the item was not made. Rather, 50% of the difference between skill and roll is the penalty for taking damage, breaking, falling apart, etc. If the skill check succeeds, 20% of the difference is the bonus to rest damage, work better, etc.

If a player wishes their character to learn something that is not listed and cannot be considered a proficiency under a listed skill, the GO has the authority to allow a new skill. The player and the GO must agree on what the skill will allow the character to accomplish and what bonuses it will endow.

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