Chapter IV: Skills & Talents
may be required in adverse conditions (a noisy venue, the chaos of battle, etc.). Like Academic Knowledge, Secret Language isn’t one skill but many. The most common Secret Languages are Battle Tongue, Guild Tongue, Thieves’ Tongue, and Ranger Tongue. Related Talents: None. s eCreT s Igns Skill Type: Advanced. Characteristic: Intelligence. Description: Use this skill to read or leave coded messages. Several common sets of signs are in use in the Empire. Secret signs are not very sophisticated, mostly being used to warn of danger, mark a target, indicate protection, and so on. Skill tests are not required to read basic messages but may be necessary to decipher complicated messages or worn or damaged signs. Like Academic Knowledge, Secret Signs isn’t one skill but many. The most common Secret Signs are Scout, Templar, Thief, and Ranger. Skill Type: Advanced. Characteristic: Agility. Description: Use this skill to prepare and bait traps to catch various animals. Traps that immobilize and kill are both in common use in the Empire. A Skill Test may be made once per day per trap. A successful test means an animal has been trapped. Related Talents: None. s IlenT m oVe Skill Type: Basic. Characteristic: Agility. Description: Use this skill to move quietly. You can only take one move action in a round if you are using Silent Move. Oftentimes, Silent Move is an Opposed Skill Test vs. your foes’ Perception. Related Talents: Alley Cat, Rover, Tunnel Rat. s hadowIng Skill Type: Advanced. Characteristic: Agility. Description: Use this skill to follow others without being seen. Oftentimes, Shadowing is an Opposed Skill Test vs. your foes’ Perception. Related Talents: None. s leIghT of h and Skill Type: Advanced. Characteristic: Agility. Description: Use this skill to palm objects, pick pockets, or perform Related Talents: None. s peak a rCane l anguage Skill Type: Advanced. Characteristic: Intelligence. Description: Use this skill to cast spells. You must speak an arcane language in order to use magic. Unlike other languages, tricks with small items like coins and cards. Oftentimes, Sleight of Hand is an Opposed Skill Test vs. the viewer’s Perception. Related Talents: None. s eT T rap
r Ide Skill Type: Basic. Characteristic: Agility. Description: Use this skill to ride horses and similar mounts. Riding under normal conditions does not require a Skill Test. However, tests may be called for when galloping, racing, guiding a steed through treacherous terrain, leaping onto a moving mount, and the like. Related Talents: Trick Riding. r ow Skill Type: Basic. Characteristic: Strength. Description: Use this skill to propel rowboats, dinghies, flat-bottomed barges, and similar vessels. Rowing under normal conditions does not require a Skill Test. However, tests may be called for when there is bad weather, dangerous obstacles, or rough waters to contend with. Skill Type: Advanced. Characteristic: Agility. Description: Use this skill to crew sailing vessels. The skill includes familiarity with the ship-borne operations, knowledge of different types of sails, procedures for inclement weather, and the like. Sailing under normal conditions does not require a Skill Test. However, tests may be called for when there is bad weather, dangerous obstacles, or rough waters to contend with. Related Talents: None. s Cale s heer s urfaCe Skill Type: Basic. Characteristic: Strength. Description: Use this skill to climb walls, fences, and other vertical obstacles. Under normal conditions, a Skill Test is required once each round. Using Scale Sheer Surface is a full action and you can climb a number of yards equal to half your Movement Characteristic (rounded up) with a successful test. Related Talents: None. s earCh Skill Type: Basic. Characteristic: Intelligence. Description: Use this skill to check an area for clues, treasure, and other hidden items (including traps). One test is required for each room or small area. Related Talents: None. s eCreT l anguage (V arIous ) Skill Type: Advanced. Characteristic: Intelligence. Description: Use this skill to communicate with others of a common profession. Secret languages are more like codes than real languages. By the use of signifiers, body language, and/or code words, users can speak in one tongue but use a secret language to impart deeper meaning or to relay a lot of information quickly. Under normal circumstances, Skill Tests are unnecessary if all speakers know the secret language. They Related Talents: None. s aIl
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