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Skill Levels

Skills are normally limited to six Levels. Each Level provides a +1 bonus on checks to succeed in a task governed by that Skill.

Levels 1 and 2 indicate significant training or practice with that Skill. For example, Medical Level 1 or 2 represents the sort of experience that a typical nurse, paramedic, or young family doctor might possess. Similarly, a low-ranking army officer (lieutenant or captain) would probably have Military Sciences at Level 1 or 2. Level 1 can also represent the “end result” of a graduate or post-graduate degree. Levels 3 and 4 indicate considerable experience with a particular Skill. For example, Medical Level 3 or 4 represents the skills that a hospital surgeon or a family doctor with years of practice will have. Similarly, a seasoned knight who has lead several successful campaigns might have Military Sciences at Level 3 or 4.

Levels 5 and 6 indicate a true expert in a particular Skill. For example, Medical Level 5 or 6 would represent a doctor who is renowned as a life saver and hero. Similarly, a decorated colonel or general field commander would have Military Sciences at Level 5 or 6. Higher Levels are indeed possible (see Genius Skills, below) but relative expertise can often be better represented by the difference in Stats and Attributes. Two police offers may be expert detectives (each with Police Sciences Level 5), but if one is the other’s superior, he or she will also have higher Stats or related Attributes.

No Skill Level is needed for casual expertise. Someone who drives a car on his or her way to work or has passed a first aid course would not require Driving Level 1 or Medical Level 1. A street gang member may know a thing or two about breaking and entering, but probably lacks the training and experience to have Burglary Level 1. A student who has taken a high school or even undergraduate course probably does not have a Skill Level, unless they were particularly interested in the course material.

Conversely, a character may have high Skill Levels without any formal training, because he or she has used the Skill in daily life for many years (such as a brawny farm worker having the Powerlifting Skill). Characters should rarely possess Skill Levels at their maximum allowed Level, since this achievement reflects an incredibly high degree of proficiency. A character with a Skill Level of 5 or 6 is widely regarded as the best in his or her field.

Acrobatics
Multi-Genre Cost: 3 Points/Level
Relevant Stat: Body
Specialisations: Balance, Flexibility, Jumps, Tumbling

The ability to perform feats of agility with minimal chance for injury. Includes jumping, flipping, contorting, and reacting quickly.

Administration
Multi-Genre Cost: 1 Point/Level
Relevant Stat: Mind
Specialisations: Accounting, Banking, Executive, Fraud, Government, Marketing, Real Estate, Negotiating, Small Business, Stewardship

The ability to organise, run, and understand part or all of an organisation (such as a business, government, or association). This Skill is also useful for locating new employees.

Animal Training
Multi-Genre Cost: 2 Points/Level
Relevant Stat: Soul
Specialisations: Any single animal such as dogs, dolphins, horses, etc.

The ability to teach and train animals with an intellect above that of instinctive insects. An animal usually has a Mind Stat of 1-2.

Biological Sciences
Multi-Genre Cost: 1 Point/Level
Relevant Stat: Mind
Specialisations: Bacteria/Viruses, Botany, Ecology, Genetics, Physiology, Zoology

This field covers scientific knowledge of how living things function.

Boating
Multi-Genre Cost: 2 Points/Level
Relevant Stat: Average of Body and Mind
Specialisations: Hovercraft, Hydrofoils, Large Ships, Small Boats, Submarines

The ability to safely operate a watercraft.

Burglary
Multi-Genre Cost: 2 Points/Level
Relevant Stat: Body or Mind
Specialisations: Breaking-and-Entering, Hot-Wiring, Safe Cracking

The ability to open locks, quietly cut glass, hot-wire car ignitions, etc. The ability does not cover disarming electronic security systems, which is handled by Electronics (Security) Skill.

Climbing
Multi-Genre Cost: 2 Points/Level
Relevant Stat: Body
Specialisations: Natural Surfaces, Poles, Vegetation, Walls

The ability to scale vertical surfaces with or without the use of specialised climbing equipment.

Disguise
Multi-Genre Cost: 2 Points/Level
Relevant Stat: Body, Mind, or Soul
Specialisations: Costume, Make-up, Prosthetics

The ability to change one’s personal appearance in an attempt to deceive others.

Domestic Arts
Multi-Genre Cost: 1 Point/Level
Relevant Stat: Mind or Soul
Specialisations: Cleaning, Cooking, Decorating, Home Budgeting

The ability to efficiently organise and run a household.

Driving
Multi-Genre Cost: 2 Points/Level
Relevant Stat: Body or Mind
Specialisations: Armoured Fighting Vehicle (tanks, APCs, etc.), Big Rig (large tractor/ trailer trucks), Bus, Car, Giant Robot, Motorcycle, Small Truck (vans, pick-ups, hi-cubes), Teamster (Draft Animals), Walker

The ability to operate a powered ground vehicle. Skill checks are only necessary in difficult situations such as performing vehicular stunts, avoiding hazards, etc.

Electronics
Multi-Genre Cost: 2 Points/Level
Relevant Stat: Mind
Specialisations: Communications, Computers, Consumer Electronics, Robotics, Security, Sensors

The ability to maintain, repair, build, modify (and at high Levels, design) electronic equipment.

Interrogation
Multi-Genre Cost: 2 Points/Level
Relevant Stat: Mind or Soul
Specialisations: Drugs, Psychological, Physical

The ability to convince someone to provide information against his or her will. Can also be used to help withhold information when being questioned by an enemy.

Intimidation
Multi-Genre Cost: 2 Points/Level
Relevant Stat: Body, Mind, or Soul
Specialisations: Business, Political, Street

The ability to convincingly project a “tough guy” image. A successful check means someone witnessing your performance is convinced you mean any threats you make. How they react after that will depend on how tough they are themselves in relation to the kind of threat you present — they may respond with respect, fear, hatred, or amusement.

Languages
Multi-Genre Cost: 1 Point/Level
Relevant Stat: Mind
Specialisations: Any one language, Braille, Code Language, Lip Reading, Sign Language

Reflects an aptitude for languages and their historical usage. Additionally, a character will be able to speak and write: 1 (Level 1), 2 (Level 2), 3-4 (Level 3), 5-7 (Level 4), 8-11 (Level 5), or 12-16 (Level 6) foreign languages. Multiple Specialisations will be listed for Languages — the first is the character’s native language (a free Specialisation), while the others are foreign languages.

Military Sciences
Multi-Genre Cost: 2 Points/Level
Relevant Stat: Mind
Specialisations: Hardware Recognition, Intelligence
Analysis, Logistics, Strategy, Tactics, Teamwork

The character has military-style tactical, staff, or leadership training. In addition, SWAT (or other tactical police units) often include individuals who pick up similar Skills (and often recruit ex-military personnel).

Navigation
Multi-Genre Cost: 2 Points/Level
Relevant Stat: Mind
Specialisations: Air, Highway, Sea, Space, Undersea, Urban, Wilderness

The ability to read maps or use specialised navigation equipment (including electronic sensors, if appropriate to the setting). The Navigation Skill will help a character find the fastest/safest route to a destination. The commander of a large vessel is usually a skilled navigator, even if he or she has only slight knowledge of Boating or Piloting.

Occult
Multi-Genre Cost: 2 Points/Level
Relevant Stat: Mind
Specialisations: Astrology, Channelling, Numerology, Rituals, Spirits, Tarot, Voodoo, Witchcraft

Knowledge of the arcane and mystical arts, and their applications in both historical and modern society.