Architecture
This is the study of how buildings and other important structures are designed. You may
not know the nuts and bolts of construction outside of building codes, but you can envision and analyze existing
designs. At the highest level, you are familiar with the design techniques of many
cultures and know how to combine them effectively for a given environment.
In ancient times, you would be accustomed to the designs and techniques used locally, familiar with stone supports and
obsidian tools. You know how to haul massive stones up great heights with pulley systems. With a high level in architecture and
a background in engineering, your buildings are detailed and glorious as if guided by the hands of Gods.
Nowadays, high levels in Architecture lends itself to the building of megastructures. The tallest and most impossible
skyscrapers can be modeled with a computer. You'll also likely have Visual Arts and a background in landscaping and decor.
The future will bring impossible materials and stunning advancements into the mix.
Talents
- Fortification.
- Bridges.
- Infrastructure (like roads.)
- A particular culture.
Perks
- Your buildings take 20% more weight.
- Your buildings last 50% longer (in years.)
- Your buildings have +3 Charm.
Expert Performance
- You improve stress reduction on a building design, giving it +X*5% to Soak.
- If reworking a building to withstand attacks, you can fortify it for +X*5% to Prevent.
- If designed for elegance over fortitude, the building instead has +X Charm.
Biology
Biology is about the underlying theories to cells, the growth of life, and the basic processes involved in any organism.
Combined with Animals, you know the particular issues of wildlife. Combined with Medicine, you make excellent diagnoses of
patients and understand the spread of disease (and protocols to contain it.) Combined with Surgery, you are well-versed in
performing autopsies. You likely have Math and Technology skills. To perform complex tasks (DNA sequencing and other
top-line techniques) will require Genetics.
In an ancient setting, germ theory and other advanced theories simply do not exist. In a future setting, you'll likely
have to contend with alien life and bizarre circumstances.
Talents
- A particular region or environment.
- A particular genus.
- Humans.
Perks
- Analyzing lab specimens takes half the time.
- By reducing Pace twice, you have half penalties analyzing unknown life.
- +1 Intellect.
Expert Performance
- +X to Perception when making Perception checks to determine biological behaviour.
Chemistry
The study of chemicals and their interactions in an environment. With this skill, you know how to create
dangerous and useful chemical compounds. You also know the tools used to observe and create such concoctions.
You're good at separating ingredients and recognizing ill-fated combinations.
In ancient settings, this is alchemy. You know some useful compounds, but hardly have the accuracy or knowledge
of today. Combined with Botany, this is about as good as ancient medicine can get.
Talents
- Analytical.
- Organic.
- Pyrotechnic (requires Demolitions for complex or large explosives.)
- Biochemistry (requires Biology of equal skill.)
Perks
- The useful yield of a wanted chemical is increased by 10%.
- +1 Fortitude.
- +1 to this skill when the situation is delicate and dangerous.
Expert Performance
- Chemicals created are -X to resist Poison.
- Explosive chemicals and toxic gases are +X metres in area effect.
Earth Sciences
The formation of the very landscape is what is studied here. You'll likely combine with other skills (such
as Biology) to achieve more specific goals. At its heart, it is the science of Geology. When
combined with other skills (eg. from Science or Engineering), it becomes a worldy view and understanding
of the greater chaotic disciplines.
Talents
Perks
- You can determine the date of a pending natural disaster within a few days accuracy.
- +1 Intellect.
- +1 when combining this skill with another.
Expert Performance
- You can predict the pathing of the terrain and mineral veins with (X*10) + 20% accuracy.
Investigation
Although it gets gruesome, you have a general background in criminal investigation. Clues
such as blood, powder burns, and other various evidence are stimulating. You're trained in
techniques for uncovering clues and using information to track down suspects. You may
also have criminal informants when combined with Crime. It's all about tracking down answers in the
end. This skill is more for knowing the tools of scientific analysis and doesn't replace deductive reasoning.
In ancient settings, a detective rarely had more than his wits and watchful eyes to deduce clues from
a scene. Nowadays, criminal forensics has become quite powerful and will greatly aid the investigator
in reaching appropriate conclusions.
Talents
Perks
- +2 against emotion checks.
- +1 Fortitude.
- +1 Perception.
Expert Performance
- +X Perception for uncovering clues during this scene.
Mathematics
This describes Number theory, statistics, patterns, series of equations, and other methods of solving
math problems. At the lower levels, algebra and perhaps even a little probability is known. At the
highest levels, you have mastered the art of making numbers fit. This skill will be needed for complex
rolls to finish math problems that arise in science, engineering, and technology. It is a
crucial skill for anyone planning on difficult work.
Just assume everyone is capable of basic arithmetic, unless they don't seem the type.
Talents
- Statistics.
- Fractals.
- Number Theory.
- Geometry.
- Matrix Algebra.
- Vector Calculus.
Perks
- You don't need technological aids for complex equations.
- +1 Pace to any skill combined with this one.
- +1 Intellect.
Expert Performance
- This will be necessary for solving math roadblocks on other skills. It's likely all Pace.
Surgery
This skill requires Medicine. It's your ability to use instruments to insert and remove objects from
one's body. You'll have to watch for blood loss, any internal damage, and warning symptoms. For
stitching serious wounds, you'll need this skill at a lower level. You need delicate hands and plenty
of practice to be a good surgeon. Many specialize with an extended talent in
one particular area of the body.
This skill was quite primitive with much lower success rates in ancient times. If you combine this skill
with Animals, you'll be able to perform surgery there as well.
Talents
- Brain
- Heart
- Any other part of the body.
Perks
- All medical and biological skills have +1 to their skill rolls.
- +1 Fortitude.
- Ignore one Size penalty either for this skill or for close combat.
Expert Performance
- The patient has +X to Resist Death if he was on the verge before.
- Patients recover from internal injuries (X*10)% faster than the regeneration charts specify.
- Helpful surgery on a terminal subject will increase their lifespan by +X months. The difficulty of performing
this skill on the terminal subject in the future is increased by X.
Ocean Sciences
This skill is about the aquatic aspect of life. With Biology, you can study and dissect underwater life;
with Botany, you knows aquatic plantlife; with Animals, you may treat aquatic animals.
Even with Technology and Engineering skills, this is your ability to work with machinery underwater
and have it work properly without being damaged.
This skill is meant to enhance other skills, although on it's own it is the study of ocean currents
and a general familiarity with water (including general locations of wildlife.)
Talents
Perks
- You can dive 10 feet further without ill effect.
- You can hold breath for 30 seconds longer.
- +1 Intellect.
Expert Performance
- +X/2 to your next related skill roll for underwater work.
Physics
You have spent a great deal of time studying the physical universe as described by textbooks and found by
empirical observation. You have a good feel for situations which involve natural forces.
This skill relies and often combines with Mathematics. It's the study of astronomy, the appreciation of
electromagnetism, and the math behind the mechanics. If taken at the highest level, it means you have an understanding
of the very small to the very large.
Talents
- Motion.
- Cosmology.
- Sub-atomic Theory.
- Thermodynamics.
- Fluid Mechanics.
Perks
- +1 Intellect.
- Solve diagrams and do arithmetic calculations without paper or other aids.
- You can handle 4 more hours/minutes of Stress.
Expert Performance
- Physics, like Mathematics, is required for roadblocks on other skills (like complicated uses of Machinery.)