Scouting (sage study)
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Scouting is a sage study in the field of Wilderland, which offers a set of survival and orientation skills that ensure survival in the wild, ensuring a goodly supply of food, water, shelter and protection, whatever the landscape or weather. Scouting encompasses a breadth of knowledge essential for those who must navigate untamed regions, whether in pursuit of game, avoiding pursuit themselves or simply forging a path through dangerous terrain. A scout is always thinking ahead, anticipating dangers and opportunities before they become apparent to others. Whether traveling alone or leading a larger group, the scout is the first to sense the landscape, determining the safest routes, identifying signs of activity and assessing whether the environment is favourable or treacherous.
The essence of scouting lies in awareness. The scout is the eyes and ears of any expedition, reading the land for traces of movement, recent disturbances or subtle shifts in nature that indicate changes in weather, danger or opportunity. It is a discipline that accentuates patience, caution and an intuitive understanding of both terrain and the creatures that inhabit it. Scouts are the first to detect an approaching storm, sense an ambush before it is sprung or recognise the faint trails that lead to food, water or shelter. It is about understanding when to move quickly and when to linger in shadow, when to press forward and when to wait. A true scout is rarely caught off guard, for they do not simply react to their surroundings; they anticipate them, adapting to the ebb and flow of the natural world with practiced ease.
Scouting is also an essential component of travel in hostile or unknown regions. It ensures that a group does not stumble blindly into danger, but rather moves with intent, guided by the knowledge of what lies ahead. A scout marks the best paths, determines the presence of friend or foe, and ensures that no step is taken without understanding its consequences. It is a discipline of constant movement, observation and silent calculation, ensuring that those who master it remain always one step ahead.
Sage Abilities
The sage abilities below are those acquired by a character through the study, according to status.
Amateur Status
- Catch Fishing: involves the practiced techniques of harvesting fish from rivers, lakes and coastal waters. A skilled scout understands the behaviour of fish, knowing where and when they gather, whether through still patience with a line, aiding in the supply of food in the harsh wilderness.
- Evasion: allows a scout to remain unseen and unheard, blending seamlessly into the natural environment. Whether avoiding patrols, predators or ambushes, this ability relies on understanding terrain, movement and cover to ensure that the scout is overlooked by even the most watchful eyes.
- Foraging: enables a scout to identify and collect edible plants, roots, fruits and nuts with efficiency. Through knowledge of seasonal growth, safe consumption and subtle signs of abundance, this ability provides sustenance even in the most unfamiliar landscapes.
- Hunting: ensures a steady supply of game through patience, skill and knowledge of the habits of wild animals. A scout learns to recognise trails, set traps and use terrain to their advantage, securing food even in difficult conditions.
- Pathfinding I: improves a scout's ability to navigate untracked wilderness with speed and efficiency. By recognising natural routes, minimising obstacles and choosing the best terrain for travel, this ability allows for faster movement without unnecessary detours or delays.
- Tracking: allows a scout to read the subtle signs left behind by creatures and people as they move through the wild. Footprints, broken branches, disturbed undergrowth and other traces reveal not only the direction of travel but also the nature and condition of the quarry.
Authority Status
- Camouflage: allows a scout to blend seamlessly into their surroundings by using natural materials, clothing and body positioning. By understanding how light, shadow and movement affect visibility, a skilled individual can become nearly invisible in forests, mountains or even open terrain. Camouflage is not just about covering oneself in mud or foliage but about knowing when to stay still and how to break up one's outline.
- Counter-Tracking: enables a scout to confuse or eliminate the trail they leave behind, making pursuit significantly more difficult. By taking advantage of terrain, doubling back and deliberately misleading trackers with false signs, a skilled individual can evade even experienced pursuers. This ability is especially useful when moving through contested or dangerous territory, where being followed could lead to capture or attack.
- Make Fire: ensures a scout can produce warmth, light and cooking flame even in difficult conditions. By selecting the right materials, using friction techniques and shielding flames from wind and dampness, fire can be kindled without tools or modern conveniences. This ability is crucial for survival in cold climates, for boiling water to ensure safe drinking and for warding off wild animals.
- Pathfinding II: refines a scout's ability to navigate through dangerous or unpredictable wilderness while ensuring the safety of those who follow. By recognising natural hazards such as unstable ground, dangerous wildlife paths or areas prone to flooding, a skilled pathfinder can chart a route that minimises risk. This ability also includes selecting the best places to ford rivers, avoid natural traps and recognise signs of impending weather shifts that could affect travel.
- Sheltering: allows a scout to identify the safest and most comfortable locations for resting in the wild. Whether seeking cover from storms, avoiding dangerous predators or maximising warmth in colder climates, choosing the right shelter can mean the difference between survival and exposure. This ability includes knowledge of natural formations such as caves, overhangs and dense foliage, as well as the construction of temporary shelters from available materials.
- Water Discipline: ensures a scout understands how to regulate water consumption for endurance and survival. Rather than drinking too much too soon or too little too late, experience teaches when to sip, when to ration and when to seek more sources. This ability also includes recognising signs of dehydration and knowing how to conserve energy to minimise water loss, especially in arid environments.
Expert Status
- Avoid Encounter: heightens a scout's intuition and awareness, allowing them to sense the unseen dangers lurking nearby and slip away before they are noticed. Whether it be the slow prowl of a hungry predator, the heavy breath of a sleeping beast or the unnatural stillness that precedes an ambush, a skilled scout knows when to halt, when to move and when to disappear entirely. This ability relies not only on keen senses but also on an almost supernatural attunement to the rhythms of the wild, detecting disturbances before they become threats.
- Earth Hearing: grants a scout the ability to perceive the movements of creatures and foes by sensing the vibrations they create in the ground. With deep concentration, they can detect the cadence of distant footfalls, the shifting of unseen beasts or even the subtle tremors of something massive stirring beneath the surface. This ability is especially potent in quiet wilderness, where the land itself whispers warnings of what moves beyond sight.
