Streetwisdom (sage field)

Streetwisdom is a sage field available to thieves, describing familiarity with the criminal element and how to best to handle themselves in rough quarters and among rough people. Characters with this knowledge are savvy and elusive, and often possess unexpected talents.

The field includes the following sage studies:

• Coercion: describes the use of intimidation, threats or extortion to compel others to act in accordance with the character's wishes, relying on psychological pressure rather than physical force; functions by exploiting vulnerabilities, whether through implied consequences, such as harm to reputation or resources, or explicit demands backed by a credible threat. Includes forcing compliance in situations such as obtaining lower prices from a merchant, pressuring officials to ignore certain actions, or compelling individuals to provide information, resources, or other aid.

• Guile: the ability to foster trust in others through subtle manipulation, encouraging innocents or unwary individuals to believe in the character’s sincerity; allows the character to present themselves as harmless, ordinary or otherwise unremarkable, deflecting suspicion or scrutiny. The practice involves maintaining a demeanor that appears genuine, calm or friendly, concealing the character’s true intentions. A convincing display of guile can divert attention away from the character entirely, allowing them to blend into a crowd or escape notice while influencing those around them.

• Jack-of-all-Trades: permits the accumulation of sage abilities associated with non-thief classes, allowing the character to be adaptable in a broad variety of situations, expressing resourcefulness and the solving of problems creatively.

• Urban Sense: the intuitive ability to navigate city and town environments with ease, granting the character an innate understanding of how to survive and avoid trouble in densely populated areas, allowing the character to read the atmosphere of a neighborhood or street, recognizing signs of danger such as escalating tensions, the presence of criminals, or the approach of constabulary. The possesses an uncanny knack for finding basic necessities like food and shelter without the need for formal work. This might involve scavenging, leveraging social connections, charming strangers, navigate local systems or simply knowing the right places to look.

The field includes innate knowledge and strategies for living that fall out of mainstream behavior. For example, streetwise characters understand how to get a bed for the night, and food to eat, without needing money. They understand how to diffuse aggressive situations and the manner in which different cultures interact positively or negatively with one another.

See Thief Sage Abilities