Difference between revisions of "Knowledge Points"

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A '''Knowledge Point''', or '''Knowledge''', is a unit indicating the level of skill that characters possess in a given [[Sage Study|sage study]].  Knowledge accumulates through [[Instruction (sage study)|instruction]] and through gaining [[Experience Level|experience levels]].  The knowledge possessed by non-leveled characters usually applies to a single [[Sage Ability|sage ability]] rather than a whole study, such as having an ability to [[Horse Handling I (sage ability)|handle a horse]].
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[[File:Knowledge Points.jpg|right|525px|thumb]]
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'''Knowledge points''', or simply "knowledge," most often measures a character's status in a general [[Sage Study|sage study]].  Knowledge accumulates through gaining [[Experience Level|experience levels]] and special [[Instruction (sage study)|instruction]].
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In the case of non-[[Experience Level|levelled]] persons, by means of instruction or one's progenitor, knowledge points can also be applied to a single [[Sage Ability|sage ability]] — in which case, additional knowledge of the accompanying study is not possessed.  Most non-levelled characters possess knowledge in this latter fashion.
  
== Distributing Knowledge ==
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: '''For example''', the [[Fighter (class)|fighter]] Rask has 23 points of knowledge in the study of [[Horseback Riding (sage study)|horseback riding]].  This gives him 23 points in each sage ability within that study, including [[Horse Handling I (sage ability)|riding]], [[Horse Feeding & Diet (sage ability)|feeding]] and [[Domesticate Horses (sage ability)|domesticating]] a horse.  However, another individual, Jared, might only have 23 points in just riding a horse, without the whole study's additional knowledgeThus Jared would ride as well as Rask, but he wouldn't have skills in caring for a horse or even [[Horse-mounted Combat I (sage ability)|riding a horse in combat]], as Rask would.  
At 1st level, a character will possess one chosen [[Sage Field|field]] and a chosen study in that field, from the list of fields that are available to their [[Character Class|character class]].  NPCs will have 7-12 (d6+6) knowledge points in their chosen study; player characters will always start with 12 points in that study.  With each experience level gained, an additional 1d12 knowledge will be gained in that study.
 
  
In secondary studies in their chosen field, characters will typically start with 1d8-1 knowledge points.  Druids are an exception, starting with 1d6-1Thereafter, with each experience level gained, an additional 1d8-1 (or 1d6-1 for druids) will be gained in that secondary study.
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== Choosing Studies and Fields ==
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For [[Player Characters|player characters]], it's assumed their youths required much training in making them a character classEach class has access to sage abilities through the following links:
  
Outside of their chosen field, characters will start with 1d4-1 knowledge points, which will increase by that same amount with each experience level gained.
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<div style="column-count:2;-moz-column-count:2;-webkit-column-count:2">
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* [[Assassin Sage Abilities]]
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* [[Bard Sage Abilities]]
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* [[Cleric Sage Abilities]]
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* [[Druid Sage Abilities]]
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* [[Fighter Sage Abilities]]
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* [[Illusionist Sage Abilities]]
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* [[Mage Sage Abilities]]
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* [[Monk Sage Abilities]]
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* [[Paladin Sage Abilities]]
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* [[Ranger Sage Abilities]]
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* [[Thief Sage Abilities]]
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</div>
  
For example, a 1st level Player cleric [[Cleric Sage Abilities|chooses Legends & Folklore from their sage fields]].  Within that field, they choose the study of [[Beasts (sage study)|Beasts]], in which they start with 12 knowledge points. The remaining secondary studies in that field include [[Artifacts (sage study)|artifacts]], [[Demi-gods (sage study)|demi-gods]] and [[Heroes (sage study)|heroes]]; a d8-1 is rolled for each of these.  Last, there are 14 additional studies related to three other fields, The Church, Power and Theology & Customs.  A d4-1 is rolled for each of these.
 
  
== Knowledge Status ==
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Each of the above pages shows a number of [[Sage Field|sage fields]]; there are usually four fields for each class.  [[Druid (class)|Druids]] have only three.  [[Bard (class)|Bards]] have sixteen.  In creating a 1st level character, the players choose just one field from their character classThis becomes their "chosen field."
'''Status''' describes the potential sage abilities that a character possesses according to their knowledge pointsStatuses include Amateur, Authority, Expert and Sage.
 
  
:*To become an '''Amateur''', the character must have '''10 knowledge points''' in a given studyThus, at 1st level, player characters are always an amateur in a single study.  By 2nd level, they may achieve Amateur-status in one or more other studies, but this depends on the success of their rollsIt is not possible for a character to achieve Amateur-status in an out-of-field study until at least the 4th levelBy 6th to 8th level, a character will typically have have achieved at least Amateur-status in every study.
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Within each field there are a set of "studies." Studies in a chosen field are called "in-field"; other studies are called "out-of-field." Characters are now allowed to pick on of their in-field studies as their "chosen study." This gives each character one chosen field and one chosen study.
  
:*To become an '''Authority''', the character must have '''30 knowledge points''' in a given study.  A character cannot obtain Authority-status in a study until at least 3rd level, though this is unlikely and would probably not do so until 5th to 6th levelAuthority-status could not be obtained in a secondary study in the character's chosen field until at least 5th level, though 8th to 10th level would be much more likelyIt is unlikely a character would reach Authority-status in an out-of-field study until at least the 14th to 16th level, and may never do so in many such studies.
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If a character is [[Multi-class Characters|multi-classed]], then he or she may choose one field for the total of all the fields in whatever classes the character possessesThe study in that field is then chosen normallyMulti-classed characters do not start with multiple fields.
  
:*To become an '''Expert''', the character must have '''60 knowledge points''' in a given study.  A character cannot obtain Expert-status in a study until at least 5th level (and would have to roll four 12s to achieve this); on average, and probably would not do so until 8th to 10th level.  Expert-status could not be obtained in a secondary study in the character's chosen field until at least 9th level, and would be unlikely to happen before 16th to 18th level.  A character would probably never reach Expert-status in an out-of-field study.
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== Assigning Knowledge ==
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Part of the character creation process is to assign knowledge points to every study the character has, both in and out of their chosen field. This involves a die roll for each, as follows:
  
:*To be come a '''Sage''', the character must have '''100 knowledge points''' in a given study.  A character cannot reach Sage-status in a study until at least 9th level, and probably would not do so until 14th to 16th levelSage-status could not be obtained in a secondary study in the character's chosen field until at least 15th level and without some luck it might never happen.
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: '''Chosen study in the chosen field.''' Player characters automatically receive 12 pts. in this study at 1st levelNon-player characters would roll a d12When both player and non-player characters achieve a new level, an additional 1d12 is rolled, with this number being added to the character's previous total.  Thus, a 2nd level character would have 12 + 1d12 points of knowledge in that study.
  
== Investigation ==
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: '''In-field studies.'''  These are the non-chosen studies in the character's chosen field.  Each receives 1d8 -1 points of knowledge, or a number ranging from 0 to 7.  This is the same for both player and non-player charactersThen, when a character reaches a new level, a d8 -1 is rolled again, and the new number added to the character's previous totalThus, a 2nd level character would have 2d8 -2 points of knowledge in each non-chosen study in their chosen field.
Some may wonder how additional sage fields, studies and abilities are gained merely from the acquisition of experience, which is gained largely through fighting and treasureIt is presumed that any character interested in a particular form of knowledge will continue to investigate that knowledge, both from other persons and sources, and through reflection and investigation.  As the game offers much time when the character's moment to moment actions are not specified, it is presumed that the character meets with people, chances to find opportunities to read books and spends long hours considering the training they had once upon a timeThese actions steadily progress the character to a "moment of clarity," where they suddenly understand something their teacher tried to explain but which was not fully understood, or something they read once upon a time, or some conversation they had with a like scholar.  This epiphany coincides with the moment the character progresses in level.
 
  
This may not be entirely realistic, but it is a satisfactory explanation for what is happening in game terms, and that is all that is needed to handwave non-essential details about the character's acquisition of abilities.
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: '''Out-of-field studies.'''  These are all other studies the character has.  Each receives 1d4 -1 points of knowledge.  Except that a d4 rather than a d8 is used, the accumulation of points works the same for these studies as for in-field studies.
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Druids and bards both work differently from the above.  Be sure to examine the pages on those classes closely when assigning knowledge points.  [[Knowledge Points#Upgrading Fields and Studies|See below]] on how to increase the number of knowledge points characters can add to their studies at higher experience levels.
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== Status ==
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A character's "status" within a sage study is determined by the number of knowledge points they have accumulated. The lowest status is "unskilled," which doesn't grant any sage abilities.  Each status above "unskilled" (amateur, authority, expert, and sage) unlocks new sage abilities corresponding to that status of knowledge.
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=== Amateur ===
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Amateur-status abilities become accessible to characters once they accumulate 10 or more knowledge points in a particular study.
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: For example, an amateur [[Burglary (sage study)|burglar]] possesses five distinct abilities: "[[Appraisal I (sage ability)|appraisal I]]", "[[Break & Enter (sage ability)|break & enter]]", "[[Case Building (sage ability)|case building]]", "[[Detect Concealed Door (sage ability)|detect concealed doors]]" and "[[Lookout (sage ability)|lookout]]".
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The number of sage abilities within a specific study or at a particular status can vary.  In general, amateur abilities provide characters with a basic familiarity with the subject matter, but they offer minimal practical application. These abilities focus primarily on conveying facts, background information and a fundamental understanding of the topic.  Some of this knowledge may be acquired during a character's initial training, but as the character progresses through levels, they steadily accumulate more information from various sources within the game world. These sources are assumed to exist, just as characters are assumed to have an interest in engaging in conversations with others about these topics and in perusing any books and written materials they come across.
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=== Authority ===
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Authority-status abilities become accessible to characters when they reach 30 knowledge points in the study. These abilities introduce new sage abilities that are more practical and effective compared to those of an amateur.
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Authorities approach their study with a wealth of occupational experience.  They possess full competence in the ordinary components and procedures related to their field, enabling them to proficiently create things and express their craft.  Drawing on their accumulated knowledge and experience, they have developed foresight to respond effectively to unexpected situations, and their abilities reflect this high level of expertise.
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=== Expert ===
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Expert-status abilities become accessible to characters when they accumulate 60 knowledge points in the study. This milestone unlocks another set of sage abilities, some of which push the boundaries of natural laws. Experts possess knowledge that allows them to entertain new ideas and concepts, often bordering on the mystical and magical. They're capable of thinking beyond the conventional confines of their profession, venturing into uncharted territories at the cutting edge of innovation within each study.
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=== Sage ===
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Sage-status abilities become accessible to characters once they amass 100 knowledge points in the study. These represent the final set of sage abilities that a character gains within that particular study. At this stage, the character gains access to highly unusual opportunities and powers that enable them to explore the realms of creation and investigation in the vast and diverse universe. Accumulating this many knowledge points typically requires a significant amount of time, with most characters achieving sage-status when they are at or above the 15th level of experience.
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== Upgrading Fields and Studies ==
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As characters progress to higher experience levels, they eventually reach a stage where they can enhance a study or a field to accelerate their acquisition of knowledge points.
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=== Studies ===
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At the 5th level, characters have the opportunity to choose a new study within their selected field. This promotion transforms the study from being non-chosen to chosen, resulting in an increased accumulation of knowledge in that particular study going forward. All previously acquired knowledge remains unaffected.
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: For example, Olivia the Thief has recently reached the 5th level. Her chosen field is "[[Fraud (sage field)|fraud]]," and her chosen study within that field is "[[Forgery (sage study)|forgery]]."  Before reaching the 5th level, she managed to accumulate 32 points in forgery (12 + 3d12), establishing herself as an authority in the field.  However, in "[[Chicanery (sage study)|chicanery]]" and "[[Double-dealing (sage study)|double-dealing]]," where she rolls (4d8 - 4), she has only 13 points in chicanery and 11 points in double-dealing.
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: Now, upon attaining the 5th level, she has the opportunity to elevate "chicanery" to a chosen study. This means she now rolls a d12 for that study, while still rolling a d8 - 1 for "double-dealing." Naturally, she continues to roll a d12 for "forgery," as she always has.
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Characters obtain yet additional chosen studies at 9th level, 13th, 17th and so on.
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=== Fields ===
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At the 7th level, characters have the opportunity to incorporate an additional field into their selection.  This enhancement improves the dice rolls for studies within that field, upgrading them from '''d4 minus 1 to d8 minus 1'''.  Moreover, when the character selects a new study within their "chosen field," they can now choose from either of their existing fields.
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Characters gain additional selected fields at the 13th and 19th levels of their progression.  For druids, who possess only three fields, all of them are considered selected by the 13th level.  In contrast, most other classes designate all their fields as selected by the 19th level. There is a unique exception in the case of bards, who acquire their fifth selected field at the 25th level. It's worth noting that bards as a class cannot advance beyond the 26th level.
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See [[The Adventure]]
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[[Category: Reviewed]]

Latest revision as of 22:03, 14 October 2023

Knowledge Points.jpg

Knowledge points, or simply "knowledge," most often measures a character's status in a general sage study. Knowledge accumulates through gaining experience levels and special instruction.

In the case of non-levelled persons, by means of instruction or one's progenitor, knowledge points can also be applied to a single sage ability — in which case, additional knowledge of the accompanying study is not possessed. Most non-levelled characters possess knowledge in this latter fashion.

For example, the fighter Rask has 23 points of knowledge in the study of horseback riding. This gives him 23 points in each sage ability within that study, including riding, feeding and domesticating a horse. However, another individual, Jared, might only have 23 points in just riding a horse, without the whole study's additional knowledge. Thus Jared would ride as well as Rask, but he wouldn't have skills in caring for a horse or even riding a horse in combat, as Rask would.

Choosing Studies and Fields

For player characters, it's assumed their youths required much training in making them a character class. Each class has access to sage abilities through the following links:


Each of the above pages shows a number of sage fields; there are usually four fields for each class. Druids have only three. Bards have sixteen. In creating a 1st level character, the players choose just one field from their character class. This becomes their "chosen field."

Within each field there are a set of "studies." Studies in a chosen field are called "in-field"; other studies are called "out-of-field." Characters are now allowed to pick on of their in-field studies as their "chosen study." This gives each character one chosen field and one chosen study.

If a character is multi-classed, then he or she may choose one field for the total of all the fields in whatever classes the character possesses. The study in that field is then chosen normally. Multi-classed characters do not start with multiple fields.

Assigning Knowledge

Part of the character creation process is to assign knowledge points to every study the character has, both in and out of their chosen field. This involves a die roll for each, as follows:

Chosen study in the chosen field. Player characters automatically receive 12 pts. in this study at 1st level. Non-player characters would roll a d12. When both player and non-player characters achieve a new level, an additional 1d12 is rolled, with this number being added to the character's previous total. Thus, a 2nd level character would have 12 + 1d12 points of knowledge in that study.
In-field studies. These are the non-chosen studies in the character's chosen field. Each receives 1d8 -1 points of knowledge, or a number ranging from 0 to 7. This is the same for both player and non-player characters. Then, when a character reaches a new level, a d8 -1 is rolled again, and the new number added to the character's previous total. Thus, a 2nd level character would have 2d8 -2 points of knowledge in each non-chosen study in their chosen field.
Out-of-field studies. These are all other studies the character has. Each receives 1d4 -1 points of knowledge. Except that a d4 rather than a d8 is used, the accumulation of points works the same for these studies as for in-field studies.

Druids and bards both work differently from the above. Be sure to examine the pages on those classes closely when assigning knowledge points. See below on how to increase the number of knowledge points characters can add to their studies at higher experience levels.

Status

A character's "status" within a sage study is determined by the number of knowledge points they have accumulated. The lowest status is "unskilled," which doesn't grant any sage abilities. Each status above "unskilled" (amateur, authority, expert, and sage) unlocks new sage abilities corresponding to that status of knowledge.

Amateur

Amateur-status abilities become accessible to characters once they accumulate 10 or more knowledge points in a particular study.

For example, an amateur burglar possesses five distinct abilities: "appraisal I", "break & enter", "case building", "detect concealed doors" and "lookout".

The number of sage abilities within a specific study or at a particular status can vary. In general, amateur abilities provide characters with a basic familiarity with the subject matter, but they offer minimal practical application. These abilities focus primarily on conveying facts, background information and a fundamental understanding of the topic. Some of this knowledge may be acquired during a character's initial training, but as the character progresses through levels, they steadily accumulate more information from various sources within the game world. These sources are assumed to exist, just as characters are assumed to have an interest in engaging in conversations with others about these topics and in perusing any books and written materials they come across.

Authority

Authority-status abilities become accessible to characters when they reach 30 knowledge points in the study. These abilities introduce new sage abilities that are more practical and effective compared to those of an amateur.

Authorities approach their study with a wealth of occupational experience. They possess full competence in the ordinary components and procedures related to their field, enabling them to proficiently create things and express their craft. Drawing on their accumulated knowledge and experience, they have developed foresight to respond effectively to unexpected situations, and their abilities reflect this high level of expertise.

Expert

Expert-status abilities become accessible to characters when they accumulate 60 knowledge points in the study. This milestone unlocks another set of sage abilities, some of which push the boundaries of natural laws. Experts possess knowledge that allows them to entertain new ideas and concepts, often bordering on the mystical and magical. They're capable of thinking beyond the conventional confines of their profession, venturing into uncharted territories at the cutting edge of innovation within each study.

Sage

Sage-status abilities become accessible to characters once they amass 100 knowledge points in the study. These represent the final set of sage abilities that a character gains within that particular study. At this stage, the character gains access to highly unusual opportunities and powers that enable them to explore the realms of creation and investigation in the vast and diverse universe. Accumulating this many knowledge points typically requires a significant amount of time, with most characters achieving sage-status when they are at or above the 15th level of experience.

Upgrading Fields and Studies

As characters progress to higher experience levels, they eventually reach a stage where they can enhance a study or a field to accelerate their acquisition of knowledge points.

Studies

At the 5th level, characters have the opportunity to choose a new study within their selected field. This promotion transforms the study from being non-chosen to chosen, resulting in an increased accumulation of knowledge in that particular study going forward. All previously acquired knowledge remains unaffected.

For example, Olivia the Thief has recently reached the 5th level. Her chosen field is "fraud," and her chosen study within that field is "forgery." Before reaching the 5th level, she managed to accumulate 32 points in forgery (12 + 3d12), establishing herself as an authority in the field. However, in "chicanery" and "double-dealing," where she rolls (4d8 - 4), she has only 13 points in chicanery and 11 points in double-dealing.
Now, upon attaining the 5th level, she has the opportunity to elevate "chicanery" to a chosen study. This means she now rolls a d12 for that study, while still rolling a d8 - 1 for "double-dealing." Naturally, she continues to roll a d12 for "forgery," as she always has.

Characters obtain yet additional chosen studies at 9th level, 13th, 17th and so on.

Fields

At the 7th level, characters have the opportunity to incorporate an additional field into their selection. This enhancement improves the dice rolls for studies within that field, upgrading them from d4 minus 1 to d8 minus 1. Moreover, when the character selects a new study within their "chosen field," they can now choose from either of their existing fields.

Characters gain additional selected fields at the 13th and 19th levels of their progression. For druids, who possess only three fields, all of them are considered selected by the 13th level. In contrast, most other classes designate all their fields as selected by the 19th level. There is a unique exception in the case of bards, who acquire their fifth selected field at the 25th level. It's worth noting that bards as a class cannot advance beyond the 26th level.


See The Adventure