Knowledge Points
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.
Contents
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.
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