Navigation (sage ability)

Navigation is an amateur-status sage ability in the study of Natural Astronomy, permitting the character to monitor and maintain a given course overland or across the sea, without the need of visual topographic features or even familiarity with the area. While some of this course is based upon knowing the directions of north, east, south or west, in large part the character will also 'sense' a practical route following trails, ridges, currents or prevailing winds. This is done through sighting the stars, the sun, noting reflections upon the water and upon the land itself, with absolute certainty as to which direction is pursued.

This does not say that the character will automatically choose the best route, only a practical route . . . that is, one that the party has a chance to successfully follow. The ability gives no unusual knowledge of nearby roads, the exact wind patterns in an area or even the lowest pass through a visible range of mountains. It only says that the route chosen will be accessible by the party associated with the knowledgeable character. The exact route chosen will depend on the will of the players, as in most cases they will be able to choose between several apparently serviceable options. The best route will present itself automatically to the party only if it is the only one.

Essentially, however, the knowledgeable character cannot get lost. Though the route chosen may be hazardous, its determination will be a valid means to pass through an area, across a body of water or to return to a place where the party has previously been.

See also Celestial Navigation (sage ability)